Literary Analysis - 779 Words

Wasawaney Ibehi February 14th, 2013 Mr. Sanders Literary Analysis Essay Retrieved Reformation is a short story about a man named Jimmy Valentine. In the beginning of the story, he is being released from prison for his crimes of robbing banks and cracking into safes. After being released, he realizes that he wants to live a life of no crime. He becomes a dynamic character because he begins to dramatically change after meeting the love of his life, Annabel Adams. He wanted to begin a new life. In â€Å"A Retrieved Reformation†, a selfish and unethical criminal named Jimmy Valentine is known from breaking into safes and robbing banks. In the first couple of pages of the story, we†¦show more content†¦He yelled into the vault to try to see if Agatha could respond to him. Her mother thought that she would die in the vault of fright. Jimmy had done something that had surprised everyone. He opened his suitcase full of the tools that he was going to give away to his friend. He used those tools to crack into the vault like he had in his old life. He used a drill to open into the vault. Agatha was safe and collapsed into her mothersShow MoreRelatedEssay on Literary Analysis on Revelation794 Words   |  4 Pages Literary Analysis â€Å"Revelation† Flannery O’Connor short story entitled â€Å"Revelation† was swayed by her personal upbringing in the South. She lived in the time where people from the South were very intolerant and narrow-minded towards people who had a different lifestyle and who were of a different race. Because Southerners believed people who did not live up to their wealth or status were inferior, it offered O’Connor the exact descriptions she wanted for the characters in this story. The mainRead MoreLiterary Analysis : An Inspector Calls 2046 Words   |  9 Pagescriticism: examines literature in the cultural, economic and political context in which it is written or received,† exploring the relationships between the artist and society. Sometimes it examines the artist’s society to better understand the author’s literary works; other times, it may examine the representation of such societal elements within the literature itself (Social Criticism) An example of this would be how in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huck goes against what society wantsRead MoreThe Joseph Narrative: Literary Analysis and the Role of God5196 Words   |  21 PagesThe Joseph Narrative: Literary Analysis and the Role of God The Joseph narrative can be found in the book of Genesis chapters 37-50. It is slightly interrupted â€Å"by the story of Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38) and by the so-called Blessing of Jacob (Gen. 49:1-28)† (Skinner, 438). The story of Joseph is seen as unique because it has different characteristics than its counterparts in Genesis. Other writings in Genesis seem to be short, brief incidents, about family and tribal affairs. The Joseph narrativeRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings1264 Words   |  6 PagesLiterary Analysis: A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children â€Å"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children† which was written in 1955 by Gabriel Garcà ­a Mà ¡rquez has been described by many as difficult to understand and hard to follow. Faulkner describes it as having a â€Å"charming (but unsettling) effect† (1) on readers. Raney says that the story leaves most readers not fully understanding it because it uses a â€Å"subtler irony† (108) that â€Å"whispers† (108) to them and that itRead MoreAnalytical analysis and comparism of an everyday text with a literary text3840 Words   |  16 Pagesï » ¿Choose one every day and one literary text. Using at least two analytical techniques from E301, analyze and compare your two texts in terms of their creativity and literariness, drawing on material from both parts of the module. In this paper I will analyze and compare a literary text and an everyday text, in terms of their creativity and literariness. I chose Philip Larkin’s (1964) poem, ‘Self’s the man’ (see Appendix, Text 1), as the literary text for analysis because it is not only smooth andRead MoreLiterary Analysis Collection : Themes, Characters, Conflict, And Setting2046 Words   |  9 PagesLiterary Analysis Collection 1 Theme, characters, conflict, and setting are literary terms that are essential to any story you may read. Each literary term is important to the development of the plot, or the order of events in a story. The lesson or moral that you take away from the story is the theme. The time and place in which the story happens is the setting. The conflict is the issue or the main problem in a story. The characters are just the people who are involved in the conflict. All fourRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire, Literary Analysis Essay733 Words   |  3 PagesStreetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams exemplifies the theme of a struggle to attain happiness. The play not only portrays this theme in its characters and setting, but through the literary devices of Foil, Imagery, and Intertextuality. Williams took great care in applying each of these literary device techniques to the theme as he presents an intriguing contrast between Blanche and Stanley, vivid images both animalistic and b roken, and imploring the use of the Odyssey to further deepenRead MoreLiterary Analysis and Comparison of A Persistent Woman And Uncle Ernest495 Words   |  2 PagesLiterary Analysis and Comparison of A Persistent Woman And Uncle Ernest I have chosen to compare and analyse the openings of A persistent woman and Uncle Ernest because the both authors have used similar literary techniques to try and make the reader read on but it in very different ways. For example both extracts describe the main characters (Uncle Ernest and Temple) but in Uncle Ernest this is very explicit, describing his appearance in great detail. Just fromRead More Literary Analysis of ?The Grandfather? by Gary Soto Essay examples846 Words   |  4 PagesMarwski, Daniel G., Ed. Contemporary Literary Criticism vol. 80. Detroit : Gale Research Co., 1987. 275. Meire, Matt S. Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary 1836-1987. New York: Greenwood Press, 1988. 216. Soto, Gary and Ernest Trejo. Interview. â€Å"Revista Chicano-Riqueà ±a.† 1982. Contemporary Literary Criticism vol. 80. Ed. Daniel G. Marwski. Detroit : Gale Research Co., 1987. 278-281. Stine, Jean C. and Daniel G. Marwski., Ed. Contemortry Literary Criticism vol. 32. Detroit: GaleRead MoreReader, Readability And Relativity In The Criticism Of Propp, Barthes, And Fish Literary Analysis1095 Words   |  5 Pagescanonical quality, what meaning can be derived from that text, and who exactly makes these types of decisions? Welcome to the world of literary criticism, where the approach to the text and the level of reader inclusion varies based upon the school a critic identifies with in his endeavor and/or the individual reader may happen to take most interest in the act of literary analysis. While the Socratic-like formalistic approach of Vladimir Propp, the lavish laymen s poetic deconstruction of Roland Barthes

Feminism in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Essay - 551 Words

Written in 1850, The Scarlet Letter stood as a very progressive book. With new ideas about women, main characters’ stories intertwined, and many different themes, The Scarlet Letter remains today as a extremely popular novel about 17th century Boston, Massachusetts. Not only was the 19th century a time for the abolition of slavery movement but it was also the beginning of the first wave of feminism. Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott catalyzed the women’s rights movement. These prominent women believed that a woman’s role was no longer in the house and that women should be afforded the same opportunity as men. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s sympathy for women is evident in a feminist reading of his novel†¦show more content†¦Wilson’s question, a question testing Pearl’s religious knowledge and belief in god, exemplified her courage. An outspoken character, Pearl was beyond her age in knowledge as w ell as many other aspects. The fact that Hawthorne created this girl as an unyielding character illustrates his support for the feminist cause. Yet another time Pearl’s aptitude surfaced was the warning to her mother. â€Å"Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already.† (Hawthorne 123) This realization Pearl possessed between good and bad coupled with her intellect allows for her empowerment. Moreover, Pearl’s role as a strong, prominent character showed 19th century Americans an alternative side young girls could possess. While Puritan women are weak and dependent upon their husbands, Hester Prynne is empowered and self-reliant. A character designed by Hawthorne to show 19th century women that women’s work could be valuable, Hester supports herself and her daughter by needlework. â€Å"For, as the novel unfolds, the letter, intended by the Authorities to signify harsh but just conde mnation, is made by Hester to signify something entirely different—able, admirable.† (Bell 109) All aspects considered, the ability of Hester, a woman who committed sin and was publicly punished for this crime, to manipulate this punishment into a virtueShow MoreRelatedFeminism In The Scarlet Letter Essay1313 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is the true definition of feminism? Feminism is â€Å"the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes†, as well as, â€Å"organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests† (Merriam-Webster). The way feminism is related into literature is similar to that of society. Feminist literature discusses how a female character or some part of the fictional world is being hurt or deprived of a certain right that women deserve. In such a way, readers and authors alike are ableRead MoreFeminism in the Scarlet Letter1297 Words   |  6 PagesJane Jonga Research Paper 11 March 2008 Hawthorne’s Hester Prynne and Feminism â€Å"In Heaven’s own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness† (ch.24).The definition of feminism would be women are inherently equal to men and deserve equal rights and opportunities. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is the key example for feminism in the novel. In Puritan times, women were thoughtRead MoreRomanticism And Transcendentalism In Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter956 Words   |  4 Pages The Scarlet Letter - Research Paper Nathaniel Hawthorne is 19th-century author whose works were primarily classified as romanticism and transcendentalism. His works held many controversial elements for his time including the extensive use of feminist principles. Many of Hawthornes novels depict a different viewpoint on the defiance towards misogyny and patriarchal ways. The Scarlet Letter furthermore enhances these elements. Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, portrays the many elements of feminismRead MoreEmbracing a Feminist Nature: A Theory Essay1812 Words   |  8 PagesHawthorne as Hester - Embracing a Feminist Nature: A Theory Hester Prynne remains a living force of feminist strength as she stands between the literary arguments of Hawthorne’s possible intentions of portraying his protagonist as either a central figure of feminist empowerment for women, in retrospect to the interpretations of his views on feminism of the timeframe, or a woman oppressed by her sins under the tyranny of puritanical injustice. While some argue for Hester’s feminist virtues without closerRead MoreHow Is Hester Prynne A Feminist Novel989 Words   |  4 Pagesstarted by the novel, The Scarlet Letter. Nathaniel Hawthorne took a path with the character Hester Prynne that took many by surprise. Hester Prynne from the acclaimed novel, The Scarlet Letter, is one of American Literature’s first and influential feminist characters that shows superiority while being fearless and having an influence on modern literature and culture. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is accused of adultery and is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest. While HesterRead MoreThe Real Travesty Of The Scarlet Letter1301 Words   |  6 PagesThe Real Travesty of The Scarlet Letter â€Å"The real sin of this ‘Scarlet Letter’ [film] is that it doesn’t respect the concept of sin† (Ansen). Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter delves deeper into the explicitness of sin, shame, and guilt. Set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during Puritan colonization, the characters have strong relationships with God and a sturdy foundation in their beliefs and church. Puritans rely on the concept of predestination, the belief that God has decided whetherRead MoreAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter1388 Words   |  6 PagesAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† Hester Prynne is accused and convicted of adultery. During the puritan era women in this society had specific obligations and rights they had to maintain. By Hester having an affair and acting unladylike the community disapproved of her actions causing everyone to isolate her in her town. Due to Hester Prynne’s Isolation and the harsh judgment she received from everyone in her town, she goes throughRead MoreHester Pyrnne As An Early Feminist Of Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1890 Words   |  8 PagesTOPIC: Hester Pyrnne as an Early Feminist of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†. Most people identify Feminism as an anti-male movement hell-bent on making women the dominant gender, but this is not the case. In this novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne executes these ideas by overcoming her public humiliation and rising up against the predetermined ideas that her Puritan town holds for her. She is a perfect example of what a feminist should be, which is a real treat considering the timeRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter977 Words   |  4 Pagesthis story and its main character in his famous novel The Scarlet Letter, which was published two decades later. Many literary critics attribute Mrs. Hutchinson (and The Scarlett Letter) to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s disdain towards his own ancestry’s history. The highly Puritan thinking of the time led to many persecutions, particularly of women who behaved differently from what was expected of them by the patriarchal society. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ancestors led such persecutions. William Hathorne, whoRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1488 Words   |  6 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the main character, Hester Prynne, is a true contemporary of the modern era, being cast into 17th century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts. The Scarlet Letter is a revolutionary novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne examining the ugliness, complexity, and strength of the human spirit and character that shares new ideas about independence and the struggles women faced in 17th century America. Throughout the novel, Hester’s refusal to remove the scarlet let ter becomes

