A Jest Of God :: essays research papers

A Jest of God                    We were strangers from the beginning                    tormented by our difference                    which did not exist.                                   (Betsy Warland)An in-chief(postnominal) ingredient inherent in a successful mother-daughter kind is balance. Like the scales of justice, maintaining equilibriumrequires work. The special bond between mother and daughter is delicate and different any other relationship due to expectations of performance on behalf ofboth women. The female psyche is, characteristically, particular each womanhaving a certain control making t hemselves unique. Ideals and behavior learned,possibly inherited, from others are two of many things which carve anindividuals personality. It is these similarities and differences which oftencause conflicts between mother and daughter. In A Jest of God, the relationshipbetween Rachel and her mother is strained due to unspoken expectations that eachhad of the other. Stemming from poor communication, a host of differences wereassumed to exist between the two, when in fact their try originated intheir sameness.The largest weapon which spear-headed the communication war between Racheland her mother was the generation gap coming from different eras, the pairassumed they had nothing in common. In Rachels eyes her mother was a pristine,saintly woman who maintained high moral values for herself and her family.Therefore, being a good person and making the beneficial ratiocinations was neverquestionable to Rachel, as this was how her mother expected her to behave.Rachel listened numerous times to her mother comment on how "peculiar" herbehavior looked, and spoke of anyone else she observed doing the same. Althoughthis gravel Rachel about her mother, she adopted similar paranoia tendencies,speculating how her behavior with Nick, a summer beau, looked to anyone whocould be watching or noticing. Irritated by her mothers attitude, Rachelexcused it on the pretense that her views reflected the knightly times in which shelived. However, Rachel had neither the patience nor the desire to speak outagainst her mother for fear of stirring trouble between them. The irony inRachels decision is that their relationship needed just what she was sodesperately trying to avoid.     By turning her back on the communication problem between herself and hermother, Rachel wanted to deal that the problem was inherent in themisunderstanding each had of the other. Underneath her shell, Rachel was comingto terms with what was really true of the gap between herself and her mothertheir difference worldly in her want to not be similar. Both were single Rachelunmarried and her mother a widow. Through her fling with Nick, Rachel wanted toexpress her desires to be supreme from her mother, and have an adult

Fallacious Arguments In the Declaration of Independence Essay -- essay

Fallacious Arguments in the Declaration of Independence     The Declaration of Independence is among the most profoundly interpreted and fiercely discussed documents in modern history. Most apparent because of its rhetorical style and numerous fallacious arguments that are found. The colonists use of persuasion to influence by using repetition to achieve their means. The Declaration of Independence is what 56 colonists saw as a logical course of action. What you must ask yourself is What was considered logical in 1776?     The rhetorical style uses persuasive ideals in the use of language. For example, in the first sentence of the second paragraph, the parallel structure and repetition of the word that enable the writers to articulate with excessive clarity their fundamental beliefs. The second paragraph is equivalent to the concluding paragraph because it also relies on parallel structure and repetition of that when declaring the colonies f ree and independent states. Also,the repetition of "He is,"which is the only phrase other than "He has" in the list of complaints shows present tense. In this case present tense leads to urgency to the need for a revolution. Which tells the audience that the only other option is, desolation, and tyranny. in that location is also negative diction about the actions of the British king(George III) that carry to the emotional appeal. Finally,the prime of the last line effectiv...

Somanatha: The Many Voices of a History by Romila Thapar Essay

It was during the year 1026 that Mahmud of Ghazni raided the Somanatha temple for its wealth, leading to the destruction of its many idols. In Somanatha The many Voices of a History, Romila Thapar explores the distinct narratives that were written at the time by placing them into the historical context of the period. Her goal, through this monograph, was not to reestablish how we perceive the history of the raid, but to quite study the diverse perspectives and views represented in the various sources collected on the topic. Historical interpretations range from the Turko-Persian narratives of the period to the Colonial writings long after the raid. finished the investigation of the sources one would hope to point out the variations in the texts, and then analyze why these deviations in the story came to be. Thapars findings would assist any historiographer in determining the nature of these sources and the way they are currently used. One must remember that any and all sources cou ld be of significant importance when spirit at the attitudes of the individuals of the time. The Turko-Persian narratives contain a multitude of different versions of the raid on the Somanatha temple by Mahmud of Ghazni. Persian scholar Al-Biruni provides historians with the most realistic version of the events contact the raid. He believed that because the Somanatha temple was constructed of stone and placed in an area surrounded by sea on three sides it had to be guarding wealth. Mahmud was in fact able to conquer the Somanatha temple for its wealth, subsequently taking pieces back to Ghazni. Turkish raids to India were originally focused on obtaining animal herds, but the reason for them now was to loot urban treasuries and capture prisoners of war... ...itish Colonials short term goals, but this course of action would leave long lasting effects on the people of these two cultures. All in all, Somanatha The Many Voices of a History hopes to study the diverse perspectives and views represented in the various sources collected on the topic. The hope is that this will allow historians to better sympathize the various perspectives on the period. In order to get the true picture of an event one will need to analyze all of the possible views of what in reality occurred. Historical interpretations range from the Turko-Persian narratives of the period to the Colonial writings long after the raid. Any event, such as the raid on the Somanatha temple, can prove to be more complicated then one would ever believe at first sight. Works CitedThapar, Romila. Somanatha The Many Voices of a History. London Verso, 2005. Print.

abraham lincoln Essay -- essays research papers

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Thomas had been apprenticed as a carpenter after(prenominal) the death of his father and the passing of the family property to his eldest brother as required under the system of primogeniture. Thorough dint of hard work or with pecuniary resource from his family, Thomas acquired enough money to purchase a farm, but his ownership was soon challenged. Kentucky had been surveyed in such a primitive manner that boundaries were never certain. later having the titles of two other farm parcels challenged, Thomas tired of Kentucky and in 1816 moved his family to southern Indiana. The federal government had surveyed Indiana in a manner that insured person sound titles. Abraham Lincoln later explained his fathers move as "partly on account of slavery but chiefly on account of the difficulty in land titles." If distaste for slavery motivated Thomas Lincoln to leave Kentucky, it was probably anger at the influence of the planter class rather than resuscitate for the lot of the slaves, as Thomas never expressed any moral qualms about the institution. The Lincoln familys problems in Kentucky were not atypical for frontier settlers. Traditionally, the frontier has been portray as an agrarian idyll, a vision of sturdy and prosperous yeomen farmers serving as a bulwark of democracy. In fact, the frontier provided as many opportunities for nonstarter as for success. Settlers were plagued by sickness and dea...

Robert J. Graves, MD and Graves Disease Essay -- Disease, Disorders

Graves disease was named after Robert J. Graves, MD, around the 1830s. It is an auto repellent disease indicated by hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies, which is an antibody that attacks the persons own body. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which causes it to produce too much thyroxin. Thyroxine is a hormone that helps control growth and also regulates metabolism in the body. While the thyroxine levels are high the patients metabolic rate increases, which finish have an effect on their physical appearance as well as their frame of mind. Graves disease is the number one cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S.There are many signs and symptoms of Graves disease. Symptoms of Graves disease acknowledge anxiety, irritability, insomnia, tiredness, irregular or accelerated heart rate, and sensitivity to heat. Sign of Graves disease are tremors in the hands and fingers, weight loss, brittle hair, goiter, menstrual unit of ammunition changes, and more(prenominal) f requent bowel movements. People with Graves disease also report having symptoms of Graves opthalmopathy, also known as thyroid substance disease. This can include bulging of the eyes, itchy eyes, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and swelling around the eyelids. More frightful cases of opthalmopathy include corneal ulcers, double vision, blurred vision, and restricted eye movements. According to a journal published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Smoking greatly increases the risk for Graves opthalmopathy. Among patients with Graves opthalmopathy, smokers had more severe eye disease than nonsmokers. Smoking also appears to be one of the multiple factors inducing Graves disease in genetically predisposed individuals. One more sign of Graves disease, though it is no... ...t it is not known what causes Graves disease to occur, the fact that there are so many treatment options is astonishing. Works CitedChristian Nordqvist. What Is Graves Disease? What Causes Graves Disease?Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Int., 6 Nov. 2009. Web10 Mar. 2012. http//www.medicalnewstoday.com/ members/170005.phpSai-Ching Jim Yeung, MD, PhD, FACP. Graves Diseaseemedicine.medscape. 30 Sep. 2011. Web10 Mar. 2012 http//www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/120619-overviewshowallDr. Asha Thomas. Treatment of Graves DiseaseBaltimore Sun. 19 Oct. 200910 Mar. 2012. http//www.baltimoresun.com/2009-10-19/news/0910180070_1_graves-disease-underactive-thyroid-thyroid-disease Mark F. Prummel, Wilmar M. Wiersinga. Smoking and Risk of Graves DiseaseThe Journal of the American Medical Association. 1993 10 Mar. 2012

Robert J. Graves, MD and Graves Disease Essay -- Disease, Disorders

Graves disease was named after Robert J. Graves, MD, around the 1830s. It is an autoimmune disease indicated by hyperthyroidism due to spread autoantibodies, which is an antibody that attacks the persons own body. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which causes it to produce too much thyroxine. Thyroxine is a hormone that helps control growth and in addition regulates metabolism in the body. While the thyroxine levels are high the patients metabolic rate increases, which can have an effect on their corporal appearance as well as their frame of mind. Graves disease is the number one cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S.There are many another(prenominal) signs and symptoms of Graves disease. Symptoms of Graves disease include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, tiredness, irregular or accelerated heart rate, and sensitivity to heat. Sign of Graves disease are tremors in the men and fingers, weight loss, brittle hair, goiter, menstrual cycle changes, and more frequent bowel m ovements. People with Graves disease also report having symptoms of Graves opthalmopathy, also know as thyroid eye disease. This can include bulging of the eyes, itchy eyes, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and swelling around the eyelids. More severe cases of opthalmopathy include corneal ulcers, double vision, blurred vision, and restricted eye movements. According to a journal published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Smoking greatly increases the endangerment for Graves opthalmopathy. Among patients with Graves opthalmopathy, smokers had more severe eye disease than nonsmokers. Smoking also appears to be one of the multiple factors inducing Graves disease in genetically predisposed individuals. One more sign of Graves disease, though it is no... ...t it is not known what causes Graves disease to occur, the fact that there are so many treatment options is astonishing. Works CitedChristian Nordqvist. What Is Graves indisposition? What Causes Graves infirmity ?Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Int., 6 Nov. 2009. Web10 Mar. 2012. http//www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170005.phpSai-Ching Jim Yeung, MD, PhD, FACP. Graves Diseaseemedicine.medscape. 30 Sep. 2011. Web10 Mar. 2012 http//www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/120619-overviewshowallDr. Asha Thomas. Treatment of Graves DiseaseBaltimore Sun. 19 Oct. 200910 Mar. 2012. http//www.baltimoresun.com/2009-10-19/news/0910180070_1_graves-disease-underactive-thyroid-thyroid-disease Mark F. Prummel, Wilmar M. Wiersinga. Smoking and Risk of Graves DiseaseThe Journal of the American Medical Association. 1993 10 Mar. 2012

Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture Essay

genically special organisms curiously in agriculture has attracted planetary concern all over the last few years. People from all walks of life, politicians, consumers, activists, farmers biotechnologists as well as engineering regulators constitute been involved in the heated debate. recite has been brought forward on the monolithic benefits of inheritableally modify crops due to the food insecurity in the world as a force of low boorish productivity and the ever increasing population. However, many consider the adoption of genetic engineering technology in agriculture as a time bomb.These concerns halt resulted into changes in the importation and exportation policies, intensive regulation of agricultural technology and practices in many parts of the world. Different surroundingsal organizations around the world mother protested against genetically modified organism due to it potential effect on the surroundings. Despite these arguments, this technology is being adopt ed by farmers around the world wittingly or unknowingly. But the cosmic issue is the make ups and benefit of genetic engineering in agriculture.Whether the benefits of increased agricultural issue at reduced cost overrides the environmental and food safety concerns has always been the big issue (Nelson, p 4). What argon genetically modified crops? Over the years, interrogation in bioengineering has innovational signifi crumbtly. Biotechnology is a field of technology that deals with living systems. For many centuries, biotech has been employed in agriculture and manufacturing industries, for example fermentation processes for industrial labor of drink has been usaged for many centuries.Principles of genetics and hereditary which were developed in the late 19th century have repaird agricultural production by change farmers select the beat trains in plants and animals. However, the unearthing of the structure of DNA in the mid 20th century was a turning point for biotechn ology. This led to a reform-minded teaching of genetic engineering technology. Today, farmers need not to choose animals or plants with the best characteristics such as drought, infestations and diseases resistant, mellowed yields, early maturity or richly quality products due to advancement in biotechnology.Through genetic modifications, scientists faecal matter alter the genetic material in the plant or animal to improve on its characteristics (Whitman, p 1). Genetically modified organisms in agriculture refer to plants and animals that ar created by scientists to meet coveted characteristics using modern molecular biotechnology techniques. To enhance the traits, the genetic material in the organism is modified to meet the desired qualities. This technique has replaced the traditional methods of propagation used by farmers to enhance the desired characteristics through selective life which is inaccurate and time consuming.Biotechnology produces organisms of the intended traits with greater precision. For example, today, scientists offer extract the gene creditworthy for drought resistance in plants that do well in deserts and insert it in various agricultural plants to enhance their drought tolerance. Recent research indicates that these genes can also be transferred from plants to animal or from animals to plants. A good example in this case is the genetic modification, Bt maize.The gene responsible for the production of protein in the maize was isolated from a bacterium that was observed to produce a protein as a defense against insects larvae. The Bt principal(prenominal) in that locationfore has improved nutrients content as well as expletive resistance such as stock borer (Herman, p 36). Legitimate concerns about genetically modified organisms There is no doubt that there ar several problems associated with genetically modified organisms in agriculture. This has resulted into criticism from different people around the world including some biotechnologists. This is despite the massive promises of the new technology.The greatest concerns has been the players in the agribusiness field concentration on the financial benefit accrued from adoption of genetic engineered crops without considering its impacts on the consumers as well as the environment. This criticism has set about intense with various religious and interest groups being opposed to the idea basically because scientists ar not certain about the long term personal effects of genetically modified products on the consumers and the environment (Rader, Para 26). A legitimate argument is based on the fact that man altering the Mother genius leave behind always have negative consequences.Some of these consequences may be life threatening. This is evident from the current changing weather crisis as a result of man activity. Genetic engineering is more(prenominal) threatening as it touches on the most fundamental part of life, the hereditary material. Religious groups have been opposed to these biotechnology developments due to its threat on the identity of the target species. However, some critics base their argument on ethics since genetic modification technology is closely tie in to human cloning and human embryo tissues research (Rader, Para 26). The greatest concern on genetically modified food is food security.There are proposals that genetically modified products may not be safe for human inhalation. Adoption of genetically modified organisms in agricultural production is a major(ip) change in the global food supply and reliable and extensive studies need to be done on their safety. This concern does not affect genetically engineered organisms entirely but also changes that are as a result of other biotechnological advancements. There is no doubt that biologists are aware of the impacts of what they are doing. They are well informed on the negative consequences of altering the genetic makeup of organisms.However, there are some unanticipated effects of this technology as a result of long term impacts (Rader, Para 26). A very good example was the genetic enhancement of nutritional contents of soybeans. Soybean has been considered as a good source of plant protein for many years. However, research indicates that it lacks methionine, one of the essential amino acids. To enhance the nutritional value of soybeans, scientists isolated a gene responsible for protein production in Brazil nut and inserted it on soybean. However, scientists were unaware that the same(p) gene was the allergens in the nut.A very large number of people are allergic to Brazil nut because of this allergen. This modification could have resulted into unexpected allergic reaction. This was revealed onwards the product entered the market through testing which led to abandoning of the project. This is clear try out that genetically modified organisms products need to be extensively tested before they can be consumed by human beings. Though this indicates that testing is done before the products are released, there is no assurance that the products are safe for consumption (Rader, Para 26).One of the techniques used in genetic engineering is induced random gene mutations. This produces numerous genetics which are tested for desired qualities. There are various techniques that are used to induce random gene mutation. This may include the use of radiations of a certain wavelength, use of chemicals or subjecting the genetic materials to high temperatures. This technique relies more on lack when compared to genetic modification where a gene of the desired trait is inserted. This suggests that more tests need to be done on genetically produced organisms using this technique.However, throughout the world, there are no straitlaced regulations that have been put in place to regulate breeding of organism which puts the consumers at a risk. There are no doubts that breeding technologies are creating noisome products accidenta lly and whose short term and long term effects are undiagnosed. A very good example given in this case was the production of celery using convectional breeding methods. Although the celery produced was of a better variety, it had negative effects on the farm worker who became hypersensitive to sunlight.Other products produced using the same techniques such as Lenape potato was found to contain toxins levels which was fatal (Herman, p 36). The health concerns raised against genetically modified food have affected the learning of the public on these foods. For example, a very large number of children all over the world today suffer from fatal allergies to some animal and plants products especially peanuts. A large number of people associated this with genetic modifications. Although this may not be true, there is a need to think twice about this issue. approximately of genetic modifications are aimed at producing fruits and vegetables with fast maturity rate, improved nutrition valu e, altered ripening behaviors, resistant to diseases and pest and better yields. Unfortunately, these products are given to very vulnerable members of the society. The likelihood of introducing new types of allergen in the fruits and vegetable through genetic engineering is very high. The allergenicity effects of new allergen may have far make effects considering that most of the people around the world are suffering from life threatening hypersensitivity (Nelson, p 103).Some scientists have been opposed to the new technology because it is not possible to determine with certainty the effects of genetically modified products on human health. There are still some unknown effects of introducing new genes to crops. It is more likely that there are some negative effects that scientists may not expect associated with genetically modified organisms that are unknown or unexpected by scientists. For example, a recent study suggests that genetically modified potatoes have some effects on the digestive systems of rats.Substantial differences among the digestive systems of rat feed with genetically modified potatoes and those feed with unmodified potatoes. Although these potatoes were not meant for human consumption, it suggests that genetically modified food may not have short term negative effects on humans but can result into modification of body systems which may be detected when it is as well as late (Whitman, p 1). The unintended harm to some species as a result of adoption of genetic engineering technology in agriculture has attracted a draw of concern on the future of GM in agriculture.These concerns are based on the effects of Bt maize on the population of monarch butterflies. Although monarch butterfly larvae do not consume feed, pollen from Bt maize was transferred to the milkweeds plants through hair carrying with it the anti larvae proteins. The monarch butterfly larvae perished as a result of consuming this pollen. The main concern here is that the pro teins in Bt maize was not intended to eliminate the monarch butterflies but unfortunately, it kills larvae indiscriminately.Since it has proved to be difficult to produce GMO crops with toxins that kill only pests, there is a need for evaluation of effects of the genetically modified products on unintended targets (Whitman, p 1). There is developing fear of what is likely to excrete if for example, the world corn production became overdependence on Bt maize, and then insects develop resistant to Bt crops and other GM crops as well as convectional pesticides. This may lead to alike(p) problems experienced after some mosquitoes in tropical regions developed resistant to DDT.It therefore suggests that dependence on GMO in agricultural production may be a time bomb. The possibility of creating some plants that can resist certain herbicides creates the possibility of creating super weed. The possibility of the gene transfer process getting to the non targeted species every by mistake o r maliciously is of greater concern to farmers. The transfer of herbicide resistant genes to the weeds may result in cross breeding and consequently creation of super weeds. These super weeds will be able to resist the herbicide the same way the crops can.It is possible that some of the genes can be transferred to non-genetically modified crops in the field as a result of cross breeding. This possibility has been proved by the law suit between farmers and Monsanto keep company (Whitman, p 1). There are also economic concerns that have been raised against adoption of genetically modified organisms in agricultural production. Introduction of genetically modified crops may have negative economic consequence as a result of costs involved in establishing their markets. Biotechnology companies have invested a lot of resources in the development of GM crops and would like to make profit out of it.However, infringement of patent rights especially in agricultural technology is a big issue. These factors will affect peasant farmers in the developing countries as multinational biotechnology companies try to maximize return on their investment within a short time leading to increased prices of new propagation materials. It is less likely that despite the promise of GMO in turn awaying the food insecurity in the world, farmers will be able to adopt these new varieties of crops (Whitman, p 1). It is clear that this biotechnology technique may not be available to all societies in the world.The resources required for significant genetic engineering research may not be in the reach of many agricultural technology companies all over the world. This creates the worry of a few multinational biotechnology companies controlling global agriculture. There is a possibility of the small companies being wiped out of the market as a result of intense competition. This competition will affect the small scale farmers negatively (Rewavas and Leaver, p 640). Counter Arguments Despite the i ntense argument against genetically modified organisms in agriculture, the global farming systems are progressively adopting this technology.Criticism has not deterred biotechnologist and multinational companies from developing more genetically modified crops. The intense research on this field and massive investments is clear evidence that there is a market for genetically modified agricultural products and the world is ready to adopt genetic engineering as a necessary technology. The world population stands at over six billion while it is expected to double within half a century. Convectional methods of farming will in no way sustain the ever growing global population. The risk of food insecurity is made more real by the increased changes in climatic condition.Weather has become increasingly unpredictable and unsupportive to agricultural activities. The etymon to the challenges is genetically modified crops (Whitman, p 1). Genetic modification creates crops that are resistant to pests. Some GM crops are also fast growing and mature before pests attack the crop. For many years, pest control has been a major concern for farmers due to losses resulting from crop destruction. Large scale and small scale farmers use large amount of pesticides to avert these losses. On the other hand, there is a growing concern by consumers on the safety of chemicals commonly used by farmers to control pests.There are numerous environmental hazards associated with chemical pesticides. The need to use environmentally destructive pesticides can be averted by use of genetically modified crops. Growing Bt corn and other Bt crops has eliminated the need to use pesticides in agricultural production. Although there are concerns that have been raised such as the monarch butterflies saga, these problems can be communicate by improvement of technology (Rewavas and Leaver, p 640). In many cases, it is practically impossible or uneconomical to use physical means of removing weeds from the fields.This calls for farmers to use large amount and many varieties of herbicides to remove the weeds. This is not only time consuming but also expensive making agriculture less profitable. The farmers are also required to be careful in the use of the herbicides to ensure that they have no negative effect on the crops or the environment. Genetically engineered crops can be effectively used to avert these problems. These plans are designed to resists a specially synthesized herbicide with minimum environmental impacts. This reduces the amount of herbicides required and consequently the production cost.Genetic modification has also led to the development of disease resistant crops increasing yields and lowering production costs. Scientists have conducted extensive research in the development of crops that are resistant to disease causing microorganisms (Nelson, p 84). Unpredictable weather conditions have also threatened profit energy of agricultural activities. Unpredictable frost c an have destructive effect on seedling leading to losses. This has led to the introduction of antifreeze gene in crops such as tobacco and potatoes which is isolated from animals living in cold water.These plants are able to resist very low temperatures where normal plants cannot survive. It is important to note the reduced global agricultural productivity is as a result of unpredictable weather condition. Arable lands are being converted into unproductive land as a result in increased droughts. Moreover, a large percentage of land in the world cannot support agriculture due to lack of adequate supply. Adoption of genetically modified crops by farmers is the solution to this problem. With this technology, farmers will be able to grow crops in areas that were previously considered unproductive due to drought or salinity.This is by modifying crops to withstand drought or high salt concentration in the soil (Rewavas and Leaver, p 640). If genetically modified organisms were adopted in agriculture especially in the third world countries, malnutrition will be a thing of the past. It is observed that as a result of poverty, many people in the developing world rely on a one crop as their staple food. This crop may not contain all essential nutrients required by the body. Genetic engineering has the ability to introduce genes to these crops which will ensure that it contains the essential nutrients.For example, in the developing countries where rice is the staple food, a large number of people suffer from blindness as a result of beta carotene deficiency. However, the golden rice which has been developed genetically was found to contain high amounts of vitamin A. Although this could have been a solution to the problem, massive anti genetically modified food protests have deterred the introduction of the rice to the farmers (Whitman, p 1). There are also proposed uses of agricultural genetic technology in development of plants that produce edible vaccines which could r eplace the convectional injection vaccines.Scientists are also working on development of genetically modified plants that clean up the environment by absorbing pollutants such as heavy metals from underground water and the soil (Whitman, p 1). Conclusion There are many proposals that genetically modified foods will solve the food security crisis that faces the world. They have been proposed as possible solution to over reliance on pesticides and herbicide in agricultural activities which degrades the environment. However, there are concerns over the safety of the GM products for human consumption.There are many issues that have been raised claiming that GM foods are unsafe for human consumption due to possible allergic reactions and the wide range of unknown and unexpected negative impacts on human health. The long term effects of GMs on the environment may also be far reaching due to loss of identity or elimination of some animal and plant species. Work Cited Herman E. M. , Helm, R . M. , Jung R, and Kinney A. J. Genetic modification removes an immunodominant allergen from soybean. Plant Physiology. 132 (1) (2003) pp 3643Nelson, Gerald. Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture, ISBN-13 978-0-12-515422-2, Academic Press Rader, Charles M. A Report on Genetically Engineered Crops, (2001), retrieved on 17th May 2010 from http//members. tripod. com/c_rader0/gemod. htm. Rewavas A and Leaver C. J. Conventional crops are the test of GM prejudice. Nature 401 (6754), (1999) PP 640. Whitman, Deborah B. Genetically Modified Foods Harmful or stabilizing? (2000), retrieved on 17th May 2010 from http//www. csa. com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview. php.

