Russia's Afghan War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Russia's Afghan War - Essay Example About 1,500 military advisers who worked in the country sabotaged equipment Afghan army and discouraged any kind of resistance by Afghan troops and officers (Hill, p.5). Discussion Preparation for Attack On Christmas Eve of 1979, the usually quiet airport in the Afghan capital resembles  Kabul  said a European metropolis.  The large machines with Soviet insignia, landing every three minutes, but have no regular passengers on board, but well-equipped soldiers, armored vehicles, weapons and ammunition. Observers suggested earlier, the company had long been part of the usual military support from  Moscow.  Two days later, on the evening of 27  December, a storm troop towards the city center is on the march, headed by units of the Soviet secret service  KGB  responsible under the leadership of Colonel GI Bojarinow, the head of the training center for special operations of the infamous Pay Department of the KGB, which stands for "wet stuff" (mokryje dela) is for assassinat ions and sabotage.  The military vehicles carry the Afghan national emblem, the soldiers hidden behind the closed hatches, Afghan uniforms.  First destination is the telegraph office, which can blow Bojarinow.  After then, the radio station has been occupied, the column continues to Darulaman Palace on the outskirts.  Despite fierce opposition from the guard of storm troopers penetrates rapidly.  In the top-floor bar the invaders find the one man they are looking for: President Hafisullah Amine, together with his mistress.  Both were shot in the melee. As far as the look, Christopher Andrew and Oleg Gordiewsky KGB in her book - the story of its foreign operations from Lenin to  Gorbachev  give.  The work is based to a large extent on the information and detailed knowledge of a party: Gordiewsky was KGB man in London, and in 1985 changed sides.  His report following prisoners were not made, there would be no witnesses.  Bojarinow also came at the storming of the palace killed. Presumably he was confused because of the Afghan Uniform and shot by his own people (Grau, p.129-145). Warfare and Combat This Hollywood mature coup began in December 1979, the war in  Afghanistan. From the point of view of the Kremlin, there had been a few good reasons for intervention in the Hindu Kush.  As they were aware that the country had been skeptical from the beginning, due to this they had discouraged the war which was a right act.  However, the war proved to be futile, it seriously damaged the reputation of Moscow and accelerated the implosion of the  Soviet Union.  Afghanistan had become "Moscow's Vietnam". Always the policy of the Kremlin had aimed to closely to tie the southern neighboring country itself.  A non-aggression and neutrality pact in 1926 was followed in the fifties and sixties, a broad-based policy support.  The Soviet Union gave large loans, sent millions of business and technology consultants, built roads to the north and b ought generously export goods.  They Willingly trained the officer corps of the Afghan army by the Soviet Army, so that Kabul fell into complete dependence on Moscow (Grau, p.129-145). After King Zahir Shah was deposed in 1973, the coalition process was continued and Prince Mohammed Daoud initially led a coalition with the Pro-Moscow

Sophomore change Essay Example for Free

Sophomore change Essay A major event that has changed my life forever is high school. It has affected my life both negatively and positively. I never expected it to go the way it has gone. I can honestly say that if I could re-do high school all over again, I would. It has been a bumpy road and I wish I had done it completely different. The small events within it have made me realize who my true friends are, look forward the future, and make the best decisions for myself. High school started out a mystery. I had no idea what I was in for. I came into it in a relationship that lasted half of my high school years. I would not have changed that as a whole, just some of the parts in between. I consider myself as being very naive in the beginning. Freshman year was confusing for everyone. No one knew who his or her real friends were yet. It changed for most everyone. Sophomore year was basically the same, just older. Cliques started forming and more friends were made. I made a lot of mistakes in this time of my life that I would change if possible. I should have been a lot of things but I definitely should have been more considerate. Junior year was pretty much the same. I started defining who I was. I became more aware of situations and started making better decisions. I feel as if I grew up pretty fast. My parents started trusting me more and letting me experience life a little more freely. Junior year was a learning period of high school for sure. Senior year has been the most challenging year. I started realizing life is starting to get real. Everything counts now. College applications were a hard task. Realizing where you want to spend the next chapter in your life is really mind-altering. It is confusing yet exciting. This has changed my life drastically. My mind kept changing and changing over again. This was the year I began to realize who my real friends are. A lot of my friends came and went but I have really started to realize that family is what counts the most. High school has changed my life forever. I have lost people that I love and I have gained a great amount of knowledge. I still have no idea where my life will take me but I know that with the right support system, I will get where I am supposed to be. Family will always be there and friends are sometimes temporary. As these years have passed by, I’ve learned a lot about growing up and taking my life more seriously. I wish I had stepped up and applied myself like I know I could have. I should have taken school more seriously so I would have more options for my future. High school has had its ups and downs. It was the biggest life-changer I have had. I look forward to seeing where the next chapter in my life goes. These past few years have definitely changed my life forever.

Greek and Roman Mythology :: essays research papers

The ancient Greek and ancient Roman religion was the belief in gods. They had similar beliefs, but also immeasurable differences. It was composed of many meaningful gods and goddesses that all played a part in the everyday life of the average Roman and Greek person of that time. They believed in something called polytheism. It is the belief of many gods, each given a personality and purpose. And was the subject of many myths and legends that would be told for many generations to come. They were to become the basis for a religion that would last for hundreds of years and would yield thousands of followers to believe in the made stories of these enchanted people or gods as they were called. The Roman mythology was to consist of twelve to thirteen main gods. Each having a function in the life of the everyday Roman, that would require some sort of worshipping. The Roman gods were taken from the beliefs of the Greek gods. They are directly descended from their neighboring religion. The Roman mythology consisted of the high god Jupiter, his wife and sister Juno, son Vulcan, son Mercury, daughter Diana, daughter Venus, son Mars, daughter Minerva, son Apollo, sister Vesta, brother Pluto, brother Neptune, and Janus.(Classical Mythology) Jupiter was the ruler of the gods. He is also known as Zeus to the Greeks. The King of Gods in Greek Mythology Zeus was the ruler of the sky, and had the power to create thunderstorms and lightning as well as earthquakes. He was the child of Cronus and Rhea. As the story goes he was their sixth child, and the father to protect him from being overthrown had eaten the five previous children. Zeus was taken to a city called Crete and hidden from his father. As Zeus grew older and learned of what happened he found a potion to make his father regurgitate the other children. Once this happened they all teamed up and killed their father. Zeus then became the ruler of Mount Olympus, and head of the new line of Gods. Jupiter was the predominant power holder of Roman Gods. He was ruler of the sky, the daylight, all the weather, and even the thunder and lightening.(Ruck,Carl and Staples, Danny, pg 19) Neptune was the god of the sea. He was worshipped mostly by seaman. Greek and Roman Mythology :: essays research papers The ancient Greek and ancient Roman religion was the belief in gods. They had similar beliefs, but also immeasurable differences. It was composed of many meaningful gods and goddesses that all played a part in the everyday life of the average Roman and Greek person of that time. They believed in something called polytheism. It is the belief of many gods, each given a personality and purpose. And was the subject of many myths and legends that would be told for many generations to come. They were to become the basis for a religion that would last for hundreds of years and would yield thousands of followers to believe in the made stories of these enchanted people or gods as they were called. The Roman mythology was to consist of twelve to thirteen main gods. Each having a function in the life of the everyday Roman, that would require some sort of worshipping. The Roman gods were taken from the beliefs of the Greek gods. They are directly descended from their neighboring religion. The Roman mythology consisted of the high god Jupiter, his wife and sister Juno, son Vulcan, son Mercury, daughter Diana, daughter Venus, son Mars, daughter Minerva, son Apollo, sister Vesta, brother Pluto, brother Neptune, and Janus.(Classical Mythology) Jupiter was the ruler of the gods. He is also known as Zeus to the Greeks. The King of Gods in Greek Mythology Zeus was the ruler of the sky, and had the power to create thunderstorms and lightning as well as earthquakes. He was the child of Cronus and Rhea. As the story goes he was their sixth child, and the father to protect him from being overthrown had eaten the five previous children. Zeus was taken to a city called Crete and hidden from his father. As Zeus grew older and learned of what happened he found a potion to make his father regurgitate the other children. Once this happened they all teamed up and killed their father. Zeus then became the ruler of Mount Olympus, and head of the new line of Gods. Jupiter was the predominant power holder of Roman Gods. He was ruler of the sky, the daylight, all the weather, and even the thunder and lightening.(Ruck,Carl and Staples, Danny, pg 19) Neptune was the god of the sea. He was worshipped mostly by seaman.

