Monday, September 30, 2019
Effect of Political and Economic Environment in the UK on Toyota Essay
After the oil shock in 1979 the European Automobile had to restructure as a result if car sales drop. This fall in car sales continued until late 1980’s. At the moment the demand for cars is precariously balanced. The Market is now facing challenges concerning quality and technological changes with Japanese and USA producers having transplants in the UK. Europe is the largest producer of automobiles in the world. Production is declining. â€Å"According to record, 13.7 million units were being produced in 1989 compared with 7.8 million for North America and 9 million for Japan†. (Global competition and the European Automobile Industry. Pg 3). The UK automobile was expected to rise by the year 2000 by then the market would be owned by the Japanese, UK and European producers. The first company to set automobile in UK form outside was the US Ford and later others like General Motors, BMW, Honda, later Nissan and Toyota joined. The UK has a global quality improvement initiative controlled by society of motor Manufacturers and traders industry forum. Currently UK has over 1000 automotive suppliers with manufacturing firm based in the UK. How Economic and Political Environment are Affecting Toyota            Generally, UK based vehicle manufactures are recording losses. This included companies with high productivity records. The economic conditions tend not to favor the vehicle market. This is due to production of cars at cheaper prices in other sectors of the globe. Toyota is not an exception.            The political environment of UK does not favor manufacturing plants much. This is evident through the ease at which employment law makes it easier to close manufacturing firms. In cases where any manufacturing plant fails to adhere to the government regulations and the UK British act, it can easily be terminated by law. Majority of UK suppliers are lacking some of the short principles of management like good customer focus, and shortage of skills. Considering that UK has had a good history of quality cars. The market is almost exploited; customers have seen almost variety of unique cars in the Market. The economy of UK is stable relative to other economies. Hence, company’s wishing to invest in UK find it expensive to hire labor in UK. As a result, their profits are limited due to high expenses on payment of labor. The increased cost of energy in the UK’s economy to be specific is another economic factor, though this change is being felt all over the globe. This is affecting Toyota as a company negatively since most of its production requires energy. Swot Analyzes Strengths Burnaston has made Toyota UK evaluate its first strength through Toyota’s corporate finance strategy. (Kerretsu). This is a major strength for Toyota considering that burnaston fits into Toyota’s long term global strategy. Toyota also enjoys government support through seminars and automotive academy like the one launched in 2004 to enhance skill training for the industry. This is helping Toyota to market itself and gain more knowledge on automotive industry. Toyota UK, also has a diversified capital base considering that the company is international and its sales are doing well in other countries. incase of a fall in the market price and demand for cars in Toyota UK, the company cannot collapse because of liquidity problems as it can be funded by its branches in other parts of the world. Weakness            Toyota UK is positioned in country with high quality products and variety. This reduces the sales level relative to other countries where the company enjoys monopoly or less competition. Heavy taxes are also affecting the company. The fact that Toyota is foreign company in UK; makes it more tax worth than UK based Companies. Toyota UK management feels that the UK that used to once be an attractive place to invest has been changed by the on going economic and legislative climate. The strength of starling pound is also affecting Toyota’s investment in the UK in relation to the weakness of Euro. Toyota is currently seeking an exchange rate solution in order to trade in UK and survive the market with minimal profits. With the introduction of work place parking levies, Toyota doubts whether the charges will impact the behavior of car users something that would affect the company’s sales. A shortage of trained engineers in the UK is another constraint facing Toyota UK. Toyota is reported to have experienced critical shortages in training new personnel in the information systems department. (Memorandum submitted by Toyota motor Europe, July 2000) Opportunities            Toyota UK has the chance of acquiring labor from Japan at a better cost in case the UK economy and labor market is exploited. This gives the opportunity to maximize its sales too.            Expansion is still available for the company. Despite the fact that the country has many manufacturing companies that have specialized in automotives, it’s also possible for the company to expand in UK since the company has its own unique brands. In addition, the company can list in the (UK) foreign stock exchange hence engaging in offshore.            The fact that UK is historically known for its high level of production o of vehicles, as far as quality is concerned is in advantage. This is because Toyota UK can learn more techniques or production and improve on the quality of products that it had been producing. Toyota can also produce in bulk. This is because the UK is a bigger Market and much as competition is there, one cannot rule out the population factor. The UK population is big and the ratio of people to companies selling vehicles is still low enabling Toyota to Operate. Threats            Competition is the major threat facing Toyota UK.  With the large number of companies in UK and all producing quality cars, the company can easily be thrown out of market or forced to sell at low prices in order to fit the market.            Economic dynamics are also major threats in the production process of Toyota UK because the poor performance of the economy dictates that the cost of production might be high and selling price might be low.            The U.K’s current fuel crisis is also a possible threat to Toyota UK. If the market price for fuel goes very high, then the demand for vehicles also go down because people will not be willing to buy vehicles if fueling is very expensive. (Marketing Teacher 2000). PEST ANALYSIS            The UK political set up has history of non-violence and generally friendly to foreigners. The government policies that regulate taxation and monitoring businesses in UK are however, strict. This does not restrict companies willing to do business though, because the rates are fixed. The government’s policy on the economy in relation to automobile is rather positive since the government offers support to encourage innovation. On basis of religion and culture the UK people are a collection of different denominations that rarely affect investment policy. The governments involvement in trading agreements is however an added advantage for Toyota UK, because they are assured of validity of their license. Economic Factors The UK raised his interest rates to 5.75% this year. With a rise in interest rates, Toyota UK is affected negatively as it can not be banking its money in Japan. As long as the interest rates are high, this means that the bank charges will be high, reducing the profits that a company can make. UK’s monetary policy committee (MPC) warned inflation is still on aid and remains a danger to the entire economy. (BBC News. 24) Some analysts have gone further to determine that this rate of inflation might rise further. This is bad news for Toyota as the sales of the company will have a less value than approximated.            As a result, expansion is limited as the purchasing power is reduced. The good news about the economy of UK is the fact that the country’s GDP is relatively high and per capita income is high enough these two combinations encourage liquidity among the citizens which realizes sales for Toyota.            Socio-cultural factors. UK’s reception of foreign products is positive. People do not discriminate instead they observe quality. Majority of dwellers of the land are English speaking hence communication between Toyotas’ salesmen and the citizens is easy. The ability to socialize by the inhabitants and minimal discrimination facilitates marketing. The older generation of UK has accumulated wealth thus Toyota has a wide client base. Technological factors.            It would be a lie to argue that technology allows for products to be made more cheaply in the UK than Japan. However technology allows for production of quality automobiles in UK. This helps Toyota to produce quality and leave room for innovation. For instance Ford Company and BMW have products that are better than Toyotas, depending on class of the customers who is buying. Integration of sale of automobiles and insurance company is another technological advantage. This allows company’s selling automobiles to be able to connect their clients with insurance companies. (Alan Capman1995-2005) PORTER’S FIVE FORCES Threat of substitute products            Toyotas products have a couple of other products similar to them. This makes the company’s products to have high elasticity of demand. Buyers have high propensity to substitute. This puts Toyota at the bargaining edge through pushing the company to keep modifying its products in order to be competitive. Toyota has to keep revising its prices too. Again this is a disadvantage because probably the cost of production was higher than the prevailing market price. Despite of the high elasticity of demand the switching costs of products is still high, making consumers to stick by one product, this adds to Toyotas advantage. The level of product differentiation is another major threat of substitute products. Toyota has an added advantage over this issue since it has different products and can offer customized products too.            Threat of the entry of new competitors. Unless the entry of new firms is blocked, Toyota is exposed to the perfect competition. However Toyota has taken care of this risk through economies of product differentiation and brand equity. The absolute cost advantages are among other ways that Toyota has established its market. The intensity of competitive rivalry. This is the major or determinant of industry competitiveness. Toyota is facing both marketing and innovation competition. The number of competitors is increasing following the governments opening of investors willing to invest. Not forgetting companies like Ford Operations. Toyota has high levels of advertising expertise internationally.            Bargaining power of customers. This is the customers’ ability to pressure the firm to reduce its prices. The number of buyers’ volume. In UK though buyers are many, options regarding which company to buy from are also many making buyers to have a bigger influence on bargain than Toyota. Not forgetting the availability of information which has been made possible by internet and the UK media.            Bargaining power of suppliers. Toyota UK requires labor, components and other factors. Suppliers can influence the market by raising the cost of raw materials to enjoy the industries’ profit too. However, Toyota UK has suppliers who are competing against themselves too hence making supply price low due to availability of commodities at ease. For example, the tire industry. (Morison .J 2006) Conclusion            Toyota Company UK has established itself despite the competitive environment due to diversified portfolio where the company sells other products like, used trunks, car bodies, primary NAICS and insurance linking’s.            Recently Toyota was confirmed as be best performing automobile company in the UK. Media tenor UK’s leading media on opinion reported during the 7.5 international Auto salons in Genf. Media tenor, realized a pessimistic trend for the future of the car industry in UK.            Toyota has been rated the best performer, as other companies report losses and closing down some of their joints. Overall, Toyota has been able to extend its products to cooperate. Among BMW, DC, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford in UK, Toyota has the best performance so far. Reference http://europa.eu Marketing Teacher. (2000). Swot analysis lesson- www.marketingteacher.com Media tenor International Newsletters (2005-03-08). -Toyota outshines competitors again in UK. www.mediatenor.com Alan Capman (1995-2005) Pest Market analysis tool www.businesshalls.com Morison .J (2006) International business environment global and local market place in a changing world. Palgrase Macmillan.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Leardership In A Global Environment Writing
A boundaries organization is an association where management has largely succeeded in breaking down barriers between internal levels, job functions and departments, as well as reducing external barriers between the association and those with whom it does business. Developing a business into a boundaries organization might include creating a more horizontal management structure, encouraging interdepartmental projects, and empowering staff members. A complete boundaries organization would be somewhat hard to achieve in my current organization but am sure it can be done.Within my current organization there are different levels because different jobs require different levels of educational backgrounds. Breaking down the job description walls is one step in creating a boundaries organization. For example, in order for a business safety coordinator to be able to perform verification on a clinical trial case they would need to have a life science degree in order to use their medical judgmen t to access causality per our standard of operating procedures. However, a business safety coordinator is able to perform verification on a post marketing case.The explanation that IS given for this is because causality is not accessed for post marketing cases. Accessing causality on clinical trial cases is legally required by the Federal Drug Administration, European Medical Authority and most other Healthcare Authorities for all serious adverse events for expedited reporting. If a business safety coordinator is required to participate in all trainings provided by the organization regardless of whether or not they are actually performing that duty on could assume that a training could be reared to teach them how to access causality in order to verify clinical cases as well.Since they are required to participate in all of these trainings actually being able to perform these functions regardless of educational background it will definitely help with creating a boundaries organization Safety Data Specialists are able to assist the business safety coordinators with data entry only when we are short-handed. The managers only assist the safety data specialists with verification and medical evaluation when they are short- handed.I believe that another barrier that needs to be broken is if everyone assisted with all of the work on a regular basis instead of having specific job functions. We are also divided by country which is another barrier. One department really does not know how the other office locations work or the rules in which they are governed. One idea I have is if We all are forced to handle everything regardless of the location. This way we will learn the rules and regulations of other countries. This will also force more uniformity across the company as a whole.At this point currently everyone handles everything differently. This process will be able allow the company to take the best practices from each office location and apply them to one universal w orkflow. It is definitely still important for our organization to have structure. It provides direction to all employees by laying out the official reporting relationships that manage the workflow of the company. A formal outline of a company's structure makes it easier to add new positions in the company, as well, providing a flexible and ready means for growth.Without a formal organizational structure, employees may find it difficult to know who they officially report to in different situations, and it may become unclear exactly who has the final responsibility for what. Organ conditional structure improves operational efficiency by providing clarity to employees at all levels of a company. So even though the one of the ideas I had was to have the managers assist with verification as well as medical evaluations, it is also important for them to maintain responsibility of overseeing any workflow changes as well as hiring and firing employees as well as evaluations and there manager ial duties.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Two-Career Family versus One-Career Family Essay
Two-Career Family versus One-Career Family - Essay Example Men are more familiar with the official work, but when they have to manage the household duties they find it really difficult to manage both at the same time, simply because they have to devote more time towards the domestic activities. So, both men and women have to sacrifice time for both the activities and thus reducing the efficiency in the sphere they are more familiar with. It has been seen that even a highly educated wife can look after the home, which the husband cannot (Hester and Dickerson 1). In a 1-career family the earning member has to face different types of problems and challenges like taking care of the family finances, transportation, taking care of the children and other household jobs all alone (Gladow and Ray 1). In the 2-career system, both share the duties, maybe not equal, while in the 1-career system the only bread earner has to take all the responsibilities. The 2-career family lifestyle is more popular than the other form and the primary reason is to increase the family income as the cost of living is increasing day by day. Although it results in financial gains, it brought with itself problems as well. The husband and wife have rarely been able to equally share the responsibilities, especially at home. Women, with equally challenging and demanding job roles, compared to men have to take the load of the domestic work. Although men have encouraged women to start a career in the professional field, they have not been able to help them out in domestic work and share equal responsibilities. They could never turn into a partner in this field and at best they have been helping hands for their wives. Hence, wives have to bear the brunt of the responsibilities at home. But it should be noted that the stress levels among the traditional couples are the same as the modern ones (Hester and Dickerson 1).
