Abortion misc1 essays

Abortion misc1 essays Abortion, the ending of pregnancy, has been a very controversial topic for decades. Is abortion moral or immoral? People all over the world have different opinions. There are different ways that abortion can be performed: surgically or medicinally. The 1973 Supreme Court decision known as Roe vs. Wade marked an important turning point in abortion. This decision made it legal to have abortions. Different states have various laws on abortion. Abortion continues to be debated worldwide. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy. It is the removal of a fetus from the uterus before the fetus is mature enough to live on its own. Abortion has been around for decades. Each year, more than 50% of all pregnancies among young woman are unintended. Half of the unintended pregnancies will end in abortion, which is 1.5 million each year. There are no specifications on who will have an abortion. Women who have abortions come from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. Calculating abortion rates, older teenagers and young adults have the highest abortion rates. Young women between the ages of 11 and 19 account for about 21% of all abortions; women 20 to 24 account for another 34 %; and about 22% of abortions are brought about by women who are 30 or older. Over half of all abortions are obtained within the first eight weeks (Women who..., 1995). Is abortion moral or immoral? People who favor abortion most invoke the right to choose of woman who conceived the child. The people who oppose abortion focus on the right to life of the fetus. John Paul II, the pope of the Roman Catholic Church, contends that abortion is a particularly heinous crime because it kills an innocent human being who has yet to be born. He feels that every human being has a sacred and inviolable right to life. New York Archbishop John J. OConnor linked abortion with the Nazi Holocaust. He stated Now Hit...

Bill Gates before Microsoft

Bill Gates before Microsoft I selected Bill Gates because he is a very important person today, and I didn't know much about him other than he was the richest man in the world. I wanted to know how or why he became so successful. Also, I wanted to know why he is such a controversial person.Facts in BriefBirth: October 28th, 1955 in Seattle WashingtonParents: William H. and Mary GatesEducation: Lakeside, a private high school, and a major of Prelaw at HarvardChildhoodBill was the second of three children. His father was a lawyer. His mother was very active in business, education, public service, and was on the board of United Way. Growing up, school was very easy for him and he learned very quickly. Most people who knew him say that it was impossible to win an argument against him because he knew so much. Socially, he was an outcast; his interests were very different from others.Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum ,2007.SchoolBy 1970, he was sent to a private school in Seattle called Lakeside because he was gi fted. There he discovered computers and fell in love with them. His school bought computer time for a year, but he used it up in a week. He was addicted.He became good friends with Paul Allen, another computer whiz. Pretty soon, they became very good programmers. To learn more about computers, they would sometimes climb into trash bins of local computer companies to find programmers' old notes.Finally, he got a job working out computer bugs. Soon, Paul and he also organized a company called the Traf-o-data; it recorded traffic data for his town and it was very profitable. He also developed some programs for his school. One kept track of pay roll, and the other kept track of class scheduling; it also put...

To What Extent is it appropriate or indeed possible to adopt a Dissertation

To What Extent is it appropriate or indeed possible to adopt a communicative language eaching approach in your current teaching - Dissertation Example to adopt a Communicative Language Teaching approach 1. Introduction The Japanese are well known for their poor achievement in English language education, especially in terms of oral proficiency. Even after six years of learning English as a compulsory subject at secondary school, few Japanese people can successfully communicate in English. However, English has now become an essential language for global communication. With this need in mind, the subject ‘Oral Communication’ began to be offered in 2003 in Japanese schools in combination with an implementation of the ‘New Course of Study’. This innovative new curriculum emphasises the application of the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) methodology in the classroom in Japan in order to improve the communicative abilities of Japanese learners of English. However, most Japanese teachers of English (JTE) claim that they face some difficulties in implementing the CLT methodology into their current teaching env ironment. They attribute the difficulties mainly to external factors, such as large-class sizes, an over emphasis on college entrance examinations, and Japanese students’ passive attitude towards CLT. Studies (e.g. Li, 2001; Leng, 1997; Ellis 1996) show the difficulty of implementing CLT in non-Western countries, as in China, Korea, and Vietnam from the perspective of ‘cultural appropriateness’ in their teaching context. In Japan also, CLT is difficult to apply in the real classroom in the context of teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language). Stern (1992) points out that one of the most difficult of problems in making classroom teaching communicative based is the absence of native speakers. However, by utilising Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) allocated in every Prefecture in Japan together with the JET Program (the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program), a successful CLT class can be established in a Japanese high school teaching environment, especially in an ‘Oral Communication’ English class through team-teaching conducted by JTE and ALT. This study will discuss the current teaching environment in Japanese high schools and will try to identify possible ways by which a CLT approach can be successfully adopted. The sociocultural, educational, and student and teacher related factors will be considered for suggesting a ‘culturally appropriate’ CLT approach appropriate for the Japanese secondary education environment. 2. CLT: Definition and its theoretical background The Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) methodology regards language as a means of communication and aims to develop ‘communicative competence’ in the language learners (Hymes 1971, 1972; Canale & Swain, 1980). The theory of language as a tool for communication is therefore central to the concept of CLT and the goal is also clear. As stated by Larsen-Freeman (1986), all the tasks that are undertaken during CLT have a ‘communicativ e intent’. The purpose is to enhance authentic and meaningful communication by providing comprehensive input and by using authentic language learning material (Kern & Warschauer,

