The 2nd Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms Essay

The 2nd Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms - Essay Example Guns were even provided to those who could not afford weapons. (Gerber 2011) The debate over the second amendment today is that those in favor of gun control laws fear that a weapon for defense can become a weapon of offence either accidentally or intentionally. For that matter, the first part of the provision of this amendment, â€Å"well-regulated militia† is advocated by pro gun control laws. This provision is interpreted as that gun possession is only applied to official defensive forces such as the National Guard. On the other hand, gun lovers support the interpretation grown out the second part of the amendment which states that, â€Å"the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.† This means that citizens can have guns and the government has no power over confiscating this right away from them. (Gerber 2011). Whether the prospects of the second amendment’s enforcement in the Bill of Rights would bring a positive or negative change i n the American society? The second amendment was made to the Constitution of the United States in 1791 stating that, â€Å"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.† ( http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights) . This amendment has two perspectives. Its first section inculcates that the states can enforce their militias with arms for collective security while the second part diverts towards individual security. Thus, it is raising a contradiction in the fundamentality of the amendment. This amendment is unique of all the amendments in the sense that it is the only among the others that is not enforced yet. There is no unanimity in the decision of the justices because there is no clarity about its purpose. A civil right in American Constitution is defined as â€Å"a right or rights belonging to a person by reason of citizenship including especially the fundamenta l freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the 13th and 14th amendments and subsequent acts of Congress including the right to legal, social and economic equality. This makes gun ownership as much of a civil right as freedom of speech, religion and freedom of the press.† Gun possession is vital for certain reasons like for sports competitions. For instance, target shooting, a game played popularly in the United States is incomplete without guns. Hunting is another sport, hobby and tempting pastime of Americans. (http://www.saf.org/default.asp?p=gunrights_faq) The right to bear arms is a necessity in today’s criminal world. The United States is a country with the most high crime rate in the world. The amendment’s second half empowers the individual with freedom of carrying arms for self-defense. A simple yet very basic argument of gun possession is self-defense. Criminals are easily deterred this way. Instead of waiting for the regular police to respond to the victim ’s calls, the victim should have the capacity to tackle the matter on his own. This will help decrease the level of crimes. In the United States 46% of Americans claim possession of arms for the purpose of protection against criminals. (Heston 2008) Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress and member of the first Continental Congress which passed the Bill of Rights said that, â€Å""To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use

Organisation and the people Essay Example for Free

Organisation and the people Essay How does Amnesty International persuade the reader to take an active interest in its organisation and the people it helps? You should consider the structure, organisation and layout of material; the content of the article; and the use of language and linguistic devices. I will be studying a double page spread charity advertisement, obtained from a magazine supplement of a Sunday newspaper. Being advertised is Amnesty International: a charity organisation, which is working worldwide for the release of prisoners of conscience, fair trials for political prisoners and an end to torture, extra-judicial executions, disappearances and the death penalty. By publishing the advert in a Sunday supplement, it is insured to have a very wide circulation. Furthermore, people will have leisure time on a Sunday to be able to sit down and read the whole article, which gives them a chance to become active. If it were printed on a weekday, people would not have had the leisure time to be able read the article and become an active member of Amnesty International. Prudently, this advert has been structured in such a way that it guides the emotional response of the reader as they read through the text. The article has been subdivided into four main sections: Sallays story; the story of Mary; Britains view of refugees; and how the reader can become active and help refugees. The separation of the material into clearly defined blocks of text is very effective, in that it aids the ease and speed of access. Also, by implicating the reader in blame, they are increasingly forced to get involved. The first thing you see when you look at the article is the picture of the woman. This picture draws the reader to the article by the various attributes. Immediately, you are drawn by the shock factor: a picture of a woman who has no hands. In addition, this is an extremely powerful picture, as it is visually emotive, which means that it plays on the readers emotions and generates the readers sympathy for the woman. After looking at the picture, you read the quote beside it, which personalises the article by giving Sallay an identity this makes the reader feel closer to Sallay, and maybe as if they even know her. The large caption reads DONT LOOK THE OTHER WAY. This is imperative, as it is a command to the reader not to turn away from people like Sallay. It forces them to read the article and take an interest. In the leading paragraph the shock factor is used again to inform the reader of the shocking statistic that, Every twenty seconds a refugee is created. This shows the reader how big the refugee problem is, causing the reader to want to read on, as they want to know how Amnesty International will help so many people. Towards the end of the paragraph, the first person plural pronoun us is used. This is very inclusive and involves us all, symbolising how it is everyones responsibility to help refugees. This is then emphasised by the final sentence in the paragraph: Yes, all of us. Sallays story starts off with the phrase, Sallay Goba is a grandmother. This personalises her, as one can I identify with her, as a grandmother. This is because weve all got or had grandmother, so by being a grandmother, we know that Sallays just an ordinary woman. It then goes on to tell of how her life was turned upside down, with a graphic description of the horrific events: the murders of her grandchildren, husband, and son-in-law, her attacking, when her hands were brutally severed. The sheer extent of tragedy suffered by Sallay, persuades the reader to take in interest in the people Amnesty International helps, as the reader feels compassion for Sallay. Also, the phrase, It would have been nice to think that if she had managed to reach Britain, we would have helped her, makes us question whether we would have helped her or not, with the impression given that we probably wouldnt have. This is because of the words, It would be nice to think, as they emphasise the fact that she would have probably been rejected by the British government, as the chance of us helping her is quite slim. Furthermore, once again the first person plural pronoun we is used, in order to make us feel that we are responsible to help people like Sallay. In addition, the negative attitude of the West towards refugees increases the readers level of sympathy, making them feel that if the government is not going to help them, it is up to us. Political buzz words, such as economic migrants and bogus asylum seekers are also used to show the typical British view of refugees, making them seem to be people who only come to England, in order to make some more money. Again, the imperative is used with the word listen, in order to force the reader to read on, so that Sallay being a victim can be stressed again. The paragraph ends with two very powerful rhetorical questions: Do you imagine that she enjoyed being driven from her home, alone, penniless and terrified? Did she ask for her hands to be hacked off? These stress the fact that what the government thinks of refugees is completely wrong, as it outlines the fact that refugees do not intentionally bring hardship and suffering upon themselves and that they honestly need our help. Hence, the reader feels that they have a responsibility to help them. The next section in the article is The Story of Marie, an Ordinary Woman. A second story of an individual refugee is used, in order to emphasise how many different ways different refugees suffer. Also, the second story acts as a comparison to the first story, as it shows what happened even when a refugee who suffered such hardship made it to England. The word ordinary is used to stress the fact that she is just like any of us, so we can relate with her. The first sentence is, Marie was a chemist. This illustrates the fact that she used to be normal, as she used to have a professional career, which most people in this country already do, or aspire to do. In addition, the word was outlines the point that Maries life is no longer what it used to be. As she was a chemist, the reader is told that she is an educated woman, who went to University, thus outlining how many of us can identify with her. This fact also breaks down the stereotype that all refugees are poor and uneducated. When describing her story extremely graphic and horrific language and imagery is used: When they assaulted Marie, her brothers-in-law intervened and were shot dead. Five or six soldiers took it in turns to rape Marie. She lost consciousness. This illustrates the sheer brutality of her experience. This is another example of the shock factor, which not only intensifies the readers compassion for the refugees, but also increases their desire to become an active member of Amnesty International. Furthermore, Marie is shown as a victim of the Home Office, who refused her asylum. This proved the point made earlier in Sallays story: that we wouldnt have helped her even if she had reached Britain, as we did to Marie, despite all her hardship and suffering. This gives the reader a reason for joining Amnesty International. They can make a change and help refugees like Marie gain asylum in this country. The war on refugees section focuses more on refugees in general rather than just on individuals. This is effective, in that it shows the suffering of refugees as a whole. A lot of emotive language, such as people who have lost everything and suffered unimaginable griefs is used, in order to keep the reader interested in becoming active. In addition, a quote from the public is used; Its really tragic, but its nothing to do with us. This shows how people in Great Britain reject refugees, as they feel refugees are not their responsibility. Immediately after the quote comes the phrase, So sorry, but it is. This symbolises how it is our responsibility to help these suffering people. This is then followed by facts, such as, People like Marie have a guaranteed right under the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees to seek refuge in a safe country, if they have a well-founded fear of persecution, which support the fact that refugees should be given asylum in this country. This reassures the reader that if they do join, they are truly fighting for a cause, which is backed up. Rhetorical questions, which are linked to these facts are then used: Was Maries fear well-founded, Should the British Government honour this commitment? This further stresses the points that refugees are the victims and they are justified in seeking asylum. The section ends with the syntactic repetition You decide. This is powerful, in that it is giving the reader a choice of whether it a cause worth fighting for or not. Also the word you stresses that its the readers responsibility. This last section leaves the reader with a strong message, creating a powerful impact. This ultimately persuades the reader to become active in terms of giving money to Amnesty International. A very powerful technique used is that of comparing the reader to the refugees, explaining how neither want hardship or suffering: Nobody wants to be a refugee, People dont want to be homeless any more than you do they dont want to be tortured, murdered or raped any more than you do. Throughout the final section, the pronoun you is used, which outlines that it is aimed directly at the reader, telling them that they are needed to help Amnesty International, explaining how they can join, and describing what they can achieve with their help. Imperatives are used again, in order to encourage the reader to act, such as the phrase, For heavens sake wake up and help them. In addition, emotive language is used again throughout the final section. The article ends with a personal appeal, which seems to be more of a plead for help. This is very personal and acts on both, the readers emotions and the readers wealth, in order to persuade even the reluctant readers to get involved. The subscription coupon is very conveniently placed at the end of the article. This aids the ease and speed of access for the reader, and as a result they will probably become active, as theirs is no hassle involved if it is placed just placed on the page. To conclude, I personally believe that if I had come across this advert in a Sunday supplement, I would have read it and if I had the means to, I would have become involved. I feel that this article is very effective in persuading the reader to take an active interest in Amnesty International, mainly because of the way that it plays on the emotions of the readers, in order to strongly get across the message of the suffering of refugees.