Friday, September 27, 2019
Interactive Interface Technology (DHTML based widgets) Essay
Interactive Interface Technology (DHTML based widgets) - Essay Example Widgets created in DHTML can take the form of various on-screen tools such as event countdowns, clocks, auction tickers, daily weather, stock market tickers and flight arrival tickers (Teague, 2007). There are some web page effects that are normally hard to achieve. DHTML, however, makes it possible for the page author to create a wide variety of effects as he wishes. DHTML based widgets eliminate many kinds of limits for enhanced client functionality (Teague, 2007. This technology makes it possible to perform on any kind of application such as audio playing, on-screen drawing. It also makes access to hardware such as the mouse and keyboards much easier (Singh and Gupta, 2009). One of the main disadvantages of DHTML is its difficulty in developing and debugging (Goodman, 2002). This may be attributed to the fact that there are many different degrees of support that are available among different web browsers. This combined with the fact that there are different screen sizes for different computer models makes it hard and sometimes impossible for the end look to be in tune with a certain browser or screen size (Barron and Barron, 2000). This means that certain DHTML based widgets can only be used or fine tuned on specific combinations of browsers and screen sizes. My evaluation criteria for this technology will be based on efficiency in terms of ease of development and efficiency. The primary use of widgets in interactive interface technology is to enhance personal web experiences for both the developer or web owner and the end user or visitor to a website (Barron and Barron, 2000). The functionality of any technology determines its efficiency. For the Interactive Interface Technology (DHTML based widgets), there is a high level functionality that enables the web author as well as the end use to use multiple applications interactively. Since DHTML does not rely on a single type of technology, I can say that development should not be
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Feminist theories Why you think women commit crime Personal Statement
Feminist theories Why you think women commit crime - Personal Statement Example According to Einstadter (2006), the rise in the rate of female crimes in the early 1960s and 1970s was due to the fact that most women were adopting male roles thus, masculinising their behaviour and attitudes. On the same note, other scholars argue that immense participation of women in the workforce exposes them to crimes. Consequently, most women in prison are accused of abusing drugs, robbery, shoplifting, motoring, burglary, and fraud. What is clear is that women commit particular crimes at a different level from that of their male counterparts. Therefore, there is a large gap between men and women who commit a crime as it is unlikely to hear women being incarcerated for serious crimes such as murder. Freda Adler who was a theorist related the rise in female crimes to the success of the women’s liberation movement. According to him, the social movements increased women’s prospects and the need to commit crime to meet their societal needs. On the same note, Sigmund Freud argued that although women commit fewer crimes as compared to men, women who are involved in antisocial behaviour do it in revenge due to the fact that they do not have a penis; hence, they assume masculine traits (Cote, 2002). Based on this, it is sound to argue that most women commit crimes because they show masculine biological and psychological orientations. Consequently, they have a desire to be recognized in the society; hence, resort in illegal activities. Burgess-Proctor, A. (2006). Intersections of race, class, gender, and crime: future directions for feminist criminology. Retrieved from
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Relgion in Politics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Relgion in Politics - Research Paper Example In fact, the conflict between religion and politics has been great with the main area of focus being in the power of population control. Politics and religion focus on control of the population, but the level of control varies significantly depending on the level of affiliation or allegiance. The desire to control world governments by religion in the past led to serious challenges including the development of rebellion against the religious states and the development of secular states across the world. Currently, there are more secular states that the traditional religious states or government. The success of the change is pegged on the desire to create autonomy between church and state (Pew Research Center). Despite the drive for autonomy, the state leaders are expected to be affiliated with a certain religion. The case is applicable to most countries including the US and European countries. This paper will evaluate the role of religion in politics and changes in politics and religi on by evaluating the changes in trends of governance. Likewise, the current interplay between religion and politics will be evaluated in order to develop the necessary understanding of the current position of religion. History of the relationship of religion and politics The relationship between religion and politics is complex due to several issues associated with both politics and religion. Politics and religion share almost the principles because of the desire to control the population. However, in the past two centuries, the power of religion in shaping political survival has increased significantly by the end of the era coming during the industrial revolution. Coupled with the change in the societal structure and liberalization of the society, the change ensured that the power of religion is greatly reduced and even increased the level of societal liberalizations. The change in population and acceptance of behaviors that religion rejects totally indicates the changing role of r eligion. Through liberalization, the power of religion in shaping the politics of the day has been greatly reduced (Hawkins). The collapse of communism and the end of the famous cold war was viewed as the beginning of a change. However, it was not the end of the global conflict. After the cold war and the end of communism, the dictatorship governments of the time started crumbling and then led to the growth of democracy. The rule of majority spread very fast giving rise to a new world order, which was based on freedom peace and market economies. The peace existing globally affected the spending on security. In fact, the US reduced spending on military operations by closing its overseas bases. The growth of radical Islam throughout Asia during the century was not an issue affecting the western countries because it was not an issue of grave concern. The conflicts in Palestine and other countries were not viewed as important. In addition, the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan was n ot viewed as a potential problem. The peace allowed tranquility in the world, but ensured that the animosity and hatred of many Muslims towards perceived Jewish and Christian imperialism increased. In the US, Christianity underwent resurgence including the teaching of the family values by the conservatives. During the time, Christianity enjoyed the respect as one of the historical foundations of the western culture. The influence of
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Can fossil fuel energy placed by nuclear energy Essay
Can fossil fuel energy placed by nuclear energy - Essay Example With this argument in mind, does this mean that nuclear energy is better than fossil fuel? The answer is a big NO. Nuclear energy is not a long term solution, nor is it a permanent answer for long term, safe energy source and I will analyze this based on safety, financial, environmental, and social impact of running nuclear power plants. According to World Nuclear Association (www.world-nuclear.org), nuclear power financially speaking is cost competitive with other forms of energy. This means that compared with gas and coal, nuclear power is cost competitive, unless of course there is direct access to low cost fossil fuel. Technically, because nuclear power would only rely on very little amount of uranium to produce tons of energy, there is the assumption that it is indeed cost efficient, especially in terms of long term solution. But think again, WNA is amenable that putting up a nuclear power plant has a â€Å"relatively high capital costs and the need to internalize all waste dis posal and decommissioning costs.†Ergo, though there is financial savings in the energy production itself, the costs goes on operations and maintenance of the plant. But there is more than just the financial economics of running nuclear power plant. A big issue is the health and safety risk.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Parental rage and violence in youth sports Research Paper
Parental rage and violence in youth sports - Research Paper Example Such type of violence is often seen through brawls and fistfights involving parents, children and coaches. These incidents have disrupted youth leagues. Moreover, these brawls and similar incidents end up being controlled by the police and forced into settlement and exchange of apologies among the opposing parties. However, other incidents end up with criminal prosecution. Nevertheless, regardless of how these brawls and other acts of sports rage and violence end up, what is sad is that they often disrupt schoolchildren especially preschoolers. There was even one incident where the umpire’s decision has left more than twenty parents and coaches swinging punches at each other in the field, much to the curiosity and amazement of the preschoolers who were watching and who thought that â€Å"the adults were [merely] entertaining them by staging a wrestling match†(Abrams 259). What is harmful about this is that children exposed to parental rage and violence will somehow ten d to learn that such fights are normal and that it is perfectly all right that people fight if they believe that they are right. What children should learn at an early age is humility and diplomacy in order for them to grow up into individuals who will foster peace. However, sports rage is teaching them otherwise. People who are involved in sports rage and violence usually end up with hurt feelings as well as physical problems like cuts, bruises, and other forms of physical injuries including split lips. However, some would end up in something much worse like the forty-year-old father of four who was beaten by another father of the opponent team in a hockey game. The attacker simply thought that the victim’s son had played against the former’s son too roughly during the game. After a series of punches, kicks and wrestles, the victim lapsed into a coma and immediately expired after removing life support (260). Moreover, what is even worse is that the victim’s chi ld was subpoenaed in order to testify in his father’s behalf (Fiore 114). One could therefore only imagine the amount of pressure that the child has to undergo after being exposed to testify against or in favor of his own violent father. The mental and emotional trauma that the child experiences will most likely remain with him for a long time, or even for the rest of his life. One can therefore only imagine its negative consequences on the child’s personality as he grows up. Another negative effect of parental rage is the consequent unavailability of good coaches. In fact, it is interesting to note that many youth sports programs do not have qualified referees and umpires because they cannot find any adult who is â€Å"willing to endure abuse from parents and coaches†(Abrams 261). This lack will most likely further the negative consequences of youth sports and violence as assigned coaches will not have the skill to handle conflicts that may arise. Ultimately, it is the children again who would be on the receiving end of the negative consequences of such problems. According to Abrams, a dozen states have already enacted laws against assaulting coaches and officials of youth sports groups and the purpose of this is to enforce the law in order to restrain parents and coaches from creating an outrage and from physically hurting each
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Analizing film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Analizing film - Essay Example This historical period fills the gap between Civil War reconstruction and Martin Luther King. The film just featured the actual suffering of black men in the hands of Whites. There was no exaggeration. 4. What interferences were made in the film? Were there parts of the film that that filmmakers must have made up because they couldn’t have known this from the available evidence? Answer: The film revealed that slavery in a different form was enacted even after the Civil Wars and continued till World War II. The movie is based on the 2008 published book- Slavery by Another Name. The book is a result of extensive research done by the author Douglas A. Blackmon; as such this movie is entirely based on facts. There is no amount of fabrication in it. Douglas himself is the Co-executive producer of the film. 5. What techniques are used in the film to persuade the audience to the filmmaker’s point of view? Note music, camera angle, character portrayal, etc. Answer: The film use d various techniques to establish its points but most important of all is the story line. The movie is based on a book with the same title and follows close to the original writing. The character portrayal is quite strong and the individual incidents of black men’s agonies are quite heart rending in nature. ... Blackmon. Sheila has used several sources to authenticate the reality of the story line. Sheila's sources vary from business records to one "Sheriff's Feeding Account, 1899-1907." She also uses government documents and articles by an assortment of various academics, some of whom are included in the movie. She also looked into newspapers of that era and web based resources. 7. What relevant information do I know? Does it contradict or support the theory presented in the film? Answer: I had always thought that Civil War was the ending of slavery system. The war put an end to the Black’s miseries and the black populations were able to lead a better life. Of course I knew that racial discrimination continued to flourish in the country and still the American society witness one or the other form of racial discriminations. However, I was completely unaware that Blacks suffered a different kind of slavery and that it continued for so long a period. The movie contradicts the theory I was holding about Black people’s lives and acted as an eye opener. 8. Overall how strong are the historical arguments in this film? Is it historically accurate? Answer 8: Samuel D. Pollard’s movie, Slavery by Another Name is based on historical facts. Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in the PBS portion of the 2012 Winter TCA Tour reinforces the fact that â€Å"this is American history.†(January 4, 2012). The movie concerns not only South American history but entire America for the North Americans were as guilty of the crime as the Southerners. Slavery in different forms continued to be practice even after it was officially abolished in the