Ethics And Entertainment Assignment Free Essays

Artistic Freedom, Commercial Demands, and Ethical Responsibility Resources: Case Study 75: â€Å"The Voice of America† in Media Ethics; Chi. 17 of Media Ethics; and â€Å"Popular Culture: Rage, Rights, and Responsibility’ video located on the student website. Write a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper that addresses the following: Explain what arguments entertainers and their supporters use to justify the use of questionable content. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethics And Entertainment Assignment or any similar topic only for you Order Now Evaluate the moral, artistic, and commercial underpinnings of those arguments. Explain what types of content should be ensured. List the criteria that would, from your ethical perspective, be appropriate for limiting access to content. Explain why these criteria are ethically appropriate. Explain who should be responsible for censoring content and why. Cite at least two references. Format your paper consistent with PAP guidelines. Resources: Chi. 14 17 of Media Ethics; Case Study 74: ‘†Video Game Rage† in Media Ethics; â€Å"Popular Culture: Rage, Rights, and Responsibility’ video located on the student website. Select a popular video game that has been the target of censorship. Write a 1 ,050- to 1,750-word paper that analyzes the arguments for and against the censorship of the video game you selected. Include the following: Describe the concept and game-play of the video game. Identify the main arguments for and against censoring the video game. Explain the artistic, commercial, and ethical considerations behind each argument. Explain whether the video game should be censored or not censored and on what grounds. Explain who is responsible for censorship or, if the video game should not be censored, who is responsible for the potential effect of the content. How to cite Ethics And Entertainment Assignment, Papers

A pretty girl Essay Example For Students

A pretty girl Essay At the outset, Sheila is introduced as being a pretty girl who is rather pleased with life and excited to be engaged to Gerald. Based on these early description, Sheila comes across as a mummies girl (if youll excuse the term). She seems to have been shielded from the crippling truth that the outside world is not as easy and care free ad a child might think. Her stage directions alone will be enough to convince the most casual of readers that this is the case as she is described as acting gaily. However, following the arrival of the inspector, she does show a side of her that is compassionate and highly curious. When the first word of the inspector reaches her her first reaction is, What business? Whats happening? . This sort of behaviour reoccurs throughout the course of the play and holds a predominant role in the development of the various interrogations that take place. Once she is enlightened about the horrid goings on she shows that she does have sympathy for others. (rather distressed) Oh- How horrible. The inspector then proceeds to interrogate Sheial, but, as opposed to the other characters, he reuquires very little in the way of interrogation skills as from the offset, Sheila is more than willing to comply with any accusations made. In fact, one would say that it is a relief for her to have the opportunity to get her wrong doings of her chest. Shee confesses to having Eva fired from her job in a clothes store, but, as opposed to Mr. Birlings reluctancy to go any deeper, Sheila seems more than happy to expose the whole truth. From her crippling jealousy of the beautiful Eva Smith to her snobbish and right wing upbringing. However, she does also show that despite her upbringing, sher is nothing like her parents. This goes some way to conveying Preistleys view that the younger generations can and generally do devolpe and improve on their parents attributes, and so this offers some hope for our society yet. This is a huge contrast to Mr. Birling who is unwilling to admit fault. This order is purposeful as it highlights the difference between their reactions. Much like enjambment in a poem can highlight a change of tone far more than a gradual decent from say, happiness to sadness. Eventually Sheila also shows that she had learnt her lesson when she admits that the women like Eva Smith, arent cheap labour, they are people. Unfortunately, this is something that we will never see from any of the elders. The inspector then interrogates Mrs. Birling and Eric. Once again, this highlights the considerable difference between their reactions. Mrs. Birling is relatively old. She is a cold person who comes from an aristocratic family and is generally snobbish towards the lower classes, as if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money. This also shows the divide between the social classes at the time which this play is set (1912) is huge where as the younger generation (those present in WW2, 1940-45, e. g. Sheila and Eric) are more willing to break the divides and unite. Her role in Evas death is the proverbial nail in the coffin as she is rejected by a charity supposedly dedicated to helping unfortunate women such as herself. However, much like Mr. Birling, she refuses to accept the blame claiming that her actions were totally valid. I accept no blame for it at all. She then, however, takes this lack of respect for humanity to new levels, as she is remarkably quick to move the blame over to the father of Eva Smith/Daisy Rentons unborn child. .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .postImageUrl , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:hover , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:visited , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:active { border:0!important; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:active , .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280 .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3ce391d55ffa0dbfca02cb8c34da7280:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: How does Shakespeare Make Act 1 Scene 5Â   EssayUnbeknown to her is the fact that the father of the child is none other than her son, Eric. With this, the interrogation moves swiftly over to Eric However, when you compare this reaction with that of Eric the difference is astonishing, and shows clearly Priestleys idea that the younger generation are more impressionable than the older, more hard headed ones. In fact, Priestley goes as far as blatantly saying that, we are more impressionable on the younger ones. I will provide more detail on the character whom makes this comment later in my essay.

Sabah Issue Essay Example

Sabah Issue Essay The armed intrusion into Sabah by Sulu terrorists is a blow to the progress of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), says BIMP-EAGA Malaysia Business Council chairman Datuk Roselan Johar Mohamed. Expressing profound dismay over the incident, he called on BIMP-EAGA member countries to go back to the original status quo, focusing more on accelerating economic development in the four countries in a safe and conducive manner. Quoting the age-old saying we cannot negotiate if you are pointing a gun at me, Roselan said that it was true in the context of the sub-regional grouping, which was launched in 1994. We must all retract and go back to the drawing board, rethink and revisit our strategy and go back to the negotiating table, he told Bernama. Roselan was commenting on the recent statement by Former Philippines’ President Fidel Ramos with regard to the standoff in Lahad Datu in the east coast of Sabah, that the BIMP-EAGA should be revived by the countries concerned as the grouping was the key to improve the people’s conditions in south Philippines, Borneo Island and adjacent areas. The BIMP-EAGA is the win-win strategy if we are looking from the perspective of a better, more prosperous, more peaceful, more harmonious and more sustainable future for all peoples, Ramos was quoted as saying. We will write a custom essay sample on Sabah Issue specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Sabah Issue specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Sabah Issue specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Ramos said the potentials of the BIMP-EAGA were so great that even foreign local governments such as Australia’s Northern Territory and Western Australia states had joined the grouping as associates. Ramos said that during his administration, he tried to set up a corporation that would develop the BIMP-EAGA sub-region. The company is to be jointly run by Malaysia, the Sulu Sultanate’s heirs and private sector partners. The company’s revenue can substitute the annual RM5,300 as the rent to the sultanate’s heirs, Ramos said. In this respect, Roselan acknowledged Ramos’ role in the establisment of BIMP-EAGA, saying that the Former Philippines’ President was both vocal and wise when he initiated the BIMP-EAGA concept together with Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Play Review - Grace and Glorie essays

