Economic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Economic - Essay Example Subsequently, the bulk off the sloppiness emanate from the irregular investment decisions of that JP Morgan undertook. According to Greenberg and Eavis, managers were admitting the bank has a lower quality of risk management that was not sophisticated enough to cushion it from the $2bn loss. Dimon was adamant that the execution of the hedging strategy was inappropriate and poor. This revelation of the loss was causing ripples in the Stock markets of the US and did affect the share price of JP Morgan. The loss dented the share value of the investment bank by 9.3% on Friday and for a bank that was previously recording significant earnings, this was shocking to its stakeholders2. The bank has enlarged its credit quantities over several years of trading in profitable investment projects, which were subject to exhaustive monitoring from management. However, recently JP Morgan did not incorporate these stringent measures into the diverse hedging strategies of the bank thus resulting in the disastrous loss in their earnings. In 2007, there was discontent of various stakeholders of the company in the manner The Chief investment Officer (CIO) Bruno Iskil was utilizing the corporations resources in undertaking unnecessary risks. In addition to the financial woes, the CEO of JP Morgan was suggesting the company could further experience losses of $ 1 billion due to the inevitable economic turbulences. This supposition will increasingly injure the share prices of the bank, which will dwindle further downwards3. This can discourage potential clients from trading in the stocks of JP Morgan since they will be of a lower value. This factor will diminish their confidence and the clients will not be enthusiastic to deposit their savings in JP Morgan. Furthermore, Fitch, a credit rating agency, did downgrade the bank and was affirmative that this decline could extend unless JP Morgan acts upon the

Judging Words Not Fidgets Essay Example for Free

Judging Words Not Fidgets Essay â€Å"Judging Honesty by Words, Not Fidgets† is a short essay written by Benedict Carey. It explores how in police interrogations, interviewers can use words to decide if people are lying more than looking at their physical movements. Traditionally, police have used lie detector tests and underhanded techniques to force suspects and witnesses to give confessions. This author cites research and experiments to show that analyzing how a witness communicates can be indicative of his/her honesty. This essay explains how different, less aggressive interrogating techniques, can be more helpful than forceful types of questioning. It points out that sometimes suspects can learn to â€Å"cheat† on a polygraph and that liars may not have different body language than those that are being truthful. This essay has many strengths. One is the author’s use of entertaining phrases and questions at the beginning, which helps to engage the reader. Anybody that has watched Law and Order or CSI has seen the type of interrogation where the police lie to the suspects to get them to confess. The opening makes a connection with the reader in an entertaining way and that is a strength of this essay. There are also many examples of research that have been used to tell if people are lying; this indicates that the writer is informed and makes him credible. The reader has confidence in the author’s information. This essay is short and easy to read, which is a huge positive. When essays are long, they tend to take the reader out of the mindset needed to maintain interest. The author points out how police are altering their techniques to make use of this research, so the application aspect of this research is interesting. While there are many strengths to this essay, there are a few weaknesses as well. The biggest weakness is in the amount of time spent reading names of psychologists and researchers that have studied body language, interview techniques, and lying. While it is understood that it is a requirement that researchers’ names be cited, it takes away from the entertainment value and becomes more like reading a research paper and can be boring in those sections. Another minor weakness is the mention of the TV show Columbo at the end of the essay. While the character in that show may have used some of the techniques from the research, many contemporary readers may not be familiar with him. â€Å"Judging Honesty by Words, Not Fidgets† is a short, easy read. It is also very interesting since most readers have seen police interviews on TV and in the movies and are familiar with some of the techniques fictitious officers use. Also, with all of the reality shows on TV today, many readers may have seen real interviews taking place. With readers having some knowledge of the topic, it is very interesting. While there are a few minor weaknesses of this essay, overall, it is entertaining and engages the audience. Works Cited Carey, Benedict. Judging Honesty by Words, Not Fidgets. 2009. The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues across the Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Mueller. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 9-12. Print.

Perspectives On Women In Brownings Poetry Essay -- English Literature

Perspectives On Women In Browning's Poetry One of the recurring themes in the poetry of Robert Browning, is that of woman, and it is this that I have chosen to focus on. In The first of the poems I have chosen to look at, Porphyria's Lover, Browning initially portrays the female character as the one with the power, although this in inevitably removed from her. In the opening lines of the poem: 'The rain set early in tonight, The sullen wind was soon awake' we gain a sense of forboding as the landscape of the poem seems to reflect the state of mind of the narrator, this is further explored in the next two lines where the speaker describes the weather as spiteful. All the narrator can do at this point in the poem is listen to the weather outside and he is completely helpless. 'I listened with heart fit to break.' However when Porphyria enters the poem, she alters the circumstances by replacing cold with warmth and seems completely unaffected by the weather even though it is she who has been out in it. 'And kneeled and made the cheerless grate Blaze up and all the cottage warm' Porphyria's actions at this point in the poem seem effortless in direct contrast to the impotence of her lover. Porphyria continues to take charge at this point in the poem by removing the evidence of the wet, cold weather outside, and even when her lover is unresponsive she manipulates the situation, moving his arm around her and placing his head upon her shoulder. We see at this point that her lover is the weaker of the two, but this is soon altered as in the lines: 'Too weak for all her heart's endeavour, To set its struggling passion free From pride' We finally see Porphyria described as weak, ... ... be even more attractive to the poet: 'What is far conquers what is near.' These women are the most perfect in the poets eye as they are whatever his imagination is capable of creating, they are the perfect idealistic objectification. These women spring from the poet's imagination in the moment of the poem being written just as they will spring from the earth to which he has returned. 'I will make an Eve, be the artist that began her, Shaped her to his mind' In Porphyria's Lover and Women And Roses, Browning treats us to two very different poems where a woman or women are the main subject matter. However, in both poems we see that the ideal figure of woman is one who has passed or is yet to be born as then she is able to exist in the most perfect state possible, not that of a real person with flaws and free will, but in that of a pure fantasy.

An Investigation of Literary Greatness: Still a Battle of the Sexes :: Argumentative Persuasive Literature Essays

An Investigation of Literary Greatness: Still a Battle of the Sexes "'I am an experienced writer and have some sense whether an idea can work or not...I wasn't sure it would work and I really thought about it for nine months before I put pen to paper. But I didn't feel intimidated by Melville's accomplishment. I felt inspired by it.'" Naslund quoted by Jamie Allen (CNN Interactive Senior Writer)(1999) For most people the mention of "great literature" stirs up the classic images of such authors as Shakespeare, Twain, Hemmingway, Salinger, Fitzgerald, and Melville among many others. Without belittling those very talented authors I would like to question their superiority over lesser acclaimed or widely known authors. What makes great literature and who gets to decide what qualifies? Perhaps a book such as Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund could be a "greater" book than its famous precursor, Herman Melville's Moby Dick. But who can one say that one book is greater than another? In the end the question of greatness comes down to who is measuring it. Well first off, what does it mean to be great at anything? Perhaps it means to have succeeded gracefully at whatever goal there was in mind. Perhaps it is to be liked by others, or to be meaningful. Perhaps it is represented by being carried on through time. Or perhaps greatness is whatever people make it to be and can never be fully defined. Most likely any or all of those things contribute to greatness. Given a flexible definition of greatness, what is great literature? Is it literature that has meaning (doesn't it all), invokes thought, is it defined by being likable, or achieving the authors goal, is it marked by the span of time and influence that the story has, or is a broad equation encompassing any or all, perhaps even none, of those characteristics? Many would say that Melville's Moby Dick is great literature. Moby Dick is a classic novel that surely has had, and continues to have, a huge influence on the collective evolution of writing and literary thought. Melville's story of madness and obsession combined with his realistic old English style of writing has been mimicked and transformed to give rise to hundreds, possibly thousands, of new stories and an infinite number of thoughts have been born. There is no question that Moby Dick has been a very influential book. Does that mean it's great?