Buisness law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Buisness law - Assignment Example Although the constitution is being enforced to push the section that permit one to be prosecuted once he/she burns the flag. The flag burning should be made unlawful. As many people designate it as a form of protest simply like boycott, it is not itself a speech but a symbol (Allport 98). Incident, at which the flag is burned to send a certain message to the government the act, does not support the civil obedience as a free speech (Allport 98). Whoever, uses a flag burning as an indicator of communicating a certain issue must be considered as a criminal consequently he/she ought to receive the punishment according to the law (Allport 98). This is because the disapproval of the first amendment law is not being categorized under unlawful act. The legitimacy is flag burning is a juvenile mechanism used to protest. Many suspects and victims of flag burning at the end of the day are sent to the penitentiary despite the fact that others think of potency and martyrs (Allport 98). However, the people of the state should respect the flag before supporting ridiculous decisions. The Supreme Court should address this issue and amend a constitution that prohibits freedom of speech through burning flag (Allport 98). The court should consider flag burning as a violation of freedom of

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics - Interest Rate Assignment

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics - Interest Rate - Assignment Example A developed money market is essential to the development of an economy as it provides the sources of finance to carry out the necessary business transactions. Firstly, it provides the cash required on a short term basis to finance the working capital requirements of businesses and entire industries. Lenders can borrow the money from financial institutions to finance their necessary transactions and thus the money market allows the economy to keep running. It also helps to keep the financial institutions self sufficient as the institutions can recall their loans at any point if they need it. Money market instruments are significant for the central bank because it regulates and controls its monetary policy by increasing or decreasing the money market rates. It also provides the finances to the government who may issue treasury bills in order to finance its spending. (Importance of Money Markets) The money market rate is called the federal funds rate in the USA which is the lending of a vailable funds from one institution to another on a short term basis. Q2) The above figure shows the graph of the U.S. Federal Funds rate and the Treasury Bill rate over a period from 1991 to 2009. The interest rates of money market funds usually tend to move in the same way as the future interest rates are based on the expectations. The year 1991 began with the federal fund rate and treasury bill rate set at 5.69% and 5.41% and was on a constant decrease until the year 1993, after which it began to rise and more or less maintained the same level until the year 2000. In the year 2001, the terrorist attacks in U.S. badly damaged the confidence in the economy and the people, both local and foreign, were not willing to invest in the U.S., therefore the federal bank and the government reduced the interest rates in order to encourage the spending. The interest rate encouraged the potential investors to increase the borrowing and the investments along with decrease the savings. The govern ment, in 2004, increased the interest rates gradually and increased it constantly on a quarterly basis. After the interest rates reached a point of 4.5% to 5% in the year 2006, the world was hit by the recession and the central banks had to lower the interest rates to once again encourage the spending and investments in the U.S. economy to limit the recessionary impact on the economy. The government and the central bank still had to decrease the interest rates due to the recession and reached a low point of 0.16% in 2009. Q3) The above graph shows the money market rate and the treasury bill rate in Bahrain over the time period from 1991 to 2009. Again both the curves move in the same direction as they are based on the same expectations. The interest rates of Bahrain move in a direction similar to that of the U.S. because the currency of Bahrain Dinar is pegged to the U.S. Dollar. The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) regulates the interest rates on a quarterly basis keeping the national and international indicators into consideration. The year 1991 began with a declining interest rate which was restored in 1993, similar to the case in the U.S. and the interest rates were more or less stable with only a few changes in it. This was the time when there was stability in the world throughout. However, in 2001 after the terrorist attacks, the economies throughout the world took a big hit especially the U.S. economy that had to lower the interest rates drastically until 2004. The same was followed by the Bahrain government

