Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Essay

In the 1950’s a psychologist called Abraham Maslow conducted research on the understanding of human motivation. In 1954 he suggested there were two sets of human needs, one set related to basic survival needs such as homeostasis, physiological needs and safety. The second set he believed focused on self –actualisation, this particular need is where he thought an individual realised their full potential. (Cardwell et al, 2000). On the basis of his theory he arranged these various needs in a hierarchy, starting with the basic survival needs and at the very top the self-actualisation need. (As pictured below). Maslow’s original Hierarchy of needs. image00. png (www. outlandishjosh. com/files/400px-Maslow’s_hierarchy_of_needs. svg. png) He suggested that each need had to be satisfied first before moving on to the next stage of the hierarchy, and the higher up the hierarchy an individual went, the more difficult it was to satisfy the needs, he suggested this was because the higher up the hierarchy an individual went the needs became psychological rather than physiological, they also became long term needs rather than short term needs. (Cardwell et al, 2000). Maslow suggested that many individuals would never reach our full potential and would therefore never reach self-actualisation. How the Hierarchy Works. Each individual starts at the bottom of the hierarchy and has to satisfy each level before they can move to the next level of the hierarchy. Physiological needs: – these are the basic needs such as, oxygen, shelter, food, thirst, sleep, sex etc, these basic needs must be meet in order to move up to the next level of the hierarchy. Safety needs: – the next level that has to be satisfied is the safety needs, these include, a need to feel physically safe and secure, security in a job, protection and stability. Love & Belongingness: – the next needs that have to be satisfied are love and belongingness, this is where an individual wants to be accepted and belong to a family or friends, to be loved and to love someone in return. Esteem needs: – this is where an individual has to satisfy their own self esteem, where they desire to be respected by others, to be given recognition in their job etc. Self-actualisation:- this is the final need to be satisfied; this is where an individual realizes their full potential and seeks self fulfilment. (Class notes). (Cardwell et al, 2000). In 1970 his hierarchy of needs was revised to include Cognitive needs (an individuals need to know and understand and needing to search for a meaning) and Aesthetic needs (the need for beauty in arts and nature etc and the need for order) he place these needs above the esteem needs. (Class Notes). (Haralambos & Rice, 2002). image01. jpg (www. waterstone. files. wordpress. com/2007/06/mh-pxw. jpg) How Maslow’s Hierarchy works In everyday life. Maslow’s hierarchy can be applied to a number of situations in everyday life, in the work placement, in schools etc to encourage motivation. Applying Maslow’s hierarchy in the work place. Physiological needs: – this level can be met by providing a place to eat and drinks, ensuring the workers have breaks, have reasonable working hours and providing a comfortable working environment, bonuses to boost their wages, etc. Safety needs: – this level can be met by providing a safe working environment, job security, pensions, health insurance etc. Love and Belongingness needs:- this level can be met by involving the individual in decision making, so that they feel part of the team, encouraging friendliness amongst the workers, introduce team building activities outside of work hours e. g. nights out, sports activities etc. Esteem needs: – this level can be met by praising the individual for their work, treating them in a professional friendly manner, offering the chance of promotion, etc. Self-actualisation:- this level can be met by the individual reaching their own goals in the workplace, encouraging the individual to be creative, by encouraging the individual to take promotions, encourage training scheme’s, etc.

Unfortunate Irony “Hope” Ariel Dorfman

Essay 2 Unfortunate Irony In the poem â€Å"Hope† by Ariel Dorfman the use of irony is what really sets and delivers the mood of this heart wrenching story. The author uses a very straight forward approach in this poem because they are essentially just telling the story, adding loose rhythm and rhyme structure. The best way for the author to get the point of this tragedy across is with subtle but profound irony. The mother and father finding â€Å"joy† in this horrible event is the best example of irony.Irony in my opinion is what can really drive home the feeling of the author or lyricist and is a way to completely change the direction of feeling. In Hope, when the author says â€Å"we couldn’t find out anything else about him†, it’s as if the author’s implying they don’t know where they are taking him, what they are doing with him, or if they’ll ever see him again. The irony in this statement is that we assume that until compl eting the poem and rereading it, that maybe the parents will not get to see the child grow up.The author is speculating this early on that they will not see their child do all those things we have all been able to do and our parents have watched us do. Because they already know and somewhat accept what is going to happen to the child. The author is completely aware of what kind of situation this has brought about. You see this when Ariel says, â€Å"somebody tell me frankly what times are these, what kind of word, what country†. Ariel knows, these are terrible times†¦ This type of irony really reminds of classic and contemporary country lyrics.The one that comes to mind immediately is â€Å"He Stopped Loving Her Today† by George Jones. The story he tells is of a man that’s hopelessly in love with a former lover that no longer loves him. The opening line really sets the tone with Jones’ haunting twang, â€Å"He said I’ll love you till I die, S he said you’ll forget in time. † But as the story explains, he doesn’t. Jones’ lyrics are extremely painful when describing the setting of his home and how he has held on to items that are linked to her. He kept some letters by his bed, Dated 1962, He had underlined in red, Every single I love you. † The verse right before the chorus and the chorus itself are what show the very unfortunate irony. The person telling the story explains how he went to see his friend and he’s â€Å"All dressed up to go away, First time I’d seen him smile in years†, the man had finally found the end to his pain on his way to his own funeral. The chorus, â€Å"He stopped loving her today, They placed a wreath upon his door, And soon they’ll carry him away, He stopped loving her today. To find happiness in such a way just shows how bad the pain actually is, just like in â€Å"Hope†. To find any amount in joy due to horrific pain and sadne ss, is very sad and it is understandable how the family of the child in â€Å"Hope† and the friends of the man in â€Å"He Stopped Loving Her Today† can find joy in these extremely sad and difficult situations The ultimate display of irony in â€Å"Hope† is after Ariel acknowledges the circumstances and situation their family has found themselves in and how to deal with it. They say they recognized his voice, his screams, they say†, this is very powerful and very disturbing. This leads to the ultimate question of this piece, â€Å"What I’m asking is how can it be that a father’s joy, a mother’s joy, is knowing that they, that they are still torturing their son? † And the joy and comfort they find by knowing that if he is being tortured that is still alive and that still leaves a window for hope. Which means that he was alive five months later and our greatest hope will be to find out next year that they’re still torturing him eight months later, and he may†¦ might†¦ could still be alive. † That is unfortunate irony, finding joy in a loved one being tortured because at least there is still hope they will one day be reunited with their child. Works Cited Dorfman, Ariel. â€Å"Hope†. Kirszner/Mandell Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing Jones, George. â€Å"He Stopped Loving Her Today† http://www. cowboylyrics. com/lyrics/jones-george/he-stopped-loving-her-today-18102. html