Angels Demons Chapter 39-41

39 The Apostolic Palace is a conglomeration of buildings located near the Sistine Chapel in the northeast corner of Vatican City. With a commanding view of St. Peter's Square, the palace houses both the Papal Apartments and the Office of the Pope. Vittoria and Langdon followed in silence as Commander Olivetti led them down a long rococo corridor, the muscles in his neck pulsing with rage. After climbing three sets of stairs, they entered a wide, dimly lit hallway. Langdon could not believe the artwork on the walls – mint-condition busts, tapestries, friezes – works worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two-thirds of the way down the hall they passed an alabaster fountain. Olivetti turned left into an alcove and strode to one of the largest doors Langdon had ever seen. â€Å"Ufficio di Papa,† the commander declared, giving Vittoria an acrimonious scowl. Vittoria didn't flinch. She reached over Olivetti and knocked loudly on the door. Office of the Pope, Langdon thought, having difficulty fathoming that he was standing outside one of the most sacred rooms in all of world religion. â€Å"Avanti!† someone called from within. When the door opened, Langdon had to shield his eyes. The sunlight was blinding. Slowly, the image before him came into focus. The Office of the Pope seemed more of a ballroom than an office. Red marble floors sprawled out in all directions to walls adorned with vivid frescoes. A colossal chandelier hung overhead, beyond which a bank of arched windows offered a stunning panorama of the sun-drenched St. Peter's Square. My God, Langdon thought. This is a room with a view. At the far end of the hall, at a carved desk, a man sat writing furiously. â€Å"Avanti,† he called out again, setting down his pen and waving them over. Olivetti led the way, his gait military. â€Å"Signore,† he said apologetically. â€Å"No ho potuto – â€Å" The man cut him off. He stood and studied his two visitors. The camerlegno was nothing like the images of frail, beatific old men Langdon usually imagined roaming the Vatican. He wore no rosary beads or pendants. No heavy robes. He was dressed instead in a simple black cassock that seemed to amplify the solidity of his substantial frame. He looked to be in his late-thirties, indeed a child by Vatican standards. He had a surprisingly handsome face, a swirl of coarse brown hair, and almost radiant green eyes that shone as if they were somehow fueled by the mysteries of the universe. As the man drew nearer, though, Langdon saw in his eyes a profound exhaustion – like a soul who had been through the toughest fifteen days of his life. â€Å"I am Carlo Ventresca,† he said, his English perfect. â€Å"The late Pope's camerlegno.† His voice was unpretentious and kind, with only the slightest hint of Italian inflection. â€Å"Vittoria Vetra,† she said, stepping forward and offering her hand. â€Å"Thank you for seeing us.† Olivetti twitched as the camerlegno shook Vittoria's hand. â€Å"This is Robert Langdon,† Vittoria said. â€Å"A religious historian from Harvard University.† â€Å"Padre,† Langdon said, in his best Italian accent. He bowed his head as he extended his hand. â€Å"No, no,† the camerlegno insisted, lifting Langdon back up. â€Å"His Holiness's office does not make me holy. I am merely a priest – a chamberlain serving in a time of need.† Langdon stood upright. â€Å"Please,† the camerlegno said, â€Å"everyone sit.† He arranged some chairs around his desk. Langdon and Vittoria sat. Olivetti apparently preferred to stand. The camerlegno seated himself at the desk, folded his hands, sighed, and eyed his visitors. â€Å"Signore,† Olivetti said. â€Å"The woman's attire is my fault. I – â€Å" â€Å"Her attire is not what concerns me,† the camerlegno replied, sounding too exhausted to be bothered. â€Å"When the Vatican operator calls me a half hour before I begin conclave to tell me a woman is calling from your private office to warn me of some sort of major security threat of which I have not been informed, that concerns me.† Olivetti stood rigid, his back arched like a soldier under intense inspection. Langdon felt hypnotized by the camerlegno's presence. Young and wearied as he was, the priest had the air of some mythical hero – radiating charisma and authority. â€Å"Signore,† Olivetti said, his tone apologetic but still unyielding. â€Å"You should not concern yourself with matters of security. You have other responsibilities.† â€Å"I am well aware of my other responsibilities. I am also aware that as direttore intermediario, I have a responsibility for the safety and well-being of everyone at this conclave. What is going on here?† â€Å"I have the situation under control.† â€Å"Apparently not.† â€Å"Father,† Langdon interrupted, taking out the crumpled fax and handing it to the camerlegno, â€Å"please.† Commander Olivetti stepped forward, trying to intervene. â€Å"Father, please do not trouble your thoughts with – â€Å" The camerlegno took the fax, ignoring Olivetti for a long moment. He looked at the image of the murdered Leonardo Vetra and drew a startled breath. â€Å"What is this?† â€Å"That is my father,† Vittoria said, her voice wavering. â€Å"He was a priest and a man of science. He was murdered last night.† The camerlegno's face softened instantly. He looked up at her. â€Å"My dear child. I'm so sorry.† He crossed himself and looked again at the fax, his eyes seeming to pool with waves of abhorrence. â€Å"Who would†¦ and this burn on his†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The camerlegno paused, squinting closer at the image. â€Å"It says Illuminati,† Langdon said. â€Å"No doubt you are familiar with the name.† An odd look came across the camerlegno's face. â€Å"I have heard the name, yes, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"The Illuminati murdered Leonardo Vetra so they could steal a new technology he was – â€Å" â€Å"Signore,† Olivetti interjected. â€Å"This is absurd. The Illuminati? This is clearly some sort of elaborate hoax.† The camerlegno seemed to ponder Olivetti's words. Then he turned and contemplated Langdon so fully that Langdon felt the air leave his lungs. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, I have spent my life in the Catholic Church. I am familiar with the Illuminati lore†¦ and the legend of the brandings. And yet I must warn you, I am a man of the present tense. Christianity has enough real enemies without resurrecting ghosts.† â€Å"The symbol is authentic,† Langdon said, a little too defensively he thought. He reached over and rotated the fax for the camerlegno. The camerlegno fell silent when he saw the symmetry. â€Å"Even modern computers,† Langdon added, â€Å"have been unable to forge a symmetrical ambigram of this word.† The camerlegno folded his hands and said nothing for a long time. â€Å"The Illuminati are dead,† he finally said. â€Å"Long ago. That is historical fact.† Langdon nodded. â€Å"Yesterday, I would have agreed with you.† â€Å"Yesterday?† â€Å"Before today's chain of events. I believe the Illuminati have resurfaced to make good on an ancient pact.† â€Å"Forgive me. My history is rusty. What ancient pact is this?† Langdon took a deep breath. â€Å"The destruction of Vatican City.† â€Å"Destroy Vatican City?† The camerlegno looked less frightened than confused. â€Å"But that would be impossible.† Vittoria shook her head. â€Å"I'm afraid we have some more bad news.† 40 â€Å"Is this true?† the camerlegno demanded, looking amazed as he turned from Vittoria to Olivetti. â€Å"Signore,† Olivetti assured, â€Å"I'll admit there is some sort of device here. It is visible on one of our security monitors, but as for Ms. Vetra's claims as to the power of this substance, I cannot possibly – â€Å" â€Å"Wait a minute,† the camerlegno said. â€Å"You can see this thing?† â€Å"Yes, signore. On wireless camera #86.† â€Å"Then why haven't you recovered it?† The camerlegno's voice echoed anger now. â€Å"Very difficult, signore.† Olivetti stood straight as he explained the situation. The camerlegno listened, and Vittoria sensed his growing concern. â€Å"Are you certain it is inside Vatican City?† the camerlegno asked. â€Å"Maybe someone took the camera out and is transmitting from somewhere else.† â€Å"Impossible,† Olivetti said. â€Å"Our external walls are shielded electronically to protect our internal communications. This signal can only be coming from the inside or we would not be receiving it.† â€Å"And I assume,† he said, â€Å"that you are now looking for this missing camera with all available resources?† Olivetti shook his head. â€Å"No, signore. Locating that camera could take hundreds of man hours. We have a number of other security concerns at the moment, and with all due respect to Ms. Vetra, this droplet she talks about is very small. It could not possibly be as explosive as she claims.† Vittoria's patience evaporated. â€Å"That droplet is enough to level Vatican City! Did you even listen to a word I told you?† â€Å"Ma'am,† Olivetti said, his voice like steel, â€Å"my experience with explosives is extensive.† â€Å"Your experience is obsolete,† she fired back, equally tough. â€Å"Despite my attire, which I realize you find troublesome, I am a senior level physicist at the world's most advanced subatomic research facility. I personally designed the antimatter trap that is keeping that sample from annihilating right now. And I am warning you that unless you find that canister in the next six hours, your guards will have nothing to protect for the next century but a big hole in the ground.† Olivetti wheeled to the camerlegno, his insect eyes flashing rage. â€Å"Signore, I cannot in good conscience allow this to go any further. Your time is being wasted by pranksters. The Illuminati? A droplet that will destroy us all?† â€Å"Basta,† the camerlegno declared. He spoke the word quietly and yet it seemed to echo across the chamber. Then there was silence. He continued in a whisper. â€Å"Dangerous or not, Illuminati or no Illuminati, whatever this thing is, it most certainly should not be inside Vatican City†¦ no less on the eve of the conclave. I want it found and removed. Organize a search immediately.† Olivetti persisted. â€Å"Signore, even if we used all the guards to search the complex, it could take days to find this camera. Also, after speaking to Ms. Vetra, I had one of my guards consult our most advanced ballistics guide for any mention of this substance called antimatter. I found no mention of it anywhere. Nothing.† Pompous ass, Vittoria thought. A ballistics guide? Did you try an encyclopedia? Under A! Olivetti was still talking. â€Å"Signore, if you are suggesting we make a naked-eye search of the entirety of Vatican City then I must object.† â€Å"Commander.† The camerlegno's voice simmered with rage. â€Å"May I remind you that when you address me, you are addressing this office. I realize you do not take my position seriously – nonetheless, by law, I am in charge. If I am not mistaken, the cardinals are now safely within the Sistine Chapel, and your security concerns are at a minimum until the conclave breaks. I do not understand why you are hesitant to look for this device. If I did not know better it would appear that you are causing this conclave intentional danger.† Olivetti looked scornful. â€Å"How dare you! I have served your Pope for twelve years! And the Pope before that for fourteen years! Since 1438 the Swiss Guard have – â€Å" The walkie-talkie on Olivetti's belt squawked loudly, cutting him off. â€Å"Comandante?† Olivetti snatched it up and pressed the transmitter. â€Å"Sto ocupato! Cosa voi!† â€Å"Scusi,† the Swiss Guard on the radio said. â€Å"Communications here. I thought you would want to be informed that we have received a bomb threat.† Olivetti could not have looked less interested. â€Å"So handle it! Run the usual trace, and write it up.† â€Å"We did, sir, but the caller†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The guard paused. â€Å"I would not trouble you, commander, except that he mentioned the substance you just asked me to research. Antimatter.† Everyone in the room exchanged stunned looks. â€Å"He mentioned what?† Olivetti stammered. â€Å"Antimatter, sir. While we were trying to run a trace, I did some additional research on his claim. The information on antimatter is†¦ well, frankly, it's quite troubling.† â€Å"I thought you said the ballistics guide showed no mention of it.† â€Å"I found it on-line.† Alleluia, Vittoria thought. â€Å"The substance appears to be quite explosive,† the guard said. â€Å"It's hard to imagine this information is accurate but it says here that pound for pound antimatter carries about a hundred times more payload than a nuclear warhead.† Olivetti slumped. It was like watching a mountain crumble. Vittoria's feeling of triumph was erased by the look of horror on the camerlegno's face. â€Å"Did you trace the call?† Olivetti stammered. â€Å"No luck. Cellular with heavy encryption. The SAT lines are interfused, so triangulation is out. The IF signature suggests he's somewhere in Rome, but there's really no way to trace him.† â€Å"Did he make demands?† Olivetti said, his voice quiet. â€Å"No, sir. Just warned us that there is antimatter hidden inside the complex. He seemed surprised I didn't know. Asked me if I'd seen it yet. You'd asked me about antimatter, so I decided to advise you.† â€Å"You did the right thing,† Olivetti said. â€Å"I'll be down in a minute. Alert me immediately if he calls back.† There was a moment of silence on the walkie-talkie. â€Å"The caller is still on the line, sir.† Olivetti looked like he'd just been electrocuted. â€Å"The line is open?† â€Å"Yes, sir. We've been trying to trace him for ten minutes, getting nothing but splayed ferreting. He must know we can't touch him because he refuses to hang up until he speaks to the camerlegno.† â€Å"Patch him through,† the camerlegno commanded. â€Å"Now!† Olivetti wheeled. â€Å"Father, no. A trained Swiss Guard negotiator is much better suited to handle this.† â€Å"Now!† Olivetti gave the order. A moment later, the phone on Camerlegno Ventresca's desk began to ring. The camerlegno rammed his finger down on the speaker-phone button. â€Å"Who in the name of God do you think you are?