Play Review - Grace and Glorie essays The production Grace and Glorie was a variation from the odd couple play base. It shows that even though someone may not need help from someone, the help may come unexpectedly. Grace and Gloria end up helping each other at a time when they are both facing tragedies in their life. Grace Stiles was a ninety-year-old southern woman who is living with cancer. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia, where the story takes place. Grace's illness was gradually getting worse, and there was nothing that could be done to cure it, so she went home to live the rest of her life. Hospice, a special concept of care that was designed to help people with increasing illness, sent Gloria Whitman to take care of Grace. Gloria was a graduate of Harvard and a former power management consultant from Manhattan. She moved to Virginia because her husband had joined a power law firm and the move was also an attempt to get over the death of her twelve-year-old son. Grace does not need any help to cope with death. She released herself from the hospital and refused to take any pain medication because she "wants to be awake to meet death." The one who needed the help was not Grace, but it was Gloria. It is not until Gloria resigns from Hospice and goes back to Grace 's cottage when we start to see the compassion and love that is at the heart of everyone at Hospice. In the play, Grace urges Gloria to read aloud from a Hospice pamphlet titled the Signs and Symbols of approaching death. This pamphlet just explained what happens to the people as they are dying. After reading, the information that was read pertained to both Grace and Gloria. Grace and Gloria looked at each other after reading the pamphlet and realized what kind of roles they were going to play to each other. This play was dramatic but very uplifting. The elements of the play brought a sense of happiness to the play - the costumes of both characters kind of defined where ...

Gillette Company Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gillette Company Case Study - Essay Example Quick ratio-Inventories are the least liquid of assets and face significant risks like they may be damaged or lost among others. They are hence reduced in calculating quick ratio. A higher quick ratio is also preferred. Cash Ratio- shows the percentage of current liabilities covered by cash and cash equivalents. This ratio measures the company’s ability to repay current liabilities using cash. A higher ratio is also recommended. A ratio of 1 and above is recommended since it indicates the ease to pay current liabilities using cash and cash equivalents, companies, however, opt to use available cash for other profit generating activities and hence the ratio is ideally less than 1. Gillette’s cash ratio is 0.19 which falls far below the recommended rate. This may show that the firm does not keep its revenues in cash, and this may hinder its ability to repay its current liabilities in the short term. These liquidity measures indicate that Gillette is not able to meet its current obligations with ease. That means that the firm has to sell some of its fixed assets in order to reduce chances of insolvency. There is therefore need for improvement by the management. The debt ratio is less than one indicating that the firm has more assets than debt. The rate is, however, higher than 0.5 which is the recommended level. This is a good indication since it implies less leverage and hence fewer financial risks but management should work on increasing the level of assets and reducing liabilities. Return on equity- this is a ratio of net income to total shareholder’s equity. It indicates the amount of profit the company makes for its owners. A high ratio is preferred by investors since they are assured of high returns on their investments. Inventory turnover- this is the ratio, of the cost of goods sold to inventories, showing the number of times the company restocked its inventory. A higher ratio indicates high sales as a result of fast movement of the

Being America's First Black President is Not an Impeachable Offense Essay

Being America's First Black President is Not an Impeachable Offense - Essay Example The extent to which this opposition is due to his politics and his race is discussed in the context of recent events. It is concluded that a president cannot enjoy success without reasonable cooperation with those from other political parties. Being America’s First Black President is Not an Impeachable Offense The concept of impeachment has a rich history in American rhetoric. The term emerged from France in the 1640s, and it refers to a judicial proceeding against a public official (OED, 2010). In the United States, only two presidents have ever been impeached: President Andrew Johnson in 1868 (for violating the Tenure of Office Act) and President Bill Clinton in 1998 (for alleged perjury). Both of these attempts at impeachment succeeded; however, they certainly sent a strong message to the accused and the country, and it is an important asset to a constitutional republic. A so-called â€Å"impeachable† offense by a Federal official could be any unethical or illegal ac tion. Regardless of its usefulness in ensuring the rule of law, it is a useful tool in political rhetoric because it signals a substantive opposition to someone in power. Now, opponents of President Barack Obama propose to impeach him because of a wide range of problems they see with his policymaking. Recently, one Republican lawyer drafted impeachment proceedings against the President because of his commitment to help Libyan rebels win their civil war (Smith, 2011). The â€Å"Impeach Obama Campaign,† which is a petition that claims over one million signatures, takes issue with nearly every development emerging from Obama White House (Shapiro, 2011). In a political environment like this, it is little wonder why the President’s opponents claim he has been an ineffective leader. As an expert on negotiation will say, it is impossible to produce good results when every proposal, every thought, and every action is stonewalled. The virtue of winning the political game is pra cticed more than the virtue of creating good policy in the contemporary political environment. However, unquestioning opposition to President Barack Obama is not a new phenomenon; it is something Americans have seen since the young Illinois Senator emerged as a serious candidate in the 2008 election cycle. According to writers at Politico, President Obama has demonstrated that he is not the kind of president with a naive hope to change Washington (Harris & VandeHei, 2010). This is demonstrated by the steps he took in 2010 to overhaul health care in the United States and a financial reform. For an advisor to the President, it is frustrating that despite these accomplishments, America is still not satisfied with the level of success they would like to see from the Federal government (Geraghty, 2010). He notes that any one of the President’s most significant accomplishments would have been celebrated much more heavily if there were any other president in the White House (Geraght y, 2010). Thus, the question becomes about the factors that are holding President Barack Obama back from being celebrated as a successful (or at least â€Å"effective†) president. Indeed, there seems to be a multitude of different factors, not the least of which is the critical opposition he faced from the other side of the political aisle. In what

Discrimination Against Homosexuals in the Workplace Essay

Discrimination Against Homosexuals in the Workplace - Essay Example Outline The main argument of the paper concerns a mythic nature of federal acts, prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals in the workplace. On the one hand, the Acts of 1975 and 2000 are focused on homosexuals’ rights protection in the workplace, but in reality, a few companies have been acting in compliance with the principles propagated by these Acts. Moreover, a straight society is not ready to accept homosexuals to the fullest extent. Social norms, moral underpinnings and stereotypes have always caused a negative impact on homosexuals in different spheres of their activity. Introduction From the historical perspective, the world’s governments were not too much enthusiastic about hiring gays or lesbians. This group of people was restricted from their rights’ protection, the grounds for dismissal were also found in homosexuality and many other negative impacts were caused by homosexuality until 1975. After 1975 a gradual shift of legal policies protecting rights of homosexuals emerged. Further on this tendency was developed in the Acts of 2000 (Dipboye & Colella, 2005). Nevertheless, it is relevant for the government not only to introduce regulations against homosexuals’ discrimination in the workplace, but also implement them in practice. Legal aspects In 1975 the Sex Discrimination Act was approved. Nevertheless, there are many arguments concerning interpretation of this Act: â€Å"†¦the prohibition against discrimination on grounds of ‘sex’ does not include a prohibition against discrimination on grounds of ‘sexual orientation† (Estlund, 2003). Therefore, an intrusion in the sexual life of homosexuals has been practiced by the majority of the companies. A so-called lavender ceiling for homosexuals was invented in some companies. Courts have taken different paths in spite of adopted federal regulations: â€Å"Although the courts rejected immorality as grounds for dismissing gay employees, the ir deference to administrative expertise and administrators' reliance on a common sense standard meant that distaste for homosexuals bolstered national security concerns† (Estlund, 2003). Thus, it is necessary not only to implement Acts against discrimination in the workplace, not only â€Å"on the paper†, but also in practice. The government has to prevent discrimination against homosexuals in the workplace in accordance with the Directive on Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation (27 November 2000). By December 2003 these legal regulations had to be implemented to the fullest extent. Unfortunately, many homosexuals come across oppressing policies in their workplaces. The courts are not much concerned about sexual discrimination in the workplace. Very often legal regulations and rules are not efficient in practice. There is an interesting quotation concerning legal regulations on homosexuals’ discrimination in the workplace: â€Å"They [courts] treat disc rimination against women with small children as actionable sex discrimination, along with discrimination against aggressive women and effeminate men. Yet, for reasons not fully articulated, they refuse to treat discrimination against men in dresses as actionable† (Yuracko, 2003). It is evident that courts’ actions are full of inconsistencies. These decisions may at first look intricate and unprincipled. There is a need to propagate social policies directed on development of homogenized workplace. Employers’

