Problem faced by indian farmers and suggestions Essay

Earlier there was a problem for some credit for farmers, now it is easy to some extent. So the credit is not a problem for the farmers but after production there is, because of not having adequate storage facility some perishable vegetables farmers cannot store it for longer times. So the storage facility and the transportation facilities both should be in the modern line. Actually second thing is the price, price of the produce because whenever the farmer product the price now so low so sometimes it is not remunerative business for farmers. Particularly in fruits this thing happens much because if I grow grain crops then I can store for a longer time but for the fruit crops it is not possible for me. So I have to dispose it off in any market at any price or any rate. So marketing is sometimes a problem. So if both problem solves I think farmer have a good day in future. I am selling through the mandis, through the regulated markets I am selling through the APMC, the agriculture produce market committee in Gujarat. But here in this regular market also there is no say for farmers. Farmers have to stand up there, there is no facility available in the local market for grading and storing. Second thing in the present market also the dalals and wholesalers have their more say than farmers, that is the problem. Solution: According to me the solution could be – In the regulated market, the local market government should enhance the facility for storage as well as grading at the market levels so that our produce can be go for export also. There should be a platform for farmers to decide his price on that.

Boeing E-enabled Advantages Essay

Boeing is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and sells fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, rockets and satellites. It also provides leasing and product support services. Boeing is among the largest global aircraft manufacturers, is the second-largest aerospace & defense contractor in the world based on 2012 revenue and is the US’ largest exporter by dollar value. Boeing stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Boeing Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Chicago and the company is led by Chairman and CEO James McNerney. Boeing is organized into five primary divisions: Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA); Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS); Engineering, Operations & Technology; Boeing Capital; and Boeing Shared Services Group. In 2013, Boeing recorded $86.623 billion in sales, ranked 30th on the Fortune magazine â€Å"Fortune 500† list (2013), ranked 95th on the â€Å"Fortune Global 500† list (2013 ), and ranked 26th on the â€Å"World’s Most Admired Companies† list (2013). The success of this aviation company began when the founder of Boeing, William E.Boeing, bought a shipyard in Seattle on the Duwamish River, which later became his first airplane factory. Boeing, a graduate from Yale University incorporated Boeing on July 15. 1916 as ‘Pacific Aero Products Co.’ which later transformed the company into a world’s largest aircraft manufacturer throughout the aviation history. Between World War I and II, Boeing grew to be one of the largest aircraft by supplying the military with training and fighting planes, pioneering airmail planes and routes, and developing early passenger planes. During World War II, Boeing was ‘one of the country’s leading defense and space contractors’. The B-17 â€Å"Flying Fortress† and B-29 ‘Super Fortress’ bombers were an essential military force, and the B-52, and eight-engine bomber that made debut in 1952, had been used in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf-War 1991 and in Afghanistan in 2001. Research and development that took place during the war years set the stage for the coming age of commercial jetliners, which Boeing would dominate for the remainder of the 20th century. Boeing’s Aircraft Production Boeing made its entry into commercial aviation in 1954, by introducing Boeing 707 to the world. The aircraft, four-engine jetliner based largely on ‘C-97 Stratofreighter’, a military-tanker transport which competed directly with the Douglas DC-8. While Boeing’s foray into commercial aviation was risky at first, the success of 707 eventually helped establish Boeing as a leader in commercial aviation, which until then had been dominated by DAC (Douglas Aircraft Company). The 707 was followed by the 727 in 1962 and the 737 in 1967, and in 1968, Boeing rolled out the 747-its flagship aircraft and the largest civilian aircraft the time. 757, 767 has been added to the 7-series of jetliners right after the ‘impending disaster’, when the Congress had pulled the plug on funding for development of the Apollo Project. During that time, cyclical aviation industry faced a massive downturn, and Boeing had to bear the high start-up cost. Wilson, the president of Boeing at that ‘downfall period’ was force to cut Boeing’s employees from 105,000 to just 38,000, just to maintain the company’s relevancy on financial. Throughout the 1980s, Boeing was virtually unrivalled in commercial aviation. Its 2 main competitors, McDonnell Douglas in the US and Airbus in Europe, held less than half of the market share combined ad neither had a family of airplanes that could compete with Boeing’s versatile 7-series. The second half of 1980 and the early 1990s witnessed nearly unmitigated growth for Boeing. Although the defense and space sectors struggles as the US government cut funding, the commercial aviation division prospered. Air travel had been growing steadily since 1970; ad Boeing broke its own sales record for 6 years in a row starting in 1985. In the 1980s alone, Boeing received orders for more than 3,500 jet liners, which represented half of all jetliners sold by Boeing since the first 707 order was placed in 1956, and in 1987, the 737 surpassed the 727 as the world’s best-selling jetliner. In 1989, Boeing announced plans to develop the next airplane in the 7-series, the 777, to be rel eased in 1995. By 1992, Boeing employed nearly 150,000 people and posted net earnings of 1.5 billion. It was the country’s leading exporter and was considered one of  the nation’s most admired companies. The company that started a mere hobby had become ‘the king of the jet makers.’ Problem Statement Throughout the e-Enable program, Lou Manchini, the Vice President of CAS (Commercial Aviation Service), stated that the main goal of the program was to continue running a profitable business while integrating each business unit with the strategy. This strategy was the implementation specifically for Vision 2016, on how to bear the challenges ahead and putting ideas into practice. The entire effort to implement the goals was handed to Chris Kettering, the program director of e-Enabled. ‘e-Enable’, which adverse the cost-cutting of long term financial strength of BOEING, has revealed Scott Carson’s proposal on breaking down sops of communication among different units. In order to sustain the business through cost-management, the problem of this case has been identified as how e-Enabled can aid the program for long-run sustainability. Could e-Enabled provide the advantage that airplanes used to provide? How concrete the advantages were to withstand the tight competit ion from other makers, and would BOEING’s transition into services prove to be the silver bullet – the solution to the airlines financial woes and to BOEING’s aggressive competition with Airbus? SWOT Analysis Strength Weaknesses World leading/largest aircraft company, used by many Airlines Company and military. Having full concentration especially more on R&D activities/ Wide product and service range, which consists of commercial airplanes, defence work and aerospace The practise of having a healthy financial performance, despite some losses from previous business deals. Strong product and strong technology. Issues of safety (example: 787) Problems on labour forces due to committing into large numbers of workers. Communication issue between departments in the company because of the  company size and high number of staff. In order to stay in business, the company is too dependent with contract with U.S government. Opportunities Threats Aircraft demands from other continents. The increased demand for fuel efficiency in aircraft may lead to company to invest in developing efficient aircrafts. Data availability that can be provided to airlines operators, security agencies may lead to improvisation on the products. Military expansion in new country will requires more aircraft. (Eg: U.S invasion to middle-east) The growth of freight transport market. Competition arises as reported that Airbus are in pursuit to offer services for the military and commercial aircraft sector. New entrants of competitor also exist in defence sector. Uncertain airlines industry environment. The need for lighter version of fuel-efficient planes. Case Analysis ‘e-Enabled Advantage’ strategy was first unveiled in June 2003, the Paris Air Show. Core concept of the strategy, whereby all data and information system relating to airplane maintenance, flight operations and passenger needs would be seamlessly interconnected to effectively bring the airplane into the airline’s network during flight. Through acquisitions, Boeing has increased the value of its e-Enabled campaign by holdings companies that offered different advantages to support its IT credibility of the airline system and established a consumer-friendly website to increase airline technical awareness. The participating companies are: Companies Support Type Preston Aviation Solutions A Comprehensive suite of IT Solutions to need the needs of aviation customers. Jeppesen Sanderson Inc. Provides a full range of print and electronic flight information services. Continental Data Graphic Corp Customized information and documentation to airlines including illustrating and editing materials. MyBoeingFleet.com Provides powerful and flexible tools to manage crew scheduling in both regulated and deregulated environments. SBS International Provides IT maintenance and platform stability Hughes Electronics Corp. Recognized as the world leader in, reconnaissance, surveillance, and imaging systems. After the acquisition, the company further their long-reign campaign IT based strategy with e-Enabled to reach customers on feedback of how to improve the operational quality of Boeing services by introducing ValSim in 2004 (Valuation Simulation), a program that visualized its customer’s business structure using Microsoft Visio to demonstrate how the CAS Software portfolio adds value to the operations. Efficiency is the core success for survival in any airlines industry. When we talk about operational, efficiently is the ‘heart’ that pumps the ‘life’ into the core. With e-Enabled, many within Boeing believed that it is the ‘fundamental’ to deal with the pressures of cost against revenue on demand over supply and aviation competitive market. Also by looking at its e-Enabled environment, the objective is to ensure integrated solutions to services and product will be realized from time to time. As forecasted by analysts, Boeing will have an average of 5% growth in passenger volume over next 2 decades. Summary & Recommendations Boeing’s e-Enabled Advantages has proven that’s the functionality of the strategy has strengthen up the company’s financial position as well as embedding better IT solution in aircraft industry. Boeing has proved a strategy that could sustain their organization for many long years ahead, while having a competitive advantage in the airline industry especially to compete with Europe’s Airbus. One of the most talkative subjects coherent with the powerful e-Enabled Advantage is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is a plane that defined the while e-Enabled Advantage campaign, which fully embedded enabled features. Since  the safety of the aircraft is being questioned from time to time, research and development if Boeing still has ample time to carry out strategic analysing on the aircraft in order to strengthen up e-Enabled advantage. e-Enabled campaign is a serious campaign, thus full support from other bodies and JVs are required for the sake of e-Enabled functionality. This is to recommend that Boeing should look for more promising companies (as a failover backup) that could support e-Enabled if the current supporting bodies fail to deliver through its standards. Other recommendation that can be described in this study case is to offer certain features or software on a free trial or discounted fee to allow airline operator to understand the advantages and scope of e-Enabled services. The awareness and widespread of understanding may need to be improved through not only websites but also other sources of medias.

