Party discipline and Canadian Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Party discipline and Canadian Democracy - Essay Example The Canadian government has a bicameral legislature form. The parliament is composed of The Senate (the Upper House) and The House of Commons or (the Lower House). The Senate represents the different regions, territories and provinces of Canada. The Upper House consists of 105 members also known as Senators. The House of Commons is composed of the representatives elected by the population. The House of Commons consists of 308 members. For formation of any law the bill need to be passed by the two legislative chambers.  Ã‚  Party DisciplineThe party discipline in Canada is the influencing ability of the parliament group to gets its political party members to support the policies and philosophy of their party leadership. It is the controlling power that the party leader has over the legislature. Party discipline is vital for the overall working of the system of the government that permits holding of political power by the parties. It has the ability to establish government infrastruc ture that is affected by lawful political process (Kilgour, â€Å"Discipline versus Democracy: Party Discipline in Canadian Politics†).Few of the major current political parties present in the House of Commons are Conservative Party of Canada (founded in 2003), Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois. Strong party discipline is present in certain countries like UK, Canada, New Zealand, and many more. The legislature power is more in such countries which can even collapse the government by voting against the government.

Strategic planning Essay Example for Free

Strategic planning Essay 1. What is the difference between strategic planning and tactical planning? Strategic planning is the process of determining an organizations primary objectives and finding and implementing steps that will achieve the objectives. Tactical planning is setting short-term actions that are needed to compete larger strategies. 2. what is the difference between a business plan and a marketing plan? Business plan is a detailed plan setting out the objectives of a business, the strategy and tactics planned to achieve them, and the expected profits, usually over a period of three to ten years. Marketing plan is a strategic plan at the functional level that provides a firm’s marketing group with direction. The strategy for implementing the components of marketing; creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging value. 3. what is the purpose of a marketing plan? It is a road map that improves the firm’s understanding of its competitive situation. It helps the firm allocate resources and divvy up the tasks that employees need to do for the company to meet its objectives. 4. what are the two elements of every marketing strategy? 1)product strategy-product development strategy – creating new products or services for existing markets. 2)market strategy-market penetration strategy – selling more of existing products and services to existing customers. 5. how would you describe first-mover strategy? A market innovator, not a follower – Corporate level strategy theorizing that being the first organization to offer a product in the marketplace will be the long-term market leader. 6. what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a first mover? Three advantages of being first: technology leadership, control of resources, and buyer switching costs. The disadvantages: later entrants can overcome advantages, must heavily entice customers to try new type of product ( high education expense), some first movers may become complacent with changing customers needs. 7. how would describe second-mover strategy? Corporate level strategy theorizing that closely observing the innovations of the first movers, and then improving on them can help an organization gain advantage in marketplace. 8. what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a second mover? Advantages: ability to observe competitors’ successes and failures. Lower risk in product development and less controversy. Revising rather than creating and competitor surprise, and stealing market share rather than creating it. Disadvantages: persuading customers to â€Å"switch,† communicating your value add.

War on Drugs Causes the Viloation of Individual Rights Essays -- Expos

Everyone knows the parable of the emperor with no clothes. The significance of a child being the one to point out the emperor's nudity, as opposed to a sermonizing preacher or self-righteous intellectual, is simple to understand. Neither morality nor logic was responsible for stripping the emperor's veil of falsehood. All it took was the truth. One can't help but think of this when considering Gary Johnson, the Republican governor of New Mexico, who, despite pressure from power brokers at the top of his own party, has proclaimed that the emperor that is this country's war on drugs is not only naked to the world, but that its body is festering with the sores of moral decay and corruption. In the governor's own words, "The drug problem is getting worse. It's not getting better ... It needs to get talked about, and one of the things that's going to get talked about is decriminalization." He continues: "What I'm trying to do here is launch discussion ... I think it is the number one problem facing this country today... We really need to put all options on the table" (Albuquerque Journal, June 24, 1999). Not wishing to make a statement without providing viable ideas to support it, Johnson said that changing laws regarding the possession of marijuana would be a logical "first step" since pot is "probably the least dangerous of the identified narcotic drugs that we have" (Albuquerque Journal, July 1, 1999 and Hobbs News-Sun, July 2, 1999). Johnson is not simply grandstanding, as the facts of the situation point out clearly. Despite massive expenditures, the simple fact is that the war on drugs is a total failure. There is more, not less, drug-related violent crime in the United States today than 30 years ago. Far from pro... ...guaranteed by the Constitution. Undeniably, it is a violation of the basic principles of human dignity used to formulate the Constitution. Irrefutably, it provides an almost irresistible temptation for police abuse. And this is one of the mildest forms of enforcement in the hands of the drug warriors. In light of such bleak evidence, it is clear that the drug war has created no winners, but an abundance of losers. The biggest losers are the American citizens, who have seen their cherished rights discarded and continue to suffer decaying schools, nonexistent or inadequate health care, and crumbling infrastructure in poor and rural areas. And still, billions of dollars are poured into a campaign that is nothing more than a ponderous artifact with no place in a free society. The drug war failed a long time ago, and it's time to let it die. That is the naked truth.

