Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Public
Budgeting
The
failure of the American spy satellite program was a combination of the poor
planning by the Congress and the contractor, Boeing. Congress was interested in
commencing the satellite program and had even released the funds despite the advice
that it was evidently insufficient. Therefore, Congress gave permission to
proceed for the project even though it would clearly require additional funding
later on. The satellite agency was also partly responsible for the failure
since it had offered interest in building the satellite even though the
technology was probably unavailable for the restricted budget. The limited
government budget was responsible for delaying the satellite design project by
a significant period. More importantly, the restricted budget denied Boeing the
ability to acquire advanced technology for the satellite construction. The
politics involved in the budgetary process occurs between Congressmen and contractors
and entails the pursuit of individual interests.
Within
government, different actors expect different outcomes from a particular reform
that was passed in the system. The extent and direction of expectation will
determine the level of advocacy that each section or individual expresses for a
particular aspect of reform. Setbacks within the reform process occur when actors
receive a result that was different from their expectations. When the outcome
of the reforms do not favor the main actors, most have a tendency of creating
obstacles or slowing down the overall process. A significant advantage of administrative
reform is that it benefits a massive number of representatives and
stakeholders. In this way, demands from the public can be easily quelled.
Another benefit of reforms is their ability to infuse changes within the
system. Reforms hold the key for change in a government. Their disadvantage is
that they can be used by politicians for campaign purposes rather than to satisfy
a pressing administrative need.
Types
of Contracts and Performance-Based Acquisition
Name:
Institution:
Types
of Contracts and Performance-Based Acquisition
1. From
a contractual perspective, it is imperative to consider the types of contracts
that can be effective in enabling the purchase of vehicles for the United
States Department of Homeland Security. Nonetheless, the type of contract to be
selected poses a considerable effect on acquisition planning as well as
contract administration. The types of contracts range based on the level and
timing of the role taken up by the contractor in relation to performance costs.
Secondly, the contract type depends on the nature and amount of profit
inducement provided to the contractor for attaining or exceeding particular
goals or standards. Concerning this case, the contract types to be considered
exist in two categorizations. Fixed-price contracts are generally used in order
to enable the acquisition of commercial objects, services, or supplies based on
rationally defined specifications (Feldman, 2010b). In this particular
agreement, the contractor possesses full responsibility regarding the costs of
performance and the profit or loss that results from the purchase. Cost-reimbursement
contracts are different from fixed-price contracts particularly due to the role
that the contractor assumes in relation to the management of performance costs.
Accordingly, such agreements are utilized in the event of uncertainties that
arise in the performance of the contract. Hence, the fixed-price contract would
be the ideal one to use in this situation.
2. Sealed
bidding contracts offer certain advantages in this situation. Foremost, the
respective agreements acknowledge the existence of competition. Accordingly,
the respective process is anticipated within this type of contract. In this
respect, the invitation to a government contract can be made public via supply
towards potential bidders (Feldman, 2010a). Moreover, the invitations can be posted
in public places and utilize similar means as long as they are appropriate.
Secondly, sealed bidding contracts usually ensure the lack of misinformation
and discordance among the parties involved based on their specifications.
Normally, these agreements describe the needs of the government clearly, completely,
and correctly. Furthermore, sealed bidding contracts dissuade unnecessarily
prohibitive requirements that may restrict the number of bidders (Feldman,
2010a). However, as a disadvantage, sealed bidding contracts can attain
difficulty in markets that obtain an abundance of the required supplies.
Alternately, negotiated contracts provide the contractor with the capability of
selecting a contractor of choice based on usual conditions and assured profit
percentage. On the downside, the contractor gains less profit incentives
especially in circumstances whereby the other party excels in bargaining. In
this context, sealed bidding is effective for purchase (Feldman, 2010a).
3. Proposal
evaluation mainly involves the assessment of the proposal and the ability of
the offeror to carry out the potential contract successfully (Judge Advocate
General’s School & American Bar Association, 2007). In essence, the work of
the contracting officer involves an evaluation of the competitive proposals and
assessment of the relative traits they possess based on aspects specified
within the solicitation. During the proposal evaluation process, the
contracting officer is expected to conduct a comparison of the assumed prices
and costs. This is usually evident in contracts that involve an
organization-fixed price or a fixed-price that possesses an economic price
modification basis (Hurst,
2006). In this respect, a comparison will gratify the need to carry out an
analysis of the price rather than the cost. Secondly, the contracting officer needs
to assess information relating to the past performance of the offeror.
Accordingly, such information illustrates the ability of the respective entity
to carry out the agreement successfully. Hence, the contracting officer shall
evaluate the information resource, the data’s setting, and the trends evident
in the offeror’s performance. The contracting officer shall also carry out a
technical evaluation of the offeror and the offeree (Hurst, 2006). This will involve an assessment
of both parties’ ability to achieve the technical prerequisites. The cost data
may also be provided to the contracting officer during the technical evaluation
in relation with agency guidelines and procedures.
4. Several
requirements are evident in performance-based acquisitions. Such requirements
generally constitute procedures and policies based on the acquisition of
services while utilizing these respective methods. Foremost, it is imperative
to note that performance work statements (PWS) or a Statement of Objectives
(SOO) is imperative in these particular solicitations (United States,
2013). As such, performance-based agreements will comprise a PWS, enumerable
performance standards and the technique involved in evaluating contractor
performance against the stated standards, and appropriate performance
incentives. A PWS can only undergo development by the government or derivation
from the SOO. In terms of performance-based acquisitions, offerors are required
to utilize the SOO in order to create the PWS (United States, 2013). However, the
former does not evolve into a constituent of the latter respectively. Additionally,
performance-based acquisitions require the involvement of performance
standards. These guidelines implement the level of performance needed by the
government in order to satisfy the requirements of the contract type.
5. For
the vehicle purchase, the requirements for a performance-based contract
comprise the following:
Payments concerning the purchase are considered practical
and as such, the contractor is willing to accept their utilization. In
this respect, payments made based on these contracts shall only be viewed
as contract financing reimbursements rather than reimbursement for the
accepted items. Payments made in performance-based contracts are recoverable
completely. This will be in the same manner as progress reimbursements.
Even in circumstances involving default such as failure to deliver the
contracted items, the payments made will still be recovered irrespective
of the identified reason. Since payments constitute contract-financing
reimbursements, they are not limited by provisions of early payment based
on interest penalties. As such, the reimbursements shall be delivered
under the guidance and authority of agency policy.
References
Feldman,
S. W. (2010). Government contract awards: Negotiation & sealed bidding.
Eagan, MN:
Thomson/West.
Feldman,
S. W. (2010). Government contract guidebook. Eagan, MN:
Thomson/West.
Hurst,
D. R. (2006). Performance based logistics: A bridge between acquisition
reform and logistics supply chain management. Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army
War College.
Judge
Advocate General’s School & American Bar Association. (2007). Government
contract law: The deskbook for procurement professionals. Chicago, IL:
Section of Public Contract Law, American Bar Association.
United States.
(2013). Performance-based service acquisition. Washington, DC:
Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Reform.
Army
Profession
Name:
Institute:
Army
Profession
The
army profession is made up of the army and the individuals who operate within it.
Professions are described as career opportunities that involve education, experience,
and training thus making the army a
qualified occupation. The line of work is one that requires high levels of
commitment, sacrifice, sweat and blood as individuals who choose the career
dedicate their lives to the protection of the constitution of their respective
nations. In America, men and women who enlist into
the army, are extensively trained, mentored, and entrusted with the responsibility to protect and support
the constitution. Army professionals undergo personal development through
leaders who hand expert knowledge and guide on ethical behaviors. Organizational
experience and training are equally key in
personal development. As a profession that aims
at the protection and improvement of established social structures, arms
is highly regarded as a significant
career path. Not only does the army profession
protect the constitution, but also equally follows strict ethical and
disciplinary guidelines that facilitate personal development to levels that
other professions cannot attain.
Similar
to civilian professions, soldiers undergo
the same education process before earning certification. Any army professional
must have successfully completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and Basic
Combat Training (BCT) (Beaton, 2010). This is because the defense of the constitution
involves the lethal application of combat operations and weaponry. The intensity of training is dependent on the
career position within the army that an individual prefers. In meaning, higher
positions necessitate further training. For instance, Warrant Officers undergo
further training at Warrant Officer Candidate schools,
and Non-Commissioned Officer advanced courses. Equally, soldiers or officers, who progress in rank, are subject to
further training per advanced rank.
There
are two different fields within the army
profession. The dissimilar fields are the
enlisted and officer career profiles. Enlisted army
positions are more varied in nature. Most of these positions revolve around technical, transportation, mechanical and
human service fields. The minimum requirement for such career choices is a high
school diploma. Enlisted careers in the army do not guarantee the applicant his/her first choice option. Positioning
is determined by the service requirements
and skills needed at the time of enlisting. Officer careers refer to managerial
positions within the army. Officers are responsible
of offering leadership, directing, and planning of operations and decision-making.
Career options at officer level may require secondary civilian certifications
thus advanced degree requirements. The minimum requirement for such positions
is a four-year campus degree prior to serving in the army. Individuals that have basic training and formal
education within the army, are the only persons regarded as
professionals.
According
to George Beaton, each profession is subject to its own code of ethics (Beaton,
2010). Code of ethics are what distinguish a profession from a trade or craft
as balance of power is incorporated with knowledge with purposes of public
good. The predominant ethical codes in the army profession focus on people, career,
and integrity (Maloney, 2011). Senior officers
address effectively the human needs of his or her subordinates. This code
mostly applies in dangerous situations where commanders must make the decision
with the least probability of friendly casualties. Solving issues concerning
people represents one of the hardest actions in weight and power control that
ascertains stability of the general force. Career achievements come before
honor as they rank highest in the code of values (Maloney, 2011). Integrity is
the greatest ethical value of the army profession. Dependent on duty, each
action is expected to be met with diligence, efficiency, and precision as per
stipulated guidelines. Integrity is the social landmark used to define the army
profession.
An
army professional is expected equally to abide to force duties as ethical principles.
Dissimilar to ethics because of their detailed nature, duties are principles
that an army professional can never stray from irrespective of circumstance. Examples
of the strict guidelines include the duty to nation, duty to self, and duty to
orient leadership (Maloney, 2011). The duty to self strictly instructs on
development of high moral standards, integrity and general behavior at all
times. Character development is portrayed as a continuous process throughout a
soldier’s career (Maloney, 2011). Duty to orient leadership guides on the
consistent commitment of officers to subordinates and vice versa. Duty to
nation is primarily concerned with the promotion and conservation of citizen human
rights and the constitution. Army profession duties are static, they never
change and are considered in every military action.
The
army profession is one of great importance to a nation and to an individual who
is keen to establish a career in the
field of arms. There are various career choices available for prospective
candidates with favorable benefits. It is vital to note that the army
profession is one that necessitates great commitment from a soldier. A
professional must commit to constant and continuous character development, training,
and experience. Character appears to be the core driver of a successful army
career given the various ethical principles and duties. The profession is one
that promotes the personal advantage of its soldiers internally while
externally elevating the advantage of others at the same time.
References
Beaton,
George. (2010). Why Professionalism is Still Relevant. Journal of Social Science Research. 1.3-23.
Maloney,
S. D. (2011). Ethics Theory for the Military Professional. Air University Review. 32. 3. 55-60.
Principles
of Supply Chain Management
Name:
Institution:
Principles of Supply Chain Management
1. Define the term ‘supply chain
management’ in your own words. List and
describe the most important activities
Supply chain
management involves organizations at
different operational levels of the same finished product working to maximize
the benefits of synergy, chief among them being customer satisfaction and cost
reduction. The efficient communication between the various levels ensures a seamless transition of the materials
maintaining the quality standard throughout the process. Each participating
organization in the supply chain enters on its volition and is free to exit
once the partnership stops being beneficial.
Purchasing- is the buying of required materials from
suppliersProducing- using the materials purchased to
manufacture goodsDistribution and storage.
deals with the inter-partnership transit of materials and goods Selling- using the products and materials in the
supply chain to acquire monetary value
2. What are some possible trends in
green technology? How will green technology affect management decisions in the
future?
The trends in
supply chains in order to comply with green technology are such as changing to
use alternative fuels, recycling products rather than sending them to the dump
site, cutting back on greenhouse emissions along with reduction of solid waste
products. Supply chains that are managed
efficiently have begun being
responsive to the environmental impact of their products. In a bid to curb the
environmental degradation, most end product companies have put in place green
policies that restrict any transactions with partners that do not adhere to
them. In the future, a firm that is perceived as
green will have a competitive
advantage.
3. What does process integration
mean and what does this have to with supply chain management?
Supply chain integration is broadening the
individual partners focus beyond internal operation to the whole supply chains
functions. The partner is part of a cog that moves the supply chain. The process integration is mainly on three fronts
liberating the partners’ information systems making it accessible to every
member, sharing resources and coordination such as a railway line owned by one
of the partners. This is accompanied by a shift in responsibilities and
organizational relationship that deals mainly with making the individuals
companies compatible (Wisner, 2011). While still in the supply chain,
the participating industries are mandated to revise self-serving policies and align them with the overall vision of the
supply chain.
Reference
Wisner,
J. D. (2011). Principles of supply chain
management: a balanced approach.
Cengage Learning.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of another
person’s opinions without consent. In academia, it is considered as a dishonest
way of presenting information as if it is an individual’s work. Notably, it is
not a legal issue but one that places the victim in a moral dilemma. In fact, there
are no laws that prohibit it. Rather, it affects the conscience of people
whereby authors lay false claims about their material. As opposed to copyright
infringement, it is focused on the enhancement of an author’s reputation
stemming from the wrongful use of another’s expressions (Posner 15). Therefore,
its impact is measured according to the offense created towards the owner’s
audience. As such, its revelation is centered on preventing other parties from according
respect or financial benefits to the plagiarist without factoring in any compensation
for the writer whose material was unfairly used. Consequently, it is more of a
moral issue rather than a legal one.
Similarly, it is surprising that self-plagiarism
exists. While its definition evidently clarifies that it misuses other people’s
ideas, the reuse of one’s own work in other publications is a controversial
concept. In most instances, such duplication is not allowed without proper
reference of the earlier material (Gilmore 76). However, intellectually, there
is no stealing of words or thoughts. The entity that originated the content is
still the same. Such documentation is only unethical due to public interest in
the matter. In particular, authors need to maintain some form of public trust
in order to be relevant to a certain audience. As such, any misdemeanor such as
this is an affront on one’s credibility. Therefore, it could be used as an
indicator of incompetence thereby sowing mistrust among the addressees.
Works Cited
Gilmore, Barry. Plagiarism: Why It Happens, How to Prevent It.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2008. Print.
Posner, Richard A. The Little Book of Plagiarism. New York: Pantheon
Books, 2007. Print.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Eliezer’s Struggle with Religion
Faith
or the lack of it is a main theme in the novel Night by Elie Wiesel. In the novel, Eliezer Wiesel lost his belief
in God, relations and humankind after witnessing gruesome and inhuman experiences
while at the Nazi prisoner camp. It was evident there was a physical and
spiritual struggle within him just to remain alive. In his confusion, Eliezer confesses
“…never shall I forget those moments, which murdered my god and my soul and
turned my dreams to dust…”(Wiesel 32). In the beginning, Eliezer’s belief
was a result of his knowledge of Jewish theology that taught him God was
omnipresent, that He was the creator of everything, and that all the aspects of
the tangible world were a “product,” or reflection, of the heavenly world.
Eliezer grew up with the attitude that every event in the world was a
reflection of God’s sanctity and might. He was a strong believer of God’s presence
in all places and at all times. It was no wonder that he assumed that the rest
of the world was equally good.
In
the progress of the story, Eliezer’s belief in the good of the world is permanently
altered by the brutality and evil he observed in Germany. For the first time, he was
unable to understand how the concentration camps’ astonishing, repulsive
cruelty could reflect spirituality. The biggest surprise was how a caring God
could be the origin of such corruption. Eliezer’s confusion was further intensified
by the knowledge that God was omnipotent and yet he allowed cruelty to happen in
the camps. Another element that shook Eliezer’s faith was the amount of cruelty
that the prisoners exhibited against each other. He notes that “…“Human
suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere (Weisel 28).” Among the
prisoners, there were cases of disunity, infighting, and conflict even though a
united front would stop the cruel Nazi oppression. This widespread violence and
evil served to reinforce Eliezer’s fears that there was no God. Any sense of unity
and good would have restored his faith in man and God. However, the Holocaust showed
him that no one, not even the prisoners or the Germans was capable of being
good. At this point, Eliezer concluded that world was horrible and cruel, and
that either God was disgusting and cruel or that He did not exist at all.
Towards
the end of the novel, there is a change of plot that allows the reader to see
some hope for Eliezer. After making the harsh realization that had the power to
wipe out his belief, Eliezer still managed to keep some of his faith through
several experiences. At certain occasions, particularly the first day of camp
and when the pipel was executed, he grappled with his belief, but the readers
should understand that his grappling should not be taken as a complete desertion
of his faith. This struggle was in fact useful since it reinforced his trust
and faith in the existence of an almighty God. Moshe the Beadle said that he
prayed “…to the God within me that He will give me the strength to ask Him the
right questions (Wiesel 39).” From his speech, it is clear that any Christian
should ask himself or herself questions throughout their belief period. The
Holocaust experience forced the main proponent to question himself.
Furthermore, he also questioned God’s existence, good and evil and the struggle.
In conclusion, it is important to note that when Eliezer asks himself these questions,
it is a direct indication that he is committed to God.
Work
Cited
Top of Form
Wiesel,
Elie, and Marion Wiesel. Night. New York, NY:
Hill and Wang, a division of Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2006. Print.
Bottom of Form
History
of Fire and Emergency Services Grants
Name:
Institution:
History
of Fire and Emergency Services Grants
Fire and Emergency Services Grants
in the USA are sourced from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program
otherwise known as the fire grants or FIRE ACT grant program. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) established the grant program under the National Defense Authorization
Act (Kruger, 2013). The program is accountable for the provision of federal grants
to the fire and emergency service as well as the Emergency Medical Services
(EMS). The fire grant was authorized in the year 2000making it operational for
thirteen years. There is no defined formula for grant distribution, as fire
stations have to apply for the special funding. Given application, a peer panel
based on the requirements of the community and validity of the application
makes grant authorization. Grant service is a way the federal government
supports fire and emergency services elevating response, safety, and
efficiency.
Grants support safety and survival initiatives
through conformance of guidelines established in the 108th congress.
The congress enacted the (SAFER) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
Act under the National Defense Authorization Act. The SAFER Act necessitates
and provides grants to volunteer, career, and combination of the two in fire
departments (Zimmerman, 2012). The core purpose of the grant is to facilitate
increase in the number of fire fighters available to assist in community response
and development. Equally, grants allow fire stations to meet structural
standards in equipment and training. Adequate staffing allows a twenty-four
hour operational program that ascertains protection and safety in the community
from fire and other fire related hazards.
References
Kruger, L. G. (2013).
Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding. CRS Report for Congress. 1. 1. 2-21.
Zimmerman, D. (2012). Firefighter
safety and survival. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
The
Dark Knight
Summary
The movie is a superhero film set
in the fictional Gotham
City that revolves around
a new criminal, The Joker who is determined to cause chaos but meets resistance
from the law enforcement agencies led by the new District attorney, Harvey Dent
and aided by Batman. The influence of the mob is tested by their plans to kill
Batman but their plot is foiled by the latter who then parades them for trial.
However, The Joker embarks on causing carnage unless Batman’s identity is
revealed. Consequently, he enlists the help of Coleman Reese who is an
accountant at one of the largest corporations as well as Rachel Dawes lover as
a form of revenge for the company’s constant raids by the authorities and the
wrongful blaming of Batman, as the latter’s murderer. They rig buildings with
explosives and take hostages as leverage in the pursuit of their cause. Therefore,
the fighting culminates in Batman killing the Joker and advising Dent to blame
it on him in order to cement the latter’s reputation as a crusader against
evil.
Favorite Scene
The interrogation between Batman
and The Joker is intense. The tension is culpable as the former questions The
Joker about the whereabouts of Dent and Dawe but he becomes aggressive. In fact,
he provokes Batman in an attempt to make him lose his cool and react in a
physical manner. As such, the build up to this moment is epic and the ensuing struggle
atop a table is grand as the two personalities collide representing a clash
between good and evil.
Related Character
Batman is an interesting character
due to his resolve to stop the spread of evil within the city. In particular,
his fighting skills are impressive and the wit displayed while tracking The
Joker is reassuring. Moreover, his insistence on remaining anonymous rather
than take credit for ending the cycle of violence is humbling as it proves his
selfness.
Opinion on Life
According to the film, the life of
people is sacred especially those who are innocent. The selfless act of Batman
risking his life to save that of hostages is a testament to this.
Analysis
Dark Knight explores the frailty of
human lives by illustrating how people can be tempted to perform unethical
things if that would mean saving their lives. For example, the enticement of
the ferry hostages to detonate each other’s bombs tests this theory. In
addition, it is also a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the world
especially those that are instigated by criminal fanatics without a moral
conscience. Notably, The Joker’s character is a manifestation of such a role
since he disregards all the laws and is focused on causing havoc using violent
means at all times. Nevertheless, Batman’s role reinforces the notion that good
will always triumph over evil by his relentless pursuit of justice within Gotham city. While his relationship with the police and
other law enforcement agencies is confidential, his acts of bravery are evident
from the numerous criminal arrests and murders thereby reducing the crime rate.
Nevertheless, some of his interrogation tactics border on torture thus igniting
human rights abuses debate. While this is a controversial topic, it is a
reminder of the challenges faced by various administrations in dealing with
extremist tendencies whose destructive mantra endangers national security. As
such, these elements have to be pursued but within the confines of the law.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
U.S.
Monopoly Capitalism: An Irrational
System
Question One
Baran and Sweezy noted that most
companies end up in stable oligopolies that are characterized by a limited
number of sellers. The 21st century, this phenomenon is evident in multinational
companies such as Vodafone, Toyota
and Nestlé, individual corporations that influence the GDPs of continents
significantly.
Question Two
Most industries are dominated by multinational
corporations having massive capital bases, millions of employees and subsidiaries
across different countries.
Question Three
Karl Marx predicted that the growth
of multinational corporations would eventually create an oligopoly of sorts. He
saw that the large companies would develop at a rapid pace and amass enough
capital to allow them produce at lower costs. Consequently, small and medium
firms would be forced out of business.
Question Four
Multinationals have access to a
significantly wider customer base when compared to ordinary businesses. Within
smaller geographical regions, they also have a larger reach. These large
companies also accesses to a wide labor pool. In most cases, they take
advantage of cheap labor in third world regions such as China, Brazil
or Africa and this assists in reducing production
costs significantly. In the process, such firms can enjoy a bigger profit
margin. Lastly, multinationals benefit from economies of scale. This means that
for every number of units produced, they have the benefit of enjoying a higher
profit margin. This allows them to have surplus revenue for acquisition of more
assets, bigger reputations, and preference by customers.
Question 5
The figure illustrates the destructive
and formidable nature of multinational companies. On one hand, they are responsible
for increased national GDPs but conversely, they are massive job destroyers and
a threat to economic stability.
Question 6
During Karl Marx’s era, the United
States introduced social insurance policies to meet the health need of the
American laborers. Frank Roosevelt also supported the Fair Labor Standards Act
that offered proper working hours and other benefits. However, the trend was
very rare during those years.
Question 7
The two authors argue that
monopolies were responsible for creating problems related to overproduction and
accumulating excessive capital.
