How to be happy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How to be happy - Essay Example The quote illustrates the differences in perceptions, the complexities in the society and peace of mind that results from personal fulfillment. Equally, people have particular hobbies and leisure activities. There is no point in life that someone’s view of life or actions shall please everyone. It is in this context that the quote becomes handy by telling people to take responsibility for their happiness. The society will always find a fault in someone’s actions, dressing, education levels, or development. It is imperative to practice what you feel comfortable in and aim to make life enjoyable. The society has mixed characters, and we have to learn to accommodate everyone without hurting our feelings. Some people appreciate our efforts while others are jealous of every progress. Therefore, to be happy people should not care about others views so long as the actions are right. Happiness emanates from an individual’s satisfaction with him/herself. Hence, persons should act according to their principles to reduce instances of stress, acquire life fulfillment and happiness. Precisely, life is a cycle. The actions we undertake in the present shall influence our future. However, it is important to incorporate the aspect of one’s happiness in the pursuit of good health and long life. It is also essential to note that we are responsible for our happiness. We may end up living a boring and stressful life if we seek happiness from other persons. Therefore, take action to improve and appreciate yourself.

Procurement Analysis Implementation

Procurement Analysis Implementation The development of procurement strategy follows the stages in the life of a project. Initially, a preliminary strategy is determined. It is based on a broad definition of objectives and is an essential step in establishing the way forward for the project. It encourages the client to consider strategy early. The preliminary procurement strategy is usually developed with help from the clients adviser and possibly other consultants. Procurement strategy development has three components: †¢ analysis assessing and setting the priorities of the project objectives and requirements; †¢ choice considering possible options, evaluating them and selecting the most appropriate; and †¢ implementation putting the chosen strategy into effect. During strategy preparation, it may be necessary to seek specialist advice from other consultants, for example, in relation to expected costs for the project. The adviser should advise the client on this. Specialist advice should besought when developing the strategy for novel or especially difficult projects. Until construction contracts are let, the client, with help from his adviser, must systematically ensure that the strategy is on course to meet the projects established objectives. This is important because objectives sometimes change. Procurement Methods There are various methods of procurement which can be broadly classified under the following headings: Traditional Design and Build Two Stage Tendering Public Private Partnerships / Private Finance Initiative Management Contracting Construction Management Framework Agreements Each method has different aspects of risk transfer and no one method can be classed as best overall. Traditional Procurement In this method the Contractor builds to a defined scope of works for a fixed price lump sum. The client retains the responsibility for the design and the project team. The contractor will be appointed normally following a tender process or negotiation and will sign up to a contract for the works. There are a number of standard forms of building contract available for this purpose. Design and Build Procurement The Client appoints a building contractor, as before standard forms of contract are available for this purpose to provide a completed building to an agreed cost and programme. The Contractor is responsible for design and construction. The Contractor can be chosen through a tender process or through negotiation. The Client can appoint a consultant to oversee the works. Maximum risk is transferred following this method of procurement, although a commercial response to design in order to address contract conditions can result. An alternative is to appoint a contractor when designs have been developed in order to retain control of the important elements of design and specification. The Design Team can then transfer their contractual obligations to the contractor and complete the designs on behalf of the Contractor. This process is called Novation. Two Stage Tender Procurement In this process, the Contractor is appointed on the basis of a first stage tender which determines the level of overhead and profit for each Contractor. The Contractor then works with the Project Team during the second stage to develop the designs and establish detailed costings for separate project work elements. This process will provide for a fixed price on a detailed design basis. The provider can then enter into a contract on this fixed price basis and also pursue the opportunity to novate the Design Team as with the Design and Build Procurement route as previously noted. This process requires a long second stage period in which to design and tender the different work elements and therefore a start on site would occur later than normal. Public Private Partnerships Public Private Partnerships (PPP), particularly Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) projects are created for the provision of services and not specifically for the exclusive provision of capital assets such as buildings. It is therefore preferable to investigate PPPs as soon as possible after a user need has been identified rather than leaving it until a conventional construction project has been selected as the solution. It should be noted that the tendering process in this procurement route is expensive and requires negotiation rather than competitive tendering. In comparison with other procurement routes the time from commencement of the project to attaining a start on site is substantially longer. Management Contracting This is a fast track strategy which overlaps the design and construction stages and allows early elements of the construction process to be commenced before design has been completed. The Management Contractor is engaged to manage the overall contract in return for a fee. The Management Contractor can therefore be appointed early in the design and can advise on buildability and programming. In addition to the contract with the Management Contractor, the contracts for the individual work packages are between the Management Contractor and the individual sub-contractors. A cost plan is utilised to control the development costs although actual costs cannot be obtained until the final work package has been awarded. Construction Management This is also a fast track strategy where individual elements of the project are let before the design of later work packages or elements have been completed. The provider will appoint a Construction Manager to manage the overall contract in return for a management fee as with Management Contracting. Also, as before, the project can benefit from early involvement of the Contractor. In this process the contracts for the sub-contractors are placed directly between the Client and the sub-contractor and the Client will need to have a high level of involvement during the design development and the construction phases of the work. As with Management Contracting, the final costs will only be known once the final work elements have been awarded. Framework Agreements Framework Agreements can be established with single suppliers or with a limited number of suppliers. Frameworks can allow suppliers to be brought together with the relevant expertise and experience which can result in savings to both parties where a number of projects are involved. These agreements can cover different forms of procurement including Design and Build, Traditional, etc. The LSC are currently developing framework agreements for consultancy services accross the country. These should be available for use by colleges by early 2008. Following on from this, the LSC will also be working on developing a contractors framework. London Heathrow Airport (LHA/EGLL) Terminal 5, United Kingdom Terminal 5 is one of Europes largest and most complex construction projects. With 16 major projects and over 147 sub-projects, it has encompassed a vast and hugely complex programme of works. Key Data Start Year September 2002 Project Type New terminal construction Location London, UK Contract Value  £4.2bn Completion Phase 1 April 2008Phase 2 2011 Key Players Sponsors BAA, private investment, HM Government Lead Architect Richard Rogers Partnership Strategic Planning and Design Services Halcrow Group Ltd Cost Consultant Services E C Harris Group Ltd Turner and Townsend Group Planning Supervisor Bovis Engineering Ltd Structural Tunnel and Rail Consultant Mott MacDonald Ltd Project Management and Support Services Parsons Brinkerhoff Ltd Civil construction infrastructure and logistics delivery Laing ORourke Civil Engineering Ltd Architectural station design consultant architectural production and brief development HOK International Ltd Construction management Mace Ltd Technical features: In addition to the main terminal building, Terminal 5 also consists of two satellite buildings (the second of which will be completed by 2010), 60 aircraft stands, a new air traffic control tower, a 4,000 space multi storey car park, the creation of a new spur road from the M25, a 600 bed hotel, the diversion of two rivers and over 13 kilometres of bored tunnel, including extensions to the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line services. This work encompasses a multitude of construction related skills including civil engineering, building, highway engineering, mechanical  and  electrical engineering, tunnelling, railway engineering, specialist systems technology and project logistics management. The Stages of Construction: Stage1: Site preparation and enabling words Firstly the 260 hectare site was surveyed and excavated by archaeologists.   Preparation for construction then involved levelling the site, removing the sludge lagoons and building temporary facilities including roads, offices and logistics centres. Stage 2: Groundworks substructures This phase included the earthworks and the construction of the foundations and substructures for the terminal basements. It also included building the drainage systems and the rail tunnels.  Ã‚   A total of 9 million cubic meters of earth will have been excavated during the earthworks phase. A proportion of this earth was used to create the embankments for the M25 spur road and landscape the Colne Valley, while the rest is used to backfill the main site. Stage 3: Major structures This phase included erecting the huge free standing roof structure of the main terminal building (T5A), and its interior superstructure. It also included the superstructure and roof of the first satellite (T5B) as well as the multi-storey car park and ancillary buildings such as the energy centre. Stage 4: Fit out This involved the fit out of the buildings interiors including, the building services modules (ie, power, heating and ventilation systems), the baggage system, the track transit system (people mover) and specialist electronic systems.   It also included the fixtures and fittings and the retail areas. Stage 5: Implementation of operational readiness Operational readiness is necessary to ensure that Terminal 5s infrastructure and systems are fully complete and tested, that staff working in the terminal are properly trained and that all the necessary operational procedures for Terminal 5s opening day on 27 March 2008 are in place. Phase 2: Construction for the basements for the second satellite building (T5C) and additional aircraft stands commenced in 2006.   However, the main building structure will not be completed until 2010. Procurement Strategy Adopted T5 Agreement From the outset BAA recognised that the risk associated with such a huge and complex infrastructure project required a fresh approach to construction management.  Research conducted by BAA into major construction projects highlighted two key areas that seemed to undermine progress; cultural confusion and the reluctance to acknowledge risk.In a move to prevent Terminal 5 from suffering from costly delays and budget over-runs, BAA developed a unique and bespoke commercial partnering agreement with contractors and suppliers called The Terminal 5 agreement.  A contract based on relations and behaviours, it was designed to expose risk rather than transfer it to other parties. Advantages: a)UK construction best practice is expected as a minimum standard on, and in light of this the project has had to ensure key milestones are met on time, on cost and to high quality and safety standards. b)An incentive scheme encourages teams to work together in order to find the most efficient way of achieving these milestones. c)Through the agreement BAA accepts that it carries all of the risk for the construction project. d) Focus on managing out the cause of problems, not the effects if they happen e) Work in truly integrated teams in a successful, if uncertain environment f) Focus on proactively managing risk rather than avoiding litigation. g)With the burden of accountability lifted, those working on T5 can do so innovatively and positively. While traditional arrangements can result in a highly unproductive culture of blame and confrontation if something goes wrong, h)Under the T5 Agreement a premium is placed on delivering solutions and results. I)Many of the suppliers involved in Terminal 5 were brought on-board at the earliest stages of the planning process. This enabled completely integrated expert teams to work together to identify potential problems and issues before designs were finalised and fabrication and construction began. As a result the teams of suppliers and consultants are in a position to add value whilst designing safe solutions within the time, quality, cost and safety targets. j)UK construction best practice performance on Terminal 5 is expected as a minimum standard. In light of this, the project has to ensure key milestones are met on time, on cost and to high quality and safety standards. k) BAA only has a direct contractual relationship with ‘First Tier suppliers, of which there are around 60. It is the First Tier suppliers who are responsible for the appointment and management of ‘Second Tiersuppliers or subcontractors. In doing so they too are expected to operate within the spirit of the T5 Agreement. The English national stadium project at Wembley Key Facts about Wembley: The stadium will be used primarily for football and rugby league but will also, after adaptation, be capable of hosting major international athletics events. ! The project is expected to cost  £757 million and is scheduled for completion early in 2006. ! The Football Association is contributing  £148 million to the project and commercial lenders have provided debt facilities of  £433 million. ! The public sector funders are providing  £161 million ( £120 million of lottery money from Sport England,  £20 million from the Department for CultureMedia and Sport and  £21 million from the London Development Agency) to the project. ! The stadium will be owned and operated by Wembley National Stadium Limited,a wholly owned subsidiary of the Football Association. ! Profits from the operation of the stadium will be used by the Football Association in accordance with its objects for the benefit of football. ! Starting five years after the stadium opens, Wembley National Stadium Limited will donate one per cent of its turnover each year for distribution to sports education and other projects. Key Features: With 90,000 seats, the new Wembley is the largest stadium in the world with every seat under cover. This capacity is separated into 3 tiers of seating, with the lower tier holding 34,303 spectators, the middle one 16,932 and the upper one 39,165[14] The stadium contains 2,618 toilets, more than any other venue in the world.[15] The stadium has a circumference of 1  km (0.6  mi).[2] At its peak, there were more than 3,500 construction workers on site.[16] 4,000 separate piles form the foundations of the new stadium,[2] the deepest of which is 35  m (115  ft).[2] There are 56 km (35 miles) of heavy-duty power cables in the stadium.[2] 90,000  m ³ (120,000  cu  yds) of concrete and 23,000 tonnes (25,000 short tons) of steel were used in the construction of the new stadium.[2] The total length of the escalators is 400  m ( ¼Ã‚  mi).[2] The Wembley Arch has a diameter greater than that of a cross-channel train.[17][18]