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Bobby Flay and Paula Deen Essay Example for Free
Bobby Flay and Paula Deen Essay Bobby Flay and Paula Deen are both exceptional and popular experts in cooking arena particularly in the US. It is curious that though they excel in the same field of Southern Cooking they are distinctly different in style, approach and background. While Flay is more methodical and academic in nature, Deen is more self-taught dependent more on household common sense and imagination. Robert William Flay was born in New York (1964) and is regarded as one of the most celebrated chef who is also a television personality and a restaurateur. At present, he is the executive chef and owner of restaurants all over US. These are Atlantic City’s Bobby Flay Steak, New York’s Mesa Grill and Bar, Las Vegas Mesa Grill and Bahamas Mesa Grill. (Lamb, 2007) As a television personality, he has pulled off eight programs as a host with elan (Grill It! with Bobby Flay, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, BBQ with Bobby Flay, Boy Meets Grill, FoodNation, Grillin Chillin and Hot Off the Grill with Bobby Flay). He has authored several cookbooks like Bobby Flays Grill It! , Bobby Flays Mesa Grill Cookbook, Bobby Flays Grilling For Life, Bobby Flays Boy Gets Grill to name a few. Flay has won a number of awards like James Beard Foundations Who’s Who of Food Beverage in America in 2007, Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Service Show Hot Off the Grill with Bobby Flay in 2000 and French Culinary Institute Outstanding Graduate Award in 1993. (Lamb, 2007) Bobby Flay’s specialty in cooking is based on styles related to Southwest, Mexican and Spanish mode. He acquired a cooking degree from French Culinary Institute. On the other hand, Paula Deen (1947) is regarded as one of the most recognized cooks in US. She is also an Emmy Award-winning television personality and a restaurateur. Her restaurant is located at Savannah, Georgia by the name The Lady Sons. She is also credited with five cooking related books along with her numerous television appearances. (Lamb, 2007) She specializes as a Southern cook and her cooking style is dependent on day-to-day common ingredients like creamed corn, beans, greens, cheesy meatloaf, fried chicken, fried twinkies, cheese, macaroni and sweet potatoes. Her hoecakes and garlic cheese biscuit are of special mention of her culinary. (Lamb, 2007) However, it should be mentioned that lacks any formal cooking degree unlike Flay. She is a self-taught cook who has used her senses and imagination to success. It should be stated that both Flay and Deen are exceptional artists with food but their approach is distinctly different. Flay’s academic background makes his cooking more classical and methodical in nature. On the other hand, Deen’s lack of institutionalized learning process made her more open to common American household ingredients and recipes. Though both are popular and successful it can be stated in the conclusion that Flay is predominantly a chef and Deen is a cook as a bottom-line.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Impacts Of Global Fuel Price Fluctuations Tourism Essay
Impacts Of Global Fuel Price Fluctuations Tourism Essay The fuel prices are determined by the crude oil prices. In order to produce fuel and other petroleum products, the main raw material used is crude oil. (Chevron Corp, N/A) The prices of crude oil are determined by the market force of demand and supply. If there are grows in demand or disruptions in supply of crude oil, then the market will adjust by increasing the price of crude oil, subjected to the changes in demand or supply. One of the most recognisable causes of fluctuation in fuel prices is disruptions in the supply of crude oil in the market. Political instability is one of the factors. Majority of oil producer countries are in the emerging regions, where disruptions in supply of crude oil always happened and affecting the price. (Chevron Corp, N/A) Besides, shortages of supply can be resulted from a sudden refinery outage or maintenance and pipeline problems. On the other hand, the rise in the price of crude oil is caused by the increase in international energy demand driven by strong long term economic growth especially in non-OECD countries. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, make a projection that in between 2006 to 2030, there will be a dramatic increase of 44% in the total world consumption of energy. (Caltex, N/A) Adding together political instability, disruptions in the supply and growing demand for crude oil cause the price of fuel to be volatile. (237w) To manage airlines companies, the management will try to minimise any cost associates with the company. According to Air Transport Association, 25.4% of airlines operating expenses were contributed by fuel. As the fuel price becoming increasingly volatile, airlines industries will face risk in rising fuel price and one of the ways to get rid of the risk is by hedging the fuel price. Hedging is a risk management tool that allows airlines to lock in a price for fuel and protect them from the risk of soaring fuel price in future. Neeraj Kapoor, Go Air spokesperson commented that aviation fuel pricing in certain region like India does not favour hedging, but recent hike in fuel price make them reconsider on hedging their fuel. (Kabtta, K, 2008) On the other hand, South West Airlines, which hedged about 70% of its fuel, got to consume it at a lower price of $51 a barrel, compared to the market price of $135 per barrel. (Kabtta, J, 2008) Besides hedging, airlines usually will increase the price of its fuel surcharge. Fuel levy or fuel surcharge is the additional cost to the fare, imposed on per ticket basis in order to retrieve the rising price of the fuel. (Koch, R, 2010) As for example, Virgin Blue had decided to follow Qantas action of increasing fuel surcharges due to the spike in global fuel prices. (Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Sullivan, M, 2011) In short, an airlines company could avoid the surge of global fuel prices by either hedge the fuel price with any hedging instrument such as options or increase the fuel surcharge on the passenger. (268 w) Now let us examined what are the possible impact that fuel price volatility may bring to the airlines industry and suggestion for the airlines company in dealing with this crisis. As we had discussed above, a surge in fuel prices will directly hit the airlines industry as the rising in cost of fuel will result in increase on the cost of operation. Besides, fuel prices are determined to have a relationship with economic recessions. Soaring fuel prices will trigger higher inflation which later be cooled off by monetary policy. As a result, demand for air travel will decline. Despite facing such challenge, there are airlines that determined enough to go against the tide by trying to reduce costs as well as implementing new strategies to be more competitive. Most of the airlines resorted in drastic action by firing some of their employee in order to cut cost since labour cost contributed almost 24.7% out of total operational cost. (Air Transport Association, N/A) As for example, due to s udden hike in fuel prices, Qantas determined to cut down the number of its employees. (Hannan, E, 2011) While other airlines company trying their best in finding new strategies in order to stay competitive with other airlines. For example United Airlines strategy is to use software developed for flight planning to choose the best route and speed of flight. (Wilen, J.2008) Another good example is Cathay Pacific where they decided to opt towards more fuel efficient aircraft such as Boeing 747-8F and Boeing 777-300ER other than issuing fuel surcharge on tickets to cover for soaring fuel prices. (Cathay Pacific Airways Limited 2010)In brief, increase in fuel prices may impact the airlines industry directly or indirectly and there are several ways to face this issue.(291) In summary, airline industry has been badly affected by the rising fuel prices. The industry is losing both customers and revenues. Some airlines are trying to go against the tide by reforming themselves, but to a limited success. These airlines are working hard to reduce cost and implement new strategies to win back customers. While the world is still in recession, those efforts have started to show some good results. As such, it is possible to see airlines will bounce back and recover from bad financial conditions sooner.(88)
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Internet and Technology Hazards :: Essays Papers
Internet and Technology Hazards Computers and the Internet are great items for the household, but along with these advantages there are disadvantages. They are constantly changing the way that we live and do business. The Internet puts tons of information at a click of a button. This information is a great educational tool for children. The Internet can be very dangerous to young children, and there is also research being done now about possible problems that adults have with computers. It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that the Internet is a safe place for their children. I read an article called Internet and Computer Technology Hazards: Perspectives For Family Counseling. The author of this article is Jo Ann Oravec. It appeared in the British Journal of Guidance & Counseling, in August of 2000. I agreed with almost everything that she wrote. It was an interesting and compelling article. The main reason that people watch the news, and look through various sources of information is to make sure that their homes are safe from possible nuisances in the neighborhood or from severe weather. When working with a network, a series of computers tied together, there are new and dangerous hazards that can go unnoticed. Viruses and security breaches by hackers are a few of the hazards that they may encounter. The Internet is being used more and more for daily life. For many families the meaning of â€Å"Neighbor†is quickly changing from the people that live close to on-line relationships that they have. Now many people are doing their shopping, banking and other everyday activities on-line. Some people are also using the Internet to stay in touch with family members that live elsewhere. As families perform important educational and community activities on-line the meaning of home is changing at a rapid pace. Some families are worried that the Internet could have an effect on their privacy. The privacy for a family is necessary to raising their children. Today it is possible to get information on nearly anyone via the Internet. Crimes such as hacking and identity theft are the main concerns of these families. Children may accidentally give out family information to marketers by filling out their on-line surveys. Many families believe that they could prevent these things from happening by shutting off contact with the Internet.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Uncle Toms Cabin :: Uncle Toms Cabin Literature Papers
Uncle Tom's Cabin Methodological Introduction In writing this essay, I was specifically interested in discovering what was behind the genre protest against Uncle Tom's Cabin. Consequently, the brunt of my research has been historical -- seeking out criticisms of the novel, written immediately or shortly after its publication, that deal with the issue of genre. Although this study is by no means comprehensive, I have attempted to do a general analysis of the specific protests themselves, and then use this analysis as a means to demonstrate the shortcomings and advantages of fiction, specifically as seen in Uncle Tom's Cabin, and how Stowe exploited them to her own purposes. The major limitation of this essay is a lack of comprehensive historical research. The research I was able to do within the limited scope of this project is only a scratching of the surface. That is why I term my analysis "general." As well, I have been fairly 'free' in my application of this analysis as indicative of Stowe exploitation the genre of fiction. T his has helped me appreciate the power of the novel more deeply, but may be more undergraduate conjecture than solid academic analysis. Essay: 'The Little Lady Dost Protest Too Much, Methinks' Fiction has enormous power. It can inspire those who read it to acts of great courage. Or it can incite them to destructive hatred. There are countless examples of the power of narrative. Jesus often told parables -- pithy, fable-like stories -- to illustrate his teaching. According to St. Matthew's Gospel, when Jesus told the "Parable of the Vineyard" the chief priests and Pharisees "perceived he was speaking of them" and "sought to lay hands of him" (21.45-46). Apparently the religious leaders understood the point directed against them by the fictional narrative and did not appreciate its meaning. When Harriet Beecher Stowe published her anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in 1852, Southerners naturally took offense. Indeed, they were outraged. After all, the novel attacked the basis of their whole way of life. Slave-run plantations were an essential part of Southern culture. Uncle Tom's Cabin created a furor of controversy and even violent responses. The Southern Literary Messenger warned its readers that Stowe speaks for a large and dangerous faction that must be put down by the pen, else "we may be compelled one day (God grant that the day may never come!) to repel them [them] with the bayonet" (Duvall 163).
