Monday, September 30, 2019

Police scandals are an untallied cost of the drug war Essay

The FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and even the Coast Guard have had to admit to corruption. The gravity of the police crimes is as disturbing as the volume. In New Orleans, a uniformed cop in league with a drug dealer has been convicted of murdering her partner and shop owners during a robbery committed while she was on patrol. In Washington, D. C. , and in Atlanta, cops in drug stings were arrested for stealing and taking bribes. New York State troopers falsified drug evidence that sent people to prison. And it is not just the rank and file. The former police chief of Detroit went to prison for stealing police drug-buy money. In a small New England town, the chief stole drugs from the evidence locker for his own use. And the DEA agent who arrested Panama’s General Noriega is in jail for stealing laundered drug money. The drug war is as lethal as it is corrupting. And the police and drug criminals are not the only casualties. An innocent 75-year-old African-American minister died of a heart attack struggling with Boston cops who were mistakenly arresting him because an informant had given them the wrong address. A rancher in Ventura County, California, was killed by a police SWAT team serving a search warrant in the mistaken belief that he was growing marijuana. In Los Angeles, a three-year-old girl died of gunshot wounds after her mother took a wrong turn into a street controlled by a drug-dealing gang. They fired on the car because it had invaded their marketplace. The violence comes from the competition for illegal profits among dealers, not from crazed drug users. Professor Milton Friedman has estimated that as many as 10,000 additional homicides a year are plausibly attributed to the drug war. Worse still, the drug war has become a race war in which non-whites are arrested and imprisoned at 4 to 5 times the rate whites are, even though most drug crimes are committed by whites. The Sentencing Research Project reports that one-third of black men are in jail or under penal supervision, largely because of drug arrests. The drug war has established thriving criminal enterprises which recruit teenagers into criminal careers. It was such issues that engaged law-enforcement leaders — most of them police chiefs — from fifty agencies during a two-day conference at the Hoover Institution in May 1995. Among the speakers was our colleague in this symposium, Mayor Kurt Schmoke, who told the group that he had visited a high school and asked the students if the high dropout rate was due to kids’ being hooked on drugs. He was told that the kids were dropping out because they were hooked on drug money, not drugs. He also told us that when he went to community meetings he would ask the audience three questions. 1) â€Å"Have we won the drug war? † People laughed. 2) â€Å"Are we winning the drug war? † People shook their heads. 3) â€Å"If we keep doing what we are doing will we have won the drug war in ten years? † The answer was a resounding No. At the end of the conference, the police participants completed an evaluation form. Ninety per cent voted no confidence in the war on drugs. They were unanimous in favoring more treatment and education over more arrests and prisons. They were unanimous in recommending a presidential blue-ribbon commission to evaluate the drug war and to explore alternative methods of drug control. In sum, the tough-minded law-enforcement officials took positions directly contrary to those of Congress and the President. One hopes that politicians will realize that no one can accuse them of being soft on drugs if they vote for changes suggested by many thoughtful people in law enforcement. If the politicians tone down their rhetoric it will permit police leaders to expose the costs of our present drug-control policies. Public opinion will then allow policy changes to decriminalize marijuana and stop the arrest of hundreds of thousands of people every year. The enormous savings can be used for what the public really wants — the prevention of violent crime.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Data and Assumption on New Technology Innovation Essay

Yesterday at the stroke of midnight a series of tragic events came to a closing when Othello, Venice’s most eminent and respected Moorish general, killed himself in his wife’s bedchamber after smothering the young belle–none other than Venice’s coveted Desdemona–with a pillow. According to several witnesses of the bloody suicide, the mentally tormented general was under the notion that Desdemona had been illicitly tupping his first-in-command, Michael Cassio, a lie fed to him by the ironically misnamed â€Å"Honest Iago.† Iago, the villain responsible for the murder of his own wife as well as a Venetian gentleman, has been taken by Cyprian officials for questioning and possible torture. However, it is known that he orchestrated a plan to create conflict between General Othello and Lieutenant Cassio surrounding Desdemona that he hoped would result in the death of both Cassio and the lady. Witnesses to the blood bath describe the scene gravely and painfully. â€Å"I walked into the room and there was Othello, with his wife Desdemona slain on the bed. It was really shocking. Her face was very pale, and though she was evidently dead, it seemed she was trying to say something,† says Gratiano. Another witness describes Othello’s suicide with great distress. â€Å"He was very calm, but there was a wondrous rage in his face, like a monster. I had never seen him like that before. He took his sword and drove it into his chest before anyone could stop him.† The only survivor of the discord is Lieutenant Cassio, who suffered a major injury in his leg from Iago’s sword. When asked whether he was ever involved with lady Desdemona, Cassio responded, â€Å"We were dear friends, and it pains me greatly that she is gone. But we never shared more than the touching of hands or a brief brush on the shoulder. As for the man who caused this, I will see to it that he pays for his cruelty with his own suffering.† A funeral will be held in three days near the town square. Mourners are welcome, including former suitors of Desdemona. Michael Cassio asks that all that attend bring memorabilia of the lost ones such as locks of hair, clothing, letters, or embroidered handkerchiefs.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Australian Stereotypes Essay Example for Free (#3)

Australian Stereotypes Essay Stereotyping the Australians has always been a common practice by people all around the world. In fact, Australia has been classified as one of the most stereotyped nations in the world due to the sense that much of the international community believes that they have a solid understanding regarding Australian society, despite the fact that their beliefs bear little similarities to the realities of Australian life in the 21st Century. Australia is a complex nation that is riddled with assumptions that are downright false, and sometimes ridiculous. There’s no denying it – as soon the word ‘Australia’ is out, our mind automatically paints a certain glossy picture. For starters, people have assumed that the Australians love to barbecue all the time. Now, while everyone loves a scrumptious and moist barbecued chicken, who in the world would have the time (or patience) to spend the whole morning barbecuing steaks and chicken just to provide a simple breakfast, and repeat the tedious process again for lunch and dinner every single day? The baneful clean-up process and charcoal stains are simply enough to test my patience. However, people in the nationwide has evoke countless of preconceptions that the Aussies are found to be a bunch of barbecue-addicted people, much to the annoyance of the Australians. The real question is ; how did this Australian stereotype become so viral? Australia itself is culpable. Tourism Australia has tried to boost their tourism industries by commercializing Australians with a fresh and rejuvenating look such as the stereotypical â€Å"beach and bimbos† image popularised in the 1980s. However, the portrayal that Aussies loves hang out at the beach every day and ‘put another shrimp on the barbecue’ (or barbie, in the Australian slang) apparently bears a scanty resemblance with the reality. Nick Bryant, a Sydney correspondent also suggested that the popularity of television programs such as Neighbours and Home and Away only rendered the British public to carry a superficial perception of Australia that is not representative of the majority of the nation. â€Å"Throw another shrimp on the barbie† was a 1980s tourism slogan by Paul Hogan which remains as one of the most recognisable quotes associated with Australia within the international community. Another popular Australian stereotype is being belligerent drunkards. People have always assumed that the cities of Australia are full of drunken people, empty scotch bottles and foul alcohol stenches. However, if you happen to walk at the streets of Melbourne, you will realize that it is just like any conventional city, bustling with working ladies and man as opposed to the stereotypical view. Studies have also proved that the country only ranks 44th in terms of global alcohol consumption as opposed to the 17th ranking of the UK. In a nutshell, some of the stereotypical views on Australians are proved to be untrue although some parts of them that are quite true. Stereotypes can be hard to avoid, so my advice is DO NOT always believe what you hear! Many things are always not what they are seemed to be so always do a little research first before ascertaining its validity. Australian Stereotypes. (2017, Jan 22).

Friday, September 27, 2019

Marketing Consumer Behavior and Retail Marketing Strategy Essay

Marketing Consumer Behavior and Retail Marketing Strategy - Essay Example From this research, it is clear that consumer behavior mainly focuses on how an individual is making decisions about spending their time, money and effort on various products or services. It also includes what and why they are buying, place and time of buying, how often they buy the product and use how often use it and how they are evaluating it after purchasing the product or service and most important the effect of such evaluations on their future purchasing behavior. This study will help to understand the consumer behavior and the retail marketing strategy of the duty-free market in order to take decisions regarding the correct retail marketing strategy. Duty-free goods are found at ports, international airports, border towns, cruise ships, on-board international flights and in some other stores of downtown. These retail stores generally offer a wide range of products like alcohol and tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics, chocolates, sweets and luxury goods. From these duty free retailers, airports are earning higher profits. Many organizations have started to invest in the duty free market as it is a good opportunity for successful expansion of their business and it is mainly seen in the fashion industry.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Reading Responses and Replies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reading Responses and Replies - Essay Example Workforce writing is oriented to complete a job-related task; while college writing enables students to explore their thoughts. No wonder, analysis reports at the workplace are very short since managers do not have time to read long paragraphs. However, academic reports may be lengthy depending on the lecturer instructions on word limit. Writing skills are significant in college, because what one learns in college is eventually used in the professional context to present information. In the professional context, writing is an important way of expressing ideas and information in the form of memo, research reports, presentations, and emails. In response to writing, Gareth highlights important tips that apply to both college and workforce writing. To Purdue University, grammar and vocabulary should be perfect to show intelligence. With this in mind, one is entitled to show the professionalism of the English language in writing, thus enabling one to understand the differences in workforc e writing and college writing. Writing is an important component of effective business practice because, it enables the business person to convey his ideas in various forms such as advertising and marketing to attract his target audience. ... Jae is deep in content since he has outlined how college writing tends to be structured as per professor requirement, whereas professional writing is flexible. I agree with this writer because; college students are instructed to write in various guidelines such as word length, writing styles such as MLA and APA among others. However, professional writers follow guidelines of accomplishing a job-related task that a time may be required to be in short paragraphs for easy reading. Response 2 I have chosen to apply for an administration manager post in the Walt Disney Company, the World’s leader in family entertainment. This company is well-known for the production of motion pictures, television network, and film studios amongst others. To be most appealing to this employer, I intend to present my presentation neatly and professionally. In doing this, I will emphasize on researching about the company and the job applied. I will express my interest for working in Walt Disney Compan y based on my pre-research, and put across how am impressed by the company’s success and growth. I will effectively present knowledge of the post am applying. In doing this, I will demonstrate my passion to work for Walt Disney Company. I will show my trust for this company to be the best place to exploit my skills and experiences for the gain of the company. There are various ways that I will demonstrate the skills I have that the employer is seeking. First, I will list all the requirements of an administrative manager am proficient in such as scheduling, organizing, planning, and supervising. In this case, I will customize the responsibilities as per the job post requirement to win

