Virtual Reality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Virtual Reality - Essay Example The virtual reality systems play an important role in education and training. It provides a solution to some of the challenges that the students may be facing. Virtonomics is one of the existing systems that are widely used by the students during training. It enables the students to test their knowledge and skills in the virtual economy. This has played an important role in providing solutions to the challenges that the students are likely to face in the real world. Virtual reality systems are widely used for military combat training. It enables the recruits to carry out their training under a controlled environment where they can respond to different situations. Head mounted display together with virtual reality weapon is used during the training of the recruits. Virtual reality enables the solders to train under different terrains without necessarily visiting such terrains physically. The existing virtual reality is also used widely for the training of combat pilots. This enables t hem to obtain the skills required in the battle field. Virtual reality systems are also used during the tank drivers. The existing systems, therefore, play an important role in ensuring that different personnel can obtain the required experience. Virtual reality is also used in some of the countries for train firemen. In other countries, it is used for training the doctors to respond to a different live threatening situation of the patients. Virtual reality is also used for gaming. The head mounted display is usually used for gaming.

State Laws versus National supremacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

State Laws versus National supremacy - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that federalism is a structure of government with one central government and other smaller units such as states in the United States of America. It is a system of government in which the sovereignty is sub divided into the central government and other constituent units such as provinces or states. State rights refer to the political supremacy set aside for the American state governments other than the federal government in line with the American Constitution. Supremacy Clause is available in Article six of the American national constitution. It states that federal treaties and statutes form the supreme laws of the land and provides that these are the supreme and highest forms of law in the legal system of U.S. and mandates that all state statutes must follow the Federal law whenever a conflict occurs between the state law and federal law. The architects of the New Federalism, a program that permitted states to decisions concerning local iss ues, were George Bush and Ronald Reagan. For 200 years, the relationship between the two governments has shifted more towards the national supremacy, though several observers today believe that the power balance is beginning to stretch out back to the states. One major sign that the national government was growing in the 1960s was the great number of categorical grants that existed during that time. There has been a debate on power distribution between the national government and the U.S. States began as early as 1787 with the founding of the Republic and continues up to today.

Team Building Exercise And Purpose Management Essay

Team Building Exercise And Purpose Management Essay Team building is a wide range of activities that are presented to business, sports, schools, religions or even NPOs to ensure improvements performance in teams. Team building is usually done through several activities and practices, which can range from simple bonding exercise to complicated simulations along with multi-day team building retreats that are designed with the aim of developing a particular team, usually falling somewhere in between. This practice in most cases sits within theories along with practices of organizational development. However, it can also be applied in to sports teams, groups in schools, as well as other contexts. Team building practices need not to be confused with what is referred to as team recreation, which consists of activities for teams that are mainly recreational. In most cases, team building is considered as a very important factor in any environment (DeSimone Et al. 2002). Its concentration is to specialize in bringing out the best from a certain team, as to ensure self development, positive communication practices, leadership skills as well as the capability of working closely together as a team to problem solving. Different literatures have stated that, work environment in most cases concentrates on individual and personal objectives, with regard and recognition singling out the achievements that individual employees have attained. How to create effective teams is a challenge in every organization. In other words, team building also means the processes that are used in the selection and of teams from scratch. Team Building Exercise and Purpose The exercises involved in team building consists of a variety of tasks that are designed with the aim of developing group members as well as their capability of working together effectively and efficiently. There exist several types of team building activities that range from kid games to games involving novel complex tasks; however, they are designed for specific needs (Field Ford, 1995). There also exist complex team building activities that are composed of multiple exercises like rope courses, corporate drumming, as well as exercises that might last for several days. The main objective of team building exercises is for helping teams to become human units that are much cohesive for them to work together effectively to complete tasks. Types of Team Building Exercises The first type is communication exercise. This type of exercise is just as it sounds. Communication exercises involve problem solving practices that are geared towards upgrading communication skills. Most of the issues encountered in such practices are in most cases solved through effective communication among the members (Foley, 2000). The main objective of this activity is to come up with an activity that addresses the significance of good communication in team performance and /or potential problems with communication. Another type of team building activity includes problem solving, also known as decision making exercise. This exercise concentrates specifically on groups that are working together to deal with difficult, or come up with complex solutions. Such like exercises are the most common exercises as they appear to be having the most direct link, to what most of the employers are looking for to be incorporated in their working force (Noe, 2005). The main goal of this exercise is to provide the participants with a problem whose solution is not easily apparent, or it might require the team to with solutions that are much creative. The next exercise is planning also called adaptability exercise. These exercises concentrates on concepts that deal with planning as well as being able to adapt to different environmental climates, that are changing every now and then, due to political instability din the country. These are important things for teams to be able to do when they are assigned complex tasks. Or even complex circumstances. The main object of this type of exercise is to show the significance of planning before implementing any solution or recommendation. The last but not least type of team building exercise is trust exercise. This exercise on the other hand involves engagement of team members in a manner that induces trust between them. Some time, the practices are difficult to engage in, or even implement. This is based on the fact that there are varying levels of trust that exist between individuals, as well as varying degrees of personal comforts trusting others generally (Rigg Et al. 2007). The main goal of such like exercises of is the creation of trust between team members. Tips for Team Building It is true that, individuals at work place keep on talking about team building, working together as a team, however, it is only a few of them that really understands the creation as well as the experience gained from team work, or even how to come up and develop one that is much effective. Belonging to a team, looking at it in the broadest point of view, should be the essence of feeling being part and parcel of something that is much larger than oneself (Achua Lussier, 2007). It has a lot of things to do with somebodys understanding of the mission, vision and objectives of that particular group that one belongs in. Fit need to be noticed that, team oriented environment, every individual who happens to be a member, needs to contribute to the overall success of that particular group. But how many individuals do that, or how many groups allow that? If though individuals might be having specific job functions and belongs to specific departments, done needs to know that is unified with other team members for the accomplishment of the overall goal of the organization or group. The larger picture need to be the one that drives actions in an organization as someones function exists to serve the larger picture. In group building, it is much essential to differentiate between the overall sense of teamwork from the task of coming up with an effective and intact team, that is build to attain certain goals or objectives. As effect, on the ground, individuals tent to confused two team building objectives. As a result, this is the reasons as to why so many team building seminars, meetings, retreats as well as activities are deemed to be failures in the society by those who usually participate in them. It is true that leaders of such group activities fail to define the team that they desired to build (Larry, 1991). The process of developing an overall sense of team work is far much different from the process of building an effective, focused work team, when considering team building approaches. Different Cs for Team building Executives, managers as well as the organization staff members, have to universally engage in the process of exploring different ways of improving business results along with profitability. Many individuals look at team-based, horizontal organization structures as being the best design for involving all the employees in the creation of business successes. But the fact is, no matter the name given to ones team-based improvement effort; continuous improvement, total quality, lean manufacturing or even self directed work teams, every body need to strive at improving the results for the benefit of customers of ones organization (Heathfield, 2010). It is true but disappointing to note that, only few organizations are however totally pleased with the results of their team improvement efforts produce. It should be noted that, if ones team improvement efforts are not living to ones expectations, this self diagnosing list of check, may tell the reasons as to why. Some successful team building, that ends up creating effective, focused work teams, in most cases need attention to each one of the following: Clear expectations; the executive leadership