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking The trafficking of human is a growing epidemic. It is linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. This is not an issue that is discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. It is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. Because freedom of choice and economic gain are at the heart of productivity, human trafficking impedes national and international economic growth. Within the next 10 years, crime experts expect human trafficking to surpass drug and arms trafficking in its incidence, cost to human well-being, and profitability to criminals (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). The emergence of world single market has provided many people around the world with increased prospects of improving their economic plight. Because of this organized crime groups have used this opportunity for personal gain by trafficking other humans. Although the crime of human trafficking is not a new phenomenon, a global single market has increased competition and has intensified the demand for cheaper goods and services worldwide. As a result the impact of globalization and with the possibility for increased profits, it is likely that human trafficking will continue to be a part of human existence. Therefore the United States must recognize any connections between human trafficking and terrorist groups, which are treat to the security of the nation. The issue of the trade or trafficking human beings is still not mainstream as one may think. Most of the publications on this subject have been found to be limited, and analysis of it has largely been based on research reports articles and some coverage by the media. Despite the scarcity and lack of substance of the scientific production in this area, I will try to identify the main parameters of this issue and suggest some areas in which future research is needed. To accomplish this, I am relying primarily on academic works (articles, peer-reviewed periodicals) and research reports and publications. Definition of Human Trafficking The United States is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subject to trafficking in persons. Human trafficking happens in the United States to both U.S. citizens (USCs) and noncitizens, and occurs in every state (Trends in Organized Crime 14, no. 2/3: 267-271). Human trafficking is one of the most pressing issues facing the United States Department of Justice today. It is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion, and resulting in involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery; or commercial sex act, through the use of force, fraud or coercion; or if the person is under 18 years of age, any commercial sex act, whether or not force, fraud or coercion is involved (Wheaton et al). Literature Review In order to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature associated with human trafficking I performed multiple searches of the literature using Google and EBSCOhost search engines. Most of which was done using the EBSCOhost search engine. My initial searches featured a wide array of directly related terms, including: human trafficking, international trafficking, domestic trafficking, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, child prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, labor trafficking, labor exploitation, minor and modern day slavery. Most of the research, particularly research published in peer-reviewed journals, was limited to qualitative and quantitative studies. Information on the needs of trafficking victims and the services provided to this population was limited to information contained in Federal reports, non-peer reviewed journals, manuals and fact sheets. Firstly, I will begin by focusing on the role that organized crime seems to be playing in the development of this phenomenon and the extent of its involvement. After which I will provide a brief overview of the legislation that exists to combat the trade in human beings and some other options to be explored. We will conclude by proposing some avenues for further research. Trafficking is big business, but in many regions of the world, such as Southeast Asia, trafficking involves mostly disorganized crime: individuals or small groups linked on an hoc basis. There is no standard profile of traffickers (Feingold, David). This provided a starting point from which the author shows how traffickers come from different social and economic backgrounds. The author then transition into how trafficking kingpins are rare. However, the author fail to give any evidence to dispute whether or not human-trafficking is controlled by large criminal organizations. As the article progresses, the author transition from describing the groups of individuals that are most likely involved in human trafficking to describing how legalizing prostitution will increase trafficking and prosecution will not likely stop traffickers. Despite the political energies expended on human trafficking, there is little evidence that prosecutions have any significant impact on the aggregate levels of trafficking (Feingold, David). In 2010 an article by Tony Illia, and Tom Ichniowski claimed that Arizonas Immigration Law Troubles State Contractors. Arizonas newly enacted immigration law, which was meant to stem human trafficking and drug-related border violence, could have long-term consequences for the states flagging construction industry, in which employment is down 20% from a year ago (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). The author went on to discuss the impact border violence as on innocent lives and how the new immigration law could affect the availability of labor. Just a week after Brewer signed the bill into law, five AK-47-toting, undocumented drug runners shot 53-year-old Pinal County Deputy Sheriff Louie Puroll during his routine patrol south of Casa Grande (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). In an attempt to clarify the issue of trafficking, Senate Bill 1070 and the impact it as on the flagging construction industry in Arizona, the authors state that contractors are concerned about the availability of future labor. The potential fallout includes legal trouble (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). Individuals who are targeted by traffickers are victims of a hideous crime. The supply in the market for human trafficking refers to labor provided by individuals trafficked for both labor and commercial exploitation (Wheaton et al). With this in mind, it seems entirely appropriate to consider the issue of human trafficking to be associated with worker migration. In order to put this into perspective, one should examine both the pressures exerted by social and economic policies in third world countries and the factors associated with the lure of wealthy countries and their demand for low skilled workers. Human traffickers participate in a monopolistically competitive market supplying a product in many forms. The price the trafficker will receive is based on availability of the desired product, characteristics of the product, the number of similar products available, and the negotiating acumen of the human trafficker (Wheaton et al). For many illegal immigrants the road to The American Dream usually leads form their home countries through Mexico and United States border. However, not all illegal immigrants are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. The act human trafficking also provides the opportunity for those wishing harm to the United States. Despite numerous international efforts to break up or stem the avenues used to traffic human, there are still a number of avenues available that potential terrorist can enter the United States undetected. Everyones talking about immigration and its not just Arizona. Although Arizonas Senate Bill 1070 drew attention this year for covering ground in how states tackle immigration, other states will take up the issue next year (Chavers, Mikel). Also of note, the author states that other states may seek to integrate measures that will help immigrants assimilate. Therefore, promote equal wages for all and prevent human trafficking. Although (Chavers, Mikel) address Arizonas new immigration bill, he failed to address what states like Missouri and Tennessee were going to with regards to immigration. Other scholarly articles reviewed concerning human-trafficking and the implications it as on national security focused relaxed laws but did not explain by these laws are not properly enforced. According to (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon) the United States is one of the top ten destinations for trafficked people annually but gave no explanation about what factors contributed to this fact. Conclusion Despite increased attention to the problem of human trafficking into, and most recently within, the United States, knowledge and understanding of the issue remains fairly limited. Very little is known about the prevalence of trafficking and the number of victims; characteristics of the victims and perpetrators; the long-term impacts of human trafficking on victims, their families, and communities; the effectiveness of anti-trafficking programs; and best practices in meeting the complex needs of victims. More specifically, there is little literature on effective programs and services designed specifically for victims of human trafficking. There is a vast amount of research to be done. However, I would like to suggest the following topics in order to gain a better understanding of the problem with respect to host countries. Firstly, there should be more research on other types of human trafficking other than in the sex trade. In addition to data on the types of trafficking, the research should cover existing measures to combat those abuses and to offer support to trafficked persons. Finally, there needs to be research on victims needs at the various stages of their experience, how does trafficking affect their moral judgment and behavior, as well as on the means for combating human trafficking. Methodology and Research Strategy Introduction Human is a growing epidemic. It has been linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. The issue of human trafficking is not discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. Human trafficking is used exploit victims for prostitution, sweatshop labor, domestic work, and agricultural work. It is a crime against men, women, and children, who are usually poor and uneducated. They are usually promised a better life and increased economic opportunities; traffickers normally lure their victims into exploitative agreements. Human trafficking is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. There are several causes for human trafficking, but the fundamental causes are the social and economic forces that function within a society. This leads to the question. What social and economic factors promote human trafficking and the implications on human trafficking on national security? Hypothesis There are numerous policies are in place that address human trafficking. But how is the public made aware of these policies, and how they are used remains questionable. Developed countries such as the United States have a much older population than that of the developing countries; this can lead to a shortage of younger workers who would tend to take up low skill jobs. The shortage of workers for low skill jobs suggests a potential demand for immigrant workers willing to take low skill jobs. Data and descriptive statistics The available data on trafficking is limited and unsatisfactory in many ways and I strongly encourage efforts to collect better data. To overcome some of the problems I used a mixed approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The method used is content analysis. In order to answer the proposed question two articles were examined, they are Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States, and Economics of Human Trafficking. Both articles were examined with the following independent and dependent variables in mind: Dependent Variable: Opportunity. Opportunity is the fostering of social, economic and political stability, and the reduction both of migration caused by poverty. Also there should be policies that would promote both economic development and social inclusion. Independent Variable 1: Poverty. By improving childrens access to educational and vocational opportunities and increasing the level of school attendance, enhancing job opportunities by facilitating business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises would decrease poverty. Independent Variable 2: Conflict Social Unrest. By promoting good governance and transparency in economic transactions and adopting or strengthening legislative, educational, social, and penal legislation. These factors would discourage the demand that fosters all forms of exploitation of persons that leads to trafficking. Findings and Analysis Introduction A content analysis of these publications shows that the root causes of human trafficking are the greed of criminals, economic pressures, political instability and transition, and social and cultural factors. Some traffickers are involved in other transnational crimes. Criminal groups choose human trafficking because it is high-profit and often low risk, and because human trafficking does not require large capital investment. Trafficking victims fall prey to this practice because they seek a better life and or enhanced economic opportunities. They are vulnerable to false promises of good jobs and higher wages. There are other factors such as political instability, civil unrest, internal armed conflict, and natural disasters result in an increase in trafficking. The destabilization and displacement of populations increase their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse through trafficking and forced labor. War and civil strife may lead to massive displacements of populations, leaving orphans and street children extremely vulnerable to trafficking. In some countries, social or cultural practices contribute to trafficking an example of this is the devaluation of women and girls. Some parents accept payment for their children, with the hope that the children will be escaping a situation of poverty and move to a place where there will be a better life and more opportunities. Risk Factors We know that poverty and vulnerability are powerful predictors of whether a person will be trafficked. We know that governmental corruption plays an important role as well. The lack of employment opportunity pushes the vulnerable across borders and into the chance being controlled by traffickers. Decreasing the incidence of human trafficking requires collaboration across professional fields to discover and handle limited agency (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). In recognition of this problem the United Nations General Assembly has promulgated a Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (2000), which includes a specific protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. One of the key aims of the Convention and the Protocol is to standardize terminology, laws, and practices (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Poverty, social unrest, government corruption, population pressure, and the perception of opportunity are determining factors of human trafficking. Many of these factors are related. If a country has a young population profile, there can be intense competition for employment and a concomitant lack of perceived opportunity. An individual or household can determine how much labor to provide based on compensation offered for the hours of labor (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Figure1. Framework for human trafficking Combating Human Trafficking Human trafficking prevention initiatives often involve poverty alleviation programs and awareness. This often times accomplished by establishing what the key drivers of human trafficking are. They may include household income or lack of understanding about trafficking and migration. Research also links poverty, lack of education, and limited understanding about the risk associated with human trafficking .The impact of programs aiming at preventing and or reducing human trafficking has been low and challenging to measure. Despite the attempts to educate those at risk, still, thousands are trafficked every year. It is more complicated in many than simply poverty and lack of knowledge. There is a clear need for the effective of poverty alleviation, awareness, and alternative livelihoods. While it is critical for the US to increase anti-trafficking efforts in regards to trafficking for the purpose of forced labor, trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation still remain s a concern (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Despite the political efforts on human trafficking, there is little that prosecutions have any significant impact on the levels of human trafficking in the United States. Even with a well-trained law enforcement and judicial system few individuals were given T visa (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). There needs to be policies in place that support limiting immigration without increasing trafficking by forcing many desperate people to smugglers. If people can cross borders to pursue opportunity relatively freely, I would suggest that it is difficult for traffickers to trick or coerce people into being trafficked. It is important to remember that criminals are inventive and opportunistic. They operate in a context of extreme and violent competition. Their conditions of work are dynamic and liable to dramatic and abrupt change. For all these reasons criminals are good at adapting to new situations and new technologies. As new forms of communication, new methods of transportation and new ways of controlling and exploiting people emerge; traffickers will rapidly take them up and subvert them to criminal uses. The challenge to all who would address trafficking in persons is to be prepared for such adaptations, both through applicable law and creative enforcement, and through well-grounded, rigorous research. Many United States citizens are removed from the issue of human trafficking because they view it as an underground industry whose victims are primarily immigrants (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Conclusion Human trafficking affects more the individual been trafficked. Resources such as jobs for legal migrant workers and public facilities may be used by the illegals, thus displacing resources for legal residents. Poverty is shown to be significant factor that contributes to human trafficking. Some of the most obvious strategies for slowing human trafficking are the following factors: Reduce governmental corruption. Population control measures, especially poverty reduction Increasing educational opportunities Tackling inequalities in wealth Promote subsistence and social guarantees. Conclusion The challenges associated with combating human trafficking and protecting victims are overwhelming. It requires multidimensional approach to address the issue of human trafficking. It should include not only legislative initiatives and crime prevention, but also job training, rights protection, and development initiatives. Effective strategies should be comprehensive and provide for collaboration among governments, and affected communities. Services provided through partnerships, and ongoing outreach and education will produce an effective response to the needs of victims. Working with different groups of trafficking victims represent an untapped wealth of practical knowledge and expertise on how to develop appropriate assistance and treatment programs that victims of human trafficking need.