Evaluation Of Investment Alternatives Essay

Introduction – Capital budgeting A critical role of a financial manager is the evaluation of capital projects.   This is a very important task because the money involved in such activities is significant and the benefit or loss derived from will highly influence the financial performance of the whole organisation (Brockington R. B. 1996, p 102).   Indeed, Nobel laureates Modigliani and Miller suggested in their theory of capital structure that the value of a company is not affected by its gearing, but the primary factor that influences such value is the investment in wealth creating projects (Pike R. et al.   1999. p 557 and 577). 1.1   Evaluation of plans if their risk equals that of the firm 1.1.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)                Cash Flows    470 610 950 970 1,500 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 970 1,500 12% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.89286 0.79719 0.71178 0.63552 0.56743 Present Value (2,700) 419.64 486.29 676.19 616.45 851.15 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬349,720 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 12% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.89286 0.79719 0.71178 0.63552 0.56743 Present Value (2,100) 339.29 558.03 569.42 381.31 680.92 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬428,970 Source:   Drury C. 1996, p 389. 1.1.2 Internal Rate of Return Method PLAN X Year Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) Discount Factor* Present Value    â‚ ¬ 16% 17% 16% 17% 0 (2,700,000) 1.0000 1.0000 (2,700,000) (2,700,000) 1 470,000 0.86207 0.85470 405,172.90 401,709.00 2 610,000 0.74316 0.73051 453,327.60 445,611.10 3 950,000 0.64066 0.62437 608,627.00 593,151.50 4 970,000 0.55229 0.53365 535,721.30 517,640.50 5 1,500,000 0.47611 0.45611 714,165.00 684,165.00 Net Present Value 17,014 (57,723) PLAN Y Year Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) Discount Factor* Present Value    â‚ ¬ 18% 19% 18% 19% 0 (2,100,000) 1.0000 1.0000 (2,100,000) (2,100,000) 1 380,000 0.84746 0.84034 322,034.80 319,329.20 2 700,000 0.71818 0.70616 502,726.00 494,312.00 3 800,000 0.60863 0.59342 486,904.00 474,736.00 4 600,000 0.51579 0.49867 309,474.00 299,202.00 5 1,200,000 0.43711 0.41905 524,532.00 502,860.00 Net Present Value 45,670.80 (9,560.80) Source: Horngren T. C. et al. 1997, p 785 – 787. 1.1.3 Evaluation of projects Plan Y is more financially feasible under both methods.   The net present value of Plan Y is â‚ ¬79,250 [â‚ ¬428,970 – â‚ ¬349,720] higher than Plan X.   The internal rate of return of Plan Y is also 2.61% higher than the other plan, indicating a higher margin of safety on losses in case the expected cash flows are not achieved (Randall H. 1996, p 446). 1.2 Examination of plans at different risk profiles 1.2.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)                Cash Flows    470 610 950 970 1,500 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 970 1,500 13% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.88496 0.78315 0.69305 0.61332 0.54276 Present Value (2,700) 415.931 477.722 658.398 594.920 814.140 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬261,111 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 15% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.86957 0.75614 0.65752 0.57175 0.49718 Present Value (2,100) 330.437 529.298 526.016 343.050 596.616 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬225,417 Source:   Hirschey M. et al. 1995, p 799. 1.2.2 Comparison of decisions at different risk rates When the discount rate of the project is considered instead of the overall rate of the company, the financial viability of Plan Y diminishes because this plan is a riskier project than the other one and hence, a higher discount rate is chosen.   The process of discounting arises from the time-value of money principle, and the higher the discount rate the lower the present value from the cash flows generated from the project (Pike R. et al. 1999, p 66 & 67).   In such a stance, Plan Y is no longer the most optimal project because Plan X net present value exceeds that of Plan Y by â‚ ¬35,694 (â‚ ¬261,111 – â‚ ¬225,417). 1.3 Analysis of real option data for plans 1.3.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)          Cash Flows    470 610 950 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 13% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.88496 0.78315 0.69305 Present Value (2,700) 415.931 477.722 658.398 Net Present Value: -â‚ ¬1,147,949 + (â‚ ¬100,000 x 25%) = -â‚ ¬1,122,949 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 15% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.86957 0.75614 0.65752 0.57175 0.49718 Present Value (2,100) 330.437 529.298 526.016 343.050 596.616 Net Present Value: â‚ ¬225,417 + (â‚ ¬500,000 x 20%) = â‚ ¬325,417 Source:   Lucey T. 2003, p 416. 1.3.2 Comparison of real option plans with original plans If we consider and apply the real options available, Project Y becomes the best project, on the contrary of the conclusion noted in sub-section 1.2.2.   It is also worth nothing that the application of the real option for Plan X is not financially viable because we will end up with a negative net present value.   If we compare the net present value of Plan Y under the real options scheme with the net present value of Plan X we can deduce that Plan Y real options project is more feasible than the other plan since the net present value is â‚ ¬64,306 higher [â‚ ¬325,417 – â‚ ¬261,111]. 1.4 Effect of Capital Rationing Capital rationing is an absolute restriction on the amount of finance available for a project irrelevant of cost.   This should not be confused with scarcity of economic resources.   Capital rationing on projects is sometimes applied even though the organization posses or can attain available finance.   For example, a capital rationing may be imposed on the amounts of debts an organisation can take in order to limit the gearing of the firm (Brockington R. B. 1996, p 151). When conditions of capital rationing are imposed, there is the possibility that the most optimum project is not selected.   Therefore yes capital rationing may effect the selection of Plan X or Plan Y.   For example if a capital rationing is adopted by the firm which states that the initial investment cannot exceed â‚ ¬2,000,000 due to its effect on gearing. Under such conditions no Plan would be selected by the firm.   Another example of capital rationing that will affect the project choice is if management decided to restrict expansion of the factory, because they fear that control on employees may be lost affecting negatively their relationship and control on staff.   In this case Plan X would be excluded, even though it is the most optimal project as denoted in sub-section 1.2.2., and the available choice would be Plan Y. 1.5 Financial instruments available for private companies The alternative financial instruments that the firm can use, apart from shares are: Corporate Bonds & Debentures; Overdraft facility by the bank; Bank loan; Venture capital; and Leasing 1.5.1 Advantages and disadvantages of corporate bonds/debentures The advantages related to corporate bonds are (E*Trade Financial website): Corporate bonds are usually lent at a longer period of time (Veale R. S. 2000, p 155). Interest payments for bonds are tax deductible. Interest rates of corporate bonds are frequently lower than those of banks. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not weaken by the issue of corporate bonds or debentures (Veale R. S. 2000, p 156) The disadvantages encountered with corporate bonds are: Obligation of interest on the firm’s cash flow, thus increasing the risk of bankruptcy during periods of financial problems. Upon maturity, the company has to pay back all the amount of the bond. 1.5.2 Advantages and disadvantages of bank overdraft facility A bank overdraft facility can provide the following benefits (tutur2u website): Allows flexibility of finance.   The company can increase the overdraft facility within acceptable limits. Interest is only charged on the amount used and is tax deductible. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not diluted by taking an overdraft facility. The disadvantages imposed by an overdraft facility are (tutur2u website): Rates of interest are higher than those of bank loans. Money due is repayable on demand. The facility limit can be changed by the bank according to its discretion. Usually used for short-term borrowing. 1.5.3 Advantages and disadvantages of bank loans These are the advantages derived from bank loans (tutur2u website): Loan is repaid back in regular payments thus allowing better cash management. Lower interest charged than bank overdraft. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not diluted by taking an overdraft facility. Large amounts can be borrowed for long term finance. Limitations of this type of finance are (tutur2u website): Interest has to be paid within a specified date. Less flexible than an overdraft facility. 1.5.4 Advantages and disadvantages of venture capital The advantages of venture capital are (Business Link website): Obtain proficient management expertise, if they get involved in the firm’s operations. Large sums of finance can be obtained from venture capital. The disadvantages incurred by using such medium of finance are (Business Link website): Require detailed financial reporting like business plans and financial estimates. Legal and accountancy fees are incurred in the negotiation process. Firm require a proven track record to take such finance. High returns are frequently expected from venture capitalists.       15.5 Advantages and disadvantages of leasing The advantages obtained from leasing are (Enterprise. Financial Solutions website): Provides 100% financing of asset. There is no need of credit lines with banks and other depositary associations, which are hard to obtain. Minimal paperwork required to acquire lease. Acts as hedging against inflation. Flexible payments are allowed in leasing. Interest on leasing is not subject to increases like bank overdrafts. The disadvantages encountered through leasing finance are (Auto Leasing Software Lease Tips website): The organisation is committed to the entire validity period of the lease. High amounts of insurance coverage are frequently demanded in leases. No ownership of the asset the firm is using in the project’s operations. References: Auto Leasing Software Lease Tips.   Disadvantages of leasing (on line).   Available from:   http://www.autoleasingsoftware.com/LeaseTips/Disadvantages.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). Brockington R. B. (1996).   Financial Management.   Sixth Edition.   London:   DB Publications. Business Link.   Equity Finance (on line).   Available from:   http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1075081582 (Accessed 13th March 2007). Drury C. (1996).   Management and Cost Accounting.   Fourth Edition.   London:   Thomson Business Press. Enterprise.Financial Solutions.   Advantages of leasing (on line).   Available from:   http://www.efsolutionsinc.com/Advantages_of_leasing.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). E*Trade Financial.   Corporate Bonds Overview (on line).   Available from:   https://us.etrade.com/e/t/kc/KnowArticle?topicId=13200&groupId=8722&articleId=8723 (Accessed 13th March 2007). Hirschey M; Pappas L. J. (1995).   Fundamental of Managerial Economics.   Fifth Edition.   Orlando:   The Dryden Press Horngren T. C.; Foster G.; Srikant M. D. (1997).   Cost Accounting – A Managerial Emphasis.   Ninth Edition.   London:   Prentice-Hall International (UK) Limited. Lucey T. (2003).   Management Accounting.   Fifth Edition.   Great Britain:   Biddles Ltd. Pike R.; Neale B. (1999).   Corporate Finance and Investment.   Third Edition.   London:   Prentice-Hall International (UK) Limited. Randall H. (1999).   A Level Accounting.   Third Edition.   Great Britain:   Ashford Colour Press Ltd. Tutur2u.   Bank Loans and Overdrafts (on line).   Available from:   http://www.tutor2u.net/business/gcse/finance_bank_loans_overdrafts.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). Veale R. S. (2000).   Stocks, Bonds, Options and Futures.   Second Edition.   United States of America:   New York Institute of Finance.

Review of Business Case and Environment of Tesco in Regards to Essay

Review of Business Case and Environment of Tesco in Regards to Training and Development - Essay Example The net profit before tax of Tesco is approximately three billion British Pounds (The Times 100 Business Case Studies, 2012). Business Environment of Tesco In the opinion of Henry 2008, p.6, business organizations face â€Å"a constantly changing external environment and need to ensure that their own internal resources and capabilities are more than sufficient to meet the needs of the external environment†. The SWOT analysis is a suitable framework for identifying strategies to exploit changes in the external environment based on internal strengths of a business organization (Hill & Jones, 2008, p.19). Leigh 2010, p.115, defines the SWOT analysis â€Å"as a process by which a group of stake holders (a) identify internal and external inhibitors and enhancers of performance, (b) analyse those factors based on estimates of their contributions to net value and approximations of their controllability, and (c) decide what future action to take with regard to those factors. SWOT Ana lysis of Tesco Strengths Opportunities Proactive remuneration policy Competitive markets Employee stake in organization Resilient Asian markets Training and development focus Improving American markets Weaknesses Threats Non-standardized application of Recession in European markets HR policies Rising consumer pricing demands Wide range of training needs High employee wage bill (Adapted from Haerifar, 2011, p.12-13). The PESTLE (political, economic, social/cultural, technological, legal and environmental) analysis is suitable way to look at the macro-environment or the â€Å"the set of factors that are not specific to an organization or the industry in which it operates, but that nonetheless affect them† (Haberberg & Rieple, 2008, p.105). The main PESTLE element impinging on employees at Tesco is the economic recession and the slow-if-any recovery. Consequently, Tesco is reducing employee resources outside its headquarters in UK and shifting that work to its Headquarters. Thus , employee staff will need to be trained to take in these new responsibilities likely to be shifted back from overseas operations (Mulligan, 2010). Porter’s Five Forces Model helps to identify competitive forces and their activities in the external environment. According to Hill and Jones, 2008, p.42, Porter’s Five Force Model is made up of â€Å"the risk of entry by potential competitors, the intensity of rivalry among established companies within the industry, the bargaining power of suppliers, the bargaining power of suppliers and the closeness of substitutes to an Industry’s products†. From the perception of human resource management, it is quite likely that competitor’s may choose to use more economical labour from the Eastern European countries to reduce their wage bill in this period of poor economic growth. Tesco will have to factor this possibility in its HR practices (House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee, 2007, p.53). Training an d Development at Tesco The ‘one stop’ shopping experience that Tesco offers its customers means that in addition to a wide range of products, it also offers a wide range of servicers from its outlets to its customers. Hence to cater to this need the work force of Tesco at its outlets needs to be knowledgeable, skilled and flexible (Vance & Paik, 2011, p.219). At Tesco training is provided to its employees that allow them to choose their training towards getting specific retail qualifications to