Cubism and Multiplicity of Narration in The Waste Land Essay

Abstract The aim of this essay is to consider the multiplicity of narration in The Waste Land and its relationship in enrichment of content and meaning in the poem. There is an attempt to convey the Cubist traits and find concrete examples in the poem. This study will try to specify evidences for conformity of cubism and multiplicity of narration in the poem. While Eliot juxtaposed so many perspectives in seemingly set of disjointed images, there is â€Å"painful task of unifying .., jarring and incompatible perspectivesâ€Å" in The Waste Land. Like a cubist painting, there is a kind of variety of narration in unity through the poem. The usage of different languages and narrations in the poem helps to convey sense of the strain of modern living in modern waste land. Introduction The Waste Land is like a cubistic painting. The cubist painters rejected the inherited concept that art should copy nature, or that they should adopt the traditional techniques of perspective, modeling, and foreshortening. They wanted instead to emphasize the two dimensionality of the canvas. So they reduced and fractured objects into geometric forms, and then realigned these forms within a relief-like space. They also used multiple or contrasting vantage points for narration of their story on canvas. The most conspicuous feature of cubist form is the abandonment of single perspective. The multiperspectivism in cubism suggests that the many appearances in the world are less true than the abstract design in which produced by their juxtaposition. Eliot dedicated an entire chapter of his doctoral thesis on the problem of solipsism. It is a problem raised by the fact that in any human experience of the world, the world is always experienced from an individual perspective or (in Bradleyâ €™s term) finite centre. An individual’s mental life consists in a changing series of such finite centres, and there is no guarantee that his centres will harmonize with others or even with themselves. There is no guarantee that one’s experience or self will be understood by others. Communication of the inner life is always a courageous act of faith across a gulf of privacy and difference. Eliot himself said in his essay â€Å"Knowledge and Experienceâ€Å" ( 1964 ) â€Å"the life of a soul does not consist in the contemplation of one consistent world but in the painful task of unifying ( to a greater or less extent ) jarring and incompatible ones , and passing , when possible , from two or more discordant viewpoints to a higher which shall somehow include and transmute them .† Therefore we see the terrifying problem of personal communication already expressed in Eliot’s works and also â€Å"the painful task of unifying .., jarring and incompatible perspectivesâ€Å" to the fr agmentation and synthesizing efforts of The Waste Land . Discussion The original title for The Waste Land was â€Å"He do the police in different voices†. The line , comes from Charles Dickens’ novel Our Mutual Friend (1864_65). It is describe that widow Betty Higden, says of her adopted foundling son Sloppy †You might not think it , but Sloppy is a beautiful reader of a newspaper. He do the police in different voices.† As The Waste Land is composed of so many voices and narrations , this would help us to understand that , while there are many different voices and narrations in the poem , there is one central consciousness. We have a multiplicity of voices and narrations, male and female, young and old, in a variety of languages and styles. The shifts are unannounced, so that often we do not even know who is speaking. But the unity of the poem emerges from the fact that these all merge into a single personality, something we might call the voice of the modern consciousness. The fact that this modern consciousness cannot settle into a fixed perception of things or even into a consistent language and narration helps to convey sense of the strain of modern living . In fact, what emerges from the poem as a principal concern is the inability of the modern consciousness either to see unity in the world outside or to bring to a disordered world any sense of inner integrity. Part of this sense of the totality of the modern self adding up to a fractured variety emerges, not just from the shifting sense of the images and the multiplicity of narration , but also from the variety in the verse style. It’s as if in the modern age, there cannot be a single authoritative way of expressing how one feels. There is not enough confidence in the forms of language itself. Just as the traditional community has become the unreal city, a vision of a modern inferno. So The Waste Land is abundant with multiplicity of narration in different language and set of seemingly disordered images. The images in The Waste Land are supported by two distinct ways of narration. The lyric voice opening the poem uses metaphoric, often symbolic images and speaks in repetitive, stylized syntax. It has suggested on the one hand order and propriety, and on the other hand stasis. This voice speaks with authority and finality as it recurs in scenes throughout the poem where the vision of barrenness and revulsion from life is intensely clear and controlled. This voice contrasts with many voices speaking in metonymically rendered narrative scenes full of movement and change. These other voices resist categorization. These voices rang from vivid characters such as Marie, the hyacinth girl, Stetson’s friend, Madame Sosostris, the nervous woman, the pub woman, Tiresias, and the Thames daughters, to the non-human voices of the nightingale, the cock, and the thunder. In the poem there is also a progress in debt of experience from the voice of Madame Sosostris, the fortuneteller with a bad cold, to the voice of God in the thunder. In the first part of The Waste Land, we have four voices: 1) 2) 3) 4) First voice: Marie, an aristocratic German recounting childhood. Second voice: Prophetic and acpocalyptic , recalling a more innocent past Third voice : Madame Sosostris , tarot reader Forth voice : Walker in surreal London , seeing Stetson , an old comrade In the beginning of The Burial of the Dead we hear a â€Å"voice of propriety† that wishes to stop all new movement, change, or development. In The Burial of the Dead Eliot has examined the limitations of a purely romantic view of life. It makes life arid and unreal. In the second part of The Waste Land, we have at least seven voices: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) Initial narrator The nightingale The neurotic woman Her companion The gramophone The maid The bar keeper The use of different narration in this kind of collage in A Game of Chess allows the poet to distance himself from any single statement. In this regards Louis Menand ( 1952 _ ) has mentioned that â€Å" nothing in [the poem] can be said to point to the poet, since none of its stylistic features is continuous, and it has no phrases or images that cannot be suspected of—where they are not in fact identified as— belonging to someone else†¦.. Eliot appears nowhere, but his fingerprints are on everything â€Å"(The Cambridge introduction to modernism, 2007, p.179). A Game of Chess seems to be thematically centered on a sterile vision of modern life. This vision is countered by the narrative animation of the scenes: the sensuous movement of objects in the boudoir, the hysterical woman’s insistent questioning, the playful mutation of Shakespeare to a â€Å"Shakespeherian Ragâ€Å", and the pub lady’s vivid chatter. In the third part of the poem, The Fire Sermon, we are introduced to Tiresias as Eliot himself introduced him: Tiresias, although a mere spectator and not indeed a ‘character’, is yet the most important personage in the poem, uniting all the rest. Just as the one-eyed merchant, seller of currants, melts into the Phoenician Sailor, and the latter is not wholly distinct from Ferdinand Prince of Naples, so all the women are one woman, and the two sexes meet in Tiresias. What Tiresias sees, in fact, is the substance of the poem (Eliot’s note). All through the poem we hear one voice, the persona of Tiresias who assumes the various characters in the poem. Tiresias is not a definite character with definite views on life, but an anonymous carrier of a state of mind. In the poem, scenes and dialogues are so arranged to express state of mind. It is through Tiresias that we have been conscious of The Waste Land. In the fourth part, Death by Water, Madame Sosostris is overcome because there occurs what we had been told to fear: â€Å"a death by water†. There is a sense of peace in such annihilation, but the death does not end The Waste Land. We are also shown a Christ-like figure post-resurrection. It is the first explicit sign within the poem that intimates an occurrence of resurrection and redemption. It is also points to the reader’s own mortality. The last part of the poem, What the Thunder Said, returns to a barren waste and an inhuman landscape where repetition suggests a pointless circularity. This section is made up of textual fragments from Dante, Elizabethan drama, a sacred Hindu text and children’s song. What the Thunder Said directly appeals to Eastern philosophy, specifically, Hinduism. The variety of voices and narrations in this part, speaking in different languages and different tones, indicates a world rich with possibility as well as confusion, with salvation as well as loss. The ending is deeply improper, not respecting boundaries between poems, between cultures, or between voices. The passionate and paradoxical desire to end desires leads only to the continuation of life in all its variousness, confusions, tragedies, and improper desires. The proliferation of perspectives obvious in cubism is basic to Eliot’s poetry. Here we have mentioned the examples in The Waste Land that are similar to the cubist painting: The female portrait at the center of â€Å" The Waste Land â€Å" is a cubist portrait , comprehending facets of clairvoyante and Cleopatra , a nervous contemporary women at her dressing table , a pub gossip , and many others. We see different characters and different narrations by diffrent moods and temperament but totally all these characters shape a single one , â€Å" Tiresias â€Å" . Madame Sosostris, famous clairvoyante, Had a bad cold, nevertheless Is known to be the wisest woman in Europe. ( lines 43_45 ) , The Chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, Glowed on the marble, where the glass Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines From which a golden Cupidon peeped out (Another hid his eyes behind his wing) Doubled the flames of sevenbranched candelabra Reflecting light upon the table as The glitter of her jewels rose to meet it . ( lines 77_84 ) , When Lil’s husband got demobbed, I said I didn’t mince my words, I said to her myself, HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME Now Albert’s coming back, make yourself a bit smart . ( lines 139_142 ) Eliot presents many broken perspectives on many cities in and out of time. The juxtaposition of these many partial fleeting perspectives leads to the formation of an abstract city (Unreal city) in the poem. For instance, in the Unreal City passage which concludes the first part of poem , lines 60-76 , Eliot begins by alluding to Baudelaire’s â€Å" Les sept Vieillards â€Å", moves on to the Infreno (â€Å" I had not thought death had undone so many â€Å" ), then to hour of Christ’s crucifixion ( â€Å" a dead sound on the final stroke of nine â€Å"), to the Punic Wars (â€Å" You who were with me in the ships at Mylae â€Å"), to Webster’s White Devil (â€Å" Oh keep the Dog far hence that’s friend to men â€Å"), and finally back to Baudelaire’s preface to the Fleurs du Mal (â€Å" You ! hypocrite lecteur!_mon semblable,_mon frere! â€Å"). All these references are folded into what begins as a naturalistic description of the City of London but then becomes an increasingly horrific city of dreams. Unreal City, Under the brown fog of a winter dawn, A crowd flowed over London Bridge, so many, I had not thought death had undone so many. Sighs, short and infrequent, were exhaled, And each man fixed his eyes before his feet. Flowed up the hill and down King William Street, To where Saint Mary Woolnoth kept the hours With a dead sound on the final stroke of nine. There I saw one I knew, and stopped him, crying â€Å"Stetson! â€Å"You who were with me in the ships at Mylae! â€Å"That corpse you planted last year in your garden, â€Å"Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? â€Å"Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? â€Å"Oh keep the Dog far hence, that’s friend to men, â€Å"Or with his nails he’ll dig it up again! â€Å"You! hypocrite lecteur! – mon semblable, – mon frere!à ¢â‚¬  (lines 60_76) , Unreal City Under the brown fog of a winter noon Mr. Eugenides, the Smyrna merchant Unshaven, with a pocket full of currants C.i.f. London: documents at sight, Asked me in demotic French To luncheon at the Cannon Street Hotel Followed by a weekend at the Metropole. (lines 207_214) , What is the city over the mountains Cracks and reforms and bursts in the violet air Falling towers Jerusalem Athens Alexandria Vienna London Unreal ( lines 372_377 ) The main sign in the poem to show us cubist’s vein is the central and most important personage in the poem, Tiresias. Eliot thus suggests that all the many voices and narrations in the poem may be aspects of two voices, those of one man and one woman, or indeed of a single voice, that of Tiresias, the man who was changed into a woman and back into a man, according to Ovid’s Metamorphoses, who foresaw the destruction of Thebes, according to Sophocles’s Oedipus the King, and who was visited by Odysseus in the underworld in book eleven of the Odyssey. The central role of Tiresias suggests that the various voices of the poem can be understood as a sort of chorus, with each part being spoken by representatives of one sex or the other. I Tiresias, though blind, throbbing between two lives, Old man with wrinkled female breasts, can see At the violet hour, the evening hour that strives Homeward, and brings the sailor home from sea ( lines 218_221 ) Eliot brings the chaos of the modern civilization into his narrative structure, but he also shows a ray of hope to come out of the decay. The protagonist of the poem, Tiersias is a soothsayer from Greek legend, who narrates to the readers the situation of The Waste Land. Eliot forces multiperspectivism upon his readers. He juxtaposes many perspectives of the same idea or object by so many characters and multiplicity of narration. It let us to be aware of the limits of every perspective and of the desirability of moving from one perspective to another and, finally, of comprehending many perspectives at once. Eliot thus came to insist on an ideal of â€Å"variety in unityâ€Å" and as he mentioned in his Notes Towards the Definition of Culture ( 1948 ) â€Å" the variety is as essential as the unity â€Å". For Eliot, difference of perspective is not only necessary given our different sociohistorical situations, but its productive tension can provide for richer understanding and wider experience. The variety of voices and narrations, speaking in different languages, and different tones, indicates a world rich with possibility as well as confusion, with salvation as well as loss. Bibliography Antliff , Mark . Leighten , Patricia . A Cubism Reader: Documents and Criticism, 1906-1914. University Of Chicago Press, 2008. Barkaoui , Selma Mokrani . The Waste Land and The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock: A Comprative Approximation. University of Annaba, 2000. Bressler, Charles. 4th ed. Literary Criticism: an Introduction to Theory and Practice. New Jersey : Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. Brooker , Jewel Spears . Bentley, Joseph. Reading the Waste Land: Modernism and the Limits of Interpretation .University of Massachusetts ,Press, 1992. Castle, Gregory. The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory. Oxford: The Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Cottington , David. Cubism (Movements in Modern Art). Cambridge University Press, 1998. Cudden, J.A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms. New York: Penguin Books, 1982. Dwivedi , Amar Nath. T.s. Eliot A Critical Study. Atlantic Publishing , India , 2002 . Eliot ,T.S. Knowledge and Experience in the Philosophy of F. H. Bradley. Faber and Faber ,1964. Eliot ,T.S. Notes Towards the Definition of Culture. Harcourt; First American Edition edition , 1949 . The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia. Columbia University Press, 2004. Frazer, Sir James George. The Golden bough: A Study of Magic and Religion. ed. Robert Frazer. Oxford: Oxford World’s Classics, 1998. Gantefà ¼hrer-Trier, Anne . Cubism.Taschen, 2004. Glaser , Brian. A Hegelian Reading of T.S . Eliot’s Negativity. University of California, Berkeley , 2005. Guerin, Wilfred L. et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. New York: Harper & Row Publisher, 1992. Gwinn, Robert et al. Encyclopidia Britanica, Vol. 1. Chicago :Encyclopidia Britanica, Inc 1990. H.Timmerman , John . The Aristotelian Mr. Eliot: structure and strategy in The Waste Land. Calvin College , 2007 . http: //WWW.answer.com http:// WWW. Wikipedia.org Johnston , Ian . Lecture on T. S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and The Waste Land . A lecture delivered, in part, to the Liberal Studies 402 class on January 16, 1997. Maddrey , Joseph . The Making of T.S. Eliot: A Study of the Literary Influences. McFarland & Co Inc, 2009. Merrian-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield: Merrian- Webster, Inc , 2003. Moody , Anthony David .The Cambridge Companion to T. S. Eliot. Cambridge University Press , 1994. Quinn, Edward. Collins Dictionary of Literary Terms. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publisher. 2004. Radha, M.B. T.S.Eliot’s The Waste Land and Other Poems: Narain’s University Series of English Literature, 1977. Rajimwalve, Sharad. Dictionary of Literary Terms. New Delhi: K. S. Paperback, 1998. Rocha , Luiz Carlos Moreira . The Contemporaneity of T. S. Eliot’s Poetry and Thought. Ma. in Literary Theory (UFJF); Doctorating in Science of Literature (UFRJ). Wolfreys, Julian et al. Key Concepts in Literary Theory. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2002. Young ,R.V . Withered Stumps of Time: The Waste Land and Mythic Disillusion. The Intercollegiate Review , 2003 .

