Lance Armstrong Essay Sample free essay sample

Do you believe a professional jock should be punished for rip offing in an event that has already taken topographic point? This is the instance with professional cycler Lance Armstrong. He was found guilty of doping. or utilizing an illegal public presentation heightening drug. in the Tour de France. which is the biggest cycling race in all of professional cycling. He was justly stripped of his rubrics and Olympic decorations for the illegal utilizations of drugs such as EPO. Testosterone Enhancement. steroids. and other public presentation heightening drugs that are outlawed in the professional biking scene. When partaking in a competition interrupting any regulation. no affair how large or how little. turns you into a deceiver. When a individual breaks a regulation unknowingly it is apprehensible. but when a individual. such as Lance Armstrong. wittingly breaks one of the biggest regulations in all of cycling. they should be punished and terrible action should be taken. We will write a custom essay sample on Lance Armstrong Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Furthermore when it is a professional athletics the reverberations should be serious because at this phase it is non merely a athletics. but besides a occupation. The International Cycling Union took the right stairss by censoring Lance Armstrong for life every bit good as depriving him of his Tour de France rubrics. The International Olympic Community justly followed suit by depriving Armstrong of his Olympic Medals ( Hoslet ) . When viing in anything at a professional degree. the regulations of the competition should be upheld with the extreme regard. While it is a occupation. at this degree it should besides be a love of the rivals. Lance Armstrong forgot this and cared more for the wins and the celebrity and less for the love of the athletics. Armstrong cheated and what he got was what he deserved. The lone thing worse than a deceiver is a prevaricator. Lance Armstrong lied on many occasions and denied any allegations of doping ( Hoslet ) . When a sport’s icon. every bit good as an American icon. is found guilty of non merely rip offing but besides lying it is heartbreaking. Armstrong was looked up to for his underdog run of triumphs. his personal appeal. his life altering Livestrong malignant neoplastic disease bar organisation. and now will be remembered as the biggest prevaricator in all of cycling. Lance Armstrong had lied since 2003 about alleged doping and has neer been found guilty until his confession in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013 ( Hodge B1-B3 ) . After he admitted to doping and lying in response to all of the allegations that had been made. the imperativeness blew up and Armstrong immediately became arguably the biggest prevaricator in all of professional athleticss. While it is sad to see an American underdog hold his life destroyed in a a ffair of hebdomads. what has happened needed to be done. Lance Armstrong lied to. non merely the organisations and people claiming he had taken public presentation heightening drugs. but besides all of his American protagonists. Spear Armstrong was non the lone doper in the Bicycling Circuit. he was merely one of the first to acquire caught. The cycling circuit is at times a really soiled and rip offing community. There are many others merely like Lance that pot. The difference is Lance Armstrong was the Tour de France’s icon. their star. their prima biker. and the sport’s biggest Cinderella Story ( Gallagher ) . After combating malignant neoplastic disease. Lance came back and won seven Tour de France rubrics. when no 1 idea he could make it ( Hoslet ) . While he did make it illicitly and broke one of the biggest regulations in the athletics. at the clip he had denied any allegations of doping. Whenever he told his secret to the universe the athletics would lose its lead cycler. Lance was viing against many others who besides used public presentation heightening drugs. but he was the 1 to acquire caught. He was the success narrative of the coevals that would be found guilty and hold his life d estroyed. Spear Armstrong was an American athleticss hero. icon. and function theoretical account. He would contend against the odds and win the biggest rubric in his athletics seven times along with several Olympic decorations. It is heartbreaking for him to be found guilty of doping but in the terminal Lance Armstrong has gotten what he deserves. He is a prevaricator and a deceiver. and has unhappily had his life flipped from this incident. Spear lost the one thing most of import to him by going greedy and caring more for the celebrity and less for the love of the game. Plants Cited Gallagher. Brendan. â€Å"Lance Armstrong Controversy. † The Telegraph. 5 Nov. 2013Web. 21 Feb. 2013Hodge. John. â€Å"Lance Armstrong to be Stripped of Medals. † Johnson City Press. 18 Jan 2013: B1-B3. Print. Hoslet. Oliver. â€Å"The Ultimate Downfall of Lance Armstrong. † The Telegraph. 24 Dec.2013. Web. 13 Feb 2013.

