Thursday, December 26, 2019

Essay On NAFTA - 1661 Words

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between Canada, United States, and Mexico which was signed on December 17, 1992 (Hassan,M Nassar R 2016) but wasn’t established until January 1st, 1994. NAFTA is a trade agreement between the North American countries. It is an agreement that would allow businesses to obtain resources from each of the three countries. The idea behind it was to make it easier for countries to trade and to increase productivity. Since NAFTA businesses, trade, and also investments have increased which in return has brought strong economic growth between these three countries. Because of the strong economic growth more jobs were created which in return gave better prices for goods, consumers,†¦show more content†¦Due to the NAFTA deal they have with the U.S, they are able to sell a mass amount of wood to the U.S with no fear they will be tax the tariff. Which in return is a big gain in profit and economic growth for Canada. C anada does buy mass amount of fruit and meat for the United States and due to how close they are it make trade deals so much easier and quicker. NAFTA has help Canada grow into a major economic power and who is ever in power between the British or the French they also benefit from this. One thing people should know that during the times Canada was know to be a country that had fewer political or military conflicts than other societies in the world. This allow Canada to focus more on growth and trying to help their people out then spending money on war. This country is known for helping out their own people and along with giving free health care due to the success they have had in economic growth thanks to the NAFTA deal it has with the United States and Mexico. USA The United States of America has been the country that has benefit the most since NAFTA and it may have to do with the fact of where it is geographically, it is sandwiched between Canada and Mexico having two borders also making importation and exportation easier. With the elimination of tariffs, it help the United States of America gain economic growth, making the USA on of the powerhouse in Economic and making it the number one country in the world (Naanwaab, C., Yeboah, O., 2014).Show MoreRelatedEssay On Nafta1182 Words   |  5 Pageschange in leadership in the three countries involved. As a result, this essay takes into account the current economic state of the world about the increased competition; need to form economic mergers and the role it plays. Therefore, the choice of this key term is as a result of curiosity of the effect of globalization on the formation of economic mergers. Explanation of the key term The North American free trade agreement (NAFTA) was an agreement signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 1992Read MoreEssay On Nafta881 Words   |  4 PagesFree Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA is one of the most influential international agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico that defined the economic, social and political development of the three countries and North American region. NAFTAs immediate aim was to increase cross-border commerce in North America, and in that respect it undoubtedly succeeded. By lowering or eliminating tariffs and reducing some non tariff barriers, such as Mexican local-content requirements, NAFTA spurred a surge in tradeRead More NAFTA Essay2321 Words   |  10 Pages NAFTA Since the beginning of civilization, trade has been an important issue. Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas in search of a faster and safer trade route to India. We as Americans fought for our independence over trade related issues, such as tariffs and rules on with whom we were allowed to export and import goods. Our people have always fought for the rights and ability to buy and sell what they want at a reasonable price. The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is yet anotherRead More Nafta Essay1069 Words   |  5 Pagesmost commonly known NAFTA â€Å"is a comprehensive rules-based agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico†, that came into effect on January 1,1994. All three countries signed it in December of 1992; later on November of 1993 it was ratified by the United States congress. NAFTA was not only used in cutting down on tariffs between both countries but it also help deal with issues such as Transportation, Border Issues, and Enviro nmental Issues between these two countries. NAFTA changed some tariffsRead MoreEssay On NAFTA1421 Words   |  6 Pagesprocess known as NAFTA. This agreement has been criticized and has been blamed for hurting the US economy more than helping. Although speculations may be misguided, I do not know much about this agreement, and I must research multiple sources. This paper seeks to understand if NAFTA has produced significant benefits for Canada, Mexico, and the United States economies. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a treaty between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. That makes NAFTA the world’sRead MoreEssay On NAFTA1169 Words   |  5 PagesNAFTA The North American Free Trade Agreement is a mind blowing point of reference in overall trade for the United States, Mexico and Canada. It has changed trade among three countries and had a general beneficial outcome on every countrys economies. NAFTA especially influenced the green zones of each country. Regardless of the way that there have been a couple of trade inquiries and issues, the plant economies of each country benefitted. Expectations AND FEARS OF NAFTA NAFTA produced many expectationsRead MoreNafta Essay896 Words   |  4 PagesNAFTA NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement. â€Å"Implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) began on January 1, 1994† (USDA). NAFTA includes United States of America, Canada and Mexico. â€Å"This agreement will remove most barriers to trade and investment among the United States, Canada and Mexico† (USDA). The agreement helped end tariffs on goods and services. â€Å"In Mexico, there is a saying: â€Å"Without corn, there is no country.† Under NAFTA, tariff-free imports of subsidizedRead MoreNafta Essay1377 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION TO NAFTA: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect on January 1, 1994 (Free Trade Agreements, 2016). The agreement was marked by President George H.W. Bush on December 17, 1992 as the primary period of his Enterprise for The Americas Initiative (EA) and endorsed by Congress on November 20, 1993. The NAFTA Implementation Act was marked into law by President William J. Clinton on December 8, 1993. NAFTA eliminates tariffs and other trade barriers on goodsRead MoreNAFTA and Globalization Essay602 Words   |  3 PagesAmerican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), consisting of Mexico, the USA and Canada, creates the largest free-trading zone in the world (Stand 51 1). Does NAFTA help or harm an economy is one of the most poignant questions? The Mexican economy seems to benefit from NAFTA through increased trade of Mexican made products and the availability of more jobs to the Mexican people; however, along with benefits comes a downside. Many American companies have taken advantage of NAFTA and moved production plantsRead MoreNAFTA: Not for America Essay1346 Words   |  6 Pagesout of every seven citizens is on financial life support and our government needs to do something stat. One of the first steps in the road to recovery is repealing the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, because it is dangerous to our economic stability and future. NAFTA took effect on January 1, 1994 with the culmination of all quota and tariff repeals on January 1, 2008. This agreement was designed to expand trade between Canada, Mexico, and the United States by reducing restrictions

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Sustainability of Natural Capital Essay Example

Essays on Sustainability of Natural Capital Essay The paper "Sustainability of Natural Capital" is a worthy example of an essay on finance and accounting. Dixon and Hamilton define natural capital as innately occurring resources on earth, which provide ecological services, goods or flows that are necessary to support life; for example, water, minerals, arable land, biodiversity, and oxygen among others (Dixon Hamilton 15). Over the years, business practices continue to exploit natural capital to meet their financial targets leading to its degradation. In addition, governmental policies, rapid population growth rates, environmental modifications, and development patterns also contribute to the alarming degradation of natural capital (Dixon Hamilton 15). The majority of the examples of natural capital are non-renewable; therefore, environmentalists lobby for their preservation. They infer that adopting sustainable practices endeavor to reduce the rate of degradation.Monetary income derived from natural capital is referred to as natu ral income. A research done by the World Resources Institute (WRI) revealed that global pharmaceutical companies generated an estimated 75-120 billion dollars (WRI). There are both financial and environmental implications resulting from the depletion of natural capital. Excessive exploitation of natural capital has led to its limited availability; thus increasing market prices. Businesses have to take into account the high production costs, as they affect their profit margins. Conversely, greenhouse gases emitted destroy ecosystems such as aquatic and terrestrial, increases global temperature, which in turn leads to an increase in sea level and affects weather patterns. Environmental pollutions continue to affect adversely the quality of human life; for example, more people are suffering from chronic lifestyle diseases such as skin cancer because of the destroyed ozone layer.The interplay of factors impedes the sustainability of natural capital. Firstly, pre-existing economic models do not sufficiently address the problem of unsustainable usage of natural capital. For example, inadequate information pertaining to the duration needed for natural resources to renew themselves is available. In addition, the majority of natural resources are non-renewable. The manual production of these resources is impractical due to inadequate technology and high costs. As such, the only option left to stakeholders of natural capital is to regulate their usage. In conjunction with governments across the globe, organizations are adopting policies aimed at minimizing the degradation of natural capital. For example, a case study done on the Dutch Wadden sea wetlands estimates that rapid population growth, land reclamation, and pollution contribute to the rapid degradation of the wetlands. However, through the implementation of strict policies and regulations, the government has been able to protect the natural capital provided by the wetlands; therefore, ensure sustainability (Dixo n Hamilton 16-17).In conclusion, natural capital is a concern for individuals in different sectors. As such, it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to work together towards supporting research geared towards examining sustainable practices aimed towards safeguarding natural practices. In addition, they ought to implement policies that support the sustainability of natural capital.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Affirmative Action in College Admissions free essay sample

An examination of affirmative action policies in colleges with focus on the treatment of African and Hispanic applications to colleges. An examination of affirmative action policies in colleges with focus on the treatment of African and Hispanic applications to colleges. The author argues that African and Hispanic admissions are more favorite as well as their admission into the world of work. A discussion of the shortfalls of affirmative action with focus on the systems tendencies to predispose separation. Websters New World Dictionary defines affirmative action as a policy or program for correcting the effects of discrimination in the employment or education of members of certain groups, as women, blacks, etc. (Lowery, 1995) Affirmative Action grants preferential treatment to racial minorities. Affirmative Action is also race specific (Williams, 1995). Many people are dedicated to the policys destruction. Much progress was made in this regard during the Reagan revolution (Lowery, 1995). With the GOP in firm control of Congress in 1995 and most of the 50 states, and civil rights groups such as the NAACP weakened, if not under siege, attacks on affirmative action intensified. We will write a custom essay sample on Affirmative Action in College Admissions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

