Ma in Management †Strategic Analysis Module Essay

SAA 1 – Evaluating the Suitability of EasyJet’s strategy EasyJet’s existing strategy can be characterised as low price/low value added (route 1 on the strategy clock) concentrating on Luton and Liverpool hubs (not the main UK airports) and targeting routes with little direct competition from other airlines (which builds up elements of access and variety based positioning). EasyJet exploited the major environmental change that resulted from the initial liberalisation of the EU airline market. The attractiveness of this â€Å"low cost† strategic group within the market has brought in new competitors (like BA’s GO) so the industry structure is changing. EasyJet’s decision to buy new aircraft and open new routes can be seen as an attempt to pre-emptively protect and build on their current position. The deals with Geneva airport and TEA also allow them to exploit an EU â€Å"open skies† agreement with Switzerland if finalised using the same strategic approach. The strategy is largely expanding upon existing capabilities in operating a low cost airline. Expanding the fleet of aircraft potentially offers cost efficiency advantages in terms of economies of scale and scope across a bigger number of routes. Standardising on new Boeing 737-300s and 737-700s should also help minimise operational costs as well as the purchase economies from the deal (discounts). Other parts of the value chain are also consistent with this low cost approach – headquarters at Luton rather than a more expensive location (although not mentioned in the illustration the HQ is pared down to a minimum to reduce overheads. Aircraft maintenance is also contracted out). As EasyJet is privately owned then the massive increase in gearing implied by the financing of new aircraft is perhaps less unattractive to investors than would be the case if the company was public. Ideally, it would be helpful to have more information on EasyJet’s current value chain and its capabilities to deliver the â€Å"low cost† approach. The big strategic issue to be resolved is the extent to which their current positioning is defensible if they start to expand – with risks from competitor reaction, perhaps from airlines previously unaffected by their strategy and the capabilities of EasyJet to deliver the same strategic approach on five-times the scale. SAA 2 – Evaluating the Acceptability of Easyjet’s strategy The risks of the new strategy are related to the extent of expansion – both strategically in terms of their ability to deliver on a bigger scale (a five-fold expansion of operations) and financially in terms of the impact of long-term gearing (loans from the banks). Their existing capabilities in this type of business (they were one of the first in Europe) and the potential use of equipment trust certificates to re-finance the purchase at a later date might help. There are few details about the potential returns in the illustration, but this seems to be an expanding sector in which EasyJet already has an established position. It seems to make strategic sense in terms of both protecting their existing position and creating the potential to exploit new opportunities (Switzerland) but more information on projected passenger volumes and revenues would help in assessing both returns and risks (e.g. ROCE, NPV, payback and break-even). As a privately owned airline then the number of key stakeholders is at least reduced by not having shareholders, Stelios Haji-Ioannou is the owner and chief executive. However, the banks are going to be particularly interested in the company given their exposure in terms of gearing – though they should be supportive providing the revenue flows increase as planned! Given the leanness of the organisation then the employees are likely to have a strong input. Governments are likely to be supportive of EasyJet’s approach as it encourages competition – though some may have closer ties to â€Å"national flag carriers† who are potential competitors. SAA 3 – Evaluating the Feasibility of EasyJet’s strategy EasyJet has built up experience as a successful â€Å"low cost† airline and the proposed strategy is an extension of existing capabilities. The cultural web of the organisation is also not likely to see major changes and create problems of managing implementation. The question is whether the system can be stretched into a five-fold expansion. The expansion into Switzerland, with the deals with Geneva airport and TEA, including the switch to Boeing 737s, would seem to be strategically sensible given the potential â€Å"open skies† agreement. The alliance, with an option to acquire TEA, should also offer synergies whilst reducing the risks of further stretching the existing EasyJet system. Financing is a major issue for this strategy – the cash flow for the aircraft deposit and long-term bank loans may indicate adequate financial resources, but conclusions depend upon an examination of this part of the deal in terms of impact on the company’s capital structure (gearing) and cash flow projections. Given the banks have leant the money then some judgements can be implied but, in practice, this would be a critical part of the overall strategy evaluation.

Art Renaissance Essay

How is Corbet’s Burial at Ornans an assault on bourgeois values? -He painted a scene that would normally be reserved for something religious and was highly controversial during the time. He took a step that went against the bourgeois values by not caring about the class definitions that were socially acceptable. He painted something that he â€Å"shouldn’t† have, but it brought him instant fame. 2. How do Japanese prints influence the works of Degas? – Degas was influenced by Japanese prints in composition and line. He did not paint women in kimonos in his art. Rather than painting Japanese subjects like his fellow artists he took on Japanese techniques and qualities. 3. What are the impressionists concerned with depicting? Include an example to support this. – Impressionists are concerned with capturing a sense of immediacy in their artwork. Their works are assymetrically balanced. The subject matter is often casual and more everyday life pictures and scenes. William Chadwick shows the play of light and shade on the Griswold side porch â€Å"On the Piazza†. The impressionists unlike other types of artists do not mix their paint colors. They generally use the pure colors to capture their work. Their use of color is also seen in how they depict shadows. Unlike previous artists who used neutral or darker shades like black to paint a shadow, Impressionists used color to show shadows. 4. Who are the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood? – The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was a reform movement founded in 1849 by several men to revitalize the arts. They wanted to bring back more classical poses as opposed to the art of their time that was by the Mannerists. They believed Raphael was a corruption to art and the way it was taught. Thus their name of â€Å"Pre-Raphaelite†. 5. What are the aspects used by Cezanne to create Mont Sainte-Victoire? How is this work similar to Impressionism? -He used bright colors and broken brushwork in his painting, not using much definition either. His painting was of modern every day objects, which greatly affects impressionism. It is a little different though than impressionism. Instead of capturing one specific piece of nature and movement, he tries to encompass it as a whole. It is very impressionistic while at the same time different. 6. How does the Tassel House Stairwell show the Art Nouveau organic style? – Art Nouveau is often free flowing and organic. The decoration and architecture takes a new look at classic historical styles. The stairwell is softer in appearance and curves more free flowing than classical straight stairwells. Some say it seems to float as it ascends through the middle of the house. The Tassel House was the first architectural structure done in the Art Nouveau style. 7. What is the pictorialist aesthetic? A group of photographers in the late 19th century and early 20th century who wanted to make their works different from other less experienced photographers. They would manipulate the picture they took and therefore created an image rather than just capturing a moment. They made their photographs their own and gave rise to more aesthetic photos. They wanted photography to be more than just taking pictures of subjects they wanted to show it was a real form of art. Sometimes they would scratch negatives or brush them with a soft brush to blur part of the photo making it more interesting.

Employment training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Employment training - Essay Example The main objective of the human resource requirement would be to coordinate their activities with others and also the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the organization. The human resource professional spend a considerable time in improvement in area such as recruitments, selection, training and development. The main objective of the HR management would be the attainment of the specific goals and objectives. The major objective of the study would be to focus on several components of the employment training in strategic human resource management and its related activities. The author of the study would also be highlighting the various components of the formal and training imparted to the employees of the organization. Finally, the study will conclude with recommendations which can improve the various managerial situations by imparting knowledge through training and development programs. Training & Development Most of the employees look for learning and grab eventful opport unities as they seek for employment (Cabrera, 2009). To facilitate for employment opportunities and progression most of the companies spend a considerable amount of time and money on training and development programs. The main objective of the training and development program would be to improve the existing job and development processes. ... Effective training would helps in considering the work options which can improve the effectiveness in the work procedure. Training is also referred to skill development programs which help in the presentation of specific and commitments that develop the skills and behaviour that can be transferred to the workplace. It is also referred to the skill development options, which help in the presentation of specific actions and commitments and enhancement of the skills of the employees. Organizational development can be referred to building the capacity of the organization and sustain a few desired process that benefits the entire organization on the whole. This helps in the examination of the present environment and also identification of various strategies that will helps in the rectification of the errors and also improvement in the existing managerial process. Employment training helps the management to run the managerial functions in different manner and provides a structured format a nd how they can help in contribution to the organizational success. Traditional concepts of HR related to the training and developmental are not related to modern day techniques and concepts and are not always applicable to changing market dynamics. Training and development has not only enhanced the knowledge and skills of the employees but also has improved the thinking ability of the individual and lays emphasis on the reinvention and reengineering process of the organization. The contemporary HR techniques are highly sophisticated and allow the employees to imbibe the innovativeness which can bring about the dramatic changes in the marketing environment. It also helps in deciding upon the future of the organization by stemming

BYOD Increase Motivation and Learning Coursework

BYOD Increase Motivation and Learning - Coursework Example The case studies were selected on the basis of geographical proximity to each other to maintain the consistency in external forces such as educational policies. In this study, the researcher sought to find out if mobile learning technologies motivate students to learn, and whether they enhance the learning experience. From the research, it was evident that none of the students struggled with operating technological devices hence funds on training and orientation were minimal. It was also discovered that the use of mobile devices significantly improved student engagement thus improving student motivation and culminating into better academic performance. The most critical finding of the study was that it was not students but teachers and educators who lack enthusiasm when tailoring technology-oriented programs. This finding will play a significant role in the proposed social change study as it indicates that most research studies in this line focus on students and their performance, an d not on teachers and their enthusiasm.   This is a mixed approach research study that deploys the use of an online survey and an interview for quantitative and qualitative data collection respectively. The online survey was conducted by sixty-nine certified K-12 school teachers, twenty administrating principals and assistant principals, and four technology directors. The study was conducted in the state of Missouri.  Ã‚  The main shortcoming of the study is that the researcher did not give the demographic information of the participants hence it is challenging to establish whether a variable such as their educational level affects the outcomes of the study. Additionally, it was also challenging to understand how well the participants acted as a representative sample.  