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Hope Essay -- essays research papers fc
                                                  White 2 Hope      Stephen King published his novella â€Å"Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption in 1982. In 1994 this novella was turned into a movie called The Shawshank Redemption. Frank Darabont wrote the screenplay. A good adaptation will capture the same overall essence of the written book or novella. Darabont did a wonderful job of adapting this novella into a movie. He captured the overall essence in a way that makes a heart rejoice in happiness and relief. The adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption is very well done. One of the major motifs of the story is â€Å"get busy living, or get busy dying.†This phrase sticks out the most in the movie. In the novella it is said once by Red just before he leaves to go to McNary, Texas, where Andy Dufresne crossed the border into Mexico after he escaped. Red was contemplating not going. He figured that so much of his life was already gone and wondered if it was even worth the trouble. But he told himself, â€Å"get busy living, or get busy dying†(King 105).      In the movie this phrase is first said by Andy in the prison yard just before he escaped. At this point in the movie Andy seems to be completely depressed. Throughout the movie, Andy always seemed to have a little smile on his face, but at this point it seemed as all hope was gone from him. He was talking to Red about Zihautanejo, Mexico. This is the place Andy wanted to go to after he got out of Shawshank. He talked about how beautiful it was and how he wanted to go down there and start a hotel                                                   White 3 on the ocean. Red told him to stop dreaming those â€Å"shitty pipe dreams.†This is when Andy said, â€Å"Get busy living, or get busy dying.†After that Andy tells Red about a place in Buxton where under a rock there w... ...ed. He stated, â€Å"It was great-too great, I thought, to be produced by any company in California†(King).                                                   White 6 Works Cited Cannon, Damian. â€Å"The Shawshank Redemption.†Movie Reviews UK 1998. 6 pars. 23 Apr. 2000 . Darabont, Frank, and Stephen King. The Shawshank Redemption: The      Shooting Script. New York: New Market Press, 1996. Washington Post. â€Å"The Shawshank Redemption.†Washington Post. 23      Sep. 1994. 23 Apr. 2000 . King, Stephen. â€Å"Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.†Different      Seasons. Penguin Group, NY: Signet 1983. 15-106. The Shawshank Redemption. Niki Marvin, exec. prod. Frank Darabont, dir.      Videocassette. Castle Rock Entertainment. Warner Home Video, CA: 1997.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Dramatic irony Essay
Chapter 18/19 is a link between the first stage of Pips ‘Great Expectations’ and the third stage. Pip is in the 4th year of Pip’s apprenticeship to Joe. A stranger unexpectedly approaches with bullying legal manners. The stranger is Jaggers, a London Lawyer, who announces that Pip has inherited ‘great expectations’ and therefore great fortune from a mysterious benefactor. He will now have to leave the forge and be educated as a gentleman. Pip is warned that the terms of the contract. He must not seek to know the name of the benefactor, and must also keep his nickname of ‘Pip’. This reminds us that there will be continuity between the apprentice and the gentleman. Due to circumstantial evidence Pip assumes, and is convinced that Miss Havisham is his benefactor. (Miss Havisham is a wealthy spinster, turned fanatical and cruel, after being jilted on her wedding day. He spent many childhood days at her house-Satis house to play with Pip’s ‘love’, Estella, her adopted daughter-regardless of being made bitter hearted by Havisham). He remembers seeing Jaggers at Satis house and notes that his tutor to be Matthew Pocket. It is best if she is his benefactor as they are ‘related’. This is the only way he can be a ‘real’ gentleman. However, Jaggers warns us that we have no authority for this opinion. Joe refuses to accept compensation for the loss of his apprentice, Pip. He exclaims â€Å"Pip is that hearty welcome†¦to go free with his services, to honour, and fortun’ as no words can tell him. But if you think money can compensate to me for the loss of the little child-what come to the forge-and ever the best of friends! – -â€Å"This tells us that Pip’s happiness and wellbeing is genuinely important to Joe, he has no qualms about the ‘greater opportunities’ that Pip can gain. Not only are they relatives, on a more sincere level, they are good friends too. Pip is very happy about the fact that he is going to finally be able to follow his ambitions of becoming a gentleman. Before he goes he notices something, â€Å"I saw Joe†¦he never smoked so late, and it seemed to hint to me that he wanted comforting, for some reason or another†. His recognition is hindered by the reason that he can not understand how much Joe cares about him, or why he is even sad, this signifies a further crack in their relationship. Pip resents the touch of sadness in the congratulations of Joe and Biddy. As he goes to bed, he is surprised that his good fortune makes him feel considerably lonely, â€Å"lost in the mazes of my future fortunes†¦ could not trace the paths we had trodden together†. A key emotion that deepens is illustrated. On Pip taking a last walk on the marshes, he dismisses the memory of the convict-thinking that he will never see him again, after all these years. He already starts acting like a snob, planning generous disdain towards the villagers. He even asks Biddy (Joe’s wife after the death of Mrs Joe) to improve Joe’s manners in order to fit him for a ‘higher sphere’. When Biddy answers that Joe has his own pride, Pip accuses her of envy. Pip’s snobbish demeanour results in his refusal to be seen with Joe, despite Joe being a continuous, stable and almost father like, loving figure to him. Pip leaves for London alone, but is seized with remorse on the coach †So subdued I was by those tears..I deliberated with an aching heart.†The reader has little sympathetic approach to see him feeling terrible. Joe and Biddy’s dignity contrasts with the behaviour of everyone else. Everyone else contains hopes to use Pip’s fortune for their own ends; demonstrations of artificial kindness/warmth towards him are made. Dickens lets us know that there are many people around who are quite selfishly on the pursuit for filling their own short comings, but there are also some people who aren’t. Lower class people are depicted ‘truly loving’. The last phrase in this chapter creates a stepping stone for the climax of the story. â€Å"The world lay spread before me†. This indicates that Pip is losing his innocence and is about to enter a world of sin. Pip’s division of mind’, is illustrated by rapid changes in mood; elation to resentment (‘I feel offended’) and condescension (‘handsomely forgiving her’). We are bought about to a sense that things may end with wistfulness and loneliness for Pip. In chapter 39 the narrative shows that Pip isn’t completely happy about the way his life has turned out.†I was alone and had the dull sense of being alone†. This shows that Pip’s pursuit of his ‘great expectations’ has led him to great loneliness. Pip is ‘dispirited and anxious’, he is still ‘long hoping’, and ‘long disappointed’. This suggests that he has some issues about what he has happened. Even though he has got the big opportunity to become a gentleman, his life still feels like there is a missing element, which he has been yearning for, for a long time-shown by the repetition of the word ‘long’, this could be love. The scene is set on a particularly ‘ferocious’, ‘gloomy’ stormy night. The weather is very unsettled. â€Å"It was wretched weather; stormy and wet; mud, mud, mud, deep in all the streets. Day after day†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Dickens uses repetition to emphasize the significance and effects of Magwitch’s resurface. Irony plays a major role here, compellingly helping to set the mood of the scene. Stormy weather/atmosphere is used to convey an artifice of uncertainty embarking around Pip, connecting first chapter. Pip’s feelings are expressed, throwing us back to the graveyard scene. Dramatic irony is finely tuned here preparing us for Magwitch’s much anticipated return. The lights have gone out, due to the bad weather. Dramatically this shows that Magwitch has arrived, and ironically he is about to ‘blow out the light of Pips life’-being a gentleman. Magwitch has come to meet Pip, he represents the voice from the ‘darkness beneath’ coming up. Pip can’t see Magwitch properly, and so does not know that it is him. The expression on the mysterious visitors face both puzzles and annoys Pip, he feels unsure about the person, but the man gives off the impression that he is happy to have met him.†In the instant I had seen a face that was strange to me, looking up with an incomprehensible air of being touched and pleased by the sight of me†. Pip resents the ‘bright and gratified recognition that still shone on his (strangers’) face†, he is weary of the ‘stranger’. He doesn’t want to respond to him and he shows this by inhospitably asking him questions, he thinks that he doesn’t know who he is. The description of ‘the strangers’ appearance is an indication from Dickens that shows that ironically this is Magwitch. Magwitch looks ‘substantially dressed, but roughly’, showing that although he has made a great deal of money, his old habits/ status have still stayed with him, his look ‘voyager by the sea’ indicates that this man has travelled far to get here, Magwitch came from Australia, where he was last taken. He is muscular, in particular ‘strong on his legs’, shows that he could runaway quite easily in spite of his age. Magwitch is ‘browned and hardened’ as a result of exposure to harsh weather and labour. His hair is ‘iron grey’; like irons that convicts would wear to prevent them from escaping. Dickens is trying to relate Magwitch to the realities of crime, to show Pip and both the reader that it was near impossible to shake of the image of crime, even if you had made a large fortune to show as well, at the time. The man’s actions are a clue that he is in fact Magwitch. He continually holds out both of Pip’s hands, which Pip ‘reluctantly gives’, ‘grasping them heartily’ and kisses them. This shows a relationship between them, although a large number of years since contact have passed. The narrative shows Pip’s reaction to be ‘a stupid kind of amazement’ towards the stranger holding out his hands to him. Pip is ‘half suspecting him to be mad’, and ‘wished him gone’, which shows the lack of affection that Pip feels towards a man who clearly shows him some. Dickens is carefully dripping in the truth for added affect. The dialogue explains how Pip recognises the ‘stranger’, (shaking his head with deliberate affection): â€Å"You’re a game one’†¦I’m glad you’ve grown up, a game one! But don’t catch hold of me. You’d be sorry afterwards to have done it†. Magwitch tells Pip that he shouldn’t try to stop him, last time Pip almost got into trouble for helping him. Magwitch just wants to meet Pip and then he will leave. The audience knows that the ‘stranger’ is Magwitch, where up until now Pip doesn’t. The dialogue and narrative proves, to everyone, that the man is Magwitch. He reveals news about his life in Australia. He lets us know how he made his fortune, through land and stock, especially the tough agricultural industry. He has been a stock farmer, a sheep farmer and ‘other trades beside’. Magwitch reveals, by hints, that he is Pip’s benefactor. He coyly pretends to ‘guess’ important facts about Pip and his coming of fortunes. â€Å"†¦income since you come of age†¦first figure, now. Five†¦ there ought to have been some guardian (while he was a minor) †¦the first letter of that lawyer’s name, now. Would it be J?†Pips’ reaction to the news comes as a blow to him; the moment of truth of his position is powerfully portrayed through the language, narrative, and description. â€Å"†¦its disappointments, dangers, disgraces, consequences of all kinds rushed in such multitude that I was borne down †¦ struggle to breath†. The effective use of descriptive alliteration and long sentence structure vividly highlights Pips overwhelming flight of emotions that come ‘flashing down’ upon him. He is especially disgusted as his hopes of being a gentleman have come crashing down, almost like a feeling reflected by the weather, ‘a vast heavy veil driving over’ him. His distress is exemplified by the fact that he deserted his loyal friend Joe for the life that the convict Magwitch has given.
Effect of imperialism on the Rwandan genocide Essay