Moon as a character Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Moon as a character - Essay Example The centrifugal elements of the story have served to also deliver a sense of shock value to those who hear it. These main elements are Salome herself, so beautiful and enchanting that her own stepfather Herod the king, is smitten by her. This is an incestual element which is certainly edgy enough to gain attention. Secondly, a man of God who claims to be a prophet, is so hated that he is murdered in a brutal way in order to please a beautiful woman. These elements are just the surface of a thicket of metaphorical allegory. The moon is of course something of a constant. Certainly, we assume that in any story taking place on this planet, the moon is automatically thought to be lurking overhead in the night. This however, is not the only place for the moon in this particular tale. Salome uses numerous references to ‘white’ which is thought to in essence, represent the moon. Additionally, the story has two human voyeurs, the page and the Syrian. It is the page who is smitten or hypnotized by the moon but really, the moon is serving as a metaphor for princess Salome. This gives a circular quality to the story and reminds the reader that on one layer, there are these people of royalty who are in fact subject to voyeurs. Princess Salome is the object of her stepfather Herod’s voyeurism as well as the voyeurism of the page and the Syrian. Beyond this layer, the voyeurs are subject to the moon itself as it looms overhead as a distant but present voyeur. The moon in fact, is the voyeur watch ing this entire story unfold. Getting back to the nature of the story’s conflicts, it is both an incestual situation materializing which leads to the brutal murder and sadistic handling of a man of God. The piece is entirely fashioned around an emphasis on the dark side of human beings with the additional almost cautionary sense that someone is always watching. This is perhaps the heaviest and most impressive metaphor used in the piece between the moon and

Reply Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Reply - Essay Example In fact, firms and museums usually experience mismanagement of their resources, which mostly leads to collapse of the organizations. Apart from competing for limited resources, both institutions always aim at making profits. In this case, both the firm and museums tend to utilize monetary and natural resources in ensuring that their businesses make profit. The fact that both institutions aim at making profit, it therefore means that they are always attracting new clients hence depending on them for survival. Without visitors and clients, both institutions remain non-operational. The visitors in this case help in granting funding and operations in both institutions. In simple terms, firms and museums always strive to survive in their markets. In fact, innovations remain important to both institutions. Additionally, both institutions have various laws and constitutions which tend to govern them during their operations. To achieve their objectives, both institutions always have specific management types. Lastly, both institutions also have various cultures, which help in attracting their niche customers. In fact, th eir cultures help in allowing both institutions in making valuable profits hence meeting their client’s

Learning Biometry and Statistics Personal Statement

Learning Biometry and Statistics - Personal Statement Example Over the years, I have been inspired to do an excellent job in my academic achievements and leadership. As a result, I received a 2210 on my SAT, and I received an 800 in Math II, 760 in Chemistry, and 750 in Biology on my SAT II. I have taken 5 AP exams include AP Calculus, AP statistics with 3 others this school year. Also, my GPA was 4.0, with a top 10% ranking in the most competitive school in New York City. Moreover, my interest in statistics has always been strong. In addition, I have had various experiences to help prepare me for a career in biometry and statistics including, but not limited to, helping people establish healthy lifestyles to obtaining social and scientific achievements. I love to study and perform research with statistical analysis. As a result, I completed a research project along with several of my friends using probabilistic modeling aimed at diminishing or removing atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries with robotic nanotechnology to improve heart function. During my past three summer vacations, I performed scientific research in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York. This summer, I worked at Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University. During that time, I grew passionate about data analysis using statistics.

The Reaction of the Markets to the Step of ECB to Raise Interest Rates Term Paper

The Reaction of the Markets to the Step of ECB to Raise Interest Rates - Term Paper Example According to the monetary theory, the reverse effect should have taken place- the prices of the bond should have been decreased, whereas euro should have appreciated. However, this reaction can be explained by the fact that Mr. Trichet-the president of ECB reiterated that the latest move of the ECB should not be treated as an indication of the policy of high interest rates. The reaction of the market that followed can be explained by the confidence of investors in a more cautious approach of ECB, as the appreciation of the Euro ceased after new announcements of Mr. Trichet. After all, there is little doubt that the financial experts of ECB do not realize that high-interest rate of ECB which might entail appreciation of Euro and tightening of available pools of credit may hamper economic growth in the European area. This step can be viewed as an attempt (apparently temporarily) to combat the high level of inflation. It is too early to say whether this decision will seriously affect economic growth in European countries. According to OECD, the raising of interest rate could wait until the middle of 2006 when more robust economic growth is expected. However, countries of EU differ in economic, financial and political terms, with weak growth in Germany and France and stronger one in Spain and Ireland; after Maastricht agreements, none of the countries mentioned has the opportunity to regulate the growth in the country by traditional methods of the money supply. Overall, the economic growth in the European countries was less than in the USA (4.3% in the USA against 2.6% in the countries of European Union) and it affected major industrial nations of the EU. If the trend of appreciation of the Euro currency continues, it may hamper export- one of the vital elements of economic recovery in European countries and reduce the long term competitiveness of European companies.  

Qualitative Research Problem and Design-Terence Essay

Qualitative Research Problem and Design-Terence - Essay Example current practical criminology and the particular crime perspective that was created within this research practice (Neuman & Wiegand, 2011).  It is also vital to state that a number of sociological learning on deviance that was focused on the future of a particular perspective of social science on deviance and crime had a qualitative method. However, this term was not well-known during the early twentieth century and there was also no apparent difference between quantitative and quality methods. During the 1940s, when the statistical processes and methods of survey progressed, the ethnographic custom of Chicago school established its place in the social research background and this also included criminology. The qualitative methods used in criminology were driven to the background by the reality that criminology was dominant by jurisprudence, at least in Germany (Schmalleger, 2012).  This started to change during the 1960s in the United States and during the 1970s in Germany. It is during this period that the labeling approach attempted to initiate a new model in social study on deviance. For both of the themes, a qualitative research method was suitable. If crime is considered to be achieved by actions of the organizations of social control, then crime must be analyzed to know its real meaning, an the most appropriet design to this is by use of qualitative research. Crime constitutes the aspects of situations that involve negotiations among various parties that may include the judge, the police, the witness, the victim and the offender (Noaks & Wincup, 2014). Therefore, the aspects of crime can only be inquired through the execution of qualitative methods. The labeling strategy concentrates on how crime is produced by rebuilding the scheduled performances of the foundation of social control and by rebuilding the inherent practices of the organizations of social control and also by rebuilding the inherent standards that produce those practices. This viewpoint on

Should the voting age in the UK be reduced to 16 years of age Essay

Should the voting age in the UK be reduced to 16 years of age - Essay Example And up till now, the prohibiting teenagers from the vote has received reasonably little attention in public discussion. (Shrag, 2004) â€Å"Only an approximately 40% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the general election in 2001. Only an estimated 11.5% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the local elections in 2002†. (www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk) There are several reasons for these low numbers. Some individuals think that by lowering the voting and standing age would be a step forward to give confidence more young people to take interest in elections. While the others think that younger people do not until now have enough considerate of issues like tax and public services to be permitted to a vote or stand as a candidate. The criteria for voting age restriction in most of the countries are 18. Some other countries have different age restriction of voting like, 20 and 21. A few other countries have lowered the age restriction to 16 or 17. On the other hand, some countries have a lower voting age for local level elections than for national elections. Those who say we should keep the age limitations as they are saying that the related voting age in nearly all other countries means we have got it right. People think that only people over eighteen are mature enough and actually take political issues seriously. Right now, people are thinking whether or not sixteen-years old should be able to vote. Some people think that at the age of sixteen the teens are not old and mature enough to vote in an election. The truth is, they should be able to vote. (Franklin, 2004, 45-56) At the age of sixteen, it is only 2 years away from eighteen, and thats not a very big of a difference. Teens also know what is right and wrong, do not have to wait until eighteen, the "legal" age. They also have the right for political parties to give serious