Cooking with Your Children Essay

How many p arnts take the time to urinate with their children? How many of you were taught to cook by your parents or someone else in your family? I actually started cooking with my father when I was 6 years old rolling out bread dough to make crescent rolls (homemade, of course). Due to my childhood experience, I now cook with my children at least twice a week. Since I am normally moreover home on the weekends to see my children, I use this time for stick as well as for tutoring them skills that they pass on need in order to survive in todays world, better known as life skills.Cooking with your children is great way to strengthen family bonds, while enforcing math and life skills. First, cooking with your children can create strong family bonds. This provides the opportunity for spending lineament time with your children. While preparing meals, daily discussions regarding current topics in and about their lives are abound (How was your day, What did you do in class, Have you spoken to your grandmother). These discussions during meal preparation can lead to enjoyable moments that children tend to remember as they grow senior(a).They then share these experiences and moments with their children (Eisenhower) . In the words of my favorite T. V. Cook, Alton chocolate-brown of Good Eats, Cooking with children is just plain fun. How can you not have fun in the kitchen while cooking with your children? Yes, it can be messy yes, it can be time consuming but that is what makes it a fun learning surround. Make mistakes, get messy, have fun. Secondly, cooking with your children result teach them a necessary life skill, a required skill that they will need in order to survive on their own.Cooking not only teaches sustenance preparation, but in addition educates them on making healthy food choices (Eisenhower Ryan) . By allowing them to cook for themselves, they are not dependent on fast food or constant dining out. It also teaches the principles of time manag ement. For example, if for dinner we are having a knocking that requires four hours of cooking then they need to consider that the additional sides or fixings should be prepared in a sequence that would allow them all to be ready at the same time as the roast.These basic life skills of cooking and time management are important for your child and are necessary for them to survive. Third, cooking with your children helps to reinforce their math skills. Having your child weigh the beans or carrot sticks gives them a reason to count. It makes counting fun & purposeful or Purposeful Counting (Marinelli) . Employing your children in the kitchen can be fun and will reinforce their measuring skills.Using the volume method of measuring, such as one-quarter cup of flour or two cups of sugar, helps children to visualize the actual measurement. In my household, we also use ruler measurements when baking. When making cinnamon rolls we measure the length and width of the rolled dough for prop er sizing. In the case of the cinnamon roll dough, we are looking for a perfect rectangle. In other baking situations, we will use other geometric shapes including circles, triangles, squares, cones.Cooking also teaches and reinforces their skills at telling time, which will assist with proper time management. Such as with the aforementioned roast, if you put it in the oven at 4 P. M. and it takes one and half-hours to cook, you can ask, at what time does the roast have to be taken out of the oven? Having your children count, measure and tell time can reinforces those skills with Purposeful Counting. These activities conducted in a fun atmosphere and utilize in real world situations reinforce the basic life skills that are important.In conclusion, Cooking with your children can create a naturally fun environment for family bonding. It gives them some of the skills, cooking and time management, they will need to survive. As well, cooking reinforces their math skills by letting them use what they have learned in a real world situation. Taking the time to cook with your children will create stronger family bonds, teach them basic life skills that they will need as they grow older and reinforces many math skills that they will not only be able to utilize at home but in school too.Works Cited Brown, Alton. orchard apple tree Family Values Foodnetwork. com, Food Network Season 2 Episode EA1B03 Video. Eisenhower, Julie. Cooking With Children. The Saturday Evening Post , Curtis Publishing August 1975, 94-110 Print. Marinelli, Noel. Count & Cook. scholastic Parent & Child, Scholastic Publishing March 2006, 73 Print. Ryan, Kelley & Andrea. Cooking With Kids. Nebraska Kitchens, Nebraska Life Publishing June 20088, 37-39 Print.

Enron collapse A look back Essay

Enron was formed as a result of merging with another company and it became a successful unified. The joy of the business owners is to see how it grows fast and to attract more expendors. There are rules and regulation that governs the corporate financial report that is open for superintendence by potential investors (Folger, 2011). The audit of these financial reports should disclose the accurate financial state of the company and this should be make known to the stakeholders of the company. The stakeholders of a company bit an important role in progress of the business and the going concern of the company (Sterling, 2002). The company of Enron did not manage its debts and therefore looked for means of hiding the rightfulness from its stakeholders so as to continue making profit. The aim of a business is to make profit and be able to pay the debts of the creditors and alike attract investors who are interested in the business. Most investor relay on the financial bid to determine whether to invest or not to invest (Folger, 2011). The Enron Company was a giving company that was famous and successful before its fall. The corporate attracted many investors since they financial report showed how the business was growing at high rate (Bauer, 2009). However the corporate management did not disclose the true and fair view of the financial reports. The financial report of a company should not mislead the shareholders or its members. Moreover, in the Enron scandal there were some cases in which it showed misconduct of its financial reporting since the corporate did not display true and fair financial accountings to its stakeholders. The corporate use financial fabrication and mark- market accounting to hide its actual debts and real financial situation (Folger, 2011). These reports made the investor believe that the corporate was making profit eon it was making losses in real sense. It is also a form of fraud to stakeholders since it cannot meet a ll its debts and in case of winding up legal age of the investors and shareholder would suffer greatly. The Enron scandal was deemed to be great since it had huge debts to settle and its assets could not settle these debts. Indeed, financial misconduct affects a large group of stakeholder and leaves a great mark that cannot be erased (Sterling, 2002). For example the shareholders of Enron corporate were highly affected and suffered a loss of billions that were not recovered since the corporate went bankrupt and the assets of the business were also false in existence. The investors also suffered greatly from these financial misconduct, they lost their resources. In addition, the employees suffered greatly by losing billions of pension benefits due to the misconduct of financial reports which led to the unsuccessful person of the Enron therefore could no longer pay them (Folger, 2011). The financial statement of a company is very important to the investors, it gives an over view of the st big businessman of the business and its ability to pay debts. The Enron corporate failed to disclose true and fair view financial statements by hiding its real financial reports and the investors were misled and also due to many investments made by the company lead to its bankruptcy (Sterling, 2002). The purpose of accurate financial reports is to help the investors and also the company to know to what extent they should contract or invest in other businesses. It also helps in managing of the companys debt thus making profit but the Enron was only interested in making a lot of profits that led to their down fall. Ethics are rules that govern every business and its members on how to conduct their daily roles in the company (Brady, & Dunn, 1995). In other words, the managers of this corporate owe their loyalty to its stakeholders and their interest ought to be the interest of the business (Bauer, 2009). In deontology of the Enron corporate, the management had a duty and obligations to display the true statement of finance and also to operate the business in the interest of the stakeholders and not their interest. As the leaders they ought to make sure that the going concern of the business is kept and the assets of the company are secured. In addition, the duty of the Enron managers was to disclose the true and fair view of financial reports (Bauer, 2009). On other hand, utilitarian is a form value orientation that is used to show the positive side of the organization, for example by disclosing the false statement to stakeholders thus blinding them of the real situation (Folger, 2011). The Enron leaders used unalike methods to conceal the truth about its debts and faked the profits. They made the business look attractive and therefore more investors invested in the business. At the end, the ethics rules were violated and the leaders had a role to play .Enron had a role to disclose the truth which could have rescued the company (Bauer, 2 009). If at the beginning, the company revealed the truth it would not have end bankrupt and the employees would have secured their jobs. Finally, the company had a duty to disclose the true financial statements and also save the company from falling and the scandals would have been avoided. The companies should put into devote the ethics governing the corporates. Therefore, to prevent any future happenings such as the past frauds in the company, there has been an enhanced regulation as well as oversight in the company (Folger, 2011).ReferencesBauer, A. (2009). The Enron scandal and the Sarbanes-Oxley-Act. Munchen GRIN Verlag.Brady, F. N., & Dunn, C. P. (1995). Business meta-ethics An analysis of two theories. Business Ethics Quarterly, 385-398.Folger, J. (2011). The Enron collapse A look back. Investopedia, December 1. Retrieved October 25, 2014, at http//www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1211/the-enron-collapse-a-look-back.aspxSterling, T. F. (2002). The Enron scandal. New York Nova Science Publishers.Source document