Have Gun, Will Travel…to Work

Question 1: Assume that either the Second Amendment or state law gives you a legal right to keep a gun in your car. Do you also have a moral right to do this? Do you have a moral, not only a legal, right to own a gun? Do you have either a moral or a legal right to park a car with a loaded gun in a public parking lot regardless of what the lot’s owner wants? No, I do not have a moral right keep a gun in my car regardless to the Second Amendment or state law gives me the right to keep a gun in my car. Although having a gun in your car is your legal right, the company policy may state it is prohibited.The difference between moral and legal is that your legal right supersedes moral rights. In today society the law over rides the moral aspect of most situations. If you are parked in a public parking lot and it is posted clearly no weapon allowed on the property then you must abide by their rules. Question 2: In your view, do employees have either a moral or a legal right to park ca rs with guns in them in the company parking lot? If so, what about the property rights and safety concerns of employers?If employees don’t have this right, would it be good policy for companies to allow them to stow guns in their cars anyway? Do companies have good grounds for being concerned about weapons in their parking lots? Employees do not have the right to disobey company policies regardless of their moral beliefs. When you are employed by a company, no matter how large or small they are, they have some form of written policies on what they expect of the their employees. Most companies have some type of mission statement about maintaining a safe work place environment.No it would not be a good idea for companies to allow guns to be stored in employees cars if there is a policy of no weapons in place. Companies have very good reason for been concerned with weapon in their parking lots because there are over five hundred work place homicides per year; in addition, 1. 5 m illion employees are assaulted at work, many of them by coworkers or former employees. Question 3: Do you agree with the NRA that if companies ban guns from their parking lots, this restriction would take â€Å"a wrecking ball to the Second Amendment† or nullify the right of people to have weapons for self-defense?Explain why or why not. In your view, have gun advocates been guilty of politicizing this issue? Do you think state legislatures are right to get involved, or should the matter be left to companies and employees to settle? No, I do not agree with the NRA that if companies ban guns from their parking lots, this restriction would take â€Å"a wrecking ball to the Second Amendment† or nullify the right of people to have weapons for self defense. The Second Amendment gives the owner of the property the right to refuse weapons on their private property.I feel everyone believes in the Second Amendment but some people feel more strongly about this issue than others and it is a political issue. The state legislature should not get involved when it pertains to the issue of private property such as company property policies. These types of matters should be left up to the company and their policy makers. Question 4: Because the workplace is the company’s private property, the company could choose, if it wished, to allow employees to bring guns not only into the parking lot but into the workplace itself.Are there ever circumstances in which doing so might be reasonable? Or would the presence of guns automatically violate the rights of other employees to be guaranteed a safe working environment? Some companies allow employees to bring guns not only into the parking lot but into the workplace itself such as police officers, security officers, banks, pawnshops and anywhere the company policy states that guns are allow with the permission of the company. This would not be a violation of the rights of other employees because it is the policy of the company.With such a policy there would have to be some sort of qualification, licensing, and liability. Question 5: What would a libertarian say about this issue? What considerations would a utilitarian have to take into account? What conclusion might he or she draw? A libertarian believes identify justice with an ideal of liberty. Liberty is the prime value, and justice consists in permitting each person to live as he or she pleases, free from interference of others. So, on the matter of gun control in the work place, a libertarian would say, â€Å"If he or she wants to carry a gun then no one should interfere†.Utilitarianism is the moral doctrine that we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions. In this matter a utilitarian would believe that the greatest happiness of all constitutes the standard that determines whether an action is right or wrong. Question 6: If you were on a company’s board of directors, what policy would you recommend regarding handguns, rifles, or other weapons in employees’ cars? In making your recommendation, what factors would you take into account?Would it make a difference how large the company was, the nature of its workforce, or where it was located? If you support banning firearms from the parking lot, what steps, if any, do you think the company should take to enforce that policy? I would recommend the policy of weapons free workplace which would include handguns, rifles, and other weapons in employees’ cars on company property. I would factor in the type of business, the nature of the workforce and where it’s located and then make a sound discussion.If necessary, I would have armed security officers for the safety of the employees and therefore the no weapons policy would still apply. Question 7: Explain whether (and why) you agree or disagree with the following argument: â€Å"If employees have the right to keep guns in the parking lot, then they also have a right to bring them into workplace. After all, we’re only talking about licensed, responsible owners, and same rationale applies: An employee might need a weapon for self-protection. What if a lunatic starts shooting up the company? † I disagree with part of this statement and agree with the other part.I agree with the statement because this is how people think, if they are allowed to bring their guns in the parking lot why not push the boundary and take it inside the building. Yah, you’re talking about licensed, responsible owners, and same rationale applies: An employee might need a weapon for self-protection. What if a lunatic starts shooting up the company? † What if the people allowed to carry that gun on property becomes the lunatic? When policies are put into place there’s usually a reason or a prevention method. Allowing people to have a weapon that close if they get mad or fired would be irresponsib le on the company’s part.

A Comparison of the Prince and the Analects Essays

A Comparison of the Prince and the Analects Essays A Comparison of the Prince and the Analects Essay A Comparison of the Prince and the Analects Essay Essay Topic: The Prince The Prince or The Analects By Rory Steuart Comparing the The Analects (confucious) with the Prince (Machiavelli) is something like comparing George bush and Elizabeth May of the green party. Basically the wrtitings of The Analects totally disagrees with the writings of The Prince. Confucius believes people are easily improved and taught through self promotion and development, Machaveli however sees humanity in a much different light. Machiavelli was an innovator of realism politics and believed that people of power should conduct themselves as tyrants. Machiavelli and Confucius are from totally different time periods and different places in the world. Which could possibly be the reason The Analects and The Prince are so very different(yet both lived in times of war). Machiavelli’s short Bio Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian state politician and well-known person of the Renaissance. Machiavelli was born on May 3rd, 1469. His father was Bernardo di Niccoli who came from an impoverished part of Florentine, there is little recorded about Machiavelli’s father. Machiavelli lived in Florence at a time of constant war and endangerment of other forces such as France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire all of which had an interest in Italy (quite possibly the main reason for Machiavelli’s philosophy). Machivelli was a major player in military dealings he had many diplomatic assignments. He met with the likes of Ferdinand II of Aragon, in Spain and to the Papacy in Rome, in the Italian states. Machiavelli examined Duke Cesare Borgia(son of the pope Alexander VI) who was a very important figure in the The Prince. From 1503 to 1509 Machiavelli controlled the militia of Florentine and was responsible for the cities defense. By 1512 the medici had regained control of Florence and decided to expel Machiavelli from office. In 1513, Machavelli was accused of conspiracy, while being contained Machiavelli was tortured but still had nothing to say. Machiavelli was released and retired back to Florence where he then wrote the Prince. Confucius shot Bio Confucius was given the name Kung Fu-tzu which means Great Master Kung. Confucius is believed to have been born either in 551 BC or 552 BC. Confucius father died when he was only three years old so his mother raised him. After the death of his father Confucius and his mother were forced to live in poverty. Confucius was a police chief in the city of Lu where he made many diplomatic arrangements. Confucius dedicated most of the rest of his life towards teaching and he died in Lu in 479 BC. The most thorough usual account of Confuciuss life is contained in the Records of the Historian by Ssu-ma Chien, many people believe this is fake nonetheless it is the closest to a biography of Confucius as you can get. Family Machiavelli does not discuss the thoroughly the importance of family very much in the Prince. However in the very first chapter Machiavelli proclaims that it is much easier to control a hereditary princedom than one that is created or passed over. Confucius was man who believed that a strong family was the key having a strong society. Confucius sees the family as the beginning and the place where great men are brought up in families with good relationships. Confucius also believed that the best teacher is usually a parent. Confucius believed that even if a person was not born smart they could still be taught the more important virtues of respect, loyalty, obedience, humility, trustworthiness and you guessed it love of ones parents. A great deal of importance was concentrated on loving and learning from your parents. War and aggression Since Machiavelli ponders so much on the importance of a strong army and strong defense I will focus much of Machiavelli’s portion of the essay on war and aggression. In the Prince Machiavelli has a win at all costs notion on war, being wicked and immoral are strategies. Machiavelli believed that a Prince should concentrate on being feared before being loved. A prince has land that is always in danger of invasion from others, for this reason Machiavelli believes that a prince should worry about himself and have very little worry for others. A prince has plenty to worry about during times of war and everyone is out to get you so you must be greedy and heinous in times of war. The prince declares that the nation state comes first before individuals. A strong prince can encounter any enemy in war. The prince proclaims a ruler must not depend on fortifications. A ruler who can’t create a fearsome army and relies only on defense is not a strong ruler. Machiavelli does focus a lot on the importance of having a city that is unable to be taken by siege, but if you must be able to raise your own army to go on the attack. Therefore a Prince must have a heavily fortified city and be able to deploy an army of his own. Machiavelli believes that the foundation of a strong Nation State is a strong army. According to The prince the most important part of being a leader is studying the art of war. Staying in power is a main point in the prince and to stay in power a Prince must conduct a strong army. The Prince proclaims not only do you need a strong army but also you need to be in total control of that army. â€Å"Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank† (The Prince nline-literature. com/machiavelli/prince/14/ chapter 14). Even in times of peace a prince must be ready for enemy attacks and more importantly to continually consider the possibility of war. It is obvious that the Prince concentrates a large portion of the book war and author Machiavelli thinks it is the main point of being a political leader. The Prince conveys an almost evil war-mongering ideal to the reader of what a ruler should be. The Analects actually disagrees with The Prince almost totally, the Analects preach that there is no need for war and that peace is the answer. An oppressive government is fiercer and more feared than a tiger† (The Analects). The Analects preach to do what is right and not what gives you an advantage (total opposite of the Prince). Oddly enough like Machiavelli, Confucius was also lived in a time of constant war yet he decided to look at this violence from a different approach. Money and Private Property The prince declares that more importantly than money and other luxuries is political knowledge. Since the prince approaches this all topics as a leader the Prince is concerned mainly with principalities and luxuries. The prince inquires that Property and possessions are necessary for the structure of a successful society. Machiavelli believed property of land makes sure the land will be productive and all people are using land efficiently. The prince states there are only principalities and republics. As a principality the ruler usually gains leadership through hereditary selection. In these cases a Prince should be getting the most productivity from the land. The prince supports tyranny with this comes certain amount greed. The prince states that a ruler must be greedy because if a ruler is too generous with his wealth then his subjects will intend to take advantage of his generosity. Therefore princes must not be too gluttonous but at the same time not be taken advantage of by their peers. Machiavelli insists, â€Å"except to his cost, if he is wise he ought not to fear the reputation of being mean† (chapter 16 The Prince). What this can be translated to is that you cannot get caught up on being loved for generosity instead you must try to deflect hatred from accounting your money. In times of war it is important to have a surplus of goods and money so you do not have to tax your own people. â€Å"In a country Well governed Poverty is something to be ashamed of, in a poorly governed country wealth is something to be a shamed of( rightwords. eu /quotes/author/Confucius39/poverty- 140). The Analects support this very much so in many instances Confucius points out the obvious reasons for poverty. In the Analects it is depicted that the honorable man will concentrate himself on mortality before thinking about poverty, money or profit. The Analects constantly preaches the importance of Mortality and the art of being a gentleman are much more important than being rich in money and other luxuries. Law Authority and Government Machiavelli was an autocrat ruler or at least he was in his writings citing that republics can be easily broken up. Machiavelli strongly believed in principalities for many reasons although he does allow some exception where they can be problematic. The Prince states those principalities, which are passed down hereditarily, are easily entered into. On the other hand principalities taken by force are subject to fall due to the ways the ruler went about taking control of the principality. Machiavelli states a prince must be seen as gracious, and religious, but he must only seem to have these qualities (chapter 15). Princes must only be perceived to have these qualities for a prince will need to act in the opposite manner of these traits in order to keep his power. â€Å"The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both†(The Prince Chapter 17). Once again a very important point that leadership inquires you is powerful. Confucius was extremely adamant on teaching â€Å"The Way† and even thought that the Government should follow this philosophy. â€Å"The good ruler is obeyed even though he doesnt give orders, while the bad ruler is not, even though he does. How can we know what to obey, if the good ruler doesnt give orders? But we already know what is good, and if we do that, we are obeying the good ruler. The bad ruler simply wants things for himself. There is no eason why we should do that, if we can help it† ( friesian. com/confuciu. htm). The differences in how The Prince says a ruler should be and the Analects are actually humorous how different these schools of thought really are. Leading by example is a reoccurring ideology in the Analects. A person in power is to govern his or her people by example and not by force. Governing by laws and punishments does not cultivate the virtue of the people. â€Å"Go verning by moral force and ritual and good manners does† ( friesian. om/confuciu. htm). The analects does not much talk about the importance of laws and more on the importance of being a superior man. In being a superior man a person of power must be loved and teach his people instead of keeping them in fear. Conclusion In the introduction it was stated that Machiavelli’s the Prince and Confucius Analects were almost complete opposites. On just about every topic the two schools of thought contradict each other. When it comes to family the Prince basically only mentions family if it concerns politics. For example Machiavelli talks a lot about differences between hereditarily owned principalities and ones taken by force. Confucius on the other hand basically speaks on family and especially parents are the building blocks to a person’s life. As for war these to again have totally different ideologies the Prince says a ruler should always study war. On the other hand The Analects preach that a ruler who has to rule with fear and is impart of a lot of wars they have already failed as a ruler. As for fortune Machiavelli saw this as very important and believed a ruler should be very greedy and save his fortune for times where it is needed. Confucius did not see the importance of money or luxury and believed practicing being a gentleman or wise man was much more important. The Prince believes in a realist government that believes in keeping fear in its people and keeping absolute power. Confucius again is much more concerned with having a government that leads its people by example and attempts to improve life. These two obviously cannot agree on anything