Globalization and the homogenization of Canadian culture Essays

Globalization and the homogenization of Canadian culture Essays Globalization and the homogenization of Canadian culture Paper Globalization and the homogenization of Canadian culture Paper The speed of globalization, namely with electronic and technologically based communications, have increased cultural awareness worldwide. 14 Canadian culture specifically, is a target for foreign media and because it is the home to thousands of different ethnic groups, it risks jeopardizing the interests of specific cultures in order to cater to the mainstream. Once media become increasingly international in scope, the tendency for bias and discrimination abounds. Ethic minorities in particular, have a difficult time defining and maintaining their culture due to the fact that they are constantly misrepresented in the media. As stated by both Biagi and McKie, the mainstream media, especially daily newspapers and the television networks, have traditionally represented the interests of mainstream culture. Scores of media studies have documented stereotypical representation, and a lack of representation of ethnic minorities in all areas of culture. 15 The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines mainstream as pertaining to the dominant trend of opinion or style. The concentration of power with regards to ownership of media is almost entirely in the hands of typically white, middle-aged, well-to-do males. : Consequently, the prevailing opinion in the media will also be bound to that particular gender, class and race. In addition, the majority of media consumed globally is owned and operated by right-wing corporations. 16 Other scholars echo this argument by adding that, political elites become the primary definers of mass media. 17 Further studies also prove that groups with greater political and economic status have found the media to be better suited to their needs than do groups with lesser status. This can also be characterized as excessive media-centrism which fails to take into account objectivity, especially in journalistic works. 18 In short, popular culture is simply the privileged dominant media establishing its social interests over others and, thereby, sacrificing diversity for power. Evaluators of globalization recognize the fact that media related events do not occur within a vacuum, and that many differing forces can effectively influence the media. Subsequently, a comprehensive study of the driving forces behind the media concludes that a good deal of bias and discrimination within modern newspapers, television programming and film is prevalent. The overall consensus is that various minority groups which exist outside of the social, economic and political status quo suffer feelings of degradation as the media blatantly ignores their needs. Many feel as if they are second class citizens because the media does not even bother to exercise fair and accurate reporting when discussing issues concerning them. In his essay, Out of the Mainstream: Sexual Minorities and the Mass Media, Larry Gross examines the portrayal of homosexuals in the media. Gross argues that both gay and lesbian men and women are constantly stereotyped, exploited and labeled in various forms of media. He even goes so far as to assert that for the most part, gay people have been simply invisible in the media. 19 As a result, the above implications suggest that if media were not produced on such a massive scale, or on an international level, minorities of all types would be more accurately portrayed. Visible and well-publicized minorities are not the only groups that are subject to discrimination in the media. Arguments have been made that class distinctions also suffer profound prejudices at the hands of the mass media. Subsequent studies conducted by Bruce Livesy and his colleagues suggest that the homogenization of culture imparts preconceptions against working-class people. Livesy concludes that stories and issues about working people are rarely addressed by the mainstream media. 20 Women in general, can also be underrepresented or exposed in a negative manner through various forms of media. Gail Robertson claims that racism, sexism and homophobic views are prominent and obvious even in Walt Disney films geared toward children. The world can be a wonderfully magical and imaginary place in movies. It can also be a violent, angry place, and one that is filled with negative stereotypes. 21 In light of these circumstances, other various groups are not only underrepresented but completely ignored in the mainstream media. A survey conducted by Michael Karlberg and Robert Hackett identifies numerous blindspots in the media, including ethnic and racial issues, as well as some womens issues. 22 They note in their studies that sources prove the media as having the upper hand in framing events and selectively admitting voices into public discourse. 23 Those who do not fall in line with popular culture simply do not have a voice, or representation through the mass media for that matter. There are definite parallels being drawn between globalization and the disappearance of culture. Analyst, Wayne Ellwood is not alone in his contention that, local cultures are being wiped out due to this trend and that not only are these local cultures faltering, but they are being replaced by a uniform culture that is fostered by globalization. 24 Accordingly, the importance of media remaining on a local scale becomes especially clear when discussing the great fear of globalization leading to a monocultural society. Local culture and media systems are advantageous in various ways. They are actual members of particular societies so they understand and can help to foster culture by acknowledging specific needs. They are unconcerned with international events and speak on behalf of different social groups rather than huge corporations, thereby increasing awareness and accuracy in media reporting. Variance in ownership is important in order to promote diversity and ensure representation of all social groups. Ironically, although local media institutions would certainly aid in counteracting the negative effects of globalization on culture, it is this very globalized media which makes it difficult for them to exist. It is also quite common for small community networks to be purchased by huge media corporations. Often, small media outlets simply cannot compete for readers with larger, more global media institutions that offer up to the minute international news written by acclaimed journalists. Moreover, audiences tend to be drawn to media that are visually pleasing, attention-grabbing and professional-looking. 25 Large media are also relatively cheaper, more abundant and easily accessible. Since larger media institutions are more financially sound, they can afford to package products that are more appealing to audiences. In addition, their vast human resource base allows them to thoroughly research market patterns, conduct surveys and target specific audiences by building upon niche markets. Finally, the loss of patronage that small media outlets experience as a result of being forced into competition can result in their demise. In December of 1995, the World Summit for Social Development held a conference discussing issues involving the threats and opportunities of globalization and citizenship. 26 Participants and representatives considered such issues as: the conceptual underpinnings of globalization and citizenship, the changing political economy of the international system, the impact of globalization on peoples rights, and the enforcement of international standards. 27 Concerns regarding citizenship which take place within national boundaries affect the basic civil, political and socio-economic rights of individuals. The rights of citizens are often sacrificed during times of uncertainty and rapid polarization. In response, citizens seek institutions that are able to provide social protection and establish a sense of community. The convention held that, economic liberalization and restructuring have eroded the economic and social rights of people in many countries, but falling barriers to communication have also expanded international awareness of rights and facilitated the creation of civil society networks on a global scale. 28 The ease at which communication is possible, combined with the rapid spreading of ideas and notions across geographical boundaries creates conditions where individuals are forced to define and protect their social rights. Consequently, government officials argue that the growing emergence of transnational institutions are weakening established citizen-states, and are effectively alienating political establishments in order to strengthen their own commercial interests. 29 Despite arguments contending that globalization leads inevitably to Americanization across the globe; proponents argue that rather than homogenizing culture, globalization actually hybridizes culture. It has been proven that a local cultural media system can exist and possibly prosper even in the era of globalization. Minorities who are underrepresented or ignored in the media at an international level can be more accurately portrayed in a more localized media system. The existence of companies involved in alternative media provide differing views as people would rather see, hear and read about events that affect them personally. Journalist Larry Gross finds that programs and films geared toward homosexual audiences can fare very well, arguing that, the products of the nascent lesbian/gay cinema find a powerful response among their primary audience. 30 Many specialized cultural groups appreciate and encourage media facets that give them a glimpse of themselves. Support in Quebec for domestic programming is also a prime example of a community that enjoys and maintains a local media system that caters to their specific needs. Unfortunately, these media outlets face growing competition from all arenas and many will not survive without support from their communities. Mary Vipond states that, culture is the glue that holds any society together. 31 The trend towards globalization threatens this cultural glue in countless ways. Where a local media is concerned with preservation of culture, such as language and tradition, an international media can be associated with a significant loss of such identities and customs. In a world of rapid globalization, some scholars state that movement toward a world without borders is due to the fact that, in many cases, the capacity to communicate ran ahead of the capacity to produce communications, which inevitably led to the drawing in of media from other countries. 32 Critics assert that this is trivializing a much larger issue especially since the existence age-old cultures are a stake. Local media institutions, which serve to protect and maintain culture, are wiped out as the movement toward globalization continues. Debates between scholars concerning the benefits and repercussions of globalization are subject to deliberation; but one thing is clear, globalization is premised on the notion of a single unified world, and if allowed to do so, cultural diversity as we know it will cease to exist. Bibliography Barker, Chris. Television, Globalization and Cultural Studies.Pennsylvania: Open University Press, 1999. Biagi, Shirley and Craig McKie. Media Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. Toronto: International Thomson Publishing, 1999. Ellwood, Wayne. The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization. Cornwall: New Internationalist Publications, 1999. Ferguson, Marjorie. Media, Markets and Identities: Reflections on the Global-Local Dialectic: The 1994 Southam Lecture, Canadian Journal of Communication 20, (Autumn, 1995), Vol. 20 No. 4. Fletcher, Frederick. Media and Political Identity: Canada and Quebec in the Ear of Globalization, Canadian Journal of Communication 23, (2001), Vol. 23 No. 3. McGrath, Anne. Media and Politics, in Mediascapes: New Patterns in Canadian Communication. Toronto: Thomson Canada Limited, 2002. Gross, Larry. Out of the Mainstream: Sexual Minorities and the Mass Media, in Durham, M. Kellner, D. (Eds. ), Media and Cultural Studies. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1989. Institute of East Asian Studies, Look Whos Talking Now: Globalization, Film, Media, the Public Sphere, University of California, Berkley. Retrieved 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://ieas. berkeley. edu/events/z2002. 03. 09. html. Karlberg, Michael and Robert A. Hackett. Cancelling Each Other Out? Interest Group Perceptions of the News Media, Canadian Journal of Communication 21, (1996), Vol. 21 No. 4. Livesy, Bruce. .A Labour Newspaper: Pipe Dream of Possibility? in Bohdan Szuchewycz Jeannette Sloniowski (Eds. ), Canadian Communications. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 1999. Lorimer, Rowland and E. ODonnell, R. Globalization and Internationalization in Publishing, Canadian Journal of Communication 17, (Autumn, 1992), Vol. 17 No. 4, 493. Robertson, Gail. Snow Whitey? Stereotyping in the Magical Kingdom, in Bohdan Szuchewycz Jeannette Sloniowske (Eds. ), Canadian Communications. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 1998. Schlesinger, P. Rethinking the Society of Journalism: Source Strategies and the Limits of Media-Centrism, in M. Ferguson (Ed. ), Public Communication: the New Imperatives. London: Sage, 1990. Tracey, Michael and Wendy W. Redal. The New Parochialism: The Triumph of the Populist in the Flow of International Television, Canadian Journal of Communication 20, (1995), Vol. 20 No. 3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms, Article 19, adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December, 1948. Retrieved 2003 from the World Wide Web: fourmilab. ch/etexts/www/un/udhr. html. UNRISD: Globalization and Citizenship. Retrieved 2003 from the World Wide Web: unrisd. org/unrisd/website/events. nsf/(httpEvents)/EA794CA143A44B0AC1256C240048AE02? OpenDocument=. Vipond, Mary. The Mass Media in Canada. Toronto: Lorimer Company Ltd, 2000. Wade, Peter. Music, Race, and Nation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1957. Wakefield, Robert I. and Coleman F. Barney. Communication in the Unfettered Marketplace: Ethical Interrelationships of Business, Government and Stakeholders, Journal of Mass Media Ethics 16, (2001), Vol. 16 No. 2, 213-233. 1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms, Article 19, 1948. 2 Rowland Lorimer and E. ODonnell, R. , Globalization and Internationalization in Publishing, Canadian Journal of Communication 17 (Autumn, 1992), Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 493. 3 Marjorie Ferguson, Media, Markets and Identities: Reflections on the Global-Local Dialectic: The 1994 Southam Lecture, Canadian Journal of Communication 20 (Autumn, 1995), Vol. 20 No. 4. 4 Institute of East Asian Studies, Look Whos Talking Now: Globalization, Film, Media, the Public Sphere, University of California, Berkley. Retrieved 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://ieas. berkeley. edu/events/z2002. 03. 09. html. 5 Ferguson, op. cit., par. 3. 6 Robert I. Wakefield and Coleman F. Barney, Communication in the Unfettered Marketplace: Ethical Interrelationships of Business, Government and Stakeholders, Journal of Mass Media Ethics 16 (2001), Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 213. 7 Frederick Fletcher, Media and Political Identity: Canada and Quebec in the Ear of Globalization, Canadian Journal of Communication 23 (2001), Vol. 23 No. 3. 8 Ibid. 9 Wakefield and Barney, op. cit. , pp. 213. 10 Mary Vipond, The Mass Media in Canada (Toronto, 2000), pp. 96. 11 Anne McGrath, Media and Politics, in Mediascapes: New Patterns in Canadian Communication (Toronto, 2002), pp. 384. 12 Ibid, pp. 97. 13 Peter Wade, Music, Race, and Nation (Chicago, 1957), pp. 26. 14 Chris Barker, Television, Globalization and Cultural Studies (Pennsylvania, 1999), pp. 36-37. 15 Shirley Biagi and Craig McKie, Media Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media (Toronto, 1999), pp. 268. 16 Bruce Livesy, A Labour Newspaper: Pipe Dream of Possibility? in Bohdan Szuchewycz Jeannette Sloniowski (Eds. ), Canadian Communications (Toronto, 1999), pp. 181. 17 Michael Karlberg and Robert A. Hackett, Cancelling Each Other Out? Interest Group Perceptions of the News Media, Canadian Journal of Communication 21 (1996), Vol. 21 No. 4, par. 6. 18 P. Schlesinger, Rethinking the Society of Journalism: Source Strategies and the Limits of Media-Centrism, in M. Ferguson (Ed. ), Public Communication: the New Imperatives (London, 1990), pp. 61. 19 Larry Gross, Out of the Mainstream: Sexual Minorities and the Mass Media, in Durham, M. Kellner, D. (Eds. ), Media and Cultural Studies (Oxford, 1989), pp. 410. 20 Livesy, op. cit. , pp. 181. 21 Gail Robertson, Snow Whitey? Stereotyping in the Magical Kingdom, in Bohdan Szuchewycz Jeannette Sloniowske (Eds. ), Canadian Communications (Toronto, 1998), pp. 222. 22 Karlberg and Hackett, op. cit. , para. 18. 23 Ibid, para. 19. 24 Wayne Ellwood, The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization (Cornwall, 1999), pp. 11. 25 Biagi and McKie, op. cit. , pp. 222. 26 UNRISD: Globalization and Citizenship. Retrieved 2003 from the World Wide Web: unrisd. org/unrisd/website/events. nsf/(httpEvents)/EA794CA143A44B0AC1256C240048AE02? OpenDocument=. 27 Ibid. 28 Ibid. 29 Ibid. 30 Gross, op. cit. , pp. 421. 31 Vipond, op. cit. , pp. 89. 32 Michael Tracey and Wendy W. Redal, The New Parochialism: The Triumph of the Populist in the Flow of International Television, Canadian Journal of Communication 20 (1995), Vol. 20 No. 3, par. 8.