Gambling in Cyberspace the Ethical Dilemma Essay

Gambling in Cyberspace the Ethical Dilemma - Essay Example With the technological advancements, it has become increasingly important to understand ethics related to this phenomenon such as concerning privacy and security issues (Lim, 2007). Online gambling has emerged as one of the most debated issues when the ethics of information technology is discussed. This can be attributed to the fact that gaming industry has started to sweep across the American nation, and as such, a flood of ethical issues has been in tandem with it (Ho?rnle and Zammit, 2010). This paper will discuss the ethical dilemma of gambling in cyberspace. Introduction Online gambling is officially considered to have started on 18 August 1995 when Internet Casinos Inc. put the first virtual casino upon the internet. This site offered 18 different online gambling games. The online gambling industry gained prominence and in less than four years, it had exploded. It is estimated that in 1996 alone, about $1.2 million had been wagered online. It was estimated that this amount had increased to $10 billion annually by 2000 (Dunnington, 2003). Online gambling has grown over the years to have an effect on many people and spheres of the American society. For example, a number of states in recent years have taken it upon themselves in implementing commercial casinos in order to generate takes, as well as provide monetary relief for state governments facing budget deficits. It has however been observed that gambling has led to addiction thus raising ethical issues in the society (Spapens, Littler and Fijnaut, 2008). It is argued that it has led to increase in crime, as well as social and psychological problems associated directly with losing. Nonetheless, from an economic point of view, online gambling help to create jobs and generate taxes for state governments. It is estimated that gambling industry influences about one million are directly or indirectly. As such, while it presents some ethical issues, there are economic benefits to justify it. It is because of t his reason that there has been ethical dilemma regarding gambling, and more particularly about online gaming (Gainsbury, 2012). Primarily, there are two main standpoints for the ethical dilemma of gambling in cyberspace: the arguments against online gambling and arguments made for online gambling. The opponents of online gaming argue that it further confuses the legality issue, as it blurs the line between illegal and legal gambling. Different states have varying position on gambling and therefore confusion reigns from one state to another on varying extent (Ho?rnle and Zammit, 2010). According to available data, 48 states have certain forms of legalized gambling such as casino games, racetracks, and lotteries. However, they lack or have little consistency in gambling laws. Some states have outlawed casino gambling but have made them legal based on reservations. The critics of online gambling further argue that it breeds addiction. In some cases, online gaming has been criticized of giving access to millions of people who would otherwise not have access to such amount of money. Therefore, it has led the society to have more gamblers and so more addicts of gambling (Harrison, 2000). The consequence of this has been that some people have even sacrificed their homes and jobs over the need of paying off gambling debts. This has caused depression and stress on the affected individuals

The Palestinian & Israeli conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Palestinian & Israeli conflict - Essay Example This paper delineates the root causes of Israel Palestine conflict, which includes the historical, political and socio-economic aspects of the dispute. It also delivers the reasons as to why this issue has not yet been resolved. Since 1948 this dispute between the Jews and the Arabs over Palestine has largely been transformed into a fight between the states. Palestine vanished from the map after Israel occupation and as a result the Arab nationalists begun to stress on reoccupation of the land of Palestine, making it the topmost priority of every Arab nation. The Palestinian refugees which were the last living remnants of Palestine had also become permanent citizens of their respective states and many of them also became the Jordanian citizens in 1967. This conflict has become more intense over the time with the emergence of new world order and reticulation of relationships among the regions as well as great powers. Soon after the Britain's withdrawal from the Middle East, especially from Palestine after the end of the Second World War, the United States, the Soviet Union and the neighboring Arab countries entered into this conflict. This dispute between Israel and Palestine, apparently of political nature, has now turned out to be religious and ideological. It has not just remained a bone of contention between Israel and Palestine, but also between the Jews and the Arabs. ... Jews and Arabs both have their historical, social and moral claims over the land of Palestine. Even today, they have their religious and holy places in this land therefore none is willing to withdraw its claim over Palestine. They both need to work for the improvement of land in terms of peace, security and socio-economic growth. No one can deprive the right of others to live. There is only one way out, which is to live and let the other do the same. Neumann says that " it really does not matter who inhabited Palestine in the distant past; it would never give as a basis for deciding who should live there in the present" (2005, p69). It is because Israelis and Palestinians are not in the position to prove as to whom this land belongs to. The historical background of Israeli and Palestinians has badly affected both sides and now they aggressively tend to blame each other for what happened in the past as well as what is going on in the present. The history shows that they have reasonabl e claims over each other. Most important thing that needs to be known to both sides is that they both have a right to live. Palestinians must accept the existence of Israel and the Israelis must give the right of self-determination to the Palestinians in order to move forward in the peace negotiation process (Artz, 1997). Political Conflict Political aspect of the Israel-Palestine conflict is rather evident to the whole world. Politics seems to be something that has been encompassing this conflict for the last several decades. Israel wants its supremacy in the region and does not want its neighboring countries to become powerful. Its policy is to keep others

Business and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business and Society - Essay Example Every company has got a certain number of stakeholders who play a crucial role in the growth of the company. Therefore the companies should make serious attempts to make sure that the stakeholders can also have a good growth and have good economic and social conditions. I believe that the laws that are been made by the different governments of different countries focusing on the welfare of the human beings and the society are to be followed by the company strictly so that they don’t face any kind of legal obligations. The stakeholders for the company are owners, suppliers, customers, local community, employees and management. But I think increase in welfare of the stakeholders is possible only when the cycle is been completed that is the company also in return does help the stakeholders in their growth and for having a good and happy life. The owners of the company give their money and have financial stake in the company in the form of stocks and bonds and they also expect that they get some kind of financial return from the corporation as well (Freeman, 2005). The employees do give their best and work efficiently for the growth of the company but in return they also look for a good salary and also want to avail some good facilities which can help them in having a good and comfortable life. The company should look to take care of the safety and health of the employees and also of their families. It should provide good educational facilities for the children’s of the employees. I can see that if the company provides such facilities to the employees than the employees feel motivated to work more eff iciently. For any company the suppliers do play a big role as they are the one who supply good quality materials to the company helping them in producing good quality products for the customers. So the company should always make attempts to see that the suppliers also keep growing along with the company and they also

Revenue Management in Hospitality Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Revenue Management in Hospitality - Assignment Example The top 20 theme parks in North America have reported a footfall of 135.1 million with an annual rise of 2.7% over its 2012 levels, whereas top 10 theme parks in Latin America have witnessed a 3.8% growth in foot fall. Such increased level of foot fall is characterised by growth in leisure and international travels. Leisure travels witnessed an absolute growth of 11% from 2004 – 2013, whereas international arrivals saw a growth of 51%. The total visits of the top 20 theme parks in North America saw an absolute growth of 17% from 2004 – 2013, while the US population grew at 9% over the years. Disneyland opened in 1955 and Disneyland California Adventure was established in the year 2001 and offers host of services that include attractions, rides, shows, refreshment stands, merchandise shops and diners which are clubbed under various names like Carls land, Condor flats, Hollywood land, Buena vista street, paradise wharf, pacific wharf and bug’s land. It also extended its service portfolio to resorts and spas. Disney resorts have 2400 rooms, conference space of 180,000 and 50 vacation clubs. Down town Disney is another attraction that is spread across 15 acres that offers entertainment, dining and shopping facilities. It is next to Disneyland and Disney California adventure ((Disneyland. 2015a). Though Disneyworld is the market leader in the theme park industry, it still faces acute direct competition from Merlin entertainment and Universal studios. Disney’s theme park has witnessed highest total attendance of 132.5 million compared to Merlin and Universal group’s 59.8 million and 36.3 million. Merlin entertainment and Universal studio have witnessed high growth rate in foot falls from 2010 – 2013. All the three theme park groups have presence across various regions vis-a-vis US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Merlin has more than 10 theme parks in different states of the US that makes Disney and Universal studios the only competitors in

The Social Security Act Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Social Security Act - Research Paper Example The Social Security Act was first released on August 14, 1935. Since then, there have been a number of adaptions made to the Act to ensure that every provided with every necessity. E.g., originally this act just provided necessities for employees who worked in the nonagricultural and commerce sectors. Now, however, almost all kinds of works are covered by this program.The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) is considered to be every American’s social right regardless of their financial need. In 1995, social security comprised of around one-fifth of the federal government expenses. The funding is done through payroll tax which is divided equally between the boss and the worker. These benefits are also adjusted as the living costs rise. To gain the benefits of social insurance, the individual must have made a contribution through payroll taxes when employed. Persons who contribute in this manner for at least ten years may be ensured that they will always be prov ided for by the government. The number and kind of benefits an individual receives depends on the amount of money that he earned and at what age he retired.The government provides aid for the disabled as well. These are adults aged between the years of 18 and 64 who are not fit enough to have a well earning job. Disability is defined as â€Å"inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death.