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Film Studies Essay

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Film Studies Essay In this analysis of the style and structure of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004), the following research question shall be addressed: how does filmic style and narrative structure evoke atmosphere, define character, and provide cues that generate audience reactions? It will be argued that the film constructs a bittersweet tale of love using an unconventional and fragmented narrative structure; portraying the effects of memory erasure by immersing viewers within the subjective world of the protagonists mind. Eternal Sunshine tells the story of Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynskis passionate, yet often painfully incompatible romance. From its humble beginnings at a beach party, their relationship blooms over the period of about two years, but ultimately fails. When Joel learns that Clementine has undergone a surgical procedure on a whim to remove all memories of him, he is so wounded that he tracks down the doctor and demands the same operation immediately. Midway through the procedure, however, Joel begins to regret his impulsive decision, realizing the importance of his past, as well as the inevitable loss of some of his most cherished memories with Clementine. The first five shots of Eternal Sunshine are highly significant in terms of both narrative structure and stylistic implications. The film begins by fading-in from black to a deep focus close up of an unshaven Joel, awakening the morning after the memory-erasing procedure (though this narrative information is not revealed until much later). The off-screen sound of a car door closing rouses him, and it is later discovered that this noise comes from the memory technicians departing after the operation. A variety of shot lengths are used in this opening sequence to communicate information about Joels facial expressions, body language, and surroundings. Ultimately, the act of waking coupled with the natural morning sunlight creates an atmosphere of a new beginning, although it is one tinged with a sense of loss. The use of hand held cameras simultaneously evokes the illusion of realistic footage, and viewers are invited to question why Joel awakens this way, establishing a narrative enigm a concerning past events. Joels waking expression is rather vacant, conveying the barren emptiness of his now spotless mind. The shot is illuminated from the right, and upon opening, his dark hazel eyes are drawn to this light source as he utters a sigh. The next medium shot is an eye-line match that frames Joels window, using an upward tilted perspective from his bed. The morning sunlight shines through, providing the only lighting for the scene and signifying a new beginning. The exclusive use of natural lighting additionally suggests an existence devoid of memories, as the atmospheric lighting techniques that accompany memory throughout the film are absent. Subtle, non-diegetic music; sound that does not have a source within the story world (David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, 330), also commences here, with a triple meter bass ostinato accompanying guitar chords. A straight cut introduces the next medium close up of Joel sitting up in bed, tracked by the camera. He sighs, rubs his forehead and begins to remove the bedspreads, which provides a match-on-action transition into the next shot a long shot of Joel moving towards the end of his bed. The dà ©cor of the space is very plain and uninspired, heightening the atmosphere of emptiness. A piano melody enters above the guitar as sunlight engulfs Joels darkened silhouette on the end of his bed. Before the next shot a short ellipsis is implied, and it commences outside as a medium long shot of Joel, now shaven and dressed in dull winter clothing. Sunlight momentarily shines directly into the lens before the camera tracks him to his car, revealing a large dint on its side. Confused and irritated, Joel thuds his briefcase upon the car bonnet as ambient background noises of children playing blends with the music. Although no dialogue is spoken in these shots, the sparse instrumentation and minimalist structure of the background music serves to heighten the mood of an existence that is somehow lacking essence. Hence, the opening shots be gin to define Joels character, whilst providing cues to evoke an atmosphere of a somewhat empty new beginning. Eternal Sunshine is essentially a love story, and a clear binary opposition a category with two mutually exclusive parts that depend upon each other (Graeme Turner, 104) is established between Joel, who is introverted and withdrawn, and Clementine, who is extroverted and eccentric. This opposition allows the characters to effectively compliment and conflict with each other, thus forming the basis of the narrative complication. Despite this somewhat traditional aspect of the story, the manner in which the narrative is structured is by no means conservative. In Film as Social Practice IV, Turner notes that conventional narratives begin in a stable point of equilibrium, which is then disrupted by some power or force motivating the protagonists quest, usually ending with the restoration of equilibrium (107). Eternal Sunshine, however, follows no such structural formula, and events are presented in a fragmented, non-linear fashion. Indeed, the film actually commences after the relations hip, moving from the present to a series of reverse order memory flashbacks and flashbacks within flashbacks, before finally returning to the present (whilst constantly interweaving secondary plotlines involving the Lacuna team). Another opposition of sorts is therefore established in the narrative itself between memory and present events, with the complicated structure serving to disorientate viewers and portray the complex nature of an individuals personal memories. In Postmodern After-Images, Peter and Will Brooker state that resistance to linearityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ [is an] archetypal postmodern technique (58), and thus Eternal Sunshine uses a postmodern narrative style to communicate its story of memorys role in love. Throughout the film, myriad elements of the mise en scene evoke atmosphere, develop character and provide audience cues. Firstly, colour and costuming serve to accentuate the binary opposition between Joel and Clementine. Joel is only ever seen wearing very dull colours, foregrounding the reserved nature of his character, and he often blends into large crowds. On the contrary, Clementines eccentricity is revealed by her kaleidoscopic clothing choices. Also, the colour of Clementines dyed hair acts as a symbolic indicator of the state of her relationship with Joel, changing chronologically from green, to Red Menace, Agent Orange, and finally Blue Ruin. Green is traditionally a colour associated with new life, and it suitably marks the beginning of the relationship. The deep red dye appears to symbolize a climax of romantic passion, and indeed many of Joels best memories are from this colour stage. Orange perhaps embodies a diluted, fading version of this passion, while blue denotes an atmosphere of sadness and depression, appropriately appearing at the point of the relationships ruin. In one particularly symbolic scene, a crane shot frames Joel and Clementine lying together on the frozen Charles River. Some distinct cracks are easily observed in the ice beneath them, indicating the fractures that will inevitably appear in their relationship, and this notion of an intrinsically flawed romance adds to the bittersweet tone of the film. Finally, many elements of the mise en scene are skillfully utilized within subjective shots to portray the erasure of Joels memories: characters suddenly disappear, text on signs and letters fades or vanishes, objects are deleted from shots in fragments, and facial features are smeared. For example, in the beach-house scene, Joels memory of the event literally crumbles piece by piece in his mind. The use of atmospheric lighting is one of the most important filmic techniques employed by Gondry to construct the subjective memory scenes in Eternal Sunshine. In the present, lighting is generally either natural or realistic, but memory shots adopt a more unique lighting approach, emphasizing this narrative opposition. Firstly, low-key lighting and darkness often play a major role in such scenes, with lights either gradually fading to black or suddenly turning