needs to clearly communicate its expectations for the performance of the team, along with the expected outcomes. Team members on the other hand need to understand the reason as ton why the group was formed. In addition, the organization needs to demonstrate constancy of purpose in providing support to the team with resources of time, individuals, as well as finances. The work that is performed by the team, need to receive sufficient emphasis as a major priority in terms of time, attention, discussions well as interest directed its way by the executive leaders. Context; team members should have an understanding as to why they are taking part in the team, in such a way, they will have an understanding effects of team strategy in helping the organization in attaining it communicated business objectives and goals. As an effect, the team members ought to define their teams significance to the attainment of the corporate goals and objectives. To attain this, the team members need to understand where its work fits in the total context of different goals, principles, vision as well as values of the organization. Commitment; there is need for the members of the team to take part in the teams activities fully, as this will make team members to be more committed to the attainment of the mission and outcome expectations of the team. In so doing, the team members will perceive their services pas much valuable to the organization as well as their own careers. This in one way or the other will make the make the team members to anticipate for the recognition for their contributions (Heathfield, 2011). It should be noted by team members that, their participation will enhance the growth of their skills and experience on the team. After this realization, team members will then be excited and challenged by the team opportunity. Competence is another C; it will be good if the team feels that it has the appropriate individuals taking part in it, for instance, in the process improvement, each step of the operation need to represent in the team. The team should feel that, its members should have the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to address the issues for which the team was formed to address. In case this is not there, the team ought to have an access to the help it requires. The team should feel that, it has been given the necessary, strategies and support that it requires fin order to accomplish the assigned responsibility. Charter; fit is the responsibility of the team to take the assigned area of responsibility and design its own mission, vision as well as the strategies that will be much helpful in the attainment of the overall mission and objective. It is always good for the team to define and co9mmunicate its objectives, its anticipated results as well as its report contribution, its timelines, and the procedure it will employ in measuring its results of its work as well as the processes along with operations followed by the team to accomplish its tasks. The leadership team or any other group charged with the responsibility of coordinating group activities should at all times support all what the team has designed. Control; the team at all times need to be given the necessary freedom and as well as the empowerment so that it can feel the ownership that is much necessary for it to accomplish its charter. At the same juncture, the team members should clearly understand their limits or boundaries. This will in one way or the other determine the extent at which the team can go in pursuit of solutions, determine its limitations like in terms of time and monitory resources, that was defined at the initial stages of the project, before the team experiences barriers as well as the rework. The teams reporting relationship as well as accountability should be understood by all members of the organization. This is because; the organization defined the teams authority, to make recommendation, as well complimenting its plan. It holds more water if all there will be a defined process of reviewing both the organization and the team consistently and aligned to the purpose and in direction. Every team member sho uld hold each other accountable for project timelines, commitments and results. As an effect, the organization should have plans for increasing the opportunities for self management among organization members. Collaboration; the team should be in a position of understanding the team as well as the group process. Members need to be in a position of understanding group stages involved in group development. This will enable them to work interpersonally together effectively. All team members are acquainted with the duties and responsibilities [charged to each team member as well as to the group as a whole. They should know the responsibilities of team leaders as well as the team recorders to avoid confusion and mixing of responsibilities. The team ought to be in a position of solving problems, process improvement, and project measurement techniques. This will encourage cooperation among group members to accomplish the group charter. The team should establish team norms and rules of conduct that will be used for governing like conflict resolution, consensus decision making along with meeting management. This will enable the team to use appropriate strategy to accomplish its action plan. Communication; the team members should always be clear about the priority of their tasks. This will enable the team to establish proper methods that will be used during feedback giving, as well as receiving honest performance feedback. The organization on its part needs to provide important business data regularly, enabling the team to understand the complete context of its existence. The team members should also be in a position of communicating clearly and honestly with each other. This in one way or the other help members top provide diversified opinions to the table for discussions and conclusions, which will end up addressing necessary conflicts. Creative Innovations; the organization should in one way or the other show that it really want change. This will enable the team to realize that the company needs creative thinking, solutions that are unique and also new ideas. The organization as a result rewards individuals who reasonably risks coming up with improvements, other than victimizing them. It should reward these who fit in and maintain the status quo. Never the less, it should provide training education, as well as providing access to learning materials like books and films, along with field trips that will stimulate new thinking. Consequences; all team members need to feel responsible and accountable for team achievements. To enhance this attitude, rewards should be awarded whenever the team becomes successful], in addition, this will also be achieved if reasonable risks are respected and encouraged in the organization. Though the reward supply ought to be encouraged by the organization, the rewarding system ought to be in a position of recognizing both team as well as individual performances. Do team members fear reprisal? the team members need not to waste their time pointing fingers at each other instead of resolving problems. It will be encourage if the organization will be willing to share gains and the increased profitability wit team along with individual contributors, as for the contributors to be motivated, they ought to see their impact don the increased organization success. Coordination; though there are different systems of coordination in teamwork, but there need to be a central leadership team that will be assisting the group to get what they require for their success. This central body will ensure priorities and resource allocation have been planned across all departments. In support of this, teams ought to understand the aspect of internal customer serving- as the next process, anybody to whom they provide products or even services. To accelerates this, cross-functional along with multi-departmental groups need to work need to work together as one, in developing customer focused, process-focused orientation , as the move away from traditional departmental thinking. Cultural change is the last but not least C involved in team building. The organizations or even societies need to recognize that the team-focused, empowering, enabling organizational culture of the future is different than the traditional, hierarchical organization it may currently be. The organization need to be having plans on how to recruit its employees, along with how to reward, plan development, how it carries out motivation practices, and how it manages individuals they employ. It is good for the organization to determine if will be using failures for learning as well as supporting reasonable risks (Van Dijk Phoads, 2007). The organization should also look forward on how to change its climate towards supporting teams, as this will increase the payback from them. When more time is spend in looking at such tips to ensure effective and efficient teams contribution to business successes. Conclusion A team that is well managed forms the cornerstone of success in any organization. The success of a team appears if and only if team members are in good terms, able to accomplish something tangible, by working together as a group other than working as individuals. It should be taken that, the success and the progress of a team, is the responsibility that is charged to every team member, regardless of the hierarchy. Being in a group, has nothing to do with the dissolution of somebodys individualism, though helps in build in g the identity by addressing somebodys strength as well as potentialities. The basis of team building is based on effective communication. however, the co-existence can be achieved by having by engaging in team building practices, which are fun-filled with the aim of attaining goals by making work far much enjoyable as well as gratifying , though there has to be consistency, to ensure that individuals are not taking it as time and effort wastage (Cardy Et al. 2009). The aim of team building in most cases is to encourage members with expertise in certain areas contribute to the objectives of teams. Lack of harmony in a team makes individual opinions and ideas, which might lead to conflicts. In addition, the absence of co-ordination between diversified personalities is one of the biggest factors that might lead to failure at work place. For the effective team management, certain pointers ought to be in place, for instance, responsibility division between members and be much clear about roles; this effectively avoids confusion (Andrejev, 2006). The process of decision making should also not be left top management alone; the entire team should whenever possible. This in one was or the other ensures, better productivity, absence of trust and belonging among members. Team building helps in boosting self-confidence as well as moral of the involved individuals. The show of appreciation as well as giving timely feedback, also motivate employees. It is good to notice that, teams are never static; they grow and change with time. Effective team management recognizes each members strong qualities and mobilizes them to work together.