† 41 The voice emanating from the camerlegno's speaker phone was metallic and cold, laced with arrogance. Everyone in the room listened. Langdon tried to place the accent. Middle Eastern, perhaps? â€Å"I am a messenger of an ancient brotherhood,† the voice announced in an alien cadence. â€Å"A brotherhood you have wronged for centuries. I am a messenger of the Illuminati.† Langdon felt his muscles tighten, the last shreds of doubt withering away. For an instant he felt the familiar collision of thrill, privilege, and dead fear that he had experienced when he first saw the ambigram this morning. â€Å"What do you want?† the camerlegno demanded. â€Å"I represent men of science. Men who like yourselves are searching for the answers. Answers to man's destiny, his purpose, his creator.† â€Å"Whoever you are,† the camerlegno said, â€Å"I – â€Å" â€Å"Silenzio. You will do better to listen. For two millennia your church has dominated the quest for truth. You have crushed your opposition with lies and prophesies of doom. You have manipulated the truth to serve your needs, murdering those whose discoveries did not serve your politics. Are you surprised you are the target of enlightened men from around the globe?† â€Å"Enlightened men do not resort to blackmail to further their causes.† â€Å"Blackmail?† The caller laughed. â€Å"This is not blackmail. We have no demands. The abolition of the Vatican is nonnegotiable. We have waited four hundred years for this day. At midnight, your city will be destroyed. There is nothing you can do.† Olivetti stormed toward the speaker phone. â€Å"Access to this city is impossible! You could not possibly have planted explosives in here!† â€Å"You speak with the ignorant devotion of a Swiss Guard. Perhaps even an officer? Surely you are aware that for centuries the Illuminati have infiltrated elitist organizations across the globe. Do you really believe the Vatican is immune?† Jesus, Langdon thought, they've got someone on the inside. It was no secret that infiltration was the Illuminati trademark of power. They had infiltrated the Masons, major banking networks, government bodies. In fact, Churchill had once told reporters that if English spies had infiltrated the Nazis to the degree the Illuminati had infiltrated English Parliament, the war would have been over in one month. â€Å"A transparent bluff,† Olivetti snapped. â€Å"Your influence cannot possibly extend so far.† â€Å"Why? Because your Swiss Guards are vigilant? Because they watch every corner of your private world? How about the Swiss Guards themselves? Are they not men? Do you truly believe they stake their lives on a fable about a man who walks on water? Ask yourself how else the canister could have entered your city. Or how four of your most precious assets could have disappeared this afternoon.† â€Å"Our assets?† Olivetti scowled. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"One, two, three, four. You haven't missed them by now?† â€Å"What the hell are you talk – † Olivetti stopped short, his eyes rocketing wide as though he'd just been punched in the gut. â€Å"Light dawns,† the caller said. â€Å"Shall I read their names?† â€Å"What's going on?† the camerlegno said, looking bewildered. The caller laughed. â€Å"Your officer has not yet informed you? How sinful. No surprise. Such pride. I imagine the disgrace of telling you the truth†¦ that four cardinals he had sworn to protect seem to have disappeared†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Olivetti erupted. â€Å"Where did you get this information!† â€Å"Camerlegno,† the caller gloated, â€Å"ask your commander if all your cardinals are present in the Sistine Chapel.† The camerlegno turned to Olivetti, his green eyes demanding an explanation. â€Å"Signore,† Olivetti whispered in the camerlegno's ear, â€Å"it is true that four of our cardinals have not yet reported to the Sistine Chapel, but there is no need for alarm. Every one of them checked into the residence hall this morning, so we know they are safely inside Vatican City. You yourself had tea with them only hours ago. They are simply late for the fellowship preceding conclave. We are searching, but I'm sure they just lost track of time and are still out enjoying the grounds.† â€Å"Enjoying the grounds?† The calm departed from the camerlegno's voice. â€Å"They were due in the chapel over an hour ago!† Langdon shot Vittoria a look of amazement. Missing cardinals? So that's what they were looking for downstairs? â€Å"Our inventory,† the caller said, â€Å"you will find quite convincing. There is Cardinal Lamasse from Paris, Cardinal Guidera from Barcelona, Cardinal Ebner from Frankfurt†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Olivetti seemed to shrink smaller and smaller after each name was read. The caller paused, as though taking special pleasure in the final name. â€Å"And from Italy†¦ Cardinal Baggia.† The camerlegno loosened like a tall ship that had just run sheets first into a dead calm. His frock billowed, and he collapsed in his chair. â€Å"I preferiti,† he whispered. â€Å"The four favorites†¦ including Baggia†¦ the most likely successor as Supreme Pontiff†¦ how is it possible?† Langdon had read enough about modern papal elections to understand the look of desperation on the camerlegno's face. Although technically any cardinal under eighty years old could become Pope, only a very few had the respect necessary to command a two-thirds majority in the ferociously partisan balloting procedure. They were known as the preferiti. And they were all gone. Sweat dripped from the camerlegno's brow. â€Å"What do you intend with these men?† â€Å"What do you think I intend? I am a descendant of the Hassassin.† Langdon felt a shiver. He knew the name well. The church had made some deadly enemies through the years – the Hassassin, the Knights Templar, armies that had been either hunted by the Vatican or betrayed by them. â€Å"Let the cardinals go,† the camerlegno said. â€Å"Isn't threatening to destroy the City of God enough?† â€Å"Forget your four cardinals. They are lost to you. Be assured their deaths will be remembered though†¦ by millions. Every martyr's dream. I will make them media luminaries. One by one. By midnight the Illuminati will have everyone's attention. Why change the world if the world is not watching? Public killings have an intoxicating horror about them, don't they? You proved that long ago†¦ the inquisition, the torture of the Knights Templar, the Crusades.† He paused. â€Å"And of course, la purga.† The camerlegno was silent. â€Å"Do you not recall la purga?† the caller asked. â€Å"Of course not, you are a child. Priests are poor historians, anyway. Perhaps because their history shames them?† â€Å"La purga,† Langdon heard himself say. â€Å"Sixteen sixty-eight. The church branded four Illuminati scientists with the symbol of the cross. To purge their sins.† â€Å"Who is speaking?† the voice demanded, sounding more intrigued than concerned. â€Å"Who else is there?† Langdon felt shaky. â€Å"My name is not important,† he said, trying to keep his voice from wavering. Speaking to a living Illuminatus was disorienting for him†¦ like speaking to George Washington. â€Å"I am an academic who has studied the history of your brotherhood.† â€Å"Superb,† the voice replied. â€Å"I am pleased there are still those alive who remember the crimes against us.† â€Å"Most of us think you are dead.† â€Å"A misconception the brotherhood has worked hard to promote. What else do you know of la purga?† Langdon hesitated. What else do I know? That this whole situation is insanity, that's what I know! â€Å"After the brandings, the scientists were murdered, and their bodies were dropped in public locations around Rome as a warning to other scientists not to join the Illuminati.† â€Å"Yes. So we shall do the same. Quid pro quo. Consider it symbolic retribution for our slain brothers. Your four cardinals will die, one every hour starting at eight. By midnight the whole world will be enthralled.† Langdon moved toward the phone. â€Å"You actually intend to brand and kill these four men?† â€Å"History repeats itself, does it not? Of course, we will be more elegant and bold than the church was. They killed privately, dropping bodies when no one was looking. It seems so cowardly.† â€Å"What are you saying?† Langdon asked. â€Å"That you are going to brand and kill these men in public?† â€Å"Very good. Although it depends what you consider public. I realize not many people go to church anymore.† Langdon did a double take. â€Å"You're going to kill them in churches?† â€Å"A gesture of kindness. Enabling God to command their souls to heaven more expeditiously. It seems only right. Of course the press will enjoy it too, I imagine.† â€Å"You're bluffing,† Olivetti said, the cool back in his voice. â€Å"You cannot kill a man in a church and expect to get away with it.† â€Å"Bluffing? We move among your Swiss Guard like ghosts, remove four of your cardinals from within your walls, plant a deadly explosive at the heart of your most sacred shrine, and you think this is a bluff? As the killings occur and the victims are found, the media will swarm. By midnight the world will know the Illuminati cause.† â€Å"And if we stake guards in every church?† Olivetti said. The caller laughed. â€Å"I fear the prolific nature of your religion will make that a trying task. Have you not counted lately? There are over four hundred Catholic churches in Rome. Cathedrals, chapels, tabernacles, abbeys, monasteries, convents, parochial schools†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Olivetti's face remained hard. â€Å"In ninety minutes it begins,† the caller said with a note of finality. â€Å"One an hour. A mathematical progression of death. Now I must go.† â€Å"Wait!† Langdon demanded. â€Å"Tell me about the brands you intend to use on these men.† The killer sounded amused. â€Å"I suspect you know what the brands will be already. Or perhaps you are a skeptic? You will see them soon enough. Proof the ancient legends are true.† Langdon felt light-headed. He knew exactly what the man was claiming. Langdon pictured the brand on Leonardo Vetra's chest. Illuminati folklore spoke of five brands in all. Four brands are left, Langdon thought, and four missing cardinals. â€Å"I am sworn,† the camerlegno said, â€Å"to bring a new Pope tonight. Sworn by God.† â€Å"Camerlegno,† the caller said, â€Å"the world does not need a new Pope. After midnight he will have nothing to rule over but a pile of rubble. The Catholic Church is finished. Your run on earth is done.† Silence hung. The camerlegno looked sincerely sad. â€Å"You are misguided. A church is more than mortar and stone. You cannot simply erase two thousand years of faith†¦ any faith. You cannot crush faith simply by removing its earthly manifestations. The Catholic Church will continue with or without Vatican City.† â€Å"A noble lie. But a lie all the same. We both know the truth. Tell me, why is Vatican City a walled citadel?† â€Å"Men of God live in a dangerous world,† the camerlegno said. â€Å"How young are you? The Vatican is a fortress because the Catholic Church holds half of its equity inside its walls – rare paintings, sculpture, devalued jewels, priceless books†¦ then there is the gold bullion and the real estate deeds inside the Vatican Bank vaults. Inside estimates put the raw value of Vatican City at 48.5 billion dollars. Quite a nest egg you're sitting on. Tomorrow it will be ash. Liquidated assets as it were. You will be bankrupt. Not even men of cloth can work for nothing.† The accuracy of the statement seemed to be reflected in Olivetti's and the camerlegno's shell-shocked looks. Langdon wasn't sure what was more amazing, that the Catholic Church had that kind of money, or that the Illuminati somehow knew about it. The camerlegno sighed heavily. â€Å"Faith, not money, is the backbone of this church.† â€Å"More lies,† the caller said. â€Å"Last year you spent 183 million dollars trying to support your struggling dioceses worldwide. Church attendance is at an all-time low – down forty-six percent in the last decade. Donations are half what they were only seven years ago. Fewer and fewer men are entering the seminary. Although you will not admit it, your church is dying. Consider this a chance to go out with a bang.† Olivetti stepped forward. He seemed less combative now, as if he now sensed the reality facing him. He looked like a man searching for an out. Any out. â€Å"And what if some of that bullion went to fund your cause?† â€Å"Do not insult us both.† â€Å"We have money.† â€Å"As do we. More than you can fathom.† Langdon flashed on the alleged Illuminati fortunes, the ancient wealth of the Bavarian stone masons, the Rothschilds, the Bilderbergers, the legendary Illuminati Diamond. â€Å"I preferiti,† the camerlegno said, changing the subject. His voice was pleading. â€Å"Spare them. They are old. They – â€Å" â€Å"They are virgin sacrifices.† The caller laughed. â€Å"Tell me, do you think they are really virgins? Will the little lambs squeal when they die? Sacrifici vergini nell' altare di scienza.† The camerlegno was silent for a long time. â€Å"They are men of faith,† he finally said. â€Å"They do not fear death.† The caller sneered. â€Å"Leonardo Vetra was a man of faith, and yet I saw fear in his eyes last night. A fear I removed.† Vittoria, who had been silent, was suddenly airborne, her body taut with hatred. â€Å"Asino! He was my father!† A cackle echoed from the speaker. â€Å"Your father? What is this? Vetra has a daughter? You should know your father whimpered like a child at the end. Pitiful really. A pathetic man.† Vittoria reeled as if knocked backward by the words. Langdon reached for her, but she regained her balance and fixed her dark eyes on the phone. â€Å"I swear on my life, before this night is over, I will find you.† Her voice sharpened like a laser. â€Å"And when I do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The caller laughed coarsely. â€Å"A woman of spirit. I am aroused. Perhaps before this night is over, I will find you. And when I do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The words hung like a blade. Then he was gone.