The Nature of Time and Change in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Es

The Nature of Time and Change in William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily In "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner's use of language foreshadows and builds up to the climax of the story. His choice of words is descriptive, tying resoundingly into the theme through which Miss Emily Grierson threads, herself emblematic of the effects of time and the nature of the old and the new. Appropriately, the story begins with death, flashes back to the near distant past and leads on to the demise of a woman and the traditions of the past she personifies. Faulkner has carefully crafted a multi-layered masterpiece, and he uses language, characterization, and chronology to move it along, a sober commentary flowing beneath on the nature of time, change, and chance-as well as a psychological narrative on the static nature of memory. Faulker begins his tale at the end: after learning of Miss Emily's death, we catch a glimpse of her dwelling, itself a reflection of its late owner. The house lifts "its stubborn and coquettish decay" above new traditions just as its spinster is seen to do, "an eyesore among eyesores" (Faulkner, 666). The narrative voice suggests the gossipy nature of a Southern town where everyone knows everyone else, and nosy neighbors speculate about the affairs of Miss Emily, noting her often antiquated ways and her early retirement. In fact, it appears as if the town itself is describing the events of Miss Emily's life, the first-person plural "we" a telling indication. The first explicit example of this occurrence takes place during the flashback in the second section, when, in speaking of her sweetheart, the narrator parenthetically adds "the one we believed would marry her" (667). In the opening characterization, many de... ...hich no winter ever quite touches, divided from them now by the narrow bottle-neck of the most recent decade of years" (672). This description would seem to explain the static nature of an unchanging Miss Emily-"the carven torso of the idol in a niche" (671)-the tableau vivant framed by the "back-flung front door" (668) through which the secret might be unlocked-and the unchanging nature of the manservant. It would seem Faulkner has woven a multifaceted tapestry with its warp and woof firmly anchored to universal-and therefore timeless-truth, while his historical particulars form the aesthetic shag bedecking its surface: the changeless world of being beneath, the straining world of becoming above. Works Cited: Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." Literature: The Human Experience. 8th ed. Ed. Richard Abcarian and Marvin Klotz. Boston: Bedford, 2002. 666-672.

Customer Satisfaction Essay

Introduction The need to measure customer satisfaction is essential for any organization. PART understands the importance of building and effectively managing the relationship with riders. To do so it needs to understand and meet rider expectations. It is imperative to identify the parameters which cause customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction and continuously measure them to bring about the changes needed on the basis of customer perceptions. Objectives The Primary objective of the Customer Satisfaction Survey is to determine satisfaction levels of PART Express riders. Secondary objectives are to determine ridership demographics, price sensitivity, what marketing channel is best to target respondents, the level of satisfaction on specific PART attributes, and determine ways PART can improve services. Determining ridership demographics will aid PART in understanding its current customers, as well as identifying target markets. Understanding which marketing channel works best to gain riders will give PART an indication of where to focus strategic marketing efforts. Attribute levels will break down each element of the PART experience and allow respondents to rate each task, giving detailed information beneficial for improving customer satisfaction. Methodology PART targeted existing Express riders for the customer satisfaction survey. Surveys were distributed to all Express routes, PART’s email list, Facebook, Twitter, as well as posted on the homepage of the PART website; designated to capture a demographic mix of respondents. 530 completed surveys were received and analyzed. Respondents are estimated to be roughly 50% of ridership and constitute an adequate survey sample size. The survey consisted of 19 questions, formatted as open ended, 5 point Likert Scale, basic demographics, and numerical questions (Appendix A). Respondent Profile Based on the demographic information received on the survey, it has been concluded that 60.5% of respondents were female and 39.4% male (Figure 1). The prevalent age range, at 26.9% was 55-64 years old (Figure 1). 72.2% of the respondents answered full time for their employment status, 21.5% and chose $30,000$44,999 as their annual income (Figure 3). When asked â€Å"which best describes your race?† respondents answered 61.6% White, 31.3% Black, and 7.1% Other (Figure 2). Based on the open-ended question of â€Å"Where do you  work†, 418 determined the top 5 largest employers. Baptist Hospital was the largest with 93 responses, Wells Fargo, UNCG, and GTCC were second with 14 responses each, Forsyth Medical Center and BB&T were third with 10 responses, Forsyth Tech Community College was fourth with 8 responses, Moses Cone and Tyco both came in fifth with 7 responses (Figure 2). Findings When respondents were asked to â€Å"Rate your level of satisfaction with PART†, 92.4% responded Somewhat to Highly Satisfied. 4.5% were Neutral, 2.2% responded Dissatisfied and less than < 1% were Very Dissatisfied (Figure 3). When asked â€Å"How long have you used PART services?† 22.8% answered less than 6 months, 13.5% answered 6 months to 1 year, 32% answered 1 to 3 years, 23.3% answered 3 to 5 years, and 8.1% answered 5 years or more (Figure 4). 56.7% of the respondents stated that they rode PART every day (Figure 5). The Routes which showed highest were Surry Express with 32.8% ridership, Greensboro Express with 30% ridership and Winston-Salem Express with 28.3% ridership (Figure 6). To determine price sensitivity a few new questions about fares were added to the survey this year. When asked â€Å"If you drove to work each day, how much would it cost?† 29.6% of respondents answered $15.00-$30.00. This was calculated by multiplying the daily round trip miles by 51 cents. The average PART rider saves $5,850 per year by riding. (Avg. Cost $22.50 times 260 work days per year) Of the 530 respondents 77.7% responded that $2.40 One-Way/$74.50 31-Day Pass was a fair price to ride PART Express (Figure 9). Nearly half of the respondents felt that they received a good value for the cost of the service (Figure 10). An attribute table was used to measure the satisfaction level of PART Express riders from the following categories: customer service, professionalism, quality of transportation, understanding customers’ needs, bus operator performance, PART Hub staff performance, price, and convenience of transportation. These attributes seem to be going down in satisfaction rating since last year. (Figure 7). To help identify the best channel for reaching new PART Express riders, respondents were asked â€Å"Which PART marketing tools have you seen/heard?† TV Commercials surpassed all other channels with 63.7%, the Email Messages was second highest with 42.8%, and 35.6% of respondents heard about PART through Billboards (Figure 8). When asked â€Å"What is the best way to communicate with you?† respondents requested that Email Messages and Flyers inside the buses was the best way to reach them (Figure10). Recommendations PART will review survey responses and categorize results to distribute to appropriate departments for further examination. After reviewing survey responses, areas of improvement will be identified. With demographic information attained about PART Express riders, it is recommended that the results be used by the Marketing department to promote PART services to retain current riders, and to acquire potential riders. A demographic profile of the PART typical rider has been determined and should be used as a reference for marketing purposes, to determine the characteristics and interests of the majority of current PART Express Riders. Many route, schedule and service recommendations were suggested and will be reviewed. From these suggestions PART should determine if changes suggested, are necessary and need to be made to existing routes. Potential areas that are not currently served need to be examined to see if there is potential ridership available. The Customer Satisfaction Survey will be conducted once per year during the fourth quarter of the PART fiscal year. Results to this survey will be publicized on the PART website and in a press release to the media.