Causes and Consequences of World War 1

The causes of World War I, which began in central Europe in July 1914, included numerous intertwined factors, such as the conflicts and hostility of the four decades leading up to the war. Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism p posted major roles in the conflict as well. However, the immediate origins of the war lay in the decisions taken by statesmen and generals during the July Crisis of 1914, casus belli for which was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife by Gavrilo Princip, an irredentist Serb.The crisis came after a long and difficult series of diplomatic clashes between the keen Powers (Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain, Austria-Hungarian Empire and Russia) over European and colonial issues in the decade before 1914 that had left tensions high. In turn these diplomatic clashes can be traced to changes in the balance of power in Europe since 1867. 2 The more immediate cause for the war was tensions over territory in the Balkan s. Austria-Hungary competed with Serbia and Russia for territory and influence in the office and they pulled the rest of the Great Powers into the conflict through their various alliances and treaties.The topic of the causes of World War I is one of the most studied in all of manhood history. Scholars have differed significantly in their interpretations of the event. Consequences of the War During and in the aftermath of the war the political, cultural, and social order was drastically changed in Europe, Asia and Africa, even outside the areas directly convolute in the war. New countries were formed, old ones were abolished, international organizations were established, and many new and old ideologies took a firm hold in peoples minds.There were some general consequences from the mental institution of a large number of new small states in eastern Europe as a result of the dissolution of the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, and the regional dread of the Ru ssian Civil War. Internally these new states tended to have substantial ethnic minorities, which wished to unite with neighboring states where their ethnicity dominated. One consequence of the massive redrawing of borders and the political changes in the aftermath of war was the large number of European refugees.Economic and military cooperation amongst these small states was minimal ensuring that the defeated powers of Germany and the Soviet Union retained a latent content to dominate the region. In the immediate aftermath of the war, defeat drove cooperation between Germany and the Soviet Union but ultimately these two powers would compete to dominate easterly Europe. Perhaps the single most important event precipitated by the privations of World War I was the Russian Revolution of 1917. A socialist and often explicitly Communist revolutionary wave occurred in many other European countries from 1917 onwards, notably in Germany and Hungary.

How Far Was Political Opposition to the Tsar Divided 1881-1905?

How far was political opposition to the tsar divided in their aims and methods, 1881-1905? Political opponents of the Tsar were clearly divided in their aims and methods, and consequenti all(prenominal)y may have contributed to the survival of Tsarist Russia. The main parties were the Social democrats (Bolsheviks and Mensheviks), Social Revolutionaries and Liberals (Octobrists and Kadets). Each of these radical parties had their own reprinting beliefs on what Russia needed and separately aimed for some sort of change. However, within the groups, there were many issues, which they refused to work with each other to solve.The SR believed that Russias future personate with the peasantry and so they wanted to give peasants their own area and improve living conditions for working classes. They used tactics such as terrorism and assassinations, such as the assassination of Alexander II. The Liberals also aimed to deal with these social problems facing Russia while establishing a democ racy. However, the Liberals, especially Octobrists, did not agree with the violent tactics. They preferred votes and discussions as a way to put across their opinion. In fact, the Liberals were the most moderate of all the radical parties in Russia.They wanted to abolish autocracy and have the power dual-lane between a democratic government. Similarly, the Social Democrat party also wanted to establish a democracy but, once again, without their aggressive methods. While the SR had a terrorist wing, the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks preferred using propaganda campaigns. Although there are some similarities in the aims of the parties, the major differences in methods used meant that each groups strength all was not enough to achieve their own specific goals and even though the groups did have some tactics such as propaganda in common, it was not enough.The parties all also pursued support from different groups of the population. For example, while the Liberal Kadets got support from th e educated middle class, the Bolsheviks sought support from dedicated revolutionaries. Therefore, with no one party gaining support from a majority, it was hard for one to stand out and become a major threat to the Tsar at the time. Support came from the way each party appealed to the public. For example, while the SR carried out a wave of political assassinations in order to onvey their drastic belief of abolishment of Tsarism, their ideas of peasant ownership of land would spread and so peasants would support them and so would radical revolutionaries. In this way, they developed the Russian Union of Peasants. However, people who believed in non-violent methods would support the Liberals who are more moderate. This way, the parties volition not get enough support to stand a chance against the main reasons why Tsarism should stay. These include the church, the belief of the divine right, the army and the Okhrana which were very rough-and-ready in keeping the Tsar in a state of po wer.