Question 8
Monopoly capital results in the
creation of an economic gap in which one side, there are a few wealth and prosperous
companies while on the other, a majority of middle, and low-income groups
exist.
Question 9
The authors accused GAP and
Microsoft of being leaders in the accumulation of capital through monopolistic
tendencies. The accusation argued that the two companies invested many
resources in restricting the activities of competitors.
Question 10
In mature industries, the price
levels stabilize because most of the companies have already acquired their
positions and entrenched themselves. Operational costs and revenue margins have
also been set in such environments.
Question 11
In imperfect markets, there is a
price competition based on the location, quality of product, vendor and demand
for the good or service.
Question 12
William Shepherd noted that mergers
had the tendency of lowering efficiency since their intention was not to unite forces
but to eliminate competition.
Question 13
It is a fact that innovation
originates form individuals and small firms. However, larger multinationals
often buy them out or recruit them and in the process, assume ownership of the innovation.
Question14
Baran perceived surplus as the
difference between what was produced by the society and the cost of producing it.
Question 15
The investments for people greatly
reduce since firms urge the consumers to use their money to purchase luxury goods
and services.
Question 16
The investment Boom of the 1990s
resulted in the acquisition of a large number of assets by consumers including housing
units, Internet and computer based companies and government bonds.
Question 17
The relationship between sales efforts
and savings rate is such that when sales efforts increase, savings reduce.
Question 18
Branding ensures that consumers are
trapped in the spending spree. Therefore, they rush to acquire goods and
services that promise to alleviate their living conditions and improve their
physical and emotional welfare.
Question 19
Advertising is an important aspect
of capitalism as it serves to influence the minds of the consumers into accepting
a certain way of life provided by the capitalists.
Question 20
The shift to a service economy has
ensured that wages have dropped significantly. Most careers have been rendered
less lucrative because of poor working conditions and salaries. Lastly, it has
contributed to the death of union groups within organizations.
Question 21
David Gordon asserted that the
United States used supervision as one of the ways to ensure that their
authoritarian economic approach resulted in profits for their respective firms.
Question 22
The American economic system is
characterized by a profit-oriented mindset that exploits its citizens for
personal gain. The profits of the endeavors are not enjoyed by the state.
Rather, they are taken and controlled by a few prosperous individuals and
companies. Over the years, the level of worker satisfaction in the country has
gradually diminished to very low levels. Lastly, the living standards for
American citizens have also diminished.
Reading
Assignment Response
Name:
Institution:
Reading
Assignment Response
First Assignment
The author of the narrative Tim O’
Brien changed the wording from “finally” to “mostly” in order to stress on the
lasting lifetime implications of war on a person’s identity. In the first
passage where the author applies the word “finally”, the central character in
the passage is portrayed as an individual who had been able to overcome and put
aside his traumatic war experiences after two decades. The individual at this
point has no severe personality issues arising from what he saw, did, and
carried back from the Vietnam War. This image is one that the author attempts
to remove or correct through the modification to “mostly”. The modification
suggests that after two decades, the character will indeed make significant
strides in overcoming his traumatic experiences, but he will never recover
completely. War carries with it big emotional and mental scars imposed on
soldiers that in turn result in personality and identity disorders in the
traumatized individuals.
The weight of war distorted the identity
of the characters or soldiers who returned home as depicted by the central
theme of realism. Realism by Tim O’ Brien identifies to the audience the
distorted nature of thought in the soldiers who though seem unified as a unit,
normally possess strong aesthetic values for certain peculiar tangible objects.
For instance, a gentle soldier could possess the thumbprint of a fallen foe or
colleague as a talisman for remembrance. Realism depicts the numerous lists of
things that soldiers carry with them from wars, both tangible and intangible. The
lists that the soldiers carry are the leading cause of the lasting effects
imposing on their identities. The attachment between the individual and the
carried entity is what determines the nature of the implications manifesting in
their identity.
The life of Jimmy Cross with his
attachment to Martha reveals the implications of the weight of war as seen
after the death of ted Lavender. I chose the passage because it follows the
main argument of the author; Tim O’ Brien, that war is a lifetime scar that
cannot be completely be overcome. In addition, the passage reveals on how the
soldiers place peculiar values to both tangible and intangible objects. The
things soldiers carry from war does not limit itself to weaponry and memories,
but stretches to whatever the individuals perceive as personal necessities. This
could be a special bar of soap in one person and a toy car to another
individual. Jimmy has placed intangible value on Martha; a college girl back home
that he idolizes thus additionally places tangible value on her letters and
photographs. The two forms of value present an emotional baggage for Jim that
manifests after the death of Ted Lavender.
Jimmy Cross uses his attachment to
Martha as the glue between his sanity and emotional well-being during the war. Martha
has no strong emotional attachment to Cross as he does to her. Jimmy’s fantasies
with Martha become deadly distractions in his responsibilities over his team
unit. To the character, Martha is the representation of a peaceful world, clean
from the impurities of war. Letters and photographs are proof of this fictional
world. In the event of Ted lavender’s death through a gunshot wound while
peeing, Cross-interprets the event as a conflict in his fictional and real
worlds. This, the central theme of realism is generated once more. Cross feels
his imaginary world resulted in putting his team in harm’s way thus concludes
with the decision to erase every aspect of his infatuations with Martha. In
this, he burns all the letters, photos, and gifts he was holding on.
The passage of Jimmy shows the
weight of war. First, he feels guilty for having an emotional attraction towards
Martha. It is human to love and feel emotions of attraction thus; guilt is a
direct consequence of war that distorts his emotional identity. Second, the
passage reveals how soldiers place value on peculiar items for purposes of
mental and emotional strength given their trauma related weaknesses. Jimmy
values Martha who does not possess the same level of affection simply because
the character never talks about war or any other conflict related stories. This
makes Cross feel like she is the embodiment of peace in a troubled world. The physical reality in Lavender’s death
imposes the weight of war, which is the real world that the character lives in.
Tim O’ Brien in his narrative The Things They Carried attempts to
educate his audience on the implications of war on soldiers. Emotional war
scars rarely fade away therefore soldiers develop peculiar behaviors in order
to mitigate the adverse effects of the scars. These peculiar behaviors are what
result in the loss of identity in the individuals with time. The Author
educates that this behaviors are counter measures thus people should not view
soldiers as socially awkward. In replacing “finally” with “mostly”, Tim is
teaching on the long-term effects of war. The weight of war is rarely
unburdened completely from the shoulders of soldiers.
Second
Assignment
Tangible/
Intangible References
What
the Item says about the Character and their Identity
Page
Location
Tangible
letters and photographs from Martha
The
photographs and letters highlight Cross-’s desire for human interaction and
affection.
26
Jimmy’s
fictional peaceful world as represented in Martha
The
reference shows the character’s desire for peaceful coexistence. The given
identity is that of a gentle person.
27
Berlin’s
imagination of Speaking in the Paris Peace Talks
Similar
to Jimmy, Berlin’s fantasy reveals his desire for peaceful coexistence
portraying him as one of gentle nature.
131
Weaponry
carried by soldiers such as knives, lighters and survival kits
Soldiers
have utilities vital for their survival teaching on their toughened identity
and desire to live.
129
Fear
in Ted Lavender
Ted
is afraid of death as shown in his superstitious behaviors
63
Burning
of Than Khe by the team unit
The
burning of Than Khe by the team has value to the soldiers because it is an
act of revenge for Ted Lavender’s demise. The intangible reference reveals
the unified identity of the team.
158
Bowker’s
thumb
The
character had the finger of a child belonging to the Foe community. The thumb
acted as a reminder of past victories. This shows the character is weak, scared,
and disturbed.
59
Dobbin’s
M-60 Machine rifle
Having
the biggest gun, the reference shows Dobbin’s identity as the biggest person
in the unit.
62
Lee
Strunk’s tanning lotion
Lee’s
tanning shows his acceptance and readiness for death. This shows that he does
not fear death and believes he should look good during his demise.
155
Jimmy’s
burning of Martha’s photos and letters
The
intangible reference educates that the character believes women to be a
distraction thus for survival there is need to have reasonable distance from
the opposite sex.
118
A Flat World essay help site:edu
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A
Flat World
As the world
becomes digitized, a new epoch of connectivity between world nations begins.
The cliché of the world being a global village runs true. Nations in the world
that were far behind in development can catch up with their developed
colleagues easily contingent upon their ability to leverage the internet. The
internet has leveled the playing field as to access to knowledge resources.
Since the end of the Cold War, countries accepted the reality of their lack of self-sufficiency
consequently liberalizing their economies. This further hastened the globalization
efforts that had begun. The reduction of time and distance by globalization has
led to many companies outsourcing to cut on costs concomitantly getting the most
qualified labor force. The benefits of globalization surpass its demerits.
Rather than
complaining of the demerits of globalization, countries should try to identify
the opportunities this connectivity presents. Countries like the US have had a
head start in development, for decades have been recognized as pioneers of
innovation. Instead of singling out how globalization has led to loss of jobs
to third world countries, the countries should be challenged to reclaim their
competitive advantage. Reforming the education system and investing in
technological innovations is the key to unlocking the opportunities heralded by
globalization. In order to halt outsourcing the US must up its ante. Foreigners can
enjoy the world opportunities from within the confines of the country. The
increased connectivity has been accompanied by a flurry of creativity as
individuals join up to solve societal problems in different quarters of the
world. Innovation is no longer the reserve of developed nations. With time,
countries that were previously underdogs will have a crucial part to play in
technological advancements.
Criminal
Justice
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Criminal
Justice
Introduction
Criminal
justice systems are sets of programs that government agencies employ in order
to assert social control and help in crime prevention. Additionally, it
incorporates the practices that these institutions use to penalize offenders as
well as rehabilitate the victims. As such, it focuses on the coordination of
law enforcement efforts by various departments such as correctional facilities,
courts and the police. By so doing, it aids in promoting awareness for citizens
to be law abiding. However, it is important that the entities charged with the
responsibility of enforcing the law especially in prisons to be fair to the
suspects before, during, and after prosecution to avoid worsening their
behavior as they too have rights.
Body
The Rule of Law
Multiple offences
can be committed but all are punishable under the law. However, some of them
are common. Whereas their occurrence varies from state to state, they are
similar in terms of consequences for the offenders (Neubauer & Fradella,
2014). Therefore, it is vital to focus on the civil and criminal categories in
order to establish the differences. Moreover, it would be prudent to offer a
comparison about the law’s application in different jurisdictions. Similarly, it
would be worthwhile to explore the rights of the accused in accordance with the
constitution. In particular, the conduct of law enforcement personnel has to be
examined with the aim of establishing a rationale for possible contraventions
of the statutes. By so doing, background information about the clarity of the
law in criminal proceedings would be established.
History of Law Enforcement
In this section, statistics
of arrests and actions of police during such activities would suffice. Notably,
the harassment of suspects as well as their intimidation would be appropriate
to illustrate the unjust behavior of the police. Accordingly, examples of
individuals who have experienced this harsh treatment should be included in order
to reinforce these claims. Furthermore, the judicial system has to be
scrutinized too by focusing on the extent of corruption within the courts and
their consequences for offenders. By so doing, the image of a broken system has
to emerge and the strain that it places on the victims. Moreover, dictatorial policies
and tendencies would be included to enrich the notion that the criminal justice
system sometimes breaks its own rules.
Prison Life
It is prudent to
examine the prison conditions in relation to the abuse that inmates face. Consequently,
there has to be a revelation of the amenities available to the prisoners as
well as the treatment they receive from the guards. In fact, emphasis should be
laid on the brutality of the wardens especially on individuals perceived to be irritable
(Stuntz, 2011). Moreover, examples of torture claims have to be included too in
order to offer insight into the sections of the law that are being broken by
the officials entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing them. As such, more
information regarding the spread of crime and other beastly acts such as sodomy
have to be incorporated as a sign of the deteriorating conditions within the
correctional facilities as well as the erosion of human rights.
Ethics
As is customary
for any profession, law enforcement has its set of ethical considerations that
all police officers have taken an oath to follow. Such values and habits have
to be revealed. In fact, components of the Geneva conventions need to be discussed in
relation to the treatment of detainees as an acknowledgement of the need to be
fair even to accused persons. It would also be helpful to state the duty of
suspects and other convicted felons towards their masters as a way of outlining
the genesis of the problems that they face in prison.
Analysis
The link between
delinquent behavior and excessive use of force has to be provided as evidence
of the fallacy of police brutality. As such, an analysis of the various parole
reviews is worthwhile to create awareness of the extent of the problem among
incarcerated people. Whereas such comparisons would be readily available, statistical
data of the viability of torture especially to suspects would be welcome. In
fact, an assessment of the relationship between the various communities and law
enforcement personnel in different neighborhoods would offer an apt picture of
the scope of resentment therein and the urgency of amending police actions to
mirror the role prescribed for them within the constitution (Shahidullah, 2012).
Additionally, an account of their life experiences and interactions with police
after serving jail times is vital in drawing a relationship about the hazards
of unlawful abuse of prisoners. The harm posed by such individuals to the
public would be further indication of their threat and the criminal justice
department’s need to integrate law and order in its operations.
Conclusion
The
above divisions would be appropriate for examining the universal expectation of
police reforms especially in the prison system. They would offer insight into
the environmental activities that affect the transformation of inmates into
law-abiding citizens by focusing on their unjust treatment by police officers. Having
illustrated the letter and spirit of the law, justification of the system’s
brokenness would be achieved by the examples and analysis as shown. By so
doing, the narrative that suspects as well as inmates are citizens and
therefore deserve lawful treatment in accordance with the constitution would
emerge.
References
Neubauer,
D. W., & Fradella, H. F. (2014). America‘s
Courts and the Criminal Justice System.
Shahidullah, S. M. (2012). Comparative Criminal Justice
Systems: Global and Local Perspectives. Burlington, Mass: Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
Stuntz, W. J. (2011). The Collapse of American Criminal Justice.
Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
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Don’t
Blame the Eater
In the article, Don’t Blame the
Eater David Zinczenko writes about the problem that many people have today
because of consuming fast foods. He begins by noting that some children have
sued McDonald’s for contributing to their weight gain. The author notes that
children today are at a risk of becoming obese and getting diabetes because
many of them consume fast foods. There are many fast food places in the
country, yet one would find it difficult to find a place that sells healthy
foods. The government has increased the amount of money it spends treating
diabetes patients. Many of the diabetes cases that are reported today are not
because of genetics. They happen because people are consuming unhealthy foods. David
notes that people lack information concerning what they are consuming and this
has contributed to making poor food choices
David wrote the article in 2002. Since then, there have been very few
changes in matters concerning fast food consumption. The number of people who
are overweight and those who have become obese has increased over the years. Consequently,
the number of diseases related to being overweight has also increased. However,
there have been several changes on the government’s part involving the need to
raise awareness regarding what the consumers are eating. The government and
other interested stakeholders have raised the need for people in the food
industry to notify the consumers of what they are eating. This includes having
clear labels listing all the ingredients contained in food items as well as
indicating the number of calories in different products. In addition, the
government has also increased the number of channels through which people can
get the information they need concerning nutrition.
The author makes an effective argument. He avoids bias and subjectivity
in his argument. He offers facts and gives personal opinion when writing the
article. He gives an account of his life as a child and he manages to connect
with the audience by doing this. He writes that he used to consume fast foods
as part of his daily diet as a child but he got the chance to change his life
when he joined the Navy Reserves. He also gives statistics from credible
information sites such as The Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well
as the National Institute of Health. He notes that according to the National
Institute of Health, “Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all
new childhood cases of diabetes” in the country (Zinczenko). He also uses logic
in his argument. He notes that fast food companies can benefit people if they
inform the consumers of what they are eating. This will enable people to make
informed decisions concerning their food choices. Moreover, it will help to
improve the health of many children. By offering statistics and using logic,
the author is able to present his argument fairly.
The arguments that David raises are important and they concern many
diverse groups. Parents would take better care of their children’s health if
they had adequate information of what they were buying. The government would be
able to reduce the healthcare costs if people took preventive measures that
would help them to avoid diseases. Nutritionists and doctors would have an
easier job of managing their patients’ health. Policy makers would also be
interested in such information. For instance, the high number of people getting
diseases such as diabetes and hypertension would reduce if fast food companies
were more careful concerning their food preparation. Legislators and other
policy makers can push those in the fast food industry to make the necessary
changes to their food and beverage products. Fast food companies would also
benefit from such information. They face the risk of being sued by individuals
who feel that the companies should be held responsible for their health
problems. The article contains information on the changes that those involved in
the fast food industry can make.
The author has offered a clear perspective in his argument. However, I
think that he could have made a stronger argument if he chose to highlight the
consumer’s responsibility. He has concentrated on the responsibility of fast
food companies. Every person has a responsibility towards his or her life. People
should be accountable for the choices they make in life. It does not make much
sense to blame the fast food industry since they did not force anyone to buy
from them. Fast food companies tempt children with their products. It should be
the parents’ responsibility to protect their children from such marketing schemes
and to provide their children with the right nutritional products. They should
also educate their children on the right foods to eat. However, the government
has a responsibility towards the people. It should ensure that companies do not
endanger people’s health by taking advantage of their lack of information and
awareness. The fast food industry also has a responsibility. Their current and
future success depends on their consumers. Informing the consumers, raising
awareness concerning the nutritional content of their food, and providing good
quality products make the companies appear ethical in their business. Consumers
will be more interested in buying products from companies that are interested
in their welfare.
Work Cited
Zinczenko,
David. “Don’t Blame the Eater.” The New
York Times. 23 Nov. 2002. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.
Gay
People Make Good Parents
Name:
Institution:
Gay
People Make Good Parents
Thesis: Gay people are capable of
providing good parental care just like heterosexual couples.
I Legal Issues
A Child Adoption
1 Adoption Criteria
The rate of adoption and the
amendments in the constitution to allow gay parents to qualify for such a
service will be explored. By so doing, the viability of the practice will be
justified.
2 Law Requirements
Comparisons between the legal
statutes about adoption of children and the ongoing practice among different
states need to be examined in order to offer insight into the success of such
arrangements.
B Same-Sex Marriage
1 Duties of Gay Parents
Stipulations about the
responsibilities of gay partners to their children will be revealed in this
section thereby providing a platform for illustrating the opportunities that
they have to provide better parenting techniques.
2 Rights of Children
in a Gay Household
Provisions within the law that
guarantee the safety and well being of adopted children in homosexual
environments will be examined and examples provided indicating the viability of
such habits within the current global environment.
II Social Issues
A Dealing with Stigma
1 Real Life Stories
Real life accounts of gay couples
and their relationship with their children will be narrated thereby displaying
the unique approach that they use to advice and mentor the children on overcoming
societal inhibitions (Donovan & Wilson, 2005).
2 Stigma
The prevalence of stigmatization
and its reduced influence in dynamic communities shall be scrutinized as further
evidence of the goodwill incorporated in homosexual tendencies hence helping in
proper child development (Garner, 2004)
III Statistics
A Income
1 Income Levels
Records of income disparities
between heterosexual partners and homosexual ones will be made available, as a
sign of financial might within the latter’s households.
B Foster Care
1 Viability of Child
adoption
Collection of data will be
conducted to ascertain the success rate of child adoption services by gay
couples.
IV Cultural Comparison
A Liberal and Conservative Cultures
1 Origin of Gay Culture
The personalities of people who
grow up in a gay environment will be identified as proof of the reduction of
cultural barriers for the practice.
2 Evolution of the
Societal Mindset
The societal shift in embracing gay
culture will be examined as well and more information provided to acknowledge
the change in people’s behavior.
References
Donovan, C., & Wilson, A. R.
(2005). New Parenting Opportunities and Challenges. Sexualities 8(2), 131-136.
Garner,
A. (2004). Families like mine: Children of gay parents tell it like it is.
New York:
HarperCollins.
Alternative Dispute
Resolution
Name:
Institution:
Alternative Dispute
Resolution
Going to arbitration will require
finding a third party who is in a position to hear the case and offer a ruling.
The arbitrator is empowered to hear the
case and deliver a ruling that will bind
both parties. The third party hears the dispute represented by both parties, and he imposes a binding decision. The
parties will decide on the arbitrator to
use. They will present their evidence before the arbitrator, who will then use it when making decisions (Atlas et al., 2000). This approach is often faster and
cheaper to use compared to taking the issue to court. Once the case is over,
they do not have the chance of making an appeal. Arbitration is more formal
compared to mediation, and it tends to be
relatively more expensive. However, it is cheaper than taking the issue to
court.
When using mediation, the concerned
parties will form an agreement. Using
this approach will require both parties
to agree on the mediator to use to
resolve their dispute. Going to mediation will allow the parties involved in
the dispute to talk about the issues affecting them,
and they will be able to see each other’s point of view. The parties will this have an easy time resolving
their dispute (Spencer & Brogan, 2006). The parties are more likely to
follow up on the agreed decision because they came up with it in the first
place. No party will feel pressured if
this approach was used because of all
them are involved in the dispute resolution. The case will be over once the
parties agree on how to settle the dispute. The parties concerned will not have
to spend additional time on appeals. However, finding a skilled and non-biased
facilitator may prove to be a challenge. In
addition, the parties involved may fail to get the time required to
discuss the issue.
The parties can decide to structure a settlement if they feel that the
plaintiff has sufficient and strong
evidence. They may also follow this course as a
way of avoiding the courts. Both parties are
involved in reaching a settlement. They both present their offers and
counteroffers. However, the parties do not always agree. The defense might
point out the weaknesses of the plaintiff’s evidence when proposing his offer. Settlements are agreed at through negotiations. This can involve the direct
participation of the parties involved or
the lawyers on both sides can handle the matter. The parties might require a
judge, who acts as a settlement mediator. They can also decide to use other
people with experience in the legal profession,
and they can hire professional mediators, retired judges, and law school
professors (Bagley & Savage, 2009).
Using an arbitrator or a mediator will
ensure that the issue is settled out of
the court. Both parties will benefit because the process tends to be cheaper
than going through court proceedings. A lot of money and time will be saved because
the parties do not have to involve their lawyers for a long period. Moreover, the
parties do not have to deal with any juries or complex evidence presented in
the court. Arbitration is more formal than
mediation (Cagan, 2007). However, in this case, mediation will tend to be more effective
than arbitration. This is because the parties will find it easier to use a
mediator instead of arguing their case with
each other. The mediator does not act as a fact gatherer,
and neither does he apply the law, as would be
the case with an arbitrator. He offers both parties the chance to speak
and to air their concerns. The issue
concerned is sensitive, and the plaintiff
may be looking for more than monetary compensation and settlement. A mediator
will ensure that the physician gets relief as well (Atlas et al., 2000)
References
Atlas, F. N.,
Huber, K. S., & Huber, T. W. (2000). Alternative
dispute resolution. Chicago,
IL: American Bar Association
Bagley, E. C.,
& Savage, D. (2009). Managers and the
legal environment: Strategies for the 21st
century. New York, NY: Cengage Learning
Cagan, M. (2007).
Streetwise
incorporating your business: From legal issues to tax concerns, all you need to
establish and protect your business.
Avon, MA: Adams Media
Gartner, W.,
& Bellamy, M. (2008). Creating the
enterprise. New York, NY: Cengage Learning
Spencer, D.,
& Brogan, M. (2006). Mediation law
and practice. Cambridge, MA:
Cambridge University Press
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The
Great Gatsby
Many people spend
their lives imagining the possibility of realizing the American dream. They
cling to the hope that they can lead successful lives if they work hard and
find the meaningful opportunities that will enable them to acquire financial
freedom and independence. They believe that by doing so, they will be able to
attain the happiness they desire as well as any other pleasures they want in
life. Many people have this picture in their minds. However, most of them fail
to realize when they are able to acquire such a dream and they spend the rest
of their lives looking for more wealth. Some end up doing whatever it takes to
acquire such success, irrespective of whether their endeavors are legal.
