Professional Leadership Assessment A Joint, Interagency,...

Professional Leadership Assessment (or Strategic Leadership for Introverts) Seminar 7/PJ Yuson, Lt Col, USAF The Right to Lead Assessment Model (RLAM) is a useful construct for analyzing one’s own ability to lead at the strategic level in a Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational (JIIM) environment. I will briefly describe key RLAM components, assess my personal strengths and weaknesses (in each component), and then prescribe a strategy to improve weakness while attending the Air War College (AWC). My overall objective is to have people follow me because I earned their commitment and confidence (also RLAM components) as opposed to automated, unearned respect associated with my rank or job title. The RLAM, which I use as a reflective self-assessment, consists of roughly 12 components. However, I focus on five of these components, which are most critical for strategic leadership: character, competence, personality, drive, and relevance. Character is the most important RLAM component. Character is key because it â€Å"stimulates a person to do the right thing, which is manifested through right and proper actions...† Thus, character drives ethical reasoning. My strength of character is derived by my faith in a higher, Judeo-Christian power, which typically manifests itself as a virtue-based ethic when I make decisions. However, in a JIIM environment this also means I tend to be indecisive because wicked problems often require consequence-based reasoning, which canShow MoreRelatedThe Goals And Responsibilities Of The United Air War College ( Awc ) Course1195 Words   |  5 PagesTherefore national security senior leadership requires precise key skills and knowledge, beyond the ones needed at tactical and operational level, in order to be successful. This paper is a personal critical self-assessment of the ability to lead at strategic level as it stands today, at the beginning of the Air War College (AWC) course. Gaining self-awareness is the first step to maximize the outcome of this course that is just focused to educate the future world’s joint strategic leaders. The paper willRead MoreMy Personal Critical Assessment Of The Air War College ( Awc ) Course1229 Words   |  5 PagesTherefore national security senior leadership requires precise key skills and knowledge, beyond the ones needed at tactical and operational level, in order to be successful. This paper is my personal critical self-assessment of the ability to lead at the strategic level as it stands today, at the beginning of the Air War College (AWC) course. Gaining self-awareness is my first step to maximize the outcome of this course that is just focused on educating the future joint strategic leaders. In the paperRead MoreMy Leadership As An Army Leader1551 Words   |  7 Pages As an Army leader I have learned to appreciate the sense of accomplishment, yet guard against premature celebration when my leadership and guidance has gotten my team to the finish line. As General George Patton said, â€Å" A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.† In my early days as an Army officer, I wanted to know the â€Å"secret† to successfully leading men in this organization through challenging waters to the top of the objective. However, I have now realized that thereRead MoreSenior Strategic Leadership Reflection Paper1527 Words   |  7 PagesSenior Strategic Leadership Reflection Paper As an Army leader, I have learned to appreciate the sense of accomplishment, yet guard against premature celebration when my leadership and guidance has gotten my team to the finish line. As General George Patton said, â€Å"A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.† In my early days as an Army officer, I wanted to know the â€Å"secret† to successfully leading men in this organization through challenging waters to the top of the objective. However

Essay The Importance of Gender in Buffy, The Vampire Slayer

The Importance of Gender in Buffy, The Vampire Slayer What is gender? The answer to that is not so simple. â€Å"Gender is what culture makes out of the ‘raw material’ of biological sex,† (Unger and Crawford, 1995). Also, there is a difference between what is gender identity and what is a gender role; a difference which seems to be even more difficult to differentiate between than the words â€Å"gender† and â€Å"sex†. Media and other parts of our culture seem to believe they know the difference, yet up until a certain period in time, the same stereotypical characters were portrayed and used as role models for others in most media. Women characters being the helpless victims, while the strong men would come to save them (including television†¦show more content†¦At the same time, though, the show allows its characters to explore their own ideas of what gender is, and how those ideas come into play with the ideas of the people in their environment. In the film, Buffy is a strong, demon fighting woman, taking on opponents who only she can do any damage to; whereas the men in her life (Pike and Merrick) must stand back or they might be hurt. But upon speaking, Buffy practically epitomized the reason for every â€Å"dumb blond female† joke. She did not understand big words, and spoke in the true stereotypical â€Å"California-girl† manner, using the â€Å"like† after almost every other word. She seemed like an airhead, and up until she truly understood what her destiny was, she spoke and acted like one. But the film version was meant to be a â€Å"flaky comedy†, while the television series is many times referred to being a â€Å"dramedy† (it is considered a drama, in this case, a science fiction/action drama, with a bit of comedy to keep it â€Å"light†.) In the television series, although Buffy still speaks in slang and still appears to be the reason a â€Å"dumb blond joke† was ev er invented, her vocabulary has become much more mature and clear. She is more in control of what is happening, or has happened to her, and is beginning to harness herself as her own person, her own identity. She is not acting, or trying to be a certain type of person because everyone is telling her that â€Å"that† is who she is. Instead she is taking her identity and molding it; shaping itShow MoreRelatedEssay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer5067 Words   |  21 PagesBuffy the Vampire Slayer Mentors feature prominently in the Gothic genre. From Dr Van Helsing in Bram Stokers Dracula, who leads the young heroes into their quest to annihilate the Count, to Rupert Giles, the Watcher in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, older and more experienced adults have provided essential guidance for the younger protagonists of the genre. The differences in media of expression and the subsequent adaptations from novel to television series has not affected the presence of thisRead MoreThe Relationship Between Body Image And Society1841 Words   |  8 PagesBody image and Society have always been interrelated throughout time especially in maintaining gender roles and imposing the perfect image of the female. It is society that have dictated how a woman should look and act and both positive and negative body image is a direct correlation with a woman s social worth. This essay will discuss how the relationship between body image and society is presented in a multitude of texts and how these view s are differentiated depending on the decade they are publishedRead MoreFeminist Theory Of Witchcraft And Sisterhood1378 Words   |  6 Pageswitchcraft prophecy and saving innocent lives by battling the forces of evil. The witches are good and spread their goodness by being this way to everyone around them. In its inception, the plot, setting and characters of Charmed all help to reveal the importance of human relationships, both in the real world and the world of witchcraft. Serial narratives all involve some genres that have common plot elements. They are so regular that they are easy to map out. Those conventions and tropes help CharmedRead MoreDracula: An Epitome of the Gothic Novel2430 Words   |  10 Pagesplans. Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is a perfect example of a â€Å"good versus evil† novel. Stoker uses the Christian characters such as Mina, Dr. Seward, Van Helsing, Harker, and others to portray the side of good in the story. Dracula and his fellow vampires are depicted as the evil characters of the gothic novel. The novel begins with the evil Count Dracula holding Harker captive, in order to attain his ultimate goal, to drink his blood. Harker states in his journal that he wishes to die rather than

A Movie, from the Sociological Perspective Free Essays

Sarah Chesno Sociology 101 November 1, 2012 Extra Credit The movie â€Å"Saw:† focuses on a madman who sees himself as a vigilante and takes justice into his own hands by torturing his victims on both a mental and psychological level. The movie opens up to the scene of two men on the outsides of a bloody victim in a dirty bathroom floor. Jigsaw’s plot was to have one man decide who shall live and who shall be the first to see death. We will write a custom essay sample on A Movie, from the Sociological Perspective or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Jigsaw Killer showed acts of deviance by using entrapments, manipulation, and psychological and physical infliction of pain upon his victims. To elaborate on why the Jigsaw is deviant is because he likes to manipulate almost every detail in his games. He manipulates the environment so the only means to escape are through torturous games testing far beyond the limit a human being can endure. The victims are almost always drugged in some way only to wake up within an environment where Jigsaw pulls all of the strings like a puppet master. As one officer describe Jigsaw in the movie, he â€Å"liked to book himself front row seats to his own sick little games. There is one type of social class that constantly shows up in the movie and that is the middle class folks. One of the people, which is a doctor named Dr. Lawrence Gordon. During the movie the audience learned that he had a wife and small child, possibly 5 year. They resided in a house that was mansion side, making him a middle class maybe an upper class family. Another main character that was in the movie was a person named Adam, he lower-mid class. There was a scene in the movie that showed his apartment. Adam’s apartment was a little run down as from what the camera was showing. There was a mix of different races and ethnicity’s in the movie. Often these victims would wake up trapped in the â€Å"games† of a genius engineer. Amanda which is white female who was shown towards the beginning of the movie who woke up contraptions attached to her head which the killer called â€Å"the reverse bear trap† or the â€Å"the death mask†. Another victim that went through something similar is when the Asian, who was named Detective Steven Sing had this head blown to little pieces when he was trying to go after the Jigsaw killer to bring him to justice. A little time before that happened the African American named Detective David Tapp who was trying to do the same thing by bringing the killer to justice had his neck sliced, but lived, however later on we see him again losing his life. All races such as Asian, white and African American did lose their life only because they had to play the game and decide who will be the one to go. How to cite A Movie, from the Sociological Perspective, Essay examples