Discourse Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Discourse Reflection - Essay Example Discourse orientation is likely to affect the learning ability of students; for instance, students learning in another discourse, dissimilar to theirs, are likely to get it hard fitting in the new learning discourse. On the other hand, students learning within their native discourse are most likely to perform well in their academic work. Study has revealed that this is because of a number of factor; most of which are contextual and psychological. When a student in a foreign country tries to learn in the foreign discourse, they are likely to feel out of place when they are asked to speak in class. This is because of the way they might speak the foreign language is not the way it is supposed to be spoken. This is likely to make them feel burdened with learning and some may give easily (Bashir-Ali, 2006). Students may resist learning in a foreign discourse due to peer and social influence. As established, foreign students form a minority social group in many public schools. Since they will want to conform to a given dominant social group, they will be forced to assimilate the dominant group’s discourse. This has been established to be the course of resistance to the school accepted discourse such as language. As a teacher, one should ensure they understand the social backgrounds of such students. This will help teacher in ascertaining the most correct approach tin motivating this learners to accept the in-class and school accepted language. Teacher should not point out mistakes in such students when it comes to language use, if they do so, they should be cautious as this is likely to demoralize the students (Kumaravadivelu, 2003). I come from Korea, where we speak the Korean language as the official language. I grew up partly in Korean and partly in America, resulting in my acquisition of the English language. In Korea where I was born, the Korean language is the official educational language. I was

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Family Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Family Autobiography - Essay Example Family and consumer sciences are a set of aspects that combines social and natural sciences for better understanding of the relationship that an individual shares in a society (Enrique, Howk and Huitt 1-18). The essay elaborates on my family background and ideologies, which have an influence on my development. In addition, the section of economics and social class along with their impact on my development has been explained. Moreover, special emphasis has been provided on the different positive and negative impacts of parental care. A. I belong to a Persian family and am the youngest son of my parents. I am younger of the two sons of my parents. I am brought up under strict guidelines that are followed within an Islamic religion. I am 21 years old and am close to my parents. I belong to an upper middle class family and reside with my parents and my elder brother. On a scale of 0 to 10, I would rate myself 8 points in terms of happiness. The family I belong to is supportive and provides me with immense mental strengths to carry out my tasks. Furthermore, I have certain duties to carry out in my family by taking care of my parents as my elder brother is working outside and most of the time stays out. Owing to the fact that my brother stays out, I have to perform the major duties of my family and take care of my parents. Besides family responsibilities, I have been also efficiently performing the responsibilities that are to be undertaken in a society. These responsibilities include different relationship and bond ing that I have with my peers, teachers and other people I am associated with in the society. B. I am the youngest member of my family. I have an elder brother named Arash, who is 24 years old and is working in the UAE. Initially, I used to feel that being younger provides me with a lot of preferences and gives me all the freedom. Being the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Company law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 3

Company law - Essay Example Following the legal submission above, Estate Ltd has the right to indicate its interest in a property deal or transaction acting in the capacity of trustee of Healthy Eating Ltd. And it is explained above that Healthy Eating Ltd. should disregard any rights it deems necessary, maybe in the form of a compensation or remuneration. The main reason why Healthy Eating Ltd. could not expect to be paid for any losses incurred in the property transaction is that Estate Ltd has acted as a personal representative or trustee of Healthy Eating Ltd2. In other ways, this case could be interpreted in the following assumptions: (i) Common Liability: In as much as Estate Ltd is representing the interests of Healthy Eating Ltd in the sale of the property that was purchased under compulsory purchase order by the local authority, whatever liability incurred by the Holding company (Healthy Eating ltd) cannot be indemnified because the Holding company is indirectly involved in the deal, using its trustee (Estate Ltd.) (ii) Decision Rights: As a subsidiary of Healthy Eating Ltd, Estate ltd has been given the rights to act on its capacity, making its own decision concerning any commercial transactions it may deem appropriate. As a result of this, the holding company does not have any power to seek indemnity against any action taken on its behalf by its personal representative. Considering all the facts raised above, it is legally untenable for Healthy Eating ltd to expect any forms of compensation or remuneration from the local authority on account of the losses it may have incurred because of this property deal undertaken on its behalf by its trustee. (b) Liability to compensate the injured volunteers: This issue concerns about the liability incurred by a subsidiary of a company to a third party. In this case study, Research Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Healthy Eating Ltd was involved in a damages suit by

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Environmental Science assignment week 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental Science assignment week 3 - Essay Example The focus is on the environment and how tradition crude oil refinery relates to global warming and the overall pollution of the planet. This particular episode focuses on two alternate means of power, the Solar Tower and JET. IT discusses why these power producers were made, how they work, and how they will benefit the planet. Both of these power producers were very experimental at the time they were built and the series urges the future experimentation and development of alternate power sources to ensure a safe and profitable future for the world. The content of the documentary pertained to the entire purpose of the textbook. Preserving the environment and preventing pollution damage is the focus of the textbook as well as this documentary. They both were created to promote awareness and to educate others of the current state of our environment and how we can improve and maintain a healthy planet. I would definitely recommend this series to classmates. I didn’t know such alternate forms of generating power existed and I think that this would be eye opening for my peers as well. I think that most people know little to nothing about alternate ways of generating power, and therefore there is little push from consumers for alternate power sources. I think that series like this one serve a great purpose in promoting awareness and education about our environment and alternate power sources. I found the documentary on global diming to be extremely frightening. I think that most citizens feel that they can rest easy because there has been an understanding that if we stop polluting now, we can stop any further global warming and be left with only a slight change in temperature, but this documentary proved that these originally beliefs are completely wrong. The fact that global warming and global diming are two competing effects has hidden the truth of how hot the earth actually is. This makes all original

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Rogers Chocolate Essay Example for Free