Fitzgerald represents such a situation in his novel The Great Gatsby. By
describing the lives of different characters, their social and financial
status, as well as their dreams and aspirations in life, he shows how the
American Dream has become more of an illusion and the negative effects that it
has had on people’s personal development and character.
Fitzgerald
suggests the changing nature of the American dream as experienced during the
time. People have redefined happiness in their own terms, as they seem to
equate it with money and wealth. People such as Gatsby seem to think that they
can use the wealth they have acquired to get respect and love. They have
abandoned the social values that hold the society together. In this case, they
are willing to break up families in their quest to show that they can do what
they want. Married people have affairs with each other with no feeling of
guilt. Those who are still single do not think twice concerning breaking
families apart. Gatsby continues to hope for a future and life with Daisy even
though he knows that he is married. Nick hides the fact that Tom is having an
affair. Myrtle does not seem to mind the fact that she is cheating on her
husband with a married man. The kind of pursuit that people seek is more
pleasure and passion and it does not reflect any sort of true happiness. It has
contributed to the moral decadence of the society and at the same time
increased crime. Moreover, people seem to have lost any sense of conscience
within them because they do not hesitate to engage in immorality and illegal
activities (Bloom 24).
The American dream
does not make much sense at the time because it is no longer associated with
the core principles of hard work and dedication. People in this time have it
easy in terms of how they are able to get money. They no longer have to work as
hard. Some of the people, such as Tom, have it easy than most. Tom has never
experienced any financial struggles and difficulties in his life. Therefore, he
does not seem to understand the value and importance of hard work. Gatsby
acquires his money illegally. Tom reveals that he is a bootlegger, which is
prohibited at the time. He understands that even though he is rich, he was not
brought up in a wealthy family, which represents the old money. This realization
compels him to change his name because he wants to be associated with the upper
class. He also makes other people believe that his parents are dead although
this is not the case. His father is the only person saddened by his death
(Fitzgerald 35).
Many of the people
who pursue the American dream end up becoming shallow in their thinking and
they no longer seem to attach any importance to basic values such as honesty
and friendships. Myrtle is ready to leave her husband for Tom because she knows
that the union would raise her status within the society. She is more concerned
with how other people see her, than she is with maintaining and building her
life with Wilson.
Although Nick describes himself as an honest person, his character fails to
reflect this. For instance, he states, “Every one suspects himself of at least
one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest
people that I have ever known” (Fitzgerald 59). His lack of honesty is seen
when he interacts with Tom and Gatsby, who are both wealthier than he is. Other
than hiding the fact that Tom has a mistress from his cousin, he also arranges
for a meeting with Daisy and Gatsby. He does this even though he knows that
Gatsby loves Daisy and the meeting could lead to an affair. Nick fails to
realize that his actions are contributing to the advancement of the moral decay
in the society. He also seems to befriend people based on what he can get from
them. He says, “At first I was flattered to go places with her, because she was
a golf champion, and everyone knew her name” (Fitzgerald 57). Daisy does not
seem to attach much value to love and friendships. Even though she falls in
love with Gatsby before the war, she does not wait for his return. Instead, she
opts to get married to another man.
The author shows
that the American dream is no longer filled with hope and the pursuit of true
and meaningful happiness. Instead, many people have become opportunists and
they have been consumed with greed. They are constantly looking for ways of
becoming rich and they do not seem to mind the methods they use in doing so. In
the end, they end up abandoning their morals and this corrupts the society. They
become hypocrites and they lose the fundamental principles of honesty and
truth. The American dream fails to be about hard work and dedication. Instead,
it becomes an easy way to get money and acquire wealth as soon as possible.
Works
Cited
Bloom,
Harold. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s the Great
Gatsby. New York:
Infobase Publishing, 2010. Print
Fitzgerald,
Scott F. The Great Gatsby. New York: Simon and
Schuster, 2003. Print
Kochan,
Sandra. The Great Gatsby and the American
Dream. Germany:
GRIN Verlag, 2007. Print
Final
Exam
Name
Institution
Final
Exam
What is the role of patients in effecting change in the healthcare
system? Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of healthcare activism in the
United States,
specifically examining the impact it has on the population it is trying to help
(patients).
Patients have a
big role in effecting change in the healthcare system. Their involvement and
participation in different sectors will enable stakeholders in the industry to
know more about the disease, treatment, consequences such as symptoms and
signs, as well as the drug effects. They point out the importance of having
effective drugs in the market. This occurs through their ability to work with
the physicians and researchers interested in knowing more about their
condition. Patients suffering from AIDS were able to mobilize and participate
in the creation of biomedical knowledge. They were instrumental towards
contributing to the disease awareness and drug formulation and availability
(Heineman and Fromke 2012). The patients united in their objectives and they
demonstrated in large numbers. They gained a lot of publicity and this forced
many people to take notice (PowerPoint 1).
Patients suffer
from the disease and they are most aware of its consequences and effects. They
are most aware of the drug efficiencies and side effects. Therefore, they offer
crucial information to the doctors and healthcare professionals. Medical
equipment and machines cannot diagnose the consequences of the disease event
though they can provide other information. By sharing their experiences, the
patients are able to effect change in the healthcare system. Patients have been
influential in the medicalization of the society. Their involvement has led to
greater patient advocacy and they have contributed to the advent of managed
care. This has led to changes in the healthcare system. Medical personnel have
become more accountable and responsible in their profession because of
increased consumer empowerment (Conrad and Leiter 2004).
The patients have
the power to evoke change if they work together with other groups and
organizations. The involvement of politicians, legislators, and other like-minded
people is of importance. Such involvement provides the support that the
patients needs. Once the legislators and politicians become involved, it
becomes easier to raise the health concern to the government. This means that
more resources will be committed to solving the problem. Obesity has become a
major concern in the American healthcare system. Many men and women of
different races, ages, and social economic status are suffering from diabetes.
Those who are suffering from the condition have a multitude of health problems.
Their willingness to seek help from healthcare providers has led to changes in
policy concerning healthcare. Because of patient engagement, legislators and
other policy makers have seen it necessary to effect changes in different areas
and sectors. More resources are committed towards fighting the disease and this
has led to better outcomes.
Healthcare
activism in the USA
has led to many changes in the healthcare sector and it has changed the
perspectives of many people concerning health, disease, and activism in
general. Many people have become aware of the influence that activism can have
on policy. From the early beginnings of cancer activism, many people have
become activists irrespective of how they are affected by the disease. The AIDS
and cancer activists demonstrated the importance and benefits of healthcare
activism. They were able to reduce the stigma associated with the conditions. People
tend to stigmatize if they lack adequate knowledge of the disease. In addition,
the activists were able to capture the attention of stakeholders in the
healthcare industry. Because of them, people were able to know more about the
disease. They became aware of the measures they could take to protect
themselves. They were able to make drugs available to the patients. The
activists laid the foundation of other activists interested in highlighting
different healthcare conditions.
Cancer awareness
month has become one of the most famous calendar events in the year because of
the efforts of the activists. It has made it more possible for researchers
engaged in learning more about the disease to get the funds and resources they
need for their work. They have made it possible for many people to get
mammograms, go for check ups, and take other preventative measures to control
or avoid the disease. They have helped to reduce the stigma associated with the
condition and this has made it possible for many of the patients to accept
their condition. The patients are encouraged by the fact that other people have
had the disease and they have managed to overcome it. In addition, patients get
the social support they need, which is instrumental for their emotional,
psychological, and physical wellbeing (Klawaiter 1999). Activism has been
instrumental in the advancement of treatment options. Many activists have
worked together with biomedical researchers in an effort to learn more about
the disease. Continuous research has made it possible for many people to
recover from the diseases they have. This has happened through early detection,
better diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of treatments that are more
effective. Because of this research, it is possible for doctors to single out
the groups who have the highest risk of getting the disease. They can direct
awareness campaigns to such groups, educate them concerning their condition,
and give them the resources they need to manage their condition.
Health activism
has been instrumental in the distribution of knowledge concerning specific
areas. Activists have been instrumental in bringing the scientific community
and the society together. This has benefited both groups in different ways. On
the one hand, the society becomes more aware and they gain more understanding
of the medical and scientific terms used in research. This knowledge is
instrumental because the people get to learn more about the disease. On the
other hand, the scientific community benefits because it is aware of people’s
needs. Activism brings people from different social and economic divides
together. The people interact and engage with each other. Each group is able to
understand more about the disease from its perspectives. The different levels
of understanding are important because they are a reflection of how the rest of
the society knows about the disease.
Despite all the
associated benefits, healthcare activism can have some disadvantages. The
success of cancer activism also raises important arguments that highlight the
disadvantages of activism. The breast cancer awareness-month is one of the most
recognized in the country. However, it has become more of a spectacle to the
extent that attention deviates from the disease. The focus is no longer on the
disease but on the marketing of different products. Because of this, many
people remain unaware of the facts concerning the disease. They are not aware
of the preventive measures they can take, the alternative wide ranges of
treatment options available, and the controversies surrounding the epidemic
(PowerPoint 2). Some of the people might have the information concerning the
realities of the epidemic but they do not know what to make of it. For instance
although white women have a higher chance of getting breast cancer compared to
black women, blacks are more likely to die from it than whites (Williams,
2012). Effective awareness would make people aware of such information and this
would compel the policy makers, healthcare providers, and others take effective
measures to prevent such situations.
Activism is not
always in the interests of the patients it claims to represent. In some cases,
the interests and focus of the activists and those of the patients actually
collide. Patients are more interested in getting a cure for their condition. They
will approve of medications that are more effective, and which have minimal
side effects. Activists may not always reflect this opinion, as they are more
engaged in the politics of the situation. Some of them are interested in
gaining credibility and approval from the scientific community and they are not
interested in what is best for the patients.
Despite all the
negatives associated with health activism, it is clear that it has had more
benefits than costs to the society. Of keen interest is the fact that it has
largely contributed to increasing awareness about the disease by engaging
different people. Moreover, it has contributed to more knowledge about the
disease by toning down the language used by scientists and researchers. By
doing this, it has made it possible for people to gain more understanding.
Activism has also been instrumental in advancing research through the provision
of funds. Moreover, it has ensured that patients are able to access
medications, other forms of treatments, and preventive measures more easily and
cheaply.
What types of interactions emerge in the face of death and dying? To
answer this question, evaluate how different parties (e.g., the patient, family
members, healthcare professionals) react/respond to life-and-death matters.
What are the consequences of these interactions on the “experience of dying”?
Different
interactions occur in the face of dying. Of paramount importance perhaps is how
one ought to make decisions concerning terminating treatment or removing life
support. In addition, the healthcare providers working with the patients have
to determine how to interact with the dying patient as well as his family and
loved ones. They have to consider different factors including culture,
religion, as well as literacy levels of the people making the decision (Anspach
1997). Making decisions concerning death can be a tough decision for all the
parties involved. Different people are involved in the life and death
decisions. The healthcare providers give a professional opinion concerning
their verdict on the patients’ health. They provide all the decisions to the
parents and other relatives, spouses, caregivers and others who are in charge
of the patient. In some cases, the patients’ caregivers have to make the
decision after receiving all the information. In other cases, they consent to
the doctors’ recommendations concerning the best option. Many professionals
feel that the parents will feel burdened and guilty when they have to make life
and death decisions. Therefore, they make it their responsibility to provide
the parents with all the information they need and they inform them of their
recommendations (PowerPoint 3).
Medical
professionals consider it prudent not to reveal to their patients concerning
their impending death. Many professionals have learnt from their experiences or
from the experience of others that they should not inform patients concerning
matters of death. They are aware that some patients may refuse treatment if
they become aware of their impending death. Some of them my give up their will
to live and others can do something to worsen their condition. Moreover, patients
do not want to know that they are dying irrespective of the severity of their
condition. The medical personnel ensure that they do not disclose such
information to the patients. They withhold the information and the health
records from the patient. They do not talk amongst themselves concerning the
patient unless they are far away from them. They also discuss such information
using technical medical terms to limit the number of people who are aware of
the details. They have to ensure that they do not arouse the patients’
suspicions concerning his conditions through their words or actions. Instead,
they continue to act as though the patient is acting better by continuing to
treat him and manage his condition. In some cases, physicians and nurses have
fabricated the truth or lied to the dying patient about his condition in an
effort of preventing him from knowing (Glasser and Strauss 1966).
In many cases,
family members choose to withhold details concerning impending death from the
clients. Cultural differences determine how people receive information about
impending death and how they choose to handle it. In many cases, family members
will not reveal any information to the patient. However, some of the actions
that people do are a way to inform the patient that he is nearing death. For
instance, in some Asian cultures, family members will often gather around the
patients’ bedside and choose to spend the last few moments with him. By doing
this, they indicate to the patient that his end is near (Glasser and Strauss
1966).
Physicians, other health
providers, caregivers, and family members have realized the importance of
withholding information about death to the patient. This makes the patient
cooperate more with the doctors and nurses in an effort to get better more
quickly. The patients’ emotions are also intact because he believes that he is
only facing a temporary situation. Therefore, he is encouraged and in peace
because he has hopes for a cure. Hiding away information from the dying
patients does not always work for the benefit of the patient. In some cases, it
is better to reveal to the patient concerning his impending fate. This gives
the patient a chance to plan his end much better. He gets a chance to talk to
his family and friends and to close his affairs.
Life and death
decisions relating to issues of consent are hard to make. This happens in
different cases. They mostly involve parents who have children suffering from
incurable conditions. In some cases, health professionals who are taking care
of the baby and the parents fail to agree on the best approach to take. Some
professionals may recommend removing life support when they consider the
situation hopeless. On the other hand, the patients’ parents may have a
different opinion and they may want to prolong the child’s life by continuing
life support. Such parents believe that their children have a chance of
recovering. Even in the cases where the health professional does not agree with
the parents’ decision, he has to provide them with enough information to
empower them to make the right decisions. This process involves seeking the
parents consent and going ahead with the decisions they have made. In many
cases however, parental participation in the life and death decisions is
restricted.
In many cases, the
healthcare providers dealing with the patient decide on the best course of
action before informing the parent. All the professionals involved in the case
meet to discuss the best approach before approaching the parents. Such
decisions involve terminating life support and withholding treatment from the
patient. They then approach the parents and inform them of the decisions they
have made. Those who choose to use this approach claim that they do it to help
the parents in making the right decisions. In the first place, they limit the
options available and this ensures that that the parents are not confused about
the decision to make. There may be many conflicting solutions and the parents
might not have the knowledge to choose the best ones. The way that the
healthcare providers provide information to the parents limits their options.
This includes reiterating or emphasizing the futility of further attempts to
continue treatment, the risks involved, or withholding more information
concerning any treatment options.
The decision to require
parental assent instead of consent when making life and death decisions is not
fair to the parents and it may sometimes appear unethical. The parents need to
be empowered to make the right decision. On such cases, the parents have to
live with the decisions they have made and they are the most affected by the
loss. They will experience the pain and suffering when they lose their child. However,
when seeking parental asset, the healthcare providers should ensure that they
have tried all options before deciding to terminate the treatment. They should
show parents the evidence that they have exhausted all options and that the
best option would be to terminate the treatment. This can include taking
measures such as appealing to experts, pointing out that the child has not made
any recovery, or pointing out the moral consequences of keeping the child alive
(Anspach 1997).
The differing
perceptions on life and death decisions have sometimes led to controversy and
they have become a legal matter. In some cases, some parents and health
professionals have sought the intervention of the court. Health professionals
do not always agree on the decisions to be made. Some health professionals
consider the interests of the parents and the family, as well as the quality of
life that the child will lead. In other cases, the health professionals act as
child advocates and they consider the rights and interests of the child. The
child advocates may differ with the opinion of other health professionals
involved in the case, and the decision of the parents, who depend on the expert
opinion of the professionals. The child advocates consider termination of
treatment a form of abuse, especially if the child has a chance of survival
(Anspach 1997).
In some cases, the
health professionals, parents, and other caregivers consider the quality of
life when making life and death decisions. Deciding whether to remove life
support or continue with treatment will depend on the kind of life that the
patient will live. The patient may end up becoming disabled or living in a
vegetative state when the treatment continues. Parents and other caregivers may
feel that they will not be able to deal with such a situation and this informs
their decision on whether to discontinue treatment. In other cases, parents
will consider it more important for the patient to live, irrespective of how
his life will turn out later in life. They feel that they are not obligated to
act as God in determining whether a person ought to die or live and they prefer
to let nature take its course (Anspach 1997).
Making life and
death decisions is not an easy thing to do irrespective of who is making the
decision. There are many factors involved; some of which are confusing and
conflicting. Health professionals may have different opinions concerning this. Some
of them prefer telling the patient early on concerning the possibility of
death, while others prefer hiding such information from the patient. When
dealing with the death of a child, the health professionals have to work with
the parents since they make the ultimate decision. Some physicians prefer
giving the parents all the information concerning their child’s condition and
seeking their direction concerning the next process. Others prefer informing
the parents on the decisions that they have already made. Factors such as
culture, religion, education background are considered when deciding the
information to give to the parents. In some cases, parents are denied the
chance to make the ultimate decision because the child advocates consider the
rights and interests of the child. In such cases, the issue is often brought
before the courts. It is important for health professionals to have good
communication skills. They have to know the words they have to use to tell the
parents concerning the fate of their child. Such skills are also important when
dealing with adult patients who are facing impending death. If the
professionals do not want the patient to know, they have to know the words to
use when communicating with the patient.
References
Anspach,
Renee R. 1997. “Producing Assent: Parents, Professionals, and Life-And-Death
Decisions.” Pp. 85- 126 in Deciding Who
Lives: Fateful Choices in the Intensive-Care Nursery. Los
Angeles, CA: University of California
Press
Bosk,
Charles L. 2003. Forgive and Remember:
Managing Medical Failure. Chicago, IL: The University
of Chicago Press
Conrad,
Peter and Leiter, Valerie. 2004. “Medicalization, markets and consumers.” Journal of Health and Social Behavior 45
158-176
Epstein,
Steven. 1995. “The construction of lay expertise: AIDS activism and the forging
of credibility in the reform clinical trials.” Science, Technology & Human Values 20 408-438
France,
David (Director) and Cogan, Dan (Producer). 2012. How to Survive a Plague. Mongrel Media
Glasser,
Barney G., and Strauss Anselm L. 1966. “Closed Awareness.” Pp. 29-78 in Awareness of Dying. New Brunswick, NJ:
Transaction Publishers
Heineman,
Mathew, and Fromke, Susan (Directors). 2012. Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue
American Healthcare. Roadside Attractions
Klawaiter,
Maren. 1999. ‘Racing for the cure, walking women, and toxic touring: Mapping
cultures of action within the bay area terrain of breast cancer.” Social Problems 46(1): 104-126
PowerPoint
1. 11/17/14. SOC 305: Sociology of Healthcare.
PowerPoint
2. 11/24/14. SOC 305: Sociology of Healthcare.
PowerPoint
3. 12/8/14. SOC 305: Sociology of Healthcare.
Williams,
David R. 2012. “ Miles to go before we sleep: Racial inequities in health.” Journal of Health and Social Behavior
53(3) 279-296
Heroic
Contributions of Shakespeare and Da Vinci to Modern Society
Name:
Institution:
Heroic
Contributions of Shakespeare and Da Vinci to Modern Society
Since time immemorial individuals
with exceptional physical strength, exemplary in their respective fields of
expertise have been heralded as heroes, as harbingers of justice to the
aggrieved and hope for humanity in general. In legends and myths of ancient times,
a hero usually had divine ancestry (Hercules was the son of Zeus). However, the
definition of a hero remains elusive; the core proponents of evaluating a
heroic act or accomplishment remain arbitrary. It follows that the definition
varies across cultures. While some consider overt displays of gallantry as the
criterion on which an individual is to be awarded with this great title others
base they choices on accomplishments that have transcended the heroes lifetime.
Heroes in the military are best personified by the holders of the Medal of
Honor. These soldiers went beyond their mandate to accomplish a peril but
necessary undertaking. These heroic soldiers risked their lives not for the
potential rewards but because it is what they deem as the honorable thing to
do. Majority of the aforementioned definitions resound with the modern day’s extended
definition of heroism, which is the self-sacrificial pursuit of a remedy for
societal dilemma which repercussions that reverberate across the ages (Henry,
1991). It is on definitions that Leonardo Da Vinci and Shakespeare qualify as
heroes.
The impact of Da Vinci’s works to
modern times reaffirms him as an eternal hero. Da Vinci was a man endowed with
curiosity and intelligence in equal measure. He lived in Italy in the
Renaissance epoch. The time represented crucial turning points in the political,
social and cultural arena. Leonardo epitomized this wave of change. A
scientist, architect, painter’ inventor, musician are among the plethora of
hats his brilliance enabled him to slip on. Nonetheless, it is not his dynamism
but his accomplishments relevant to modern day that earn him the title hero.
Leonardo’s observations on birds and his ideas on flight in the 16th
century are forerunners to the invention of the aero plane(also a sketch
preempting the helicopter was found in the remnants of Da Vinci’s journals),
which has solved the societal conundrum of transport making the world a global
village. Studies on his thinking process have continued to trigger creative
innovations, observance of nature, placing them into perspective of solving a need
and using imagination to consider all possibilities. Leonardo Da Vinci’s
conceptual drawings provided the guiding principles of modern technological
devices like the water turbine and the modern automobile (Stanley, 1996). In the world of Art his painting
the Mona Lisa set a benchmark upon which all artistic accomplishments to date
are measured. His style of art utilized revolutionary techniques that depicted
details previously considered implausible. Da Vinci’s discoveries in optics and
gravity set precedence for later revolutionary thinkers like Albert Einstein (Stanley, 1996). Another
heroic contribution by Da Vinci that is of essence to today’s society is in
dialectic philosophy. With the heightened tensions around the globe, the
proponents of dialectic philosophy are used in conflict resolution.
The relevance of the works of
Shakespeare in solving challenges plaguing modern society justifies his seat
among heroes. Shakespeare is arguably histories most influential writer even
people not familiar with his plays, inadvertently use quotes derived from them
(for example to be or not to be). His vivid depiction of life in the
Elizabethan era did not shy away from using sexual analogies as is seen in
pieces like Sonnet 137 about masturbation. His callous candor about sexuality
made him a controversial author in his time. Shakespeare’s realistic
description of human desire was an antecedent to sexual revolution and
psychotherapy in the 1960’s (Collick, 1989). The rich vocabulary of the English
language can be partly attributed to Shakespeare. Approximately 1750 English
words owe there existence to this linguist. They ranged from everyday words
like gossip, advertising to relatively complex words like sanctimonious,
consanguineous. This heroic achievement is immortalized by everyday speech
(Collick, 1989). The use of plays to create awareness of the ramifications of
implicit actions by the members of society has been borrowed into modern times.
In the Merchant of Venice highlighted how racism breeds hatred and would
eventually catch up with the perpetrator. His works transformed the world of
theater by pushing the boundaries of existing genres. For instance by mixing
tragedy and comedy in Romeo and Juliet he created romantic tragedy genre.
Shakespeare’s soliloquies explored the characters, inner conflicts and
aspirations. Prior to him, playwrights only used its introductory function. His
sonnets help modern poets to depict the complexity of human emotion in tandem
economizing word use.