Project management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Project management - Research Paper Example cusses the history of project management, its significance in the contemporary age, some of the obstacles that project managers commonly face in their work and the functions of project management. â€Å"Project management is the science (and art) of organizing the components of a project, whether the project is development of a new product, the launch of a new service, a marketing campaign, or a wedding† (MPUG, 2011). Project management, as the name implies, includes everything that is required to manage a project. A project is a one time endeavor. It is unique. Some people confuse the definition of project with that of process. The former is unique and non-repetitive whereas the latter is repetitive in nature. According to Lewis (2002), projects have been managed for thousands of years, yet it has been identified as an entirely separate disciple all over the world in the last ten years. This tells how short the history of project management is. The claim of Lewis (2002) has been reinforced with the support of Azzopardi (2009), though Azzopardi (2009) dates the development of project management of tools in organizations to the mid of 1950s. ‘Project Management’ is an important topic because all organisations, large and small, are involved in implementing new undertakings as diverse as the development of a new product or service, or a public relations campaign. To keep ahead of their competitors, every organisation is faced with development of complex services and processes. These need cross-functional expertise in a given organisation. (Modesto and Tichapondwa, 2009, p. 15). Every project is different and has its own specifications. The risks and opportunities associated with every project are unique. Two projects may be of entirely same nature with the same project parties, location, and time, yet the two may call for entirely different patterns of management. This can be attributed to the difference of various internal and external factors arising in the

Roe vs Wade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Roe vs Wade - Essay Example aised in the two cases were; a) the legality of abortion laws passed by states seeking to criminalize all forms of abortion when interpreted in the letter and spirit of the US Constitution; b) the parameters of the Due Process provision of the 14th Amendment as a safeguard against the right to privacy in abortion; c) whether states had the authority to legislate laws that may prohibit abortion; d) whether the natural termination of Roe’s pregnancy rendered her case, on the same issue, which was pending before the court meaningless; and e) whether the district court was correct in denying injunctive relief. This paper will discuss some of the issues relating to the right of privacy based on the ruling on Roe. In 1880s abortion was legalized in United States specifically to protect the mother’s life from harm. Since the country was facing low birthrate during that particular period, especially among the whites, the government and other human rights agencies were concerned about the negative impacts of the policy. They termed the declining population of whites through abortion as having the same bad effect as suicide since they wanted the women who were born in United States to reproduce. Abortion was had been previously illegal and thus if a woman had to procure an abortion it depended on the race, economic situation, and the location where one lived (Critchlow, 2010). It is notable that poor women who came from other races could not afford it due to the high related cost. In early 1960s, however, the trend somehow changed by virtue of the formation of a group known as the Clergy Consultation Services on Abortion. The group drew its membership from church ministers and rabbis who dealt with illegal abortion since they sympathized with women of color who were disproportionately affected by the problem. The corresponding growth of civil rights and antiwar movements during the period campaigned for and came up with women liberation movement seeking the

Racial Profiling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Racial Profiling - Essay Example Moreover, the racial biased activity cannot be sanctified under any legitimate body and across the history of human crimes, it has been noted that at times the Racial Profiling gets limited to a very narrow activity, but there are also evidences where the act of Racial Profiling has been very stark and broad as in the past, police authorities have been found critical of a particular race or ethnic class in forming a reaction against suspicion and taking action against an individual based on a racial suspicion. In the United States particularly, the issue of Racial Profiling is gaining a very serious and a growing ground. With Americas first African American President elected four years ago, a considerable point of turning in the century old battle of America’s racial equality was being noticed. Yet, the government and the society of America have still left miles to cover when instances like frisking another former president and a global dignitary prop up. Former President of I ndia Dr, APJ Abdul Kalam was frisked twice at the JKF airport, New York, under a suspicion framed on his being a south East Asian and Muslim moreover. This essay shall throw light on the narrow shortcomings of the system of Racial Profiling and will also uphold the subtle factors that are hampering the growth, unity and position of the United States for maintaining Racial Profiling in the global domain and within the country as well (Debate.org, â€Å"History and Debate of Racial Profiling†; The Times of India, â€Å"Former President APJ Abdul Kalam Frisked Twice in US†). RACIAL PROFILING AND ACCEPTANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICE At the outset of the argument itself, it is quite evident to quote that Racial Profiling should not get a proper and uniformed sanctity from law enforcement authorities across the nation. Already in many jurisdictions in the United States itself, the practice of Racial Profiling facet has been termed illegal. In the year 2001 itself, former p resident of America George W. Bush summoned a Joint Session of Congress and made a declaration that Racial Profiling is viewed by America as illegal and America is soon going to put an end to the practice. The United States of America, from its name to its founding ideals, envisage the philosophy of liberty, equality and fraternity. Upon these three pillars of liberty, equality and fraternity, did the founding fathers laid the pavement for America’s unity and integrity. However, the founding fathers of the nation while framing the constitution of America were least aware of the complexity, it was about to face. Suspecting any individual based on his race or ethnicity without a probable reason of suspicion actually curbs his or her individual liberty and dignity (Department of Justice, â€Å"Racial Profiling†). Under this light, Racial Profiling can be viewed as a battle of an individual against his race or color. African Americans, Hispanics or Asians who have the citi zenship in America and pay a considerable amount in the development of the nation are also not being spared. A man black in color if waits long at the corner of the street, waiting for his bus, definitely will be picked up by the patrolling van and asked questions about his backgrounds. Black teenagers in America are the softest targets of interrogation and they actually fear their free movement within the country. Situations for the Asians and specially Southeast Asians after the attacks of 9/11 are worst; they are stopped,

Sebastiao salgado genesi exbition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sebastiao salgado genesi exbition - Essay Example To begin with, I would like to note that I was impressed by the black and white photographs that were presented in the exhibition. Just like other critics, I am strongly convinced that monochrome pictures allow our imagination attribute colours which makes them even more picturesque. Looking at those photographs, I imagined how interesting it was to actually be in those places and experience of the beauties of our planet first hand. To put it short, I was deeply moved by the message that was conveyed by the photographs: we should protect our Earth since it holds so many treasures. I would also like to dwell on recognition of the talent of the person in question. Some people might suggest that photography should not be regarded as a genuine art. Contrary to them, it is my strong belief that this is one of the most prominent modern arts that is able to capture one particular aspect of the world and present it in a rather moving way. It would not be a mistake to suggest that the photographs by Salgado altered in some way the objective description of the world. However, it is this lack of objectivity that urges people to take a look at the global issues from a new perspective. Genesis is logical continuation of work of this arts: prior to it he made similar projects about workers and migrants ("Sebastià £o Salgado. GENESIS"). In other words, one might suggest that Salgado is particularly interested in presenting the broad picture of the issue to the public. In addition to that, the artist wants to grasp the natural state of things in order to how had fragile they might be ("Sebastià £o Salgado: Genesis"). Every picture in the exhibition suggests that it is quite easy to lose the world as we know it. As one can easily understand, Sebastià £o Salgado is one of those individuals how was blessed by a broader outlook and a particular talent which makes him a great

Persuasive Essay Essay Example for Free

Persuasive Essay Essay At least 11% of women smoke during pregnancy. Many of these women smoke without knowing the significant negative effects smoking has on their babies before, during, and after the pregnancy. When a woman smokes during pregnancy, she exposes her baby to dangerous chemicals such as tar, carbon monoxide, nicotine, and other poisonous chemicals that travels through the bloodstream and goes directly to the baby. Nicotine restricts the oxygen through the blood vessels throughout the body, including those leading to the umbilical cord. There are more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes. Among these chemicals, there are life-threatening issues that can happen while smoking during a woman’s pregnancy and after the babies are born. Smoking while pregnant has many lasting effects on the mother as well as the child? On average, a smoker who smokes a pack a day will reduce about half a pound of baby weight. Stunning a baby’s growth while in the womb can have negative consequences that last a lifetime. With a baby being underweight at the time of birth could mean the baby’s lungs have not fully developed which would lead to their first few days or weeks of life on a respirator to help the baby breath. However, after the baby has the ability to breathe their still susceptible to asthma. The combined effect of premature delivery and low birth rate has shown ten percent of these babies suffer from Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome is when their lungs have not developed a normal surface tact coating and the air sacs collapse. One of the most serious effects and risks of smoking while pregnant is ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. In all cases the baby will not live if this occurs there are not enough nutrients for a fetus to survive anywhere besides the womb. When the detection of an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, it is treated through medication and surgery. In both cases it is termination of the baby to prevent possible death of both the baby and mother. Placental abruption is another occurrence that happens from smoking during pregnancy. It is the separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. The baby is deprived of oxygen and nutrients when a placental abruption is detected. The mother can also experience life-threatening bleeding. A stillbirth is the death of a fetus that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is also an occurrence that can happen from smoking during pregnancy. Stillbirth can be very painful emotionally because the baby still has to be delivered. After the pregnancy is over, and the baby has been delivered, the smoking may have still caused damage to the baby. Smoking during a pregnancy can have an effect on the baby’s brain. Children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are likely to have learning disorders, behavioral problems and relatively low IQ’s. Children of smokers also have less muscle mass and fatter than a child of a non- smoker. Cleft is a gap in the body structure that results from incomplete closing of a specific structure during development. Clefts that occur from smoking during pregnancy usually occur orally. Cleft lip is a complete opening at the lip extending into the bottom of the nose. Cleft palate is an opening at the front roof of the mouth extending to the back of the mouth. Smoking during pregnancy can also cause babies to be born prematurely. Premature birth is a serious health problem. Long-lasting disabilities such as breathing problems, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, lung problems, hearing, and vision loss are health problems that can occur from premature birth. Mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy are more likely of losing their babies to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). SIDS is the sudden unexplained death of an infant younger than one year of age. Occurring without warning, SIDS can happen to babies who seem perfectly normal. In conclusion, once a baby is born with damages caused by smoking, it is too late. There is a lifetime of regret on the mother and the suffering of the child can be tremendous. Women should quit smoking before their baby is conceived. The sooner a woman quits smoking, the better her chances are of having a healthier pregnancy for herself and the baby. To quit smoking is a hard task to do, but the awareness of the effects of smoking during a pregnancy should persuade a woman to quit smoking before, during and after the pregnancy.