off to represent the removal of memories. The most prominent and effective use of atmospheric lighting, however, is a clearly recognizable spotlight effect that pervades memory scenes and becomes a lighting motif throughout the film. This peculiar device ranges from a small, torch-style light, through to a very large and powerful spotlight reminiscent of a helicopter searchlight (the best example being in the Charles River memory scene). The spotlight effect seems to serve a dual function: in one sense, it represents an intru sive, artificial intervention in Joels memory (implying the operation procedure), and he and Clementine are often trying to escape its glare. Also, especially in darkened scenes, the restricted glow of the spotlight could represent the limits of remembered detail in Joels mind, as is argued by Jason Sperb in his article Internal Sunshine: Illuminating Being-Memory in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, when he states: The spotlight signifies the limited perception of Joels remembering, which remains in and of the present. He cannot again completely experience the moments he thinks he remembers; Joel can only see limited illuminations, fragments in his imagination vaguely informed by his understanding of the past (7). The circular shape of the spotlight could also bear some importance, perhaps signifying the cyclic nature of Joel and Clementines relationship. Finally, throughout the film, this and other lights occasionally turn red to imply a state of urgency or alarm. Hence, the combination of the elements of the mise en scene succeeds in creating atmosphere and crafting the effects of memory erasure within Joels mind. Perhaps the most striking element of cinematography in Eternal Sunshine is the almost invariable use of hand-held cameras. This imperfect, sometimes clunky technique often creates the illusion of genuine home video footage an aspect that undoubtedly increases the authenticity of subjective memory scenes. As Ellen Kuras (the films cinematographer) stated in an interview, the camera movement is not always the most gracefulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ with the entire film shot handheld, we ended up using sled dollies, wheelchair and chariot dollies, but no traditional dollies at all (John Pavlus, 2). In terms of movement, the camera often wanders freely, glancing around objects and tracking characters using mobile framing. Such techniques are most evident in memory scenes, and some scenes in the present utilize more conventional framing, perhaps serving to accentuate the stark juxtaposition between memory and the present. In the scene where Joel and Clementine meet on the train, initial long and me dium shots become more intimate medium close ups and close ups as the awkward tension between them reduces and they begin to feel more comfortable conversing. Similarly, clever tricks of size perspective are used in the childhood kitchen scenes to achieve the illusion that Joel is child-sized. Cinematography techniques are also exploited to convey the effects of memory erasure in subjective scenes, and the most notable of these are disorienting blurring effects and racking of focus, where the lensà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ [is] refocused at various planesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ adjusting perspective relations (Bordwell and Thompson, 243). Finally, speed of motion is also occasionally altered within memory scenes, with normal and reverse fast-motion effects used (for example, when Joel is sketching the skeleton picture) to suggest an atmosphere of distorted temporality. The soundscape throughout the film is similarly used with great effect to evoke atmosphere and provide cues that generate audience reactions. Firstly, an internal diegetic voiceover is sometimes used, with Joels diary entries narrating certain scenes from both the present and within memories, encouraging viewers to sympathize with his plight. Some clever sound-image relations are also present, for example, when Joel hastily decides to squeeze through the doors of a leaving train, his voiceover ironically declares that he is not an impulsive person. Similarly, in a memory scene, Joel yells, its all falling apart to Clementine, as a car actually falls from the sky in the background. Indeed, a series of interesting sound techniques are implemented within memory scenes. For example, off-screen voiceovers of the memory technicians working in the present are often heard, reinforcing the fact that certain scenes are occurring subjectively within Joels mind. Effects such as degrading the sou nd quality, slightly asynchronous sound, which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦occurs earlier or later than the events which we see in the image (Bordwell and Thompson, 337), and the use of a digital deleting sound-effect all serve to depict the erasing of Joels memories. Finally, in film, the rhythm, melody, harmony, and instrumentation of the music can strongly affect the viewers emotional reactions (Bordwell and Thompson, 325), which applies throughout Eternal Sunshine. For example, a playful woodwind scherzo accompanies Joel and Clementines meeting on the train, adding to the flirtatious tone of the scene. Similarly, a chromatically sliding cello often signifies disturbing moments, and the dissonant yet beautiful broken guitar chords in the beach-house scene serve to heighten the bittersweet atmosphere and affect the audiences emotions. The final stylistic element that requires analysis is the use of editing throughout Eternal Sunshine. Continuity, which is the style that generates the illusion of a smooth, unbroken continuity across cuts by focusing our attention on story and characters and away from style (Budd, Craig and Steinman, 112), is rather varied in the film, with certain memory scenes and most present scenes adhering to the conventions of this style. For example, in the dining dead scene, a series of shot-reverse shots and eye-line matches are used to depict Joel and Clementines tense conversation. Such techniques give the scene a paced interest and offer balanced character perspectives, whilst remaining easy and natural for viewers to follow. Also, a montage is used to convey a large quantity of information to viewers in a short amount of time when Joel goes home to gather all Clementine-related objects. Unlike scenes in the present, continuity is often radically altered in subjective scenes. For example , when Joel tries to turn Patrick around to face him in the bookstore, a series of quick jump cuts repeatedly prevent the action. Also, jump cuts are often used to suddenly change memory locations, or to entirely erase characters (especially Clementine) from scenes. Finally, it is necessary to examine the films closing scene and its implications. The ending, although slightly ambiguous, seems to be a rather tragic prediction of Joel and Clementines future. The final shots observe the couple walking away together along the snowy Montak beach, suggesting the possibly of a happy ending. Suddenly however, quick jump cuts loop and replay their actions multiple times, indicating that their relationship is destined to continually fail and recommence in an inevitable cycle of love and pain. Thus, with particular attention devoted to the opening shots, it has been argued that via its mise en scene, cinematography, sound, and editing, Eternal Sunshine successfully evokes atmosphere, defines character, and provides cues that generate audience reactions. Ultimately, these stylistic elements, in conjunction with the fragmented narrative structure of the film, subjectively portray the effects of memory erasure within Joels mind, whilst constructing a bittersweet tale of an inevitably failing romance. List of Works Cited: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Dir. Michel Gondry. Focus Features, 2004. Turner, G. Film as Social Practice IV. London: Routledge, 2006. Bordwell, D. and Thompson, K. Film Art: An Introduction. Fifth Edition. Boston: McGraw Hill, 1997. Budd, M., Craig, S. and Steinman, C. Continuity Style Editing. Consuming Environments: Television and Commercial Culture. London: Rutgers University Press, 1999. 112-123. Brooker, P. and Brooker, B. Postmodern After-Images: A Reader in Film, Television and Video. Sydney: London, 1997. Sperb, J. Internal Sunshine: Illuminating Being-Memory in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Kritikos. 2 (2005):1-12. Pavlus, J. Forget Me Not American Cinematographer 85.4 (2004):1-3.