The Influence of Islam upon Africa Research Proposal

Question: Describe about the research of Influence of Islam upon Africa? Answer: Introduction: After European invasion of the Africa there existed a considerable expansion in Muslim as well as Christian communities. Though the Christianity was actually perceived by few like a mechanism of colonialism as well as a part and parcel of the European civilizing task, attaining Islam was conversely viewed like the anti-colonial that reflected a type of resistance other than the collaboration. Also Islam has offered a proper sense of society during the colonial rule while the continent experienced a phase of speedy change as well as mobility (Beckingham and Trimingham, 1981). People also sought to thoroughly manage practice and acceptance of Islam within their colonies. At the same time all the officials who were half heartened labors slavery, inconsistent work cash cropping tasks and also arbitrary authority by badly trained as well as underfunded admin even brought dramatic plus very unexpected changes within the way in which communities reacted (Weiss, 1971). Discussion: Diversity meaning- Diversity refers to a reality and truth created by people from a wide spectrum of the demographic as well as philosophical dissimilarities. It is very important for supporting and protecting the diversity because through valuing people and groups that is free from the prejudice, and through fostering a proper climate where the equity as well as mutual respects also is intrinsic. For the reason that of it is conflicting to the representation of many individuals plus animals, nature of the Islam's communication along with the visual arts within Africa also was one where Islamic forms also were housed plus adapted (Calderini, 2008). The Muslim clerics' literacy in addition to the esoteric authority drew some scores of the converts towards Islam. Islam even reinforced African fondness intended for the geometric design as well as repetition of the patterns while decorating exterior of the textiles along with crafted goods. Regional weaving might have got malformed with the importation of the North African tools and techniques of weaving. Islam also has generally existed alongside with the representational customs like camouflaged. Such practices also have been often viewed as supplemental other than one which is oppositional to the Islam, specifically when these appear as effectual or functioning outer of central worries of the faith. An instance of such was documented by the researcher named Ibn Battuta, who was the Maghribi researcher and visited the Mali within the year 135253 as well as saw a proper pretense recital at the royal court of the Muslim ruler. In several fields of the Africa, co-existence of the Islam along with figurative art types continues till date (Eister and Trimingham, 1970). Fields of diversity- Islamic political as well as aesthetic influences upon the societies in Africa yet remain hard to assess. Within few capital cities, like Ghana plus GAO, attendance of the Muslim dealers has brought an outcome towards founding of the mosques and building of several mosques. Malian ruler named Mansa Musa also brought back like a pilgrimage towards the Mecca designer named al-Sahili, also who was generally credited along with the creation of the Sudano-Sahelian which was a building approach. Musa's brother also followed his path as well as supportes building up and brining in of all novels of mosques, over and above the development and growth of the proper Islamic knowledge. Islam also brought to the nation the art and skill of the writing as well as new tools and techniques for weighting (Gould, 2015). City of the Timbuktu, for example, flourished like a proper commercial as well as intellectual center, apparently undisturbed through several disturbances. Timbuktu also started like a Tuareg resolution and was very rapidly incorporated into the Mali Empire. Islamic perspective Islam actually attempts to teach everyone that proper diversity in reality is the fact of the environment plus that it makes whole nature very beautiful. Also it says that God has made the universe and has implanted variety into it for a reason to make it extra beautiful and more appearing. As per the Islamic perspective god demonstrates in Quran that see the Allah had sent rain from sky and along with this we fetch out and then make of many colors. Also in hills there are areas white, several shade of blue and even rend and many other powerful shades. Muslims normally have been measured as the Religious Exclusivists. They are the ones who would never recognize people of some other faiths praiseworthy of the respect for their entire religious obligation. It is also believed that though this viewpoint truly reflects attitude of several though never necessarily majority Muslims this is also not consistent along with correct understanding and know-how of teachings of the Islam (Levtzi on and Trimingham, 1969). Islam, on one hand also takes a solid position within claiming that all its teachings also are true descriptions of the reality from the God, on other hand this also identifies genuine respect intended for all the non-Muslims. Also though any person gets influenced by understanding of the Religious Pluralism might not be instantly impressed by such view, an improved understanding of several verses of the Quranupon this subject might also suggest about fact that not merely is it correct Islamic considerate, yet this position can also be supported reasonably (Watt and Trimingham, 1969). Islamic practice: Islam actually had previously extended into the northern parts of Africa in middle of 7th century A.D., merely some decades following the one named as Prophet Muhammad shifted along with all supporters from the Mecca to the Medina upon neighboring Arabian Peninsula. Although at time of the prophets, truth through God actually used to exist so evidently manifested that in reality there was zero possibility for any person to refute it, and thus those people who did any such things were measured worthy of getting punishment and suffering ills. Also no such assert could be even made for non-prophetic phases (O'Brien and Trimingham, 1980). Muslims also have thus got to do only one single role: preach as well as respect all others for what their faith was, because they could never be confident whether other people also have rejected otherwise stayed far away from accommodating message of the Islam in spite of knowing that it was directly from God (Turner, 2007). It is vital to be conscious of what the previous French Islamic strategy was within the colonial Africa for examining the relation amid Islam as well as rule of the French colonial in the West Africa. The assumptions made by the French colonialists who belonged to Islam plus Africans also had implications upon their response towards the Muslim leaders as well as their subjects. Through a proper working, shifting cooperation, Muslim leaders also were tolerated plus even supported, but were later carefully scrutinized. French policy within 1920s plus 1930s also turned on distinction amid the good plus the bad Tariqs, during such period the bad Tariq was Hamawaiyyah and obviously once Yacouba also was seen like a Hamallist priest administrators aim was to recognize whether him plus his followers who shared tendencies of such order (Stewart and Trimingham, 1983). Conclusion: Africa is almost divided into very great amount of the ethnic cultures. This continent's attitude and cultural regeneration also has been a vital as well as an integral part of the after independence building of nations on this continent, along with proper recognition of requirement to harness cultural resources of the continent Africa towards enriching the procedure of the education, demanding the creating of proper facilitating ecology in several ways. In current times, call intended for a greater stress on cultural dimension within all facets of growth and development that has become gradually more vocal. At the time of colonialism within Africa, Europeans also possessed their attitudes of the dominance and an intellect of the mission. French also were capable to recognize an African like French if the person supplied African culture as well as adopted the French ways. In a nutshell here is all the detail about influence of the Islam on Africa. References Beckingham, C. and Trimingham, J. (1981). The Influence of Islam upon Africa (Second Edition). The Geographical Journal, 147(2), p.227. Calderini, S. (2008). Islam and Diversity: Alternative Voices within Contemporary Islam. New Blackfriars, 89(1021), pp.324-336. Eister, A. and Trimingham, J. (1970). The Influence of Islam upon Africa. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 9(2), p.178. Gould, R. (2015). Islam Returns to Spain: Religious Diversity, Political Discourse and Women's Rights. Islam and ChristianMuslim Relations, pp.1-18. Levtzion, N. and Trimingham, J. (1969). The Influence of Islam upon Africa. African Historical Studies, 2(2), p.375. O'Brien, D. and Trimingham, J. (1980). The Influence of Islam upon Africa. International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), 56(4), p.742. Stewart, C. and Trimingham, J. (1983). Influence of Islam upon Africa. The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 16(1), p.153. Turner, B. (2007). Managing religions: state responses to religious diversity. Cont Islam, 1(2), pp.123-137. Watt, W. and Trimingham, J. (1969). The Influence of Islam upon Africa. International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), 45(3), p.546. Weiss, B. (1971). Book reviews : J. S. Trimingham, The Influence of Islam upon Africa, London, Longmans, Green, 1968, pp. 256 $ 8.00. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 6(2), pp.164-165.