Giligan Oakmont Country Club Case

Gilligan oOakmont Country Club 1 Thomas W. Gilligan University of Southern California I t is the summer of 1996 and management must decide whether or not to alter the process used to trade the club’s 450 memberships. The current fixed price system, in which management sets the transfer fee for club memberships, offers some degree of financial certainty for existing and prospective members as well as for the club’s financial planners. However, the fixed price system promotes chronic imbalances between the number of members wishing to leave the club and the number of eligible candidates wanting to enter the club.These imbalances create frustrations for eligible candidates, hardships for long-time club members, difficulties in developing suitable new members and problems for club planners. Management is considering several alternatives. THE CLUB Oakmont Country Club is a private golf and social club located along the Arroyo Verdugo in northern Glendale, California. Establi shed in 1922, Oakmont has long provided the kind of relaxed social life prized by many Southern California families. Oakmont’s mission statement reveals the club’s goals and orientation. . . to provide its members with a premium golf and country club experience that includes a well maintained, highly respected and competitive golf course; an attractively designed and efficiently operated clubhouse that meets the membership’s requirements for excellent service, top-quality food and beverages and ample meeting and banquet facilities; and the maintenance of the Club’s unique atmosphere of a strong and friendly family orientation. All contemporary management issues at Oakmont are evaluated through the lens of this mission statement.This case was prepared by Thomas W. Gilligan, University of Southern California, as a basis for classroom discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation.Oakmont’s challenging 18-hole, 6,736-yard golf course is a tough test for golfers of any ability. The course was designed by Max Behr, architect of many local courses including the one at Lakeside Country Club, and modified by William Bell, Sr. , creator of courses at the Riviera and Bel Air Country Clubs. Oakmont’s course is currently the site of an annual Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament and over the years has hosted many important professional and amateur events. Among the notable winners of golf tournaments held at Oakmont are Ben Hogan and Al Geiberger.Oakmont’s clubhouse, which was renovated in 1995, is a 42,000 square foot, single-story structure characterized by an elegant reception area, formal dining room, private meeting and banquet rooms, a member’s grill, a casual dining room and a terrace grill for indoor and outdoor eating. In addition, there is a fully equipped state-of-the-art exercise room and men’s and women’s locker rooms. A competitive short course pool, with toddler swimming area, is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Oakmont’s assets are valued at nearly $13 million while its annual operating expenses are more than $3 million.Tables 1 and 2 are statements of the financial position and activities of Oakmont Country Club for fiscal years 1995 and 1996. Oakmont is organized as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the state of California. According to its bylaws, Oakmont’s membership is fixed at 450 regular members each with an equal proprietary interest in the club’s assets (Oakmont also has several non-equity membership categories). Regular members govern Oakmont through the election of a Board of Directors (the Board), the chief policy-making body of the club. The Board appoints members o standing and special committees and, together with the club’s General Manager and senior staff, supervise the daily operations of Oakmont. Regular members also vote on the adoption of new articles or amendments to Oakmont’s bylaws.THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESSMost of Oakmont’s regular members are professionals, entrepreneurs or corporate leaders who reside in Glendale and the neighboring communities of La Crescenta, La Canada-Flintridge and Pasadena. Some are executives or high-ranking managers in the entertainment industries that permeate the Los Angeles basin.Many current members are children of long-time Oakmont members. Surveys conducted by the club indicate that many members consider other clubs before joining Oakmont. Three nearby clubs – Annandale Country Club in Pasadena, San Gabriel Country Club in San Gabriel, and Lakeside Country Club in Burbank – compete directly with Oakmont for new members. Indeed, the need to provide competitive club characteristics and amenities was a major motivation for the recent renovation of Oakmont’s Clubhouse. Regular members wishing to leave Oakmont do so for a varie ty of reasons.Some have moved or are planning to move to locations that would limit or preclude their use of Oakmont. Others wish to give up their golfing privileges but continue their association with Oakmont as social members. Some find that due to changing life circumstances (e. g. , the death of a spouse), their club usage has declined and it is no longer sensible to continue to pay the monthly membership dues, which can approach $500 even with little or no use of the club. And some are no longer economically able to cover the cost of membership. Historically, roughly two members leave the club each month.The process of becoming a member at Oakmont is typical of private country and social clubs in Southern California. Prospective members are invited to join Oakmont by two current members (a â€Å"proposer† and â€Å"seconder†) and endorsed by five additional regular members. These prospects are then interviewed by the club’s Membership Committee and evaluate d by the Board.Eligible candidates become members of Oakmont by remitting an entrance fee to the club’s business office. Part of the entrance fee, the transfer fee, is used to defray the current expenses of the club. Table 2 illustrates that the transfer fee is an important revenue source, constituting roughly 14 and 19 percent of the club’s operating revenues in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The balance of the entrance fee, the member’s equity, is paid to the resigning member. Currently, the entrance fee, transfer fee and member’s equity are set by Oakmont’s Board.This so-called fixed price membership system is typical of social and country clubs like Oakmont and has several desirable features. The fixed price system allows the Board to reliably budget transfer fees. The fixed price system also appears to provide some certainty about the costs of joining Oakmont to prospective members and the value of member’s equity for members planning to resign. Since the fee structure adopted under the fixed price system is at the discretion of the Board, it permits some flexibility in adjusting to relevant changing circumstances.For example, the vicissitudes of the Southern California economy have a large bearing on the number of members wishing to resign from or join Oakmont. During the economic boom of the late 1980s and prior to the recession of the early 1990s, the Board increased the entrance fee by almost 50 percent (from $34,000 in May 1989 to $50,000 in March 1992). After the recession of the early 1990s, the Board reduced the entrance fee by nearly a quarter (from $50,000 in March 1992 to $39,000 in June 1993).Changes in the entrance fee also reflect the financial requirements of construction or acquisition of new assets. Also in June 1993, the Board increased the entrance fee by $6,700, an amount equal to the assessment levied on all current Oakmont members to cover the costs of the Clubhouse renovation (note that the ol d entrance fee plus assessment yields the new entrance fee of $45,700). Table 3 reports the entrance fee, transfer fee, and member’s equity for October of each year from 1989 to 1995, as well as for August of 1996.THE PROBLEMSThe fixed price membership system used at Oakmont is associated with at least one potentially undesirable feature; a chronic imbalance between the number of members wishing to resign and the number of eligible candidates wishing to join the club. The last column of Table 3 reports the number of people waiting to join (in parenthesis) or resign from Oakmont for several months during the 1989 to 1996 period. In October of 1991, there were 11 eligible candidates for membership to the club who, due to the paucity of members wishing to resign, remained eligible candidates for at least one month.Inspection of Table 3 indicates that the number of eligible candidates waiting to join Oakmont at the end of October of 1990 and 1989 was even greater; 42 and 27, resp ectively. Indeed, some members who paid Oakmont’s highest historical entrance fee late in 1991 or early in 1992 had waited over two years to join the club. A long waiting list of eligible candidates wishing to enter Oakmont had its good and bad points. Some members viewed a long queue of eligible candidates as indicative of the value and exclusivity of the club.After all, it is traditionally difficult to get into a desirable social club; why should Oakmont be any different? Others, however, were troubled by the impact of this lengthy wait on eligible candidates. All of the eligible candidates had been asked to join by current Oakmont members. Many of these members were embarrassed and frustrated by the lengthy wait that accompanied their invitations. In addition, some felt that the long waiting list to enter Oakmont generated â€Å"speculative† eligible members; individuals that declined to exercise their option to become a member when they reached the top of the list. While these two membership categories addressed some of the problems associated with the long waiting list to join Oakmont, they also created some new issues and abuses, as well. During 1992, the imbalance between the number of members wishing to resign or join Oakmont continued unabated.Paradoxically, the relationship that existed during the late 1980s and early 1990s reversed itself; there were now more members wishing to resign than to join. The factors behind this new trend were evident. The weakening national and, especially, Southern California economy shrank the number of individuals with the discretionary income necessary to belong to a country club. Changes in the tax law in the early 1990s that reduced allowable deductions for club dues and entertainment further limited the number of prospective members.Moreover, the average age of