The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse - Essay Example The complexity of the contemporary healthcare environment has significantly changed and the role of nurses has also continued to change due to increased technology advancement. The access to healthcare delivery and nurses offering these services are changing rapidly due to increased demanding needs; therefore, each state is attempting to deal with these increasing healthcare changes through expanding and advancing the roles of nurses. Educators are now required to offer effective training services to graduates in order to prepare them with clear understanding of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles. APN refers as the nursing interventions that influence healthcare outcomes such as care management, nursing administration, direct clinical care of individual patients and development of healthcare policies. Understanding APN roles, professional and regulatory issues will enable nurses to make reasonable transition in the healthcare market. Educators should employ effective approaches for building APN role content into graduate course units since this can enable nurses to their intended goals effectively. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to offer clear analysis of the roles being played by advanced practice nurses in the contemporary healthcare market. Core APN competencies The core competencies for APN nursing roles arise from role requirements, nursing regulations, nursing principles and practices, as well as, professional behavior standards necessary to offer competent, ethical and safe care. These core competencies offer the basis through which practitioners, human resource managers and educators can determine the acceptance level necessary for practicing in APN role in a certain situational context. The core competences address two significant elements including the professional development and the clinical practice both of which are significant for the APN role to attain the acceptable nursing standards and practices. a) Clinical Practice Competencies Practice core competencies are among the significant APN roles and this includes participating in direct patient care. This is an essential part of clinical practice because it adequately fulfills the role of nursing practitioner. Hamric and Hanson (2003) argue that direct clinical practice is one of the central competencies for APN because it informs and offers a foundation for which to build pillars for expert coaching. It also provides a basis for collaboration, research and ethical decision making vital for meeting the demanding needs of patients. Scholars have attempted to examine critical roles played by APN and the way these roles have tremendously changed in the contemporary healthcare market (Hamric and Hanson, 2003). Th e authors also attempts to offer clear and comprehensive roles of APN nurses in the contemporary society. Nurses employ applicable counseling, interpersonal skills and valuable communication skills; thus they initiate therapeutic relationships. They also work in collaboration with other healthcare professions and employ effective ethical standards in order to meet the demanding needs of their clients. b) Professional Development Competencies The professional development competencies are also significant APN roles because they help individuals to accomplish and maintain the level of proficiencies necessary to practice. They focus on the role of individuals in self governance of their occupation practice and personal development. According to Hamric and Hanson (2003), professional role development takes into considerations the theoretical principles and norms within the specialty practice area for nursing graduates. The content in professional role development should offer the graduat e with clear understandings of nursing profession, regulations, necessary requirements for nurses and APN roles (Hamric and Hanso

Physical Security Essay Example for Free

Physical Security Essay A six foot fence secures the outer perimeter. Video surveillance is active on the north fence and inactive on the south. A manned guard station permits entrance into the outer perimeter from the west; an unmanned and unlocked gate permits entrance from the east. No Trespassing signs are posted at intervals upon the perimeter fence; Employees Only is posted on the gate. Visitors must obtain a pass at the guard station. The outer perimeter contains the parking lot and office building. The perimeter has two light posts that, when functioning, illuminate the entire parking lot. Currently, the light post on the south side is not functioning. The office building exterior has three outer doors and one window. The first door is marked with an Employees Only sign and requires a badge for access. The second door is the main entrance for visitors and is manned by a guard, who requires a visitor’s pass for admittance. The third door is an emergency exit only and is clearly marked. Any attempt to gain access through the first door without a badge, the second door without a pass, or the third door at all, results in alarm activation and guard response. The window is locked from within; any attempt to gain access through the window also activates the alarm and alerts the guard. The interior of the office building is segmented into two major areas. The first area is the employee workstation; only employees can access this area. Visitor and employees can access the second area. Both the first and second areas are monitored by active video surveillance. The second area has two doors, both of which lead to smaller offices. The first door is unlocked, but is within sight of video surveillance and employees within the work station. A visitor trying to attempt access to this office results in alarm activation. The second door is obscured from both employees and video surveillance and is unlocked. Each office contains valuable assets. Employees can access either office at will. Within the workstation and smaller offices are several computers. Passwords are required for access to each computer. Each employee has a password and can access network information at any time.