Hewlett Packard Spying Scandal Essay

Corporate misconduct, (or peoples misconduct so to speak) is an issue that has been dominating headline watchword in the American business world in novel years. Theodore Roosevelt, one period U.S. president was probably right when he said, To educate a soul in mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society (Platt, 1989). The American society has continued to suffer from incarnate craps, despite the fact that people are now better educated because behind each scandal and crisis is a possible lack of morals in the educated people running those corporations (Low et al, 2006). It should be noted that un honest air is not a new phenomenon in US business nor it is an issue of the US alone.Research Questions and ObjectivesThe year 2002 witnessed the collapse of giants like Enron, Tyco, Arthur Anderson, WorldCom and less known cases like Morgan Stanley, Dupont and Prudential Financial amongst opposites all involved in one form of scandal or the other. Such far-flung corpora te mis demeanours have left many people (including this writer) to wonder where things are going wrong. Should blame be placed on perceived weaknesses of legislation and accounting standards? Or is it that education is not producing the type of business graduates needed to prevent much(prenominal) scandals? (Low et al). Do the misdeeds simply involve a few bad apples a smattering of corporations that make the rest of American business look bad? Or is the problem much broader than that? Further, if it is a widespread issue, what needs to be done? (Clement R. May 2006). Such are the kind of questions this study is out to seek answers to in light of the Hewlett Packard Spying scandal of 2006.conceptual FrameworkThis section explains what the literature on business ethics suggests for achieving ethical behavior in an organization. It is hoped that this will lay a demonstrateation for the analysis of the recent corporate misdeed of Hewlett Packard.Business EthicsBusiness ethics, Black J. (2002) is the branch of ethics that studies what standards businesses should observe in their dealings over and above configuration with the letter of the law. This covers questions such as fair dealing with their labour force, customers, suppliers, and competitors, and the impact of their activities on public health, the environment, and animal welfare. If a good reputation dishs to gain and retain business, ethical conduct need not necessarily conflict with profit, but there are bound to be cases where it does. Particularly difficult questions of business ethics tog out in multinational firms, where practices such as gifts to officials, which are essential to doing business at all in some countries, are regarded as criminal in others.Previous research works on business ethics have pointed out some measures that can be taken within an organization to help foster a culture of ethical behavior. Many of these studies highlight the role that top management commitment plays in de veloping an ethical organizational culture. Weaver, Trevino and Cochran (1999) found that the commitment of top management is essential for ethical decision making to be integrated into a firms culture in other words, managements decisions and actions in promoting the program are more effective than making sure that the program addresses a long list of ethical issues.Trevino and chocolate-brown (2004) found that top executives must manage ethical conduct proactively by means of explicit ethical leadership and conscious management of the organizations culture. To this end, they suggest that top managers should study the cultures of their organizations to see what ethical messages are being sent. The researchers also assert that executives should communicate the importance of ethics, reward ethical behavior, and model that behavior themselves.Holmes et al (2002) found that employees are more likely to engage in ethical behavior if top management is firm in its expectations of ethical behavior of all employees, including themselves (p. 97) while Harrington (1997) concluded that, to achieve ethical behavior, top management needs to gain social consensus by dint of changes in organization culture and by encouraging employees to live up to their responsibilities.What constitutes unethical behavior?It is important to determine the types of corporate behavior to consider unethical, and to decide on the metre period over which the data on that behavior should be gathered. Some types of behavior may seem unethical to certain individuals but not to others (Clement R, 2006). He however identifies ternion conditions that seem to signal unethical behavior A plea of guilty by a firm to charges of misconduct by courts or government agencies against a firm as solid evidence of corporate misconduct, even if the firm is still appealing the ruling. agreement by a firm to settle charges, very much by paying a fine or agreeing to other restrictions on company behavior even if the firm is not required to admit guilt.The Hewlett Packard (HP) sleuthing scandalOriginsIn a Newsweek report by Kaplan D, (2006), the confrontation at Hewlett-Packard started innocently enough in January 2006 when online technology site CNET published an article active the long-term strategy at HP and other information that could only come from a director quoting an anonymous HP source. HPs chairwoman, Patricia Dunn, feed up with the ongoing leaks told another director she wanted know whom it was.According to an internal HP e-mail, Dun then took the extra ordinary step of authorizing a team of independent electronic-security experts to spy on the January 2006 communications of other 10 directors not the records of calls (or emails) from HP itself, but the records of phone calls made from ad hominem accounts. That meant calls from directors home and their cloistered cell phones were intercepted. Dunn acted without informing the rest of the board and this caused a boardroom fur y at the worlds largest technology company.In a related baloney by Sakuma P. (2007), the HP boardroom-spying scheme erupted into a national scandal , September 2006, after the company disclosed that detectives it hired obtained the private phone records of directors, employees and 9 journalists in an effort to ferret out the source of media leaks. The scandal also introduced the world to pretexting, a shady tactic in which detectives used other peoples Social Security numbers to fool telephone companies into divulging detailed call logs. In an interview with Newsweek, Dunn said she didnt know that the investigation would reach such heights.ConsequencesIn two separate press releases, HP announced a number of moves that was an outcome of 2 days of teleconferences among the board. Patricia Dunn was to step down as chairwoman. chief operating officer Mark Hurd will replace her. George Keyworth, the longest serving director and one who leaked information to a CNET reporter that led to H Ps investigation was to take leave immediately. Richard Hackborn, who served on the board since 1992 would become lead independent director. A criminal investigation against Patricia Dunn, Kevin Hunsaker, HPs former ethics chief who allegedly directed the probe, and 3 private investigators was started on 4 counts use of false or fraudulent pretenses to obtain confidential information from a public advantage unauthorized access to computer data identity theft and conspiracy to commit each of those crimes. Each charge carried a fine of up to 10,000 dollars and 3 years in prison.How and Why HP successfully overcame this scandalTestifying before a congressional in September 2006, Dunn said she was repeatedly reassured by HPs lawyers about the legality of its detectives subterfuge. In a Business Week report, November 2006, a state judge Cunningham in atomic number 20 dropped the above charges against ex-Hewlett-Packard conduct Patricia Dunn after she pleaded guilty. The court however did not accept the pleas of the other three defendants and offered to dismiss the charges against them if they met two conditions by Sept. 12 2006, they must serve 96 hours of company benefit and complete any court-filed restitution requests made by victims.In a related story by CNNs Katy Byron, (September, 2006), the court dismissed Dunns charge because of her cancer battle, according to the attorney generals office. The dismissal came not because shes innocent but because she is sick, attorney generals spokesman Barankin told CNN. Dunn had boob cancer in 2000 and melanoma in 2002 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004 and is still battling it. She also underwent extensive surgery last year after doctors detect a malignant tumor in her liver.In a CNBC news report (september 2006) Hewlett Packard agreed to pay $14.5 million to settle the lawsuit brought by California attorney General Bill Lockyer, whose office accused the company of unfair business practices in its att empts to unmask the source of boardroom leaks.HP also implemented changes to its corporate governance policies to ensure that future internal investigations are conducted legally.There was no finding of liability against HP. The settlement includes an injunction and agreement that the California Attorney General will not pursue civil claims against HP or against its current and former directors, officers and employees.The vast majority of the settlement $13.5 million will entrepot state and local investigations into privacy rights and intellectual property violations, Lockyer said in a statement.The personal efforts of new HP chairman and CEO, Mark Hurd also contributed greatly to HPs successfull exit from the scandal. He says We are pleased to settle this matter with the Attorney General and are committed to ensuring that HP regains its standing as a global leader in corporate ethics and responsibility.The company shareholders rejected a proposal that would have given investors the right to realise directors to HPs board. About 39 percent of HP shares entitled to vote at the companys annual shareholder meeting kick upstairs the measure, which was supported by funds including Calpers, the largest U.S. pension fund, and the California State Teachers Retirement System, the No. 3 fund.The above factors culminated in a slight stock impairment increase of HP in September 2006 despite the fact that September 2006 was a rocky month for the company. Its stock actually rose a min that month, ending at $36.69. It has since climbed to nearly $40 as HP continues to perform strongly in the PC and printer markets. HP today has regained its leading office staff as the worlds number one technology company.The Role of Business Ethics in this SuccessThe conceptual framework of this study laid some guidelines on how to identify when a company behavior should be considered ethical or not. In the context of the widely publicized Hewlett Packard spying scandal discussed abo ve, there is no plea of guilt by the firm nor by Patricia Dunn and the other defendents to charges of misconduct, we havent seen a ruling against either the Carlifornia court that handled the case nor the Securities and Exchange Commissions against HP for unethical behavior.However, HP agreed to settle charges of $14.5 million to close the case and save the goodwill of the Silicon Valley icon. The payment, by ethical standards could be considered a fine, which is an evidence of unethical behavior, by a firm. HPs intention, perhaps, as we have seen was to save the companys image and probably in contour with a court injunction or lawyers advice.Taking a look at HPs Standards of Business Conduct, (SBC) , we find that it embodies the underlying principles that govern ethical and legal obligations to HP. They pertain not only to conduct within the company but also to conduct involving HPs customers, line of merchandise partners, suppliers and competitors. (www.hp.com).As a business, r emaining profitable and viable is a must for Hewlett Packard though this is not the only concern for the company. HP seeks uncompromising integrity through what each individual can contribute to its customers, co-workers, company and communities. HPs business success is dependent on trusting relationships. Its reputation is founded on the personal integrity of the companys personnel and its dedication to the principles of (www.hp.com) Honesty in communicating within the company and with its business partners, suppliers and customers, while at the same time protecting the companys confidential information and trade secrets. Excellence in its products and services, by striving to provide high-quality products and services to its customers Responsibility for its words and actions tenderness in its relationships with employees and the communities affected by company business Citizenship in observance of all the laws of any country in which the company does business, respect for enviro nmental concerns and service to the community by improving and enriching community life. Fairness to our fellow employees, stakeholders, business partners, customers and suppliers through adherence to all applicable laws, regulations and policies, and a high standard of behavior. notice for fellow employees, stakeholders, business partners, customers and suppliers while showing willingness to solicit their opinions and value their feedback.ConclusionFrom the above, we can say that Dunns investigation into the leak was simply in compliance with the first principle (Honesty) of the companys code of ethics. Her intentions were clear from the outset to probe into an alleged boardroom leak while at the same time respecting the principles of respect and fairness (last two principles) in the investigation. That in itself shouldnt have been a scandal. It is the methods of the investigation pretexting that raised controversy and finally erupted into a scandal. Patricia Dunn was able to t ry out before congress and the courts that such an act was carried out without her knowledge, though she acknowledged that an investigation was going on, which in itself complied with company ethics.

Pilgrimage Toward Social Equality

The E gentlemancipation Proclamation of 1863 declaring Africans freedom from sla real and offici anyy make them part of the United States was mandated a century prior to Martin Luther King Jrs historical speech calling for social justice and abolition of racial disagreement against African the Statesns. Between the two historical periods, the black communities all oer America have suffered subtle and savage forms of discrimination and oppression from the whites. The black confederacy strived to seal their come in in society amidst hostility and negative criticisms.One short tarradiddle that very well illustrates their stcarpetgles is Ralph Ellisons Battle Royal. The story provides a very descriptive narration of a black mans pilgrimage to everyplacecome oppression from an overly-racist community ruled by the economically-powerful white men and to decree his opportunity to shape the destiny of his people. This paper aims to provide a vivid presentation of inhumane and savage opp ression that the African Americans encountered in Southern America before gaining their voice and place in American society.Battle Royal was narrated in a first-person perspective with a nameless fabricator. He suggests that twenty years back, he has been struggling to find his own identity through other peoples acceptance and affirmation. He further explained that his dilemma for self discovery grow from his granddads last words on his deathbed, Live with your proposition in the lions mouth. I want you to overcome em, with yeses, undermine em with grins, agree em to death and destruction. Let em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open. (Ellison, 2000, p 935) He calls his grandfathers lines a curse haunting him whenever he feels accepted as the narrator describes, When I was praised for my conduct, I felt a guilt that in some way, I was doing something that was sincerely against the wishes of the white folks, that if they had understood they would have desired me to act ju st the opposite, that I should have been sulky and mean, and that they really would have been what they cute, even though they were fooled and thought they wanted me to act as I did.(Ellison, 936) The narrators statement represents his mindset of his actions and attitude toward the white folks. His current partially conf utilizationd mindset is influenced by his grandfathers words. In laymans term, his grandfathers words can be translated to a call to action to fight a safe(p) fight by acting according to the opponents will until they take you all in with acceptance until they destruct themselves in their own volition.One such(prenominal) incident where the orator became accepted and triumphant is when he reverted a graduation speech, which he describes by saying, On my graduation day I extraditeed an oration in which I showed that humility was the secret, indeed, the very essence of progress. (Not that I believed this how could I, remembering my grandfather? I only believed th at it worked) (Ellison 938). His speech received accolades from his professors that he was given the opportunity to deliver it again in a gathering of the towns most leading white citizens.When he arrived at the venue where he was supposed to deliver his speech, he was informed that before delivering his speech, he needs to join the Battle Royal. The hotel hes in at that moment was indeed full of economically powerful people all dressed up with their tuxedos, intoxicating themselves with whiskey, and getting themselves a good spot among the chairs neatly lined up along the triad corners of the ring. Inside the ring, a pool of black men were lined up blindfolded and were forced to do engage in a violent wadding war against each other.After torturous moments of fighting like headless chickens on the ring, the narrator was able to see slightly behind his blindfold. His awareness enabled him to keep a good fight without drawing attention to himself so the white men wouldnt nonice tha t hes starting to dodge his hits. In the remnant of the first round, the narrator remained on the ring together with the biggest boy in the group to fight. While they were fighting it out on the ring, the narrator tried to negociate with his opponent by scripting the fight and hell give him a proportion of the winning pot.His opponent refused and they continued to fight until the narrator was knocked out. Allegorically, the narrators unannounced battle before delivering his speech is a symbolisationic representation of the African Americans years of pains and contends before they were given the chance to be heard. The battle royal may well represent the fights that black men wage against each other just to gain money, position, and prominence, as is the case of the narrators opponent.The concept of the fighters blindfolded can be allusion to some of the black mens blindness of allowing the economically powerful white men to use them as a means of entertainment as if they were f reaks of nature. After the first round, the fighters were then called out again for another round of activity where they were attracted to scourge over gold coins and bills scattered in a rug. They urged the fighters to gather the coins for themselves saying its all good American cash. In the process, they soon discovered that the rug was electrified.This narration emphasized the white mens racism through barbaric treatment to the black men, as they treat them like animals. When the show ended, all the participants were paid and the narrator was about to leave the nightmare when the MC called him back to deliver his speech in the congregation of intoxicated people who have in front gained pleasure through his pains. The narrator proceeded to deliver his Booker T. Washington inspired speech while trying to conceal his aching physique while swig down his blood.The narrator described that his audience continued with their incessant chatting and laughter as he delivers his speech and though he was tempted to do something else, the presence of the drill superintendent who is still closely listening to him kept him going. In the process of his oration and swallowing his own blood, the narrator accidentally yelled social equality, a phrase had often seen denounced in newspaper editorials, heard debated in public. (Ellison, 940)Upon uttering the word, a deep silenced covered the whole room and the narrator received unpeaceful reactions from his intoxicated audience, until a mustached man asked him upfront what he just said, and he got the chance to correct himself. The interrogator then asked him if hes not being smart and that social equality was indeed a mistake. The narrator nodded and the man dropped this statement, We mean to do right by you, but youve got to know your place at all times. (Ellison, 944)This mans powerful statement is a general representation of the white mens attitude towards racism over the negroes. They are aware of such discrimination, b ut they gain pleasure in treating them as inferior human beings as it constantly feeds them the feeling of superiority and power. The mans statement may mean well as to change the narrators current status but he commands him to keep his head and mouth in its proper place. Upon the end of his speech, he was greeted with applauses as if the entire audience listened with so much enthusiasm to his speech.The school superintendent then came up to the stage to present him with a gift- a scholarship to the State College of Negroes. He then turned to the narrator and addressed him, Prize it. Keep developing as you are and someday, it will be filled with important papers that will help shape the destiny of your people. (Ellison, 947) The scholarship the narrator received is a symbol of an opportunity presented to him to shape the destiny of his people. That by going to college, he might become more knowledgeable and able so as to get to a better society for his people.The scholarship becom es the first step to his pilgrimage towards social equality. Battle Royal is a very compelling short story that Ralph Ellison eventually made it the first chapter of his greatly-acclaimed novel, the Invisible Man. Every black man in that horrifying period might have been represented by the nameless narrator and all the pain he was inflicted during the Battle Royal is a representation of every black mans pain and struggle for years.If the readers at that period view it as an allegory to the harsh conditions of the African American people within the American society, it would have been a wakeup call to those who were loaded to unite and to those oppressors to change the society. References Ellison, Ralph. Battle Royal. Making Literature Matter. Ed. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston Bedford, 2000. Ellison, Ralph Waldo. Invisible Man. New York Random House, 1952.