Though Shakespeare and Da Vinci
have distinct characters, the have similar qualities that led to their heroic
contributions to modern society. Both heroes owe their achievements to the
conducive atmosphere for creative thinking the Renaissance brought. The
ordinary citizen in both Italy
and Elizabethan society had access to literature as opposed to being a preserve
of the elite (Henry, 1991). Da Vinci akin to Shakespeare was passionate about
the art, literature and music. Both tried to address their day’s issues with
concepts that were beyond their time. Both also had great interest in humanism.
Above all their greatest similarity was their creativity (Henry, 1991). While
Shakespeare specialized in literary works (literature, music and poems), Da
Vinci was the proverbial Jack-Of-All-Trades (science, art). This was the
latter’s greatest strength and folly. As much as it displayed his diversity, he
often did not optimize the functions of his creation to solve humanities
problems due to his haste to progress to the next project. He was known to
leave unfinished paintings to be completed by his apprentices. While Da Vinci
chose a life of celibacy, Shakespeare opted to marry at the tender age of
eighteen.
Shakespeare and Da Vinci do indeed
personify the modern extended definition of hero in their accomplishments. This
is evidenced by the immortality of their works. Courage is the basis of heroism
both heroes were relentless in accomplishing their respective goals. Da Vinci
and Shakespeare have defied the principles of heroism that claim it subject to
context and time by remaining relevant to date. Their heroism is a by-product
of their desire to solve the challenges that were plaguing their respective
societies. Heroism is not sought but it is a reward for a benign cause. Despite
the ambiguous nature of the definition of hero, exemplary characters resonate
with all definitions. The accomplishments of these otherwise ordinary men (not
of divine descent) should encourage men of their capability to make a
difference in society. As much as the definition of heroism will remain an
issue of debate, it will not hinder extraordinary individuals from emerging in
society. Tribulations create heroes.
References
Stanley, D. (1996). Leonardo da Vinci. New York: Morrow Junior
Books. Print.
Collick, J. (1989). Shakespeare, Cinema, and Society.
Manchester University Press. Print.
Henry, J. (1991). Making sense of creativity. Creative
management, 3-11. Internet source.
The
Role of Madness in Hamlet
Name:
Institution:
The
Role of Madness in Hamlet
The theme of madness
is the most prevalent in Hamlet. It
is one of the most controversial themes in the play. Many readers are confused
as to whether Hamlet is faking his own madness or whether he is truly insane. The
theme often shows in Hamlet’s character, and this is the cause of most
controversy in the play. Other than Hamlet, Shakespeare also expounds on the
theme through Ophelia. Ophelia and Hamlet display their madness differently,
and this gives the reader a chance to contrast the differences between them. Unlike
Hamlet, Ophelia’s madness does not cause any controversy, as it is genuine and
not planned in any way. The theme of madness helps Shakespeare to expound more
on Hamlet’s character and to develop the plot.
Hamlet conceives
the idea of feigning madness as a way of finding out the truth concerning his
father’s death. He reasons that by doing this, people will not question his
actions in his quest for truth. He first mentions his plan to Horatio, when he
tells him “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet, to put an antic
disposition on” (Act 1 Scene 5 pp. 24). He does not dwell into more details
concerning how he shall manage to achieve this and Horatio does not ask him to
elaborate. It is clear that this is the beginning of Hamlet’s antics to display
his antics. Before he discovers his father’s ghost, he does not show anything
in his character that would suggest that he was mad in any way. Although he is
saddened by the recent events, including his father’s death and his mother’s
quick marriage to the king, he does not portray anything in his character that
would show that he is mad.
Madness enables
Hamlet to put on a different disposition with no one questioning his actions.
Every person around him assumes that he has become mad. This gives him a leeway
to speak and acts the way he wants. Hamlet is clearly acting and he is aware of
his actions. He demonstrates this by showing his intelligence, through sarcasm,
which no one seems to notice. When talking to Polonius he makes sarcastic
remarks directed at him. Hamlet not only makes fun of him, but he also insults
him. However, Polonius does not seem to understand Hamlet’s intentions at
first. This shows that Hamlet is also taking advantage of his feigned madness
to get back at others who have hurt him or those who he feels are not worthy.
Hamlet is aware that Polonius is using his daughter to get in good standing
with the king and he chastises him for it. Hamlet confesses to his mother that
he is not mad.
Hamlet combines
his new state of mind with his craftiness to make his act believable. He is a
reflective man and one who obviously understands how to study other people’s
characters and emotions. He uses this to his advantage and he applies his
wittiness to confuse other people. When he is talking to Guildenstern and
Rosencrantz, he tells them “I am but mad north-northwest; when the wind is
southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw” (Act 2 Scene 2 pp. 33). However, the
two of them do not seem to understand quickly enough what he is trying to tell
them. They go along with the notion that Hamlet is mad and this prevents them
from reading any clues that Hamlet gives them showing that he is not mad.
One would have to
compare Hamlet’s madness with that of Ophelia to be completely sure that Hamlet
is faking his own madness. Hamlet is able to talk sense when he is with
Horatio. He is aware of his actions, and he does not place himself in danger
knowingly. On the other hand, Ophelia loses her sense of sanity when her father
dies and when she has to face dejection and insults from her said lover. She
does not have any method to her madness. She cannot handle the pain and anguish
anymore and she ends up endangering her life. Unlike Hamlet, she does not have
any moment of reflections, which would compel her to think twice about her
decisions and actions. She just acts as she sees fit at the time. The two
characters contrast deeply. While Ophelia portrays genuine madness, Hamlet concentrates
on perfecting his feigned madness. He does it so well to the extent that
everyone considers him a mad man.
Other than
bringing out Hamlet’s character, Shakespeare uses Hamlet to develop the plot.
It would be nearly impossible to read Hamlet without the theme of madness
present. The author would not be capable of developing the plot in the way that
he has. He would have to bring out Hamlet’s character as a calculating and cold
person that is only interested in seeking revenge. However, the theme of
madness humanizes Hamlet. This is clearly evidenced in the way that it enables
Hamlet to find out the truth about his father’s murder without implicating the
Claudius falsely. Hamlet uses the play performed by the theatre troupe to find
out if indeed Claudius was guilty of the crime that the ghost accused him. He
does this without raising any sort of alarm among the people. Other than
Claudius, Horatio, and Hamlet, the other people watching the play think that it
is some form of entertainment. Shakespeare also develops the plot using
Ophelia’s madness. He uses it as a form of escape for the girl who does not
seem to know what to do after her alleged boyfriend kills her father. It is a
way for Shakespeare to remove Ophelia from the scene, as her death comes soon
after.
Although Hamlet
starts by feigning madness, it is possible that the heavy burden of avenging
his father’s death takes a big toll on him and he ends up believing that he is
mad. This is demonstrated in the way he behaves like a mad person even when he
does not have to convince anybody. This is demonstrated in his treatment of
Ophelia. Hamlet does not have anything to gain by continuing to treat Ophelia
with such contempt. Ophelia and the other characters are already convinced of
Hamlet’s madness. Instead of being content with this knowledge, Hamlet proceeds
to treat Ophelia more cruelly. Hamlet becomes increasingly obsessive and
passionate. These emotions drive him to killing Polonius. Hamlet cannot claim
that he intended to kill Claudius at this point since he has just seen him
praying and this action has prevented him from executing his revenge.
Therefore, he is very much aware that the person behind the curtain is not
Claudius. In this case, Hamlet’s madness seems to have become real to him since
he is overridden by passion and emotion. However, this is only a temporary
situation, for he converses with his mother in a logical manner following the
death.
Hamlet is not mad
but he has managed to use his craftiness and knowledge to create a believable
character, which everyone seems to think, is mad. He does not abandon his
original quest of avenging his father even though he does take a long time in
executing his plans. Although he is not mad, it is clear that the mission that
his father’s ghost has laid upon him is a heavy burden for him and it has put a
lot of pressure on him. Because of this, he sometimes acts mad even when doing
so does not help him in fulfilling his agenda in any way. His emotions and
passions get a hold of him to the extent that he does not seem to have much
control in what he does. The reader can contrast Ophelia’s state of mind with
Hamlet’s madness to get a clear picture of the genuine representation of
madness.
Reference:
Shakespeare,
W. (1777). Hamlet, prince of Denmark: A
tragedy. London, United Kingdom: Printed for John
Bell
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Essay
History
The industrial Revolution
took place between the 18th and 19th centuries, with
major shifts in manufacturing, mining, transportation, agriculture, and
technology taking place. It initially took place in the United Kingdom before its spread into other
parts of the world such as the United
States. The revolution had profound effects
on the socioeconomic conditions and societal structure of the United States. The
textiles and transportation industries are some of the primary beneficiaries of
the industrial revolution.
Movement of labor,
and raw materials was integral towards efficiency in the growing industrial
sector during this period. This necessitated the need for new technology that
would provide rapid movement of these two important factors of production. The
steam engine provided the solution towards movement of labor and materials and
created interdependence amongst states that possessed raw materials, labor, and
land for production of various goods that were in high demand. The role of
women during the industrial revolution also changed, as they became an integral
part of the much sought after labor force and involvement in political
activity. They remained an important part of the textiles industry and other
subsidiary industries that had emerged because of urban development and
population increase.
Cotton farming and
production coupled by the emergence of new technology, the cotton gin,
revitalized slave trade. The invention of the cotton gin and gradual emergence
of the steam engine revolutionized industrial and agricultural activities in
the early United States.
There was a high demand for cotton, which in turn necessitated the need for
labor, which was not in existence. This is among the factors that influenced
the growth of slave trade as the rich sourced for inexpensive labor to work in
the extensive cotton plantations in the southern region of the United States.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Analysis
of Sicko the Documentary
Sicko is a documentary
that is emphatic on the dire need for change in the American healthcare system.
It traces the roots of the anti-Universal healthcare system prevalent in the
echelons of power in the US.
The theme throughout the documentary is that the US’s healthcare system should
learn from the success stories of other relatively less economically developed
countries in their application of the Universal healthcare system. Imperialist
greed, furthered by the corporate world, should not take precedence over human
lives.
In light of Michael
Moore’s interviews in the United
Kingdom, it has the best quality of
healthcare. Their National Health Service is fully funded by taxpayers’ money.
On interviewing a section of the population on the cost incurred during
treatment in a typical UK
hospital, he is told healthcare is virtually free. There are no direct expenses
and the hospital refers the patients to pharmacies to get their prescription.
In some quarters like in Northern Ireland,
Wales and Scotland
medicine from these pharmacies is completely free of charge. Included in the
free medical package are the disadvantaged and dependent demographic. For the
average citizen, prescription for each item is at a fixed charge of
approximately $10. In addition, the travel expenses of patients with low
incomes to the hospital are catered for by the respective hospital; a cashier
employed by NHS reimburses these costs.
The social
perspective theory that underlines the current state of the US healthcare
system is the conflict perspective. From the onset, the medical sphere is
stratified into classes. Medical practitioners choose this career for the
prestige it envisages rather than the financial benefits. It follows that
unlimited access to medical care is left to the elite. In the US, medical
care is to be earned that is get a decent job with sufficient medical insurance
in its benefit packages. The reason a generous allowance is given to provide
medical healthcare to children is that they are designated as innocents hence
inherently deserving. The society attributes failure (inability to receive
proper healthcare) to personal shortcomings (laziness) as opposed to structural
inadequacies. Medical is a scarce resource which different classes are
conflicting to acquire. Naturally, those better socio-economically positioned
emerge victorious.
The individual’s
that are predisposed to benefit from expensive medical care as depicted in
Sicko are the Congress, Pharmaceutical lobby groups and Insurance companies. Insurance
companies are known to sacrifice critical medical care for it subscribers at
the altar of profit. Doctors are bribed with bonuses to deny necessary
procedures for the insured in order to increase the company’s bottom line. The
Congress stands to gain if it ensures the Universal healthcare system is not
promulgated into law. This guarantees campaign funding from pharmaceutical
lobby groups is ever flowing. The pharmaceutical company’s in turn maintain
their high margins.
It is true “that
we live in a world of we not me”. No single individual is self-sufficient thus,
concerted efforts in society are critical to meeting their needs. Though this
fact is widely acknowledged, selfishness is a primordial characteristic of man.
Man is prone to pursue his best interest even when it is at his colleague’s
expense. The aforementioned conundrum plaguing the fundamental block of society
can inform the greed impeding millions of citizens from accessing quality
health care. When this selfishness becomes institutionalized, it presents a
challenge to those trying to remedy it. A paradigm shift has to start from the
root cause (individual selfishness) is real change if to have a fighting
chance.
Name:
Tutor:
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Pregnancy
and Baby Wellness Clinic with Grocery Store Vouchers
The values of the
wellness clinic are cost effectiveness, policy costs associated with delivery
of the program, externalities, feasibility, equity in accessing quality
healthcare for infants and appropriate choice of healthcare. The wellness
clinic was informed by the need to develop a platform that would provide care
to individuals living under the poverty line, which is an annual income of less
than $26,000. The issue of vouchers was founded on the need to provide
individuals with low incomes with avenues to source for healthy foods for their
children and in the process reduce mortality rates in Camden.
In addition,
providing the expectant women and mothers with infants with vouchers was an
incentive to enable them to visit the clinic and improve their health and that
of their infants. The values on equity were medium and illustrated that individuals
under the poverty level can utilize this platform because the incentive was
geared towards individuals with low incomes. The program is a high cost venture,
which means that the associated costs might reduce the feasibility and its
success. However, there are adequate venues in terms of availability of space
and resources that can be used to establish the wellness clinic and center.
The program scored
a high value in terms of choice because of the associated incentives for the
new mothers to attend monthly clinic visits with their infants. It is not
mandatory for the mothers to visit on a monthly basis but rather based on
individual needs. The value of externalities was medium with proposal to
establish a partnership with ShopRite as the main recipient of the vouchers. In
addition, this would propel positive healthy lifestyles and would enable the
new mothers to find employment. The program has a high level of cost
effectiveness given that it would provide services a significant number of new
mothers within the community and in the process reducing the levels of child
mortality in the Camden
area.
Name:
Tutor:
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Date:
Stellar Evolution
The Demise of Low
Stellar Mass Stars
Low mass stars are usually less than or equal to 0.5 solar
mass all through the main sequence. During its demise, low stellar mass stars
often follow the planetary nebula route. A 1.4sm low core shrinks further and
forms a white dwarf. Prior to this stage, the low mass stars attain the
red-giant status. The small changes in temperature and the implausible carbon-burning
rate in the helium burn period make the star achieve an unstable status. With
every thousands of years passing, the outer shells of stars undergo
thermonuclear explosions. The resultant effect is the star’s luminosity
experiencing a rise and fall rapidly, in which the pace refers to a couple
decades or years. In due process, the star develops into a strong outpouring of
mass emanating from its surface that is referred to as superwind. Most
importantly is the fact a dying star’s superwind exists in a red giant wind
that distinguishes it from normal stellar wind (Koupelis, and Kuhn 390).
Over a couple of few years more,
the star loses the outer shell due to the super wind, which leaves behind a hot
core. The hot core thereby expands the shell of gases with the expelled gas and
dust. The hot remnant from the star lays in the middle, forming a planetary-like
disk that astronomers named, the planetary nebula. The remaining core loses
most of its solar mass, thus lacking enough energy in and temperature to induce
carbon burning and fusion thereafter. Within a period of approximately 75,000
years, the star forms a dwarf star that is primarily composed of carbon. The
star continues to contract. Lack of enough energy makes the white dwarf fail in
sustaining itself. With the running fuel, the white dwarf cools and forms the black
dwarf in billions of years. The degenerated gas pressure within the core
supports the star so that it fails to collapse (Koupelis, and Kuhn 390).
Occurrence of Type I
and Type II Supernovae
A supernovae refers to the forms in which a star outbursts
during its diminishing levels. Type I supernovae instigate from white dwarf stars
with a close binary structure, which has been explained above. Generally, they
lack hydrogen signature present in the light spectra. Ideally, with the
compression of the white dwarf and accumulation of companion star gas, the star
sets off in a nuclear pathway. Eventually, a nuclear reaction from within the
star results in a cataclysmic supernova explosion. This type of outburst is
referred to as type I supernovae (Ridpath 459).
Type II supernovae are
characterized by the explosion of a star whose size is several times bigger
than the sun with an estimated 15 solar masses. Just as the sun, it will start
by losing hydrogen followed by helium at its core as fuel. A distinct factor that
differentiates it from type I supernovae is that despite its diminishing
period, it still has enough pressure and mass to fuse carbon. Thereafter,
heavier elements begin to build up within the core in a gradual process. It
forms an onion-like layered structure with the heavier elements and the centre
and the lighter ones towards the end. After surpassing the Chandrasekhar limit,
the star starts to implode. It is in this stage that certain supernovas are
referred to as core-collapse. The core thereby heats up while becoming denser. Finally,
the implosion bounces from the outer surface and into the core. The stellar materials
become expelled into space, forming type II supernovae (Seeds and Dana 278).
Works Cited
Koupelis, Theo,
and Karl F. Kuhn. In Quest of the Universe. Sudbury,
Mass: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers, 2007. Print.
Ridpath,
Ian. A Dictionary of Astronomy. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
Seeds, Michael A,
and Dana E. Backman. Stars and Galaxies. Boston, MA:
Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.
Human
Resources Management (HRM)
Name:
Institution:
Human
Resources Management (HRM)
As a professional, do you see examples of the shifts in your current or
past place of employment?
Yes. There are shifts in terms of adjustments influenced by culture, politics,
and economic activities.
Are there competing issues?
There are competing needs in the organization in terms of strategic goals and
objectives and the flexibility towards enabling employees to achieve strategic
goals and objectives. In addition, conflicts of interest and competition
amongst staff are evident based on differences in ideologies, culture, and
ambition.
What, if any, is the logical connection
between the three graphic models in this chapter?
Inputs, processes,
and outputs are connected by the environment and interactions in the form of
feedback. The environment for the three aspects, input, processes, and outputs
includes economic, political, and cultural forces, which may influence the effectiveness
and efficiency of managing labor in an organization or market. In addition,
feedback is an important point of connection for the three models as it
involves collection of information, analysis, and implementation with respect
to the organization’s needs.
Using inputs, processes
and outputs, mangers are able to ensure appropriate development of human
resources in the organization in relation to the environment feedback generated
from interaction of the three elements. In addition, processes interact with
the environment to deliver outputs. The outputs provide information on quality
of work delivered and possible changes that should be undertaken to ensure
alignment of goals and objectives in the organization.
Security
in Wireless Networks
Name:
Institution:
Security
in Wireless Networks
Wireless
networks constantly present a diverse array of risks foreign to conventional wired
networks. The explanation for this lies in the openness of their signals. The
ease of eavesdropping on a cable network is difficult since it demands actual
physical admission to the cable in any location on the network. This implies
that they have to connect to a network jack. Conversely, wireless networks are
regulated by wireless access points and transmitters located in computers. The
radio signals are not restricted by geographic limits. Therefore, they can be
picked up by any wireless receiver within the transmitting range. It is almost
impossible to prevent these signals from leaving a company’s premises. Most of
the encryption methods used in most home and company computers is WEP or WPA (Maple,
Williams, & Yue, 2007). These two methods can be easily hacked using
conventional dictionary attacks in a matter of minutes.
The
best solution for companies and individuals seeking to protect themselves from wireless
network attacks is to apply strong encryption measures. Executing Wi-Fi
Protected Access (WPA), or a more secure, WPA2 will make certain that illegal hackers
and eavesdroppers cannot interrupt and manipulate wireless network signals. However,
it is imperative to note that the initial wireless security measure, Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP), has been exploited by computer specialists to an
extent that it has ceased to be considered significant in wireless security (Maple
et al., 2007). Government agencies should seek to develop a risk-based approach
that involves controlling wireless activities and observing their use. Most often,
these agencies have the necessary security platform. However, they require a
strong training in wireless and mobile phone use to include encryption
practices while handling sensitive material (Maple et al., 2007). It is
imperative to focus on the human side of the security weaknesses exhibited in the
paper.
References
Top of Form
Maple,
C., Williams, G., & Yue, Y. (2007). Reliability, availability and security
of wireless networks in the community. Informatica, 31, 2,
201-208.
Bottom of Form
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Semester
Reflections
English composition has been significant
in boosting the learning and understanding of the art of writing. First, it has
enhanced facilitated my involvement in activities including group discussions,
which are necessary for creating favorable environments for improving on the
previous mistakes. This has been evident through exchanging our written
assignments with other classmates to help in the peer review of the mistakes,
which may arise while writing our compositions. In addition, the classmates’
comments on my papers have been significant in improving my writing skills
since I was able to identify the writing errors and rectify them in the
successive writing assignments. Most of the writing skills were inculcated
through reviewing the grammatical errors, vocabulary choices, punctuation and
spelling among others. As such, I have been able to understand the components
of a perfect paper through the classmates’ comments that supplemented the
efforts of the facilitator in molding my writing skills. In light of the growth
of my writing proficiency and overall character, I should pass English 105.
The semester has also been a success
through equipping me with better writing skills in terms of academic words and
other requirements of excellent composition writing. The learning process
throughout the semester has given me the opportunity to make the necessary
tests and rework the patterns, which have been pivotal in facilitating the
creation of meaning from the routine learning situations. This has been through
identification of key words in academic writing to help in facilitating my
writing skills. For instance, the use of word classes like connectors,
interrupters and conjunctions among others have been essential to the
development of my writing skills. In addition, the appropriate application of
the right words in introducing the topic, elaboration of points and concluding
remarks have been important in improving my writing skills.
The skills that have been impacted into
my system throughout the course of the semester have reflected in my reading
skills. During the process of researching for my essays, I learned how to
recognize key words with ease. This has cut back on my reading time drastically,
not only in this course, but in others as well. Incessant exposure to new words
during the research process and in class has enriched my vocabulary immensely.
My newly acquired vocabulary further hastens my reading process as familiar
terms lead to easier comprehension of complex concepts, I can infer the authors
objective upon reading a sample of the model text. It follows that I have
developed a reading culture edifying my creativity in writing.
It is necessary to note that the
learning process throughout the semester has been significant through making it
occur both inside and outside the classroom, which has been vital in making it
more enjoyable. As such, I was able to interact with the native English
speakers through constant communication in English language, which served to
sharpen my spoken and written English. In addition, creative writing has been
critical in developing my creativity and using the right words in the right
places to help in making the intended meanings. One of the most notable
occurrences in the learning process is the constant involvement in writing on
critical thinking topics, which helped in strengthening my competency in
writing. There were also constant writing practices during the semester that
made it easier to master the art of writing basing on the notion that practice
makes perfect.
The semester’s curriculum has instilled
in me new writing strategies and ways through which one can optimize their
functions. In paper three, initially I wrote about gender inequalities using
the King journey. It helped me highlight the humor of the challenges women
encounter in their day-to-day lives. This was best depicted by the idea of
possibility where men could experience the opposite’s sex life first hand. The
humor tone convention is used throughout the paper. Afterward I changed to use
Goodman genre, which more sufficiently communicated the essays intended
message. Instead of the depicting, the humor in challenges Goodman enables the
audience to see them clearly in society by use of sarcasm to engage them
mentally. By use of the core learning outcome rhetorical strategy, I was able
to show the irony revealed when you analyze the female worker’s life. For
instance, in spite of having the relatively the same position with the opposite
gender there emerges a discrepancy in their salaries, a case prevalent
especially in managerial positions. The audience the initial version was
targeting predominantly males. Into the subsequent Goodman version, the
audience remained constant as the moral lesson of the essay is meant to
transform the male perspective in today’s patriarchic society. Afterwards use
of proofreading learning outcome helped me insure the essay was coherent.