Radiation effects of Hiroshima an Example of the Topic Health Essays by

Radiation effects of Hiroshima Radiation disease is something like a devil who sticks around with unshakable determination all your life (Selden The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki) On August 6, 1945 one of the most terrible atrocities in modern history took place in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Atom bomb was completely on target and exploded in Hiroshima, with a force equivalent to twenty thousand tons of TNT, eighteen hundred feet in the air near the center of a flat city built mainly of wood. It created an area of total destruction (including residential, commercial, industrial, and military structures) extending three thousand meters (about two miles) in all directions; and destroyed sixty thousand of ninety thousand buildings within five thousand meters (over three miles), an area roughly encompassing the city limits. Need essay sample on "Radiation effects of Hiroshima" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Flash burns from the beat generated by the release of an enormous amount of radiant energy occurred at distances of more than four thousand meters (two and a half miles), depending upon the type and amount of clothing worn and the shielding afforded by immediate surroundings. Injuries from the blast, and from splintered glass and falling debris, occurred throughout the city and beyond. The number of deaths, immediately and over a period of time, will probably never be fully known. Variously estimated from 63,000 to 240,000 or more, the official figure is usually given as 78,000, but the city of Hiroshima estimates 200,000 - the total encompassing between 25 and 50 per cent of the citys then daytime population (also a disputed figure, varying from 227,000 to over 400,000). Publicly accepted estimates of the population at the time of the bombing are 280,000 to 290,000 civilians and 40,000 military personnel. That morning many workers from neighboring towns and villages were assembled in Hiroshima in order to clear debris from buildings that had been destroyed to create fire lanes in the city. People who gathered for physical labor at demolition sites included young teenagers. Schooling had been interrupted by the war, and students were mobilized daily to make fire lanes or to work at factories. Elementary school students who were third graders and above had been evacuated to the countryside in order to avoid possible air raids. Some children were sent in a group to safer areas, and others went to stay with relatives in the countryside. Younger children remained in the city with their parents. Victims of the bombing included all sorts of people: parents, small children, older children, elderly people, and laborers from other areas, as well as military personnel. In 1976, the city of Hiroshima reported to the United Nations that the number of the victims who had died from radiation effects by the end of December 1945 was between 130,000 and 150,000 (Yoneyama, 1999). The enormous disparity is related to the extreme confusion which then existed, to differing methods of calculation, and to underlying emotional influences, quite apart from mathematical considerations, which have at times affected the estimators. An accurate estimate may never be possible, but what can be said is that all of Hiroshima immediately became involved in the atomic disaster Two thousand meters (1.2 miles) is generally considered to be a crucial radius for susceptibility to radiation effects, and for high mortality in general--from blast, beat, or radiation--though many were killed outside of this radius. Within it, at points close to the hypocenter, heat was so extreme that metal and stone melted, and human beings were literally incinerated. The area was enveloped by fires fanned by a violent "firewind"; these broke out almost immediately within a radius of more than three thousand meters (up to two miles). The inundation with death of the area closest to the hypocenter was such that if a man survived within a thousand meters (.6 miles) and was out of doors (that is, without benefit of shielding from heat or radiation), more than nine tenths of the people around him were fatalities; if he was unshielded at two thousand meters, more than eight of ten people around him were killed. Mortality indoors was lower, but even then to have a 50-per-cent chance of escaping both death or injury, one had to be about twenty two hundred meters (1.3 miles) from the hypocenter. Within half an hour after the explosion, it started raining. This was not a normal rain but a black rain containing radioactive dust and ashes. The black rain devastated the city further by spreading radiation far beyond the areas the explosion itself had damaged. It is said that the rain reached over 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from ground zero (Yoneyama, 1999). Radiation released by the bombing caused fatal injuries to many people in the city. Both the soil and all objects in the area became radioactive and many people who did not perish immediately died soon afterward from residual radiation. Not only people who were in the city at the time of the bombing but also those who entered it to search for their loved ones were fatally exposed to this residual radiation. There were, however, people who survived the massive fire, the black rain, and the residual radiation. These people were seriously harmed both physically and psychologically. The immense release of nuclear radiation includes gamma rays and neutrons, which do the most damage to living tissues. Much of the radiation is released in the first minute. There are longer-term energy releases as well, including fallout, which can carry radioactive particles far and wide, as scientists were to see most clearly later in the Marshall Islands tests. Studies that were conducted among Hiroshima survivors report some findings on immediate and continuous consequences of exposure to radiation. For instance, Yamazaki and Fleming (1995) interviewed women, who have been scarcely half a mile from the hypocenter of the explosion. Some of them had been thrown through the air by the blast and left unconscious. Yamazaki and Fleming (1995) indicate that all of them had suffered radiation illness in some form - lassitude, bloody diarrhea, loss of hair, skin hemorrhaging, ulcerations of the mouth, sores on the face, symptoms that continued for the duration of their pregnancies for some, longer for others. Selden and Selden (1989) affirm that more people died from the burns and radiation effects than from external injuries. They indicate that those who were in the open and directly exposed to the burst incurred burns over the entire body and died on the spot. Selden and Selden writes: An incoherent shock like state, with marked prostration, some times preceded the other symptoms, which progressed to early and severe symptoms of radiation effects and death (1989:71). Apart from biological consequences, bombing and radiation had a significant impact on survivors mental health. Studies indicate that many persons and patients appeared disoriented for several hours, unable to recall where they were at the time of the bombing (). It is impossible to tell whether this was an emotional response to the terrible events they had witnessed or some brain injury. At the time specialists were unaware that the brain could be damaged by radiation. These manifestations of toxic radiation effects aroused in the minds of the people of Hiroshima a special terror, an image of a weapon which not only instantly kills and destroys on a colossal scale but also leaves behind in the bodies of those exposed to it deadly influences which may emerge at any time and strike down their victims. According to Hein and Selden (1997), this image was made particularly vivid by the delayed appearance of these symptoms and fatalities - two to four weeks later - in people who bad previo usly seemed to be in perfect health and externally untouched. The scientific findings do not contradict some personal material included in books and poems written in the post-bomb period in Japan. Many who suffered the devastation of the bombs remain convinced that residual radiation, both in the area of the hypocenter and in more distant areas affected only by fallout, had serious biological consequences for the survivors. References James N. Yamazaki, Louis B. Fleming (1995). Children of the Atomic Bomb: An American Physicians Memoir of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the Marshall Islands, Duke University Press Mark Selden, Kyoko Selden (1989). The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, M. E. Sharpe Laura Hein, Mark Selden (1997). Living with the Bomb: American and Japanese Cultural Conflicts in the Nuclear Age, M.E. Sharpe Selden K. Selden L. (1989). The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, M.E. Sharpe Yoneyama L. (1999). Hiroshima Traces: Time, Space, and the Dialectics of Memory, University of California Press

William J Clintons Biograpy

William J Clintons Biograpy William J. ClintonDuring the administration of William Jefferson Clinton, the U.S. enjoyed more peace and economic well being than at any time in its history. He was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second term. He could point to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation in 30 years, the highest home ownership in the country's history, dropping crime rates in many places, and reduced welfare roles. He proposed the first balanced budget in decades and achieved a budget surplus. As part of a plan to celebrate the millennium in 2000, Clinton called for a great national initiative to end racial discrimination.After the failure in his second year of a huge program of health care reform, Clinton shifted emphasis, declaring "the era of big government is over." He sought legislation to upgrade education, to protect jobs of parents who must care for sick children, to restrict handgun sales, and to strengthen environmental rules.Engli sh: Photograph of William Jefferson Blythe IV...President Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe IV on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, three months after his father died in a traffic accident. When he was four years old, his mother wed Roger Clinton, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. In high school, he took the family name.President Bush BiographyVice President Cheney BiographyLaura Bush BiographyLynne Cheney BiographyHe excelled as a student and as a saxophone player and once considered becoming a professional musician. As a delegate to Boys Nation while in high school, he met President John Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden. The encounter led him to enter a life of public service.Clinton was graduated from Georgetown University and in 1968 won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. He received a law degree from Yale University in 1973, and...