The Rise Of Communism In Russia Unless We Accept The Claim That Lenin

The Rise of Communism in Russia ?Unless we accept the claim that Lenin?s coup d?tat gave birth to an entirely new state, and indeed to a new era in the history of mankind, we must recognize in today?s Soviet Union the old empire of the Russians -- the only empire that survived into the mid 1980?s? (Luttwak, 1). In their Communist Manifesto of 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels applied the term communism to a final stage of socialism in which all class differences would disappear and humankind would live in harmony. Marx and Engels claimed to have discovered a scientific approach to socialism based on the laws of history. They declared that the course of history was determined by the clash of opposing forces rooted in the economic system and the ownership of property. Just as the feudal system had given way to capitalism, so in time capitalism would give way to socialism. The class struggle of the future would be between the bourgeoisie, who were the capitalist employers, an d the proletariat, who were the workers. The struggle would end, according to Marx, in the socialist revolution and the attainment of full communism (Groiler?s Encyclopedia). Socialism, of which ?Marxism-Leninism? is a takeoff, originated in the West. Designed in France and Germany, it was brought into Russia in the middle of the nineteenth century and promptly attracted support among the country?s educated, public-minded elite, who at that time were called intelligentsia (Pipes, 21). After Revolution broke out over Europe in 1848 the modern working class appeared on the scene as a major historical force. However, Russia remained out of the changes that Europe was experiencing. As a socialist movement and inclination, the Russian Social-Democratic Party continued the traditions of all the Russian Revolutions of the past, with the goal of conquering political freedom (Daniels 7). As early as 1894, when he was twenty-four, Lenin had become a revolutionary agitator and a convin ced Marxist. He exhibited his new faith and his polemical talents in a diatribe of that year against the peasant-oriented socialism of the Populists led by N.K. Mikhiaiovsky (Wren, 3). While Marxism had been winning adherents among the Russian revolutionary intelligentsia for more than a decade previously, a claimed Marxist party was bit organized until 1898. In that year a ?congress? of nine men met at Minsk to proclaim the establishment of the Russian Social Democratic Worker?s Party. The Manifesto issued in the name of the congress after the police broke it up was drawn up by the economist Peter Struve, a member of the moderate ?legal Marxist? group who soon afterward left the Marxist movement altogether. The manifesto is indicative of the way Marxism was applied to Russian conditions, and of the special role for the proletariat (Pipes, 11). The first true congress of the Russian Social Democratic Workers? Party was the Second. It convened in Brussels in the summer of 190 3, but was forced by the interference of the Belgian authorities to move to London, where the proceedings were concluded. The Second Congress was the occasion for bitter wrangling among the representatives of various Russian Marxist Factions, and ended in a deep split that was mainly caused by Lenin -- his personality, his drive for power in the movement, and his ?hard? philosophy of the disciplined party organization. At the close of the congress Lenin commanded a temporary majority for his faction and seized upon the label ?Bolshevik? (Russian for Majority), while his opponents who inclined to the ?soft? or more democratic position became known as the ?Mensheviks? or minority (Daniels, 19). Though born only in 1879, Trotsky had gained a leading place among the Russian Social-Democrats by the time of the Second party Congress in 1903. He represented ultra-radical sentiment that could not reconcile itself to Lenin?s stress on the party organization. Trotsky stayed with the Mens hevik faction until he joined Lenin in 1917. From that point on, he acomidated himself in large measure to Lenin?s philosophy of party dictatorship, but his reservations came to the surface again in the years after his fall from power (Stoessinger, 13). In the months after the Second Congress of the Social Democratic Party Lenin lost his majority and began organizing

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

How to become a special education teacher

How to become a special education teacher Anyone who takes on the role of teacher is already pretty special- educating students of all ages is not for everyone, and it can be one of the most challenging and rewarding careers out there. And if you’re thinking of becoming a special education teacher, working with students with an even greater range of learning styles, academic needs, and levels of ability, the ups and downs of teaching can be even more intense. If you think this might be the teaching career for you, we have the info you need to get started on that path. What do special education teachers do?Special education teachers are educators who work specifically with students who have physical, academic, or emotional differences. Many special ed teachers focus on a particular age group (like elementary school or high school), but the range of student ages can vary, depending on how the school’s special education programs are set up. Special education teachers may work with students who have a variety of sp ecial needs conditions, including:Learning disabilitiesBehavior disordersAutism spectrum disordersPhysical disabilities (blindness, deafness, etc.)Students may range from having mild learning disabilities to severe mental and physical challenges. Special education teachers may choose to specialize in one of these areas and focus their master’s degree studies accordingly. As school employees, special education teachers typically have the same full-time work day and school year as other kinds of teachers, with summers off (unless a particular school or district offers summer courses as part of its special education curriculum). Although the school week typically involves a standard number of working hours, there may be additional time spent in the mornings, evenings, and off-hours to prepare for school and help students in extracurricular programs or other activities.These teachers have many of the same job responsibilities as other types of teachers, including:Lesson and curri culum planningManaging classroom lessons and activitiesTracking student progressMeeting with parentsAssisting students with everyday living tasksTeaching a variety of subjects (like reading, math, or science)Teaching communication skillsSpecial education teachers can be found in most types of schools: public, private, elementary, secondary, or magnet.What skills do special education teachers have?Special education teachers often need to have an extra dose of people skills, given that they’re dealing with students who may have a variety of physical, emotional, and educational needs.Teaching Skills:  This is the most important skill for any teacher, really, but special education teachers have to be especially good at teaching basic concepts to students who have different abilities to learn and understand the material.Flexibility:  Classrooms are unpredictable, and this can be even more true when a class has students with a variety of needs and abilities. The teacher should bring a certain amount of flexibility to lessons and classroom activities to help account for different students who learn in different ways. The special education classroom is rarely a one-size-fits-all educational experience, so a little flexibility in teaching can be very helpful.Patience:  This is a very important skill for a special education teacher to have. Many special needs students may require extra time or resources to learn the skills and concepts that other students may â€Å"get† faster. For the teacher, it’s crucial to understand that extra help or patience may be the best way to reach those students and help them learn.Creativity:  Again, because of the learning differences that special education students may have, standard lessons may not be the way to go. Finding ways to teach material in ways that students can relate to and understand, even if it’s a little unorthodox, can really help special education teachers in their day-to-day classroo ms.Organizational Skills:  Like in any classroom, organization can mean all the difference between chaos and success. Organization is extra important for a special needs classroom, where students have additional challenges and may need even more structure throughout the school day. There may be students with wildly different needs as well, so keeping the classroom and the students organized is essential to making sure everyone’s staying on track.What do you need to become a special education teacher?Becoming a special education teacher requires a four-year degree in education, ideally with a focus on special education. Many teachers also go on to complete a master’s degree in special education as well. Certification is typically required for special education teachers, particularly ones in public schools. Each state has its own certification requirements, so be sure to check with your state to see what’s expected.How much do special education teachers get paid ?According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for kindergarten teachers is $57,910. This can vary depending on the teacher’s experience and the type of school, as well as the types of students the teacher is working with.  What is the outlook for special education teachers?The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that this field will grow about 8% by 2026, which is about as fast as average for all careers. Education is a rather perennial field (especially as the population continues to grow), and the demand for teachers who have the skills to work with special needs students will likely be one of the education specialties that sees the most growth within the industry.If you have the patience and skills to work with special students who have needs that go beyond many other students’, this can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying career path. You’ll be helping students overcome their issues and learn and grow their potential . Good luck!

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Saint Marys College in California Admissions Facts

Saint Mary's College in California Admissions Facts ​Saint Marys College in Moraga, California accepts most applicants each year, with a high acceptance rate of 80  percent, although applicants tend to have strong academic records. Students interested in applying to the school will need to submit an application (the school accepts the Common Application; more on that below), high school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal essay. Check out Saint Marys website for more information on how to apply. Admissions Data (2016) Saint Marys College of California Acceptance Rate: 80  percentTest Scores: 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 480  / 590SAT Math: 470  / 590SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanSAT score comparison for California collegesACT Composite: 22 / 28ACT English: 22  / 28ACT Math: 20  / 27What these ACT numbers meanACT score comparison for California colleges Saint Marys College Description Saint Marys College of California is a Catholic, Lasallian, liberal arts college located in Moraga, California, about 20 miles east of San Francisco. The college has an 11 to 1  student/faculty ratio  and an average class size of 20. Students can choose from 38 majors, and among undergraduates, business is the most popular program. Specifically, the most popular majors are Accounting, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Drama, English, Liberal Studies, Psychology. One of the defining features of the Saint Marys curriculum is the Collegiate Seminar, a series of four courses that focus on the major works of Western civilization. All students, including those in pre-professional fields, take these seminars- two in the first year, and two more before graduation. In athletics, the Saint Marys Gaels compete in the NCAA Division I  West Coast Conference. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 3,908  (2,802 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male / 60 percent female93  percent full-time Costs (2016-17) Tuition and Fees: $44,360Books: $1,107 (why so much?)Room and Board: $14,880Other Expenses: $2,700Total Cost: $63,047 Saint Marys College Financial Aid (2015 -16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 96  percentPercentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 95 percentLoans: 61 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $25,400Loans: $8,018 Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 86  percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 60  percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 73  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Basketball, Golf, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, BaseballWomens Sports:  Lacrosse, Rowing, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Cross Country If You Like Saint Marys College, You May Also Like These Schools: San Jose State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of San Diego: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphPepperdine University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphCal Poly: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of California - Irvine: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphStanford University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of California - Santa Cruz: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphLoyola Marymount University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSanta Clara University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of San Francisco: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSan Diego State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Saint Marys and the Common Application Saint Marys College uses the  Common Application. These articles can help guide you: Common Application essay tips and samplesShort answer tips and samplesSupplemental essay tips and samples Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