Narration in The Turn of the Screw Essay -- The Turn of the Screw Henr

Narration in The Turn of the Screw Henry James makes the governess the narrator because she keeps the readers’ interest by also being involved in the story as a main character. However, being involved on this personal level, it can make the governess exaggerate at times and be over-emotional. Her determined and curious nature makes her an ideal candidate to explore the mysterious happenings, however her imagination keeps the reader in suspense, as we are never sure how much she has exaggerated the story. This also adds tension as the full picture is never revealed. This choice of narrator is therefore challenged by Susan Hill’s description that a narrator should be ‘unimaginative and straightforward’ as the governess’ increasing exaggeration, hysteria and ambiguity make her less than straightforward. The governess’s character is established at the beginning of the novel when she meets the master. Her impressionability is displayed when he immediately charms her. She has little experience at being a governess as it says she is ‘The youngest of several daughters of a country parson’, which also indicates her simple country background. Her naivety also makes her very romantic and imaginative. James writes that she has ‘†¦come up to London from the country’ which hints that the governess is very determined and eager for the job. Her trusting nature is also revealed when she doesn’t question the master’s bizarre rule; ‘that she should never trouble him again.’ She doesn’t question him, as she is enthralled and under his spell, hinting at her infatuation. This also could mean that the narrative would be biased in his favour. The governess first sees Peter Quint at dusk in the first few weeks of her gove... ...ry tragic and ambiguous circumstances. It is very intense at the end, because it is just the governess and Miles, and the governess is trying to force a confession out of him. When he does confess, Peter Quint appears and the governess immediately tries to protect the boy, seeing herself locked in a battle of good versus evil, where she is good and Peter Quint is bad. There are also several alternative reasons for Miles’ death open for interpretation to the reader; either the governess smothered him, shock (from seeing Quint), or Quint is involved somehow. The line ‘Peter Quint- you devil’ is in addition ambiguous. Miles is either confessing that Peter Quint is a devil, or that he sees the governess as tormenting him. James ends the story in this way because it leaves the reader questioning how the boy died, and the narrator’s sanity is also questioned. Narration in The Turn of the Screw Essay -- The Turn of the Screw Henr Narration in The Turn of the Screw Henry James makes the governess the narrator because she keeps the readers’ interest by also being involved in the story as a main character. However, being involved on this personal level, it can make the governess exaggerate at times and be over-emotional. Her determined and curious nature makes her an ideal candidate to explore the mysterious happenings, however her imagination keeps the reader in suspense, as we are never sure how much she has exaggerated the story. This also adds tension as the full picture is never revealed. This choice of narrator is therefore challenged by Susan Hill’s description that a narrator should be ‘unimaginative and straightforward’ as the governess’ increasing exaggeration, hysteria and ambiguity make her less than straightforward. The governess’s character is established at the beginning of the novel when she meets the master. Her impressionability is displayed when he immediately charms her. She has little experience at being a governess as it says she is ‘The youngest of several daughters of a country parson’, which also indicates her simple country background. Her naivety also makes her very romantic and imaginative. James writes that she has ‘†¦come up to London from the country’ which hints that the governess is very determined and eager for the job. Her trusting nature is also revealed when she doesn’t question the master’s bizarre rule; ‘that she should never trouble him again.’ She doesn’t question him, as she is enthralled and under his spell, hinting at her infatuation. This also could mean that the narrative would be biased in his favour. The governess first sees Peter Quint at dusk in the first few weeks of her gove... ...ry tragic and ambiguous circumstances. It is very intense at the end, because it is just the governess and Miles, and the governess is trying to force a confession out of him. When he does confess, Peter Quint appears and the governess immediately tries to protect the boy, seeing herself locked in a battle of good versus evil, where she is good and Peter Quint is bad. There are also several alternative reasons for Miles’ death open for interpretation to the reader; either the governess smothered him, shock (from seeing Quint), or Quint is involved somehow. The line ‘Peter Quint- you devil’ is in addition ambiguous. Miles is either confessing that Peter Quint is a devil, or that he sees the governess as tormenting him. James ends the story in this way because it leaves the reader questioning how the boy died, and the narrator’s sanity is also questioned.