Compare and Contrast: ‘A desirable society’ Essays -- Literary Analysi

Both Andre Brink’s ‘A Dry White Season’ and James Joyce’s ‘The Dead’ display two very different societies undergoing artistic, cultural and political transitions. In 1914, Ireland saw the Nationalist party at its peak, where Irish society was desperately searching for a sense of cultural identity and political stability. Joyce takes an apolitical approach in order to objectively show Dublin to his fellow Dubliners in his ‘nicely polished looking glass.’ Andre Brink, in comparison, documents a temporal shift into 1976, during the Soweto uprising, in which the non-white population of South Africa protested against the Nationalist Party’s apartheid regime. Brink, like Joyce, draws upon this inspiration to offer a truthful commentary upon South African society. Although both novels are placed within entirely contrasting contexts, both display similar themes of political unrest and social division, which reveals two very flaw ed and undesirable societies. In this essay I will compare and contrast the ways in which Joyce and Brink portray the societies that they are a part of. I will compare the treatment of colonisation, segregation and both cultural and nationalistic identity in each novel, and argue the integrity of each author’s commentary and critiques upon two transforming nations. Colonisation plays an important role in both Brink’s A Dry White Season and Joyce’s The Dead. Brink bases the events of his novel around the Soweto uprising, in which South Africa’s non-whites fought against the Nationalist Party’s apartheid regime. The main conflict was over the Nationalist Party proposing schooling in non-white schools to be carried out in both English and Afrikaans languages. The non-white student population much preferr... ...ue of national identity, with the influence of colonisation and conflicting ideas. One detail that is consistent in both Joyce’s The Dead and Brink’s A Dry White Season is the completely apolitical and factual approach the authors take. Without forcing any ideas upon the reader, Joyce and Brink allow us to construct our own opinions upon the way in which their societies operate. Works Cited Deane, Seamus. 1982. Joyce and Nationalism. Sussex: The Harvester Press Diala, Isidore. 2002. History and the inscriptions of torture as a purgatorial fire in Andre Brink’s fiction. Texas: University of North Texas Levenson, Michael. 1994. Living History in â€Å"The Dead.† New York: St Martin’s Press Pecora, Vincent P. 1986. â€Å"The Dead† and the Generosity of the Word. PMLA 101.2 Schwarz, Daniel R. 1994. â€Å"The Dead† A Critical History. New York: St Martin’s Press

Former president of South Africa Essay

My friends and I had joined and have been a member of the African National Congress for a long time. Our non-stop mission is to remove apartheid. Since 1944, when I had just joined the antiapartheid organization ANC, we have been trying to talk with the government officials about the unfairness and the disadvantages of apartheid. Our non-violent mission to get rid of apartheid seems to go nowhere. The United Nations and the United States, too, is backing us up with our couple of hundred black colored folks. Since the government is mostly white dominated, they wouldn’t listen to our concerns because removing apartheid would be a great disadvantage for them. Most factory or company owners are white. Removing apartheid would mean that they would have to pay the blacks and the colored folks the same money since right now white people get more paid than us. This is just one of the many things the whites would suffer if an antiapartheid nation was formed. In the footsteps of Mohandas Gandhi we pursue a non-violent protest. â€Å"I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.† Clearly, one could draw the point on how miserable our lives were and under these circumstances you suffer greatly or stand up for your culture, stand up for your country and the meaning of our tribes. A changing world demands redefinition of old concepts. Africa, first step where humans took on this planet and we follow the biblical rules. â€Å"I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.† Dear Journal: November 1962 This is my first night in prison. I do not write to you in shame since I believe to be lucky enough to escape hanging. I am currently imprisoned at Robben Island with some of my colleagues for protesting against the true Africans not having any democratic rights, which wiped out the possibility of bringing peace to South Africa. We Africans do not even have any of the Basic Human Rights. We are born with these rights and unless we give them up  for a certain type of government they are ours to keep. Us not having any human rights was an unarguable point since at Sharpeville in March of 1960 the police fired at an African crowd and killing 67. Most of them were shot in the back. â€Å"No one in his right senses would choose such a life, but there comes a time when a man is denied the right to live a normal life, when he can only live the life of an outlaw because the government had so decreed to use the law.† I could have continued with my life with what I was taught to do in life; fight, and since I was almost considerably a professional boxer I could have made good money and have a high-social life. But I chose to fight for our Basic Human rights, bring peace and end apartheid. And is this what I get for trying to get equal rights? I have been sentenced for life in this forbidding, desolate place. â€Å"This was my home. It was so big at the time. I don’t know why it is so small now.† I am treated harshly in this place. We do not receive healthy food and we have to work in a lime quarry. I can only write letters no longer than 500 words every six months and eventually I was able to talk with Winnie my dearest wife. We were not allowed to read books nor newspapers so the only way I could get information about what is going outside was through Winnie and her letters. Dear Journal:December 27, 1988 You could say I’m getting used to my imprisonment. Since December, I was moved to a cottage at Victor Verster Prison. The reason I believe why the government moved me to this comfortable prison is because; back in August, when I became very ill the government was afraid that if I died there would be a massive revolt. Because of my enormous popular support, I was taken to one of the best medical centers in the country. When in October I felt better, I was moved here. I feel much safer and more comfortable. This was just a prison farm even with a swimming pool. At least I do not have to work on fixing roads and collecting seaweed on hot summer days. During the winter, back at Robben Island, we worked at Limestone Quarry and after 10 years of labor my doctor told me that I shouldn’t lift so hard. The South African Government published my photos to show how much comfort I was living in. After all the restrictions I have received, these were the first photos of myself since 1966. â€Å"In the name of the law, I found myself treated as a  criminal†¦not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of my conscience.† After all I did expect them to treat me harshly, I was the one of few man who stood up for my country and because of what I was trying to accomplish made it so unbearable towards the government. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.† The United Nations Article states that all men shall have the basic human right, independence and equal treatment. So I shall receive that right. Dear Journal:August 17, 1984 I have been telling you about in how horrible living conditions that black people live in. But maybe you don’t exactly know what they are. Well let me tell you a broad definition of apartheid. Apartheid was a law unfair to black people in South Africa and it was made even before I was born. It limited our civil rights. We couldn’t vote nor have proper jobs. We endured bad housing such as slums with no electricity or pluming. Black people were arrested most of the time for no major particular reason and put into really bad prisons. So now you know why it is so important for me to end apartheid. â€Å"A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness†¦.The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.† After 20 years at Robben Island, the state’s most guarded prison, my people were asking for my independence. In my isolation section, I was secretly able to keep track of what was going on at the outside world. According to the information I received, newspapers started writing headlines such as â€Å"FREE MANDELA† and â€Å"LET MANDELA GO.† I was so respected and recognized that the whole world started to notice how much the people wanted to free me. What I don’t understand is why they waited so long. It was hard to know what was going on but I made it my business to keep track of what was happening in my nation and in the world. The United States and Great Britain were naming streets and parks after me. I didn’t realize till today how people looked up to me  and considered me important, for what I have tried to do and will still try; end apartheid. Human rights groups and Universities gave me honors and awards but it was impossible for them to ever reach me. It’s not like they’re papers which could be sneaked in, well I will just have to wait till I receive my independence. Dear Journal:May 11, 1994 Yesterday was one the happiest days of my life. I was the president of South America. After 27 years if suffering in prisons. After the next 4 years of my release I had been involved in rebels against the government, beside my followers. These last 4 years chaotic and violent. My supporters fought viciously with the Inkatha Party of the Zulu chief Gatsha Buthelezi. Many were killed on their side but unfortunately so did many on our side. When in 1986 I started to make negotiations with Botha I had refused his deal to give me my freedom under such conditions where I had to live in Transkei, reject violence and many other things. If I accepted these conditions just for my freedom, it would be a violation of what I stand for in my spot at the ANC. I kept it a secret till when I had to tell my friends so they could help me get my freedom and I could do well for my nation. The new President of South Africa and leader of the National Party, F.W. de Klerk, in the end decided to release myself and the other political prisoners. He also made ANC legal so I when I asked him for my freedom he released me. On February, 1990 I was released. But my joyful days weren’t over yet. A general election was held in April, 1994. And about a year after the elections, yesterday I became the new and first black president of South America. â€Å"Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another†¦. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!† The people were dependant on me because they knew that I would spare a civil war and follow whatever the ANC says to do so. As the people saw me end apartheid along F.W. de Klerk back in 1993 and received the Nobel Peace price, they expected me to bring many other good reforms. I promise to change the whole perception towards black people.