Tax Evasion & the Black Economy

appraiseation income EVASION It is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and new(prenominal) entities to evade assesses by il good bureau. Tax evasion usu all toldy entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to oerthrow their tax liability and includes in particular proposition dish unmatchablest tax reporting, such as declaring less income, sugar or gains than actually earned or overstating deductions.Tax shunning is an exertion commonly associated with the in fleshal sparing and one measure of the extent of tax evasion is the cadence of unreported income, namely the difference between the amount of income that should legally be reported to the tax authorities and the actual amount reported, which is also close totimes referred to as the tax gap. Tax avoidance, on the other(a) hand, is the legal utilization of the tax regime to ones own favour to reduce the amount of tax that is payable by means that be inside the justness.Both tax evasion and avoidance rouse be viewed as forms of tax noncompliance, as they describe a retch of activities that atomic number 18 unfavorable to a states tax system, though such characterization of tax avoidance is suspect, given that avoidance operates lawfully, within self-creating systems smuggle Smuggling is importation or exportation of foreign products by unauthorized means. Smuggling is resorted to for total evasion of impost duties, as well as for the importation of contraband items.A smuggler does not subscribe to pay any customs duty since the products are not routed through an authorized customs port, and therefore are not keep downed to declaration and payment of duties and taxes. Ten countries with the largest absolute directs of tax evasion per year. It is estimated that ball-shaped tax evasion amounts to 5 percent of the global saving. During the latter half of the twentieth century, valu e added tax ( tubful) has emerged as a modern form of using up tax through the world, with the notable exception of the get together States.Producers who collect tub from the consumers may evade tax by under-reporting the amount of gross sales. The US has no broad-based consumption tax at the federal level, and no state currently collects VAT the overwhelming majority of states alternatively collect sales taxes. Canada uses twain a VAT at the federal level (the Goods and Services Tax) and sales taxes at the provincial level some provinces have a single tax combining both forms. In addition, most jurisdictions which levy a VAT or sales tax also legally require their residents to report and pay the tax on items purchased in another jurisdiction.This means that those consumers who purchase something in a lower-taxed or untaxed jurisdiction with the intention of avoiding VAT or sales tax in their home jurisdiction are in fact breaking the law in most cases. such evasion is, especia lly, prevalent in federal states like the Nigeria, US and Canada where sub-national jurisdictions have the constitutional power to stimulate varying rates of VAT or sales tax. In Nigeria for example, some local states enforce VAT on each goods sold by callingr. The expenditure must be clearly stated and the VAT distinct from the bell of the good purchased.Any act by the vocationr contrary to this (like including VAT in the price of the goods) is punishable as attempting to syphoning the VAT. Borders between tax districts in the same nation usually lack the resources to enforce tax collection on goods carried in private vehicles from one district to another, so states only absorb sales and use tax collection on high-value items such as cars. Government response The level of evasion depends on a number of factors, one of them being fiscal equation.Peoples tendency to evade income tax declines when the call back for due payment of taxes is not obvious. Evasion also depends on t he efficiency of the tax harnessance. rot by the tax officials a lottimes render control of evasion elusive. Tax administrations resort to various means for plugging in scope of evasion and increasing the level of enforcement. Corruption by tax officials Corrupt tax officials cooperate with the tax payers who intend to evade taxes. When they detect an instance of evasion, they refrain from reporting in return for unlawful gratification or bribe.Corruption by tax officials is a serious problem for the tax administration in a huge number of under unquestionable and southern European countries. Level of evasion and penalisation Tax evasion is a crime in almost all developed countries and subjects the guilty troupe to fines and/or imprisonment. In Switzerland, many acts that would amount to criminal tax evasion in other countries are treated as civil matters. Dishonestly misreporting income in a tax return is not ineluctably considered a crime. Such matters are handled in the Swiss tax courts, not the criminal courts. In Switzerland, however, some tax misconduct is criminal, for example, deliberate falsification of records. Moreover, civil tax transgressions may give rising to penalties. It is often considered that extent of evasion depends on the severity of punishment for evasion. Normally, the higher the evaded amount, the higher the phase of punishment. BLACK delivery / BLACK MARKET Is the economy in which illegal goods are traded. Due to the nature of the goods traded, the economy itself is force to operate outside the formal economy, supported by the established state power.Typically the totality of such activity is referred to with the definite article as a complement to the official economies, by trade for such goods and services, e. g. the unrelenting commercialise in bush meat. The black mart is distinct from the grey market, in which commodities are distri justed through channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unin tended by the original manufacturer, and the white market, the legal market for goods and services. Worldwide, the underground economy is estimated to have provided 1. 8 billion jobs. BackgroundThe literature on the black market has avoided a common usage and has instead offered a plethora of appellations including subterranean hidden grey specter informal clandestine illegal unobserved unreported unrecorded second parallel and black. This profusion of feeble labels attests to the confusion of a literature attempting to explore a largely uncharted area of stinting activity. on that point is no single black economy there are many. These black economies are omnipresent, existing in market oriented as well as in centrally planned nations, be they developed or growing.Those engaged in underground activities circumvent, escape or are excluded from the institutional system of rules, rights, regulations and enforcement penalties that govern formal agents engaged in production and excha nge. Different types of underground activities are distinguished according to the particular institutional rules that they violate. Five specific underground economies give the gate be identified 1. Illegal Economy 2. unreported Economy 3. Unrecorded Economy 4. Informal Economy 5. Criminal Acts 1. ILLEGAL ECONOMYThe illegal economy consists of the income produced by those sparing activities pursued in violation of legal statutes defining the scope of legitimate forms of commerce. Illegal economy participants engage in the production and distribution of prohibited goods and services, such as drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and prostitution. 2. unreported ECONOMY The unreported economy consists of those economic activities that circumvent or evade the institutionally established fiscal rules as codified in the tax code.A summary measure of the unreported economy is the amount of income that should be reported to the tax authority but is not so reported. A complementary measure of the unreported economy is the tax gap, namely the difference between the amount of tax r take downues due the fiscal authority and the amount of tax revenue actually collected. 3. UNRECORDED ECONOMY The unrecorded economy consists of those economic activities that circumvent the institutional rules that define the reporting requirements of government statistical agencies.A summary measure of the unrecorded economy is the amount of unrecorded income, namely the amount of income that should (under existing rules and conventions) be recorded in national be systems (e. g. National Income and Product Accounts) but is not. Unrecorded income is a particular problem in transition countries that switched from a socialist accounting system to UN standard national accounting. New methods have been proposed for estimating the size of the unrecorded (non-observed) economy. barely there is still little consensus concerning the size of the unreported economies of transition countries. 4.INFOR MAL ECONOMY The informal economy comprises those economic activities that circumvent the cost and are excluded from the benefits and rights incorporated in the laws and administrative rules covering property relationships, commercial licensing, crunch contracts, torts, financial credit and social surety systems. A summary measure of the informal economy is the income generated by economic agents that operate informally. The informal sector is defined as the part of an economy that is not taxed, monitored by any form of government, or included in any gross national product (GNP), irrelevant the formal economy.In developed countries the informal sector is characterized by unreported employment. This is hidden from the state for tax, social security or labor law purposes but is legal in all other aspects. On the other hand, the term black market can be used in reference to a specific part of the economy in which contraband is traded. Pricing Goods acquired illegally take one of two price levels They may be cheaper than legal market prices. The supplier does not have to pay for production costs or taxes. This is usually the case in the black economy.Criminals steal goods and sell them below the legal market price, but there is no receipt, guarantee, and so forth. They may be more expensive than legal market prices. The product is difficult to acquire or produce, dangerous to handle or not easily functional legally, if at all. If goods are illegal, such as some drugs, their prices can be vastly inflated over the costs of production. Black market can form part of border trade near the borders of inhabit jurisdictions with little or no border control if there are substantially different tax rates, or where goods are legal on one side of the border but not on the other.Products that are commonly smuggled like this include alcohol and tobacco. However, not all border trade is illegal. Prostitution Prostitution is illegal or highly regulated in most countries acros s the world. These places form a classic study of the black economy, because of consistent high demand from customers, relatively high pay, but labor intensive and low skilled work, which attracts a continual supply of workers. While prostitution exists in every country, studies show that it tends to flourish more in poorer countries, and in areas with large numbers of unattached men, such as around military bases.Prostitutes in the black market generally operate with some degree of secrecy, sometimes negotiating prices and activities through codewords and subtle gestures. In countries such as the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal but regulated, illegal prostitutes exist whose services are offered cheaper without regard for the legal requirements or procedures health checks, standards of accommodation, and so on. In other countries such as Nicaragua where legal prostitution is regulated, hotels may require both parties to identify themselves, to prevent the rise of child pros titution. WeaponsFire Arms trafficking The legislatures of many countries forbid or restrict the personal ownership of weapons. These restrictions can range from small knives to firearms, either altogether or by classification (e. g. caliber, automation, etc. ), and explosives. The black market supplies the demands for blazonry that cannot be obtained legally, or may only be obtained legally after obtaining permits and paying fees. This may be by smuggling the arms from countries where they were bought legally or stolen, or by stealing from arms manufacturers within the country itself, using insiders.In cases where the underground economy is unable to smuggle firearms, they can also satisfy requests by gunsmithing their own firearms. Those who may buy this way include criminals to use for illegal activities, gun collectors, and otherwise law abiding citizens interested in protecting their dwellings, families or businesses. Illegally logged timber Illegally logged timber is a huge p roblem. According to interpol, the illegal logging industry is worth almost as much as drug production industry, in some countries. Animals and animal productsIvory trade / Wildlife trade In many developing countries, living animals are captured in the wild and sold as pets. Wild animals are also capture and killed for their meat, hide, organs, Organs and other animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicine. alcohol / Tobacco It has been reported that smuggling one truckload of cigarettes from a low-tax US state to a high-tax state can lead to a profit of up to $2 million. The low-tax states are generally the major tobacco producers, and have come under enormous criticism for their reluctance to increase taxes.Biological Organs Trade Organ trade is the trade involving inner organs (heart, liver, kidneys, etc. ) of a human for transplantation. There is a worldwide dearth of organs available for transplantation, yet trade in human organs is illegal in all countries except I ran. The problem of organ trafficking is widespread, although data on the exact scale of the organ market is difficult to obtain. Whether or not to legalize the organ trade, and the appropriate way to combat illegal trafficking, is a subject of much debate. Software piracyStreet vendors in countries where there is scant enforcement of copyright law, particularly in Asia and Latin America, often sell deeply discounted copies of films, music CDs, and computer software such as video games, sometimes even before the official release of the title. A determined counterfeiter with a few hundred dollars can make copies that are digitally identical to an original and suffer no loss in tonicity innovations in consumer DVD and CD writers and the widespread availability of cracks on the Internet for most forms of copy protective covering technology make this cheap and easy to do.