Citibank Case

The supreme mortgages crisis In October 2007 affected Callback as Collector Incurred losses of $9. 83 billion for the last quarter of 2007. The ever-changing global economy encourages CitiBank to be more innovative to respond to new trends and customers' needs. It is an era of tough competition in which CitiBank has the duty to find ways to always increase operating efficiency while maintaining or even improving services to customers. There Is a rapid change In technology that requires CitiBank to respond to new customers' demand.For Instance, businesses demanded electronic Invoicing, automatic application of payments to accounts receivable and online payment guarantees. Due to the tough competition environment, if CitiBank is not able to provide such services, other banks could steal their customers. The Internet is probably the most important feature in the banking industry. Customers now prefer to run their transactions online because it Is more efficient and less time consuming.C itibank knew that this was vital to their success, and their balloons was to become the world's leading e-business enabler. Indeed, technology investments In the global financial service industry were growing at a rate of 4. % per year. CitiBank then implement an e-business strategy to deliver on its vision. 2. There are barriers to new entrants in the financial services industry, especially on the global market stage. Deutsche Bank and Callback were actually the two leading banks that Invested heavily in monitoring cash balances online.It requires a lot of Investment from other banks to be able to compete with these two giants of the industry. However, CitiBank is faced with a low level of rivalry from some Macs that build their own systems and look for ways to disintermediation banks. Also, several genealogy companies compete heavily by using their technological expertise and interests in providing new services. It exists a high bargaining power of customers because their needs an d expectations are changing rapidly. Indeed, In the financial services Industry, customers are everything.The bargaining power of suppliers Is medium due to the ability of CitiBank to acquire Lava Trading and other major electronic savvy companies in order to offer its institutional clients the benefits of the most sophisticated and robust electronic trading system in the market. There are no bustiest products in the financial services industry, and for the reasons mentioned above, this industry is unattractive if one is a new comer. However, for Institutions like Callback that enjoy a sustainable competitive advantage, It Is definitely an attractive Industry. . Among its main capabilities, CitiBank is able to manage some of their clients' duties such as managing their accounts receivables and payable. CitiBank has been able to become not only a bank but global financial institution by building a broad customer base, offering diverse products, actively participating in the community , ND recruiting staff and senior management from the local population. Moreover, CitiBank made continuous investment in technology to provide corporate customers the most cost-effective, cutting-edge, reliable, and secure solutions.Citibank's core competence would definitely be its customer service. Their focus on customers enabled them to acquire a significant market share. Customers' loyalty was driven by Citibank's commitment to excellence in its processing business. The bank was ranked higher than its competitors in the areas of accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, and responsiveness several years in a row. . CitiBank has several strengths, which include a global network, an innovative product offering, and an experienced staff group.Indeed, the bank operated in 100 countries, it offered a wide variety of products and services, and employed over 268,000 employees from which Transmission was staffed by world-class employees with expert knowledge of financial data. According to th e case, CitiBank didn't have many weaknesses. However, I could identify increased operating costs of between 2005 and 2006 that caused the laying off of 17,000 positions. On the other hand, there are opportunities available to CitiBank. The world's largest market, China is now liberalizing its market, giving CitiBank opportunities to enter this market.Also, CitiBank can improve its online presence because it has been more focused on the US market, which is actually its largest. However, with the BIB transfers, Citibank is able to expand its international activities. Like any other financial institution, threats come from foreign exchange fluctuations, unstable market conditions, and regulators. CitiBank also has to face competition from technology companies that use their expertise to provide new services. For now, CitiBank enjoys a sustainable competitive advantage until another bank is able to replicate what they are doing best on a global level.The source of this sustainable comp etitive advantage is their ability to reach a wide array of customers by offering a customer service of excellence but also a wide range of products and services. I think that what may hinder CitiBank to go forward might be the high costs associated to technology investments in the global financial service. It is growing at a significant rate per annum, obligating CitiBank to spend a lot of money acquiring new technology and getting rid of its people. It could get to a mint where talented employees do not want to work for CitiBank fearing lay offs. . CitiBank;s customers include Macs, financial institutions, government sectors, local corporations, and Seems. The bank has opportunities in other markets like China, India, and the European market. Indeed, in other countries the Internet on the cell phone is used differently. It is very common to see people making bank transactions through their cell phones. CitiBank should target some of their services to this particular group of custo mers. Instead of putting a big emphasis on its corporate customers, It snouts also consoler making e rots to meet Uninominal customers' needs. . CitiBank;s e-business strategy is based on the banks objective to become the world's leading e-business enabler. It adopted this strategy because it wanted to empower local, regional, and global customers and the business-to-business-to- consumer marketplace and provide solutions to help them take advantage of the efficiencies and opportunities created by e-commerce. The challenge will be to keep its operating costs at a reasonable level because technology investments in the global financial service industry are constantly increasing. Another challenge was forCitiBank to translate its traditional strengths to the Internet in a way that would add value for its customers. CitiBank was able to integrate products in new ways, build a new global infrastructure to deliver products and services online, and deploy Web- enabling access points to all ow customers to connect seamlessly to the bank. I think that CitiBank will be successful as long as they take advantage of all the opportunities available with the Internet and technology. If it wants to remain competitive, it has to stay ahead of its rivals in following up with new future customers trends in order to satisfy their needs.

Something About Something

Microbiological Media Table of results: Media| E. coli| Salmonella| Serratia| Pseudomonas| Proteus| EMB(Colour: Wine)| Metallic Green sheen on streak. Media: Pink| ColourlessMedia: Wine| Black dot in centre of colonies. Media: Wine| Similar colour to the media. Media: Wine| ColourlessMedia: Wine | XLD(Colour: Red)| ColourlessMedia: Yellow| Black dot in centre of colonies. Media: Pink| Pink/OrangeMedia: Pink| ColourlessMedia: Pink| Black dot in centre of colonies. (smaller dots than Salmonella)| BGA(Colour: Orange)| ColourlessMedia: Yellow| ColourlessMedia: Pink| ColourlessMedia: Yellow| Pink-RedMedia: Pink| ColourlessMedia: Pink|E. coli grown in EMB agar: As we can see from the table above, the streak of E. coli on a plate with EMB agar showed a metallic green sheen where E. coli was present. EMB stain is selective for gram-negative bacteria. It is made using 6:1 Eosin and Methylene Blue. EMB agar is a differential media and inhibits the growth of gram-positive bacteria while also us ing a colour indicator to tell the difference between organisms that ferment lactose and those that don’t. E. coli will give off a metallic green sheen when grown in EMB due to metachromatic properties in the dyes used, E. oli movement using flagella and the strong acid end products associated with fermentation. Salmonella grown in XLD agar: XLD can commonly be used as a selective growth medium for Salmonella and Shigella. Salmonella will ferment xylose to produce acid. This turns the media yellow due to the lowering of the pH which turns the phenol red indicator in XLD agar to yellow. Shigella colonies do not turn yellow as they cannot ferment xylose and therefore don’t produce acid in XLD. Once Salmonella has exhausted the xylose in XLD it decarboxylates lysine which increases the pH again and turns back to a similar colour of the Shigella colonies.Salmonella will metabolise thiosulfate to produce hydrogen sulphide and this is what leads to the formation of colonies with black centers, this allows for differentiation to the similarly coloured Shigella colonies. Salmonella grown in BGA agar: BGA agar is selective and differential for Salmonella. When grown in BGA agar, Salmonella will remain colourless as they do not ferment sucrose or lactose therefore they do not increase the pH level and no indicating colour can be seen. Brilliant Green inhibits the growth of gram-positive and most of gram-negative organisms.

