Monday, September 30, 2019

Too much tv

Watching something on a screen will not replace watching it in real life. The viewer will not get an education by watching shows like â€Å"The Sopranos† or â€Å"24†, Just like it will not make them dumber by watching shows like â€Å"Keeping up with the Sardinian. † Finally, it will not replace the fact that watching everything on a screen is not real life. While one can learn a great deal about what is going on in the world by watching the news on CNN or FOX or CBS, it is still important to try to get that same education in other forms like the newspaper, or the Internet.Getting everything you want from Just one source is never good, and it is Just too much T. V. I love watching television, and I watch it a lot, robbery more than I should. I love watching shows or the basketball game and losing myself in the excitement of a program. In addition, I like watching the news to learn what is going on in the world, what is going on domestically. For example I watch Nettling on rerun at night till I fall asleep or maybe I do it because I cannot sleep and I get bored.However, I have never felt smarter after I finished watching â€Å"The Big Bang Theory. † I may have felt in the past as though I have learned a thing or two, but do I feel smarter? Never. Steven Johnson argues that some television shows are so employ they make you â€Å"think† and make you smarter. For example he says that â€Å"you have to focus to follow the plot, and in focusing your exercising the parts of your brain that map social networks, that fill in missing information, that connect narrative threads (292). But does watching shows that don't make you think, like â€Å"Keeping up with the Sardinian,† make one dumber? Months ago, I watched the whole season of â€Å"Orange Is the New Black† on Nettling in the span of 2 days, After watching this show I did not feel smarter or dumber, I did not feel like I could survive in prison, I did not feel li ke I could be a lawyer. I did feel a little lazy, and kind of like I Just wasted a whole weekend. Watching some shows can make a Joke out of something and at the same time make a point about our society.Antonio Peacock in her essay â€Å"Family Guy and Freud: Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious† gives an example how Americans are willing to follow the instructions of a celebrity blindly- and less willing to admit that they are doing so (Peacock, 304). Television does the same thing, television might help keep the viewer interested on what is going on with what you are watching, but it is not teaching the viewer anything else about what is going on round you, it is Just stuck on whatever it is for the next 30 minutes.However, Television does have its benefits, it allows viewers to open up to things they may not have been open to before. It can help them see life is different in places like San Diego than in Israel or Egypt. There are benefits to watching a cooking a sh ow and learning a new recipe. And I understand how watching the new thriller can get you to think and try to solve a problem you would normally not do. However, the way you will get smarter or learn the new recipe is by actually doing those things yourself. I ill learn that new pose on yoga by actually trying it myself physically on the floor.Watching television and thinking we are educating ourselves and thinking we are learning something productive is kind of taking the easy way out. It is an easy way for ourselves to Justify sitting in front of the television so we don't have to go outside, or pick up a newspaper, or a book, or having a conversation with someone else. Standing up and running is always going to be better than watching the marathon on television. I love television, I spend a lot of time with it, but let us not make something of it which is not true. It is not a teacher, or a mentor, it is a form of entertainment and a way to lose your time.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

“The Invisible Leash”: The Patty Hearst Case and the Crazy Things Victims Do

In April 1974, roughly two months after they kidnapped Patty Hearst, the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) released a photo of Hearst as evidence that she was no longer a kidnap victim but a willing member of their group. In the photo, Hearst is pictured alone (no other members of the Symbionese Liberation Army are evident). She stands off centered in the photo (to the left) in front of the Symbionese Liberation Army’s symbol, a seven-headed cobra (â€Å"Symbionese Liberation Army†). Her stance is aggressive: her legs are apart as if she is braced and ready to shoot; her gun is pointed (not at the viewer, but off to the viewer’s right); and her finger is on the trigger. The gun itself is a serious weapon, a carbine. And Hearst’s attire is militaristic and revolutionary: she wears pants, tight, military-type clothing, and a beret of the same sort worn by revolutionary Che Guevera, in the famous photo of him snapped by Alberta Korda (â€Å"Che Guevara†). Moreover, the background color in the photo of Hearst is red, a color that suggests violence and aggression. In the lower right corner of the photo, another machine gun rests against the wall, only the upper portion of the gun is visible (its barrel), and it’s pointing upward, toward the top of the photo. While this photo is meant to depict Hearst as a willing member of the SLA, it isn’t quite successful. That is, it suggests a more complex truth: that people sometimes play roles that do not fully describe them and in which they are not at home. A close look at the photo reveals that Patty Hearst, though she assumes the stance of a guerrilla, is anything but that. Her gaze is not directed violently at the viewer; instead, she looks to the side, transforming herself into the object of the gaze rather than being the gazer. This is in sharp contrast to Korda’s famous photo of Che Guevara, whose hat style Hearst has adopted. In his photo, Guevara faces the audience squarely and audaciously (â€Å"Che Guevara†). Hearst’s posture may be audacious, but the direction of her gaze reveals submission. Other details in the photo also suggest that she is less than at home in her role as aggressive warrior. Her gun, for example, is pointed to the side – just as is her gaze. She’s not threatening the viewer with the gun; she’s exposing herself to the viewer. Plus, though none of the SLA members are present in the photo with Hearst, the unmanned, projecting gun in the lower right corner of the photo draws the eye and reminds the viewer that just off stage lurks a threat. With her glance to the side, Hearst seems almost focused on this threat. Indeed, a quick look at her eyes reveals dark circles under them. Her mouth is pinched and drawn. These are indicators that she may be uncomfortable, even stressed in her new role. In fact, the photo, along with an audio communication from Hearst on which she called her father a â€Å"corporate liar† and explained that she was joining the SLA and taking a new name (â€Å"SLA: Tania†), caused her fiance and her parents to â€Å"[speculate] that Hearst had been brainwashed or coerced. † They did not believe that the Patty Hearst they were seeing and hearing was the â€Å"real† Patty Hearst (â€Å"SLA: Patty Hearst). And, indeed, Patty Hearst, granddaughter of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, seems to have changed over the course of her kidnapping. Compare, for example, two of her communiques with her parents. The first was received February 12, only 9 days after armed gunman kidnapped her from her fiance’s apartment on the night of February 4, 1974 (â€Å"Radically†). In this communique, she says: Mom, Dad, I’m OK. I’m with a combat unit that’s armed with automatic weapons. And these people aren’t just a bunch of nuts. They’ve been really honest with me but they’re perfectly willing to die for what they’re doing. And I want to get out of here but the only way I’m going to is if we do it their way. And I just hope that you’ll do what they say Dad and just do it quickly. And I mean I hope that this puts you a little bit at ease and that you know that I really, really am alright. I just hope I can get back to everybody really soon. (â€Å"The Patty Hearst Tapes†) Here Hearst focuses almost entirely on her own situation, telling her parents who has taken her and what her parents need to do to free her. She mentions that her captors are serious but says very little about their political agenda. She sounds, in fact, very much like one might expect a kidnapped, 19-year-old to sound. By day 59 of Hearst’s captivity, her communiques reveal that her focus has changed from herself to the SLA’s cause. Mom, Dad. Tell the poor and oppressed people of this nation what the corporate state is about to do. Warn Black and poor people that they are about to be murdered down to the last man, woman, and child. Tell the people that the energy crisis is nothing more than a means to get public approval for a massive program to build nuclear power plants all over the nation. The message goes on in this vein and culminates with the following: â€Å"I have chosen to stay and fight. I have been given the name Tania after a comrade who fought alongside Che in Bolivia. It is in the spirit of Tania that I say, ‘Patria o Muerte, Venceremos’† (â€Å"The Patty Hearst Tapes†). The Latin phrase means â€Å"Fatherland or death: We shall overcome† (Cox), and it suggests Hearst’s transformation from heiress to warrior. Clearly Hearst had changed, and after she was caught on video camera robbing a bank with the SLA only a few months after she’d been kidnapped (Ramsland), Americans caught up in the story were left to debate whether a person is always responsible for his or her own actions. In an article published in the National Review during Hearst’s 1976 trial, one commentator gave specific voice to the questions many people were asking themselves: When given the opportunity, why didn’t Hearst â€Å"reassert her own individuality and [try] to escape? And, even more succinctly, the commentator asks: â€Å"Is Hearst guilty? † (â€Å"What Is Guilt? † 258). Hearst was eventually sentenced to 7 years in prison for helping the SLA with their criminal activities (including bank robberies), but President Carter had her released after only 22 months (Chua-Eoan), and, in 2001, President Clinton pardoned her (â€Å"Radically†), wiping her record clean. President Clin ton’s pardon suggests that Hearst was not responsible for what she did. It suggests that under specific conditions, a person can behave in ways for which she must not be held responsible. In a nutshell, it suggests that those who have endured traumatic experiences (victims) are not necessarily accountable for what they do. And, indeed, by most accounts, Hearst’s experience was traumatic. During the first several weeks of her captivity (prior to her participation in the first of several bank robberies), she was (according to her own accounts) kept in a dark closet. She was â€Å"sexually assaulted† (â€Å"Truth† 201). She was told that her parents were â€Å"insects† and that she was a member of a class of people that was â€Å"sucking blood† from the commoners. When her father visited San Quentin (as part of a ransom demand made by the SLA), and he reported that the conditions of the prisoners there was fine, Hearst’s captors reportedly told her that her living conditions (in the cramped, dark closet) were similar to those of the San Quentin prisoners. The take home message for Hearst was that her â€Å"tiny cell, stale air, and gloomy walls were [considered by her father to be] an acceptable environment for his daughter. † Her captors led her to feel increasingly alienated from her old life and from her family (â€Å"Tania’s World†). Subject to severe trauma, a person may not behave rationally or in keeping with what might be expected. For example, in 2007, when police found and liberated Shawn Hornbeck, a boy who had been abducted 4 years earlier (when he was only 12), one of the questions that surfaced repeatedly was: why didn’t he run? During at least the last two or three of his years of captivity, his captor (Michael Devlin) allowed Shawn a tremendous amount of freedom. Shawn went to school, rode his bike, and had multiple opportunities to report his situation to authorities, but he didn’t (Tresniowski, Grout, and Finan). Shawn’s attorney speculates that an â€Å"invisible leash† kept Shawn from running (qtd. in Tresniowski, Grout, and Finan). And C. Robert Cloninger, a medical doctor at the Sanson Center for Well-Being in St. Louis, indicates that victims may â€Å"[bond] with their abductors† in order to â€Å"feel safe†: Once you’ve begun to identify with your captor, you don’t have to fear them anymore, because you’re in harmony with them†¦We see this in hostage situations, where the emotional brain short circuits the rational brain. (qtd. in Tresniowski, Grout, and Finan) It was this same â€Å"invisible leash† that made Hearst do the seemingly crazy things she did: rob banks, hide from the law, remain with the SLA. A close look at her history and a careful look at the now infamous SLA photo of Hearst reveal the truth: she may have pretended to be Tania, but that was a temporary role, assumed under extreme circumstances to protect herself. Her transformation from â€Å"an apolitical rich girl† to a â€Å"gun-toting radical† (â€Å"Radically†) tells us more about the events that she was caught up in than about who she was.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Is the United Nations in need of reform and if so, in what form should Essay