Reviewing The Effectiveness Of Uk Drug Policy Criminology Essay

Reviewing The Effectiveness Of Uk Drug Policy Criminology Essay This paper argues that a meticulous review of the effectiveness of UK drug policy is urgently needed. Policy as contained in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (the MDA), Drugs Act 2005, Medicines Act 1968 and strategy document Drugs: Protecting families and communities]   is currently in a state of disrepair. The question suggests a contemporary over-influence of rhetorical bases in policy formation and evaluation, to the detriment of a frank review of its actual effectiveness, however I am unconvinced this artificial annexation of such broad notions will forge the more effective drug policy to which the question also refers. Rather, I propose that these notions describe the many authorities manipulated and dovetailed to produce and justify a much wider policy model. And it is this model, and the weight given to those authorities that currently hinders the effectiveness of the UK drug policy and deserves review. I call into question the way in which our current system is criminalised v ia the implementation of the MDAs class system, limited to non traditional drugs, and based on control as justified by rhetoric. I propose a more appropriate direction in the adoption of an evidentially based harm reduction model, in line with the home offices most recent policy. 2. UK Drug Policy In order to explore the necessity for a rigorous evaluation of the current UK drug policy; one must gain a comprehensive understanding of what the contemporary policy actually is, and why.  [2]  This can be demonstrated most thoroughly and accurately through a brief analysis of some of the most important policy models affiliated with our domestic drug policy. Through extrapolating the wider reasoning behind our current system I hope to decipher the influences on policy decisions and where the weight imposed on such factors is unsatisfactory the balance should be changed. 2.1. Medicalization A timeline stretching from the nineteenth century keynotes the first defined drug policy of full medicalization at the end of the century.  [3]  This stance places drug users within a medical paradigm, seeing addiction as a disease.  [4]  Whilst this ideology can still be seen as a strand within medicinal interactions with problem drug users, in terms of treatment and the Medicines Act 1968; it no longer works as the basis of domestic strategy. 2.2. A War on Drugs Nixons 1973 use of the metaphor of warfare in relation to drug policies has since seen the USA [wage] an ever-escalating war on drugs.  [5]  This has impacted the UK, where it is argued that criminal law and arguments of morality are deeply embedded in UK drug policy,  [6]  evidenced through a movement towards a largely American-inspired prohibitionist approach in post war years, simply echoing the Pharmacy Act 1869s earlier quasi-medical control of certain substances.  [7]  And I argue that this prohibitionist control still underpins UK drug policy today;  [8]  framing contemporary strategy documents.  [9]  My research suggests this ideology that has lead to drug policy becoming crime-focused to an extent that it can be viewed as distinctively and substantively different in the twenty first century.  [10]   2.3. Criminalisation Academics have noted that the home office has used its influence to try to push Britain towards a system similar to that of the USAreliant solely on control measures.  [11]  With the MDA regulating drugs using a complex legislative framework revolving around the criminalisation of a band of illicit drugs focussing on penal control, apparently based on risk assessment of the harms these drugs cause to the exclusion of traditional drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.  [12]  This was compounded further by the Drugs Act 2005 placing law enforcement and crime reduction [as] central features of the agenda, working alongside the MDA in criminalising the activities surrounding certain drugs.  [13]   The government has maintained that this fundamental purpose of providing a framework within which criminal penalties are set is correct, compounding the overwhelming priority of criminalisation in the current drug policy.  [14]  I argue this undermines current drug strategy aim to reduce the harm that drugs cause to society, to communities, individuals and their families.  [15]  Gower has expressed a deep concern regarding this over-reliance on criminalisation as the means of control, arguing that it lacks a clear grounding in evidence, and it does not achieve its objective to reduce the misuse of drugs.  [16]  This criticism coming from a strong academic feeling that criminalisation seems to define our current definition of the drugs problem, with critics calling into question this nonsensical and unjustified focus on punishment and enforcement.  [17]   2.3.1. Why has the drug-crime link come to be the principal lens through which the drug problem is viewed today?  [18]   The governments criminalisation of drug use is validated by suggestions that drug use and crime are linked in some way;  [19]  as demonstrated by the home office website.  [20]   This contemporary obsession with the drug crime link,  [21]  refers to a belief that the drug trade is linked to serious organised crime.  [22]  Officials argue that the coincidence of drugs and criminal activity can be understood through a theory of causation, and remains a key strand in current drug policy. However, this long history of exaggerated claims has been damned by experts, recognising that whilst there are links; it is surprisingly difficult to show that any of the commonly misused drugs directly cause any behaviour.  [23]  A number of studies have identified only vague correlations,  [24]  with limited evidence showing any causal connections between drugs and crime, somewhat questioning any conviction that drugs cause crime.  [25]  The perceived drug clime link is simply a rhetorical justification of the criminalisation of policy direction, lacking any real evidential strength.  [26]   2.2.2. The Role of the Media Consultation papers work as a key resource in the governments current evaluative process.  [27]  However, public opinion and thus their responses are fundamentally manipulated by the media. Newspapers work in many ways as a talking shop for politicians to inform much of what we know, or think we know, about crime; with careful choices by such outlets triggering a variety of public responses.  [28]  Schlesinger et al assert that media representations are a key moment in the process whereby public discourses concerning crime and justice are made available for general consumption.  [29]  Thus, in consultation papers recognised as conversations with the public and the limited existing form of evaluation medias interpretation is likely to implicate subsequent responses; somewhat negating the productivity of consultation.  [30]   Distorted media presentation of substances can influence popular belief about their harmfulness, which then directly implicates change in drug policy; with clear inconsistencies between reality and reports.  [31]  Mannings commentary on ecstasy depicts how a series of well documented media-led moral panics can lead to an evolution of the governments policy, based on individual tragedies and anecdotes rather than rational analysis of evidence and pragmatic public health responses.  [32]  The rushed classification of Mephedrone recently echoed this to the letter.  [33]  Whilst it denies reviews react to media attention,  [34]  I argue that through sacking David Nutt following such pressure,  [35]  government showed [its] willingness to [bow] to public mood, feeding policy with rhetoric.  [36]  I assert that this amplified role of media in the formulation of drug policy forges political moves driven by people pleasers, rather than evidence. 2.3.3. The role of ACMD The Advisory council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a statutory body which aim[s] to advise the government on drug policy and treatment  [37]  . However, its validity is questionable. Firstly, ACMD has a statutory duty to consider both medical and societal harms when making recommendations,  [38]  with a number of factors feeding into decisions, including unconvincing theories, the media, culture and what the public is thought to think  [39]  . Secondly its remit seems to be restricted to those substances the government are concerned with notably excluding alcohol and tobacco. And finally, when scientific bodies bring evidence at odds with governmental direction; it is disregarded.  [40]  Despite Professor Wiles assertion that the Government does not interfere with the independence of the ACMD and that ACMD have freely decided not to advise them about traditional drugs,  [41]  their ambit is limited to illicit drugs, because their advice intended to be indepen dent at present, depends on government policy, not just scientific evidence. ACMD is forced to be political in nature; used as puppets of government in its attempt to legitimize a framework that simply does not correlate with the statistical evidence experts propose.  [42]   2.4. Cultural prejudice The government itself notes that the distinguishing factors regarding the illegality of drugs are based in large part on historical and cultural precedents  [43]  . Politicians are it would seem unwilling to tackle traditional drugs, simply because it would conflict with deeply embedded historical tradition and tolerance.  [44]  Safe.Sensible.Social promotes a sensible drinking culture rather than the prohibition of alcohol,  [45]  which is of stark contrast to any policy regarding what are regarded as illicit drugs. The reasoning for this polarity is defended though the social acceptability of alcohol and tobacco; which are void of any scientific basis.  [46]  This method of distinction questions the validity of our drug policy; emphasising how arbitrary the nature of the way in which we currently decipher which drugs fall within the ambit of the MDA really is.  [47]   2.4.1. Traditional Drugs Because of a preoccupation with illicit drugs in recent decades there has been, until relatively recently, much less discussion on alcohol. This is changing.  [48]  The government has introduced two alcohol policies, the most recent being Safe.Sensible.Social in 2007, however health professionals who had pressed for the alcohol strategy were critical of it when it appeared in 2004 and the 2007 review was thought to be little better.  [49]  Whilst the government discredit direct comparisons between illegal drugs and alcohol as inappropriate,  [50]  the evidence brought to government by the Health Select Committee covering a huge breadth of harms concludes that England has a drink problem.  [51]  Comparisons are appropriate and necessary. WHO deduces that two million deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption world-wide each year, with it being responsible for 11% of the total disease burden in Europe.  [52]  Alongside this, 90% of all drug related deaths ar e attributed to alcohol and tobacco.  [53]  In addition there are arguments of a strong correlation between binge drinking and offending,  [54]  even satisfying the flimsy drug-crime link precedent of the MDA. The governments response that the classification system under the MDA is not a suitable mechanism for regulating legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco;  [55]  is met with criticism of their complacency in the face of the seriousness of our current predicament.  [56]  Nutt expresses that it is this omission from the classification system that, perhaps more than any other, truly lays bare its fundamental lack of consistency, reasoning or evidence base.  [57]  If classified under any realistic assessment of toxicity, addictiveness and mortality rates both drugs would certainly be criminalised and prohibited under the current system  [58]  . There is a clear presumption; were alcohol introduced today it would be classified and criminalised.  [59]   2.5. Political rhetoric is far removed from the reality  [60]   The governments use of broad definitions, reliance on rhetorical justifications and a seemingly unconvincing distinction of legal and illegal drugs despite their harms, leads us to a strange statutory framework which legalizes drugs alcohol and nicotine that are equally, if not more, addictive and cause more death and ill health thanthe most feared illegal drugs.  [61]   The moral panics constructed by the failure of politicians promises of a drug free world, have lead to claims that the current policy is an embarrassment, unproductive, and based on a band of rhetoric amidst a failing model of criminalisation and penal thinking.  [62]  Whilst both the alcohol and drug policies suggest a dedication to minimizing the harms caused by drug use, the prevalence of tough talk and political posturing has invariably triumphed over common sense, with the key aim of harm reduction lost within the framework of a criminalisation model.  [63]  This clearly calls into question the legitimacy of the advisory council, politicians, and the effectiveness of our drug policy and legislation. 3. A Call for Evaluation The governmental strategy is ad hoc in its foundations, attracting a plethora of criticism regarding the artificiality of the dominant construction of criminality. ACMD suggest that there is scope to explore how effectively the current system is operating,  [64]  and Journalists are led to similar conclusions following indications of the insufficiency of current policy.  [65]  As reports continually conclude, this war on drugs has been a disaster.  [66]  With Boland encapsulating this exasperation in his assessment that the logic of continuing to pour huge amounts of public money into fighting a war that is patently not going to be won must be revisited with a more questioning mind.  [67]  Both scientifically and rhetorically, there are calls for evaluation with an eye to a more effective policy model in which evidential distinctions will thrive. 3.1. The Ambit of Evaluation An evaluation should cover all substances regarded as harmful drugs. Scientists and academics struggle to specifically define what a drug is; mainly retracting back to science with reference to mixtures of chemicals and their effects on users.  [68]  It is fundamentally the mission of the law to draw distinctions, writing laws that draw careful and appropriate distinctions between the permitted and the prescribed.  [69]  The war on drugs has become a war on certain (illicit) drugs, with traditional others such as alcohol and tobacco falling outside of the scope of the draconian enforcement of controls.  [70]  The one obvious basis for distinction between legal and illegal drugs are that illicit drugs are those that create a high risk of harm to the users or others, however even this has been proved to be, inherently flawed.  [71]   3.2. Drugs and Harm: A New Agenda for a New Government  [72]   Although law enforcement has been given a higher priority in recent yearsthey coexist with a quite different line of thinking and action, that of harm reduction.  [73]  An evaluation of the current policy should use an increasingly evidence based approach, with particular regard to the classification of traditional and non traditional drugs within this harm reduction model. If a harm reduction approach is adopted, the policy will work to reduce the harms that result from the misuse of drugs, which waste lives, destroy families and damage communities.  [74]  However, legislations hidden implication of harm reduction is currently insufficient.  [75]  Any such base has been overshadowed in recent decades through the MDAs more prominent regime of classification and subsequent criminalisation of illicit substances.  [76]  Through exploring classification in its present form compared to how it could be improved through using this model, I hope to illustrate how the governme nt could develop strategies which may lead the drug user into less harmful patterns of drug use, rather than simply enforcing the law and punishing wrongdoers.  [77]   4. Drug Classification: making a hash of it  [78]   Despite indications that the current classification system is indefensible;  [79]  the home office has said it has little intention of changing this framework, deciding not to pursue a review of the classification system at this time.  [80]  I counteract that this is a mistake, with the the methodology and processes underlying classification systems inherently flawed.  [81]  As per Forte et al, in a freedom loving society no conduct by rational adults should be criminalised unless it is harmful to others; I argue that a transparent evaluation of the way in which our policy works and should work is long overdue.  [82]   4.1. Policy needs to informed by evidence  [83]   Critics have, in many ways, attributed the failing classification system to it being closed to scientific evidence.  [84]  Many arguing that the MDA simply reflects official perceptions of relative harmfulness,  [85]  claiming that the government routinely cherry picks and spins figuresto give a misleading impression.  [86]  I suggest that this can be remedied through a clearer, more sagacious approach  [87]  . And support the notion that evidence should not dictate all aspects of drug policy, but that clear distinctions need to be made when policy is based on scientific evidence and when it is made on the basis of particular conception of what society should be like.  [88]  Nutt has said that people really dont know what the evidence is. They see the classification, they hear about evidence and they get mixed messages [with the] scientific probity of governmentundermined in this kind of way.  [89]  The public should be fully informed of the basis of the frame work presented to them, and the reasoning behind this. Rhetoric and cultural influences are an important factor in formulating policy decisions and communicating with the public and their impact should not be wholly negated, rather a limitation of rhetorics weighted influence in key decisions regarding the harmfulness of drugs is needed. 5. Policy Consequences Upon evaluation I suggest that the current system will be regarded as outdated, ineffective and in need of a complete regeneration. Whereas at present it seems the ACMD can only recommend prohibition,  [90]  I have not explored, nor will I advocate, the notion of legalisation or indeed the criminalisation of harmful substances. Rather, I suggest such an approach is unproductive, and envisage a two pronged approach; involving the current penal system as just that a system of punishment, running parallel with a more scientifically based approach. 5.1. One Policy In accordance with my discussion regarding the scientific evidence about alcohol induced harm, I believe that alcohol policys separation from the UK drug policy is unnecessary and unproductive. We must fully endorse harm reduction approaches at all levels and especially stop the artificial separation of alcohol and tobacco as non-drugs.  [91]  As it stands, there is no sign that the governments aims to reduce harmful alcohol consumption have been achieved.  [92]  Increasingly strong evidence suggests a long term trend towards the integration of traditional and non traditional drugs.  [93]  And I support a more comprehensive policy that amalgamates drugs and alcohol, using the evidence bases made available to the government to truly work to reduce the harms caused by drug misuse in the UK.  [94]   6.2. Rational Scale Based primarily on the work of Nutt, King, Saulsbury and Blakemore, I am calling for a second scale that doesnt simply masquerade itself as an indication of the harmfulness of drugs; but is an accurate scientific representation of the harmfulness of each drug. This would be decoupled from penalties, to give the public a better sense of the relative harms involved, working as a second pillar to a continued penal classification system, with very little change.  [95]  Transform has supported the pragmatic nature of this scheme, and my research would suggest that many critics would welcome this scientific inclusion,  [96]  offering scientific evidence of actual risks as a way of replacing perceived risk in the classification process  [97]  . A key issue with this approach is the deciphering of what harm actually is, however I propose that this scale would allow for flexibility in the interim period of its existence. Whilst Nutt has criticised the current systems lack of flexi bility,  [98]  he is confident that this modified scale is remarkably robust as data is added to it, clearly opening its doors to a workable and scien