Not required Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Not required - Essay Example This cohesion between airline companies results to better perform in relation to customer service as well as the air transport. Although the extent of cohesion varies across alliances, it has been observed that they are more profitable to small airline entities. This essay will look at the three major airline airlines that are recognized on the international platform including Oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam. Additionally, the essay looks into Alaska airline that is a key flyer in the US and other international destinations. Finally, the paper looks into the advantages and disadvantages of global airlines. This is the first airline global alliance that is discussed in the paper. First, it is the smallest alliance that currently has thirteen members; however, this number is expected to rise in the coming years. The alliance was established in 1999 by the airline companies that were competing with Sky Team (Weber and Sparks, 2004). Examples of these members include: Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways. The alliance has 981 destinations and it operates in 151 countries. The yearly capacity is 475 passengers; it has a fleet of 3,283 aircrafts and 14,244 departures on a daily. The top five members elect airlines that have the highest number of flights include TAM, British Airways, Iberaia, US Airways and American Airlines (The Points Guy, 2014). It can be argued the alliance is undeniably the best in redeeming domestic and global cabin topnotch awards. Six carriers have well-established global first rate cabins including Cathay Pacific, British Airways, American, Cathay Pacific, Malysian Airline, Qantas and JAL. This is the second global alliance in the airline industry. Based on the recent statistics, the alliance has nineteen members. This alliance was formed in 2000. It operates in 178 nations across the globe and has 1024

Engineering design Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Engineering design - Research Paper Example The ease of accommodating the power source can also be increased by carefully selecting a location for installing the source. The largest dimensions are of Honda GX 35 i.e. 7.8† ? 9.8† ? 12.7†. The calculations of the resistive forces are very simple because the only resistive force to the motion of the bicycle is the frictional force (Wormell). The frictional force can be coupled with the gravitational force while the bicycle is travelling on an inclined surface. For an inclined surface we can assume an angle of 4-8 degrees at the tourist resort at roads where the bike can travel. We will do the calculations for 8o inclined plane. Pr =  µs FN + W sin ? Where Pr is the total resistive force  µs is the coefficient of friction taken as 0.005 for bicycle tyres FN is the normal force equal to the weight (mg) of the bicycle and the driver W is the combined weight of the bicycle and the driver = mg (mass ? gravitational acceleration) ? is the angle of inclination of t he road = 8o Assuming the driver mass to be 80 kg and the total mass of the bike to be 20 kg we can calculate the total resistive force: Pr =  µs FN + W sin ? = 0.005 ? 100 ? 9.81 + 100 ? 9.81 ? sin 8o Pr = 141.43 N In order to calculate the torque required by the motor/engine to produce we have to assume the diameter of the tyre of the bicycle. The average diameter ranges from 55cm to 70 cm. Taking d =70 cm Tr= Pr ? 0.35 m Tr= 49.5 N m The power rating required will be Power = Tr ? 2?N/60 (N = 50) Power = 260 W The power rating of motors and engines provide a factor of safety of more than 5 as the power required is 260 W. The power rating of the battery can be computed by employing the following calculations: Average speed of the bike = 15 mph Maximum Distance to be travelled = 50 miles Discharging time of the battery = 3.3 hrs Power rating of battery = 45 A ? 3.3 hr = 150 Ahr 7. Produce a detailed PDS based on quantified data The manufacturing process is based on a detailed PDS (Musharavati). The various relevant elements of PDS for the product are mentioned below: 1. Function and Performance: The function of the product is to provide an environment friendly means of transport for tourists in a countryside resort. The performance is enhanced by proposing solutions which can provide means of transport with minimum exhaust. 2. Environment: The product is environment friendly because there is no exhaust and thus no addition of harmful chemical compounds to the environment. The design will be in accordance with the emission standards like euro 3 and USEPA. 3. Ergonomics: While developing the product ergonomic principles are kept in mind according and the design will be carried out according to the ergonomics principles. The ergonomics are mainly concerned with the position of the seat, foot rest and paddles and the convenience in the operation of control mechanism. The overall weight of the bicycle should not be greater than 30 kg. 4. Safety: The safety is ver y important and the safety and protection guidelines according to the manufacturing standards provided by ASME and ASTM. 5. Materials: The selection of materials should be done according to the ease of use and feasibility of manufacturing according to the local conditions. The proposed materials are aluminium and iron. 6. Competition: The product under consideration i.e. the environment