Civil Rights in America essays

Civil Rights in America essays African Americans have been struggling for equality for many decades. It only seems that during the 1960's is when there were actual significant advances made. This was about the same time that civil rights came into the political scene. Throughout the South, Blacks were still in the majority, but had no political power what so ever. The Civil Rights Movement gave African Americans a voice and a chance to make a difference. The 1960's helped open up hope and expectations for Black Americans. One of the most prominent men of his time, Martin Luther King Jr. was known as "A national hero and a civil rights figure of growing importance" (Discovering 1). "Martin Luther King Jr. aroused whites and blacks to protest racial discrimination, poverty and war" (Compton's 244). On August 28, 1963 King made one of his most influential speeches ever at the March on Washington. His "I have a dream" speech had a major impact on all of America. His speech urged people to be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin (Civil Rights 148). King was a man who didn't believe in violence. The way he got his point across was not through violence, but through peaceful protest just as Gandhi had done. Martin Luther organized sit-ins, marches and boycotts. This was otherwise known as civil disobedience. King believed that it was now time to end segregation and discrimination in the South and throughout the entire country (Civil Rights 84). King helped bring together many blacks that were looking for peaceful solutions to racial oppression in the United States. King became the youngest man ever to win the Nobel peace prize in 1964. Another young man who fought for civil rights was Malcolm X. Otherwise known as X, he was the opposite of King. Instead of peaceful protest, he chose to meet violence with violence. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to fight racism with love and Malcolm X wanted blacks to fight back when they were attacked. "He was one of ...

Carries War Essays

Carries War Essays Carries War Paper Carries War Paper Source G is an extract from a novel about evacuees. It is from Carries War, a novel for children written by Nina Bowden in 1973. This extract from a novel is classed as a secondary source, as it was not written during the war. In the source, the host who has agreed to look after 2 evacuated children asks them to change into their slippers. Carrie answers that they havent got any. The woman assumes that they are to poor to have any, but in fact, the reason that they do not have any is because they were unable to fit them in to their cases as only bare essentials were packed. The novel states that there was not a speck of dust anywhere, and so it suggests that the children were not used to such spotless surroundings. The hosts will have seemed more particular to cleanliness to the children and this may have seemed peculiar to them. In the war, evacuees were not used to rural life and there were poor children moving to wealthier homes. There was a clash between city and country values and people outside the cities, in the countryside learnt how bad the conditions were which encouraged them to evacuate children. However, some people did not want evacuees in their houses. The Source has many limitations and questions about its reliability. First of all its a novel which is written to entertain as it need to get published and sold. As the novel is a fiction book written from childs perspective, I think that the author may have included some fictional devices to boost the novel up, to make it more interesting, exciting and dramatic by exaggeration and bias. The facts would be changed or dramatised as it is not written to educate. Some aspects could be turned down, exaggerated or simplified for children and the use of vocabulary would be simple. Evacuation would be a great topic to write a story about as it was a huge event in childrens views.If the author had have had no evacuation experience then there would not have been as much reliable information to be gained from it, as she would have been only gathering her information from other sources. Also, we have to take in to account that this source may be bias. We do not have the point of view from the family, and the story is only based on a typical childs evacuation journey, and so does not represent all experiences. But it was written over 30 years after the event. Therefore I feel that some of the information could be incorrect unless Nina Bowden was a child in evacuation and has written this as a sort of biography. If this is not the case, she has researched a lot into how the evacuated children were treated as sources E and F both give a good account and show that the book Carries War did have several truths in it, is typical of some incidents and is therefore reliable. It is quite accurate about brother and sister being placed together rather than separated in the evacuation. Class and status misunderstanding and stereotyping idea is also conceivable as it was quite typical. In general, most of the foster parents who lived in the countryside did believe that the city kids were poor. For example in source E was an interview with the mother of a host family. The children went round the house urinating on the walls. This is the mistake that Miss Evans makes in assuming that Carrie and her brother are poor as they are from the city and that they couldnt afford slippers. She thinks were poor children, too poor to have slippers. She doesnt take in to account that as an evacuee, you could only take a small number of items and slippers might not be high on their list of needs. I believe that as it was written in 1973, some information Nina Bowden may have received from evacuees could have been distorted. The novel could reflect of lots of peoples experiences as she probably did some research and could have gotten her information from relatives or friends. In this case u it would be more reliable but some things could also have been forgotten, distorted or only certain points remmbered as it was so long after the evacuation. If it is only a beleif of what evacuees expereienced, or she made some of the novel up to make it entertaining then the source would be very unreliable. The book was partly based on the authors own childhood experiences as an evacuee. With the author being an evacuee herself, then the information will be reliable The source does corroborate with other sources and information and so is still reasonably reliable. So the highlighted part of the novel does seem to be correct and reliable in the fact that host families in the country thought of the city children as poor, unclean and ill-educated. The host families thought of themselves of better than the evacuees family. The fact that they both had stereotypical ideas about each other. The city families believed that the country folk were arrogant as not everyone living it towns were poor and raised on a diet of fish and chips eaten from a newspaper. This brought conflict between the two and made some host families reject the chance of having a evacuee and some parents such as the one in source I, didnt want to let his children go away.  Although this is a novel and we shouldnt believe that the contents is fact, we can learn from it, such as what the way of life might have been like, as a novel usually paints a picture. However it only becomes useful to us when other evidence can support it, as we must remember that it is still only fiction and because of this we dont know that it is actually true.