Rajneesh Movement

Rajneesh Movement Rajneesh Movement Rajneesh is a multicultural movement following the teachings of the mysterious Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, an Indian extremist who lived between the years 1931 and 1990. It appears to be an amorphous peculiar religious cult which still has its following today. However, it can also be regarded as a terrorist group because of its subversive acts. Its threat was greatly felt in the 1970s and 1980s when it prolifically wrecked significant havoc to the communities living in India and Oregon. One of the major threats associated with this movement is bioterrorism. This is an act of intentionally releasing harmful microorganisms, like various viruses, bacteria and toxins, in order to poison, contaminate or even kill people. The emergence of this lethal act can be traced to the early 1980s when the cult members applied such methods to cause tension in Oregon City (Carter, L.F. E.Q. Campbell, 2000). They performed such actions because they were in dire need of influencing the local election in order to gain certain power and position in the newly established regime. Thus, the organization also resorted to other strategies like food poisoning. They believed that conducting such actions would help them to be much stronger than any other minority group in Oregon. Today, bioterrorism has become one of the major issues affecting the worlds security. Since the world and its societies have become more divided along religious and geographical lines, many people have taken advantage of this state of affairs to resort to the use of this deadly weapon in dealing with potential enemies. In the United States of America (USA), bioterrorism has been in existence since the attempt by the members of Rajneesh cult who deliberately poisoned 75 people. In other words, it has become a major threat to both the local, state and federal governments as well as innocent American citizens. Sporadic cases of bioterrorist activities have emerged in the recent past. For instance, in 2001, anthrax was used to kill at least five innocent Americans. Hence, the government has responded by instituting the US Army's 20th Support Command (CBRNE) and the United States Marine Corps' Chemical Biological Incident Response Force as specialized units to tackle the menace (Tucker, J .B. C.W. Seth, 2008).

Legal literacy Solicitors Journal - Emphasis

Legal literacy Solicitors Journal Legal literacy Solicitors Journal As a solicitor, its likely that youre a skilled oral communicator. But if youre less than confident when it comes to writing, youre not alone. Many professionals havent received formal writing training and instead rely on copying the style of their predecessors. Unfortunately, traditional legal writing contains many archaic, wordy phrases, which can be a little perplexing for the average person. Communicating complex legal ideas isnt always easy. But youre treading on rocky ground if you dont pay attention to your reader. If your client finds your written documents vague, hard to understand or confusing, they may call elsewhere next time. Alternatively, they may begin to mistrust you or suspect that you are hiding something. Keeping it clear and simple The modern alternative is to opt for plain language a move that is becoming increasingly popular within the legal profession. For instance, Nabarro recently launched a high-profile, firm-wide Clarity Matters campaign to simplify the way it writes. The firm is working towards writing all its contracts in plain English. Its also provided specialist writing-skills training for all its fee earners and legal secretaries, as well as for many of its support staff. Other firms, such as SJ Berwin, DLA Piper and CMS Cameron McKenna, have also commissioned specialist writing-training programmes. What is plain language? Crucially, plain language is not about dumbing down or patronising the reader. Instead, it takes technical, difficult or complex ideas and communicates them in a structured, easy-to-read way. The first step is to think about your reader and avoid a one size fits all approach. Pick the best words to communicate your thoughts, depending on whether your reader is a lawyer or a layperson. At each stage, ask yourself whether they would be able to instantly understand what you mean. Plain language also means including technical language where necessary. Its about being precise and clarifying your points. A new legal language Its not only laypeople who are reaping the benefits of plain language programmes. An American study by law professor Joseph Kimble asked judges to state whether they preferred legal paragraphs written in plain English or traditional style. The majority of judges preferred the plain language versions. The message is that its worth making the extra effort to gain your readers trust by ensuring that your written communication is clear. All you need are the right tools and a little attention to detail. Here are the five major mistakes solicitors make and ways to fix them. Mistake one: unnecessary words, such as therein, herein, forthwith and aforesaid Poor prose: I herein enclose the contract for the aforesaid book, as requested Better prose: I enclose the contract for the book, as requested. Even better prose: Here is the contract for the book you requested. The herein and aforesaid in this example are just unnecessary and make the sentence sound archaic and stilted. Replacing them makes the sentence much more readable. Note that often as in this case it also makes it easier to edit the sentence further. Mistake two: verbosity Poor prose: Pursuant to the recent communication of the improper proposal that the information be falsified, such assertion could only have been ascertained or appreciated from a full, detailed review of the meeting notes. Better prose: The claim that the information was falsified is wrong. This would have been clear if a detailed review of the meeting notes had been conducted. The author of the first example is more than a little disgruntled. But the message is hidden behind too much flowery language. The second suggestion gets to the heart of the problem and makes the meaning clear. Note that the author uses the passive voice in the second example to soften the blow. You dont always have to use the active voice (see mistake four); just make sure that if you do use it, you do so consciously. Mistake three: using nouns instead of verbs Poor prose: In the case of X, we believe the company is in possession of a structure that would be acceptable for securitisation. Better prose: X possesses [or has] a structure that is acceptable for securitisation. Possession is a noun, whereas possesses is a verb. Verbs create action in the sentence which moves the pace along and helps keep the readers interest. We believe has also been taken out as the sentence already asserts the writers belief. Mistake four: overuse of the passive voice Poor prose: The role played by the client in the project has been investigated. Better prose: X investigated the clients role in the project. The first example doesnt tell us who investigated the role, creating a very impersonal tone. Using the active voice makes the writing easier to read. It also forces you to say who or what (the agent) is taking the action. The second example is more specific, which makes the reader feel connected to whats happening. Of course, the passive voice can also be useful when you dont want to admit responsibility for an action. Mistake five: long, complex sentences and paragraphs Poor prose: As per earlier correspondence, I have attached the quotes that we have obtained from three firms (a) Hooke, Lyne and Siennker (contacts David Hooke and Franz Siennker) (This is separate from the law firm but forms part of the same group, and also has a different administrative team)(b) Edna Clouds (contacts Clare Edna and Michael Clouds) and (c) Maybey Knott who are a limited company (the contacts there are Noel Maybey and James Knott). Better prose: Following our previous correspondence, I have attached quotes from three firms. The contacts for Hooke, Lyne and Siennker are David Hooke and Franz Siennker. Please note that this firm has a separate administration team, even though it is part of the same group. Edna Clouds contacts are Clare Edna and Michael Clouds. Maybey Knott Ltds contacts are Noel Maybey and James Knott. A sentence more than three lines is far too long. In the first example, there are also too many brackets and too much information squeezed in one space, which can become confusing. The second example takes out all the brackets and sets everything out much more clearly. Remember, writing clearly can save you both time and money. It may mean a bit of extra effort, but it may well pay dividends. Robert Ashton is Chief Executive of Emphasis, the specialist business writing trainers.

Describe and discuss how OSHA makes use of Section 5(a)(1) of the Act Assignment

Describe and discuss how OSHA makes use of Section 5(a)(1) of the Act - Assignment Example 1). For the clause to be invoked, there must be a hazard that is existing although there are consensus standards (as agreed upon) which exposes an employee to potential physical injury or even possibly serious harm such as hospitalization or death. Hazard here means danger, and it is quite subjective but as long as there is potential injury or harm, then a hazardous situation exists. The hazard must be recognized or evident, such as a construction worker who is above a scaffold that is ten feet high but working without a safety belt or no rails were being provided by the construction company. The law requires safety measures (belt or rails) for anyone who works at more than six feet in any construction-related project to prevent accidental falls. A fall at more than six feet height is very likely to cause serious physical harm, such as a broken arm, broken leg or a broken neck (resulting in paralysis) or even much worse, death (if the worker happens to fall head first). Just because no accident has happened yet does not mean a hazard does not exist, and the General Duty Clause is precisely intended to prevent accidents. The employer (construction firm) must provide abatement measures that will reduce or eliminate the hazard from an accidental fall, such as issuing safety belts or building those rails. It is feasible or easily doable by the company but may entail some additional expense on its