Is the United Nations in need of reform and if so, in what form should such reform take - Essay Example It comprises of 192 member countries across the globe, with its headquarters in New York. The existence of United Nations dates back to World War II with the objectives to unite all the countries of the universe in order to work in correlation with tranquility and harmony, which must consist on the ideology of fair dealing, respect of humanity, and fulfillment of the fundamental rights of the people2. United Nations aimed to bring the countries closer so that they can work in coordination to develop friendly relations and address the common issues with gravity. The working of the assembly is not restricted to the decisions of any monarch, thus, every county possess the same and equal rights to give their opinions and viewpoints in any discussion happening in the general assembly of the United Nations3. A global body formed in early 1900s, known to be the League of Nations was the key stakeholder to sustain equanimity and placidity in the world, as well as maintaining the coordination amongst the global community. This parent body proved to be flourishing with 58 members across the globe with the prime motive to encourage and endorse worldwide collaboration in order to bring the world under one roof through unity and peace. With the increasing power and control of the Axis Powers over the world, the League got an alarming sign and its success started to fade and declined slowly, thus, resulting in the Second World War. During the World War II, United Nations came to an existence with an official announcement in order to bring the counties in association to each other. Initially, the UN consisted of 51 member countries, which then rose to 192 members at a later stage4. United Nations came under development with a goal to alleviate poverty and raise the living standards of the masses on global basis. It also determined to raise the literacy rate and abate the spread of diseases and environmental degradation to make the world a better place to live. United Nations aimed to support and cushion the under developed countries to lift their economies, build up the social sector and back them to move ahead towards success5. To achieve these objectives, UN designed a set of values, which the member countries were to abide by. United Nations strictly abhorred the violence and tyranny, instead they promoted calm and diplomatic methods to solve the problems, and therefore, member countries came under expectation to settle down rivalries and sensitive matters with serenity. UN made an obligation on all the members to comply with the agreements made between them, and the parent body did not participate in any government activity or personal matter of the member state6. The working of UN depends upon five subdivisions. The first division is the UN General Assembly, whose prime job is to maintain the standards of its guidelines and procedures and always have a room for improvements through suggestions. The assembly has a president who comes under appointme nt from its member states. The second subdivision is the UN Security Council, which has the right to penalize the member countries if they do not follow the rules and regulations that comes under development by the assembly, they also have the decision making power during any sort of disagreements between the member states. Therefore, it comes under consideration as the strongest amongst all the other branches7. The third branch is the International Court of Justice, which is

Friday, September 27, 2019

Advertising and Marketing are the msot significant contributor to Essay

Advertising and Marketing are the msot significant contributor to global environmental destruction this century. Discuss - Essay Example Objectively, advertising and marketing do play their role in creating new environmental complexities; however, the growing environmental awareness and the new â€Å"green† mentality have a potential to turn advertising and marketing into the effective drivers of sustainable development and growth on the planet. The growing pace of the environmental pollution has already turned into the distinctive feature of the postmodern reality. The pace of the climate change is â€Å"accelerating more rapidly than had been predicted† (Lowy 2010). Rising temperatures and accumulating carbon dioxide, melting of the Arctic ices and regular fires/ floods are speeding up and making all previous scientific analyses even less optimistic (Lowy 2010). Advertising and marketing are often believed to be the most significant contributors to the environmental destruction this century. Objectively, the effects of marketing and advertising on the environment are difficult to underestimate. Lowy (2010) is correct in that â€Å"advertising pollutes the mental, just like the urban and rural, landscape; it stuffs the skull like it stuffs the mailbox†. Advertising and marketing result in the growing commodification of the world and the natural resources it has at its disposal. By turning natural resources in to the basic commodities, advertising and marketing make individuals sacrifice the basic principles of environmental protection. Advertising as the key element of the capitalistic evolution results in the so-called fetishization of consumption, which turns the accumulation of goods and consumerism into the basic goals of human existence (Lowy 2010). For the purpose of increased profit margins and stronger competitive position, corporations and individual manufacturers are willing to destroy the environment. It would be fair to say that advertising is a fraudulent waste of available environmental

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Couple Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Couple Questions - Essay Example He is an important man who commands respect and yes, children will certainly be influenced by an official address by the President of the United States. Keeping children in school should be a goal for Democrats and Republicans alike and it is a shame that his attempt to encourage children to stay in school has been hijacked by conservatives in this country. A sizable percentage of what seem to be otherwise normal Americans think Obama is a 1) Muslim, 2) foreigner, 3) socialist. Where did they get those ideas? Propaganda has been employed in various degrees of success by the right-wing reactionary conservative movement in the United States which has sought to portray President Obama as a socialist, a Muslim and a foreigner. While detractors decry his attempts at implementing universal healthcare in this country as â€Å"socialism†, in fact President Obama is trying to promote equality and ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, social status or income, have access to the same levels of healthcare in this country. Importantly, the President has recently gotten into trouble with Republicans and conservatives in this country as he tries to overhaul the lucrative American healthcare system and institute publically-funded healthcare throughout the United States. The conservative media has implemented a wide reaching campaign to discredit the President and they have been successful in a variety of regards. Referring to him as Barack â€Å"Hussein† Obama on television stations such as Fox TV, conservative broadcasters have done an excellent job portraying this President as something which he is not. Importantly, this President is trying to make significant changes to American society and right wing analysts have tried their best to keep him down. Fortunately he remains a tireless advocate for the disadvantaged and remains the peoples’