Purchasing and supplies Essay Example for Free

Purchasing and supplies Essay Purchasing can be traced as far back as 2800 BC in cuneiform clay tablets purchasing orders. Curiously only during the past two countries has purchasing been addressed in trade books and text books. In 1832 Charles Babbage addressed purchasing in his book â€Å"On the Economy, Machinery and Manufacturing† The first book devoted specifically to purchasing, â€Å"The Handling of Railway Supplies: The Purchase and Disposition† published in 1887 was authored by Marshall M. Kirkman. The first college textbook on purchasing was authorized by Howard T. Lewis of Harvard University in 1933. Although interest of purchasing and supply function has been a phenomenon in the 20th, it was recognized as independent and importing function well before 1900. Growth of interest and attention to purchasing was rather uneven in the early 1900’s but by 1915, several books on purchase had appeared and several articles had been published in trade press primarily in the engineering journals. Yet prior to World War I (1914-1918) most firms regarded the purchase function primarily as a clerical activity. However during the world war, the ability to obtain raw materials supplies ad services needed to keep the factories and mines operating were the 3 key determinates of organizational success. Attention was given to the organization policies and procedures for purchase functions, and so it emerged as a recognized management activity. Historically since management interest has focused on research and development, marketing, finance and operations, purchasing has frequently been subordinated to these functions. Mangers are however becoming aware impact on the bottom line that does any other functions. It is with such insights the purchasing has evolved and evolves through the following four stages. Passive stage- Purchasing function has no strategic direction and primarily reacts to the requests of other functions, This stage is characterized by: a) High proportion and individual communications due to purchasing low visibility b) Supplier selections based on price and availability. Independent stage- Purchasing functions adopts the latest purchasing techniques and processes, but its strategic direction is independent of the firms competitive strategic. In this stage; a) Performance is based primary on cost reduction and efficiency measures. b) Coordination links are established between purchasing and technical discipline. c) Top management recognizes the importance of professional development. d) Top management recognizes the opportunities in purchasing for contribution to profitability Supportive- Purchasing function support the firm’s competitive strategy by adoption purchasing techniques and products which strengthens the firm’s competitive position In this stage; a) Purchase is included in sales proposal teams. b) Suppliers are considered a resource with emphases on experience motivation and attitude. c) Market product and suppliers are continuously monitored and analyzed. iv) Integrative stage- Purchasing strategy is fully integrated into the firm’s competitive strategy and constitutes part of an integrated effort among peers to formulate and implement a strategic plan. In this stage; a) Cross-functional training of purchasing professionals executive is made available b) Permanent lines of communication are established among other functional areas. c) Professional development focuses on strategic elements of the competitive strategy d) Purchasing performance is measures in terms of contributions to the firm’s success 1.3 The Role of the Purchasing Department The purchasing department is expected by the management to fulfill the following five rights Right Time Right Price These rights are also referred to as the principles of purchasing. In order to undertake these rights the purchasing department delineates the following as in roles;   To support company operations with an uninterrupted flow of materials and services. ii)To buy competitively- Keep abreast of the forces of demand and supply that regulate prices and material availability on the market; understanding suppliers cost structure and ability to help reduce it further; price negotiation to help reach a fair price. To buy wisely- Continual search for better vales that yield the best combination of quality service and price; reconciling users needs with suppliers capabilities by use of cross functional teams; To keep inventory investment and inventory losses at a practical minimum. To develop good relationship with suppliers community and good Continuing relationship with active suppliers- good relationship with potential suppliers is invaluable. To achieve maximum integration with other departments of the firmUnderstanding major needs of user departments and provide such support as; standardization of programmes, future price forecasting, make or buy analysis and providing a repository of information and data from suppliers. To handle the purchasing and supply management function proactively and in a professional cost effective manner- Continual analysis of activities to eliminate those that only marginally contribute to the effectiveness of the organization and establishing policies and procedures that achieve departments objectives in the most cost effective manner 1.4 The Contribution of Purchasing Department to the Overall Firm’s Performance As a function, purchasing is common to all types of business operations. The purchasing department however is an organizational unit of a firm whose duties may include responsibility for part or all of the purchasing function and additional activities as well. As a matter of fact, the purchasing function is usually performed most effectively and efficiently by a centralized unit made of buying specialist who a time may work in conjunction with a more comprehensive cross-functional team of specialists. Prior to the 1950, the purchasing department was a clerically oriented order placing unit. In the ensuing years however, managerial emphasis has focused on specialization of individual buying activities, professionalism and contribution to the firm’s profit. This emphasis by the management on the purchasing department has been borne out to of the realization of the profit potential of purchasing as a function. Every shilling saved in purchasing is equivalent to a new shilling in profit. The profit margin of a firm is usually given as.