Rogers Chocolate Essay Introduction R gers’s Chocolates is Canada’s oldest chocolates company that was formed in 1885 in Victoria, British Columbia by Charles Rogers. The company specialized in producing different varieties of ward winning hand-wrapped, high-quality chocolate brands as well as premium novelty ice cream which it sold through its retail outlets, sales through wholesale delivery, online/phone sales, and through Sam’s Deli restaurant in British Columbia. The goal of the organization is â€Å"to double or triple the size of the company within 10 years† (Zietsma, 2007) Rogers’ target market is both end users and consumers who buy chocolates to indulge themselves or to give as a gift. Rogers’ target buyers are new and existing chocolate buyers that love quality chocolates. Demographics tend to be mainly women ages 25-55 years old with middle to high household income of $50,000 upward. They generally have college education and are professionals, white-collar workers, managers, or owners. The majority will be frequent travelers on cruise ships and Internet users. In order to develop a successful growth plan for the Rogers’ Chocolates, it is very important to get an integrated understanding of the external and internal environment effecting the chocolate industry in whole and Rogers’ Chocolate in particular. An organization’s external environment represents the opportunities and threats while focusing three major areas that include general, industry and competitor environment. The firms understanding of the external environment is matched with its knowledge about the internal environment (resources, capabilities, core competencies, organization, management etc.) in order to develop a strategic growth plan that will bring competitive advantage and above-average returns. External Analysis P. E. S. T Analysis: Political/Legal: * Legal issues regarding child labour in cocoa farms. * African countries are more affected by child labour. * Large manufacturers are seeking a redefinition of the term â€Å"chocolate† under USFDA guidelines so that they can produce cheaper version of the product and still call it chocolate. Economic: * Falling growth rate in the chocolate industry due to economical factors. * Due to seasonal vulnerability of the product, it is hard to manage inventory resulting in higher costs for wasted material. * Higher cleaning and maintenance costs for the equipment for large producers. * Sociocultural: * Increasing trend towards healthier diet, organic food, low-trans fat and no-sugar chocolate. * More demand for dark chocolate due to its heart-healthier anti-oxidant properties. * Consumers and employees stressing on more corporate social responsibility. * Human rights concerns on forced labour in West Africa. * Environmental concerns influencing packaging, procurement and operational decisions. Technology: * Less focus of private and government supported RD expenditures. * Farmers are less efficient in growing cocoa beans because of lack of proper knowledge, education and training. Industry Analysis: Even though there had been a gradual decline in the growth of chocolate industry as a whole, there is still opportunity in the premium chocolate sector of this industry, which is growing at 20% annually. The Canadian market size for chocolates was US$167 million in 2006 and it was projected to grow at 2% annually. The change in demographics with aging baby boomers and their emphasis on brand and quality has given an opportunity to traditional chocolate manufacturers like Hershey’s and Cadburys to shift their focus on the production of premium quality chocolates. Rogers’ Company is faced with many factors that are directly influencing the company, its competitive actions and competitive responses in the overall industry. The Five Forces of Competition Model: Michael Porter’s five forces of competition is an analytical tool that can be for Rogers’ Chocolate to measure the intensity of the industry competition and an industry’s profit potential. Threat of New Entrants: Hershey’s and Cadburys are moving towards the premium chocolate market through the acquisition or upmarket launches (Zietsma, 2007). The profit potential present in this sector supported by its 20% annual growth rate make it very attractive for large organizations to come forward and avail this opportunity. There is a low threat of new entrants prevailing in this chocolate industry because of the high capital requirements and expected retaliation by current manufacturers. Current players in the industry also possess some barriers to entry for new entrants by maintaining economies of scales with their large production capacity and keeping their product differentiation with their specialized and novelty chocolate products. Even though there are low switching costs and easy access to distribution channels, but still the brand loyalty of the customers including the Rogers’ Chocolate itself make it harder for new firms to come into the competition. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: There is a high bargaining power of suppliers because of the need of the key ingredients required for chocolate manufacturing and limited number of suppliers for this industry. Since cocoa trees require tropical climate, it forces the main producers in the west to import them from countries in West Africa or other hot places where suppliers are dominated by few large companies The chocolate and cocoa industry relies on suppliers to deliver high quality products that meet food regulations and consumer taste tests. If the suppliers’ product is not available or does not meet the quality expected, the industry will suffer greatly. This dependency on the suppliers’ product and the absence of substitute products increases the suppliers’ bargaining power. Bargaining Power of Buyers: Even though there are no substitute products for the manufacturing of chocolate, the buyer groups are still powerful because they purchase a large portion of the industry’s total output. Since there are many wholesale buyers of cocoa beans for the manufacturing and selling of the chocolate, it increases the bargaining power of the buyers that forces suppliers to lower their prices or increase their product quality. Another condition that affects the power of buyers is product differentiation. If the product is undifferentiated, the buyer has the power to play competitors against each other and reduce the cost. The chocolate and cocoa industry has a differentiated product, which reduces the power of buyers. The industry has several large players that have brand identification and customer loyalty, which makes it hard for buyers not to use a particular supplier. Threat of Substitute Products: Majority of the chocolate sales occur during the Christmas season and people buy chocolates to give as Christmas gifts or during the Valentine’s Day or Halloween. Other types of gifts during these occasions are considered as substitute products that may include flowers, jewellery, stuffed toys etc. Many people consider chocolate as unhealthy while some people can use other flavours such as lemon, vanilla, peanut butter or mint instead of chocolate that brings a low to moderate threat of substitute products to replace chocolate. Intensity of Rivalry Among Competitors: The presence of a many and equally balanced chocolate producers increases the rivalry among the competitors by permitting vigorous actions and responses by the competitors. With the slow industry growth, chocolate industry for instance, markets become more intense as companies battle to increase their market shares by attracting competitors customers. It results in more price wars, marketing and advertising battles between the competitors. Another factor that intensifies the competition and rivalry among competitors is the high storage and fixed costs that pushes chocolate producers to maximize their production capacity. In order to sell this excess capacity, organizations give purchase rebates and other special discounts to customers that increases the competition. Standardization and differentiation along with low switching costs in chocolate industry also fuels competition. Competitor Analysis: Competition in the chocolate industry in Canada is led by some regional brands along with a few larger producers. Major players in the market include Godiva (Nestle), Bernard Callebaut, Lindt, Purdy and a few local premium chocolate companies like Laura Secord and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company. There are many factors influencing the competition in this industry that include variations in the price points and quality of different premium chocolate product lines. Each individual company has its own unique technique to boost itself from its competitors. Many companies have their own fancy packaging styles for their products’ delivery that target different customers helping them in getting above average returns. Widespread distribution of products and attractive presentation and displays are some other effective tools that are adapted by many companies in this business offering them good returns on their investment. A company with good and intense marketing and advertising along with widespread geographical location gains more market share compared to the one that is limited to a certain area. Some companies have focused more on their mall outlets while some have taken spots in different tourist attractions. For some companies, retail sales are more promising than wholesale strategy, which shows that selling strategy plays an important part in the success of a company. Even though all forces stated above hastens competition among these chocolate companies, product quality surface to have least impact on extent of competition (Zietsma, 2007). Attractiveness and profitability of chocolate products is determined by how the product is moulded, coloured, and packed (Ellis, M.et al, 2007). Key Success Factor Analysis: Numerous factors that can add up to the successes of Rogers’ Chocolate are as follows: Understanding and Satisfying Consumer Needs Part of the external analysis is to scan, monitor, forecast and assess the timing and importance of environmental changes and trends. In order for Rogers’ Chocolate to get strategic competitiveness, it’s very important that it understands the trends in the chocolate industry that are moving towards premium chocolate with high-quality and high-taste matched with classy packaging, beautiful retail experience and fair pricing. Rogers’ Chocolate already has award-winning reputation with its friendly customer service, pretty theme in its retail outlets with images and aromas. Customers buy premium chocolates for special events or for corporate gifts, so it’s very important that special focus is put on their attractive and unique packaging. Rogers’ Chocolate has it all. Rogers’ Chocolate needs to focus on the sale of its wholesale orders that constitute 30% of the total sales but it has been declining gradually due to inclination of the buyers towards other cheaper brands. It needs to reconsider its pricing strategy, marketing and relations with these customers. Extensive marketing in order improve brand awareness: Regardless of Rogers’ Chocolate being the dominant player in the chocolate industry, it only occupies 7% share in the $167 million market. Premium chocolate is a growing sector with high profit potential and Rogers’ Chocolate has the ability to avail this opportunity if it extends its marketing strategy in order to grow in the near future. Pricing Strategy: Price of chocolate product also affects success of producing firm. Company’s Price of the product determines consumption rate of the product. Whether price is regulated by the organization itself or state-based decision, it affects demand of the product. Demand and price of any product are inversely related. Low market demand implies low net sales, which makes success of the company to be uncertain. Another aspect of price factor is in determination of production cost. Lower prices than other producers of the same type of commodity make production cost expensive. On the other hand, high price reduces market demand of any product. In a case where different companies sell similar product at different prices, companies using extreme prices are at risk of failing Geographical Distribution: It is very important for the success of the company to have a widespread geographical distribution of its products. A company with many locations is more likely to have its customers familiarized with its products and image. Brand loyalty increases when customers know that their preferred brand is located not too far from them. Product Diversification: Product diversification is applied in cases where stiff competition exists in the market. Instead of maintaining production of only one type of chocolate product, modification in shape, color, and different composition ensures further success of a company. Internal Analysis: Strengths: * Well-established and reputable Brand * Experienced Management Team * Rich history and tradition in Canada * Award winning recognition * Revenues * Loyal customers * Devoted Employees and Passionate Employees * Quality products hand wrapped Weaknesses: * Production process – not efficient and no measuring capabilities * Demand forecasting – difficult due to seasonality of sales * Management’s and Employee’s resistance to change. * Management team conflicts * Packaging * Lack of brand image and customer awareness * Cost of setting up and cleaning equipment * Inventory Management – Out of Stock and Over stock – production planning issues * Decrease in Wholesale * Online Sales only 4% Opportunities: * Growth in European and Asian markets * Retail and Online expansion * Increased production capacity * Trends and shifts in consumer confectionary market * Kiosks in airports * Organic trade line Threats: * Economy and demand fluctuations * Competitors * Decreased number of tourists. * Environmental concerns and human rights concerns expressed by some consumers * USFDA guidelines for â€Å"redefining† chocolate Rogers’ Chocolate has 24,000 sq. ft. production facility with 110 non-unionized retail and production employees. 75 employees work in retail while 35 in the production. Hand making and hand packing made the chocolate production very labour intensive while big portion of the costs were that of set-up time and cleaning time for the equipment during the batch processing. There are no means of measuring the productivity and efficiency in the plant. Another issue faced by the Rogers’ Chocolate is its inability to forecast the demand and hence the production of its products due to the seasonality of the sales. This problem is dealt with excess production to deal with the out-of-stocks during the peak seasons. The delays in the import of art tins for assortment from China also throw the schedule off for the next product in production line. Rogers’ Chocolate has a very low turnover rate because of its historic heritage of 120 years and strong family values. Some workers were third-generation Rogers’ employees with strong commitment and passion for the company. However, it created a problem for the company because employees were resistant to any change in the company. Rogers’ Chocolate was also involved in the local community service by employing people with disability and a group of brain-damaged individuals. The organization had a very good and friendly corporate culture where people respected each other on first-name basis. Compensation packages offered to the employees were also very competitive in order to retain the experienced employees. Rogers’ Chocolate has the potential of growth with its present resources. The company has a well-managed and competent workforce, which is the driving force for the entire organization. The board of directors consist of educated and experienced people who have good know-how of the industry. The production facility and other tangible and non tangible assets permit Rogers’ to come forward to lead the industry. It has all the right business tools that are required by an organization in order to succeed. Rogers’ has access to the main markets of the country that include its retail outlets, wholesale sales and online sales. All these resources and its ability in making premium chocolate with high quality and high taste make it a potential threat to its competitors. If utilized properly, these resources and capabilities can allow Rogers’ Chocolate to formulate a strategy to earn above average returns. Recommendations: * Focus on strengthening current retail operations than wholesale. * Roger’s good corporate social practices will also focus on human rights (labour laws), packaging, procurement and operational decisions. * Increase brand awareness to capture more market share. * Focus growing the retail business into new geographic markets. * Continue to grow complementary business lines (i. e. Ice Cream) * Develop core competence in operations management to drive efficiencies and reduce inventories. * Upgrade technology in production to increase capacity * Create new product lines and packaging to broaden the customer base. * Franchise Sams Deli. It has large amount in administration expenses. * Franchise retail chocolate stores. * Offer promotions on special events like Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day etc. * Keep existing customers happy with special discounts and customer loyalty programs.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Poverty effects on childs self esteem