Blood Sports (Debate) Essay Example for Free

Blood Sports (Debate) Essay Blood sports should not be banned; whatever problems there are with the sport can be fixed with reforms. The World Health Organization has called for tighter regulation, including â€Å"Simple rules, such as requiring medical clearance, national passports to prevent players from fighting under more than one name, restricting fights for fixed periods after knockouts, requiring that ringside physicians be paid by the state and not the promoter, and making sure that the players are aware of the potential long-term consequence of blood sports, may help protect them to some degree. †The Australian Medical Association additionally â€Å"recommends that media coverage should be subject to control codes similar to those which apply to television screening of violence. †Finally, the World Medical Association suggests that all matches should have a ring physician authorized to stop the fight at any time. It has been reported that no safety regulations would be effective if head blows remain however such authors incorrectly apportion blame on boxing for a group of diseases known as Parkinson’s syndrome. Blood sports can result in chronic traumatic neurological conditions if fighters are not well matched, and fight without regulations in regard to their exposure. Boxing cannot cause Parkinson’s disease or other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease as those are genetic conditions so to include them together as one set of conditions is incorrect and misleading. About 80% of deaths are caused by head, brain, and neck injuries, so the removal of the head as a scoring region may make a huge difference to the injury outcomes for this sport. However it would also change the very nature of the sport; and may mean people won’t participate in it. Ultimately, governments should do what they can to make blood sports as safe as possible, without losing the essence of the sport or banning it entirely. - (Banning blood sports would force people to channel their aggression into more harmful, violent activities) There is no conclusive scientific evidence linking increased contact sport participation with being more violent in social settings. Such statements make it sound as thought we would have not violence in society if all contact sport was removed and we all know that is untrue. Blood sports isn’t about violent aggression, it is about controlled aggression this is very different to violent behaviors. In a report on â€Å"violent† sports in schools, conducted by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a martial-arts instructor explained, â€Å"Contact and combat sports allow students to deal with their aggression in a safe environment, rather than in the context of the classroom or school hallway. †This type of outlet is not only important for youth, but for adults as well. Jason Brick said, â€Å"Positive Views on Violence In Sports,† Live strong, January 7, 2011, accessed July 13, 2011, With /proposition (The Effect of blood sports on the viewers) Blood Sports have been around for decades. Viewing violence generally triggers or serves in the increase of aggression of an individual. Sports such as wrestling (smack down) and Ultimate Fighter Competition (UFC) are bloody sports and have mostly negative effects on those who watch them. The objective of these two sports is to beat an individual into unconsciousness, make them tap out by inflicting pain, if none of these is accomplished within a time frame, the match is to be stopped and the judges decide who wins. Many children, teenagers, and even adults tend to try and imitate a knock out or combos that were seen performed at one of these fights onto an individual in an uncontrolled environment whether it is their sibling, friend, coworker, or a stranger for different reasons that includes but is not limited to a misunderstanding or horse playing. Watching this sport leaves the viewer psychologically aggressive. For example, if someone watches a match and gets into a fight with another person later on, that person is more likely to use a technique he saw during the fight, and since there is no referee to stop the fight in case of suffocation or tap-out, the victim is more likely to bleed, pass out or even dies. During the 1980’s, two men were in a bar discussing the Marvin Haggler and Sugar Ray Leonard fight that had occurred several days before, and in the process on trying to show exactly how one of the punch landed, both men went outside, drawing a crowd with them. The demonstration turned tragic when one of the men landed a punch to the jaw of the other, and such was the power of the blow, that the victim fell, hit his head on the pavement and started to bleed, and had to be buried a few weeks later. Seeing and permitting violence to be seen makes it seem normal and legal when in fact it is not normal and it is horrible, but here is where lies another problem which is called desensitization. Many years ago when a horrible scene was about to be portrayed on your television set, there would first appear a window saying the images that you are about to see might injure the sensibility of certain people or words to that effect. Well, have you noticed that now they no longer even bother showing that little window? Its as if the media know that human kind are used to everything by now. That nothing is going to affect them that much. So what does this show? It shows that us human beings are getting desensitized to everything and when that happens it also means that we dont get so emotional about anything anymore and so consequently dont fight any more either in order to strive for a change. We have all come to a point where nothing moves us that much anymore. (Pain and Injury as the Price of blood sports) Many people think about sports in a paradoxical way: They accept violence in sports, but the injuries caused by that violence make them uneasy. They seem to want violence without consequences— like the ?ctionalized violence they see in the media and video games in which characters engage in brutality without being seriously or permanently injured. However, blood sports are real, and it causes real pain, injury, disability, and even death (Dater, 2005; Farber, 2004; Leahy, 2008; Rice, 2005; Smith, 2005b; Young, 2004a). Ron Rice, an NFL player whose career ended when he tackled an opponent, discusses the real consequences of blood sports. The brutal body contact of the tackle left him temporarily paralyzed and permanently disabled. He remembers that â€Å"before I hit the ground, I knew my career was over. . . . My body froze. I was like a tree that had been cut down, teetering, then crashing, unable to break my fall. † Research on pain and injury among athletes helps us understand that blood sports have real consequences. Studies indicate that professional sports involving brutal body contact and borderline violence are among the most dangerous workplaces in the occupational world. The same could be said about high-pro? le power and performance intercollegiate sports in which 80 percent of male and female athletes sustain at least one serious injury while playing their sports and nearly 70 percent are disabled for two or more weeks. Research shows a close connection between dominant ideas about masculinity and the high rate of injuries in many sports. Ironically, some power and performance sports are organized so that players feel that their manhood is up for grabs. Men who de? ne masculinity in terms of physically dominating others often use violence in sports as an expression of this code of manhood. Until they critically examine issues related to gender and the organization of their sports, they will mistakenly de? ne violence as a source of rewards rather than a source of chronic pain and disabilities that constrain and threaten their lives.