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Essay

On May of 1607, the first English colony in the present-day unite States was founded at Jamestown, Virginia (A Brief invoice of Civil Rights in the joined States of America, 2007). After many years, a Dutch ship arrived at the mien of Jamestown and brought about twenty African slaves to the English colonists. Thus, the so-c bothight-emitting diode African slave trade began. The African slaves came from the savannahs of interchange and southern Africa. The Dutch often called them human alike monkeys, barbarians, and uncivilized brutes.Thus, the Dutch preferred locking them in the wedge shape cabins of their caravels (A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States of America, 2007). They were irregularly provided with food. Most of the times, they were held in chains (because the Dutch were afraid that they might cause some trouble in the ship). When they were brought to Jamestown, their condition worsened. They were forced to work in flat call forthlands at least 15 hours a day. Large plantations of cotton and other clownish products were designate to them by the English colonists without pay.Although they were provided with housing, it was in shambles. The houses were designed in the form of barnyard to accommodate as many slaves as possible (a form of segregation). Added to that, this type of housing was a means for the English colonists to distinguish themselves from these lofty and waste human beings. The food provided by the English colonists was never adequate to balance the energy the slaves consumed in farm work. Added to that, the children of African slaves were to a fault forced to work in the plantations. Their work varied, from weaving cotton to harvesting agri heathen products.The landlords, insensitive to the contributions of these African slaves to their estates, usually utilized the whip against the African slaves as a form of corrective measure. Thus, not tho the African slaves provided a cheap and efficient source of agricultura l and household labor, they were also the source of prejudice, discrimination (described above), racism, and embarrassment to the English colonists. For example, the English colonists did not regard the African slaves as a separate race.The English colonists regarded them as subhuman, but a little higher than primates. Even after the proclamation of Independence, the descendants of these slaves were not better of. Usually, the American landlords regarded them as personal properties. They had no civil or semipolitical rights. At times, American colonists in the West used them as soldiers (unpaid) in its wars with Indian tribes. Thus, it can be said that the history of African-Americans was a history of discrimination, oppression, and prejudice. They were the target as well as the source of racial cynicism of duster Americans, British, and almost all Americans of European descent.The stigma attached to them by these cultural gatherings remained until (as one may notice) the prese nt time. The labor market in the United States at the close of the 19th century was comprised of piteous white farmers and African slaves-descent laborers (using the term Black is a form of discrimination in this case) (Bohmer, 2007). In 1876, an federation between African slaves-descent laborers and poor whites was defeated by Southern landlords. The alliance was formed out of the sensed oppression of their class by the ruling Southern landlords. For example, their pay was inadequate to support their families.Nonetheless, their working conditions eat upstairs these Southern planters were really bad in terms of long-working hours and high rents. Their defeat was magnified y the 1896 dictatorial Court ruling that segregation was constitutional. Although their labor produced much of the wealth of the Southern planters, they were never given refuge nets (such as social security) in the procurement of their labor in the market. In contradiction to the conception that African-Amer icans argon never interested in environmental issues, here atomic number 18 some African-Americans who contributed much in protect the environment.George Washington Carver can be regarded as one of Americas finest agricultural researchers. He was able to develop throughout his lifetime over 325 new products from peanuts and over 100 products from sweet potatoes. He often told his students that nature was his best teacher (A Selection of African-American Environmental Heroes, 2007). Vernon Jones is another African-American who led the struggle to preserve government-owned lands in a county in Georgia. In March 2000, he was able to outperform a 125 million dollars bond referendum to acquire public lands for the construction of parks (A Selection of African-American Environmental Heroes, 2007).This is an indication that even if African-Americans are still discriminated, they would never be indifferent to issues that can go the lives of people outside his ethnic group. Affirmative pull through can be defined as a set of state policies and objectives created to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, and sex. The United States government under the terms of different presidents accomplished a series of affirmative actions in localise to eliminate forms of discrimination in the United States.For example, President Truman issued an order to the Bureau of Employment Security to implement nondiscriminatory labor policies (Sykes, 1995). Today, the Equal Employment Opportunities Act was passed to put an end to discrimination in the workplace, by handsome nonage groups opportunities to assert their employment status (Sykes, 1995). These series of affirmative action was the result of struggle of minority groups, especially African-Americans, to assert their rights as citizens of the United States.In the present, however, discrimination in the workplace against minority groups (e. . African-Americans) is never totall y eradicated. Redlining, or more particularly service redlining, is the custom of refusing to provide goods and services to people of low-income and minority groups (Fuller, 1998). In the United States, African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups are experiencing this form of segregation. Some white establishments typically create excuses for the purpose of not allowing minority groups (especially African-Americans) to procure goods and services. This was the most controversial issue in the 1950s. in that respect were different types of services one for whites, and one for African-Americans. Although this system was abolished, many white retail stores in the United States still find excuses of not providing goods and services for minority groups. African-Americans today face what sociologists call double jeopardy. Because African-Americans are discriminated, they have difficulty of finding good jobs. It is estimated that a majority of African-Americans in the United States today are in the poverty threshold. They comprised also the majority in service sectors jobs. Their poverty reinforces their minority status.Thus, the so-called pass of discrimination as what sociologists call is also reinforced. African-Americans have the difficulty of upgrading their status by economic means. Thus, white Americans always associate African-Americans with poverty. The institutionalization of discrimination was the most noted issue in African-American history. Before the handing down of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (which abolished segregation in public schools) in May 1954, all public schools in the United States were segregated. African-Americans were provided separate public schools, usually close to their communities.Added to that, the formulation of educational broadcast of some states was also segregated. This was in line with the early belief of white Americans that higher forms of education were only a matter for white Americans. Segregation co uld also be noted in the construction of residential areas. Reverse discrimination can be defined as the negative effect of an affirmative action to some members of the dominant ethnic group which is seen as tantamount to another form of discrimination (Pincus, 20021). a lot some white Americans complained that they were rejected in some jobs because of preferential treatment for African-Americans.They call it reverse discrimination. This is though not really a form of discrimination since it does not question the nature of the ethnic group to which one belongs. In the case of African-Americans, the opening of new opportunities is a means to upgrade their economic status. It cannot be a form of discrimination. Glass ceiling can be defined as the barriers or blocks that tarry minority groups in reaching the upper ladder of corporate America (The Glass Ceiling for African, Hispanic (Latino), and Asian Americans, 2004).African-Americans today have little difficulty of reaching the u pper ladder of society (noted personalities like Oprah, Morgan Freeman, and Janet Jackson serve our examples) although not as easy as that of white Americans. Personally, I identify myself to the cultural group I belong, although I recognize the commonalities between African-American and white cultures (especially those which relate to equality and license of the individual).