Why Many Americans Fail to Vote in Elections

Why Many Americans Fail to Vote in Elections Why dont more people  vote? Lets ask them. The California Voter Foundation (CVF) has released the results of a statewide survey on the attitudes of infrequent voters and citizens eligible to vote but not registered. The first-of-its-kind survey sheds new light on the incentives and barriers to voting, along with the sources of information that influence people when they do vote. Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Since the 1980s voter turnout has been decreasing steadily in the United States, as well as most other democratic countries worldwide. Political scientists generally attribute falling voter turnout to a combination of disillusionment, indifference, or a sense of futility – the feeling that an individual’s vote will not make a difference.   â€Å"For election officials and others working to maximize voter participation, these survey results provide clear direction on the messages most likely to get infrequent voters to participate in the upcoming election, and on the messages that will motivate more nonvoters to register,† stated the CVF, noting that there are 6.4 million Californians who are eligible but unregistered to vote. It Just Takes Too Long â€Å"Too long† is in the eye of the  waiter. Some people will stand in line for two days to buy the latest, greatest cell phone or concert tickets. But many of the same people will not wait 10 minutes to exercise their right to choose their government leaders. Besides, a 2014 GAO report suggests it doesn’t really take â€Å"too long† to vote. Just Too Busy The survey found that 28% of infrequent voters and 23% of those unregistered said they do not vote or do not register to vote because they are too busy. â€Å"This tells us that many Californians may benefit from more information about the time-saving advantages of early voting and voting by absentee ballot,† the CVF  said. Voter registration forms are available in post offices, libraries and the  Department of Motor Vehicle  offices in most states. The CVF said the survey’s findings might also benefit those campaigns trying to reach infrequent and new voters in advance of the election. The perception that politicians are controlled by special interests is widely shared among two-thirds of the survey’s respondents and represents a significant barrier to voter participation. A feeling that candidates don’t really speak to them was cited as the second leading reason why infrequent voters and nonvoters do not vote. Even Non-Voters Say Voting is Important Still, 93% of infrequent voters agreed that voting is an important part of being a good citizen and 81% of nonvoters agreed it is an important way to voice their opinions on issues that affect their families and communities. â€Å"Civic duty and self-expression provide strong incentives to get potential voters to the polls, despite pervasive cynicism about the influence of special interests,† said the organization. Family and Friends Encourage Others to Vote The survey found that family and friends influence how infrequent voters decide to vote as much as daily newspapers and TV news. Among infrequent voters, 65 percent said conversations with their families and local newspapers were influential sources of information when it comes to making voting decisions. Network TV news rated as influential among 64%, followed by cable TV news at 60%, and conversations with friends at 59%. For more than half of the infrequent voters surveyed, phone calls and door-to-door contact by political campaigns are not influential sources of information when deciding how to vote. The survey also found that family upbringing plays a strong role in determining voting habits as adults. 51% of nonvoters surveyed said they grew up in families that did not often discuss political issues and candidates. Who are the Non-Voters? The survey found that nonvoters are disproportionately young, single, less educated and more likely to be of an ethnic minority than infrequent and frequent voters. 40% of nonvoters are under 30 years old, compared to 29% of infrequent voters and 14% of frequent voters. Infrequent voters are much more likely to be married than nonvoters, with 50% of infrequent voters married compared to only 34% of nonvoters. 76% of nonvoters have less than a college degree, compared to 61% of infrequent voters and 50% of frequent voters. Among nonvoters, 54% are white or Caucasian compared to 60% of infrequent voters and 70% of frequent voters. Voter Turnout in 2018 Soared   On a positive note, voter turnout in November 2018 reached the highest level of any midterm election in over a century. According to the non-partisan, non-profit United States Elections Project, 49.3% of all eligible voters cast more than 116 million ballots nationwide. It was the best turnout since 1914 when 50.4% voted and surpassed the previous high turnout of 48.7% in 1966.   Better yet, 2018 reversed a troubling downward turnout trend. Turnout in the 2010 midterms was 41.8% before dropping to a miserable 36.7% in 2014- the lowest since 1942.   Of course, voter turnout in midterm elections will always lag far behind that of presidential election years. For example, in 2012, when President Obama was elected to his second term, the turnout was 58.6%. Turnout then jumped to 60.1% in 2016, when Republican Donald Trump defied the polls to be elected president over Democrat Hillary Clinton after an especially contentious campaign.

Creating Chinese Calligraphy

Creating Chinese Calligraphy Chinese calligraphy is the art of creating aesthetically pleasing writing or tangible representations of the Chinese languages. It can take years to learn the art because students have to master  writing Chinese characters, which is a daunting task in itself, and they have to write them beautifully and with an unforgiving tool: the brush. History The art of calligraphy in China can be traced to ancient Chinese signs and symbols that appeared as early as 6,000 years ago according to Wei Lu and Max Aiken in their essay, Origins and Evolution of Chinese Writing Systems and Preliminary Counting Relationships. However, its modern form didnt emerge until a few thousand years later, between the 14th and 11th centuries B.C. There are seven main categories of traditional Chinese calligraphy- which include Hhsin (pronounced xing), Sao (cao), Zuan (zhuan), Li, and Kai- each with its own slight variations in style and symbolism. As a result, the skill of writing beautiful calligraphy may be difficult for some learners to grasp, but fortunately, there are a variety of online resources for creating and editing Chinese calligraphy.   Although the earliest-known calligraphy-like symbols date to around 4000 B.C., the traditional style of calligraphy thats still practiced today first appeared in Xiaoshuangqiao between 1400 and 1100 B.C. in modern-day Zhengzhou, China. Standardization Around 220 B.C., during the reign of Qin Shi Huang in Imperial China, a standard Chinese calligraphy system was adopted. As the first conqueror of a majority of land in China, Huang created a series of reforms including a character unification that yielded 3,300 standardized characters known as  XiÇŽozhun (zhuan). From that point forward, writing in China went through a series of reforms that yielded a new set of standardized characters and lettering. Over the next two centuries, other styles developed: the  Là ¬shÃ… « (li) style was followed by the KÇŽishÃ… « (kai), which was in turn followed by the Xà ­ngshÃ… « (xing), and CÇŽoshÃ… « (cao) cursive styles. Today, each of these forms is still used in traditional Chinese calligraphy practices, depending on the teacher and his preferences for style and aesthetics. Online Resources If you live in China, its easy to find calligraphers who sell their work or who can create custom calligraphy just for you. There is an easier way, though: tools that convert pasted text into calligraphy using various fonts. Some of the best include: The  Chinese Calligraphy Editor, which allows you to enter or paste your Chinese characters (simplified or traditional) and choose between 19 different styles in four different groups. You can also adjust the size of the generated picture, the orientation (horizontal or vertical), and direction (left to right or right to left). When you click calligraphy, a picture is generated that you can save.The  Chinese Calligraphy,  Model of Chinese Calligraphy, and  Chinese Text to Images Converter, which offer different fonts, though these only accept simplified characters and offer fewer features and customization than the Chinese Calligraphy Editor.The  Free Chinese Calligraphy Fonts, which allows you to download fonts, many of which resemble handwriting, to use on your computer.

Words to Describe Fearful Recoil

Words to Describe Fearful Recoil Words to Describe Fearful Recoil Words to Describe Fearful Recoil By Maeve Maddox Writers are constantly reminded Show, dont tell! One way to be more descriptive in our writing is to use verbs that convey movement. Here are some words that describe movement prompted by fear, cowardice, or pain. flinch [flÄ ­nch] to draw away in anticipation of pain. The prisoner flinched when the guard raised the whip. The nobleman did not flinch as he mounted the steps to the guillotine. The soldier marched unflinchingly through the hail of arrows. shrink [shrÄ ­ngk] to draw back as if trying to make ones body smaller. One might shrink into the shadows in an attempt to become invisible. Figuratively it has the sense of avoiding danger, often used with a negative: He did not shrink from battle. By the way, the principal parts of this verb are shrink, shrank, (have) shrunk. wince [wÄ ­ns] One might wince from pain, real or anticipated. The patient winced as the dentist probed the painful molar. She winced when he called her fat. Flinch, shrink, and wince all derive from words meaning bend, turn, or turn aside blench [blÄ•nch] I used to think blench included the idea of turning pale along with recoiling. However, it is not related to blanch. It just means move suddenly, wince, or dodge. cower [kouÉ™r] Although the word looks as though it might have a connection with coward, it probably comes from a German word meaning to lie in wait. In current usage it conveys a cowardly or fearful movement. The sailor cowered under the lash. The frightened puppy cowered under the porch. cringe [krÄ ­nj] In Old English the word could mean to fall dead in battle. Now it has the less final meaning of to draw back or move in a fearful manner. The servant had a cringing manner, as if moving in constant fear of being struck. The nurse cringed as the demanding patient rang the bell for the twentieth time in ten minutes. grovel [grÃ… vÉ™l, grÃ… ­v-] This is a word to use when the action takes place close to the ground. It conveys the sense of demonstrating servility by dropping onto ones knees, or even going face down. Figuratively it can be used of people too eager to please. Deprived of his weapon, the enemy grovelled in the dirt, pleading for his life. quail [kwÄ l] Although spelled the same as the name of the game bird, the verb to quail, to lose courage, to shrink, is not related. Its origin is uncertain. Words meaning to be ill, to die, and to curdle have been suggested. In current usage, quail means to draw away in fear or weakness. He quailed at the prospect of climbing the mountain a second time. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtAmong vs. AmongstList of Prefixes and Suffixes and their Meanings