Thursday, November 21, 2019

What are the strengths and weaknesses of a federal system of Research Paper

What are the strengths and weaknesses of a federal system of government Is it better than a unitary system of government Why or why not Be specific - Research Paper Example There is another advantage that states are able to settle its own policies and regulation to govern themselves, this system ensures government to remain close with people so they can be acquainted with necessitate and wants of the people. The weakness of this system is that there is a different system and each state government that can lead to over-lapping contradictory policies in various parts of the country. This system creates inequality between the states and this may steer the states to unhealthy hostility among them. Misuse of power can lead governments to corruption and in federal system corruption is very frequently practiced. (Baluyot) In unitary system, political and governing power resides with central government. In this system the central government usually delegates command to sub-national units and guide policy verdicts for implementation. This system is in contrast of federal system (K). Federal government system is better than a unitary government system because it has multiple hierarchy levels with central and local authority, also the central policy dominates over state policy and it is shared between national and local levels. But in unitary government there is no hierarchy of independent powers, states have no authority to pass their own laws, central government is the sole power to issue directives to do

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Music Censorship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Music Censorship - Essay Example There are two sides on this issue, there those supporting and others opposing music censorship. At this point, the main question that lingers in many is what action transcends from the consumer matter to the censorship matter. A study carried out by Rabkin (2002) indicates that, censorship plays a fundamental role to the American government. One of the issues involving music censorship is at what age is appropriate for children to listen and watch music that is profanity. Following this, this paper affirm that parents and governments should not desist their children from listening to music, because as they do that, they deny them from grasping what’s happening in the society. It is worth noting that, music may serve as a purpose of motivation, or be used for moral, military, religious, or political reasons. These ideas may augment critical thinking and encouragement to many who are wounded by life experiences and encourage those desiring to achieve their dreams. It may express aspirations and hopes thus, promote a desirable society. Music is free expression of thoughts and ideas thus no one should be stopped from expressing his or her thoughts. Countries like China, Sudan, and Afghanistan comprehend the need of breach of musician’s rights to the freedom of expression in music (Szurek, 2008). However, other countries like Algeria and USA keep off popular music in the concert stage and out of the retail and media. In ex-Yugoslavia, musicians encounter challenges as their freedom of free expression has much been affected (Dahir, 1995). Many nations fail to regard music as the therapy to life and instead see it as vulgarity and cursing. However, this is not the case in most cases as some songs are just ridiculous and funny and they create a platform to understand how the world is. Those in support of music censorship believe that children are not mature people to listen and watch music with profanity.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Poetry of WWI Essay Example for Free

The Poetry of WWI Essay My study aims to cover the key points of the poetry written during and about the first world war and the various factors which may have influenced it. We will start with Drummer Hodge which was written during the Boer war by a writer named Thomas Hardy. The poem offers an unusual view of war which isnt often seen elsewhere. Drummer Hodge by Thomas Hardy The poem is an existentialist paradox Hodge was an unimportant figure in a major war and is representative of the thousands of casualties of the battle. The poem begins ambiguously. They could refer to either friend or foe. Their identity is not as important as their attitude towards Hodge. Hodge is thrown into a pit just as found, without a coffin and presumably without a service. His homely Northern breast and brain suggests Hodge was a simple, modest sort, but a valuable human nonetheless. Unlike the other poems, Drummer Hodge is very structured and never changes its six-line 1-2-1-2-1-2 form as opposed to Brookes and Owens use of octaves and sestets. Hardy uses Roman numerals to separate each stanza and to provide a classical feel to the poem. The mood of the piece is somewhat sympathetic towards the subject. Hodge could be anybody but is used as an example of the unfairness of war. In the second part of the poem, Hodge is referred to as being fresh like a child to young to die. Hardy constantly emphasizes Hodges foreignness and he makes it clear that Hodge was a complete stranger to the southern surroundings in which he fell. Words such as ..foreign constellations and that unknown plain are used to portray the fact. In Brooks and Owens sonnets, death is focused on and referred to throughout as glorious, brave and heroic while in Drummer Hodge, a death is portrayed as, sudden, unexpected, and ultimately unfair and inglorious similar to the surprise death of Brooke himself. In June 1914, Austria, Serbia, Russia, Germany, America and several other countries plunged into world war, engulfing Europe in one of modern historys bloodiest and most catastrophic conflicts. In fact, it is said to be the landmark and the beginning of modern history, it had a profound impact on the remainder of the century. Before this great war began, it was received in Europe with much enthusiasm, not since repeated. The public were led to believe it would be over by Christmas and would put an end to all wars. As we know, that was not the case. On the favorable side, the war did give birth to a whole new genre of poetry, led mainly by Rupert Brooke, but also many others. The patriotism expressed in these pieces was printed regularly in newspapers so anyone not yet in battle would rush off to become a soldier and get their name in the memorials. It kept the soldiers going and maintained their will to fight and die for their country. Many soldiers saw it as their duty to sacrifice themselves in the name of their homeland and any form of death in war was regarded as heroic and glorious. In the latter years of the war, the poetry became harder, more realistic and perhaps discouraging to aspiring soldiers as Owen, Rosenberg and Sassoon took over from Brooke and therefore it was not received with equal enthusiasm. However, Brookes war sonnets are still read out in church memorials today, the soldier in particular. Born the son of a schoolmaster in Rugby on August 3rd 1887, Rupert Chawner Brooke went on to become one of the most famous poets of the first world war, due largely to the success of his poem the soldier that expressed the patriotic feelings of a generation at the time of his death. However this was only one of his hundreds of poems written over the course of his life-time, many dealing with subjects other than war. Rupert was educated at Rugby, before moving on to study at Kings College, Cambridge. He was a good student and athlete and proved an extremely popular young man. In 1909 he moved to Granchester where he lived with his friends and wrote many of his non-war poems. In spring, became a member of the Fabian Society. He spent the spring of 1911 in Munich studying German where he met and fell in love with Flemish sculptress Elizabeth Van Rysselberg. When he returned to Granchester in May 1911, he began to work for his Fellowship at Kings. At the same time, despite the demands of his academic career, he completed his first volume of poetry, which he entitled Poems 1911. This was published in early December, and produced a small profit within a few weeks. In the next twenty years it ran to 37 editions, totalling around 100,000 copies. In 1913, Rupert was finally awarded a Fellowship at Kings. On 15th September 1914, he applied for a commission in The Royal Naval Division. Rupert Brooke actually saw little combat during the war. It was during this period that he wrote his most famous poetry. He wrote a set of five sonnets which rewarded him in instant fame after the soldier was quoted in a sermon in St. Pauls church, London. He took part in an expedition to Antwerp but while sailing for the Dardanelles, he was bitten on the upper lip by a poisonous mosquito. He soon fell ill and at 4:46pm on the 23rd April 1915, the day of Shakespeare and St George he died aboard a hospital ship in the Aegan of blood poisoning. His companions buried him in an olive grove on the Greek island of Skyros. We buried him in the same evening in an olive-grove where he had sat with us on Tuesday one of the loveliest places on this earth, with grey green olives round him, one weeping above his head; the ground covered with flowering sage, bluish-grey, and smelling more delicious than any flower I know .. We lined his grave with all the flowers we could find, and after the last post the little lamp-lit procession went once again down the narrow path to the sea. A Brief Summary of Brookes five war sonnets I. PEACE In the first of the five war sonnets from which Brooke gained the majority of his fame, the word war is not mentioned even once. Instead, Brooke talks about the release from pain, grief and a world grown old and cold and weary which is death. Death is personified as the key to cleaner life and the poem is begun by the thanking of God who has wakened us from sleep. The sestet speaks further about the privilege of death and finally obtained peace which our previous world failed to offer. The worst friend and enemy is but Death. II. SAFETY In the second chapter of Brookes plea for death, he explores the idea of war being safe safe from survival in this case. Who is so safe as we? III. THE DEAD It was poems like this which was used in newspapers in order to encourage young men to go to war and die, with the image in their minds that if they did so, they would become richer souls and labeled as heroic. Brooke speaks of the privilage of death which is introduced in the first sonnet and further magnifies its magnificence and Honour. dying has made us rarer gifts than gold. The poet compares the death of a soldier to the inferior ending met with old age by those living a life of safety and absent usefulness outside of war. that unhoped serene that men call age The sestet mentions the gain of Nobleness, Holiness and love lacked so long which comes hand in hand with an honourable death. IV. THE DEAD Similar to Hardys Drummer Hodge, the fourth in Brookes five sonnets talks about what has been lost with death. As in Drummer Hodge, the poem mentions how the dead had known joy, love, sorrow, kindness, emotion all of which is ended by death. However, unlike Hardys sympathetic approach to the matter, Brooke inserts his traditional, patriotic conclusions. a white, Unbroken glory V. THE SOLDIER The last of the five is of course the most widely known and anthologized of Brookes work, in fact it wouldnt be unfair to say that it is one of Englands most famous pieces of literature. It was this poem that triggered off instant fame for the poet and inspired many others. Brooke begins the poem with If I should die, think only this of me: which sets the tone for the rest of the poem to follow. The octave speaks of how an English corpse, fallen in a foreign field will leave a superior presence in the air and earth to the non English soil which occupied the space beforehand. The soil becomes a body of England and breathes fresh English air, blest by the suns of home. In the sestet, Brooke becomes a pulse in the eternal mind and his heart will be in peace in an English heaven. Despite the poems obvious politically unacceptable flaws (suns of home, an English heaven, richer dust in a foreign field etc), it is clear that it was the mood and tone of the piece which appealed to many rather than its words. Laurence Binyon Binyon was born in 1869 and died age 74 in 1943. Like Brooke, he is best remembered for one poem in particular, his being for the fallen. Unlike Brooke, Binyon was not actually a soldier in the war, but rather an orderly working for the Red Cross. For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon The word They which appears twelve times in the poem refers to the soldiers fallen in battle to which the poem is dedicated. The first stanza begins by speaking of England and They as one. England is personified as mother to them, With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her childrenFlesh of her flesh they were, sprit of her spirit, The whole piece is presented in a funeral-style tone, in fact the poem was probably used for exactly that. Solemn the drums thrill, A glory which shines upon our tears, We will remember them. The fifth stanza sounds similar to Hardys Drummer Hodge and Brookes IV. The dead in terms of mood and sympathy, yet more in the style of Brooke rather than Hardy in that they died for a reason for their country. The last stanzas tell how They are to England as stars are to the night, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plainstarry in the time of our darkness. After 1915, the war poetry began to change. Tones became harsher and more realistic as the death count rose and the war dragged on. After living through the horror of the trenches, the soldiers lost the enthusiasm with which they came to battle and the war only got worse as opposed to its Christmas end originally expected. The best known poet of this period is Wilfred Owen (1893 1918), famously quoted as claiming My subject is warthe horror and the pityThe poetry is in the pity. And indeed it was. Owens works are quite unlike any other, patriotism replaced by pity. He came to war with a smile on his face, as Brooke and all the other soldiers had done, but after the traumatizing experiences of fighting in the trenches and after witnessing more than one too many unneccacary deaths, his enthusiasm was turned to anger and would later be reflected in his poetry. From 1917 to 1918, Owen was sent home for a year to recover from concussion where he met Siegfred Sassoon who also had signific ant influence on his works. His most popular poem is Anthem for Doomed Youth. Anthem for Doomed Youth His disgust and pity towards the unreasonable loss of lives is expressed without hesitation as the poem begins and throughout the Octave. He begins by rhetorically asking the reader, What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?. Passing bells are tolled at funerals in churches to mark the passing on to heaven and the neutralizing of the soul which is spoke of in the sestet of Brookes The Soldier. The question takes an important turn before it finishes, turning the mind away from church and into war where these (his comrades) die as cattle and from here until the sestet, his pity is demonstrated. He proceeds to answer his semi-sarcastic question with Only the monstrous anger of the guns, Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle. These, the subject of the poem die to the sound of guns, the noise of war and are left respectlessly in the dirt to deteriorate rather than a ceremony and burial one would usually hope for. His expression, die as cattle applies the fact that they were mass slaughtered, killed inhumanly. The sound of the rifles is all that Can patter out their hasty orisons, meaning that the prayers of their somewhat undesirable funerals are in the form of rapid gunfire. Again comparing their deaths to the out of war funerals, the wailing shells are given the role of the mourning choirs. The Sestet makes a sudden change in setting, taking the reader back to the homes of their families and the tone changes from harsh and anger driven to a sudden quietness, carefully contrasting the two settings, yet the sadness is still very much apparent. What candles may be held to speed them all?, he asks in a second opening question. Once again, the candles refer to the candles lit in the church ceremonies in which their souls are speeded off to heaven. Not in the hands of boys, being the boys who carried the candles at the funeral, but in their eyes which talks of the glitter of tears in their comrades eyes who are also referred to as boys (the idea being that that is exactly what they were, hence Doomed Youth) Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. In the last line a drawing down of blinds is the blinds which are drawn as funeral prosessions are passed by houses, where the blinds or shutters are closed as a mark of respect for the dead. Here however, the whole world draws its blinds for them at each dusk. The poem may be easily comparable to The Soldier given that they were both written during the first world war, they are of similar structure and length and both were written by young men who both died during that war. However, being that Anthem for Doomed Youth was written later on in the war, and Brooke died before experiencing the horrors of the trenches, both poets have approached the subject with a different tone, Brooke seeing the war from an entire different angle from Owen who witnessed the aftermath and the wars many casualties.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Ferdinand Magellan :: essays research papers