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Business Model of On-Line Retaining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business Model of On-Line Retaining - Essay Example On-Line retailing business runs over the Internet through well designed user friendly portals, whereby the products & services are displayed through electronic means (like photographs, images, videos, etc.) and payments collected either electronically or using a system that accepts remote checks, wire transfers or on-delivery cash. On-line Retailing is different from the traditional business primarily from the perspective of product display, business expenses, business location, communication & customer engagement, and technology. Supply chain management of both businesses are similar with the only exception that on-line businesses have to manage their deliveries remotely and in larger geographies (even at global levels) whereas the traditional retailers may have to carry out lesser remote deliveries within a fixed locality. We hereby analyze the on-line retailing process deployed by eBay through their portal named (www.ebay.com). The process of on-line shopping starts from a search engine - either global search engines like Google, Yahoo or the search engine built within the eBay portal. Products advertised on eBay can be approached through both the mechanisms. Once the buyer reaches the on-line display of the product of c... Once the buyer reaches the on-line display of the product of choice (two or three dimensional graphics or video along with specifications, pricing details, terms & conditions, etc), he/she can evaluate the product using published specifications & pictures/videos and then open a shopping cart where the products selected for purchase can be collected. After collecting all products, the buyer can proceed for payments where the terms on eBay are electronic (credit cards or debit cards. Given that eBay is a global on-line shopping portal, they do not offer localized choices of payments. The soft products can be downloaded online and the hard products are transferred to the customer from the warehouse that is closest to the physical address of the Customer. eBay also offers international delivery of products through world class renowned courier services which is charged to the buyer at the time of purchase. [Chatpar and Venugopalan, 2007] Key Traits and Bases of success of the marketing strategy of Online Retailers The key factors of success of Online Retail businesses are the following: (a) Excellent User Friendly Portal system: eBay is one of the most user friendly on-line shopping portal of the world. The buyers are able to quickly search and select products of their choice through well deigned categorization & guidance systems and make secured & reliable payment. (www.ebay.com). (b) High Quality Customer Services: To serve their customers, eBay has on-line chat & message boards, e-mail ids through which trained customer support specialists respond quickly to address queries or grievances. Extra information on every product is available through local product catalogues whereby the products in stock exactly match the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Business Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business Report - Essay Example The report explains the comparison of the three companies with respect to different aspects and it also explains the decision of the analyst as to which company is the best to invest $500,000. The companies are Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Qantas Airways Limited and Woolworths Limited; they are from different sectors like beverage, aviation and retailing industry respectively. They are well known in their respective industries and aims to grow further in future. The companies are having strong financial position and have undertaken several corporate social responsibility activities which have made them strong in the world of business. The financial performance of the companies is evaluated by ratio analysis. The result is revealing the financial strength of Qantas Airways Limited. The corporate governance performance and the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company are also better than the others. Introduction An investment decision is not made in hurry; it is good to evaluate all the elements of the company before investing. Not only the financial performance is identified but also other elements alike the corporate governance and CSR activities are evaluated in making an investment decision. The three companies are different in their operation and are from different industries but still a comparison can be made with respect to the above elements which are elaborated in the next few sections. The report seeks to find the best company to invest in out of the three companies selected. It elaborates the facts regarding the financial performance of the companies and also the overall performance of the company. The data for the ratio analysis of the three companies are obtained from the each of the company’s Annual report 2012. The ratio analysis of the three companies shows that Qantas Airways Limited is performing well financially. The corporate governance statements of the companies are compared to get the best corporate structure, ethical practices. T he report also elaborates the facts regarding the companies that are efficient in handling political issues, globalization and public issues. Lastly the best of three companies is identified by comparing all the aspects and in which the investment will be made so as to give a good return after a period of time. After the overall analysis it can be said that the investment can be made in Qantas airways limited. Coca-Cola Amatil Limited The â€Å"largest bottlers of non-alcoholic ready to drink beverages, Coca-Cola Amatil  (CCA) has given unbeatable performance over the years and has become the only trusted brand in Asia Pacific region† (Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, 2013a) . It is basically headquartered in Australia and the Coca-Cola Company has 29% shareholding in Coca-Cola Amatil Limited. They are ranked the best among the world’s five important bolters. It has its operation in New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Samoa and Fiji. It has diversified in t he production of products

Monday, September 23, 2019

Renewable Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Renewable Technology - Essay Example Climate change and global warming are two major threats to the ecological balance. Over the past 10 years, there is a continuous increase in the global climate that is melting the polar sea ice in the arctic regions where the population of the polar bear is endangered (Dincer, 2007). As a result, scientists have cautioned policy makers on the continued use of fossil fuel that increases the concentration of carbon dioxide gas. This is the main reason why policies are being set to encourage utilization of renewable materials. In the energy sector, people are encouraged to utilize the renewable sources of energy such as solar, biogas, hydropower and wind power. The generation of power using these processes has little influence on the environment leading to the production of environmentally friendly energy sources (Dincer, 2007). This paper will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of integrating various renewable energy sources into national electrical grid systems. In addition, this report will focus on environmental impact, costs involved, and load balancing (Anon, 2004). This will consider Solar, Wind, Hydro, and Biomass Electricity (including waste incineration) and any others of your choice. In order to achieve this objective, the analysis will examine evidence from literature existing on renewable energy. It will evaluate various sources of information such as websites, existing theories, case studies and empirical studies carried out on the topic. This approach will provide the vital data and information in regard to renewable energy. The benefits realized through the utilization of renewable energy are overwhelmingly high, especially on environmental protection. Currently, the renewable energy is being used in the generation of electricity that is later fed to the national grid. This is satisfying the high demand for electricity in the world

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Managing Information Technology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing Information Technology - Case Study Example This approach helps reduce cases of outpatient visits while allowing health professionals to verify drug prescriptions to patients in remote areas (Ciampa & Revels, 2013). The federal government’s HITECH stimulus funds and Meaningful Use standards can only be expected to lead to better software integration solutions considering the approach taken by the program. The program requires that healthcare providers apply their electronic systems fully; more than just as tools for electronic medical charts (Wager, Lee & Glaser, 2013). This will help increase quality and efficiency while enabling coordinated healthcare. By providing incentives to eligible professionals who exhibit significant application of a licensed EHR, the program will further ensure that providers embrace the need for integrated software solutions. According to Coplan & Masuda (2011), the increase in software adoptions at physician offices will not necessarily make it difficult for them to retain staff. On the contrary, these developments will lead to a shift in roles as physicians increasingly depend on their staff’s help in data collection and entry. Studies have shown that most physicians have been compelled by prevailing circumstances to reassign tasks to their front office staff. Additionally, nurses will have an added role, different from their traditional role that involved tasks such as rooming patients and taking blood tests. Under the EHR program, nurses will be expected to enquire for more information from patients that will serve to provide physicians with a clear health record of these patients in future (Dwivedi, 2009). Despite its benefits, the mobile medical clinics model faces several emerging conditions that could make it obsolete. Lack of space and medical equipment that can support high quality and timely healthcare services could make it difficult for health professionals to provide their services in remote areas. In order for these

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Book Report Writing Template Essay Example for Free

Book Report Writing Template Essay This is a guide only. It is not meant to write the report for you. It gives you a format or template for writing your own report. The original draft was developed by a teacher friend of mine to use with her own students. I have made a few additional enhancements which I believe make the model more clear and complete. A note of caution here. Your instructor may have another book report format that he/she prefers. So, make sure they approve of this format before using it. The following book report format template is appropriate for students at the pre-college level who are required to write a report about a book they have read. For the type of book summaries applicable to college and university level (undergraduate and post-graduate), as well as for business and professional situations, you can check out the following book summary sample. 1. Introductory Paragraph The first sentence should state for which instructor and class the book-report is being written. The second sentence should state the title of the book and the authors name. The third sentence should tell how many pages the book has and the name of the publisher. The fourth sentence can state basic bibliographic information about the book. Bibliographic information means not only the author and title but also what company published the book, what year it was published in and any other relevant information such as the edition and if the book has been translated, simplified or abridged. (see copyright page and the back of the title page. ) The next sentence should state the reason(s) you decided to read this book. Why did you choose this particular book? Typical reasons might be: You like the author. You like this type of book (i. e. mystery, western, adventure or romance, etc. ). Read more:Â  How many sentences in one paragraph. Someone recommended the book to you. It was on a required reading list. You liked the cover. These reasons do not have to be complex. Most people choose the books they read because they like the author or somebody recommended it to them. If you chose the book because you like the author, then state why you like that author. An optional sentence can be used if the cover (back cover) of the book gives you any additional information then add a sentence with that information. Was the book a best seller? Are there X million copies in print? Did it win any major awards? 2. Main Character(s) Paragraph The first sentence of this paragraph should state who the main character or characters of the book are, and why they are important. Refer to this person or these persons as the Main Character or Main Characters. You will need at least a complex sentence for this, and probably more than one sentence. 3. Other Characters Paragraph You should compose at least one sentence for each of the other prominent or important characters in the book. State the name of each of the other important characters, and the key role that each one plays in the book Most books have five or six prominent characters besides the main character, so simply listing each one and stating their role in the book will give you a good sized paragraph. 4. Plot Summary Paragraph This is perhaps the hardest paragraph to write in five sentences or so. If you have to write a bit more dont worry. Here are the main points to cover: State the type of book (Mystery, Western, etc. ). What place or country was the book set in? What time period was the book set in? (19th century, the present, ancient Rome, the 23rd century). Other physical locations which are important, like: ships, airplanes, houses, or buildings. Other notable attributes of the book. (Was it violent, scary, fast paced, etc. ). What is the main character trying to do? What is the outcome of the book? etc. Make sure you cover all of the major parts of the plot. You might have to go back through the book, chapter by chapter, and make a few notes. 5. Personal Impressions and Conclusion Paragraph Simply talk about what you liked or did not like about the book. Use this paragraph as your conclusion. It should summarize your overall impressions of the book and bring the report to a close. Start with a sentence that states that you are now writing a conclusion. (For example: My final thoughts on A Fine Balance are that it is a fascinating book but I am not entirely sure if I completely understood the thematic message of the book. Restate your reasons why you liked and/or disliked the book using different words. Write two sentences that talk about the books good points and weak points. Write a sentence or two about what you learned from the book. Close with a sentence that states whether you would recommend the book to others. Dont be afraid to give your own honest impressions of the book. After all, if youve read the book thoroughly, you are entitled to your own interpretation of it. Typically, your book report should not exceed two double-spaced pages, and it should be somewhere between 600 and 800 words in length. Research Assistance This site, which claims to be the best single research source online, maintains an inventory of more than 25,000 research reports on thousands of subjects; many of which are book summaries. Most are available for immediate download. If your subject isnt already in their archives, they will do custom research and writing for you. You can download existing papers and/or order custom research papers 24 Hours a Day!