The learning process through out the
semester has ingrained in me a new perspective towards life in general. The
creativity fostered in tandem with exposure to new information, have opened up
my outlook towards critical issues. Essays on the challenges plaguing today’s
society have been very insightful and resulted in a corresponding behavior
change. For example, after writing on gender inequalities, I have a newfound
sensitivity in how I treat women or remark about issues pertaining to their
wellbeing. An open mind helps you become a problem solver and sheds of the
tendency of basing your decisions on ignorance (baseless stereotypes,
uninformed opinions and so on). My previously handicapped empathy has gained
fervor. Nowadays, I easily identify with other people’s plights subsequently
putting their needs before my selfish wants. Slowly but surely, I am growing
into an all-rounded individual who will
be well adjusted into the modern society, that is can effectively contribute in the socio-economic
development of the country.
Promoting me into English 106 class will
help me share my adroit writing and sense of character with society. In turn, you
will have the satisfaction of having added yet another capable citizen into
society. Concisely the textbook has been significant in improving my writing
skills through the topics that helped me have a sequential understanding of the
concepts, which are used in writing. The topics have also been interesting
through creation of required creativity in writing my assignments;
additionally, the progressive tests in the book have been crucial to the
improvement of my writing skills. The direct experiences in the field through
associating with other students while writing assignment have enabled develop
speed and other writing skills from them. In short, being keen on the
instructions given by the facilitators has seen my writing skills improve
through the application of the rich source of knowledge from the experts.
Implementation of feedback from students’ peer reviews and comments have made
writing more of fun than an academic undertaking.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Drug
Abuse
Question one
From
the onset, it suffices to note that there is a minimal difference between licit
and illicit drugs. Most of the same licit drugs used to cure disease or repress
symptoms are the same ones used by drug abusers. One common aspect in both
licit and illicit drugs is the chemical composition. Both types of drugs are
manufactured using almost similar chemical elements. For instance, heroin,
which is an illicit drug, contains morphine, a licit drug used in hospitals for
anesthetic purposes. The next common factor between licit and illicit drugs is that
both are available locally in chemist and drug stores.
Question two
The
crack epidemic in the United
States emerged in the 1990s had numerous
effects on the society. One, crack contributed to high dependency rates that
were characterized by significant psychological and physiological problems. At work
and in school, employees exhibited low productivity levels. This resulted in
higher cases of occupational accidents, injuries and deaths. Two, crack usage
contributed to increased levels of crime in the society. Crack addicts who were
unable to afford the drug resorted to gang activity, kidnapping and other forms
of violent crimes. Other residents resorted to opening up drug laboratories
where they manufactured illegal crack for sale. In households, the instances of
domestic violence, rape and child exploitation increased as parents and
children were fueled by crack. Lastly, it contributed towards increased
regulations concerning the usage of cocaine particularly in medical circles. After
noticing the widespread crack abuse, Congress decided to strengthen the penalties
for crack possession, distribution and use. The government also used an
extraordinary amount of funds in legal proceedings against crack cases. Therapy,
interdiction, investigations and other administrative processes reached a high
of approximately $17 billion in 1999.
Question three
The
gateway drug theory argues that the constant consumption of less risky and
addictive drugs can contribute towards the usage of hard drugs. The theory argues
that the process often begins with exposure to licit drugs such as medicinal
marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. The theory is grounded on the assumption that consuming
licit drugs at the early stages, particularly marijuana, has a biochemical
effect on the brain that predisposes them to abuse cocaine products. The
soothing chemical reactions that occur while taking marijuana at an early age result
in a drug seeking and consumption behavior that eventually leads the victim
into sampling other hard drugs. In conclusion, the theory argues that “gateway
drugs” act as the route through which individuals eventually become addicted to
hard drugs. This theory has been rejected by several scholars because some
people take cannabis (marijuana) early in life where it acts as a deterrent of indulgence
in tobacco and alcohol consumption
Question four
The
term “laissez faire” is an economic term that refers to the unhindered transaction
between different actors with the absence of a significant government presence
and restrictions. In French, it means leaving someone to do as they pleased. A
key fundamental of the laissez-faire system is the individual and their rights.
All individuals are considered the highest priority in such a system. Consequently,
they cannot be denied any right by an overseeing authority such as the
government. The intention of the government was to liberate the economic sector
and allow for self-regulation using the market forces of supply and demand. These
two forces would ensure that the required goods and services would reach the consumers.
The laissez faire approach led to increased volumes of uncontrolled trade
mainly by eliminating most of the trade barriers such as levies, taxes and
tariffs.
Question Five
Drug
Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a public health surveillance procedure that
allows health workers to monitor the records, attendance and population of medical
facilities dealing with drug-related patients. The main purpose of DAWN is to collect
reports on the frequency, types of drugs and amount of abuse within urban areas
and in the rest of the country. DAWN operates under the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services and works by collecting information from emergency departments
using sampling methods. The implementation of DAWN within the medical sector
had sweeping changes. One, it forced all of the hospitals to maintain accurate
records of all drug-related issues that were handled by their emergency departments.
These establishments were also required to link up their patient databases with
those in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Hospitals were also subjected to a visit from DAWN officials.
Question six
The
terms abuse and dependence emerge frequently in the practice of psychiatric
diagnosis. The vital characteristic of abuse is a trend of substance use that forces
an individual to encounter destructive consequences. Clinicians assume a
condition to be substance abuse if, within a year, an individual fails to meet
their daily obligations such as going to school or work, engage in dangerous
activities and continuous use in spite of personal problems. Conversely, dependence
refers to a more severe case in which physicians look for physiological trends
and behavior changes. These physiological changes include heightened tolerance
to drugs that forces them to take high doses. Such patients also exhibit
withdrawal symptoms when they are denied the drug. In terms of behavioral
change, dependent people exhibit low self-control, allocate an extraordinary
time towards acquiring and using drugs as well as exceeding the allowed drug
limits.
Question seven
The
1914 Harrison Narcotics Act was formulated with the intention of regulating and
taxing the manufacture, distribution and usage of opiates. The Act was intended
to regulate the access to opium and cocaine by-products. However, in the 20th
century when cocaine became acknowledged as a national problem, the Act was implemented
in a stronger way to ensure that the distribution of the drug was extremely
restricted. Doctors and physicians were the biggest beneficiaries since they
were allowed to administer it for professional purposes only. The law was also
responsible for the diminished supply of cocaine and a consequent surge in drug-related
crime. At this stage, cocaine was completely banned in 1920. Within the society,
it led to a decrease in cocaine addicts. This was essential in reducing the
pressure off emergency departments.
Question Eight
The
categorization of drugs organizes them according to their addiction levels,
chemical composition and danger to human composition. Therefore, highly
addictive drugs are categorized as “Schedule 1” drugs since they can be easily
abused, they have no clear medical treatment and lack safety while using.
Examples of such drugs include LSD, Mescaline, and Khat, bath salts, marijuana
and heroin. Such drugs cannot be administered through prescriptions since their
use is highly dangerous to an unattended patient. Once consumed, they initiate significant
changes in the body such as hallucination, lowered or heightened heart rate and
immobility. Therefore, they have to be administered in controlled doses and
under the guidance of a qualified physician.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
The
OPEC Brochure “Who Gets What from Imported Oil?”
In this contemporary
society, there has been an increased dependency on oil and its products. With
increased industrialization, the need for this indispensable commodity is exacerbated.
Oil products in their various forms play an integral part in almost every
sphere of modern life. This ranges from skin care products to transportation. It
follows that citizens are sensitive to rise in the cost of fuel as it
translates in a rise in the cost of living. The governments often justify the
increase in oil prices to the rise in price of crude oil they buy from OPEC
countries. Contrary to this popular belief, the biggest beneficiaries of oil
sale are the domestic governments. The governments let the assumption that the
foreign oil producing countries are the biggest winners prevail because it
plays to their advantage. The revenue earned by local government from taxing
oil surpasses the profit earned by OPEC countries from oil sale. The government
can cushion off its citizens from the effects of increase in oil price by
reducing taxes on oil. The governments ignore this benign consideration for
fear of losing profits. While the revenue the domestic government earns from
taxing oil is pure profit, the OPEC nation they have to consider the cost of exploration
and production from their share of oil sale profits. The burden put on the
consumer does not emanate from the original oil price rather it is from their
domestic government taxes. Majority of money paid for oil products goes to the
government. The myth that an increase in the oil is corresponds to an increase
in gas prices is a lie fabricated by the government to keep the masses
ignorant. The citizens should pressure its respective governments to lower the
taxes imposed on oil.
Personal
Finance
Name:
Institution:
Personal
Finance
Response 1
There are varieties of benefits in
relation to cost of purchasing long-term care plans. Coast associated with long-term
care plans may vary based on age, policy type and coverage levels. Preparation
for long-term care is equally important for individuals nearing retirement
during old age (Keown, 2013). Long-term care
provides an effective approach towards allocation of funds that would cater for
costs associated with old age such as medical, food, and utility needs. Long-term
care insurance ensures that emergencies, which are relatively common during old
age, are catered for adequately (Keown, 2013).
In addition, it provides a source of funds to cater for individual needs upon
retirement and old age when one has exhausted employability capabilities. Long-term
care insurance is relatively effective as it provides enormous benefits that
would be accrued from out pocket expenses to finance long-term care in old (Keown, 2013).
Response 2
From the two responses, the claims
provided are relatively accurate and valid in their respective perspectives.
Leading a healthy life is equally important to undertaking savings and
financing long-term care needs from an early stage (Keown,
2013). Combining a healthy lifestyle and saving or financing long-term
care insurance ensures that irrespective of the outcomes, one has appropriate
options towards accessing care and support in old age (Keown,
2013). In addition, it is also important to note of the variances
between funding a long-term, care insurance policy averages at $64,800 compared to out of pocket expense
at excess of $324,000. This would provide one with an effective means of receiving
care during old age and providing significant savings in terms of the overall
costs associated with long-term care (Keown,
2013).
Reference
Keown, A.
(2013). Personal Finance: Turning money into wealth (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Name:
Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Strategic
Marketing
Chapter 1 deals
with the role of marketing. Marketing is indeed an important concept that corresponds
to a business being profitable. Marketing helps a business capture the attention of the customer base and create
awareness of the businesses’ goods and services in a bid to create demand. Visibility is the key aim of marketing. The
profit is used in turn to finance the manufacturing process. Marketing
transforms products from worthless inventory into money. A company’s reputation
directly correlates to its success. Businesses use marketing to show the local
community that they are socially responsive. A solid reputation translates into increased sales. In the business industry,
it is the function of marketing to stimulate healthy competition. Macro Marketing is the whole process that directs how
the economy flows. The economic process comprises of the eight macro-marketing functions.
They are:
Buying –
The acquisition of goods or services by a consumer; Selling –
Which utilizes marketing to persuade
consumers of a product’s utility Transporting
– Mobility of goods from one area to another;Storing –
Holding inventory of goods until demand arises Standardization
– Arranging products according to the set criteria and ensuring they are
uniform; Financing – Facilitates the expenses of
the other functions of macro marketing Risk taking – Involves acknowledging the
uncertainties in the market place;
andMarket information – Is the distribution of data
that enables all the other functions to operate optimally.
Chapter
2 deals with the strategic planning process of marketing. An organization’s
first step is to articulate its purpose in relation to satisfying their target
customers over the long term. The mission statement should be enduring and
should inherently preempt the organization’s
future activities. The business is then to conduct a situation analysis popularly known as SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats). This helps the
firm to identify the challenges it will face and which resources to build. The
challenges and opportunities occurring within the organization can be altered
to make the business more efficient. Conversely, those emanating from without are
beyond the organization’s influence. It
follows that the firm should alter its structure to be in harmony with these
external forces to ensure they play to its advantage. Next, the organization sets
quantitative targets called objectives to measure the progress. The objectives
are measurable and short term. The fourth step is strategy development. It
pertains establishing a distinct target market for the firm’s products. The
target market is identified by utilizing the functionality of the four P’s;
price, place, product, and promotion. The
final step of evaluation involves monitoring and assessment of the tactics above.
Chapter
3 shows the need to analyze the opportunities to occur in the external
environment and to choose the ones that are
consistent with the set objectives. The business first identifies the
target demographic. After this, it identifies
the environmental factors that have the greatest impact on the business then classify them as threats or
opportunities. Finally, a person must evaluate the degree of relevance of the
said opportunity or threat to the organization’s business strategy. The
environmental factors may be the size of the demographic market, its
sensitivity to price, the seasonality of purchases, or the slow growth rate the
markets share. Another external factor may be the competitive nature of the industry,
which gives suppliers immense bargaining power. The lack of or presence of barriers
to entry into the industry or the high industry profitability are other
environmental factors that may affect the business.
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Literature
Review
In History is a Weapon, Audre Lorde writes to Mary on the negative
impact looking at a sensitive subject with a singular perspective brings. Lorde
says that oppression meted out to females by the patriarchic society does not
transcend the racial divide. In an enlightening twist, Lorde asserts that by
writing on the female sorority’s woes solely using the white women analogies
implies that their realities under the hands of male domination are similar. The
insinuation is a fallacy as women of color have an extra hurdle to jump than
the average white woman, the racism milestone. One key revelation emanating
from Lorde’s letter is in conveyance of delicate information such as racial
issues are better of done between peers. The primary reason behind this line of
thought is that it will ease tension and prevent defensiveness making the
listener more receptive to the information. The emergent question from the
passage is whether victims of one prey suffer to the same extent. The question
to Lorde is if the victims unite against a common adversary will they not
present a more potent force?
Said Edward in his book Orientalism argues of the injustices
the Arab nation inconjuction with the other Orientals suffer at the hands of
the West. The advisors to the Western governments claim that they are well
versed in matters Orient are fakes who hardly look past the prevailing
stereotypes to base their expert advice. The leaders comply with the call to
action in the false pretext of emancipating the Middle
East from the chain of radical religion. The democracy advertised
is expedient to the West harvesting the resources their target countries
possess. The thought provoking point by Edward is that as civilizations are
founded on different cultures, a one cap fits all approach towards solving the
problems different societies face can never suffice. The critical question to
be discussed is can objectivity be attained in the midst of prejudice? Does
Edward as the author acknowledge his own bias?
The similarities between Haiti and the US are indeed surprising. Both won
their sovereignty from its European colonizers by the edge of the sword. The
attempts to make Haiti a
submissive affiliate of the West led the US
to manipulate stereotypes that would reaffirm their claimed superiority
concomitantly diminishing Haitian people in the US citizens eyes. By painting them
as villains, it easier for the states to justify any unethical action they
directed towards the state. Dash in his book Haiti and the United States reveals a surprising fact that US was
terrified by the unknown personified by Haiti. Having won the fight against
slavery through a violent revolution, they may have inspired future revolts in
the country as it was still espousing slavery. As a defense mechanism against
the hostile nation who ostensibly did not share their values, assertion of
their supremacy on the nascent nation was necessary. It follows that Haiti was not
an entity but a commodity to be utilized. The discussion question raised is
aggression a defensive mechanism in response to fear. Does the author really
think a small nation such as Haiti
inspired fear in the US?
Mirtha
points out that even white feminists experience their own challenges. By virtue
of being lighter than the average woman of color does not qualify them into the
echelons of the American socio-economic elite. There are women who are not
immigrants or ghetto products that have very saddening life experiences. The
sisters should unite and empathize with each other’s circumstance rather than
assuming the other is a lesser victim. The author claims racism is a problem
that affects all quarters. This begs the question under which criterion do
victims measure their colleagues suffering. Does Mirtha agree that though the whites
suffer, it is lesser in comparison to women of color?
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Notes
Concept of building streets has
changed from being arteries of traffic. The modern street design recognizes the
importance of public space including sidewalks, bus transits, bike paths, and
light rail corridors. Pedestrians use them for different purposes including
playing and strolling. The current street designs consider functionality for
children, older people, and those who have different forms of disability. It is
concerned with not only the functionality but also the appeal therefore,
designers have taken measures to beautify the sidewalks with green space, and
they plant trees along the streets. In addition, the engineers are considering
different modes of transport such as bicycles, rail, and buses.
There are five principles
to consider when designing world-class street designs. The first thing is to
understand that streets are public spaces. They can be beneficial economically
if designed well. Another important principle to consider is street safety in
the design. This includes ensuring that people can walk, park, shop, cycle, and
drive safely. Another principle is to consider the fact that streets can be
changed to reflect the modern changing needs. The final principle is to act as
quickly as possible. Using temporary materials will help in making future
decisions. The city does not have to use a lot of money in materials. The use
of temporary materials is beneficial in terms of costs and ability to address
safety issues as they arise. In addition, the materials used can be replaced
easily.
When designing
streets, it is important to consider their multiple functionalities.
Intersections are extensions of the streets and they include roundabouts,
traffic signs, and T-junctions. Factors such as simplicity, eye contact, low
speed, and compactness are considered when designing them. Transit streets
enhance safety as they provide spaces for people to walk and access stops.
Transits help to improve speed and it leads to the development of an area. Medium
streets include residential avenues and neighborhood commercial streets. During
design, it is important to consider pedestrian safety as people move from home,
schools, offices, and stores. Elements to consider include providing sufficient
spaces for cyclists and pedestrians. The design should also include parking
lances and sidewalks. Very small streets accommodate people as they move from
one place to another. They do not often carry heavy traffic. Designers have to
consider shared space and provide adequate parking. Allies do not have the
typical street drainage. However, they can be improved and turned to green
spaces.
Important Results
Engineers can design streets in a
way that will ensure street safety. Proactive design will help to reduce
accidents by causing changes in behavior and lowering speeds. The aim is to
reduce the consequences of human error, which leads to accidents. Road designs
in urban areas should be different from the rural and suburban areas. Using the
suburban concept of road design in cities will increase accidents. Road design
should be at target speeds and not at the speed at which the drivers are using,
the target speeds for general streets is between 15 and 30 mph. other areas
allowing for vehicle traffic such as alleys and shared spaces should have lower
speeds. Adding elements such as trees, benches, and narrow lanes on street
parking will help to reduce the speeds. Other speed control measures to
consider include using signals, on-street parking, and bike lanes, reducing the
lane widths, devices for calming the traffic such as speed humps and tables, as
well as curb extensions. The curb extensions can be designed to add more
functionality such as providing seating for cafes and using them as bicycle
lanes. This helps to reduce the speed.
Malware
Attacks
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Malware
Attacks
A
computer virus is a program that replicates itself through the insertion of its
copies into other data files or programs. Sometimes, it infects the operating
system thus enabling it to remain in the RAM even after rebooting has been
carried out. Therefore, it spreads by overwriting any unused area/space of
executable files. By so doing, it corrupts data, accesses private information
and steals hard disc space. Moreover, opening of any malicious program leads to
its spread. However, a computer worm tacks networks by capitalizing on security
failures to replicate itself (Skoudis and Zeltser 17). Consequently, it is
designed to spread only and not to change the system of the machine. It
contains a payload code as well that aids in the deletion of files found on a
host system. Therefore, it encrypts files and sends documents through emails,
which then cause infections of other devices. It can also travel without any
action by the user as well. It is also aimed at consuming the system’s memory
too.
In
particular, the above malware attacks have caused significant damage to systems
and the reputation of various people as well as entities. For example, the Stuxnet worm targeted industrial control
systems thereby enabling the hackers to take charge of various processing units
in large-scale industrial complexes (Skoudis and Zeltser 36). Similarly, the Melissa virus was spread using the
Microsoft Outlook platform whereby the user was bombarded with unsolicited
prompts which upon clicking causes the computer to be infected. Likewise, the Nimda worm attacked servers using
internet sites and websites. Furthermore,
MyDoom virus infected operating systems and search engines by creating
backdoors that exposed them to vulnerabilities. Likewise, the I Love You virus was transferred through
an e-mail message by the appearance of such words in a person’s inbox.
Work
Cited
Skoudis,
Ed, and Lenny Zeltser. Malware: Fighting Malicious Code. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall PTR, 2004. Print.
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Human
Characteristic Issues of Southern Africa
“Black And White”
In South Africa,
there lives a black and a white man,
However,
both people cannot live with each other,
However,
my heart always continues to wait for the day,
That
you will see the sense, or nonsense of your actions
With
the vice of “apartheid”, still fresh in your minds,
With
the drive to realize racial divisions, still fresh on your hands,
To
flush out a fellow man, to defy the rules of nature’s society
Occasionally
I meditate upon it, about the ways of the young people,
Many
are learned but they know nothing,
Far
more never made it past the school gates.
Living
in a country blessed with precious gems and stones,
Yet
our hearts hold nothing precious and have become stones.
Black
or white, who will stand up against this vulture of racism?
Who
will take down the rogue lion that eats our sheep in broad daylight?
Who
will hunt the hyena that tricks our offspring into killing each other?
The
leaders say, “No, we are esteemed officials!” the teachers “we are busy!”
The
mothers say “we have husbands to feed” and the children say, “We are helpless”
I
have an idea; I know what needs to be done.
Someone
will rise up and shout “No! No more!”
This
should not be a problem since,
In South Africa,
there lives a black and a white man.
Annotation
The
poem is titled “Black and White”. It discusses
the major theme of racial segregation in South Africa. Within the country, blacks
and whites make up the two largest populations. However, until recently in 1994,
the levels of racial segregation between the two groups had reached an all-time
peak and manifested as apartheid (Maccann 34). This emergent social arrangement
ensured that whites and blacks did not come into contact throughout the country.
Social amenities, sacred sites, and even bus stops were redesigned to ensure
that blacks and whites did not mingle (Moultrie
19). The enmity escalated into open racial violence, loss of lives and damage
to property (Punt 4). The poem discusses these conflicts and the outcome they
produce.
The
poem represented one of the best forms of media through which racial
segregation and violence could be addressed. Literature has been existent for a
long period and it draws its efficacy from the fact that very many people can
read a poem. It is also very effective since it captures every emotion, every event,
and every element of the setting. For instance, this poem captures the emotional
way in which the narrator, a woman, laments that “…both people cannot live with
each other”. Poems have the ability to place the reader in the context using
powerful words. This makes the whole piece more effective than a picture or
song. Lastly, this particular poem is very effective in portraying such social
issues since it captures from the perspective of the victim. From the poem, we
can learn that the narrator is also a South African who desires for the end to
the violence and needles hatred.
The
issue of segregation in South
Africa developed through the dissemination
of negative attitudes between the two races (Zeleza 29). This notion was spread
over a short period. The understanding of Africans was that their resources
were being pilfered whit the Dutch assumed that Africans were too relaxed to
exploit their natural resources. Between the two ways of understanding the same
situation, conflict eventually broke out (Ntshoe 21).
Work
Cited
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
Maccann,
Donnarae. Apartheid and Racism in South African Children’s Literature
1985-1995. S.l.: Routledge, 2013. Print.
Moultrie,
Tom A. “Racism and Reproduction: Population Rhetoric in South Africa,
1900-1974.” African Studies: a Quarterly Journal Devoted to the
Study of African Administration, Cultures, and Languages. 64.2 (2005):
217-242. Print.
Ntshoe,
Isaac. “Hidden and Subtle Effects of Racism in Law and School Policy in
Post-Apartheid South Africa.” Southern
African Review of Education with Education with Production. 15.2 (2009):
85-104. Print.
Punt,
Jeremy. “Post-apartheid Racism in South Africa the Bible, Social
Identity and Stereotyping.” Religion and Theology. 16 (2009):
246-272. Print.