The Electron Transport Chain

The Electron Transport Chain In the electron transport chain, electrons flow downward in energy from coenzyme NADH and flavoprotein FADH2 to the terminal electron acceptor, molecular oxygen, O2. Electrons move spontaneously from carriers of lower reduction potential (Eo) to carriers of higher reduction potential. Molecules involved in the ETC have reduction potentials between the values for NAD+/NADH couples and oxygen/H2O couples. Energy extracted from the transfer of electrons is most efficiently conserved when it is released in a step wise fashion, and is accomplished with four distinct protein complexes in the mitochondrial membrane: Complex I = NADH-coenzyme Q reductase (NADH dedhydrogenase) Complex II = succinate-conenzyme Q reductase (succinate dehydrogenase) Complex III = coenzyme Q-cytochrome c reductase Complex IV = cytochrome c oxidase Complex I oxidizes NADH and reduces coenzyme Q (UQ), transferring a pair of electrons from NADH to UQ. The oxidation of one NADH and reduction of UQ results in a net transport of protons from the matrix side to the intermembrane space. Complex II oxidizes succinate and reduces UQ, yielding a net reduction potential of +0.029 V, which does not contribute to the transport of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Complex III facilitates the transfer of electrons from UQ to cytochrome c (cyto c) via the Q cycle, which oxidizes UQH2 and reduces cyto c, releasing four protons into the intermembrane space for every two electrons that pass through the Q cycle. Complex IV accepts electrons from cyto c and reduces oxygen to form H2O, driving proton transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the intermembrance space. For every four electrons used to reduce oxygen, four protons are released into the intermembrance space. Components of the ETC are arranged in line with the flow of electrons from donors with lower affinity for electrons toward acceptors with higher affinity for electrons. Affinity for electrons is measured by the reduction potential. The transfer of electrons does not occur in a simple linear sequence. Electrons can enter the ETC at different entry points, either through Complex I or Complex II, and then the pathways converge at Complex III. As Fig. 1 shows, electrons move from more negative to more positive reduction potentials on the energy scale. Table 13-7 presents the following reduction potentials for reactions that occur in the ETC: NAD+ + 2H+ 2e- Æ’Â   NADH + H+ ΔEo = -0.320 V FAD + 2H+ +2e- Æ’Â   FADH2 ΔEo = -0.219 V Fumarate + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   Succinate ΔEo = +0.031 V Q + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   QH2 ΔEo = +0.045 V cyt c1(Fe3+) + e- Æ’Â   cyt c1(Fe2+) ΔEo = +0.220 V cyt c(Fe3+) + e- Æ’Â   cyt c(Fe2+) ΔEo = +0.254 V Â ½ O2 + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   H2O ΔEo = +0.816 V As mentioned, molecules involved in the ETC have reduction potentials between the values for NAD+/NADH couples and oxygen/H2O couples. Electrons move from more negative to more positive reductions potentials in the following order: NADH Æ’Â   Q Æ’Â   cytochrome c1 Æ’Â   cytochrome c Æ’Â   O2 Reactions that have positive reduction potentials have negative free energy and are energetically favorable. Complex III has a more positive reduction potential than Complex I and II, and Complex IV has a more positive reduction potential than Complex III. The reduction potential for each complex can be estimated with the half reactions and reduction potentials provided in Table 13-7. Below are the net equations for each complex: Complex I NADH + 5H+N + Q ↔ NAD+ + QH2 + 4H+P Complex II Succinate + Q ↔ fumarate + QH2 Complex III QH2 + 2 cyt c1 + 2H+N ↔ Q + 2 cyt c1 + 4 H+P Complex IV 4 cyt c + 8 H+N + O2 ↔ 4 cyt c + 4 H+P + 2 H2O For example: Complex I NADH + 5H+N + Q ↔ NAD+ + QH2 + 4H+P NAD+ + 2H+ 2e- Æ’Â   NADH + H+ ΔEo = -0.320 V Q + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   QH2 ΔEo = +0.045 V ΔEo = Eoacceptor Eodonor ΔEo = 0.045 (-0.320) = +0.365 V Complex III QH2 + 2 cyt c1 + 2H+N ↔ Q + 2 cyt c1 + 4 H+P Q + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   QH2 ΔEo = +0.045 V cyt c1(Fe3+) + e- Æ’Â   cyt c1(Fe2+) ΔEo = +0.220 V ΔEo = [2 x 0.220] 0.045 = +0.395 V The reduction potential for Complex III is greater than that of Complex I, correlating to flow of electrons in the ETC. Electrons move from more negative to more positive reductions potentials. In addition, both overall reactions for NADH/FADH2 to O2 are positive values, another indication that electrons moving from Complex I/II to Complex IV is energetically favorable. The calculations are provided below. This is the overall reaction for electrons that travel from NADH to O2 NADH + H+ + Â ½ O2 Æ’Â   NAD+ + H2O NAD+ + 2H+ 2e- Æ’Â   NADH + H+ ΔEo = -0.320 V Â ½ O2 + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   H2O ΔEo = + 0.816 V ΔEo = 0.816 (-0.320) = +1.136 V This is the overall reaction for electrons that travel from FADH2 to O2 FADH2 + Â ½ O2 Æ’Â   FAD + H2O FAD + 2H+ +2e- Æ’Â   FADH2 ΔEo = 0.219 V Â ½ O2 + 2H+ + 2e- Æ’Â   H2O ΔEo = + 0.816 V ΔEo = 0.816 (-0.219) = +1.035 V As a result of the ETC, the net reaction for the transfer of two electrons from NADH through the respiratory chain to molecular oxygen is highly exergonic (positive reduction potentials and negative free energy). For each pair of electrons transferred to O2, four protons are pumped out of the matrix into the intermembrane space by Complex I, four by Complex III and two by Complex IV, producing a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis (Fig.2).

Essay --

According to Yount, the church should have evaluations â€Å"in order to make sure what God called one to do, is in fact getting done† (449). Evaluation is a word that many people are acquainted with, and although it is a familiar word, it seems to take on a different meaning in various settings, for example, in business, schools, trades, and particularly in the church. There are a lot of evaluation practices in existence within our culture which do not translate as easily when it comes to the life of the congregation, and that’s a good thing because, they should not, in fact, there need to be a means to sort them out, for example, when business practices are imported in the process of evaluation, the impact can be a negative one, although the congregation can benefit and learn from those members who possess valuable experiences in both business and the working world. The whole world belongs solely to God and he allows our Reformed theological tradition to be open to the vast knowledge and experiences that are gained from various settings in which Christians interact with the world. Ye...