Access To Prisoner Education And Correctional Education

Access To Prisoner Education And Correctional Education Prisoners receiving an education will always be opposed by some people. Most prisons offer inmates the opportunity to pursue educational courses, including basic adult education, secondary education, college courses, special education, vocational training, and study release programs. Such programs teach inmates new skills and equip them for life when they complete their sentence. Today, over ninety percent of the federal and state prisons offer some form of educational program to inmates. Prisoners obtaining an education while incarcerated should not be an option, it should be mandatory. Some of the prison population would not be in prison, if they received proper support early in life. Over half of the prison populations have a reading and writing skill level at or below an eleven year old child. With proper education support, a portion of the prison community would never return to prison. they are still human beings that need a purpose to their lives in order to be productive people is the single most effective tool for reducing recidivism. Mandating correctional education would make it much easier for a parolee to find and hold a decent job, and unlike drug users or any other addition, there are no relapses for those who escape illiteracy. In 1991, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act was created by an Office of Correctional Education. This act was intended to increase the quality of education in the United States prisons. In 1994, Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act which would make convicted felonies ineligible for the Pell grants. The studies showed that for every dollar spend on education, two dollars that would cover the cost of re-incarceration are saved. The societys welfare is positively impacted when inmates acquire education. Misconduct is also effectively reduced by these programs because emphasis on personal responsibility, respect and tolerance of others are being taught. The Inmate Education enables inmates to acquire pro-social values and life skills. The Department of Education study on prison education is significant because it quantified the reduce in recidivism among inmates due to attending classes or training while in prison. Read more at Suite101: Education in Prison: Benefits of Inmate Education Program http://www.suite101.com/content/education-in-prison-a94395#ixzz0zgMpxRoz States budget cuts have taken away educational opportunities in prisons. Teachers were laid off. College correspondence courses and vocational trainings have been cut drastically. All of these changes signify fewer opportunities for inmates to educate themselves and become more productive citizens when released back into society. A big reason why the current budget crisis in California exists is because of the numerous prisons that were built and then filled to overcapacity. That resulted in having to pay for more correctional officers salaries, more food, more clothing, and more medical attention for inmates. Prisons then wouldnt be so overcrowded. When inmates leave prison with a G.E.D., college degree, or vocational training skills, they have a better chance at making it in society. the progress we made in education to convince the parole board when it came time for release. Without schooling, this opportunity to show our aspiration and tenacity through education has been taken fr om us. When you release people from prison who didnt get the opportunity to further their skill set or education, youre sending people home to where they were before coming into prison. If the public doesnt take note of the fact that the success of inmates in prison will eventually help our society and communities in the long run, it shouldnt expect the crime rate or the amount of money they pay in taxes for housing prisoners to go down If a prisoner received an education while incarcerated, the prisoner has something to offer society. If the prisoner has nothing to offer, it is most likely that the person will end up in jail. prisoners are mandated to being educated while in prison, once released they can find employment and have a home. The crime rate will decrease as a whole. Most people feel they have no other choice in life, but to become criminals. Although it is in fact prison, the treatment they receive is nothing short of easy. With free meals, free exercise equipment, free religious services, free counseling, and free college education, prison seems ideal. Some argue that privileges offered in county prisons are too abundant and defeat the purpose of serving ones actual sentence, while members of the opposite belief say that these offerings are needed to keep the inmates sane. Education does change minds, teaches people how to think better, [and] how to find alternatives to the way they used to do things, said Stephen Steurer, executive director of the Correctional Education Association. The main argument erupting in the minds of American citizens today, however, is: should inmates receive a free college education? The opinion can go either way. For some, they feel free college education is a privilege taken way too lightly by the inmates who are receiving it. Hard-working American citizens fight everyday to be their best, striving to succeed as far as they can. Why is it fair that inmates, citizens who have committed crimes, are able to receive a college education for free? Inmates who have caused their families and communities harm are being given an education that they most likely take for granted. If one is in prison, chances that they are aiming to better their education while serving their time are slim. If a murderer is convicted, does society really believe that their first thought when they arrive at their vacant jail cell will be when does school start? No. Counseling and help is what they really need. If somebody is creating chaos and destruction, an education should not be their first priority to making things better. Those who have chosen to commit a crime have chosen to limit their opportunities and freedoms. Providing inmates with a college education also means that tax payer money is going to said programs. Why should innocent, law-abiding citizens be forced to pay for those who have done wrong? The professors and instructors employed at prisons are taking time out of their schedules to provide for those who have done wrong. These people are taking a risk and could be caught in serious danger if the students are not watched carefully. The information and knowledge that they gain could also be used negatively. If one is in prison because of a crime that involved deep knowledge and planning, providing them with an education may only better their success rate if they choose to again commit a crime. Another topic of concern; why should death row inmates or felons who have received a life sentence be given free education? Death row inmates can take some classes, although they are not allowed to leave their cells. A teacher delivers instruction to the prisoner through the bars. They will not be able to use the knowledge they gain because they will always be in jail. So whats the point? Many continue to ask; should repeat offenders still receive a free college education? Obviously they have been given a second chance to better their lives and make things right again, but they still continue to make mistakes. Why do these felons deserve this right, when law-abiding citizens still must pay the fee for higher education? From the other end of the spectrum, however, many will argue that education in prison is what inmates need to keep them sane and alive. Providing them with an education will offer the knowledge that they can have a successful life after prison. Some believe that what inmates are taught in jail should be based on a personal level and that the curriculum should focus on individual effort. On March 14, 2006, a group of educators began their work at a local prison in Worcester, Mass. The experience they gained not only gave them a great sense of self accomplishment, but allowed them to learn along with their students. They know how to translate educere, which in this context means enlightenment or to enlighten, into a meaningful practice and thus transform education into practical knowledge, the kind that leads not only to a better job but also to a more meaningful and creative life. Its rejuvenating, said Antonio Rivera, 23, of the Cheshire Correctional Institution, who is less than halfway through a 12-year sentence for drug dealing. Another example of schooling in prisons occurs in Hagerstown, Maryland. The prisoners, who are held at the Maryland Correctional Training Center, a medium-security facility, recently earned their Master of Theology Studies degrees through the Prison-to-Pulpit program from Covenant Theological Seminary of Tallahassee, FL, a training school that has a Maryland branch. Personally, I believe inmates should not receive free college education while incarcerated. They have obviously committed a crime or a series of crimes, and need to be punished for their actions. While some argue that serving hard time is enough punishment, I believe that, as a prisoner, they have lost every right as a free man. If the education they were receiving was not at a collegiate level and had volunteers providing the material, it would be different. But for them to receive free college education is ridiculous. Students work hard to gain a college education, and it is not fair that one receives it for free, especially if they do not truly want it or appreciate it. People today argue about the temptations that society must face and overcome. In these hard times, it is tough to be a well-rounded individual. Obviously, there is no excuse for committing a crime, but there has to be somebody to blame. I truly do not understand why these criminals are given the education that hard-working men and women must compete for. The issue of inmates receiving free college education is a touchy subject that has obviously stirred controversy. American citizens are free to believe what they feel and, as a strong-minded country, it would be difficult to change their opinions Whether you are for or against inmates receiving free college education while incarcerated, one is entitled to their own opinion. In the words of Voltaire: I may not agree with the words you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. I completely disagree with you. The American justice system is supposed to focus on rehabilitation and not be a penal system. I DO think there must be more therapy in prisons, but I also think there must be an opportunity to get an education or else you are setting these offenders up to fail when they are released from prison. As most individuals know, you must have a college degree to get anywhere in America these days. If offenders are released from prison and try to find a job with their criminal history, lack of recent experience, and no education they are not very likely to find a decent job, that is if they find a job at all. They leave the prison with nothing, you have to give them the foot hold of an education if they want it. Chuck on March 26th, 2010 11:07 am http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gifAngie, There are good people who havent ever been arrested who cant afford to go to college, why should inmates get something law abiding people dont [for free]? Law abiding citizens shouldnt even get a free ride to college from the government anyway. You have to think things through logically and dont base your decisions off of your emotions. This is a good article. julian on April 6th, 2010 8:59 pm http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gif chuck, I disagree with you. To say it isnt fair is based on emotion. Logically, if inmates do earn a college degree, it helps us benefit in the long run, because we wont have to spend more money sending them back to prison. Second they will also help by paying taxes. Chuck on April 8th, 2010 11:09 am http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gif Im sorry Julian, youre wrong. First off, I never used the word fair, so if youre referring to me, youre misquoting. Anyway, my comment is completely logicalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ people shouldnt be rewarded for a crime, therefore, people in prison shouldnt get free education. Logically, if inmates do earn a college degree, it helps us benefit in the long run, because we wont have to spend more money sending them back to prison. Second they will also help by paying taxes. This isnt logical, its not logical to assume a convicted criminal will automatically become a normal citizen. About 62% of people arrested will be arrested again. So you really believe that as soon as they get an education their ways will change? But again, you shouldnt be rewarded for committing a crime. barney on April 9th, 2010 11:18 am http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gif I dont really agree with this article. Its based to much on the naive stereotypes of prison. Stereotypes such as every man in prison is guilty, they get everything for free, ect.. First off, educating criminals is probably more beneficial to the safety of them and others, making them educated is better than leaving them as violent apes. Lets say a man who has been in prison twenty years has just been released. He has nothing. No money. No friends, nowhere to live. Hell end back up in jail in less than 2 years. Give him an education, maybe it wont end up like that. Not every man in prison is guilty, thats just a sad fact. The justice system is not perfect and never can be. So unless you have been in those shoes, you could not possibly understand how important thing like an education can become to a man. Also, to be fair, if an inmate doesnt want an education, i dont think they would force it upon them. It is probably only going to be given to those who want it. TONY on April 13th, 2010 11:13 am http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/42b0a9829ced240740cbe3105a4e5ec8?s=70d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mhsroundtable.com%2Fwp-includes%2Fimages%2Fblank.gifr=G To all who read this article, I am the reason that the masters of theology program that came to MCTC in Hagerstown MD . I am a former armed robber and I never believed I deserved anything free. As a matter of fact I am grateful that I live in a time of mercy, Had it been 2000 years ago, I would have been on that roman cross myself, even 100 years ago I would have been hanged so, I can express with certainty ,as a former inmate, and now living a productive, taxpaying life with a wife and 2 kids and a member of my Church for many years now, that I never felt I deserved anything but punishment. And to the saying there are innocents in prison I didnt run into anyone trying to say that but to mention in one case a guy said he was innocent of the crime he was serving time for but guilty for others he didnt serve time for. To get back on my point, the program was started because God had put in my Heart to first , help converted Christians that were guilty felons to be able to defend their F aith against Islam and its recruiting of inmates, nationwide problem by The way, and 2 when they went back to their communities they would be a force for good and change their communities( In Baltimore city 8 out of 10 black men go to jail once in their life). Now, that being said Covenant theological seminary of Tallahassee is NOT FREE! We held Golf tournament fundraisers and also require inmates to pay (inmates make about 28 dollars a month from duties inside prison) so they feel invested and are less likely to drop out . Also this inhibits lazy inmates from undertaking something because its free then realizing its hard work to get that degree. The reason felons go back to jail is they have no credentials for a job, we wanted them to have some so they can take their place as ministers and pastors in a Church community that has mostly women in these positions(most black men in Baltimore city are in jail). I hope Kara reads this and hears that I do believe that when I committed my c rimes I deserved to lose every right as a free man. I deserved it then, I live with it now. I cant vote, I cant own a gun, I cant get a good govt job. Im a carpenter, I make poverty level wages. And I am grateful that I have this second chance. -Tony Chuck on April 14th, 2010 10:51 am http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gif Youre a good man Tony. Patricia on April 21st, 2010 9:44 pm http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2bc5a371e133586e0676c8a5d4733b72?s=70d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mhsroundtable.com%2Fwp-includes%2Fimages%2Fblank.gifr=G Im doing some research on a speech, a study (in the 80s) showed that prisoners who began but did not complete the college course work available at the time re re-arrested at a rate of about 44%, compared to those who attained a degree being re-arrested at 24%, thats huge! Especially when the cost of housing, feeding and clothing an inmate for one year today in a county Hailie about 32,000 a year. I work full time -40 hrs a week and still dont make that much. Also, Im getting college for free through a federal pell grant but convicted felons are not eligible b/c of tough on crime raegan policies. Why shouldnt people with a desire to learn who just didnt have the opportunity within their community be denied the option now simply because of a bad choice? If you can give them the tools to avoid finding themselves in the same situation over and over, why not John on April 22nd, 2010 11:56 am http://www.mhsroundtable.com/wp-includes/images/blank.gif Patricia, You are missing the point. What if a good person doesnt have the same oppurtunity as someone else? By giving criminals and people who cant actually afford college free rides, we are punishing people who work hard and pay for college because college spots are taken up and colleges raise prices to make up for the people who are given it free. Not only that but by giving it to everyone for free, it eliminates the value of college. The value of college is to gain an education to give you an advantage in the work force, if everyone has the same advantage you might as well not go to college. Besides, college is not a right, period. If you can find somewhere in the Constitution where it says everyone should get free college, let me know. Patricia on April 27th, 2010 4:47 pm http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/13001d190535f20f9bdf96ebd05f050c?s=70d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mhsroundtable.com%2Fwp-includes%2Fimages%2Fblank.gifr=G College isnt a right, but when people are released from prison and cant get a job, what do they do? They go back to committing crimes (again), you go back to what you know. There are federal grants and scholarships for people who cant afford it, Im a receipient of such a program. If it has been proven through research and actions that you can DROP the rate of people re-entering the prison system, and DROP the amount of TAX MONEY that is being spent on housing/clothing/feeding/hospitalizing criminals and put them to work to pay the taxes back once they finish some type of higher education, why would you not want to? I cant see why you feel that in that case college isnt an advantage but when our country can benefit from lower crime, better educated citizens and more people working, why wouldnt we want to see that? Tina on April 28th, 2010 2:40 pm http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/df04c4c3a4cddae7a874a685b466fdd5?s=70d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mhsroundtable.com%2Fwp-includes%2Fimages%2Fblank.gifr=G I cant believe where some of you making comments on here are coming from? I understand this is the United States of America and everyone is entitled to free speech, but really? Are you serious? PRISONERS ARE IN PRISON FOR VIOLATING OR TAKING THE TOTAL AND COMPLETE RIGHTS FROM ANOTHER PERSON!! Should they receive a free college education while there? NO, NO NO and I say NO again! I am a hard working citizen, My husband and I both work 40+ hours a week, We have 2 children to provide for and I go to college full-time as well. Do I get college paid for me? NO, I have to pay for it myself. My son is preparing to go to college next year as well, does he get college paid for him? NO, he will have to pay for it himself. I am also the victim of a horrible crime, my Father was murdered by a man that was out on parole for slicing someones throat! Where is the justice? Why does he deserve a free college education and I my family dont? Are prisoners going to change there ways, most likely not. There are a select, and I mean a very select few that may change. That is great for them! However, there are thousands of people, good people not in prison searching for jobs everyday cant find or get one. When a prisoner is offered a free college education, gets out of prison and finds a job because of the education he received while in prison, what kind of a system is that? Criminals getting a job over a good upstanding non-criminal citizen because of an education offered free while in prison? Prisoners should not get anything paid for, they should have to work for each and everything that they do get. They did the crime, they should PAY serve the time. They shouldnt have any rights that will better them in any way. They should suffer just as their victims have and do! An education is a privilege, not a right for a prisoner! In which, they DO NOT deserve at all! hi, i am a high school student but i completly disagree with them recievig an education that the rest of us has to pay for or file for a grant to be abaile to reciieve. I feel that you cant set someone up for failure! That they do this themselves when tthey make the choices that they have. If someone cared enogh then they wouldnt have dropped out or commited the crime. they find it a privilage and want to go more than stay out.. so why offer what is drawing people to jail? I may be just a high schoo, student but it seems ridiculous for us to waste our tx dollers on this!!!! Come on, mindy. With that little error-filled rant, you are undermining our point that prison inmates should NOT receive an education. Having recently completed my freshman year in college, I am already $5000 in debt. I have three more years, if you dont include medical school, to accumulate even more debt. From this viewpoint, I do not think that inmates should receive free education. I have never broken a law in my life, but I am going to graduate with a debt that I have to pay off while paying for my house, car, etc. Its not a matter of what is fair, but rather what is just. It is not justice that they receive free college education. They should pay for their choices to break the law. I agree that they should not receive free education beyond high school or GED. Its not fair for hard working people to have to struggle to send one of their family members to college. I do think that Tony has a good idea, I live in Maryland, tomake them pay for the education to let them know they are not being rewarded for their actions. They should be being molded and prepared to be able to function in the real world and learn how to obtain an education through their hard work and paying for it. I understand that life throws challenges sometimes beyond your control but just like the people that get them same kind of problems they learn to work through it and not go to jail, doesnt get a free education or get it handed to them. They have to work hard and then they are recognized for their accomplishments. Even though prisons are supposed to be for rehabilitation it is also punishment. So beyond them receiving the basics I dont hink that they should receive free college education. The y also take away jobs from people that shave been working towards their degrees for so many years and then someone that has committed a crime gets out and gets the opportunity first. I have family thats incarcerated and my views are the same. They should promote people striving to get an education when they get out and they can even help them but they should not be allowed to obtain degrees. Tina, I have to disagree with your assertion that PRISONERS ARE IN PRISON FOR VIOLATING OR TAKING THE TOTAL AND COMPLETE RIGHTS FROM ANOTHER PERSON!! The violent ones, robbers, murderers, thieves did, but I did not. I was convicted of selling marijuanna and I took no ones rights. The money being spent to educate a child in elementary school in 2008/2009 was just a little over $10000. http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66 The money being spent to keep a prisoner in jail ranges from twice that: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/statsbrief/cost.html to 4 1/2 times: http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/laomenus/sections/crim_justice/6_cj_inmatecost.aspx?catid=3. Thats your hard earned tax dollars at work. Lets imagine for just a moment that the education an inmate receives in prison actually helps him stay out of prison. Thats the case with me. The government is NOT paying 10 to 30 thousand dollars a year to keep me in prison à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and they can use that money for another purpose. Perhaps to upgrade the Governors office bathroom. I might be in the minority, but I cared about and valued highly the educational opportunity I was afforded. It didnt make me a smarter criminal à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ it made me a smarter citizen that pays taxes. Instead of blaming The Man for putting me behind bars, my education showed me how I was the one that put myself behind bars. I have no interest in going back there and will do whatever I can to stay out of prison. Someone mentioned a statistic that over 60% of people released go back to prison with 2 years. That may be true. I submit, however, that an education earned in prison reduces that percentage by a significant amount. This URL has an interesting statistic à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ http://www.bard.edu/bpi/pdfs/crime_report.pdf Most strikingly, the State of Texas reported the extraordinary recidivism impacts of postsecondary education: [T]wo years after release, the overall recidivism rate for college degree holders was as low as 12%, and inversely differentiated by type of degree. The exact figures indicating these inverse recidivism rates for degree recipients were: Associates (13.7%); Baccalaureates (5.6%); Masters (0%). In other words à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ that 60+% recidivism rate applies to uneducated inmates. Allow a prisoner to earn an Associates and the rate drops to 13.7%. If they are incarcerated long enough to earn a Masters the likelihood of their return drops to zero. Every person that stays out of prison and rejoins society like I have, earns a wage and pays taxes. Part of those tax dollars go to pay for childrens education and part goes to pay for inmates incarceration. I know where I would rather spend my money and its not on keeping people in jail