Zeleza,
Paul Tiyambe. Racism in South Africa:
Reconstructing Post-Apartheid South
Africa: a Review Essay. CODESRIA
Bulletin, 2005. Web.Bottom of Form
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of Form
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Research
Critique Assignment
Name:
Institution:
Research
Critique Assignment
Introduction
This
research proposal seeks to discover the effect of different factors and
elements of customer brand loyalty on the brand equity within the hospitality
sector. The specific elements that shall be analyzed in the research include atmosphere,
customer loyalty programs, housekeeping, service delivery, ambience, reception,
and other related areas. Hotel marketing initiatives are only effective if they
created economic value for instance, reducing costs or enhancing service or
comfort to their clientele. This research proposal significantly assists the audience
and professionals in the hospitality industry to comprehend the fundamentals
and value added services that encourage and appeal to the target customers.
Quantitative research methods were applied in discovering the causation across several
variables. Questionnaires were issued for the patrons residing in several
hotels in Vancouver region of Canada were incorporated
in this research. The specific variables that were being investigated in this
research proposal include:
Housekeeping, reception and hotel staff’s behaviorService delivery Variety of food and beveragesLoyalty programsAmbiance and exclusive tangible atmosphereBrand equity of the hotel
Summary of Professional Feedback
For
reviews on this research proposal, I approach one of my contemporaries working
in one of the large hotels in Alberta
who provided the vital feedback. Before the expert began, I offered him the
opportunity to inspect all the elements of the research proposal. Meanwhile, the
evaluation tool for collection opinions from peers was being designed. This
tool would contain the following sections:
Was the research topic very clear to the evaluator
and other stakeholders?In the research paper, was the research methodology
clearly indicated?How relevant is the topic of research to the
hospitality sector? Are there any discrepancies?Does the hypothesis of the study contain correlation with
the study problem and will it assist in reaching a conclusion for the
study?Does the literature review section contain enough
material to offer a variety of opinions and inputs sufficient for the
project?Did the selection of hotels for the case study
provide enough information through survey questionnaires to assist in
answering the survey questions?
Summary of Informal Feedback
This
section of feedback was collected from academic peers who had experience within
the field of hospitality. After his evaluation, he made the following
observations. The research proposal was very interesting, objective, and
relevant. Based on his observations, the research held the potential to benefit
the medium and high-scale restaurants and hotels in Canada
and the rest of the United
States. Conversely, he stressed that several
additions should be made to enrich the content of the research paper. These
changes include:
The role of customers in shaping the service design
processCooperation across the units within the establishmentDetailed clarification of the service processes
The
techniques of data collection and statistical analysis were suitable. However, he
was wary of consistency and validity of the test as it influenced the outcome of
the study. Other issues that the reviewer noted included the need to lower participant
bias by ensuring that respondents are queried over their familiarity with the
brands in the survey. He also proposed increasing the number of hotels to be
included in the case study as this would offer an accurate representation of
the hospitality industry. Making this previous change will also ensure that the
conclusions of the research can be applicable in other regions other than Canada.
Personal Reflection
At
a personal level, I am confident with the state and progress of my research
proposal. However, I feel that with increased access to resources such as time
and funds, I am able to perfect every section by increasing the number of
variables and the scope of the study. One area that I am certain requires
additional attention is the improved profiling of the customers that will take
part in the survey questionnaire. Therefore, I have the idea of categorizing
them according to their duration of stay within the Canadian hotels. This would
improve the quality of the research proposal by making it more meaningful.
Similarly, this effort would help in simplifying the content of the research
proposal and allow the hotel staff and customers to understand the conclusions.
Adopting a perfect customer relationship will allow the hotel management to
enjoy the benefits of high customer loyalty. The other sections of the research
proposal exhibited minor changes that would be corrected in the final draft. In
general, the document was a suitable representation of the state of the hotel industry
in Canada.
It was particularly challenging to collect the data on customers’ preference.
However, I realized that these skills were important if I was to become and
effective researcher in the future.
Recommendations
The
following recommendations are formulated to improve the quality of the research
proposal. An improvement of the customer-profiling program will ensure that the
consequent questionnaire is more effective. The budget allocated for the
research proposal is inadequate. Therefore, more funds should be availed for completing
the procedure. Lastly, in the questionnaire, care should be taken to increase
the number of open-ended questions. This is because they offer a wealth of
qualitative information that will prove useful in ranking the quality of service
in that particular hotel.
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Forms
of Representation
Let’s imagine that California’s 53
representatives we elect to represent us in the House of Reps. are elected
through proportional representation, with the state of California serving as one electoral district.
How would this affect your voting? Would it change your political and voting
calculations? Would you prefer to see a system like this or would you prefer to
see us continue the single-member district plurality system we currently use to
elect our reps?
The use of proportional representation as
opposed to the current plurality voting system will have a great impact on my
voting choice if there were more than two political parties. Devoid of that
condition, my voting habits will remain same. In the eventuality that a third
party enters the political arena to contest the already established Democrat
and Republican parties my decision making process will increase in complexity. For
the fear of splitting the numbers from my old favorite the Democrats causing
the Republicans to win, I will not choose the new party with my first vote. The
new entrant’s significance will inspire me to vote for the party using my
secondary vote because it represents change. The new entrant heralds positive
change to the political arena. Another incentive for this new behavior is the
knowledge that my choice will count even if it is not part of the majority
vote. The new system becomes relevant in a political environment with multiple political
parties and the US
constitution restricts entrant of a third party. It follows that I will support
maintenance of the status quo, as the change will be unnecessary expense to the
taxpayer.
What do you think are the pros and cons of using proportional
representation would be in a state like California?
The advantage of the proportional representation
is that it makes the candidate to vote for their first choice rather than the
compromise candidate. The change may remove the monopoly of decision making from
the two established parties. This will give the minority a voice. The
disadvantage arises when the minority voice is an extremist organization that
gains a foothold in the running of California’s
affairs, to the state’s detriment. Another demerit is the chosen
representatives, be it in the senate or congress, will be less accountable to
their people. With reduced checks and balances, the politicians may serve their
own interests.
Did the two videos on elections in the
Animal Kingdom affect your views on FPTP and PR voting systems? If so, in what
way(s)?
The two videos did indeed affect my views
especially on PR. They helped me understand that in a political society with
two established parties a new entrant has small chance of winning.
Consequently, voting for the new entrant will lead to the loss of your
compromise candidate.
Hinduism
and Buddhism Art and Architecture
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Hinduism
and Buddhism Art and Architecture
Hinduism
and Buddhism share a common geographical and cultural point of origin in the Ganges. Consequently, numerous similarities exist in their
belief systems, traditional practices, art, and architecture. These shared
elements include the fundamental vocabulary, the belief in karma and dharma, as
well as several symbols. Their differences are mainly focused around the
existence of God, traditional rituals and the worldview. Most of these
differences have had a massive influence on the artistic and architectural
styles. By analyzing these differences and their influences, a greater understanding
of Buddhism and Hinduism can be gained.
Hindu and Buddhist Art
India represents one of the largest
populations in the world with a wide array of unique tolerance for different
philosophies and religions such as the popular Christianity, Hinduism,
and Islam. The outcome is a nation with great cultural diversity. Hinduism has played
a major role in inspiring the artwork created by the Indian people. The largest
single category of Hindu art is expressed as sculptures. These sculptures were preservations
of the holy deities of their faith such as Ganesha and Krishna
(Ross, 2012). Most of the sculptors use common mediums like terracotta and marble.
A common feature in most Hindu religious artwork is the extra limbs particularly
when portraying the gods. These additional limbs symbolized the extent of power
wielded by the gods. This showed their ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously.
Another common symbol used in Hindu art is the lotus flower. In Hinduism, it
represents wholesomeness, magnificence and transcendence (Stunkel, 2012).
Hindu and Buddhist art arehave high number of similarities because of the shared cultural
background. The determining element
between the two is the representation and role played byBuddha.In Buddhism,
the Buddha represented the original spiritual teacher and from whom the
religion manifested.As mentioned in
the previous paragraph, most of theworks
of art were sculpturesmade of
bronze, or stone. Buddhist artworkwas kept inlargespherical moundscalled stupas for security and
preservation reasons (Ross, 2012).
Hindu and Buddhist Architecture
In
Hinduism, the architecture adopted an open and symmetrical approach that acquired
its diversity from the mathematical variations. The use of geometric shapes
such as squares and diamonds created accurate finishes that were structurally stable.
The ordinary Hindu temple consisted of the inner chamber and the womb chamber
that housed the deity. All the Hindu temples contained an open porch supported
by a line of columns (Ross, 2012). Hindus placed great religious significance
to all their building designs regardless of the purpose they played in society.
The society is unique in that it encouraged architectural autonomy particularly
in implementing aesthetics onto buildings (Stunkel, 2012). The dominant factor
in all forms of Hindu architecture is the exhaustive use of mathematic and geometrical
principles.
The
principle of synchrony with nature and the heavens has greatly influenced Hindu
architecture. The design and placement of the four pillars common in most
buildings is a representation of the four basic principles of Kama,
artha, dharma and moksha. Furthermore, most Hindu building regularly has a
hollow space at the centre that is devoid of any decoration. This space portrays
the principle of purusa that is the supreme
principle. Therefore, the selection of the site and the building plans are
heavily influenced by the religious principles rather than government policy or
the availability and quality of materials. Hindu architecture is also very
particular on the selection of the site. Most engineers would pursue a recluse
site locate deep in the jungle and preferably next to a water source (Stunkel,
2012). The actual construction of the temple is determined using a combination
of accurate geometrical calculations and religious demands.
It
is clear that architecture in Hinduism was driven by the pursuit of religious
perfection, the availability of scientific skills and access to raw materials. Due
to these factors, architecture thrived and branched out into new variations (Ross,
2012). The Nagara style of architecture concentrated mainly on creating
graduated projections in the middle of a square building and the convex
inclination towards the middle. The Dravidian style preferred to create a pyramidal
center where the deity was housed (Stunkel, 2012). It also had gate pyramids
and pillared hallways. The Badami Chalukya style of architecture occupied
larger tracts of ground compared to the other designs. It also shied away from tall
roofs and excessive decoration. Lastly, the Gadag style was also another structural
variation of Hindu architecture (Ross, 2012).
In Buddhism, most
of their architectural needs revolved around religious purposes. The main types
of buildings include viharas, stupas, and chaityas. These buildings were
designed for convenience rather than style. Most were makeshift shelters for
monks during stormy weather that were later converted into permanent residences
for monks. Brahmanist temples followed this basic style. They comprised of a square
room strengthened by several columns (Ross, 2012). Roofs were rectangular and
sloping towards the front porch (Stunkel, 2012). Early designs were erected primarily
from wood and stone. With the increase in technology, creativity, and exposure
to other societies, newer designs added more rooms for dining, studying, and
meditation. In terms of decoration, the main forms included tablets and human
busts on stupas. The use of symbols played a major role in the decoration
process (Ross, 2012). In the current era, discovery of ancient pagodas has yielded
a wealth of sociological information captured in these symbols. Undoubtedly, Buddhist
architecture closely resembles Indian styles and this serves to reinforce the assertion
that the two philosophies shared a common cultural background (Ross, 2012).
Conclusion
In
Buddhism, stupas are considered tributes to the gods and sacred worshipping
places. The similarity to Hindu art that also contained holy temples across the
country is surprising. In a similar style to Hindus, Buddhists go to great
lengths to conserve the memories and stature of Buddha in their art. However,
it is clear that Buddhism art and architecture has been unable to compete with
Hinduism in India
(Ross, 2012). Regardless of whether it is a monument
of Krishna or Buddha, India
holds the bigger share of diverse artwork in the universe. These great works of
art can be found in other museums throughout the world. In the section part of
the paper, the following conclusions can be made. One, Buddhist architecture is
firmly rooted in Indian history. Most of the ideas are directly borrowed from Hindu
architecture (Ross, 2012).
In
a way, the expression of variations between the Hindu and Buddhist forms of art
and architecture represented a cultural and ideological struggle. Given that
the two religions originated from one location, it is difficult to understand
the vast differences that exist between the two. It is evident that they share
numerous aspects even in their religion and traditions. However, time has
failed to reunite these two dominant manifestations. Instead, what emerges is a
strong competition for the recognition of each religious and societal group. In
this setting, the Hindu forms of art and architecture clearly surpass the Buddhist
versions in terms of complexity, diversity, and heritage. However, in the
culture, both faiths are equally important in their contribution towards global
cultural diversity.
References
Top of Form
Ross,
L. (2012). Art and architecture of the world’s religions. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood Press/ABC-CLIO.
Top of Form
Stunkel,
K. R. (2012). Ideas and art in Asian civilizations: India, China, and
Japan. Armonk (N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe.
Bottom of Form
Bottom of Form
Eric
Garner Case
Name:
Institution:
Eric
Garner Case
The Eric Garner
Case is considered as one of the most controversial cases in the United States
given that it encompassed a variety of legal challenges such as police
brutality, ethnic and racial discrimination, and racial profiling. Eric Garner
was arrested on July 17 2014 and died an hour later after the police had placed
him on a chokehold in a subdue him. It is noted that during the arrest the
victim exclaimed, “I can’t breathe” several times as he struggled from the
stranglehold of the arresting officers (Fagan, & Harcourt, 2014).
Eric Garner’s
death, based on pathologist examination reports indicated that his death was
caused by death a homicide. The pathologist noted that he died from being
strangled as noted in the report that he suffered from “”the compression
of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police.”
On the other hand, official reports from the New York Police union noted that
the officers in question reacted appropriately by turning him on the side and
calling for an ambulance immediately. Some of the questions raised in this case
include the failure by the EMS to provide the
victim with CPR upon arrival. Thus, it is evident that two groups failed in
their duties namely the police and the EMS departments
in ensuring that the victim was provided with initial intervention and
administration of justice was done in an appropriate manner (Fagan, &
Harcourt, 2014).
New York State
Supreme Court for Richmond County
provided all the facts concerning the evidence, which has been delivered the
grand jury in the case. These factors were to provide a basis for the
determination and decision of the grand jury. The Grand jury in this case
convened for nine weeks before delivery of the decision. In addition, it was
also provided with testimonies from 50 witnesses with 22 being civilians and
rest drawn from police officers, medical professionals such as the forensic
specialists and emergency medical personnel. Sixty exhibits were used in the
case as well as relevant statutes on the application of force in making an
arrest.
Four of the five
officers who were part of the rest and death of Eric Garner were subsequently
given immunity by the prosecutor. Medical experts, the family retained
professional and the Office of the City Medical Examiner, held that Garner’s
death was because of chest and neck compression. It is also noted that Garner
was asthmatic, obese and with a heart disease which contributed to his death. The
grand jury was tasked with making a determination if Officer Pantaleo had
violated Penal Law and the justification of using force by a law enforcement
officer (Fagan, & Harcourt, 2014).
There was a need
to indict involved persons for homicide and excessive usage of force by law
enforcement officers. It is important to note that the Medical Examiner (ME)
from the New York City
in an autopsy report indicated tat the cause of death was because of a
homicide. Thus, the death of Garner was expressly caused by the officers who
had made the arrest. In addition, the medical examiner also noted that Garner
died from asphyxiation due to the chokehold placed by Officer Pantaleo (Fagan,
& Harcourt, 2014).
On the other hand,
it is important to note that law enforcement officers such as Officer Pantaleo
are permitted by law to use reasonable and necessary force in arresting
suspects. It is evident that when the officers were making the arrest the
suspect noted that he was unable to breathe. This is an illustration of excessive
usage of force because the officers stopped when they had noted he was
unconscious. The officers justified their claims by referring to the NYPL
§35.30 code of conduct. Furthermore, the term reasonableness is also contested
in Eric Garner’s perspective whereby an officer is permitted to use force to
make an arrest. The officers continued to place the suspect on a chokehold
despite minimal resistance from the suspect.
The use of
chokeholds is banned by the NYPD amongst its police officers based on existing
policies. In addition, in regard to Eric garner’s arrest it is noted that the
police officers were acting based on a “broken windows policing” in taking into
custody for sale of individual cigarettes, which is termed as a “quality of
life” offense. In addition, the officers did not employ other alternatives,
which could have been used to arrest the victim. Furthermore, this also
illustrates the ineffectiveness of the “broken windows policing” approach
towards law enforcement (Fagan, & Harcourt, 2014).
“Broken windows
policing” was introduced into New York by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and William
Bratton who was the then police commissioner in the year 1994 (Fagan, &
Harcourt, 2014). This was associated with a 68% growth in the number of claims of
police misconduct in the city of New York
as noted by the CCRB during the subsequent three years. The policy was
suspended and later reintroduced in 2014 by Mayor de Blasio and his police
commissioner (Pollock, 2014).
From the Eric Garner
Case it is evident of the widespread allegations of police misconduct, which
can be attributed to ineffective policies and regulations (Fagan, &
Harcourt, 2014). Furthermore, this case brought about concerns over the high
levels of racial profiling, the usage of excessive force amongst the law
enforcement agencies and lack of ethics and morals amongst the police.
Furthermore, it is noted that the indictments failed to acknowledge the
succinct and clear failures by the various professionals in using due process
and necessary force in making a necessary arrest, which should not have
resulted in the death of the victim. In addition, the conduct of the emergency
response unit is questionable in that they failed to provide the victim with
immediate CPR upon arrival, which is a failure to adhere to due process and
professional conduct for the EMS (Sheppard, B. (September, 2014).
References
Sheppard,
B. (September 03, 2014). Widespread protests target killer police. Green
Left Weekly, 1023, 17.
Pollock,
J. M. (2014). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice. Belmont: Wadsworth.
Professors
Fagan, J., & Harcourt, B. E. (2014).Fact
Sheet in Richmond County (Staten Island)
Grand Jury in Eric Garner Homicide.Columbia Law
School. Retrieved from http://web.law.columbia.edu/social-justice/forum-on-police-accountability/facts/faqs-eric-garner
Schooling and Culture best essay help
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Tutor:
Course:
Date:
Schooling
and Culture
Theodore Sizer in What High School Is, provides an account
of the inequalities and challenges within American high schools and various
strategies that can be used to eliminate such problems. The author provides an
accurate depiction of daily life in American high schools. He uses the example
of mark, a sixteen year old in eleventh grade at the Franklin high school. The author emphasizes
on the role of social interactions and the importance of such in development of
skills and knowledge, which is to be used for survival in future. In addition,
the author notes that high schools play an important role in determination of future
behavior and attitudes in life. Furthermore, it is evident of the numerous
varied activities present in the school amongst the instructors and the
students.
Sizer uses mark as
a depiction of an average American student in high school who exhibits a lack
of interest in undertaking a variety of school activities and educational
programs. He exhibits a high interest only in social activities such as
photograph taking for use in annual scrapbooks. Sizer notes that fundamental
scholastic achievements provide students with the opportunity to acquire basic
and complex knowledge, and the varieties of traditionally acceptable academic principles,
achievement of decision-making abilities with regard to problem solving. In addition,
this also enables them to develop rational capacities by making decisions
independently and acceptance of responsibility (Sizer 68).
Furthermore, the
author also notes that self-evaluation, responsibility, and continued
appraisals are important for student development in American high schools. He also
highlights that the importance of high schools is to provide individual students
with a means of connecting with their bodies, minds, values, and careers. He
refers to a West Virginia Judge who noted that an efficient, rigorous, and
effective education system is marked by literacy, mathematics, history, work
training, interest in arts, social ethics, and environmental and self-awareness.
The perspective of
high school provided by the author are accurate given that a majority of
students consider learning in institutions as peripheral as a result of daily
routines. This is also brought about by the failure to take into account the importance
and associate benefits of high school education during adolescence. The
punctuality and structure of high schools illustrates values such as discipline
and morals, which should contribute to an individual’s development, attitudes,
behaviors, and social interactions. This important component provides a
platform towards achievement of success in career, attitudes, and social
interactions.
The author employs
the use of questions and answers as a means of challenging the various
ideologies held by both students and teachers in their respective systematic
and logical thinking. In addition, it becomes evident that effective, rigorous,
and successful learning is impossible to achieve using only textbooks and lectures.
Successful learning extends from classroom activities to basic social interaction,
which provides a means of behavioral, attitude and personality development
(Sizer 73).
Mark’s days in
high school are a representation of the daily lives of other students around
the United States.
The author notes that organized strictures are familiar in all schools in the country,
which has resulted in monotonous schedules. School schedule as noted by the
author takes the form of “series of units of time” (331). The author uses his
ideas of “less is more:” approach towards instruction of students and more so
in designing curriculums in various areas of knowledge. The author seems to
challenge the current system of standardized tests as avenues for measuring
individual capability, success by noting that instruction is done with the sole
aim of subsequent testing and grading of students based on their achievements.
This is an important perspective because Mark, who is likened to other high
students in America,
is not motivated by classroom instructions and the continuous tests undertaken
in various lessons and classes.
In the essay, he
takes note of the goals and objectives of a California high school, which he likens to
other schools around the country. He highlights their goals as fundamental scholastic
achievement; economic and career competence; civil responsibility and
citizenship; ethical and moral values; competence in social and human relations;
cultural diversity; aesthetic awareness; physical and mental health; and
self-realization and actualization. This resonates with the importance of high
schools, which are tasked with coming into touch with the body, mind, values,
career, and morals of an institution.
The eight
principles of a rigorous, efficient, and effective education system as provided
by the author are seen as integral towards development of students in high
schools in the country. He adds that the high school education system is marked
by predictability given the various aspects such as grouping of students based
on age and expectations of educational achievement within a given academic
period. In addition, male and female students are also treated alike by the
administration given that they have similar expectations for academic
excellence. In addition, sexual discrimination is lower in high schools than in
other institutions and organizations.
The monotonous nature
of high school schedules, as provided by the author, is liked to jobs for the adolescents.
Schools are a means of taking the children away from their parents to enable
them focus on their work during prime work hours rather than a means of
providing them with development opportunities. This is illustrated by the
lethargic nature of institutions whereby students are inattentive and
unmotivated towards various curricular activities as compared to
extracurricular functions. It is imperative for high school institutions to
restructure in terms of their approaches in designing curricular as a means of
creating interest and shifting the attitudes of the students on curricular
activities.
It is also clear
of the lack of connection between stated goals and objectives within high schools,
which has rendered them as ineffective. Radical changes are necessary to the
system despite challenges of graduation to institutions of higher learning. Individualized
is gradually becoming an important perspective towards achievement of higher
levels of success amongst students in the united states as compared to the use
of a general strategy of instruction. Instruction should be personalized as a
means of optimizing and maximizing benefits accruable to students. This an
effective approach as it focuses on individual capabilities, strengths,
weaknesses and interests and in the process creates a positive attitude amongst
students towards various curricular and extracurricular activities.
Furthermore, the
author also emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach towards
administration of institutions managing students. This is achieved by
developing partnerships with parents, agencies, and staff as a means of
understanding problems, challenges, and divulging on strategies, which can be
used to induce interest, motivation, and success amongst students. Support,
high expectations, and trust amongst the various stakeholders are important
aspects that should be considered in enhancing education in American
institutions.
Moreover, students
are exposed to different forms of educational experiences as well as curriculum
knowledge based on their social backgrounds. Thus, the delivery of personalized
instruction is relatively effective in addressing issues such as diversity of
race, culture, social and financial background. In addition, students are
usually rewarded and treated in respect to their personalities and more so
their respective social classes. This can only be addressed through involvement
of parents and stakeholders in ensuring equitable education.
In addition,
individualized learning can be achieved by increasing resources available in
these institutions such as teachers and funding as a means of delivering
personalized instruction. Furthermore, the author also notes the presence of
various pressures on teachers because of inadequacies in the educational
system. The eight principles of an effective educational system namely
fundamental scholastic achievement; economic and career competence; civil
responsibility and citizenship; ethical and moral values; competence in social
and human relations; cultural diversity; aesthetic awareness; physical and mental
health; and self-realization and actualization should be linked as a means of
optimizing education and more so the designing of curriculums (Sizer 129).