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Human Resource Management - Essay Example Many of the companies allow casual Fridays however, Morrison’s office does not allow casual on any day of the working week. Morrison argues that formal dress code is more important for the companies who have front-line client dealing and if a company does not have any such dealing then in that case ditching the suits may boost the morale of employees. Therefore, Career Partners 3 has been following â€Å"business only† trend for years. On the other hand, HR Solutions Incorporation has recently changed the dress code from business casual to casual dresses. HR Solutions is a Chicago-based international human resources pollster. The representative of company, Amelia Forczak argues that when employees are given free choice to wear anything, it shoes the level of trust on the employees and it also empowers the staff and improves their efficiency. Forczak argues that the recent decision of adopting business casual to casual dress code has been taken after conducting the inter nal surveys. The recent internal survey of the company has shown that rather than dressing up casually on Friday only, employees are more comfortable in wearing casual every day. At HR Solutions, preference is given to the workers on what they want to ensure to achieve the productivity. Forczak argues that if by only changing wardrobe of workers which is not difficult to implement, the company can achieve a quick win then what else the company wants. However, Forczak has also highlighted the point that if companies are not having direct dealing with employees then they can be provided relaxations in dress codes to make them feel more comfortable. Moreover, Forczak considers it as a good practice in leadership to keep up a affinity with the workers. Therefore, Forczak is very satisfied from the decision of changing dress code. A study conducted by HR Solutions in 2011 suggests that out of the total employees only 27 percent of employees at workplace are actively involved and the rema ining 73 percent of employees are either recognised as â€Å"actively disengaged† or â€Å"ambivalent†. In May 2010, when the company conducted a poll it was found that 55 percent of employees were of the view that they did not have a traditional dress code and 44 percent said they had to wear suits and ties. In this essay, the HRM models and concepts will be used to analyse whether the move from business casual dress code to casual dress code at HR Solutions is a suitable move for the company. HRM Implications Dress code is an important aspect of corporate culture and when it comes to decide whether a casual or a formal dress code is suitable for a company, various opinions come on screen. A recently conducted survey findings suggest that 41 percent of the companies believe that workers who are dressed more professionally are more likely to be promoted as compared to the workers who are not dressed professionally and this figure may vary based on industry such as in f inancial services, 55 percent of the companies have this opinion (Haefner, 2008 cited in Cardon & Okoro, 2009). Dress codes appear to be a major focus of service organisations where the employees directly interact with the customers. Billions of dollars are being spent by service organisations on defining, acquiring, managing and monitoring the dresses of employees and manuals of these company contain detailed illustrations about the dresses ranging from uniform

Changes In School Security Policies Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Changes In School Security Policies - Article Example From the analysis of alternatives, installation of synchronized doors and effective emergency response procedures are the best policies. It is followed closely by special sections for disabled children and placing more responsibilities on school administrators. Considering all factors; economic, social and environment, the most suitable policy is the enhancement of school security systems and revision of emergency procedures. The policy is suitable since it offers the remedy for insecurity at a lower social cost. Moreover, the policy is affordable since the only cost involved is the installation of security systems. Revision of emergency response is costless. The policy can respond well to emergent issues such as child disappearance, and violence in school. Automatic doors ensure that only authorized persons to leave or enter a school. The policy would avert incidences such as carrying weapons to school. The policy would have averted the Avonte Oquendo case since he could not have el oped from school. The proposed policy is within the bounds of the law. However, legal experts may scrutinize the costs and follow up on the implementation. In addition, the policy does not negatively affect the subjects and the community. Critics may argue about the costs and time that it may take to fully implement the policy. However, most public policies are rolled out gradually, starting with the riskiest aspects. This implies that the policy would not be instant, but a gradual policy, allowing all stakeholders to familiarize with it.

Solar Panel Energy as an Alternative to Traditional Electrical Energy Research Paper

Solar Panel Energy as an Alternative to Traditional Electrical Energy for Residental Dwellings - Research Paper Example The solar energy is a significant source of energy to all living things on the earth. Traditionally, individuals depended on fossil fuels such as coal and oil for electricity production. However, coal and oil being fossil fuels are infinite and cannot be renewed or regenerate themselves. According to research conducted, it is evident that the fossil fuel reserves will become exhausted in few centuries to come. Traditionally, there existed a belief that an alternative fuel to coal and oil would be nuclear power. However, its rate of nuisance is characterized by the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe in Japan. This has made solar energy to be regarded as the best replacement for fossil fuels. This is because of its greatest accuracy and safety. In addition to that, it is the most reliable and impressive energy source. For instance, the solar radiation on an average day can be five times higher in summer as compared to winter. Nevertheless, in winter to be precise during the sunny day, it is po ssible to capture a radiation of 4-5kWh/M2 /day. This is possible in regardless of the temperatures within the surrounding (Brown, 2006). Solar systems and panels are significant in solar power exploitation and have application in various dimensions. These are such as, domestic hot water preparation, heating of pool water, technology process heating and heating of buildings via heat input. In residential dwellings, there is incorporation of solar thermal systems that are modern without any difficulties in the facilities of the building (Hodgson, 2008). Furthermore, the systems have a longer lifespan (more than 20yrs) thus making them to be effective in complementing the modern technology of heating. Thus, the purpose of this proposal is to analyze solar panel energy as an alternative to traditional electrical energy for residential dwellings. Problem Statement The demand for energy in the world is increasing rapidly. People require energy to communicate, light their houses, and prep are their meals among other functions. The demand is as a result of increased population growth and individuals living standards. The utilization of energy in the world has doubled over centuries. The main source of energy being utilized in the world is oil whose production is projected to peak in the coming few years. Another most utilized source of energy is coal. Coal and oil greatly pollutes the environment. For instance, they are the major causes of climate change and acid rain. That is why the world needs urgently cleaner energy to satisfy its energy demands and reduce negative environmental impacts as a result of traditional method of electrical production. Justification of the study Many environmentalists and scientists perceive that the world needs to reduce on its greenhouse gas emission for purposes of decreasing global warming. Greener energies such as solar power provide a solution to this problem. Even though solar energy is a cleaner alternative source of energy, ther e exist many challenges that need to be addressed. The challenge is such as its ability to be utilized on a wide scale and replace the utilization of fossil fuels as the principal source of energy. In comparison to other methods of electricity production, solar energy is a renewable form of energy that is clean; the solar panels can be utilized sufficiently and effectively to heat homes and water.

Marks and spencer assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marks and spencer assignment - Coursework Example In the consolidated statement of financial position of M&S, the company have many subsidiaries or associate companies. However, when the consolidated cash flows are analysed, they reflect ‘acquisition of subsidiaries’ amounting to 5.4 million pounds in 2010. Operating segments-IFRS 8 Marks & Spencer Group Plc adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 8- operating segments on 29 March 2009. This Standard requires the internal reporting should be used as a base to report the performance of operating segments of an entity. The Group has reshaped its operating segments as UK and International and their performance is reviewed by the executive directors. On the basis of review, the chief executives ascertain the amount of the further resources. The UK segment comprises of the UK franchise operations and UK retail business. The International segment operates in the Republic of Ireland, Asia and Europe, together with international franchise operations. In the ye ar of 2009 and 2010, the Group made revenue of 8164.3 and 8567.9 billion pounds from UK operations respectively, and from the International segment, the Group posted 897.8 and 968.7 billion pounds in the year 2009 and 2010 respectively. Analysis The Group has shown less attractive financial performance. The above financial information suggests that the company earns more than 90% its revenue from its UK segment and the remaining comes from the International segment. Aggregately, much of the financial performance can be evaluated from the UK segment. In comparing the UK segment revenue of 2009 and 2010, the aggregate addition is around 403.6 (8567.9-8164.3), which is 4.94%. Also, there are no attractive figures of 2010, highlighting a stable growth in UK clothing and footwear. In terms of volume market share, only 11.2% in 2010 and the same figure was displayed in the year 2009. Furthermore, in terms of value market share, the growth percentage of 2010 is 11.0% and 10.7% in the year 2009. Without any doubt, such growth figures do not satisfy the current shareholders, nor could they attract the potential shareholders. The unattractive figures are also reported in UK market share food, in 2010 M&S posted mere 3.8 % in comparison with 3.9% in the year 2009. Instead of showing growth, in the UK market share of food segment, M&S has decreased and market share is slightly down (Kantar world panel, web).This means in the year of 2010, the company has only shown such a minimum level of revenue growth. Additionally, from the International segment the aggregate growth 70.9(968.7-897.8), which is 7.89%. Even this growth rate is not as attractive as it should be. Goodwill-impairment The Group does not amortise goodwill. However, it ensures that each year goodwill is tested for the purpose of impairment with the recoverable amount. And the recoverable amount is calculated from value in use. The Group uses the discount rate, changes in income and costs and growth rates as th e key assumptions for the value in use calculations. Additionally, the Group prepares forecasts of discounted cash flows. They are prepared with the use of previous financial performance and predications for future developments in market for a period of three years. Cash flow occurring beyond this time period; are assessed and extrapolated with the use of a growth rate of 2% on the assumption that it must not increase more than the long-term average growth rate for the Group’s retail businesses. However, the Group owns certain brands and they are

Children cartoons Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Children cartoons - Case Study Example The fact that children are highly influenced during their formative years makes cartoons both a blessing and a threat. On a physical level, recent research has shown that watching cartoons can help to reduce pain in children facing medical procedures (Jenkins). It is theorized that cartoons cause a change in brain chemistry and may also be able to improve the child's sense of well-being. However, critics contend that the young viewer may copy behavior seen in cartoons. Research has found a "positive, though weak, relation between exposure to television violence and aggressive behaviour" (Research on the Effects of Media Violence). Cartoons have the ability to influence either for the good or the detriment of the child. In conclusion, cartoons are the most fundamental introduction that many children have to our culture. It has been shown that television, and cartoons, do have an effect on young viewers. It is important to consider that the program content may work to improve the child's sense of self and well being, or elicit the negative attitudes, such as aggression, that parents work hard to control.