De Stijl

De Stijl in Dutch means â€Å" The Style†, also known as neoplasticism, was a Dutch artistic movement founded in 1917. The movement was mainly about creating geometric abstract paintings. In a narrower sense, De Stijl was a term used refers to a body of work from 1917 to 1931 founded in Netherlands. De Stijl was also the name of the journal, which published by the Dutch painter, designer, writer, and critic Theo van Doesburg (1883 ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œ1931), propagating the group’s theories.Besides him, the principal members of De Stijl group include painters Piet Mondrian (1872–1944), Vilmos Huszar (1884–1960), and Bart van der leck (1876-1958), and the architects Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964), Robert van’t Hoff (1887–1979), and J. J. P. Oud (1890–1963). The basic artistic philosophy of the group’s work was known as neoplasticism — â€Å"the new plastic art (or Nieuwe Beelding in Dutch). †In general, De Stijl used only straight horizontal and vertical lines and rectangular forms to proposed both in architecture and painring , the ultimate simplicity and abstraction. For example,the Red and Blue Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1917. They used limited colors like red, yellow, and blue as their formal vocabulary. And they had three primary values, black, white, and grey. Their works used opposition to avoid symmetry and attained aesthetic balance. This element of the movement embodies the second meaning of stijl: a post, jamb or support†. It was the best example of the constructive crossing joints, most commonly seen in carpentry. De Stijl was influenced by Cubist painting as well as by the mysticism and the ideas about â€Å"ideal† geometric forms in the neoplatonic philosophy of mathematician M. H. J. Schoenmaekers. This movement also influenced the Bauhaus style and the international style of architecture as well as clothing and interior design.However, different from Bauhaus, D e Stijl didn’t follow the general guidelines of an â€Å"ism† (Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism), nor did it held the principles of art schools like the Bauhaus. It was a collection of artworks and a joint enterprise. De Stijl completely rejected to use any concrete element. They advocated the use of pure geometric abstraction to express the pure spirit. They thought only to put aside specific description and details to avoid the individuality and specificity of an artwork, and then art could obtain the common human sense.

Mass Media Essay Essays

Mass Media Essay Essays Mass Media Essay Essay Mass Media Essay Essay Mass Media’s Influence on Americas’ Youth Does mass media influence children and teenagers more than their friends and family? That’s the question mainstream America is asking. America’s youth today is faced with an issue that adolescents in past decades never experienced. Young people today are flooded with media such as television, music, movies, magazines, newspapers, internet, and more. Media is overly accessible and virtually impossible to hide from in a world now dependent on it. The main concern that always comes up in the discussion of mass media is its many negative impacts on children and teens in American society. Mass media is a dominant force in the United States and across the world that shapes and molds young people in a variety of ways, creating ideas and theories that hold huge influence in the perceptions and actions of these adolescents. Many times these perceptions and ideals shown through mass media are very harmful to the development of children and teenagers in the United States. Mass media in the United States lacks government intervention and regulation. One of the reasons that there may not be strict enough rules for mass media could be that most broadcast companies in the United States are privately owned. These private companies receive no government funding. For example, public radio and public television are funded and controlled by government. Therefore, the government holds little leverage in telling these corporations what to do. Mass media’s effect in regards to violent behavior shows why the government regulation of mass media needs to be stricter than they currently are. The watching of violence is a very popular form of entertainment in mainstream America. A crowd of pedestrians enjoy a street fight just as the Greek enjoyed watching Spartans battle in the arena. Boxing and Wrestling are one of the most popular spectator sports on television in the United States and around the world. Violence is the most frequently depicted genre in television and movies. News programs provide extensive coverage of violent crimes just to bump up their ratings. Another way these kids are viewing this violence is through their videogames. Videogames such as Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty are among the most popular videogame titles on the market. According to CNN Grand Theft Auto sold 3. million copies and generated $310 million dollars in sales in its first day. The more violent the videogames are, the more copies they sell. Just imagine how different things might be in a world without children playing violent videogames or watching gory movies nearly every day. In a research study reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health the results reported were that on 23 channels recorded more than half of the material was filled with violence (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Many of these television shows that contain violent material depict unrealistic effects. For example, there could be an extremely horrific gun shooting or stabbing in a movie and the character lives. However, the reality is that a gun shooting or a stabbing will most likely result in death. One common example of violent behavior being glorified through television and movies is bank robberies. These movies make robbing banks seem appealing because of the ease in which they take the money while underplaying the consequences that go along with a serious crime such as this. Many parents observe their children and teenagers copying behaviors that they have picked up in films and TV shows. It is quite apparent that this process leads to a greater frequency of violence. Mass media’s influence on sexuality is another controversial topic. Media is one way America’s youth learn and see sexual behavior. â€Å"Adolescence is the stage when individuals develop independent identities by disengaging from their parents and interacting more extensively with their peers† (Paek et al. 2011). Considering that at this stage adolescents are not guided by their parents as much as in prior stages of their life it becomes increasingly important that the mass media influences adolescent sexuality. The mass media are an increasingly accessible way for people to learn about and view sexual behavior. The media is especially important and influential for teenagers as they begin developing their own sexual beliefs and patterns of behavior. Media is often the only influence in these young people’s life as parents and schools remain reluctant to discuss sexual topics. In the United States, young people spend 6 to 7 hours each day on average with some form of media (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Brown and Witherspoon report, â€Å"almost all teens have their own source of music †¦ and more than wo-thirds have their own television †¦ in their bedroom† (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Many of those televisions also are hooked up to cable. These numbers will have surely increased over the past decade if history repeats itself. A report published in the Journal of Sex Research concluded that mass media has a profound influence on adolescent sexual attitudes and sexual practices (Brown 2002). The availability of sexual content continues to increase. According to Forbes Magazine internet pornography is now a billion dollar per year industry. Sexual content is flooding through mainstream media. It is clear in regards to sexuality in media that it influences the way adolescents think and behave sexually. Media also effects how early young people begin to start having sexual activities. Young people interpret sexual media content differently than adults; they also evaluate and incorporate what they are seeing into their own lives. â€Å"Both children and adults have been reported to believe the media is a central source of information on sex and sexuality for young people† (Werner-Wilson, Fitzharris, Morrisey 2004). Considering that adults are reportedly looking to the internet as a resource for sexual questions or curiosity it’s easy to understand why children are also looking to the internet as a sexual resource. Young teens in America are having sex earlier, and with more partners because of what they see in the media. It’s simply natural to behave the way you see others behaving. Another disturbing effect caused by mass media is in regards to health. Mass media continues to put out content that does nothing to promote good health and a lot to cause unhealthy behavior among young people. A study on media and American teenagers showed that 8 to 18 year-olds spend 6 to 7 hours a day with some type of media and over 20 hours a week just with music (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). The most dangerous health effects caused by media are on young women. Young women all over the United States and the world are starving themselves in an effort to become skinnier. The reason these women are striving to become skinnier is because of the perception that mass media has created on what beauty is. In a study shown by the Society for Adolescent Medicine, nearly one quarter of college girls are engaging in some form of anorexic behavior (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Not only has this standard of what a woman should look like affected these women physically but it has also completely diminished many of these women’s self-esteem. According to the National Institute of Mental Health anorexia often develops during teen years or young adulthood. Since it is already known that the teen years are when adolescents are most impressionable, it makes perfect sense that anorexia often develops during this period. The full name for this disorder is anorexia nervosa. The characteristics of anorexia include emaciation, starvation, self-esteem issues, and fear of weight gain. The effects of this eating disorder can be deadly. Some of the most serious problems include brain damage and organ failure. Tobacco is largely depicted in the media. According to the National Institute of Health, people who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time quitting. About 30% of youth smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking-related disease. Teen smokers are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs they are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression. A research study conducted by Hye-Jin Peak, Albert Gunther, Douglas McLeod, and Thomas Hove explored the degree that peer perceptions effect adolescents’ truthfully reporting whether or not they have been exposed to anti-smoking efforts thru mass media (Peak, Gunther, McLeod, and Hove 2011). This study also evaluated how peer perceptions affect adolescents’ effect whether or not the teens smoke or how they feel about smoking (Peak et al. 011). The research study results explained that media influence on adolescents showed a strong correlation between increased media and increased smoking in adolescents (Peak et al. 2011). Considering the research results leads one to believe that if stricter laws were made on commercials for tobacco then maybe fewer kids would be smoking. If the United States Government examined how other nations re gulate mass media they may be enlightened. â€Å"Recognition of the harmful effects of smoking has led many countries to restrict tobacco advertising. In some, such as New Zealand and Norway, cigarette consumption decreased significantly after the bans† (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Media Portrayal of cigarette popularity contributes to the likelihood of adolescents beginning to smoke. As of today there are some restrictions on tobacco marketing, but these restrictions are very weak and hardly effective. As for image advertising, the agreement does not ban actual photos of people trying to entice adolescents to start smoking, only the cartoon images for cigarette advertising (Petty 1999). All advertisements are still allowed to picture people (Petty 1999). â€Å"Beer and wine are also among the most heavily advertised products on television and radio† (Brown and Witherspoon 2002). Considering that beer and wine are so heavily advertised in the mass media main stream America should really be considering the impact of alcohol use on United States’ adolescent population. According to the National Institute of Health there were 2. 8 million alcohol related injury deaths among 18 to 24 year-old college students from 1998 to 2001. If the Mass Media didn’t idealize alcohol as glamorous then certainly there would not have been as many tragic unnecessary deaths of young people during this 3 year period. The number of negative effects caused by mass media is extraordinary. Media negatively affects individual’s self-concept, attitudes, and behavior. It is impossible not to see how much the negative effects on youth out-weigh the positives. What can be done to change the status quo media has set in the U. S.? Focusing on a variety of categories; not just violence, sexuality, and self-esteem may be helpful. Perhaps if from the time children became toddlers they are not able to see Hustler and Penthouse magazines that contain explicit nudity at a party store or gas station counter that would be step one in gaining some kind of protection or censorship for our children. The world is constantly evolving. â€Å"Young people today are growing up in a world unlike anything previous generations have experienced. Today’s youth have greater access to forms of communication than ever before† (Brown and Cantor 2000). Surely the future of America’s adolescents is extremely important to most all Americans. Therefore, it only makes sense that since mass media is changing drastically then the rules regulating mass media must change drastically too. Brown, Jane. â€Å"Mass Media Influences on Sexuality. † The Journal of Sex Research 39. 1, Promoting Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (Feb. , 2002), pp. 42-45. Jstor. Oakland Community University. 28 Jul. 2011 Brown, Jane, and Elizabeth M. Witherspoon. â€Å"The Mass Media and American Adolescents’ Health. † The Journal of Adolescent Health 31. 6s, (2002) pp. 154-167. Oakland Community University. 8 Jul. 2011 Brown, Jane, and Joanne Cantor. â€Å"An Agenda for Research on Youth and the Media†. The Journal of Adolescent Health 27. 2s, (2000) pp. 1-7. Oakland Community University. 28 Jul. 2011 Paek, Hye-Jin, Albert C. Gunther, Douglas M. McCleod, and Thomas Hove. â€Å"How Adolescents Perceived Media Influence on Peers Affects Smoking Decisions. † The Journal of Consumer Affairs pp. 123-146. (201 1). Wayne State University. 12 Aug. 2011 Petty, Ross. â€Å"Tobacco Marketing Restrictions in the Multistate Attorneys General Settlement: Is This Good Public Policy. Journal of Public Policy Marketing 18. 2, (1999), pp. 249-257. Jstor. Oakland Community University. 6 Aug. 2011 Thompson, Kenneth, and Anita Sharma. â€Å"Secularization, Moral Regulation and the Mass Media. † The British Journal of Sociology 49. 3, (1998), pp. 434-455. Jstor. Oakland Community University. 6 Aug. 2011 Werner-Wilson, Ronald Jay, Jennifer Lynn Fitzharris, and Kathleen M. Morrissey. â€Å"Adolescent and Parent Perceptions of Media Influence on Adolescent Sexuality. † Adolescence 39. 154 (2004). Wayne State University. 12 Aug. 011 CNN on the Web. 14 August 2011. http://articles. cnn. com/2008-05-08/tech/gta. sales_1_ea-sales-grand-theft-auto-iv? _s=PM:TECH. NIH on the Web. 14 August 2011 nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/smokingandyouth. html. NIMH on the Web. 14 August 2011 nimh. nih. gov/healt h/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index. shtml. FORBES on the Web. 14 August 2011 forbes. com/2001/05/25/0524porn. html. Web. August 14 collegedrinkingprevention. gov/media/Mag_and_Prev_ARPH_April_2005. pdf.

