Three Musketeers

Sunday night as I was staggering down the street with blood dripping from the gashes on my head † Oh yeah by the way it was Halloween and I was dressed up as a zombie, anyway we were Like the 3 musketeers me as a zombie, Each as a mummy, and Cattail as a witch all strolling down the streets with pockets full of sweets and I mean full as we turned the corner to go down Casey avenue there It was the lonely house at the end of the street with the creaky gate here no one went, but you know Each wanting to get sweets from every house so we went, the gate creaked as it opened the dead rose trees in the front garden and the odd rat scattering across the path sent a shiver up my spine as we approached the door bats flew around our heads the thick old wooden door creaked open I knew this wasn't a good idea an old strange man staggered towards the door we could slightly see his face in the moonlight he had a pointy nose thick grey curly hair red eyes, a pale mouth and a face as white as snowMay 3, 1999 was a day l, and many other Oklahoman, will never forget. It was Friday afternoon and I had just got off a conference call around 4:30. I was tired after a long week so I flipped on the TV to take my mind off of work. Well, there were live news reports warning there was a tornado around 70-80 miles south-southwest of Oklahoma City. I had no idea this tornado was going to stay on the ground for hours and create the strongest winds ever recorded – Ever. It started out small, like an Fl, UT as it got closer to Oklahoma City the thing – this monster off storm – got bigger and bigger and bigger! I'll never forget watching this whole thing live as it happened from the eyes of the local TV helicopters.The most chilling moments that really haunt me were to see destroyed neighborhoods moments after the tornado tore through them In the Bridge Creek/Moore suburbs that were hit the hardest. People were coming out of an elementary school, where they had taken shelter, and they were just walking around in a daze among the total destruction of what use to be heir homes. Most homes were gone and destroyed beyond recognition. I knew if the helicopters stayed on the scene long enough we would see people who had died. It was really uncomfortable to see this horror unfold as it happened while sitting in the comforts of my family room. Oh, the smell of natural gas! I can still remember how strong it was.It hung in the air for the longest time after the monster destroyed most everything in its path. We were 15 miles away, too. In all, there were over 60 rondos that day that ripped through Oklahoma and Kansas.

Environmental Ethical Issues Essay

Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies the moral status, relationship and value of human beings to the environment, along with its nonhuman contents. It is the branch of environmental philosophy that extends the conventional boundaries of ethics that solely takes on humans by embracing the nonhuman world. It employs influence on an enormous variety of disciplines including geography, ecology, economics, theology, sociology and law. Throughout the years, this discipline examined issues concerning global warming and ozone depletion, energy use and production, toxic waste, water quality, extinction, tropical deforestation, fisheries management, forestry management and waste management. History While nature was the center of attention of numerous nineteenth and twentieth century philosophy, the modern environmental ethics only came into view as a scholarly discipline during the 1970s. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1963, is among the available work that drew attention to the crisis (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). Carson’s work is made up of several essays earlier published in the New Yorker magazine pointing how pesticides like deildrin, aldrin and DDT coalesced all the way through the food web. Carson theorizes that commercial farming practices designed at exploiting crop profits and yields are capable of affecting both public and environmental health. Conversely, in 1967, historian Lynn White Jr. argues that the historical root of the environmental crisis is people’s Judeo-Christian philosophy that promotes the overexploitation of environment (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). White suggests that the attitude sustains human superiority over every other life form on earth and expresses that nature is created for human exploitation. White’s theory is extensively discussed in history, theology and has been exposed to a number of sociological testing, on top of it being repeatedly discussed by philosophers. In 1968, Paul Ehrlich, a Stanford ecologist, published â€Å"The Population Bomb,† forewarning that the escalation of human population will endanger the environmental systems’ capability to provide life-support (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). In addition, the forester Aldo Leopold had also campaigned for the conservation and appreciation of environment (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). The concerns were inspired by a combination of aesthetic and ethical responses to nature and a denunciation to offensive economic approaches that undermines the significance of the environment. Taken as a whole, however, the different viewpoints of the aforesaid philosophers have also led to the emergence of reasonably diverse environmental ethics. Current Events Currently, environmental ethics are laying down issues in numerous areas of the bio community. For instance, the World Health Organization asserts that pesticide poisoning, particularly in developing countries, causes almost 50,000 deaths every year; while the US Office of Technology Assessment claims that more than 90 percent of all human cancers are biologically induced and are obviously avoidable (Frechette, n. d. , p. 2). Some believe that the major perpetrator of this dilemma is industrial pollution, in view of the fact that the cancer rate is likely tagging along the industrialization rate all over the world. However, the most apparent consequence that unethical use of the environment has brought today is the gradual changes in the global climate. There is now a vast scientific concurrence that global warming is happening and human stimulated the said dilemma. With global warming on the rise and species and habitats dwindling, the probabilities for ecosystems to naturally adapt are diminishing. Accordingly, the supporters of environmental ethics have the same opinion that something needs to be done regarding climate change and global warming. Future Many people concur that climate change may be one of the greatest issues in environmental ethics in the future. However, there are other issues in environmental ethics that are expected to continue in the future including the wilderness destruction, waste, species extinction, resource depletion, poverty, population, nuclear weapons, marine pollution, energy, ecosystems, deforestation, atmospheric pollution and the most undervalued genetic engineering. In the United States, roughly 75 percent of its processed food contains various genetically modified ingredients (McLean, 2008). Even though humans were already altering crops long before the arrival of modern biotechnology and genetics; however, with the growing human population and the effects of climate change, it is even more expected that this process will become exceptionally prevalent in the future. Environmental ethics in food crops genetic engineering creates issues like imminent hazards to the wildlife and environment; potential socio-economic consequences; impending dangers to human health; and potential to public confidence caused in some way by refusal to label genetically modified foods as such (McLean, 2008). The field of environmental ethics is evidently important as it is concerned with the formulation of humans’ moral obligations with regard to the environment. Several concepts developed to provide solution to some issues include government intervention and market failure, economic efficiency, valuing environmental resources, and the relationship between the aggregate economy and the environment. However, without the involvement of the numerous large polluters, it may be expected that these concepts will fall short. Conclusion The convergence of legal, political and ethical debates concerning the environment, the emergence of attitudes that strengthen animal rights activism and the enigmas over whether an environment ethic is something new or only an extension or modification of existing ethical theories are continually revealed in wider political and social movements. Because of the growing concern for the environment and the consequence that human actions bring upon the environment, it is evident that the field of environmental ethics will be even more indispensable in times to come. Nevertheless, despite all of these upheavals caused by divergent philosophies, every one must indispensably remember the basic rule that environmental actions are ethical when it tends to safeguard the beauty, stability, and integrity of the environmental community and it is unethical when it tends otherwise. References Frechette, K. S. (n. d. ). Ethical Issues in Environmental and Occupational Health. Association of Schools of Public Health. Retrieved May 7, 2009, from http://www.asph. org/UserFiles/Module7. pdf McLean, M. R. (2008). The Future of Food: An Introduction to the Ethical Issues in Genetically Modified Foods. Santa Clara University. Retrieved May 8, 2009, from http://www. scu. edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/medical/conference/presentations/genetically-modified-foods. html Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2008, January 3). Environmental Ethics. Retrieved May 7, 2009, from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/ethics-

