Fool Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE AT THE WHITE CLIFFS YEARS AGO – â€Å"Pocket,† said Cordelia, â€Å"have you ever heard of this warrior queen named Boudicca?† Cordelia was about fifteen at the time, and she had sent for me because she wished to discuss politics. She lay on her bed with a large leather volume open before her. â€Å"No, lamb, who was she queen of?† â€Å"Why, of the pagan Britons. Of us.† Lear had recently shifted back to the pagan beliefs, thus opening a whole new world of learning for Cordelia. â€Å"Ah, that explains it. Educated in a nunnery, love, I've a very shallow knowledge of pagan ways, although I have to say, their festivals are smashing. Rampant drunken shagging while wearing flower wreaths seems far superior to midnight mass and self-flagellation, but then, I'm a fool.† â€Å"Well, it says here that she kicked nine colors of shit out of the Roman legions when they invaded.† â€Å"Really, that's what it says, nine colors of shit?† â€Å"I'm paraphrasing. Why do you think we've no warrior queens anymore?† â€Å"Well, lamb, war requires swift and resolute action.† â€Å"And you're saying that a woman can't move with swift resolve?† â€Å"I'm saying no such thing. She may move with swiftness and resolve, but only after choosing the correct outfit and shoes, and therein lies the undoing of any potential warrior queen, I suspect.† â€Å"Oh bollocks!† â€Å"I'll wager your Boudicca lived before they invented clothing. Easy days then for a warrior queen. Just hitch up your tits and start taking heads, it was. Now, well, I daresay erosion would take down a country before most women could pick out their invading kit.† â€Å"Most women. But not me?† â€Å"Of course not you, lamb. Them. I meant only weak-willed tarts like your sisters.† â€Å"Pocket, I think I shall be a warrior queen.† â€Å"Of what, the royal petting zoo at Boffingshire?† â€Å"You'll see, Pocket. The whole of the sky will darken with the smoke from my army's fires, the ground will tremble under their horses' hooves, and kings will kneel outside their city walls, crowns in hand, begging to surrender rather than feel the wrath of Queen Cordelia fall upon their people. But I shall be merciful.† â€Å"Goes without saying, doesn't it?† â€Å"And you, fool, will no longer be able to behave like the right shit that you are.† â€Å"Fear and trembling, love, that's all you'll get from me. Fear and bloody trembling.† â€Å"As long as we understand each other.† â€Å"So, it sounds as if you're thinking of conquering more than just the petting zoo?† â€Å"Europe,† said the princess, as if stating the unadorned truth. â€Å"Europe?† said I. â€Å"To start,† said Cordelia. â€Å"Well, then you had better get moving, hadn't you?† â€Å"Yes, I suppose,† said Cordelia, with a great silly grin. â€Å"Dear Pocket, would you help me pick an outfit?† â€Å"She's already taken Normandy, Brittany, and the Aquitaine,† said Edgar, â€Å"and Belgium soils itself at the mention of her name.† â€Å"Cordelia can be a bundle of rumpus when she sets her mind to something,† said I. I smiled at the thought of her barking orders to the troops, all fury and fire from her lips, but those crystal-blue eyes hinting laughter at every turn. I missed her. â€Å"Oh, I did betray her love and flay her sweet heart with stubborn pride,† said Lear, looking madder and weaker than when I'd seen him last. â€Å"Where is Kent?† I asked Edgar, ignoring the old king. Drool and I had found them above a cliff at Dover. They all sat with their backs to a great chalk boulder: Gloucester, Edgar, and Lear. Gloucester snored softly, his head on Edgar's shoulder. We could see smoke from the French camp not two miles away in the distance. â€Å"He's gone to Cordelia, to ask her to accept her father into her camp.† â€Å"Why didn't you go yourself?† I asked Lear. â€Å"I am afraid,† said the old man. He hid his head under his arm, like a bird trying to escape the daylight beneath its wing. It was wrong. I wanted him strong, I wanted him stubborn, I wanted him full of arrogance and cruelty. I wanted to see those parts of him I knew were thriving when he'd thrown my mother on the stones so many years ago. I wanted to scream at him, humiliate him, hurt him in eleven places and watch him crawl in his own shit, dragging his bloody pride and guts behind him in the dirt. There was no revenge to be satisfied on this trembling shell of Lear. I wanted no part of it. â€Å"I'm going to go nap behind those rocks,† said I. â€Å"Drool, keep watch. Wake me when Kent returns.† â€Å"Aye, Pocket.