Friday, September 20, 2019

Womens Reproductive Health: Human Rights

Womens Reproductive Health: Human Rights Womens rights to reproductive and sexual health are fundamental to womens health in the United States and abroad. Efforts concerning womens rights to reproductive health have been essential in expanding womens human rights. Adoption of a health and human rights framework encourages logical applications about the correlation between womens health and human rights, social justice, and respect for human dignity. Hindrance to reproductive health rights is political, legal, social, and financial in nature (Gruskin 1737). The purpose of this paper is to detail the significance of human rights associated with womens reproductive health rights in the United States and the public health implications of these rights. This paper investigates health and human rights, as it relates to a womans reproductive health in the United States, including the right to autonomy; the right to health care and information; and the right to equity in the distribution of health service resources, availability, and accessibility. The association of these rights to womens reproductive health in the United States has significant public health implications, discussed below. Historical and Modern Application of Modern Human Rights Development after WWII Human Rights Human rights are standards that defend all humans from serious legal, political, and social abuses (Mann et al. 9). Historical and modern applications of modern human rights development after World War II include, the World Health Organizations (WHO) Constitution in 1946, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, and The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966. Each of these doctrines spelled out the premise that all humans are equal and free with rights, including the right to health. The right to health was first expressed in the World Health Organizations Constitution (1946). The World Health Organization declared in the Constitution that the fulfillment of the utmost achievable paradigm of health is one of the essential privileges of every person (Mann et al. 9; Ross 55; Robinson par. 8). Conversely, the right to health continues to be neglected in many parts of the world. This neglect, while not as grossly, is extended to the United States. The United States has abstained from passing this and other international agreements. In reality, the United States has not ratified a single treaty that acknowledges an entitlement to health for its citizens. The United States lack of ratifications of these treaties is challenging and will be elucidated later in this discussion. Human rights were also expressed by the United Nations in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was implemented as a reaction to the Nazi holocaust and set a benchmark by which the human rights actions of all countries should be defined. The UDHR commences by setting forth the fundamental principle that all people are born uninhibited and equivalent in distinction and rights (Mann et al. 10). Also, it prohibits any division in the fulfillment of human rights on the grounds as race, color, sex, language, religion, political, national origin, birth status. In addition, the UDHR clearly spells out the rights to security, life, and liberty, as well as the entitlement to be liberated from slavery, servitude, torture or cruel conduct or retribution (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 90-91; Ross 55-56). The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) further expanded on the issue of human rights by specifying socio-economic rights. These rights include, but are not inhibited to, the right to education, shelter, health, water and food, employment, social security, a healthy environment, and the right to advancement (International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights articles 10-12). The treaty exemplifies processes to be implemented by States parties to accomplish: maternal, child and reproductive health; healthy natural and workplace environments; prevention, treatment and control of disease; health facilities, goods and services. This treaty also states that all socio-economic rights must be declared without inequity (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 153) The right to health is also acknowledged in various other documents world-wide including: 1961 European Social Charter, 1978 Declaration of Alma Ata, 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, 1988 Additional Protocol to the American Convention on HRs in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Womens Human Rights Womens human rights are the freedoms and benefits given to women and girls. Womens human rights are categorized collectively and distinguished from comprehensive philosophies of human rights because they frequently vary from the self-determinations essentially held by men and boys. Themes regularly connected with the concepts of womens rights include, but are not restricted to, the right: to physical integrity and autonomy; to education; and to have marital, parental and religious rights. In 1979, The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations. CEDAW affirms women equal rights with men in all realms of life, including education, employment, healthcare, nationality, and marriage (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 198-203; Ross 1-3). In 1995, The Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, also popularly known as the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, was held in Beijing, China. The conference raised global knowledge of human rights, the inequalities and inequities between men and women, and bestowed the required motivation for accentuating gender-based violence as a precedence issue for engagement by the global community (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 79). Human rights are being used to promote public health. Reproductive health rights become visible in the globally reputable structure of human rights through established rights to life, security, equal treatment, education, development, and to the maximum health standards. The rights include the privilege to emergency medical services and to the fundamental health determinants, such as sovereignty from discrimination, and adequate food, water, and sanitation (Gruskin and Loff 1880). The right to health is an essential human right that consists of free will and privileges (Hunt 1878). The freedoms consist of the right to contribute to apposite decisions about ones health, including those made about sexual and reproductive freedom (Germain, Reproductive Health and Human Rights 65). Human Rights and Public Health Standards in Regards to Womens Reproductive Rights The associations amid medicine, public health, and human rights are developing swiftly, in result of a multitude of actions, occurrence, and efforts. These are comprised of the ongoing efforts on various aspects of womens health. To understand the associations between human rights and public health, it is fundamental to evaluate the important essentials of modern public health. Medicine and public health are two corresponding and interrelated methods for health advancement and protection through physical, mental, and social security. However medicine and public health must be separated because they serve different purposes (Germain 65). The primary disparity involves the population importance of public health, which varies with the individual center of medical care. Public health recognizes and measures health risks to the populations, composes legislative policies in reaction to these risks, and develops certain services contributing to the promotion of health and disease prevention (Gruskin and Loff 1880). Medicine, on the other hand, concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of individuals. There is a strong association between public health and human rights. In the article Health and Human Rights, Jonathan Mann et al. describe a trinary outline of health and human rights and the impact and implications in health policies, human rights, and the connection between the two. Health practices, policies, and programs have an effect on human rights. Public health liabilities are accomplished in considerable evaluation through programs and policies distributed, employed and implemented with assistance from the state. Public health functions are appraising health concerns and inadequacies, cultivating policies intended to manage health issues of precedence, and ensuring agendas to employ planned health goals (Mann et al. 13-17). For example, compilation of information on population health problems may be gathered on particular significant health problems opposed to others. This consequently creates inequity and other human rights violations by neglecting to contribute suitable health services. Public health is concerned with the advancement and security of the health of populations. There is a correlation between socioeconomic circumstances and inadequate health on womens reproductive health and human rights. The themes of public health and human rights are each comprised of health promotion and clarifying standards for performance (Gruskin and Loff 1880). The health and human rights framework is applicable to population issues concerning womens reproductive health. Human rights violations, such as gender inequalities, and lack of access to family planning, have a negative impact on womens health. Encouraging gender equality, development and ascertainment of womens reproductive health services and the elimination of impediment to womens economic and educational contribution is essential to promote public health. Gender equality Gender disparities are a chief reason of disproportion in health status, including health care. Gender differentiations are evident in disease prevalence; access to preventive care; and reproductive health. Promotion of gender equality in other sectors can influence health status and have reinforced public health outcomes (Robinson par. 9). Unfortunately, there remains a considerable disparities among recognized allegiance to gender equality in reproductive health services within the United States and abroad. The foremost cause of death and disease in women globally age 15-44 are reproductive health issues. Globally, inadequacies in family planning access contribute to the chief aspect regarding the 76 million unplanned pregnancies each year; nearly 20 million result in unsafe abortions, and attributing to nearly 70,000 deaths yearly. In emergent countries, the primary reason of death and impairment among women of reproductive age is pregnancy and childbirth complexities. Less than a quarter of married women use contraception in Africa. Females contribute to half the people infected with HIV-nearly 100 percent live in emergent countries (United Nations, Reproductive Health Factsheet). Cultural and societal customs regarding reproductive health contribute to the variations among womens and mens health status. Acknowledgment of the dynamic gender roles and associations reliant on social perspectives where cultural, religious, economic, and political positions are mutual are necessary to promoting gender equality in healthcare. Gender customs and discrimination within the United States, in addition to policies and laws influence womens access to health services and education can have a significant effect on womens reproductive health and their interrelated human rights (Germain, Reproductive Health and Human Rights 66). It is imperative to acknowledge the significant health outcomes attributed to a womans capability of autonomy in controlling health and health decisions. The ability for a woman to have control over when and how many children she has is crucial to increasing womens economic abilities. Family planning Family planning occupies the use of contraception to control the amount of children and intervals between births. An effective analysis of reproductive health allows women to establish informed decisions about their reproductive health and welfare (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 45-48). Family planning also encourages the preservation of womens freedoms and protects their health by precluding unplanned pregnancies and decreasing womens vulnerability to the health risks (Koop, Pearson, and Schwartz 190-191). All women should have the freedom to determine unconditionally and conscientiously the amount and proportion of children to have and to be able to acquire the education and information required to realize this right. Services include access to contraceptives, education, legal abortion, sexually transmissible infection (STI) screenings and treatment, pregnancy testing and counseling. In many parts of the world, including the U.S., these services remain unavailable. For example, betwee n 1994 and 2001, impecunious women had increased number of unplanned pregnancies, rates of abortion, and unintended births contrary to more affluent women. Low-income women are less likely to use contraceptives, thus increasing the incidence of STIs and abortion (Finer and Henshaw 95). High-quality family planning and the highest medical care aim to reduce abortion rates. Prohibiting access to superior reproductive health services and education amplifies the rate of abortion. Reproductive health and human rights and social and economic development. Population health is necessary for continuing economic advancement and overcoming poverty (Novick, Morrow, and Mays 20-24). Men and women should have a fundamental right to health and welfare, but significant infringements and disparities in health determinants and healthcare access continue to exist (Germain, Reproductive Health and Human Rights 65). In the United States, numerous relations among poverty and sexual and reproductive behavior exist. Being disadvantaged is related to first intercourse acts at an earlier age; less constancy with or no contraceptive usage; and reduced rationale to evade childbearing and rearing (Gruskin 1737). The prevalent concern is to surmount social cultural barriers and initiate family planning courses and assistances to women and girls. Supporting and promoting womens reproductive rights and encouraging family planning, enhances economic circumstances of women and families. Violence and discrimination against women continue to negatively impact the ir United States economy. The collaboration between public health and human rights transforms social and political structures that prevent women from fulfilling their highest human potential. The theory of a complex association between health and human rights has outcomes. Health professionals may supply beneficially to public acknowledgment of the remuneration and expenses related to the realization in respect of human rights and dignity. Public health may encumber human rights. In the name of public health, gross misapplication of private health status information can, consequently, aid in harming individuals and violating rights. Mann et al. explains that mishandling of HIV information has resulted in limitations on human rights in such areas as marriage and family, education and work, and freedoms (14). When vital public health problems are delineated on the basis of religion, national origin, or sex, health issues of prioritization may cause bias and are assigned inferior precedence. Additionally, discrimination may arise when health services fail to consider economic and socio-cultural impediments to their access. There are health effects consequent from human rights violations. The extent and scope of health consequences resultant from violation of rights