Oakmont members, a good predictor of the number of members wishing to resign, had increased from 55 years in 1971 to 62 years in 1996. As Table 3 reports, at the end of October of 1992 there were 10 members who wished to leave Oakmont but could not because there were no eligible candidates waiting to enter. By the end of August of 1996, this number was now 41 and the member at the top of the list to sell his membership had waited since June of 1994. Club management soon discovered that there is nothing good about a long list of members waiting to leave Oakmont.By the second half of 1994, those waiting to leave were quite bitter. These resigning members had endured the physical disruptions of the Clubhouse renovation, which still had a year to go and was at the time 50 percent over budget. The resigning members who had left the area thought it unfair that they be required to continue to pay monthly dues. Management tried to accommodate these individuals by establishing another membership category – inactive member – with reduced monthly fees in exchange for the surrender of club privileges.This plan placated f ew resigning members. And the general negativity of the current situation accelerated the number of members wishing to resign and diminished further still the number of prospective members wishing to enter Oakmont. Indeed, during several months in 1994 and 1995, few prospective members made inquiries and no eligible members were admitted to the club. Ironically, by the middle of 1996 the national and regional economy had recovered with a vengeance. Real estate prices, the stock market, and national and regional employment were all rising dramatically.The Clubhouse renovation had been completed and, by all accounts, greatly increased the utility and desirability of Oakmont. Yet, the number of members wishing to resign from Oakmont continued to accumulate. All of the long-term fundamentals for a strong and popular club were now in place. Where were the prospective members that a modern club and healthy economy and stock market should help create? Could the allure of country club livin g have declined in contemporary Southern California? Or might savvy prospective members have anticipated a better deal around the corner?THE ALTERNATIVESDuring 1996 the Board contemplated possible solutions to the membership problem. One possibility was to promote the club more effectively among prospective members. In the 1990s the Board had adopted a variety of plans to generate eligible candidates, such as offering existing members prizes for successful referrals (e. g. , vacations to Hawaii, free dues for three months). These plans had been judged to be only moderately successful and created a backlash among members who felt that such promotions were in poor taste and counter to the Club’s recruitment goals.Some current members felt that new members should be those who fit well within the club’s niche, not those simply financially able to be Oakmont members. The renovation of CaseNet ®  ©South-Western College Publishing Oakmont Country Club 5 the Clubhouse help ed generate new members, as well. Following its completion there was an initial surge of interest. Some Board members felt that an aggressive promotional plan coupled with some minor improvements in the Club’s physical plant (e. . , the pool) would go far towards alleviating the membership imbalance. Many of these same Board members believed that the strengthening economy would naturally solve the current problem. Another alternative the Board considered was to reduce the entrance fee, as was done in 1992. This simple solution, which was favored by some of the Board’s members, was consistent with the long-time practices of the club and would require few if any changes to the administrative procedures governing the membership process.Other Board members felt that it was unfair to members wishing to leave the club to force them to sell their memberships at a discounted fixed price. And even if the Board reduced the club’s entrance fee, what should the new fee be? Should the fee be set to generate a waiting list of eligible members, as had existed prior to 1991? If so, what was the right length waiting list? Some Board members felt that, under the current circumstances, any change in the entrance fee would have to be modified in the near future and, depending on the volatility of several factors, on a periodic basis.A third alternative considered by the Board was to abandon the fixed price membership system altogether and adopt the so-called float method to determine the entrance fee, transfer fee and member’s equity of Oakmont memberships. This method had been adopted at some neighboring clubs (e. g. , San Gabriel Country Club and Lakeside Country Club) with varying success. Generally, the float method permits the entrance fee to change monthly as a function of the number of members wishing to enter and leave the club and the value that these members place on membership in Oakmont.Board members who favored the float method felt it wou ld alleviate the imbalance between the number of individuals wishing to leave and enter Oakmont. They also felt that the float method would get club management out of the business of trying to guess the value of club memberships and addressing, on an ad hoc basis, the problems that might arise from lengthy waiting lists to enter or leave the club. Some Board members opposed the plan because they felt it would interject uncertainty in budgeting for transfer fee income.Others opposed the plan because they felt that membership in Oakmont was not like a piece of real estate to be transacted on the open market. These members felt memberships should be allocated by the Board, with consultation from the Membership Committee, to prospective members who would help further Oakmont’s values and mission.THE DECISIONIn late September of 1996, the Board abandoned the fixed price membership system and adopted a float method to determine the entrance fee, transfer fee, and member’s eq uity of Oakmont memberships.Under the float method, a resigning member offers to sell his membership at any price he wishes. At the end of each month the Board presents these offers, from lowest to highest, to eligible candidates. Priority is given to eligible candidates based on the submission date of their membership application. If an eligible candidate accepts the offer, the candidate remits a check in the amount of the offer to Oakmont’s business office. The transfer fee is half of the offer price or $15,000, whichever is greater, with the remainder constituting the resigning member’s equity.If an eligible candidate declines the offer, he assumes the lowest priority in the following month’s membership sale. A candidate can decline three offers before losing his eligibility. The highest selling price, the number of memberships transacted, and the number of remaining eligible candidates is reported each month to Oakmont members, eligible candidates and prospe ctive members.Smith and Mr. Jones, both long-time Oakmont members, submit offers to sell at $35,000 and $40,000, respectively. Currently, Mr. Brown, Mr. Black and Mr. White are the only eligible candidates. Based on the timing of their membership applications, an offer will be presented first to Mr. Brown, then to Mr. Black, and finally to Mr. White. The Board presents Mr. Smith’s $35,000 offer to Mr. Brown. Since Mr. Brown declines the offer, he is placed on the bottom of next month’s eligible candidate’s list and Mr. Black is presented with Mr.Smith’s offer. Mr. Black accepts, remitting a check for $35,000 to Oakmont, $17,500 of which goes to the operating budget of the club as transfer fee and $17,500 of which goes to Mr. Smith as member’s equity. Mr. Jones’ $40,000 offer is now presented to Mr. White, who declines and goes to the bottom of next month’s eligible candidate’s list behind Mr. Brown. Mr. Jones’ $40,000 of fer stands unless he advises the Board that he wishes to either withdraw or alter his offer. The Board would report that one membership changed hands at $35,000.If more than one membership had been traded, the Board would report the highest price only. Table 1 reports the monthly history of the float method at Oakmont Country Club from October of 1996 through January of 1999. This table catalogs the number of members waiting to sell their membership, the number making offers to sell, the number of offers accepted by eligible candidates, and the highest selling price. In Oakmont’s 1997 Annual Report, President Charles J. Gelhaar offered the following summary. The success of our â€Å"float† process continued in 1997.Our waiting-out list has [been] reduced from 43 to 0. We sold 34 regular [memberships]. The last membership sold for $57,750. Oakmont’s President in 1998, David A. Werbelow, provided the following assessment. [The] Membership Committee continued the p ositive turnaround which began in . . . October, 1996, with the introduction of the â€Å"float† system. This year, every offer to sell was accepted by a buying new member – the 1998 average selling price of just over $60,000 was $12,000 higher than the average of the prior year.The average age of incoming members is more than 20 years younger than retiring members, and Oakmont Country Club has firmly established a niche in Southern California as a family club. The History of Oakmont Country Club, published on the club’s 75 th Anniversary in 1997, provides a more theatrical description of the events surrounding the adoption of the float method. . . . it was now time to tackle another pressing problem: the membership. The recession that damaged Southern California had impacted Oakmont as well. The average age of golf members had climbed to 61, and there were some 40 members waiting to get out.Unfortunately, new members were coming in at a snail’s pace. At one point, only one new member applied in a three-month period. Spearheaded by 1996 Club President Olaf Falkenhagen, the idea of a floating membership fee was implemented in October, 1996. Other clubs in the area had tried it with varying success; and after considerable debate at the Board level, it was time for Oakmont to try it. It was an instant success. Five new members applied immediately. Thirty five members applied in six months.A high of $60,000 was reached in May, 1997, and a waiting list to join seems a real possibility for the first time in years. The float method developed at Oakmont, referred to as the Oakmont Float, is now used by a variety of equity-based golf and social clubs in the Southern California and Las Vegas areas.