Gambling Casinos essays

Gambling Casinos essays Gambling Casinos: A Plague on Society Gamblers no longer need to trek to Las Vegas or Atlantic City to find the action they so badly crave. It is available today in their own hometowns. Legalized gambling is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Gamblings tremendous popularity is evident in the recent increase in the number of off-track betting parlors (OTBs) and riverboat casinos that dot the midwest and the Mississippi Delta. Billboards on major highways depict the action and excitement available at such facilities. For most of the industrys patrons, gambling is fun and a form of harmless entertainment. For the four to six percent of gamblers who become problem or pathological (compulsive) gamblers, however, it can be a devastating illness that negatively affects every aspect of their lives. Im worried that the more legalized gambling havens that open up, the more problems we can expect as a result of them. The greatest social cost of legalized gambling is the probable increase in problem and pathological gambling. In Connecticut for example, the Foxwoods Resort Casino opened up in 1995 and the number of pathological gamblers sky-rocketed. In 1994, there were 235 calls to the Gambling Anonymous hotline and in 1995 (after the casino opened), there were 588. In 1997, the state of Connecticut also launched a massive media campaign for community awareness of the social problem and encourage to get help for people with gambling addictions because at least 70,000 adults in Connecticut have gambling problems. Pathological gambling is a progressive disease that devastates not only the gambler, but everyone with whom he or she has a significant relationship. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association accepted pathological gambling as a disorder of impulse control . It is an illness that is chronic and progressive, but it can be diagnosed and ...

Word Choice Quick vs. Fast

Word Choice Quick vs. Fast Word Choice: Quick vs. Fast Whooosh! Zooom! Wheee! Today, we have a need for speed, so we’re looking at the words â€Å"quick† and â€Å"fast.† Both terms are related to rapidity, but there is a subtle difference between them that many people overlook. So, join us for a speedy look at how to use these words correctly! Quick (Speedily or in a Short Time) One use of the adjective â€Å"quick† is to refer to something that happens at speed: John was always quick to respond. The emphasis here is brevity of action. We also see this in another use of this term, which is to show that something happens in a short amount of time: I’ll give your essay a quick look before you hand it in. These uses are similar, but the second doesn’t necessarily require speed. You could have a â€Å"quick nap,† for example, which would be short but static (unless you fall asleep on a skateboard at the top of a hill). Seems like a good spot for a â€Å"quick† nap.(Photo: John Chapman/Pyrope) The adverbial form of this word is â€Å"quickly.† â€Å"Quick† and â€Å"quickly† are sometimes used interchangeably, but you should always use â€Å"quick† for nouns and â€Å"quickly† for verbs in formal writing. Fast (At High Speed) â€Å"Fast† is another adjective that refers to something happening at speed: John was always fast to respond. However, it can also be used to describe something that is capable of moving quickly. Or it can indicate that something happens at a high pace: I’ve always loved fast cars. The fast pace of change took some by surprise. The key in these cases is that it about the sustained speed/rate of something, not the time it takes to occur. We say that a car is â€Å"fast,† for example, because this reflects its potential for sustained speed, whereas â€Å"quick† would imply a brief action. An important exception to this is â€Å"fast food,† which is so called because it is made quickly. It does not usually move fast unless you throw it across the room, which is widely considered impolite. If anything, eating it will probably slow you down. In addition, we can use â€Å"fast† as an adverb when describing an action: You always drive too fast. â€Å"Fast† has some other meanings, too, such as â€Å"hard to move† or to abstain from food for a period of time. However, these are much harder to confuse with the word â€Å"quick†! Quick or Fast? These words are often interchangeable when referring to something that happens at speed. But this is not always the case. The key to avoiding errors is therefore considering whether time is relevant. If you’re describing something that happens in a short time, it will be typically be â€Å"quick.† But if it is something that is capable of moving fast or that occurs at a high rate, the correct word will be â€Å"fast.† Quick = Happening at speed or in a short time Fast = Happening at a high speed or rate, or capable of moving at speed

Resourcing and Talent Management - Case study and Research Assignment

Resourcing and Talent Management - Case study and Research - Assignment Example The working options are somewhat rigid and the human resource management systems are not very fair. This report is written on the background of these issues and identifies the major UK labour market and its linkage to the issue at hand. The report will look at the critical issues in the organization and the possible solutions to the issue. There are some elements of the human resource management and talent management system that seem to be problematic. These issues form the basis and foundation of the challenges that OXEN.org is facing at the moment. From the scenario, it appears there is a merger of OXEN.org and some other companies. Mergers normally bring up cultural differences and matters that leads to major conflicts and issues in an organisation. When a merger is done and reasonable care is not taken to streamline the culture and the activities of the members of the two organisations, there is bound to be cultural tensions and issues that affects talent management and human resource issues. Cultural issues in mergers and acquisitions that have bearings on talent management and human resource management appear in the initial planning stage, closing of the deal and the post-merger integration stage (Harzing and Ruysseveldt, 2012). This involves the cultural clash of the different entities that come together under the merger and acquisition agreement. From this case, OXEN.org seem to have major problems and issues that relates to the clashes of cultures which is creating some degree of confusion that is having an adverse impact on the performance of the charitable organisation. It appears there is a major issue with the coordination of affairs between the London, Manchester and New York offices of the company. And this is probably a cause of some human resource management issues and matters which could include amongst