Essay --

Mara Salvatrucha Mara Salvatrucha, otherwise known as â€Å"MS-13,† is quite possibly one of the most well known and most notorious street gangs in the world. Beginning in the poor immigrant streets of Los Angeles in the 1980’s, the gang has spread like wild fire across not only the United States, but across the world, from Alaska to Spain (Tkach & Parker, 2006). Originating in Los Angeles, California, MS-13 was founded by refugees from El Salvador. â€Å"Mara† is a Central American term for gang; â€Å"salva† refers to El Salvador, â€Å"trucha,† meaning â€Å"trout† in English, for something that is clever, or sharp. MS-13 is also known as the â€Å"Salvadoran Army Ants.† After MS-13 spread from their birthplace in Los Angeles across countries, their activities helped make the infamous Northern Triangle: Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, as the most violent place in the world that is not at war (Dudley, 2013). Mara Salvatrucha has been named one of the world’s most dangerous gangs due to their origins, growing population of the gang, the brutality of their crimes, the signs and famous tattoos Mara Salvatrucha is known for, the prison life hiding the leaders, and the evolution into organized crime. Starting with civil wars of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, refugees traveled northbound to Los Angeles. In 2012, the United States Treasury Department named MS-13 as a transnational criminal organization. The Treasury Department gave insight on details about how truly powerful MS-13 is, including that the gang is involved with â€Å"drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling, sex trafficking, murder, assassinations, racketeering, blackmail, extortion, and immigration offenses† (Dudley, 2013). Mara Salvatrucha has been placed with the Zetas from Mexico, ... ... from Mexico, Italy’s Camorra, and the Japanese Yakuza, confirming that Mara Salvatrucha is one of the most dangerous gangs. When a member is sentenced to prison, it is beneficial for the member because they learn criminal and gang knowledge by the veterans of MS-13 that reside in prison. Learning the graffiti, the hand signals and stacking, the tattoos and their meanings, obtaining information from different cliques can all be obtained due to members of MS-13 going to prison. While America sits and continuously deports MS-13 gang members away from the States, they are spreading the terror to other countries. Now, in El Salvador, this country is seeing more violence now due to the gang violence than they did when they were going through civil war. Ironically, the civil war is what drove refugees up to Los Angeles and what became the birth place of Mara Salvatrucha.