Refuting the Claims in Adam Kolasinski’s The Secular Case Against Gay M

Refuting the Claims in Adam Kolasinski’s The Secular Case Against Gay Marriage Gay marriage has been one of the most controversial topics of the twenty first century and the topic has mainly circulated around such issues as procreation and marriage benefits. Although Adam Kolasinski, the author of â€Å"The Secular Case Against Gay Marriage,† never refers to homosexual behavior as â€Å"wrong,† he argues several key points, including financial issues, to conclude why homosexual marriage is not allowed in the majority of states. The author, with a degree in financial economics, will first of all already have a biased attitude towards any subject that promotes a better fiscal policy. Second of all, financial economics represents only one factor in the debate of gay marriage. This minute detail diminishes the author’s argument significantly since he is probably not extensively knowledgeable in the subject, even if some of his positions are legitimate. Kolasinski’s assertions and assumptions contain falsehoods and flaws, specifically con cerning the overemphasis on procreation and the notion of sexual love. Kolasinski begins his debate with the notion that â€Å"marriage is not a universal right.† He states that a majority of states ban many people from marrying one another – including first cousins, blood relatives, and people with venereal diseases. Although these statements hold true, the United States did not allow other â€Å"traditional† or â€Å"normal† marriages. For example, in the 1960’s, the government would not allow interracial marriages. This exemplifies how the government and the majority can sometimes be tyrannical or even wrong. Obviously, two heterosexuals of different races can marry without any government opposition. Although marriage... ... the government and a majority of states ban homosexual marriage. Although many of these claims tend to be opinions and even falsehoods, the author contributes a strong argument. Many court cases have been issued due to the huge controversy of homosexual marriage. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the court concluded â€Å"that the Constitution places limits on a State’s right to interfere with a person’s most basic decisions about family and parenthood†(Moss 106). This contradicts with all the rules and regulations that the states place upon marriage and more specifically gay marriage. There have been several cases on the violations of homosexual rights, but laws have not currently been changed so that they have equality in all aspects. In the future, society will hopefully mirror the solution to the 1960’s prohibited interracial marriage and permit homosexual marriage.

Black Panthers :: essays research papers

Black Panther Party for Self Defense The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was founded in October 1966, in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. Armed with sincerity, the words of revolutionaries such as Mao Tse-Tung and Malcolm X, law books, and rifles, the Black Panther Party fed the hungry, protected the weak from racist police, and presented a Ten Point Platform and Program of Black political and social activism. Its "survival programs"-such as food giveaways, free health clinics and free breakfast programs for children-were popular fixtures in Black neighborhoods in the early 1970s, but for the white power structure and the vast majority of the white public, the Panthers represented only anti-government militancy; a view which engendered the wrath of the police and FBI and led to the murder of several Party members by law enforcement. In time, the Black Panthers dropped the "Self-Defense" label from their name. The organization became more of a Marxist-Communist group that favored violent revolution, if necessary, to bring about changes in society. During the mid-1960's, the Black Panthers called for neighborhood control of such services as education and the police. The Panthers supported the use of guns--both for self-defense and to retaliate against people believed to be oppressing the poor. Hostility between the Panthers and the police led to several shoot-outs. During the late 1960's, the Black Panthers began to work with white radical and revolutionary groups that shared their goals. This policy brought the Panthers into disagreement with some African American groups that regarded the struggle of blacks as chiefly racial. According to the Panthers, the basic problem was economic exploitation of both blacks and whites by profit-seeking capitalists. The Panthers called for a fairer distribution of job s and other economic resources. In October of 1967, Huey Newton was shot, arrested and charged with the murder of a white Oakland cop, after a gun battle on the streets of West Oakland that resulted in the death of police officer John Frey. Newton was charges with First Degree murder. Young whites, angry and disillusioned with America over the Vietnam War, raised their voices with young, urban blacks, to cry in unison: "Free Huey!" Newton was convicted of manslaughter but the verdict was later overturned. Fred Hampton was a high school student and a promising leader when he joined the Black Panther Party at the age of 19. His status as a leader grew very quickly.