How has electricity changed the world we live Essays

How has electricity changed the world we live Essays How has electricity changed the world we live Paper How has electricity changed the world we live Paper This rise shows just how much obliged to electricity. But it doesnt stop there, that is because nowadays the computer is nothing without a fast Internet connection at all times. Fig. 4: A typical personal windows computer Almost every person who has a computer these days has access to a fixed broadband connection. And every person who has a computer has an Internet connection. This was also not something that you could have during the asses. In the whole world, only 0. 361 billion people had an Internet connection. And fixed broadband connection was something nobody had. Zero out of every 100 people had it. But even by 201 0 this had all changed. About 2 billion people had Internet connection in the whole world and about 10 people out of every 1 00 people had a fixed broadband connection. 5: A stereotypical image of the internet But how much Electricity consumption has changed since the 20005. The use of electronics has grown a lot since then and that has caused the consumption of electricity to be higher. In the asses the consumption of electricity right here in China had been only 1. 25 k/h. This number increased to a huge 4. 17 trillion k/h by the 2010. But not all oftenest world-changing powers of electricity have come to a very good ending. This is because some of these powers have had negative effects on the world too. Electricity is a dangerous thing if not used or dealt with properly. And this can be clearly known by the fact that in the U. K. There are more than 2. 5 million people who get electric shocks each year. And of these 2. 5 million plus people, there are approximately 350,000 people who receive serious shocks. Although electric shocks are the things we usually think about when we say electrical dangers, it isnt always so. There are actually many more ways electricity causes people to die rather than direct electric shocks. One of the main ways electricity causes indirect deaths is by fires. Electricity when not used the ways it is supposed to, can be extremely dangerous. This fact can be seen from this table: Fig. 6: Number of fires of electrical origin in the UK in 2007 It shows how many people have had fires due to electrical failures or accidents. There have been 267 deaths caused by fires and among that 49 of them are electricity based. There have been 9066 fire based injuries in the UK in 2007 ND among them 3477 are based on electricity. There have been a total of 43351 fires and among them 21424 are due to electricity. That shows that almost half of all fires in the UK in the year 2007 based on or due to electricity. People might say that these happened in 2007 they are not very recent. But a very recent statistics publication in Jan aura 201 2 by the US NAP, National Fire Protection Association, states that in the US during 2010, there have been a total of about 46500 fires that are based on electricity. And all these fires has resulted in 420 civilian deaths, 1 520 civilian injuries and an approximate f 1. Billion US dollar worth of direct property damage. Fig. 71 Fire But even with all of that much damage due to electricity, why should people not shut it down? I want you to imagine a day when suddenly all of the electricity on earth was sapped away by night. You would wake up and go turn the light on, but there would be no electricity so you no light except for sunlight. You would go into the bathroom in the dark and there would be no water, because the generator has no electricity to pump the water. And then you would want to watch the TV, but it wouldnt turn on since there was no electricity. And at last, when turning on your phone to call the management or turn on your computer to tell everyone about what happened, both of them wouldnt work because of zero percent battery. A life without electricity is unthinkable. We are obliged to electricity. We cant live without it. Without it our lives would be miserable and almost non-livable. This is why even after all the damage electricity does, its use is going up and up and becoming an even more important part of our lives. But of course that doesnt mean that no measures are being taken to make electrical appliances easier and safer to use. There are big differences between the safeness to use electricity in the asses and now. As more people use AC power sources and have fuses built into multi-plugs and other appliances, things are much safer and easier to use. The first thing that has made electricity much safer is the AC power supply. The AC power supply is very different from the direct power supply. The AC power supplies have electricity going both ways rather than just one way. Thus when you use an appliance with a high potential to give you a shock, the AC power supply would be much more safer than the direct power us apply. Fig. AC power cables The second thing that has made the use of appliances much safer is the fuse. It is a small device attached to different appliances that is auto triggered by a high amount of electric flow. The fuse is a very thin wire that can be replaced. It is made so as to break a connection in the circuit, thus cutting off power from the appliance it is being used in. There are fuses i n a lot of appliances nowadays than there was before. As the fuse ensures that even if an accident occurs, it doesnt turn into a tragedy, it does pack a huge punch in keeping electricity as safe as possible. 0: A typical fuse Electricity can be a dangerous thing when used improperly, but, it is something that is getting increasingly safer to use. And even that is not that main factor, the main factor is that there is no way we can live without it. Wherever you look you can see an appliance that is run or has been made by the help of electricity. Electricity has shaped our world in such a way that now it simply impossible for us to avoid it. There is no way that we could live as happily as we are now without electricity. The benefits of electricity outweigh the bad sides of it.

Free Essays on Sex Ed.

Should Sex Ed. Be Offered In Public Schools? â€Å" Should Sex Education be offered in Public Schools? † Sex can be traced back as far as Adam and Eve, the first two people on this planet. Today, all age groups encounter things associated with sex, but it is not a problem that concerns everyone. The problem that has been at hand for more than thirty years is should sex education classes be offered in Public Schools? (1.Teaching Fear; 1996) The reason such debate has arose over the years is because there are many diverse opinions about the topic. Children are now faced with problems at a much earlier age than years passed. There must be a way to reach the children before they are in such need of help and are clueless about the devastating problems around them. Sex education is one step in the right direction, when it comes to the health of our children, and the guarantee of a solid future. Although some people disagree with the idea of sex education classes, in the public school system, the majorities seem to favor it. On the other hand, some people agree with the idea of sex education, but feel like the problem lies more in the way that it is taught, rather than being totally against the idea. Those who are against sex education in class feel as though all the classes would do is create more problems. They are uncertain about the outcome, whether or not it would cause students to be more or less likely to engage in sexual activities and intercourse.( 2.Keen, Cathy. Florida Teens Get Inadequate Sex Education; 1999) The main concerns for most people, especially parents, are what can the students learn from the classes and how can they apply it to their lives. In some cases, people feel as though new methods of teaching the subject would bring better results, such as lower teenage pregnancies, a decline in sexually transmitted diseases, more responsible thinking, and maybe even lower the rate of sexual harassment and rape. Another qu... Free Essays on Sex Ed. Free Essays on Sex Ed. Should Sex Ed. Be Offered In Public Schools? â€Å" Should Sex Education be offered in Public Schools? † Sex can be traced back as far as Adam and Eve, the first two people on this planet. Today, all age groups encounter things associated with sex, but it is not a problem that concerns everyone. The problem that has been at hand for more than thirty years is should sex education classes be offered in Public Schools? (1.Teaching Fear; 1996) The reason such debate has arose over the years is because there are many diverse opinions about the topic. Children are now faced with problems at a much earlier age than years passed. There must be a way to reach the children before they are in such need of help and are clueless about the devastating problems around them. Sex education is one step in the right direction, when it comes to the health of our children, and the guarantee of a solid future. Although some people disagree with the idea of sex education classes, in the public school system, the majorities seem to favor it. On the other hand, some people agree with the idea of sex education, but feel like the problem lies more in the way that it is taught, rather than being totally against the idea. Those who are against sex education in class feel as though all the classes would do is create more problems. They are uncertain about the outcome, whether or not it would cause students to be more or less likely to engage in sexual activities and intercourse.( 2.Keen, Cathy. Florida Teens Get Inadequate Sex Education; 1999) The main concerns for most people, especially parents, are what can the students learn from the classes and how can they apply it to their lives. In some cases, people feel as though new methods of teaching the subject would bring better results, such as lower teenage pregnancies, a decline in sexually transmitted diseases, more responsible thinking, and maybe even lower the rate of sexual harassment and rape. Another qu...