Poverty effects on childs self esteem POVERTY EFFECTS ON A CHILDS SELF ESTEEM by First Name, MI, Last Name A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements of HS5006 Survey of Research Methodology [Name] [Month, Year] Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: E-mail: Instructor: Mentor: Abstract A childs self esteem is very important in determining the future of the child. A child must grow with a positive self esteem. Self esteem is affected by poverty. Poverty affects the socio-economic welfare of the family which in turn affects the child. This usually happens when the parents of the poor child are not able to afford what other children are getting form their parents including better education, medical cover, social facilities among others. The poor child who suffers from low self-esteem is not able to compete with the rest because he is psychologically affected. The effects of low self esteem could go on even up to adulthood. This article examines the impacts of poverty on a childs self esteem. Table of contents Introduction Background Problem statement Significance of the study Literature review a) Theoretical literature review b) Empirical literature review Methodology Discussion and findings Recommendations Conclusion 1.0 Introduction Self esteem is the key driving factor in a childs achievement in life. For a child to succeed he must have a positive sense of self esteem. A child with low self esteem is always out competed by the rest of the children with positive self esteem.   Self esteem can make one either to do well or poorly in every day activities. On the other hand, poverty is the lack of finances to meet the daily financial commitments. A poor person, according to the United Nations is a person who lives below a $1 per day. Poverty affects a persons ability to cater and provide the daily basic needs. Children borne out of poor families are characterized with low self esteem. This is because the parents are not in a position to provide for them the daily basic needs as the other children from the well off families. When at school, these children are teased on their social-economic welfare lowering further their sense of self-esteem. When such children grow up with such low self esteem, they do not compete well because they were poorly prepared for the future due poor background. This research paper investigates the effect of poverty on the self esteem of the children. 2.0 Background Poverty is the lack of well-being by the people. It is the inability of people to purchase basic necessities of life. This includes food, shelter, education and clothing. Absolute poverty is a type of poverty associated with the lack of financial capability to afford basic necessities of life. It usually occurs when a person spends less than $1 in a day. This type is also known as financial poverty. This kind of poverty can be alleviated by encouraging the people to develop small, medium or large businesses. The4 businesses should make use of natural resources for them to be effective. The other type of poverty is the poverty that is not associated with income. Also called the non- income poverty. This is where the people may have some money but in general, their life standards are below the societys expectations i.e. they may not be in a position to afford basic education, health care etc. this type of poverty can be alleviated through increased access to affordable social services. The social services should also be qualitative in addition typo to being affordable. In general, poor people often live below the standards of the society. Poverty is most prevalent in the unemployed, the youth, children, mothers, and the aged. Children borne out of poverty must struggle to reach the level of their counterparts from well off families. They struggle through their adulthood trying to make ends meet. Poverty is a social problem because the children borne in poor families are not given a fair opportunity to compete with the rest. There have been various measures of poverty that have been and are still in use although new measures of poverty are being advocated. The UNDP developed the human development index in 1990 to measure the level of poverty. This measures poverty based on the income. Globally, a measure that is used to measure poverty is the one developed and regularly updated by the World Bank; the $1per day. This measure is widely used although it doesnt show the real human wellbeing. That is why better methods that can capture the well being of humans are being advocated. Self-esteem: self esteem can be either high medium or low. According to Baumeister, smart Boden 1996), extremely high self esteem indicate destructiveness and narcissism. Some people may have false sense of high esteem whereby the feel they have high self esteem yet they have very low self esteem. A person with low self esteem lacks self awareness and may be defensive. (Hoyle, Kernis, Leary Baldwin 1991). Low self esteem is associated with depression. There is a strong relationship between suicide and low sense of self esteem. According to Guindon H. (2010), a person with a high sense of self esteem is more likely to be self directed and independent than low esteem individuals. Problem statement the way children perceive things is very important. This is because it is a vital component in developing their self esteem. In addition to that, self esteem is a key aspect in the learning process of a child. Through it, a child can view things either positively or negatively. On the other hand, low self esteem in children can be blamed on poverty. As children grow up, they may face low self esteem problems especially during their puberty. Self esteem varies with from one child top another (Williams, 2007). According to sociological researchers, there are two types of poverty namely: situational poverty where a family can plunge into poverty due to some negative aspects of change like loss of a job or problems of a disease and generational poverty which when it strike a family it is difficult to deal with and a child may suffer even up to old age. Children are affected differently by the two type of poverty (Dana, 2003).A child born in a family that has generational poverty grows in the knowledge that the situation the family is in is determined by fate and the situation is beyond control. A child born in a family with generational poverty always feel inferior compared to his/her peers and usually suffer from low self esteem. However, low self esteem disappears and the child grows confidence if the situation disappears. 3.0 Research questions This research seeks to investigate the relationship between poverty and the self esteem of children; whether the relationship is direct on inverse. It undertakes to answer the following research questions: Does poverty have and impact on the self esteem of children? Is the relationship between poverty and self esteem a direct or an inverse relationship? Does low self-esteem progress in to adult life in a poverty stricken family? 4.0 Significance of the study literature on the effects of poverty on psychological development of a child triggered the research into this topic on the effects of poverty on a childs self esteem. The former studies were not clear and specific on the effects of poverty on the self esteem of a child (Sandra and Josefina, 2002). This later became reality and a challenge. The observation of children across different family backgrounds drew the interests of different researchers. They started working on it and in the preliminary observations, the self esteem in children decreased as the level of poverty increased among children but not absolutely. This means that some children had high self esteem though they were from poor backgrounds and vice versa. No observations were made on whether the low self esteem disappeared as the children grew albeit still being in poverty. This unanswered questions triggered the topic and these forms the main objective of this research. Through this study, we shall find out the relation ship between poverty and self esteem in children. From the findings, researchers can come out with a better methodology of dealing with low self esteem in children from poverty stricken families. 5.0 Literature review 5.1 Theoretical literature review This research will make use of different library material and electronic databases such as J-STOR and inform global database in compiling of the research. In addition the research will make use of books and peer reviewed journals to compile and complete the task. The use of government publication will be very instrumental to get the statistics and figures that are relevant to the topic. According to Sandra, W. (2007), children can be affected by the family issues like lack of funds, peer pressure, stigma and family stresses. Children from poverty stricken families often do suffer from stresses from the family unlike their peers from other well off families. It is more humiliating to them when they are not in a position to pay the full amount required for school activities. Also affecting childrens self esteem are factors like stigma attached to poverty stricken families, class divisions, humiliation from peers pointing out what they lack, low quality clothing compared to their peers etc. in addition to this, there are other factors like lack of access to some facilities like swimming pools, certain games like golf etc. all these factors can have a negative impact on the self esteem of the child which in turn negatively influences the childs education. Children always want to feel confident in their abilities. Contrary to this, their schoolwork and future life prospe cts will be highly affected negatively. Sandra, W. (2007), adds that for children to do well, they need role models that are positive, positive friend, families together wit h communities. This will make a difference on their self esteem. Parents also have a role to play as far as self esteem is concerned. As much as they should praise the children for a job well done, they should watch out not to overdo it because it will backfire. Very high expectations to children pressure them so much that they make mistakes avoiding challenges. Too much criticism also damages self esteem. Therefore, parents must strike a balance. A child can overcome financial as well as emotional if all the players, teachers, aunts, parents and peer can be of positive influence to them (Sandra, W. 2007). Rani, (2006) studies the impact of single poor mothers on their children in India and He notes that the impacts are wide, varied and complex. Many single women in India, though they do not have any formal employment, they head their households providing everything that is needed. When the husband dies, these women assume every responsibility of the home. They work outside leaving the children alone at home. Since they are poor, they can not afford to hire a care taker to take care of the children. Their financial indigence can not allow them to provide mentorship for their children. They thus feel anxious about their childrens future. The conditions are hard for both the mothers and the children. The mothers are hands tied to care for the childrens basic needs. With the soaring economic conditions, they strain and cut down expenses. This leads to provision of poor quality services to these children.   They drop out of school. In pursuit for the basic needs, they end up assisting th e mother in provision of basic necessities. The familys role as a socialization agent is weakened. The whole scenario is a total mess (Rani, I. 2006). Mclahahan Booth, (1989) argue that the socialization process is different in single parent families. That the attachment of children to parents, the expectations and values of parents and the ability of parents to influence their childrens behavior are some of the factors that are vital in enhancing socialization within families. In addition to that, structural factors of whether a family is single parent or not matters. Single mothers are less influential regarding childrens decisions than when they are two. Peer pressure is more intense in children from single mother families then others. Though some researchers say that school performance of children fro the two types of families differ, Rani, (2006) says that studies carried out show that children from two parent families out performed their counterparts form single parent mothers. This is explained by the low socio economic standards of the children from single mother families. In this connection, the children from poor familie s educational performance are affected by the poor economic standards of their mothers (Mclanahan, 1985). More so, the school drop out rate was high for children from single mothers that those from two parents. Single mothers rarely monitor the social activities of their adolescents. This leads them to be susceptible to peer-pressure more than their counterparts resulting to other chain of bad social behavior. These children according to studies spend more time doing chores at home as compared to their counterparts from two parents. According to wisegeek, (2010), poverty starts affecting children even before they are borne. This experienced when the mother s are poor and can not insured. Therefore they always dont get prenatal care early enough making them suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and other complications. This leads to developmental delays in their children growth, lagging behind their peers. As if hat is not enough, children from poverty stricken families usually experience many health complications like asthma (due to living in poorly ventilated house structures) and obesity (due to the inability of parents to afford a diet rich in proteins). Another problem of growing up in poverty is mental problems. This occurs to due to stresses that accompany poverty stricken families. These problems include; unemployment, divorce, death, drug abuse etc. Anxiety and depression feelings are the outcomes of such situations and they can last to adult hood. In addition to lack of quality time from working par ents who strive to make ends meet, children from poor families spent much of their time in poor quality daycare centers. This could impact negatively on their emotional health (wisegeek, 2010). Children form poor background often receive low quality education once in elementary school because they are involved in a lot of movements or they are forced to attend cheap schools that provide poor services. This will set up long term repercussions to the child. If he cant learn properly in elementary school he will be affected even in high school and college. The lack of a university degree will ruin the rest of the lifetime of the child as he will struggle a lot. Teenagers form poor families are most likely to indulge in drug abuse, risky promiscuous behavior and alcohol. The indulgence in this will most likely spur chains of other unlawful activities all this happen at the expense of learning and preparation for future life which their counterparts from affluent families will be doing. This complicates their lives even further. Solving generational poverty is a problem because it can affect two to three generations. A family suffering from generation poverty will be so frustrated; they even create myths surrounding their poverty situation thus forming a culture of poverty that limits their chances of breaking through and coming out successful. This may include indulging in unlawful acts like burglary. Due to poverty, children from families suffering from generational poverty grow up knowing that their present circumstances are fate determined in addition to factors that are beyond their control while those children fro m the middle and upper class are taught how to focus on the future and the potential to their lives (wisegeek, 2010). 