American Liberty: From Past to Present

Liberty is a concept that is commonly used by the average American in his daily affairs. A lexical definition of liberty states that it refers to the freedom to believe or act without the restriction of an unnecessary force. As far as the individual is concerned, liberty is the capacity of a person to act according to his will. But do we really know the history of America’s liberty? Do we really understand the historical events that have shaped the liberty that we know of and enjoy in these contemporary times?In this paper, I will be examining the roots of American liberty from the founding era to the modern debates surrounding the concept of liberty. I will also be looking into the proponents of liberty and those who have shared a significant role in defining and upholding liberty as we know it today. The Founding Era Hundreds of years before today, America was an entirely different place. Long before the creation of the Constitution, different European countries have already established their own settlements across America. The Spaniards and the French were among the early colonizers until the time of the British.During the rule of the British Empire, severe shortage in human labor resulted to enslavement and indentured servitude of the natives. In the years that followed, conflicts broke-out between the Native Americans and the English settlers. It should be noted, however, that Virginia already had black indentured servants in 1619 after being settled by Englishmen in 1607 (â€Å"Virginia Records Timeline: 1553-1743,† http://memory. loc. gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjvatm3. html), thereby suggesting that the attainment of genuine liberty from the colonizers is yet to be realized.It is perhaps during the time when the English pilgrims came to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 and established their colonies that the concept of liberty came about, not the least in the context of the pre-Constitution history of America. As Mark Sargent w rites in his article â€Å"The Conservative Covenant: The Rise of the Mayflower Compact in American Myth,† some of the passengers in the Mayflower ship â€Å"who were not travelling to the New World for religious reasons would insist upon complete freedom when they stepped ashore† since the New World is already â€Å"outside the territory covered in their patent from the [British] crown† (Sargent, p.236). After the Seven Years War between the British forces and the alliance of French and American Indian forces in 1763, the British Empire enforced a series of taxes on the Americans so as to cover a portion of the cost for defending the colony. Since the Americans considered themselves as subjects of the King, they understood that they had the same rights to that of the King’s subjects living in Great Britain.However, the Sugar Act, Currency Act—both passed in 1764—the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Act of 1767, to name a few, compelled the Americans to take drastic measures to send the message to the British Empire that they were being treated as though they were less than the King’s subjects in Great Britain (Jensen, p. 186). Moreover, the taxes were enforced despite the lack of representation of the American colonists in the Westminster Parliament.One of the famous protests taken by the Americans is the Boston Tea Party in 1773 where numerous crates containing tea that belonged to the British East India Company were destroyed aboard ships in Boston Harbor. As a result, the British government passed a series of acts popularly known as the Intolerable Acts in 1774, further fanning the growing oppression felt by the American colonists. Eventually, the American Revolution ensued beginning in as early as 1775 when British forces confiscated arms and arrested revolutionaries in Concord, thereby sparking the first hostilities after the Intolerable Acts were passed (Jensen, p.434). From 1775 to 1783, the colonies tha t formed their own independent states fought as one as the Thirteen Colonies of North America. Lasting for roughly eight years, the American Revolutionary War ended in the ratification of the Treaty of Paris which formally recognized the Independence of America from the British Empire. Between these years, the colonies underwent several changes which constitute part of the developments toward the framing of the Constitution (Bobrick, p. 88).One of these changes is the shift towards the acceptance of notable republican ideals, such as liberty and inalienable rights as core values, among several members of the colonies. Moreover, the republican ideals of the time saw corruption as the greatest of all threats to liberty. In essence, the concept of liberty during the founding era revolves around the liberation of the American colonies from the British Empire and the growing oppression it gave to the colonists through taxation burdens and a series of repressive acts.For the American colo nists, liberty meant the severing of its ties from the British government and the creation of its own independent nation recognized by other countries. The writing and ratification of the Constitution On the fourth of July in 1776, the second Continental Congress signed and officially adopted the United States Declaration of Independence which established the separation of the thirteen American colonies—the colonies which were at war with Great Britain from 1775—from the British Empire.Although others say that the founding moment of America is not on July 4 but two days earlier (Groom, http://independent. co. uk/arts-entertainment/books/review/the-fourth-of-july-and-the-founding-of-america-by-peter-de-bolla-455878. html), it remains a fact that there came a point in time when America finally declared its independence. The evolution of American political theory—especially that which is concerned with liberty—can be better understood during the confrontatio n over the writing and the ratification of the Constitution.In fact, the Declaration asserts that people have unalienable rights which include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Articles of Confederation served as the constitution which governed the thirteen states as part of its alliance called the â€Å"United States of America†. After being ratified in 1781, the â€Å"United States of America† was brought as a political union under a confederate government in order to defend better the liberties of the people and of each state. Meaning, each state retained its independence and sovereignty despite being politically held together as part of the union.However, the Articles were not without opposition and criticisms from several notable political thinkers of the time. For example, James Madison saw several main flaws in the Articles of Confederation that were alarming, or threatened the very existence and purpose of the Articles first and foremost. For one, Madison was concerned about the dangers posed by the divided republics or â€Å"factions† given that their interest may stand in conflict to the interests of others. Madison argues in The Federalist, specifically in â€Å"Federalist No.10,† that in order to guard the citizens from the dangers posed by these individuals who have contradicting interests, a large republic should be created, a republic that will safeguard the citizens from the possible harms brought by other states. It is likewise important to note that the union is not a homogenous group of citizens with the same political inclinations. Madison also argues that for the government to become effective it needs to be a hybrid of a national and a federal constitution.The government should be balanced in the sense that it should be federal in some aspects and republican in others instead of giving more weight to each separate state over the larger republic. In his â€Å"Federalist No. 39,† Madison prop oses and describes a republic government guided by three fundamental principles: the derivation of the government’s legitimate power through the consent of the people, representatives elected as administrators in the government, and a limitation on the length of the terms of service rendered by the representatives (Kobylka and Carter, p.191). Madison also pointed out in â€Å"Federalist No. 51† that there should be checks and balances in the government, specifically among the judicial, legislative and the executive branches. The judiciary, therefore, is at par with the other two inasmuch as each of the other two are at par with one another. Giving one of the three more powers disables the other two to check if that branch is still functioning within its perimeters.As a result, the more powerful branch becomes a partisan branch which consequently creates dangers to the liberties of the people. Another important part of the evolution of American political theory is the c ontention raised by Patrick Henry. In a letter sent to Robert Pleasants in January 18, 1773, Patrick Henry sees the relationship between the new government and the institution of slavery as a contradiction precisely because while the new government is said to be founded on liberty, there the evil that is slavery persisted under the new government.During those times, slavery was not yet abolished and that the new government was unable to meet the challenge of living up to its roles and foundations by failing to address the institution of slavery and demolishing it altogether. Moreover, Henry understood the efforts of secession from the hands of England were a matter of freedom or slavery, which can also be looked upon as a question of either a freedom from or a continuation of tax slavery from the British.While Madison was part of the â€Å"Federalists† who were supporting the ratification of the Constitution, the â€Å"Anti-Federalists† apparently argued against its ra tification. It was Patrick Henry who led the group in criticizing the contents of the proposed Constitution. For instance, Henry argued that the phrase â€Å"We the People† in the Preamble of the Constitution was misleading primarily because it was not necessarily the people who agreed and created the proposed Constitution but the representatives of each participating state.Thus, Henry argues that the Preamble should instead read as â€Å"We the States† which in turn delegated power to the union. Another argument of the Anti-Federalists is the claim that the central government and, therefore, the central power might result to a revival of the monarchic type of rule reminiscent of the British Empire which the Patriots fought. The fear is that, by delegating a considerable amount of power to the central government, the liberties of the individual states and the people are weakened as a result.Nevertheless, the Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787 and later rati fied in each of the state conventions held. The anti-federalists share a significant role in strengthening some of the points of the Constitution through the succeeding amendments. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are popularly known as the Bill of Rights; it is largely influenced by the arguments of the anti-federalists. For the most part, the Bill of Rights aimed to guarantee that Congress shall not create laws which stand against the rights and liberties of the citizens of the nation.In effect, the Bill of Rights limits the power of the federal government in order to secure the liberties of the people in the United States. In â€Å"Federalist No. 84,† Alexander Hamilton argues against the Bill of Rights for the reason that the American citizens will not have to necessarily surrender their rights as a result of the ratification of the Constitution and, thus, the protection of the rights through the Bill is unnecessary. Moreover, Hamilton also argues that creatin g a Bill of Rights would effectively limit the rights of the people since those that are not listed in the Bill will not be considered as rights.In response to the argument, the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution was introduced and ratified later on. The amendment specifically states that the rights of the people are not to be limited to those which are listed in the Constitution. As it can be observed, the time before and during the ratification of the Constitution and the succeeding amendments made reflect how the people at the time sought to protect the liberties that they have realized and gained after the American Revolution and the defeat of the British Empire.Moreover, the debates at that time revolved around the issue of what to do with the liberties gained and how to secure them for the coming generations. One side—the Anti-Federalists—argues that the central government weakens the independence and sovereignty of the states as well as the rights and liberties of the people. The other side—the Federalists—argues that the Constitution will help preserve and strengthen the Union. Modern debates In the years that followed, debates over the interpretation of the Constitution, the role of the government and the place of the individual in American society have escalated.In his essay â€Å"Resistance to Civil Government† (popularly known as â€Å"Civil Disobedience†) first published in 1849, Henry David Thoreau asserts that the people should not simply remain passive and allow the government to be an agent of injustice. Much of Thoreau’s political beliefs eventually follow that same philosophy. In his work Walden published in 1854, Thoreau attempts to live a life of solitude in a cabin, away from the reaches of the society. In one of his days in Walden, Thoreau was arrested for the charge of not paying his taxes. His defense was that he refuses to pay federal taxes to a government that tolerates slavery.In ess ence, the fact that Thoreau decided to stay in solitude for approximately two years (although the contents of Walden was made to appear as though all the events happened within just a year) signifies his decision not to conform to the dictates of the society. On the contrary, Thoreau lived a life of liberty, free to do anything that he chooses without the institutions of society restraining him. The same sentiment—non-conformity or disobedience to the dictates of the society, especially the government—echoes through in Thoreau’s other work, which is â€Å"Civil Disobedience†.Thoreau asserts that â€Å"the only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think [is] right† (Thoreau, http://sniggle. net/Experiment/index. php? entry=rtcg#p04). That passage, along with the rest of â€Å"Civil Disobedience† and its theme in general, implies that people have an inherent liberty, which is the liberty to do any time what the y think is right. Taken altogether in the context of the concept of liberty, Thoreau seems to suggest that people ought to disobey a government that oppresses other people since each individual has inalienable rights that nobody can take away, not even the government.In the face of oppression such as slavery (which was still very much a part of America within twenty years after the ratification of the original Constitution since the issue of slavery was a very delicate and contentious matter during the Philadelphia Convention), Thoreau even suggested that Abolitionists should not only confine themselves with the mere thought of abolishing slavery but resisting the instructions of the government such as paying taxes.Thus, as a reading of Thoreau’s works would suggest, to have liberty is to act upon crucial issues instead of passively allowing contentious actions of the government to thrive and continue. I cannot help but think that Thoreau’s concept of liberty is someth ing that is absolute, which I also take to mean as confined only within one’s disposition instead of being limited by the government. Moreover, since Thoreau suggests that liberty is doing any time what one thinks is right an individual should first know if what he or she thinks is indeed right instead of being wrong.Charles Madison notes that Thoreau was heavily concerned with the â€Å"ever pressing problem of how one might earn a living and remain free† (Madison, p. 110). I cannot help but begin to think that Thoreau attempts at embodying and enacting his individualistic beliefs. As Leigh Kathryn Jenco argues, â€Å"The theory and practice of democracy fundamentally conflict with Thoreau’s conviction in moral autonomy and conscientious action† (Jenco, p.355); democracy is essentially the rule of the majority which consequently ignores the decisions of the minority. However, I think that much of Thoreau’s thoughts were heavily influenced by the c ircumstances during his time. His aversion towards the imposed taxation policy of the government stems from the fact that the government at that time still tolerates slavery which is directly against an individual’s liberty.Thoreau’s insight on the perceived conflict between the liberties being upheld by the Constitution and the actual state of the government during his time points us to the ideal that the people are sovereign because the people is the ultimate source of power of the government. If it is indeed the case that the Constitution upholds the rights of individuals including the right to liberty, it seems appropriate to consider as well why slavery at that time was not immediately abolished entirely especially at the time when the Constitution was ratified.In fact, it was only in 1865 under the Thirteenth Amendment—about 80 years after the original Constitution was adopted—when slavery was legally abolished and when Congress was given the power to finally enforce abolition. During the time when slavery was not yet abolished and immediately after the original Constitution was ratified, it can be said that not all citizens living in America were given full liberties. Several people were still laboring as slaves to their American masters.That is perhaps an often neglected piece of history that undermines the spirit of creating a Constitution and a government that will uphold the rights of the people. The pre-American Revolutionary war, the founding era, the ratification of the original Constitution, the creation of the Bill of Rights and the other succeeding amendments to the Constitution—all these stand as testimonies to the evolution of American political thought. The concept of liberty has played an important role in the development of the federal government and the Constitution.Although the history of American political thought might reveal that the attainment of liberty through the years has never been a smooth jo urney, contemporary America has reaped a large amount of benefits from the sacrifices and ideas of the Founding Fathers and all the people who lived and died during those times. Some might even argue that liberty is yet to be truly attained in today’s American society. But if liberty is yet to be attained in practice, how is it possible that people are given the right to air their grievances before the government?How is it possible that people have the liberty to do as they please so long as what they do does not conflict with what is legal? In any case, the present American Constitution guarantees the liberty of the people and that there are institutions which seek to promote and guard that important right. Had it been the case that the early Americans swallowed everything that the British Empire throw in their way and that the Founding Fathers abandoned the creation and amendment of the Constitution, the United States of America would not have been the land of the free and the home of the brave.Works Cited Bobrick, Benson. Fight for Freedom: The American Revolutionary War. 1st ed. New York, NY: Atheneum, 2004. Groom, Nick. â€Å"The Fourth of July and the Founding of America, by Peter De Bolla†. 2007. Independent. Co. Uk. October 16 2008. . Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist, on the New Constitution. 1787. October 18, 2008 . Jenco, Leigh Kathryn. â€Å"Thoreau’s Critique of Democracy. † The Review of Politics 65. 3 (2003): 355-81. Jensen, Merrill. The Founding of a Nation: A History of the American Revolution 1763-1776. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company, 2004. Kobylka, Joseph F. , and Bradley Kent Carter. â€Å"Madison, The Federalist, & the Constitutional Order: Human Nature & Institutional Structure. † Polity 20.2 (1987): 190-208. Madison, Charles. â€Å"Henry David Thoreau: Transcendental Individualist. † Ethics 54. 2 (1944): 110-23. Sargent, Mark L. â€Å"The Conservative Covenant: The Rise of the Mayflower Compact in American Myth. † The New England Quarterly 61. 2 (1988): 233-51. Thoreau, Henry David. â€Å"Resistance to Civil Government†. 1849. October 18 2008. . â€Å"Virginia Records Timeline: 1553-1743†. The Library of Congress. October 17 2008. .