Critically assess the impact of either the US, Israel or Iran on the Essay

Critically assess the impact of either the US, Israel or Iran on the regional politics of the Middle East - Essay Example The leaders of both countries have been successful in pursuing common goals on security through the development of closer relations which are based on shared religious affinities and democratic values (Migdalovitz 2006). Israel is the major recipient of U.S. aid and it purchases most of its weapon systems from America and in so doing Israel has been able to maintain a qualitative military edge in the Middle East. Israel is facing serious security threats from the Arab Spring presented by instabilities in Lebanon, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Syria and Jordan as these political movements are planning attacks on Israel. This move has made the relationship between Israel and U.S. to worsen given that Israel perceive that United States is not concerned about its welfare but just to attain its goal. However, it is the contribution of the US that has discouraged the outbreak of major Israel-Arab interstate conflict for over 40 years (Huband 2006). The U.S.-Israel relationship The relati onship between U.S. and Israel is not based on friendship but rather on different interests of the two countries in the Middle East. ... allistic missiles as well as bring to an end the Islamist inspired terrorism such as Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and other Islamists and Jihadists groups. Given that the region has not experienced peace for a long time, the relationship is geared at enhancing a form of stability through promotion of pro-Western regimes like Jordan’s. In achieving this, the relationship will manage to restore peace and normalization between the Arab community and Israel since Israel has been in conflict with Palestine government for a considerable long time. The challenge facing the relationship is that they respond and prioritize to these challenges differently. The difference in strategies and policies preferred by the two countries has increasingly cause tension on the relationship as they are seen to undermine the interest of the other nation. For instance, Israel view American policy to be naivete in the Middle Eastern diplomacy as it brings more consequences to Israel. On the other hand, t he US considers Israel to be insufficiently attentive to its interests since most of its actions have been detrimental. The two states are different in some ways, as the US is a superpower whereas Israel is a regional power and this presents them with different concerns (Malka 2011). In respect to this, the two sides should be ready to accommodate each other regardless as in so doing; resentments and misunderstandings that have continually mounted the relationship will be dealt with. Honesty, openness and lesser partisan polemics will enhance sustenance of this relationship. The US-Israel relationship faces differences in the Arab Spring goal. After the revolutions took place in the Arab world that transforms the politics in middle east, the two countries found themselves supporting different

Inclusive education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Inclusive education - Essay Example Rather than viewing the situation in such a way, the educator would do better to view the ultimate diversity that such a situation could bring to the table and work to make it beneficial for all involved. Secondly, with regards to the perception that a teacher has with relation to a student with a disability, this has a prominent role with regards to whether the student himself/herself will achieve a level of success. In this way, the reader can be made intimately aware of the way in which perception of disability has a unique and powerful effect on the level of educational attainment that can be realized (Morsink, 1984). As such, the educator must be made aware of their engrained prejudices that exist so as to seek to identify these and work to lessen their effect on the application of education and the approaches that they exhibit both inwardly and outwardly with regards to the students with disabilities within their classroom. Not only is such an approach to disability disheartening to the child himself/herself, it also is oftentimes outwardly visible; although the educator may wish to conceal this, to the other students within the classroom. In this way, the preconceived notions of whether or not a student is able to integrate well with the other students, the course, and/or the material is oftentimes of far greater importance than whether or not the student is truly and innately capable of integrating with the material. Ultimately, what the reader can infer is that the approach to the situation is what is most important from the educator’s standpoint. If one seeks to push back against the inclusion of children with special needs, they should only do so based upon concrete facts and/or evidence and not due to any preconceived and unsubstantiated beliefs with regards to the overall effect that such an inclusion

Executive Compensation in Investment Banks Essay

Executive Compensation in Investment Banks - Essay Example Initially it was the investing public that was greatly affected, but as the crisis grew and the state had to intervene, it was the common man who stands out as most hurt, not only in the US, but across Europe and the world. Apart from bearing the full force of the crisis in terms of recession, unemployment, it is his money that is being used to bailout companies from the mess created for which he is in no way responsible. The media, the public and the politicians are busy naming the culprits for the crisis. The state regulators are trying hard to exonerate themselves by saying it did everything to prevent it and academicians are busy trying to analyse and suggest solutions. The analysts and executives who are being seen as the immediate malefactors are facing the media and public ire for the alleged role they played in the process. The important thing about this crisis is that it is not something that happened by a set of circumstances which developed overnight. There have been two similar occurrences, though of lesser magnitude in the last decade, the stock market bubble in the mid nineties and the crisis following the dot.com bubble burst in the earlier part of the century. At both times the reactions of the media, public and regulators have been similar, but apparently whatever remedial action taken by the regulators and the industry does not seem to have prevented the recurrence of the present crisis. Questions are still being asked on how this has happened Can these be prevented Are these inherent risks in a capitalist and market economy and therefore these are unavoidable If so, how should they be mitigated What and who is responsible for the present crisis What has been the role of the state and regulators The questions being attempted to be answered in these area are more specific namely if the executive compensation in investment banks are flawed and whether disclosures made in Reports and Accounts have given information to shareholders about long term prospects of the company to justify such high compensation and how these have affected shareholders wealth erosion in the present crisis. There is a universal agreement across academicians, industry, regulators and media that executive payments in investment banks are indeed very high. "Firms make lots of money, and use about half of it to overpay their employees."(Brown, 6) CFA UK's analysis of pay structure of employees of investment banks (Annexure A) and concedes that they are very high compared to other business sectors. Even if we concede for the moment that the remuneration and incentives paid to employees and CEOs of investment bank is disproportionate to what they really deserve, and this had a bearing on the crisis, this cannot be the reason for the crisis. Three articles have been chosen from three different sources-the media, academic research and industry association to see how much they agree with the statement. These have been taken from three different periods of time, one immediately after the previous crisis of 2002, one midway between the last two crises (2007) and one not more than a month ago after the full impact of the crisis was beginning to unfold (2008). The first one is written by Gretchen C. Morgenson et al. (2002) appeared in May 2002 in the Money and Business/ Financial section of

Ted Bundy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ted Bundy - Research Paper Example Most of those that turn out as murderers and serial killers have underlying traits that are beyond the rapport created. While it is not definitive pointer to a killer, extreme anti-social behaviour has been a classical indicator of the same (Crime Library, n.d). In line with this, it is critical that those that develop socially at a low pace are not subjected to unfair treatment, but those that fall from being highly sociable to isolation should warrant help. Potential serial killers also tend to develop voyeurism with the intention of dominating another being. In view of exerting dominance, most potential serial killers tend to harm animals such as cats, dogs, among others for the thrill of it. The above coupled with psychopathic tendencies are early indicators of serial killer traits. Such traits are coated by charm in an effort to mask their identity, which also works to lure victims. Ted Bundy was no different presenting with changes in his social behaviour that was worsened by a depressive disorder. Born in 1946, Theodore Robert Cowell confessed to numerous homicides around the country before his execution. He abducted his victims who were mostly young women and girls before raping and killing them in cold blood. Known best by the alias Ted Bundy, he left a trail of bodies during his active years of the 70s. Ted a normal childhood, being brought up by his grandparents alongside his mother, who he believed was his sister. However, as a teenager Ted isolated himself from his peers stating that he did not understand social behaviour among teenagers (Criminal Minds, n.d). He studied psychology and Asian studies in college and worked various jobs at the time. It is during this period that he met Ann Rule, who would later write a definitive biography on Ted (Rule, 2012). Ted’s social challenges became evident after relationship breakup where his partner claimed lack of ambition and immaturity as her reasons. Consequently, he was depressed and return to hi s hometown after dropping out of school. Which searching through public records, Ted discovered his parentage an aspect that had a profound effect in his life. His personality underwent a fundamental shift from a reserved and shy person to a more focussed, social and dominant one. It was during this period that he became a campaign manager for Nelson Rockefeller in his bid for the presidency. Moreover, Bundy enrolled as a psychology major in Washington and built a strong relationship with his professors and peers. Over the years, he also enrolled in the University of Utah in the school of law amid recommendation from his employer, Evan Davis and several professors. However, the newfound character was short-lived as he began skipping classes and keeping to himself. There is no consensus as to when Ted began his reign of terror as he refused to divulge information on his earliest crimes. This is besides confessing to later killings where he provided detailed specifics of the crimes. I n addition, different versions of the crime stories were told to different people indicating involvement in the murder of several people in the early 1970s. Nevertheless, it is agreeable that Ted’s first attempted murder was in 1974 after he bludgeoned his sleeping victim before sexually assaulting her. Despite surviving the attack, she suffered permanent brain damage and was not much of help in identifying the attacker (Greene and Heilbrun, 2011). The months that followed saw the disappearance of

Professionalism in Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Professionalism in Practice - Essay Example Therefore, taking up a teaching profession is not by chance in most cases. Most practicing teachers believe that to become a teacher is a ‘calling,’ where one just feels indebted to take up a socially responsible profession that would help shape the society in a positive and generally accepted way. Thus according to Howard Sharron (1987), by virtue of being a teacher, one would have committed him/herself to answer the calling of helping others gain knowledge. In most cases, it is out of love of doing good things that would promote peace and tranquility in the society. Basically, one main reason for an individual to decide to take up the teaching profession is the need to instill good morals and values in pupils so as to create a habitable environment comprising of knowledgeable people who use the power of reasoning in conducting themselves in their daily lives. Instilling discipline among children is one of the core tenets of teaching as this would contribute towards the development of a generation that can distinguish between what is wrong and good. This would be the stepping stone of creating a crime free environment as in most cases people are redeemed by education from behaving in a rogue manner. Haim Ginott, (1972:9), sums it all when he says, â€Å"school is a perfect preparation for the world.† Another reason of becoming a teacher is the commitment to be part and parcel of developing the educational background of pupils hence improving the country’s literacy rate. A country that has got a higher literacy rate stands better chances of economic development and growth because educated people are enlightened in most of the things hence they are able to make informed decisions that would benefit them. 2. A teacher in every school is expected to uphold some values that define the profession. First and foremost, a teacher has a great responsibility of molding the values of children since they spend a great