Bruce Lee

In the book Bruce Lee: They die young, writer John Lewis tells the story of the best fighter of all time. Only known as his family, Lee Jun Hwan, Bruce Lee is an enthusiastic boy who is particularly interested in fighting sports. Unfortunately, his life has become short only at the age of 32. Through this discipline but incredibly wonderful life thanks to his discipline, determination and self-improvement, Bruce Lee has proven to be a good example. One of the greatest features of Bruce Lee is his discipline. Dragon Bruce  · Lee Story based on the memoir of 1975 Linda  · Lee Blues  · Lee: Lee said that only the one I knew was in 1993 movies, in 2009 Documentary How to change the world Bruce Lee. Exhibition: In the summer of 2013, the Hong Kong Museum of Culture held the Kungfu Art Blues Lee of Life at the Hong Kong Museum of Culture. Because JACKIE CHAN BRUCE LEE | KUNGFU☠¯ (Martial Arts vs. Ze Kwon Do) 2 TUNGANS - Chinese Martial Arts Boxer! Jackie Chan's 2017 tribute to th e most exciting moments and clip editing with BRU Bruce Lee and the best battle scenes! Jackie Chan v. Bruce Lee! Special effects, martial arts battle, kickboxing speed of innovation skills, speed of agility of agility, mobility exercise, Jeet Kun Doo, Wing Chunki martial arts karate Taekwondo TKD JKD BJJ Muay Thai kickboxing, extreme vacuum hand jack chairon Hook western boxers, teaching of boxing trap interception! As a kung-fu movie and brother, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have one of the most beautiful brothers ever. Considering the death of Bruce Lee, Jackie often faces their time issues together. In a recent interview, Jackie Chan acknowledged that they had been bowled just days before the death of Bruce Lee. It is healthy, but it is very sad. Jackie Chan's Recent Hollywood Venture Capital Foreigners at opening weekend box office income over $ 100 million. At the age of 63, in the process of making a movie, Chen still performs most of his own stunts. Foreigners' success is unpre cedented, but this lovely Kung Fu Star keeps fascinating audiences of all ages and backgrounds, so it can not be denied. âÅ" ½ After Bruce Lee Jackie Chan died in a cinema in Hong Kong to meet the public's demand for martial arts movies. Besides Bruce Lee (Lee Zhongtao), Bruce Lee (Huang Guangli), Bruce Lee (Bruce Lee), Bruce Lee (Tao Tai), and: Bruce Lee has a name like the imitation theater series It was carried to. Other However, imitators can not capture the original excitement. A public who is not interested in any imitation, but experiences true martial arts interest. The movie needs a new star and another dragon Essay.com/ uses examples to critically test kung fu as a global pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu Please use examples to critically test kung fu as the world's pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu Bruce Lee Imagine, beat teens wandering on the street waiting for a boy. Well, this is the life of an actor and fighter Bruce Lee. He is the victim of daily abuse. After school, he wandered around the city, but this is busy and cruel. But without these bullying, he will not be like him. Bruce Lee is very famous despite the fact that he died due to brain damage in 1973 as he is quite famous as a martial artist made with actors and the United States and China achievements Sometime old 30 to 7 years old. Dragon Bruce  · Lee Story based on the memoir of 1975 Linda  · Lee Blues  · Lee: Lee said that only the one I knew was in 1993 movies, in 2009 Documentary How to change the world Bruce Lee. Exhibition: In the summer of 2013, the Hong Kong Museum of Culture held the Kungfu Art Blues Lee of Life at the Hong Kong Museum of Culture. Because JACKIE CHAN BRUCE LEE | KUNGFU☠¯ (Martial Arts vs. Ze Kwon Do) 2 TUNGANS - Chinese Martial Arts Boxer! Jackie Chan's 2017 tribute to the most exciting m oments and clip editing with BRU Bruce Lee and the best battle scenes! Jackie Chan v. Bruce Lee! Special effects, martial arts battle, kickboxing speed of innovation skills, speed of agility of agility, mobility exercise, Jeet Kun Doo, Wing Chunki martial arts karate Taekwondo TKD JKD BJJ Muay Thai kickboxing, extreme vacuum hand jack chairon Hook western boxers, teaching of boxing trap interception! As a kung-fu movie and brother, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have one of the most beautiful brothers ever. Considering the death of Bruce Lee, Jackie often faces their time issues together. In a recent interview, Jackie Chan acknowledged that they had been bowled just days before the death of Bruce Lee. It is healthy, but it is very sad. Jackie Chan's Recent Hollywood Venture Capital Foreigners at opening weekend box office income over $ 100 million. At the age of 63, in the process of making a movie, Chen still performs most of his own stunts. Foreigners' success is unprecedented, but thi s lovely Kung Fu Star keeps fascinating audiences of all ages and backgrounds, so it can not be denied. âÅ" ½ After Bruce Lee Jackie Chan died in a cinema in Hong Kong to meet the public's demand for martial arts movies. Besides Bruce Lee (Lee Zhongtao), Bruce Lee (Huang Guangli), Bruce Lee (Bruce Lee), Bruce Lee (Tao Tai), and: Bruce Lee has a name like the imitation theater series It was carried to. Other However, imitators can not capture the original excitement. A public who is not interested in any imitation, but experiences true martial arts interest. The movie needs a new star and another dragon Essay.com/ uses examples to critically test kung fu as a global pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu Please use examples to critically test kung fu as the world's pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu Bruce Lee Bruce  · Lee Christian  · Estrada March 22, 1996 Literature - 07 Biography  · Report brief Introduction Bruce Lee was born on November 27, 1940, the Chinese dragon year which is the moment of the dragon. From the beginning it was obvious that he was an exceptionally unique child with sufficient energy. His mother named him Lee Jun-hwan, which means going back again. When his parents and Guangdong Opera traveled together, she felt that she would return to America. Dragon Bruce  · Lee Story based on the memoir of 1975 Linda  · Lee Blues  · Lee: Lee said that only the one I knew was in 1993 movies, in 2009 Documentary How to change the world Bruce Lee. Exhibition: In the summer of 2013, the Hong Kong Museum of Culture held the Kungfu Art Blues Lee of Life at the Hong Kong Museum of Culture. Because JACKIE CHAN BRUCE LEE | KUNGFU☠¯ (Martial Arts vs. Ze Kwon Do) 2 TUNGANS - Chinese Martial Arts Boxer! Jackie Chan's 2017 tribute to the most exciting moments and clip editing with BRU Bruce Lee and the best battle scenes! Jackie Chan v. Bruce Lee! Special effects, martial arts battle, kickboxing speed of innovation skills, speed of agility of agility, mobility exercise, Jeet Kun Doo, Wing Chunki martial arts karate Taekwondo TKD JKD BJJ Muay Thai kickboxing, extreme vacuum hand jack chairon Hook western boxers, teaching of boxing trap interception! As a kung-fu movie and brother, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have one of the most beautiful brothers ever. Considering the death of Bruce Lee, Jackie often faces their time issues together. In a recent interview, Jackie Chan acknowledged that they had been bowled just days before the death of Bruce Lee. It is healthy, but it is very sad. Jackie Chan's Recent Hollywood Venture Capital Foreigners at opening weekend box office income over $ 100 million. At the age of 63, in the process of making a movie, Chen still performs most of his own stunts. Foreigners' success is unprecedented, but this lovely Kung Fu Star k eeps fascinating audiences of all ages and backgrounds, so it can not be denied. âÅ" ½ After Bruce Lee Jackie Chan died in a cinema in Hong Kong to meet the public's demand for martial arts movies. Besides Bruce Lee (Lee Zhongtao), Bruce Lee (Huang Guangli), Bruce Lee (Bruce Lee), Bruce Lee (Tao Tai), and: Bruce Lee has a name like the imitation theater series It was carried to. Other However, imitators can not capture the original excitement. A public who is not interested in any imitation, but experiences true martial arts interest. The movie needs a new star and another dragon Essay.com/ uses examples to critically test kung fu as a global pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu Please use examples to critically test kung fu as the world's pop culture. Everyone is a battle of kung fu bruce lee Bruce Lee Blues Lee is probably the best fighter of all time. I was born in San Francisco, California on November 27, 1940. A few months after he was born, Bruce and his family returned to Hong Kong. Bruce starred in many movies as a child. The role he initially starred was actually when he was 6 years old. This is the character Little Orphan Sam in the movie. At the age of 12, Bruce began teaching martial arts from legendary Eien Spring artist Master Shif Yapman. Bruce Lee personally recognized three coaches: Taki  · Kimura, James  · Imrie and Dan  · Inosanto. Inosanto came directly from Lee Elong (coach) of Chinese Kung Fu of Jeet Kune Do, Jun Fan Gung Fu and Bruce Lee. Taky Kimura is ranked 5th in Jun Fan Gung Fu. James Yimm Lee went 3rd in Jun Fan Gung Fu. Ted Wong got second in Jeet Kune who was directly accredited by Bruce Lee, later promoted to coach of Dan Inosanto. Since Mr. Li's death, other Jeet Kune Do coaches have been certified directly by Dan Inosanto, some of wh ich still have certificates signed by Bruce Lee. Linda Lee's memoir of 1975 Bruce Lee: 1993 film based on only a man I knew Dragon: The Story of Bruce Lee and 2009 Documentary How Bruce Lee changes the world Lee's life is depicted in. In the summer of 2013, the Hong Kong Cultural Museum hosted the exhibition Lee Kodoku: Kung Fu Art Life. BRUCE LEE vs. JACKIE CHAN | 2 TUNGANS OF KUNGFU ☠¯ (Giant clone vs. wish) - Chinese fighting boxer! The best battle scene 2017 of Bru Lee Xiaolong and Jackie Chan is a tribute to the most exciting moments and editors. Jackie Chan v. Bruce Lee! Stunt, Martial Arts Fight, Boxing Kicking Speed ​​Technical Skill Agility Strength, Mobility Sports, Martial Arts Karate Martial Arts Karate Taekwondo TKD JKD BJJ Kickboxing Muay Thai, Kyokushin Kairon Karate Javelin Hook Western Boxer, Trap Intercept Boxing Teaching As brothers of martial arts and films, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are among the most beautiful brothers in history. Considering the death of Bruce Lee, Jackie often faces their time issues together. In a recent interview, Jackie Chan acknowledged that they were bowling just a few days before Bruce Lee's death. It is healthy, but it is very sad. Jackie Chan's recent Hollywood venture capital company, The Foreigner, earned over $ 100 million box office revenue in the US at the weekend opening. In the process of making a movie, Chen is still doing much of his own stunt performance when he is 63 years old. Although the success of foreigners is unprecedented, it is undeniable as this lovely Kung Fu Star keeps fascinating audiences of all ages and backgrounds. âÅ" ½