Counselling Theory and Practice 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Counselling Theory and Practice 2 - Essay Example In practice, communication between the counsellor and the client enables the former to identify the issues presented by the later. This profession exposes the counsellor to client’s personal information. The details of some of this information may be emotional, but the counsellor should not let the emotions of the client carry him away. Perhaps this is the most challenging bit of this counselling profession. Maintaining one’s composure amid the tides of the client’s emotion is what distinguishes the professional counsellor and non-professional one. The principles of counselling practice border on a number of psychological theories because the profession attempts to solve the cognitive problems (Tudor, Keith, Valentine, & Worrall, 2004). In this essay, I will evaluate the recorded transcript with respect the client centred theory. The client centred perspective emphasise that the counsellor should maintain his or her composure while extracting information from the client (Tudor, Keith, Valentine, & Worrall, 2004). The essence of counselling is to establish and solve the problems of the client. The proponents of this view insist that counsellor should hide his expertise so that he or she can extract information from the client. People often share information depending on the relationship that exists between the parties involved. Concept of trust tends to affect the amount of information that one would share (Corey, 2012). In counselling practice, counsellors often strive to build a good relationship with the client so that the later may feel free to share personal information including secrets that haunt them. Obviously, individual’s past at times tends to affect the amount of information that one can share. Too many people that seek the services of the counsellors have spent their lives in environments that are

Safety Culture in Saudi Arabia Research Proposal

Safety Culture in Saudi Arabia - Research Proposal Example Hence safety culture is the establishment of a safe and secure environment on the national, organizational and individual level (Taylor, 2012). This paper aims to deal with the safety culture in Saudi Arabia i.e. how we can teach it to the general public and what is it importance. In order to conduct this research a sample population has been constructed including people from different professions. Cultural safety is defined as the continuous process of creating value within a community. It revolves around the concept of ensuring safe working environment through setting different priorities. Fundamentally it relates to the level each individual is ready to accept the personal responsibilities in order to act safely while leading other also into the secure surroundings. This extensively involves communicating the security measures either through teaching or public awareness. Moreover, learning from past mistakes and making a clear reflection on previous accidents also helps. It includes medical safety, social security, health concerns of employees and the various hazardous impacts of government operations (Roughton, 2002). Teaching the safety culture in Saudi Arabia is particularly important because the country is developing with an astonishing rate. People are becoming more and more aware of their international value while on the other hand it also has a significant rate of to urism. Additionally, the religious beliefs prevailing in the country cannot be neglected while formulating a safety teaching plan. This further relates to different Saudi customs and traditions. Hence the teachers must have to maintain an open mind in this regard so as to establish a safety culture across the country (Cherry, 2013). In order to device a safety teaching plan for Saudi Arabia it is important to first understand the brief history of the country while

New Labour as Thatcherism with a Human Face Essay

New Labour as Thatcherism with a Human Face - Essay Example The move was said partly elicit greater support from the middle class and to support more liberal market policies, afford greater access to welfare and government services and to increase leverage for workers' rights and compensation equity initiatives not by prescribed or direct political intervention but through free market frameworks (Webber, 2009). Evaluation and Analysis There are key differences that have to be recognized by the two sets of policies. To achieve her political objectives, Hill points out that Thatcher essentially had to centralize power. In contrast, New Labour policies revived local governance and accountability including the restoration of the Greater London Authority. Both sought to address bureaucratic issues that were deemed as a deterrent to the effectiveness of governance (Talshir, 2005). Both sets of policies migrated away from the traditional politics of both of their respective parties to adapt approaches most associated more commonly with other political parties (Needham and Nou, 2005). Thatcher adapted liberal policies in contrast with her conservative background and Blair adapted free market policies that diverged from the socialist roots of the Labour party. The most often referred to contrast of the two policies has been in their policies on welfare (Hill, 2001). The Thatcher administration reduced welfare allocations a nd place more stringent criteria to its access. On the other hand, the Blair administration increased welfare funding and expanded services and coverage (Howard, 2004). Comparing the two policies their main similarities lies in their espousing free market principles: both Thatcher and Blair emphasized the need for market driven economies... Both sought to address bureaucratic issues that were deemed as a deterrent to the effectiveness of governance (Talshir, 2005). Both sets of policies migrated away from the traditional politics of both of their respective parties to adapt approaches most associated more commonly with other political parties (Needham   and Nou, 2005). Thatcher adapted liberal policies in contrast with her conservative background and Blair adapted free market policies that diverged from the socialist roots of the Labour party. The most often referred to contrast of the two policies has been in their policies on welfare (Hill, 2001). The Thatcher administration reduced welfare allocations and place more stringent criteria to its access. On the other hand, the Blair administration increased welfare funding and expanded services and coverage (Howard, 2004). Comparing the two policies their main similarities lies in their espousing free market principles: both Thatcher and Blair emphasized the need for ma rket driven economies that encourage productivity and efficiency.   Areas that they had contrasting policies, such as in their perspectives regarding welfare states, had similar consequences (Hills, 1998). Thatcher’s reduction of the welfare state emphasized the need to diminish the dependence on welfare state programs and reserved services to the most socially disadvantaged to reduce cost. In the case of New Labour policies on the same issue, though there was an increase of access pre-Thatcher reforms (Brown,   2004).

Meaning of Education Essay Example for Free

Meaning of Education Essay Recently, a university professor wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. He commented that people shouldnt put too much weight on the recently released trends in SRA scores of the states high school students. The professor went on to describe some of the unanswered questions about the nature and value of assessment. He mentioned that one of the problems with assessment was the ongoing disagreement on the very purpose of education. A few days later, a scathing response was printed from a community member who questioned whether the University really wanted someone on their staff who didnt even know the purpose of education. Clearly, this person assumed that his definition of education was shared by all. What is the meaning of education? Webster defines education as the process of educating or teaching (now thats really useful, isnt it? ) Educate is further defined as to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of Thus, from these definitions, we might assume that the purpose of education is to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of students. Unfortunately, this definition offers little unless we further define words such as develop, knowledge, and character. What is meant by knowledge? Is it a body of information that exists out there—apart from the human thought processes that developed it? If we look at the standards and benchmarks that have been developed by many states—or at E. D. Hirschs list of information needed for Cultural Literacy (1), we might assume this to be the definition of knowledge. However, there is considerable research leading others to believe that knowledge arises in the mind of an individual when that person interacts with an idea or experience. This is hardly a new argument. In ancient Greece, Socrates argued that education was about drawing out what was already within the student. (As many of you know, the word education comes from the Latin e-ducere meaning to lead out. ) At the same time, the Sophists, a group of itinerant teachers, promised to give students the necessary knowledge and skills to gain positions with the city-state. There is a dangerous tendency to assume that when people use the same words, they perceive a situation in the same way. This is rarely the case. Once one gets beyond a dictionary definition—a meaning that is often of little practical value—the meaning we assign to a word is a belief, not an absolute fact. Here are a couple of examples. â€Å"The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together. † ~Eric Hoffer â€Å"No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure. † ~Emma Goldman â€Å"The only purpose of education is to teach a student how to live his life-by developing his mind and equipping him to deal with reality. The training he needs is theoretical, i. e. , conceptual. He has to be taught to think, to understand, to integrate, to prove. He has to be taught the essentials of the knowledge discovered in the past-and he has to be equipped to acquire further knowledge by his own effort. † ~Ayn Rand â€Å"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think—rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men. † ~Bill Beattie â€Å"The one real object of education is to leave a man in the condition of continually asking questions. † ~Bishop Creighton â€Å"The central job of schools is to maximize the capacity of each student. † ~Carol Ann Tomlinson These quotations demonstrate the diversity of beliefs about the purpose of education. How would you complete the statement, The purpose of education is ? If you ask five of your fellow teachers to complete that sentence, it is likely that youll have five different statements. Some will place the focus on knowledge, some on the teacher, and others on the student. Yet peoples beliefs in the purpose of education lie at the heart of their teaching behaviors. Despite what the letter writer might have wished, there is no definition of education that is agreed upon by all, or even most, educators. The meanings they attach to the word are complex beliefs arising from their own values and experiences. To the extent that those beliefs differ, the experience of students in todays classrooms can never be the same. Worse, many educators have never been asked to state their beliefs—or even to reflect on what they believe. At the very least, teachers owe it to their students to bring their definitions into consciousness and examine them for validity. Purposes and Functions. To make matters more complicated, theorists have made a distinction between the purpose of education and the functions of education. (2) A purpose is the fundamental goal of the process—an end to be achieved. Functions are other outcomes that may occur as a natural result of the process— byproducts or consequences of schooling. For example, some teachers believe that the transmission of knowledge is the primary purpose of education, while the transfer of knowledge from school to the real world is something that happens naturally as a consequence of possessing that knowledge—a function of education. Because a purpose is an expressed goal, more effort is put into attaining it. Functions are assumed to occur without directed effort. For this reason its valuable to figure out which outcomes you consider a fundamental purpose of education. Which of the following do you actually include in your planning? Acquisition of information about the past and present: includes traditional disciplines such as literature, history, science, mathematics Formation of healthy social and/or formal relationships among and between students, teachers, others Capacity/ability to evaluate information and to predict future outcomes (decision-making) Capacity/ability to seek out alternative solutions and evaluate them (problem solving) Development of mental and physical skills: motor, thinking, communication, social, aesthetic Knowledge of moral practices and ethical standards acceptable by society/culture Capacity/ability to recognize and evaluate different points of view Respect: giving and receiving recognition as human beings Indoctrination into the culture Capacity/ability to live a fulfilling life Capacity/ability to earn a living: career education Sense of well-being: mental and physical health. Capacity/ability to be a good citizen Capacity/ability to think creatively Cultural appreciation: art, music, humanities Understanding of human relations and motivations Acquisition/clarification of values related to the physical environment Acquisition/clarification of personal values Self-realization/self-reflection: awareness of one’s abilities and goals Self-esteem/self-efficacy As Tom Peters reminds us, What gets measured, gets done. Regardless of the high sounding rhetoric about the development of the total child, it is the content of assessments that largely drives education. How is the capacity/ability to think creatively assessed in todays schools? To what extent is the typical student recognized and given respect? How often are students given the opportunity to recognize and evaluate different points of view when multiple choice tests require a single correct answer? Teachers who hold a more humanistic view of the purpose of education often experience stress because the meaning they assign to education differs greatly from the meaning assigned by society or their institution. It is clear in listening to the language of education that its primary focus is on knowledge and teaching rather than on the learner. Students are expected to conform to schools rather than schools serving the needs of students. Stopping to identify and agree upon a fundamental purpose or purposes of education is rare. One sees nebulous statements in school mission statements, but they are often of the â€Å"Mom, baseball, and apple pie† variety that offer little substance on which to build a school culture. Creating meaningful and lasting change in education is unlikely without revisiting this basic definition. At the very least, educators must be challenged to identify and reexamine their beliefs in the light of present knowledge. It is time for the focus of education to shift from whats out there—the curriculum, assessments, classroom arrangement, books, computers—to the fundamental assumptions about and definitions of education held by educators and policymakers. NASA did not send men to the moon by building on the chassis of a model T. In the same way, education cannot hope to move beyond its present state on the chassis of 18th century education.