Ted Bundy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ted Bundy - Research Paper Example Most of those that turn out as murderers and serial killers have underlying traits that are beyond the rapport created. While it is not definitive pointer to a killer, extreme anti-social behaviour has been a classical indicator of the same (Crime Library, n.d). In line with this, it is critical that those that develop socially at a low pace are not subjected to unfair treatment, but those that fall from being highly sociable to isolation should warrant help. Potential serial killers also tend to develop voyeurism with the intention of dominating another being. In view of exerting dominance, most potential serial killers tend to harm animals such as cats, dogs, among others for the thrill of it. The above coupled with psychopathic tendencies are early indicators of serial killer traits. Such traits are coated by charm in an effort to mask their identity, which also works to lure victims. Ted Bundy was no different presenting with changes in his social behaviour that was worsened by a depressive disorder. Born in 1946, Theodore Robert Cowell confessed to numerous homicides around the country before his execution. He abducted his victims who were mostly young women and girls before raping and killing them in cold blood. Known best by the alias Ted Bundy, he left a trail of bodies during his active years of the 70s. Ted a normal childhood, being brought up by his grandparents alongside his mother, who he believed was his sister. However, as a teenager Ted isolated himself from his peers stating that he did not understand social behaviour among teenagers (Criminal Minds, n.d). He studied psychology and Asian studies in college and worked various jobs at the time. It is during this period that he met Ann Rule, who would later write a definitive biography on Ted (Rule, 2012). Ted’s social challenges became evident after relationship breakup where his partner claimed lack of ambition and immaturity as her reasons. Consequently, he was depressed and return to hi s hometown after dropping out of school. Which searching through public records, Ted discovered his parentage an aspect that had a profound effect in his life. His personality underwent a fundamental shift from a reserved and shy person to a more focussed, social and dominant one. It was during this period that he became a campaign manager for Nelson Rockefeller in his bid for the presidency. Moreover, Bundy enrolled as a psychology major in Washington and built a strong relationship with his professors and peers. Over the years, he also enrolled in the University of Utah in the school of law amid recommendation from his employer, Evan Davis and several professors. However, the newfound character was short-lived as he began skipping classes and keeping to himself. There is no consensus as to when Ted began his reign of terror as he refused to divulge information on his earliest crimes. This is besides confessing to later killings where he provided detailed specifics of the crimes. I n addition, different versions of the crime stories were told to different people indicating involvement in the murder of several people in the early 1970s. Nevertheless, it is agreeable that Ted’s first attempted murder was in 1974 after he bludgeoned his sleeping victim before sexually assaulting her. Despite surviving the attack, she suffered permanent brain damage and was not much of help in identifying the attacker (Greene and Heilbrun, 2011). The months that followed saw the disappearance of

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALTSIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALTSIS - Essay Example Section 2 provides a comparative analysis of the impact of IFRS’ adoption on financial reporting quality and capital market). Section 3 evaluates the consequences and overall impact of adoption of the IFRS in EU and Section 4 is concluding part of the essay. Accounting quality is an important aspect of financial reporting as this information serves as a strategic source for stakeholders and influences their decisions. With the adoption of the IFRS the rules and norms of financial reporting have been changed and modified, causing different opinions among various groups of stakeholders (Lopes, Cerqueira, and Brandao, 2010). It is widely debated whether the adoption of the IFRS has improved the quality of financial reporting among the EU firms (Lopes, Cerqueira, and Brandao, 2010). Thus, for example, several researchers have analysed the impact of IFRS adoption and the change in cash flows and net income, and concluded that the companies applying IAS have more value relevance of earnings, less earnings management and more timely loss recognition between the period before and after adoption of IFRS (Barth et al 2008; Christensen, Lee & Walker, 2008). These researchers believe that reliance of the IFRS leads to higher accounting quality, how ever, only in case of the firms are incentivised to be transparent and to adopt IFRS (Lopes, Cerqueira, and Brandao, 2010). According to Christensen, Lee & Walker (2008), the firms, which were forced to adopt the IFRS, did not show improvements in accounting quality. Some researchers have identified some potential problems associated with the IFRS adoption and financial reporting quality. One of the concerns related to IFRS adoption and its impact on the accounting quality is associated with risk of different interpretations of IFRS (Lopes, Cerqueira, and Brandao, 2010). Researchers determined some of the following areas for possible variations in interpretation: intangible

Forensic Anthropology Study of Bones

Forensic Anthropology Study of Bones Introduction Anthropology is the study of humankind, culturally and physically, in all times and places. Forensic Anthropology is the application of anthropological knowledge and techniques in a legal context (Hunter, 1996b). This involves detailed knowledge of osteology, anatomy, and to a lesser degree pathology, to aid in the identification and cause of death of skeletal and severely decomposed human remains. The application of forensic anthropology is specifically useful when human remains are extremely difficult for the medico-legal team to identify, and these remains are often a result of decomposition, dismemberment, severe burning and charring, and submersion in water for prolonged periods (Haglund and Sorg, 1996 and 2001). It is a fallacy to believe that forensic anthropology applies solely to skeletal remains. In many instances, particularly in the United Kingdom, a forensic anthropologist is required to analyse remains with partial soft tissue. The geographical magnitude of the United States usually dictates that the American forensic anthropologist will encounter more skeletonised remains than those still possessing soft tissue (Uberlaker and Scammell, 2000), however, the opportunities for cadavers to decompose to a fully skeletonised state are severely reduced in the UK. Similarly, there are specific instances where remains can be uncovered in varying states of entirety, including mass disasters, such as train and aircraft accidents, and instances involving human rights infringements (Cox, 2003). However, in the United Kingdom, forensic anthropology is yet to be nationally accepted or acknowledged as a credible and valuable addition to the forensic science armoury, and until recently, the number of cases involving forensic anthropologists has been limited. Although the trained and accredited forensic anthropologist has the capability to undertake a wide range of analyses, and has the potential to add greatly to the field of forensic science, this essay will briefly outline the predominant methodologies employed by the forensic anthropologist in the identification of human remains. Age and sex estimation The uses of forensic anthropology in cases where human remains are not easily identifiable centre around five basic questions which the discipline is uniquely empowered to answer: Whether the remains are human; the number of individuals represented; the interval of times since death; the identification of the individual; and the cause and manner of death (Menez, 2005). Part of that identification is the determination of the age at death and sex of the individual. The topic is immense, however, superficially the process of age determination involves three foci of analysis: tooth eruption and erosion; epiphyseal closure; and the length of the long bones (Hunter et al., 2001; Byers, 2004). Similarly, determination of sex is possible via the analysis of the pelvis, the cranial and mandible characteristics, and the diameter of the femoral and humeral head. As a general rule of thumb, males usually present a more prominent brow ridge, nuchal crest, glabella and gonal angle. Women have a wi der pelvis, a wider sciatic and less pronounced cranial characteristics. Stature and race evaluation Forensic anthropologists can use formulae to determine height based on the length of long bones. The longest bone, the femur, is most applicable for analysis, however estimations are also possible from the metacarpals in the hand. Anthropologists are able to establish the individualà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s weight by the wear on the bones at certain characteristic points. They can also verify an individualà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s general physique from the ridges created via muscle attachments. From muscle attachment characteristics, it is possible to determine whether the individual was right- or left-handed as there will usually be more muscle attachment evidence exhibited on the bones on the dominant side. An intact corpse can be measured, but a disarticulated or incomplete skeleton has to be pieced together. One generic rule of thumb is that height is about five times the length of the humerus, however there are formulas for height based on other major bones a s well, including the spine, tibia, and femur (Black, 2003). Through the application of forensic anthropology it is possible to identify the racial group to which an individual belongs by examining the anthropometric landmarks of the cranial vault. One of three races can be determined from variations in the facial structure, especially the nose and eye sockets. Facial or head hair, when presented on the human remains, can also help determine race. Evaluation of pathologies It is possible via forensic anthropology to determine if a victim was ever injured or experienced trauma. Predominantly, this involves trauma exhibited on the hard tissue, however, in cases of partial decomposition, soft tissue trauma may also be evaluated and established (Pickering and Bachman, 1996). In the case of a suspected victim, detected bone trauma can be compared with an individualà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s medical X-rays to confirm identity, and the same identification methodology may be applied with regard to dentition and odontological evidence. It is often also possible to determine the cause of death in a victim, particularly in cases of extreme violence. This is determined by analysing indications of trauma, including stab marks, depressions and blunt weapon trauma usually to the skull, fracture patterns, saw marks in cases of dismemberment, and bullets or pellets in or near the body. If the person was strangled, for example, frequently the hyoid bone in the throat is fractured (Nafte, 2000; Rutty, 2001). It is also possible, through toxicology, for the forensic anthropologist to analysis evidence of poison recovered from hard tissue samples. Determination of cause of death can be of particular relevant in cases of human rights abuse. This is an area which appears to be prevalent globally, and forensic anthropologists are currently in operation in Argentina, the Eastern Block, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These analyses are proving highly successful and are assisting in the case-building and prosecution of former dictators and rebel forces alike (Cox, 2003). Post-mortem interval The determination of post-mortem interval (PMI), although relying heavily on the entomological community, the techniques for PMI estimation were developed by prominent forensic anthropologist, William M. Bass (Gilbert and Bass, 1967). Forensic anthropologists are able to approximate the date of death and, the amount of soft tissue that is still present is often the key to determining PMI, although weathering cracks on bones during excessively cold weather or animal and rodent bites may also be used. Generally, females lose one pound of tissue per day during average decomposition; males, in comparison, lose three pounds per day. Acidic soil has a tendency to accelerate decomposition, however, alkaline soil retards it, and the pedology around the body is frequently analysed by both forensic anthropologists and pedologists. Although most frequently the forensic entomologist is required to estimate the post-mortem interval based on insect activity, this is actually an estimate of the period of insect activity, not the specific post-mortem interval. The two are often relatively similar, as the insects arrive and begin their activity shortly following death, however, in some instances there may be factors that serve to delay the onset of insect activity, and these must be considered (Schultz et al., 2005). Determining if the body has been moved following death is essential for this consideration, and the trained anthropologist is competent in this analysis. It is also crucial for the pathologist and anthropologist to assess wounds in terms of pre-, peri- and post-mortem to accurately determine PMI. Conclusion Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. The identification of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important for both legal and humanitarian reasons. Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime (Hunter, 1996a). While forensic pathologists are trained to analyze soft tissue and organs, their experience with hard tissue is often limited (Hunter and Cox, 2005). In a relatively recent case for forensic anthropologist Charlotte Roberts, a pathologist had been uncertain whether a canine skeleton was actually human or not, illustrating the value of anthropology to the criminal investigation process (Roberts, 1996). The methodology of the forensic anthropologist was eventually adopted during the eventually across Saddleworth Moor during the Moors Murders re-investigation of 1986 -88, and proved partially successful (Hunter, 1996c). The forensic anthropologist specializes in hard tissue morphology, structure and variability, and much of what occurs in forensic anthropology originates from the area of osteology, although some forensic anthropologists may also specialize in body decomposition and entomology. A plethora of further evidence is obtainable and within the capabilities of the forensic anthropologist for analysis, such as entomology, taphonomy, location of clandestine remains (Hunter, 1996c) and so on, however, the methodology of these forensic specialists is exhaustive. Bibliography Black, S. (2000) Forensic Osteology in the United Kingdom. In Cox, M. and Mays, S. (eds.) Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science. London, Greenwich Medical Media Ltd. Byers, S. (2004) Introduction to Forensic Anthropology: A Textbook. Boston, Allyn and Bacon Cox, M. (2003) The Inforce foundation. Science and Justice 41(3):173-8 Gilbert, B. M. and Bass, W. M. (1967) Seasonal dating of burials from the presence of fly pupae. American Antiquity 32: 534-535 Haglund, W. D. and Sorg, M. H. (1996) Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains. London, CRC Press Haglund, W. D. and Sorg, M. H. (2001) Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological Perspectives. London, CRC Press Hunter, J. (1996a) Recovering buried remains. In Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A. (eds.) Studies in Crime: Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London, Routledge Hunter, J. (1996b) Archaeology, anthropology and forensic science. In Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A . (eds.) Studies in Crime: Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London, Routledge Hunter, J. (1996c) Locating buried remains. In Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A. (eds.) Studies in Crime: Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London, Routledge Hunter, J. R., Brickley, M. B., Bourgeois, J., Bouts, W., Bourguignon, L., Hubrecht, F., De Winne, J., Van Haaster, H., Hakbijl, T., De Jong, H., Smits, L., Van Wijngaarden, L. H. and Luschen, M. (2001) Forensic archaeology, forensic anthropology and human rights in Europe. Science and Justice 41(3):173-8 Hunter, J. and Cox, M. (2005) Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice. London, Routledge Menez, L. L. (2005) The place of a forensic archaeologist at a crime scene involving a buried body. Forensic Science International 152(2-3): 311-5 Nafte, M. (2000) Flesh and Bone: An Introduction to Forensic Anthropology. Durham, Carolina Academic Press Pickering R. B. and Bachman D. C. (1996) The Use of Forensic Anthropology. London, CRC Press Roberts, C. A. (!996) Forensic anthropology 1: the contribution of biological anthropology to forensic contexts. In Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A. (eds.) Studies in Crime: Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London, Routledge Rutty, G. (2001) Post mortem changes and artefacts. In Rutty, G. (ed.) Essentials of Autopsy Practice. London, Springer. Schultz, J. L., Wheeler, S. M., Williams, L. J. and Dupras, T. L. (2005) Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches. London, CRC Press Ubelaker, D. H. and Scammell, H. (2000) Bones: A Forensic Detective’s Casebook. New York, M Evans Co Inc