Online Article Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Online Article - Assignment Example Herzberg’s two factor theory suggests that there are specific factors that lead to a person’s satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their work environment. These factors can motivate someone to stay in a job or look to find another one. Stress is a common process that many people go through on a daily basis. Often this happens as the result of everyday challenges that people get used to after some time. In some cases, when stress happens because of some physical trauma or from combat, the stress can become a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can be something that a person deals with on a daily basis that effects their home life and they may suffer from it in their workplace. The three topics for this paper were chosen because they all have some factor that can be presented to managers in some way. Job satisfaction is very important today as people continue to seek new jobs and managers are looking to hire the best people in the job. Also, lea rning style can play a role in developing opportunities for people and can determine the types of jobs an individual decides to apply for on a regular basis. Knowing ones learning style and how they take in information can present more opportunity for moving forward in their life. Learning Styles (Auditory,Visual or Kinesthetic) [VAK] There are many learning styles but the VAK system pays particular attention to the auditory, visual or kinesthetic aspects of learning. This learning system has been used with a variety of different areas. The article chosen for this section is one written by Whiteley (2007) who chose to research the effects of the VAK system in online learning. This article suggested that there are a variety of ways to design online course, but that learning styles should be taken into account when they are designed. Students have different ways that they take in information and this should be take into consideration when assignments are created. The article explained that the VAK system was designed to help learners understand how to adapt their learning styles to online course, but that professors should plan their courses around learning styles. The article explains each aspect of the learning process and how professors can design specific course assignments to provide each student with the information in the course in their desired style. The article provides a thorough understanding of the VAK system and how it relates to other systems like NLP, and points out that when a student can engage their learning style, they experience less stress in the classroom. This article supports the topic of VAK and of stress in that it explains what professors can do for each type of learner. In management, the VAK system can also be taken into account when a manager is attempting to train workers in a certain topic. As an example, the trainer would have different activities that reinforce the learning such as handouts (visual), audiotapes or lecture (audi tory), hands on interactive programs or group work (kinesthetic). By providing a variety of ways to grasp the information, the trainer can be sure that all employees receive the information they need. Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory In exploring the literature about Herberg’s two factor theory, many of the articles were specific to different work factors or situation. Also, most

Self Organizing Maps (SOM) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Self Organizing Maps (SOM) - Research Paper Example The performance of ANNs is better than that of traditional methods of problem solving. This enhances a comprehensive understanding of the human cognitive abilities. From the available learning algorithms and neural network architectures, the SOM forms the most popular SOM. They use data visualization techniques by Teuvo Kohonen to reduce data dimension using self-organizing neural networks. The data visualization problems attempt to handle problems that are beyond human visualization for high dimensional data. SOMs act as a non-parametric network containing combination of data spatialization and abstraction, hence used in visual clustering. SOM is among the most popular methods of neural networks for use in cluster analysis. This occurs due to topology preserving and self organizing nature for SOM. The SOMs act as abstract model for topographic mapping. Modeling and analysis of mapping enhance understanding of perception, encoding, recognition and processes received and beneficial to the machine-based recognition of the patterns SOM possess prominent visualization properties. Developed from the associative memory model, SOM uses unsupervised learning algorithm characterized by simple computational form and structure enhanced by the retina-cortex mapping. The self-organization nature act as a fundamental process of pattern recognition, and allows learning the intra- and inter-pattern relationships for the stimuli without potential bias. SOM may provide the topologically preserved mapping to all the output spaces from input. Though the computational form proves to be simple, most aspects related to the algorithm must be investigated (Zhang et al 2010, p. 6359). 2.0 Basic principles of SOM The Kohonen self-organizing map encompasses a neural network, and various characteristics similar to the working of the human brain. Basically, SOM avails some classificatory resources that are organized based on patterns available for classification. The single layer of the neu ral network consists of neurons within n-dimensional grid. The grids allow the definition for the neighborhoods in the output space rather than the input space. The input and output spaces constitute the main SOM. This can also be performed through the use of tools that map vectors within the input space to output the space that preserves topological relations in the output space (Yang et al 2012, p.1371). SOM use unsupervised competitive learning and attempts to conform to the available input data. The SOM nodes act as inputs and contain some principle SOM features. Topological relationship between inputs is preserved after mapping into the SOM network. This pragmatically represents the complex data. SOMs use vector quantization in data compression processes. The SOMs offer an appropriate means of representing the multi-dimensional data in the lower dimensional space using one or two dimensions. This enhances visualization and understanding of data in low dimensions. Therefore, SOM s facilitates manipulation of complex data, especially in visualization of large quantities of data in an

Beowulf Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Beowulf - Research Paper Example That includes the possibility of becoming proud. In the end one can say that it was pride that led Beowulf to his death in that combat with the dragon. He had become old. As Hrothgar probably saw in advance, Beowulf’s pride kept him from seeing his limitations. This being so, he went to do battle with the dragon on his own at the end of his life, and in so doing got killed. Hrothgar’s words therefore ring true. At the height of Beowulf’s success he knew that Beowulf was vulnerable too. He was vulnerable to becoming proud just like all human beings are. As Hrothgar cautions: â€Å"Ban, then, such baleful thoughts, Beowulf dearest, best of men, and the better part choose, profit eternal; and temper thy pride, warrior famous!† (â€Å"Beowulf†). It is important to see that Hrothgar was speaking from the point of view of experience and great wisdom. He saw that Beowulf was truly remarkable. He was able to do what his best men could not. He was in despair because his peace was gone from Grendel’s attacks. He was powerless to do anything about the dragon. On the other hand Beowulf was able to slay the dragon and also his mother, with his own hands. He was able to do battle with Grendel without using any arms too. Such was his power and his abilities that he was able to do all of this. Moreover, Hrothgar saw that Beowulf was also very popular. His fame had spread very far. In the midst of all these Hrothgar knew that any mortal man would become proud. When he gave out the warning to Beowulf he was not trying to diminish Beowulf’s success. He was trying to protect him in a way from his own self. This self is the self of all men. Men can be blinded by their own success. In modern life we see this all the time. The g reat actor who is able to generate blockbuster movies often becomes proud and difficult to work with, for example. Rulers of countries become blinded and intoxicated by their own success.

Pyschology Cast study assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pyschology Cast study assignment - Essay Example (Plante, 2005: 63). They believe in themselves, but their perception of their own self image is also affected by the feedback from others. In Steven’s case, his father’s constant criticism and ridicule in childhood, coupled with a lack of the father’s love, time, care and support may have threatened Steven’s image of himself as a strong person and a real â€Å"male†, thereby affecting his self esteem. In effect, his father’s behavior was tantamount to rejection of Steve, especially when he failed to sympathize with Steve when he was bullied, further eroding Steve’s self image as a male through a failure to identify with the only male he knew as a child. This has only been compounded by his mother’s attitude to him. Abnormal behavior may arise when the spectrum of basic needs that an individual has, such as air, water, food, love, belonging and self actualization, are not satisfied. (Simson and Strauss, 2003: 178). Steven’s mother was too affectionate to her son, so when she abruptly refused to let Steve into her bed, it appears likely that the boy would have perceived this also as a rejection. The causal act leading to the rejection was his masturbation, but he is unable to control this, thus placing him in a position where masturbation in the presence of a real woman appears wrong – leading to feelings of anxiety and guilt, with an impairment in his sexual function, as evidenced in his failure to perform with his girlfriend. Steven’s anger at his mother for ‘rejecting’ him is expressed in his anger against women, and the only time he is able to allow his sexuality to thrive without associat ed feelings of guilt, is when he sees celluloid women being hurt and violated because this makes him feel powerful. The feelings of depression Steven has been suffering from can thus be attributed to the conflict between his self worth and the reality of his parents’ ‘rejection’, which has produced feelings of anxiety and

Comparative Econ Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparative Econ - Assignment Example The Washington consensus package consisted of ten policies elaborate enough to cover macro and micro economic variables in respect to market and trade. The package included stimulus recommendations relating to tax reforms, fiscal policies, liberalization of trade, deregulation among others (Scott 357). Contrary to what the name suggests, â€Å"Washington Consensus† was not made in Washington. The Washington Consensus package was in fact borrowed from the economic stimulus policies that were being used in Latin America to mitigate the effects of economic crisis. Actually, Williamson resents the fact that the package was named Washington Consensus since it has nothing to do with Washington. The Washington Consensus ideology was very popular in Latin American countries. The events that happened immediately after the World War II disrupted the economic structures of countries in Latin America. This prompted the need for economic reforms that would ensure recovery of the overall economy amidst influential factors of politics. â€Å"Washington Consensus† came to happen because this region needed the back up of Washington in order to succeed (Scott 185). The economic reforms in Chile can greatly be attributed to the Washington consensus albeit indirectly. The â€Å"Chicago Boys† made economic recovery after the fall of military rule and prowess of the same possible. Friedman and Harberger trained these young economists in the department of economics in University of Chicago. The idea was generated by the U.S as it sought to influence reforms of Chilean economy. The Chicago boys brought the same ideas of market-oriented economy common with Washington Consensus to Chile. All these events happened after Pinochet, head military ruler, stepped down. Currently Chile finds pride in their economic and social status in the world, which they owe indirectly to Washington Consensus (Scott 208). The aftermath of WWII left Japan in ruins with no viable political