and dignity continue to be disregarded. It is indisputable that human rights and dignity violations have poor effects on health. Recognition of these health influences connected with violations of rights and dignity can promote health and human rights fields (Mann et al. 17-19). For instance, the right to information may be violated when a woman seeks to attain a surgical procedure without appropriate procedural and health risk information available to her. Exploring the link between human rights and health is challenging. The most extensively established examination concentrates on higher socioeconomic status and enhanced health status. Lawrence Finer and Stanley Henshaw explain in the article, Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy In the United States, 1994 and 2001 that the rates of unplanned pregnancies have elevated among American women, the most prevalent populations being: women aged 18-24, low-income women, and minority women (91). The socioeconomic model generates escalating consequences that further increases the public health issues and human rights violations (Mann et al. 19-22). U.S. Healthcare Systems and Womens Reproductive Rights Public policy Public policy plays a role in womens reproductive rights in the United States. Most of the policy options are related to health care policies. Public health policies, programs and practices can burden human rights because reproductive and gender equity and equality are not analogous. Reproductive Rights are lawful rights and freedoms involving reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as the fundamental right of couples and individuals to choose without restraint and conscientiously the quantity and timing of their children. In addition, the rights also encompass the right to achieve the maximum paradigm of sexual and reproductive health and education/information devoid of inequity, force and aggression (World Health Organization, Reproductive Health.). According to the Center for Reproductive Rights in Report on the United States Compliance with Its Human Rights Obligations in the Area of Womens Reproductive and Sexual Health, a womans access to inclusive reproductive healthcare in the United States is not standardized or definite. The United States Constitution does not unequivocally defend the right to health and, consequently, healthcare is obtained through public and private sectors (par. 2). The United States is a new affiliate of the United Nations Human Rights Council. In the near future, the United Nations Human Rights Council will evaluate the United States adherence with the human rights responsibilities as declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the United Nations Charter; and international humanitarian law (Center for Reproductive Rights; Report on the United States Compliance). This relationship will influence United States public policy as it correlates to public health issues as it exemplifies the importance of freedoms and human rights afforded people in the United States, as well as in other nations. Medical Ethics and Reproductive Health Rights There are ethical principles involved with womens reproductive health rights. Essential to contemporary medical ethics is a value for patient autonomy and the basic principle of informed consent. Medical ethics deals with the selections by both medical professionals and patients and the responsibilities and commitments of medical professionals to their patients. In addition, medical ethics also comprises of choices developed by society, the allocation of supplies and health care access and the problems evolving from these. Four elemental principles are feasible in modern medical ethics are: respect for autonomy, the principle of beneficence, the principle of non-malfeasance, and the principle of justice. Autonomy is respected when persons are considered ethical representatives with functions and responsibilities and the aptitude to comprehend and formulate ethical conclusions. The principle of respect for autonomy gives the power for the freewill of all people. In addition, the principle of beneficence attempts to promote the good of the person by doing good; the principle of non-maleficence attempts to evade producing injury; and the principle of Justice considers all people comparatively equal (Harman 40; Key Ethical Principles). Modern medicine considers the medical professional and patient reciprocally united in the treatment decision making process. Respect for autonomy, informed consent and confidentiality are also important for ethical performance. Autonomy In health care, respect for patients autonomy is imperative. Occasionally, autonomy can clash with opposing principles of ethics, such as beneficence (Pozgar 360-361). Autonomy can be limited through the position of the capability to make decisions for oneself, as in the case of a person in a coma or severely brain injured person. The principles of human dignity and respect for people are embedded within autonomy. The principle of human dignity is the fundamental worth that resides in every human being. Respect for people as a principle purports that all people should be treated as capable as they are free and responsible people (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 69-70; Key Ethical Principles). Informed Consent In health care contexts, the rights to informed consent and confidentiality are influential to assure decisions are made under the patients own free will. The principle of informed consent gives every capable woman the rights and responsibilities to progress her own health (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 86; Key Ethical Principles). These rights oblige certain associated obligations upon health care providers. To obtain informed consent of the patient, healthcare providers are obligated to divulge information of anticipated treatments and their alternatives, and they must revere her right to treatment refusal. In addition, healthcare providers are obligated to maintain privacy to permit the patient to make private decisions independent of others, including healthcare providers and family (Pozgar 278-279). Informed consent is an issue of determination. The most important characteristic is that it is patient enabling therefore providing the patient the information she requires in order to make a logical decision for her healthcare needs to be met. Confidentiality In U.S. health care, confidentiality is regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Privacy Rule, and many state laws (Miller 440-446). Confidentiality is generally used for discussions that occur between medical providers and patients in the course of treatment and/ or consultation. Legally, medical providers cannot disclose patient-provider discussions. In turn, the health care provider has a duty to respect the patients trust and keep sensitive medical information confidential (Miller 447-450; Pozgar 267-268). This necessitates the health care provider to respect the patients privacy by inhibiting others access to the patients private health care information thus, producing a trusting atmosphere supporting patient candidness with the health care provider. Technology and Challenges Unique to the U.S. and Developed Countries Technological Advances Technological advances play a role in womens reproductive rights in the United States. Reproductive technology includes contemporary and projected uses of technology for human reproduction, including facilitated reproductive technology, such as in-vitro fertilization; contraception; and abortion. The principles of integrity and totality assert that the wellbeing of the total person should be recognized when determining technology or therapeutic intervention usage (Harman 40; Key Ethical Principles). Assisted Reproductive Technology In the U.S., there has been an increase in assisted reproductive technology (ART). In the United States, the first baby conceived through ART was born in 1982. Each year since, there has been a remarkable increase in the amount ART procedures performed, from 64,681 to 134,260 between 1996-2005 (Wright et al. 9). Assisted reproductive technologies pertain to a number of alternatives to assist a woman in becoming pregnant (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 305). Because assisted reproductive technology procedures are very costly and invasive, they are frequently employed as a final recourse for conception. These medical procedures, when employed, are frequently used along with more conservative treatment to amplify the success of the procedure. Assisted reproductive technology methods include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) (Wright et al 3-5). Donor egg or embryo and surrogacy are also considered forms of assisted reproductive technology (Cook, Dickens, and Fathalla 305-307). Recently there has been an increase in assisted reproductive technologies and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in particular. In-vitro fertilization is the method where the ovum is fertilized by sperm outside the womb or in vitro. The fertilized ovum is then relocated to the womans uterus with the intention of producing a pregnancy. In-vitro fertilization is the principal remedy in infertility to other unsuccessfully facilitated reproductive technology approaches. There are examples of womens health rights being violated with in-vitro fertilization. Women who are single, overweight, or of significant age past child bearing years may be denied the same rights as a married, normal weight, younger woman. Contraceptives Contraception is the utilization of a variety of techniques to inhibit pregnancy as well as thwarting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While, for the most part, the United States exemplifies elevated concentrations of contraceptive use as a method to prevent pregnancy, it is not uniformly dispersed within the United States. Certain populations, mainly urban and rural communities, contraceptive alternatives are restricted and access is complex, ensuing an unrealized necessity for contraceptive technology. (Guttmacher Institute, Facts on Contraceptive Use in the United States). In spite of evolvement of contraceptive technologies, method selection is individual. Classification of contraceptive technologies is based on the length of defense. These classifications are permanent, long-term, and short-term methods. Permanent methods of contraception have a very high success rate and include male (vasectomy) and female sterilization (tubal ligation). Both procedures are invasive and increase the risks of infection and other health complications and do not prevent against HIV and STDs. Long-term methods, while not as invasive as permanent methods, also have a very high success rate. Intrauterine devices (IUD), oral contraceptives, and hormonal injections are forms of long term contraceptive methods. This method, like permanent methods, can increase the risk of health complications and do not prevent against HIV and STDs. Short-term methods of contraception are to some extent less successful than long-term and permanent methods. Short-term contraceptives methods include condoms, spermicides, vaginal barriers, and emergency contraceptive pills. While side effects of this method are fewer than previously mentioned methods, only the condom prevents conception and HIV and STDs simultaneously when used appropriately (Guttmacher Institute, Facts on Contraceptive Use in the United States). Access to reliable, safe contraceptives is an essential component of a womans reproductive health and public health as a whole, with significant emphasis on the aspect of reproductive rights. It is imperative for healthcare providers to emphasize confidentiality and empower the womans autonomy regarding decisions about contraceptive methods. Abortion Abortion is a pregnancy that does not result in a birth (Pozgar 309). Therapeutic and elective abortions are the most common types of abortions in the United States. Therapeutic abortions are executed when there are fetal anomalies or when pregnancy endangers the mothers health. Elective abortions are the intended disruptions of pregnancy for basis exclusive of fetal irregularities or maternal threat. These types of abortion to end unintentional pregnancies are not uncommon (Guttmacher Institute, Facts on Induced Abortion). Access to reliable, legal abortion is a fundamental element of a womans reproductive health and an important factor of reproductive rights (Germain, Womens Health 193). Women must have significant procedure accession where abortion is legal. In the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the constitutional entitlement to abortion was acknowledged but failed to give women attainment to abortion services because of the escalating amount of limitations. Consequently, numerous state laws constrain a womans ability to obtain an abortion thus increasing the number of illegally obtained abortions. These laws are intended to make it more complicated for an abortion to be attained. A womans capability to access abortion services is additionally threatened by public persecution of abortion providers and confines on federal and private resources has produced a scarcity of services (Center for Reproductive Rights, Report on the United States Compliance par. 16-23; Guttmacher Institute, Fa cts on Induced Abortion). A resolution cannot ensue without corroboration for alteration. A considerable portion of the issues with womens health are mortality of mothers in addition to the fetus due in part to little education and little or no maternal health care available. Conclusion The association of human rights with regards to womens reproductive health in the United States is a significant public health issue. The overall importance of womens health and human rights is to advance the health of women and girls throughout the lifetime. Future optimal balance should be negotiated between public health goals and womens health and human rights approaches. The extensive historical impact of womens health and human rights emphasizes the need for endorsement and defense of health through respecting; protecting and fulfilling of womens human and health rights that are inextricably linked. It is imperative for public health officials and law makers to understand the serious health consequences and implications of defiance of womens health and human rights can have. The creation of universal health policies and programs to promote womens health and human rights in their design can facilitate the support of rights to autonomy, participation, privacy, and information in health care. Finally, susceptibility to illness can be abridged by adopting measures to appreciate, defend and accomplish human rights through autonomy from inequity of race, sex, and gender roles, as well as a fundamental right to health, nutrition, and education. The focal point for womens health issues is to remedy the inequities in research, health care services, and education that have positioned the womens health in danger. By organizing womens health research, health care services, and public policy new programs and ideas required to advance womens health in the United States and internationally can increase (Gruskin, Reproductive and Sexual Rights). Expansion of improved womens health practices by recognizing and duplicating thriving womens health programs, advancement of public health education by expanding the involvement of women and girls in health education courses, and increasing access to womens health services by involving professionals, such as health care professionals and public health officials, on womens health issues will attempt to close the disp