Marks and spencer assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marks and spencer assignment - Coursework Example In the consolidated statement of financial position of M&S, the company have many subsidiaries or associate companies. However, when the consolidated cash flows are analysed, they reflect ‘acquisition of subsidiaries’ amounting to 5.4 million pounds in 2010. Operating segments-IFRS 8 Marks & Spencer Group Plc adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 8- operating segments on 29 March 2009. This Standard requires the internal reporting should be used as a base to report the performance of operating segments of an entity. The Group has reshaped its operating segments as UK and International and their performance is reviewed by the executive directors. On the basis of review, the chief executives ascertain the amount of the further resources. The UK segment comprises of the UK franchise operations and UK retail business. The International segment operates in the Republic of Ireland, Asia and Europe, together with international franchise operations. In the ye ar of 2009 and 2010, the Group made revenue of 8164.3 and 8567.9 billion pounds from UK operations respectively, and from the International segment, the Group posted 897.8 and 968.7 billion pounds in the year 2009 and 2010 respectively. Analysis The Group has shown less attractive financial performance. The above financial information suggests that the company earns more than 90% its revenue from its UK segment and the remaining comes from the International segment. Aggregately, much of the financial performance can be evaluated from the UK segment. In comparing the UK segment revenue of 2009 and 2010, the aggregate addition is around 403.6 (8567.9-8164.3), which is 4.94%. Also, there are no attractive figures of 2010, highlighting a stable growth in UK clothing and footwear. In terms of volume market share, only 11.2% in 2010 and the same figure was displayed in the year 2009. Furthermore, in terms of value market share, the growth percentage of 2010 is 11.0% and 10.7% in the year 2009. Without any doubt, such growth figures do not satisfy the current shareholders, nor could they attract the potential shareholders. The unattractive figures are also reported in UK market share food, in 2010 M&S posted mere 3.8 % in comparison with 3.9% in the year 2009. Instead of showing growth, in the UK market share of food segment, M&S has decreased and market share is slightly down (Kantar world panel, web).This means in the year of 2010, the company has only shown such a minimum level of revenue growth. Additionally, from the International segment the aggregate growth 70.9(968.7-897.8), which is 7.89%. Even this growth rate is not as attractive as it should be. Goodwill-impairment The Group does not amortise goodwill. However, it ensures that each year goodwill is tested for the purpose of impairment with the recoverable amount. And the recoverable amount is calculated from value in use. The Group uses the discount rate, changes in income and costs and growth rates as th e key assumptions for the value in use calculations. Additionally, the Group prepares forecasts of discounted cash flows. They are prepared with the use of previous financial performance and predications for future developments in market for a period of three years. Cash flow occurring beyond this time period; are assessed and extrapolated with the use of a growth rate of 2% on the assumption that it must not increase more than the long-term average growth rate for the Group’s retail businesses. However, the Group owns certain brands and they are

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

Clyfford still - Essay Example The artist’s feelings are also on the surface as it is clear that Still sympathized with those people and he is also very sad that some people had to live in such conditions. It is also possible to assume that the artist feels that the American society cannot be called a just one, as there are so many poor people who do not enjoy equal rights and do not have equal opportunities with the rest of Americans. As far as I am concerned, the painting made quite a strong impression on me. The first thing that caught my eye was the hands (as well as feet) of the man and the woman. It is clear that very poor people are depicted. The hands can be regarded as a symbol of hard work and large feet can symbolize distances that these people have to cover. I felt sorrow for the couple who had to work very hard day after day. My sad feelings were enhanced by the posture of the couple. The man and the woman are absolutely devastated. I almost felt their weariness. I assume that these two people are not only tired of the work, they are also tired of their lives. The man and the woman are dreaming and I feel they do not have any dreams as they have no enough powers to create any images in their heads, since they are too tired. Finally, one element attracted my special attention. The horseshoe, which is the symbol of good luck, can be regarded as a symbol of hope in the painting. The couple could hope that they might someday overcome their difficulties and live a happy and prosperous life. However, I do not feel that there is any hope for the two people. Unfortunately, when I am looking at the painting, I can only see despair and endless suffering of the couple as well as millions of other people all over the

The NFL Strikes of 1982 and 1987 Essay Example for Free

The NFL Strikes of 1982 and 1987 Essay Introduction The National Football League (NFL) strikes of 1982 and 1987 were considered groundbreaking events in the NFL but not because it succeeded in its aims. On the contrary, they can justifiably be called abysmal failures. In its failures, the two events gained notoriety and a place in history as: the shortest season in the history of football; the first time replacements were used in a professional football game; and focused on the issue of free agency among football players. This paper will provide an overview of the actual events and discuss the how it went wrong. Background In order to understand the NFL strikes of 1982 and 1987, it would be important to give a background on the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The union formed with the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns agreed to join up in 1956 to demand minimum wage and other benefits of NFL players. They were helped in getting the rest of the players of the 28 teams in the NFL sign in by Don Shula (Baltimore Colts), Frank Gifford and Sam Gifford (New York Giants) and Norm Van Brocklin (Los Angeles Rams). (â€Å"National Football League Players Association,† 2007) The NFLPA was not blessed with much influence with the owners of the league, and were pretty much ineffective in pushing their aims and goals through. An attempt to strike prior to the start of the 1956 season did not even get off the ground. Prior to 1982, players operated under a very loose arrangement with team owners; signing bonuses were unheard of and often there were no contracts. The pay scale was far from standard; rookies could be earning more than players of several years standing, unbeknownst to either player. Usually, it was no big deal, until players found out about, usually during shower conversations. (Forbes, 2001) Players also had the most rudimentary of health insurance and training support in terms of finances from the team owners. It was not a given that player uniforms were paid for by the team owners and that they were paid even when injured and unable to play. Because team owners refused to take the calls of the NFLPA for meetings seriously, declining even to show up, the union leaders threatened to file an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, emboldened by the a recent ruling the Supreme Court in which it denied immunity of the NFL from antitrust laws. The union milked this for all it was worth in the ensuing years, succeeding in winning small victories such as pension and health plans. However, it was not until 1968, twelve years after it was first formed that it became recognized as the official labor union of the NFL. Players went on strike duriong training led by the Cleveland Brown’s Bernie Parrish at the instigation of a major labor union, and the team owners retaliated by locking down the training camps. Afyet a brief interval, a compromise was rached the the NFLPA gained its union contract, such as it was (â€Å"National Football League Players Association,† 2007). The contract was one-sided at best, leaving players with very little leverage during subsequent strikes in 1970, 1974 and 1975 and they were plagued by players crossing the picket line, breaking up the solidarity (Staudohar, 1988). III. The strike of ‘82 The impetus for the 1982 strike was a combination of several factors. After the aborted 1974 strike, lawyer Edward Garvey took over a executive director of the NFLPA. Formerly from the firm representing the NFLPA, Garvey was not new to collective bargaining, and he was determined that the players would get the concessions they have been asking for. It was also at this time that the news spread about an agreement with a television station would almost tripled the owners’ television revenues compared to the previous year. Moreover, the United States Football League (USFL) was slated to start in 1983, effectively breaking the monopoly of the NFL and giving football players more bargaining leverage. All these factors led to the declaration of a strike by the NFLPA on September 19, 1982 and it would last 57 days until November 16 of the same year. The union demanded that players get 55% of the gross revenues of the league. (â€Å"National Football League Players Association,† 2007) Despite the solid front displayed by the players, the NFL refused to give in, opting to shave 7 games off the 16-game season, which was the period in which the strike was ongoing. In the meantime, union leaders organized several â€Å"all-star games† but these did not fare well with the fans nor did it generate sufficient interest for television coverage. In the end, with the networks failing to support the players and the NFL standing fast, the strike ended without the players getting their 55%. When the USFL started in 1983, players were able to bargain for better terms or leave the league. (Staudohar, 1988) The 1987 strike In the interim between the 1982 and 1987 strike, developments in the professional sport led to the demands for better pay as well as the right to free agency. The contract between the NFL and the union was set to expire on August 31, 1987. In 1986, the USFL ceased to operate, emboldening the NFL to allow the strike to happen without fear of the players going to the USFL. The NFLPA had also managed to publish the first NFLPA Base Salary Directory, which provided the basis for salary negotiations for players. (Forbes, 2001) The actual strike was again triggered by a television contract, this time increasing the NFL owners’ revenues to $17,000,000. This time, the union negotiators, Jack Donlan and football player Gene Upshaw have had experience in collective bargaining prior to the strike, and worked well with each other. However, the negotiators had bosses, and the there were a lot of dissenting voices. This is not surprising considering that there was one representative from each of the 28 teams, forming them union’s labor policy making team called the Management Council led by executive director Jack Donlan and another six delegates to form the Council Executive Committee. It was Donlan’s responsibility to promote cohesion in the demands of the union as well as ensure that negotiations keep to limits set by the Council members. Some of the union demands were as follows: minimum salaries severance pay right to free agency elimination of artificial turf (Staudohar, 1988) A football player’s professional life is short, less than four years before becoming too injured to continue playing. Therefore, it is logical that they try to get as much money as they are able to during their productive seasons. However, the 1987 strike did not really emphasize this. What was emphasized by the players who were interviewed and in the subsequent negotiations of union leaders was the right to free agency. Free agency is about a professional player’s right to negotiate with any number of teams for the sale of their services once their contract expires provided they had fulfilled some conditions of tenure. There are five categories of free agency: unrestricted (UFA); restricted (RFA); exclusive-rights (EFA); franchise (FFA); and transitional (TFA). In UFA, a player with at least four years under his belt can change teams without restrictions. RFA dictates that a player of at least three years standing can negotiate for his transfer to another team, but his previous team has the right to match the other team’s offer and retain rights to the player if they do so. If the previous team declines to match the offer, the new team will have to give compensation to the previous team in the form of draft picks. EFA players have less than three years with the league and his team will have to make an offer before the NFL deadline or the player becomes a UFA player. A player designated as FFA is a UFA player for whom a new team, if the previous team declines to match the offer, must remit compensation to the previous team. The TFA player receive an offer from the previous team for minimum higher amount based on last salary i.e. 120% of salary and the previous team has seven days to make the offer. If the offer is not made, the player can sign on with the new team which does not need to compensate the previous team. (â€Å"Free agency definitions explanations,† 2004) The strike was announced on September 22, 1987 and almost immediately, things started to go awry. Because Upshaw as one of the union negotiators was not always present during the bargaining for the new contract, NFL officials complained to the National Labor Relations Board that this was a deliberate ploy to justify a strike due to non-progression in the talks, and claimed bad faith. This strengthened the position of the team owners, and they decided to outface the strikers by bringing in replacement players to play in their stead. The season’s games continued as planned. Replacement players, also referred to as â€Å"scabs† are usually former college football players, or those players who got cut during the draft. This was an unprecedented move by the NFL team owners and was considered a â€Å"dirty† trick. (Farsnworth, 2002) However, the public relations of the NFL got busy in representing the NFL as being in the right, and the fact that by the first week of the strike major players crossed the picket line seemed to reinforce this impression. The break in solidarity, and the failure of union leaders to get the team owners to comply with their terms, led to the ending of the strike on October 15, 1987. The same day, the NFLPA filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL team owners, an arena in which they have been more successful before, much more than on the picket line. Eventually, though the 1987 suit was dismissed, another lawsuit filed in 1989 which was more successful and the courts ruled in favor of the players. After going back to negotiations, the team owners agreed to permit free agency with certain conditions based on a player’s tenure on a particular team. (â€Å"National Football League Players Association,† 2007) Discussion The NFL strikes of 1982 and 1987 were interesting because it illustrated how a weak union can do as much damage or even more than no union at all. The NFL owners understood this, which is why they maintained the NFLPA as the official representation of the NFL players even after numerous attempts at strikes and antitrust lawsuits. (Staudohar, 1988) From the beginning, the NFLPA was considered of no account by the team owners, who did not even bother to show up for meetings in the early days. The only recourse that seemed to work was to enlist the help of the judicial system in the form of antitrust lawsuits. The aim of the 1982 strike was primarily to get a piece of the television revenues, and the union leaders believed they were in a position of strength with the USFL soon to provide competition to the NFL. Apparently, they overestimated their strength as the NFL stonewalled them and simply cut the season to nine games until the NFLPA ended the strike. In the end, their desire for higher salaries for the players was realized through the normal course of events and as a result of market forces. There was no real rhyme or reason for the 1982 strike. It was ultimately the players who suffered, who went 57 days without pay or health coverage. Moreover, the failure of the NFLPA to produce results only hurt their prestige and credibility as effective negotiators in the eyes of the team owners as well as the union members. The incredible thing is history repeated itself in 1987. The same kind of circumstances prevailed, perhaps slightly different in details but the same in context, with one important exception. What were the same? The aim was to get a piece of the television revenues. The union leaders thought they were in a position of strength with the recent arbitration decision against baseball team owners who were accused of collusion to control player salaries by halting all signing of free agents filed by the Major League Baseball Players Association. This is even shakier ground than the USFL scenario. At the very least, the USFL was a reasonable proposition because it is based on market forces. The collusion decision against baseball team owners could not reasonably be used against football team owners because free agent signing is so infrequent that collusion would be difficult to prove. The team leaders had nothing to lose in stonewalling the players’ union. As in 1982, the union failed to adequately prepare for the 1987 strike in terms of financial support for the players. Players were once again bereft of their pay and benefits, and the union had no Striker’s funds to dip into for emergencies. It is no wonder that the former solidarity in 1982 melted in the first week of the 1987 strike. The players, at least, had learned the first time around. One important difference is the supposed main aim of the strike: the granting of free agency to players. The tragic thing about this is that as early as 1975, it could have been theirs for the asking with no need to go on a strike at all. At the time of the 1987 strike, the standard in the NFL for player exchange was based on the Rozelle Rule on free agency, named after NFL Commissioner Peter Rozelle. The rule allowed the NFL commissioner to dictate what kind of compensation the new team of a newly-transferred player would have to award the player’s new team. This put acquiring teams at a disadvantage and only four players were traded prior to 1987. The Rozelle Rule was deemed unreasonable restraint under the Sherman Antitrust Act when the Baltimore Colts’ John Mackey filed a complaint   to the Federal courts. This was a golden opportunity for players to become free agents at the end of their contracts because the constraints to trading had been lifted. Incredibly, however, the NFLPA signed away this advantage by signing an agreement with the NFL team owners in 1977 which stipulated compensation payments for signing free agents. This provision was not challenged in the 1982 contract and remained intact. The whole point of the 1987 strike was supposedly to gain the right to free agency which had already been signed away by the union 10 years ago. It is the epitome of irony that even with the strike they failed to regain that which they had foolishly lost themselves. Worse yet, public opinion during the 1987 strike tended to favor the side of the owners, perhaps because the players themselves seemed unhappy about the whole idea themselves. The television stations also signified disapproval by covering the replacement games, which had come to be known as Replacement Sunday, as if they were the regular games. A consequence of the 1987 strike that is still a matter of interest is the use of replacements in the three weeks of the strike. By most accounts from players who were there, no real animosity was directed at the replacement players, or â€Å"scabs† themselves, but it was still considered â€Å"unthinkable† of the team owners to make use of the tactic to undermine the striking players. Some players recall how they were pulled out from construction jobs and stockbroker interviews in â€Å"scavenger hunts† to fill the positions in the 22-player game. For many, it was an opportunity to play professional football that was too good to be missed. Some stayed on even after the strike ended, and in the case of former college football player Tim Burnham, who played left tackle on the Seahawks replacement team, he was invited to train for the summer. For the â€Å"real† players, all rancor ended when the picket line was pulled down (Farsnworth, 2002). Conclusion From a historical perspective, it seems clear that both strikes should not have happened. The pros and cons were not properly evaluated and it appeared that the NFLPA made a habit of going off half-cocked when it came to striking. The tragedy of such miscalculations is that it is the players who suffer, both immediately i.e. loss of income during strikes and in the long term i.e. loss of collective bargaining advantage. Today, football players get impressive salaries and have the right to free agency. They have sign-up bonuses, health benefits and insurance, and all the trappings of fame and glory. Undeniably, some concessions can be directly linked to union efforts on behalf of the players. The strikes of 1982 and 1987, however, were not among the NFLPA’s most shining moments. References Farnsworth, C. (2002, October 4) NFL crossed the line on Replacement Sunday. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved July 8, 2007 from   http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/89817_replace04.shtml Forbes, G. (2001, June 8) ’82 strike changed salary dealings forever. USA Today.   Retrieved July 8, 2007 from http://www.usatoday.com/sports/comment/forbes/2001-06-08-forbes.htm Free agency definitions and explanations (2004, March 1) Detroit Lions. Retrieved July 7, 2007 from   Ã‚  http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=332893 National Football League Players Association. (2007, June 22). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:16, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Football_League_Players_Associationoldid=139999742 Staudohar, P. (1988, August) The football strike of 1987: the question of free agency. Monthly Labor Review Online,   vol 111, no. 8. Retrieved July 8, 2007 from http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1988/08/rpt1full.pdf