Bipolar Disorder Assessment and Community Intervention Programs Assignment

Bipolar Disorder Assessment and Community Intervention Programs - Assignment Example In the market, as it is, there are three versions of the Beck Depression Inventory, which are basically improvements on previous versions (Parker & Ketter, 2010). The original version was first introduced for use in 1961 and is generally referred to as the BDI (Parker & Ketter, 2010). This was later in 1978 revised into the BDI-1A, which was also consequently modified into 1996’s BDI-II (Parker & Ketter, 2010). Presently, the BDI-II remains the most widely used version of the Beck Depression Inventory (Parker & Ketter, 2010). The BDI is a 21 question inventory of self-report rating which evaluates the common symptoms and attitudes associated with bipolar disorder (Rosner, 2014). The BDI is available in a number of different convenient forms such as computerized forms and card forms (Clinical Psychology, 2015). The forms require approximately 10 minutes to successfully complete (Beck Depression Inventory-II, 2015). However, the user requires a 5th to the 6th grade level of read ing competency in order that they may properly understand the questions and thus respond appropriately (Parker & Ketter, 2010). The multiple choice questionnaire, which is suited for persons who are 13 years of age and over, delves on items that determine presence/ absence of symptoms of bipolar disorder like irritability, hopelessness, feeling of being punished, guilt, fatigue, lack/ loss of interest in sex, loss of weight, and so on (Clinical Psychology, 2015).The assessment can be self-administered or done verbally by a trained administrator. The user of the instrument has the responsibility of ensuring appropriate use of the test, such as in administration, interpretation, application, and scoring of the results (Clinical Psychology, 2015). Some test instances can be given and rated/ scaled by persons with lower levels of training as long as they remain under the supervision of a qualified user (Parker & Ketter, 2010).  

The effectiveness of a free market system

The effectiveness of a free market system The market system is markets in which governments have very limited roles, it can also be known as the free market. Many may question this type of market system though, in that how can such a system without any major policies or government intervention, solve the basic economic problems of, what to produce? How to produce and for whom to produce? Adam Smith, a famous Scottish philosopher economist, argued that individuals pursuing their self interest would be lead as by an invisible hand in doing things that are in the interest of society as a whole. In this market, if an individual desires to start up a business, once established, would in turn benefit society by creating new jobs and opportunities. This benefit would move the societys production possibility frontier onwards and outwards, and would further result in a productively and allocatively efficient business. The main feature of a free market system is that it enjoys the pricing system which is determined through forces of demand and supply of a product or service without any influences of monopolistic or oligopolistic markets. This is the only time where government intervenes; in ensuring consumers enjoy the benefits of low prices. Competition within the market therefore, allows consumers to have choices and benefit from low prices and in return leads businesses to expansion or creation of new products or services. Free market businesses also have high profit motives therefore ensuring efficiency and effectiveness within the operational functions of the business. Based on information gathered it shows where1 Mexico benefits from a free market economy in the trillion dollar class with regards to investment climate. The country established this state through the mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Likewise, Tanzania enjoys more than ninety percent of total foreign investments. Some of the countrys investors include the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany to name a few. The sectors that attracted these top country investors are tourism, agriculture, fisheries, mining and manufacturing all under a free market system2. Altogether, it is appears that the market system is the best mechanism in encouraging a positive investment climate, however, everything that has advantages, must have some sort of negativity affiliated. In this market, with high levels of rivalry, it has been known to adversely affect employment and poverty levels in China and India in division between the rich and the poor. Even highly developed economies such as the United States and Canada are known to encounter these issues consequent of a total free market economy3. Additionally, in an attempt to maximize profit levels, business owners in a free market may be tempted to reduce competing levels and operate as a monopoly, in essence to non government intervention. Income differences are also likely to be substantial since there are no taxes imposed in reducing it. In the real world it is not perfect; it would never really have a market where demand is equal to supply a state of equilibrium. Therefore, in conclusion the free market would never really be a best allocating mechanism for scarce resources. Word Count: 524words PART A QUESTION 2 People disbelieves of a free market economy has highlighted the nature of a command economy. In contrast to a free market system, in command economies the government decides what will be produced? How it will be produced and for whom it would be produced? This further encompasses detailed instructions that are issued to households, firms and workers. There is very little private sector business activity within this economy as oppose to a free market economy. It is a very bureaucratic and time costly task of the government in planning and making decisions of these roles, as such; even though there is maximization in the application of resources, there is no completely planned economy where there is efficiency in the allocation of resources. With government in command, they produce products and services that are only required to be produced, consequently limiting consumers choices. Also, there is no room for competition within this economy, therefore any improvements in product designs is highly unlikely. Employees are also poorly motivated knowing that the business is not trying to make profits; therefore they are not benefited in any way from working harder, or even giving their input in showing the enterprise of how to possibly make its business more successful. On the other hand, with a command economy, there is stability within the economy. Also, this economy plans on a long term basis of perhaps via infrastructure investments, whereas the private sector is only after short term profits. The economy is intended to serve needs collectively rather than individually which allows equal distributions of wealth within its nature making no room for any discrimination. Through the high levels of government control in the economy, it does ensure sufficient supply of industrial products be made available at affordable prices for manufacturers all in the effort of the overall welfare of the economy. All production decisions are based on the governments assessments of peoples needs rather than the consumers spending patterns. 4A planned economy, in theory does not suffer from any business cycles, that is, and is no booms or recessions: it does not experience crisis of overproduction. According to the CIA Factbook, it estimated that for a time the Soviet Union was the worlds second largest economy and was that of a command, the economy eventually collapsed though, resulting in the various republics gaining its independence, for e.g., Kazakhstan transitioning into a free economy. This country now reaps the benefits of a friendly foreign investment climate. The economy has been healthily operating since the transition. China, before 1978 and India before, 1991 were also important command economies. Presently, command economies are relatively rare however it does still exist in certain countries such as in Cuba and Iran. The student believes that there is really no room for investment climates within a command economy, especially since potential investors evaluates and investigates conditions for private sector investment. This is due to all the disadvantages discussed earlier, for e.g., the basic salary wages would in fact reduce the demand for labor which affects an investors decision in thinking of the long run outcome. Word Count: 517 words PART A QUESTION 3 As a free market allows practices of self interest without any significant restrictions, and a command economy allows minute capacity of individual economic freedom since most decisions are centrally taken by the government, the student would now discuss a mixed economy as a result to these market failures. In a mixed economy as in Trinidad and Tobago, the government and the private sector act together in solving the economic issues presented. The government controls a significant allocation of output through taxations, transfer payments and the provision of services such as the defense force and police force. Government also regulates the extent to which an individual may pursue their own self interest. In this market type, the government provides essential services for all in society, no discrimination; the private sector is encouraged to operate successfully in earning profits from enterprise. Competition within the market will result in innovate products produced at reasonable prices to consumers hence an overall satisfaction to consumers in having the benefit of choice of a product. In mixed economies, government rule out all inefficient business behavior, for e.g., dangerous products or polluted factories such as the International Aluminum Smelting Industry, which results in very detrimental health impacts to society. Some disbenefits though are that taxes may be too high to pay for public goods, which can result in a decrease in motivation to work hard or make profits. The public sector may also not be as productive and efficient as oppose to the private sector. Government also needs to be careful when setting controls over business operations, too much control can add to cost and thereby discouraging enterprise. Trinidad and Tobago is known to have an open investment climate meaning that almost all investment barriers since 1992 to be exact have been abolished. Based on data collected, 5due to the nations strategic location, natural resources, excellent infrastructure and pro-investment business climate, Trinidad and Tobago have in the past acquired the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean. Increased levels of export returns have stirred both the public and private sectors outflow and inflow. Some of the sectors in which potential investors may consider in T T is the Tourism industry, Music and Entertainment, Merchant Marine and, Energy and Downstream Industry to name a few. Trinidad and Tobagos recent investment climate has not been progressing lately though, especially with the recent downfall in the economy, it is quite a challenging investment climate presently., 6There is a need to attract major players in the energy sector that is, especially since the entrants of new competitors such as Brazil, Angola, Australia and off-shore West Africa, who all possess the ability to haul together the investment dollars the technical expertise from major multi-national companies. Competition is indeed though in this sector, as a result the energy chamber has decided to center the forthcoming 2011 T T Energy Conference on investment in the energy sector. The conference will be to discuss the various aspects in which investment can be influenced in the region as well as means in enhancing competitiveness. Another major sector in which investment opportunities could use a boost is that of the Defense and Security sector. Presently, Trinidad and Tobago is undergoing significant increased levels of crime. Though a risk factor, relevant investors can however use this as an opportunity to grow and develop their businesses market shares. Trinidad and Tobagos actual investment policies as at 2009 20137, states where these policies are proposed in providing principles and guidelines for national and foreign investments, some of the marketing strategies include: Identification and development of investment projects. Facilitation of joint ventures. Improving access to financing and communication of investment opportunities. Provision of training to entrepreneurs. Hosting of trade fairs and trade, and trade and investment conferences, (as mentioned earlier) Provision of opportunities linked to firms that are already established, for e.g., the oil industry. These policies are expected to improve the investment climate of the country. In so doing, it provides opportunities for people to better themselves; therefore they should take advantage in the overall view of a bullish climate. Word Count: 705 words. FOOTNOTES 1http://www.islandandresort.com 2http://www.aabf.org/tanzania_inv_guide.htm 3 http://www.wiki.answers.com 4http://www.en.wikipedia.org 5http://www.bdc.co.tt/exportdirectory/profiles.php? 6http://www.ttenergyconference.org 7http://www.investtnt.com

Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells Essays -- Automobile Car Vehicle Energy

The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells The present global economy is nearly entirely dependent on petroleum and crude oil imports from the Middle East. Where the current situation stands now, oil prices will continue to skyrocket and the environmental impact will continue becoming greater if no form of alternative energy is implemented to a greater extent within the coming years. However, to this effect, the industrial cost of producing such forms of alternative energy is in itself primarily composed of coal and petroleum. In this light, I will investigate the practicality of hydrogen fuel cells based upon hydrogen consumption and exploitation. Hydrogen holds enormous promise for the future regarding alternative energy sources. To this point, its ability to be used in cars, weapons, and as miniature batteries has been demonstrated by many companies. However, if this is the case, hydrogen should be the leading supplier of power around the world. What prevents it from being so? With alternate energy sources becoming more and more necessary and desirable, not only does the future hold promise for a cleaner environment, but many companies and entrepreneurs have the potential to make billions of dollars should hydrogen, nuclear, or some other alternative source of energy become implemented worldwide. Let it first be understood the underlying principles of hydrogen power production in a fuel cell. There exist many hydrogen fuel cells being developed by multiple companies worldwide; however, the fuel cell showing the most promise as a future source of alternative power is the Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and is widely regarded as a possible replacement for diesel and petroleum cars (http://www.fctec.com/fctec_types_pem... ...n production and subsequently, on the market. Thus, until the industrial cost for hydrogen fuel cells is reduced and its practicality increased, this renewable and abundant source of energy will remain on the smaller scale. Works Cited †¢ University of California, Irvine, "NFCRC Tutorial: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell." NFCRC. 30 Jul 2008 . †¢ Rayment, Chris. "Introduction of Fuel Cell Technology." University of Notre Dame. 2 May 2003. University of Notre Dame. 30 Jul 2008 . †¢ "Hydrogen Fuel Cell." Georgia State University. Georgia State University. 30 Jul 2008 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/thermo/electrol.html#c2. †¢ "How Fuel Cells Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com. 30 Jul 2008 . Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells Essays -- Automobile Car Vehicle Energy The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells The present global economy is nearly entirely dependent on petroleum and crude oil imports from the Middle East. Where the current situation stands now, oil prices will continue to skyrocket and the environmental impact will continue becoming greater if no form of alternative energy is implemented to a greater extent within the coming years. However, to this effect, the industrial cost of producing such forms of alternative energy is in itself primarily composed of coal and petroleum. In this light, I will investigate the practicality of hydrogen fuel cells based upon hydrogen consumption and exploitation. Hydrogen holds enormous promise for the future regarding alternative energy sources. To this point, its ability to be used in cars, weapons, and as miniature batteries has been demonstrated by many companies. However, if this is the case, hydrogen should be the leading supplier of power around the world. What prevents it from being so? With alternate energy sources becoming more and more necessary and desirable, not only does the future hold promise for a cleaner environment, but many companies and entrepreneurs have the potential to make billions of dollars should hydrogen, nuclear, or some other alternative source of energy become implemented worldwide. Let it first be understood the underlying principles of hydrogen power production in a fuel cell. There exist many hydrogen fuel cells being developed by multiple companies worldwide; however, the fuel cell showing the most promise as a future source of alternative power is the Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and is widely regarded as a possible replacement for diesel and petroleum cars (http://www.fctec.com/fctec_types_pem... ...n production and subsequently, on the market. Thus, until the industrial cost for hydrogen fuel cells is reduced and its practicality increased, this renewable and abundant source of energy will remain on the smaller scale. Works Cited †¢ University of California, Irvine, "NFCRC Tutorial: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell." NFCRC. 30 Jul 2008 . †¢ Rayment, Chris. "Introduction of Fuel Cell Technology." University of Notre Dame. 2 May 2003. University of Notre Dame. 30 Jul 2008 . †¢ "Hydrogen Fuel Cell." Georgia State University. Georgia State University. 30 Jul 2008 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/thermo/electrol.html#c2. †¢ "How Fuel Cells Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com. 30 Jul 2008 .