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Critique of the Movie Matchstick Men :: Movie Film Essays

Critique of the Movie Matchstick Men I recently read a review of Matchstick Men by Nicolas Bardot who said of the movie: â€Å"very touching but lacking a certain panache.† The Matchstick Men starring Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman, is the story of Roy (Cage) who with his â€Å"numerous disorders† and his partner Frank (Rockwell) tries to pull off a con job. Unfortunately, Roy’s daughter Angela (Lohman) suddenly shows up and things don’t go exactly as planned. Although Roy’s â€Å"disorders† are not mentioned specifically, I can’t imagine they would make his job easy in the first place, but throw a long lost teenage daughter into the mix and I can not wait to see what happens next. Matchstick Men is an adaptation from an Eric Garcia novel and runs one hour and fifty six minutes. Bardot seems to vary on his opinion of this movie. He makes special note of John Mathieson’s photography declaring it as â€Å"superb,† as well as expressing delight in the soundtrack which was compiled by Hans Zimmer. Bardot seems to praise the movie for it’s depiction of anti-heroes, yet at the same time says that at times it becomes â€Å"slightly dull and uninteresting.† Despite his lack of glowing praise for the picture, Bardot expands upon the â€Å"expansive and spectacular† past pictures by Ridley Scott, the director. Having directed such films as Gladiator and Black Hawk Down among others, Bardot seems to think Scott has found a hidden talent in his new genre, comedy, declaring that his work on this picture is â€Å"marvelous.† Although Bardot mentions the performances of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman, I wish he had gone into more detail as to what was good about them, or in Cage’s case â€Å"unnerving.† He also refrains from mentioning other details such as setting, costumes, and camera angles which I would find interesting.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein and Confessions of a Justified

The Gothic Novels of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein and Confessions of a Justified Sinner      Ã‚  Ã‚   The word 'Gothic', taken from a Germanic tribe, the Goths, stood firstly for 'Germanic' and then 'mediaeval'. It was introduced to fiction by Horace Walpole in 'Castle of Otranto, a Gothic Story', and was used to depict its mediaeval setting. As more novelists adopted this Gothic setting; dark and gloomy castles on high, treacherous mountains, with supernatural howling in the distance; other characteristics of the 'Gothic Novel' could be identified. The most dominant characteristic seems to be the constant battle between the good and the dark side of the human soul and how that, given a chance, the dark side of human nature will gradually develop, through the actions of the character in question, until it has engulfed the good, and also raises the theme of suffering and isolation. Other keynotes of 'Gothic Novels' seem to be the misuse or abuse of technology. For example, science is used to create new beings, the characters turning against or abusing nature and/or God, w here the character may take on the role of God, the forbidden attraction of evil, the thrill of the kill, and death.    The novels Frankenstein, Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Confessions of a Justified Sinner all contain important truths about human nature and mankind. By looking into these three texts, I am going to explore exactly how they fit or do not fit into the various interpretations of 'Gothic' I have laid out. The two most prominent themes in Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde are those of the 'misuse of technology'and 'the dark side of man and all its attractions.' These two themes are, in fact, directly linked with each other as it is as a r... ... Making monstrous. Frankenstein, criticism, theory. Manchester University Press, 1991. Boyd, Stephen. York Notes on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Longman York Press, 1992. Mellor, Anne K. Mary Shelley. Her Life, her Fiction, her Monsters. Methuen. New York, London, 1988. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. Edited with an Introduction and notes by Maurice Hindle. Penguin books, 1992 Stevenson, Robert Louis. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. New York:Dover Publishing, Inc., 1991.   Stevenson, Robert Louis.   The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.   1886.   The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Stories.   Harmondsworth: Penguin,1979.   27-97. Svilpis, J.E.   "The Mad Scientist and Domestic Affection in Gothic Fiction."   Gothic Fiction: Prohibition/Transgression.   Ed. Kenneth W. Graham.   New York: Ams, 1989.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

People and society Essay

The writer basically talks about the conditions, events, problems, and trends of the larger regions as well as the individual nations. The writer basically uses a cross-disciplinary approach and talks about the physical landscapes and the culture that is being followed in the Asian-Pacific countries where most of the people live, mainly China and Japan. Moreover, some of the highest mountains and longest rivers are also found in Asia. These populated countries consist of many people belonging to various ethnic groups who follow different cultures, religions and speak different languages. (Weightman, 2001). The chapters that I would be mainly focusing are based on the aspects of people and society in Pacific Asia. The people of Japan mostly reside in Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido and Shikoku. The two terms that means people of Japan are Nipponjin and Nihonjin and they basically resemble the Tibetans. Japan has a very high population and in 2002 it was declared to be the 10th most populous countries; however the Japanese population has been facing a decline due to the western influence because of which small household have become a trend. Japan has a homogenous culture, tradition and language and the main religions are Buddhism and Shinto. Most of the people in Japan live in the urban areas than in cities. (Maps of the world. com, n. d. ). Like Japan, China is also one of the populous countries in the world. China is a multi ethnic country and majority of the population speak Chinese. (Welcome to China, n. d. ). Most of the people in China grow rice, ride bicycles and fewer cars can be seen only in cities. They Chinese people prefer doing things in the old ways their ancestors used to. The Chinese people use the decimal system as their currency that consists of paper money as well as the coins.(Ebrey, n. d. ). Reference Ebrey, P. B. (n. d. ). People. January 21st, 2009. Retrieved from: http://depts. washington. edu/chinaciv/geo/people. htm Maps of the world. com. (n. d. ). People of Japan. January 21st, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www. mapsofworld. com/japan/culture/people-of-japan. html Weightman , B. (2001). Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East, and Southeast Asia. 2nd Edn. Wiley, Hardcover. Welcome to China. (n. d. ). People of China. January 21st, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www. tooter4kids. com/china/people_of_china. htm