Coles Myer Ltd Essays

Coles Myer Ltd Essays Coles Myer Ltd Essay Coles Myer Ltd Essay Coles Myer Ltd Background and Issues In 1985 G. J Coles, primarily a Melbourne-based supermarket chain, merged with Myer Ltd, an upmarket Melbourne department store, becoming Coles Myer Ltd. The merger was brought on by an expectation of significant cost savings from sharing services and overheads such as purchasing, warehousing, information technology and property. However these benefits never occurred. Coles Myer was burdened with poor management, bad strategic decisions, and internal conflict. Their share price was faltering, and lagging behind their biggest competitor Woolworths, and profit had been stagnant for three years. In September 2001 the board appointed John Fletcher as chief executive, well known for his part in turning Brambles into a successful international company. Fletcher’s first priority was to do something about Coles Myer’s share price, however he recognised that to be able to change it he must first deal with the companies strategic and structural problems. This analysis of organisational design and effectiveness will discuss the issues experienced by Coles Myer, discussion of theories related to the these problems and possible solutions, an examination of what is being done, and what else could be done to improve the situation. One of the biggest problems facing Coles Myer was organisational culture. With the Coles and Myer target markets being downmarket and upmarket respectively, compatibility of their cultures became an obstacle after merging. In order to achieve the anticipated merger benefits, Coles with their mass merchandising mentality would have to find a way to amalgamate many of their functions, tasks and processes with Myer’s, who dealt with chic, and more expensive luxury items. In addition to this, Fletcher believed the Coles Myer culture had become too bureaucratic. A clear demonstration of this bureaucracy was in the headquarters of Myer in Melbourne, which was built as a statement of purpose, place and status. Also, since the merger, the Coles Myer bureaucracy had allowed several uncooperative silos to develop. This problem was worsened by the recent appointment of overseas managers to head the main businesses. As a conglomerate, Coles Myer had the difficulty of having to coordinate a diverse range of businesses including Coles, Red Rooster, Target, and Myer. This was not helped by various newly appointed managers would change business strategies confusing employees and consumers. The result of this was that each business struggled to find its position in the marketplace and in the Coles Myer business family. Myer also struggled to find its place, it was continually under-performing, and it wasted a substantial amount of management’s time. Fletcher also initiated considerable organisational change upon his appointment, including standardisation IT throughout the company. He also worked towards developing a coherent strategy for each of the Coles Myer businesses, breaking down the bureaucracy, and developing a common culture. Relevant Theories The Machine Bureaucracy Coles Myer demonstrates many of the characteristics of a machine bureaucracy. â€Å"It is an organisation with very routine and formalised operating tasks, rules and regulations, which is highly centralised† (Robbins Barnwell, 2006, pp. 123). Being such a large organisation it has to rely on these formalised tasks, rules and regulations for coordination and control. The main strength of a machine bureaucracy is its highly efficient ability to perform standardised tasks. Like specialties within the organisation are grouped together to achieve economies of scale and reduce the duplication of personnel and equipment (Robbins Barnwell, 2006, pp. 24). Many employees have the sole purpose of maintaining standardisation, and a large number of these would have been included in the 1000 back-office staff that was made redundant by Fletcher in his progress towards making Coles Myer less bureaucratic. However, creating specialised units can result in conflicts, the creation of unit goa ls that take precedence over the organisational goals, and a reduction in communication between the units. Units that exhibit these characteristics are known as silos. Fletcher attempted to dismantle the silos within Coles Myer but encountered ignificant difficulties. Another problem for machine bureaucracies is trying to do too much. The resulting complexities arising from an organisation attempting to control a very broad range of businesses can often be too great for the machine bureaucracy structure to handle (Robbins Barnwell, 2006, pp. 125). This problem was recognised by Fletcher, with one of his first moves to sell off the ‘non core businesses’ Red Rooster and World 4 Kids. Increased organisational complexity also played a part in failure to achieve the expected economies of scale after the merger. Organisational Change Change in an organisation can either be planned or unplanned. â€Å"Planned change is change that comes about as a result of a specific effort on the part of a change agent† (Wood et al. 2001, pp 635), with unplanned being the opposite. Wood (et al. 2001, pp 635) also states that planned change comes about as a result of someone’s perception of a performance gap. The board’s recognition of such a performance gap led to Fletchers appointment as chief executive, and change agent. The problems facing Coles Myer were difficult and widespread. Most of the individual businesses struggled with business strategy, and across the whole organisation there was issues with organisational culture and structure. These kinds of problems require a kind of change known as systematic change. Systematic is a form of planned change that is widespread across an organisation, and affects most aspects of its operation. Robbins and Barnwell (2006, pp. 377) suggest that because systematic changes causes widespread disruption and requires enormous effort that it is only done out of necessity. The systematic change that Fletcher initiated took the form of downsizing to reduce the bureaucracy and reduce costs; clear definitions of the structures, roles and responsibilities, and positioning of each business unit, developing a common culture across the organisation, and the standardisation of IT across the organisation. Change is a continuous process, but the traditional episodic view of change is unfreeze, change and refreeze (Burton, Lauridsen and Obel, 1999, pp 2). Unfreezing involves management preparing a situation for change. The change is then performed. Refreezing involves positively reinforcing the desired outcomes, and evaluating the change process and gathering feedback. A continuous but intermittent process. Change can also be ongoing, where instead of refreezing, more of a rebalancing occurs after the change, ready for the next change. The change needed by Coles Myer upon Fletchers appointment was episodic. They needed a significant systematic change, and then for this change to be secured and given time to succeed, as the continuous changes occurring in the organisation in the previous years had done more harm than good. This also had to be supported by extensive feedback. Organisational Culture Robbins and Barnwell (2006, pp 405) defines organisation culture as a system of shared meaning within an organisation, and that in every organisation there are patterns of beliefs, symbols, rituals, myths and practices that have evolved over time. Coles Myer has numerous organisational culture problems. Firstly, due to the separate nature of the businesses, vertical subcultures have formed in the Coles Myer family, contributing to the silo problem discussed earlier. This is a problem, as organisational effectiveness depends on how much the organisations culture, strategy, environment and technology are aligned with the organisations goals (Robbins Barnwell, 2006, pp. 411). It is also the main reason behind the attempts to create a singular culture across the organisation. But as Fletcher found out, it is a difficult problem, as it is almost guaranteed that subcultures will form within a large organisation such as Coles Myer. Organisational culture was also a significant issue at the time of the merger. When mergers are aimed at attaining economies of scale, the success of the merger will depend on how effectively the different cultures themselves can be merged (Robbins Barnwell, 2006, pp. 419). In order to integrate functions, assets and infrastructure, a successful merger between the mass marketing culture of Coles, and the more elegant and exclusive culture of Myer would have to be performed. We know now that this wasn’t to be, and that Coles Myer decided to abandon the Myer department store, and become known as the Coles Group. Recommendations In addition to the actions already performed by Fletcher, there are a number of things that can or could have been done to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency. An effective way to assist in the dismantling of silos, and preventing their formation is to promote communication between the silos. This can be done by creating various coordinator positions, whose job is to liase between different departments, ensure that all the necessary information is being communicated, and regularly report back to senior management on how the departments are performing in relation to the organisational goals. The implementation of common/centralised IT and processes throughout the Coles Group would play a significant role in their future success. Using common software and procedures will increase communication and coordination, and reduce organisational complexity. A centralised system is well suited to the Coles Group, and it will enhance control and monitoring; important processes in a machine bureaucracy. Leifer (1988) asserts that effective performance of centralised computer business information systems requires rules and policies that match the tasks of the machine bureaucracy organisation, supporting this statement. Moving to a centralised system would appear to be a significant change, however Rockart and Scott Morton (1984, cited in Leifer 1986 p 66. ) believe implementing a centralised system in a machine bureaucracy requires few changes on part of the organisation†. Having disposed of non-core businesses, and the culturally different Myer, the Coles Group are now set to unify their brand and culture. With the aid of the $1. 4 billion provided by the sale of Myer, the Coles Group will be cutting their key brands down to just three – Coles, Target and Office works within the next two years (Simpson, 2006). This strategy will help to resolve the organisational culture and structure problems discussed in this case study analysis, as by reducing the number of key businesses/brands the individual business goals will also be reduced, discouraging the formation of silos, and making it easier to create a unified culture throughout the whole organisation. References Burton, R. M. , Lauridsen, J. ; Obel, B. 1999, ‘Tension and Resistance to Change in Organizational Climate: Managerial Implications for a Fast Paced World’, Retrieved April 26th, 2007 from www. ok. cbs. dk/images/publ/Burton%20og%20Obel%20og%20Lauridsen%20tension%202000. pdf Leifer, Richard 1988 ‘Matching Computer-Based Information Systems with Organizational Structures’, MIS Quarterly, Vol 12, no 1, pp 66. Robbins, S. P and Barnwell, N. S. 2006, Organisation Theory: Concepts and Cases, Prentice Hall, Sydney Rockart, J. and Scott Morton, M. 1984 ‘Implications of Changes in Information Technology for Corporate Strategy’ Interfaces, Vol 14, no 1, pp. 4-96, cited in Leifer, Richard 1988 ‘Matching Computer-Based Information Systems with Organizational Structures’, MIS Quarterly, Vol 12, no 1, pp 66. Simpson, Kirsty 2006 ‘Coles drops Kmart, Bi-Lo’, The Age, August 1st, 2006, Retrieved April 26th from theage. com. au/news/business/coles-drops-kmart-bilo/2006/07/31/1154198073979. html Wood, J. ; Chapman, J. ; Fromholtz, M. ; Morrison, V. ; Wallace, J. ; Zeffane, M. ; Schemerhorn, J. ; Hunt, J. ; Osborne, R. 2003, Organisational behaviour: a global perspective, 3rd edition, John Wiley Sons Australia Ltd, Milton Qld