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 3

Of course, I should clarify at this point that Jerome doesn't look like a demon, at least not in the traditional red skin and horns sense. Maybe he does on another plane of existence, but like Hugh, me, and all the other immortals walking the earth, Jerome wore a human guise now. One that looked like John Cusack. Seriously. No joke. The archdemon always claimed he didn't even know who the actor was, but none of us bought that. † Ow,† I said irritably. â€Å"Let me go.† Jerome released his grasp, but his dark eyes still glinted dangerously. â€Å"You look good,† he said after a moment, seeming surprised by the admission. I tugged at my sweater, straightening it from where his hand had crumpled it. â€Å"You have a funny way of showing your admiration.† â€Å"Really good,† he continued thoughtfully. â€Å"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you – â€Å" † – shine,† murmured a voice behind the demon. â€Å"You shine, Daughter of Lilith, like a star in the night sky, like a diamond glittering on the bleakness of eternity.† I started in surprise. Jerome cut a sharp glance to the speaker, not liking his monologue interrupted. I also glared, not liking an uninvited angel in my apartment. Carter only smiled at both of us. â€Å"As I was saying,† snapped Jerome, â€Å"you look like you've been with a good mortal.† â€Å"I did a favor for Hugh.† â€Å"So this isn't the start of a new and improved habit?† â€Å"Not on the salary you pay me.† Jerome grunted, but it was all part of a routine between us. He would berate me for not taking my job seriously, I'd give a few witty quips in return, and the status quo would resume. Like I said, I was something of a teacher's pet. Looking at him now, however, I could see no more jokes would follow. The charm that had so enthralled my customers today had no effect on these two. Jerome's face was drawn and serious, as was Carter's, despite the angel's usual sardonic half-smile. Jerome and Carter hung out together regularly, especially when alcohol was involved. This baffled me since they were supposedly locked in some sort of great, cosmic struggle. I'd once asked Jerome if Carter was a fallen angel, which had elicited a good laugh from the demon. When he'd recovered from the hilarity, he'd told me no, Carter hadn't fallen. If he had, he wouldn't technically be an angel anymore. I hadn't really found that answer satisfying and finally decided the two must stay together because there was no one else in this area who could relate to an existence stretching back to the beginning of time and creation. All the rest of us lesser immortals had been human at some point before; greater immortals like Jerome and Carter had not. My centuries were a mere blip on their timeline. Whatever the reasons for his presence now, I didn't like Carter. He wasn't obnoxious like Duane, but he always seemed so smug and supercilious. Maybe it was an angel thing. Carter also had the most bizarre sense of humor I'd ever seen. I could never tell if he was making fun of me or not. â€Å"So what can I do for you boys?† I asked, tossing my purse on the counter. â€Å"I've got places to be tonight.† Jerome fixed me with a narrow-eyed look. â€Å"I want you to tell me about Duane.† â€Å"What? I already did. He's an asshole.† â€Å"Is that why you had him killed?† â€Å"I – what?† I froze where I'd been sifting through cupboard contents and slowly turned around to look back at the duo, half expecting some joke. Both faces were in earnest, watching me. â€Å"Killed? How†¦ how does that work?† â€Å"You tell me, Georgie.† I blinked, suddenly realizing where this was going. â€Å"Are you accusing me of killing Duane? And wait†¦ this is stupid. Duane isn't dead. He can't be.† Jerome began pacing, his voice exaggeratedly civil. â€Å"Oh, I assure you, he is quite dead. We found him this morning, just before sunrise.† â€Å"So what? He died of sun exposure?† That was the only way I'd ever heard a vampire could die. â€Å"No. He died because of the stake wedged into his heart.† † Ew.† â€Å"So are you ready to tell me who you got to do it, Georgie?† â€Å"I didn't get anyone to do it! I can't even – I don't even understand what this is about. Duane can't be dead.† â€Å"You admitted to me last night you two got in a fight.† â€Å"Yes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"And you threatened him.† â€Å"Yeah, but I was joking†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I think he told me you said something about him never coming near you again?† â€Å"I was angry and upset! He was scaring me. This is crazy. Besides, Duane can't be dead.† That was the only piece of sanity I could cling to in all of this, so I kept repeating it to them and to myself. Immortals were, by definition, immortal. End of story. â€Å"Don't you know anything about vampires?† the arch-demon asked curiously. â€Å"Like that they can't die?† Amusement flickered in Carter's gray eyes; Jerome found me less funny. â€Å"I'm asking you one last time, Georgina. Did you or did you not have Duane killed? Just answer the question. Yes or no.† â€Å"No,† I said firmly. Jerome glanced at Carter. The angel studied me, his lank blond hair falling forward to partially cover his face. I realized then why Carter was along for the ride tonight. Angels can always discern truth from lies. At last, he nodded sharply to Jerome. â€Å"Glad I passed the test,† I muttered. But they weren't paying attention to me anymore. â€Å"Well,† observed Jerome grimly, â€Å"I guess we know what this means.† â€Å"Well, we don't know for sure†¦Ã¢â‚¬  † I do.† Carter gave him a meaningful look, and several seconds of silence passed. I'd always suspected the two were communicating mentally in such moments, something we lesser immortals could not do unassisted. â€Å"So Duane's really dead?† I asked. â€Å"Yes,† said Jerome, remembering I was there. â€Å"Very much so.† â€Å"Who killed him then? Now that we've determined it wasn't me?† The two glanced at each other and shrugged, neither answering. Negligent parents, both of them. Carter pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit up. Lord, I hated it when they got this way. Finally Jerome said, â€Å"A vampire hunter.† I stared. â€Å"Really? Like that girl on TV?† â€Å"Not exactly.† â€Å"So where are you going tonight?† asked Carter pleasantly. â€Å"To Seth Mortensen's signing. And don't change the subject. I want to know about this vampire hunter.† â€Å"Are you going to sleep with him?† â€Å"I – what?† For half a moment, I thought the angel was asking me about the vampire hunter. â€Å"You mean Seth Mortensen?† Carter exhaled smoke. â€Å"Sure. I mean, if I were a succubus obsessed with a mortal author, that's what I'd do. Besides, doesn't your side always want more celebrities?† â€Å"We've already got plenty of celebrities,† Jerome said in an undertone. Sleep with Seth Mortensen? Good grief. It was the most preposterous thing I'd ever heard. It was appalling. If I absorbed his life force, there was no telling how long it'd be until his next book came out. â€Å"No! Of course not.† â€Å"Then what are you going to do to get noticed?† â€Å"Noticed?† â€Å"Sure. I mean, the guy probably sees tons of fans on a regular basis. Don't you want to stand out in some way?† Surprise washed over me. I hadn't even considered that. Should I have? My jaded nature made it difficult to find pleasure in many things nowadays. Seth Mortensen books were one of my few escapes. Should I acknowledge that and attempt to connect with the novels' creator? Earlier today, I'd mocked run-of-the-mill fans. Was I about to become one of them? â€Å"Well†¦ I mean, Paige will probably introduce the staff privately to him. I'll sort of stand out then.† â€Å"Yes, of course.† Carter put out the cigarette in my kitchen sink. â€Å"I'm sure he never gets the opportunity to meet bookstore management.† I opened my mouth to protest, but Jerome cut me off. â€Å"Enough.† He gave Carter another of those meaningful looks. â€Å"We need to go.† â€Å"I – wait a minute!† Carter had succeeded in derailing me off the topic after all. I couldn't believe it. â€Å"I want to know more about this vampire hunter.† â€Å"All you need to know is that you should be careful, Georgie. Extremely careful. I am not joking about this.† I swallowed, hearing the iron in the demon's voice. â€Å"But I'm not a vampire.† â€Å"I don't care. These hunter types sometimes follow vampires around, hoping to find others. You could be implicated by association. Lay low. Avoid being alone. Stay with others – mortal or immortal, it doesn't matter. Maybe you can follow up on your favor for Hugh and score some more souls for our side while you're at it.† I rolled my eyes at that as the two walked to the door. â€Å"I mean it. Be careful. Keep a low profile. Don't get involved with this.† â€Å"And,† added Carter with a wink, â€Å"say hi to Seth Mortensen for me.† With that, the two left, closing the door gently behind them. A formality really, since either of them could have just teleported out. Or blown my door apart. I turned to Aubrey. She had watched the proceedings cautiously from the back of my sofa, tail twitching. â€Å"Well,† I told her, reeling. â€Å"What am I supposed to make of that?† Duane was actually dead? I mean, yeah, he was a bastard, and I had been pretty pissed when I threatened him last night, but I'd never actually wanted him to be really dead. And what about this vampire hunter business? Why was I supposed to be careful when – â€Å"Shit!† I had just glanced at my microwave clock. It coolly informed me I needed to return to the bookstore ASAP. Pushing Duane out of my brain, I dashed to my bedroom and stared at myself in the mirror. Aubrey followed more sluggishly. What to wear? I could just keep my current outfit. The sweater and khakis combination looked both respectable and subdued, though the color scheme blended a bit too well with my light brown hair. It was a librarian sort of outfit. Did I want to look subdued? Maybe. Like I had told Carter, I really didn't want to do anything that might solicit the romantic interest of my favorite author in the whole world. Still†¦ Still, I remembered what the angel had said about getting noticed. I didn't want to be just another face in Seth Mortensen's crowd. This was the final stop on his latest tour. No doubt he'd seen thousands of fans in the last month, fans who blurred together into a sea of bland faces, making their inane comments. I had advised the guy at the counter to be innovative with his questions, and I intended to behave the same way with my appearance. Five minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror once more, this time clad in a silk tank top, deep violet and low-cut, paired with a floral chiffon skirt. The skirt almost covered my thighs and swirled when I spun. It would have made a great dancing outfit. Stepping into strappy brown heels, I glanced over at Aubrey for confirmation. â€Å"What do you think? Too sexy?† She began cleaning her tail. â€Å"It is sexy,† I conceded, â€Å"but it's classy sexy. The hair helps, I think.† I had pulled my long hair up into a romantic sort of bun, leaving wavy locks to frame my face and enhance my eyes. Momentary shape-shifting made them turn greener than usual. Changing my mind, I let them go back to their normal gold-and-green-flecked hazel. When Aubrey still refused to acknowledge how awesome I looked, I grabbed my snakeskin coat and glared at her. â€Å"I don't care what you think. This outfit was a good call.† I left the apartment with my copy of The Glasgow Pact and walked back to work, impervious to the drizzle. Another perk of shape-shifting. Fans milled inside the main retail area, eager to see the man whose latest book still dominated the bestseller lists, even after five weeks. I squeezed past the group, making my way toward the stairs that led to the second floor. â€Å"Young adult books are over there by the wall.† Doug's friendly voice drifted nearby. â€Å"Let me know if you need anything else.† He turned away from the customer he'd been helping, caught sight of me, and promptly dropped the stack of books he'd been holding. Customers stepped back, politely watching him kneel down to retrieve the books. I recognized the covers immediately. They were paperbacks of Seth Mortensen's older titles. â€Å"Sacrilege,† I commented. â€Å"Letting those touch the ground. You'll have to burn them now, like a flag.† Ignoring me, Doug gathered up the books and then ushered me off out of earshot. â€Å"Nice of you to go home and change into something more comfortable. Christ, can you even bend over in that?† â€Å"What, do you think I'll have to tonight?† â€Å"Well, that depends. I mean, Warren's here after all.† â€Å"Harsh, Doug. Very harsh.† â€Å"You bring it on yourself, Kincaid.† He gave me a reluctant, appreciative glance just before we started climbing the stairs. â€Å"You do look pretty good, though.† â€Å"Thanks. I wanted Seth Mortensen to notice me.† â€Å"Believe me, unless he's gay, he'll notice you. Probably even then too.† â€Å"I don't look too slutty, do I?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Or cheap?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"I was going for classy sexy. What do you think?† â€Å"I think I'm done feeding your ego. You already know how you look.† We crested the top of the stairs. A mass of chairs had been set up, covering most of the cafe's normal seating area and spreading out into part of the gardening and maps section of books. Paige, the store manager and our superior, busily attempted some sort of wiring acrobatics with the microphone and sound system. I didn't know what this building had been used for before Emerald City Books moved in, but it was not an ideal venue for acoustics and large groups. â€Å"I'm going to help her,† Doug told me, kindly chivalrous. Paige was three months pregnant. â€Å"I'd advise you do something that doesn't involve leaning more than twenty degrees in any one direction. Oh, and if somebody tries to get you to touch your elbows together behind your back, don't fall for it.† I gave him a sharp jab in the ribs, nearly making him lose the books again. Bruce, still manning the espresso counter, made me my fourth white chocolate mocha of the day, and I wandered over to the geography books to drink it while I waited for things to pick up. Glancing beside me, I recognized the guy I'd discussed Seth Mortensen with earlier. He still held his copy of The Glasgow Pact. â€Å"Hey,† I said. He jumped at the sound of my voice, having been absorbed in a travel book about Texas. â€Å"Sorry,† I told him. â€Å"Didn't mean to scare you.† â€Å"I – no, you d-didn't,† he stammered. His eyes assessed me from head to toe in one quick glance, lingering ever so briefly on my hips and breasts but longest on my face. â€Å"You changed clothes.† Apparently realizing the myriad implications behind such an admission, he added hastily, â€Å"Not that that's bad. I mean that's good. Er, well, that is – â€Å" His embarrassment growing, he turned from me and tried to awkwardly replace the Texas book back on the shelf, upside down. I hid my smile. This guy was too adorable. I didn't run into many shy guys anymore. Modern-day dating seemed to demand men make as great a spectacle of themselves as possible, and unfortunately, women seemed to really go for it. Okay, even I went for it sometimes. But shy guys deserved a break too, and I decided a little harmless flirting with him would be good for his ego while I waited for the signing to start. He probably had terrible luck with women. â€Å"Let me do that,† I offered, leaning across him. My hands touched his as I took the book from him, replacing it carefully on the shelf, front cover out. â€Å"There.† I stepped back as though to admire my handiwork, making sure I stood very close to him, our shoulders nearly touching. â€Å"It's important to keep up appearances with books,† I explained. â€Å"Image goes a long way in this business.† He dared a look over at me, still nervous but steadily recovering his composure. â€Å"I go more for content.† â€Å"Really?† I repositioned slightly so that we were touching again, the soft flannel of his shirt brushing my bare skin. â€Å"Because I could have sworn a moment ago you were pretty caught up in outside appearance.† His eyes shifted down again, but I could see a smile curving his lips. â€Å"Well. Some things are so striking, they can't help but draw attention to themselves.† â€Å"And doesn't that make you curious about what's inside?† â€Å"Mostly it makes me want to get you some advanced copies.† Advanced copies? What did he – ? â€Å"Seth? Seth, where – ah, there you are.† Paige turned down our aisle, Doug following behind. She brightened when she saw me, and I felt my stomach sink out of me and hit the floor with a thud as I put two and two together. No. No. It couldn't be – â€Å"Ah, Georgina. I see you've already met Seth Mortensen.†

Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall Overview When Thurgood Marshall retired from the U.S. Supreme Court in October 1991, Paul Gerwitz, a law professor at Yale University wrote a tribute published in The New York Times. In the article, Gerwitz argued that Marshall’s work â€Å"required heroic imagination.† Marshall, who had lived through Jim Crow Era segregation and racism, graduated from law school ready to fight discrimination. For this, Gerwitz added, Marshall â€Å"really changed the world, something few lawyers can say.† Key Achievements First African-American to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.Wins 29 U.S. Supreme Court cases, helping to overturn segregation in public schools and transportation these cases include Brown v. Board of Education as well as Browder v. Gayle. Established the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, serving as first president and counsel-director.Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom from William H. Clinton. Early Life and Education Born Thoroughgood on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Marshall was the son of William, a train porter and Norma, an educator. In the second grade, Marshall changed his name to Thurgood. Marshall attended Lincoln University where he began protesting against segregation by participating in a sit-in at a movie theater. He also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.   In 1929, Marshall graduated with a degree in humanities and began his studies at the Howard University School of Law. Heavily influenced by the school’s dean, Charles Hamilton Houston, Marshall became dedicated to ending discrimination through the use of legal discourse. In 1933, Marshall graduated first in his class from Howard University School of Law.    Career Timeline    1934: Opens a private law practice in Baltimore. Marshall also begins his relationship for the Baltimore Branch of the NAACP by representing the organization in the law school discrimination case Murray v. Pearson. 1935: Wins his first civil rights case, Murray v. Pearson while working with Charles Houston. 1936: Appointed assistant special counsel for the New York chapter of the NAACP. 1940: Wins Chambers v. Florida. This will be Marshall’s first of 29 U.S. Supreme Court victories. 1943:   Schools in Hillburn, NY are integrated after Marshall’s win. 1944: Makes a successful argument in the Smith v. Allwright case, overturning the â€Å"white primary† existing in the South. 1946: Wins an NAACP Spingarn Medal. 1948: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down racially restrictive covenants when Marshall wins Shelley v. Kraemer. 1950: Two U.S. Supreme Court wins with Sweatt v. Painter and McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents. 1951: Investigates racism in the U.S. Armed Forces during a visit to South Korea. As a result of the visit, Marshall argues that â€Å"rigid segregation† exists.    1954: Marshall wins Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The landmark case ends legal segregation in public schools. 1956: The Montgomery Bus Boycott ends when Marshall wins Browder v. Gayle. The victory ends segregation on public transportation. 1957: Establishes the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. The defense fund is a nonprofit law firm that is independent of the NAACP. 1961: Wins Garner v. Louisiana after defending a group of civil rights demonstrators. 1961: Appointed as a judge on the Second Circuit Courts of Appeal by John F. Kennedy. During Marshall’s four-year tenure, he makes 112 rulings which are not reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court. 1965: Handpicked by Lyndon B. Johnson to serve as U.S. Solicitor General. In a two-year period, Marshall wins 14 out of 19 cases. 1967:   Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall is the first African-American to hold this position and serves for 24 years. 1991: Retires from the U.S. Supreme Court. 1992: Recipient of the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Office by the Jefferson Awards. Awarded the Liberty Medal for protecting civil rights. Personal Life In 1929, Marshall married Vivien Burey. Their union lasted for 26 years until Vivien’s death in 1955. That same year, Marshall married Cecilia Suyat. The couple had two sons, Thurgood Jr. who served as a top aide for William H. Clinton and John W. who worked as a Director of the U.S. Marshals Service and Virginia Secretary of Public Safety. Death Marshall died on January 25, 1993.