A Non-religious Contract In America Essay examples -- essays research

A Non-Religious Contract in America The religious standards of Americans today have plummeted to a new low. Fewer people are going to church than earlier in the century. Many people are marrying without even going to a priest by getting a judge to marry them. Divorce is steadily on the rise. Today's society accepts homosexuals! Now the issue arises over whether we should allow homosexuals to marry. And you know what? It is really none of the government's business. America can no longer deny its homosexual citizens the right to have a legal marriage. Looking at today's society, we can see that there is no good reason to deny gay couples the rights that straight couples have in getting married. The United States has always had the idea of separation of church and state, and marriage is one issue that must maintain that idealogy in the eyes of the government. The key to separating church and state in the debate over marriage is taking the definition of marriage that best applies to society today. To do that we must look at marriage's state in the 1990's. Religion is losing its dominance in the issue of marriage. We cannot argue the fact that there are more divorces in the country today that there were 20 years ago. This points to America's increasing acceptance of divorce. Therefore, we can conclude that religion has become less of an issue for many Americans when marrying because most religions strongly discourage divorce, some to the point of not allowing it at all. This leads to the question, "What is today's basis for marriage?" Some propose that the sole purpose of marriage be to bring life into the world. If this were true, then it would be unacceptable for many in this country to ever be married. There are many women and men who simply do not want to have children. Should we condemn them and not allow them to marry just because of this view? Should we not allow those who are physically unable to have children to experience the joy and happiness that marriage brings? Those who cannot bear children of their own can adopt children; would we rather they raised that child without one or the other parental figure? Obviously society does not operate with this as the basis for marriage. So the argument that homosexuals should not m... ...ns for the government to be involved in making the decision of whether two people will be uphold that "contract." The marriage of two heterosexual people, no matter how public they may be, has no impact on the lives of everyday citizens. This will be true for homosexual couples as well. The government only needs to be involved in what affects the rest of the public. Thus, the only thing that it is acceptable for the government to regulate is how one's marriage should relate to the objective parts of society (such as taxes). The government does not have the right to decide who should and should not be allowed to get married. The United States prides itself on separating issues of the church from state related issues, and it must do the same with this one. Though some religious groups may have problems with allowing homosexuals to marry, America as a whole must not be so restrictive. The American government must look at marriage as strictly a financial issue, because the only parts of marriage that the government actually gets involved in are the financial issues. Let line #3a be filled by anyone, gay or straight.

From Nihilism to Kingdom Come :: Philosophy Theology Religion Papers

The Final Stage of Mankind’s Education — From Nihilism to Kingdom Come ABSTRACT: I give reasons to believe that our present situation is not as bleak as some would have it. I show how the historical process can be understood in terms of a Premodernity (Aquinas), Modernity (Hegel), and Postmodernity (Nietzsche) division of human history. I argue that both Hegel and Nietzsche were fully aware that Modernity was over and that a negative Postmodern condition was to necessarily precede a consummatory positive one. Also since history may be taken to have reached its goal at the end of Modernity (with Reasons grasp of Christianity’s principle), Postmodernity can best be understood in terms of its central task of elevating all humanity into absolute knowing (the knowing of the God within)—an elevation via Reason and Faith achievable only by the abolition of the God outside, i.e., by a negative followed by a positive period of history, which Schelling refers to as the Church of John, a synthesis of Catholicism and Protestantism, the perfected Churc h. Introduction My thesis, in brief, is that the painful "God is dead" period of history we are presently going through can best be understood as a necessary "transitional period"— the immediate consequence of mankind’s intellectual advance, in the preceding period, viz., the Modern or Age of Reason, beyond the Middle Ages, the Age of Belief. With the apotheosis of the development of the principle of subjectivity in Modern philosophy, i.e., with the attainmeUnprioritized— SDO meetingnt of "absolute knowing," or Reason’s "knowing of the absolute," humanity had outgrown its former manner of relating to substance, the divine: — its eyes opened, it could not go backwards but only forward. From the highest standpoint, it can be said that the movement of history is from the God "outside" to the God "inside"— an inversion process involving three distinct and necessary phases: Premodernity, Modernity, and Postmodernity, to be correlated with Thomas Aquinas, Hegel, a nd Nietzsche, respectively. It appears that as a result of Modernity’s, i.e. Hegel’s, intellectual achievement— in which religion was superseded by philosophy, i.e., Wissenschaft or Science— religion had of necessity to undergo a major crisis. That is, a "God is dead" period of (post-) history had to supervene. However this "negative" period is in no way to be regarded as final or terminal, but instead as the necessary precondition for a "positive," consummatory period of human history, its finale, a period in which, in Schelling’s words, the unification of philosophy, science, and religion will be realized.

The Meaning Of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley :: Papers

The Meaning Of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley J.B.Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" is a good play that attacks the social problems of its time; it contains all the ingredients of a well-made play. This is because it is very dramatic, and it has the attention of the audience. It gets this by the use of climaxes, the slow plot of a detective with persevering style. Despite this the author is concerned with the darker side of the world. The play is Priestley's attempt to try to say this. Priestley sees the country as not very truthful and neglecting its responsibilities. The members of the Birling family are only concerned with them selves over others. They are responsible for the young woman's' death by treating her different; and show what Priestley is trying to say, and is fighting against. " An Inspector Calls" is a well-made play because it contains many factors that sustain attention of the audience. One of the factors that makes the play captivating is the use of climax, the way it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats all the way through; it is quite slow to gather the plot and then finally has a powerful climax, for example the way the Inspector extracts small pieces of information from the family and slowly puts the picture together and narrows it down to the guilty person as the climax. He misleads the family until they are all contradicting one another. He keeps the audience guessing all the way through the play, and as clues are solved the culprit becomes clearer, but as soon as one thinks he or she knows who it is Priestley cleverly switches to another character. This makes the audience very interested in the action that is happening. The strange appearance of the Inspector when the Birlings are having a celebration party, and Mr Birling is giving a speech on how the modern man should be. The Inspector steps in almost as he was prepared to challenge Mr Birling; this seems to bring up facts about the

Scent of Apples by Bienvenido Santos

The air within Celestial Bias's secluded home was perfumed with the foreign scent of apples. The immigrant had been living in Kalamazoo for more than 20 years when he met a speaker from his native land who had come to the US to lecture; he drove out to the city hear this man. The crowd's questions during the open forum centered on Bias's home country. To this AIBO stands and asks if the women now were the same 20 years ago and the lecturer responds that they were. Thereafter AIBO invites the lecturer to dinner with his American wife, Ruth, and his son, Roger.The next day AIBO picks the speaker up from the hotel and drives him to a farm east of the city into a rugged road that led into an isolated farm. It held a crumbling and shanty home. AIBO reminisces about his time in the Philippines and the speaker has dinner with the hospitable family. As the dinner ends, so does the Bias's time with his only link back home. The lecturer bids goodbye and offers to pass on Bias's sentiments to h is family in the Philippines, which AIBO politely declines saying that nobody would remember him anyway and lets the lecturer go.Ovenbird Canton's â€Å"The Scent of Apples† centers on the absence of the familiarity of home or the characteristics of what makes a place so, for example: for a Filipino Collections AIBO there is abundance of apple trees, while for the American men who went out to war there is the absence of great icy winds and the promise of winter; additionally the way Santos describes the setting further exemplifies this nostalgia and isolation from home. The absence of home is introduced by Canton's description of the, which creates a somber tone by describing the memory their son who had gone away to war.He uses that setting, the boy being away for war, to establish exile or loneliness; additionally he adds the boys absence from the familiar icy winds, changing golden leaves, and the fragrance of apples to further isolate the parent's from their son. This des cription when Juxtaposed to Bias's situation, being an immigrant surrounded by apple trees in an isolated farm in the US, intensifies the concept of exile in a foreign place. During the lecture, the narrator receives a lot of questions about his home country, which he describes had become a lost country to his American audience.Here his audience was composed of mostly women who had lost contact with the men deployed in the Philippines. Their situation is parallel to Bias's, with his family closing their gates after him and his loss of contact with any Filipino for the past years, which emphasizes his isolation. Juxtaposing Ruth with the narrator's commentary on the differences of Filipino and American women, and Bias's description of Filipino women entails that there may be no differences between these groups of women at all.To emphasize Remarking on Ruth being described like a Filipino, she stays with AIBO even on the brink of death, while she herself was pregnant. The she maybe ho me that he finds in the US. In relation to the setting, his link to the Philippines no longer persists and the dinner with narrator was the Bias's soiree with his old home, but his being released back into the cold and dark at the end implies that AIBO still Bias's shanty home emphasizes this isolation in exile as well, since the house is located alone amidst an apple orchard miles away from the city.The narrator described the trip from Kalamazoo to the farm to be interminable; they disappeared wrought thickets, passed narrow lanes with unattractive, barren land covered in weeds, dead leaves and dry earth. Santos meaner to represent Bias's distance from home through the interminable trip; furthermore the barren land, narrow lanes and weeds represent Bias's affiliations in the Philippines – he no longer had any contact with his family and he has not talked to other Filipinos in years.The apple trees in the distance emphasize his being in a foreign place. The reader is reminded of this when AIBO comments on the beauty of autumn to which the narrator replies, â€Å"No such thing in our own country' and the narrator reflects on the unkind comment and how AIBO must have avoided this fact for fear of being reminded of his exile. Once they arrive at the house the narrator notices how the house was ready to crumble.The inside was barren and decked with second-hand furniture and, the scent of apples pervaded he air – describing how even in his own home there is the reminder that he is a foreigner. In contrast to his home in the Philippine, biggest one in the Visalia town, which shunned him. Santos also uses autumn to influence the tone of the story. He opens the first paragraph with the old couple; he uses the description of icy winds, ghostly feet of fallen leaves and coming of down of the cold to nuance the theme of loneliness and abandonment.The autumn, being a season of fallen leaves and cold weather imposes transitory feeling brought by being away f rom someone. He also this when AIBO brings the narrator home for dinner the setting is described to be ineffectual and not too cold, which implicates a more positive mood in the text. Santos uses the coming winter, the cold and the dark to further highlight the feeling of abandonment hen the narrator finally says goodbye to AIBO, remarking that they would probably never see each other again.Ovenbird Santos brings to his audience the sentiments of nostalgia. The well-crafted short, â€Å"the Scent of Apples† very well articulates the loneliness of an immigrant. He does this through how he establishes the setting, through how he sets up the stage for the characters to move around and for the audience to get better feel of what Santos intended to impart. The loneliness is palpable in the setting and his use of it gives subtlety to the theme isolation in exile.