Ferdinand Magellan was born in 1480, in a stone farm house in Portugal. His father's name was Dom Ruy Magellan, and his mother's name was Donha Alda De Mesquite. His father was a Portuguese nobleman and owned a large amount of land. He was also a sheriff, an honorary position awarded for distinguished service to the crown.Ferdinand's brother was named Diago De Sousa, a name he took from his wealthy grandmother, his sister was named Isabel Magellan. His family seemed to care about each other and respected one another. His family owned cows, sheep, hogs, and goats and fields of wheat, rye, corn and vineyards full of grapes. Ferdinand and his brother and sister had to help the tenants (people that rented and farmed the land), raise the animals and harvest the crops. Ferdinand went to school at a monastery. Both his parents died when Ferdinand was only ten years old. At the age of twelve, he was sent to live at the court of Queen Leonora and John II of Portugal. His older brother, Diago, had gone to court two years earlier. His cousin, named Francisco Serrano also twelve years old, came at the same time as Ferdinand did. At court Ferdinand learned music, dance, horsemanship and how to handle weapons, in addition to academic subjects such as reading, writing and religion. Also he learned algebra, geometry, astronomy and navigation. After he had worked at court for a few years, he started checking the supplies for the ships going to India. This was work for the India House, run by the monarchy. India house was the agency for overseas trade. Magellan heard reports of new discoveries brought back by returning ships. It was here that Magellan learned practical aspects of navigation from the sailors and by helping outfit the ships he learned about rigging, repairing, armaments and supplies.In 1495, John II died, and his brother-in-law, Duke Manuel became king. Duke Manuel did not like Ferdinand, so even though Ferdinand wanted to sail, it was not until 1505 that he finally got his chance. In 1505 Magellan sailed to India under the leadership of Captain General Almeida, and set up Naval Bases along the way. They set their first base up at Kilwa, and the chief there had promised to be nice to sailors coming through, and said each time sailors came through, he promised to give some gold to the King of Portugal.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park

? The Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park Most people have never heard of Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park, or even know where this particular park is located at. For those who do not know, Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park is located in Central Africa Republic, which is located in Central Africa. Central Africa Republic is about the size of France. The climate there is very tropical and can also be semi-humid, which means that the country has an annual rainfall from 950 to 1700mm. Rainfall normally occur during the months of June and last till November. From December to May, the climate is normally hot and dry. The country is also very rich in natural resources. Manovo-Gounda St. Foris National Park was established in 1933 and was name Oubangui-Chari National Park and was located on 13,500ha. The park was renamed Matoumara National Park in 1935. In 1940 the name changed again, this time to St. Floris National Park. The amount of land that the park operated on had increased to 40,000ha. By 1960 the park had tremendously grown and was currently operating on 100,00ha and in 1974 it was operating on 277,000ha. In 1979 the name change once again, but this time it changed to the name that the park is currently operating under which is Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. Currently the area of the park is 1,740,000ha or 4. 2 million acres. Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park is home to a variety of faunas and floras. The wildlife animals include animals like the black rhinoceroses, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, buffalos, elephants, etc. There are at least 57 different types of mammals, over 320 different types of birds, and at least 25 species of raptor all residing within the park. At one time this park was considered on of the most protected park in Central Africa. In 1988, the park was added to the Natural World Heritage Site, because of the diversity of wildlife that existed within the park. In 1997, things had drastically change, and the park was added to the World Heritage in Danger List in 1997, due to the heavy poaching that was going on within the park. This meant that the parkhad to have some of the most important and significant natural habitats of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species which this park had. It had a diversity of wildlife and flora, and a lot of it animals were already on the endanger list. There are other elements that the committee have to look at before deciding if an area, whether natural or cultural is entitle to be listed this list (Protected Area Programme, n. d. ). Some might not know what poaching in, and why it is important to finds ways to put an end to this dangerously practice that is destroying our wildlife. According to Ask. com (n. d), poaching is define as illegally hunting and fishing, and a poacher is define as a person who hunts and fish illegally, without a license. Poacher have no regards to any animals life, especially the ones on the endanger list. One of biggest threat to the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Parks comes from Poachers. Most of the poachers come from within Central Africa Republic, but they can also come from other countries and can be heavily armed with automatic weapons. These poachers have killed off at least 80% of this park’s wildlife. Let look at the black rhinoceros. Man is the main threat to these animals, but not for their meat, but for the price a person can receive from their horns. The reason these animals are killed at an alarming rate is because people in China believes that the horns or these animals can help reduced a fever. A black rhino is worth at least $200,000 dead (Black Rhino, n. d. ). Even though these animals are currently on the endanger list, poachers have no respect or any regards for the law. Right now there are only a few black rhino remaining in Manovo-Gounde St. Floris. The elephants population have also decline in this park by 75%, and this is also due to the poachers. As anyone can see, poaching needs to be stop and it up the people to do so. Not just the people of this country, but this issue need to be address so everyone from across the world is aware of what is going on. There need to be human intervention, because if this continue to go on, there will be no more Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. The future of this park depends on everyone. Grazing is another issue. According to Ask. com (n. d. ), grazing is defined as to feed on growing grasses and field. Grazing is illegal and most of grazing that goes on with the park is done during the dry season, where there are a large numbers of cattle moving across the grassland going through the park. When grazing happens, it can destroy the grassland that is intend for the wildlife, and it can also cause the spread of disease from the cattle to the wildlife. Manovo-Gounda-St. Floris National Park, Central African Republic (March 2002), states that in 1997, four staff members were shot, causing the tourism in this park to come to a complete halt. Currently the park only has one manager and one assistant manager along with five guards. In order to keep the Park going, major changes need to be made. Since tourism was a great way for the park to pay for itself there need to be great consideration into making the area and park safe again for tourist. In 1988 there was a $27 million grant made to aid in the controlling of poaching and gazing that is going on within this park. How this money was use in to aid in the poaching and grazing situation is not know. The term biodiversity refers to genes, species (plants and animals), ecosystems, and landscapes, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that allow these elements of biodiversity to persist over time. Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park was one of the largest parks in Central Africa, and was home to some of the diversity wildlife in the world. At one time, tourism was a source of maintaining the up keep of the park, but all of this was threaten by poachers and the grazing of the land. Humans have become this park worst enemy. Man has fail to realize that these animals or vital to our existence just like insects and plants are. There is a lot that need to be done in order to maintain the diversity of the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. Where do we start? We have to start with education. In order for the poachers to stop killing off the diversity of the wildlife, they need to be educated on why the park exist, and what the benefit of the park is to the animals and the citizens of this country. They need to be taught what the consequence is if they continue to destroy all of the wildlife or if these animals seize to exist anymore. Education is the just the beginning, but first the people who are doing the poaching need to be educated in the harm this is doing. The residents of Central Africa Republic also need to be educated and need to know the value of this park. They need to know that once this park becomes safe again and tourism is resumed, then they all will be able to benefit from it. Tourism will bring money to their country, and might even bring new business into the country. New businesses, mean creating jobs. In order to do this, money need to be raised. Once the money is raise, some might wonder what and where the money is going. The money will go towards advertising, education, training, security, the up keep of the park. Action need to be taken today, because tomorrow is too late. The future of this park depends on us, the people. The survival of these animals depends on us. The destruction of wildlife is not just happening in the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park. The poaching of wildlife is happening throughout Africa. In order for children our children to have a chance of seeing elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, wild dogs, cheetahs, money, and other exotic animals up close, then we need to save this park. Let put the awareness out to the citizens of this country and to other countries as well. The majority of this park wildlife has already been destroyed, what we are waiting on the remaining 15-20% that is left. Let come up with a plan to end the poaching and grazing of this park, we can do it. References Ask. com. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 18, 2007, from http://www. ask. com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/103817/poaching Black Rhino. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 18, 2007, from http://www. botany. uwc. ac. za/Envfacts/Black_Rhino/index. htm Protected Areas Programme. (n. d. ). Retrieved August 26, 2007, from http://www2. wcmc. org. uk/protected_areas/data/wh/manovo. html United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. (n. d). Manovo-gounda st. franis national park, central africa republic. Retrieved August 26, 2007, from http://www. unep-wcmc. org/sites/wh/manovo. html