Question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Question - Assignment Example He also said that death is nothing compared to injustice (48b6-7) Socrates perceive the â€Å"Laws† from the point of gratitude that Athens provided him the birthplace, raised and took care of him. He was also educated in Athens and protected him and his fellow citizens. It is therefore incumbent upon him to obey the state as it raised and took care of him. This tacit contract is enforceable for as long as one stays in Athens. If one is not amenable to follow the laws of Athens or state, one is free to leave Athens and go somewhere else. But if they chose to stay, they must submit to the laws of the state. and if they do not like what they see, they are free to take their property and go wherever they please. However, if they choose to stay in Athens, they are actively submitting themselves to the Laws of Athens, and must abide by them no matter what.   Gadfly is a harsh critic of the status quo who is already contented with how things are done even if they are in slumber. The term was used in one of the most inflammatory arguments in the Apology was when Socrates described himself as a gadfly who is stinging a lazy horse which is a state. The personalities I can think of in history that is appropriate to be called a gadfly are Luther Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King is a gadfly because he went against the status quo of discrimination and removed the injustice against African American. Rosa Parks on the other hand went against the patriarchal society and asserted the equal rights of

Introduction to Computer Networks TCPIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Introduction to Computer Networks TCPIP - Essay Example If IP works so well, why a need is felt to change The primary motivation for change arises from the limited address space. When IP was defined, only a few compute networks existed. The designers decided to use 32 bits for an IP address because doing so allowed the Internet to include over a million networks. However, with a rapid exponential growth in the global Internet, the primary motivation for defining a new version of IP arose from the address space limitation, as larger addresses are necessary to accommodate continued growth of the Internet. Besides addressing, the most common problems faced by the TCP/IP were routing and connectivity issues. Secondary motivations for changes in IP have risen from new Internet applications. For example, applications that deliver audio and video need to deliver data at regular intervals. To keep such information flowing through the Internet without disruption, IP must avoid changing routes frequently. Although the current IP datagram header includes a field that can be used to request a type of service, the protocol did not define a type of service that can be used for real-time delivery of audio and video. New applications are being developed that require more complex addressing and routing capabilities. Thus, a new version of IP needs to include mechanisms that make addressing and routing possible. (Douglas) The current version of IP, which possesses the main drawback of address space, routing and connectivity, is version 4 so it is referred to as Ipv4. Ipv6 is the official name of IPng (Internet Protocol next generation) Features of Ipv4 and Ipv6 1. Connectionless - each datagram contains a destination address, and each datagram is routed independently. 2. The header in a datagram contains a maximum number of hops the datagram can take before being discarded. 3. Ipv4 places key information in fixed fields of the header and only appends variable-length options for less important information while Ipv6 header is always of variable size. (Douglas) Reasons for changing Ipv4 to Ipv6 Larger and better Network management of Address Space: The most considerable reason for the decision of changing from Ipv4 to Ipv6 is the smooth management of the IPv6 network. As the answer to the lack of address space, IPv6 holds a potential for a network the size of which has never been seen before. The manner in which the network is managed will to a great extent determine whether this huge network will function. The main objectives, which are visualized in network management, would be: 1. Display the distinct hierarchy embedded in the IPv6 address architecture, 2. Show topographical data simultaneously to the hierarchy, 3. Make peripheral data easily available, and 4. In doing so, aid in the process of network management. Ipv6 research and ideology basically revolves around network management. This is because most of the problems in IPv4, which IPv6 is created to

Professional Development in the Early Reading First Essay

Professional Development in the Early Reading First - Essay Example In particular, the teachers in the treatment group gave a specific response to implementing, modifying and extending the PD program. Rochelle and McGee (2011, p. 167) revealed that the treatment group achieved a mean score of 93.8 compared to the control group mean score of 82.3. Further, 67% of students belonging to the treatment group met the Government Performance Reporting Act guidelines of achieving a language rating of at least 85 compared to only 40% for the control group (Dail and McGee, 2011, p. 167). Summarizing the results of their experience as project directors, Dial and McGee (2011, p. 168) concluded that a PD approach in reading is associated with success. Carlisle et al. (2011) compared three models of professional development (PD) in reading among first grades and concluded that supporting teacher through seminars, evaluation, and coaching work best in leading teachers towards effective instructions among first graders. In the process of sharing their results, the au thors pointed out that professional development in reading is the best means of improving teachers’ competence in content areas that result into an improvement of instructions (Carlisle et al., 2011, p. 13). According to the authors, effective professional development in reading is characterized by deep subject matter knowledge as well as knowledge on how students learn content, commitment, course coherence and integration, participation and active learning, and institutional and professional support (Carlisle et al., 2011, p. 214). The authors cited several cases that indicate that reading instructions are successful if a professional development approach is used. For instance, according to the authors, the PD initiative among 17 poverty and low-achieving schools in Washington and Houston as carried by B. Foorman and L. Moats has been considered by the authors as very successful. One important argument forwarded by Carlisle et al. (2011, p. 230) is that PD is successful beca use teachers respond well to the approach. In a commissioned study in 2005-06, one of the research questions which the U.S. Department of Education was to find out the effects of professional development on student reading achievement (NCEERA or National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, 2009, p. 1). The study employed an experimental design in testing the effectiveness of professional development interventions in over 90 schools in six districts involving 270 teachers and 5,500 students (p. 1). The schools were randomly and equally assigned to an institute group, institute plus coaching group, and a control which received the usual professional development implemented in the district (NCEERA, 2009, p. 1). Some of the key findings of the commissioned research are as follows. First, teachers who were randomly assigned to avail professional development form institutes scored significantly higher on teachers’ knowledge compared with those in the control gr oup.  