Voucher Threat

A popular topic in education reform is the impact school vouchers will have on America†s public education. Public education is at a serious threat do to the debate over education vouchers. School vouchers will redirect the flow of education funding, channeling it directly to individual families rather than to school districts. This will result in less government funding going towards improving public schools, lowering class sizes, and purchasing supplies and may eventually cause the downfall of public education all together. The issues of school vouchers go beyond the classroom and are borderline unconstitutional. The idea of public funds being spent on private schools raises issues in its self. Public funds being spent on private religious schooling will raise interesting questions about the separation between church and state. Most nonpublic schools in America right now are run by religious organizations. Is it even constitutional for tax money to be spent religious schooling? One of the most widely believed untruths about school vouchers is that it will allow poor inner city kids to have more opportunities to go to private schools, however compelling this argument may seem the truth of the matter is that vouchers will siphon the money out of the cities public schools causing the children whose parents still cant afford the subsidized tuition of these pricey private schools to receive an inferior education and create a large underclass of students who are trapped in a public school without enough resources to receive a quality education. The fact of the matter is that school vouchers will create a competitive market in the education field causing the strongly funded private schools to thrive while the public schools that this country was built on to slowly deteriorate in quality due to fewer tax dollars being spent on the resources needed for public education to succeed. The action I would like to see the government take on this issue is to focus more attention on improving public education, instead of the redirecting of taxpayer†s money to private education. The choice is clear if more attention was placed on creating a better learning environment in our public schools all children could benefit not just those who can afford subsidized private schools. Instead of offering an alternative to ineffective unsafe public schools why not focus our attention on improving those schools. Taking money away from already troubled public school systems without offering any solutions to the existing problems is bound to create a downward spiral in the already shaky public school systems. The low impact approach I would take on this matter is to set up rallies especially in those areas where the vouchers would have the largest negative impact. Those areas being the troubled school systems of the inner cities. I would get forty or fifty people together to go to their local or district office and talk with their senator or state rep. I would start up a web page supporting my issue with links to advocacy groups and information that take a similar stand on the issue of school vouchers. In the web site I would also include a prefab letter explaining the negative effects of school vouchers that viewers could download, sign and send to there local or state representative to help support my issue. Furthermore I would write to the editors of my local newspapers and explain my stand on the issue in a small column that would reach many potential voters. As an attempt to get some free media attention while spreading the word of my issue I would hold a public forum on vouchers and have the local news cover it. The forum would inform citizens how they can get involved. I would hold the forum in a local schools gymnasium and try to get some influential speakers who support my issue in hopes to gain more supporters who will take action against school vouchers. In a high impact manner I would use an entirely different approach. Supposing I had a year off from life and 100,000 dollars to contribute to the fight against vouchers I would start by getting national attention. I would try to team up with some key officials in congress who take the same position as I do. I would try to hold a national rally against vouchers. As an attempt to gain wide range publicity I would set up a web site for volunteer support effort. I would use the web site to keep my supporters updated on rallies and protests supporting my cause. I would set up a national call in day via the web where I get membership of the site to call into congress and support our stand on the issues. I would help raise money by holding rallies and support groups for members of congress and other political leaders who are running for office and who support my issue. As would organize bus trips from inner cities around the country to Washington D. C. so that constituents could go to the members of congress that represent their district and explain to the congressmen their concerns with vouchers. All of these things would help to raise concern over school vouchers and hopefully have an effect on votes when the issue comes up in legislation.

The Hijab Essay Example

The Hijab Essay Example The Hijab Essay The Hijab Essay The Hijab is the outer cloak worn by a Muslim woman to cover her hair. The general perception of the hijab throughout the western world is that the hijab symbolizes a woman who is oppressed and without a voice and needs liberation. This is one perception and is often misguided and based on misconceptions that hide and distort the truth behind the hijab. The preconceived notion that all Muslim women who wear the hijab are oppressed is highly problematic.First, it ignores the large number of Muslim women who wear the hijab on their own terms and second it uses a piece of a garment as an indicator to figure out which women are oppressed and which are not. The Hijab is at a basic level an outward expression of a Muslim woman’s inner belief. The hijab may in reality be a symbol of liberation for Muslim women as it is their personal choice to wear it. The view of the Hijab being a tool of oppression among western civilizations has been challenged by Muslim women of all ages and back grounds through adopting the Hijab and defending their right to wear the Hijab.Often in the face of criticism by many political figures in attempting to ban the wearing of headscarfs at school for example, as seen recently in France. Many women argued that far from being a tool of oppression they saw the hijab as a tool of liberation. Too often, the image of a covered woman is used to represent what much of the western world views as oppressive. Her very existence is described in terms that convey ignorance and unhappiness.Words like â€Å"beaten down,† â€Å"repressed† and â€Å"oppressed† are used by the Western media in an attempt to convince the readers that women in Islam have no rights and are relegated to second class citizens. Descriptive and intrinsically oppressive terms such as â€Å"shrouded† and â€Å"shackled† are used to portray an image of women who have no autonomy and who are the slaves or possessions of their husbands and fathers . It is claimed that over 1400 years ago, Islam raised the status of women from a position of oppression to one of liberation and equality.In an era when women were considered possessions, Islam is said to have restored women to a position of dignity. The general perception of Islam and its views of women is presently not a positive one, especially through recent media attention with terms like Islamophobia. Any form of openly displayed Islam must be fundamental or extremist. Wearing a Hijab is therefore seen as an open expression of an extreme religious belief. Opposition to the hijab has often been reactive rather than responding to the real issues and making rules that in themselves can be oppressive for the very women they are designed to liberate.Muslim women wear the hijab because in the Qur’an it says â€Å"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof. † There is however, no clear rules on a uniform that must be worn as a Muslim woman. What is â€Å"modest clothing? † For Muslim women, â€Å"modest clothing† may mean a multitude of different things. For some, it will mean a burqa. For others, modesty means loose clothing and a head-cover. For others, loose clothing that does not reveal cleavage, arms and legs is modest.The burqa satisfies these requirements from the Qur’an which is why it is worn. People innately have different perceptions, different ideas and ways. Diverse levels of intellect, foresight, education and environment are all among the factors which make Muslims interestingly different. To put it simply; its the way in which Muslims have been created as was stated in the Quran and this results in the many issues we see surrounding Muslims. The differences between religions and beliefs should lead us to learn and experience, to reach out in understanding and use o ur wisdom to remain open minded.The fact that a woman may want to cover herself should not lead to political and social injustice. Surprisingly, choosing to wear the Hijab is not something done on a whim, imagine a change that will affect your every interaction with society, it will lead you to be stereotyped and quite often looked down upon. Contrary to common beliefs, Muslim women claim covering themselves with the Hijab is in fact a symbol of freedom, rather than one of oppression. Providing them with clear guidelines to love and honour their God.