Our National Duties

Once Martin Luther King said, â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly†. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says that, â€Å"In this new era, people’s actions constantly-if often unwittingly-affect the lives of others living far away. Globalization offers great opportunities, but at present its benefits are very unevenly distributed while its costs are born by all. He emphasizes six shared values, which are of particular relevance to the new century: freedom, equity and solidarity, tolerance, non-violence, respect for nature and shared responsibility. The modern world is becoming smaller, highly integrated and technologically more advanced. It is also becoming highly fragmented, less peaceful and unsafe for both present and future generations. Spectacular advances in science and technology over the last five decades have revolutionized the entire world. Investments in research and development have resulted in innovations and inventions in both product and factor markets. The benefits of these advancements however, have yet to reach the poor living in many countries across the world. Poverty is on the increase and we are sitting on millions of human landmines. The world today is passing through an environment full of tensions, violence, declining values, injustice, reduced tolerance and respect for human rights. The gun culture has already taken a dominant position in most of the developing countries, threatening the future of the youth who deserve a peaceful and better quality of life. There is a greater need to create a culture of Youth Leadership in society through an active participation of youth in civic activities. Adult leaders, parliamentarians and policymakers at community, municipality, state, national and international levels should agree that they are responsible for ensuring that the 21st century is characterized as a century of Youth Leadership. The world today is indeed in search of a new culture and a common system of values and new behavioral patterns for individuals, groups and nations, because, without them, the major problems of international and internal peace cannot be solved. The replacement of the existing culture of violence by a culture of peace can only be achieved in a longer perspective. In a period of transition and accelerated change marked by the expression of intolerance, manifestation of racial and ethnic hatred, violence towards those regarded as â€Å"others† and the growing disparities between the rich and the poor. Action strategies must aim at ensuring fundamental freedom, peace, human rights, and democracy and at promoting sustainable and equitable economic and social development all of which have an essential part to play in building a culture of peace. What do we expect from the youth with the creation of the culture of peace? The youth with their new ideas, new energy and neutral background, can contribute to peace development. They are ready to participate in community work. Youth should be treated as partners-partnership by youth in all social activities, of governance, community activities-should start in an active manner with the entry of the child into the golden age phase of 15 to 25 years. Youth should realize that they should not wait for the inheritance of the world; they must realize they have already inherited the world while entering into the golden age. Development of youth as productive citizens and peace workers could be a starting point for developing the peace culture. In the world today, one person in five is between the ages of 15 to 25, which is an accepted UN definition of the age that defines youth. There are altogether more than one billion youth, constituting a formidable force. About 85 percent live in developing countries with 60 percent in Asia, or about 800 million youth in the Asian region. Moreover, two thirds of these youth are growing in countries, which have extremely low per capita incomes (PCIs), below the PCI of $700 per annum. The needs and aspirations of young people are still mostly unmet. The youth employment and livelihood problem is particularly acute and growing in the developing countries while the bulk of corporate resources are controlled by developed countries. Moreover, action on youth employment and livelihood remain poorly defined. Poverty breeds an environment, which encourages social deviations like drug-addiction, excessive smoking, alcoholism, and tendencies towards suicide. Most problems among youth in developing countries are nurtured by their perception of an uncertain and unstable future. However, one thing is clear among all youth: that they want to make something of them, and to sustain the value of family solidarity. Today’s youth are often skeptical about adult leaders and they may express the desire to participate in society through volunteer work but not in politics. Alienated youth, particularly when they form a large proportion of the population, will turn their energy to drugs, crime, violence and even revolution. Unengaged youth represent a wasted economic resource. Youth of today is in search of its identity. They are less inclined towards conflicts and wars unless external forces compel them to do so. International studies clearly indicate that today’s youth are concerned about issues relating to family, education and employment. The youth express their need for a sense of independence, competence and participation in the mainstreams of society. They should be perceived as key agents for social change, including peace development, economic development and technological innovation. The paradox is that even as they represent societies’ greatest hope, they are a group who risk an uncertain and unstable future. How to involve these young men and women in building and designing their future, and the future of coming generations, is the key issue confronting the progress of our societies. The world today stands at a crossroad. However, the path of peace ahead remains clear for the world if we pursue three goals: firstly, a common vision of our future society anchored on peace; secondly, the core of shared values that animate our desires and preferences, grounds for peace which is acceptable to all religions, peoples, nations, families and communities, and hirdly, the power for united venture that brings people-empowered action for the attainment of a peace vision guided by the values we cherish. The peace factor must be used to resolve prime issues such as: (i) the persistent poverty of people, especially those in rural areas, (ii) the social injustice that continues to prevail in our societies and then often divisive and counter-productive ways of governance. The index to development, theref ore, must be human in dimension, content and lifestyle anchored on peace. In the case of the National Peace Development Policy for Youth, we must deviate from tradition and formulate policy with active participation of the youth. In this case, policy definition and strategy have to be applied flexibly by involving and energizing the youth right from the very start. It should not begin with elders and senior policy-makers and leaders, but take grassroots hold with the youth from day one. The youth must be empowered to find their own niche and roles in the totality of national development, and be the major force for peace development. All steps in the exercise should be taken in consultation with the different levels of participating youth from the national down to the state, district, municipal and village levels. Youth constitutes the richest wealth of a country. They develop quality of personal integrity, personal discipline and open mindedness. It is enriched further when they develop an open attitude and universal outlook. As youth is a period of passions, emotions, activity and vigor, they should be trained to combine enthusiasm with patience. Youth should develop an open attitude and universal outlook. This is the real empowerment of youth. Empowering or enabling is like a process similar to teaching and fishing. For preserving peace, youth must play a decisive role. Youth should be exposed to merit of tolerance and nonviolence. Youth should realize the importance of living together and should be responsible to defend the frontiers of peace and non-violence. This warrants the promotion of a new culture and thus a different mindset. Hence, a comprehensive rethinking is required in all walks of life with a total commitment to the issues of youth development. Educational experiences should be provided to youth with an objective to enhance their tolerance level and help them understand the merits of tolerance and respect for â€Å"otherness†. â€Å"Respecting the others† goes much farther than tolerance. Education must promote an aptitude of free inquiry, frank and vigorous discussion and willingness to work in teams. Education should teach the youth not only to tolerate differences but also to respect differences. In spiritual development, the youth can form a new phalanx of peace missionaries building up volunteers and NGO networks at the grassroots, concentrating on values education and spiritual renewal among children, women and the youth to reverse the process of family values in which traditionally, it is the elders who impose on the youth; this time it will be the young helping shape family values through dedicated youth peace missionaries. In the area of ethnic development, the youth of different ethnic groups can forge links between cultural minorities and popularize shared values, shared religious values, and shared cultures and traditions handed down from generation to generation. In political development, youth can be trained to form the cadre of youth animators to expose the rural poor to democratic processes and institutions, to consensus building and voting mechanics, to party and government platforms. In socio-economic development, the youth can join internship/training programs with agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries, sharpen their skills to become the forward-looking manpower needed by their countries to help their economies compete favorably against international competition. In political/government development, the youth can engage in internships in the parliamentary institutions, join in political awareness-building, reform political parties and remove the ugliness of partisan politics, and at the same time force reforms in the bureaucracy to ensure good governance, accountability, transparency, and citizenry participation. E-government strategy can effectively support such programs. In military affairs, the youth can become the country’s elite guards dedicated to patriotism, protection of children, women, oppressed and poor, and through collective vigilance and closeness with the people, provide the moral counterpart to the abuses of ambitious generals and military demagogues. Finally, in regional and international development, the youth can become peace ambassadors of their respective countries, promoting exchange programs in education, culture, science and echnology, sports and games, and in tourism promotions, to link all the youth of the region and the world in the pursuit and maintenance of peace and democracy. Youth Leadership activities cannot be confined to schools. They should be exposed to the real socio-political environment. That is missing today. In addition to peace development, these youth forums should, from time to time, include planning and implementation of environmental programs, family planning, information technology, health and sani tation, etc. Forum participants should focus on the benefits of peace, non-violence to strengthen tolerance through participation in community affairs, anniversaries in which all can participate thereby fostering a culture of peace and tolerance through a system of community education in order to promote respect and mutual understanding. The new millennium offers the world’s people a unique opportunity to reflect on their common destiny, at a moment when they find themselves interconnected as never before. In this New World, groups and individuals interact directly across frontiers more often, without involving the state. This also has its dangers in terms of crime, narcotics, terrorism, weapons, refugees and migrants; all move back and forth faster and in greater numbers than in the past. But new technologies also create opportunities for mutual understanding and common action. If we are to get the best out of globalization and modern technologies as well as avoid the worst, we must learn to govern better with emphasis on good governance and strengthening of civil society, and how to govern better together. People are looking to their leaders to identify and act on the challenges ahead. There is no denying the fact that youth are important asset of any nation, making up 800 million of Asia’s population. They should be the primary concern of political leaders, religious leaders, policy makers, planners, administrators and others interested in development including peace development. The youth are creative and innovative. They are in a better position to introduce new dimensions contributing to the current socio-political and economic dialogue, particularly in the area of peace development. Hence, the national governments should give priority to the UN declarations of National Peace Policies and Action Programs. Nations are underdeveloped for many reasons, but certainly the major reasons are inadequate leadership, and absence of youth participation. We must now look to the youth. The modern electronic media have an essential role to play in the preparation of youth in a spirit of peace, justice, freedom, mutual respect and understanding, in order to promote human rights, equality of rights between all human beings and all nations, and economic and social progress. Equally, they have an important role to play in making known the views and aspirations of the youth with special focus on good governance, transparency, tolerance and democracy. In the ultimate analysis, my dear fellow participants and youth leaders, I am sure that together we can lay the foundations of our shared future, together we can build bridges of love and tryst; and together we can help translate the dreams and visions espoused at hundreds of such conferences before this one. With hope, faith and courage, soon we shall be able to tell our elders that yes when given the chance to deliver, we have done and done it in style. At least, we would leave this world as a much better place to live than we had inherited. Times cry for action and action here and now. Mark Twain said this for you, me and all of us: â€Å"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the thing you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover†¦! †