Strategic Management Case Analysis Of Airtran Airways

Strategic Management Case Analysis Of Airtran Airways This case analysis examines the impacts AirTran Airways has on the airline industry with respect to its competitors. AirTran Airways is an airline company that provides domestic flights (U.S.) to travelers flying in the United States. AirTran also became the first airline to offer Wi-Fi to its travelers. AirTran is the successor of its predecessor ValuJet Airlines that was founded in 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia. AirTran, better known as ValuJet Airlines in the mid 1990s, grew economically stable because of its low airfare prices. In 1995 and 1996 however, ValuJet also obtained the highest number of air-travel accidents than any other airline company. One example was the famous crash of Flight 592 in 1996 that killed 110 people in Florida when the plane crashed into the Florida Everglades (river). After the accident and further investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash had resulted from several safety violations of ValuJet aircrafts. These violations also led the FAA to ground ValuJet Airlines. In order words, any new aircrafts purchased by ValuJet had to be approved by the FAA to determine the safety level and compliance to the FAA standards for aircrafts. In 1997, ValuJet was experiencing financial hardships and was on the road to bankruptcy. As a result, ValuJet partnered with AirTran Holdings and move their operations from Atlanta, Georgia to Orlando, Florida. A short time after the merger of AirTran and ValuJet, ValuJet decided to remove its name from the merger, letting AirTran Holdings obtain control of the entire merger. As of September 2010, AirTran Airways (AirTran Holdings) has experienced financial hardships since the 2008 world-wide recession. As a result, AirTran made an agreement for Southwest Airlines to purchase the low-fare airline since AirTran was on the road again to bankruptcy. The information constructed and used for this case analysis pertains to proposed vision and mission statements for AirTran, internal and external audits of AirTran, types of strategies, and a conclusion that will determine what AirTrans next plan of action should be. Vision Statement Actual: Proposed AirTran has NO actual vision statement. AirTrans vision is to be recognized and become the leading competitor in the airline industry with affordable airfares, a safe environment, and excellent customer service. Mission Statement Actual: Proposed Innovative people dedicated to delivering the best flying experience to smart travelers. Every day. (AirTran, 2008). Our mission is to supply safety and affordable flights to our travelers including our employees in the airline industry. We are committed to being honest and loyal to our travelers while providing a fun and safe environment for our crew members and our customers. We are focusing more on technology including offering Wi-Fi satellite radio to our traveling customers. AirTran is also focused on teamwork and taking pride in everything we accomplish because communication among our crew members is the key for success here at AirTran. Discussion and Analysis of Mission/Vision Statements In judging the actual vision and mission statements of AirTran, the proposed statements give a better insight on what AirTran is about. AirTrans vision does not answer the question of what we want to become, because a vision statement for AirTran do not exist (David, 2011). Instead, a proposed vision was created in order to fill the void of a missing vision statement. The vision statement is the most important statement because it defines what the company plans to do and it is the foundation of defining the mission statement. AirTrans actual mission statement does not clearly answer what AirTran is about. For example, AirTrans current mission statement only states what the employees goal is about, which is providing the best flying experience to smart travelers. It does not satisfy the mission statement components including customers, technology, concern for employees, or a philosophy the company can follow. The actual mission does not build a foundation for strategies, plans, and priorities for AirTran. In the proposed mission statement however, the mission includes customers, the services AirTran offers, the markets, technology and concern for employees. The proposed philosophy of AirTran is: communication among our crew members is the key for success here at AirTran (David, 2011). Discussion and Analysis An EFE matrix is a tool that is used by companies to determine and study economic, demographic, political, technological, competitive, etc. factors outside of its company (David, 2011). The unemployment factor under opportunities received the highest weight because it unemployment increases, more people will drive vehicles and travel less by plane to save gas and money. Currently, the unemployment rate is 9.2% in the US (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010). If the unemployment rate decreases, more people are likely to travel by airplanes, especially if the airfare cost is low and demand for air travel is high (Travel Agent Central, 2010). Another major opportunity is that one of AirTran competitors Mexicana de Aviacià ³n ceased operations in the United States and Mexico. The use of wireless technology and Wi-Fi is another opportunity that could attract potential travelers who dont have access to the internet when traveling on other Airline company planes. The largest threat to AirTran is the increased competition from Delta and Southwest Airlines. The increased competition factor received the highest weight because the most important factor that affects another business is the competition from its competitors. Another threat to AirTran is that its highly dependent on the fluctuations of fuel costs. Since fuel is one of the largest costs to AirTran a slight adjustment can mean the difference between a loss and a profit. Along of fuel, labor costs are one of the largest costs to AirTran and a slight adjust can mean the difference between a loss and a profit. Political policies enforced by the US and other countries in which AirTran operates can have a huge impact on the company as a whole. With terrorism a top priority of the government, new policies can cause a huge burden on AirTran for new technologies or more labor costs (security and maintenance). As with any business, labor strikes can halt a companys operations causing the company to lose millions in revenue. Labor strikes received a rating of 4 because it is a threat that could cause AirTran to be driven out of business. AirTran is performing average in their external environment. Most of AirTrans opportunities and threats need to be addressed more aggressively, such as decreasing operating costs, expanding internationally, and increased competition (David, 2011). Competitive Profile Matrix Discussion and Analysis A Competitive profile matrix for a business helps them determine major competitors weakness and strengths in their strategies (David, 2011). AirTran has the highest weighted score because AirTran has an advantage in charter services, business class services, and the navigation of their website. Based on the research found, the lowest fare costs ranked from AirTran being the lowest to Southwest Airlines being the highest and Delta Airlines falling between the two. AirTran received a rating of 4 under technological advances because it was the first airline company to introduce and provide Wi-Fi to travelers and customers. AirTran however, received a rating of 2 for both the market share and the financial position because AirTran is becoming bankrupt, in which AirTran was just bought out by Southwest Airlines. Airfare costs and market share are weighted heavily because if a companys airfare costs are too high, many customers will reject the idea of buying airfare tickets. Charging too l ow for airfare tickets would attract more customers, but would decrease the market share since the company would be losing profits while selling at a low price. Discussion and Analysis An IFE Matrix is a tool that summarized the major strengths and weakness for many companies based on the functional areas of that business (David, 2011). Being the first airline company to provide Wi-Fi Internet to travelers is classified as minor strength because it provides an opportunity for travelers to surf the web or complete business objectives. AirTran also has a 1st place ranking in overall air quality from the Airline Quality Report of 2008 (AirTran Airways, 2008). Having rewards for frequent flyers encourages their frequent flyers to be a committed customer. AirTran includes their $1 billion annual revenue, which helps their airline purchases better equipped airplanes. Also, AirTrans high number of daily flights helps their revenue while increasing their safety rating from by riding passengers to their destination safely. Lastly, their low cost structure encourages more customers which will result in an increase of their profit revenue. Having customer complaints and a decrease in stock prices can result in negative effects. A weakness is a negative strategy of a business that has negative impacts upon that particular business (David, 2011). These are a few weaknesses that AirTran currently possess, which could cost them thousands of potential customers.. Another weakness of AirTran includes spending more money for maintenance equipments, which resulted in a net loss, which can also affect the liquidity of the business. High labor costs also have a negative impact on AirTran because it decreases net income. Key Financial Ratios: (in thousands) Discussion and Analysis The financial ratios above are based off the 2009 balance sheet and income statement data from AirTrans annual report. Financial ratios are statistical data that analysts use based on the companys balance sheet and income statement for that fiscal year (David, 2011). Liquidity ratios help measure a firms capacity of meeting short-term obligations. Leverage ratios help determines how much a firm is in debt. Activity ratios describe how well a firm is allocating its resources effectively. Profitability ratios help determines the overall effectiveness of management based on the firms investments and sales. Growth Ratios help determine the firms ability to remain liquid during the growth of both the economy and the industry (David, 2011). Strategy Analysis SWOT Strategy Matrix: Strengths Financial stability Global presence Brand recognition Low cost air fares Weaknesses Speed of customer service High rate of accidents involving AirTran planes Quality of airline services Opportunities Possible company expansion with Southwest Airlines. Possible gain of new fleet Increase in profits Expanding AirTran into foreign countries. SO Strategies Utilize brand recognition by expanding operations and partnering with Southwest Airlines (S3, O1). Increase global presence by expanding operations into foreign countries such as Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East (S2, O4) WO Strategies Eliminate high percentage of airplane accidents by acquiring new fleet that uses efficient technology to decreases the risk of accidents (W2, O2). Improve the quality of airline and customer service with new methods such as customer surveys, questionnaires, and joining forces with their major competitor to improve quality (W3, O1) Threats 1. Stronger Competition from competitors 2. Rising Labor Costs 3. Anti-terrorism policies and laws 4. Economic conditions ST Strategies Sustain financial stability by monitoring expenses and changes with the competition (S1, T1) Maintain low air fares and maximum profits by monitoring the economic condition for the airline industry (S4, T4) Eliminate retrenchment by expanding operations globally (S2, T4) WT Strategies Establish a positive public image regarding the high rate of accidents to avoid criticism from people who are affected by post 9/11 laws and policies (W2, T3) Focus on improving customer services to help combat against other airline competitions customer service (W1, T1) Improve the quality of airline services by monitoring the competition that has a stronger competitive advantage (S3, T1) Discussion and Analysis The SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) matrix is an important type of framework used by companies to develop four types of strategies based on SO (strengths-opportunities), ST (strengths-threats), WO (weaknesses-opportunities), and WT (weaknesses-threats) (David, 2011). SO strategies are based upon the companys internal strengths, which are used to capitalize upon the external opportunities outside that company. An SO strategy for AirTran would include using their brand recognition of low costs to expand their operations globally. ST strategies results from a companys strengths thats used to help eliminate or condense external threats. An ST strategy for AirTran would include monitoring their expenses and economic conditions to maintain financial stability. WO strategies are used to help capitalize on opportunities by improving the companys internal weaknesses. For example, AirTran has a high number of plane crashes, which is a major internal weakness. A WO strategy fo r AirTran would be to acquire new technology advanced fleet and aircrafts to eliminate the high number of airplane accidents. A WT strategy is used to help a company not only avoid external threats, but to help improve internal weaknesses also. A WT strategy for AirTran may include focusing on better customer service to gain potential customers from its competition (David, 2011). The SPACE Matrix for AirTran Airways INTERNAL STRATEGIC POSITION EXTERNAL STRATEGIC POSITION Financial Position (FP) Stability Position (SP) Technological changes Rate of Inflation Competitive pressure Price elasticity of demand Price range of competing products Financial Leverage Liquidity Inventory Turnover Return on investment Cash Flows Earnings per share Competitive Position (CP) Industry Position (IP) Growth potential Profit Potential Financial Stability Resource Utilization Ease of entry into market Market share Product quality Product life cycle Customer loyalty Technological know-how Discussion and Analysis A space matrix is a type of framework that companies use to designate which type of strategies should be pursued, whether those strategies are aggressive, competitive, defensive, or conservative (David, 2011). An aggressive strategy demonstrates that a company has great financial strength in that specific industry for that company while a conservative strategy indicates that the status of a company (positive or negative) in a industry thats decreasing in growth and sales. A competitive strategy demonstrates that a company has major competitive advantage(s) in either a high-growing or low-growing industry. Companies categorized under a defensive strategy indicate that a company has competitive disadvantages in a low-growing industry. AirTran is currently taking a defensive position in the airline industry because AirTran has a weak competitive position in an industry thats becoming more unstable as time progresses (David, 2011). The value assigned to the financial position is a 2 beca use of AirTrans financial struggle to remain liquid as a business. AirTran received a -6 under the stability position since competitive pressure is high and the high risk involved for AirTran. The Industry position received a score of 4 because AirTran has the potential to grow, but at the same time, the financial stability of AirTran is relatively weak. The competitive position received a -5 because of the low market share and control AirTran has over its competition (David, 2011). The Internal-External Matrix Discussion and Analysis An Internal-External Matrix is a tool that companies use by dividing their divisions into nine cells and basing the data from the IFE and EFE weighted scores (David, 2011). The grow and build section received a medium score because the EFE weighted score for AirTran fell around 2.68. Since it has a medium score of 2.68, it would also be classified as an average internal position. The IFE weighted score for AirTran fell around 2.70, which is also classified as an average internal position with a medium score (David, 2011). Since AirTran is struggling financially, the harvest and divest area received an average score also with the grow and build section being in the low quadrant score. The Grand Strategy Matrix Discussion and Analysis A grand strategy matrix is a tool that analysts use in order to formulate alternative strategies for that business. There are four quadrants that represents whether a firm is classified in a competitive or market position based on the growth of the market (David, 2011). AirTran would be classified under quadrant III because the airline industry has slowed in growth and AirTran is on the verge of bankruptcy. AirTran needs to make changes quickly; however, due to the lack of financial support, Southwest Airlines has bought AirTran Airways from the owner of the company. Since all the other options have failed for AirTran, selling its business to another competitor is the only way to suppress bankruptcy (Schlangenstein, 2010). QPSM for AirTran The Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix QSPM Strategic Alternatives For AirTran Airways Discussion and Analysis The QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix) is a type of framework thats used by companies to determine the comparative attractiveness of alternative strategies (David, 2011). These new strategies are based upon the previous strategies formulated from the SWOT matrix. The key factors of the QSPM are generated from the EFE, IFE, and the competitive profile matrix strategies. The alternative strategies formulated are based on what the company should consider implementing. In other words, AirTran decides to use product development as an alternative strategy. The alternative strategy involved intends to increase sales by creating an express lane for customers to quickly purchase airfare tickets. Some of the key factors involved for the new express lane strategy include an increase in Floridas population, while studying the weakness of increased customer complaints. An attractiveness score is formulated based upon how well the alternative strategy can improve the key factors, whether its an opportunity, threat, strength, or weakness. For the express lane alternative strategy, an attractiveness score of 2 for the increased population of Florida factor indicates that the idea is somewhat attractive. On the other hand, one of AirTrans competitors Mexicana de Aviacià ³n ceased operations and received an attractiveness score of 4 because AirTran can capitalize o n this opportunity by gaining more potential customers (David, 2011). Evaluation of AirTran worth analysis: AirTran Worth Analysis **In Thousands (2009) 1. Determine Net Worth or Stockholders Equity Sum of Common Stock, Additional Paid-in Capital, and Retained Earnings (in thousands) Discussion and Analysis In evaluating AirTrans worth, the worth can be categories into what AirTran owns, what AirTran has earned, and what AirTran can bring to the airline industry. The net worth of AirTran is approximately $525,740 (in thousands). The net worth includes common stock, paid-in capital, and AirTrans retained earnings (David, 2011). The price-earnings ratio for AirTran is a (-$525.81 thousand), which is a negative earnings per share because of AirTrans low stock prices. The current enterprise value of AirTran, according to yahoo.com is around 1.60 billion dollars. In other words, if Southwest Airlines decides to buy AirTran as Southwest have already done, Southwest would more than likely pay around 1.60 billion dollars (AirTran Holdings, 2009). Recommendations: Specific strategies and long term objectives that would benefit AirTran would include expanding its operations internationally to countries such as Europe, Asia, and Africa due to the high population, especially China. Chinas economy is currently on the rise and AirTran moving its operations to China could greatly benefit the company. With nearly 1 billion people in China, if only 10% of the people buy airfares from AirTran at $50 each, thats 100 million people per $50 ticket, which would equal to around $5 billion, 5 times the annual revenue. Moving from a domestically controlled environment to an international control environment is beneficial also because it will provide the US citizens an inexpensive opportunity to travel to foreign counties. The estimated time for expanding AirTrans operations should take no more than 1 year, if not before. New policies that should be implemented for AirTrans foreign operations would include outsourcing employees such as the employees that live in the country thats holding AirTrans operations. For example, if AirTran expands to China, then it is only logical that AirTran should only hire individuals from China and neighboring areas to run the operations. If AirTran however continues to experience financial instability, AirTran should sell all of its assets for their intangible worth, which would be classified as liquidation (David, 2011). Discussion and Analysis A projected income statement allows an organization to predicted expected results based on particular actions and approaches (David, 2011). Based on the above income statement, it is projected that AirTran will decrease in total revenue by about 50% because of the recent drop in sales and net income. Since AirTran also has negative retained earnings, it is only reasonable that the total revenue will decrease by a percentage. Since total revenue directly affects gross profit, the gross profit is projected to fall about 75% in the year 2010, based off 2009 financial data. Operating expenses are predicted to increase by 10% because of the decrease in profits and possible increase in expenses. Based off the projections, it is projected that the net income will also decrease by about 50% because of the decrease in revenues and gross profit. Discussion and Analysis A projected balance sheet is a financial statement that allows an organization to predict future total assets and project total liabilities based off the income statement (David, 2011). Since the revenue decreased on the income statement, the cash of the balance sheet would decrease around 9% since cash is created from total revenues. Inventory will decrease by 8% because AirTran will not buy as many aircrafts for their airline company due to the recent drop in net income and increased expenses. As a result, the total assets would decrease by 9.8 percent due to the decrease of inventory, cash, and other contra-asset accounts. The liabilities are project to remain about the same with exception to the long term debt. Since AirTran is losing money, they are not likely to purchase any new aircrafts that may require them to take out a loan. The long-term debt account is projected to decrease by 25% because of the decreased reliability of taking out a loan for inventory purchases. Common s tock under owners equity will remain the same since the number of shares outstanding will not change from its previous value of 135,000. Since the retained earnings are currently at a negative value, a prediction of an addition of negative $6,000 is projected for the retained earnings account. In addition, the total assets and total liabilities/stockholders equity match, so the projected balance sheet is complete for 2010 (David, 2011). Discussion and Analysis The financial ratios above are based off the 2010 projected balance sheet and projected income statement data for AirTran. Financial ratios are statistical data that analysts use based on the companys balance sheet and income statement for that fiscal year (David, 2011). The liquidity ratios for AirTran describe how well AirTran can meet short term liabilities. Both the current and quick ratios have a calculation of 1.02 based off the projected financial statements. The leverage ratios, which measure how much a firm is financial by debt include debt to total-asset ratio and debt to equity ratio. The debt to total-asset ratio has a calculation of 0.78, which indicates that AirTrans total assets is about 22% higher than AirTrans total debt. Activity ratios demonstrate how well AirTran is using its resources. The fixed assets turnover has a ratio of 1.00 exactly, indicating that AirTran is effectively using its resources and equipment utilization. The profitability ratios will measure A irTrans overall effectiveness based on sales and investments. The net profit margin has a ratio of 6% indicating that after taxes, per dollar of sales, AirTran will receive a 6% profit. The growth ratios measure how well AirTran can growth depending on its economic positioning. Based on the net income data, net income has a ratio of about 50% because of the increase of net income from $67,331 to $134,662 in 2008 and 2009 respectfully. Discussion and Analysis A balance scorecard is a type of framework that companies use for evaluation of objectives such as financial performance and customer knowledge (David, 2011). The expected financial and nonfinancial objectives recommended for AirTran include customer service/loyalty, revenue growth, and quality of customer service. The desired measure for the customer objectives include customer feedback and rewards such as giving customers questionnaires to answer and provide an A+ reward to frequent travelers. The time expected to implement the customer objective will take around 1 month to complete. The desired measure for the financial objectives includes the changes in finances such as net income and stockholders equity. The estimated time to implement the financial objectives may take up to 6 months or a year because of the financial instability AirTran is currently experiencing. The operations/processes objective has a desired measure of a scale rating from A to F. The higher the letter grade, the better AirTran will look to potential customers, creditors, and investors (David, 2011). Conclusion: AirTrans future plan is to sell its company to Southwest Airlines instead of shutting down its operations. Although AirTran will no longer be operated as AirTran Holdings, the owner feels that this is an opportunity for AirTran to become an even greater entity. AirTran could have possibly rethought the situation of selling its assets to Southwest Airlines and formed an alternative strategy. The alternative strategy could have been to expand its operations to foreign countries that will create opportunities to reach a new variety and number of people. However, it appears now that Southwest Airlines is back to the top as being one of the most dominant airline companies to exist today.