Mobile and Wearable Devices Industry

Mobile and Wearable Devices Industry Introduction The last decade has experienced enormous innovations that have led to a swift revolution of the mobile and wearable devices industry. As a result, the mobile device market has significantly expanded.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Mobile and Wearable Devices Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The development of telecommunication technology has compelled many firms such as Lenovo to manufacture high-tech mobile and wearable devices such as Bluetooth headsets, blood pressure monitors, and smart watches among others. The mobile industry consists of manufacturers and distributors of smart phones, mobile accessories, and tablets among other electronics. Nonetheless, the industry has been faced with a variety of issues that affect its operations. This report provides an analysis of the key trends and industry issues that affect the mobile and wearable devices industry. Key Trends and Industry Issues C onsumer Services The trend of consumer services has significantly shaped the mobile and wearable devices industry. According to Taylor, the key players in the industry have significantly increased consumer services over the past decade (par. 4). Dramatic development of mobile device technologies has also affected the roles of operators and vendors. In the wake of the expanding mobile and wearable devices industry, some companies such as the Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. have failed to meet the needs of consumers. As a result, Google has sold a unit of the US based mobile company to Lenovo, a Chinese computer company, for approximately 3 billion dollars (Kelion par.1). This acquisition is one of Lenovo’s strategic plans to become a global icon in the consumer market through delivery of smartphones and Think-Pads. According to Kelion, this purchase will make Lenovo the third largest smart device manufacturer in the international arena (par. 6).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scott advances that operators in the mobile industry need to re-evaluate the effects of producer environment on consumer services (par. 2). In addition, manufacturers such as Lenovo have to capitalize on espousal of smartphones to maximize profitability. Moreover, the consumer market has experienced dramatic price structures. The current pricing structures have been confined to certain customer segments. Therefore, operators in the mobile industry should re-examine the existing pricing models to determine their validity in a vibrant technology environment. The consumer market requires pricing strategies that cover wide-ranging customer segments. For instance, Lenovo’s acquisition will lead to establishment of new markets in areas such as North America, Latin America, and Western Europe (Kelion par. 8). As a result, Lenovo’s pricing strategies should favour diversification of mobile devices to offer consumers a vast range of choices (Scott par. 3). Lastly, the emergence of new devices has enormously affected consumer services. Consequently, there is a need for Lenovo to assess both the purchasing power and usage patterns to improve the experiences of consumers. Digitisation of the Employee Mobile and wearable devices manufacturers such as Lenovo should target digitisation of employees to increase motivation and maximize profits. This plan will also increase profitability for the producer companies through the sale of high-end technology devices. For instance, improved healthcare technology will enhance the health of employees through reinforcement of health insurance plans. The health of an employee is important for alleviation of retrogressive work behaviours such as absenteeism.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Mobile and Wearable Devices Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This situation enhances production at employee level; hence, it elevates the production level of a company. Although employee healthcare plans have existed for some years, they have been less efficient. However, the availability of high-tech mobile gadgets that have powerful wireless capabilities has led to implementation of integrated technologies that enable management of health. According to Leung, various software technologies have been used in sophisticated gadgets such as the Apple’s iPhone to monitor health conditions such as hypertension and blood oxygenation (par. 7). Similarly, Lenovo should aim at development of smart gadgets that have the capability to monitor numerous events whilst maintaining a high degree of efficiency and accuracy to improve productivity at both employee and organizational levels. Benefits to Production Department Introduction of wearable technology in the retail business has continued to intensify productivity. Googleâ⠂¬â„¢s Motorola unit has been a chief manufacturer of various wireless connectivity enabled devices that ease communication between employees, employers, and customers. Consequently, Lenovo’s acquisition of the Motorola unit is expected to turn the company into a chief manufacturer and distributor of smart wireless mobile and wearable devices. This situation will improve the experiences of both vendors and consumers in the retail industry (Kelion par. 5). Today’s smartphones have exceptional capabilities to support sophisticated internet functions that have enhanced access to information and communication. According to Leung, continued use of wearable technology in the retail industry is expected to increase the output efficiency by approximately 8.5-percent in the next 2 to 3 years (par. 1).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Various studies have indicated that wearable technology can also improve the level of employee contentment by over 3.6-percent. On a different perspective, wearable technology has enhanced productivity by it scrupulous payment capabilities. This situation has elevated the transactional levels between producers, retailers, and consumers (Leung par. 4). PEST Analysis Political, Economic, Social, and Technological (PEST) factors determine a firm’s volume of production and distribution capacity based on the prevailing market conditions, interest rates, and consumer behaviour. Song reveals that the PEST factors have a greatly influenced manufacturing and distribution of various products in the mobile and wearable industry (9). Politically, governments worldwide require mobile and wearable devices to meet some desired standards that are set to control product quality, manufacturing, and distribution. Global economic landscapes have intensely affected the operations of the mobile in dustry. Therefore, Lenovo’s prospective business in areas such as North America, Latin America, and Western Europe will raise a need for normalization of prices based on the prevailing market conditions and interest rates. In addition, the company should also maintain a constant focus on the social aspects of target consumers. Fashion has become a key driver for consumer preferences. Consumers have developed a high affinity for new mobile phone models. Therefore, companies such as Lenovo should design and improve the models of their mobile and wearable devices to suit the demands of consumers (Song 11). Lastly, the ever-changing technological landscape has significantly shaped the mobile and wearable devices industry. Devices that have a wider range of features and accessories are more attractive to consumers; hence, they dominate the market due to their versatility. Conclusion and Recommendations The report has provided an analysis of the key issues that affect the mobile an d wearable devices industry based on a recent acquisition by Lenovo. The availability of mobile and wearable devices in both production and distribution channels will lead to increased output efficiency. Constant innovation has rendered the future of technology indeterminate. Therefore, Lenovo has an impending potential to exploit mobile and wearable device capabilities. Kelion, Leo. Google sells Motorola Mobility unit to Lenovo for $3bn, 2014. Web. bbc.com/news/business-25956284. Leung, Stuart. How Wearable Technology Can (And Will) Change Your Business, 2014. Web. http://blogs.salesforce.com/company/2014/07/wearable-technology-business.html. Scott, Martin. Consumer services, 2014. Web. analysysmason.com/Services/Research/Consumer-services/Mobile-Devices/. Song, Hee-Carlie. Analysis of the global Smartphone market and the strategies of its major players, 2010. PDF file. 27 Oct. 2014. http://jgbc.fiu.edu/files/journals/2/articles/36/public/36-150-1-PB.pdf. Taylor, Marcus. 19 Implic ations of Google Glass Wearable Tech on Marketing, 2014. Web. https://www.ventureharbour.com/19-implications-google-glass-wearable-tech-marketing/.