The Culture and Civilization tradition Essay Example

The Culture and Civilization tradition Essay Example The Culture and Civilization tradition Paper The Culture and Civilization tradition Paper He also sees society as a whole possessing a common basis of human nature (11) however he seams to think that the Barbarians and Philistines have a better developed basis of human nature than the Populace. As john Storey says, Arnold seems to be suggesting that the aristocracy and middle classes are further along the evolutionary continuum than the working class (12) This follows through that everyone has a place in society and that all should look to their betters for guidance. So Arnold, although being the pioneer of modern cultural thinking, seems to have been restricted by tradition and his place in society. Therefore his outlook on todays popular culture simply could not work without some adaptation. He appears to have a fear of the working class and really doesnt try to understand their culture other than from the view that it must be controlled to some extent. If their culture was left to develop alone it would be unchanging; the mass of mankind will never have an ardent zeal (to better themselves), very inadequate ideas will always satisfy them (13) Arnolds view lasted for nearly a century until the 1930s when F. R. Leavis and his wife Queeny Leavis picked up the baton with their publications Mass Civilisation and Minority Culture and Fiction and the reading public. Their ideas were developed in the period between the wars, a time in which they had seen the Wall Street crash in America, along with the building up through the press of movies and film stars, and to some extent American subcultures. This contrasted with the disillusionment of the British public with their government over the handling of the war. There was a general, mainly in the middle classes, worry of society falling into chaos. The public was dissatisfied with the upper classes and religion because of their involvement and leadership during the war a style of command that resulted in many lower class men loosing their lives in the trenches. It was this at time that great developments were made in democracy and a move was made away from the direct rule of the monarchy. It wasnt so much that the working classes were able to get into authority or government, but they did have more of a say over proceedings. Leavisism is based on the idea, created by Arnold that the ruling class minority of society dictates the rituals of the masses. Since the Industrial revolution a wish and an ability of the lower classes to follow their own desires had eroded this dictation. Leavisism believed that steps must be taken to bring them back into the fold. Where Arnold is remorseful of the falling of the feudal system, Queeny is nostalgic for the time when the masses exhibited an unquestioning ascent to authority. (14) She and her husband believed that Arnolds feared anarchy had already come to pass and that through education the lower classes should be instructed out of their subversive culture. Their suggestions for this education included the reading of adverts in terms of them and us, the masses and the educated respectively. F. R. Leavis promoted his own form of education and examination in popular culture with reference to media. He suggested that pupils in the final years before higher education looked at adverts in terms of questions, some of which would be relevant and helpful today, as well as some questions that confirm the status of the elitism. Questions such as What do you think his attitude would be towards us, how would he behave in situations where mob passions run high? (With reference to a Tobacco advert and the subject therein). (15) Q. D. Leavis believed that products of popular culture such as Films and trash novels have an almost hypnotic effect over their audience that people became de-educated by them. They evolve an under culture which detracts from high culture. She therefore sees the modern media as an enemy to the idealist vision of a national culture, where the only option of theatre provided a unilateral version of culture. Leavisism could be said to be anti-capitalist as it dislikes the commercial interests of the 19th and 20th centuries where the rising middle classes were attempting to use the working classes wish to escape by selling them dreams in the form of cultural products. Leavisism tapped into a train of thought of the time which was nostalgic for a more settled time before the rising up of commercial interests, when the working classes were directly answerable to the their land owners. The culture and civilization tradition was a way of looking at the changing world and trying to put it back to how it was. The Culture and Civilization tradition was used as a tool for a nai ve community to try and understand how the media effected society. Arnold developed his theory to explain societies social order and authority, and the importance of cultural subordination to the maintenance of this. Leavisism used is it to explain how media products were contributing to an unsettled system of authority. This way of looking at media studies died out during the 1950s when society as whole changed with wider expectance of new things and the evolution of thought towards individuality. (1) John Storey, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: an introduction (third edition), Pearson Education, 2001, p. 17 (2) Mathew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, London: Cambridge University Press, 1960, p. 6 (3) John Storey, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: an introduction (third edition), Pearson Education, 2001, p. 18. (4) Mathew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, p. 42 (5) Ibid. p. 89 (6) Ibid. p. 179 (7) Ibid. p. 163 (8) Ibid. p. 164 (9) John Storey, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture, p. 19 (10) Ibid. (11) Mathew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, p. 105 (12) John Storey, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture, p. 19 (13) Matthew Arnold, poetry and prose, London: Robert Hart Davis, 1954 p. 364 (14) Mathew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, p. 23 (15) Leavis and Thompson, Culture and Environment Greenwood press, 1977, p. 17.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters -Stock Valuation Critique Essays

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters -Stock Valuation Critique Essays Green Mountain Coffee Roasters -Stock Valuation Critique Essay Green Mountain Coffee Roasters -Stock Valuation Critique Essay Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Stock Valuation Critique Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Has implemented many strategies over its business life span, some that have contributed, and some that have reduced its value. As we commenced the stock valuation critique, we examined Smogs earnings for the past twelve months. Their earnings appear to have doubled from the previous year. This seems to be substantially successful for a coffee business industry, especially with the tendency of variations in sales and earnings. However earnings lone do not account for a companys entire worth. Solely looking at the actual stock price of the company will not give an accurate value due to other factors such as the size of the company. We compared the price per earnings ratio for CACM to many of its competitors and the industry average. As of August 6, 2012 their PIE ratio was 9. 90 compared to the industry of coffee manufacturing and packaging goods which was 47. 60. This is significantly low which drew parallel to its competitor comparison. Pets PIE ratio was 69. 18 and Struck fell in at 25. :

The 5 Best Suspense Thrillers on Stage

The 5 Best Suspense Thrillers on Stage Unlike mysteries in which the audience searches for clues to figure out â€Å"whodunit,† thrillers let viewers know who the bad guys are in advance. Then, the audience spends the rest of the play on the edge of their proverbial seats wondering who will win: the evil doer or the innocent victim? Here are five of the best stage thrillers in theatrical history. Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott In this slick, slightly dated cat-and-mouse thriller, three con-men manipulate a blind woman. They want the secret contents hidden inside a mysterious doll, and they are willing to go to any lengths to retrieve it - even murder. Fortunately, the blind protagonist, Suzy Hendrix, is resourceful enough to use her other heightened senses to combat the criminals. In the climactic final act, Suzy gains the advantage when she shuts off all the lights in her apartment. Then, the bad guys are in her territory. Deathtrap by Ira Levin A reviewer from Cue Magazine calls Levin’s comic suspense play, â€Å"two-thirds a thriller and one-third a devilishly clever comedy.† And the play is indeed devilish! The premise: a formerly successful author is so desperate for another hit, he seems willing to murder a younger more talented writer in order to steal his brilliant manuscript. But that’s only the beginning. Plot twists and treachery abound throughout Deathtrap. Try to see this one live at your local community theater. However, if you can’t wait for it to be revived, the Michael Caine film is a fun ride as well. Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott Another â€Å"Knotty† thriller, this play became an instant theatrical hit as well as an Alfred Hitchcock classic. Believing that he has planned the perfect crime, a cold-hearted husband hires a thug to murder his wife. The audience members hold their breath as they watch to see what happens next. Will the husband get away with the heinous deed? Will the wife survive? (Don’t hold your breath for too long – the play runs about two hours.) Perfect Crime by Warren Manzi This show is currently the longest running play in New York City history. This off-Broadway thriller has been running since 1987. Believe it or not, lead actress Catherine Russell has starred in Perfect Crime since its premiere. That means she performed in over 8,000 shows – missing a mere four performances during the last twenty years. (Can a person stay sane after all those performances?) The press release says: â€Å"The main character is a Harvard-educated psychiatrist accused of bumping off her wealthy British husband. The play is set in an affluent Connecticut town where this suspected murderess conducts her practice out of her secluded mansion. The handsome detective assigned to the case must overcome his own love-interest in the wife as he seeks to discover who murdered the husband, if indeed he was murdered at all.† Sounds like a good combination of suspense and romance. The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson Based upon the novel by William March, The Bad Seed asks a disturbing question. Are some people born evil? Eight-year old Rhoda Penmark seems to be. This play might be seriously disturbing for some people. Rhoda behaves sweetly and innocently around adults, but can be murderously devious during one-on-one encounters. There are few plays in which such a young child is portrayed as such a manipulative sociopath. The psychopathic Rhoda makes the creepy ghost girl from The Ring look like a Strawberry Shortcake.

Crimes committed by teenagers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crimes committed by teenagers - Essay Example As Allen (1996) observes, in many parts of the world, some teens have been engaged in criminal activities because their families do not want to take up responsibilities. So many teens have been neglected by family members who leave them to fend for themselves due to economic hardship, or perhaps because of their (family) negligence. In order to make ends meet such teens have always found themselves doing such criminal activities like robbing with violence. Teens might also find themselves committing criminal activities as a way of revenging for what society has done to them - they will always feel that society has forgotten them and that they are the wretched of the earth.Fourthly, some families have either knowingly or unknowingly entrusted their teenage children with a lot of decision making. It must be understood that in as much as a teen may tend to be mature, one thing families should know is that such children might not be physically or emotionally mature for such decision maki ng. They are sometimes bound to make the very wrong decision, which may result from criminal activities. The law should not be lenient to such family members because it is their responsibility to instill discipline and to control them until they reach the maturity stage where they can be left to take up their personal responsibilities. Making parents pay for the crimes committed by their teenage children along with their teens is something which should not be debated on.

Texas Judiciary Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Texas Judiciary - Assignment Example The police detective, Roberts, went beyond the normal limit when interrogating a murder suspect, Mr. Wilson. The detective used falsified records to show that the appellant had been involved in the murder through a fingerprints report. According to the detective, the prints were found on the magazine of the murder weapon. In this way, the detective lured the appellant into the confession that he indeed shot the victim. The trial judge refused to drop the evidence and denied the appellant request to recant the confession. The appellant court found out that the detective was in violation of the Texas Penal Code section 37.09 that inhibit the officers from using fabricated reports to get confessions from suspects. In addition, the court found out that the trial judge erred in admitting the evidence since it was inadmissible under clause 38.23 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Despite the decision, several judges dissented on the opinion that detectives are faced with a hard task of bal ancing the societal concerns and the rights granted by the Constitution The fact that the appellant confessed the murder is enough to convict him otherwise the state would risk setting the guilty free due to the interrogation methods. If I were a judge, I would concur with the dissenters since the fact that the appellant confessed to a murder could be a starting point to get the reliability of the evidence. Fingerprints are unique and thus the appellant could not have confessed if he was pretty sure that he had not used the murder weapon.