What Is Compost? :: essays research papers

The process of recycling brush and leaves from curbside collection saves the city lots of money. When residents place their clean brush at the curb,they mustmake sure the pile is no bigger than six feet long and six inches in diameter.All leaves must be placed in clear plastic bags. Brush is collected separately from the leaves because the leaves are taken to the comppost drop-off facility for recycling. When a waste hauler driver comes to the drop -off facility loaded with brush,he or she must drive onto a scale so the load can be weighed.The driver information,load size and truck weights are then put into the computer for monitoring of driver,location,and weight. This policy helps the city find out which area of the city uses more collection or which area of town was affected more by a storm. THe driver will drive out to the disposal site and bump the brush in a pile.THe piles of brush are then compacted and pushed up until there is no available room on the site. Roughly every three months,the city contracts a grinding company to come out and grind all of the brush on the site.It generally takes the grinding company three weeks to grind all of the material After the grinding stage,the material is screened by using trammel with 3/8 inch screens.The materials are placed into windrows,this process speeds up the decomposition process.The small particles are then separated from the larger first grinds. The small material now becomes a product known as mulch fines. Once the first grinds have been screened, they will be reground using a tub grinder. The reground material is known as reground mulch. The reground material is not treated with any chemicals.It is allowed to cure or sit for 48 to 72 hours after being processed. The much product heats up naturally to temperatures from 140 to180 degrees.The temperture of the leaves is monitored and moisture is added when the leaves start becoming dry.When the leaves start to decompose the temperature can rise up to 200 degrees.After the decomposition process has taken place,the temperature decreaces to about 120 degrees. This natural process eliminates bugs and thier eggs.All trash and plastic bags are taken out of the material and it is now ready to be recycled and sold for public use.