Analysis Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis Writing - Essay Example The last trait of his hierarchy of needs is self-actualization which serves as the pinnacle of human character’s highest inner traits such as our capacity to love, spirituality, to create and to have compassion. Although this was not empirically verified by Maslow himself, this theory of his about motivation still stands today (Goodman 1968). According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need, our needs motivate us to do the things that we do. The five levels of motivation of Abraham Maslow are physiological need, safety need, social need, esteem need and self-actualization need. The physiological needs are the physical needs that we need to satisfy in order to live such as eating when we are hungry, drinking when we are thirsty. Our safety needs on the other hand are our need to feel safe and secure and will act accordingly to this need when we are threatened to preserve ourselves. Our love needs are our need for belonging and love. People who have not satisfied this need will feel isolated and lonely. Self-esteem needs are the need to feel good about ourselves and this comes in the form of respect and how others perceive us. Finally, the self-actualization need which is the most complex of all is to the need to satisfy our need to be fulfilled whose methods could range in a lot of things from satisfying our aesthetic need, growth needs or plainly doing the things that we love and feel good about in doing it (Hoffman 1992). Applying these principles to some elements of my life, knowledge and experience, I can relate this to my present stature as a student. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can help solve some basic issues in my daily life such as procrastination and the understanding why I do things the way I do and make me better as a person by understanding myself more. I can apply here why I tend to procrastinate in doing some projects and admittedly, including studying and other school works. Analysing my stature as a student based on Maslow’s hierarchy

Physical Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Physical Science - Essay Example Weight gain is the dependent variable as its value is determined by another variable in the study, frequency of consumption. The study will be implemented through an experimental design. This approach involves random selection of research participants who are then grouped into experimental and control groups. Placement into either experimental or control groups are also done randomly. Treatment is then applied on the experimental group and data collection and data analysis follows. The research design is preferred for the study because of its strength in evaluating correlation relationship. Existence of experimental and control groups establishes ground for comparisons. In the study, 150 16-year-olds will be recruited, randomly from an academic institution. They will be informed of the scope of the research and their consent, together with their parents’ approval obtained. The students will be restrained from consuming French fries for two weeks and their weights measured. They will then be organized into three groups of 30 participants each, by random selection. One group, the control group will b e restrained from using French fries, another group will be restricted to two times per week consumption of French fries and the third group allowed to take French fries three times a week. Discipline to the assigned consumptions rates will be monitored for four weeks. I shall assume the full responsibility of designing and implementing the study. This will aim at ensuring diligence in implementation of the research design and elimination of potential bias that could arise from self-interest of a contracted party. Data will then be collected for each group, after four weeks, and analysis for any significant difference in mean weight change across the groups done. Two approaches will be used for data analysis. The first approach will investigate possible difference in individuals’ weights

A play which explores the effect of relationships Essay Example for Free

A play which explores the effect of relationships Essay Task: Choose a play which explores relationships in a family/community. What strengths and/or weaknesses are apparent in these relationships and what is the overall effect on the family/community. A play which explores the effect of relationships in a family and community is â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† by William Shakespeare. The relationship between Romeo and Juliet, themselves, is key to the play and this relationship also embodies the family feud discussed in the play. Shakespeare conveys the lovers’ relationship as one built upon utter trust and devotion. Yet it is ill-fated due to the ancient feud between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The family grudge holds great importance and affects the lives of every citizen in the town of Verona. In the beginning of the play we are introduced to both the lovers. Romeo is portrayed as a depressed and melancholic person as the girl he loves does not love him back and Juliet as a girl who is unwilling to be married to a suitor of her parent’s choice. Romeo is in love with a Capulet girl called Rosaline and in order to see her he goes, uninvited, to a Capulet ball. He catches sight of Juliet at the ball and immediately falls in love with her. Much to his disappointment he finds out she is a Capulet: â€Å"Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt. † Although Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet he knows it is not that simple in Verona. He realises that because they are from rival families their relationship would never be permitted. From the very beginning their relationships is said to be â€Å"star-cross’d† as their families have been mortal enemies. There is a major difference shown between Romeos love for Rosaline and his love for Juliet. When he is in love with Rosaline, Romeo is depressed. But, when he sees Juliet, it is a whole different story. He suddenly experiences true love as he had never felt with Rosaline. From the moment Romeo first sees Juliet their bond is very intense. When describing the love between Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare often uses poetic and romantic language: â€Å"O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! † Romeo compares Juliet to a candle’s light and says that she is incredibly beautiful. Shakespeare’s use of this â€Å"love at first sight† scenario emphasises that the young lovers have and instant and deep connection. This emphasises the strength of their devotion to each other. In the balcony scene, although Romeo and Juliet have only known each other for a short while, their love is very intense. Shakespeare uses various images to convey this: â€Å"Two of the fairest stars do entreat her eyes† Juliet’s eyes are being compared to twinkling stars which shows how much Romeo loves her. Romeo believes Juliet to be the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and this image conveys this. This symbolises their strong love for each other. Later on we see that Romeo is overcome by his love for Juliet and he even risks his life to see her. When a fight starts to form in the street Romeo makes it clear that he is not interested in fighting: â€Å"Tybalt, the reason I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage† Even though the idea of being loyal to your own family is prominent throughout the play, Romeo is willing to forget the family feud and â€Å"love† his enemies for Juliet’s sake. This is important as is shows their commitment to each other. They are both willing to forget a centuries old family feud that shapes their whole life in order to be committed to each other and this is clearly a strength. Even when Juliet finds out that Romeo has killed her cousin, although she is upset and distraught, she is willing to forgive him as her devotion to him is so strong. Another aspect which shapes Romeo and Juliets relationship is the feud. The feud is the main weakness throughout the play and it has great impact on the community in Verona. When a fight breaks out in the street it is clear where the citizens loyalties are: â€Å"The quarrel is between our masters and us their men† In Verona, everyone is forced to take sides even the employees. It is clear from this why Romeo and Juliet’s relationship would be a problem as the feud has such a strong grip on society that there is no way of them being together other than in secret. Another scene in which the power of the feud comes through is when everyone is discussing what must be the consequence of Romeo’s actions: â€Å"Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live† Lady Capulet’s harsh words are conveying how the feud makes everyone stand their ground and the idea of forgive and forget is not even considered. The feud is the reason for Romeo and Juliet’s poor relationship as their families are so hostile towards each other. The feud causes the division in their community and the separation of the two families. In the end, it is only after the death of both Romeo and Juliet, a huge sacrifice, that their families reconcile and agree to live in peace. Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is one that is powerful yet it is always plagued by the feud of their families. Shakespeare’s use of imagery and symbolism to convey their relationship is highly powerful and only intensifies the bond between them.

How Propaganda Helped the Nazi Government to Control Germany Essay Example for Free

How Propaganda Helped the Nazi Government to Control Germany Essay The Nazis used propaganda in many different ways. They closed down all the opposing newspapers available to German people controlled by Nazis. This means that the Germans only read good things about the Nazis they couldn’t see all the malicious things they had been doing. Radio stations were to broadcast Nazi programmes featuring speeches by Hitler and German antisemitic music. There were many Nazi parades and rallies. There were posters everywhere, these emphasized the strengths and the positive things about Nazis, however, they could be easily ignored. Speeches by Hitler could be heard on loudspeakers in many places, this made people respect and admire him. Foreign films were banned and new antisemitic Aryan films were made, showing all the Nazi achievements and advertising antisemitism and Arianism. This also emphasized the strengths of Hitler, the Nazis and Aryan Germany. The Germans only saw the fabulous things about the Nazis, some people were oblivious to the horrible and wrong things going on and many people agreed with it. People didn’t like Jews. Hitler and the Nazis built on this hate, saying that they were to blame for Germanys decline. Hitler wouldn’t let anybody see the whole picture, he used positivity, made Germans proud.The Nazis incinerated all non-German, Jewish and communist books. Hitler rewrote school books to say wonderful things about Aryans and the Nazis, this made the children admire him and the boys want to be like him.The Germans arrested all the people that said anything unwanted about Hitler or the Nazis. People were encouraged to denounce each other, neighbors, friends and family. They also arrested all the opponents such as communists, Jews and anti-Nazis. Anybody that might make people think bad of the Hitler and the Nazis were punished: arrested, sent to camps, a lot of people were exterminated. Free short-range radios were given out so Hitler could be in everyones homes and so the people can’t listen to BBC speaking the wise truth!