Monday, September 16, 2019

The Female Economy: Article Review

Citation Silverstein, M. J. , and Sayre, K. (2009, September). The Female Economy. Harvard Business Review. Summary The article begins by stating that â€Å"women now drive the world economy. † It goes on to discuss how women now represent a large portion of consumer spending, and that portion is expected to grow. Silverstein and Sayre discuss how companies are not taking seriously the fact that they may not have the best strategy when it comes to marketing towards the female market. They underestimate or flat out ignore the female consumer. Dell is used as an example of such companies. The article discusses Dell’s failed attempt market laptops specifically to women. In May of 2009, it launched Della website, complete with a â€Å"make it pink† motto and topics based on female stereotypes. Instead of appealing to the women, it actually caused an uproar among them. Women felt the site was condescending. They posted blogs everywhere expressing their disgust towards the site. Even though Dell was quick to react to making the necessary corrections, Silverstein and Sayre question why their marketers failed to see the potential problems before the site went up. The authors then discuss a 2008 study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group. More than 12,000 different women in all areas of life were asked 120 questions about their finances, education, careers, relationships, activities and hobbies, fears, and also their spending patterns and shopping behavior. The study revealed that women were grossly underserved and there was lots of room for improvement. They continue to be undervalued even though they have great market power and social position. Women have many demands on them juggling work, family, and home, and few companies have taken action on their need for products and services designed specifically for women and for time saving solutions. Reaction Companies need to realize and understand the buying power that females possess. They represent one of the largest market opportunities ever. Until recently, companies believed their marketing strategies were equally effective to women and men. That proved to be an incorrect assumption. Women approach big ticket purchasing completely differently than men do. They base their decisions on a different set of perceptions, priorities and preferences. Companies should be combining insight on female gender culture with solid marketing know-how and develop strategies that attract women’s business. Effectively targeting women leads to higher customer satisfaction among both men and women. Companies like BMW, Wyndham Hotels and Merrill Lynch have found that improvements designed to enhance brand appeal among women actually deliver greater customer satisfaction among men, too. When you meet the expectations of women, companies  exceed the expectations of men. Marketing to women delivers a better return on the marketing dollar through both greater opportunity and greater impact. While in many categories the traditional male targets are saturated, the corresponding women’s segments are untapped and virtually uncontested by competition. The authors effectively bring to light the wrong approach that companies are taking when it comes to marketing to women. Simply adding pink to the campaign, which many companies erroneously do, will not suffice. They need to go back to the drawing boards. Services and products need to fill the gap. Companies need to aim their marketing efforts to women by seeing them as employees, managers, investors, and buyers.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Organizational Staffing Plan

The purpose of this paper is to provide the lending institution with the required staffing organizational plan for the start-up new small business. This plan will explain the major staffing areas planned for the new coffee shop. This plan is based on approved human resource staffing principles. Employment Relationships The employment relationship that is planned is that of an Employer-Employee relationship. This will allow management to hire, train and schedule the staff. Of course, this will also mean that as the employer, the coffee shop will have certain legal responsibilities in regards to employment.One of these responsibilities is paying the employees at a fair rate. This rate must be at least $8. 25, which is the minimum wage in the District of Columbia. (â€Å"Minimum Wage,† 2013, table 1) This includes withholding the necessary payroll taxes, income and Social Security, and paying the necessary employer taxes, unemployment compensation and employer share of Medicare a nd Social Security. The coffee shop is also responsible for maintaining a safe working environment, as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).This will ensure safety in the workplace. Avoiding Claims of Disparate Treatment Claims of disparate treatment involve allegations of intentional discrimination in which the employer knowingly and deliberately discriminated against people on the basis of specific characteristics such as race or sex. (Heneman, Judge, & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2012’, p. 58) In order to avoid these claims all parties need to be educated and trained. At the coffee shop this begins with a strong Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy that all parties are held accountable to.All business should be conducted with EEO in mind. This means that recruitment, hiring, and promotions should be conducted with the intent to place the best qualified person in the job. The coffee shop intends to have an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pro gram. This will assist in opening the lines of communication and hopefully, resolve disputes before claims are made. However, if a claim is filed it is the intention of the coffee shop to protect the employee from any type of retaliation. External Influences to StaffingThe economic conditions and the labor market will play a major role in the efforts to staff the coffee shop. Economic conditions that are expected to affect the coffee shop are high turnover. Labor market conditions will also affect the coffee shop through labor supply, labor shortages, and employment arrangements. It stands to reason that because the coffee shop will located next to a college campus, it is anticipated that some, if not most, of the staff will be college students. This will both hinder and assist in staffing efforts.High turnover will probably be the norm for the coffee shop. This would be due to the labor supply. Because the coffee shop will be located next to a college campus, it is highly probable that the staff will include a large amount of students. As these students graduate they will move on to jobs in their educational career field. This, of course, will lead to a higher turnover rate. This can be overcome with careful employment strategies. These strategies include diverse employment arrangements. Flexible scheduling may be the most feasible arrangement.This will allow the coffee shop to hire a more highly motivated workforce that will be able to balance their personal life with work. Incorporating full-time shifts into the schedule may also assist in attracting and retaining a non-student staff. Plan to Manage Employee Shortages or Surpluses In order to manage for employee shortages and surpluses it will be very important to monitor the nearby college’s schedule. For example, summer may be a slower business time because there are fewer students on campus.This will cause a labor surplus. However, in the fall when the campus is active, the coffee shop may suffer a labor shortage. This can be addressed by maintaining a larger part-time staff year round. In this way, staffing hours can be scaled back in the summer. Also, the coffee shop must factor in the high turnover rate that the college student graduates will provide in the spring. This will probably lead to an aggressive hiring strategy that would not need to be executed until the fall. Strategy for Workplace DiversityOne of the strategies that the coffee shop will need to implement to ensure diversity would be to recruit from a variety of arenas. The college campus can provide a very diverse pool of applicants. However, it would also be highly beneficial for the coffee shop to recruit non-student applicants. This will only add to the diversity that the students would bring. In order to reach the non-student population it would be wise to run advertisements in the local newspaper and post announcements in community locations outside of the campus.Job Analysis for Key Positions In order t o recruit the staff for the coffee shop, it is imperative to have accurate job descriptions for the key positions. This can only be done by conducting an effective job analysis. This job analysis will help to identify what requirements are necessary for the job. This will enable the new employee to successfully perform the duties of the position. A good place to begin would be to list the tasks that the store manager/coffee servers would be responsible for.Then determine the dimension that the task falls in. At that time, determine the importance of each task/dimension. Develop the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics (KSAOs). Finally, it is the time to develop the job description. Store Managers The most critical factors used in staffing these positions will be their leadership skills and their ability to motivate the staff. Some of the qualifications needed for this position are retail experience, supervisory experience, and experience analyzing financial report s.Some of the KSAOs for the position of store manager are ability to manage effectively in a fast-paced environment, ability to manage store operations independently, ability to manage multiple situations simultaneously, ability to manage resources ensuring established service levels are achieved at all times, interpersonal skills, knowledge of customer service techniques, organization and planning skills, team-building skills, ability to plan and prioritize workload, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information, .There would also be educational requirements that include a high school diploma and a college degree in business or a closely related field may substitute for a portion of the required experience.Because of the physicality of the job, the physical requirements would include constant standing/walking, occasional stooping, kneeling or crawling, constant computer/POS Register and bar equipment usage, constant talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and constant clarity of vision at near and/or far distances. (â€Å"Store Manager,† 2013) Coffee Servers The most critical factors used in staffing the coffee server positions would be there customer service skills and their ability to be dependable.Some of the qualifications for these positions would be maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality with or without reasonable accommodation, meet store operating policies and standards, including providing quality beverages and food products, cash handling and store safety and security, with or without reasonable accommodation, Engage with and understand our customers, including discovering and responding to customer needs through clear and pleasant communication, comply with a dress code that prohibits displaying tattoos, piercings in excess of two per ear, and unnatural hair colors, such as blue or pink, and available to perform many different tasks within the store during each shift. The KSAOs would include the ability to learn quickly, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and the ability to build relationships. (â€Å"Barista,† 2013)