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Developments in Public Personnel Field

This paper deals with the trends, issues and challenges that are being faced by the public personnel. These trends and issues may be categorized under (1) Management practices; (2) technology; and (3) Economic and Politics. Governments all over the world should learn this time what to do with their public personnel so that they can become more efficient and more effective in the face of all the mentioned challenges. . IntroductionPublic or Civil Service is a big part of the lives of the citizens of a nation whether they want it or not. There are a number of government agencies that require the services of public servants and professionals. These professionals are free from the political affiliations of people who serve in the bureaucracy. There are developments in the society, in the technology and other areas of management that have an impact in the lives of public personnel. This essay explores these new trends, strategies, approaches by looking at different areas that affect the l ives and performance of public personnel.These new trends, issues and emerging practices will be divided into three major categories: management practices, technology and economic situation. The first category deals mainly with the emerging issues in management such as diversity, the rights and benefits of public personnel and how the government is reacting to these trends. Secondly, the technological advancements that impact the work of public personnel will be looked at, carefully noting how these are revolutionizing the way that public personnel do their work. Lastly, the economic developments in the United States and the world will also be noted together with their impact on the lives of workers in the Civil service sector.The government as an employer should take note of these developments and keep up with the times. Oftentimes, however, bureaucracy tends to react too slowly to the changes going on in the world. If this is the case, the public personnel will be disadvantaged. N onetheless, this paper will also put forward several recommendations as to how the plight of public personnel could be improved by the government through the effective and efficient use of resources in their respective organizations.Management PracticesWorkforce DiversityOne of the most important developments in public personnel in the twenty-first century is the increasing recognition of diversity in the operations of public offices and agencies. Such diversity stems from the multicultural fabric of the American society. There are African Americans, Asians, Europeans and Latino in the United States.It is impossible to exclude these people from becoming public personnel if they possess the skills and the educational requirements of serving in the Civil Service. Through the victories won by the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the past forty years or so, the US has come a long way in granting equal rights and opportunities to people of various skin colors.The immigration to the US has also continued in the past few years that the demographic has changed. Through the process of globalization, more and more people from various nations are coming to the United States. Managing a diverse workforce is therefore becoming an imperative for most corporations and multinational companies in the US. This should also be the case with public personnel (Farazmand, 2007).There are a number of benefits that workforce diversity could offer to public offices and agencies. For one, perspectives and viewpoints in the office concerning pressing issues and concerns will be diverse, thus, providing the decision maker with the ability to look at different angles before making important decisions. Without diversity, people will, more or less, look at something from virtually same lenses and perspectives. With diversity, however, there are new perspectives that could enable a broader look at issues plaguing the civil service and the rest of the society.One factor that influ ences the occurrence of diversity in both private and public organizations is the prevalence of migration and mobility of labor. People from diverse backgrounds often find themselves mingling with people from other nationalities (Mavin & Girling, 2000). Diversity, however, is more than just a collection of nationalities within the organization. Rather, there are several sources of diversity that can serve as a point of conflict within the organization—public or private. Managing diversity, therefore, is an art that most public agencies and organizations should be dealt with effectively. These sources of diversity include gender, race, ethnicity, linguistic barriers, sexual preferences and religion.As stipulated in the Constitution and the laws of the United States, these kinds of differences should in no way affect the employment of persons or prevent them from enjoying the privileges accorded to any person within the civil service of the country. The problem, however, is tha t, in a setting such as the public agencies and organizations, there are persons who may have strong feelings, prejudices and biases against any of these sources of diversity and they may condescend to those who are not like them. As such, they might not be able to get along with certain kinds of people in the civil service.Multiculturalism and the prevalence of diversity should be met with effective public personnel management strategies. The management should not be reactive and act as if they are always pacifying people, trouble-shooting problems and ironing out conflicts. Rather, diversity should be managed well by allowing practices and the organizational culture to become attuned to diversity. After all, the labor force has become heterogeneous and there seems to be no way to stop that at this stage (Sippola, 2005).Proactive management of diversity entails understanding the cultural and other differences among different peoples who belong to the organization. This also helps t he management become more attuned to the composition of the public personnel workforce and make the necessary recommendations in terms of managing these personnel.Diversity is one thing that could help the organization thrive in the highly competitive world of the twenty-first century. Through diversity, the perspective of an organization becomes broader and the way in which the organization reaches out to people belonging to different groups.There is an increasing sense of job insecurity in the United States, work hours cannot be completely controlled and the leadership style of managers may sometimes be unsuitable to that of the expectations of the organization. The well-being of the organization should not be compromised (Sparks, Faragher, & Cooper, 2001).The Need for Entrepreneurial LeadershipAnother problem plaguing the bureaucracy and the civil service in general is too much reliance on tried and tested formula without exploring new possible ways of dealing with different prob lems and challenges that the government agencies are facing. Too often, leaders in the government fail to look beyond the proverbial horizon of their respective agencies. As such, what happens is that they rely on previous records, previously successful formula rather than on carefully crafted strategies that address the present situation of their organizations. This is where entrepreneurial leadership comes in.One of the keywords closely associated with entrepreneurship is innovation. This is the continuous pursuit for improvement and looking for new areas to improve the operations of the organization. If this were present in most public agencies, then the personnel can be empowered as they become more effective and efficient in fulfilling their tasks. Unnecessary delays and red tape in the public offices tend to affect the level of innovativeness of public agencies in information technology and other areas of operation (Moon & Bretschneiber, 2002).Entrepreneurship is also closely associated with risk. If managers are willing to engage in risk in the name of innovation, then the organization will become bolder in pursuing entrepreneurship and innovation. When this happens, the followers will emulate the example of the bosses, and they, themselves, will engage in efforts and action that could lead to a more efficient and effective public service organization.Technology  Internet, Web 2.0 and Business ApplicationsThe twenty-first century is marked by break-neck speed of technological breakthroughs and innovation. The world is still reeling from the impact of near instantaneous communication. The possibilities seem to be endless. When one company offers a product, three weeks later, a rival presents another product that is better and usually smaller than the one previously being offered. These technologies are changing the landscape of public personnel management, including the way in which business and office work are being done. These emerging technologies a re outlined in the next discussion.The Internet. The world is very much connected now, thanks to the wonder that is the Internet. With the number of websites all over the world today, the Internet has become a storehouse of articles and knowledge. Through these websites and other features of the Internet, readers and other users are able to check out the most recent breakthroughs in various fields of study in the world. More than that, with a simple click on the mouse, research can be undertaken. This means that workers can do more now that they are connected to the rest of the world (Sullivan & Lewis, 2002).Technology allowing workers to log on to the company intranet even while in a long distance from the office is now available. This is called remote access and makes use of the network of the Internet while putting forward a security means to protect the company from breach and security compromise (Sullivan & Lewis, 2002).Email is another important factor of the internet that has come to the fore of business operations in the past few years. Without email, the world will continue to rely on snail mail, which is a much slower and inefficient means of communication. With email, the sender can directly type in the message on the computer screen, hit the send button and then wait for a few seconds before the receiver opens the email. Another great thing about emails is that they can be used as vehicle of sending over large files over long distances (Sullivan & Lewis, 2011).Voice over internet Protocol. Another interesting feature of the Internet that has recently come to the attention of the world is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This significantly lowered the cost of voice communications over the Internet. This feature has been integrated into various instant