There is a lot of history in a small country like Rwanda. The original inhabitants were the ethnic Twa. By the 10th century, Hutu farmers were established there. Tutsi warriors with cattle arrived after the 14th century. Tutsi formed a monarchy by the 16th century. All tribes shared a common language and culture, and there were no race issues until the 20th century. (4) Germany was the first European country to colonize Rwanda in 1899, administering it indirectly through the existing king. Belgium took control in 1916, during World War I. Belgium received it as a League of Nations mandate in 1919 and continued indirect rule but restructured the system to increase ethnic divisions. (4) The Belgians favored the Tutsi over the Hutu and Twa, which was a big mistake that caused huge problems in the future and lots of racism. (5) In 1946 Rwanda became a UN trust territory administered by Belgium. (5) Pressure rose during the 1950s as Hutu protested against Tutsi for rights and voting. Violence spread quickly after the Hutu sub-chief was attacked by the Tutsi. Many Tutsis died or fled to neighboring countries. Belgian troops intervened and set up a policy reversal, with a Hutu-led government. (4) With democratization going through Africa, monarchy was abolished in 1961 and Rwanda gained complete independence in 1962, as two countries, Rwanda and Burundi. (5) Tutsi exiles continued attacks on Hutu throughout the 60s. The First Republic, led by Hutu, ended with a 1973 rebellion coordinated by the Hutu Minister of Defense, Juvenal Habyarimana. Tutsi revels in Uganda formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front, or the RPF, and invaded Rwanda in 1990. The conflict ended in 1993 with a power-sharing agreement treaty. But the peace was broken again when Habyarimana’s plane was shot down in April 1994. (5) Know one knew whether it was Hutus that shot down the plane, but they were accused nonetheless. â€Å"Hutu politicians opposed to the late president Juvenal Habyarimana were targeted in the first few days after the plane crash, which has yet to be satisfactorily explained. But now the killings seem to be directed purely against Tutsis,†according to Hilsum. (1) This was the end of the Second Republic and the beginning of a 100-day well-organized genocidal rampage. Hundreds of thousands fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire (now the Congo). The RPF fought back and took control on July 4, 1994. Thousands fled from the RPF advance and many died from disease and unsanitary conditions. In 1996 Hutu refugees became targets of Tutsi violence, and Hutu soldiers attacked the Tutsi. Rwanda sent militia to defeat the Zairian troops helping the Hutus. Most refugees were sent back to Rwanda, but some remained to launch guerilla attacks in northwestern Rwanda. (4) Courts were set up for 124,000 people for crimes during the genocide. The first Hutu president was elected in 2000 when the old president resigned. Trials are still going on today, charging people with war crimes during the genocide. Because of the great scars of Rwanda’s history in the last century, Rwanda today has a very weak economy and is very undeveloped industrially. The products are mostly agricultural, and most of the population are subsistence farmers. The main crops consist of coffee and tea. Also grown are bananas, beans, cassava, cattle, pyrethrum, sorghum, and sweet potatoes. The only mining resources are tin and wolframite. A lack of fertile soil limits agricultural expansion. (4) Rwanda only trades with Uganda because of bad relations with other countries. This makes trade very expensive there because of this. (5) Christianity was introduced in Rwanda by missionaries in the early 20th century. Today 65% are Catholic, 9% Protestant, 1% Muslim, and 25% follow indigenous beliefs. Ethnic tribes are still mostly Hutu and Tutsi, which are now peaceful. 90% are Hutu, most of the rest are Tutsi, and only 1% are Twa. The official languages spoken in Rwanda are English, French, and Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language. (4,5) Independence Day is celebrated on July 1. The government consists of the President and Transitional National Assembly of 70 seats. Local elections establish councils responsible for local disputes, minor crime, tax collection, and salaries for teachers and doctors. The country is very crowded and there is lots of disease. (5) Most of the problems in Rwanda in the last century were caused by imperialism. The genocide in Rwanda affected its neighboring countries as well, and thousands of Hutus and Tutsis were also killed in Burundi by similar problems there. The incredible amount of racism and hate in the very heart of Africa was sparked by the colonial structure enforced by Germany and then Belgium. According to Dowden, the Tutsi, making up only about 10% of the population, â€Å"were a kind of feudal cattle-owning aristocracy who lorded it over the Hutu peasants.†Belgians gave the Tutsis a big advantage in education, leading them to have professional jobs. (2) Before the Europeans came there was peace in Africa. But after greedy 19th century European politicians occupied the African continent, enslaving or abusing its people, ethnic conflicts broke out all over Africa, followed by a century of bloodshed. The conflicts and the current problems in Africa could have been prevented if imperialism wouldn’t have existed. There would not have been a genocide during which hundreds of thousands of innocent people were slaughtered over a period of 100 days. According to LaFraniere, â€Å"The Rwanda genocide is considered the worst ethnic killing since the Holocaust. In 100 days, an estimated one in 10 Tutsi in Rwanda were wiped out, along with many moderates among the Hutu, who make up the majority of the population. The efficiency of the killers, who chased down the Tutsi at roadblocks and in the streets with sharpened sticks, nail-studded clubs and grenades, surpassed that of the Nazis, some historians contend.†(3) The financial crisis in Rwanda and the suffering of its people today could have been prevented if it wasn’t for so much hate and carelessness of imperialistic European nations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bibliography 1. Hilsum, Lindsey. â€Å"Men mad with killing drown nation in blood†. The Independent. 1 May 1994. 2. Dowden, Richard. â€Å"A wound at the heart of Africa†. The Independent. 11 May 1994. 3. LaFraniere, Sharon. â€Å"3 convicted of genocide in Rwanda Media chiefs guilty of inciting massacre of Tutsi in 1994†. International Herald Tribune. 4 Dec. 2003. 4. World Book Encyclopedia 2003. Vol. 16. 5. Culture Grams 2004.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
The Blindness of King Lear
In the classic Vincent Price horror film, THEATER OF BLOOD a demented Shakespearean actor murders critics who have savaged him in the past with a series of gruesome traps based on death scenes from Shakespeare’s work. At the film’s conclusion, a critic faces permanent blindness as punishment for being blind to the actor’s greatness in the same way King Lear was blind to his own folly and ego.When one reads the TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR, one can see that the curse of Lear is that he was blind to the full spectrum of the consequences of his actions. Lear had a single minded approach to how he defined his outlook of the world and such blindness lead to the deaths of his friends and family as well as the creation of a needless war with France.At the beginning of the play, Lear wishes to divide his throne amongst his three daughters. Lear opts to tie the division of his throne into the performance of his daughters in a speech delivery contest and this raises the ire of Cor delia, as she refuses to take part in such a contest. This results in Lear disowning her and that set into motion a chain of events where Cordelia marries the leader of France which provides France with the justification to invade Lear’s country to seize territory; these events would never had been possible without Lear’s narrow-minded paranoia governing his psyche and his actions.From this, it is evident that Lear’s â€Å"blindness†to his daughter’s feeling lead to the â€Å"blindness†in being able to see the consequences of his actions. Lear conducted himself in a manner that was impetuous and ego driven. His inability to understand that he was not being insulted or rejected by Cordelia, but rather Cordelia ( a character who is clearly defined as having a strong moral core) was rejecting the notion that she should compete with her sisters for her father’s rewards.The irony to this is that because King Lear saw an enemy where an enemy did not exist, he fed the real enemy (France) with the justification it was loosely looking for in order to take an action against Lear.FOOLNo, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him.The character of the Fool often represents Lear’s subconscious, as it is the character of the fool that impresses upon Lear the importance of paying attention to what actually â€Å"is†and what truly exists in the world, as opposed to paying too much attention to what is merely his own personal perception of reality; a perception that is tailored by Lear’s desire for what he wishes to be true. That is, what exists and what one wishes to exist are two separate creatures.Conversely, this is not to infer that Lear is merely paranoid. There is great need to be wary of foreign invaders and influence. History has shown that the world has suffered my imperial expansions into sovereign territories and it would no t be outside of Lear’s proper reason to worry that a foreign power would wish to threaten the stability of his kingdom. It had not been without precedent that members of royalty’s own family conspired against them, so Lear’s response was not without merit. Lear’s problem, however, derived from the fact that he saw enemies where enemies did not exist (as was the case with his daughter), took the advice of those who ultimately were not helpful to him (his close associates) and, essentially opted to ignore the advice of the person who had his best interests at heart: the Fool.FOOLHe's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.With that statement, The Fool provides a cohesive logical center to the character of Lear, who has gone blindly adrift amidst his own conspiracy theory passions. It is ironic that the Fool truly is the wisest person in the cast of characters, yet is outwardly dubbed a fool, while tho se who should know better are in decisive or outright wrong.At certain points, Lear does at least initially make an attempt to take the advice of the Fool or at least give the Fool’s advice serious contemplation as evidenced in the following response to the Fool’s commentary:KING LEAR It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she-foxes!At this point, it appears that Lear is leaving some of his blindness behind and has finally seen the truth. The Fool has made a wise-man of the king, as the king appears to finally understand the concept that a clear understanding of a real threat vs. a perceived threat is reached. Lear’s problem, however, is that he is always seeking third party validation of his beliefs. He will prescribe to the Fool’s advice for a short time, but then will waiver and side with his associates who are more willing to tell him what he wants to hear. T his allows the Fool to become symbolic of a moral conscious. When the Fool appears and reappears throughout the play, it symbolizes Lear’s central, endemic problem: reason, logic and clarity of thought are inconsistent with Lear. As a leader, is judgment is not sound and prone to radical faltering.A great deal of the irony of the play derives from the fact that while Cordelia appears to be the instigator of the loss of Lear’s throne, it is actually she who is the one who seeks to restore Lear. Lear’s other daughters, Goneril and Regan, ultimately prove that their loyalties lie with the material aspects of the throne and their true natures surface when they start to squabble amongst themselves over the affections of Edmund. All of this provides a scenario that is more damaging to Lear’s self-preservation than he initially perceived. In other words, he never should have directed his venom towards Cordelia, but did so because of his perpetual blindness towar ds what actually is vs. what he perceives reality to be. In reality, the threats lie with the â€Å"good†daughters such as Goneril, as evidenced in the following dialogue where it is clear she shares little regard for the value of Lear’s life.GONERIL By day and night he wrongs me; every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other, That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it: His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids usOn every trifle. When he returns from hunting,I will not speak with him; say I am sick: If you come slack of former services, You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answerIn the following passage, a clearly unhinged King Lear tries to make sense of the disastrous situation that he finds himself in, all the result of the foolish wedge he drove between himself and his daughter(s) when he conceived of the ill-advised and ill-fated speech contest:KING LEAR No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: Whe n thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; And take upon's the mystery of things, As if we were God’s spies: and we'll wear out, In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, That ebb and flow by the moon.Unfortunately, as much as he wishes it were possible, Lear can not correct the past. It has been said that all human beings develop their core, central beliefs revolving around the fact that their life experiences create their perception of the world. In Lear’s situation, as a King and leader of a nation, he was never used to hearing the word â€Å"no†as those looking to remain in the favor of the king and avoid his wrath would simply not take up a position that the King would perceive as threatening. Hence, King Lear de veloped a predictable and thoroughly unhealthy cause and effect response to the word â€Å"no†to where any negative sentiment would result in retaliation to the (perceived) threat.Ultimately, Lear realizes his error when he loses his thrown, sees his family fall apart and then has to contend with internal soul searching in order to find some sort of moral lesson that could at least rationalize the entire experience within his own heart as having ultimately been worth a greater good. That greater good is, essentially, Lear realizing the error of his ways, but his realization does nothing to reverse the damage. In fact, the final result of all the conflict in the play yields the death of Cordelia, the only daughter who truly loved him.As such, Lear eventually must give up his blindness to what his emotions have created and see the world for what it truly is. Unfortunately for King Lear, these realizations come very late in the equation and his lessons are learned at a point th at is far beyond where a benevolent conclusion could have been reached. This is why the story of King Lear is called a tragedy.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Why get your RN to BSN