The Internet And Social Media

The Internet And Social Media Self-esteem is all about how a person views themselves. When a person has a healthy sense of self, they respect themselves and they possess the courage to try different experiences even if it means that they might fail. A positive sense of self is driven to make healthy decisions and does not search for negative influences to pattern after. Low self-esteem is the complete opposite; it entails feelings of loneliness and self-hate. Low self-esteem is a serious problem for many young people; they often feel that they are undesirable and not worthy of having long lasting friendships or love interest. These feelings are a normal part of adolescence but, children who have low self-esteem find that negative thoughts and feelings of self-loathing dont seem to disappear. A child who has a normal and healthy sense of self has the ability to overcome these feelings or find ways to cope with them. Children with low self-esteem often cant summons the energy to channel positive thoughts and feelin gs. To combat this problem, teens will search for things that will make them feel complete. According to (Bessie`re, Seay, Kiesler, 2007; Wan Chiou, 2006), feelings of inadequacy and meekness often leads young people to prolonged use of the Internet. Children with low self-esteem also feel that the important adults in their lives, constantly judge them on their performances in school and in other social situations. They feel a need for acceptance and love from their parents, peers and community. The Internet and Social media sites also provide children the opportunity to fill the void of despair by choosing negative and harmful role models to pattern themselves after. These role models become important to them, they feel a need to nurture them and allow them to grow. Many times, these characters are more important than actual face to face communication with peers and family. Internet addiction in this case is characterized as a child or young adult spending excessive amounts of time and energy on the internet or on social media sites. The child will often find himself visiting sites; posting pictures and communicating all day long, while neglecting their daily responsibilities and routines. Instead of having normal peer relationships and interactions, the child seeks; people to chat with on-line. Greenfield (1999) found that young people, who use chat-rooms in a marked degree, make up a large group of compulsive Internet users. For these participators, chat rooms and Social media sites become their primary outlet for interactions; relationship building and the fulfillment of social needs. These children often miss the opportunity to make friends in the real world because they start to believe that the people they meet on line can be trusted with personal information. Polls taken on students found that Seventy-two percent of school age range youth has adm itted to using internet chat rooms in excess on a daily basis. Young (1997) found that children lose out on peer interactions and academic opportunities due to compulsive internet use. Egger (1996), found eight prevalent indications of Internet addiction: 1. the child seems to overlook time spent when on line, 2. the child gets angry when he is asked to end Internet time. 3. The child steals time on the internet without parental permission, 4. The child exhibits a loss of interest in daily activities or relationships, 5. Child seems depressed and despondent when they are not on-line, 6. Child checks e-mails and Social Media accounts constantly, 7. The child seeks out friends on-line and forms new relationships and 8. The child uses chat identification names while off-line. A child can also find themselves developing addictive patterns like; checking media sites or entering chat rooms. On the Internet; a child who is normally shy and reserved, can create a whole new image and personality by joining on-line chat rooms. In a groundbreaking article, Rheingold (1996) argued that internet chat rooms and Social media sites are places that a child can act out a part in a role of their choosing. The child can create their own reality, while hiding behind a computer terminal. In these social media rooms, the child feels the freedom to re-create himself into the person he wishes to be. This gives the child the power to control his state of being. Instead of feeling powerless and non-existent, the child has the confidence that he never had before. On-line friendships in Social media sites become more important than actual relationships with family members and peers. This is why it is so easy for the child to become addicted to Social media; they seem to be a safe harbor for anyone who feels lonely and powerless. There are many popular sites that children use in order to chat with others; many times these sites condone sexually explicit behavior and messages. These sites have a large adolescent following; they offer the chance to chat with peers and create web pages that can be suggestive and inappropriate. Many children often feel free enough to explore their sexuality and desires without anyone knowing who they are. Arisoy and Davis (2009, 2001) states that despite the fact that overuse of Social media and Internet sites are seen as productive and gratifying to the user; it is actually an unhealthy way of coping with feelings of inadequacy. Facebook and MySpace are very popular Social media sites that teens with low self-esteem frequent. These sites are among the most popular social networking sites that children frequent today; with millions of teen followers (most under the age of 15). These sites allow the users to update their status as many times as they would like without fear of being reprimanded for inappropriate language or content. Lampe (2006) argued that the dominant reason why Social media sites exist is to bridge friends and family together; in spite of distance and time constraints. But what happens when these sites are abused by teens? These sites then become addictive and harmful to the user and can ultimately cause the child to perform poorly in school and in life. The allure to these sites seems to be the fact that children can create the self-image they always wanted to have. They can create an identity that mirrors the self-image they wish to have; while inviting the same peers who tease them to be friends with them. The child feels that the friends made on line are true and loyal. The child feels a sense of excitement and joy when their peers desire to view their page; this is seen as acceptance-even if the child is being deceptive. Children with self-image issues are given the platform to voice concerns and maybe turn the tables on awkward situations. Many children will hide behind Social media sites in order to empower themselves-sometimes in negative ways. Another effect that the internet has on self-esteem is cyber bullying. Cyber bullying entails using the internet or other electronic devises to harass or intimidate another person. Cyber bullying occurs when a child or group of children flood the internet or other electronic devises with negative images; slurs or rumors about fellow classmates of peers. Analysis establishes that cyber bullying causes both boys and girls feelings of exasperation, sadness, and desperation. Girls tend to respond with discontent but boys are preoccupied with feelings of possible revenge and score settling by the bully. This negative behavior has become a national problem; it is among the leading cause of teen suicide and school violence. Cyber bullies have many excuses as to why they harass their peers. Some say that they do it to get back at them for some wrong doing; another cyber bully says they did it because the class mate dressed and acted differently from other students. Children who have low self -esteem and are bullied feel unsafe in their surroundings. They feel that wherever they are, they can be touched by vicious and unfounded rumors on the Internet or physically harmed by the people who started the rumors. Children in this situation may feel too intimidated to tell a parent, family member or community leader. There is an unspoken rule that children in schools across the country follow; the no snitching or tattling rule. It often does not matter if the child is threatened or harmed in front of hundreds of their peers, that child feels that they cant tell. If they are brave enough to tell, the child will most certainly face retaliation and social humiliation by not only the bully but their friends also. These feelings of helplessness and confusion often lead the victim to either take their own life or the lives of the bully or other innocent people. Kessel (2012) stated that many victims of cyber bullying dealt with feelings of emotional distress; these feelings lead to depression, self-mutilation and or suicide. Pedophilia and predatory stalkers are also contributors to self-esteem and the Internet. In this case, children are preyed on while on certain Social media sites with the assumption that they are reaching out to young people their own age; but police reports and news articles paint a different picture. In the last few years; reports have invaded the news about the dangers of frequenting sites that have a large youth following. Pedophiles and stalkers prey on the young and naÃÆ'Â ¯ve; they use and contact children through their social media pages with false identities and backgrounds. The perpetrator is only chatting with the child in order to gain their trust and to acquire their personal information. After the offender gains that childs trust; they offer to meet them face to face with the promise of sex, drugs or some type of adventure. Often; these children are found sexually abused, psychologically scared or even worse- deceased. According to Melody (2007), in standard, there ar e three elements of staking: 1. there has to be a continuous sequence of unwanted behavior displayed by the stalker to the victim; 2. The stalker has to have made a threat toward the victim; 3. The victim has to have experienced a sense of uneasiness or danger as a result of the stalker. Recently, Facebook and other sites have promised to clean up its content by going in and deleting the member pages that contain explicit and suggestive language and content. They also vowed to delete the pages of children who post personal information such as; phone numbers, addresses and names of schools. Facebook and other sites only agreed to do this after a group of angry parents and educators called attention to the threat against our youth. Spitzberg and Hoobler (2002) argued that with the influx of Social media sites and other forms of technology, stalkers and pedophiles have better access to their victims. It is imperative that parents become active participants in spreading the word about the dangers of excessive internet use. Another link to self-esteem and internet use is negative body image. Teens are often ambushed with some type of media which includes circulars, videos, radio and Internet sites. Many young people and teens spend large amounts of time searching on fashion sites for the latest trend and fad diet. Children can spend hours in their rooms on various sites researching pictures of the perfect nose; eyes; stomach and behind. Many times these images are photo shopped and doctored to be flawless; the children feel that these images are real and should be aspired to. Young people with low self-esteem feel that their bodies are ugly and flawed so they are in search of what will make them feel whole. Many young women find themselves eager to have reconstructive surgeries done on their bodies due to these feelings. The Internet fuels these feelings of self-hate by encouraging young women and sometimes boys to fixate on images and celebrities body parts that they deem as attainable. The more these images are downloaded; more time consuming it becomes for the adolescent; this causes them to loose themselves in a world of unhealthy and detrimental thoughts. This time could be better spent interacting with peers and forming; lasting relationships outside of the home. Park (2005) suggests that the issues teens face with body image has taken an upturn with the surge in popularity of the Internet and Social media sites. There are many strategies parents can use in order to build higher self-esteem in children: parents need to create an open dialogue with children about their feelings and social interactions. Children who are disheartened feel that they have little chance to be successful in life. By opening the lines of communication; the child can express emotions and work out any aggression they might feel. This also gives the parent a better understanding on how to help the child through difficult times. Adults should show genuine care and concern toward the child and their particular issues; this will break down the wall of uncertainty and lack of trust between parent and child. Children can feel betrayed and angry when they sense that the parent is humoring them or being condescending; these feelings might lead the child to mistrust the parent and shut down. These assumptions could also lead the child to feel that their parents dont have their best interest at heart. To ensure that the child is not made to feel embarrassed or shunned, parents should think before they engage in an open dialogue. It is a good idea that parents establish an environment of optimism and concern about life and its ups and downs; be honest enough to tell them that we all face disappointments and hardships but stress the importance of not giving up. Have faith in the child/young person and display it- let the child know that they make a difference in the world. Dispense praise and positive assessment; chil dren feel their self-worth is contingent on how their peers view of them. To help reassure the child a parent can acknowledge when they attempt a hard task then, praise them for having had the courage to try. Learn to acknowledge what a child is feeling by asking them to identify their feelings. Parents of young children can even have a feelings chart hung in sight; with the proper title under each emotion. When the young child cant express their emotion in words, they can point to an emotion that best describes them. This will give the child the assurance that they are heard and understood by the parent while the parent teaches the names of the emotions and the best ways child how to handle them. Parents should also try to focus on the positive actions of the child instead of the negative ones so the child will feel confident and empowered instead of degraded and singled-out. Children love to imitate or follow after adults so it is important to allow children to see you take chances and step outside the norm. This action sends a clear message to the child; If I am brave enough to try, you can do it also. Encourage your child to use the creativity they possess; if they like to draw or paint, enroll them in an art class and participate. Lastly; trust that your child can handle making their own decisions; start with small issues then work up to large ones but keep the lines of communicati on open. For example; allow the child to choose their wardrobe for school. If there are questionable choices made, use that situation to positively discuss it. As time goes on, both sides will learn to compromise and talk out larger issues. Parents can also get children involved in activities away from home and the computer. Engaging in physical activity helps to stimulate the mind; build muscles and allows opportunities for positive social interactions. There are many strategies parents can use in order to combat excessive Internet usage in children. 1. Parents need to inform themselves about the internet and chat rooms; parents are not aware that their children are addicted to the internet because they know so little about it. Parents should ask their children to help them navigate through some of the social media sites. Allow them to assume the role of teacher while the parent praises them of their knowledge and understanding of the sites. This will make the child feel easier about sharing this information and create an opening for questions and answers. 2. Take a computer literacy class. If parents are not comfortable with asking their child to show them how to navigate the web, they can sign up for free classes. Places like the public library and community centers offer free or reduced priced classes that will teach the basics of computer usage. 3. Computers should reside in an open space in the home. This way; the child will not lock himself away in a room or spend enormous hours surfing unknown and unsafe sites. If the entire family has access to the computer, the child does not have the privacy to sneak away and use the computer inappropriately. 4. Adults also need to monitor childrens use of the internet. The child should not spend more than two hours a day on the Internet with each hour broken into half an hour intervals. By allowing children to use the internet in intervals, we give them an opportunity to explore other talents and interests that might not be utilized while on-line. 5. Parents should become detectives. Parents can log on and create their own page in a site that a child frequents; this way the parent will find out the types of conversations that takes place. Some may find this as intrusive but in some cases; it has to be done to save a childs life. 6. When choosing data plans for cell phones or other devises, limit the time and sites that the child can visit. There are many applications that can be downloaded on the phone to ensure the safety of youth and teens. Technology can be wonderful and beneficial if we learn to use it properly. In an effort to combat cyber bullying and online harassment it is a good idea to get teachers and school administrators involved. Some students are more comfortable confiding in teachers or counselors about cyber bullying rather than talking to their parents. They may feel that the teacher has a better understanding of these issues because they understand teens better. While in school, teachers should: 1. Discuss Internet safety and proper usage of cell phones and other devises. 2. Facilitate open dialogues in class about the dangers and warning signs if cyber bullying. 3. Give students the strategies to combat cyber bullying like; reporting it right away and keep personal business and information off the Internet. 4. Lastly, make an effort to let the student know that you are available to assist them with the issue. Parents can also turn to churches for seminars and small group discussions about self-esteem and internet use. Parents can play a role in self-esteem building by treating the child with respect and love, seriously listening to their views and opinions. Most importantly, parents have to remember that self-esteem is paramount in every childs development. When the child sees that this issue is important to you; they will take notice and start talk about their concerns. Now that we have identified the link between internet addiction and self-esteem, parents must be proactive and get involved with their children and their activities. Parents have to be able to recognize the signs of low self-esteem and be ready to help the child cope with their feelings. Parents have to be the childs first resource when their feelings and emotions seem to go awry. In order to be this resource, they have to become familiar with various strategies and plans that will aid the child. Parents should be prepared to notice the signs of low self-esteem and be willing to seek outside help. The Internet and other technologies have indeed changed our lives in meaningful and substantial ways; this why we have to help our children understand and assume the responsibilities of it.