Springfield nor’Easters Case Analysis

Johnkingsley Obasi AMBA650-The Springfield Noreasters Case Analysis. Introduction. The metropolis of Springfield, Massachusetts were blessed with the basing of a basalball electric s getr conference franchise in their urban center. But the dissever A team is face up with great revenue extension challenges that leave al unmatchable make or mar the organization. The new team powerfulness handlely take receipts of the fact that closest sports franchised teams atomic number 18 all located 90 miles away from Springfield. This might create a tag and concession boom for the team and early(a) benefits like employment and taxes for the city.The city has a respect qualified moderate family income and a recent growth index in the healthcargon, financial, and an opposite(prenominal) small and medium green light sectors is an advantage to the teams grocerying and terms strategies. The process of designing and implementing an effective and strategic determine structure neces sitate a deep understanding and knowledge of the consumer psychology and a successful pattern of setting, adapting and changing values (Kotler & Keller, 2009). As a center to develop up culmination two-year-older players, the franchise owner has an objective of making bullion from his originationball operations in the city.By having a successful financial breakthrough, the team bequeath be able to finance itself and grow in a sustainable form to be competitive and profitable. The main designate of this analysis is to present the best possible food merchandise and determine strategies that result enable the baseball game team make profit. As this organization struggles to with the pricing decisions, they embarked upon a survey to obtain an optimal pricing that get out be based on the market response and reactions. Respondents allow give them a patronful brain wave closely the marketplace and possible consumer behaviors.Unfortunately, low number of serveents and inac curate data engenderd a nonher challenge. The strategical Issues, Problems, And Other Factors Noreasters Need To Consider Before Price Establishment. Demand recallations is critical to pricing shreds for a base price. To begin with, management implyed to build a pauperism for ticket gross sales based on extensive seek. This pull up stakes entail asking how m both fans and non-fans would corrupt the teams ticket at a trustworthy price. This exercise need to be make for various prices.Also, this survey or research could be done by doing a survey among the target tickets market. The best option, especially for a large business organizations like the Noreaster is to employ the services of a merchandising firm to carry-out the research for them. It is an imperative divisor that companies essential set a pricing structure when they are offering new crossways or services ( Kotler Keller, 2009). The demand price elasticity is an important factor to consider it simply states that consumers will play a subprogram in determining how responsive to price the demand for the product is.Accurate figures washbasin be obtained by research and mathematical calculations through simple steps. Under this situation you ask the effect of slight change in prices. If prices are offered at discount rates, then, price is increased then demand will expected to degenerate significantly as a result of that action. If luxuries favorables are been sold, then demand will not respond that much to changes in price. The higher we see demand elasticity grow, the greater the growth volume will be as a result of possible 1% price reduction.When Noreasters ticket demand goes elastic, that might warrant price-cutting to boost sales, especially cost of tickets productions and operating cost have not gone up in a disproportionate manner. Factor Number 3 that must be considered is cost. Cost here(predicate) will include the cost of all borrowed capitals that have been invested in th e business. Another cost to be considered will be operating cost. E precise organization need to consider cost of their products or services are crucial. The force is that a lot of small and medium business owners and managers have many times failed to do accurate price calculations.It is expected that price calculation should be done in order to conk out the accurate cost of the entire process of offering a service or product to the marketplace. Every individual cost is expected to be calculated in relative terms to any type of cost. Fixed cost is cost occupies a larger magnitude in an organizations financial books and therefore, has very well defined value if you are producing or selling a product. To offer an intelligent pricing structure, Noreasters and their management need to understand how their costs variations in different departments of their business works( Kotler & Keller, 2009).Environmental factor is another factor that Noreasters must consider-Every business must ta ke the environment factor into account for price policy establishment. They are in the category of constrictions that are carried out by the overall supervising office. Here, the commissioner for baseball has the regulatory powers and he can overrule some certain internal policies of any minor team that is in contrast with the core business objectives of the Major Baseball League (MLB). I strongly urge Springfield Noreasters to consider this factor in the pricing policy and establishment of their organization. . A well defined problem is literally believed to be half solved. The minor baseball team in the Class A category is faced with the problem of earning reasonable revenue from sales of ticket that will empower their sound operations in Springfield. The issue of poor ticket sales could come alive with as a result of what pass oned to one of the minor league ice hockey teams that left the city. The team is constrained by the fact that precisely their players salaries, bats, an d ball expenses paid by the major league teams. The minor league teams have to offset their other operating costs.In the event of failure to break-even and generate funds to pay for their other expenditures, the team would have to relocate to another city with better market opportunities. Concession sales would generate funds that will help offset the estimated $1. 96million operating budget, while the main partner- The Major League will contribute funds, the ticket sales is the key revenue generating source for the team. How to sell these tickets is the major problem for the team. A loyal fan base makes successful minor league baseball team(Cespedes, Winig, and Lovelock, 2009). . Analysis and evaluation. The SWOT Analysis The city has two market segments for the sports ticketing business- namely-Loyal sports hit the sackrs that are willing to drive 90 miles to city of Boston to watch games and the second segment includes Families, College Students, bantam Leagues, and other sport s lovers that do not commit absolute loyalty to any team but would love to watch games in their home city. Research shows that the market buyer behavior shows that game watchers need to be entertained in every games, thereby making the sports as an entertainment source.The act of the game providing a source of entertainment will surely draw fans repeatedly to the stadium for many sequence games if not all. Many families with minors are assumed to more likely attend many professional games in their home town. The bailiwick brief showed that about 23% had viewed baseball games on TV so it was an lento task to estimate a ticket sale from this segment. According to the survey provided in the case brief, 61% of the respondents in the city of Springfield had said that they might likely not attend a baseball game played by the minor league team.A high percentage rate of 31% indicated delight of being willing to pay $10 to see a game. Survey shows that the past 2 or 3 years, about 76% of the people interviewed had paid to watch a major league baseball game. Strengths The target team segment of the team are the household with children of school-age under 18 years and other sport fans with loyal tendency. The team, according to survey had received positive responses from residents of the city, if those are authentic, the team will surely generate revenue that will keep them off the red zone.Springfield College has offered the team their stadium to use in exchange of package fees revenues. This has eliminated the cost of leasing a stadium . Another strength addition, $21,000 pledge from the city college and of $25,000 in sponsorship. The team has no product-market competitor in the city of Springfield. Weaknesses There is a fundamental demographic issue as the city population is out-numbered by a working-class population that has no culture or tradition of going to the stadium to watch minor league baseball games. Ability to generate enough revenue to keep the team alive. expenses.Opportunities The recent growth in the healthcare, financial, and entrepreneurship might create an new market and segment for the team. It is assumed that new opportunities will follow the new economic uplifting witnessed by the city in recent times would attract a new audiences and followership to professional sport games like minor league baseball. There is no existence of any competitor in the city that will parting the market with the team , with this, any sports lover would be compelled to visit the matches of Noreasters. Threats Survey showed that 61% of respondents residing in the city would pay to see a game.There is a strong assumption that this huge number might mildew many others. This is a potential threat that may cause the team ticket sales. Springfield is a city with poor tradition of going to see games. If this culture and tradition is not changed, it might pose a great threat to the existence of the team. Designing a pricing plan for Noreasters . As selling Director of the organization, Larry Buckingham embark on a market research with the intention of insightful outcome about the market and to explore and exploit ways of selling large number of tickets.The research was to enable him similarly to have a knowledge of who his possible and potential customers will be based on segmented ticket structure. The survey results and other information from various sources empowered Mr Buckingham to design a strategic pricing policy and establishment for his organizations concession and ticket sales. Based on data provision in the case brief, I have open from market research information show that two alternative pricing strategies that both offer strengths and weaknesses. Also some recommendations are offered based on the pricing strategies.From the survey data, assumptions do based on information from the case brief, more than 50% of the city population need to buy tickets for at least one game doing the season to enable Noreaster s generate revenues that can keep them on the break-even column. Even though 39% of the Springfield population exhibited interest to seeing baseball games as shown in the survey, this cannot be authenticated because of size of the sample used in the survey. By engaging communication and marketing, Noreasters can increase the percentage of residents willing to watch live games to more than 50%.However, considering to move to another city with high ticket-sales potential is a viable option, right? I personally do not approximate so. As Noreaster and its management is faced with the process of designing the right pricing for all ticket levels and seats, the marketing director must take into consideration the fact that he is faced with very price erogenous customers. According to Baye et al (2005), the application of innovative pricing strategies coupled with innovative management best practices is a perfect recipe for success in the marketplace.As Noreasters is seeking to hone in on an optimal prices for their seats, it is vital for them to watch the price sensitivities of their customers all through the seasons, as that will enable them adjust the dynamics of their tickets markup from time to time. Data show that the median house income is low because majority of the citys residents are working class citizens. Survey data shows that more than 93% of residents interviewed have a household income of less than $75, 000 per annum.This means in simple grammar, single ticket do not have to be high and ticket discounts need to be incorporated in the pricing strategy for students, senior citizens and handicapped customers. Noreasters marketing plan has a key objective is to bring value-added entertainment to their baseball fans in the city of Springfield. This can only happen when the conducive atmosphere is provided during games. Such an electric atmosphere can mainly be provided by young energetic students with great enthusiasm for sports.Therefore, Larry Buckingham must consider this target group seriously and bring them to the games. With the students and families coming to watch games, concession sales will definitely increase reasonably. The appropriate price for Noreasters regular season ticket will be very ideal at $10. The group will include families with good income earning comparable to target groups like students and senior citizens. It is assumed that the set price level will not be a factor that could discourage target segment from going to watch baseball games (Kotler & Keller, 2009).As the nearly potential and lucrative target segment since the electrify the arena and thereby providing a fun atmosphere, their special(a) funds will be considered a weakness and need to enjoy large ticket discounts to halt their fan-base. I suggest that $6 will be appropriate price establishment for students. The appropriate price establishment for children will be $4 based on the fact that families coming to watch games with children will purcha se a lot of concession items. This group is a potential target segment for Noreasters.Section 3. The marketing director Buckingham, who is tasked with making the break-even of the total analysis while establishing a fan base that is loyal. Based on SWOT and STP analysis, Noreasters key target ticket segment will be households with school-age children of 18hyears and below and other sports lovers with consistent loyal. Based on this assumption, these alternatives have been designed. Noreasters must establish the following Pricing quantity, Pricing loss leader and discount markdowns.I suggest they participate in product ticket only, ticket bundling and ticket combinations. Larry Buckingham should carryout ticket promotions in schools backed by direct mail public media commercial. In consideration of the evaluation criteria which has ticket and concession sales as components, it is assumed that the markdown pricing strategy, ticket combination with products and direct mail in promotio ns will offer Noreasters an economy that will add value goal of generating enough revenue.As all these facts have been carefully considered, adults tickets in the range of $6-$10, and half priced-tickets for children, family tickets sale, free tickets and two coupons for concession products for customers on the mailing list, and a multiple game discount ticket and an efficient and effective calendar monthly sales review and price adjustments are my recommendations. An Attempt to Calculate break-even point Cost is emailprotected 3,150,000 70x + 3,150,000 = 160x 3,150,000 = 90 To calculate the individual break-point will be, X = 35,000 35,000 * 160 = 5,600,000.That is how the breakpoint revenue is obtained 60 load of the field -= 90*0. 6 = 54 Estimated Break-even point per severally game= 35,000/54 = 648 approx Ticket emailprotected$10 $10x = 70x + 3,500,000 X = 58,333 When the load is 60% level, 90*0. 6 = 54 Estimated Break-even people = 26, 250/54 = 486 based on approximation Inco rporating new cost for 90 people will be 160x = 90x + 3,150,000 Break-even persons will be X=45 emailprotected% load capacity = 90*0. 7 63 Based on assumption, Break-even point here will be is 45,000/63 = 714 Profits after tax = 750,000Gross profit will be y y-0. 3y=750,000 y = 1,071,429 approximated to be gross profit 1,071,429 = Sales of ticket operational cost 1,071,429 = 205x-(85x+3,600,000) 1,071,429 = 205x-85-3,600,000 120x=4671,429 X = 38,929 capacity Assuming all ticketed seats occupied by 70% fans = 50x90x0. 7 = 3,150 Assumed seats occupied by extra loads= 50x90x0. 1 = 450 Estimated revenue bring in per game (3,150160)+(450120) = 558,000 Variable cost incured per day = 70*36000 = 252,000 Income earned on daily basis = 558000-252000 = 306,000Income Generated per month = 306,000*30 = 9,180,000 My estimated profit earning = 9,180,000- 3,150,000 180,000 = 5850000 If load per car is 60%, it gives 900. 6 = 54 Break-even per month for fans will be, 175x = 70x +250,000 X repres ents fans. Therefore, X from the above equation will be = 2380 fans. Price adoption could be established based on a possibility of more than 2380 fans attending Noreasters game on a given(p) day. Recall, 120,000 = 175x 70x -250,000 X = 3524 fans. At 60% capacity 900. = 54. References Baye, M. , Gatti J, Rupert J. , Kattuman P, & Morgan J. (2007, Fall). A dashboard for online pricing. California Management Review, 50(1), 202-216. Retrieved kinsfolk 23, 2009, from Business Source Complete. Cespedes, F. , Winig, L. , & Lovelock, C. , (2009) The Springfield Noreasters Maximizing Revenues in the Minor Leagues. Harvard Business School Kotler, P. , & Keller, K. (2009). A good example for marketing management (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Prentice Hall.