messaging protocols such as Skype, Windows Messenger, AIM and Yahoo Messenger among others.It is also possible now to hold live video and audio streaming. This has implications in holding video con ferences over vast areas of land and territory. Hence, live video and audio streaming can help public agencies lower the cost of communication as they meet online. The security of information passed over the Internet is another important concern that must be addressed. Hence, the developments in Internet security and anti-virus technologies help users protect the users and the data that they are feeding and manipulating in the Internet. Information is a very important asset, particularly for public agencies that are serving the broader public. Thanks to the efforts of developers and anti-virus companies, most hackers are kept at bay and prevented from wreaking havoc in the systems of public agencies (Jackson & van der Wielen, 1998).The Internet, together with sound IT infrastructure is already installed in most public agencies. This enables the agencies to dispense social services more quickly and more efficiently. Without technology, such social services will be inaccessible to sev eral sectors in the society (Jones & Dages, 2003). Given the many distractions at work, however, more and more managers realize the importance of introducing regulations and control mechanisms concerning the websites that may be accessed by the public personnel at work. While they are at work, if the IT system is open, then they can listen to music while at the same time enjoy the resources for their own personal use.The reality of digital distraction and information overload among workers is also looming over the twenty-first century public personnel. As such, there should be a means of ensuring that only information pertinent to the job of the public personnel are accessed by the workers during the work session. Otherwise, they will be subject to information overload. Information technology at work is a double-edged sword. It can get a lot of things done but if improperly used, it may also be harmful to the productivity and overall performance of an individual worker (Jackson & va n der Wielen, 1998).The twenty-first century has been hailed as the coming of the knowledge economy where the workers are not only dealing with products and services but rather, they are dealing with information, data and knowledge. As such, technology is a prerequisite for the effective functioning of the public personnel in various areas of government and operations of such agencies.Teleworking and Telecommuting in the Public SectorThe advances and breakthroughs in the technology mentioned above paved the way for the emergence of teleworking and telecommuting among the professionals in the United States. There emerged a new brand of professionals who do not have to report to the office of the agency as long as they are doing the job they have agreed to. Although telecommuting is not a new phenomenon, it has been around since the late 1980s. The only difference now is that the technology has made it so much convenient for teleworkers to thrive in the present system (DiMartino and W irth, 1990).As long as a teleworker has access to computer and good internet connection, he may deliver the work he agreed to. There are also a number of telecommuters from other countries who do the work for the public and private sectors in the United States. Another related process being utilized nowadays is outsourcing. Workers and companies outside of the United States establish partnerships with companies in the US so they can handle the operations of some areas of business.With the increasing popularity of outsourcing and telecommuting, the organization should arrive at a sound plan how to manage these kinds of worker. Of primary concern is the growth of teleworkers as professionals in their field and how they get the services that they deserve (Cooper, & Kurland, 2002).Teleworking has a number of impacts on the public personnel. It might be opted by employees who are taking care of a family member at home needing special attention, by a mother who wants to spend more time wi th her kids or by any other professional who simply wants this kind of arrangement. Teleworking is being used in the private sector but it can also be implemented in the public sector.Teleworking may be considered as a really radical departure from the usual mode of working as public personnel. Teleworkers enjoy an immense level of flexibility in terms of fulfilling their role and still pursuing other interests that they want to pursue.Teleworking, however, may be considered as a security breach in an organization that holds sensitive information in its data bank. In addition to this, teleworking introduces a level of uncertainty and difficulty in managing people. This is why, management should look into an acceptable means of accommodating both the usual full-time staff and those who have opted for teleworking.As the public sector start dealing with teleworking, it should carefully look into the pros and cons of the arrangement. Through this, they can maximize the presence of the t eleworker in the organization while at the same time, making sure that its pitfalls are removed or at least minimized.Individual worker is really at the center of the teleworking arrangements. As long as there is an internet connection and computer, the teleworker can deliver his work. If possible, the organization should also undertake psychological tests to ascertain whether a certain employee is ready for the rigors and loneliness of the being a teleworker.Economy and PoliticsGlobalizationBecause of the rapid advances in communication and transportation technologies and the inter-relationships between and among the countries of the world, the nations are being brought closer together in a process known as globalization (Tomlinson, 1999).The changes being brought about by globalization are far-reaching and broad because it targets the politics, economics, culture and other areas of life (Castles, 2001). Globalization can no longer be ignored because it has impinged on important pr ocesses that go on in the society. It is also not just a national issue but a worldwide one. If this process continues, then the world can become a borderless society in which labor and other resources can move freely without a lot of hassle.In the management of public personnel, globalization has also become a real issue that must be dealt with by the bureaucracy. Globalization is also attacking the established authority of the state over a certain territory, such as a nation-state. The role of the state and the government, therefore, is changing under the relentless impact of globalization.The focus of globalization is efficiency, decentralization and the trimming down of the bureaucracy. In terms of public personnel, this means letting go of a lot of employees and retaining only those who process the core processes and who are able to continue the operations of the agencies that will be affected. With globalization, this means that there will be greater decentralization and dereg ulation of power and autonomy (Bevir, Rhodes & Weller, 2003).The government, however, cannot simply do that without major repercussions. There has to be a careful study as to the kind of jobs and personnel that will be retained and which positions will be let go. If possible, will there be roles that can be combined? This way, the government will be able to save money while at the same time ensuring that the processes being looked after by the public personnel will be continued.ConclusionThe twenty-first century world is very dynamic. Technologies are changing very rapidly, the relationships between and among the countries of the world are becoming stronger. Economies are trading more freely and governments are still in charge of running their own respective territories. This is being done with the help of public personnel who are in the bureaucracy and who are continuously serving the needs of the government and of the people they are serving.There are three main areas of concern t hat impact the changes in public personnel. These are in the areas of Management Practices, Technology, and Economics. Of particular interest is the increasing popularity and significance of workplace diversity and the manner in which public organizations should deal with it so that it can maximize its impact and its efficiency. In addition to this, the advances in technology is paving the way for alternative modes of working such as teleworking and telecommuting. Lastly, globalization also has an important impact on the way that public personnel are being treated and how the public sector can generate savings from the process. Reference Bevir, B, Rhodes, RAW, & Weller, P. (2003). Traditions of governance: interpreting the changing role of the public sector. Public Administration, 81 (1), 1-17. Castles, FG. (2001). On political company of recent pubic sector development. Journal of European Social Political Policy, 11 (3), 195-211. Cooper, CD & Kurland, NB (2002). Telecommuting, professional isolation, and employee development in public and private organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23 (4), 511-532. Daniels, K., Lamond, DA, & Stranden, P. (2000). Managing Telework. New York: CENGAGE Learning. Farazmand, A (2007). Strategic Public Personnel Administration. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Jackson, P. and Van der Wielen, J. (1998). Teleworking. Routledge, London. Jones, JW & Dages, KD (2003). Technology Trends in Staffing and Assessment: A Practice Note. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 11 (2-3), 247-252. Mavin, S. & Girling, G. (2000). What is Managing Diversity and Why Does It Matter? Human Resource Development International, 3 (4), 419-433. Moon, MJ & Breschneiber, S (2002). Does the Perception of Red Tape Constrain IT Innovativeness in Organizations? Unexpected Results from a Simultaneous Equation Model and Implications. Journal of Publication Research and Theory, 12 (2), 273-292. Sippola, A. (2005). HRM of a Diverse Workforce: Challenges of Emerging Cultural Diversity. Proceedings of the 18th Scandinavian Academy of Management (NFF) Conference, Aarhus, Denmark, 18-20 August 2005. Sparks, K., Faragher, B & Cooper, CL (2001). Well-being and occupational health in the 21st century workplace. Journal of Occupational and Organizational. Sullivan, C & Lewis, S. (2002). Home-based Telework, Gender, and the Synchronization of Work and Family: Perspectives of Teleworkers and their Co-residents. Gender, Work and Organization, 8 (2), 123-145. Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalization and Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Life Is Beautiful (1997) - Movie Review