Economics Coursework †Demand Essay

Manufacturers and dealers want UK to follow Europe into scheme to give cash to drivers who scrap old cars to buy new The government was facing renewed pleas to bail out Britain’s ailing motor industry yesterday as figures showed sales of new cars had dropped by almost a third year on year. Only 313,912 cars were registered in March – a 30.5% fall in sales from this time last year, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed, prompting fresh calls for the government to pay motorists to trade in their old cars for new ones. The motor industry and lobby groups are hoping this month’s budget will include a scrappage scheme, under which car owners are given a financial incentive of about à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2,000 to swap their old vehicle for a new greener model. Treasury officials have told the industry they are seriously considering including such a stimulus in the budget a fortnight tomorrow although ministers publicly insist that no decision has been taken. A scrappage scheme in Germany – which offers car owners à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2,500 (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2,263) for getting rid of any vehicle over nine years old – has attracted more than half a million buyers, with sales soaring 40% there in March. The SMMT estimates that 280,000 Britons would take advantage of a similar programme over an 18-month period. This would cost around à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½560m, a figure the SMMT told the Guardian would involve a net cost of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½150-160m. The rest of the money would come from the VAT charged on new cars. But green groups counselled against such a â€Å"knee jerk† response and said the money could be better used to fund sustainable transport solutions. Some environmental organisations fear funds could be diverted from existing pots of money set aside by the government for investment in green technologies, such as the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½400m earmarked in the pre-budget report for an â€Å"environmental transformation fund†, which supports the development of new low-carbon energy and energy efficiency technologies in the UK. Pro-motoring lobbyists argue that if the government does not move quickly to boost the industry, further jobs would be lost and some manufacturers may transfer their business to other countries. In Whitehall, the debate is still swirling over the wisdom of adopting a â€Å"scrappage† scheme. Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, said in February that his department was examining the experience of other countries, notably Germany, to see whether it would work in Britain and carmakers were asked to produce costed proposals, but no decision has been made. David Cameron told the Guardian in January that the Tories were looking at the idea but he was yet to be convinced. In the meantime, demand for cars has crashed across the world, throwing the global industry into its biggest crisis and forcing American giants General Motors and Chrysler to the brink of bankruptcy. Manufacturers in the UK have also been hit, with factories such as Honda’s plant at Swindon mothballed and thousands of jobs cut. Last month’s decline in sales follows falls of 30.9% in January 2009 and 21.9% in February. March, when new number plates are issued, is a key period for the industry and traditionally accounts for nearly a fifth of annual sales. If things do not improve, the SMMT is forecasting that only 1.72m new vehicles will be sold in 2009, compared with 2.13m in 2008. However, there was one bright note with the rise of the small car segment, where sales increased 84%, indicating a trend towards downsizing among consumers. The top three best-selling models were the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus. Yesterday SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt, said: â€Å"March new-car registrations are a barometer of confidence in the economy, from businesses and consumers alike. The fall in the market shows that the government needs to do more to boost confidence. â€Å"A scrappage scheme will provide the incentive needed and the evidence is clear that schemes already implemented across Europe do work to increase demand. The UK is the only major European market not to implement a scheme.† Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: â€Å"The latest figures show the stark difference between a country with a scrappage scheme and one without. A vehicle-scrappage scheme has the potential to reduce emissions, reduce accidents and their severity whilst giving a boost to the UK motor industry. There are many benefits from getting older gross polluters off the road.† But green groups counselled against introducing such a scheme. Peter Lipman, policy director at Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, said it would be â€Å"a really, really bad idea, wherever the money is coming from†. â€Å"There are so many better ways of spending government money if you are trying to deal with both the recession and climate change,† he added. The RAC motoring strategist, Adrian Tink, said: â€Å"The introduction of any car-scrappage scheme needs to be contingent on balancing the economic benefits with a concern for the environment. The scheme needs to be as much about getting old, high-polluting cars off the road as it is about stimulating car sales.† The dire sales figures bode ill for the economic recovery because new car sales are seen as a key indicator of consumer confidence. When the UK went into recession in the early 1990s, new car registrations dropped for 27 successive months. At one point, sales that had reached an annual peak of 2.3million in the late-1980s dipped as low as 1.5million. IB Economics: Internal Assessment Commentary Car industry begs for budget boost from Alistair Darling The article â€Å"Car industry begs for budget boost from Alistair Darling† found on the web page of The Guardian discusses the effects of the current recession on the car industry, particularly in the UK. The article states according to the SMMT a 30 % fall in sales from the year before at the same time. In order to take a first step to solving the problem the motor industry hopes to impose the scrappage scheme.. The drop of demand for cars during the recession creates an example of the laws of demand and supply. Demand is the quantity of a good or a service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a given price in a given time period. Supply is the willingness and ability of producers to produce a quantity of a good or service at a given price in a given time period. Consumers being aware of the recession will rather save their money than choose to spend it on luxury purchase. The fall in income due to the recession has, according to the laws of supply and demand and assuming that all other things stay equal (Ceterus Paribus), caused the fall of demand. Although the article doesn’t state a percentage of the fall in income of the population, the income elasticity of demand for vehicles can be described as at least unitary if not elastic, the examples will make an attempt to prove this. Income elasticity of demand measures the proportionate response of quantity demanded to a proportionate change in income. The article gives two proves for that: First, the thought of the coming recession has already let people stop buying cars by 30.5% from one year to the other. People won’t buy any luxury goods in bad times. And second, subsidising car buyers by about 2000à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ (scrappage scheme) will increase the purchases in a month by 40%. The fall in demand will also cause an excess supply even if the motor industry stops production directly. All car producers will hence have a massive amount of cars that are just not being bought because there is no demand. According to the rules of supply and demand, as demand falls, quantity supplied decreases as well. In this particular case, the quantity supplied decreases as well but probably not as much as it could to find a new equilibrium, the price at which supply equals demand. Why this is the case will be explained after the following The following graph will show how a fall in demand will cause the demand curve to shift to the left and therefore a fall in the quantity supplied of cars to find a new equilibrium. It can be seen that cars sales fell by nearly 25 % from 2008 to 2009 As stated above, this development is not quite that what happens in reality. According to the rules of unemployment, unemployment is a lagging factor and the demand for labour depends on the demand for, in this case, cars. That means that it begins to rise some time after the recession began. This is because of several reasons such as that firms want to keep skilled workers and will delay redundancies hoping that things might get better. Since firms want to keep skilled workers they would have to keep up the production to a certain extend. Of course production will decrease what will cause cyclical employment but to a certain extend production will be kept up to occupy the workers. The term cyclical unemployment can be defined as occurring when the economy is growing more slowly than estimated as the demand for labour is interdependent on the demand for goods and services. This situation can’t be kept up for long because firms lose money spending more money on workers they try to keep than actually gaining through sales and go bankrupt if the recession doesn’t end or if they are not being subsidized by the government. Hence the motor industry searches for ways of pushing demand. A possible solution could be the scrappage scheme which encourages motorists to swap their old cars against new ones by giving the buyer about 2000à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ directly. The effect of the scheme on the demand for cars can be seen on the following diagram: Demand rises again due to the encouragement and shifts the demand curve to the right again. Concluding one can say that the law of supply and demand is displayed in the real world. In the article â€Å"Car industry begs for budget boost from Alistair darling† it is clearly shown how recession can affect the demand for cars and how therefore demand for labour interdepends on demand for, in this case, cars. Furthermore it can also be stated that things like the scrappage scheme can encourage demand again.