The Need for Highly-Educated Nurses In the 21st century, the health challenges facing the nation have shifted dramatically. The American population is older†Americans 65 and older will be nearly 20 percent of the population by 2030†as well as more diverse with respect not only to race and ethnicity but also other cultural and socioeconomic factors. In addition to shifts in the nation's demographics, there also have been shifts in that nation's health care needs.Most health care today relates to chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, rthritis, cardiovascular disease, and mental health conditions, due in part to the nation's aging population and compounded by increasing obesity levels. While chronic conditions account for most of the care needed today, the U. S. health care system was primarily built around treating acute illnesses and injuries, the predominant health challenges of the early 20th century. The ways in which nurses were educated during the 20th c entury are no longer adequate for dealing with the realities of health care in the 21st century.As patient needs and care environments have become more complex, nurses need to attain equisite competencies to deliver high-quality care. These competencies include leadership, health policy, system improvement, research and evidence-based practice, and teamwork and collaboration, as well as competency in specific content areas such as community and public health and geriatrics. Nurses also are being called upon to fill expanding roles and to master technological tools and information management systems while collaborating and coordinating care across teams of health professionals.To respond to these increasing demands, the 10M committee alls for nurses to achieve higher levels of education and suggests that they be educated in new ways that better prepare them to meet the needs of the population. An Improved Education System Much of nursing education revolves around acute care rather th an community settings that include aspects of primary care, public health, and long-term care. The qualifications and level of education required for entry into the nursing profession have been widely debated by nurses and nursing organizations..Although a BSN education is not a panacea for all that is expected of nurses in the future, it does, elative to other educational pathways, introduce students to a wider range of competencies in such arenas as health policy and health care financing, community and public health, leadership, quality improvement, and systems thinking. Care within the hospital continues to grow more complex, with nurses having to make critical decisions associated with care for sicker, frailer patients and having to use more sophisticated, life-saving technology coupled with information management systems that require skills in analysis and synthesis.Care outside the hospital is ecoming more complex as well. Nurses are being called on to coordinate care among a variety of clinicians and community agencies; to help patients manage chronic illnesses, thereby preventing acute care episodes and disease progression; and to use a variety of technological tools to improve the quality and effectiveness of care. A more educated nursing workforce would be better equipped to meet the demands of an evolving health care system, and this need could be met by increasing the percentage of nurses with a BSN.An increase in the proportion of urses with a BSN also would create a workforce poised to achieve higher levels of education at the master's and doctoral levels, required for nurses to serve as primary care providers, nurse researchers, and nurse faculty†positions currently in great demand across the profession and within the health care system. The committee recommends that the proportion of nurses with baccalaureate degrees be increased to 80 percent by 2020.While it anticipates that it will take a few years to build the educational capacity n eeded to achieve this goal, the committee maintains that it is old, achievable, and necessary to move the nursing workforce to an expanded set of competencies, especially in the domains of community and public health, leadership, systems improvement and change, research, and health policy.Improving the education system and achieving a more educated workforce†specifically increasing the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees†can be accomplished through a number of different programs and educational models, including: traditional RN-to-BSN programs; traditional 4-year BSN programs at both universities and some community colleges.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Annotated Bibliography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 4
Annotated Bibliography - Essay Example Weighing the benefits of abortion in the community today, women should be given the choice for having an abortion for many reasons ranging from preventing a baby born from unwanted sexual act such as rape to safeguarding the mother from life threatening issues at child birth. This article features the controversy that has developed over time in the issue of legalizing abortion. It points out that the rate of abortion is on the rise despite the government efforts to control it. There are over 20 million illegal abortions each year, some of which result to the death of the clients due to the unsafe methods used. It provides a strong analysis of the countries abortion laws and rates for countries that have legalized abortion and those that have not. The stand of the author is that in certain occasions, women should be allowed to obtain an abortion as this may help in saving their lives and avoiding some ill effects of abortion such as death, stress and traumatization. This article provides a good source to use for supporting the argument for legalization for abortion in countries that still remain against this. I will use this article to show the various benefits of granting females the choice to abort especially when faced with tough life choices. This will be a good ground to support my aforementioned thesis statement. This article points out to the way abortion is perceived in different countries. While some laws provide that abortion can be admitted in some situations, some are completely prohibitive and term abortion as equivalent to killing. However, it provides the fact that some countries allow abortion in some situations when it would have positive impacts on the life of the people. For instance, abortion is allowed in cases where the child may not survive, when the pregnancy may cause mental defects on the female and when the pregnancy is a result of rape. The article expresses the pressure that females may have in such
Thursday, September 12, 2019
MP3 Players PowerPoint Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
MP3 Players - PowerPoint Presentation Example s, I searched the internet to find the detailed specifications of the mp3 players I and other acquaintances were familiar with and using them in practical life. I was already familiar with the software which comes as a part and parcel of the operating systems like Windows Media Player and Itunes by Apple. Third party software came as additional add-ons with other software packages of sound cards and speaker systems for computers. Moreover such third party mp3 software are frequently advertised on various web sites. The software industry is primarily focused on developing media rich web sites where entertainment can be at your fingertips. When computers are inaccessible or cannot be carried along, like on mountaineering trips and other outdoor excursions then the portable mp3 players come into the picture. Advanced electronics technology has miniaturized the music players while retaining the sound quality along with long lasting power packs so that music can be enjoyed in all sorts of places and circumstances. The software was developed concurrently with the operating systems and has become more functional, error free and user friendly along the course of history. Even little kids face no problem in handling software mp3 players on their personal computers as the software operation is dependent on visually attractive and easy to understand controls. The music is located in convenient folders automatically by the software, such as ‘My Music’ and stored in the mp3 as well as other formats. Alternatively one can store the files in personal folders by naming them with conspicuous titles for easy access. Visual graphics have been incorporated with the music titles and artists which are downloaded automatically by software like the Windows media Player 11 and Apple Itunes. These two as well as other software players such as RealPlayer and MusicMatch Jukebox have separate packages of these players for different versions of the operating systems such as Windows XP,
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Death Penalty Outline Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Death Penalty Outline - Coursework Example by Sangiorgio will help in understanding how death penalty violates human rights standards, and how numerous states have started shifting away from this sentence. Death penalty is cruel and unfair based on race and ethnicity. Schweizer (2013) argues that capital punishment is unfair especially to the black people who live in the United States. Courts also pronounce this sentence based on the resources and benefits that they get from the plaintiff or the defendant. The article by schweizer (2013) will help in analyzing the cruelty and unfairness of capital punishment. Capital punishment wastes time, energy, and finances. Courts have to spend a lot of time and money while implementing death penalty. These resources would have been used in preventing crimes that are punished through death penalty. McLaughlin (2014) will help the research in understanding how death penalty wastes resources. Capital punishment prevents defendants from enjoying the due process of the law. Since new laws are created every day, defendants should be allowed to benefit from the upcoming laws instead of taking away their lives. An article by Sarver (2013) will help in understanding how death penalty prevents victims from enjoying the due process of
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Global health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Global health - Essay Example The support and initiative from every country is beneficial as it evaluates the crises of health care and then takes a precautionary measure for diseases to stop them from spreading globally (Global Health Initiative, 2011). In this context, this paper intends to identify the role of philanthropy work such as the role played by Bill Gates through his benevolent activities in health related initiatives. The paper also intends to identify role of such initiatives in the context of existing WHO policy priorities. The challenge for global health is to study the real life cases and try to produce an innovative idea for the solution of the problems for health. The students or leaders or corporate or an individual can participate to overcome challenges against global health (UBN Global Health challenge, 2011). The Global Health Council is a non profit making organization and its mission is to develop better health globally by assisting, the one who works for improvement and progress of global health. The council secures the information required to work effectively. The Global Health Council is the globe’s largest membership association which consists of corporation, NGO’s, academic institution, foundation and government agencies that coordinates for the improvement of the global health (Global Health Council, n.d.). WHO (World Health Organization) is an institution which takes initiatives for the protection of health of the global populace. It is operating since 1948 and there are more than 190 countries as the members of WHO (World Health Organization). Every country has joined WHO to fight against certain threats related to health which may be harmful for other nations as well (World Health Organization in Belarus, n.d.). Philanthropy is the ethical event in response to ‘human problems’. It is essential for free civil society. Philanthropy is love for