Why University Admission Essays Get Denied

Why University Admission Essays Get Denied Why University Admission Essays Get Denied Every year thousands of university admission essays are reviewed by Toronto university boards. The purpose of these essays is to narrow the list of applicants to the students that meet stringent university standards. While no two schools share the same set of admission and essay criteria, these factors should be taken into consideration: GPA Your qualities as a student (including extracurriculars and strengths) Your future contribution to the university, if accepted These key elements can direct your outline as you draft your essay. Here are some reasons admission essays get rejected: Grades don’t meet university requirements. Many universities are academically competitive. For some hopeful candidates, their grade point average may be the reason their essays aren’t even read. Incomplete application. One institution may requires three essays on different topics and another may asks for only one essay, in addition to quantitative data like test scores. Some applicants make the mistake of â€Å"copying and pasting† the same application for different institutions without reading individual requirements. Read each university’s instructions carefully. Wordy essay. Every admissions board reviews hundreds of applications. They are likely to quickly dismiss essays that are filled with incoherent ramblings. Write in a clear and direct tone and delete unnecessary â€Å"flourishes.† Vague writing. An essay that glosses over or omits important details can lead to rejection of a candidate. Writing that fails to cite specific examples (or an essay loaded with general pronouncements that have little meaning) will be discarded. Multiple errors. If your essay is rife with spelling and grammatical mistakes, it gives the impression you pay little attention to detail. Proofread your work and ask your guidance counsellor or a trusted teacher to review your essay and give honest feedback. Limited enrollment. Sometimes there simply aren’t enough spots for qualified candidates. In this case, acceptance or rejection may seem somewhat arbitrary, but a polished essay will increase your likelihood of admission. An admissions essay is a tool that helps universities narrow their list of potential students accepted for the upcoming term. This essay can encapsulate a student’s academic profile and/or indicate their future potential. Some applicants may struggle to write multiple essays, which can be both frustrating and discouraging. in Toronto employs professional writers who have experience writing quality college admissions essays. Our friendly team of writers are more than happy to help you draft a college admissions essay. To increase your chances of getting accepted into your dream school,

Naturalism in Grapes of Wrath essays

Naturalism in Grapes of Wrath essays In John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family and the changing world in which they live is portrayed from a naturalistic point of view. Steinbeck characterizes the Joads and their fellow migrants as simple, instinct-bound creatures who are on an endless search for paradise (Owens 129). The migrants and the powers which force them to make their journeynature and societyare frequently represented by animals. The Joads, when they initially leave home, are a group of simplistic, animal-like people who barely understand or even realize their plight, but as the story progresses, they begin to grow and adapt to their new circumstances. They evolve from a small, insignificant group of creatures with no societal consciousness into a single member of a much larger familysociety. Steinbeck strongly portrays the Joads and other displaced "Okies" as being animalistic. They often talk about their predicament in simplistic terms that suggest that they are initially not conscious of the circumstances that force them to leave Oklahoma. Muley Graves, for instance, tells Tom Joad and Jim Casy that the rest of the Joads, whose house has been destroyed by a tractor, are "piled in John's house like gophers in a winter burrow (Steinbeck 47)." This presents the image of a family of animals that have clustered together, hoping to fend off a predator with their greater numbers. They see the societal problems around them in terms of a predator as well; on one occasion, Casy asks a man at a service station, "You ever seen one a them Gila monsters take hold, mister? (Chop him in two) an' his head hangs on. An' while he's layin' there, poison is drippin' into the hole he's made (Steinbeck 132)." This refers to the devastating, unbreakable grip of the socioeconomic forces at work above them (Lisca 96). A particularly important element that represents the migrants on a naturalistic level is the turtle (Lisca 97). Introduced in the ...

Cost Allocation in US Army

Cost Allocation in US Army Introduction Cost allocation refers to assigning a cost that is standard to various cost objects. For example, if a company has one electric or water meter, it may apportion the cost of the electricity or water to various departments that use electricity. Allocation is arbitrary in nature whereby the kind of allocation done is on the basis of estimates.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cost Allocation in US Army specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More US Army Corp The main reason why cost allocation is done from a federal point of view is to ensure that the cost of running projects is distributed equitably. US Army Corp of engineers always worries about cost allocation because it helps them know the magnate of project costs that is reimbursable. Again, cost allocation is important especially for future allocations to ensure that actual allocation is done as opposed to estimates (US Army Corps of Engineers, 2010). Cost alloca tion also ensures that the kind of costs apportioned for a given project is in line with financial plan outlined. Even though the US Army Corp is a part of the federal government, cost allocation remains important as it ensures that all projects are catered for. City of Seattle When cost allocation is being done, there are some factors that are usually put into consideration and are known as drivers. I do agree with the method that has been used in cost allocation. By so doing, it ensures that every aspect in every department is well catered for (Cityofseattle, 2010).This kind of cost allocation addresses every activity that goes on and therefore helps to ensure that no part is left out. The reason for choosing these drivers was to ensure that it is all inclusive. Although these drivers may seem numerous and hence the need to combine them and have a blanket and uniform way of allocating funds, this method is preferable because it ensures that nothing is left to doubt. The uniform or blanket method of cost allocation may sometimes lead to lack of sufficient funds to run some of the project. However, when cost allocation is done in this manner, then there is a very slim chance that any essential project will be left unattended. Although cost allocation is mainly done in manufacturing companies, it is also important for cost allocation to be done in the government since the government has equally several sectors and departments each of which is charged with different activities. By so doing, it helps each department to function more effectively. U.S Department of Human Services The U.S Department of Human Services has an exceptional department that looks at the allocation of cost. The reason of having this division is to ensure all pertinent issues which are several in numbers are well addressed since this department exclusively deals with such issues (DHS, 2010). This department administers cost allocation to hospitals, colleges and universities mainly through r eviewing and negotiating cost rates that are indirect.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Usually, these cost rates once received are subject to review which takes about 180 days as from the day when they are received (Young, 1985, p.54).  It is important to point out that cost allocation is not just important for government agencies but also for private agencies which may have several departments. When an organization carries out cost allocation, it becomes easier to keep track of all projects of every department. For example, if an organization has five or more departments, it will be important to allocate funds for each department so as to keep an easy track on the projects and ensure that all have been catered for (Bryden, 1985, p.34). References Bryden, D. (1985). Cost Allocation. South Africa: S.N. Cityofseattle (2010). City of Seattle Budget for 2009 – 2010. Web. US Army Corps of Engineers. (2010). Walla Walla Project. Web. US Department of Human Services (DHS) (2010). Financial Accounting, Division of  Cost Allocation. Web. Young, H. (1985). Cost allocation: methods, principles, applications. Holland: North- Holland.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cost Allocation in US Army specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

The use of complementary atlternative medicine (CAM) Research Paper

The use of complementary atlternative medicine (CAM) - Research Paper Example What we have seen with Mr. Cohen is his oxygen saturation varies with torso position, physical activity, and Albuterol treatments. In terms of torso position, Mr. Cohen tends to keep the head of bed up with helps keep fluid flow away from his solar plexus which helps him breath easier, but it cause lower back pain. Percocet helps relieve the pain. Sometimes, Mr. Cohen leans over his bedside table to assist his breathing by increasing pressure on his solar plexus region to augment pulmonary diffusion of oxygen. When he does this his lungs sounds clear but diminished on both sides. His oxygen saturation is 92% immediately following this behavior. Although physical activity tends to lower his oxygen saturation, it is necessary to assist the body in exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen over the capillaries. A 60 foot walk to the nurses' station decreased oxygen saturation to 86%, but a few deep breaths increased it to 91% in a matter of moments. Likewise, the return 60 foot walk to his room decreased oxygen saturation to 87%, but a moment's rest increased it to 91%. Following the physical activity, Mr. Cohen took an Albuterol treatment to increase his oxygen saturation to 93%. Mr. Cohen is a 75 year old Jewish American with emphysema chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. He was admitted for difficulty breathing.