Free Essays on Briefing For A Descent Into Hell

Taken from the novel, Briefing for a Descent Into Hell, the quote, â€Å"†¦in pulsing dark, crouched, I holding on, clutching tight, †¦rocking, somewhere behind the gate, †¦and a dark red clotting light and pressure and pain and then OUT into a flat white light where shapes move and things flash and glitter.† (135) is a description of the miracle of birth. Birth symbolizes the beginning of an entire lifetime; a lifetime in which a person will have the chance to make important choices that will shape not only his or her future but who they are as an individual. Briefing for a Descent Into Hell is a story about the personality of a professor by the name of Charles Watkins, who is suffering from amnesia. Found wandering the streets, Charles was admitted as a John Doe by the police into Central Intake Hospital of London, England, where he underwent various treatments, struggling to regain not only his forgotten memories of the life he used to live, but the forg otten memories of the person he once was. Throughout the novel, Lessing frequently calls to question who or what forms an individual’s personality, and where characteristics and traits are established and acquired to form who a person is. The author Doris Lessing, uses the protagonist’s extra sensitivity and perception as a handicap in a society organized as ours is; one that favors conformity, the average, the obedient, however restricting his character, personality and actual self, therefore creating the conflict between achieving the standards and normalities determined by society or maintaining the individuality of one’s true self while deviating from the expected; ultimately calling to question personality itself. Made up of both physical and personal traits and characteristics, a personality takes shape in many ways. The physical characteristics such as height, hair color, facial features, and weight are all characteristics that we naturally have no control ove... Free Essays on Briefing For A Descent Into Hell Free Essays on Briefing For A Descent Into Hell Taken from the novel, Briefing for a Descent Into Hell, the quote, â€Å"†¦in pulsing dark, crouched, I holding on, clutching tight, †¦rocking, somewhere behind the gate, †¦and a dark red clotting light and pressure and pain and then OUT into a flat white light where shapes move and things flash and glitter.† (135) is a description of the miracle of birth. Birth symbolizes the beginning of an entire lifetime; a lifetime in which a person will have the chance to make important choices that will shape not only his or her future but who they are as an individual. Briefing for a Descent Into Hell is a story about the personality of a professor by the name of Charles Watkins, who is suffering from amnesia. Found wandering the streets, Charles was admitted as a John Doe by the police into Central Intake Hospital of London, England, where he underwent various treatments, struggling to regain not only his forgotten memories of the life he used to live, but the forg otten memories of the person he once was. Throughout the novel, Lessing frequently calls to question who or what forms an individual’s personality, and where characteristics and traits are established and acquired to form who a person is. The author Doris Lessing, uses the protagonist’s extra sensitivity and perception as a handicap in a society organized as ours is; one that favors conformity, the average, the obedient, however restricting his character, personality and actual self, therefore creating the conflict between achieving the standards and normalities determined by society or maintaining the individuality of one’s true self while deviating from the expected; ultimately calling to question personality itself. Made up of both physical and personal traits and characteristics, a personality takes shape in many ways. The physical characteristics such as height, hair color, facial features, and weight are all characteristics that we naturally have no control ove...

Magic and witchcraft essays

Magic and witchcraft essays Beliefs in magic and witchcraft are both rational and have a social function in the social context in which they occur: discuss in relation to ethnography. Understanding the social function in the social context of magic and witchcraft, depended upon an understanding the meaning of magic and witchcraft. A well known British anthropologist Edward Evans- Pritchard, have study a group of African people call Azande, a tribe of Southern Sudan. According to his theory witchcraft and magic have different connotation in Zande culture and they have been distinguished. The word mangu is translated as witchcraft and in certain respect witchcraft and sorcery are similar. Both have common function, but their techniques are different. Witchcraft was said to be a psychic power which often inherited, it can be activated if the owner became angry or jealous, and this power are normally unconscious as well as limited to those with the substance in their body. Sorcery is skill which can be learnt by anyone and can be passed on through study. This skill also knows as black magic which can be defines as evil use of medicines. Both are used for pernicious private ends against the lives and property of law-abiding citizens. The word ngwa is translated as magic. Zande magic comprise the common characteristic of magic the world over, rite, spell, idea, tradition, and moral opinion associated with its use, taboo and other conditions of the magician and the rite (Evans-Pritchard, E., Witchcraft among the Azande, in Marwick M (ed) Witchcraft and Sorcery, 1970, Penguin.). In the same way as Zande social grouping, witches have their hierarchy, status and leadership. They gain experience by the tuition of elder witches. Generally specking, the older a man grows the more potent becomes his mangu and the violent and unscrupulous its use. So a child born of a witch parent has only little mangu, and can only do little...

Monsters Ball Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Monsters Ball - Term Paper Example The strong point of the movie is its powerful and well crafted story. The basic attributes of the narrative of this film are miserable patriarch approach accompanied with racism, a strong hatred for women, violence, depression, frustration, victim, and the loneliness of each character. It is a dark movie in which the negative shades of human personality are prevalent. The story happens in a rural area of United States. The events of the story take place in rural Louisiana, far away from the cosmopolitan urban life. Being far away from urban and cosmopolitan culture, the people are shown as rigid. The story divides into two families. First is the family of male protagonist that is Hank and the second part is the family of Leticia. Hank’s family is a distressed family, where three men of three different generations are living together under one single roof with blood relations, but there is a vacuum of these generations. The father of Hank has a completely negative shade. He is extremely malicious towards black people. The extreme hatred is shown in the scene where he is so happy to read the article from a local newspaper about the execution of Lawrence Musgrove. He basically is pleased with the thought that one more man of colour is killed. He has passed on this same hatred to his son Hank. Hank’s son Sonny on the other hand is very sensible and sympathetic kind of person. He is lonely and somewhere searching for motherly love and care which has lost in his life. His father hates him and he is not accepted in his family. Somewhere he is in need of that lost love, affection and sense of acceptance. He was urging for his father’s love and affection. Sonny asks his father, â€Å"You hate me, don’t you?† his father coldly admitted that he doesn’t love him. Sonny before shooting himself says, â€Å"Well, I always love you,† and he kills himself in front of his father Hank. Hanks wife and his mother had committed suicid e in a same manner. The second parallel family is Leticia’s family. She is living as a single mother. She is living with her son, Tyrell. She is an African American woman whose husband Lawrence Musgrove is executed after a long waiting of 11 years. Her needs are both financial and emotional. She and her son are struggling and undergoing through financial crisis. She is in need of economic stability as well as mental stability. Her urge for her need is shown through her action of drinking. The audience are shocked when they see the suicide of Sonny. Why did Sonny become a sudden victim of frenzy? He was in need of his father’s affection at that moment. If his father had shown that affection, he probably would not have taken such a drastic step of killing himself. Same thing is with Leticia when she is shown smoking cigarette. Actually she is restless and at that moment she wants someone to give her solace, to take her out of her frustration. She wants to come out of her loneliness. It is her stupid attempt to find peace from smoking. When her son has an accident and she is shouting for help on the road hysterically, she is in need of someone who would help her and her son physically. This momentary need of course was fulfilled by Hank, who takes them to the hospital. The momentary need further develops a very close relationship between her and Hank. The complete transformation of the protagonist is also one of the major attributes of the narrative. The contradictory behaviour of Hank creates an

Analysis for Without Prejudice TV show Research Paper

Analysis for Without Prejudice TV show - Research Paper Example This time, they are allowed to ask any question to the contestants except just only one, which is, how each of them will use the money that they will be given in the show. Apparently, the show’s purpose is to give away money to the one person among the five contestants who is the most liked. However, on the other side of this reality show, the panelists are faced with their own prejudices among people they do not know of. Since their only bases are the interviews made by the show’s production staff to these people and their brief interview to the last two contestants, they are left with nothing to rely on but to observe the contestants’ personalities according to their physical appearance as well as their body language and gestures. Through these forms of non-verbal communication, the panelists are able to decode their messages, even those that they do not communicate orally, by simply observing them. Relatively, this show is obviously important in studying communication, its theories and other factors that are associated with it. The panelists’ interpretation of the contestants through their facial expressions, body language, gestures, and the like are examples of non-verbal communication, which are often misinterpreted in the communication process due to stereotyping and people’s prejudices. Similarly, just as the contestants are judged by their 15-second introduction where verbal communication is observed, softness or loudness of voice, as well as clarity of speech are important factors in creating an impression that is essential in the communication process, too. The TV show allows two groups of people who are communicating in various ways in order to achieve their desired result. In interpersonal communication, in order for people to achieve a positive relationship, they should be able to create a good communication climate. As such, the group of people who are communicating with each other may either confirm or disconfirm each other in