Current issues in entrepreneurship Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Current issues in entrepreneurship - Coursework Example In addition to these staples, many quick-service restaurants sell an extensive menu of Western, Mexican, Greek, and Chinese foods. Some fast-food outlets offer specialty items, like sushi, clams, or ribs, and others even sell complete "home-cooked" meals over their counters. Though menus and delivery formats vary greatly, fast food's chief common denominators include immediate customer service, packaging "to go," and inexpensive pricing. However, despite the pervasive reputation of fast food in modern American culture, criticisms proliferate. Since the 1930s, articles and books have censured the industry, purportedly divulging poor sanitary conditions, unhealthy food products, environmental problems and unfair working conditions. Whether it warrants the attention or not, the fast-food industry is still regularly cited for exploiting young workers, polluting, and contributing to obesity and other serious health problems among American consumers. Specifically, American beef consumption (fast-food hamburger industry) is often blamed for the burning of the Amazon rain forests to make way for more grazing lands for beef cattle. Former enemies of fast food cited the shocking grime of many hamburger stands, in addition to the claims that the ground beef used in sandwiches was either spoiled, diseased, or simply of low quality. In fact, many critics maintained that much of the meat used in fast-food hamburgers came from horse carcasses. Likewise, the high fat content of fast food s also became sensational. Notwithstanding deceptive industry claims about the high quality and the health benefits of their products, in the 1920s and 1930s concerned nutritionists warned the public about the medical dangers of regular burger consumption. Currently, this skepticism and condemnation of fast food persists, extending even further to include ominous vigilance regarding the industry's use of genetically modified and antibiotic-laden beef products. In many major chains, these attacks have been countered by posting calorie and nutritional charts inside restaurants, advertising and claiming the use of fresh ingredients and presenting alternatives to their fried foods. Despite a few more health-conscious items on the menu, fast-food chains today assertively promote the idea that bigger is better, thus the emergence of such offerings as "super-size" or "biggie" portions of French fries, soft drinks, and milkshakes. Critics point to this marketing emphasis as a reason for an excessive and greatly increasing per-capita caloric intake among fast-food consumers, resulting in fast-growing rates of obesity in the United States and in many parts of the world. Obesity in Children Obesity is no longer just an American problem. The UK House of Commons Health Committee gave out its finding on obesity foreseeing that obesity would soon surpass smoking as the primary health problem in the United Kingdom (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004). All throughout Europe, obesity has increased by 10%-50% within the past ten years and by as much as 75% in the developing world (IOTF, 2004). Globally, over a billion adults and children are overweight and most experts have projected that today's generation of children are likely to have shorter life expectancies than their parents because of obesity. The World Health Organization's latest global

PhD Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

PhD Proposal - Essay Example And yet, there are those that like the games that aim at one goal and others still that like to play games that are somehow multi-goal driven. Each game is based on the player’s way of realizing that the game should match their personality. If a business is just like a game, then the person would act in his business just as he would play a game, making decisions that come from his personality, behaviour and needs. As a business is complicated when it comes to making decisions, then it would be much powerful to attach it to the games that have multi-goal driven approaches. This would give the player, or the business person, the ability to make decisions based on a variety of aspects. This study is to examine the assumption that based on an individual person’s psychological behaviour and his specific needs, he plays the game in the exact same way that he would make business decisions. I will then build a modular that will assist the decision maker in learning how to focus on multi-goal tasks where the Game of Go, which is also known as the game of the intellectual elite, will be the tool to be used. This chapter is a brief review that will explain the meanings and definitions of the theories and the tools that will be used in this study. Game theory and business strategy definitions are stated in section one, as well as how they are similar with each other (2.1). Section two (2.2) discusses the Maslow Hierarchy. And then the Go-Game will be defined in section three (2.3). Smith (1996) stated that "leadership in the late 20th century is all about making right decisions in the midst of complete environment(s) posing a significant challenge to management in future leadership preparation". He went on to further add that "successful management constantly seek having to devise new systems dynamically aware to assist future managers and leaders creation with utmost suitability to then challenging the decision-making

The Nurse And The Old Mans Hospital Room Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Nurse And The Old Mans Hospital Room - Essay Example The nurse was exemplary because she illustrated the characteristics of an excellent nurse- sympathetic, tolerant, and intelligent. While the nurse was outstanding, the hospital room was ordinary, but the gifts and contents that surrounded my Uncle made it look like a part of our home. The room was plain in colors and design. It had white walls with crumbling paint, some cracks in the walls, and simple layout of a bed and a table, which was common for public hospitals. It was white and clean. It was similar to every other hospital I had been too. Though the room was a familiar sight, everything else from our family and friends brought it to life. Uncle’s wife brought another table and some chairs. The table had two transparent cabinets, and one could see the packs of biscuits, chips, and candies inside, for the visitors. Another layer had dried fruits and sachets of coffee and chocolate drinks. At the side of the table were bags of home-cooked food, such as stewed fish and vege tables, rice, and tilapia in coconut milk. There were also baskets of fruits of every color- watermelon, bananas, apples, and oranges. I could smell the food fighting away the scents of alcohol, medicine, and antiseptics. Apart from food, pots, and bouquets of flowers were everywhere. My favorite was a bouquet of yellow flowers with pink edges. They looked brightly colorful and smelled wonderful. My Aunt put this in a vase and placed it on the table. Then, some vivid blue and green balloons were nearby too, as well as piles of cards and letters.

Management Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 5

Management Portfolio - Essay Example The Safety Management System shall include policies and procedures on risk assessment and analysis and provisions for safety audits. The Quality Management section outlines the principles which project managers shall abide by in the conduct of the projects’ execution. Quality management is conducted with a view to aligning operations activities and results with the needs and demands of the customers. Project Management refers to the execution of project plans per site. It involves the internal coordination and workings among the various elements of the project, and coordination between project managers and the immediate environment (the community and local government). Operations Management refers to the coordination among the various projects and liaison between the projects and the firm. It is linked with the Financial and Commercial Management aspects of the project, in that it keeps an eye towards the cost-versus-benefits aspect of the project execution. The project management will embody the regulations of Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 1592, otherwise known as The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, as well as internationally accepted principles of health, safety and welfare management. Pertinent provisions of said Instrument are hereunder adopted, as follows: As a matter of policy, management assumes responsibility for instituting health and safety facilities during the project actualization, and for implementing safety standards over all persons and processes involved in the project. Management expects every employee to comply with safety rules and processes implemented during project execution. In project sites, including ingress thereto and egress therefrom, it shall be ensured that such will be free from potential hazards to any persons, as far as is reasonably practicable. Measures shall be adopted to ensure that no person gains access to any place within the project

Training and Development Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 22

Training and Development Assessment - Essay Example In this process, both public and private, training and development practices differ to provide the company or organization a more competitive work staff. The training and development practices at the University of Worcester and Tesco are compared to highlight the similarities and differences in the public sector and private sector training principles. The University of Worcester must consider issues of revenue growth and strategy to remain competitive against other universities both local and international. With the growth in e-learning available to citizens across the globe, it becomes more and more difficult to become recognized as an educational leader with students of all lifestyles, income brackets, and values as learning become more convenient without necessarily having to leave home. Therefore, the university must ensure that its staff is well-trained and knowledgeable with new concepts and theories so that students choose the University of Worcester over other educational options. Part of training and development at the university involve establishing a set of criteria by which teachers are judged for performance. The University of Worcester has developed an annual development appraisal in order to ensure top performance that includes staff timetable tools for meeting individual teacher obligations (Wright & Evans 2009). Part of this appraisal includes what is referred to as the Resource Model that identifies key strengths and weaknesses of teachers in order to assess their current skills capabilities. Teachers are given timetables of milestones for learning and meeting new curriculum goals and then they are appraised to determine whether their knowledge is currently able to reach expectations. What makes the performance appraisal process so significant at the university is that staff is able to offer suggestions and amendments to these timetables (Wright & Evans).This indicates an empowerment model that includes teacher feedback in their training module to facilitate better ways to maximize the student’s satisfaction regarding the quality of their education.

Management Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 5

Management Portfolio - Essay Example The Safety Management System shall include policies and procedures on risk assessment and analysis and provisions for safety audits. The Quality Management section outlines the principles which project managers shall abide by in the conduct of the projects’ execution. Quality management is conducted with a view to aligning operations activities and results with the needs and demands of the customers. Project Management refers to the execution of project plans per site. It involves the internal coordination and workings among the various elements of the project, and coordination between project managers and the immediate environment (the community and local government). Operations Management refers to the coordination among the various projects and liaison between the projects and the firm. It is linked with the Financial and Commercial Management aspects of the project, in that it keeps an eye towards the cost-versus-benefits aspect of the project execution. The project management will embody the regulations of Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 1592, otherwise known as The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, as well as internationally accepted principles of health, safety and welfare management. Pertinent provisions of said Instrument are hereunder adopted, as follows: As a matter of policy, management assumes responsibility for instituting health and safety facilities during the project actualization, and for implementing safety standards over all persons and processes involved in the project. Management expects every employee to comply with safety rules and processes implemented during project execution. In project sites, including ingress thereto and egress therefrom, it shall be ensured that such will be free from potential hazards to any persons, as far as is reasonably practicable. Measures shall be adopted to ensure that no person gains access to any place within the project

Do violent video games contribute to youth violence Research Paper

Do violent video games contribute to youth violence - Research Paper Example The environment plays a significant role in changing  the character of a person. What person practices severally in his or her life becomes a lifestyle that they have to live with (Cooper and Zimmerman (1). An investigation was conducted to establish a relationship between playing violence video games and the violent behavior among the youths. The study involved 161 children between the age of nine and twelve years, and 354 college scholars (Cheryl 1). The participants were picked randomly to take part in either nonviolent or violent video games. All the participants were involved in another computer game in which they were allowed to decide the punishment to be administered to the player participating in that game. The researchers gathered the details of the participants regarding their previous violence behavior. From the result of the study, it was observed that those who engaged in violent video games exhibited some form of violence behavior. The participants who were involved in any of the violent game chose tougher punishment for their opponent compared to those who played nonviolent games. Therefore, from the analysis of the study the researchers came to the conclusion that violence video games influence the youth to engage in violent behavior. The violent video games influence the characters of the participants. Playing video games engages someone’s mind and becomes biased towards a certain character in the game. The players of violence video games tend to identify with particular characters and assumes same visual standpoint (Cheryl 1). When players identify with violent characters they are likely to develop violent behavior. The players develop feelings of hunger, aggressiveness, short temper and their emotions are easily aroused. Furthermore, the players are rewarded as they move to a higher level and it occurs after subduing the enemies. The habit of rewarding players who have managed to defeat