East Coast Yachts Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

East Coast Yachts - Assignment Example In the traditional method, usually the institutional and large investors are involved while the Dutch auction process facilitates small investors to participate in the bid. Advantage with the Dutch auction is that the process can fetch price of the share close to its market value at lower expense. Hence East Coast Yachts needs to go for a Dutch auction to go public. The optimal size of the IPO can be calculated by assessing true needs of funds for at least 2 years of future operations after ongoing expansion. Raising $100 million when the company currently needs only $75 million means ECY will have advantage of increased liquidity or cushioning to face liquidity crunch that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances in the business. However, in this process the company’s equity base will increase by 33% putting unnecessary pressure on the company’s earnings per share. This is disadvantageous because lower earnings per share will fetch lower market price assuming same P/E ratio for ECY. After all, efficient financial management is a critical need for any company to enhancing operational performance hence cushioning of 5-10% is fine while raising money in public but raising $100 million (33% higher than current requirement) is certainly detrimental to the long-term financial health of the company (Dutch Auction IPO vs. Traditional Bo ok Building, 2013). It is pertinent to note that the company already provides audited financial statements to the SEC as part of its bond indenture incurring expenses of $325,000, however, that needs not to be counted as necessary expenses for this IPO. Crowe & Mallards will charge 7% as underwriting commission to the total issue of $85 million that will take away $ 5.95 million leaving $79.05 from the fund collected. While deducting above mentioned expenses of $2,543,500 the company will have

How and why age discrimination operates in the workplace Essay

How and why age discrimination operates in the workplace - Essay Example It is a tragedy that age is lessening down the value of precious minds in the workplaces. Today, workplaces prefer young, fresh minds; while, those with experience are considered as old and bogus. Age versus experience is a very interesting debate; however, this is also true that workplaces are getting modern enough not to give space to the elderly employees. The value of experience is getting less; and, the value of young, gorgeous, handsome and fresh looks are in demand in workplaces today. What effect this discrimination creates on the aged employees is another important issue, because it gives rise to hopelessness and despair among them. What is interesting is that age discrimination starts at around mid-thirties which is not that big an age. It is not ethical for an employer to discard, de-select, fire, or abuse an employer because of his growing age. Ageism, is a growing concept in workplaces, and employers need to give serious consideration to it if they want experienced minds to generate ideas that are free of error and ambiguity. Unless a critical job is under consideration, like that of a pilot or a policeman, age should not be an issue. Age discrimination may be light or severe. This ranges from abusive remarks to proper bully. Severity converts it into harassment, which is totally illegal since it creates a sense of hostility and disrespect in the workplace environment. It is also important to discuss who the discriminator is. In a workplace setting, the harasser bringing about age discrimination may be the leader of the organization, co-workers, general staff such as canteen boy, and even customers. This paper tends to shed light on this important issue. Some important UK and EU laws have been described to give an overview of what measures are being taken to eliminate age discrimination in UK and EU organizations. Past research has been discussed in great detail, which helps understand how frequent age discrimination is and what are its effects. A counter-argument has also been discussed in detail to give a critical analysis. The report has been summarized in a concluding paragraph, and Harvard style of referencing has been used properly both for in-text citation and references section. This report can prove to be a beneficial study for those who want an overview of age discrimination in the workplace. UK and EU Laws regarding Age Discrimination Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 has been presented by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act is basically a unification and extension of already existing age discrimination regulations. It is in application since 2010 in all UK organizations. It not only protects older workers from discrimination at workplaces but also at other institutes like universities and trade associations (GOV.UK, 2013). Under this Act, older employees are protected in almost all matters related to workplace and job. This Act addresses both direct and indirect discrimination, and states that old age employees should be given equal opportunities of employment as young people, with the only exception that the employers have the right to reject or fire them if they have such a disability that hinders with their job performance. Employers are bound to make sure that the workplace environment is not hostile toward old age employees. They are bound to give them equal opportuniti

Ethical Ways and Unethical Decisions on a Case Assignment

Ethical Ways and Unethical Decisions on a Case - Assignment Example These include Autonomy promotes choice (Patterson & Patrick, 2000). However, while allowing the woman to make her own choices, the parole officer should still tell her about the parolee’s previous charges. This is because the parole officer has been trusted to offer protection. Pollock (2007), reports that while utilitarian ethics may tolerate actions (means) that ultimately have a good end, any â€Å"bad means† (such as not letting the woman know about the previous child molestation offences of the parolee) might lead to a bad outcome. In this case, not letting the woman know of the parolee’s previous child molestation charges would be going against the code of ethics established for rehabilitation counselors. This is because the woman’s three children aged 6, 9, and 14 would be at serious risk of being harmed by the offender (John). However, in keeping with the justice requirement cited in the rehabilitation counselors’ code of ethics, the probation officer should recognize that no crime has been committed against any of the woman’s children yet (Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors, 2009). An unethical decision would be to assume that the parolee has already committed a crime by being close to â€Å"potential victims.† Other options available in this situation include informing the woman to avoid John at all costs for the safety of the three children. The argument for this is that extreme shaming should be avoided. Pollock (2007) argues that â€Å"shaming† conditions only work towards making the offender feel abandoned and cast aside by the society and may work against the rehabilitation process. Since no offence had been committed to the woman or her children, avoiding â€Å"shaming† the parolee further would still be ethical and morally acceptable. Patterson, J., & Patrick, A. (2000). Choice: Ethical and Legal Rehabilitation Challenges.Rehabilitation Counseling

Introduction to Personal and Professional Practice - Final Assignment Essay

Introduction to Personal and Professional Practice - Final Assignment - Essay Example However, experience alone cannot impact learning outcomes unless an individual is taught how to reflect or look back and apply their experience in the milieu of today’s dynamics. According to Boud et al. (1985, p. 7) experience-based learning is essentially a combination of three distinct phases; preparation, engagement and processing. During the course of the module I realized that real life experiences and happenings influenced my approach towards the learning outcomes the most, specifically in the preparation stage where I gradually began to comprehend then define the targets I associated with and ultimately hoped to achieve through the learning experience. Even though, researchers such as Day (1993) have audaciously asserted that the role of reflection in personal and professional development has proved to be insufficient, I still hold the view that the strong correlation between experience-based learning and structured reflection as established by Boud et al. (1985) is im perative to the achievement of desired outcomes, aims and objectives when undertaking efforts to seek personal and professional enhancement. ... earning experience was greatly enhanced once it was understood that knowledge of personal and professional development and practice has the ability to shape the course of an individual’s career by aiding skill enhancement, developing problem-solving expertise and promoting critical thinking. According to a research conducted by Liaw and Huang (2012), the self-regulation ability of a learner in an e-learning environment is dependent upon two variables; the extent to which the learner is satisfied with the knowledge being offered and the degree to which the learner perceives the learning outcome as useful or of practical application in a workplace setting. It should be noted that based on the aforementioned research, perceived satisfaction and usefulness of e-learning initiatives in the practical world as well as the interactive setting itself can be established as a basic need of learners, the inexistence of which can discourage potential pupils from exercising commitment towar ds successfully completing the module or even opting for it in the first place. Supervisors, mentors and teachers can employ the findings of such studies to identify the specific requirements of learners when designing personal and professional development programs to ensure that participants reap maximum benefits out of the curriculum which has wider applicability in a practical scenario. This part of the essay will discuss the skills and techniques that are required to continue effective learning. Ames and Archer (1988) concluded that motivation processes based on goal-orientation are a critical factor in facilitating effective learning, perhaps because an individual’s efforts that are directed towards the achievement of an objective also revive the notion of self-efficacy that is based upon

The American Civil Rights Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The American Civil Rights Movement - Essay Example After the unfortunate murder of King, Black leaders, such as Stokely Carmichael joined the Black Panther movement, and coined the phrase ‘black power’. He advocated Black liberation from oppression and discrimination by any means possible. Therefore, it proved to be a radical movement which utilized violence. The movements’ violent message permeated into most parts of black society. Consequently, blacks treated whites as their enemies and old gang rivalries based on cultural divides were galvanized.Nevertheless, the movement as a whole was nonviolent and very successful. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which made it possible for southern African Americans to cast vote. Prior to this Act, discriminatory literacy tests and poll taxes had restricted black from voting. Furthermore, in 1968, President Johnson signed the Rights Act which banned discrimination in the sale, rental, and finance of housing. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting int erracial marriage was unconstitutional. Consequently, sixteen states that still banned interracial marriage were forced to revise their laws. In my opinion, the Civil Rights movement transformed the USA completely. Without these brave and audacious African leaders and free thinkers, battling against an unjust society was nearly impossible. Many of the protestors and leaders of the different movements were either targeted by the authorities or tortured by the police. Individual leaders, such as Martin Luther King were even murdered while trying to battle.

Ethical Ways and Unethical Decisions on a Case Assignment

Ethical Ways and Unethical Decisions on a Case - Assignment Example These include Autonomy promotes choice (Patterson & Patrick, 2000). However, while allowing the woman to make her own choices, the parole officer should still tell her about the parolee’s previous charges. This is because the parole officer has been trusted to offer protection. Pollock (2007), reports that while utilitarian ethics may tolerate actions (means) that ultimately have a good end, any â€Å"bad means† (such as not letting the woman know about the previous child molestation offences of the parolee) might lead to a bad outcome. In this case, not letting the woman know of the parolee’s previous child molestation charges would be going against the code of ethics established for rehabilitation counselors. This is because the woman’s three children aged 6, 9, and 14 would be at serious risk of being harmed by the offender (John). However, in keeping with the justice requirement cited in the rehabilitation counselors’ code of ethics, the probation officer should recognize that no crime has been committed against any of the woman’s children yet (Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors, 2009). An unethical decision would be to assume that the parolee has already committed a crime by being close to â€Å"potential victims.† Other options available in this situation include informing the woman to avoid John at all costs for the safety of the three children. The argument for this is that extreme shaming should be avoided. Pollock (2007) argues that â€Å"shaming† conditions only work towards making the offender feel abandoned and cast aside by the society and may work against the rehabilitation process. Since no offence had been committed to the woman or her children, avoiding â€Å"shaming† the parolee further would still be ethical and morally acceptable. Patterson, J., & Patrick, A. (2000). Choice: Ethical and Legal Rehabilitation Challenges.Rehabilitation Counseling

The American Civil Rights Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The American Civil Rights Movement - Essay Example After the unfortunate murder of King, Black leaders, such as Stokely Carmichael joined the Black Panther movement, and coined the phrase ‘black power’. He advocated Black liberation from oppression and discrimination by any means possible. Therefore, it proved to be a radical movement which utilized violence. The movements’ violent message permeated into most parts of black society. Consequently, blacks treated whites as their enemies and old gang rivalries based on cultural divides were galvanized.Nevertheless, the movement as a whole was nonviolent and very successful. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which made it possible for southern African Americans to cast vote. Prior to this Act, discriminatory literacy tests and poll taxes had restricted black from voting. Furthermore, in 1968, President Johnson signed the Rights Act which banned discrimination in the sale, rental, and finance of housing. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting int erracial marriage was unconstitutional. Consequently, sixteen states that still banned interracial marriage were forced to revise their laws. In my opinion, the Civil Rights movement transformed the USA completely. Without these brave and audacious African leaders and free thinkers, battling against an unjust society was nearly impossible. Many of the protestors and leaders of the different movements were either targeted by the authorities or tortured by the police. Individual leaders, such as Martin Luther King were even murdered while trying to battle.