5.2 Empirical literature review Rosenburg Owens (2001) provides an example of low esteem persons drawn from the examples and the surveys. They find that persons with low esteem are more sensitive to any experiences that threaten to damage their esteem. Criticism troubles them most causing them to react more emotionally to failure. In addition to that, they easily magnify events as negative and make non critical events as critical. These people experience low interpersonal success due to inadequate interpersonal confidence. High self esteem people look for growth while their counterparts, the low esteem people usually protect the esteem not wanting to make mistakes. Low self esteemed people are more pessimistic, distressed emotionally, less happy and anxious. Low esteemed people are rigid, indecisive and inflexible. Self esteem and happiness are interrelated. High self esteem fosters better physical health, good feelings, low depression, etc. Abernathy T. Webster, and Vermeulen, M. (2010), using the Evans-Stoddart model, they examined the data on 1759 adolescents of age 12-19. They found out from the study that there is a relation ship between the income of families and the health and that the relationship is based on the social environment including the differences in lifestyles, access to healthcare and low sense of self esteem. The analysis entailed bivariate and multivariate which displayed the positive relationship between self esteem and mastery and physical exercises levels. Interpreting the findings, they found out that low physical activity experienced by children from poor families have impact negatively on their self esteem hence their health. To reduce the impact, policies and programs that reduce poverty and increase the physical activity o f such children should be established. These policies would not only boost the health of the children but will also increases the level of esteem that the child has. This will translate into improved academic performance fro the children and thus a brighter future (Abernathy, T. 2010). In another survey carried out by Trzcinski, E. (2004), he studied school children in Middle Ages and assessed the effects of welfare on their daily activities and life. He undertook thirty interviews with children from metropolitan and large areas. He gathered the views of children as regarding the impact of multiple jobs on the child-parent relationship.   His outcome of the research was that the multiple jobs done by their parents during the night or in evening interfered with the child- parent relationship. He also found out that children who affected by these jobs went to school late and that the children while at school were always teased about their poverty and welfare issues. Trzcinski, E. (2004), noted that this affected the performance of the children at school because children from urban and poor families were poor and therefore their welfare was low. They could not afford many of the things that those children from the well-off families could.   He points out that this also affected the childs psychological well being (Trzcinski, E. 2004). 6.0 Methodology This research paper makes use of secondary data obtained from secondary sources like the books, journal articles, and the internet. 7.0 Main findings and discussion This research paper finds a major relation ship between the impacts of poverty on childs self-esteem. Poverty has significant effects to the children coming from poor backgrounds. According to Rani, (2006), many families that were single parents in India, they were poor. This was attributed to the inability of the mothers to posses various useful skill that would assist them get good employment. These mothers stayed out late fending for their children. The children on the other hand were lest on their on. This makes the families poor since the mother income in is not enough to cater for the food, shelter and the clothing. The low social economic situation of the family affects the children psychologically. This is because; their parents can not afford the better education, better health, social services recreation among many other things. These children miss a lot. Their sense of self esteem is tampered with. They start seeing themselves in a different angle as less achievers. They c ant think properly like their counterparts from well-off families. Socialization is hard because they are teased. As Trzcinski, E. 2004 found out, these children from poor back grounds are teased at school of their socio- economic welfare. This just serves to increase the pressure they have on their self esteem. They end up suffering from stress and depression. In, fact this explains the high school drop out rates among children from poor families. The poor family conditions affect the childrens performance at school. Their counterparts out perform them shining in every aspect. There many reasons to explain this. Just as Rani, (2006) pointed out, those children from single mother families are at double risks. They have no one to supervise their academic work as the mother is too busy. She leaves early and reports I back ate. They are on their own doing every chore at home and thus they have less time to study. They also walk to school. Due to the strained economic condition of the family, their parents can only afford a cheap school that offers low quality education. With no family socialization, these children grow into adulthood equipped with very little education and skills. Thus they will still lead poor lives just because they are less prepared to compete with the rest of the children who are well prepared for the future. In addition to the above, poverty starts having its effects on the child prom a poor family from his birth. As Guindon H. (2010) points out, the parents of these children are poor therefore they cant afford health care insurance. They keep waiting for pre-natal care from cheap hospitals. Due to the low quality of the services, they give birth to children in poor environment growing up with many complications like asthma diabetes etc. these poor conditions affect them as they grow up because the parents are poor and can   not afford good nutritional diet to their children. The poor conditions that the child grows in affects his self esteem and instead of the child growing up fighting poverty, he accepts it, and starts to think that everything and every situation they undergo is fate driven this low self esteem if not fought hard, results in vicious cycle of poverty for an individual. He will be poor since borne to his death. And the poverty can surpass to the next generation. 8.0 Recommendations to take care low self esteemed individuals The following are the recommendations made to lower the effect of poverty on the self esteem children from poor backgrounds: Social support: the state should increase programs that provide social support to the individuals with low self esteem. According to Guindon H. (2010), people with strong social ties have high sense of self esteem. Therefore, to raise a persons self esteem, one needs to increase a sense of belonging. Cognitive behavioral strategies: this helps reduce stress and depression as it increases the level of self esteem among schizophrenic patients. Tests carried out showed that techniques like relaxation, study skill and guided imagery help reduce anxiety and increase the level of self esteem in college students. Individual, family or group strategies: one-on-one individual counseling increases self esteem thou, it should not be used on critical cases of low self esteem. Family therapy should address issues like ineffective parenting styles and poor family functioning. This may be useful in treating issues related to family dynamics (e.g. eating disorder).   Physical fitness strategy: Exercises especially sports help increase self esteem. The effect of exercises is most felt in adolescents. Other strategies like reality strategies, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, play therapy and creative arts have also been used to increase self esteem. In school going children especially, child centered lay therapy is highly recommended to alleviate the problems of low self esteem. However, the therapist should first understand the source of the low self esteem. Through this strategy, parents and teachers are taught ways of dealing with such cases and how to improve the childs autonomy, responsibility and setting therapeutic limits. The state should come up with programs to help reduce the long term effects of poverty on the development children. Nutrition programs like the women, infants and children (WIC) should be encouraged to because they help feed pregnant women and young children below the age of five with nutritious food. This includes offering of free pre-school to children from poor back grounds. 9.0 Conclusion Poverty should be taken seriously. It is affecting many children from poor backgrounds. Such children have low self esteem which ends up messing up their entire future life. Poor children from poor backgrounds do not do well in school due to low self esteem. They also experience frequent cases of stress and depression. Majority of single mother families are poor. Frequencies of school dropouts are high in such poor families. Due to frustration, they succumb to peer-pressure hence indulging in drug abuse and promiscuity. If the low esteem goes on in the lives of these children as they grow up, they may end up being poor and frustrated. The state should move fast to save and secure the future of these children through social programs that are helpful to them. Other non-governmental organizations should work hand in hand with the government in alleviating poverty and helping the poor families. Some of the programs that they should involve themselves with are nutrition programs, individual family strategies, physical fitness strategies, social support and cognitive behavioral strategies among many others. These will save the future generation. References Abernathy, T., Webster, G. and Vermeulen, M. (2010). Relationship Between Poverty and Health Among Adolescents. Retrieved on February 23, 2010 from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12003291 Boden, J., Ferguson,D. and Horwood, M. (2008). Does adolescent self esteem predict later life outcomes? A test of the causal role of self esteem. Development and psychology.20, 319-339. Dana, H. (2003). What are the Long Term Effects of Poverty? Retrieved on January 21, 2010from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-long-term-effects-of-poverty.htm Guindon, H. (2009). Self esteem across lifespans: issues and interventions. Brunner-Routlegde USA Kernis, M., Grannemann,B and Mathis, C (1991). Stability of Self Esteem as a Moderator of The Relation Between Level of Self-Esteem and Depression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 61, 80-84 Mclanahan, S. and Bumpass, L. (1988). Intergenerational consequences of family disruption, American journal of sociology 94 (1):130-152 Owens, T and Stryker S (2001). The future of self esteem. Extending self esteem theory and research. New York Cambrige University Press. Rani, I. (2006). Child Care by Poor Single Mothers: Study of Mother Headed Families in India. Journal of Comparative Family studies 01. Sandra, A., Josefina, F. (2002). Gender and poverty: Self-esteem among elementary schoolchildren. Journal of children and poverty, 2(1), 5-22.Williams, S. (2007). Child poverty and Self Esteem. Retrieved on January 21, 2010 fromhttp://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/child_poverty_and_self_esteem Sandra,W. (2007). Child Poverty and Self Esteem: How Poverty can Contribute to Childrens Negative Emotional State.retrievd on February 23, 2010 from: http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/child_poverty_and_self_esteem Trzcinski, E. (2002). Middle School Childrens Perceptions on Welfare and Poverty: An Exploratory, Qualitative Study. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Vol. 23, 4. Wisegeek, (2010). What are the long term effects of poverty? Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-long-term-effects-of-poverty.htm