† The Natural went to the far side of Edgar's boulder, sat, and stared out over the sea. If we were attacked by a ship, he'd be Johnny-on-the-spot. I lay down and slept perhaps an hour before there was shouting behind me and I looked over my boulders to see Edgar holding his father's head, steadying him as the old man stood on a rock, perhaps a foot above the ground. â€Å"Are we at the edge?† â€Å"Aye, there are fishermen on the beach below that look like mice. The dogs look like ants.† â€Å"What do the horses look like?† asked Gloucester. â€Å"There aren't any horses. Just fishermen and dogs. Don't you hear the sea crashing below?† â€Å"Yes. Yes, I do. Farewell, Edgar, my son. I am sorry. Gods, do your will!† With that the old man leaped off the rock, expecting to plummet hundreds of feet to his death, I reckon, so he was somewhat surprised when he met the ground in an instant. â€Å"Oh my lord! Oh my lord!† said Edgar, trying to use a different voice and failing completely. â€Å"Sir, you have duly fallen from the cliffs above.† â€Å"I have?† said Gloucester. â€Å"Aye, sir, can you not see?† â€Å"Well, no, you git, my eyes are bandaged and bloody. Can you not see?† â€Å"Sorry. What I saw was you fall from a great height and land as softly as if you were a feather floating down.† â€Å"I am dead, then,† said Gloucester. He sank to his knees and seemed to lose his breath. â€Å"I am dead, yet I still suffer, my grief is manifest, my eyes ache even though they are not there.† â€Å"That's because he's fucking with you,† said I. â€Å"What?† said Gloucester. â€Å"Shhhh,† said Edgar. â€Å"‘Tis a mad beggar, pay him no heed, good sir.† â€Å"Fine, you're dead. Enjoy,† said I. I lay back on the ground, out of the wind, and pulled my coxcomb over my eyes. â€Å"Come, come sit with me,† said Lear. I sat up and watched Lear lead the blind man to his nest beneath the great boulders. â€Å"Let the cruelties of the world slide off our bent backs, friend.† Lear put his arm around Gloucester and held him while he spoke to the sky. â€Å"My king,† said Gloucester. â€Å"I am safe in your mercy. My king.† â€Å"Aye, king. But I have no soldiers, no lands, no subject quakes before me, no servants wait, and even your bastard son hath treated you better than my own daughters.† â€Å"Oh, for fuck's sake,† said I. But I could see that the old blind man was smiling, and for all his suffering, he found comfort in his friend the king, no doubt having been blinded to his scoundrel nature long before Cornwall and Regan took his eyes. Blinded by loyalty. Blinded by title. Blinded by shoddy patriotism and false righteousness. He loved his mad, murdering king. I lay back down to listen. â€Å"Let me kiss your hand,† said Gloucester. â€Å"Let me wipe it first,† said Lear. â€Å"It smells of mortality.† â€Å"I smell nothing, and see nothing evermore. I am not worthy.† â€Å"Art thou mad? See with your ears, Gloucester. Have you never seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar, and thus chase him off? Is that dog the voice of authority? Is he better than the many for denying the man's hunger? Is a sheriff righteous who whips the whore, when it is for his own lust he punishes her? See, Gloucester. See who is worthy? Now we are stripped of finery, see. Small vices show through tattered clothes, when all is hidden beneath fur and fine robes. Plate sin with gold and the strong lance of justice breaks on decoration. Blessed are you, that you cannot see – for you cannot see me for what I am: wretched.† â€Å"No,† said Edgar. â€Å"Your impertinence comes from madness. Do not weep, good king.† â€Å"Do not weep? We weep when we first smell the air. When we are born, we cry, that we come to this great stage of fools.† â€Å"No, all shall be well again, and – â€Å" And there was a thump, followed by another, and a yowl. â€Å"Die, thou blind mole!† came a familiar voice. I sat up in time to see Oswald standing over Gloucester, a bloodied stone in one hand, his sword driven down through the old earl's chest. â€Å"You'll not poison my lady's cause further.† He twisted the blade, and blood bubbled up out of the old man, but no sound did he make. He was quite dead. Oswald yanked his blade free and kicked Gloucester's body across Lear's lap, as the king cowered against the boulder. Edgar lay unconscious at Oswald's feet. The vermin drew back as if to drive his sword into Edgar's spine. â€Å"Oswald!† I shouted. I stood behind my boulders as I drew a throwing knife from the sheath at my back. The worm turned to me, and pulled his blade up. He dropped the bloody stone he'd used to brain Edgar. â€Å"We have an arrangement,† said I. â€Å"And further slaughter of my cohorts will cause me to doubt your sincerity.† â€Å"Sod off, fool. We've no arrangement. You're a lying cur.† â€Å"Moi?