Understanding & Analyzing Competing Values Framework Assignment

Understanding & Analyzing Competing Values Framework - Assignment Example Through these processes, the organization eventually achieves stability and control. Open Systems Model (OSM) emphasizes adaptability, growth, organic system, resources acquisition, and external support. The Rational Goal Model (RGM) emphasizes rational action with the major aspect being the realization of profit. The primary assumption of this quadrant is that planning as well as goal setting lead to outcomes namely efficiency and productivity. Human Relations Model (HRM) is founded on morale and cohesion with special emphasis on capacity building and human resource management (Cameron & Spreitzer 2012). Members of an organization act as cooperating members and not alienated individuals of a common social system. The Research/Study The efficiency and value of the models that help in understanding the structure is the primary goal of the research. The study further attempts to scrutinize and evaluate how various structures of the organization operate towards accomplishing the set obj ectives in the short term and long-term basis. Apparently, every business enterprise has distinct rationale and composition that helps in tackling fundamental challenges that have considerable chance to hamper the efforts and goals already set out by the management and employees (Cameron & Quinn 2011). The essential facet of the study was to establish suitable ways of inventing the framework. This would help in making the rationale become more effective notwithstanding other invisible challenges or factors. Understanding the task of the framework has become even much easier following discovery of two vital dimensions of efficiency in an organizational framework. The potential dangers and disapproval because of the contemporary criteria was another... This essay stresses that the efficiency and value of the models that help in understanding the structure is the primary goal of the research. The study further attempts to scrutinize and evaluate how various structures of the organization operate towards accomplishing the set objectives in the short term and long-term basis. Apparently, every business enterprise has distinct rationale and composition that helps in tackling fundamental challenges that have considerable chance to hamper the efforts and goals already set out by the management and employees. This paper makes a conclusion that The co-worker perceives me as someone who works productively, facilitates a more constructive working environment, manages stress and time, and develop and communicate vision. The co-worker has further developed firm conviction that I can set vital goals and objectives; prove to be instrumental in design and organization, project management, designing work, managing across functions, and controlling information overload, process and deliberate on management with critical thinking. Other skills include developing employees, effectual communication, understanding and appreciating people around as well as my efforts, conflict management, and team building. These self-assessment instruments have considerable influence on my capacity to improve personal output as well as efforts to integrate fresh ideas into the organization. Finally, the instruments would facilitate the process of building positive relationships with co-workers and the management notwit hstanding the realism about multiplicity of roles.

Aspects of intercultural communication in international business Essay

Aspects of intercultural communication in international business - Essay Example At the same time it is not easy to engage in effective international communication because of the cultural, social, political, environmental, legal and communal differences between the countries. Verbal and nonverbal communication aspects are different between countries and the organization planning for internationalization must give proper training to their employees for effectively communicating with the people of the target country. In order to analyse the importance of intercultural communication in international business this paper evaluates probable intercultural communication strategies an American company needs to adopt in China, with the help of cultural dimensions of international communications formulated by Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars and David A Victor It is possible to communicate using the mother tongue. But, even using mother tongue, it is difficult to communicate effectively. Communication is a complex process which is associated with so many parameters. Communication occur both in verbal and nonverbal forms. In fact most of the communication occurs in nonverbal format compared to the verbal format. Body language, gestures, facial expressions etc can communicate lot of things. Fox (2004), has pointed out that even the dresses can communicate so many things about a person or culture (Fox, 2004, p.275) Cross cultural communication is an existential necessity (Wierzbicka, 1997, p.21). Especially in the current globalized era intercultural communication is necessary for international business and cultural integration. Intercultural communication is the most difficult one because such communication can lead towards misunderstanding if not controlled properly. Berger (1996) has mentioned that intercultural communication continually involves misunderstanding, misperception and misevaluation (Berger, 1996, p.72). Desire to understand and connect with the host population, self knowledge, self assurance and control,