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Angola Millennium Goals Report 2010 Essay -- Goal Analysis

CONTENT 1. Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦3 2. Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 3. 2.a. United Nations - Millennium Development Goals Project.......................................4 4. 2.b. Angola †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 5. The first goal †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 6. 3.a What is the goal ? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 7. 3.b. Angola`s targets †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 8. 3.c.Angola`s challenges †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 9. 3.d. Will Angola complete the goal †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 10. 4.The sixth goal †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦........................6 11. 4.a.What is the goal ? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..6 12. 4.b.1. Angola`s target †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦...............................6 13. 4.b.2.Angola`s progress†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.............................6 14. 4.c. Angola`s challenges †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦.............................7 15. 4.d.WillAngolacompletethegoal †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...........................7 16. 5.Conclusion †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....................7 17. References list †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..8 1. Abstract There are many regions of Africa involved in war, from the Ivory Coast in the west to sub Saharan Africa. Many of the issues are occur in Africa such as violence, AIDS/HIV diseases, poverty, famine, ethnic or religious conflict, corruption, and economic stagnation .This report analyses two goals from the Millennium Development Goals Project through Angola`s efforts to reach them(United Nation 2010 ). The aim of this paper is to explain the Millennium Development Goals in Angola as an underdeveloped country with a focus on two goals. The first one is reduction of e... ...ewed 17 June 2010 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ao.html. ‘Litigation Report Corruption in Angola - A Human Rights Violation’, December 2008,pp 1-54 viewed 20 June 2010. . MDG Monitor 2010, ‘Tracking the millennium Development Goals‘, viewed 22 JUNE 2010, ‘National strategy plan on HIV-AIDS’, 2008, pp. 1- 49, viewed 17 June 2010 http://www.womenandaids.net/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=02a80000-587a../pdf United Nation 2010, ‘The Millennium Development Goals’, viewed 10 June 2010. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/. ‘The Millennium Development Goals report’ 2008, United Nation, viewed 10 June 2010. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/The%20Millennium%20Development%20Goals%20Report%202008.pdf.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

MARCIA GRIFFITHS: REGGAE QUEEN? :: Essays Papers

MARCIA GRIFFITHS: REGGAE QUEEN? BEGINNING YEARS These two quotes are critical in answering the question of whether or not Marcia Griffiths is the true Reggae Queen. After looking at her success as a female artist, the answer to this question becomes obvious. Women have been oppressed across the globe for centuries, which make Griffiths success as a female Reggae artist that much more outstanding. Looking at her achievements throughout her life starting at a young age to thirty-seven years in the music business, the audience will understand why she is the true Reggae Queen. Linneth Marcia Griffiths was born and raised in Kingston. Music had always been apart of her upbringing from her father’s influence as a singer. Her talent was recognized very early by producers Clement Coxsone Dodd and Byron Lee, â€Å"who were said to be competing for her father’s signature on a recording contract even before she was ten. Coxsone won the compitition and his legendary Studio One and its downbeat rhythms became her musical college.† (Tafari, pg. 1) Marcia reached the big stage for the first time at the Carib Theater in Cross Roads, Kingston at the age of twelve. At the age of sixteen she achieved her first Jamaican # 1 with the Rock Steady hit â€Å"Feel Like Jumping.† After that, she opened shows in Jamaica for Carla Thomas, Betty Wright and Ben E. King among others. Since those vintage days, music has been her life and she has risen to the top of Rock Steady and Reggae Charts in Jamaica. While growing up she listened to and admired singers like Aretha Franklin, Carla Thomas and Deon Warkick. There were not many female artists in Jamaica, but one that she admired was the late â€Å"Hortense Ellis† who was a local singer. At a young age Marcia established a name for herself before teaming up with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt. Over the years Marcia has built up a long list of solo hits, but the re-make by Marcia and Bob Andy of the Nina Simone hit â€Å"Young, Gifted and Black† in the 1970’s put her into a household name throughout the Caribbean and Europe. (Tafari, pg. 2) The record’s popularity rose the charts in the UK and soon became popular across Europe.

Surviving The Last Plantation :: essays research papers fc

Self-preservation, natures first great law,All the creatures, but man, doth awe.-Andrew MarvelleLove, family, and small thrills are but three things to live for. Sometimes they are the only things to live for. Sometimes they are what drive us to survive. For some of the inmates at Angola State Prison, there is little to live for and they still survive. Daniel Bergner once stated, "We live for whatever it is possible to live for†¦" (168). But what do the inmates of Angola live for? What brings meaning into their lives? Many of the inmates at Angola have been convicted of capital crimes. Many have no chance for parole. They still survive; they still find a reason to live. They find meaning in their lives.Before purpose and survival or redemption and salvation can be discussed, an idea of what Angola is must be produced. The warden of Angola is a large man by the name of Burl Cain. Some believe that he is the reason for Angola being what it is. Bergner believes different:The striking tranquility at Angola—confirmed by the ACLU’s National Prison Project and Louisiana’s own watchdogs—could not be credited to Warden Cain alone. Twenty-one years ago conditions had been so anarchic and murderous a federal judge had ruled that the prison "shocked the conscience" and breached the Eight Amendment’s guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment. Reform had begun then. [†¦] [Warden Cain] aimed not merely at warehousing inmates safely, but at rebuilding them, at redeeming them, whether in terms of his Southern Baptist belief or in religious terms more broad ("Love thy neighbor†¦") or simply in the sense of learning to live in some valuable way, without the impulses that lead to destroying others†¦. (24-25)Though Bergner only carries this thought through the beginning of his stay at Angola, it is till a viable description of the institution. With this rough idea of Angola in mind, the inmates of Angola can be discussed. Their reasons for living can be shared.Carey "Buckkey" Lasseigne was convicted to live imprisonment at Angola at the age of 22 (Bergner 220). "He was separated from his wife the month after the killing, and they have since divorced. But they had been back together since his first year at Angola" (Bergner 221). That is part of what kept Buckkey going; part of what gave him a reason to live inside Angola. His wife is only part of the reason.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirty-five