Competitive Profile Matrix for Amazon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Competitive Profile Matrix for Amazon - Essay Example Why did Amazon.com rally and how did it build the company to become leader of Internet commerce and enjoy its first annual profit in 2004 First, Amazon was a pioneer in bookselling, with only an Internet site with easy access and no bookstore chain. It was able to stock warehouses and avoid the middle man, thereby offering a discount that didn't exist at that time in regular bookstores. Second, when the business grew beyond expectations, Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos put the money back into the business instead of trying to make a profit (Frey & Cook, 2004). Realizing that bookselling by itself was not making the best use of technology, he added music CDs, movie videos, toys, electronics, software, video games, and home improvement, putting the company in direct competition with eBay and Wal-Mart (Mullen, 2005). In order to make full use of Amazon's popularity, he then created an online shopping portal, adding apparel from companies like Nordstrom and Gap, as well as sporting goods, gourmet foods, jewelry, and health and beauty (Timeline, 2006). But, for purposes of Amazon's competition in the field of books, how does the s ite compare with other bookselling sites online The following Competitive Profile Matrix, based on specific success factors, is a comparison of online companies that sell, among other things, books, but the rankings relate specifically to bookselling from 5 (the best) to 1

Treatment for Tobacco Use Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Treatment for Tobacco Use - Essay Example Chantix was developed specifically for smoking cessation and is a highly selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist. Chantix affects the sites in the brain that are affected by nicotine and aid by reducing the craving for nicotine. Being a partial agonist means that is has both a stimulating and a blocking effect on the receptor it is attracted to. Pfizer received a priority FDA review because of its potential to offer substantial improvement in the public health. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), trials took place in 2003-2004 at 6 US and 18 International medical clinics that were experienced in smoking cessation. The participants were chronic smokers who averaged smoking 21 cigarettes per day. The trials were designed as a 12-week treatment program with an extended follow-up period. Participants were given carbon monoxide testing to verify their claims of abstinence. In a trial reported by JAMA, after 52 weeks 43.6% of the participants that received varenicline had continued not to smoke. This compared to 36.9% of the participants that received a placebo. Other studies have reported a success rate of 21.9% for varenicline versus 8.4% for the placebo. The difference has been attributable to the design of the study.

The Business Environment of the Modern Day Society Research Paper

The Business Environment of the Modern Day Society - Research Paper Example Because of this transformation of the world, information from various corners of the world can be easily accessed by individuals and organizations without facing the problems of existence of a geographical barrier. The availability of various kinds of free data and other information content has automatically contributed in the rapid dispersion of various kinds of global trends. The fast maturity of markets around the world with response to the global trends resulted in creating unique demands from the consumers located in the developed as well as the developing markets. Business organization and companies in order to attain future growth in their areas of businesses increasingly try to focus on fulfilling the demand arising in the new as well as established markets located all over the world. However, before entering into a new market or trying to fulfil an existing or emerging demand in an already existent market, firms and organization often conduct external as well as internal env ironment analysis. While the internal analysis of the firms’ environment brings into focus the various advantages and disadvantages that are existent within the possibility of control of the firm, the external analysis outlines the positive and negative points that are beyond the controlling ability of the firm. Talking in a little detailed manner about the analysis of the external environment, it has to be said that the PEST analysis plays a very critical role. The PEST analysis comprises of evaluation of the external environment from the perspectives of political, economic, social and technological factors. It is important to mention that the PEST analysis is a highly effective tool for organizations that are looking forward to identify and control the weaker sides of the business environment so as to generate significant amount of potential leverage for their own product or service offerings (Henry 2). Talking more on the same note, it has to be said that by using the PEST analysis, the organizations look forward to capitalizing on their core competencies while addressing significant anomalies that might alter the balance existing in a competitive environment of business. It is relevant to mention the fact that when firms and organizations look forward to implementing a PEST analysis for analyzing and studying the current business environment, focus has to be given on a particular region on the basis of the firms’ product or service offerings. Also, an effective study of the business environment by the firm while using the PEST analysis will help the organization or firm to identify potential areas of business opportunity and threats (Ward and Daniel 28). Talking in a little elaborate manner about the factors that comprise of the PEST analysis, a brief description about each of the four factors has to be provided. While discussing the political factors, issues comprising of consumer protection law, contract and property rights, exchange rate p olicies, healthcare policies, political stability and trade regulations has to be taken into consideration. The economic factor will cover the analysis on the lines of availability and cost of workforce maintenance, growth factors of the economy, economic growth rate, rates of unemployment and inflation, stability of the exchange rate of the currency as well as existence and nature of the free market. While talking about the social factor of the PEST analysis, importance has to be given to issues like demographic factors, education, spirit of entrepreneurship as well as factor of wealth distribution. Finally while discussing about issues related to

Care of the highly dependent postoperative patient Essay

Care of the highly dependent postoperative patient - Essay Example He had a bloc resection of rectal cancer and had been treated with sigmoid colectomy. Right hemicolectomy fallowed by HIPES (treated intra peritoney chemotherapy) solitary liver metastasis. The patient came into recovery room breathing spontaneously. His blood pressure was110/60. His pulse 82, resps 9, SpO2 with oxygen 40% via face mask. Right Jugular CVP line left hand arterial line, intercostals x2, bupivacain 0.25%. Silicon drain and abovac plasma lite 1000. I.V. continued. CVP and arterial line has been attached to monitor. First 1/2 hour patient observation was done every 5 min.-ABCDE was administered. After 15 min. BP-high, puls-100, RR-normal. On question are u in pain, patient answer severe pain. Morphine PCA attached and explained how to use, continued with boluses of 2.5mg, morphine via PCA pump. After 1/2 hour arterial blood gas sample done, showing respiratory acidosis. Patient is with urinal catheter, urine output monitoring hourly. Fluids maintenance done, fluid balance monitoring hourly for 24 hours. This paper explores the post operative care of this patient. Variables such as the level of debility before surgery, operate complexity and severity of underlying cirrhosis appear to significantly influence the rapidity at which a patient progresses through his or her early postoperative recovery stage (Leaper, & Whitaker, 2010). Most of the key liver resections are attributed to the liver’s regenerative capacity. They are well tolerated by patients and it is rare for patients to experience biochemical abnormalities. Patients having compensated liver cirrhosis and the complications that come with it are more susceptible to intraoperative blood losses that make the organ functions to deteriorate and lead to the loss of its reserve capacity to withstand stress causing life-threatening complications (Leaper, & Whitaker, 2010).

The Business Environment of the Modern Day Society Research Paper

The Business Environment of the Modern Day Society - Research Paper Example Because of this transformation of the world, information from various corners of the world can be easily accessed by individuals and organizations without facing the problems of existence of a geographical barrier. The availability of various kinds of free data and other information content has automatically contributed in the rapid dispersion of various kinds of global trends. The fast maturity of markets around the world with response to the global trends resulted in creating unique demands from the consumers located in the developed as well as the developing markets. Business organization and companies in order to attain future growth in their areas of businesses increasingly try to focus on fulfilling the demand arising in the new as well as established markets located all over the world. However, before entering into a new market or trying to fulfil an existing or emerging demand in an already existent market, firms and organization often conduct external as well as internal env ironment analysis. While the internal analysis of the firms’ environment brings into focus the various advantages and disadvantages that are existent within the possibility of control of the firm, the external analysis outlines the positive and negative points that are beyond the controlling ability of the firm. Talking in a little detailed manner about the analysis of the external environment, it has to be said that the PEST analysis plays a very critical role. The PEST analysis comprises of evaluation of the external environment from the perspectives of political, economic, social and technological factors. It is important to mention that the PEST analysis is a highly effective tool for organizations that are looking forward to identify and control the weaker sides of the business environment so as to generate significant amount of potential leverage for their own product or service offerings (Henry 2). Talking more on the same note, it has to be said that by using the PEST analysis, the organizations look forward to capitalizing on their core competencies while addressing significant anomalies that might alter the balance existing in a competitive environment of business. It is relevant to mention the fact that when firms and organizations look forward to implementing a PEST analysis for analyzing and studying the current business environment, focus has to be given on a particular region on the basis of the firms’ product or service offerings. Also, an effective study of the business environment by the firm while using the PEST analysis will help the organization or firm to identify potential areas of business opportunity and threats (Ward and Daniel 28). Talking in a little elaborate manner about the factors that comprise of the PEST analysis, a brief description about each of the four factors has to be provided. While discussing the political factors, issues comprising of consumer protection law, contract and property rights, exchange rate p olicies, healthcare policies, political stability and trade regulations has to be taken into consideration. The economic factor will cover the analysis on the lines of availability and cost of workforce maintenance, growth factors of the economy, economic growth rate, rates of unemployment and inflation, stability of the exchange rate of the currency as well as existence and nature of the free market. While talking about the social factor of the PEST analysis, importance has to be given to issues like demographic factors, education, spirit of entrepreneurship as well as factor of wealth distribution. Finally while discussing about issues related to

Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 4

Project Management - Essay Example On the sparc.airtime.co.uk website, a Software Project Manager is defined as a person with "the role with total responsibility for all the software activities for a project (CSCI). The Software Project Manager is the individual the Program Manager deals with in terms of software commitments and who controls all the software resources for a project. The Software Project Manager may have the responsibility for multiple software projects." (www.sparc.airtime.co.uk, 2006) By understanding what the project management position being advertised is in relation to the definitions of what that job is ensures that both the advertiser and the applicant are under the same understanding of what both are looking for. Sometimes the jobs that are being advertised are vague with respect to what the job scope is and many times this is done for a reason Many of the job advertisements reviewed from both online newspapers (Times) and internet searches were indeed different in what they wanted applicants to see. The different scopes of the descriptions tend to either be too vague and the job description is meant to either weed out those who the company does not want to have apply, or, keep their true job requirements a closely guarded secret. One of the many tactics that employers tend to do is to ensure that competitors are not finding out what the job is in entirety, especially if they are not going through a placement agency, to ensure they do not phish for information about future projects. As many employers look to recruitment agencies to find their next employees, one of the problems that come from that route is that the agencies do not provide complete details about the job as they want a face to face interview before the applicant even goes before the customer. The job of the recruitment agent is to ensure that the customer is in fact getting the right candidate for the job, and, for the position of a project manager the customer can ill-afford the trouble of interviewing substandard applicants. Advertised Positions for Project Manager - Good and Bad The search for this type of position was actually quite easy and circumspect in what the different employers classified as a project manager, as it would appear many of them leaned more to a Directorship position. In one advertisement for a web project manager through a recruitment agency, the position called for Detailed understanding of web projects & implementation methodologies; An understanding of commercial and account strategies with the ability to tailor implementation and wider delivery processes to meet stakeholder requirements; General knowledge of HTML, design/graphic production software packages (e.g. PhotoShop, Dreamweaver) and familiarity with other web technologies Understanding of web development and design tools; Appreciation of other web technologies; Ability to lead cross-functional team of designers, developers and other staff; Client management skills for project reporting, conflict management and general engagement; Strong project estimating skills; Strong project planning and project management abilities with skills in

An Inspector Calls Play Essay Example for Free

An Inspector Calls Play Essay ‘An Inspector Calls’ has been called ‘a play of contrasts’. Write about how Priestley presents some of the contrasts in the play. In the play there are wide differences in not only the treatment of Sheila Birling and Eva Smith but also large contrasts in the girls themselves- with Eva being a poor uncared for girl and Sheila being a privileged upper-middle class girl. This not only separates them as they would be unable to fully empathise with each other as they experience widely contrasting lives. This is shown as Mr Birling says â€Å"but I see no point in mentioning the subject – especially -(indicating Sheila.)† The quote paired with the stage direction highlights Mr Birling’s attempts to prevent Sheila from being exposed to the situation. This is done as they feel that Sheila should be protected from merely hearing the awful situations that some girls have to endure. This concern is in contrast with how they view Eva Smith as both parents have minimal concern for the fact that they are partly responsible for Eva having to live on the streets. ‘Theres nothing I can tell him. I told the girl to clear out, and she went.’ The use of ‘nothing’ indicates how Mr Birling views the situation of Eva, as if it was ‘nothing’ that he was at fault for Eva being on the streets and out of a job- a contrast to the sheltered life he creates for Sheila. At both ends of the play there is contrast in the language used by Inspector and Birling in their speeches. The early speech by Mr Birling is one with a much happier and self-supporting view of society compared to the later one by the Inspector which holds a tone of finality and encompasses the idea of being responsible for everyone around you. Both speeches talk of the responsibility we have however; where the Inspector talks of responsibility for all- ‘We dont live alone.’ Mr Birling means to say that we are responsible for ourselves and no more- ‘. We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests’ These speeches indicate the attitudes held by the speaker clearly, with Mr Birling showing concern for ‘we employers’ highlights the socialist view held by Mr Birling as he views they employers as one while entity that need to protect and look after each other with minimal concern for the rest of society.

Sir Gawain Essay -- essays research papers

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Gawain, a knight of the famed King Arthur, is depicted as the most noble of knights in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Nonetheless, he is not without fault or punishment, and is certainly susceptible to conflict. Gawain, bound to chivalry, is torn between his knightly edicts, his courtly obligations, and his mortal thoughts of self-preservation. This conflict is most evident in his failure of the tests presented to him. With devious tests of temptation and courage, Morgan le Fay is able to create a mockery of Gawain’s courtly and knightly ideals. Through the knight Gawain, the poem is able to reveal that even knights are human too with less than romantic traits. In order to satirize Gawain's courtly ways, the poet must first establish the presence of perfect chivalric code in Gawain, only to later mock that sense of perfection with failure. This establishment of chivalric code is created in part through the expression used to describe Gawain throughout the poem. He is described as "noble" and "goodly" on more than one occasion, giving the reader a positive understanding of the poem's hero (405, 685). This courtly view of Gawain is further expresses by his noble acceptance of the Green Knight's beheading game, in order to "release the king outright" from his responsibility (365). Gawain was the first to accept the Green Knight's terms. His acceptance of the beheading game before any other person brings t...

Factors Contributing to Poverty Essay -- Essays on Poverty

Factors Contributing to Poverty There are many factors that aid the prevalence of poverty. Firstly, it is difficult to assess these causes because the word ‘poverty’ can be very subjective and difficult to define. In attempting to define what poverty is, one would suggest having a lack of income and resources not consistent with the requirements of the poverty line. Three factors that play major roles as causes of poverty would be having a lack of education, systemic discrimination, and inequities based on a capitalist system. This paper will look at ways in which these causes can be combated and at the same time evaluated in regards to it’s positive and negative aspects. Education has long been a problem in society, because the lack of this essential tool of survival doesn’t allow for growth of any sort. It is a known fact that the risk of poverty usually decreases as people get more schooling. Poor education can be either a cause of poverty or an effect. Young people who drop out of school may be poor because they lack the required skills needed to get good jobs, therefore adding to a system that forces them to only be able to live in low-income, economically starving areas. Moreover, education is a basic requirement in order to climb a hierarchy of income in our society, so uneducated people are forced to become content with their surroundings. Systemic discrimination can be said to be a form of institutional injustice that depends on this quiet oppression in order to maintain a history of past dominance. There are many types of barriers that are not openly blatant and are in place so that minorities don’t get the opportunity to overcome these obstacles. As a result, many minorities including women cannot overcome ranks in the workforce and are left with the lower paying jobs. Furthermore, legislation in the Canadian government helps provide a structure for these proceedings, for example laws that were passed as a result of affirmative action programs might be said to be unjust and unconstitutional. Canada operates under a capitalist system so it should really be no wonder as to why poverty really exists in this country. It is necessary to have poverty in order to support capitalism. Failure in our system would result in poverty and therefore this sadly, becomes an incentive to become exceedingly wealthy and rich... ...es. Poverty is a term that can be viewed from many different aspects when attempting to define this opinionated word. This is a major problem in Canada, and it is evident everytime you travel down-town and actually see poverty within just feet of the premier’s office. Even though the actual word may be difficult to define, there are endless causes of it. It doesn’t make sense that we condemn other forms of government that are base on equality and fair opportunity when our own system is based on ‘survival of the fittest’. In essence, it is really based on survival of who can control the most amount of resources first and maintain it. Regardless of our ineptitude to define this word, we do know that lack of education, systemic discrimination, and inequities based on a capitalist system will cause it. I personally believe that absolute poverty can never be solved regardless of what system one might live in. It is because of our form of government that politicians are afraid to implement policies that might not be fully developed when it’s time to call another election. We should battle poverty regardless of how it may effect the deficit in the short-term.