Life Is Beautiful (1997) - Movie Review When I first heard about the Italian movie Life Is Beautiful (La Vita e Bella), I was shocked to discover that it was a comedy about the Holocaust. The articles that appeared in the papers bespoke of many that found even the concept of the Holocaust portrayed as a comedy to be offensive. Others believed that it belittled the experiences of the Holocaust by inferring that the horrors could be ignored by a simple game. I, too, thought, how could a comedy about the Holocaust possibly be done well? What a fine line the director (Roberto Benigni) was walking when portraying such a horrendous subject as a comedy. Yet I also remembered my feelings to the two volumes of Maus by Art Spiegelman - a story of the Holocaust portrayed in comic-strip format. It was months before I dared read it, and only then because it was assigned reading in one of my college classes. Once I started reading, I couldnt put them down. I thought they were wonderful. I felt the format, surprisingly, added to the books power, rather than distracting from it. So, remembering this experience, I went to see Life Is Beautiful. Act 1: Love Although I had been wary of its format before the movie began, and I even fidgeted in my seat, wondering if I was too far from the screen to read the sub-titles, it took only minutes from the films beginning for me to be smiling as we met Guido (played by Roberto Benigni - also the writer and director). With a brilliant mixture of comedy and romance, Guido used flirtatious random encounters (with a few not so random ones) to meet and woo the school teacher Dora (played by Nicoletta Braschi - Benignis real-life wife), whom he calls Princess (Principessa in Italian). My favorite part of the movie is a masterful, yet hilarious, sequence of events involving a key, time, and a hat - youll understand what I mean when you see the film (I dont want to give too much away before you see it). Guido successfully charms Dora, even though she had been engaged to a fascist official, and gallantly retrieves her while riding on a green painted horse (the green paint on his uncles horse was the first act of anti-Semitism that is shown in the film and really the first time you learn that Guido is Jewish). During Act I, the movie-goer almost forgets he came to see a movie about the Holocaust. All that changes in Act 2. Act 2: The Holocaust The first act successfully creates the characters of Guido and Dora; the second act delves us into the problems of the times. Now Guido and Dora have a young son, Joshua (played by Giorgio Cantarini) who is bright, loved, and doesnt like to take baths. Even when Joshua points out a sign in a window that says Jews are not allowed, Guido makes up a story to protect his son from such discrimination. Soon the life of this warm and funny family is interrupted by deportation. While Dora is away, Guido and Joshua are taken and placed in cattle cars - even here, Guido tries to hide the truth from Joshua. But the truth is plain to the audience - you cry because you know what is really happening and yet smile through your tears at the obvious effort Guido is making to hide his own fears and calm his young son. Dora, who had not been picked up for deportation, chooses to board the train anyway in order to be with her family. When the train unloads at a camp, Guido and Joshua are separated from Dora. It is at this camp that Guido convinces Joshua they are to play a game. The game consists of 1,000 points and the winner gets a real military tank. The rules are made up as time goes on. The only one that is fooled is Joshua, not the audience, nor Guido. The effort and love that emanated from Guido are the messages relayed by the movie - not that the game would save your life. The conditions were real, and though the brutality was not shown as directly as in Schindlers List, it was still very much there. My Opinion In conclusion, I must say that I think Roberto Benigni (the writer, director, and actor) created a masterpiece that touches your heart - not only do your cheeks hurt from smiling/laughing, but your eyes burn from the tears. As Benigni himself stated, ...I am a comedian and my way is not to show directly. Just to evoke. This to me was wonderful, the balance to comedy with the tragedy.* Academy Awards On March 21, 1999, Life Is Beautiful won Academy Awards for . . . Best Actor (Roberto Benigni)Best Foreign Language FilmOriginal Dramatic Score (Nicola Piovani) * Roberto Benigni as quoted in Michael Okwu, Life Is Beautiful Through Roberto Benignis Eyes, CNN 23 Oct. 1998 (http://cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9810/23/life.is.beautiful/index.html).

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

7 Simple Best Practices to Speed Up Your Job Search

7 Simple Best Practices to Speed Up Your Job Search When an individual has spent some time looking for a new work, it can be easy to get into a rut, especially if that perfect job hasn’t come along. Worse yet, the few interviews that came your way did not result in a job offer. There is no reason to panic. Changing your tactics and being more proactive can change your luck and land you that job. 1. Look Over Your ResumeOne mistake made by resume writers is using stock phrases in a resume. Saying things such as â€Å"team leader† sounds good but tells the recruiter nothing about your skills. Making yourself stand out in the crowd is more likely to get your resume noticed. If you are qualified for a job and applied for numerous classified ad jobs but don’t get callbacks for interviews, then the problem may lie with your resume. Gear a resume toward the job you are seeking, highlight your skills and make this information easy to find such as placing this information in short bullet points. Before you send a resume, c heck to make sure your contact information is correct. A surprising number of job applicants are never contacted because they listed an old phone number or email address.2. Improve Your Job SkillsWhile you are waiting for that interview, go over your resume and see if there is anything you can do to make yourself more desirable as an employee in your job niche. Perhaps taking a course to improve your skills may make the difference in whether you are selected. Even if it doesn’t, it adds to your skills and shows that you keep on top of the latest information. This can leave a positive impression on recruiters.3. Work on Interviewing SkillsThe all-important interview can make or break getting a job. Polish your interview skills by practicing in front of friends or family or even in front of a mirror. Remember that you will probably be asked to tell the recruiter about yourself. Keep this response under two minutes and include education, what you accomplished that benefitted you r previous job and how you can be an asset for the current job opening.4. Try NetworkingSometimes, jobs can be found right under your nose. By networking through friends and business acquaintances, you can find job position openings. In addition, you can make a list of companies where you would like to work and submit an application for a current job listing or make inquiries about future job openings.5. Reevaluate Your SearchYou’ve submitted dozens of applications at job search sites and haven’t heard anything back. Maybe you need to reevaluate the way you are conducting your job search and the information you are putting out. This might be the time to ramp up your LinkedIn profile or your personal web page, which gives you plenty of room to list your qualifications, awards and experience. If searching job boards online isn’t helping, maybe it’s time to expand your job hunting by using other means.6. Follow Up on ApplicationsRather than waste time waitin g for a call or email from a recruiter, wait about a week and follow up on your job application. If the interest isn’t there, check it off your list to avoid wasting your time. In addition, recruiters may appreciate that an applicant wants the job badly enough to follow up. This might make a recruiter reconsider your application or bring it to his or her notice when contacting applicants for interviews.7. Take Your Job Search SeriouslySome job seekers simply send in stock resumes and wait for responses. Being proactive when searching for a job is more likely to get you called in for that first interview. Conducting a job search is work in itself and should be treated as seriously as you would a new job. Attention to detail, being proactive and making necessary changes will get you that dream job more quickly.When your job search stalls out, then it is time to re-evaluate, make changes and keep searching. TheJobNetwork helps by doing the searching for you. This service lets yo u list your qualifications and job interests and searches 24-hours a day for appropriate job openings, which it sends to you in the form of alerts. In addition, you can be proactive by searching the jobs yourself. Sign up for job match alert to get your job search going.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Management , society and new forms of work Essay

Management , society and new forms of work - Essay Example As such, Marazzi divided his thoughts on the subject of capital and language in four chapters: the transformation of economy from Post-Fordism to the New Economy, an account of the dot-com crash in 2001, the monetization of surplus value and the current trends, or the War Economy, in the business cycle as economic crisis continues to generate havoc throughout the global economies. The changes in working practices and patterns through the transition from Post-Fordism to the New Economy arose in the late 1980s and were fully established with the flourish of dot.com companies of the 1990s. The period of the dot-com bubble or the Information technology Bubble was marked by the formation of new Internet-based companies that maximized the use of steady commercial growth of the Internet. Several companies invested in ______________________ 1Haiven, M. 2009. In-Credible Wealth and Panic in the â€Å"New Economy†. Criticism. 51 (1): 165. using the e-prefix which increased the confidenc e of stock prices and future profits. Unfortunately, the bubble collapsed in early 2000s as large portion of market capitalization of numerous companies failed or declined dramatically2. With Post-Fordism being agreed as the transformation of the nature of work, the New Economy settles on the importance of finance specifically on the stock market. Marazzi relates work and finance through language by stating, †¦in the New Economy language and communication are structurally and contemporaneously present throughout both the sphere of the production and distribution of goods and services and the sphere of finance, and that it is for this very reason that changes in the world of work and modifications in the financial markets must be seen as two sides of the same coin3. Post-Fordism produces numerous goods and services that are set to the diversification of commercialized values and way of life. However, the centrality of communications and information technology in the United State s and other Western countries has delivered a new breed of expensive managers and technicians. Increased worker participation and elastic work schedules are applied in production to maximize efficiency and flexibility while eroding job security through the employment of contract and outsourced labour4. Finance was first examined by the author, from its beginnings to the concerns of the ______________________ 2Lowenstein, R. 2004. Origins of the Crash: The Great Bubble and its Undoing. Penguin Books. p. 114. 3Marazzi, C. 2008. Capital & Language: From New Economy to War Economy. Semiotext(e). p. 14. 4Holland, J. 2005. Fordism/Post-Fordism. Globalization & Autonomy Glossary. p. 2. http://globalautonomy.ca/global1/servlet/Glossarypdf?id=CO.0021 (Accessed November 9, 2012). financialisation of the economy. He noted that if savings had been focused in household economies before, the New Economy has shifted this habit into using the collective savings and pension schemes of individuals as investments for their financial future. In the past, labour was affected by economic crises through the loss of jobs and the cutback of public spending. However, labour is now directly invested in the performance capital making contemporary financial crises different from past ones. Hence,