Tolkiens Lord of the Rings as a Catholic Epic :: Lord of the Rings Essays

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as a Catholic Epic It will be the contention of this paper that much of Tolkien's unique vision was directly shaped by recurring images in the Catholic culture which shaped JRRT, and which are not shared by non-Catholics generally. The expression of these images in Lord of the Rings will then concern us. To begin with, it must be remembered that Catholic culture and Catholic faith, while mutually supportive and symbiotic, are not the same thing. Mr. Walker Percy, in his Lost in the Cosmos, explored the difference, and pointed out that, culturally, Catholics in Cleveland are much more Protestant than Presbyterians in say, Taos, New Orleans, or the South of France. Erik, Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, points out that the effects of this dichotomy upon politics, attributing the multi-party system in Catholic countries to the Catholic adherence to absolutes; he further ascribes the two-party system to the Protestant willingness to compromise. However this may be, it does point up a constant element in Catholic thought---the pursuit of the absolute. Here we must make an aside in regard to the U.S. Catholic culture in America is practically non-existent, except in attenuated form among such peoples as the Hispanos and Indians of Northern New Mexico, the Cajuns and Creoles of Louisiana and the other Gulf States, and the old English Catholic settlements of Maryland and Kentucky. Elsewhere the Faith was brought by immigrants, and its attendant culture has, like all imported ones in the States, veered between preservation and assimilation. This was exacerbated by the fact that Catholic leadership in the United States was early committed to a programme of cultural melding. In addition, this leadership was primarily Irish, a nationality which had been deprived of much of its native culture by centuries of Protestant Ascendancy. Hence it has been extremely difficult for Americans, even American Catholics, to understand or appreciate the Catholic thing (as Chesterton described it) in a cultural context. I am reminded of the astonishment of a classmateof mine (from a typical American Catholic High School) at seeing an anthology of Catholic poetry. This situation has been greatly accentuated in the past twenty years by the changes occurring after Vatican II. This being so, it will be necessary to describe a little of the uniquely Catholic world view. In fine, it is a sacramental one. At the heart of all Catholic life is a miracle, a mystery, the Blessed Sacrament.

My Personal Code of Ethics Essay -- Ethics in Public Relations

Preamble I, Rob Geis, commit myself to the code and values that I am about to describe. As a person I have vast life experiences that have affected who I am and what I believe in. As a Public Relations professional it seems that our industry is often under ridicule for being unethical and known as spin doctors. As an ethical student and person I consider these key values as guiding stones to my applied ethical choices. Family, friends, school and religion have all made me the person I am today and influence my ethical choices. When it comes to family I was raised to be respectful of my elders and those around me; however I was also taught to speak my mind when I did not agree. Growing up I met many people who were not allowed to say no to their parents or elders because it was disrespectful. I believe this trait helped me be more open with teachers and family overall. I was also raised to respect women, which is something you do not see often in American culture anymore. I was raised to open doors for women and let them have my seat. As a kid people do things because this is the way people are taught; once people grow up you realize showing people respect is the right thing to do so you continue to do so. Respect is important; however the most influential values I learned were kindness and the power of knowledge. As a kid, I was taught to work hard and have fun later; we were not allowed to leave the house to party or go out unless we had all our homework done. This meant learning to think critically and efficiently in order to do great work in a small amount of time. My parents dropped out of college so that they could give my sisters and I opportunities they didn't have, for this reason I have learned the value of har... ...st of my values I feel only a virtuous person would follow them because it would make them a better person. Works Cited Klein, JÃ ¼rgen, "Francis Bacon", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (winter 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = . Locke, J. (199). Idea of power. An essay concerning human understanding (p. 358). Raleigh, N.C.: Alex Catalogue. Chilton, B., & Neusner, J. (2008). The Golden Rule: The Ethics of Reciprocity in World Religions. London: Continuum. Kraut, R. (2001, May 1). Aristotle's Ethics.Stanford University. Retrieved January 26, 2014, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/#VirDefConInc Parsons, Patricia. "The Trouble with Rules." Ethics in public relations a guide to best practice. 2nd ed. London: Kogan Page, 2008. 36-37. Print.

Benefits of Strong Literacy Skills Essay

?Dear Grace Literacy is crucial to the success of individuals in both their career aspirations and their quality of life. Strong literacy skills are closely linked to the probability of having a good job, decent earnings, and access to training opportunities. Individuals with weak literacy skills are more likely to be unemployed or, if employed, to be in jobs that pay little or that offer poor hours or working conditions. Traditionally, literacy has referred to the ability to read, understand, and use information. But the term has come to take on broader meaning, standing for a range of knowledge, skills and abilities relating to reading, mathematics, science and more. Subsequently in 1740 South Carolina if you taught a slave to write or employed him in a job requiring writing then the teacher or employer would be fined 100 pounds. The Virginia code of 1819 states that the teaching or assembly of any colored persons is unlawful and is punishable by any means deemed necessary by the court or judge. In 1830-1831 the state of North Carolina passed a law that prohibited the teachings of reading and writing to a slave. Alabama in 1833 enacted three laws that repressed slaves and people of color by not allowing them to be taught reading and writing as well as assembling more than five people of color. I have included this information to show how powerful and important knowledge is. Knowledge is so powerful that these people feared it so much that they felt the need to create these laws to protect themselves from what they thought would happen if slaves had the same power they had. Being able to read and write is the most basic foundation of knowledge accumulation and further skill development (source #4). Without literacy there can be no quality education. There is currently one out of five adults that are illiterate. If this trend continues then by 2015 over 700 million adults worldwide will not be literate. Children that participate in school for their first three grades should be able to read and write basic text. Evidence has shown that children with this ability are better prepared for further learning making them more apt to read and comprehend progressively more advanced materials along with acquiring additional knowledge. There is a poem called The Value of Books (source #3) and I think you should read it. This poem talks about the importance of reading and knowledge. The poem says how life is dead in the living world without knowledge. According to the poem the â€Å"light† of knowledge is shining down on the readers and how books are â€Å"the ultimate weapon† in our everyday battles. He who neglects books is undefended in a world of knowledge. We must use as much time as possible to enlighten our brains with the knowledge of the world for time has no master and waits for no one and time is waning. In conclusion I hope you are able to take something away from this. Take advantage of the opportunities you have that others do not like the slaves that were repressed and punished for learning. Stay on top of your studies as to help yourself and others contribute to the world the knowledge you have obtained. Never neglect knowledge for any reason for it is the best weapon you have to defend yourself against the world. Always remember that time has no master and waits for no one not even you so take every moment you have to better yourself and others just remember that time is running out.