Generic Visual Perception Processor Essay Example for Free

Generic Visual Perception Processor Essay The generic visual perception processor (GVPP) has been developed after 10 long years of scientific effort . Generic Visual Perception Processor (GVPP) can automatically detect objects and track their movement in real-time  . The GVPP, which crunches 20 billion instructions per second (BIPS), models the human perceptual process at the hardware level by mimicking the separate temporal and spatial functions of the eye-to-brain system. The processor sees its environsment as a stream of histograms regarding the location and velocity of objects. GVPP has been demonstrated as capable of learning-in-place to solve a variety of pattern recognition problems. It boasts automatic normalization for varying object size, orientation and lighting conditions, and can function in daylight or darkness. This electronic eye on a chip can now handle most tasks that a normal human eye can. That includes driving safely, selecting ripe fruits, reading and recognizing things. Sadly, though modeled on the visual perception capabilities of the human brain, the chip is not really a medical marvel, poised to cure the blind Introduction of  GVPP The GVPP tracks an object, defined as a certain set of hue, luminance and saturation values in a specific shape, from frame to frame in a video stream by anticipating where its leading and trailing edges make differences with the background. That means it can track an object through varying light sources or changes in size, as when an object gets closer to the viewer or moves farther away. The GVPPS major performance strength over current-day vision systems is its adaptation to varying light conditions. Todays vision systems dictate uniform shadow less illumination ,and even next generation prototype systems, designed to work under â€Å"normal† lighting conditions, can be used only dawn to dusk. The GVPP on the other hand, adapt to real time changes in lighting without recalibration, day or light. For many decades the field of computing has been trapped by the limitations of the traditional processors. Many futuristic technologies have been bound by limitations of these processors . These limitations stemmed from the basic architecture of these processors. Traditional processors work by slicing each and every complex program into simple tasks that a processor could execute. This requires an existence of an algorithm for solution of the particular problem. But there are many situations where there is an inexistence of an algorithm or inability of a human to understand the algorithm. Even in these extreme cases GVPP performs well. It can solve a problem with its neural learning function. Neural networks are extremely fault tolerant. By their design even if a group of neurons get, the neural network only suffers a smooth degradation of the performance. It wont abruptly fail to work. This is a crucial difference, from traditional processors as they fail to work even if a few components are damaged. GVPP recognizes stores , matches and process patterns. Even if pattern is not recognizable to a human programmer in input the neural network, it will dig it out from the input. Thus GVPP becomes an efficient tool for applications like the pattern matching and recognition HOW IT WORKS: Basically the chip is made of neural network modeled resembling the structure of human brain. The basic element here is a neuron. There are large number of input lines and an output line to a neuron. Each neuron is capable of implementing a simple function. It takes the weighted sum of its inputs and produces an output that is fed into the next layer. The weights assigned to each input are a variable quantity. A large number of such neurons interconnected form a neural network. Every input that is given to the neural network gets transmitted over entire network via direct connections called synaptic connections and feed back paths. Thus the signal ripples in the neural network, every time changing the weighted values associated with each input of every neuron. These changes in the ripples will naturally direct the weights to modify into those values that will become stable . That is, those values does not change. At this point the information about the signal is stored as the weighted values of inputs in the neural network. A neural network geometrizes computation. When we draw the state diagram of a neural network, the network activity burrows a trajectory in this state space. The trajectory begins with a computation problem. The problem specifies initial conditions which define the beginning of trajectory in the state space.

Interaction of Dye-surfactants and Dye-amino Acids

Interaction of Dye-surfactants and Dye-amino Acids Review of the literature shows that the study of interaction of dye-surfactants and dye-amino acids provide useful important information about physiological systems because of its widespread applications and relatively complex behaviour. These investigations are important from point of view of technology of dyeing processes as well as for chemical researches, such as biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and photosensitization. Most of the work on amino acids and biomolecules have been carried out in pure and mixed aqueous solutions but the investigation of spectroscopic, tensiometric and thermodynamic properties of amino acids in aqueous dye solution has rarely been done. On the other hand although studies have been made involving dye–surfactant interactions, yet this particular field of research is still important for improvised dyeing process in terms of theoretical, technological, environmental as well as economic point of view [1]. The dye-surfactant interaction has importa nce in many areas such as the spectral behaviour of dye in microheterogenous systems, dye-sensitized solar cells, and photocatalysis like photocatalytic water splitting. It is important to understand how surfactants and dyes interact in aqueous solutions to clarify the mechanisms of dyeing and other finishing procedures. Hence the investigation of interaction between surfactants / amino acid in aqueous dye solution was undertaken using different useful techniques. Mata et. al [2] investigated the physicochemical properties of pure cationic surfactants (quaternary salts) in aqueous solution by means of surface tension (at 303.15 K), conductance (at 293.15–333.15 K), dye solubilization and viscosity measurements. From the results it appeared that changes in the nature of the surfactant (such as changes in chain length, polar head group or counter ion) have a severe effect on the subsequent self-assembly in water. The increase in hydrophobic character of the surfactant decreases the CMC, induces sphere-to-rod transition at lower concentration and increases the solubilizing power of surfactant towards orange OT. Viscosity results indicated that the size of the micelles is relatively small at CMC and grows longer with increasing surfactant concentration. The plots of differential conductivity, (dk/dc)T,P, versus the total surfactant concentration enables us to determine the CMC values more precisely. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) and degree of ionization (ÃŽ ²) of cationic surfactants, dodecyldimethylethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) in aqueous media were determined by Mehta et. al [3] from the conductivity measurements at different temperatures. The cmc behavior of DDAB and DTAC was analyzed in comparison with the results of DTAB in terms of effect of counter ion and increase in alkyl chain. It was observed that by changing the counter ion from chloride (DTAC) to bromide along with the increase in alkyl chain on polar head group (DDAB), the cmc shows a decrease. Thermodynamics of the system reveals that at lower temperatures, the micellization in case of DDAB was found to be entropy-driven, while at higher temperatures it was enthalpy driven. In DTAC system only entropic effect dominates over the entire temperature range. The aggregation properties of a cationic surfactant, DTAB, at different compositions in water-DMSO mixtures was studied by Và ©ronique Peyre et. al [4] using combination of techniques such as SANS, conductivity, and density measurements. Different complementary approaches were used for the interpretations of data. This multi-technique study explains the reason for the decrease in ionization degree, role of solvation in micellization and emphasizing the dissymmetric solvation of the chain by DMSO and the head by water. The study is interesting from the point of view that micellization process has been described by using combined analysis from molecular to macroscopic scale. Apparent and partial molar volumes of decyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (C10DBACl) at (15, 25, and 35)  °C have been calculated from results of density measurements by A. G. Perez et. al [4]. The specific conductivities of the solutions have been determined at the same temperatures. The results served for the estimation of critical micelle concentration, cmc, ionization degree, (ÃŽ ²), and standard free energy of micellization, (à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  G), of the surfactant. J. J. Galan, J. R. RodrÄ ±guez [5] studied the molality dependence of specific conductivity of pentadecyl bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide and cetylpiridinium chloride in aqueous solutions in the temperature range of 30–45 à ¢-†¹C. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) and ionization degree of the micelles, ÃŽ ², were determined directly from the experimental data. Comparing our results for C16PBr and C16PCl water solutions, it can be observed that the substitution of the bromide anion by the more hydrophilic chloride leads to an increase in cmc by a factor of approximately 1.3. Chanchal Das and Bijan Das [6] have studied the micellization behavior of three cationic surfactants, viz., hexadecyl-, tetradecyl-, and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, TTAB, and DTAB, respectively) in ethylene glycol (EG) (1) + water (2) mixed solvent media with varying mass fractions of EG (w1) by means of electrical conductivity and surface tension measurements. Temperature dependence of the critical micelle concentrations was also investigated to understand the micellar thermodynamics of these systems. From the study of the temperature dependence of the cmc of these surfactants in the EG (1) + water (2) mixture with w1 ) 0.30, they had demonstrated that the micellization was mainly governed by an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. Data on the thermodynamics of adsorption demonstrate that the surface activity of these surfactant decreases with the addition of EG to water at a given temperature and that the adsorption of surfactant at the air/mixture interface takes plac e spontaneously. The micellisation behaviour of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) in different mass fraction (17–47) of ethylene glycol (EG), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylformamide (DMF)–water mixed solvents, was studied by Olaseni et. al [7] using electrical conductivity measurement at different temperatures (293.1–313.1 K). The results of the thermodynamic analysis showed that addition of organic solvents, which are principally located in the bulk phase made the micellisation process less spontaneous. The London-dispersion interaction represented the major attraction force for micellisation and micellisation proceeded via an exothermic process. Sar Santosh K and Rathod Nutan [8] evaluated cmc, ÃŽ ± value and the thermodynamic parameters of the process of micellization for alkyl (C12, C14, and C16) trimethylammonium bromide systems in presence of water-dimethylformamide (5-20 % v/v) binary mixtures over a temperature range of 298-318 K. It was observed that both the cmc and ÃŽ ± value were dependent upon the (v/v %) of solvent and temperature and the micellization tendency of cationic surfactant decreases in the presence of solvents. It was also observed that the micellization is favored in general by entropy and enthalpy at higher temperatures, whereas it is favored mainly by entropy at low temperatures. A. Ali et. al [9] have studied the thermodynamic properties of sodium dodecyl sulphate in micellar solution of L-serine and L-threonine by fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. They observed a decrease in cmc of SDS in Thr solutions as compared to that in Ser. The determined values of à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  G become increasingly negative in the order: water > Ser >Thr, suggesting that the formation of micelles is more favorable in presence of amino acids than in pure water. The aggregation behavior of SDS was explained in terms of structural changes in mixed solutions. On the basis of dynamic light scattering it was suggested that the size of SDS micelles was influenced by the presence of amino acids. F. Jalali and A. Gerandaneh [10] computed the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) conductometrically in binary mixtures of water + cosolvent at various temperatures and in the presence of potassium bromide (2.0 – 14 X10-3 M). Dioxane and acetonitrile were used as cosolvents added to water. Addition of organic solvents to water increased the cmc value of CTAB, but the presence of KBr lowered cmc. Thermodynamic parameters of micellization, were evaluated for each solution according to the pseudo-phase model, and the changes observed in these parameters were related to the presence of KBr and cosolvents in aqueous solution. The conductivity of (cosolvent C water) in the presence of increasing concentration of 1-hexadecylpyridinium bromide was measured at various temperatures by F. Jalali et al. [11]. Acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dioxane and ethylene glycol were used as cosolvents. From the conductivity data, the critical micelle concentration c.m.c., and the effective degree of counter ion dissociation ÃŽ ±, were obtained at various temperatures. In all the cases studied, a linear relationship between ([c.m.c] / mol . dm-3) and the mass fraction of cosolvent in solvent mixtures was observed. The thermodynamic properties à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  Hand à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  Swere evaluated from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants for micellization of the surfactant. While the micellization process in pure water is both enthalpy and entropy stabilized, it becomes entropy destabilized in all solvent mixtures used; the values of à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  S being more negative with increase i n the cosolvent content of the solvent mixtures. The resulting à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  H against Tà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  S plot showed a fairly good linear correlation, indicating the existence of an enthalpy–entropy compensation in the micellization process. The effect of the simultaneous presence of an electrolyte (NaBr) and nonelectrolyte species (DMSO and AN) in aqueous solution on the micellization of HDPB was studied by F. Jalali and A. Shaeghi Rad [12]. They concluded that the presence of NaBr favors the micellization of HDPB mainly due to a decrease in repulsions between micelle head groups. Adding a cosolvent, such as DMSO or AN, to water inhibits the formation of micelles because of the increase in hydrophobic character of the mixed solvent, which increases the attraction of surfactant monomers toward the solvent.