Admission Essay for entering University

I have always wanted to study music up to the highest education level possible for two reasons; one to use the education for life and secondly to live off the education.   Education for me is just more than attaining good grades. Education for me is an opportunity to develop into a well-rounded person, fully equipped to face the world and serve my community and humanity and eventually make the world a better place for future generations to live in.The Queen’s University has a unique culture which emphasizes on innovation, imagination and a culture of valuing of people. The Queen’s University has a well-equipped library which meets the research needs of students, fully computerized and equipped with state of the art equipment. This is very ideal for music students and is very crucial for me as a music student.Throughout my life, I have always desired to study music from a reputable University hence my desire to join Queen’s University which has unmatched standar ds in as far as music programs are concerned. My dream is to excel as a musical student and graduate as a well-rounded music professional able to deal with the challenges that constantly emerge in the field.Without this hands-on experience, skills and knowledge I cannot be able to make it, hence my resolve to join Queen’s University where I believe I will achieve my career and academic goals.   My dream to pursue music stems from an early age, partly from the encouragement from parents and secondly from my personal ambitions and career goals.   My ambition is grounded in the realization that I am a talented singer and a lover of music.I understand the importance of nurturing the talent and for me the best way to do it is by studying music at the University level. As early as when I was in grade seven, I had already learned how to play piano alongside other musical instruments.This led me to join the school choir where my talent was identified and nurtured by the music tea cher. To exploit my music potential, I enrolled in the school’s concert where I was an active member for a period of two years. My desire and interest has never stopped as I continue to nurture my music talent even up to date.This has led me to study music ever since then and I am now at A.R.C.T. level. For me, music is more than leisure; it is more than a path to a promising career.   Music is a means to express oneself in one of the mot effective ways. Music leads to special way of communication in that it connects the messenger and the audience.Music is the best avenue to solve some of the challenges the world is faced with, in regard to political tensions. Music can play a very positive role in conflict resolution in a world where it is dominated by violence and selfishness. Music cannot co-exist with violence; music can serve as a media of communication even between the worst of enemies. Music holds the key to peaceful co-existence.Conclusion  My interest in Queenâ⠂¬â„¢s University is informed by the fact that it will offer me with an empowering study environment. The University has well equipped music labs as well as great music professors. Queen’s University has a sizeable number of students which means that, admission at the University requires high qualifications making it a center for excellence. I really look forward to getting admission to the Queen’s University music program.Works cited pagewww.queensu.ca/fuculty staff/accessed on 25/02/2007

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away and Japaneseness Essay

Japan is a country rich in tradition and culture. Hayao Miyazaki, the face of Japanese anime film world wide, has displayed this culture and Japanese value(s) throughout his career in many of his films. Spirited Away (2001) is arguably his most famous and successful film to date. Throughout the film, there are numerous displays of â€Å"Japaneseness.† The themes present in the film represent the value structure, and what Japan sees as important among its history and tradition. Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1941. His father was an executive member of the family company, Miyazaki Aircraft, at which he helped build military aircraft parts during WWII. As a result, his family found ease with the great wealth that they shared in, which young Miyazaki was sometimes troubled by. He felt guilty for living well during a period in time where many Japanese were suffering at the hands of the war (MacWilliams and Schodt 256). He graduated university with a degree in political science and economics, which heightened his understanding of the distressed Japanese economic climate. This expertise, coupled with his childhood guilt, would lead him to write certain subject matter into many of his films. In 1985, Miyazaki joined forces with fellow anime director and writer, Isao Takahata, to create Studio Ghibli (Napier). The studio went on to produce some of the most popular animated films to come out of Japan –including Miyazaki’s masterpiece, Spirited Away. Studio Ghibli, and specifically, Mr. Miyazaki’s work, has been compared to America’s Walt Disney Studios, and has even been unofficially dubbed â€Å"Disney of Japan† and â€Å"Disney of the East† by some fans and critics. â€Å"Miyazaki’s films do not operate on Hollywood logic, and his storytelling style may seem strange, even frustrating to a Western audience brought up on Disney†¦the fantastic is more accepted in Japanese culture than it is in the Western world, which carries the heritage of the Enlightenment in its psyche† (Baskan). Miyazaki  has become the well-known face of fantastical anime film across the globe. He integrates Japanese spiritual beliefs and culture in all his films in such a way that his characters and themes surpass ethnic borders and resonate with all viewe rs. His most famous film, Spirited Away, creates a seemingly abstract view of the world through Japanese values and traditions while subtly presenting the realities of today’s world. Some common themes among the film, Spirited Away include: themes of life and death, survival, maturation, the economy and its influences, and transcendence (whether it be physically transcending a threshold, or otherwise). By showcasing these themes, Miyazaki is able to showcase the Japanese Value system. For example, there is a big presence of elders in Miyazaki films. The Japanese put a big emphasis of respecting elders. Other values, which may appear to be subtle among the Japanese, but showcase widely for the international audience, include things like taking off your shoes when entering a home, or respect for nature or the spirits. In class, we talked about the Shinto tradition and the relatedness between the spiritual, natural, and human worlds. This is very widely emphasized in Spirited Away. The entire film is based on the relation between the spirits –among themselves –and among the human world. In Spirited Away, Chihiro’s parents’ transformation into pigs is the first symbol of gluttony in the film. It can also be interpreted as the first sign of capitalism. The motif continues to appear throughout the film with the business run in the Bath House. The workers and the owner, Yubaba, are concerned only with making money. This also can translate into an attack on a capitalist society (Yoshioka 258). Japan adopted capitalism after World War II, so Hayao Miyazaki grew up in a capitalist country. Not only that, but Japan, as a country is an extremely nationalistic. These factors, combined with his college expertise in both political science and economics, can be seen throughout the film. Miyazaki uses these undertones concerning his life experiences with society, as well as his education, within many his films. â€Å"Miyazaki’s belief that all Japanese share a certain sense of past is another important focal point. The subtle blending of personal experience into historical ‘fact’ formulates a sense of past that looks and feels familiar to the audience, even though they have never experienced it† (MacWilliams and Schodt 257). One of Miyazaki’s characteristic directing techniques is his apt combinatio n of his personal experience with elements  of Japanese culture. Driving much of his work is the influence of Shintoism. This â€Å"religious† understanding of the spirits and nature in relation to humans that is distinctly Japanese in practice. Spirited Away is the perfect example of a film that illustrates this spiritual practice, albeit in a somewhat stretched manner. There’s wide use of Japanese folklore within Spirited Away. The title itself says, â€Å"Kamikakushi† meaning â€Å"hidden by entities† which, in Japan, is used when women or children go missing (Reider 8). This itself is a very mature theme, and while the film is fun to watch, it takes a deeper understanding of the content to fully appreciate it. The importance of one’s name is also a key concept in the film, and within Japanese society. In the film, to forget your given name is to forget yourself, and if you forget yourself, you become stuck in Yubaba’s control for eternity. This is how Haku found himself a servant to Yubaba for so many years. It was not until Chihiro helped Haku remember that he is the River Spirit that Haku was free at last. The film reflects the importance of identity, which is not just a Japanese concept, but a universal one, as well. Another theme of the film is that of growing up and maturing. Because Chihiro is forced to be by herself in this unknown place, she’s made to adapt and mature without much thought. To bring her to this point, it took the traumatic experience of losing her parents, the fear of never seeing them again, and —her biggest fear—not surviving. Miyazaki was well-off when he was young, so this could be a reflection of seeing people forced into early independence during the War. Only through trusting in someone who claimed to be a friend was she able to get along as well as she did, and succeed in ultimately getting her life back. Many of the other characters were based loosely off of Shinto legends. The Shinto belief is that there’s a very thin line between the spirit world and the human world, which is reflected throughout the film in the bizarre interactions between the bathhouse world and outside reality. Through the use of Hayao Miyazaki’s extensive personal experience with Japanese culture, and his education in Political Science and economics, he has been able to showcase Japanese values and traditions through his film. He is a world-ren owned writer and director, and through his work in Anime film, he has opened the eyes of the western world to this Eastern culture. My understanding of Japaneseness is the nationalistic and traditional points of view showcased throughout  Spirited Away. The idea that spirits are all around you, and encompass nature. The importance of family above all else, the emphasis on self-responsibility, and so-on. Japaneseness is not one single thing, but a compilation of many things. It is to fully take in all aspects of being Japanese. Bibliography Baskan, Funda Basak. â€Å"Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Gake no Ue no Ponyo).† Marvels & Tales 24.2 (2010): 363,366,368. ProQuest. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. MacWilliams, Mark W., and Frederik L. Schodt. Japanese Visual Culture : Explorations in the World of Manga and Anime. M.E. Sharpe, Inc. : Armonk, NY, USA, 2008. Print. Napier, Susan J. â€Å"Matter Out Of Place: Carnival, Containment, And Cultural Recovery In Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.† Journal Of Japanese Studies 32.2 (2006): 287-310. Academic Search Elite. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Reider, Noriko T. â€Å"Spirited Away: Film Of The Fantastic And Evolving Japanese Folk Symbols.† Film Criticism 29.3 (2005): 4-27. Academic Search Elite. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