Monday, September 9, 2019
Prison Overcrowding in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Prison Overcrowding in the United States - Essay Example This has led into inmates being forced into open dormitories and double-bunking in a single cell. Many critics have termed such overcrowding as dehumanizing and degrading for inmates. It is also contradictory to the present correctional reforms that emphasize on maximizing the opportunities that are available to inmates (Farrington 222). The United States reports the highest number of incarceration rate in the world. At the end of the year 2009, the incarceration rate was 743 adults per 100,000 people. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics quotes that 2,266,800 people were incarcerated in the US state, federal and county jails by the end of 2010. This is approximately 0.7% of the US adult resident population. In addition, there were 4,933,667 adults by the end of 2009, who were on parole or probation. Therefore, the total number of adults under correctional supervision totals to 7,225,800. This is approximately 3% of the total population of US adults (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics). The number of juvenile detentions was 86, 927 in 2007. Despite this increased numbers, the crime rates have been shown to be on the decrease. 70% of prisoners in the US are non-white. The states with the highest ratio of incarceration include Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi. Approximately 90% of the inmates comprise males. The total number of foreign prisoners is estimated at 6% (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics). There are several causes of this pertinent issue. There has been an increase on the number of offenders that are sent to prison. This can be attributed to high rates of recidivism, which have been on the rise. There has been an increased rate of offenders that return to prison for unsuccessfully completing or violating community supervision. The increased number of offenders can also be attributed to new criminal offences that have been added to the penal code. Certain types of offenses have harsher penalties resulting in
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Should taxes on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for Research Paper - 3
Should taxes on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for rising medical costs - Research Paper Example Consequently, there are views that these two drugs are legal in the society, yet there challenges to human health are extremely uncontainable. The following discussion sets the basis of the prescribed solution in accordance with the professor’s view, an evaluation of the advantages of the solution, and an argument of the demerits likely to emanate from the tax increments. A critical review of the professor and classmates’ response indicates that the group acquired success to the extent they were able to determine the reasons as to why the society continues to suffer the menace of drug abuse and addiction (Jones, 2011). They indicated alcohol and tobacco as the most abused substances despite the administration setting constitutional constraints to ensure proper or reduced usage rates on them (Brisbin, 2008). The group indicated that most of the people indulge in the consumption of the legalities but health hazardous substances while seeking to relieve themselves from traumas and other types of psychological stresses. Amicably, the response sets a proper basis for the society to decipher vital knowledge on the untamed use of alcohol and tobacco products. In turn, the essay articulates the irresponsible behaviors that obviously pose threats to the society at large. For instance, consumption of alcohol has contributed to the spread of diseases since the consumers, make decisions based on the idealization. While they think that they are right, alcohol consumption impairs ones judgments and these drunks often find themselves in more troubles after realizing their deeds (Berry, 2005). The group indicates that in the absence of increased taxes on the commodities, the users are vulnerable to unprotected sex thus the consequences remain at large while they extend the infections to their spouses too. Therefore, the response seems to be successful as it denotes on the risks
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Finance - Corporate Governance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Finance - Corporate Governance - Essay Example How do the investors of a company ensure that the managers of a company are not involved in stealing their money or making bad investments in some projects? How do the investors exercise their control over the managers of the company? This study discusses all relevant issues related to answering all these three questions mentioned above. The discretionary powers and regulatory controls of primary investors of an organisation like the shareholders and creditors of the company have all been discussed in this study. 1. Corporate Governance – Definition One particular formal definition cannot be assigned to the term â€Å"corporate governance†. It is used in many different ways. In general the term â€Å"corporate governance†describes a wide variety of issues which are related to the different ways through which organisational activities can be controlled and directed. Broadly speaking it deals with the code of conduct of the business activities followed by the comp anies. Corporate governance also constitutes wider issues which are related to improvements in the performance of shareholders. ... and the company is accountable to each of them (Turner, 2009, p.5). 2. Importance of Corporate Governance The primary objective of any business organisation to develop a well structured corporate governance mechanism is to ensure that it provides maximum returns and benefits to the economy as a whole which includes all its stakeholders. Hence, corporate governance includes the inter-relationships between the shareholders, corporations and creditors. It also includes relationships between financial institutions, financial markets and business corporations. The issues related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is also included under corporate governance which is based on the activities of the organisation in relation to its business environment and culture (Claessens, 2003, p.5). In today’s world issues related to corporate governance are at top priority for any business organisation. Certain events of business failures, Global Financial Crisis (GFC), corporate frauds and scandals in the recent past have contributed towards the need of significant development in the field of corporate governance in the world. Most of the incidents of scandals and frauds in the business environment are contributed towards the lack of corporate governance in the part of managers, directors and other insiders of the companies. Moreover the ultimate sufferers are none other than the stakeholders of the companies itself. In today’s era of globalised economy, where most of the companies are operating all around the world, there is an opportunity for reaping up huge profits in business. However, it has also added to the company’s worries about the increasing competition in the market and significant fluctuations in capital flows. Moreover investors are now more concerned about
Friday, September 6, 2019
Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling Essay Example for Free
Ethical Legal Issues in Counseling Essay Counselors like any other medical professionals are guided by professional ethics when it comes to performance of their duties. More often than not, mental health professions are usually faced with the challenge to observe ethical guidelines and legal concerns due to the unique criteria that comes with their job. Primarily, the ethical requirement requires the confidentiality, privacy, and professional relationship between the counselor and the client. This is meant to safeguard the well being of the client and the society at large. The American Counseling Association however provides the ethical guidelines to help these professionals to be able to strike a balance between the ethical practice and the legal requirements depending on the condition of the patient. This leads us to the ethical and legal issues in counseling profession which stems from the 1976 Supreme Court ruling in the State of California better known as the Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California ruling. This paper shall review the California Supreme Court ruling giving details of the case and its implications on the counseling profession. It will also revisit the Virginia Tech Tragedy and draw comparisons between the incident and the Tarasoff decision. Review of California Supreme Court findings: Mental health professionals are confronted with scenarios in which the patients are expressive of some tendencies to cause harm to other individuals. This presents a dilemma on what should the mental health professional do in an effort to avert the imminent danger that the client might pose to the third party. In legal terms, this has been referred to as ‘the psychotherapy’s duty to warn or protect third parties’. The duty to warn and/or protect the third parties came up during the Tarasoff V. Regents of the University of California case in 1976. After learning of the incident in detail, the California Supreme Court observed that the psychotherapists engaged in the treatment of mentally disturbed patients had the duty to warn the threatened individuals based on their reasonable care in an effort to prevent the foreseeable danger that may arise from the condition of the patient (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). In this landmark ruling, the Supreme Court had learnt of the negligence of the parties concerned which culminated in the death of the Tatiana Tarasoff. The facts of the case outlined that Prosenjit Poddar and Tatiana were in a relationship which to Poddar, was destined to be intimate. However, when Tatiana revealed to him that they were not going to be in such a relationship Poddar was heartbroken leading to the start of the emotional and mental breakdown. Tatiana left for Brazil in the summer of 1969 and Poddar’s conditions started to show some signs of improvement. He was later to enroll for psychotherapeutic sessions after a friend advised him to do so and became a voluntary outpatient at Cowell Memorial Hospital. He was placed under the care of Dr. Lawrence Moore and it is argued that he confided to the doctor that he was going to commit murder. He was referring to Tatiana, his supposed girlfriend when she returned from Brazil (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). Dr. Lawrence Moore took an initiative to notify the police officers based on the campus regarding the intentions of his patient. He even wrote a letter to the police Chief based at the campus elaborating that Poddar was suffering from an acute and severe paranoid schizophrenic reaction and that he could be a danger not only to himself but also to the other people. The doctor proposed that he was ready to sign the seventy-two hour surveillance order if the police decided to pick up the patient and relocate him to Herrick Hospital. The doctor also observed that his patient’s behavior could at times be rational. Doctors Gold and James Yandell, who were supervisors to Dr. Moore, agreed with his diagnosis and recommendations that Poddar needed to be hospitalized. The patient was taken by the police and put into custody. The police officers including Gary L. Browning; Joseph P. Halleran; and Atkinson interrogated Podder and found out that he was indeed rational and had changed his attitude. The police however released Poddar from custody after he promised to avoid Tatiana and stay far away from her. On the same issue, Dr. Harvey Powelson, who was the Director of Psychiatry at Cowell Memorial Hospital ordered for the return of the letter that had been written by Dr. Moore to the police chief requesting for the 72-hour emergence detention of Poddar. He called for its destruction including the notes that had been written by Dr. Moore on the patient. The Director also issued warnings against taking of any action in putting Podder under the 72-hour emergency surveillance (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). In the month of October 1969, Tatiana returned from Brazil and Poddar failed to live by the promise that he had made to the police and continued to pursue her. It is claimed that Poddar stopped his appointments with Dr. Moore after Tatiana