Comparing Huck Finn and Colden Haufield in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain :: essays research papers

Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Huck and Holden go through a series of events from which they are able to learn and grow from. They are able to develop opinions that they did not hold at the beginning of the novels but that they have formed from their travels, and both Huck and Holden are changed by the end of each novel. Although both Huck and Holden’s growth is addressed in the endings, both novels fail to provide a definite future for them. During their journeys, the reader wonders what is going to happen to Huck and Holden once this series of adventures is over and what their outlooks are. The reader is left uncertain of their future when different paths are presented from which the characters have to choose.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Huck Finn and Catcher in the Rye, the authors bring the main characters back to where they begun which makes their growth from their journeys more evident. At the end of Huck Finn, Aunt Sally is planning to ‘sivilize’ Huck, but Huck has already been ‘sivilized’ once and from his journey down the Mississippi he has viewed the ways of society and has rejected them. At the beginning of the novel, Huck holds conflicting beliefs and is not sure whether he should follow society and its rules. By the end, he has decided from his travels that he has to form his own opinions and make his own decisions because society is not all that many believe it to be. In Catcher in the Rye, Holden holds a cynical view of society and the people in it, but in the end, Holden acknowledges his cynical view by revealing that he is under the care of a psychoanalyst and then says, â€Å"Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybo dy† (Catcher 214). Holden has begun to accept the people in society that he criticized throughout the novel and accepted the fact that he cannot protect children from entering the adult world. This shows that from the various incidents in his travels through New York, he has grown and begun to develop a new view on society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While the changes made by Holden and Huck are apparent in the conclusion of their stories, their futures are left uncertain. At the end of Huck Finn, Aunt Sally plans to ‘sivilize’ Huck while Huck plans to head west.

Video Game Propaganda :: Entertainment Advertising Papers

Video Game Propaganda Propaganda is hidden in our literature, spews from our radios, and is even inside our televisions. Propaganda, information or material spread to advance a cause or to damage an opponent's cause in such a way as to hide negative aspects, surrounds us all in every aspect of our lives. It is unavoidable and now it is gaining ground in yet another technology. Throughout the years technology has always been used to wield propaganda. Even canvas paintings have had their hand in such a form of information with depictions of current events that resemble the style of some of today's political cartoons. The printing press provided the ability to mass produce pamphlets supporting or putting down a cause. Thomas Paine's Common Sense comes to mind when one thinks of propaganda pamphlets because of its large impact it had on informing the thirteen colonies of the importance of the American Revolution. The radio not only allowed a message to be able to reach a wider audience in a shorter amount of time, but messages could even reach those who were illiterate. The television and movies reach a wider audience still and a visual style becomes very important to propaganda and helps immerse the viewer into the information. More recently propaganda has been wielded through computer technology. Web sites for the respective governments and factions of the U.S. military are all over the World Wide Web. Banner ads (essentially mini posters that are sometimes animated) appear on various web sites that are chosen in much the same way that companies choose which television shows to buy advertisement time during. In all occasions of propaganda infiltrating the newest technologies the purpose is always to reach the audience the propaganda is directed towards and that is certainly no exception with propaganda's recent involvement with video game technology. Video game propaganda is just as effective as past incarnations of propaganda if not more so because of its immersive nature. The US Government's History with Video Game Technology In the late 1970s a video games started their long relationship with the U.S. military. An arcade game entitled "Mech War" was introduced into an Army War College. This was the first of quite a few games introduced into colleges to be used as skill-enhancers. The military recognized the ability of video games to hone reflexes and hand-eye coordination. In the 1980s the U.S. Army modified "Battlezone," a futuristic 3D tank battle game that actually introduced the idea of a first person shooter.

“My Bondage and My Freedom”

My Bondage and My Freedom is Frederick Douglass’ second autobiography, written in 1855.   It is important to remember that this work was written before Abraham Lincoln was elected President and before the Civil War. Slavery was becoming a volatile issue in the South and was threatening to split our young nation in two.   Additionally, it is important to remember that while slavery had some supporters in other sections of the nation, it was mainly a Southern issue. This is where the slaves were bought and sold and this is where the plantations depended so heavily on slave labor to be able to produce a product that was then sold and reaped great profits.   White American’s attitude differed depending on where they lived and how close they were to the issue; for the purpose of this paper the focus will be on attitudes in the South. In 1790 all white persons were granted citizenship in the United States.   This indicates how most white people felt about African Americans.   They were seen as, at best, a lower class and, at worst, no better than the animals that helped around the farm; the cows and the horses.   However, in some small towns slaves became part of the family and the family worked alongside their slaves to ensure survival.   This, unfortunately, was not Douglass’ experience.   Douglass writes, â€Å"After the valuation, then came the division.   This was an hour of high excitement and distressing anxiety.   Our destiny was now to be fixed for life, and we had no more voice in the decision of the question, than the oxen and cows that stood chewing at the haymow.† (138) Choices afforded to slaves were few and far between.   They were told where they would work, live, and be.   If they were lucky, they worked in a home where it was warm and relatively comfortable.   If they were unlucky or rebellious they were sent to slave breakers who were considered professionals at breaking the will of slaves who constantly ran or disobeyed their owners.   Douglass writes of his experience with one such man whom he calls Mr. Covey.   â€Å"I was a victim of his violence and brutality.   Such a narration would fill a My Bondage and My Freedom   volume much larger than the present one.   I aim only to give the reader a truthful impression of my slave life, without unnecessarily affecting him with harrowing details.† (170)   As any reader could see, slaves really had no choices.   Little more, yet enough more to make it appealing, were afforded free African Americans in America.   Douglass writes of the isolation of being a free slave, â€Å"For a time, every door seemed closed against me.   A sense of my loneliness and helplessness crept over me, and covered me with something bordering on despair.   In the midst of thousands of my fellowmen, and yet a perfect stranger!† (253) In his life Douglass chose not to give into the helplessness or despair that he writes of.   He chose to speak out and found himself at home with the abolitionist cause.   Douglass was an eloquent orator who constantly strove to bring his people into a different light.   One of his main objectives was to, â€Å"Chang(e) the estimation in which the colored people of the United States were held.† (xxiii)   He would do this through educating himself, through the speeches he gave, through the books he published and through newspapers like the North Star.   It seems he chose to educate rather than violate. The ramification of Douglass’ life and his choices were felt far and wide.   From the early beginnings of the abolitionist movement to the passing of the Fifteenth Amendment, to the eventual de-segregation of schools in the 1950’s, early pioneers of the anti-slavery movement set the wheels in motion for later events. Douglass closes his book by saying, â€Å"I shall labor in the future, as I have labored in the past, to promote the moral, social, religious, and intellectual elevation of the free colored people; never forgetting my own humble origin, nor refusing, while Heaven lends me ability, to use my voice, my pen, or my vote, to advocate the great and primary work of the universal and unconditional emancipation of my entire race.† (300)   His work and his words still continue today.