Evangelism and my Christian walk Essay

Evangelism is a passion of mine and this semester has helped me to develop more as a person and strengthen my passion for evangelism. Usually when you hear the word Evangelism most of the time, you will start to fear because of rejection. During my Christian walk, sometimes I have experienced the fear of rejection as it relates to Evangelism. However, this semester has taught me not to fear.† Evangelism is standing up for your faith even if everyone else remains seated 1(Earley and Wheeler p.32)†. This semester I have learned and developed new perceptions and challenges about evangelism, which has challenged my way of thinking. At first glance, when you hear or see the word evangelism you immediately think about sharing the gospel and that is true. That is only one part of Evangelism because listening is very important as well. This has caused me to think differently about Evangelism because now I understand how important it is to listen to people while witnessing. Evangelism can be challenging but the way I look at it now is that I have a part in fulfilling the great commission at all cost. Evangelism is about relationship building that involves changing a person ability to trust and receive the gospel. This course has reminded me that Evangelism does not come without great sacrifice. It requires you putting forth effort and work to share gospel with someone that does not believe. Anytime you deal with people and sharing the gospel you have to be patient. It has challenged me to become an effective witness for Christ because as I grow spiritually it is a reflection of Christ. This semester has reminded me that there has to be a balance between the incarnational and information Apologetics. Many people say that Christians are hypocrites because their lifestyle does not line up with what they are professing. My lifestyle should reflect what I am professing in my Christian walk. The scripture tells us in James 1:23-24 and it says: 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 2Therefore, many times people will not pick up a bible and read it but they will look at my lifestyle of a Christian. As you go through a course like this, it will cause you to look within to see if you are doing your part to help further the Kingdom of God. This semester has challenged me in so many ways to seek God more than ever and pay closer attention to the needs of others. God has called each one of us to spread the gospel whether it is in the workplace, community or other countries. Sometimes we forget the importance of evangelism and just leave it to the Pastor or other ministers. However, as part of the body of Christ, I have to be willing to hold myself accountable and be willing to meet the needs of others. Learning to love people where they are is very important and this course has showed me that I have to go where the needs are. Evangelism is investing your time to minister to others and there is a great reward seeing someone gives their life to Jesus. At times, I have taken the need to listen to others for granted but listening is important to the lost. â€Å"Never underestimate the role of listening in building an evangelistic relationship,†3 (Earley and Wheeler, p. 123).The scripture teaches us in James 1:19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 4Through this course, I have found that barriers can hinder you from being effective in servant evangelism. As it relates to my Christian walk, I have found that I have to confront those barriers that hinder me in my serving. Sometimes we can think we are super Christians and do not have any problems or need help. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to be transparent to those that do not believe and let them know you can relate to them and love them where they are. This semester has been  a revelation for me in my spiritual walk and building relationships with others. I have taken what I have learned in this class to bless others and encourage them that they can make it because God loves them. During the times of witnessing and servant hood, I have found so, many people that just want someone to listen and love them. My perception of people has changed because now I feel that I am more compassionate now, sensitive to the needs of others, humble, loving, and willing to be servant. My Vision for Evangelism My vision for evangelism is denying self to serve and be reflection of Jesus as I minister and love others. I would like those attributes to be a part of my daily life and walk in the fruit of the Spirit so, that other people will feel the love of God. I have gained so much knowledge from this course that I can take what I have learned and apply it in my own life to become a better person and to help others. In my Christian walk, my vision is to look for ways to be a blessing to others and to make an impact in my family and community. Also, ministering the word of faith thereby, changing mindsets and lives. Therefore, to help equip the believer so that it will cause them to live according to the word of God. However, there are a few changes I feel that I need to make in my life to be more effective as a witness for Christ. Some of the changes include reading the word of God more, seeking God’s way, being obedient, and trusting God. I can make an impact in my family by living the word of God before them and loving people where they are. Sometimes reaching your family can be hard but I believe that if I will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust God, I can make a difference in their life. Evangelism is a way of life for me and it is priceless. I count it an honor to take part in what God is doing in some else life because at some point I was where they were. I remember that someone took time out to witness to me and let me know that there is hope in Jesus. Therefore, I am thankful to God for allowing me another opportunity to change and get on the right course. Role as a servant Servant hood is about demonstrating the character and qualities of God. Taking on the heart of servant requires unselfishness, not looking for promotion or pay, honors God, and reflects Jesus. My role as a servant  requires humilty, sacrifice and it breathes the very heart of God. We can consider the humblest servant of all; Jesus despised, mocked, and rejected. Serving can be hard but it means I am putting God’s plans and purpose above my own. Being a servant can affect my ministry in so, many ways by having these characteristics making myself available to God to serve, do what is needed, even when it is inconvenient, see interruptions as an opportunity to practice serving others, pay close attention to the needs of others, and no task is beneath me. The scripture says in Matthew 23:11-12, 11 but he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.5My attitude as a servan t will determine how I see things and the effectiveness of my servant hood. You should be able to identify a servant with Jesus because of the lifestyle he or she lives. Another important Characteristic of a servant is that I need to be open and teachable and sharing the gospel with joy. â€Å"True ministry to others, ministry that was modeled by Jesus Christ, requires you to minister as a servant†6 (Leach and Wheeler, p.5) A servant must have a willingness and desire to serve so, do not miss an opportunity to serve and provide some immediate relief for someone else. Many hurting people need what God has placed inside of you so you can be a blessing to others. Vision for future ministry God has placed some abilities in me that I can contribute to ministry, community and the marketplace. My future vision is to teach and empower believers in the state, surrounding areas and the nation in making disciples for Christ. I must lead by example in order to make disciples and it should be the responsibility of everyone to make disciples. I envision more unity in the body of Christ so; we can make an impact as we allow the Holy Spirit to change people’s heart and mind. The Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. In addition, while sharing the gospel is wonderful, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers because many do not know where to begin to seek God. Evangelism will always be a part of my ministry and should be for other ministries as well. The way I look at evangelism is that if we stop evangelizing then the church stops growing both spiritually and naturally. God has commanded each of us to be a witness for him and we should not hesitate at this opportunity  to do his will. Some of my plans for evangelism include going out in the community and building relationships with people and lead them to Jesus. I would like to start a small group that will meet on a regular basis and have a nice fellowship but encourage each other. Sharing the gospel requires us loving as Christ has commanded us to do. I believe I have to stay focus on what God has given me to do. Most people are busy but not effective due to a lack of focus. Therefore, I cannot let someone else negative opinions of me become my reality. That is very important in evangelism because you may not always be received everyone all the time but I must stay focused. In the book Family to Family, it put emphasis on the family and individuals developing their relationship with Christ through some basic principles such as; spending time alone with God, prayer life, studying the word of God, accountability, and discipleship (Pipes and Lee, p.13)7 In conclusion, evangelism is a joyful experience, telling the good news; meeting people and helping them exchange their religion for a relationship with Jesus. It is my desire to spread the gospel with a passion to reach the lost with confidence and love. I believe as I continue to follow Jesus and be humble I can make a lasting impression on someone. I truly, have been blessed by taking this class and interacting with my classmates. Bibliography Earley, Dave, and David Wheeler. Evagelism IS†¦How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic Publishing Group, 2010. Fay, William, and Linda Evans Shepherd. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H PublishingGroup, 1984. KJV Holy Biblbe. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1987. Leach, Richard, and David A. Wheeler. Minister To Others. Nashville, Tennessee: LifeWay Press, 2009. McRaney Jr., Will. The Art of Personal Evangelism Sharing Jesus In A Chaging Culture. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2003. Pipes, Jerry Dr., and Victor Lee. Family to Family Leaving A Lasting Legacy. Lawrenceville,Georgia: Jerry Pipes Productions, 1999.

Competitor Analysis of Dahlie Essay

The two of the main competitors of Darlie in the market are Sensodyne and Colgate. As the world largest producer and manufacturer of toothpaste, Colgate becomes the greatest competitor of Darlie. Colgate has survived in this industry for such a long time and has established its influence among the customers. It has successfully making the customers to have brand loyalty toward Colgate. Besides that, Colgate has different types of toothpaste, which can satisfy different needs of the customers. This has fulfilled the needs and wants of the customers and directly competes with Darlie as the product range of Colgate and Darlie are quite similar. Nowadays, a lot of people are facing different types of teeth problems, such as sensitive teeth, gum disease and tooth decay. Therefore, they tend to buy the toothpaste which can help them to solve their teeth problems. Sensodyne is focusing on solving sensitive teeth problem and is recommended by dentist to be used. It has shaped the brand image of Sensodyne to become professional and high class toothpaste. Therefore, although Darlie also has their own sensitive teeth toothpaste, people still prefer Sensodyne as the look for the brand image. Therefore, Colgate and Sensodyne become two of the main competitors for Darlie in Malaysia toothpaste market. Comparison of Colgate and Its Competitors Darlie Colgate Sensodyne Market share in Malaysia In 2011, Darlie’s market share is 31%. In 2011, Colgate’s market share is 60%. In 2011, Sensodyne’s market share is 5%. Target customer Their target customers are those urban people who are above 18 years old, and pay attention to their oral health. The target customer is mothers with kids who make toothpaste buying decisions for the family and people who care for their oral health. The target customer is the adults from 20 to 60 years old who faced sensitive teeth problem. Promotion Using websites, advertisements and TV commercial to advertise. Having promotions in supermarket. Using website, advertisement, and TV commercial to advertise. Having some promotions by giving free gifts. Colgate School Program: give out free samples to kids and teach kids the way to brush teeth properly. Bright Smile, Bright Future program: promote the importance of oral health through education and prevention. Using websites, various advertisements and TV commercial to attract customers. Promotion through dentist and dental clinic. â€Å"Chill Test† in hypermarket. Price The price range of Colgate is between RM7. 95 to RM10. 60. The most expensive toothpaste is Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief. The cheapest toothpaste is the Colgate Regular tube. The price range of Sensodyne toothpaste is from RM9. Product Having different range and types of toothpaste. For instance, fresh breath, whitening, sensitive teeth and enamel protection. Specializing in the preservation and treatment of oral hygiene. Create an array of 40 different patented toothpastes keeping Colgate competitive. Having 13 different classifications and varieties of Colgate toothpaste. Consists of different types of toothpaste, but mainly focuses on the sensitive teeth issue. Place Almost at all supermarket and mini market. Very convenience to buy it. Almost all super markets and pharmacies carry Colgate Toothpaste. Can sometimes be found in more prominent locations when on sale or launching new products into the market. Distributed indirectly. Available in all hypermarkets, supermarkets and pharmacies, Chinese medical halls and mini markets in Malaysia. Length of time in business Darlie started its business since 1933. It has taken 80 years in the toothpaste industry. Colgate-Palmolive started its business in 1806. It has taken 207 years in the toothpaste industry. GSK produced Sensodyne in 1961. It has taken 52 years in the toothpaste market.