had returned from her trip. However, the Supreme Court observed that Poddar had stopped seeing the psychotherapist after he was detained by the campus police. All the same, towards the end of October in 1969, Podder went to check on Tatiana at their home. At first he could not find Tatiana and was ordered to leave by Tatiana’s mother. Podder was to come back later equipped with a knife and a pellet gun. This time, he was lucky to find Tatiana alone at home. Tatiana refused to speak to Poddar and upon insisting, Tatiana started screaming. This prompted Poddar to aim at her with the pellet gun with Tatiana running wildly from the house. Poddar pursued her and was able to catch her up in the yard stabbing her severally. Poddar then retuned to the house and informed the police of what he had done asking to be handcuffed (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). Dr. Kermit Gruberg, who was serving the Berkeley Police Department upon observation of Poddar in less than twenty four hours of the incident, confirmed that Poddar was a victim of paranoid schizophrenia. Poddar was charged with murder though he refused to enter a plea on the ground of insanity. Some times before he was tried, examinations from a neurologist who was hired by the defense indicated that Poddar had organic abnormalities in his brains. During the trial, Dr. Philip Grossi, Dr. Gruberg, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Moore, and Dr. Gold gave testimonies that Podder was insane and a paranoid schizophrenic. It was during the testimonies of Dr. Moore and Dr. Gold that the details about the victim’s plans to murder Tatiana were exposed. Poddar was convicted to second degree murder and following numerous appeals, he was released and ordered to immediately leave the United States, never to come back (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). Vitaly and Lydia Tarasoff, who were parents to Tatiana, filed the wrongful death suits against the University of California and the psychotherapists who were treating Poddar. The parents alleged four actions which included failure to detain Poddar by the psychotherapists and failure to warn the Tarasoffs that Poddar was of potential danger to their daughter. The other two allegations included the one directed towards Dr. Powelson following his activities in abandoning a dangerous patient and the last one was regarding the ‘Breach of Primary Duty to Patient and the Public’ which was more same to the first allegation (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). The rulings of the Alameda County Superior Court and the court of appeals dismissed the case ruling in the favor of the defendants. It was argued that there was no special relationship between the defendants and Tatiana or her parents and thus there was no obligation to warn. Dr. Powelson was said to have had no duty to commit Poddar and in case he did so, this action was f\discretionary and in accordance with the statutes. The Tarasoffs were not satisfied and sought redress from the California Supreme Court (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). California Supreme Court Decision and its impacts on counseling profession: The decision made in 1976 by the Supreme Court is said to be a second time in considering the case. The very first decision was made in 1974 whereas the second decision emanated from the re-hearing which was granted in 1975. The first decision exemplified that the campus police had a case to answer for having failed to warn Tatiana whereas the second decision was freed them from all legal responsibility (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). In the second decision, psychotherapists were handed greater latitude to offer protection to the potential victims. In the first decision by the California Supreme Court, the defendants claimed that had no obligation to issue any warnings to Tatiana or the Tarasoffs since they were not patients to the therapists. The court rejected this view while observing some exceptions. Under this the court observed that though the defendants had an exceptional relationship with Poddar as their patient; they had even attempted to control his behavior through the initiation of a police detention (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). The defendants were also opposed to the duty to warn potential victims calling it problematic in the performance of their duties. However, the Court was quick to assure that not all incidences reported could result into the duty to warn and that a reasonable degree of skill, knowledge, and care would be required in exercising good judgment within the acceptable professional opinion. On the need to protect the confidentiality of the patient, the Court observed that limitation must be observed in disclosing information to prevent danger of patients to other individuals. In the second decision, the California Supreme Court required the psychotherapists to discharge duty to the endangered third parties by other means apart from warning them. The ‘duty to warn’ was therefore changed to become ‘the duty to protect’ under the second decision. The Court held on the decision that required the psychotherapy to protect third party victims upon using reasonable care aimed at protecting the other individuals from the dangers posed by their patients. The Court held that the Psychiatrists could warn the would be victims directly, sending other people who are likely to inform the intended individual, informing the law enforcement agencies, or taking any necessary step depending on the situation (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). Following the landmark ruling in the Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California, many individuals thought that such a decision was an abnormal one and likely to be overlooked. The professions in mental health also observed that this decision was aimed at undermining psychotherapy practice through the destruction of the principles of confidentiality. Such observations were to be proved wrong since in a couple of year’s time, a New Jersey Superior Court in the McIntosh v. Milano (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000), indicted a psychiatrist basing on the Tarasoff incident. It has to be observed that the California Supreme Court decision which required the mental health professions to give a warning to third party individuals who were in potential danger from their patients has been adopted in most jurisdictions and the decision has even been broaden to incorporate other areas in healthcare practice (Buckner, and Firestone, 2000). The American Counseling Association (ACA) elaborates on the steps to be taken when there is a conflict between the established code of ethics and law requirement. The ACA observes that in the event there is a conflict, the counselors have the duty to make known their commitment to the ACA Code of Ethics and when the conflict stands unresolved by this; counselors have no choice but to relinquish their code of ethics and adhere to the laws and regulations. This means that the law reigns when there is a conflict between the established ethical responsibilities and the law (Docstoc, 2010). The Tragedy at Virginia Tech: Preliminary facts regarding the tragic incident at the Virginia Tech in the year 2007 were appalling. On this fateful day, 33 students and staff lost their lives in a shooting spree carried out by one of the students at the institution. The perpetrator was an English student known as Cho Seung-Hui who was described as a loner by his colleagues and is said have been identified by at least two of his professors as troubled. Earlier on the fateful day, Cho Seung-Hui is said to have mailed a tape to NBC News after having killed two of his victims. In the tape, he fumed against the wealthy in the society and argued that the society was to blame for his actions. The tape indicates that Cho Seung-Hui was full of rage and that he was emotionally troubled. His roommates and friends observed that Cho Seung-Hui showed anti-social tendencies on campus. He is said to have rarely engaged in conversations and was known for one word answers especially on questions that could expose much of him. Further more it has been established that much of the writings made by Cho in his course work revealed violence and murderous images and fury directed towards the female gender (Angelo, 2007). The incident at the Virginia Tech relates in many aspects to the Tarasoff case where the defendants failed to issue warning to the victim and her family. The United States Department of Education findings indicate that the institution dishonored the established campus crime-reporting legislations in responding to the shootings. It is argued that after the first shooting incident occurred at around a quarter past seven in the morning only for the university to issue the e-mail warning at around nine thirty. A moment later the gunman went on a shooting spree which resulted in the death of 33 students and professors including the gunman who shot himself. Timely warning was not issued and that the e-mail that was issued was inadequate as it failed to comprehensively pass the message. The mail read, ‘shooting incident’ without mentioning any fatalities. There is no justification for the two hour delay from the very first incident and the vagueness of the warning. The Virginia Tech officials had enough information that could have helped in identifying the threat and passing information to students and employees (Lipka, 2010). After the shooting, many people have claimed to have raised an alarm regarding Cho’s behavior two years before the incident. His English teacher at the institute is said to have been alarmed by his drawings and even asked him to stay out of class. There were also two other complaints rose by female students at the institution. Cho is said to have contacted one of the female in person and by phone and the other through instant message. After the incident were reported to the campus police, the only asked Cho not to repeat his advances. In the year 2005, the victim is said to have been ordered to a psychiatric observation by a court which revealed that he posed imminent danger to himself. He is also said to have spoken of suicide on several occasion. The officials from higher education claims that these observations are in contravention with the student’s right to privacy. Thus the institution was not in any position to conduct the parents of Cho without his consent on his background (Angelo, 2007). It is evident that those who had some crucial information on Cho Seung-Hui did not take the bold step on sharing the same. It is assumed that by sharing the information that colleagues and professors held about that the young man harbored could have seen the ugly incident averted through psychotherapy. It has been argued that his roommates and some professors had observed some warning behavioral traits. According to the findings of the 2007 Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy; it was found that there are impediments in sharing of crucial information. One of the findings read; Education officials, healthcare providers, law enforcement personnel, and others are not fully informed about when they can share critical information on persons who are likely to be a danger to self or others, and the resulting confusion may chill legitimate information sharing (The White House, 2007, para 4) Conclusion: In the Tarasoff incident, the patient is said to have revealed of his intention to kill the girlfriend to the psychiatrists but the therapist failed to issue a warning to the intended victim which tragically ended in the death of the victim. The therapists were found to be answerable for having failed in their duty to warn the victim of the potential danger posed by their patient. The psychiatrists cited breach of confidentiality in their defense which was dismissed by the Supreme Court ruling by offering guidelines on the confidentiality issue. The Virginia Tech incident on the other hand presents a scenario where the institution was barred by the right to privacy to inquire into the psychiatric background of the student gunman and this led to the fatal incident where many lives were lost in cold murder. Reference: Angelo, J. M. , (2007). Tragedy at Virginia Tech. Retrieved on 17th July 2010 from; http://www. universitybusiness. com/viewarticle. aspx? articleid=758 Buckner, F. , and Firestone, M. , (2000). Where the Public Peril Begins: 25 Years After Tarasoff. Retrieved on 17th July 2010 from; http://cyber. law. harvard. edu/torts01/syllabus/readings/buckner. html Docstoc, (2010). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Practice. Retrieved on 17th July 2010 from; http://www. docstoc. com/docs/18350933/Ethical-and-Legal-Issues-in-Counseling-Practice Lipka, S. , (2010). Virginia Tech Contests Education Departments Assertion of Late Warning in 2007 Shootings. Retrieved on 17th July 2010 from; http://chronicle. com/article/Virginia-Tech-Disagrees-With/65613/ The White House, (2007), Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy, Retrieved on 17th July 2010 from; http://www. hhs. gov/vtreport. html
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