The Effect of Relativity Theory on Marathon Runners :: physics sport sports running

Sometimes people say, "Running is good for your health, and you can live longer." Is it true? Isn't there another reason? Is health the only cause of longevity? I wondered if the effect of relativity is one of the causes. In 1905, the great physicist, Albert Einstein, put forward a new theory called "The Special Theory of Relativity". It is very simple and it says only these two principles 1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial system. 2. There is a speed limit, and it is the speed of light. Suppose two inertial systems, one of which, S, is the rest system and another, S', is moving at the velocity v to S. In above pictures, red and blue represent S and S', white balls moving are light, green boards are mirrors. Since the speed of light is constant, (ct)2 = (vt)2 + L2 (1)

The Election of 1860

By the election of 1860 profound divisions existed among Americans over the future course of their country, and especially over the South's â€Å"peculiar institution,† slavery.During the presidency of James K. Polk (1841-1849), the United States had confirmed the annexation of Texas to the Union, negotiated a treaty with Great Britain for the Oregon territory up to the 49th parallel, and, as a result of the Mexican War, added California and New Mexico as well. The American eagle now spanned the entire continent, a source of nationalistic pride to those who thought expansion was the fulfillment of both God's will and America's mission to spread its republican institutions.But national exuberance turned sour when Americans confronted the issue of whether slavery should follow the flag into the new territories. During the 1850s, different views about slavery's expansion and its place in America's future fueled suspicion and bitterness between northerners and southerners. In Kans as, the question of whether the territory would be opened or closed to slavery erupted in violence and political unrest.â€Å"Bleeding Kansas,† the treatment of fugitive slaves, and other issues involving slavery strained and then shattered the nation's two-party system which had served for a generation to weld sections and interests into two powerful national institutions. Of the two major parties, the Whig organization totally succumbed in the mid-1850s to the sectionalizing effects of the slavery issue and ceased to operate as a national party.Like the country, the Whig party could not exist half slave and half free. Meanwhile, the Democratic party managed to remain intact throughout that decade, but slavery acted like a solvent to weaken its bonds. Increasingly, its powerful, predominantly southern wing was at odds with a smaller, northern contingent.The campaign of 1860 accurately registered the country's precarious condition after a decade of sectional turmoil. The lead ing political organization in the North was the Republican party. It was composed of former Whigs, a smaller number of ex-Democrats, as well as members of other parties, including some who had previously supported antislavery parties, such as the Liberty party, which had sought to end slavery by political means.Like any party, the Republican party contained a broad spectrum of opinions on many issues, including slavery. But most Republicans were, like Lincoln, moderates who were positioned between the more radical and conservative elements of their party.The key to the Republican party's success was its position on slavery. It opposed the expansion of slavery and called upon Congress to take measures, whenever necessary, to prevent its extension. It condemned slavery as an immoral institution, a relic of â€Å"barbarism,† and most Republicans thought that by confining slavery within its present boundaries, the institution would be placed on the road to eventual extinction.The party was, therefore, a genuine anti-slavery party, but most Republicans rejected a more radical stand that would associate them with abolitionism.The party, for example, upheld the constitutional sanctity of slavery within the South, and a significant minority (including Lincoln) were willing to support a constitutional amendment forever guaranteeing against congressional interference with slavery in the states.Republicans also acknowledged the legitimacy of the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution and accepted its enforcement by proper laws. Republicans, therefore, separated themselves from abolitionists who agitated for a quicker, immediate, end to slavery, and the adoption of measures, such as the emancipation of slaves in the nation's capital, which would render slavery insecure in its present boundaries.At the same time, moderate Republicans also distinguished themselves from the more egalitarian racial program of abolitionism. Most Republicans accepted the principles of the Declaration of Independence as assuring black people certain rights now and, perhaps also, as ultimate goals to be fully realized sometime in the future.But they disavowed measures that would immediately bring about true equality between the races. Lincoln, who may have been somewhat more conservative than the core of his party, declared himself against equal rights in voting and officeholding, and he advocated the colonization of blacks to lands outside the United States, an idea that was anathema to abolitionists. Southerners, however, hardly distinguished between the different antislavery and racial views of the Republicans and abolitionists.The Republican party's opposition to the expansion of slavery, therefore, encompassed a distinctive moral protest against slavery itself, but also contained, at least for many Republicans, a racial concern that the territories be reserved primarily for free white people. In addition, the Republican mainstream associated a free labor soci ety with economic opportunity, hard work, upward mobility, liberty, morality, and other essential elements of a true republic.Slavery, on the other hand, was associated with economic backwardness, aristocracy, violence, illiteracy, intemperance, and immorality. Worse yet, Republicans viewed slavery as an aggressive institution, whose leaders, in alliance with sympathetic northerners, were conspiring to spread this cancer throughout the nation.This idea of a â€Å"Slave Power Conspiracy,† which Lincoln boldly proclaimed in his â€Å"House Divided† speech to the Illinois Republican convention in June 1858, identified the party with democratic ideals and provided a shorthand expression of northern resentment against the South's political clout. Although a minority section, the South had disproportionate influence in national politics, and frequently scuttled measures desired by many northerners, such as higher tariffs to protect manufacturing, or homestead legislation to provide free land for western settlers.VIDEO: A House Divided (1.9 MB)In May 1860, the Republicans gathered in Chicago for only their second national convention and nominated Lincoln as their candidate. The platform held that the â€Å"normal condition† of all territory was â€Å"freedom.† The platform also endorsed measures to encourage industry, a homestead act, and a transcontinental railroad.VIDEO: Lincoln's Nomination (2.1 MB)As for the Democratic party, the corrosive effect of slavery finally made itself felt on this national institution. For years, Democrats had united behind the doctrine of popular sovereignty. Popularized by such prominent party leaders as Lewis Cass, its nominee in 1848, and Stephen A. Douglas, Illinois's eminent and ambitious United States senator, popular sovereignty left the question– whether slavery should be permitted to expand into a territory– up to the people in the territory.Popular sovereignty promised to keep the subj ect of slavery out of the hands of politicians in Washington, and to give it, instead, to the people, the territorial citizens, most directly involved. The doctrine sounded democratic, fair, and practical.But popular sovereignty proved a hollow idea. Most northern Democrats assumed that, under this doctrine, slavery would never actually expand into territories. Climate, terrain, the swift movement of free state settlers into the West, and other considerations would discourage slaveholders from entering the territories.Thus, the initial settlers in a territory would favor free labor and would take measures to keep slavery out. Fairly applied, popular sovereignty would hold the territories (or virtually all of them) for the North without insulting the South by explicitly excluding slavery under federal authority.Republicans, however, denounced popular sovereignty as inadequate to prevent the spread of slavery, and morally bankrupt because it implied that a decision for slavery was mor ally equivalent to one against. Equally problematic was the view of most southern Democrats, who interpreted popular sovereignty to permit and even protect slavery in the territories throughout the entire territorial stage.Southerners insisted that slaveholders had the same constitutional right as nonslaveholders to bring their property, including slaves, into the territories. Moreover, since the territories were the common property of all the states, slaveholders must have equal access. For the South, the question of whether slavery would actually go into a territory was of less moment than establishing the principle that slavery must have equal standing to free labor.Honor and security demanded that slavery be treated as no less sacrosanct than freedom. Southerners, therefore, interpreted popular sovereignty to mean that only at the very end of the territorial stage, after slavery had been permitted to take root, could the citizens of the territory declare against the institution. There could be free states in the United States, but no free territories.These different definitions of popular sovereignty, which actually expressed variant attitudes towards slavery itself, came to a head when the Democratic party assembled in Charleston, South Carolina, in April 1860. Southern Democrats insisted that the party endorse the idea of a federal slave code for the territories.This would secure the rights of slaveholders to enter the territories throughout the territorial period. When the majority of delegates refused to accept the southern position, delegates from the deep South states, plus a few from the upper South, marched out of the convention. The remaining delegates, after failing to nominate a candidate, adjourned to meet again in Baltimore in June. The only political party with a truly national constituency was now split asunder.The following June 1860, efforts to reunite the Democratic party failed, and Democrats met in two separate conventions in Baltimore. The predominantly northern wing nominated Douglas, and adopted a platform upholding popular sovereignty without mentioning a federal slave code, and leaving it to the Supreme Court to determine the specific powers of a territorial legislature. Herschel V. Johnson of Georgia was selected as Douglas's running mate.The southern Democratic wing nominated the present vice president of the United States, John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, as its presidential candidate, and Joseph Lane of Oregon as his running mate. The southern Democratic platform affirmed the right of the federal government to protect the slaveholder's equal right to settle in a territory.Further complicating the election was the formation of a fourth political party, the Constitutional Union party. Composed of conservative members of the moribund Whig and Know Nothing parties, the Constitutional Union party denounced the major parties for inciting sectional divisions, and appealed for a popular, patriotic rallying to th e cause of the Union.Its convention, which met in May 1860, also in Baltimore, nominated John Bell, a Tennessee Whig, for President, and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for vice president. The party's conservative appeal attracted a following, especially in the border states; throughout the South, it constituted the main opposition to the Breckinridge ticket.The campaign of 1860 demonstrated that a national political system was no longer operating. The contest was actually two elections, one in the North and one in the South. In the North, the Lincoln and Douglas forces vied for victory; in the South the contest was between Breckinridge and Bell. The sections were insulated from each other.Lincoln did not even appear on the ballot in most southern states, and only in a few northern states did Breckinridge muster any discernible support. In the end, Lincoln won the election by carrying seventeen free states, while Breckinridge triumphed in eleven slave states. Neither candidate captu red a single state in the opposite section. Bell and Douglas trailed far behind.The highly sectionalized nature of the campaign meant that northerners and southerners waged battle against a shadow opponent. Lincoln refused to issue public assurances to the South that he would uphold slavery in its present confines. Nor did southerners have to pay heed to the Republican party's official denunciation of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia.This attack on a federal arsenal in the fall of 1859, by the Ohio abolitionist did not provoke the intended insurrection of slaves, and ended in Brown's capture and hanging.The raid sent shock waves through the South. Despite Republican disclaimers, southerners readily linked the party to abolitionism and the violent overthrow of slavery. Similarly, northerners, swept up in the renewed Lincoln-Douglas contest, paid insufficient heed to the intensity of anti-Union feelings in the South.Although neither Breckinridge nor Bell threatened secess ion, they often challenged each other in the South as to who was the more loyal to southern rights and interests. The air was filled with frequent warnings that Lincoln's election would justify secession.