PSY Assignment

I think that more than half of the student population at accredited u enlistees have tallest tried a drug that would enhance their focus for the sake of doing well In one of more classes. Step 2: (Hypothesis): The hypothesis Is that more than half of the student population at credited universities have used a performance or cognitive enhancer to do well In one of more classes.Step 3 (Predictions): Possible outcomes for this experiment is that 1) None of the stud .NET are aging performance or cognitive enhancing drugs 2) None of the students are admit Eng to taking performance or cognitive enhancing drugs 3) All or some students will admit to taking g performance or cognitive enhancing Step 4 (Research Method): For this experiment it would be best to do an Survey.A sure very would allow the participants to remain anonymous if they wish to do so and this mix HTH also incline them to be more honest. Step 5 (Subject population) : Age: 1823, Gender: Both male and female, Education: underg raduate and/ or In an undergraduate program, Location: University of Arizona, Arizona State university and Northern State University.Today a research method benefits me because It helps me understand how to proper lay collect and record data to find the results of any question that I want the answer to. With the psychology research method It Is easier to effectively test subjects while upholding all the ethical guldens set by the American Psychological Escalation (PAP). Since all the steps are easy to fool low as of today feel that I can successfully pick a topic that I want to research and find an NAS were to it.

Should Women be Allowed in Combat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Should Women be Allowed in Combat - Essay Example First thing to consider is that there is around 13% of the military population is comprised by women (Willens 1996). Before women reached this population inside the military, there have been limitations on their integration to the military from 32000 which is very minimal (Willens 1996). Although certain situations like the World War II and other conflicts that have occurred between countries provided certain conditions that allowed several numbers of women in the military (Willens 1996). Women have provided significant contributions in the logistical matters, medical operations and the like in the military operations (Jelinek 2011). This contribution of women in the military is clear. This can be considered a feminist move in this case and this is a manifestation for women trying to get equality and representation in the military field wherein gender politics is a very intriguing matter (Butler 1990, p. 1). This act of women to be involved in the military is a major move that challe nges the patriarchal conventions that have existed in the society since the establishment of societies and having undergone development as seen in the world nowadays (Rosenbluth 2008, p. 2). ... dered in its fullest scope, then the case of inclusion of gays and lesbian is a selective equality and not a full consideration of ensuring equality in its fullest scope. Also, the fact that women are not included in the military highlights the persistence of military to live out the traditional norms that surround gender. (Rosenbluth 2008, p. 4).This is the very condition even if feminist movements have demanded that women should be integrated in the military. Paradoxically, the condition of democracy conforming to equality becomes an illusion in the way women are allowed only into certain condition inside the military. The problem here is that women, despite of the certain efforts of the government to recognize their efforts in the military like the Women’s Armed Integration Service Act, is not fully recognize according to the gender neutral premises in military selection and promotion (Willens 1996). Even if the dominance of the democratic political thought that recognizes equality in its fullest scope, lawmakers who are carefully assessing on the matter, employs a very different standard that limits the presence of women in the military. One thing is that women’s welfare be prioritized (Jelenik 2011). Their safety is being considered since even if women are allowed to be in military, they are not allowed to engage the conflict on the front line (Jelenik 2011). At the same time, there is already a consideration towards women of being war prisoners wherein the trauma that might go through will be excruciating on their part, making them dysfunctional (Willens 1996). Also, the presence of women in the military is already a good notion to consider since their integration has been achieved (Jelenik 2011). There are already existing mechanisms like the military

Lack of educational opportunities Speech or Presentation

Lack of educational opportunities - Speech or Presentation Example It is high time to seek for some effective solutions and recommendations that do away with this social inequality. One of the basic solutions to the problem of lack of educational opportunities is to adopt new policies and programs that help the backward sections of the society. Successful implementation of these policies by the government bodies is equally important, and the role of large-scale campaigns and public awareness programs should not be overlooked. As the non-conservative market-oriented public education system has exacerbated the widespread inequality of educational opportunities, â€Å"the focus of public education should shift to the needs of low-income students. A need-oriented public education system can greatly benefit the poor without lowering quality of education for others.† (Arrighi and Maume, 105) Therefore, a new system of public education opposing market-oriented public education system can ensure quality of education, real life opportunities, and equi table educational opportunities. It is essential to recognize that lack of educational opportunities result in violence, poverty, social injustice, crimes, and even anti-social activities.

Food Van Business Plan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Food Van Business Plan - Case Study Example Our master-chef team will oversee the whole process and ensure that the health regulations have adhered. Our foods will improve the well-being of our customers and hence our food will be prepared to have that in mind (Myrick 2012, p.23). Our grilled chicken is prepared in a convenient way using fresh ingredients. Each serving involves a sensational taste that is appealing to the customers. Our fish and veggies are pre-blanched and hygienically prepared and sealed in a way that is appealing to the customers. The veggies are being chopped and packed freshly to ensure that their natural tastes are maintained. All ordering, stocking and quality controls are managed by on an in-house computer-based system enabling usage patterns to be monitored maintaining ordering efficiency and minimizing wastage. Our customers can have their orders delivered at their destination within the campus. The business is a profit-making organization will aim at ensuring that the production cost is lower than the sales. At the beginning of each day, the van will arrive at the support kitchen where the foods will be loaded with the day’s meals. This will ensure that the supply of ordered food is constant and no inconveniences are experienced. Promotion of our products will be at offering gifts and subsiding prices on particular days. These efforts will maintain customer loyalty and ensure that customers have trust in the kinds of foods we offer.  

Financal Statement Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financal Statement Analysis - Essay Example Consequent to this, the share price movements of Inditex SA and Gap Inc over the past one year are analysed, following which the impact of credit crunch on both the retail firms are discussed. It also confers on their corporate governance issues in detail. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for both Inditex SA and Gap Inc with the purpose of improving their financial as well as operational situation in the upcoming years. Corporate Failure Models for Inditex SA and Gap Inc The findings from the previously conducted financial statement analysis of Inditex SA and Gap Inc suggest that both the companies are financially stable and fit. However, though the present financial position of both the retail companies is stable in comparison to the overall retail industry, it is imperative to assess the susceptibility of these companies to corporate failure or bankruptcy. This can be accomplished by computing the Altman’s Z-score of Inditex and Gap. This is because the Z-scores of the business organizations enable one to forecast the extent of financial distress encountered by the business. It also assists in assessing whether a particular organization is vulnerable to bankruptcy in the upcoming years. ... (Rachlin, 1997). In the above equation, Working Capital/Total Assets ratio determines the net value of liquid assets of the organization in relation to its total assets, while the Retained Earnings/Total Assets gauges the profitability of the organization over time. The EBIT/ Total Assets ratio is the most vital constituent of the equation as it determines the earning capacity of the company. The Market Value of Equity/Total Liabilities ratio determines the organization’s potential to endure a decline in its asset value, where as Net Sales/Total Assets ratio identifies the sales generating competence of the organization’s assets (Rachlin, 1997). The Z-score of Inditex SA and Gap Inc have been computed as follows: Financial Year 2011 Inditex SA (in millions Euro) Gap Inc (in millions US$) Current Assets 5202.51 3926 Total assets 9826.08 7065 Net Sales 12526 14664 Interest 3.56 0 Total Liabilities 3402.91 2985 Current Liabilities 2674.91 2095 Market Value of Equity 42105. 97 14212.29 Earnings before Taxes 2321.59 1982 Retained earnings 6272.3 1086 (Source: Gap Inc., 2011; Bloomberg (a), 2012; Bloomberg (b), 2012) Z-Score of Inditex SA Z= 1.2*(0.257) + 1.4*(0.638) + 3.3*(0.237) + 0.6*(12.374) + 1.0*(1.275) = 10.682. The elevated value of Z-score for Inditex is mainly due to the high value of Market Value of Equity to Total Liabilities ratio of the company. The company has much less liabilities in comparison to its large market capitalization value. Z-Score of Gap Inc Z= 1.2*(0.259) + 1.4*(0.154) + 3.3*(0.281) + 0.6*(4.761) + 1.0*(2.076) = 6.387. The decent z-score for Gap Inc is mainly due to the high value of Market Value of Equity to Total Liabilities and the