Japanese Canadians During Wwii Essay Example for Free

Japanese Canadians During Wwii Essay Japanese people were blamed for everything from a bad crop to a flat tire† (Biase). Japanese Canadians claimed they were given many dirty and hateful looks, and overheard â€Å"people cursing at Japanese for their car troubles† (Biase). The Japanese Canadians were being punished for a crime they did not commit. Canada’s only defence for its actions was that, â€Å"Japanese people were not white and they ‘could’ be spies† (Biase). This meant people were suspicious and literally afraid of Japanese for being spies sent from Japan. As a result, Japanese Canadians had to deal with being blamed for things they did not deserve, thus resulting in being treated unjustly as a human being. This notice was distributed throughout British Columbia. If any Japanese were found in the prohibited areas listed, they would be incarcerated. Thirdly, the Japanese Canadians were sent to internment camps across Canada against their will. In Canada, there were 10 internment camps where, â€Å"3 were road camps, 2 were prisoner of war camps (POW) and 5 were self-supporting camps† (Robinson). Internment camps is a â€Å"large detention  center created for political opponents,  enemy aliens, people with  mental illness, members of specific ethnic or religious groups, civilian inhabitants of a critical war-zone, or other groups of people, usually during a war† (Dictionary). In this case, internment camps in Canada at the time were designed for only Japanese Canadians. Internment camps were labour/work camps, which required heavy-duty work for the 22,000 imprisoned Japanese Canadians to do. Since World War II caused a large shortage of farmers, especially sugar beet farmers, the Security Commission Council organized, â€Å"Sugar beet projects to combat the labour shortage. This gave Japanese males a choice. The choice was to work in road camps as slaves or go to the beet camps and be with their families. Working in the beet camp was the choice taken by the majority of Japanese married men† (Biase). Considering the Japanese Canadians had to live inside the camps, the living conditions inside the internment camps were poor. They were crowded and were primitive with no electricity or running water. A story from Hideo Kukubo tells what life was like during the war: â€Å"I was in that camp for four years. When it got cold the temperature went down to as much as 60 below. The buildings stood on flat land beside a lake. We lived in huts with no insulation. Even if we had the stove burning the inside of the windows would all be frosted up and white, really white. I had to lie in bed with everything on that I had at one time there were 720 people there, all men, and a lot of them were old men. This is just one of the many horrible stories the Japanese Canadians experienced. Therefore, the Japanese Canadians were treated unfairly when they were forced to work and live in internment camps. In conclusion, the Japanese Canadians suffered during the period 1929 to 1945. They had their property and rights taken from them, they were blamed for unnecessary things and forced into camps where labour was the only thing you did all day. Therefore, when Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced a historic redress settlement for the Japanese Canadians on September 22, 1988, it truly was the best thing to do, even though it was long overdue.

Young Womens Political Empowerment Day

Young Womens Political Empowerment Day A Research Summary The results of the 2016 Presidential Election were shocking, to put it mildly, for many people in the United States. After the blatant misogyny, racism, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant rhetoric continuously spewed by Republican candidate Donald Trump, it was nearly unbelievable that he won the presidency. Hillary Clinton, the Democrat candidate, in her concession speech in the following hours perfectly addressed one of the largest concerns feminists had after this result: And to all the little girls who are watching this: never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance in the world to pursue your dreams (Clinton). This statement flies in the face of the messages being sent by the current administration and is the message feminist groups should be sending to young women and girls. These current events inspired the Local Groups to dedicate our project to the political empowerment of young women. The planning and organizing of the Local Groups Young Womens Political Empowerment Day had two distinct phases. The first phase decided what topics and issues were most relevant to the young women of the United States and the second phase planned specific events around these issues. As such, my research for the groups was split into two parts: one, to determine if voter turnout and voter registration should be a focus for our projects and two, to find appropriate venues for our events. This research paper will follow that process by first expanding on the research concerning voting statistics in the United States then moving into feminist event organizing. The research concludes that while women, in general, do not need significant time and energy dedicated to voter registration and turnout there is evidence that organizing spaces for women to learn about the United States system of government may encourage them to participate in the process. Before delving into the statistics about voting demographics in the United States, I decided to look at the global trends analyzed in the Engaging the Electorate: Initiatives to Promote Voter Turnout From Around the World report written by Andrew Ellis, Maria Gratschew, Jon H. Pammett, and Erin Thiessen from the non-governmental organization (NGO) International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). This report takes all available data on democratic elections from over 180 countries between the years of 1945 and 2006. The report had two major findings in relation to voting in the United States. First, the preliminary data showed that the United States like many other countriesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦suffers from declining voter turnout (Ellis, Geatschew, Pammett, Thiessen 33) but did not analyze the turnout rates beyond this point. Second, the report showed that the United States also follow the global patterns that countries where women gained the vote earlier tend to have higher turnout than those that made this reform more recently (Ellis, Geatschew, Pammett, Thiessen 15). These trends show the United States to be an average nation in comparison to the rest of the democratic world but do not give us enough information on the gender specific voting statistics in the nation. I then turned to the book Who Votes Now?: Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States by Jan E. Leighley and Nagler Jonathan. Chapter Two Demographics of Turnout of the book focuses on the long-term voting turnout patterns of the United States. Using data from the United States Census Bureaus Current Population Survey (CPS) and the American National Elections Studies (NES), the authors showed that between the years 1972 and 2008 there was voter turnout decline but that it has been slightly higher in some election years (Leighley Nagler 45), that women were more likely to vote than men, and that the wealthy were more likely to vote than those in poverty. These patterns were shown again the next year by the United States Census Bureau when Thom File authored a report titled Who Votes? Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978-2014. This report preformed the same analysis along race, socioeconomic status, and age lines on the most recent data on n on-presidential elections available in 2015. This report also expands on the fact that women register to vote at higher rates than men and the increase in the use of alternative methods of voting (File 13) over the past decade. Lastly, the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) released a fact sheet on their analysis of voter turnout trends from the mid-1960s, the earliest voting data available for the United States, to 2012. They also found the trend that women register to vote and vote at higher rates than men. However, they found slight differences for Asian/Pacific Islanders, who in 2000à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦[had] men vote at slightly higher rates than women (CAWP 2), and the older, 75 years old and up, voters, where the pattern is reversed (CAWP 2) completely. After presenting this data to the Local Group, we decided that we would not focus on voter turnout or voter registration during our Political Empowerment Day. However, we did agree to have the paperwork needed to register to vote at the workshops for the young women who could register to vote but had not. Ultimately, we decided to have four workshops: Government 101, a presentation that focused on how local and federal government work; How to Lobby a Legislator, a workshop where a lobbyist from Planned Parenthood would teach how to lobby; How to Jump Start Your Political Career, a workshop focusing on internship opportunities; and Ask a Woman Legislator, a panel of two to five New Jersey women legislators to answer questions about their careers. Our group then shifted to organizing these events where I focused on finding spaces for these events. As before, I started with the history of feminist organizing for historical context with the book The Oxford Handbook of Gender and Politics. The seventeenth chapter, Feminist Organizing: Whats old, whats new? History, Trends and Issues, focuses on the history of feminist organizing and speculates on where it may be heading. Our project directly relates to the historic debate about whether feminists should work inside out where one is working with or within the state (Ewig Ferree 420) or outside in where one works with grassroots campaigns. Our project aims to do both, first by empowering young girls to possible run for office and second by teaching them about government in general if they wish to challenge it. This led to Susan Brackens article Understanding Program Planning Theory and Practice in a Feminist Community-Based Organization which discussed some of the traditional problems feminist groups face such as the paradox of agency as members struggle with individual and collec tive agendas (Bracken 124) or basic technical issues such as how much to use spreadsheets in grant reports (Bracken 127). However, these traditional problems do not appear to apply to our group at this current time. There is some work that suggests that these challenges do not appear to apply to young feminists organizations because of a generational difference in activism. Julia Schuster makes this argument in her article Invisible feminists? Social media and young womens political participation where she states that social media serve[s] as a useful tool for the young womens political activities (Schuster 25) due to cost and accessibility; however, the use of the internet causes a break in communication between the second and third wave feminism and causes young feminist groups to have different challenges than their predecessors. Groups such as FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund and the Association for Womens Rights in Developments Young Feminist Activist Program have recognized this disconnect and responded by studying young feminist groups in their report Brave, Creative, Resilient: The Global State of Young Feminist Organizing. In this publication, they explore the common problems of young femi nist organizations rather than feminist organizations in general. Their finding that young feminist groups have difficulty getting funding and spaces for their events is far more applicable to our groups situation than the challenges faced by older feminist groups (FRIDA AWRD 4). This report also suggests a solution that Sarah Frey focuses on in her community outreach. Many young feminist organizations work with local community groups, like the partnership Sarah Frey wants to forge with the Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA), to get the space they need to put on their events. Lastly, I researched ways feminist organizations have been attracting attendance to their events and how they judged their success. Betsy Sinclair, Margaret McConnell, and Melissa Michelson argue that unlikely votersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦can be moved to turn out with a brief face-to-face conversation at their home (Sinclai, McConnell Michelson 52). A similar thing can happen with our events if we canvas local areas for participants to attend workshops about political empowerment. More suggestions for engagement were found in Rayo Amirsoleymanis research proposal Planning for Public Participation and Community Engagement in Contemporary Feminist Art Programs where she suggests engagement techniques such as public participation (Amirsoleymani 10) where the public takes part in the art. From this research, I knew I needed to find a place where our group could work with an already established group, an area that would be easy for the students to come to the events, and a place where students c ould engage with the presentations and workshops that would be done. From those criteria, I decided to contact the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) of Trenton, a well-established organization located near housing developments; the Trenton Public Library, another well-established organization but not as easy to get to for participants; the New Jersey State Museum, again another well-established organization that may be difficult to get to but much more engaging for the participants; and, as a last resort, the College of New Jersey, a location that would be difficult to get to but would be free for our group to utilize. My research focused on voter statistics in the United States and how to choose a location for events that would maximize attendance. I found that for the past several decades women have been voting and registering to vote at higher rates then men. I also found that a good location for empowerment workshops must be easy to get to, engaging for the possible participants, and would be best if they were connected to a local group with ties to the community for maximum participant turnout. These results led the Local Group to decide against focusing on voter turnout during out Political Empowerment Day and to focus on local community groups with ties to the community rather than locations to find a venue for our event. Work Cited Amirsoleymani, Roya C. Planning for Public Participation and Community Engagement in Contemporary Feminist Art Programs. OU Library. University of Oregon, June 2013. Web. Bracken, Susan J. Understanding Program Planning Theory and Practice in a Feminist Community-Based Organization. Adult Education Quarterly 61.2 (2011): 121-38. Clinton, Hillary. Concession Speech 2016. 9 November 2016, Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, New York, NY. Concession Speech. Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). Gender Differences in Voter Turnout. Fact Sheet. Rutgers University. New Brunswick, N.J. 2015 Web. Ellis, Andrew, Gratschew, Maria, Pammett, Jon H., and Thiessen, Erin. Engaging the Electorate: Initiatives to Promote Voter Turnout From Around the World. Ed. Ivo Balinov, Sean W. Burges, Laura Chrabolowsky, David McGrane, Juraj Hocman, Kristina Lemon, and Svitozar Omelko. Stockholm: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, 2006. Print. Ewig, Christina and Ferree, Myra M. Feminist Organizing: Whats old, whats new? History, Trends and Issues. The Oxford Handbook of Gender and Politics. Ed. Georgina Waylen, Karen Celis, Johanna Kantola, S. Laurel Weldon. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013. 411-435. Print. File, Thom. Who Votes? Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978-2014. Washington, DC: Population Characteristics, U.S. Census Bureau, 2015. Print. P20-577. FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund and Young Feminist Activist Program. Brave, Creative, Resilient: The Global State of Young Feminist Organizing. FRIDA and Association for Womens Rights in Development, 2016. Print. Leighley, Jan E., and Jonathan Nagler. Demographics of Turnout. Who Votes Now?: Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States. Princeton: Princeton U Pres, 2014. 16-51. Print. Schuster, Julia. Invisible feminists? Social media and young womens political participation. Political Science 65.1 (2013): 8-24. Sinclair, Betsy, McConnell, Margaret, and Michelson, Melissa. Local Canvassing: The Efficacy of Grassroots Voter Mobilization. Political Communication 30.1 (2013): 42-57.