Consolidation of Democracy in Post-Soviet Russia :: Communism Soviet Union Russian History Essays

Consolidation of Democracy in Post-Soviet Russia The fall of the Communist regime in the Soviet Union was more than a political event. The powerful interaction and fusion between politics and economics that characterized the state socialist system created a situation that was unique for the successor states of the Soviet Union. The penetration of the Communist regime into every facet of life left the Russian people with little democratic traditions. Russia faces the seemingly impracticable task of economic liberalization and democratization. This is combined with a necessity to answer nationalist and ethnic questions that have plagued Russia for centuries. This paper addresses the problems of creating a stable democracy in Russia. The prospects for a stable democracy in Russia are limited at best. I will outline some of the concerns that academics have in the consolidation of Russian democracy. What is paramount to note is that a stable democracy must adequately address what Ken Jowitt calls the â€Å"developmental trinity†: nation-building; capitalism and democracy. The dilemma that is especially relevant to Russia it that these conditions are often contradictory. The often messy business of politically reconstructing a nation defies traditional democratic ideals. The establishment of democratic institutions can hinder the development of a market economy and, conversely, programs that are designed to enhance capitalist expansion often are antagonistic towards democratic goals (Jowitt 7). These seemingly endless Catch-22’s are at the heart of difficulties facing Russia in its attempt to create a stable democracy. The Process of Creating A Nation-State The question of who is the playing the game and what makes the playing field is an important one for the Russian Federation. Ethnic and nationalist questions plagued the Soviet Union and continue to stress the Russia Federation during its nascent period. The dynamics of center-periphery relations provides Moscow with some of the greatest challenges in establishing a stable democracy. Phillipe Smitter writes, â€Å"There is no simply democratic way of deciding what a nation and its corresponding political unit should be† (Smitter 66). Later in his article, he writes â€Å"those that have not yet resolved the dilemma of defining their national and territorial boundaries are unlikely to make much more progress in other domains† (Smitter 73). The dilemma facing the Russian Federation is that it finds itself with a charge of establishing and following democratic institutions, while at the same time facing secessionary pressures that seem to require extra-democratic means to preserve the integrity of the nation.

Science :: essays research papers

Addition of Torques Objective:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To ascertain equilibrium of the meter stick. Doing so by finding missing variables consisting of torque, length, weight and mass. Record all results and compare to calculated results. Procedure:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (Lab part A) †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A fiberglass meter stick is to be used. Suspend this meter stick using string. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hang 100 gram weight from the meter stick with a string a the 10 cm point on the meter stick. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Move the loop that suspends the meter stick left or right horizontally until the meter stick balances. (with the 100 g weight still attached at the 10 cm point) Procedure:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (Lab part B) †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Place a string at 65 cm to support the meter stick. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Find the torque produced by the off centered string support by hanging weights on the shorter end of the meter stick to make it balance. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Take found torque and calculate mass to be placed at the 15 cm mark in order to balance the meter stick. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hang weights to meter stick at the 15 cm location until the meter stick acquires equilibrium to prove your calculations. Procedure:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (Lab part C) †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Suspend a meter stick with string placed at the 65 cm point. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hang 100 grams of weight at the 45 cm mark, and 500 grams at the 90 cm mark on the meter stick. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hang 200 grams of weight between 0 – 45 cm mark and move this weight until equilibrium is achieved. Record this measurement. Data Part A:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mass of weight (m-2) = 100 grams Position string balanced = 36.4 cm Distance from center of meter stick to balance point. (L-1) = 13.6 cm Distance from balance point to suspended weight. (L-2) = 26.4 cm Mass of meter stick. (at center gravity) m1 = m2 (L1/ L2) Therefore: m1 = 100 (26.4/13.6) m1 = 100(1.94111) m1 = 194.1176 grams (mass of the meter stick) Data Part B:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Found natural torque (off set support string) = t = fl 85 grams placed at 100 cm balanced the off set support string at 65 cm. Therefore: t = 85 * (100 – 65) t = 2975 Total torque of right side of support string: t = 90cm – 65cm (500 g) t = 12,500 Then we calculated the left side torque: t = 65cm – 40cm (100g) t = 2500   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Then we took the right torque and subtracted the left torque: 9525 – 2500 = 7025 (this is the missing force on the left side) Missing torque 7025 = 50cm ( ? ) 7025/50 = 140.5grams Calculate weight to be placed at 15cm. = 140.5 grams Data Part C:

Locke and Hobbes Essay

How does the founders’ view of power affect the framers’ reactions to John Locke? According to Locke, how does man enter the political society and what is the purpose of that society? What obligations does the government have in the civil society? What obligation does the individual have? How do Hobbes and Locke differ? Do you think Americans would agree with Locke? You may read the first paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence to assist you. What evidence do you have to support your view? The founders believed that the power of government should be limited, so it doesn’t trample on peoples’ natural rights. The framers thus wrote in guarantees that the government could not usurp individual freedoms. Locke believed that citizens gave their consent to the government so that society would operate freely and safely. Government should ensure equal opportunity and protection of political and property rights. The individual is obligated to participate in the political process, but abide by the government’s rules. Hobbes is more pessimistic about how violent the state of nature would be and is therefore willing to give the government more power than Locke is. Yes, Americans seem happy that the government has power, but individuals retain rights as well. Unlike many countries, the United States has never had a revolt against its government in the last 200 years (The Civil War was something very different.)