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Separation of a Mixture of Solids

Separation of a Mixture of Solids My Flow Chart First remove iron filings with magnet since this is the only substance in the mixture that it is magnetic and will be attracted to a magnet. Second remove the sand by adding the mixture to hot water, which the other two substances are soluble. Third remove the benzoic acid since this is less soluble in cold than salt by cooling the mixture in the heated water. This will then leave the table salt behind in the water as the last substance. Observations Data Table 1: Experiment Data| Grams (g)| Percent of Mixture (%)| Initial Mixture| 6. 5| 100| Iron Filings| 1. 8| 27. 69| Sand| 1. 7| 26. 15| Table Salt| 1. 9| 29. 23| Benzoic Acid| 0. 8| 12. 31| Combined Total| 6. 2| 95. 38| Questions A. How did your proposed procedures or flow charts at the beginning of this experiment compare to the actual procedures of this lab exercise? My proposed flow chart was very close to that of the actual lab exercise. The only step that I did not include was le tting the water evaporate to find isolate the table salt.I suppose I was thinking that it would be estimated by process of elimination. However, I can now that this would not accurately show that true weight and is therefore not scientific. B. Discuss potential advantages or disadvantages of your proposed procedure compared to the one actually used. The disadvantage of my flow chart would be that although the end numbers would be closer to the original mass of the mixture, it would not accurately represent the correct percentages and would not account correctly show the rror that occurred during the process. C. How would you explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage? I would explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage from water that could still be let in the sand if it has not been given the proper time to fully dry. However, the a small amount of table salt and benzoic acid particle were also left be hind in the small amount of water that needed to be dried out of the sand and could account for the higher percentage.D. What were potential sources of error in this experiment? I think that the largest potential for error is in the transfer and handling of the substances. Small particles were left behind in the original weighing dish, graduated cylinder and cup that were not able to be transferred. Human error, like spilling small amount of the mixture in transfer, and mechanical error, like a miscalculated calibration of the scale, could also be sources of error. Separation of a Mixture of Solids Separation of a Mixture of Solids My Flow Chart First remove iron filings with magnet since this is the only substance in the mixture that it is magnetic and will be attracted to a magnet. Second remove the sand by adding the mixture to hot water, which the other two substances are soluble. Third remove the benzoic acid since this is less soluble in cold than salt by cooling the mixture in the heated water. This will then leave the table salt behind in the water as the last substance. Observations Data Table 1: Experiment Data| Grams (g)| Percent of Mixture (%)| Initial Mixture| 6. 5| 100| Iron Filings| 1. 8| 27. 69| Sand| 1. 7| 26. 15| Table Salt| 1. 9| 29. 23| Benzoic Acid| 0. 8| 12. 31| Combined Total| 6. 2| 95. 38| Questions A. How did your proposed procedures or flow charts at the beginning of this experiment compare to the actual procedures of this lab exercise? My proposed flow chart was very close to that of the actual lab exercise. The only step that I did not include was le tting the water evaporate to find isolate the table salt.I suppose I was thinking that it would be estimated by process of elimination. However, I can now that this would not accurately show that true weight and is therefore not scientific. B. Discuss potential advantages or disadvantages of your proposed procedure compared to the one actually used. The disadvantage of my flow chart would be that although the end numbers would be closer to the original mass of the mixture, it would not accurately represent the correct percentages and would not account correctly show the rror that occurred during the process. C. How would you explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage? I would explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage from water that could still be let in the sand if it has not been given the proper time to fully dry. However, the a small amount of table salt and benzoic acid particle were also left be hind in the small amount of water that needed to be dried out of the sand and could account for the higher percentage.D. What were potential sources of error in this experiment? I think that the largest potential for error is in the transfer and handling of the substances. Small particles were left behind in the original weighing dish, graduated cylinder and cup that were not able to be transferred. Human error, like spilling small amount of the mixture in transfer, and mechanical error, like a miscalculated calibration of the scale, could also be sources of error.

Dream Act Essay

On November 6, 2012, Marylanders supported Question 4 by a margin of 58%-42%. Governor Martin O’Malley supported the Dream Act and was an advocate for it to pass. The Act was originally passed in Marcy 2011, but was put back on the ballot for the election as a referendum. The DREAM Act includes two major developments. The first part is granting legal status for illegal immigrants who entered the United States before the age of sixteen. The second development allows the immigrants to attend public universities and gives in-state tuition. Under the first major provision, the DREAM Act would allow unauthorized immigrant youth to obtain the status of Conditional Permanent Resident for an initial period of six years, and then apply for permanent residence and eventual citizenship, if they have met certain criteria. The law gives undocumented immigrants a break on in-state tuition rates if they attend a Maryland high school for three years and if they or their parents can show they filed state income taxes during that time. The effects on college acceptances for American citizens will be effected by the act applies to access to community college first, which is open enrollment, so no slots of Maryland students are at risk. Students who complete 60 credits at a community college and qualify for acceptance to a four-year public college/university also do not influence other in-state applicants. The legislation specifically addresses this issue by indicating the in-state: out-of-state ratio maintained at each college/university should count students admitted under the Dream Act towards the out-of-state allotment. Students admitted under the Dream Act cannot be counted in the ratio of in-state students and therefore are not taking seats at our four-year institutions from other Marylanders. In the United States, the Dream Act calls for an increase in state aid for community colleges of $778,400 for the next fiscal year. The fiscal note does not reflect estimates of how this act will assist in the collection of tax dollars or a net increase in students paying tuition who would not have otherwise been able to afford and attend. When I voted on November 6, I voted in favor of the Dream Act. In my opinion, I feel that if immigrants have been in the United States and have  been paying taxes should be allowed to go to a university. The process of becoming a United States citizen is a long and extremely difficult one. I think that every person deserves a chance if they are working for the right to become a part of society. In 2003, Barbara Grutter alleged that her Equal Protection rights were violated when the University of Michigan Law School’s attempt to gain a diverse student body resulted in the denial of her admission’s application. Getting into law school is not an easy task to be admitted to, and Grutter felt that she was not being treated equally. The Supreme Court disagreed and held that institutions of higher education have a legitimate interest in promoting diversity. Grutter applied with a 3.8 undergraduate GPA and an LSAT score of 161. She was denied admission. Additionally, officials must look beyond grades and scores to so-called â€Å"soft variables,† such as recommenders’ enthusiasm, the quality of the undergraduate institution and the applicant’s essay, and the areas and difficulty of undergraduate course selection. I feel like the Supreme Court was correct. The ability to have a diverse class is crucial. Colleges and universities have a legitimate interest in promoting diversity.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in the Hotel Industry Case Study

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in the Hotel Industry - Case Study Example This paper illustrates that the customer relationship management process also tracks customer behaviors so that you can clearly identify and act on customer motivation that is unique to your client base†. To nurture the stability of a hotel in today’s global market, managers need to respond effectively to the changes in CRM that have taken place in the last couple of decades in order to remain connected with the customers. As Roberts states, â€Å"in the 1990's companies began to improve on Customer Relationship Management by making it more of a two-way street†. Let us discuss how hotel industry has taken a shift since the 1990s until now both in terms of consumers and marketplace. Hotel industry all over the world has taken a major shift since the 1990s. If we talk about the changes with respect to consumers, we can say that hotel industry has changes changed significantly. For example, earlier managers of the hotels used to prepare a limited range of food items that could satisfy the needs of local people. However, after the 1990s the trend of immigration started finding a strong place all over the world, which resulted in grouping different cultures together. This change forced managers of hotels to prepare a wide range of food items to satisfy the needs of people belonging to different cultures. Another change that has taken place is regarding communication with the customers. Earlier, managers hardly used to focus on maintaining a communication link with the customers. They only focused on providing some limited services to the customers. However, from the last couple of decades managers have started focusing on developing long-term relations with the customers. Therefore, they have started reaching the customers through different channels to establish a strong customer/hotel relationship. Changes With Respect To Marketplace Before 1990s, hotel industry was not so big and evolving as it is today. For example, at that time the idea of opening franchises in other countries was not very gripping and trendy. Managers of hotels used to focus their attention towards the consumers living in any particular area or location. They used to prepare the food of the choice of the consumers of some particular locations. Moreover, they used to market new food items and meals in some particular locations. After 1990s, the idea of opening international branches started to find a solid grip making managers of many hotels think towards going global. This idea also brought up many other changes in the hotel industry. For example, managers of hotels have started marketing their products and services to international consumers in order to attract them. â€Å"The 90s truly saw CRM technology and software evolve out of simple database marketing† (Koble n.d.). Answer B: Let us now discuss the ways the above-mentioned changes in the hotel industry with respect to consumers and marketplace would have influenced Summer Palace’s CRM strategy and practices. Meeting the Needs of Diverse Customer Base First major change in the hotel industry is the culturally diverse customer base. As Summer Palace hotels are currently operating in more than 50 countries around the world, its management authorities has implemented such CRM strategy, which meets the needs of all types of customers. The reason behind this strategy is to satisfy the