Friday, November 1, 2019

Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critique - Essay Example By inserting the word, â€Å"Indi’s owner,† the impact would be made smooth and the shift not abrupt. The corrected version would run like this: â€Å"Samantha, Indi’s owner, acknowledges ‘Being a pit bull†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Paragraph 3: The paragraph is too long and hard on the eyes. This should be broken in two. The new paragraph may begin with â€Å"BSL fails to address †¦.† as anyway it begins to explain deeper about BSL - a topic distinct different from the earlier idea being discussed which is dog breed and its general link to BSL. Paragraph 5: â€Å"However, that is an average of less than 20 dog-bite related fatalities per year, presumes accurate reporting of dog breed, and does not take total number of dogs in the breed in the general population into account.† Delete â€Å"is† in â€Å"is an average† and the thought will be clear. Paragraph 9: â€Å"The popularity of particular breeds ebbs and flows, in the 70s Dobermans were popular, in the 80s ‘pit bulls’ were†¦.† Colon instead should be used after the word, â€Å"flows† since a long enumeration begins on the topic of dog breeds by the decades. The outline of the article runs this way. Indi is introduced as champion dog, followed by the negative reputation of Pit Bull Terrier breed and what Indi has to endure for being of this breed. How â€Å"pit bull† breed came into controversy is discussed next, beefed by statistics on dog bites that are not based on breed. BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is enacted on state-wide level then because of reported dog viciousness. Medical studies on dog bites come next, but these studies do not highlight breed. Statistics on dog-attacks are compared to non-fatal dog bites. From here, BSL being enacted based on breed incidents is described. BSL is hitting the wrong nail, it is argued, and that it is an ineffective response to sensationalized issues. The presumptions of BSL and why it is ineffective are considered. Because there is no decrease in dog attacks despite

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Company development Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Company development - Case Study Example Even though it is legal to use television commercials for political campaigns, television advertisements in this country are heavily regulated by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission (FCC, 2012; FTC, 2012). To avoid legal or technical problems, television commercial production companies should be familiar with the technical standards implemented with regards to products, claims, and contents (Cheap TV Spots, 2012). For instance, the advertising of cigarettes on television is totally restricted or banned in the United States. Therefore, television commercial production companies in the United States should observe and up-date themselves with the on-going changes with regards to television commercial restrictions. Likewise, television commercial production companies are obliged to observe the laws on IPR. The U.S. economy is still under recovery. Therefore, television commercial production companies may encounter delay in the payments for their service. Eventually, this will negatively affect the companies’ cash flow. To maintain their competency in the market, television commercial production companies should cut down their fixed monthly operating cost without sacrificing the quality of their television commercial videos. There are social implications with regards to the production of television commercials. To avoid offending the viewers, television commercial production companies should avoid producing offensive commercial programs that can adversely affect its reputation. With regards to technology, television programs in the United States is accessible through on-air broadcast, unencrypted satellite, cable services, direct broadcast satellite, or internet protocol television (FCC, 2010). On the other hand, television advertisers are using various technologies such as video software, hard ware, digital cameras, digital video cameras, etc. Since the capital requirement in putting up this kind of business is low,

Monday, October 28, 2019

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Biography Essay Example for Free

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Biography Essay Oodgeroo Noonuccal was born in 1920 on Stradbroke island (Minjerriba to the Aboriginal people), which was in Queensland, and she was born into the Noonuccal people of the Yuggera group. She was an actress, writer, teacher, artist and a campaigner for the Aboriginal people. Oodgeroo shared a trait with her father that was the sense of injustice. She left school at the age of 13 and worked as a domestic servant until 1939. After that she volunteered for service in the Australian Woman’s Army Service. Between 1961 and 1970 Oodgeroo popular poetry and writing made her very popular to the aboriginal people, Torre Strait Islanders and the people of Queensland. Oodgeroo Noonuccal became the first published Aboriginal woman when she wrote ‘We are Going’, which was sold out in only three days breaking some Australian records. Between 1964 and 1988 Oodgeroo wrote many Children’s books, short stories, new poems, essays and speeches. Oodgeroo Noonuccal was involved in many Aboriginal right organizations. Now her work is recognized worldwide and the themes in most of her poems in the need for peace between the black and white Australians. Her aboriginal upbringing helped her for inspiration, what she used to be surrounded to and the way she had been treated. Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s father had taught her to be stubborn and to be proud of being Aboriginal and with this, Oodgeroo would push through discriminations and penalties. Oodgeroo’s campaigning for Aboriginal voting rights started in 1960 when she strived for equality. She traveled Australia giving talks and doing all sorts of stuff to make more people aware. Finally in 1967 the campaigning showed to be successful and the Aboriginals got their rights. When she tried to campaign Globally nobody would listen to her and she got quite frustrated. She went back to her home, on Stradbroke Island, to build an Aboriginal Museum but the government would not allow it.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Perils of Obedience :: essays research papers

identical to our standard experiment, except that the teacher was told that he was free to select any shock level of any on the trials. (The experimenter took pains to point out that the teacher could use the highest levels on the generator, the lowest, any in between, or any combination of levels.) Each subject proceeded for thirty critical trials. The learner's protests were co-ordinated to standard shock levels, his first grunt coming at 75 volts, his first vehement protest at 150 volts. The average shock used during the thirty critical trials was less than 60 volts -- lower than the point at which the victim showed the first signs of discomfort. Three of the forty subjects did not go beyond the very lowest level on the board, twenty-eight went no higher than 75 volts, and thirty-eight did not go beyond the first loud protest at 150 volts. Two subjects provided the exception, administering up to 325 and 450 volts, but the overall result was that the great majority of people delivered very low, usually painless, shocks when the choice was explicitly up to them. The condition of the experiment undermines another commonly offered explanation of the subjects' behaviour -- that those who shocked the victim at the most severe levels came only from the sadistic fringe of society. If one considers that almost two-thirds of the participants fall into the category of "obedient" subjects, and that they represented ordinary people drawn from working, managerial, and professional classes, the argument becomes very shaky. Indeed, it is highly reminiscent of the issue that arose in connection with Hannah Arendt's 1963 book, Eichmann in Jerusalem. Arendt contended that the prosecution's effort to depict Eichmann as a sadistic monster was fundamentally wrong, that he came closer to being an uninspired bureaucrat who simply sat at his desk and did his job. For asserting her views, Arendt became the object of considerable scorn, even calumny. Somehow, it was felt that the monstrous deeds carried out by Eichmann required a brutal, twisted personalit y, evil incarnate. After witnessing hundreds of ordinary persons submit to the authority in our own experiments, I must conclude that Arendt's conception of the banality of evil comes closer to the truth than one might dare imagine. The ordinary person who shocked the victim did so out of a sense of obligation -- an impression of his duties as a subject -- and not from any peculiarly aggressive tendencies.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

What Is a Moratorium On Foreclosures

The mortgage crisis in America is a political hot topic that has taken a front seat to many other topics of national importance. Even the upcoming presidential election has the potential of having this very topic at the center of each candidate’s agenda. However, with a matter of such national significance it would appear as though all most Americans seem to know is that the economy is bad and that about covers it. Many Americans are unaware of this economic crisis occurring and are even less aware of how it could affect them. Therefore, the apathetic and ignorant attitude towards such a dilemma could be explained. In order to assist in the eradication of this issue, one must examine the meaning of a mortgage and that will improve the understanding as to why foreclosures are occurring throughout the country. Furthermore, with this base understanding of this market we might better understand why Congressional and state legislators wish to place a moratorium, or temporary freeze, to the current foreclosure emergency. What is a Mortgage? First, let’s examine what a mortgage is. According to the Freddie Mac lending agency a mortgage is, â€Å"†¦ a lien on a property/house that secures a loan and is paid in installments over a set period of time. The mortgage secures your promise that you'll repay the money you've borrowed to buy your home. † There are also several types of mortgages available through lending agencies as well. Some of the following are the primary options available: fixed rate, adjustable rate, balloon/reset, reverse, and the hottest one that is being talked about the subprime mortgage. This is the one that should be hit on most heavily because this is the reason for the foreclosure crisis occurring right now. The problem with subprime mortgage lending is the fact that a subprime lender is predatory in nature, much like a loan shark. These companies prey on those who cannot receive a mortgage through mainstream companies as a result of poor credit or and/or a number of other factors. These companies then charge very high interest rates on the mortgages they extend to consumers. These interest rates are placed on the principle of the loan and essentially the individual paying on the loan will have to pay on the interest in lieu of the principle for a very long period of time. According to Reuters, â€Å"The crisis surrounding subprime mortgages extended to borrowers with spotty credit [can] unnerve financial markets and could deepen a slump in the U. S. housing market that some economists fear could put the economy close to a recession. † What is a Foreclosure? Second, Foreclosures occur when an borrower or owner of a parcel of property or home defaults on a loan payment, such as a mortgage payment, and the lender files a default notice, whereby a bank or mortgage company repossesses they property in question and the owner/borrower looses whatever rights he/she might have had prior to the default. The problem with foreclosing on individual’s property today is that there are a plethora of people in America that are defaulting on their mortgage payments as a result of the slowing economy, predatory lending, credit card debt; the list is endless. If the mortgage companies foreclosed on all those defaulting, there would be more homeless Americans than in U. S. history. What Is the Proposed Solution? Finally, let’s examine what has been proposed as a solution to the problem of foreclosures as a result of extended mortgages to borrowers, as it stands. The U. S. government is attempting to broker a deal with mortgage lenders to assist troubled borrowers with defaulting on their mortgage payments. However, many lawmakers also would like to see a moratorium occur; freezing all foreclosures so that financially-troubled borrowers can have some time to keep from losing their homes. Lawmakers believe this action will not only assist borrowers, but it will also help to stabilize the economy and the housing market as a result of homeowners having time to accrue equity. Furthermore, lawmakers have proposed to extend more than five billion dollars to the hardest-hit communities so that homeowners might be able to cope a little easier with the crisis. Florida, Nevada, California, Michigan and Ohio are key state in next year’s elections as well as some of the hardest-hit as a result of the mortgage crisis. With lawmakers steering at the helm for a solution to one of the greatest financial questions since the Great Depression all one can do is waiting to see what the next administration will do to assist with the issue at hand.