Eddard He found Littlefinger in the brothel's common room, chatting amiably with a tall, elegant woman who wore a feathered gown over skin as black as ink. By the hearth, Heward and a buxom wench were playing at forfeits. From the look of it, he'd lost his belt, his cloak, his mail shirt, and his right boot so far, while the girl had been forced to unbutton her shift to the waist. Jory Cassel stood beside a rain-streaked window with a wry smile on his face, watching Heward turn over tiles and enjoying the view. Ned paused at the foot of the stair and pulled on his gloves. â€Å"It's time we took our leave. My business here is done.† Heward lurched to his feet, hurriedly gathering up his things. â€Å"As you will, my lord,† Jory said. â€Å"I'll help Wyl bring round the horses.† He strode to the door. Littlefinger took his time saying his farewells. He kissed the black woman's hand, whispered some joke that made her laugh aloud, and sauntered over to Ned. â€Å"Your business,† he said lightly, â€Å"or Robert's? They say the Hand dreams the king's dreams, speaks with the king's voice, and rules with the king's sword. Does that also mean you fuck with the king's—† â€Å"Lord Baelish,† Ned interrupted, â€Å"you presume too much. I am not ungrateful for your help. It might have taken us years to find this brothel without you. That does not mean I intend to endure your mockery. And I am no longer the King's Hand.† â€Å"The direwolf must be a prickly beast,† said Littlefinger with a sharp twist of his mouth. A warm rain was pelting down from a starless black sky as they walked to the stables. Ned drew up the hood of his cloak. Jory brought out his horse. Young Wyl came right behind him, leading Littlefinger's mare with one hand while the other fumbled with his belt and the lacings of his trousers. A barefoot whore leaned out of the stable door, giggling at him. â€Å"Will we be going back to the castle now, my lord?† Jory asked. Ned nodded and swung into the saddle. Littlefinger mounted up beside him. Jory and the others followed. â€Å"Chataya runs a choice establishment,† Littlefinger said as they rode. â€Å"I've half a mind to buy it. Brothels are a much sounder investment than ships, I've found. Whores seldom sink, and when they are boarded by pirates, why, the pirates pay good coin like everyone else.† Lord Petyr chuckled at his own wit. Ned let him prattle on. After a time, he quieted and they rode in silence. The streets of King's Landing were dark and deserted. The rain had driven everyone under their roofs. It beat down on Ned's head, warm as blood and relentless as old guilts. Fat drops of water ran down his face. â€Å"Robert will never keep to one bed,† Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm's End. â€Å"I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale.† Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. â€Å"Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature.† The girl had been so young Ned had not dared to ask her age. No doubt she'd been a virgin; the better brothels could always find a virgin, if the purse was fat enough. She had light red hair and a powdering of freckles across the bridge of her nose, and when she slipped free a breast to give her nipple to the babe, he saw that her bosom was freckled as well. â€Å"I named her Barra,† she said as the child nursed. â€Å"She looks so like him, does she not, milord? She has his nose, and his hair . . . â€Å" â€Å"She does.† Eddard Stark had touched the baby's fine, dark hair. It flowed through his fingers like black silk. Robert's firstborn had had the same fine hair, he seemed to recall. â€Å"Tell him that when you see him, milord, as it . . . as it please you. Tell him how beautiful she is.† â€Å"I will,† Ned had promised her. That was his curse. Robert would swear undying love and forget them before evenfall, but Ned Stark kept his vows. He thought of the promises he'd made Lyanna as she lay dying, and the price he'd paid to keep them. â€Å"And tell him I've not been with no one else. I swear it, milord, by the old gods and new. Chataya said I could have half a year, for the baby, and for hoping he'd come back. So you'll tell him I'm waiting, won't you? I don't want no jewels or nothing, just him. He was always good to me, truly.† Good to you, Ned thought hollowly. â€Å"I will tell him, child, and I promise you, Barra shall not go wanting.† She had smiled then, a smile so tremulous and sweet that it cut the heart out of him. Riding through the rainy night, Ned saw Jon Snow's face in front of him, so like a younger version of his own. If the gods frowned so on bastards, he thought dully, why did they fill men with such lusts? â€Å"Lord Baelish, what do you know of Robert's bastards?† â€Å"Well, he has more than you, for a start.† â€Å"How many?† Littlefinger shrugged. Rivulets of moisture twisted down the back of his cloak. â€Å"Does it matter? If you bed enough women, some will give you presents, and His Grace has never been shy on that count. I know he's acknowledged that boy at Storm's End, the one he fathered the night Lord Stannis wed. He could hardly do otherwise. The mother was a Florent, niece to the Lady Selyse, one of her bedmaids. Renly says that Robert carried the girl upstairs during the feast, and broke in the wedding bed while Stannis and his bride were still dancing. Lord Stannis seemed to think that was a blot on the honor of his wife's House, so when the boy was born, he shipped him off to Renly.† He gave Ned a sideways glance. â€Å"I've also heard whispers that Robert got a pair of twins on a serving wench at Casterly Rock, three years ago when he went west for Lord Tywin's tourney. Cersei had the babes killed, and sold the mother to a passing slaver. Too much an affront to Lannister pride, that close to home.† Ned Stark grimaced. Ugly tales like that were told of every great lord in the realm. He could believe it of Cersei Lannister readily enough . . . but would the king stand by and let it happen? The Robert he had known would not have, but the Robert he had known had never been so practiced at shutting his eyes to things he did not wish to see. â€Å"Why would Jon Arryn take a sudden interest in the king's baseborn children?† The short man gave a sodden shrug. â€Å"He was the King's Hand. Doubtless Robert asked him to see that they were provided for.† Ned was soaked through to the bone, and his soul had grown cold. â€Å"It had to be more than that, or why kill him?† Littlefinger shook the rain from his hair and laughed. â€Å"Now I see. Lord Arryn learned that His Grace had filled the bellies of some whores and fishwives, and for that he had to be silenced. Small wonder. Allow a man like that to live, and next he's like to blurt out that the sun rises in the east.† There was no answer Ned Stark could give to that but a frown. For the first time in years, he found himself remembering Rhaegar Targaryen. He wondered if Rhaegar had frequented brothels; somehow he thought not. The rain was falling harder now, stinging the eyes and drumming against the ground. Rivers of black water were running down the hill when Jory called out, â€Å"My lord,† his voice hoarse with alarm. And in an instant, the street was full of soldiers. Ned glimpsed ringmail over leather, gauntlets and greaves, steel helms with golden lions on the crests. Their cloaks clung to their backs, sodden with rain. He had no time to count, but there were ten at least, a line of them, on foot, blocking the street, with longswords and iron-tipped spears. â€Å"Behind!† he heard Wyl cry, and when he turned his horse, there were more in back of them, cutting off their retreat. Jory's sword came singing from its scabbard. â€Å"Make way or die!† â€Å"The wolves are howling,† their leader said. Ned could see rain running down his face. â€Å"Such a small pack, though.† Littlefinger walked his horse forward, step by careful step. â€Å"What is the meaning of this? This is the Hand of the King.† â€Å"He was the Hand of the King.† The mud muffled the hooves of the blood bay stallion. The line parted before him. On a golden breastplate, the lion of Lannister roared its defiance. â€Å"Now, if truth be told, I'm not sure what he is.† â€Å"Lannister, this is madness,† Littlefinger said. â€Å"Let us pass. We are expected back at the castle. What do you think you're doing?† â€Å"He knows what he's doing,† Ned said calmly. Jaime Lannister smiled. â€Å"Quite true. I'm looking for my brother. You remember my brother, don't you, Lord Stark? He was with us at Winterfell. Fair-haired, mismatched eyes, sharp of tongue. A short man.† â€Å"I remember him well,† Ned replied. â€Å"It would seem he has met some trouble on the road. My lord father is quite vexed. You would not perchance have any notion of who might have wished my brother ill, would you?† â€Å"Your brother has been taken at my command, to answer for his crimes,† Ned Stark said. Littlefinger groaned in dismay. â€Å"My lords—† Ser Jaime ripped his longsword from its sheath and urged his stallion forward. â€Å"Show me your steel, Lord Eddard. I'll butcher you like Aerys if I must, but I'd sooner you died with a blade in your hand.† He gave Littlefinger a cool, contemptuous glance. â€Å"Lord Baelish, I'd leave here in some haste if I did not care to get bloodstains on my costly clothing.† Littlefinger did not need to be urged. â€Å"I will bring the City Watch,† he promised Ned. The Lannister line parted to let him through, and closed behind him. Littlefinger put his heels to his mare and vanished around a corner. Ned's men had drawn their swords, but they were three against twenty. Eyes watched from nearby windows and doors, but no one was about to intervene. His party was mounted, the Lannisters on foot save for Jaime himself. A charge might win them free, but it seemed to Eddard Stark that they had a surer, safer tactic. â€Å"Kill me,† he warned the Kingslayer, â€Å"and Catelyn will most certainly slay Tyrion.† Jaime Lannister poked at Ned's chest with the gilded sword that had sipped the blood of the last of the Dragonkings. â€Å"Would she? The noble Catelyn Tully of Riverrun murder a hostage? I think . . . not.† He sighed. â€Å"But I am not willing to chance my brother's life on a woman's honor.† Jaime slid the golden sword into its sheath. â€Å"So I suppose I'll let you run back to Robert to tell him how I frightened you. I wonder if he'll care.† Jaime pushed his wet hair back with his fingers and wheeled his horse around. When he was beyond the line of swordsmen, he glanced back at his captain. â€Å"Tregar, see that no harm comes to Lord Stark.† â€Å"As you say, m'lord.† â€Å"Still . . . we wouldn't want him to leave here entirely unchastened, so†Ã¢â‚¬â€through the night and the rain, he glimpsed the white of Jaime's smile—†kill his men.† â€Å"No!† Ned Stark screamed, clawing for his sword. Jaime was already cantering off down the street as he heard Wyl shout. Men closed from both sides. Ned rode one down, cutting at phantoms in red cloaks who gave way before him. Jory Cassel put his heels into his mount and charged. A steel-shod hoof caught a Lannister guardsman in the face with a sickening crunch. A second man reeled away and for an instant Jory was free. Wyl cursed as they pulled him off his dying horse, swords slashing in the rain. Ned galloped to him, bringing his longsword down on Tregar's helm. The jolt of impact made him grit his teeth. Tregar stumbled to his knees, his lion crest sheared in half, blood running down his face. Heward was hacking at the hands that had seized his bridle when a spear caught him in the belly. Suddenly Jory was back among them, a red rain flying from his sword. â€Å"No!† Ned shouted. â€Å"Jory, away!† Ned's horse slipped under him and came crashing down in th e mud. There was a moment of blinding pain and the taste of blood in his mouth. He saw them cut the legs from Jory's mount and drag him to the earth, swords rising and failing as they closed in around him. When Ned's horse lurched back to its feet, he tried to rise, only to fall again, choking on his scream. He could see the splintered bone poking through his calf. It was the last thing he saw for a time. The rain came down and down and down. When he opened his eyes again, Lord Eddard Stark was alone with his dead. His horse moved closer, caught the rank scent of blood, and galloped away. Ned began to drag himself through the mud, gritting his teeth at the agony in his leg. It seemed to take years. Faces watched from candlelit windows, and people began to emerge from alleys and doors, but no one moved to help. Littlefinger and the City Watch found him there in the street, cradling Jory Cassel's body in his arms. Somewhere the gold cloaks found a litter, but the trip back to the castle was a blur of agony, and Ned lost consciousness more than once. He remembered seeing the Red Keep looming ahead of him in the first grey light of dawn. The rain had darkened the pale pink stone of the massive walls to the color of blood. Then Grand Maester Pycelle was looming over him, holding a cup, whispering, â€Å"Drink, my lord. Here. The milk of the poppy, for your pain.† He remembered swallowing, and Pycelle was telling someone to heat the wine to boiling and fetch him clean silk, and that was the last he knew.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Kant vs. Singer