Trainspotting

The Uncanny in Trainspotting I am interested in analyzing the â€Å"repression† element of the term uncanny in the way it is used in the â€Å"cold turkey† scene of Trainspotting. Repression is the way in which one pushes a memory or feeling to the back of one’s mind, in the hope that it will never come about in one’s train of thought again. If it does however, it would create an uncomfortable and unnerving situation. Trainspotting revolves around characters that are aiming to repress life itself by shooting up heroin all hours of the day.The â€Å"cold turkey† scene of this movie in particular is the most uncanny scene of all because it encompasses many of the thoughts and emotions that Renton, the main character, is trying to repress, but is forced to face. Paranoia, depression, hallucinations, and zombie babies are all a part of this timeless scene that truly leaves the viewer in an uneasy and ambivalent state of mind. Danny Boyle does not waste time easing the audience into Renton’s withdrawal symptoms, but rather throws them right into the scene.From the second Renton is locked in his room, a feeling of uncanniness sweeps over the audience, for as awful as Renton may feel, the audience is left unsympathetic to the whole situation. Renton, as he states throughout the film, is a bad person, and the audience will never sympathize with the bad person. Therefore, as the scene progresses, there is a sense of cognitive dissonance between wanting to feel sorry for Renton, and feeling that he is getting what he deserves. The uncanniness of the scene continues as Renton’s bedroom comes into perspective.It takes place in his childhood room which is covered in trains. It is uncanny that Renton is locked in a room like this, for it perfectly embodies the theme of the movie. The word â€Å"trainspotting† has many meanings, all of which can be applied to Renton’s life. First, it literally stands for one who s pots trains and takes note of when it comes and goes, which therefore translates to an utterly useless life. It also refers to the track marks that are left in the veins after shooting up. Users typically shoot along one main vein, therefore adapting the term, â€Å"station to station,† to this action.A child’s bedroom is typically a place of innocence and safety, however in Renton’s case, it is his doomed sarcophagus. His bed soon starts moving backwards, and the room starts elongating, as if to personify the notion that Renton is being pulled into limbo where he will be forced to face the reality of his oncoming hallucinations. What he soon starts seeing is rather uncanny, for he believes he is being visited by his family and friends, but in reality they are all figments of his imagination made up in his ongoing heroin derived/deprived mind.In particular, he imagines his friend Diane singing the song â€Å"Temptation. † It is coincidental that she is si nging this song because it is about being enamored and drawn to certain people and situations, but having to cope with the reality that they or it will no longer be there. The crawling, dead baby is another vital character of Renton’s hallucination. Baby Dawn, whom Renton has repressed his feelings for since her poor demise, crawls across the room, stops right above Renton’s body, and stares lifelessly into his eyes.The term uncanny is most brilliantly personified through this scene because this baby that was once familiar to Renton, is now altered, creepy, and morbid, creating immense uneasiness due to the uncertainty of her state of being. Danny Boyle masterfully articulates the horrors of withdrawals in the â€Å"cold turkey† scene of Trainspotting, which is why it is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. This was only achieved, however, through the presence of the uncanny, for it was the quintessential factor that made the scene that much more i nsightful and visceral.

Misconception of African Americans Essay

Since the beginning of time African Americans have been viewed negatively. We have always been viewed as a threat to society and frowned upon by many races. There are many cliches displayed in the media of what African Americans are supposed to act like. These conclusions cause almost immediate negative feelings from other races and sometimes by our own race. African American females in television shows and movies are often shown as the loud â€Å"ghetto† acting, angry black girl who is always â€Å"telling someone off†. Actor Tyler Perry has been criticized for illustrating African American females as â€Å"big momma†, another negative portrayal of black women. Other times shapely video vixens cause other black females to be portrayed as â€Å"jump-offs† or gold diggers. African American males have even greater judgments to overcome. They are viewed as a menace to society. They are illustrated as wild, angry, dangerous â€Å"gang bangers†. Black men are viewed as absentee fathers or abusive husbands. Although, in some cases, African American males do possess some of these characteristics, there are just as many black men that are positive role models. These ignorant judgments are called stereotypes. A stereotype is defined as â€Å"a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing†. Stereotypes, in my own words, are judgments blindly made by people who use ignorance as an excuse to be biased against those who are different from them. There are many different types of stereotyping. Racial stereotyping, sexist stereotyping, stereotypes about cultures, and sexual orientation stereotypes are all judgments that can affect one’s life in many ways. Stereotypes are, sadly, made by everyone. Racial stereotyping, however, is the most common type of stereotyping, and can sometimes be dangerous. The Trayvon Martin story, for example, is a situation where stereotyping turned tragic. Trayvon Martin was a young African American boy who was walking from the store with nothing but Skittles and a drink in his pockets. Because of his race, and the stereotype of what black Males are capable of, he was targeted, and tragically killed. There have been many similar cases of dangerous stereotyping. People’s fear of what the media shows we are suited to do, has gotten out of control. Too many of us are dying because of this fear. While many stereotypes do seem to be believable, people like Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, my grandparents, and my mom allow me to realize that not all stereotypes are true.