Plan for Reconstruction Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Plan for Reconstruction - Speech or Presentation Example From this paper it is clear that  both the sides dedicated themselves to the cause they deeply believed in. Let us not indulge in a cost and benefit analysis of this conflict, for how could one amount a cost that is steeped in the blood of our fellow Americans, no matter on which side they fought. Let us try to forget the worst that led us to this war and remember the quintessential American sense of gumption, equality and resilience that is a coveted essential for all the future attempts at reconstruction and reconciliation. Let us dare to once again be Americans in this moment of loss and sorrow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper outlines that the reporter's heart goes to our brothers from the South. It is not that they are less American. Who can deny the fact that their forefathers fought with courage, dedication and sincerity in the War for Independence. They are not only an undeniable constituent of what we reverently remember as our Founding Fathers, but a significant chunk of t he American Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution owe their origin to their timeless values and ethos. So let us once again remember the values of liberty and equality enshrined in the American Declaration of Independence, not because someone is telling us to do so, but because in the times marred by flux and turmoil, one ought to stick to something that is timeless and eternal.  We as Americans always believe that all men are born equal irrespective of their color, ethnicity and race.... Much has got ravaged, but this sacrosanct belief has thankfully managed to survive. None of you will deny the fact that our black brothers, who just a few days ago were called slaves, played a pivotal role in building the American economy, heritage and culture, with their blood, sweat and toil. Now once again our black brethren are looking towards you. They have gone nowhere. They are here to sweat with you in the immense reconstruction efforts that you need to undertake. All that they expect is the right to be treated as fellow human beings and a just and fair share commensurate to their contributions to the American way of life. Reconciliation with our black brethren is not only in consonance with our values, but also makes a sound economic and political sense. The Former Slaves All the efforts at reconstruction will be futile, unless we not extend our heartfelt apologies and regrets to our emancipated black brethren. I must say that none of us knows the meaning of freedom better t han them. Freedom is not something that solely belongs to the domain of constructive philosophy. Freedom is actually the basic instinct of humanity. Nobody teaches to birds the meaning of freedom, yet even they do understand what it means to be free and liberated. Hence, they who had been denied freedom for generations on the basis of economic and commercial premises are the ones who deserve to be free now. I know that the injustice perpetrated against you was not only a social failure, but a bigger systemic flaw in the institutions brought into existence by such a society. The memories of the Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court, which deprived a whole race residing in the US for generations, of the right to be called a citizen are still fresh

US History--The US Constitution finely crafted blueprint or unwieldy Essay

US History--The US Constitution finely crafted blueprint or unwieldy compromise - Essay Example The Congress is the legislative branch, the President heads the executive and the judiciary comprises the judicial branch. The US Constitution implements the separation of powers; thereby preventing concentration of power in any particular branch of government. These three branches depend upon each other, for their functioning; and prevent any particular branch from becoming more powerful than the others (U.S.COURTS n.d.). George Washington organized a convention in Philadelphia, in order to draft the Constitution. However, disagreements between the members resulted in a stalemate. At that juncture, Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, whereby, Congress was to comprise of two houses, namely the Senate and the House of Representatives. There was to be equal representation in the Senate for all the states, with two Senators from each state; and the state legislature was to select their representatives. This proposal was accepted by all the states; and representation in the House of Representatives was to be decided on the basis of the population in each state. It was proposed that there would be a representative for every thirty thousand individuals, which was favorable for the states with a large population. This Constitutional Convention was ratified by the delegates in July 1787 (The Great Compromise n.d.). While some of the delegates opposed slavery, others were greatly in its favor. This resulted in a compromise, and such compromises promoted experimentation in self government, which exists even today (Rediscovering George Washington. The Constitution and the Idea of Compromise 2002). However, most of the thirteen larger states were desirous of retaining their power, including their power to impose taxes to raise state funds. Moreover, there was no national conscience among the people at that time, who favored their own states and ignored the nation as a whole. This absence of national spirit

Comparison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Comparison - Essay Example That’s why it is possible to say that what people are used to considering as American culture in fact is a combination and compilation of bunches of different cultures with their own authentic features like mentality, traditions, customs, and even physical appearances. Chinese culture is one of the most ancient and stable cultures in the world. The traditions that Chinese people have and their customs haven’t been changed for almost five thousand years and they form the entire Chinese nation and the culture. The very first crucial thing that makes these two cultures different is their core religions, which are totally opposite. Even though the United States citizens have freedom to confess any religions they want, still the most popular religions of American culture are Protestantism and Catholicism. These two religions have Christian roots, so the people who confess these religions have deep faith in the only one God, as the religions are monotheistic. Chinese most widespread religions are Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. These three religions are not based on faith in the only God. The religions are combinations of ethical doctrines which proclaim respect for ancestors (Confucianism), as well as some meditative techniques and faith in the greatest prophet Buddha. When American religions more look like religions with all their attributes, Chinese religions are more like philosophies that direct people’s lives. Also, Chinese and American cultures are based on totally different languages, which in fact are two different systems of describing signs. English language which, is being used in the USA, is based on letters and their combinations which form certain words and have etymological meaning. Chinese hieroglyphs are combinations of signs themselves. Each of the signs has its own meaning and forms broaden language

Business Law and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Law and Ethics - Essay Example eternal law), further bolstering its obligatory nature, then calling attention to the Roman jurists and the contemporary court pronouncements to the same effect, adding a legal dimension to the duty. All these aside, Johnston argues that the fiduciary obligation is encompassed within natural law, that is, it is within the nature of man as a free, rational and social being to render fiduciary loyalty where the situation calls for it. In the context of business, the fiduciary relationship exists between the owner of the business and the person that owner has hired to discharge the business. In modern corporate parlance, the business owner would be the shareholders, those who have invested financial resources in the business entity. The steward hired to conduct the affairs of the business is the modern business manager, or the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in large corporations. In the Biblical metaphor, therefore, the CEO is the servant who is morally charged to owe loyalty to the shar eholders. Johnston argues that one who serves in a fiduciary position cannot serve his interest first before the interest of the person/s to whom trust is owed, legally, the cestui que trust or beneficiary of the trust relationship. Corollary to this argument is that the person entrusted cannot substitute his own judgment for that of the trustor, or undertake an action that he knows jeopardizes the trustor’s best interests. The conflict therefore arises in the modern business context, where advocates of corporate social responsibility insist that business managers, particularly for large corporations, have a duty not only to shareholders but also to other stakeholders – customers, employees, suppliers, the immediate community and society in general – to likewise serve their benefit and welfare in the conduct of their business. This is seen to run counter to the fiduciary relationship because management would have to decide in favour of the benefit of other share holders, at times to the detriment of the aim to maximize shareholder gain and corporate profit. It is the equal obligation to stakeholders as to shareholders that Johnston believes is untenable in practice From a legal standpoint, I would tend to agree with Johnston. Given an either-or proposition, the fiduciary relationship would supersede the stakeholder relationship. From a practical perspective, however, it is apparent that seldom is one drawn into the choice of one side to the exclusion of the other. Most business owners are aware that keeping customers satisfied, employees engaged and motivated, suppliers operationally viable, and the community supportive, would eventually translate to business gain and growth. By serving stakeholder interests, managers may forego opportunities for short-term profits but benefit the shareholders in terms of long-run and sustainable profitability. From a utilitarian perspective, therefore, the satisfaction of stakeholder interests also serves the interests of the shareholders, and there is no conflict. It is also often forgotten that the shareholders are themselves stakeholders of the company, particularly as customers, and oftentimes also as employees, because of employees’ share options. Shareholders are also part of the community and larger society. In this sense, the

Week 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Week 8 - Essay Example One needsto take protein on daily basis(Clark 143). It is not advisable to take an ideal training diet, for instance, taking a limited number times food rich in proteins limited number of times and taking regularly pasta, bagels, and energy bars. 20 to 25 grams of protein during each meal before sleeping at night is ideal for building muscle since they provide a continuous supply of amino acid responsible for muscle building. Sport drinks are not the best way to replace sodium loses from sweat. They comprise of little sodium balancing the loss of sweat. Instead, endurance sport drinks, food sprinkled with salt and snacks containing salt, for instance, V8 juice, olive, and pickles offer a better choice. A target ranging from 250 to 500nmilligram of sodium perhour should be maintained. However, tablets such as Endurolytes merely supply 40 milligrams in one tablet(Clark 167).This fact enables a person exploit other ways of replacing sodium. Exercising with an empty stomach athletes burn extra fats.It is not always true that a person gets slimmer but reducing the amount of calories taken reduces whether they burn carbohydrates or fats during the exercise or they do not(Clark 180). An athlete eating pre-exercise refreshments will have an ability to exercise more, more calories burned and finally losing more body