Absurdity in Albert Camus’ The Stranger Essay -- The Outsider Essays

The word "absurd" or "absurdity" is very peculiar in that there is no clear definition for the term. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary gave its definition of "absurd" as "having no rational or orderly relationship to human life: meaningless, also: lacking order or value." Many existential philosophers have defined it in their own manner. Soren Kierkegarrd, a pre-World War II German philosopher, defined absurd as "that quality of Christian faith which runs counter to all reasonable human expectation" (Woelfel 40). Jean-Paul Sartre a post-WW II French philosopher, felt that absurd was "the sheer contingency or ‘thereness’ or gratuitousness of the world" (Woelfel 41). Both of these definitions are hard to interpret and for the most part are not how Camus viewed the word absurd. Camus gives his interpretation of absurd in his book The Myth of Sisyphus, which is the point at which man realizes that all the struggles that we put forth in a repeated daily cycle are in all actuality completely meaningless (Woelfel 44). In James W. Woelfel’s book, Camus: A Theological Perspective, he gives us Camus point of absurdity in detail, I have said that the world is not absurd. Neither is man the strange animal absurd. What is then? The absurd, Camus says, is precisely the relationship between man, who demands ultimate rationality, and his irrational world: the "confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world" (Camus, Myth 21). †¦ man experiences himself as other than his natural environment and as wanting more than it can yield†¦nature has produced a being with needs it cannot fulfill. The juxtaposition of the human need for ultimate meaning with the ultimate lack of meaning yielded by the universe is the a... ...tranger.’† Storybites.com. Storybites, 2011. Web. 26 August 2015. "Absurd."   Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary.   http://www.merriam-webster.com/ Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurd Braun, Lev.   Albert Camus:   Moralist of the Absurd.   Cranbury: Associated UP, 1974. Camus, Albert.   The Myth of Sisyphus.   Trans. Justin O'Brien.   New York: Vintage, 1955. ---.   The Stranger.   Trans. Matthew Ward.   New York: Vintage, 1988. Ellison, David R.   Understanding Albert Camus.   Columbia: U of South Carolina P, 1990. Masters, Brian.   Camus: A Study.   London: Heinemann, 1974. McCarthy, Patrick.   Camus: The Stranger.   Cambridge UP, 1988. Todd, Oliver.   Albert Camus: A Life.   Trans. Benjamin Ivry.   New York: Knopf, 1997. Woelfel, James W.   Camus: A Theological Perspective.   New York: Abingdon, 1975.   

Brighton Beach Memoirs Family’s Struggle :: Brighton Beach Memoirs Essays

Brighton Beach Memoirs  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Family’s Struggle   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brighton Beach Memoirs is the story of one family's struggle to survive in the pre-World War II age of the "Great Depression". This was a time of great hardship where pain and suffering were eminent. In this play, Neil Simon gives us a painfully realistic view of life during the late 1930s.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The setting takes place in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, in the fall of 1937. It is a lower-income area inhabited by mostly Jews, Irish, and Germans. The house is described as a wooden-framed, 2 floor, establishment near the beach.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The main character and narrator is Eugene Jerome. Eugene is a 15-year-old boy who is in the midst of going through puberty. Like Rusty-James in Rumble Fish, Eugene looks up to his older brother Stanley. His hobbies and hopes include playing baseball in hopes of becoming a New York Yankee, writing, and to see the "Golden Palace of the Himalayas", which in other words is seeing a naked woman. Eugene always feels as if he is being blamed for everything that goes wrong. He finds liberation from a household of seven by writing in his diary, which he calls his memoirs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Stanley is Eugene's 18-year-old, older brother. Stanley can be described as a person who stands up for his principles. Eugene is constantly looking to him for advice with his pubescent "problems". Stanley had to work young to support the family. We later see him losing his paycheck from gambling and almost joining the army.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kate and Jack Jerome are Eugene's parents. They are constantly looking to Eugene for things to be done. They have it very hard supporting their own family and her sister Blanche's family. Jack had to take up many jobs to support everybody, which resulted in a heart attack. We later see Jacks relatives escaping from the Nazi occupation in Poland to come and live with him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Blanche is Eugene's aunt and Kate's sister. When Blanche's husband David died, she found she could not support her family. Kate and Jack agreed to take her and her two daughters, Nora and Laurie, in and support them. We see that Blanche has many problems of being independent. Her daughters, Nora and Laurie, have their own share of problems.