Acct 562 Assignment 2 – The town of bedford falls approved a general fund

Chapter 4: Problems 4–4, 4–6, 4–10, and 4–11 3–9.Recording General Fund Operating Budget and Operating Transactions. The Town of Bedford Falls approved a General Fund operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The budget provides for estimated revenues of $2,700,000 as follows: property taxes, $1,900,000; licenses and permits, $350,000; fines and forfeits, $250,000; and intergovernmental (state grants), $200,000. The budget approved appropriations of $2,650,000 as follows: General Government, $500,000; Public Safety, $1,600,000; Public Works, $350,000; Parks and Recreation, $150,000; and Miscellaneous, $50,000. Summary General Fund operating budget: fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 Budget: revenues of $2,700,000 property taxes: $1,900,000 licenses and permits: $350,000 fines and forfeits: $250,000 intergovernmental (state grants):$200,000 The budget approved appropriations of $2,650,000 as follows: General Government:$500,000 Public Safety: $1,600,000 Public Works: $350,000 Parks and Recreation: $150,000 Miscellaneous:$50,000 Required : a. Prepare the journal entry (or entries), including subsidiary ledger entries, to record the Town of Bedford Falls’s General Fund operating budget on July 1, 2010, the beginning of the Town’s 2011 fiscal year. Answer: General LedgerSubsidiary ledger Estimated RevDR: $2,700,000 Budgetary fund Bal. CR: $2,700,000 TaxesDR: $1,900,000 Intergovernmental Rev. DR: $200,000 Licenses & PermitsDR: $350,000 b. Prepare journal entries to record the following transactions that occurred during the month of July 2010. 1. Revenues were collected in cash amounting to $31,000 for licenses and permits and $12,000 for fines and forfeits. Answer: licenses and permits (Subsidiary Ledger) DR: Licenses & Permits $31,000 CR: Cash $31,000 fines and forfeits (general ledger) DR: Estimated Rev $12,000 CR: Budgetary fund bal. $12,000 2. Supplies were ordered by the following functions in early July 2010 at the estimated costs shown: Answer: Appropriations LedgerSubsidiary ledger General GovernmentCR: $7,400 Public SafetyCR: $11,300 Public WorksCR: $6,100 Parks & RecreationCR: $4,200 Misc. CR: $900 Encumbrances subsidiary LedgerSubsidiary ledger General GovernmentDR: $7,400 Public SafetyDR: $11,300 Public WorksDR: $6,100 Parks & RecreationDR: $4,200 Misc. DR: $900 3. During July 2010, supplies were received at the actual costs shown below and were paid in cash. General Government, Parks and Recreation, and Miscellaneous received all supplies ordered. Public Safety and Public Works received part of the supplies ordered earlier in the month at estimated costs of $10,700 and $5,900, respectively. c. Calculate and show in good form the amount of budgeted but unrealized revenues in total and from each source as of July 31, 2010. Answer: Budgeted but unrealized revenues: General Govn – $100 Public Safety – ($100) Public Works – ($200) Park & Rec – $100 Misc. – $0 d. Calculate and show in good form the amount of available appropriation in total and for each function as of July 31, 2010. Answer: Available appropriation: General Govn. – $100 Public Safety – $0 Public Works – $0 Park & Rec – $100 Misc. – $0 4–4 Property Tax Calculations and Journal Entries. The Village of Darby’s budget calls for property tax revenues for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, of $2,660,000. Village records indicate that, on average, 2 percent of taxes levied are not collected. The county tax assessor has assessed the value of taxable property located in the village at $135,714,300. Required: a. Calculate to the nearest penny what tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation is required to generate a tax levy that will produce the required amount of revenue for the year. Answer: 2,700,000%. 096= $2,812,500 b. Record the tax levy for 2011 in the General Fund. (Ignore subsidiary detail and entries at the government-wide level. ) Answer: DR: General Revenue-Property Taxes CR: Property Taxes c. By December 31, 2011, $2,540,000 of the current property tax levy had been collected. Record the amounts collected and reclassify the uncollected amount as delinquent. Interest and penalties of 6 percent were immediately due on the delinquent taxes, but the finance director estimates that 10 percent will not be collectible. Record the interest and penalties receivable. (Round all amounts to the nearest dollar. ) 4–6 Special Revenue Fund, Voluntary Nonexchange Transactions. The City of Eldon applied for a competitive grant from the state government for park improvements such as upgrading hiking trails and bike paths. On May 1, 2011, the City was notified that it had been awarded a grant of $200,000 for the program, to be received in two installments on July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012. The grant stipulates that $100,000 is for use in each of the city’s fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013. Any amounts not expended during FY 2012 can be carried over for use in FY 2013. During FY 2012, the city expended $90,000 for park improvements from grant resources. Required For the special revenue fund, provide the appropriate journal entries, if any, that would be made for the following: 1. May 1, 2011, notification of grant approval. Answer: No Entry 2. July 1, 2011, receipt of first installment of the grant. Answer: CR: Grant $1,000,000 DR: Cash $1,000,000 3. During FY 2011 to record expenditures under the grant. Answer: No Entry 4. July 1, 2012. CR: Grant- park improvements, $90,000 DR: Cash- grant resources, $90,000 4–10 Operating Transactions, Special Topics, and Financial Statements. The City of Ashland’s General Fund had the following post-closing trial balance at April 30, 2010, the end of its fiscal year: ? During the year ended April 30, 2011, the following transactions, in summary form, with subsidiary ledger detail omitted, occurred: 1. The budget for FY 2011 provided for General Fund estimated revenues totaling $3,140,000 and appropriations totaling $3,100,000. . The city council authorized temporary borrowing of $300,000 in the form of a 120-day tax anticipation note. The loan was obtained from a local bank at a discount of 6 percent per annum (debit Expenditures for discount). 3. The property tax levy for FY 2011 was recorded. Net assessed valuation of taxable property for the year was $43,000,000, and the tax rate was $5 per $100. It was estimated that 4 percent of the levy would be uncollectible. 4. Purchase orders and contracts were issued to vendors and others in the amount of $2,059,000. 5. The County Board of Review discovered unassessed properties with a total taxable value of $500,000. The owners of these properties were charged with taxes at the city’s General Fund rate of $5 per $100 assessed value. (You need not adjust the Estimated Uncollectible Current Taxes account. ) 6. $1,961,000 of current taxes, $383,270 of delinquent taxes, and $20,570 of interest and penalties were collected. 7. Additional interest and penalties on delinquent taxes were accrued in the amount of $38,430, of which 30 percent was estimated to be uncollectible. 8. Because of a change in state law, the city was notified that it will receive $80,000 less in intergovernmental revenues than was budgeted. 9. Total payroll during the year was $819,490. Of that amount, $62,690 was withheld for employees’ FICA tax liability, $103,710 for employees’ federal income tax liability, and $34,400 for state taxes; the balance was paid to employees in cash. 10. The employer’s FICA tax liability was recorded for $62,690. 11. Revenues from sources other than taxes were collected in the amount of $946,700. 12. Amounts due the federal government as of April 30, 2011, and amounts due for FICA taxes, and state and federal withholding taxes during the year were vouchered. 13. Purchase orders and contracts encumbered in the amount of $1,988,040 were filled at a net cost of $1,987,570, which was vouchered. 14. Vouchers payable totaling $2,301,660 were paid after deducting a credit for purchases discount of $8,030 (credit Expenditures). 15. The tax anticipation note of $300,000 was repaid. 16. All unpaid current year’s property taxes became delinquent. The balances of the current tax receivables and related uncollectibles were transferred to delinquent accounts. 7. A physical inventory of materials and supplies at April 30, 2011, showed a total of $19,100. Inventory is recorded using the purchases method in the General Fund; the consumption method is used at the government-wide level. Required a. Record in general journal form the effect of the above transactions on the General Fund and governmental activities for the year ended April 30, 2011. Do not record subsid iary ledger debits and credits. Answer: General FundDebitCredit revenues $3,140,000 appropriations $3,100,000 borrowing of $300,000 principle and interest$300,000 roperty tax levytax levyCash b. Record in general journal form entries to close the budgetary and operating statement accounts. c. Prepare a General Fund balance sheet as of April 30, 2011. Answer: General Fund Cash $3,140,000 Borrowing/Lending 300,000 Total Liabilities Vouchers payable totaling $2,301,660 materials and supplies $19,100 tax liability $62,690 d. Prepare a statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance for the year ended April 30, 2011. Do not prepare the government-wide financial statements. 4–11 Permanent Fund and Related Special Revenue Fund Transactions. Annabelle Benton, great-granddaughter of the founder of the Town of Benton, made a cash contribution in the amount of $500,000 to be held as an endowment. To account for this endowment, the town has created the Alex Benton Park Endowment Fund. Under terms of the agreement, the town must invest and conserve the principal amount of the contribution in perpetuity. Earnings, measured on the accrual basis, must be used to maintain Alex Benton Park in an â€Å"attractive manner. All changes in fair value are treated as adjustments of fund balance of the permanent fund and do not affect earnings. Earnings are transferred periodically to the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund, a special revenue fund. Information pertaining to transactions of the endowment and special revenue funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, follows:1. The contribution of $500,000 wa s received and recorded on December 31, 2010.2. On December 31, 2010, bonds having a face value of $400,000 were purchased for $406,300, plus three months of accrued interest of $6,000. A certificate of deposit with a face and fair value of $70,000 was also purchased on this date. The bonds mature on October 1, 2019 (105 months from date of purchase), and pay interest of 6 percent per annum semiannually on April 1 and October 1. The certificate of deposit pays interest of 4 percent per annum payable on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.3. On January 2, 2011, the town council approved a budget for the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund, which included estimated revenues of $13,400 and appropriations of $13,000.4.On March 31, 2011, interest on the certificate of deposit was received by the endowment fund and transferred to the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund.5. The April 1, 2011, bond interest was received by the endowment fund and transferred to the Alex Benton Park M aintenance Fund.6. On June 30, 2011, interest on the certificate of deposit was received and transferred to the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund.7. For the year ended June 30, 2011, maintenance expenditures from the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund amounted to $2,700 for materials and contractual services and $10,150 for wages and salaries. All expenditures were paid in cash except for $430 of vouchers payable as of June 30, 2011. Inventories of materials and supplies are deemed immaterial in amount.8. On June 30, 2011, bonds with face value of $100,000 were sold for $102,000 plus accrued interest of $1,500. On the same date, 2,000 shares of ABC Corporation’s stock were purchased at $52 per share. Required a. Prepare in general journal form the entries required in the Alex Benton Park Endowment Fund to record the transactions occurring during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, including all appropriate adjusting and closing entries. Note: Ignore related entries in the go vernmental activities journal at the government-wide level. ) b. Prepare in general journal form the entries required in the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund to record Transactions 1–8. c. Prepare the following financial statements: (1) A balance sheet for both the Alex Benton Park Endowment Fund and the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund as of June 30, 2011. (2) A statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance for both the Alex Benton Park Endowment Fund and the Alex Benton Park Maintenance Fund for the year ended June 30, 2011.

An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore

Al Gores documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Last winter, it was so warm. It was the time when I could feel that global warming is coming to the world. My friends and other people had a big curiosity that winter was not so cold as usual temperature because the rivers in Korea were not freezing well last year and there were lack of days when we could see the snowy weather. I started to feel that the earth is getting warmer and warmer and have a concern about our earth’s problem as a student who is majoring sustainability studies. With this existing condition, much news about global warming came out let people know about why the earth is getting warm and how to prevent this situation. However, both scholars and people have a different view of whether global warming is still exist or not. The biggest reason why global warming became hot issue is because of the documentary movie, namely an Inconvenient Truth, 2006. It ranks top3 documentary; I have watched it 3 times including our class time, also it was released to Korean theater for a short time because those who care of environmental issue are not so many. An inconvenient truth is the movie having the lecture from Albert Arnold Gore Jr. who was the vice president of America. He referred his teacher, child and sister while making a progress of his lecture. He has given a similar presentation over 100 times, it deserves to catch audiences’ eyes. He didn’t miss to give a humor like he introduced himself as Al Gore who might almost become a president with a bitter laugh,. He was becoming serious by showing the graph of air temperature and density of CO2 gas which was measured by his teacher; it seemed they have a big relationship between them. Every graph which he shows was amazing and enough to give a shock to audiences. The density of CO2 gas in the air had been stable over thousands years, of course there were a few fluctuations, but recently the status of the CO2 density is climbing steeply; it hasn’t had the same status before. It is enough for audiences to be eye-catching. The thing making us more surprised was the evidences of global warming. The pictures comparing the same place by having a time gap gave me astonishment such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, Patagonia highland and Mt. Everest. The areas where usually get snow have diminished, a lot of icebergs has been melting. It means the length and quantity of the icebergs get smaller than before. Then, he put more words after the pictures like some parts in the earth will be enunciated because of the water from melted icebergs and showed us the simulation of the tragic future. He gave a story of his sister who was died as a lung cancer due to cigarette. By doing so, it made him remind of that the company of cigarette had denied that cigarette has nothing to do with the cause of lung cancer but it is proved that it is not true. Now everyone knows that cigarette is big cause of the cancer. Then, he showed many pictures of the sudden changes of the earth like north pole, Alaska, Greenland and Amazon. The image of a polar bears searching for the ice flakes looks like out tragic life; they cannot find an ice where makes stable life to them by giving the spaces stepping on an ice. It means they are losing their spaces they live as the same with our spaces where will sink soon. If we can be sure global warming one hundred percent, do you think it is the human’s responsibility? Al Gore showed the persuasive graph of relationship between CO2 gas and temperature through the result of analyzing north pole’s sample in iceberg. It had never gone up over 300ppm for CO2 gas before, now it breaks a new record and would go over 400 or 500pppm in several years. It will bring about hot temperature because these green house gases will keep the heat energy which is supposed to go out of the earth. Someone says that the reason why the earth’s temperature is getting higher is due to the active activity of sunspot; many sunspots show that it is the time for sun to act very actively so it gives more radiation out of sun. Of course, it could make the earth get hotter. However, in the trustworthy journal, the activity of sun improves 0. 2 ~ 0. 4 percent, this could make an impact to get the temperature hot during centuries. However, it cannot explain the sudden improving rate, 0. 8 percent, in 20 century. Also, it doesn’t explain this situation that this situation is getting accelerated. There is an inconvenient point in the movie â€Å"an inconvenient truth†. First of all, the cause of the rise of sea level is not explained properly. It usually occurs because of temperature rising of sea making water swell. Originally the bond in ice is so strong making it compact each other, by getting heated the molecules in water become free to move, they have more space and mobility. However, this documentary movie shows the reality to us. The temperature change due to global has already become an inconvenient reality. Inland starts to make lots of dust as higher temperature makes it drier. It’s the reality for us to close up our mouth with a mast while roaming around. Many medias have still informed that both global warming and climate change are the scientific point of view but there is so specific answer of this. However, most scientists agree that there is global warming and it has a lot of things to do with human beings’ responsibility. Now it is not a stage where we have to debate whether this is global warming or not. We should adjust to the changing climate, put effort to give a solution to reduce green house gases. This has already become big social, political and economical problem getting out of scientific issue. This An Inconvenient Truth would be not knowable truth to someone but for the others they should know about that. It is the fact for us to realize that we should change something right now; we need to start to change our way of living by looking back ourselves’ life. Like Al gore’s argument, it could not disappear as it is not easily seen for us. Much bigger the importance of our environment is as we ignore more. The main convict and victim are us, so we need to know how much products we should buy, how much electricity we use, what kind of car we drive and how we deal with this situation then we can live well off in this earth