The explotation of slavery from colonial times to 1877 Essay

The explotation of slavery from colonial times to 1877 - Essay Example Slavery was a problem in the world from its birth. People who are sold, then asked to work ruthlessly and do not have any rights of their own are known as slaves. To build up the economy of America they needed people who could work according to what they required and thus at this time the African people were targeted and used as slaves. By the sixteenth century the use of these servants had become common and this made a way for the Africans to enter America. Agreements were made with these slaves, which stated that they would be bound to work for their master for some years. And after the specified period of time these slaves were set free. These were known as the contracted or indentured servants. During this era many of the African people who were bound with their masters for some years got free and started working as traders or land owners. At this time there was a greed for more land and a stabilized economy and thus this raised the demand graph of the slaves in America. At this time the slaves of Africa became popular and were highly charged for their services. Most of the Southern America needed workers for the plantations of rice, tobacco, cotton etc. These slaves were also used for other purposes such as crafting and personal servants. While on the other hand in Northern America these slaves were mostly used in trade, factories and farms. The demand of the slaves in America grew by a very significant rate and by the 17th century there were an estimated 180,000 African slaves working on the American soil. Sooner this number increased even further and in some states the black slaves consumed most of the population of the state. In the sixteenth century states like Massachusetts made new laws which made oppression as lawful servitude. This worsened the conditions of the Africans who were living in the American soil. They thus turned into chattel slaves who could be sold and purchased only by their owners. The people from Africa were known for their work in mining farming agriculture and other skills. People from Portugal were the first to start slave trading. Sudan was the basic area where slaves could be found. The wars which took place between different tribes in Africa gave way to the selling of tribes as the side which won kept some of their prisoners as captives and further sold them to other people. Many other people were kidnapped by the hunters which were then used as slaves. These slaves were very important for the economy of America as they were good at planting different agricultural goods. The rise of the slaves got on its peak when there was seen a rise in the demand of basic agricultural goods like cotton, tobacco and coffee. This trade of slaves gave so much profit that in the sixteenth century Royal African Company outdated other traders in term of profits. Slaves at a time were also known as the Black Gold. At this time many people from Europe moved to America to practice their religion with freedom. But on the other hand Slavery was to be justified as it provided such a boost to the economy of America. Therefore to defend that slavery was correct and legal, people started to justify it by classifying the group of blacks as substandard, low-grade and fated to be slaves. Even at those times the churches did not take up this issue seriously and did not try to eliminate slavery. Even some

Week 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Week 8 - Essay Example One needsto take protein on daily basis(Clark 143). It is not advisable to take an ideal training diet, for instance, taking a limited number times food rich in proteins limited number of times and taking regularly pasta, bagels, and energy bars. 20 to 25 grams of protein during each meal before sleeping at night is ideal for building muscle since they provide a continuous supply of amino acid responsible for muscle building. Sport drinks are not the best way to replace sodium loses from sweat. They comprise of little sodium balancing the loss of sweat. Instead, endurance sport drinks, food sprinkled with salt and snacks containing salt, for instance, V8 juice, olive, and pickles offer a better choice. A target ranging from 250 to 500nmilligram of sodium perhour should be maintained. However, tablets such as Endurolytes merely supply 40 milligrams in one tablet(Clark 167).This fact enables a person exploit other ways of replacing sodium. Exercising with an empty stomach athletes burn extra fats.It is not always true that a person gets slimmer but reducing the amount of calories taken reduces whether they burn carbohydrates or fats during the exercise or they do not(Clark 180). An athlete eating pre-exercise refreshments will have an ability to exercise more, more calories burned and finally losing more body

Timeline Essay Example for Free

Timeline Essay October 7,1763 The Proclamation of 1763, signed by King George III of England, prohibits any English settlement west of the Appalachian mountains and requires those already settled in those regions to return east in an attempt to ease tensions with Native Americans. April 5,1764 The Sugar Act is passed by the English Parliament to offset the war debt brought on by the French and Indian War and to help pay for the expenses of running the colonies and newly acquired territories. This act doubles the duties to imported sugar, textiles, coffee, and other items. This is more work for the colonies, for a war that they didn’t want to happen. 1764 The English Parliament passes a measure to reorganize the American customs system to better enforce British trade laws, which have often been ignored in the past. In the past, the English Parliament has ignored to pass a measure to reorganize the American customs system to better enforce British trade laws. But now, after the Proclamation of 1763 and the Sugar Act, the colonies are seeing a pattern now. 1764 The Currency Act prohibits the colonists from issuing any legal tender paper money. This act threatens to destabilize the entire colonial economy of both the industrial North and agricultural South, thus uniting the colonists against it. March of 1765, the Stamp Act is passed by the English Parliament imposing the first direct tax on the American colonies, to offset the high costs of the British military organization in America. In the first time, Americans will not pay taxes to their own local legislatures, but directly to England. Also happening; The Quartering Act requires colonists to house British troops and supply them with food. 765 In July, the Sons of Liberty, an underground organization opposed to the Stamp Act. They used violence and intimidation to eventually force all of the British stamp agents to resign, as well to stop many American merchants from ordering British trade goods. 1765 In October, the Stamp Act Congress convenes in New York City, with representatives from nine of the colonies. The Congress prepares a resolution to be sent to King Georg e III and the English Parliament. The petition requests the repeal of the Stamp Act and the Acts of 1764. The petition asserts that only colonial legislatures can tax colonial residents and that taxation without representation violates the colonists basic civil rights. 1765 In December, British General Thomas Gage, commander of all English military forces in America, asks the New York assembly to make colonists comply with the Quartering Act and house and supply his troops. Also in December, the American boycott of English imports spreads, as over 200 Boston merchants join the movement. 1766 In January, the New York assembly refuses to completely comply with Gen. Gages request to enforce the Quartering Act. March of 1766 King George III repealed the Stamp Act; the English Parliament passes the Declaratory Act stating that the British government has total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies in all cases whatsoever. 1766 In August, violence breaks out in New York between British soldiers and armed colonists, including Sons of Liberty members. The violence erupts as a result of the continuing refusal of New York colonists to comply with the Quartering Act. In December, the New York legislature is suspended by the English Crown after once again voting to refuse to comply with the Act. 1767 In June, The English Parliament passes the Townshend Revenue Acts, imposing a new series of taxes on the colonists to offset the costs of administering and protecting the American colonies. Items taxed include imports such as paper, tea, glass, lead and paints. 1768 In February, Samuel Adams of Massachusetts writes a Circular Letter opposing taxation without representation and calling for the colonists to unite in their actions against the British government. The letter is sent to assemblies throughout the colonies and also instructs them on the methods the Massachusetts general court is using to oppose the Townshend Acts. May of 1768, a British warship armed with 50 cannons sails into Boston harbor after a call for help from custom commissioners who are constantly being harassed by Boston agitators. In June, a customs official is locked up in the cabin of the Liberty, a sloop owned by John Hancock. Imported wine is then unloaded illegally into Boston without payment of duties. Following this incident, customs officials seize Hancocks sloop. After threats of violence from Bostonians, the customs officials escape to an island off Boston, and then request the intervention of British troops. 1768 In July, the governor of Massachusetts dissolves the general court after the legislature defies his order to revoke Adams circular letter. In August, in Boston and New York, merchants agree to boycott most British goods until the Townshend Acts are repealed. In September, at a town meeting in Boston, residents are urged to arm themselves. Later in September, English warships sail into Boston Harbor, then two regiments of English infantry land in Boston and set up permanent residence to keep order. 1769 In March, merchants in Philadelphia join the boycott of British trade goods. In May, a set of resolutions written by George Mason is presented by George Washington to the Virginia House of Burgesses. The Virginia Resolves oppose taxation without representation, the British opposition to the circular letters, and British plans to possibly send American agitators to England for trial. Ten days later, the Royal governor of Virginia dissolves the House of Burgesses. However, its members meet the next day in a Williamsburg tavern and agree to a boycott of British trade goods, luxury items and slaves. 1770 Violence erupts in January between members of the Sons of Liberty in New York and 40 British soldiers over the posting of broadsheets by the British. Several men are seriously wounded. March 5, 1770 The Boston Massacre occurs as a mob harasses British soldiers who then fire their muskets pointblank into the crowd, killing three instantly, mortally wounding two others and injuring six. After the incident, the new Royal Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, at the insistence of Sam Adams, withdraws British troops out of Boston to nearby harbor islands. The captain of the British soldiers, Thomas Preston, is then arrested along with eight of his men and charged with murder. 1770 In April, the Townshend Acts are repealed by the British. All duties on imports into the colonies are eliminated except for tea. Also, the Quartering Act is not renewed. 1770 In October, trial begins for the British soldiers arrested after the Boston Massacre. Colonial lawyers John Adams and Josiah Quincy successfully defend Captain Preston and six of his men, who are acquitted. Two other soldiers are found guilty of manslaughter, branded, then released. 1772 In June, a British customs schooner, the Gaspee, runs aground off Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay. Colonists from Providence row out to the schooner and attack it, set the British crew ashore, then burn the ship. In September, a 500 pound reward is offered by the English Crown for the capture of those colonists, who would then be sent to England for trial. The announcement that they would be sent to England further upsets many American colonists. 1772 In November, a Boston town meeting assembles, called by Sam Adams. During the meeting, a 21 member committee of correspondence is appointed to communicate with other towns and colonies. A few weeks later, the town meeting endorses three radical proclamations asserting the rights of the colonies to self-rule. 1773 In March, the Virginia House of Burgesses appoints an eleven member committee of correspondence to communicate with the other colonies regarding common complaints against the British. Members of that committee include, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee. Virginia is followed a few months later by New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and South Carolina. 1773 May 10, the Tea Act takes effect. It maintains a threepenny per pound import tax on tea arriving in the colonies, which had already been in effect for six years. It also gives the near bankrupt British East India Company a virtual tea monopoly by allowing it to sell directly to colonial agents, bypassing any middlemen, thus underselling American merchants. The East India Company had successfully lobbied Parliament for such a measure. In September, Parliament authorizes the company to ship half a million pounds of tea to a group of chosen tea agents. 1773 In October, colonists hold a mass meeting in Philadelphia in opposition to the tea tax and the monopoly of the East India Company. A committee then forces British tea agents to resign their positions. In November, a town meeting is held in Boston endorsing the actions taken by Philadelphia colonists. Bostonians then try, but fail, to get their British tea agents to resign. A few weeks later, three ships bearing tea sail into Boston harbor. 1773 November 29/30, two mass meetings occur in Boston over what to do about the tea aboard the three ships now docked in Boston harbor. Colonists decide to send the tea on the ship, Dartmouth, back to England without paying any import duties. The Royal Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson, is opposed to this and orders harbor officials not to let the ship sail out of the harbor unless the tea taxes have been paid. December 16, 1773 About 8000 Bostonians gather to hear Sam Adams tell them Royal Governor Hutchinson has repeated his command not to allow the ships out of the harbor until the tea taxes are paid. That night, the Boston Tea Party occurs as colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians then board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the harbor. 1774 In March, an angry English Parliament passes the first of a series of Coercive Acts (called Intolerable Acts by Americans) in response to the rebellion in Massachusetts. The Boston Port Bill effectively shuts down all commercial shipping in Boston harbor until Massachusetts pays the taxes owed on the tea dumped in the harbor and also reimburses the East India Company for the loss of the tea. 1774 May 12, Bostonians at a town meeting call for a boycott of British imports in response to the Boston Port Bill. May 13, General Thomas Gage, commander of all British military forces in the colonies, arrives in Boston and replaces Hutchinson as Royal governor, putting Massachusetts under military rule. He is followed by the arrival of four regiments of British troops. 1774 May 17-23, colonists in Providence, New York and Philadelphia begin calling for an intercolonial congress to overcome the Coercive Acts and discuss a common course of action against the British. 1774 May 20, The English Parliament enacts the next series of Coercive Acts, which include the Massachusetts Regulating Act and the Government Act virtually ending any self-rule by the colonists there. Instead, the English Crown and the Royal governor assume political power formerly exercised by colonists. Also enacted; the Administration of Justice Act which protects royal officials in Massachusetts from being sued in colonial courts, and the Quebec Act establishing a centralized government in Canada controlled by the Crown and English Parliament. The Quebec Act greatly upsets American colonists by extending the southern boundary of Canada into territories claimed by Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia. 1774 In June, a new version of the 1765 Quartering Act is enacted by the English Parliament requiring all of the American colonies to provide housing for British troops in occupied houses and taverns and in unoccupied buildings. In September, Massachusetts Governor Gage seizes that colonys arsenal of weapons at Charlestown. 1774 September 5 to October 26, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia with 56 delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia. Attendants include Patrick Henry, George Washington, Sam Adams and John Hancock. On September 17, the Congress declares its opposition to the Coercive Acts, saying they are not to be obeyed, and also promotes the formation of local militia units. On October 14, a Declaration and Resolves is adopted that opposes the Coercive Acts, the Quebec Act, and other measure taken by the British that undermine self-rule. The rights of the colonists are asserted, including the rights to life, liberty and property. On October 20, the Congress adopts the Continental Association in which delegates agree to a boycott of English imports, effect an embargo of exports to Britain, and discontinue the slave trade. 1775 February 1, in Cambridge, Mass. , a provincial congress is held during which John Hancock and Joseph Warren begin defensive preparations for a state of war. February 9, the English Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. March 23, in Virginia, Patrick Henry delivers a speech against British rule, stating, Give me liberty or give me death! March 30, the New England Restraining Act is endorsed by King George III, requiring New England colonies to trade exclusively with England and also bans fishing in the North Atlantic. 1775 In April, Massachusetts Governor Gage is ordered to enforce the Coercive Acts and suppress open rebellion among the colonists by all necessary force.