Comparison Of Online And Traditional Learning English Language Essay

Comparison Of Online And Traditional Learning English Language Essay Over the past decade, researchers have demonstrated that technology can be a useful and effective tool to administer education. Although, nothing can take the place of the teacher in terms of developing students education, online education is making their way into classrooms and homes now. The teachers are not the only ones who can open the door to education for students whereas the computer plays an additional role in helping students education technologically as a useful tool. Although you cant get the direct interaction; online learning provides convenient learning. (Shoeman-Jones 2009) With the economic conditions changing people are opting to go online. More people are working and going to school which will make them competitive and give the working man options about his education. However, online learning can be effective for students if its used wisely. The main focus of online is convenience but it can also be an alternative to get outside beyond the walls and connect to soci ety rather than sitting in a classroom. Computers are used for just about everything but can it really replace the classroom? In fact, education and technology, if we understand it in its broadest sense, is changing everyday in every way. Therefore students have several different options that can best suit their needs. Researchers agree that Technology is so advanced and sophisticated but can it really take the place of the teacher who can motivate, organize and manage the whole class by creating the pleasant aura of active teaching and learning process, but many have drawn quite different conclusions in addressing the following questions: 1. What are the advantages of a classroom setting? Classroom Vs Online 3 2. What are the disadvantages of a classroom setting? 3. Can Online Education be just as effective as the classroom? 4. What are the implications of Online Learning? This review of Teacher Vs Online focuses on these four questions. What are the Advantages of a Classroom Setting? In an influential article, Neobrain, Wright, and Cleaver (2009) argued that everyone need a person who can both understand their needs, their weak points and strong points and also know the most effective and suitable methods for the students to make them realize themselves what they are going to do is right or wrong. For the students in the classroom, computers are amazingly useful machines that, in almost no time, can perform sophisticated operations and solve difficult questions, which even the teacher, let alone students, cannot do. With that said the teacher can know who is following his teaching and who is not and give relevant examples during his teaching to keep the class interested in the subject he is explaining. Another advantage of classroom learning is that the teacher can give students the real essence of education by nourishing students hearts and opening students minds during the classroom teaching. Also, students have the advantage of having face-to-face interaction with the teacher which enhances their classroom experience. (Wonacott 2002) Teachers feel that they can assess their students better through weekly interaction in the classroom. In classrooms with a smaller teacher-to-student ratio, students can even get more direct assistance. Because there is real time interaction and students and their instructor speak instead of typing, more ground can be covered in less time. An instructor or student can point to a page in their text. The instructor can write Classroom Vs Online 4 information down on a white board. Students can discuss information with each other, and because they are speaking in person, there is less chance that one of them will be misunderstood. One thing that is affected by the Online Learning is the social interaction. (Anderson 2007) Social Interaction is important because traditional classroom teaching also provides students with the opportunity to have real social interaction with one another. This interaction in turn allows for the students to help one another in terms of academics or in terms of personal issues. Good learningis collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated (Fulford, 6). When students sit in chairs next to each other they learn from each others mistakes and learn social interaction skills. Also, traditional schools offer sports, recreation, student clubs and organizations, and other activities that allow you to form friendships and social networks. Good social interaction is a key part of living well. Study after study shows that good friendships, family relationships and health as the most important things to have in order to be happy and fulfilled. In this sense, again the computers performa nce is nothing compared to the traditional classroom. What are the Disadvantages of a classroom setting? In a traditional classroom environment, there are usually anywhere from twenty to thirty children and one teacher. In some cases, that teacher might have a teachers aid or an assistant teacher. This is where the disadvantage starts- it is simply impossible for one person to give each student the one-on-one attention or instruction that may be required. In a classroom of twenty to thirty students, there are going to be several students with differing learning styles and academic strengths and weaknesses. (Alavi Gallupe 2003) Classroom Vs Online 5 Which brings to light the next disadvantage of a traditional classroom. In a traditional classroom environment, its not uncommon for students to become bored or frustrated. Some students learn better by visual means, others will learn better with auditory means, and still others are going to learn better with a hands-on approach. It is virtually impossible for a single teacher to accommodate all methods of learning when he or she is responsible for teaching a large number of students. Thus, children who do not fall into the traditional learning method category are far more likely to fall through the cracks, become bored or discouraged, or to display behavior problems in the classroom. (Shoeman-Jones 2009) The traditional classroom environment works well for a large number of students, but there are many others who simply have difficulty learning in this environment, have difficulty interacting with peers, or who require more one-on-one attention and time to grasp certain concepts. In traditional classrooms, lecture is the main form of learning. One characteristic of traditional learning is: The student is forced to be in the same time day in and day out. With the economic changes we are facing in todays age and tuition cost rising, students are working. The career fields are more competitive and people are not alone seeking employees with an education but also experience. So with that said, students are seeking alternative options for acquiring an education so they can remain competitive in todays job market. Sitting in a classroom is not an ideal setting for some students. Being able to pace and not have strict time constraints on assignments can be beneficial. Some students have odd working hours and dont have the time to get to class on time and that can cause stress mentally and physically. Also, students have Classroom Vs Online 6 finally found themselves able to help themselves and get self-educated even long after finishing the class. (Shoeman-Jones 2009) Perhaps this may be the most significant fact that makes the difference between the teacher and the machine. You can cover more material and ground at your own pace and complete the class early. On the other hand, Classroom learning does have its disadvantage especially competing with convenience. Can online education be just as effective as the classroom? With so many advancements with the internet you have many options for online learning. From websites that exists to help elementary students prepare for statewide tests, to middle and high schools having the opportunity to take classes online and complete make up work. The internet has certainly made learning convenient and a much simpler process. Giving students flexibility in learning may push someone that may otherwise decide not to finish high school or even enroll in college into completing to a different decision. Also most students work either full or part time therefore having the option to take classes online is a great advantage for them. Education is now one of the many opportunities available for consumers on the Internet. The online student population is expanding by 30 percent a year, with over 75 percent of traditional colleges and universities getting into the market, according to experts. With the Internet, distance degrees have become a viable and valuable option fo r the individual who may not be able to enroll full-time in a traditional brick-and-mortar institution. (Neal) What is online education? Who can take online classes? Is an online degree the same as a degree from a college that you take on campus? These are some questions that you may want to know the answers to before deciding to enroll in online classes. According to, www.blackboard.com online education can be Classroom Vs Online 7 defined as an approach to teaching and learning that utilizes Internet technologies to communicate and collaborate in an educational context. This includes technology that supplements traditional classroom training with web-based components and learning environments where the educational process is experienced online. Anyone with access to the internet can take classes online. Whether you obtained your degree online or on a campus your degree is treated the same as long as the institution is accredited. Colleges offering online or blended classes have online learning tools that you take your classes at and participate in discussions. At Florida State Community College they use a platform called Blackboard. On Blackboard you can also view your grades and email other classmates, teachers also use this site to post messages to the students. You can also take exams and quizzes on blackboard. Unless there is scheduled maintenance Blackboard is accessible twenty-four hours per day, seven d ays per week. This is convenient for the students, and makes life much easier. Since September 11, 2001, the number of overseas inquires about online learning has jumped 40 percent. (Neal) There are many advantages and disadvantages that students take into consideration before enrolling in online classes. One of the best advantages to online classes is flexibility. Online classes do not require you to commute. In some cases, students travel from more than one campus. Most students like that they can make their own schedule, choosing to take your classes during the day or even in the middle of the night. When taking online classes you dont have to sacrifice a lot of your free time, especially when you can do work any time day or night. Classroom Vs Online 8 Students really dont have to leave the comfort of their own home, not to mention time saved on traveling to class and the amount of money saved on gas. You dont have to worry about what youre going to wear to school. Some students dread participating in class, they may not be scared to speak to others but sometimes having all eyes on you may make your uncomfortable. Participating with online discussion gives you a voice that may have otherwise have never been heard. Moving away from shyness and also giving you a better participation grade. If youre not a good note taker, dont worry, most of the lectures are already written out for you and you can go back and look at it anytime that you would like. If you have small children you can care for them and take your classes without having to send them off to daycare. Weve seen the commercials on television all the time, mostly of students in their pajamas and imagine that it could be us. Not having to go into a classroom and listen to a lon g lecture that you may think is so boring can otherwise be seen online and you dont have to worry about dosing off. Some students may have otherwise recorded the lectures in order to listen to again at a later time, now they can go back to it on the schools learning tool. Being able to complete assignments at home without any distractions from other classmates is also an advantage, especially for those who have a short attention span. Another advantage of online learning is the accessibility of learning materials. No matter your program of study you will more than likely able to find classes pertaining to your degree. Being able to control the timeframe in which you obtain your degree is another advantage, most colleges offer accelerated degree programs. Even though you may be earning your degree faster than most does not mean the task will not be difficult, you have to be dedicated in obtaining your degree or you may fail. You can also work on more the one degree Classroom Vs Online 9 program at a time. Make sure that you have a laptop so that anytime you have free time you can pick it up and get to work. Another advantage is that in some online classes most tests and quizzes are given online giving you the opportunity to use your textbooks. Even if the tests are timed you are more likely to score higher if you have the information in front of you to pass the test or quiz. If you have good time management skills and do not find yourself procrastinating often then online learning may be a good option for you. What are the disadvantages of Online Learning? There are many disadvantages as well to online learning. One disadvantage that students complain about is face to face interaction with other students and the teachers. One of the most common disadvantages that students have is the lack of supervision which leads to procrastination. Some students need constant motivation from teachers and students in order to succeed, so if you are not able to work on your own you shouldnt consider online classes. Even though you can wake up in the middle of the night to complete a paper at the last minute you find yourself doing it more often due to the lack of supervision. Usually students with poor study habits fail at online learning. Self-Pace is a lot of hard work and dedication. Usually online classes require you to read more and complete more assignments versus traditional classroom whereas you would take notes. Another disadvantage is that most online classes usually cost more than the classes taken on campus. With the rising cost of tuition and books, online fees are not far behind and doubling every year. Be sure to check with your college of choice when making this decision. Even though you may be saving with travel expenses you need to make sure that you are not paying so much more for your classes that saving on the traveling is not a Classroom Vs Online 10 big difference. If youre only reason to take online classes is to save money on traveling you may want to check on the cost of your online course first before making your decision. You also have to be very computer savvy or succeeding with an online course will be nearly impossible for students. With most online courses you are on the internet most of the time so you may want to make sure you are very familiar with the internet before starting an online class. To develop your computer skills to take online classes, you can take a computer course on most college campuses, and this should be done before signing up for online classes if you think you need better computer skills. Some online credits may also not be transferable so you may want to make sure that you check with your advisor before trying to transfer any credits. Not every school in the nation has migrated to virtual world completely. Make sure that you also that you find a fully accredited program. Conclusion Taking the advantages and disadvantages into consideration will make your decision easier when considering your education. Whatever path you decide to go be sure to weigh all of your options, and do what is best for you and not what others may think is best for you. We all have different learning styles so what may be the best option for me may not be the best option for you. Many have earned their degrees online or through blended classes and their degrees is just as good as the person who earned it in a traditional classroom environment. Just be very careful in choosing am program that is accredited or the classes youve taken could not only be a waste of time but also money. When it comes to education, there simply is no one size fits all answer. The teacher has got a unique human brain that can perform teaching in a way that the Classroom Vs Online 11 computer, a mere artificial brain, cannot do. Well when it comes down to it, traditional classroom will always win, you cannot put value on the long time study of a profession thats proven to be effective but if youre willing to step outside box consider taking at least one class online, just to see if its right for you. Remember you have to fail sometimes in order to succeed. Classroom Vs Online 12