November 29, 2012 Singer VS. Kant Duty can be defined in numerous ways but what is difficult to know is what our moral obligations are? Immanuel Kant and Peter Singer have attempted to find a more simple, rational, and supreme rule for what our duty is. Singer makes the distinction between charity and duty. He attempts to show that we, in affluent countries such as the United States, have a moral obligation to give far more than we actually do in international aid for famine relief, disaster relief and much more.According to the reading, Singer believes we need to drastically change our way of life in order to help others. He is making the argument that â€Å"if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything morally significant, we ought, morally, to do it (231). † And he defines â€Å"bad† as â€Å"suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care (231). † The example he offers is a situation in wh ich a little girl is drowning in a shallow pond. One can easily rescue her, but doing so would wreck one’s new fifty-dollar shoes.Singer believes that morally, one needs to go in and save the girl. Anybody who would walk by and refuse to save her would be considered a horrible person. Then, he continues and introduces a different moral situation. A little girl is starving in a poor country. One can easily spend fifty dollars to save her life, but then one cannot use that money to purchase a new pair of shoes. Again, one is faced with a choice; do you save the little girl or buy new shoes? He believes that there is no moral difference between these two cases.In conclusion, he is saying that as a moral obligation, you should save the little girl in Africa instead of buying the new pair of shoes. People in affluent countries can prevent people dying from starvation by giving more money to famine relief without sacrificing anything morally significant. Therefore, they should. He believes that no matter how close or how far someone is, if you know you can prevent bad without sacrifice, it is your moral obligation to do so. Sometimes, the excuse people use for not donating to charity is that they don’t have much money right now but when they do, they will.Plus, they acknowledge the fact that there are other people who do have extra money at the time, so it is their responsibility. On the other hand, they also know that a lot of these people have the money but choose not to help. And the fact that they don’t help does not justify a person with less means not to help. In the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant is looking to find an understanding of morality that can be drawn from first principles rather than from empirical experience, which is knowledge that we gain from experiences.Morality needs to be established in pure reason and not gained form human experiences, but applicable to any and all rational beings. He is attempting to com e up with a rational supreme principle of morality. He begins by addressing the idea of duty. Kant says that the only quality that is actually good is good will. Any other quality can be accompanied by bad will. And good will is not good because of what it achieves, it is good for the reason to do it. He argues that reason must be meant to help us develop a good will.The purpose of having a good will is not to do good things, it is good in itself. And a person’s will is only good if they are motivated by duty, not any selfish wants. The idea of a good will is supposed to be the idea of one who only makes decisions that she holds to be morally worthy, taking moral considerations to guide their behavior. Kant believes that the fundamental principle of our moral duties is a categorical imperative. A categorical imperative is a command that expresses a general, unavoidable requirement of the moral law.Its three forms have universalizability, respect, and autonomy. Together they e stablish an action that would be considered â€Å"good† only if we can will everyone to do it, it enables us to treat other people as ends and not as the means to our own selfish ends, and it allows us to see other persons as mutual law-makers in an ideal ‘realm of ends. ’Kant believes that the difference between being motivated by a sense of duty in the ordinary sense and being motivated in his sense was that he thinks that motivation by duty is motivation by our respect for whatever law it is that makes our action a duty.Our respect for the laws that guide is qualified in the sense that we pick which is more or less important and which has more value. In contrasting and comparing Kant’s and Singer’s argument, I have come to the conclusion that Kant’s argument is more realistic than Singer’s. Singer is expecting everyone to accept the fact that helping others, whether they are close or far, is one’s duty and one must act upon i t. He is being too optimistic to think that humans will give away what is not necessary and help the people who are starving instead. His argument is weak because it achievable. Singer is asking us to sacrifice too uch and this makes it unattainable. Kant on the other hand is acknowledging that the human species is rational and is always progressing towards the good. He believes that it is one’s duty to raise ourselves from the unpolished state of our nature and move forward towards humanity. He also knows that our actions will be based on pure reason. And he knows that the motivation for duty consists on the bare respect for lawfulness. These laws he speaks about are established by the city or the state and they’re a guide for our moral compass. His expectation of us is much more attainable and real.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Admissions paper

I have come to a point in life that many people have not.   I have made a firm decision to recommit myself to pursuing my dreams.   While there are those who believe that with an ounce of luck and a ton of persistence anything can be accomplished, I believe that there is no reason to expend so much energy and rely on luck.Life is simply too short and too precious to be left to luck alone.   After serious investigation and reflection I am convinced my educational goals will be far better achieved at this prestigious University.It is not an easy decision for me, as I struggle to perform many various tasks and jobs at this point in my life.   I feel, however, that there is no substitute for a proper education and I feel that this course will be very beneficial to my future.One of the many wonderful concepts I have learned from my parents is to strive for academic excellence while balancing life with other activities and contributions.   I am proud of my previous academic recor d at (insert undergraduate school) as well as my extracurricular involvement in campus activities, part-time employment and community service.   Yet I feel that in order to reach my full potential I need to be in an environment that best caters to my interests and goals.The world is fast becoming a borderless place.   Cultures, races, beliefs and ideologies are blend together and interact because of the growing advances in communications.   In order to succeed in this world, one needs to be able to adapt to the various cultural differences as well as be able to maintain a certain sense of individual identity.My former school did not have the same diversity that I see environment where cultural diversity is promoted.     This is why I believe that this educational environment is the perfect place for me.   Not only does this University exceed my expectations but it is also enjoys a global reputation.I have learned from my parents two â€Å"laws†: the law of learnin g and the law of giving. I believe the more you learn the more open you become for learning. I am convinced this University is a great fit for â€Å"the law of learning.†Ã‚   That is why I believe that this move is a crucial step for me.   My success and my accomplishments here will herald the beginning of the fulfillment of my personal and professional goals.It is said that the one thing that nobody can ever take away from you is your education and that is the one thing that I plan to not only gain for myself but for others as well.   I have learned from my parents the critical importance of the law of giving, and I am both attracted and committed to this model of community service, particularly that â€Å"students apply skills to effect social change.†I bring to this campus a variety of assets and commitments. I have benefited from a multi-cultural mentoring program in high school.   As an open-minded student, I believe I am able to contribute to not only the c ultural diversity, but also the global views of the learning community.   My experience and perspective will greatly benefit those that I will be able to interact with on campus.   I look forward to the rich academic and cultural experience that this fine University has to offer.I have also always been committed to community service and campus government, and plan on continuing these important activities.   I will bring to the campus what others have considered in me an infectious â€Å"joy of learning, excitement for the future, and need for world contribution.† That is in essence my philosophy and I believe it will be able to contribute to the campus community if given the opportunity to do so.While I personally believe that â€Å"there is no such thing as a free lunch† and that everything a person has in life must come from hard work and perseverance, I also believe in charity.   I believe in helping others who do not have much in life.   I believe in help ing people regardless of their nation, race or creed.   I believe in being a better person so I can best help myself and others around me.I believe that this academic environment is the best place for me to turn these beliefs into realities.   I am fully aware of the significance of being considered for acceptance, and I am sincerely grateful for your time and consideration of my application.