The Changing Notions Of Children

The Changing Notions Of Children What is a Child? Initially this may appear to be a simple question: we all have some experience of children and childhood, perhaps through family, friends or your own children, most people have close contact and bonds with children. There is also a wealth of people, in many different professions, who work with children of all ages in many types of settings. Also it is impossible to ignore the simple fact that every adult on this planet was, once, a child themselves. It is clear we all have some experience of children and childhood, and most people will have some very clear notions of what childhood is or what it should be. However once you begin to look a little deeper, it becomes far more complex than one might at first imagine: there are many different factors which effect childhood today. This paper will analyse this question further, looking at definitions of a child and how childhood has changed during the twentieth and twenty first century. Taking into account the effect of the media, consumerism, advertising, adults changing attitudes and child related policy, in order to evaluate how these factors have changed and shaped modern childhood More than sixty years ago, in 1948, the majority of the worlds countrys signed up to the United Nations Declaration of Humans Rights (Lee, 2001). This stated that all human beings were entitled to certain basic rights, which no state could remove from them. Furthermore a little over twenty years ago, in 1989, the United Nations passed a further set of rights specifically for children: the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child (Lee, 2001). One might question the reasons behind this extra convention: the original declaration covered all human beings so why would children need their own special set of rights? (Lee, 2001). This gulf between children and adults within global guidelines reflects the trend of viewing adults and children as fundamentally different types of human (Lee, 2001 pg.5). Traditionally the vast majority of societies have considered adults to be complete, constant and self regulating where as the child is seen to be incomplete, changeable and requiring guidance (Lee, 2001). The sociologist Jens Qvortrup (1994) explained this fissure between human adults and human children eloquently by describing adults as human beings and children as human becomings (cited in Lee, 2001 pg. 5). Now this paper will look at different standpoints, which can be used to view the notion of what children and childhood are The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 defines a child in the following way: a human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier (UNCRC, Article 1, 1989). This definition of the child would fall under the category of a legal definition; another legal way to define a child would be by using the age of criminal responsibility. The age that a individual becomes criminally responsible varies greatly from country to country, in England and Wales the age was raised to ten years old in 1963, it had previously been eight (Children and Young Persons Act 1963, section16). However until the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the law presumed that children under fourteen were doli incapax. Meaning the law regarded them as being incapable of distinguishing the difference between what is right and what is wrong, and therefore could not be convicted of a crime they had committed. Unless the criminal prosecution wer e able to definitively prove that the perpetrator was fully aware that their actions were wrong (Crime and Punishment Act 1998, section 34). The age of criminal responsibility imposed by England and Wales and the even lower age of eight in Scotland, are the lowest within the European Union. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has criticised the UK for the low ages imposed: stating article three of the UNCRC which requires that during criminal proceedings the childs best interests must be held in primary consideration (Broadbridge, 2009). Another perspective to look at when defining the child would be to study the concept from a sociological standpoint. What does the term child and childhood mean to society? What is their notion of a child? These are complex questions and the answers will inevitably vary depending on the country and culture one is studying. Michael Wyness (2006) used the playing-child construction to define childhood: this encompasses the notion that childhood equals a time of play, without responsibilities. By using this definition Wyness also offers a definition for adulthood: if childhood can be characterised through a lack of work therefore adulthood can be characterised as being a time for work and responsibility (Wyness, 2006 pg. 9). This would suggest that childhood is a socially constructed phenomena based on the ideas that people within a given society hold. This notion of childhood being a social construction is not a new idea: the French historian Philippe Arià ©s (1960) has also suggested that childhood is a fairly recent construction of society. Arià ©s claimed that until the fifteen century children in Western Europe were considered as miniature adults and therefore believed to have similar mental abilities and personal qualities as adults. Although due to their smaller physical presence they were viewed as physically inferior compared to a fully grown adult (Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002). Philippe Arià ©s work, Centuries of Childhood (first published 1960), was influential in attracting academic consideration towards the study of childhood; however his work has been subject to plentiful criticisms. Such as how he drew his conclusions about medieval society through the means of studying art from the period. Due to the subjective nature of art, studying a society in this way may give an inaccurate picture of how that society viewed a particular subject. A further criticism was the lack of explanation for the change in attitudes towards children (Hill, M, Tisdall, K, 1997). A society which views children as being a completely different type of human being compared to adults, will believe that the child has different needs to be fulfilled than the adults within their society. One example of this can be seen in prosperous areas of the industrialised world, where a wealth of products are available which are exclusively tailored for children. Items such as toys, clothes, cots, food stuffs and medicine are just a snippet of the vast array of child centred paraphernalia adults will encounter in various retail outlets (Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002). As well as these rather necessary commodities, there is also an overwhelming range of products designed for entertaining children. There are books, magazines and television channels; holidays and theme parks; educational software and computer games. These are just some of the things available which cater for children, turning childhood into a lucrative, commercialized business (Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002). The increasing trend in this type of consumerism aimed at children, has further led to a massive growth in advertising aimed at children. Companies now spend huge amounts of money per annum on advertising their brand to children, whereas comparatively twenty years ago the budget for this type of advertising would have been virtually nonexistent (Dunn, Layard, 2009). Research has shown that brand loyalty develops in children from a very early age: studies have shown that even children as young as two will treat a new toy differently depending on whether that child has been exposed to the toy previously through the means of advertising on television. Once they reach the age of three children tend to prefer leading branded products, which are subject to mass media marketing compared to a non branded product which tastes exactly the same (Dunn, Layard, 2009). The purpose of advertising is obviously to make the consumer desire a certain item or brand over any other similar items availab le. However advertising also has the knock on effect of making people, adults and children alike feel that they need more materialistic items than they would otherwise believe. This can leave parents feeling that they need to spend more and more money in order to make their children happy; in a survey conducted by the Childrens Society nine out of ten parents stated that advertising pressurised them into spending more than they could realistically afford (Dunn, Layard, 2009). Consumerism also has negative effects for the child; a major study was conducted in 2004 by Juliet Schor, into the effects of the media and consumerism on children. Her study has found that; if all other aspects of a childs life were equal, high exposure to media would led a child to be more materialistic, having problems relating the their parents and being at higher risk of mental health issues. These risks increase even more for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are living with little household i ncome to being with (Dunn, Layard, 2009). Childrens experience of childhood in the twenty first century will differ vastly from even their own parents experiences just one generation before them. This is partly due to the change in childrens leisure activities which in the last decade have shifted to included much less physically active pursuits (Dunn, Layard, 2009). Studies have shown that children are spending less time than ever before pursuing physical activities. Physically inactive pursuits such as: television, video gaming and the internet becoming ever more popular (Dunn, Layard, 2009 pg.54). This bloom in new technologies has brought a wealth of knowledge and entertainment to our finger tips. However it has also been linked with increases in three dangers: encouraging the discourse that wealth and beauty equals happiness; encouraging aggressive models of relationships and that it encourages less physical activity and unhealthy lifestyles (Dunn, Layard, 2009). The change in adults attitudes towards what pursuits can be considered safe for children is one reason for this decline in the amounts of physical, outdoor activity undertaken by modern children. Through the media, vast amounts of information regarding child murder cases are made available and easily accessible to the general public, resulting in these cases being more prominent in peoples thoughts (Dunn, Layard, 2009). This leads people to believe that the number of children being murdered, especially being murdered by strangers has been steadily increasing over time; however this isnt the case. Home office statistics show that the risk of children being murdered by a stranger are very minimal, averaging approximately eleven per year shows that for the vast majority of adults their fears for childrens safety are unfounded (Dunn, Layard, 2009). In fact a child is at much greater risk within their own home. The NSPCC believe that for each generation more than one thousand children w ill be killed before adulthood, most at the hands of a violent parent or carer (Cunningham, 2006 p.235). These high profile cases in the media have also led to childrens rights becoming more prominent within societies and indeed also the Governments thoughts. There has been a deluge of child related policy passed through the UK government, reflecting how attitudes towards children have changed; children are being viewed as separate beings that have individual needs and are in need of protection. Just one of these policies is the Children Act 2004; this Act was developed and implemented following the findings of Lord Lamings 2003 inquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbià ©, who died in 2002 (Duffy, Pugh, 2010). In response to the Laming report the government published the Green Paper Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003); the prime minister at the time, Tony Blair, described it as the most significant development for children for more than thirty years (Duffy, Pugh, 2010 p.9). The overall outcomes that the Green Paper and the consequent Children Act of 2004 hoped to achieve was to improve the expectations of all children, narrowing the fissure between high and low achievers via the means of reconfiguring the services available for children and families (Duffy, Pugh, 2010). The Act also set out five outcomes which all children, right from birth until the age of eighteen, should be able to achieve. These five outcomes are: to be healthy, to be protected from all forms of harm, to enjoy and achieve in their lives, to be able to contribute positively within their society and finally the ability to achieve economic wellbeing (Anning, Ball, 2008). Whilst the intention of this Act appear to hold a childs well being as paramount in its agenda, some professionals have voiced concerns over potential negative side effects, it might present for the most vulnerable of children (Womack, 2006). Under the Act a massive database containing information on all twelve million children living in England and Wales was created (Womack, 2006). Experts in the field of safeguarding children have suggested that the sheer amount of data recorded in this database, will make it easier for genuine cases of child neglect and abuse to slip through the net. Under a system that detects threat to a child, in even in the most trivial of matters, may mean a child under serious threat of harm will not be identified (Womack, 2006). When services are already looking for the needle in a haystack is it really useful to make the haystack even bigger? (Womack, 2006) Having looked at the legal and sociological perspectives of childhood and having taken into account the influence of the media, consumerism, advertising, adult attitudes and child related policy. The focus of this paper will now turn to look at the feelings and ideas that children have about what it means to be a child Wendy Stainton-Rogers conducted interviews with children from around the world as part of research for a book about childhood (Stainton-Rogers cited in Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002). In these interviews children were asked, what did being a child mean to them? One child aged eight, when interviewed and asked this question replied: Im a child because, if I was a baby I would still be small. And, and now Im a child because Im not a baby any more. Because Im, because Im grown up. And a baby is sort of like, is like almost one year old, two years old or three years old (Stainton Rogers cited in Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002 pg.7). This statement appears to show that the child questioned was somewhat confused as to exactly what a child is. They had some clear thoughts about what made them a child, but appeared hesitant in being able to justify their thoughts. Another child stated that they felt that they would become an adult after their bat mitzvah, saying that after that they would feel mo re grown up (Stainton Rogers cited in Montgomery, Woodhead, 2002 pg.7). This suggests that a childs religion will impact their feelings of what it means to be a child: that childhood ends with certain religious rites of passage. One child felt that a child was somebody who was still learning and being moulded into an adult (Stainton Rogers cited in Montgomery, Woodhead, 2003 pg.7). The answer that this child gave would fit in very well with a socially constructed model of childhood: that the purpose of childhood is for the adult members of a society to shape and mould children into acceptable members of society for the future. From completing the research for this paper, it has become clear that there is no single, universal answer to the question what is a child. Both childrens and adults views on childhood and what it means to be a child will vary vastly depending on culture, religion and the country where they live. To state that a child is a human being under the age of eighteen simply just isnt enough. Children are all individuals and no two will ever be the same just as no two adults ever will be. In order for children to be happy and grow into well rounded, balanced adults their individual needs have to be met and to be protected from serious harm. It is wrong for adult society to simply believe that a child is just an unfinished lump of clay in need of sculpting in order to become the adults society expects for the future. Children should be seen as important members within all societies, whom have the ability to positively contribute to the society in which they live. .

Gun Control is NOT Losing your Target in the Recoil Essay example -- Se

Guns, like many other issues of the day, have two distinct and opposing views with many people in the middle or undecided. Even following the tragic events of December 7, 1993, when unemployed handyman Colin Ferguson boarded the LIR’s 5:33 out of Penn Station. Ferguson waited until the train, filled with local commuters on their way home, pulled out of the Hicksville station before drawing a 9mm pistol. Ferguson then opened fire walking up and down the aisle shooting passangers indiscriminately, stopping only to reload, twice. When he was finished six were dead and 19 were injured. Gun control advocates think that outlawing guns would have stopped the killings from ever happening. While gun rights advocates believe just as strongly that it could have been stopped by one innocent person being armed and fighting back. In order for an issue to even be at hand, both sides must agree that there is a problem with guns and gun control. Both gun control and pro gun advocates do agree that there is a problem. Pro gunners say it is too hard to own a gun and the gun controllers say it is too easy to get a gun. Gun control advocates would argue that gun ownership is not a right and is not protected by the second amendment. They further believe guns are harmful to society. Gun control advocates also believe guns are not needed for self-defense. Gun-controllers use points such as, the constitution, specifically the second amendment, hunting and gun related assaults to try to prove their point; however most of their arguments are based in emotions and only have merit in the specific case they are trying to illustrate. For when you strip away the emotional rhetoric and examine issues logically, so called gun control laws fail to accomplish any of their stated goals. A lawyer once said, "If the facts are with you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you, argue the law." Now gun control advocates have added, â€Å"If the facts and the law are against you, argue the emotions!† Let us start this discussion with the simplest and strongest argument for gun rights. This argument comes to us from the very foundation of our great nation, the Constitution. On December 15, 1791, the new United States of America adopted the Bill of Rights the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, affirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of ... ...ton D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989 The Avalon Project at Yale Law School: The Federalist Papers. 2003. 27 Mar. 2005 United States v. Cruikshank. 92 U.S. 542. U.S. Supreme Court. 1857 Online. Find Law. 30 Mar. 2005 United States v. Emerson. Criminal Action No. 6:98-CR-103-C United States District Court Texas, San Angelo Division. 1999 Find Law. 30 Mar. 2005 United States v. Emerson. No. 99-10331 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 2001 Online. Find Law. 30 Mar. 2005 United States. Department of Justice. Crime in the United States 2000 Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Report. Washington D.C., 2000. United States. Department of Justice. Guns in America: National Survey on Private Ownership and Use of Firearms. Washington D.C.: May 1997. United States. Department of Justice. National Crime and Victims Survey. Washington D.C., 2003. Wright, James D., and Peter H. Rossi. Armed and Dangerous: A Survey of Felons and Their Firearms, Expanded Edition. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter. 1994. Wright, James D., and Peter H. Rossi. The Armed Criminal in America: a Survey of Incarcerated Felons. Washington D.C., National Institute of Justice, 1997