I agree with the
statements and claims made by Sizer concerning transforming education in the United States
by using a personalized approach. Furthermore, the reforms in the education
sector also include the need to change attitudes amongst parents, staff, and
administrators of high schools in aiding the redevelopment of school curricular.
Reforms are important as means of eliminating the blatant discretion currently
exhibited in a variety of high schools around the country (Sizer 126). Furthermore,
alignment of the objectives of an institution, and more so the high school
education curricular is highly effective in ensuring that success is achieved.
Furthermore, I think
that the use of the identified principles is adequate given the high schools in
the united have similar objectives in terms of accommodation of diversity,
social and personal development. Educational achievement and creating a
productive and responsible citizen based on discipline. This can be achieved by
ensuring involvement of all stakeholders to ensure that all aspects on f goals
of education are achieved.
Works
Cited
Sizer,
Theodore R. Horace’s School: Redesigning the American High School. 1992.
Print.
Sizer,
Theodore R. Horace’s Hope: What Works for the American High School.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1996. Print.
Cybersecurity
Name:
Institution:
Cybersecurity
Almost all of the
facets present within the lives of most individuals depend on the Internet.
Utilizing the respective feature has evolved into an essential activity within
the contemporary world. From shopping and banking, to interactions through
instant messaging and email, the cyber world has become a fundamental part in
the life of nearly every individual. Considering the significant extent to
which personal information is stored in cyber space, it is important to
consider the measures implemented in ensuring that such data is secure.
Nonetheless, considering this fact also means contemplating the numerous
security threats evident and recurrent within the cyber world on a daily basis.
In this context, the importance of cyber security becomes evident. Accordingly,
cyber security involves the protection of information and frameworks that
people depend on daily irrespective of context. With security threats such as
malicious hacking advancing routinely, cyber security possesses an important
role in ensuring that sensitive information within the cyber space is secured
for persons and organizations alike.
Cyber security
concentrates on safeguarding networks, computers, programs, and information from
unauthorized or unintended access, modification, or destruction (Amoroso, 2007).
Currently, every individual is at the risk of cyber attacks due to the ease of
gathering personal data and information that is usually transmitted across
expansive networks from one computer to another. However, security threats do
not solely affect individuals. Indeed, aside from securing personal
information, cyber security is particularly imperative for other entities that
depend on the Internet. Accordingly, governments, the military, organizations,
healthcare providers, financial institutions, and businesses gather, process,
and accumulate confidential data on computers. After storage, the data is
transmitted across different networks for disparate computers. With the increasing
sophistication and volume of cyber attacks, constant attention is needed to
secure sensitive personal data, business information, and national security.
Consequently, the
importance of cyber security is based on the actuality that every person and
institution is at considerable risk, especially from malicious persons with the
ability to enact security attacks on computer networks. Unauthorized users who
invade a respective system are usually known as hackers. These persons tend to
possess a broad range of tools that they can use in order to damage a computer
system (Probst, 2010). Normally, hackers attain access to computer systems by
supplementing malicious logic at a certain location on the web. After planting
the logic, they wait for persons to open or encounter the malicious program,
which commonly comprises a virus (Probst, 2010; Santanam, Sethumadhavan, &
Virendra, 2011). Without cyber security, persons and institutions can install
the programs without being aware of their true nature. Moreover, such malicious
logic is commonly programmed to conceal itself directly or even assume the
structure of a commonly used and legit program.
Hence, with the
lack of cyber security, malicious programs are capable of contaminating the
computer system and damage the framework depending on the task they have been
coded to carry out. Moreover, the lack of security measures and applications
establish unprotected computer networks as vulnerable. This is evidenced by the
ability for a malicious logic to enter the system once a user clicks on an
email attachment that contains the program (Santanam, Sethumadhavan, &
Virendra, 2011). Additionally, visiting malicious websites or clicking
dangerous links can enable the spread of malicious logic into a system
especially if the computer is unprotected. Similarly, involuntarily downloading
a malicious scheme illustrates the extent to which sophistication in
compromising the security of computer systems is possible. Additionally, the access
to a system by a malicious program can result into the thievery and use of
information not meant for the public especially among institutions such as
corporations, banks, and the government.
As such, the lack
of security in cyber space provides the malicious person with the ability to gain
sensitive information and mostly use it for personal gain. Accordingly,
computers infected with the malicious logic can face damage in various ways
that may seem unapparent to the user. While some may only focus on playing
tricks, others may try to steal private information such as Social Security
numbers, Credit Card numbers, or any other variant of personal information
(Probst, 2010). In worse circumstances, malicious persons can assume control
over a contaminated computer. This will allow them to use it in order to
initiate a security attack on a considerable system. Even if the computer does
not possess backed-up sensitive information, it can be utilized to contaminate
other computers within the respective network. Apparently, the respective
practice is significantly prevalent to the extent that access to unprotected or
contaminated is purchased and sold among other hackers.
In conclusion, the
importance of cyber security is largely evidenced by the ease associated with
the contamination of computer systems in the modern cyber space. All
organizations and individuals are at risk of cyber attacks. Such attacks are
usually carried out by malicious persons such as hackers. By planting malicious
logic in common within the internet, most users may end up clicking on the
logic and thus, integrating it within their personal systems. With this
possibility and the lack of cybersecurity, the malicious person, via the
program, is capable of gathering personal information. As such, it is important
to consider the imperative role that cyber security assumes in safeguarding and
protecting individuals against security threats and vulnerabilities. Moreover,
the implementation of cyber security features such as anti-virus programs and
firewalls may assist the individual or the organization in maintaining a stable
and secure network.
References
Amoroso,
E. G. (2007). Cyber security. Summit,
NJ: Silicon Press.
Probst,
C. W. (2010). Insider threats in cyber security. New York, NY:
Springer.
Santanam,
R., Sethumadhavan, M., & Virendra, M. (2011). Cyber security, cyber
crime and cyber forensics: Applications and perspectives. Hershey, PA:
Information Science Reference.
Home
Security’s National Management Strategy
Name:
Institution:
Home
Security’s National Management Strategy
Introduction
The article under review is “Department of
Homeland Security Strategic Plan” submitted by the then secretary of Homeland Security, Napolitano J., on February
3, 2012.
Discussion
One of its main
points is the need to enhance security in order to prevent terrorism. As
terrorism threats evolve with time, the security mechanism has to adapt to the
new challenges. The strategies they should employ include understanding the new
threat. The security forces ought to analyze the available intelligence on the
emerging trends of terrorists. This will empower them to preempt any malicious
activities with harmful intent. The security apparatus may utilize a more
subtle approach to the terrorism problem. They could use social change theories
to avert the spread of violent extremism domestically.
The other point
focuses on the mandate of the Homeland
Security of efficiently managing and securing
the United States
border. In order to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while concomitantly
preventing illegal flow of the same, border security in the land, sea, and air
must be enhanced. The world is becoming a global village and trade between nations
transcends national boundaries. The extent of these economic activities determines
the prosperity of a state. Therefore, these activities become targets of attack
by malicious elements. The security apparatus must be aware of such threats
prior to their actualization. The border should not be the starting point of
defense against these activities, which are conceptual, and the groundwork laid
before crossing into the country. The strategy to be employed is cooperation
between security agencies of key trading partner states.
The third point is
on the importance of safeguarding the US’s cyberspace. This digital
frontier has increased the versatility of criminals. As the security apparatus
acting individually will be overwhelmed by this formidable threat, the whole
society should be engaged. The cyber infrastructure is the spine of the nation,
damage to it will cripple the economy. Strategies employed by the Homeland Security to evade that
eventuality include partnership with private sector to get counter intelligence.
The other strategy is empowering individuals and organizations on how to secure
their cyberspace.
Conclusion
The relevance of
this article in managing an emergency department is helping the agencies with
strategies that will prevent the said emergencies.
Reference
Napolitano,
J. (2012). Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan. Homeland Security. Accessed at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs-strategic-plan-fy-2012-2016.pdf
Incarceration
versus Rehabilitation
Name:
Institution:
Incarceration
versus Rehabilitation
Table of Contents
Introduction and Background………………………………………………………….3
Justification……………………………………………………………………………
8
Delimitations and Scope………………………………………………………………10
Literature Review………………………………………………………………………11
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………14
References……………………………………………………………………………….15
Introduction and Background
The social order of any society is
maintained by a set of rules that form a basis of binding agreements for the
citizens to adhere to certain requirements while exercising their rights.
Similarly, this setting incorporates various law enforcement agencies tasked
with implementing these obligations. Consequently, the criminal justice system
is laden with checks and balances meant to ascertain the innocence or
culpability of an individual whereupon the necessary actions are taken. For
example, a guilty verdict would ordinary lead top a person’s incarceration depending
on his/her age. Similarly, there is a provision for victims to be placed in
rehabilitation centers as well (Dorpat, 2007). In both instances, policy makers
are concerned with offering correctional services to the
victims so that they can be reabsorbed into the society as reformed individuals
ready to help in its development to greater heights.
Therefore,
in most instances, law enforcement personnel face a dilemma over the nature of
punishment that should be meted out on offenders. In particular, there is a
lack of consensus on the ability of finding the right mechanisms to instill
reformist tendencies on individuals due to the prevalence of varying crimes,
which have different levels of veracity. While citizens have distinct
personalities and personal traits, there are universal habits that are expected
from each one. For example, it is normal for a person to feel remorseful after
committing a serious crime such as murder. However, some victims are arrogant. Such
gestures make it difficult to determine the best place to house such people in
order to ensure that they change their ways. Furthermore, therapists have had
to consider the type of upbringing an individual undergoes and its influence on
his/her choices in life. In such circumstances, it is believed that the
household and communal environment contributes to the formation of delinquent
behavior. As such, judges have to grapple with the best course of action to
take to make them account for their actions by living under painful conditions
and learning to shed off these characters for their good and that of the
society.
Consequently,
many judicial officers as well as civil society groups are usually faced with a
dilemma over benefits of incarceration over rehabilitation. According to them, they
seem concerned with the state of prisons and its harsh realities as being drivers
of bad influence due to the toughening of inmates. For example, they believe
that imprisonment makes victims worsen their behavior because they face all
manner of abuse. However, there are those who believe that rehabilitation centers
are soft landing spots for serial offenders who might find it encouraging continuing
with the crimes (Van & Dunkel, 2001). It is their view that such programs
would yield less result by releasing culprits who would endanger the
livelihoods of others. Therefore, it is a problem to the relevant authorities.
They try to balance the needs of individuals and those of the community.
Similarly,
the above dilemma is faced with other stakeholders. For example, families of
victims would prefer rehabilitation due to the lax conditions that enable
frequent visits as well as better living conditions. They would agree to such
programs due to their potential of making positive change on their loved ones
as opposed to imprisonment. With the potential of gaining additional vocational
opportunities, it is their opinion that these centers will offer a suitable
environment that can foster discipline and responsibility thereby helping
victims overcome their flaws. Moreover, the regular visitations available
through such measures are welcome, as they would allow more interactions hence
facilitating the measurement of progress. Having constant contact with them
will be helpful in the creation of a support network aimed at assisting the
victims with moral and material support that is vital in their recovery.
The
government has a stake in these decisions too. As the society’s custodian of
law and order, the state’s best interests revolve around keeping criminals away
from other citizens. As such, imprisonment of offenders is deemed as a goods
solution due to its ability to immobilize dangerous elements that may cause
havoc. In fact, their incarceration is deemed as worthwhile due to the numerous
threats to social safety that are thwarted. For example, murders are prevented
and destruction of property is avoided. Furthermore, the danger posed to the
stability of the nation is reduced as they are placed in areas under constant
surveillance thus cannot be a nuisance. Nevertheless, the state has to contend
with a shrinking workforce due to the high number of imprisonment cases especially
on minor offences. Consequently, it has to make the costly choice of building
and promoting rehabilitation centers for such individuals to prevent
overcrowding in the former and to ensure the fast transition of victims into hardworking,
law-abiding citizenry. By so doing, it would guarantee a steady supply of labor
force that is vital in raising productivity and enhancing the economic
performance of the country (Venmeulen & Wree, 2014). However, it would have
to incur huge financial expenses to set them up and maintain their operations
as well as train personnel to handle the different tasks. In addition, the
state’s influence over legislative matters gives it enormous powers to make
significant changes to the criminal justice system
Members
of the civil society pride themselves as advocates of human rights as well. They
spend large amounts of money to create civil awareness programs aimed at
sensitizing the public about their rights while making it clear that they are
concerned with the reduction of moral; decadence in the society but in z
responsible way. Such groups view prisons as places of inhumane treatment due
to the subjection of inmates to different abuses. It is their choice to have
more rehabilitation centers. Such facilities are better equipped to mould
characters. In fact, their liking of these places stems from the understanding
that candidates are not harassed, hence, they retain their dignity. Moreover,
the staff at such quarters have an objective view of these victims and are
prone to teat them with respect thereby facilitating the recovery process. As a
guiding principle, civil society activists champion the rights of victims
irrespective of their crimes as a fundamental protection within the constitution.
Therefore, they are more concerned with the perpetration of injustice as a
means of correcting illegal behavior. Their size and involvement in different
social issues enables them to mobilize members of the public and coerce them
into damning any opposing views (Latessa, 2001). Likewise, the judicial organs
also have their agenda on this issue. By pledging to respect and follow the
rule of law to the letter, they believe in offering just punishment according to
the nature of the crime. As such, they have no problem with the incarceration
of serious offenders due to their commitment to offering equal or harsher punishment.
For instance, judges feel that the prison system offers adequate learning
experiences that are bound to deter other members of the public from
participating in crimes. According to them, this mechanism should have a tough
regimen in order to set an example of the consequences of bad behavior. By
making such places unappealing, they hope to instill fear into the society
thereby forcing people to avoid breaking the law.
However,
policy makers are affected by personal values, bias, and preconceptions when
formulating decisions about this issue. For example, some of them have economic
interests as evidenced by their involvement in charity work whose main source
of funding is from government grants as well as donors. Such instances make
them inclined to opt for rehabilitation centers from where they stand to
enhance their financial positions. Additionally, the prevalence of stereotypes makes
others shun the prison system due to the perceived occurrence of racism or
other sexual harassment abuses. Whereas intimidation and bullying tactics are
inescapable in the society, their dominance in such circles is a concern for
some of these people thus leading to their exclusion. Moreover, those who have
experienced or whose knowledge of some relatives with criminal histories is
available, have a skewed opinion about incarceration due to the negative
effects it had. They would thus prefer the rehabilitation option. Furthermore, some
of the religious convictions affect the reasoning of these policy makers by steering
their mindsets in the direction of their teachings. For example, while the
biblical teachings emphasize the value of forgiveness, the Koran prophesies the
need for proportional lashing of punishment for wrongs committed. Such
interpretations may lead to members supporting the former while others the
latter. Similarly, the presence of tolerance or aggressive behavior may
determine the nature of the policies to be implemented due to the tendency of
individuals to enact actions favorable to them (Great Britain, 2005). In fact, a
person accustomed to the fallibility of man would be more forgiving of a crime
than the one who is accustomed to standing up against evil. Sometimes,
political attachments and interests may play a role too. For example, liberal
politicians would be willing to support rehabilitation techniques as a way of
enhancing reforms among a certain demographic. However, sympathizers with
conservative traits are more hawkish and would rather have offenders pay for
their evil. They detest any leniency, as that would be deemed too weak to avert
future breaking of the law. Therefore, they would advocate for imprisonment. In
fact, they could formulate harsher prison terms to send a strong message to
evildoers.
Therefore,
the above topic is related to criminal justice due to its concern for the
rights of the accused. As government agencies tasked with maintaining social
control by launching rehabilitation efforts or implementing criminal penalties,
this profession aims at ensuring harmony within the society. As such, it is
concerned with the welfare of both criminals and the rest of the citizenry. Moreover,
as part of its core mandate, it is responsible for the creation of confidence
among members of the public that the system is free and fair by delivering
justice when punishing crime. Among its competencies of legislation, adjudication,
and corrections, the latter offers a pertinent role that corresponds to the
above topic. Consequently, incarceration and rehabilitation are focused on the
need to punish lawbreakers while respecting their rights and helping them to be
useful to the community after the completion of their sentences (Benda &
Pallone, 2005).
Justification
It is important to weigh the merits
of each process because the fabric of the society depends on it. In particular,
the pursuit of this research is worthwhile because it offers insight into the decision-making
process, which results in the sentencing of accused persons. Therefore, its
study ensures that the rights of victims are not trampled upon while serious
offences do not receive sympathetic overtures. For example, the placement of
people in parole enables them to serve their sentences whilst altering their
behavior for reabsorption to the community. As such, the topic is relevant to
the populace but more so, to the law profession that seeks to advocate for
justice delivery even when dealing with criminal elements. In most societies, certain
verdicts have become controversial while other laws have met similar reactions.
An examination of the justification of such punishments is thus necessary in
avoiding divisions among people and securing peace as well. Such an exploration
would be welcome in reducing current conflicts due to the ongoing discriminatory
practices in which ethnic minorities are rising against specific state actions.
For example, it would aid the understanding of evidence admissibility in
courtrooms that forms the basis of sentencing. It would also act as a guide on the
reduction of the high rate of incarceration among blacks while offering
incentives on the need to expand rehabilitation programs without compromising
the security of the state. Furthermore, the search for clues on the best
approach to use when making such decisions is bound to affect the nature of law
enforcement brutality especially its justification in an era where civilians
are more protected by the constitution. Its findings will be an added advantage
for the civil society crusaders who will be keen on exposing the illegalities within
the judicial process thereby accelerating the reopening of certain cases.
Additionally,
it would alter the psychological opinions relating to the two issues hence
drawing supporters and opponents alike. The illustration of the circumstances
that would lead to imprisonment of an offender would help to change the
vilification attitude towards such institutions, as more people will recognize
the role played by such facilities in keeping the population safe. Likewise, the
training programs meant to equip offenders with practical skills in various
industries would be vital in securing the support of others who have always
loathed the leniency of such areas (Neubauer & Fradella, 2014). By so
doing, members of the public will renew their affiliation to these entities
thus aid in sensitizing others. Accordingly, this research could be a catalyst
for social regime changes across the globe as well. The examination of the
criminal justice system contained herein would be sufficient to arouse certain
emotions among different communities thereby help them to identify political
outfits with similar goals in the corrections department. Failure of current
administrations to address such concerns would be enough reason for causing
revolutions especially among marginalized groups. Therefore, it has the
potential of influencing the social structure of different global democracies.
Furthermore,
the study would influence the household environment due to its focus on the
nature of transition from prisons or correctional facilities to the home
surroundings. In exploring the advantages and disadvantages of these two
approaches, the long-term effects on the victims would be assed too. For
example, their stress levels would be measured against their mental capacities,
integration with fellow citizens, and the ability to live a normal lifestyle
while handling one’s responsibilities. In doing so, the occurrence of things
such as domestic violence would be factored in and a proper outlook of the
disorders that arise after gruesome torture will be examined too. Additionally,
it would help to reevaluate budgetary allocations across economies by forcing
them decide on the best approach to use in maintaining peace within their
jurisdictions (Falk, 2010). In fact, it would act as a source of reference for
the valuable use of taxes in programs that result in social cohesion a as well
as GDP growth.
Delimitations and Scope
The above study can expose the
benefits of initiating or continuing these programs in a broader context for
the general population without getting into the specifics for each ethnicity. In
particular, it will focus on the quality of living conditions in both
strategies in order to ascertain the advantage that one has over the other. Additionally,
there would be stipulations of the laws that are applicable in both instances
thereby providing legal reinforcements to the concepts under discussion. Furthermore,
examples of actual cases would be incorporated for comparison purposes and as a
way of obtaining insight into the consequences of undergoing such programs. Moreover,
the input of experts and other therapists would be considered as well in order
to include a professional perspective on the issue hence helping in formulating
a stand. By so doing, the research would be objective and easily persuasive. However,
the study would be limited to the United States geographical
jurisdiction alone due to the in-depth diverse knowledge of its criminal
justice system. Similarly, it cannot offer accurate figures about the various
concepts thus would rely on estimates. Likewise, it would give prominence to
the correctional environment either in prison or in rehab facilities without
delving too much on the court system.
Literature Review
Scholars have debated the usefulness
of the two decisions in detail by providing the overall influence they have
over the evils peddled. In particular, some have contended that the criminal
justice system is laden with injustices especially towards the victims due to
the prevalence of corruption and abuse of office. Most of such sympathizers reckon
that the prison system has little positive change on an individual especially
after the physical and mental torture that goes on. Whereas they seem to prefer
the rehabilitation of offenders, they do so skeptically. Others are in support
of the latter mainly due to its likelihood of offer transformational courses
vital in developing the workforce. Having witnessed the transition of different
culprits into civilian life, they are emphatic that it would be suitable for
such measures to be given prominence. However, most personnel in the legal
profession especially those that work in courts advocate for the expansion of
incarceration efforts due to the proportionality of the punishments with the
crimes committed (Stuntz, 2011). An examination of their journals and magazines
reveals that the standard an eye for an eye analogy is popular among them
because it stops the proliferation of crime and makes victims to pay for their
sins.
Numerous
books have been dedicated to the subject as well and more researchers have
conducted published studies too. In all instances, it is evident that the authors
would like to see a reduction in the rate of crimes across local, state, national,
and international borders. As such, they assert that crimes should be punished
as deterrence for future ills and as a way of creating a harmonious society in
which people can live cohesively. Nevertheless, there are growing disparities
in the form of correctional policies to be undertaken to mete out such
punishments. While various contributors would favor the prison system, others
are adamant that such decisions are counterproductive. Rather, they support the
careful infusion of rehabilitation programs whereby people are placed under
constant surveillance; their movements restricted and provided an avenue for
enhancing their skills in order to qualify for second chances. Proponents of
the latter seem to have deep moral affiliations as well as religious
inclinations. Civil society publications are awash with the need for conserving
dignity and honor even in the face of illegal culpability. For example, various
demonstrations and petitions have been documented illustrating their
frustrations with the government over the state of the prison system in
relation to the abandonment of individual rights through illegal torture. In
some deliberations, the gender perspective is used to raise concerns about the
welfare of female offenders in either facility. As the merits of parole are
scrutinized, the plight of women in the criminal justice system is highlighted
as an area that needs to be awarded special recognition especially because of
their hormonal imbalances and cases of pregnancy besides other natural
occurrences. It is noticeable that such discussions do not tend to absolve the
culprits of their blame in committing offences. Rather, they seek to guarantee
these victims a safe environment to make readjustments to their daily routine in
a humane manner that is not a health risk too.
Therefore,
various scholarly journals will be incorporated in this study in order to
ascertain the obligations of each approach and their limitations in terms of
securing reformist tendencies from the victims. Such material will have to be
evaluated based on its relevance to specific constitutional statutes that fit
the nature of the crime or its punishment. For instance, the academic lessons
from practical tours of such entities would be integral in providing a glimpse
into the lives of the oppressed and obtaining feedback on the success or
failure of such initiatives. Moreover, the abuse of drugs would be singled out
for further analysis. In most explanations, it is clear that some people favor
the incarceration approach while others believe that rehabilitation should be
the best platform for correcting such behavior. According to some analysts, juvenile
offences are best handled through the latter avenue to avoid clogging the
former system. In fact, they deem it as adequate in addressing the petty
offences committed by young adults who then have a chance of changing their
delinquent characters thereby maturing into responsible citizens. While the
teachings would be helpful, the punishment of having restricted access to
certain privileges would serve as a good tool to make them learn the folly of
their actions hence commit themselves to being law-abiding citizens in the hope
of living an incident-free life in liberty (Loury, 2008). Others fashion this
debate as a class contest in which the less privileged get to be more
incarcerated. Such critique is common in most authors and speakers who narrow
down the implementation of these verdicts as a source of conflict within
communities such as those between blacks and Hispanics against the whites. It
is a perspective that has gained traction even among democratic institutions and
one that has led to contentious debates focused on the possible discriminatory roll
out of the program. Notably, its existence has been acknowledged as an
illegality and amendments have been made to reduce its spread.