Banking and Its Influential Factors in the Economy

Banking is one of the most influential factors on the economies of today†s society. As with everything these days, technology is changing where, when and most of all, how we do things, specifically banking and other related financial transactions and arrangements such as mortgages, etc. Recently, in Toronto, the very city we live in, we were in the midst of two possible bank mergers, which would have changed banking and on a larger scale the entire economy, in many ways. In comparison to the larger banks of the world, Canada†s most major banks are not even close to the size and caliber of international banks like ING Direct, for example. This would not typically be a problem for Canadian banks, however when these international banks move into Canada, which has happened already, and is bound to happen even more as time passes and Canada becomes a more prosperous country, it quickly becomes a very large problem. Banks are an extremely affluent business. Regardless of where you are in the world banks are right at the top of the list when it comes to capital, equity and earnings. Canada fits right in, in comparison to the rest of Canada. But when we compare Canada†s banks to those of other countries, or even better, international banks, they are simply insignificant. For example, hypothetically speaking, if the entire world were opting whether or not to adopt a single currency, most deciding factors would be made by the banks of each individual country. Canada, although it is a major world leader in many other categories, would not be looked upon as a country that knew much about international stature, in terms of banking. In this essay I will try to prove how banking is one of the most influential factors on the economy by using factual cases from recent times. What does better customer relations† mean? Increasingly, customers are demanding more convenient ways to do their banking. An Ernst and Young study (Technology in Banking Report) concluded, â€Å"nothing changes in the banking world if customers cannot get financial services when and where they wish†¦this means anywhere, at any time. † Statistics show that ATM†s telephone banking, and home banking account for over fifty percent of all banking transactions today, and total non-branch activity is growing at fifteen percent a year. In one survey (Web-Tech, Inc., May 17, 1995), eighty-two percent of 18- to 34-year olds polled preferred banks with 24-hour service. Customers are also demanding a more sophisticated mix of products tailored specifically to their financial needs, and non-bank competitors are better fulfilling these needs. Banks today hold only 20% of household financial assets, versus 34% twenty years ago; they have 30% of business deposits, versus 42% only seven years ago. Non-bank credit card providers have gained inroads against banks, holding a 25% market share versus 5% in 1986 (WebTech, Inc., May 17, 1995). Internet banking offers an attractive solution to this redesigned products and services. Customers have 24-hour graphical-interface access to their accounts and appreciate that their bank is doing something to make banking easier for them. A country, like a business or a person, is constantly doing anything in its power to better itself. A business, like a society, is either growing or declining; the competitive world allows no other options. Human nature will allow no state of rest. Economics is the study of production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods and services (Ammer, pg. 186), all of which, if stopped, would cause a business or a country to grind to a halt. From these statements we realize that change is an integral part of the world of economics. Not necessarily a change in what we create, rather the way we do it. Technology, that is, the development of new materials, products, machinery, and processes can create new products and concepts as well as improve production and efficiency for existing products a few key factors that determine economic growth. As a result, new jobs are created, existing ones are made easier and more efficient, and the in the end there is a greater profit margin (Thurow, pg. 69, 304). To understand this topic I will look at the effects of technology on economic growth compared to those of the other four factors, There are five factors, which affect a country's economic growth, Each factor has its own effect on economic growth, however together they produce a greater overall effect. Picture a bank without any branches. No tellers. No rows of desks. No racks of brochures, no automated teller machines outside. Picture, in fact, a virtual bank, one that for the customer exists only in his or her office or home, as images on a computer screen. US financial institutions are moving towards â€Å"virtual banking.† This strategy is about making bank products and services available to customers any time and any place they want them. As virtual banking becomes more popular, it is very likely that more customer service will be seen while the number of traditional teller-staffed branches will decline. Bank customers will move away from traditional banking and will become more dependent on electronic transactions using ATMs or PCs (Britt, Savings&Community Banker, February 1995, p.9). Thanks to this â€Å"technical revolution†, financial institutions are using software programs, online services, and even the Internet to allow customers to check balances, pay bills, and transfer funds among accounts. Bankers promise that, in the near future, we will also be able to more easily buy certificates of deposit, mutual funds, and other investments, and even apply for loans electronically. For most people, today's best option may be plug into their bank through one of three leading home-budgeting software programs, these programs are: By charging $5 to $20 a month for such services, banks are sure to cash in on the high-tech superhighway. This would make everything much easier for customers. All that is required is a personal computer, software and a modem, all of which the majority of people in today†s society have. On-screen instructions, filled with colorful graphics and pictures, explain how to select and work on various tasks. The system automatically calculates and updates account balances and keeps records of bills. A handful of banks have already set up home pages on the Internet to provide information to their existing and potential customers about upcoming services. They started their transactions. Internet banking differs from the traditional PC banking model in several ways. In most home banking ventures, the bank sends an application software program to the customer which runs on the customer's PC. The customer then dials into the bank with their modem, downloads data, and runs the programs that are resident on their computer, perhaps sending back a batch of requests such as transfers between accounts. It demands more and more space and speed from the customer's computer. With Internet banking, on the other hand, there are potential customers who already have all the software they need to do their banking, since all they need is a browser. The actual banking software resides on the bank's server in the form of their home page. This software can be updated at any moment with new information, such as new prices or products, without having to send anything to the customer; it can also continue to expand and become more sophisticated without becoming cumbersome for the customer to operate. Banking with a browser, on the other hand, involves a continuous, interactive session, initiated by a local telephone call to a local access provider or online service. By developing internal expertise today, banks can prepare themselves to react quickly and efficiently to competitive moves and consumer trends as the financial services industry changes. Employees at Bank of America, Chemical, Wells Fargo, and other large U.S. banks use them to buy lunch and snacks. Smart cards-plastic cards with computer chips-are starting to be used for prepayment, debit, and credit purchases all over the world. In the U.S., smart cards can be only used at a contained group of machines, or for one purpose. â€Å"They are part of the broader shift to electronic delivery, to making ATMs more functional, to using PCs and the Internet to do home banking.† says Edgar Brown, senior vice-president of alternative delivery products at First Union, Charlotte, N.C. One of the advantages of using chips on cards with or instead of magnetic stripes is better security. Microprocessor chips are very difficult to alter or forge. Chips can carry more information than magnetic stripes can. A microprocessor chip can store up to eight kilobytes of data. Smart cards make cheaper and faster payments possible. Money can be deducted from a chip without on-line authorization. This makes for a two-second transaction versus an up-to-two-minutes one, and telecommunications costs are saved (Lunt, P., ABA Banking Journal, September 1995, p.46). We can plainly see that there are many factors having great importance, when dealing with the economy. There are many things we must take into consideration in order to make any kind of an informed economic decision.

Two Hotels

What Is the overlap between operations, marketing and product/service development at Acme Whistles? The simple answer to this question Is, There Is a very significant overlap between these functions'. The underlying question is Why? Partly, the reason is size. As Simon Ottoman says in the example, small companies cannot afford specialist functions so at a managerial level everyone does everything to some extent. This becomes especially true when the boss of the company Is also the owner, It Is literally his own money that Is being spent when creating any new managerial oleos.Partly also the tradition and competitive stance of the company has an influence. This is a company that competes on quality and innovation. Both these things rely on informal communications within the organization and a fast moving, agile ability to checkout and Implement new Ideas. Oxford 1 What are the main issues facing Sofa's operations managers? Broadly, Oxford will have the same issues as any other operati on. They must define their strategic objectives, design appropriate processes that deliver appropriate services, plan and intro those processes, and continually adapt and improve how they deliver their services.But they also have some particularly difficult challenges because of their status as an emergency and caring organization. They must provide a global service. By deflation, Sofa's scope of operations Is global. Anywhere a disaster Is likely to strike could receive the attention of the charity. However, much of Sofa's work Is not concerned with the high profile disaster relief side of its business, but rather the ongoing community development projects it undertakes. Most of these projects will e in the poorer, less developed parts of the world.The Implication of this is that, from an operations point of view, services must be delivered without an assumed level of infrastructural support. The ability to adapt development methodologies to such circumstances would be a key operat ions task. Another aspect of globalization for Oxford concerns the coordination of expertise. Experts, either in development or disaster relief, may be located anywhere In the world. The task of understanding and coordinating this pool of potential help must be a major operations task. It will rely on maintaining a database of expertise and on the ability to deploy it, sometimes at short notice.They must be environmentally ethical. To Oxford, the concept of environmental management must be tackled at two levels. The most obvious one Is that environmental awareness is an ‘output' from the charity operations. In other words, environmental management, to some extent, is one of the operation's products'. It will engage in lobbying governments and non-governmental agencies to achieve Its alms of greater environmental sustainability. However, there Is also another related Issue. Sofa's operations themselves must also be environmentally sound.Agricultural projects, for example, must be managed to ensure that there is 1 OFF local pressures to do so. They must be socially responsible. Again, this is one of those issues, which is both an output from the operation and an objective for the way it runs its own operations. A key issue here must be the way in which the ‘on the ground' managers of development projects tackle some of the particularly sensitive cultural issues. For example, ‘gender issues' are one of Sofa's campaigning points; forever, appropriate gender roles are seen in very different ways in different parts of the world.Pursuing its own ends in terms of, say girls' education, must be balanced against traditional ideas of women's role. Whereas this difficulty may be relatively straightforward to reconcile at a strategic level back in the charity Oxford headquarters, its success depends on how local operations managers deal with the issue at a day-to-day level. Prt A Manger What are the advantages and disadvantages of Prt A Manger organizing itself so that the individual shops make the sandwiches that they sell? There are a number of advantages in this type of organization. The load on the staff in the shop is equalized throughout the day.The demand from customers for purchasing the sandwiches occurs mainly in the middle of the day. If the staff only sold sandwiches, they would be busy in the middle part of the day and unoccupied at other times. The way Prt a Manger organize their processes, the staff can occupy themselves making sandwiches in the early part of the day, then, as the day progresses, staff will progressively move from making to selling. As demand then reduces towards the end f the day, staff will move onto general cleaning and tidying activities as well as making ready for the same cycle of activities to repeat itself the next day.There is clear and direct responsibility for quality, customer service and cost. If there are any problems with quality and availability of sandwiches, it is the same staff who caused the problems who receive customer complaints (In fact, Prt a Manger get very few complaints). Similarly, the effectiveness of cost control can be clearly associated with the staff in the shop. It is a more interesting Job that has a number of different activities (making, selling, cleaning, etc. ) than one where an individual will specialize in Just one of these tasks.It is easier to engender a sense of pride in the high quality and wholesome nature of the products when they are made on the premises. It should be pointed out that there also disadvantages. The main one is that the cost of making sandwiches in a sandwich factory (the way the vast majority of sandwiches are made) is very significantly cheaper because of the higher volume. How can effective operations management at Prt A Manger contribute significantly to its success? And what would the consequences of poor operations management be in this kind of organization?By developing a culture within each store that takes pride in the products themselves, the way they are made and the way customers are served. By listening to customers so that customers' reactions and comments can inform the design of new products. By not wasting materials through poor control, which would increase the cost of running the operation. By developing a sense of fun as well as a sense of commitment in the staff so that customers sense a friendly and laced atmosphere. Two very different hotels in delivering an appropriate level of service?For Formula 1, technology is harnessed in the manufacture of the self-contained bedroom units in the factory prior to assembly on the site. Because of the standardization, conventional factory automation can be used to some extent. More obviously, during the running of normal operations at the hotel, technology, in the form of the automatic ‘booking in' machine at the door, allows the hotel to remain ‘open' even while it is unstained for much of the day. This saves labor. Simi larly, labor is saved by the use of automatic cleaning in the washrooms.This also ensures that high standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout the day, even when the hotel is not staffed. Although not mentioned in the text, Formula 1 hotels also have automatic drinks and snack dispensers, which would allow guests to stave off hunger and thirst even though the hotel does not provide food in a conventional restaurant setting. At the Magus Safari Lodge, very little technology is used. The attraction of the hotel lies in its location and in how their staff treat the guests.Staff must not only be informative and courteous, they will also need to protect and reassure those guests who are anxious in their surroundings and create a sense of adventure (but not too much adventure). 2 What are the main differences in the operations management challenges facing the two hotels? The main difference is the degree of standardization in the operation's processes. For Formula 1, the main use of standardization is in the manufacture of the individual room units. All room units are exactly the same size. Because they all have the same fitting, these fittings can be artsy installed at the factory.This allows the company to buy furniture, curtains, and carpets in high volumes, keeping costs down. The standardized nature of the units also allows the hotel to be constructed quickly (which itself saves costs) using standardized methods of construction that are cheaper than building entirely different hotels at each site. Standardization of rooms also allows a standardized procedure to be adopted for cleaning and maintenance, so staff can be easily trained using a standardized training package. Finally, standardization of the room units, radically, allows all Formula 1 hotels to adapt to the geography of the site.By putting the standard units together, like children's building blocks, they can use unusually shaped pieces of land, which tend to be cheaper than regularly shaped s ites. By contrast, the Magus Safari Lodge provides experiences ‘customized for every visitor's requirements and abilities'. Also, the Magus Safari Lodge must be able to cope with fluctuations in demand through the year. However, Formula 1 try to choose locations that capture the business traveler market during the week and leisure travelers at the weekend.