Building Codes for the Fire Services

In the recent Charleston, South Carolina furniture warehouse fire, nine firefighters perished apparently by compromised and structural collapse of the building’s roof. Every year, fire related accidents caused by building collapse; flashover and deadly smoke have been the leading causes of injuries or deaths of firefighters all over the United States (Dunn, 2007). Most tragic was the World Trade Center Twin Towers’ collapse where 343 members of the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) perished died fifty-six minutes after the attacks (Fema’s US Fire Administration, 2002).The building officials, fire department, architects and engineers did not anticipate that such an attack could happen in American soil. In the light of these developments, the public called for a review of all existing building and fire codes in the country. Dunn (2007) enumerated three most deadly situations in firefighting history where the ten-year study of the National Fire Protection Asso ciation indicated them as the main causes of injuries and fatalities of firefighters. They are collapse, flame spread and smoke.â€Å"The most common types of collapse that have injured and killed many in the line of duty were floor collapse, roof collapse, wall collapse and ceiling collapse† (Dunn 2007). It is imperative that firefighters have the basic knowledge on the behavior of buildings while being engulfed in flames. What they know could save their lives when they take the risk of controlling the situation. It is also important to look back at previous strategies on how buildings were deemed â€Å"fire proofed† and considered safe at all times.To avoid a repeat of the tragic incidents, regulatory bodies, engineers, the academe and other professionals pit their wits and talents to ensure building safety standards are met. It is undeniable that some of the codes have become obsolete with the introduction of new building construction technologies. The Need to Overh aul Existing Codes Traditionally, the safety of buildings has been regulated by codes all over the country.Since the 1800’s the safety of buildings had been mandated by these codes and they include the use of â€Å"fire resistive materials, compartmentation features, and later, installation of automatic sprinkler systems and automatic fire alarm systems. † (Solomon and Hagglund, 2001, p. 619). All of these prescriptions were intended to ensure building safety even in the event of a fire. These also purported to make tall buildings safer. These had worked well under hazardous circumstances but were tested when the 9/11 attacks occurred.Codes across the United States are also moving towards performance measures in addition to the time-tested prescriptions of the codes (Solomon and Hagglund, 2001, p. 619). In New York City, for example, Mayor Bloomberg called for a review of the existing codes that had been in force since 1968 to conform to contemporary needs. New York ha s four construction codes namely the Building Code, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes (New New York City Construction Codes, n. d. , p. 1). The City government was caught flatfooted with an outdated construction code when the 9/11 attacks struck.The amendments to the code include the adoption of the International Building Code (IBC) format, placing safety as a priority and preserving some elements of the existing codes while enhancing the â€Å"requirements for fire protection, construction safety, and structural integrity requirements for new buildings. † (New New York City Construction Codes, n. d. , p. 1) Moore (n. d. ) defined building codes as â€Å"extratechnological laws that govern the design and construction of structures. † (p. 262). The codes follow the dictates social and ethical mores where the protection of life and property is a priority.It also traces its roots in the Hammurabi code where a builder was held responsible for a collapsed house that k illed its occupants and applying the lex talionis principle of justice (p. 262). Codes also had grown out of the necessity to adhere to insurance regulations. Protection goals include all the contents of a building or warehouse that were insured. Failure to mitigate the risk like loss to fire would mean economic repercussions for the community or state (Solomon and Hagglund, 2001, p. 625).Code prescriptions until the 1940’s prescribed a fire resistive building as steel framed or buildings that had â€Å"skeletal framework of steel columns and beams which supported the actual weight of the structure and its contents. † (Portolan, n. d. ) The structural elements were fireproofed or encased in concrete or tile (Portolan, n. d. ) In the 1920’s, the codes also regulated the heights of buildings where height limitations had a direct relationship to the construction methods employed (Solomon and Hagglund, 2001, p. 626).Each state though had its interpretation and regul ations concerning construction practices. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) proposed a performance based approach to tall building designs with the hope the building designs and construction methodologies respond to the need for safer buildings. The NFPA outlined six goals to performance based building design. They include: Life Safety of Building Occupants; Property/Contents Protection; Mission Continuity; Environmental Consequence of Fire; Heritage/Cultural Preservation; and Fire Suppression Personnel Safety (Solomon and Hagglund, 2001, p.632). However, not all directives and codes today follow the suggestions of NFPA. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed their standards specifically aimed at protecting both firefighters and civilians from fire-related injuries. Some of the standards relevant to the construction industry include NFPA 5000 (Building Construction and Safety Code); â€Å"NFPA 13 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems); NFPA 501 (Standard on Manufactured Housing) (NIOSH, 2005, p. 3).According to NIOSH (2005)†, while there are existing standard tests like ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) that govern the safety measures in building materials and construction methodologies, these do not take into consideration real situations involving actual conflagrations and how fires would impact on the structural integrity of the structures (p. 4). NIOSH (2005) also pointed out that existing building codes enforced in various states were not designed specifically to protect firefighters.The design focus was on evacuation procedures and how occupants in the building could escape to safety once an unfortunate event occurred (p. 4). With the new reality that unfolded post-9/11, existing building codes must be reviewed for and in consideration of the risks involved when disasters strike. Basic Knowledge on Structural Behaviors of Buildings Accord ing to Portolan (n. d. (b)), there are five elements of a building that the firefighters need to consider when evaluating how buildings will behave in case of fire and which strategies to use to contain the problem.They include: the type of construction, size of the building, age of the construction, renovation and occupancy. These are essential information that firefighters can use to plan their course of actions. In addition, knowledge on the behavior of the different structural elements of the building is also imperative. Structural loading creates different stresses on the structures and they may occur separately or in combination. The stresses include compression, tensile and shear stresses (Portolan, n. d (b). ). Compression acts when materials are pressed against each other.Tensile stresses happen when the structural elements are pulled in two different directions. Shear stresses cause materials to fracture and slide across the defect in the opposite direction (Portolan, n. d (b). ). Structural elements of the building are subjected to different loads. Columns are commonly subjected to axial loads. Eccentric loads are directed along a parallel axis to the longitudinal section of the structural member and are off-centered. Torsion loads can cause twisting in the structural elements (Portolan, n. d (b).) Aside from the stresses, the firefighters also need to consider which part of the structures are vulnerable or the structural integrity had been compromised because of the fire. When steel beams are subjected to unusually high temperature, the structural member may expand and elongate. If both ends are tightly secured, torsion stresses may cause twisting in beams (Portolan, n. d. (b)). Columns carry the greatest axial loads. The more slender the column, the more it is susceptible to buckling. When axial loads shift to eccentric or torsion loads, it could also be a cause of failure (Portolan, n. d. (b)).About 60% of the buildings in the United States use t he truss system for roofs (NIOSH, 2005, p. 1). Most of the truss systems were made of wood materials. Recent innovation introduced lighter construction materials for truss systems including steel and lighter weight materials intended to accommodate wider spans. Under normal conditions, these engineered materials may perform well. However, when fire occurs, they may be weakened and compromised causing the collapse of roof and floor systems (p. 1). Types of Building Collapses Due to Fire Collapse patterns are different for each element of the building.Walls often collapse in a 90-degree angle. These walls are often constructed using reinforced masonry. Curtain wall collapse occurs when the outer veneer becomes disconnected and they fall straight down to the base of the wall. This type of collapse is also exhibited by unreinforced walls. Inward or outward collapse may also occur if the wall is breached or at areas where it is considerably weaker like door or window openings (Portolan, n. d. (b)). Truss systems of roof and floor often cave-in as their structural integrities were affected by conflagration. Steel trusses are also susceptible to expansion and torsion stresses.Often, firefighters used visual indicators to predict an impending collapse. But these were not enough to prevent accidents from happening. NIOSH (2005) listed three conditions where truss collapse occurs. First, when a firefighter works on the roof top of the burning building, chances of a cave-in is extremely high because the hidden structural members of the truss system had already been subjected to extreme temperatures thereby weakening them. Second, firefighters working inside the burning structure are also subjected to the risk of the entire roof falling onto them.Finally, failed truss systems can precipitate other parts of the structure to collapse like walls (p. 4). Another type of collapse usually found in tall structures is referred to as progressive collapse. Nair (2004) defined progr essive collapse as â€Å"collapse of all or a large part of a structure precipitated by failure or damage of a relatively small part of it. † (p. 1) This theory was used in part to explain why the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed. Conclusion Knowing how structural members behave during fire would mitigate the risk factors and prevent injuries and deaths.Part of the training of firefighters is knowing how to evaluate the condition of the burning edifice before going in and making a plan of action. The different studies on the behavior of buildings on fire proved to be valuable to firefighters. The recent events had also made regulating bodies review their out-dated Codes. Existing building codes do not include the protection of firefighters in the event of fire. The NFPA and the IBC remedied that deficiency. However, code changes were also met with opposition. Building codes were primarily implemented with economic considerations in mind.It would pro ve to be more costly for the building owner if NFPA or IBC was followed. According to Gips (2005), of the various proposals for change in the Codes, only one was acceptable and included in the IBC. It concerned the fire-resistance ratings of buildings of 420 feet or higher. The new code required a â€Å"minimum three-hour structural fire-resistance rating, whether sprinklers are present or not. † (p. 42+). Other provisions that would make it safer for both firefighters and occupants need more work. References Dunn, V. (2007). Dunn's Dispatch: 9 firefighters die fighting fire in South Carolina furniture storeroom fire.Retrieved 26 June 2007 from: http://cms. firehouse. com/content/article/article. jsp? sectionId=14&id=55205 FEMA’s US Fire Administration (2002). USA releases preliminary firefighter fatality statistics for 2001. Retrieved 26 June 2007 from: http://mcftoa. org/Deathstats1. htm Gips, M. A. (2005, March). The Challenge of Making Safer Structures: Three and a Half Years after 9-11, Building Codes Are Just Starting to Reflect Lessons Learned from the World Trade Center Collapse. Security Management, 49, 42+. Retrieved June 27, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5008988697 Moore, S. A. (n. d.) Building Codes in Encyclopedia of Science, Technology and Ethics, 262-266 Retrieved 26 June 2007 from: http://soa. utexas. edu/faculty/moore/selectpub/enc_buildingcodes. pdf Nair, R. S. (2004) Progressive collapse basics. Retrieved 27 June 2007 from: http://www. aisc. org/Content/ContentGroups/Documents/Selected_Nair/nairhotlink2. pdf New New York City Construction Codes (n. d. ) Retrieved 26 June 2007 from: http://nyc. gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/cons_code_faqs. pdf NIOSH (2005) Preventing injuries or deaths of firefighters due to truss system failures. Retrieved 27 June 2007 from: http://www. cdc. gov/niosh/docs/2005-132/pdfs/2005-132.pdf Portolan, C. (n. d. ) Building Construction –Special situations Retrie ved 27 June 2007 from: http://www. lbfdtraining. com/Pages/buildingconstruction/specialsituations. html Portolan, C. (n. d. (b)) Glossary of building construction terminology Retrieved 27 June 2007 from: http://www. lbfdtraining. com/Pages/buildingconstruction/bconstructintro. html Solomon, R. E. and Hagglund, B. (2001) Performance code requirements in the tall building environment in Tall buildings and urban habitat: Cities in the third millennium. Council On Tall Buildings And Urban Habitat – orgname. New York: Spon Press, 619-634.