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe Essay -- Fall House

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe Symbols and imagery of horror and death in a story touch the reader like a fingertip against a chord and can make the heart resonate with fear and woe as the suspended lute with tone. The verbal illustration that is used in the opening phrase in Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" is as strong as the imagery of dismay utilized throughout the rest of the story, like the dark and gloomy house. The vivid colors and visuals in the story not only force the reader to picture the surroundings in his or her mind, but also contain the hidden connotations of gravity and despair. The inclusion of sounds, like the "distinct, hollow, metallic, and clangorous, yet apparently muffled reverberation," (Poe 27) and aural references to musical instruments, such as the lute quote by De BÃ ©ringer suggests that the reader experience the mood of the tale in a more auditory and sensory appealing fashion. The mood of the story is one of horror that is set up by visual and aural stimulation a nd is well used in the tale of Roderick Usher. As in many of Poe's stories, the colors and images that describe the setting and characters are not only visually stimulating but carry dark connotations that give the story‚s horror more depth and feeling. The tale of the narrator‚s trip to the House of Usher begins with an eerie depiction of the building and its surroundings, the overview of the setting, "a scene in which decay and death are the presiding elements" (P.Quinn 85). In "A Key to the House of Usher," Darrel Abel notes that the description of the setting serves two purposes: ...to suggest a mood to the observer which makes him properly receptive to the horrible ideas which grow in his... ...g of fright and shock. "If ever a mortal painted an idea, that mortal was" (21) Edgar Allen Poe. Works Cited: Abel, Darrel. "A Key to the House of Usher." Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Fall of the House of Usher. Ed. Thomas Woodson. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1969. 43-55. Gordon, Caroline and Tate, Allen. "View Points." Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Fall of the House of Usher. Ed. Thomas Woodson. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1969. 27-30. Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Fall of the House of Usher." The Prentince Hall Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Ed. Gary G. Roberts. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. 16-28. Quinn, Patrick F. "That Spectre in My Path." Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Fall of the House of Usher. Ed. Thomas Woodson. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1969. 82-90.

The Garden of Science :: Religion Science God Essays

The Garden of Science In the beginning, there was nothing. According to the Book of Genesis, God created everything from scratch. God created the heavens, earth, light, darkness, sea, stars, birds, and animals. God created a man and named him Adam. God created a woman and named her Eve. Adam and Eve were put in the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden was filled with fruit trees, animals, and there were river flowing all the time. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had plenty to eat. They did not have to work nor make money. Adam and Eve were naked but they were shameless. Adam and Eve did not have much to worry about. In the year 2001, we are living in the garden that is embedded with various scientific stuffs. Let’s just take a look at my life. Few years ago, I used the typewriter to write papers. Now, I am using a computer to write the paper. In the morning, the alarm clock wakes me up. I turn on the faucet to get water to brush my teeth. I pour out already brewed coffee from programmed coffee maker. I drive a car to get to the places. I wash my cloth in washing machine and dry them in the dryer. I don’t wear eyeglasses anymore because I am wearing contact lenses. Furthermore, this winter break, I am planning to have Lasik operation to correct my vision permanently. Then, I could say goodbye to my contact lenses. This is the sketch of my life, but just a part. I am living in the garden with full of scientific devices that I could no longer live without. Wow. How did we get here from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Science? What makes the world to become such a science oriented society? What drives human beings to seek scientific knowledge of the world? Since I am a Christian who confidently believes in God’s creation of the world according to the Bible. I believe that it is a natural characteristic of the human being to seek more knowledge. The desire for more knowledge actually evolved into creating the technologies that became part of our lives. In addition, I believe that the knowledge itself is actually given by God along with the power to use them. Finally, I believe that knowledge is a good thing to posses, however; we need to be more careful and humble of using the knowledge that was given to us by our creator as a gift.