Persuasive Speech: Solar Power -- Persuasive Speech

Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience that that solar power should become the main form of alternative energy in the Unites States. Introduction: Attention Getter: Let’s look ahead fifty years and see what the world is like. Imagine a world that is in total war with no end in sight. The cause behind this war is simple, oil. Everyone is fighting over those last few reserves of oil. How can this future be prevented? The answer is solar power. Claim: Solar power has the potential to become the United States main supply of energy and replace are needs for more conventional and harmful forms of power generation. Significance: The United States must face the fact that the world is running out of oil and with today’s rising oil prices, economic and political instability in regions where the United States gets the majority of its oil, this country must begin looking into alternative means of energy to replace oil and end our dependence on foreign powers. Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy. Body: I. With the world’s supply of oil running dry the Unites States must begin looking into new sources of energy, and the most promising is solar power. A. Scientists predict that in the next several decades the world will run out of oil. According to the article How Fast is the World Running out of Crude Oil by Umut Newbury accessed from the EBSCO Host database states that â€Å"world oil production o... ... must be universally adopted, and solar power is the key to unlocking that bright future. Works Cited Clayton, Mark. "The Cost of Solar Energy Will Soon Compare with the Cost of Coal." Coal (2011). Print. 18 November 2014. David, Leonard. "Proposed Satellite Would Beam Solar Power to Earth." 6 April 2012. Space.com. Website. 18 November 2014. Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. EMISSIONS OF HAZERDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FROM COAL- FIRED POWER PLANTS. Environmental Report. Needham, 2011. Print. 18 November 2014. Hamer, Glenn. "Solar Power Can Help Fuel the Future." Energy Alternatives (2006). Print. 19 November 2014. Newbury, Umut. "How Fast is the World Running out of Crude Oil." Mother Earth News October 2004: 28. 18 November 2014. Rotman, David. "Finding a Solar Solution." Technology Review 2 (2012): 48-51. Print. 22 November 2014.

Foster Care Essay -- Social Issues, Adoption and Safe Family Acta

There are too many children in foster care. Despite federal legislation (viz., the Adoption and Safe Family Act [ASFA], among other legislative directives) designed to reduce the number of children in care, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010) indicates that of the 285,000 children exiting care in 2008, only 52 percent were reunified with their parents or primary caretakers. Although ASFA also has statutory guidelines designed to reduce the amount of time required for the courts to decide permanent placement for children that have been removed from their parents, children exiting foster care in 2008 spent an average of 21.8 months in state custody (U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services). These outcomes create several questions for researchers, two of which are pertinent to the current study: 1) What factors influence whether children are reunified with their families; and 2) What factors influence the timeliness with which reunification occurs? Prior research has attempted to answer these questions by focusing on demographic information such as age, race, education of parents and children (e.g., Courtney, 1994; Wulczyn, 2004), and income (e.g., Courtnety, 2004; Eamon, 2002); family composition such as single parent homes and number of adults in home (e.g., Davis, Landsverk, Newton, & Ganger, 1996; Harris & Courtney, 2003). One caveat to these examinations is that many of them look at factors like e.g., race, family composition, poverty; they did not focus on the processes and/or structures of the juvenile dependency court system itself. The present study attempts to overcome this caveat by examining a process factor—involvement of the parents and their respective legal representatives at early decision-m... ...fathers were not involved (Malm et al., 2008). Children whose non-resident fathers were highly involved also spent less time in foster care (21.4 months) than children whose non-resident fathers were not involved (25.3 months) (Malm et al.). Despite previous research examining father involvement in services and case plan development, a paucity of research remains concerning the influence of father involvement in legal proceedings on dependency outcomes. Although some analysts (such as Edwards, 2009) suggest that including the father in dependency proceedings may lead to favorable outcomes for the child, including relative placement as opposed to foster care and possibly avoiding out-of-home placement altogether, these suggestions have not been empirically tested. This study examines association between father’s involvement in legal proceedings and reunification.

The Way We Were :: American America History

The Way We Were As you listen to the news, radio, or read a newspaper, you notice one thing in common after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City--unity. New Yorkers have known to be "hard-ass'" and the rudest people you'll ever meet. Self-indulged in their own world, they knocked people down who stood between them and the next step ahead of them. We, as Americans, felt the effect of the destruction all over the nation, although it didn't happen in our hometown. Most people either knew someone, or knew someone who knew of someone that worked in the WTC building or were on those flights. Not until our safety was raped from us did we stop to unite, as a country, to help those in need. America is known as "the land of opportunities." Therefore, we are taught that to obtain our cultural goals, we must try to achieve them by almost any means necessary. America was a very self-absorbed country. For instance, look at the 80's, that era named "the era of greed." We're a very wealthy country; with wealth comes greed. We like to keep money in our pockets at all times--meaning we always want to have money. Everywhere you look now, there it is, the American flag: our symbol of pride. "One nation, under God with liberty and justice for all." We have become united as a nation. The American Red Cross has raised millions of dollars with the help of normal, everyday citizens. Celebrities have joined together and held telethons to raise millions of dollars also. The American flag has been in such high demands all over the country that they're almost impossible to find in stores. From car washes to simple donation buckets in supermarkets, everywhere you go people are contributing. Before the 9/11 attacks, one would never have doubts about who's on the same flight as you, or feeling compelled to wash your hands after touching the mail. We took for granted what most people don't have--freedom. The freedom to walk down the street without the fear of seeing a terrorist act and living without the fears of being on a national heighted security alert for more terrorist attacks. Hell, we're "the land of the free," or perhaps we took for granted that we really were. Because of these attacks, many people are having second thought about doing many everyday things.