Galahad as a Christ Figure Essay -- God Religion Galahad Essays Papers

Galahad as a Christ Figure Very few people can call themselves a Christ figure. There are so many elements that go into being a Christ figure. Galahad had all those elements. He was enraptured, he saw 'the wonders of the Holy Grail', and he had disciples. Also, he made life better for human beings by sacrificing himself for others, he preformed miracles, and he heard holy voices and saw holy visions. Because of all that he did Galahad was a proven Christ figure of his time. Galahad would hear holy voices and see visions throughout his journeys. Galahad saw a vision of angels praying about a silver table, meaning that he was close to the end of his search for the Holy Grail. Many times voices would help him and warn him. At one time he was about to kill one of the knights he had been fighting when a voice told him, 'If those two knights had known you as well as I do, they would let you alone.' Hearing this, Galahad rode off without killing either of the knights. The voice saved him from killing his own father. 'For once caution was the better part of valor!' Performing miracles to make life better for human beings is a characteristic that Christ figures possess. When the silver table appeared on Galahad?s boat, he needed help taking it off. He called to an old crippled man to help him carry it. The old man told Galahad that he had been crippled for far too long and such a task would be impossible for him. Finally, the cripple obeyed Galahad and when he stood up he ...

Hate Crimes and The Mitchell v. Wisconsin Decision Essay -- Hate Crime

Hate Crimes and The Mitchell v. Wisconsin Decision The American Heritage Dictionary defines hate as intense dislike or animosity. However, defining hate as the basis for a crime is not as easy without possibly jeopardizing constitutional rights in the process. Hate crime laws generally add enhanced punishments to existing statues. A hate crime law seeks to treat a crime, if it can be demonstrated that the offense was a hate crime differently from the way it would be treated under ordinary criminal law. Since the 1980s, the problem of hate crimes has attracted increasing research attention, especially from criminologists and law enforcement personnel who have focused primarily on documenting the prevalence of the problem and formulation criminal justice responses to it. Lawmakers have passed legislation to encourage data collection and attach enhanced penalties to hate crimes at both state and federal levels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Americans are assaulted merely because of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender, or disability, the law should be as tough on their assailants as it currently is tough on criminals who attack based on racial, religious, or ethnic bias. Yet only in rare circumstances can the federal government investigate and prosecute hate violence against gays, lesbians, or bisexuals. Attempts have been made to reach a definition of hate crime, including that it is a crime, most commonly violence, motivated by prejudice, bias or hatred towards a particular group of which the victim is rarely significant to the offender and is most commonly a stranger to him or her. The current law (18 U.S.C. 245) permits federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the crime was motivated by bias based on race, religion, national origin, or color, and the assailant intended to prevent the victim from exercising a "federally protected right" (e.g. voting, attending school, etc.) T his dual requirement substantially limits the potential for federal assistance in investigating or prosecuting hate crimes, even when the crime is particularly heinous.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hate crimes demand a priority response because of their special emotional and psychological impact on the victim and the victims’ community. The damage done by hate crimes cannot be measured solely in terms of physical injury or dollars and cents. Hate crimes may effectively intimidate other members of the vi... ...  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Law." Human Rights 22 (1995): 32-33 Dennis, Valerie. MTV remembers Matthew Shepard with 17-hour program on hate   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  crimes, University Wire, 01-10-2001 Feingold, Stanley. "Hate Crime Legislation Muzzles Free Speech." The National Law  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Journal 15 (July 1, 1993): 6, 16 Franke-Folstad, Kim. Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer, HATE-CRIME   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  LAWS NOT A BLACK-WHITE ISSUE. Denver Rocky Mountain News, 01-18-  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1999, pp 6A Gellman, Susan. "Sticks And Stones." UCLA Law Review 39 (December, 1991):  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  333-396 Patrick, Robert F. Cops find hate often has broad definition, The Washington Times, 04-  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  02-01, pp C1 R.A.V. v. St. Paul (505 U.S. 377) Texas v. Johnson (491 U.S. 397) The Associated Press, Reno Fights Hate Crimes, Newsday, 01-09-1998, pp A21 The Christian Science Publishing Society 30 Brad Knickerbockers, Staff writing of The   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Christian Science Monitor, Hate Crimes: Should they receive special attention?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Christian Science Monitor, 06-23-200, pp 22 U.S. v. O'Brien (391 U.S. 367) Wisconsin v. Mitchell (508 U.S. 476) Wooley v. Maynard (430 U.S. 705) W.V. State Board of Education v. Barnette (319 U.S. 624)

Internal Rate of Return

Many companies wants to have a return on their Investment In a few years and begin to evaluate their projects optimistically calculating an Internal rate of real return not yielding results In the end. This does not end up being expected by the companies; According to the article the authors John C. Keller and Justine J. McCormick . They suggest that there is a tendency to a risky behavior, Companies started to run the risk of creating unrealistic numbers for themselves and shareholder expectations, which it could confuse communications with investors and inflating managerial rewards.This confronts us with a real and serious problem when it comes to investing in projects because later we can not generate the expected return and risk of failure in the project, the AIR can generate two different values for the same project when future cash flows switch from negative to positive (or positive to negative). In addition, since the AIR Is expressed as a percentage, and This can make small p rojects appear more attractive than large , although large projects with lower AIR may be more attractive as NP of smaller projects with AIR .The management of the AIR must be just when the project generates no Interim cash flows – or when those Interim cash flows really can be invested in real AIR otherwise would not be realistically analyzing the viability of the project, and this is not what you want if you really are expecting to thrive in a project, The best you can do is to get real results that can assess the potential risks of the investment and the real return of the project.Among its disadvantages we can find that requires finally are compared with an opportunity cost of capital to determine the decision on the project. That project in which the internal rate of return, we will accept it greater than the discount rate investor (relevant Interest rate), the AIR criterion is not reliable to compare projects and only tells us whether a project Is better than the altern ative profitability. The AIR , only evaluates local Impacts that do not necessarily Impact the company as a whole system , which alms to make more money.The AIR Is Important to calculate the profitability of resources. The VPN allows feasibility analysis, when this indicator is positive projects are attractive and allows optimizing resources when the project has a higher NP than others. The AIR, only evaluates the feasibility, when this is greater than the rate of chance, but definitely does not optimizing resources. When you are evaluating projects for enterprise systems for profit, the criterion to be used, is the VPN.In non-profit companies, the appropriate criterion may be the AIR , because it allows to identify the financial feasibility and optimization of resources, meets the criteria or indicators of social evaluation, where the owner of the project, the population Is required greatest need and urgency. Taking Into account the point of views of the authors we have to mention something Important, and that Is when the cost of capital Is used, the true annual equivalent yield of a project can be significantly reduced – again , especially with projects they reported high Minimal IRS .When executives review projects with IRS that are close to cost of capital of a are not particularly real because the rate distortion reinvestment is more noticeable precisely when managers tend to think that their projects are more attractive. In conclusion, the simplest way to avoid problems with the AIR , is not use it to calculate profitability of projects because we do not want to invest on wrong assumptions , no tater whatever it's used to review projects , it is important that projects are based on real and figures close to the company objectives.This is important to achieve the desired performance as stakes and risk capital investment, An option can be for small projects because it is the most practical thing to do, but for big projects it is recommended not to f all into this kind of assumptions not realistic to avoid disappointment , you must learn to avoid the risk and not be tempted by fast optimistic estimates or investment returns that does not show us the big picture , Executives should use at least a modified internal rate of return.It is better if they use MIR to calculate the profitability because It allows users to set rates more realistic interim reinvestment and therefore to calculate a true annual equivalent yield, Other aspect to consider is whether the internal rate of return is greater than the discount rate, the project should be accepted as a higher yield that estimated the minimum required, but you can do this Just when the net cash flows are reinvested. You should think, if the internal rate of return is less than the discount rate, the project should be rejected because lower yield estimates is the minimum required.