Advantages for Having a Dog.

Dogs, simply put, are a man’s best friend. These animals are extremely loving and loyal. Both humans and dogs are happier when they are around each other. A lot of dog owners make their dogs part of their family, treating them as one of their children. Numerous benefits come to owners: responsibility, companionship, mental health benefits. The top reason people adopt or bring a dog into their lives is for companionship. When I had a dog, I came home from school to find him waiting by the front door, wagging his tail in the most happy fashion.I did not know if he was so animated because he had done something in the house or he really needed to go outside to relieve himself, but it made me happy knowing he was there. Being with my dog, I never felt alone; in fact, just walking from room to room in my house, I was always followed. In a funny way, my dog was like my very own stalker or sidekick. The loyalty of dogs is amazing; they always want to be by your side, even when you hav e had a bad day or are just feeling down. When you bring a dog into your life, you also take on commitment and the responsible tasks of chores for your dog.My Dad always told me that in addition to playing with him, I had to learn to take responsibility for walking, feeding, and grooming our dog. Teaching me this early in my childhood showed me the importance of caring for and taking care of my belongings, as well as a living creature. Taking my dog to the park is a great ice breaker with women, since seeing that I take care of my dog shows that I can take care of my own life. When I took that step to own a dog, it affected my mental and emotional well-being.I never had that feeling of being alone, with that I was always grateful for having my companion along with me. I researched the health benefits of having a dog as a pet and being alone all the time can lead to depression by having a dog, can help cure the depressed state that you may experience. Also medically the brain release s serotonin and dopamine hormones which give moments of pleasure and calmness. I felt happier in which gave me a better mental wellness, but who wouldn’t want a lower stress level in their lives.If you are not ready to commit to taking care of an animal like a dog because it is too expensive or it is just too big of a commitment, then perhaps this is not the best plan for you. Making the decision to bring a dog into your home is life-changing, and has to be one you are ready for, like buying a new car or finding a new girlfriend. Dogs are calming, accepting animals that offer unconditional love and kindness, as well as many health benefits. So, if bringing a dog into your life is what you want, you will not regret it at all.

Film Music: Gabriel Oboe (From the movie “Mission”) Essay

Theme –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Student will watch a video clip from the movie â€Å"Mission† How do musical media impact on the scene of the movie? What is the message the composer tries to give in the scene of â€Å"Gabriel Oboe†? Objective Information What are the four traditional instrument families (Brass, Woodwinds, Strings, and Percussions)? Please name the instruments in each traditional family. How does each instrument family phonate? Listening to â€Å"Peter and the wolf†- How does this particular instrument represent each character in the story? Skills Identify by sound and classify the instrument families used in the scene of the movie? Write a short poem or a short story and choose an instrument then improvise a short musical piece that connects the poem or short story. Essay Question (40-points) 1.)   Please answer the following question after watching the scene of â€Å"Gabriel Oboe† in the movie. How does the music have the power to communicate with people and changing people’s minds? And what are the messages the composer try to give from his musical media in the scene? (Minimum 150 words) Short Answer Question/Listening Section ( 8 points- each) 2.) What are the four traditional instrument families? (2 points x 4 ) —————-,   ——————, ——————-, —————— . 2.)   What instrument family did the composer use in the beginning of the â€Å"Gabriel Oboe’s scene† (Before the solo oboe)? __________________. Multiple Choice (4-points) 4.) Which instrument is not included in the woodwinds family?____. Oboe Clarinet Violin Flute Matching (20-points each) 5.) Match correct instrument into the each traditional instrument family String __ A. Cymbals Woodwinds __ B. Trumpet Brass __ C.   Oboe Percussion __ D.   Cello 6.) Match the correct instrument to each character in â€Å"Peter and the wolf†. Grandfather__ A. Flute Duck __ B. Clarinet Bird__ C.   Oboe Cat __ D.   Bassoon

Budweiser Essay

Budweiser Lager was first brewed in 1876 by E. Anheuser & Co., St. Louis. Today, AnheuserBusch is the largest brewer in the world in terms of volume, and it competes across a diverse range of markets. The company oversees more than 30 different beer brands, including the domestic market leader Budweiser, a number of other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, a group of theme parks, and a real estate enterprise While retaining its brewing traditions, the company has adopted new technological traditions that improve its business and marketing effectiveness. In 1997, chairman August Busch III vowed to make his company a leader in mining its customers’ buying patterns. The key to Anheuser-Busch’s real-time analysis of marketing effectiveness is timely data: getting information back from wholesalers and retailers on what is selling where and when. â€Å"Wholesaler and store-level data has become the lifeblood of our organization,† said Joe Patti, Anheuser’s vice president for retail planning and category management. Therefore, Anheuser-Busch created BudNET to connect to wholesalers, retailers, and other AnheuserBusch business partners. The system handles sales reporting, customer development, retail promotion notices, and weekly sales forecasting, as well as a wide array of logistics-related functions. BudNET is the information channel for an Anheuser-Busch system called WEARS (Wholesaler Equity Agreement Reporting System). Through BudNET, the delivery people of the 700 U.S. distributors of Budweiser can become the eyes and ears of the brewer. WEARS and BudNET do much more than just keep tabs on the flow if icy-cold Bud off retailers’ refrigerated shelves. Using portable transaction computers, the delivery people also log data on computing products, identifying what else is on the retailers’ shelves. At the end of the day, Anheuser-Busch gets the data and looks for trends. â€Å"If Anheuser-Busch loses shelf space in a store in ClarksVille, Tennessee, they know it right away,† said Joe Thompson, president of Independent Beverage Group, a research and consulting firm. â€Å"They’re better at this game than anyone, even Coca-Cola.† Understanding consumers means more than just gathering data on your own product or on your competitor’s product. Anheuser-Busch also analyzes syndicated bar-code scan data gathered by Information Resources Inc. (IRI), to track consumer purchasing behavior across a full range of products. Anheuser-Busch successfully launched low-carb Michelob Ultra after seeing data on consumer shifts in dietary habits in other food groups. Timely, fine-grain data also help Anheuser-Busch’s marketing and product assortment. With store-level data, the company can create targeted marketing materials. For example, gay models appear on posters in San Francisco’s Castro district, but not on those in the Mission district. Better data also help predict local sales during holidays, such as knowing that Atlantans celebrate Fourth of July more than St. Patrick’s Day. Anheuser-Busch know where cans sell better than bottles (blue-collar neighborhoods), and helped the company launch a range of Latin-inspired beverages such as Tequiza and Sauza Diablo for the growing Hispanic market. Anheuser-Busch uses a variety of internal and external data sources – including consumer demographics, POS, and market data – to guide product assortment decisions. AnheuserBusch uses the six-step, industry-standard best practice called Efficient Item Assortment (EIA) that is published by the Food Marketing Institute. Software, co-developed with an outside software vendor, creates a top-tine master assortment product list for individual stores and store clusters. This tool won a Technology Leadership Award from Consumer Goods Technology (CGT) magazine. Anheuser-Busch’s use of IT is international. Budexchange.co.uk, hosted on BudNET, tracks key data and sales of 5,000 British outlets. The system rewards the loyalty of trade customers with Budweiser-branded support materials. Anheuser-Busch uses the data provided by the outlets in its proactive segmented marketing communications program. In a market in which overall sales are down 5.7 percent, Budweiser sales are up 7 percent. Anheuser-Busch continues to expand its use of datalinks, using its market clout to improve data gathering and data sharing. August Busch IV, president tor domestic operations, promised that â€Å"brewers and wholesalers with a clear, data-driven focus will have a distinct competitive advantage.† Market share data confirm the success of the company’s strategy – Anheuser-Busch now commands 50.1 percent at the market in 2003, up from 48.9 percent in 2002.