Mattel Responds to Ethical Challenges Essay

Mattel, Inc. is a global leader in designing and manufacturing toys and family products. Well-known for brands such as Barbie, Fisher-Price, Disney, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Tyco, Cabbage Patch Kids, and board games, the company boasts nearly $5.9 billion in annual revenue. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices across the world, Mattel markets its products in over 150 nations. It all started in a California garage workshop when Ruth and Elliot Handler and Matt Matson founded Mattel in 1945. The company started out making picture frames, but the founders soon recognized the profitability of the toy industry and switched their emphasis to toys. Mattel became a publicly owned company in 1960, with sales exceeding $100 million by 1965. Over the next forty years, Mattel went on to become the world’s largest toy company in terms of revenue. In spite of its overall success, Mattel has had its share of losses over its history. During the mid to late 1990s, Mattel lost millions to declining sales and bad business acquisitions. In January 1997, Jill Barad took over as Mattel’s CEO. Barad’s management-style was characterized as strict and her tenure at the helm proved challenging for many employees. While Barad had been successful in building the Barbie brand to $2 billion by the end of the 20th century, growth slowed in the early 21st. Declining sales at outlets such as Toys ‘R’ Us marked the start of some difficulties for the retailer, responsibilities for which Barad accepted and resigned in 2000. Robert Eckert replaced Barad as CEO. Aiming to turn things around, Eckert sold unprofitable units and cut hundreds of jobs. In 2000, under Eckert, Mattel was granted the highly sought-after licensing agreement for products related to the Harry Potter series of books and movies. The company continued to flourish and build its reputation, even earning the Corporate Responsibility Award from UNICEF in 2003. Mattel released its first Annual Corporate Responsibility Report the following year. In 2011 Mattel was recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s â€Å"100 Best Companies to Work For† for the fourth consecutive year. MATTEL’S CORE PRODUCTS BARBIE AND AMERICAN GIRL Among its many lines of popular toy products, Mattel is famous for owning top girls’ brands. In 1959, Mattel introduced a product that would change its future forever: the Barbie doll. One of the founders, Ruth Handler, had noticed how her daughter loved playing with paper cutout dolls. She decided to create a doll based on an adult rather than on a baby. Barbie took off to become one of Mattel’s critical product lines and the number one girls’ brand in the world. Since her introduction, Mattel has sold more than 1 billion Barbie dolls in over 150 countries. The Barbie line today This material was developed by Debbie Thorne, John Fraedrich, O.C. Ferrell, and Jennifer Jackson, with the editorial assistance of Jennifer Sawayda under the direction of O.C. Ferrell and Linda Ferrell. It is provided for the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the University of New Mexico and is intended for classroom discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of administrative, ethical, or legal decisions by management. Users of this material are prohibited from claiming this material as their own, emailing it to others, or placing it on the Internet. Please call O.C. Ferrell at 505-277-3468 for more information. (2011) Includes dolls, accessories, Barbie software, and a broad assortment of licensed products such as books, apparel, food, home furnishings, home electronics, and movies. To supplement the Barbie line, in 1998 Mattel acquired a popular younger type of doll. Mattel announced it would pay $700 million to Pleasant Co. for its high-end American Girl collection. American Girl dolls are sold with books about their lives, which take place during important periods of US history. The American Girls brand includes several book series, accessories, clothing for dolls and girls, and a magazine that ranks in the top ten American children’s magazines. HOT WHEELS Hot Wheels roared into the toy world in 1968. More than thirty years later, the brand is hotter than ever and includes high-end collectibles, NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and Formula One models for adults, high-performance cars, track sets, and play sets for children of all ages. The brand is connected with racing circuits worldwide. More than 15 million boys aged five to 15 are avid collectors, each owning forty-one cars on average. Two Hot Wheels cars are sold every second of every day. The brand began with cars designed to run on a track and has evolved into a â€Å"lifestyle† brand with licensed Hot Wheels shirts, caps, lunch boxes, backpacks, and more. Together, Hot Wheels and Barbie generate 45 percent of Mattel’s revenue and 65 percent of its profits. CABBAGE PATCH KIDS Since the introduction of mass-produced Cabbage Patch Kids in 1982, more than 90 million dolls have been sold worldwide. In 1994, Mattel took over selling these beloved dolls after purchasing production rights from Hasbro. In 1996, Mattel created a new line of Cabbage Patch doll, called Snacktime Kids, which was expected to meet with immense success. The Snacktime Kids had moving mouths that enabled children to â€Å"feed† them plastic snacks. However, the product backfired. The toy had no on/off switch and reports of children  getting their fingers or hair caught in the dolls’ mouths surfaced during the 1996 holiday season. Mattel voluntarily pulled the dolls from store shelves by January 1997, and offered consumers a cash refund of $40 on returned dolls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission applauded Mattel’s handling of the Snacktime Kids situation. Mattel effectively managed a situation that could easily have created bad publicity or a crisis situati on. Mattel stopped producing Cabbage Patch Kids in 2000. MATTEL’S COMMITMENT TO ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Mattel’s core products and business environment create many ethical issues. Because the company’s products are designed primarily for children, it must be sensitive to social concerns about children’s rights. It must also be aware that the international environment often complicates business transactions. Different legal systems and cultural expectations about business can create ethical conflicts. Finally, the use of technology may present ethical dilemmas, especially regarding consumer privacy. Mattel has recognized these potential issues and taken steps to strengthen its commitment to business ethics. The company also purports to take a stand on social responsibility, encouraging its employees and consumers to do the same. PRIVACY AND MARKETING TECHNOLOGY One issue Mattel has tried to address repeatedly is that of privacy and online technology. Advances in technology have created special marketing issues for Mattel. The company recognizes that, because it markets to children, it must communicate with parents regarding its corporate marketing strategy. Mattel has taken steps to inform both children and adults about its philosophy regarding Internet-based marketing tools, such as the Hot Wheels website. This website contains a lengthy online privacy policy, part of which is excerpted below: Mattel, Inc. and its family of companies (â€Å"Mattel†) are committed to  protecting your online privacy when visiting a website operated by us. We do not collect and keep any personal information online from you unless you volunteer it and you are 13 or older. We also do not collect and keep personal information online from children under the age of 13 without consent of a parent or legal guardian, except in limited circumstances authorized by law and described in this policy. By assuring parents that their children’s privacy will be respected, Mattel demonstrates that it takes its responsibility of marketing to children seriously. EXPECTATIONS OF MATTEL’S BUSINESS PARTNERS Mattel, Inc. is also making a serious commitment to business ethics in its dealings with other industries. In late 1997, the company completed its first full ethics audit of each of its manufacturing sites as well as the facilities of its primary contractors. The audit revealed that the company was not using any child labor or forced labor, a problem plaguing other overseas manufacturers. However, several contractors were found to be in violation of Mattel’s safety and human rights standards and were asked to change their operations or risk losing Mattel’s business. The company now conducts an independent monitoring council audit in manufacturing facilities every three years. In an effort to continue its strong record on human rights and related ethical standards, Mattel instituted a code of conduct entitled Global Manufacturing Principles in 1997. One of these principles requires all Mattel-owned and contracted manufacturing facilities to favor business partners committed to ethical standards comparable with those of Mattel. Other principles relate to safety, wages, and adherence to local laws. Mattel’s audits and subsequent code of conduct were designed as preventative, not punitive measures. The company is dedicated to creating and encouraging responsible business practices throughout the world. 1 Mattel, Inc., Online Privacy Policy, http://www.hotwheels.com/privacy-policy (accessed August 23, 2011). Mattel also claims to be committed to its workforce. As one company consultant noted, â€Å"Mattel is committed to improving the skill level of workers†¦ [so that they] will experience increased opportunities and productivity.† This statement reflects Mattel’s concern for relationships between and with employees and business partners. The company’s code is a signal to potential partners, customers, and other stakeholders that Mattel has made a commitment to fostering and upholding ethical values. LEGAL AND ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES Mattel prefers to partner with businesses similarly committed to high ethical standards. At a minimum, partners must comply with the local and national laws of the countries in which they operate. In addition, all partners must respect the intellectual property of the company, and support Mattel in the protection of assets such as patents, trademarks, or copyrights. They are also responsible for product safety and quality, protecting the environment, customs, evaluation and monitoring, and compliance. Mattel’s business partners must have high standards for product safety and quality, adhering to practices that meet Mattel’s safety and quality standards. In recent years, however, safety standards have been seriously violated, which will be discussed in more detail later. Also, because of the global nature of Mattel’s business and its history of leadership in this area, the company insists that business partners strictly adhere to local and international customs laws. Partners must also comply with all import and export regulations. To assist in compliance with standards, Mattel insists that all manufacturing facilities provide the following: 1 Full access for on-site inspections by Mattel or parties designated by Mattel 2 Full access to those records that will enable Mattel to determine compliance with its principles 3 An annual statement of compliance with Mattel’s Global Manufacturing Principles, signed by an officer of the manufacturer or manufacturing facility2 With the creation of the Mattel Independent Monitoring Council (MIMCO), Mattel became the first global consumer products company to apply such a system to facilities and core contractors worldwide. The company seeks to maintain an independent monitoring system that provides checks and balances to help ensure that standards are met. If certain aspects of Mattel’s manufacturing Principles are not being met, Mattel will try to work with them to help them fix their problems. New partners will not be hired unless they meet Mattel’s standards. If corrective action is advised but not taken, Mattel will terminate its relationship with the partner in question. Overall, Mattel is committed to both business success and ethical standards, and it recognizes that it is part of a continuous improvement process. 