The
revelation of social inequities is vital in understanding the hardships present
within communities. It is also necessary in limiting the amount of resentment
to law enforcement personnel especially due to discriminatory application of
punishments. Ass such, other intellectuals have emphasized the need for
instilling morality in the society as one of the measures aimed at curbing the
vice. By creating awareness of the ability of people to make right or wrong
choices and their readiness to face the consequences of their actions, it is
believed that excuses would be eliminated. Accordingly, the level of punishment
should be proportional to the crimes committed. By so doing, the victim would
better realize the effects of breaking the law and would aspire to follow them
to avoid the stigma and abuse that such acts attract. Whereas the breach of
rules needs to be dealt with firmly, other policymakers prefer to humanize the
punishments by making them appear less brutal. Such gestures tend to offer hope
that offenders do not need condemnation but gradual guidance towards achieving good
social etiquette. Nevertheless, the government agencies have the duty to whip
the citizens into following the agreed norms in order for the leadership
structures to have the authority to govern. According to firm believers in
disciplining wrongdoing, there have to be consequences for social ills for
people to learn their role in the society and for the state to avoid carnage. As
such, their only worry is the need to make the prison system more humane.
Conclusion
In every society, there are rules
and regulations that are set to govern the people. In most instances, such
binding rules are made with good intentions of preventing conflict among
communities while promoting social services for the benefit of all occupants. However,
the advent of cultural dynamism and a breakdown of other social structures have
resulted in the increase of crime levels within societies. Therefore, the
development of the judicial system has facilitated the weeding of evil elements
within communities (Dorpat, 2007). Consequently, restoration of social order
has become a reality. Nevertheless, the incarceration of offenders has met
resistance from proponents of rehabilitation initiatives who view the latter
favorably as an approach that yields positive change in the victims’ lives. Therefore,
there is growing concern on the suitability of each approach thereby prompting this
study. While the differences vary, it is evident that most stakeholders concur
that both measures are meant to institute behavioral reform in the offenders to
enable them lead normal, meaningful lives when they get back to the society. Therefore,
the need to maintain social control is vital in securing stability within the
nation.
References
Benda, B. B., & Pallone, N. J. (2005). Rehabilitation
Issues, Problems, and Prospects in Boot Camp. New York,
NY: Haworth
Press.
Dorpat, T. L. (2007). Crimes of Punishment: America’s
Culture of Violence. New York:
Algora Pub.
Falk, G. (2010). The American Criminal Justice System: How it
works, how it doesn’t, and how to fix it. Santa Barbara, Calif:
Praeger.
Great Britain. (2005). Rehabilitation of Prisoners. London: Stationery Office.
Latessa, E. J. (2001). Correctional Contexts: Contemporary and
Classical Readings.
Los Angeles, Calif: Roxbury Pub.
Loury, G. C. (2008). Race, Incarceration, and American Values:
Based on the 2007 Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Stanford. Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press.
Neubauer, D. W., & Fradella, H. F. (2014). America‘s
Courts and the Criminal Justice System.
Stuntz, W. J. (2011). The collapse of American criminal justice.
Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Van, Z. S. D., & Dünkel, F. (2001). Imprisonment Today and Tomorrow: International
Perspectives on Prisoners’ Rights and Prison Conditions. The Hague: Kluwer Law International.
Vermeulen, G., & Wree, E. (2014). Offender Reintegration
and Rehabilitation as a Component of International Criminal Justice?: Execution
of Sentences at the Level of International Tribunals and Courts : Moving beyond
the mere Protection of Procedural Rights and Minimal Fundamental Interests?.
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Consequences
of Unethical Behavior
As an official
duty, the practicing engineer was tasked with conducting a site evaluation for
an engineering firm. However, he falsified the content of the report by
including nonexistent materials while ignoring the level of distribution of
others. In particular, he wrongfully stated that the area was made up of sand, gravel,
and sandstone when it was actually a volcanic area. Moreover, there were signs
of boring as he had claimed in the report. Therefore, this illegal forgery of a
report was referred to the state licensing board. Upon examination and
interrogation of the victim, it emerged that the crime had been committed. In
fact, his illegality was against the ASCE code of ethics that individuals in
this profession are supposed to follow. For example, it was in violation of
category (a) 2, which insists on the use of educational competence as a basis
for awarding engineering jobs.
Moreover, (b) 3 states that engineers have to
be truthful and objective in both actions such as documentation and words as is
the case in testimonies. Canon 6 further directs engineers to perform actions
that enhance the integrity of the profession. Therefore, the PE had contravened
the above statutes thereby deserved the revocation of his license. Notably, unscrupulous
actions are bound to cause severe failures in moral obligations as well as job
opportunities. It is advisable for the above canons to be applicable to non-PEs
and engineering students in order to promote honesty in the society. By
legalizing the punishment of immorality in different aspects of life, it would
be a deterrent for its occurrence hence promoting a healthy business atmosphere
while conserving the environment for the good of humanity.
Evaluating
Children’s Fiction/Nonfiction Books
Name:
Institution:
Evaluating
Children’s Fiction/Nonfiction Books
How Would You
Evaluate A Nonfiction Book?
Spirit Seeker by John Coltrane satisfies
the criteria of a good book in terms of quality. The cover is attractive to the
youthful eye containing a graphical picture of a man playing a saxophone. The
blue background of the cover complements with the soothing theme of jazz music.
The title is succinct and interesting hence can easily catch a potential
reader’s attention. The books content starts with the themes of death of family
members and music concepts that are not foreign to the average modern child. The
look of guidance coupled up with the grief of losing his musical members leads
him to drug abuse. The reader gets to accompany the author in his redemption
journey through music. The illustrations help in creating the moods of the
book. The organization is divided into chapters that help the flow of the story
and guide the reader. It is a good read that I would recommend for the school
library for its relevance to modern children’s lives.
Reference
Golio, G., & Gutierrez, R.
(2012). Spirit seeker: John Coltrane’s musical journey.
How Would You
Evaluate A Fiction Book?
In The Truth of Me by MacLachlan (2014) is
good quality book targeted at children of ages 6 to 10. The book has
believable characters. The main character is a small boy who encounters adult
problems for the first time. His grandmother is helpful in guiding the boy on
the right courses of action to take. The conflict resultant in the attempt to
solve the issues engages the reader. The reader accompanies the boy and his
faithful dog in their adventures and can easily identify with the problems a
child faces at that age. The pacing is slow to ensure the reader comprehends
the plot. The book is set in Newbery that represents the contemporary
countryside. The design and layout especially the cover is catchy to a young
reader with a fondness for dogs. The book would be a good fit in the small
children section of the library owing to its simplicity.
Reference
MacLachlan, P. (2014). The truth
of me. New York:
Katherine Tegen Books.
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Feminism
in comics
Female
representation in comics has ever been controversial. Initially, the female
characters were absent in novels as it was exclusively a male domain. As the
female fan base emerged, they were given secondary characters riddled with
stereotypical roles. Gender disparity endemic in the literal world had taken a
comical dimension. As females felt misunderstood, a new crop of gender
sensitive authors emerged but even they did not adequately present the woman’s
perspective. There was only a slight improvement to respectable sex symbols
rather than competent individuals. In a bid to solve this conundrum and ensure
that the feminine voice was heard, women turned to writing comics (D’Amore 126).
This invalidated the male chauvinists belief that their sex held the monopoly
over humor. The basis of Feminism in comics is to ensure that there are grounded
female characters that depict their reality rather than mere gender politics.
A case study of DeConnick’s
Captain Marvel reveals the central
themes Feminism in comics espouses. Carol the female lead is portrayed as self-sufficient
and worthy of respect. To emphasis the leadership traits innate in the
character, DeConnick opts for the title ‘Captain’ as opposed to ‘Miss’. Contrary
to typical female heroine comics, Carol comes into her power because of fate
rather than accidents or a consequence of victimization. Her costume is not
meant to accentuate Carol’s figure rather is practical to help her in combat. The
character embodies the appeal of a beautiful woman and the vigor of a
superhuman (DeConnick, Dexter, & Rios 7). Captain Marvel can subdue any
villain devoid of assistance from a male hero. She holds to her principles even
in private. The book subtly highlights the strength of virtue that is dominant
in women without coming off a pro-feminist.
Works Cited
D’Amore,
Laura Mattoon. “Invisible Girl’s Quest for Visibility: Early Second Wave
Feminism and the Comic Book Superheroine.” Americana: The Journal of American
Popular Culture (1900–present) 7 (2008).
DeConnick,
Kelly S, Dexter Soy, and Emma Rios. Captain Marvel. New York: Marvel Worldwide, Inc, 2012.
Print.
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Evaluation
Program
Part I
Stakeholders
that can be categorized as users include people such as patients and their parents.
This group of stakeholders contributes directly towards the department. Healthcare
providers are also pertinent stakeholders who perceive the department from a
technical viewpoint. The influencers category in the system is important stakeholders
who mostly concentrate on the adoption and maintenance of cost-effective
approaches. Lastly, the governance category includes people such as healthcare
employers, executives and managers. This group plays the role of reducing expenses
and maintaining high employee productivity. Out of these four, the governance
stakeholders are perhaps the most important. This is because they control a
large portion of the financial and human resources in the establishment. Users would
definitely want an answer for the benefits of different insurance packages, the
costs f different operations in hospital or the distribution of establishments
across the district. Influencers would ask questions pertaining to the consumption
of public funds, the rationale for setting up a new establishment or program as
well as the progress of a department. The governance category would be
interested in discovering the best way to reduce employee turnover, why communication
is a problem across the institution and the reasons for lower productivity.
Some
of the areas that the Department Chair would shed light on include the origins
of the funding for the program, its sustainability plan, the direct and indirect
beneficiaries, the scope of the program, the detailed services offered by it,
the level of cooperation with other similar programs. Other questions include its
strengths and weaknesses, the level of acceptance by the staff, the amount of
support offered by stakeholders and the scientific evidence supporting the
implementation of the program. One of the processes that could easily evaluate
is the response system for emergencies. A viable impact subject can be the
number of lives saved by the program. Lastly, a useful; outcome that can be
evaluated is the level of efficiency of the program in handling EMS issues.
The
evaluation of the three educational areas will use school-wide evaluation tools
such as questionnaires for all the ranks that can be collected after every term.
Part II
TheBrookestown City Fire Department is the
key agency in the project that contains several segments of the audience. The
main segment in the target audience is city buildings and developments while
the other three segments of the target audience include schools and educational
institutions, construction sites and underground activity such as mining.
Stakeholders include city officials such as the mayor and their subordinates, municipal
associations and groups, residents, non-governmental watchdog groups and business
groups. Interview tools can be applied in official settings such as offices of
business and the mayor’s quarters. Surveys are more suited for larger and
randomly placed groups such as schools and construction sites. Lastly, focus
groups can be implemented when it s necessary to analyze the representatives of
each group rather than the whole population.
A
major goal of the program is to reduce the number of injuries and casualties
caused by loss of pulse among patients using CP Thumps. The objectives are as
follows:
To ensure that all ambulances are correctly fitted with
CP ThumpsTo ensure that all ambulance and support staff are
trained in the correct way of using the devices to save livesTo distribute CP Thumps across all the five stations in
a balanced way.To ensure that any emerging problems in the implementation
of the CP Thumps is addressed quickly
The people of influence in the CP
Thumps program include the human resource managers, drivers, ambulance staff, managing
directors and suppliers. The policy intervention in the program revolves around
lowering or eliminating trade barriers that increase the cost of the devices as
well as their importation. Environmental interventions include the
prioritization of CP Thumps in all hospitals and ambulances as the first priority
device. Educational interventions include removing barriers to training the
staff on the proper way of using CP Thumps.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PERT CHART
Expenses
for the environmental
intervention mainly include the purchase of training materials for hospital
staff, hiring of evaluators after the implementation and overhead expenses in
the process of implantation. The process evaluation seeks to assess the extent
to which the usage of CP Thumps helps in saving lives during an emergency.
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Concert
Analysis
On February 14
2015, I attended the Jazz Ensemble from New
York City with a special guest leading the trumpet
named Daryl White. The performance featured seven pieces with the most notable
works being Ancient Memories, Fly Me to the Moon, and Waltz for Debby. The three works were
stylistically unique from one another, and based on the reception and applause
received from the crowd, were interesting.
The first song
during the performance was Fly Me to the
Moon, which was written by an artiste, named Bart Howard, and consecutively
arranged by Sammy Nestico. The widely known standard has been sung numerous
times by Frank Sinatra who is a famous artist. The instrumental version of this
composition is a Latin oriented consonance, which is based on a romantic mood
during that start of the song. This was effective in that it resonated with the
theme for the entire concert – love. It employs the use of a saxophone and a
piano that alternatively alter the mood of the performance. The performers
mimicked dancing similar with two lovers who are moving towards under the
moonlight
This song was
relatively passionate and employed the use of dialogue by the performers
without application of language. The ensemble that was responsible for
performance of this song illustrated standardized steadiness whereas the soloist
provided an extended dialogue, which was similar to a dance and twirl under the
moonlight. Listening to this song and the performance was enjoyable as it
denoted warmth and love, which was in tune with the February 14 theme of love.
The passion
exhibited in the song illustrated love for music by the performers and composers
of this piece. The alternated movements provided variations in texture as the
song moved from the saxophone to the piano and other instruments, which
accompanied the composition. The relatively enjoyable and highly complex
composition illustrated experience and passion for music performance.
The rhythm used in
the composition was seemingly steady throughout the entire performance and
increased in pace as the song-neared climax. In addition, the performance was
in tune with the rhythm of the composition. As rhythm of the song increased,
the dynamics employed were also enhanced until all the instruments that were in
use reached the climax in unison. The dynamics also reduced after reaching the
climax and moderation in terms of sounds provided by the instruments was
achieved.
The second
performance Waltz for Debby by Bill
Evans and consecutively arranged by Don Sebesky is seen to be slow-beat waltz
and consonant. The texture present in this performance was similar and
standardized during the entire performance. It is noted that this piece
employed a 1, 2, 3 pattern in composition of the performance, the 8instruements
used such as the trumpet, saxophone, and electric took alternative turns in
creation of melody.
Furthermore, the
soloists performed effectively in conformity to the composition’s rhythm,
theme, and tune. This performance had a relatively soft dynamic throughout the
entire performance. In addition, shifts in dynamics were noted when the song
moved to a moderate rhythm before going into a decrescendo and softening. The
ensemble was spectacular in ensuring that the performance was in unison with
the rhythm, beat, and theme of the entire performance.
Ancient Memories was written by Fred
Hamilton and consecutive arrangement was done by Paul Ferguson, and performed
by Darryl White. The performance by White was considered because it was a
feature in his 1999 album, which was titled Ancient
Memories. Mr. Daryl White is a professor specializing in trumpets at the University of Nebraska. The piece started out with
highly dissonant tones that were in perfect harmony with the introduction of
the drums and piano. In addition, the song moved gradually towards a consonant
harmony that was constant during the entire performance.
The song had a polyphonic
texture as it alternated between the piano and trumpet. In addition, the melody
of the song is seen as happy and bright whereas it has a relaxing and cool
aspect as it progresses through varied phases. There are also changes in tempo
and as the artist held notes using the trumpet as a means of emphasizing
climax. This song employed numerous dynamics, which made it one of the most
visible performances as compared to others during the night. The song’s
performance started out with crescendo, which was relatively soft and
progressed in terms of noise intensity and held in this pattern until reversal
of this trend was achieved.
The entire concert
illustrated careful selection of music, instruments, and performances displayed
during the show. In addition, it denoted a high level of professionalism given
that the crowd was excited and applauded every song performed by the artiste
and his ensemble. In addition, the performance was marked by exceptional
organization, which was effective in ensuring the success of the entire show. I
also noted of the confidence, which was present amongst the ensemble and
exhibited by the lead artiste, Daryl White.
In conclusion, the
selection of the songs for performance was done carefully so as it provide the
audience with a new perspective in terms of music structure. I learnt about
numerous things such as the role of preparation and proper understanding of
songs to be performed. In addition, performance of different songs enables an
artist and performers with an opportunity to try new styles and in the process
amassing new knowledge and gaining new skills, which would be appropriate for future
performances and compositions.
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Advantages
of Colored Photography
The
story being propagated by the photograph is that of splendor. Accordingly, it
is a reflection of the aesthetic beauty of colored photographs. In particular, it
is a highlight of the power of such photography to show the mood of a location by
offering varying contrasts, which are absent in black and white ones. Therefore,
such images are more appealing especially when captured under the right
lighting circumstances such as this one. In particular, the swimming pool is
the point of interest because it offers clarity and acts as a magnet to the
eye. Some of the adjacent lighting bounces off it thereby resulting in the
glow. By so doing, radiance emerges that seems to reinforce the vacation theme alluded
to earlier on hence laying an emphasis on the joyous ambience of the scene.
However,
the photo was edited to show contrasting effects to the image by incorporating
color to only one side. Consequently, the perception of the image changes due
to the adoption of a gloomy outlook. In fact, the left side looks blurred
thereby blocking a few details. Similarly, the scene becomes disoriented, as the
objects appear to lose their balance. By so doing, the objects appear hazy and
lack the intricate details that were visible before. Therefore, the story
changes to that of obscurity. It is no longer a party atmosphere. Rather, the
scene dramatically depicts a chaotic environment filled with many conflicting
emotions with negative energy dominating. Consequently, the few colored shots
are drowned out by the black and white ones thereby affecting the illumination
of the pool. The differences between the objects in the foreground and the rest
are also not discernible as well.
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Gas Land
Summary
The video notes of
the environmental and health concerns over the use of hydraulic fracturing in extraction
of oil and gas across 33 states in the United States. These states are responsible
for the provision of 99% of all oil and gas needs in the country. Destruction
of land, contamination of drinking water, pollution of wildlife habitats such
as lakes, rivers, and streams, health problems, hazardous explosions, and
decline in environmental regulatory practices are among some of the major
challenges noted in the film.
The film takes note
of a conspiracy to obliterate the truth of the various health problems,
environmental and safety issues associated with hydraulic fracturing. According
to the film, this can be attributed to the established corrupt networks between
legislators and corporations towards covering up the truth about the role of hydraulic
fracturing in drilling of oil towards contamination of water sources.
In addition, this
technique also results in pollution of the environment given that effluents are
disposed off into rivers, and in the process contaminating natural habitats for
wildlife. Additionally, the film also notes of unauthorized purchases of land
for hydraulic without adherence to due process in relation to considerations of
possible safety and environmental hazards to wildlife humans and environmental
pollution.
It is also important
to note the workplace hazards for a majority of the hydraulic fracturing wells.
There were reports of exposure to chemicals amongst the workers resulting in severe
injuries. These workers are also exposed to pollutants released as the wells burn
excess gas that is released from the wells. It is evident of widespread
corruption and failure to disclose information to the public of the chemicals
used and subsequent hazards posed by hydraulic fracturing wells.
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A
Rose for Emily
A Rose for Emily
is a short literature work written by William Faulkner in the year 1930. The
author notes that he was motivated by a woman’s tragic experience, who he would
easily give a rose for her strength and courage in overcoming the challenge. The
fictional character, Emily is understood to be an exceptional character given
her struggles in trying to conform to traditions despite changes seen in the
society. The author uses Emily to illustrate the changes and transformation of Jefferson as it embraces modernization, increased
economic opportunities, and commercial activities.
The short story starts
with an account of the events that characterized Emily Grierson’s family and
life. The author takes note of Emily’s psychotic and archaic behavior of the
past few years before her death. The work can be seen to have a number of themes
such as tragedy, love, and societal changes. Emily has managed to retain her
stature and status despite the vivid transformations in the community of Jefferson, which are attributed to industrialization and
modernization.
The theme of
tradition is compared to change and social transformation in the entire work.
Emily is understood to be a representation of American tradition in terms of
values people honor and respect. On the other hand, she is also seen to be a
burden to the community, which results in her isolation from the community and
the rest of the world because of her various eccentricities that other people
fail to understand. Some vivid recollections provided include her failure to
accept metallic numbers and boxes as the community moves towards adoption of a
new mail service. In addition, the grandiose antebellum houses in the Jefferson community have been replaced with automotive
shops and cotton gins. Furthermore, the council members want to alter the initial
unofficial taxation agreements forged between Emily and Colonel Sartorius.
The theme of death
is carefully intertwined to love and Emily’s failure to accommodate change by
assuming a realistic perspective of the outside world. The author introduces
the audience to his narration by pointing out the death of Emily. In addition,
he also concludes the work by highlighting that the life of Emily was haunted
by the death of her husband. She had failed to accommodate people in her life
after the death of her a husband. It is also evident that the community was shocked
to discover the body of Homer in her bed.
She exhibits a
mental condition known as necrophilia-the love for dead people or bodies. Her
character illustrates an obsessive and controlling personality given that she
initially refused to acknowledge the death of her father only to replace this
obsession with homer after his death. She gave up her father’s body with significant
reluctance, as she feared for imminent change. The author notes that she had
grown pale and thin and compares her to a drowned lady who had become bloated
and pale. He gradual decline in terms of social status, stature, and health can
be termed as a representation of the death of the Old south social order. In addition,
it illustrates that change is inevitable.
Love and the loss
of it is also a major theme used in the text. The author illustrates the extent
of individual actions as people try to retain or relive their happy moments
with loved ones. This is one of the primary reasons that Emily was unable to accept
the loss of her father and Homer after their successive deaths. A gray strand
of hair illustrates the strength of Emily in living her life under her own
terms without being subjected to conformity to social changes and approval by
her neighbors and peers. Her death illustrates that change is inevitable and
necessary for a thriving community and society.
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Advanced
Disposal
The speaker’s name
in the video is James Dauis. He is an administrator at a registered waste
disposal facility. The disposal system is understood to be landfill that utilizes
anaerobic form of degradation of organic components. Landfills provide an
effective means of disposal of various types of waste. Anaerobic decomposition
usually takes place because of the lack of moisture and oxygen, which are
necessary for anaerobic decomposition. In landfills, decomposition of waste
usually takes place in a gradual manner.
Clay liners are
also used to provide isolation to trash from return to the environment. In
addition, some municipalities and stats use synthetic liners to isolate the
garbage from the environment. The speaker notes of the various benefits
associated with recycling waste such as paper, which can be easily collected
and made into products for sale in the mass market. In addition, this ensures
that waste is managed effectively. Furthermore, within the waste management
facility, the entity is able to generate gas, which can be used for electricity
generation and subsequent sale to industrial settings or for domestic purposes.
The best organic
compost achieved from organic recycling can be achieved with partnerships
established with organizations such as supermarkets, institutions, and homes.
this eliminates the use of industrial waste which is laden with chemicals and
poses significant health risks if such waste is reused in farms. The speakers
notes that organizations, homes and institutions can be sued to generate
methane gas, excess water and fertilizer which can be used for various
domestic, farm and industrial; purposes. This is effective in providing
employment and ensuring efficient waste disposal and management for urbane
regions that have limited open areas for landfills. This study illustrates the
potential challenges and benefits of sustainability with consumers and homes being
the primary impediments towards deficiency in management of waste.