Three artist Dialogue essays

Three artist Dialogue essays Artist are very opinionated individuals that create pieces that affect us in many ways. What do I mean by that statement? Well, if one is to look at any kind of artwork, I believe that it will evoke some kind of reaction from the viewer. It is the artists statement. It may not be a written statement or vocal statement, but it is a visual type of communication. The three artists that I am discussing will be Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Barnett Newman. The discussion will be that of their opinions on creating art and their interpretation of some forms of art. The source of the information will Jackson Pollock's artwork is very loose and free with lots of energy and movement. An idea of an American art to him is absurd. Meaning that he thinks that art cannot be classified into a type or grouping. His example of physics being tied to a nationality has its merits. The theory of physics is a universal type of thinking. It is not locked down to be understood by cer- tain nationalities. He says that all people can understand its concepts. And that is how he views artwork as well. Art is the universal language. Mark Rothko states that artwork transcends us to a different plane or dimension. The hum-drum of everyday life can stifle the creative energy of the artist according to Rothko. He says that if artists can let go of his ties to reality, only then is he able to be truly creative. Freedom is the goal of the artist. Freedom from reality will allow an artist to create beyond his normal limits. Artwork is a magical result that started within the artist mind and is transferred to the canvas. This transformation is his so called The items in his works are like individual entities that have purpose. This purpose may be to itself or may have relationships to other ...

Port Sunlight and Letchworth Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Port Sunlight and Letchworth - Case Study Example They all had a common ending; they died and were named conservation areas. The two towns seem to have been built for the primary purpose of industries and improving the lives of the employees and their families. These industries created jobs for the people around it together with their families. Eventually there was a growth in population thus an increase in demand for housing, schools, hospitals and any other social amenities. One distinct thing about these two towns is that the pioneers had great ideas but all had to consult and involve architectures who would put the design on the ground in an even better way than the former. A William Hesketh Lever built the town for his employees who worked in his soap factory. He bought a land big enough to hold the factory and a garden village to house his employees. Though he participated a lot in designing and planning of the village, he hired architects to give put their best towards a beautiful village. Living houses were built together with other public buildings. Apart from the buildings and good living conditions for his workers, he went a step further to introduce schemes for his employees. They included welfare schemes and educational schemes. His main aim was to create an environment of coexistence and brotherhood. The architectures at Port Sunlight integrated a broad variety of features in their planning, borrowed from Europe and Britain a combination that came to be referred to as the Old English. The villages at Port Sunlight consisted of tremendous blocks of housing of low concentration and a number of public buildings such as gymnasiums, theatres and libraries that were surrounded by gardens and open green spaces. The village layout was designed in such a manner that it restricted any open view of the factory and of the inside. The houses were so uniquely built that their backs could not be visible. The factory was purposely built a one storey structure. This was primarily to provide aeration, enough light and a healthier environment for the workers and also to reduce its corporal impact on the village. In Letchworth, the situation was rather different. The planning was more impressive than that of Port Sunlight. The designing and planning of the town is owed a lot to a construction company, by then known as Garden city Company, who also remained the consultants for a long time. For many years the development of the town was controlled by this company. The streets were made beautiful with trees and beds of roses along them. There were a number of factories, unlike in Port Sunlight where factories grew much later. Therefore, in the planning the factories had to be placed in the correct relation to one another. The factories were placed into estates called industrial estates. Currently it is a very common idea but back then it was a world-shattering idea. But at the same time it was not easy for the town to attract other industries. This was because, the public buildings that had been put in the plan to surface around the town, did not really materialize for a long time. For this reas on the growth of the town was retarded. The shopping places were placed in the town centre and were served by wide enough pavements and ample parking sites. This gave the shoppers a

Racial Disparities in Criminal Justice Research Paper

Racial Disparities in Criminal Justice - Research Paper Example Racial disparity in the criminal justice system is a situation in which the numbers of individuals from an ethnic group or race under the control of the criminal justice system is disproportionately greater than their numbers in the rest of the population. Such a situation casts a bad light and suspicion upon the criminal justice system and as a result calls for intervention and study. Through reviewing literature from the turn of this millennium this study will demonstrate the presence and extent of racial disparity currently within the criminal justice system stages. This will involve a review of the statistics of the situation, causes of this racial disparity, its impacts and possible interventions. Racial disparity within the criminal justice system will then be discussed in terms of ethics and how it transgresses the principals and foundations on which America was built. The Statistics The figures available on this issue paint a grim picture of the situation indicating that the racial disparity is as a result of cumulative decisions made in the criminal justice system. While African Americans make up only 12.7% of the US population they contribute 48.2% of all adults in the American jails. Interestingly, while Whites contribute 72% of all drug abusers and African Americans only 15%, the latter are arrested more for drug abuse. Latinos make up 18.6% of the population in prisons and 22.5% of all arrested drug abusers when they are only 11.1% of the entire population. 4% of all American Indian adults are under control of the criminal justice system which is more than twice the Whites while considering the considerably small numbers of American Indians today. 42.5% of all prisoners awaiting capital punishment are African American which translates to over thrice their national population. As of 2003, the rate of imprisonment per 100,000 for every race was 2,526 for African Americans, 997 for Latinos, 709 for American Indians and only 376 for Whites. The chances that an African American person will be incarcerated at one point in their lifetime is 32%, 17% for Latinos and 6% for Whites which translates to 1 in every 3 African Americans, 1 in every 6 Latinos and 1 in every 17 Whites. The emerging trends in drug crime indicate that colored women are the highest growing proportion in jails (Coker, 2003; Pager et al, 2009). Nearly 10% of young African American men (24-29 years) were in jails while 25% of African Americans aged 18-34 were under the criminal justice system compared to 6% whites in the same age brackets at the turn of the millennium. When compared to other criminal justice systems around the world, the rate of African American imprisonment can only be termed as astronomical by world standards (Pager, et al., 2009). Breaking the figures down according to stages of the criminal justice system reveals that there is racial and ethnic disparity during arrests. Minority drivers are stopped and searched for contraband at higher rates. 5 .2% of African Americans and 4.2% Latinos are stopped by police when driving as compared to 2.6% of Whites. Law enforcement officers are more likely to conduct a search on a vehicle with African Americans as occupants (15.9%) and Latinos (14.2%) than Whites (7.9%). 75.7% of African Americans and 79.4% of Hispanics are likely to be given tickets when stopped compared to