Survey for neighborhood housing service (NHS) Essay

Survey for neighborhood housing service (NHS) - Essay Example Surveys were collected randomly from the North Bronx community specifically the 2 Train Stops at Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road, 219th Street and White Plains Road and 225th Street and White Plains Road. The data from the surveys were then entered into the website surveymonkey.com which enabled us to create a web-based survey and provide analysis for the results. Although the majority of the surveys were completed at the Gun hill location, the survey covered the entire North Bronx area according to the zip codes listed. For each observation we compared and contrasted and of course made conclusions and recommendations about their relationship with the help of surveymonkey.com. This method and process described took place after taking surveys at the North Bronx community for neighborhood housing services (NHS). Focus group discussions can often enrich findings obtained from surveys as for example in a study of parents of 2000 high school students (Bers, 2002). However, they are very time consuming and difficult and only necessary in any case if more detailed insight is required of particular findings. Moreover, they also pose a challenge to the rigour of qualitative research (Twinn, 2000). Therefore, it was considered sufficient to conduct a simple qualitative survey to quickly obtain results. Surveys have the advantage of being inexpensive, can be used to generalize about the wider population, can be administered locally as well as remotely, and the standardized questions enable precise data collection amongst other benefits (CSU, 2009). Though weak on validity they are strong in terms of reliability. As for the types of questions, although most were closed-ended to facilitate analysis of standardized responses, a few open-ended questions were also made use of at the end of the questionnaire in order to solicit details of two things i.e. their greatest concern in the community and anything extra they would like to share. So this allowed them the

Foreign Policy of North Korea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Foreign Policy of North Korea - Essay Example The intention of this paper is North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as a country under the authoritarian rule of the military and the KWP, or the political party of Kim Jong-Il. Since the government and the military regulate every domestic institution in North Korea including the media and the schools, there is no known freedom of speech in the country. Moreover, according to the Amnesty International, North Koreans who are imprisoned or detained usually suffer from torture and other forms of cruelty and degrading treatment without due process of law. The prisoners are either beaten, forced to exercise, made to sit without moving for several hours, and publicly humiliated. Usually, because of these forms of cruelty as well as forced hard labor, lack of hygiene and inadequate food, prisoners usually fall ill and die some time during custody. As a response to the lack of respect for human rights in North Korea, the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, or NKHR, was established on May 4, 1996 in Seoul. The purpose is to defend the human rights and defend the lives of North Koreans. The founder and current chairperson, Reverend Benjamin H. Yoon, emphasizes that the goal of the NKHR is for the creation of a peaceful reunification of the North and the South and the formation of a democratic national community that is expected to result from such reunification. The NKHR also seeks to assist North Koreans who have just settled in South Korea in the education of their youth and the protection of their rights. Moreover, the organization seeks to collect and publicize facts and information regarding the status of human rights in North Korea, especially those in political prison camps (â€Å"Citizens’ Alliance,† 2011). Nevertheless, the NKHR, since it is based in Seoul, cannot do much to help North Koreans in North Korea. Nevertheless, the institution of the NKHR is a crucial step and a beacon of hope for North Koreans whose rights are still being violated in their own country. II. Relations with Asian Countries ` North Korea’s relations with South Korea have been â€Å"difficult and acrimonious† since the Korean War and have been a sort of â€Å"mixed† policy since North Korea seeks to develop strong economic ties with South Korea but the former does not stop denouncing the latter’s relations with the United States (â€Å"Democratic People’s,† U.S. Dept. of State, 2011). After the Korean War, both countries actually affirmed their desires for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula but until 1971, there have been no possible way for the two Korean governments to officially communicate with each other (â€Å"Democratic People’s,† U.S. Dept. of State, 2011). The differing ideologies of the two Koreas, where the north assumes a rather communist and conservative role but the south a rather a democratic one, have been responsible for the delay of goals aimed at reunification. Moreover, the intervention of the United States and other member countries to the Six-Party talks and North Korea’s continual violation of international laws against nuclear missiles have also helped put aside and indefinitely postpone reunification. However, South Korea remains as one of the DPRK’s leading partner in trade (â€Å"Korea, North,† CIA.gov, 2011). Aside from South Korea, among the countries with which North Korea has had firmly established ties with was China. China is North Korea’s largest source of food, fuel and arms, and is its biggest trading partner. As to food, China is the leading producer and importer of 45% of North Korea’s food and 80% of the latter’s consumer goods. When it comes to energy resources, China provides North Korea with around 90% of the latter’s fuel. With North Korea’s current volume of imports from China, the economic dependence of the form er on

Philosophy of Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Philosophy of Science - Essay Example This paper discusses the problem of induction and how it impacts current knowledge and approach to science. This discussion revolves primarily around works of David Hume and Karl Popper due to the former theorising on induction more than any other philosopher and the latter revealing inapplicability of induction for science and scientific method. Alan Musgrave (2004) in his critique of induction problem introduces Hume's argument as the basis for understanding the dilemma. Musgrave distinguishes Hume's three points, namely: (1) we reason, and must reason, inductively; (2) inductive reasoning is logically invalid and (3) to reason in a logically invalid way is irrational. Thus, the problem of induction is a problem confronted by scientists and philosophers concerned with science, but more specifically it is a problem for scientific method. Furthermore, it is a problem for the practice of science, for scientific endeavor, and it is a problem for the procedures of science. From the critical perspective, as science is or ought to be, it faces and must solve the problem of induction. David Hume created a philosophical system to explain his understanding of human nature. He provided a solid non-metaphysical explanation of the nature of human thought to use as a foundation to his philosophy. As an empiricist, Hume believed our knowledge is of the phenomenal world and is gained through experience. The following passage addresses not only his opinion regarding metaphysics, but his basic belief regarding the significance of ideas and impressions: All ideas, especially abstract ones, are naturally faint and obscure: the mind has but a slender hold of them: they are apt to be confounded with other resembling ideas; and when we have often employed any term, though without a distinct meaning, we are apt to imagine it as a determinate idea annexed to it. On the contrary, all impressions, that is, all sensations, either outward or inward, are strong and vivid; the limits between them are more exactly determined: nor is it easy to fall into any error or mistake with regard to them (Hume, 1985, p.49). Hume built a unique system of knowledge. Creating complex ideas by comparing or combining simple ideas is the province of understanding, which includes imagination as well as the intellect. Everything we believe comes from experience, either as a simple idea derived from direct experience or as a complex of related ideas abstracted from experience. Human understanding comes from applying the intellect and imagination to ideas in order to form beliefs about the phenomenal world. Hume claimed there are only three types of connection between ideas: resemblance, contiguity in time and space, and cause and effect (Hume, 1999, p.101). Therefore, beliefs are gained by applying the intellect and imagination to ideas to abstract what they have in common, including location

What actions might be taken by governments to reduce or limit price Essay

What actions might be taken by governments to reduce or limit price fluctuations of your commodity (Coffee) - Essay Example As a result, the farmers will not be able to make a profit and will end up running in a danger of going out of business. The government, therefore, intervenes and attempts to raise the prices or try to affect the farmer revenue. A good example of this intervention is through subsidy or negative taxation. In these cases, the farmers receive extra payments from the government. An example is in the coffee industry. Alternative solutions include government involvement to buy the products in the open market causing an increase in demand until the commodity prices get to the desired level. Alternatively, the supply of the commodities are curtailed by quotas where only certain farmers are allowed to grow a certain crop, and there are limits on how many products can be produced i.e. sugar, coffee, tobacco. Price controls can be imposed to limit the maximum and minimum prices that can be charged for a certain product. However, it has serious consequences causing a decrease in production as it will not be profitable to produce as many products as they are demanded because of the low prices causing a shortage of the commodity. Farmers generally face price fluctuation of coffee product prices. This is so because coffee products that are produced by one farmer are equivalent to a similar product of the same grade that is produced by another farmer. Farmers are, therefore, considered to be price takers as they can sell all their products at any market price but have no individual bargaining power for their products to raise their prices. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that there is stability in the global market prices of the agricultural products (Mohan 2007). Supply management programs, and agricultural policies in the past have helped in maintaining production around the demand to ensure that farmers do not produce an oversupply that can lead to prices collapse of their products. A number of strategies