GNLD and its product Nutritional Supplements Assignment

GNLD and its product Nutritional Supplements - Assignment Example It is through the fast changing health industry that new ways and methods of diagnosis and promotion of better health has been implemented. All these proceedings have brought about patient care, worker efficiency, and hence better health. To achieve these objectives, several companies like GNLD, which manufacture and sell nutritional food supplements, have been introduced. This product has however been impacted by market forces as discussed in this paper. Degree of Rivalry With the increased need for better health, and the extensive research being carried out in the health industry, rival firms have increased competition drawing the profits that GNLD used to make initially. This has made the competition imperfect; hence, each other firm is struggling to achieve competitive advantage and a higher market share than its rival company. In addition, the controversy on the quality of products of the increasing nutritional food supplements companies and slowed down the market growth. This h as consequently led to need for storage of the products hence high cost. Further, some of the products are perishable thus; the company decides to sell the products at relatively lower prices. The exit barrier in any health related firms are high. This is because the costs of plants and machinery cannot be forgone thus the firm decides to keep competing no matter the state in the market. Though successful, GNLD has been forced to keep competing due to this factor (http://www.mlm-home-business-training.com/GNLD-Int-mlm-leaders-call-team-money-training-scheme-scam/secretsuccess.htm). Threats of Substitutes In a free market economy, restriction of entry into, and exit out of the market is not prohibited. This means that competitors with related commodities will venture in to the market. This threat will definitely occur since the demand of the products of GNLD has been affected by the prices changes in substitute product. For instance, a survey carried out in Kenya showed that GNLD pro ducts are highly affected by the prices from TIASHI, a competing food supplement company. From the research, it was found out that to become part of the marketing team in GNLD, a sum close to $36 is required then the individual should purchase products of high value. For TIASHI, a sum of $18 is required and the initial purchase is relatively lower. This determines the prices at which each the products are sold. Evidently, the close substitute products have constrained the ability of GNLD to raise prices (http://www.healthybusiness.co.za/GNLD%20Products%20Guide/introduction/i3.html). Buyers bargaining power This is the power potential buyers have on any industry that is producing commodities. In many market structures, the forces of demand and supply determine prices of commodities. It is obvious that buyers will expect such market structures. Since GNLD does not exist as a monopoly, the prices at which the food supplements are sold should be dependant of the market mechanisms. On th e contrary, the food supplements from GNLD have fixed prices. The only advantage extended to the buyer is the ability to buy smaller quantities. This means that the buyer does not have bargaining power. It is thus possible in such a case to shift to other substitutes which give the

Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Reflection - Essay Example Studies conducted in the past have elucidated the fact that human behavior is learned. Therefore, to acquire a strong personality and as well acquire skills and knowledge that would help me in achieving my goal of managing a school as a principal requires a lot of practice. This paper is a personal reflection on my leadership development. Transformational leadership theory application To manage a school successfully and effectively, I will be required to have strong leadership skills. Therefore adopting a transformational leadership style will be necessary. As a principal in a school, adopting a transformational leadership style means that I will have the ability to effectively control state of affairs and various circumstances that avail themselves within the school. According to Marshall (2010): Transformational leadership is a style in which the leader identifies the needed change, creates a vision to guide the change through inspiration, and executes the change with the commitmen t of other. Transformational leadership taps into the emotional and spiritual resources of an organization. It is a process of developing the leadership capacity of an entire team. Transformational leaders inspire others to achieve what might be considered extraordinary results. (3) Leadership qualities may be acquired through learning. This is the reason why I chose a course that is associated with leadership development. ... In my trips, I have been able to associate myself face to face with principals in a number of schools and subsequently I have built a social network with them. Many of these principles act as my mentors. Through their mentoring and advice, I have been able to acquaint myself with practical knowledge and first hand experiences in managing a school. This is a clear indication that my course in human development and leadership has been offering a platform that I will use as a springboard to accomplish my goals in life. There are various hurdles faced my many principals in schools today. As an aspiring school principal, I will have to identify my outstanding qualities and attributes and direct them towards management and leadership practices as transformational leadership requires. How a school principle will manage a school will highly depend on his/her individual attributes. For instance, my ability to communicate clearly will ensure that both the learners and teachers grasp and compre hend any information and facts I will be relaying to them. This will necessitate me, as the principal of that particular school to adapt an appropriate leadership method or technique. A good and effective leadership technique such as a transformational leadership style puts into consideration the needs and requirements or each and every stakeholder involved in the learning process. In this case, it will be important for me to familiarize myself with each and every teacher within the school as this would be helpful in planning and implementing strategies. Through successfully and effectively completing this course, I will have gained the necessary skills and knowledge that will enable me to adapt a transformational leadership style.

Compare between two institutions policies Essay

Compare between two institutions policies - Essay Example The recruitment procedure provides an open door opportunity for a large pool of candidates to apply for the diversified posts. Furthermore, recruitment procedure assists the organisation in attracting qualified candidates. Recruitment facilitates to devise a strategic mode of selection procedure which is aligned with the organisational goals and objectives along with the specific human resources requirements (Robert 3-26). Thesis Statement. With these considerations, the report intends to discuss the recruitment processes being followed by Qatar Petroleum and Google Inc. The report primarily desires to compare and contrast the recruitment process of the two institutions. LITERATURE REVIEW OF RECRUITMENT AS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF HRM According to the view of Schuler and Jackson, recruitment is a process in which an organisation can rely upon the internal or the external labour market for absorption of the resourceful candidates. It has been further noted that although at the entranc e level the recruitment process is not that important but it frames a vital part for other jobs of higher level. It is always considered as a vital process as it enables to draw in an extensive amount of resources. In keeping with the importance of recruitment, it can be well articulated that internal recruiting process mainly relates with the promotion criteria (211-219). According to French and Rumbles, †If the HRM function is to remain effective, there must be consistently good levels of teamwork, plus on-going co-operation and consultation between line managers and the HR manager† (170). In the recent scenario, there have been a number of organisations that are facing problems regarding the accumulation of a pool of quality candidates. The jobs and the vacancies that pertain the requirement of specialised skills and knowledge absorb a longer phase of time (Brown 50-108). COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF DECISION MAKING PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO RECRUITMENT OF QATAR PETROLEUM AND GOOGLE INCORPORATION Recruitment Process of Qatar Petroleum. In keeping with the recruitment procedure being followed in Qatar Petroleum, it entails basically four steps. The HR recruitment section of the company effectively manages the entire process that starts with the need identification to the job specification. This entire process is executed by the selection and the interview procedures of the resources. On part of the recruitment process of the company, it has been further ascertained that the department managers gain the full support of the HR personnel. Each of the candidates being selected is based upon merit. Furthermore, the selection of the candidates greatly depends upon their basic skills and competencies (Qatar Petroleum, â€Å"

Why I Deserve the Jennifer Velasco Scholarship Essay Example for Free

Why I Deserve the Jennifer Velasco Scholarship Essay When I made the Sterling Varsity tennis team I set up a goal for myself and it was to be the number one in the team, I started playing tennis when I was a freshman and I also joined the USTA tennis association. Tennis became to be more than a passion to me it was even more than a hobby, I really enjoy spending time in the courts and listening to all my coaches giving me advice of how to get better. From my freshman year to my senior year I practiced tennis every single day of the week I could even on most weekends, I took lessons and I also volunteered to help coaching the 10 and under kids in the last summer with Coach Rene Ronquillo. I got 3rd place on my freshman district tournament and on my sophomore year got 1st place in district, I made the sterling varsity tennis team my junior year and worked really hard to be the in the top 5 of the boys ladder. In January 2011 I got the opportunity to go a whole weekend with the tennis team to Newks Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas. Which is a professional tennis academy and out of 70 players I got the scholarship for a tennis summer camp at Newks tennis ranch. At the end of the 2011 fall Team Tennis Season I was awarded as the player who made the most improvement to his overall game on the men’s team. I took advantage of the scholarship I got for the Newks Tennis Summer Camp in 2012 and came back and played all my challenge matches and made the number 1 player in the boys ladder for the 2012 fall Team Tennis Season. I was also named first team All-District for the 2012 fall season. In January 2013 I had another opportunity to go to Newks Tennis Ranch for a whole weekend with the tennis team and got the scholarship for a second time out of 74 players. Currently I’ve been playing mixed doubles and we got 1st place on our district tournament. Tennis has definitely made me a better person in life and I thank to all the people who have support me through all my 4 years of tennis in high school. I hope I can win the Jennifer Velasco scholarship because it means a lot to me and I have worked very hard to get on where I am right now and I can say that all the effort was well worth it.

Tradeblocks Case Essay Example for Free

Tradeblocks Case Essay Small business owners today are facing more hardship than ever before.   Internet commerce and regional trade blocs are the two main culprits.   Regional trade blocs combine company interests and are many time created by a nation, along with their neighboring nations, in order to compete more effectively in the global market.   Another reason for the formation of these blocs can also be so be to enable the involved nations in their efforts to impose more substantial sanctions against nations with whom they are at war or with which thy have political issues. There are many reasons for this trend and unless this trend is reversed, small businesses will continue to suffer and run the risk of no longer being viable. Robert Scott states in his speech, The U.S. Trade Deficit, Are We Trading Away Our Future?, that while U.S. workers have been hurt by globalization, multinational companies based in North America have prospered. Reversing this trend will require government help and support. He also states that these â€Å"informal coalitions† have successful undermined a great many trade initiatives during the last few years. The big question is, what steps can be taken to reverse this kind of trend and help small businesses to regain a more equitable footing the new global market?   Linda Schmid writes in her article, Identifying Business Interests in WTO Services Talks, that companies rising up in developing countries â€Å"can shape their trade future† by â€Å"knowing the market, spotting the barriers and voicing interests in the right channels.† Even though the landscape of small business positioning in the global market is bleak, the future can bring about profound change. Governments can easily assist their resident small business by joining with peer nations to help them to form coalitions of their own in order to have a louder voice with relevant venues such as the World Trade Organization. By doing this, small businesses can more effectively stand up to the new bullies on the block. BIBLIOGRAPHY Scmid, Linda   Identifying Business Interests in WTO Services Talks, International Trade Forum, issue 2/2005 Scott, Robert  Ã‚   The U.S. Trade Deficit, Are We Trading Away Our Future?   THIS TESTIMONY WAS GIVEN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY AND TRADE ON JULY 22,1999.