2 â€Å"Mattel’s Commitment to Ethics,† eBusiness Ethics, http://www.e-businessethics.com/mattel9.htm (accessed August 23, 2011). MATTEL CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION Mattel takes its social responsibilities very seriously. Through the Mattel Children’s Foundation, established in 1978, the company promotes philanthropy and community involvement among its employees and makes charitable investments to better the lives of children in need. Funding priorities have included building a new Mattel Children’s Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), sustaining the Mattel Family Learning Program, and promoting giving among Mattel employees. In November 1998, Mattel donated a multiyear, $25 million gift to the UCLA Children’s Hospital. The gift was meant to support the existing hospital and provide for a new state-of-the-art facility. In honor of Mattel’s donation, the hospital was renamed Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. The Mattel Family Learning Program utilizes computer learning labs as a way to advance children’s basic skills. Now numbering more than eighty throughout the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, and Mexico, the labs offer software and technology designed to help children with special needs or limited English proficiency. Mattel employees are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of volunteer activities as part of â€Å"Mattel Volunteers: Happy to Help.† Employees serving on boards of local nonprofit organizations or helping with ongoing nonprofit programs are eligible to apply for volunteer grants supporting their organizations. Mattel employees contributing to higher education or to nonprofit organizations serving children in need are eligible to have their personal donations matched dollar for dollar up to $5,000 annually. INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING PRINCIPLES As a U.S.-based multinational company owning and operating facilities and contracting worldwide, Mattel’s Global Manufacturing Principles reflect not only its need to conduct manufacturing responsibly, but to respect the cultural, ethical, and philosophical differences of the countries in which it operates. These Principles set uniform standards across Mattel manufacturers and attempt to benefit both employees and consumers. Mattel’s Principles cover issues such as wages, work hours, child labor, forced labor, discrimination, freedom of association, and working conditions. Workers must be paid at least minimum wage or a wage that meets  local industry standards (whichever is greater). No one under the age of 16 or the local age limit (whichever is higher) may be allowed to work for Mattel facilities. Mattel refuses to work with facilities that use forced or prison labor, or to use these types of labor itself. Additionally, Mattel does not tolerate discrimination. The company states that an individual should be hired and employed based on his or her ability—not on individual characteristics or beliefs. Mattel recognizes all employees’ rights to choose to associate with organizations or associations without interference. Regarding working conditions, all Mattel facilities and its business partners must provide safe working environments for their employees. ISSUES WITH OVERSEAS MANUFACTURING Despite Mattel’s best efforts, not all overseas manufacturers have faithfully adhered to its high standards. Mattel has come under scrutiny over its sale of unsafe products. In September 2007, Mattel announced recalls of toys containing lead paint. The problem surfaced when a European retailer discovered lead paint on a toy. An estimated 10 million individual toys produced in China were affected. Mattel quickly stopped production at Lee Der, the company officially producing the recalled toys, after it was discovered that Lee Der had purchased lead-tainted paint to be used on the toys. Mattel blamed the fiasco on the manufacturers’ desire to save money in the face of increasing prices. â€Å"In the last three or five years, you’ve seen labor prices more than double, raw material prices double or triple,† CEO Eckert said in an interview, â€Å"and I think that there’s a lot of pressure on guys that are working at the margin to try to save money. The situation began when Early Light Industrial Co., a subcontractor for Mattel owned by Hong Kong toy tycoon Choi Chee Ming, subcontracted the painting of parts of CARS toys to another China-based vendor. The vendor, named Hong Li Da, decided to source paint from a non-authorized third-party supplier—a violation of Mattel’s requirement to use paint supplied directly by Early Light. The products were found to contain â€Å"impermissible levels of lead.† On August 2, 2007, it was announced that another of Early Light’s subcontractors, Lee Der Industrial Co., used the same lead paint found on Cars products. China immediately suspended the company’s export license. Afterward, Mattel pinpointed three paint suppliers working for Lee Der—Dongxin, Zhongxin, and Mingdai. This paint was used by Lee Der to produce Mattel’s line of Fisher-Price products. It is said that Lee Der purchased the paint from Mingdai due to an intimate friendship between the two company’s owners. On August 11, 2007, Zhang Shuhong, operator of Lee Der, hung himself after paying his 5,000 staff members. Later that month, Mattel was forced to recall several more toys because of powerful magnets in the toys that could come loose and pose a choking hazard for young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other inside the child’s stomach, causing potentially fatal complications. Over 21 million Mattel toys were recalled in all, and parents filed several lawsuits claiming that these Mattel products harmed their children. At first, Mattel blamed Chinese subcontractors for the huge toys recalls, but the company later accepted a portion of the blame for its troubles, while maintaining that Chinese manufacturers were largely at fault. The Chinese view the situation quite differently. As reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency, the spokesman for China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine said, â€Å"Mattel should improve its product design and supervision over product quality. Chinese original equipment manufacturers were doing the job just as importers requested, and the toys conformed to the U.S. regulations and standards at the time of the production.† Mattel also faced criticism from many of its consumers, who believed Mattel was denying culpability by placing much of the blame on China. Mattel was later awarded the 2007 â€Å"Bad Product† Award by Consumers International. How did this crisis occur under the watch of a company praised for its ethics and high safety standards? Although Mattel had investigated its contractors, it did not audit the entire supply chain, including subcontractors. These  oversights left room for these violations to occur. Mattel has also moved to enforce a rule that subcontractors cannot hire suppliers two or three tiers down. In a statement, Mattel says it has spent more than 50,000 hours investigating its vendors and testing its toys. Mattel also announced a three-point plan. This plan aims to tighten Mattel’s control of production, discover and prevent the unauthorized use of subcontractors, and test the products itself rather than depending on contractors. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S REACTION Chinese officials eventually did admit the government’s failure to properly protect the public. The Chinese government promised to tighten supervision of exported products, but effective supervision is challenging in such a large country that is so burdened with corruption. In January 2008, the Chinese government launched a four-month-long nationwide product quality campaign, offering intensive training courses to domestic toy manufacturers to help them brush up on their knowledge of international product standards and safety awareness. As a result of the crackdown, the State Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced that it had revoked the licenses of more than 600 Chinese toy makers. As of 2008, the State Administration for Commerce and Industry (SACI) released a report claiming that 87.5 percent of China’s newly manufactured toys met quality requirements. While this represents an improvement, the temptation to cut corners remains strong in a country that uses price, not quality, as its main competitive advantage. Where there is demand, there will be people trying to turn a quick profit. MATTEL VERSUS FORMER EMPLOYEE AND MGA In 2004, Mattel became embroiled in a bitter intellectual property rights battle with former employee Carter Bryant and MGA Entertainment Inc. over rights to MGA’s popular Bratz dolls. Carter Bryant, an on-again/off-again Mattel employee, designed the Bratz dolls and pitched them to MGA. A few months after the pitch, Bryant left  Mattel to work at MGA, which began producing Bratz in 2001. In 2002, Mattel launched an investigation into whether Bryant had designed the Bratz dolls while employed with Mattel. After two years of investigation, Mattel sued Bryant. A year later MGA fired off a suit of its own, claiming that Mattel was creating Barbies with looks similar to those of Bratz in an effort to eliminate the competition. Mattel answered by expanding its own suit to include MGA and its CEO, Isaac Larian. For decades, Barbie has reigned supreme on the doll market. However, Bratz dolls have given Barbie a run for her money. In 2005, four years after the brand’s debut, Bratz sales were at $2 billion. At the same time, Barbie was suffering from declining sales. In 2008 Barbie’s gross sales fell by 6 percent. Many analysts believe that Barbie has reached the maturity stage of its product life cycle. Four years after the initial suit was filed, Bryant settled with Mattel under an undisclosed set of terms. In July 2008, a jury deemed MGA and its CEO liable for what it termed â€Å"intentional interference† regarding Bryant’s contract with Mattel. In August 2008, Mattel received damages in the range of $100 million. Although Mattel first requested damages of $1.8 billion, the company is pleased with the principle behind the victory. In December 2008, Mattel appeared to win another victory when a California judge banned MGA from issuing or selling any more Bratz dolls. However, the tide soon turned on Mattel’s victory. In July 2010, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the ruling. Eventually, the case came down to whether Mattel owned Bryant’s ideas under the contract he had with the comapny. In April 2011, a California federal jury rejected Mattel’s claims to ownership. In another blow to Mattel, the jury also ruled that the company had stolen trade secrets from MGA. According to the allegations, Mattel employees used fake business cards to get into MGA showrooms during toy fairs. Mattel was ordered to pay $85 million in liabilities, plus an additional $225 million in damages and legal fees. MGA CEO Isaac Larian has  also announced that he will file an antitrust case against Mattel. Mattel continues to claim that Bryant violated his contract when he was working for the company . MATTEL LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE Like all major companies, Mattel has weathered its share of storms. The company has faced a series of difficult and potentially crippling challenges, including the recent verdict against the company in the Bratz lawsuit. During the wave of toy recalls, some analysts suggested that the company’s reputation was battered beyond repair. Mattel, however, has refused to go quietly. Although the company admits to poorly handling recent affairs, it is attempting to rectify its mistakes and to prevent future mistakes as well. With the economic future of the United States uncertain, Mattel may be in for slow growth for some time to come. Mattel is hard at work restoring goodwill and faith in its brands, even as it continues to be plagued with residual distrust over the lead paint scandal and its alleged theft of trade secrets. Reputations are hard won and easily lost, but Mattel appears to be steadfast in its commitment to restoring its reputation. QUESTIONS 1. Do manufacturers of products for children have special obligations to consumers and society? If so, what are these responsibilities? 2. How effective has Mattel been at encouraging ethical and legal conduct by its manufacturers? What changes and additions would you make to the company’s Global Manufacturing Principles? 3. To what extent is Mattel responsible for issues related to its production of toys in China? How might Mattel have avoided these issues? 9 Sources: Lisa Bannon and Carlta Vitzhum, â€Å"One-Toy-Fits-All: How Industry Learned to Love the Global Kid,† Wall Street Journal, Apr. 30, 2003, http://online.wsj.com. 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