Greek and Roman Humanities: Roman Games Essay

1) Explain the purpose and importance of the games in Roman society. Please use examples from the website to illustrate your points. The games in Roman society evolved from religious observances and religious rites, the purposes of which over time became lost to the Romans themselves. By the time the religious rites had evolved into theatrical performances and the circus, the importance of the games to Roman society had become very much like the importance of sports and entertainment in modern American society. The Romans enjoyed the spectacle of the games, gambled on them, developed complicated rules and had entire economic networks built into the games. Although â€Å"at first the games of the early Roman republic had religious significance,† (Games) the later games were † purely for entertainment† (Games). The influence of the games ran from the highest to the lowest levels of Roman society. Attendance at the games was considered a right of a Roman citizen and each of the games, such as chariot racing or gladiators had loyal fans and expert â€Å"critics† — when it came to something like chariot racing, â€Å"The public adored the top drivers. They were quite literally comparable to modern day sports stars. † (Games) 2) Considering the brutal nature of what took place in the Colosseum, what impact do you think the games had on the morality of the average Roman? Although the games were very violent and often brutal, they were far more popular for the Romans than the more refined entertainment of the theater. The story told by the playwright Terence shows just how popular the brutal entertainments were in Roman society; when: â€Å"a festival held in honour of the deceased Lucius Aemilius Paulus in 160 BC. Terence’s comedy The mother in law was being staged and all was going well, when suddenly someone in the audience was heard saying that the the gladiatorial fights were about to begin. Within minutes his audience had disappeared† (Games). I think it is likely that the games’ influence on Roman society was to make it more difficult for sophisticated entertainment to get mass attention much as it is in modern society. More people watch pro wrestling and NASCAR than go to the ballet or buy books of poetry. The overall Roman culture was probably a bit de-sensitized to violence like our own culture. 3) Many people believe that modern America is a mirror image of ancient Rome during the imperial era. How does our entertainment – choose any type you wish – compare to the types offered in ancient Rome? What parallels are there? What differences exist? Please use examples from the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. Much of American entertainment relies on violence as much as the Roman games. There are many violent movies, violent video games, and violent television shows. The big difference is that American culture uses purely theatrical and make-believe violence whereas Roman society actually performed violent acts up to and including violent murder and torture. Most violent entertainment in modern society does not involve lethal force nor does it include wide-spread betting on the probable death of people. In Rome, † quite naturally, there was a huge amount of betting surrounding the races† (Games) and this is much different than in modern society where corporate sponsors use the athletes to promote International conglomerates rather than emrely betting on them. 4) In your opinion, which group of people – Romans living in the imperial era or modern Americans – are more depraved? Please use examples from both the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. In my opinion, the Romans were far more depraved than modern Americans. Not only for the bloodshed against humans that they enacted for entertainment, but for their wholesale murder and abuse of animals: â€Å"tigers, panthers and lions were let out of cages to be confronted in long and dangerous chases by armed gladiators. Bulls and rhinoceroses were first brought to a rage, much like in a Spanish bullfight, before they were met their hunters† (Games). Additionally, the Romans were so depraved, they staged mock-wars and actual crucifixions for entertainment. Work Cited Anonymous, â€Å"The Games† www. roman-empire. net 5th July 2007. http://www. roman-empire. net/society/soc-games. html 2 pages 1 source MLA Log on to the following web site: http://www. roman-empire. net/society/soc-games. html and read about the Roman games and their importance in Roman society. After you have completed the reading, respond to the following: 1) Explain the purpose and importance of the games in Roman society. Please use examples from the website to illustrate your points. 2) Considering the brutal nature of what took place in the Colosseum, what impact do you think the games had on the morality of the average Roman? 3) Many people believe that modern America is a mirror image of ancient Rome during the imperial era. How does our entertainment – choose any type you wish – compare to the types offered in ancient Rome? What parallels are there? What differences exist? Please use examples from the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. 4) In your opinion, which group of people – Romans living in the imperial era or modern Americans – are more depraved? Please use examples from both the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points.

Benefits of Hosting Major Sporting Events Essay

1. When bidding to host an international sporting event, there is always the possibility that revenue will not exceed expenses. How would you respond to a local group that would rather have the city’s money spent on social programs? When a city is preparing a bid to host an international sporting event, some parts of the community will argue that the taxpayer’s money should be invested into social programs that will benefit the community, rather than into sporting events. It is a valid argument that hosting an international sporting event can have a substantial financial impact on a city. An example of this is the great debt incurred by Montreal when they hosted the 1976 Olympic Games (p.89 Thoma and Chalip). It could be argued that the huge amounts of money that were spent on building new stadiums or arenas, and modernising existing infrastructure, may have been better spent on education, health care or subsidised housing. While there is some merit to the above argument, bidding and hopefully hosting an international sporting event can bring significant benefits to a city. The following are a range of benefits that can be presented to the local community: i. A significant international sporting event should not be viewed as a single event in isolation. The event should be considered as part of a broader calendar of events offered by the city and the direct positive impact to the economy that this derives. An example of this is the calendar of events that Melbourne and the state of Victoria hold. Events held include the Formula One Grand Prix, UCI Track Cycling World Championships and FINA World Swimming Championships. These and other major sporting events contributed  to over AU$1 billion to the Victorian economy (dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport/major-events). The success of hosting an international sporting event can further support the host city’s claim as being an attractive destination to hold other major sporting events. ii. Second, the successful bid can lead to a number of approaches to urban regeneration, which can ultimately benefit the host ci ty’s population. Tallon (p.5 urban regeneration in the UK) defined four approaches of urban regeneration: a. Economic – an international sporting event can enhance the employment opportunities in the short- and long-term, increase labour supply and increase economic activity. b. Social/Cultural: the international sporting event can instil a sense of national pride, strengthen values and tradition of the host city and increase the level of interest and participation in the activity associated with the event. c. Physical/Environmental: in the event of a successful bid, the host city can invest in constructing new facilities, improving existing facilities and promoting environmental or ‘greener’ sporting initiatives that can benefit the community in the future. d. Governance: the event will allow the engagement of the local community and the involvement of other groups, and for the host city’s government to review their administration and public policy (p.67 Sports Marketing M elissa Jane). Having the opportunity to host an international sporting event, can allow the host city to revitalise itself through urban regeneration. As a consequence of this regeneration, the host city has the potential to become more efficient and effective, and be able to provide further support and resources where needed. iii. Third, a strong vision in promoting the host city and the region for the international sporting event can attract visitors from other regions of the country and from overseas. This gives the host city the opportunity to showcase itself to the across the globe. This can have a positive economic impact during the event as a result of the influx of visitors and afterwards through the generation of new tourism markets (Cooper, Contemporary Tourism, p.169). The promotion of the host city can also achieve a greater awareness of the community in the wider sporting and tourism spheres. iv. Lastly, the improved infrastructure can enable the city to host further sporting events a nd serve the community for many years. The creation of an improved image, the attraction of economic development and the increase in civic pride  (Urban Tourism, Law p.149) has the potential to create a lasting legacy for the host city. An international sporting event has the potential to create an image that can potentially provide the host city with new levels of global recognition and opportunities for economic, political and social development (Pellergrino and Hancock p.2 2010 Deloitte). Although there is a valid argument for a city to invest into social programs that may benefit the local community, the points presented to the local group can hopefully allay those fears that the city is wasting the taxpayer’s money bidding to host an international sporting event. The event itself can be viewed as a part of a broader calendar of events, the community can benefit from the urban regeneration of the city, promotion of the international sporting event and the city can attract visitors from all over, and the event can leave the host city with a positive lasting legacy. 3. Explain how the Americans deal with China with respect to the defection of tennis player Hu Na from the Peoples Republic of China. Over many years, we have witnessed the entanglement of politics and sport. From the boycotting of international sporting events, such as the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games where the United States and many other Western countries refused to participate due to Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan; protests from individuals like Arash Miresmaili of Iran who sympathised with the oppression of Palestinians (p398 comparative politics Hauss) and refused to compete against Ehud Vaks of Israel; and the expulsion of South Africa from many international events due to apartheid that was prevalent in the country. Another occurrence of politics interfering with sport is evident in the ‘Hu Na Incident’, which as Pendleton (p.13) pointed out was a two-way interaction between sport and diplomacy, resulting in decisions being made at the highest political levels. The ‘Hu Na Incident’ started in July 1982, where Hu Na disappeared from her hotel room whilst touring with a Chinese government sponsored tennis team. Days later, papers were filed with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service requesting political asylum on the grounds that Hu Na had been pressured and persecuted by the Communist Party of China. Hu Na was a rising tennis star in China. She won several tournaments, including the National Sparetime Schools Tournament in 1975, the National Junior Singles crown in 1978 and the National Singles title in 1981. Her success was not just limited to China, she also won the doubles (in 1981) and singles (in  1982) titles at the Casablanca Cup held in Mexico. Initially, the United States had announced that any decision in regards to Hu Na would be based upon the advisory opinion of the State Department. Members of the United States Congress also urged the State Department to grant Hu Na’s request for political asylum. This announcement provoked an immediate diplomatic crisis (p.190 women, sport and society). Upon hearing this, a Chinese spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China would hold the United States responsible for Hu Na’s safe return and that such an incident would harm the cultural exchanges between the two countries (Pendleton 14). The Pro-China newspaper Wen Wei Po also argued that Hu Na’s visit to the United States was in accordance with the Sino-America agreement. Thus, the United States government had a duty of care for her safety, regardless of whether the invitation came form a governmental or non-governmental organisation (Pendleton 14). In April 1983, after almost ten months, the decision to grant Hu Na political asylum was finally made by the State Department. At the time, Arthur P. Brill of the United States Justice Depa rtment, released the following statement (Pendleton 15): Hu Na has been granted asylum under the Refugee Act of 1980, which provides asylum in cases where the applicant establishes a well-founded fear of persecution, due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a special social group. The decision drew support from several quarters in the United States, most notably that of then United States President, Ronald Reagan. After the United States had granted political asylum to Hu Na, Beijing reacted sharply claiming that the decision to grant asylum to Hu Na had been immoral and a grave incident harming relations between the two countries (Nafziger and Wei p.135 Pandektis). The decision was also described as ‘a grave political incident long premeditated and deliberately created by the United States’ (Pendleton p.16). As a result of this decision, Ding Gu, the Director of the Bureau for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of the Ministry of Culture, cancelled nine bilateral exchanges that inclu ded art exhibitions, performing arts group tours and a film festival. After citing that the United States could not guarantee the safety of its participants, the All-China Sports Federation announced it would also withdraw from ten international events that were to be held  within the United States. China further threatened to retaliate against future incidents, and that it would ‘never for the sake of relations with the United States, abandon its principled stand of safeguarding its state sovereignty and national dignity’ (p27 Chinese Security Robert Ross). During all this posturing by China, the United States demonstrated its resolve by refusing to send Hu Na back to China and granting her political asylum. Ronald Reagan’s administration publicly affirmed that the United States policy would remain constant whether Beijing decided to retaliate or not, or threatened to downgrade relations by withdrawing its ambassador from Washington, or some other action (p86 US-Chinese Relations Sutter). Beijing had clearly miscalculated when it thought it could threaten the United States on this issue, considering this was the period that the Sino-America relations had become normalised. It was a clear win for United States foreign policy, as they were prepared to reject any unreasonable Chinese demands, whilst seeking to improve relations with them.