† said I, in perfect fucking French. â€Å"I can give you your lady's heart, and not in the unpleasant, eviscerated, no-shagging-except-the-corpse way.† â€Å"You have no such power. You've not bewitched Regan's heart, neither. ‘Tis she who sent me here to kill this blind traitor who turns minds against our forces. And to deliver this.† He pulled a sealed letter from his jerkin. â€Å"A letter of mark, giving you permission in the name of the Duchess of Cornwall to be a total twatgoblin?† â€Å"Your wit is dull, fool. It is a love letter to Edmund of Gloucester. He set out for here with a scouting party to assess the French forces.† â€Å"My wit is dull? My wit is dull?† â€Å"Yes. Dull,† said Oswald. â€Å"Now, en garde,† said he in barely passable fucking French. â€Å"Yes,† said I, with an exaggerated nod. â€Å"Yes.† And with that, Oswald found himself seized by the throat and dashed several times against the boulders, which relieved him of his sword, his dagger, the love letter, and his coin purse. Drool then held the steward up and squeezed his throat, slowly but sternly, causing wet gurgling noises to bubble from his foul gullet. I said, â€Å"While unscathed by my rapier wit You're choked to death by a giant git By this gentle jester, is argument won I'll leave you two to have your fun.† Oswald seemed somewhat surprised by the turn of events, so much so, that both his eyes and tongue protruded from his face in a wholly unhealthy way. He then began to surrender his various fluids and Drool had to hold him away to keep from being fouled by them. â€Å"Drop him,† said Lear, who still cowered by the boulders. Drool looked to me and I shook my head, ever so slightly. â€Å"Die, thou badger-shagging spunk monkey,† said I. When Oswald stopped kicking and simply hung limp and dripping, I nodded to my apprentice, who tossed the steward's body over the cliff as easily as if it were an apple core. Drool went down on one knee over Gloucester's body. â€Å"I were going to teach him to be a fool.† â€Å"Aye, lad, I know you were.† I stood by my boulders, resisting the urge to comfort the great murderous git with a pat on the shoulder. There was a rustling from over the top of the hill and I thought I heard the sound of metal on metal through the wind. â€Å"Now he's blind and dead,† said the Natural. â€Å"Bugger,† said I, under my breath. Then to Drool, â€Å"Hide, and don't fight, and don't call for me.† I fell flat to the ground as the first soldier topped the hill. Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Bloody bollocksing buggering bugger! I reflected serenely. Then I heard the voice of the bastard Edmund. â€Å"Look, my fool. And what's this? The king? What good fortune! You'll make a fine hostage to stay the hand of the Queen of France and her forces.† â€Å"Have you no heart?† said Lear, petting the head of his dead friend Gloucester. I peeked out between my rocks. Edmund was looking at his dead father with the expression of someone who has just encountered rat scat in his toast for tea. â€Å"Yes, well, tragic I suppose, but with succession of his title determined and his sight gone, a timely exit was only polite. Who's this other deader?† Edmund kicked his unconscious half brother in the shoulder. â€Å"A beggar,† said Drool. â€Å"He were trying to protect the old man.† â€Å"This is not the sword of a beggar. Neither is this purse.† Edmund picked up Oswald's purse. â€Å"These belong to Goneril's man, Oswald.† â€Å"Aye, milord,† said Drool. â€Å"Well, where is he?† â€Å"On the beach.† â€Å"On the beach? He climbed down and left his purse and sword here?† â€Å"He was a tosser,† said Drool. â€Å"So I tossed him over. He kilt your old da.† â€Å"Oh, quite right. Well done, then.† Edmund threw the purse to Drool. â€Å"Use it to bribe your jailer for a bread crust. Take them.† The bastard motioned for his men to seize Drool and Lear. When the old man had trouble standing, Drool lifted him to his feet and steadied him. â€Å"What about the bodies?† asked Edmund's captain. â€Å"Let the French bury them. Quickly, to the White Tower. I've seen enough.† Lear coughed then, a dry, feeble cough like the creaking of Death's door hinges, until I thought he might collapse into a pile of blue. One of Edmund's men gave the old man a sip of water, which seemed to quell the coughing, but he couldn't stand or support his weight. Drool hoisted him up on one shoulder and carried him up the hill – the old man's bony bottom bouncing on the great git's shoulder as if it was the cushion of a sedan chair. When they were gone I scrambled out of my hiding place and over to Edgar's prostrate body. The wound on his scalp wasn't deep, but it had bled copiously, as scalp wounds are wont to do. The resulting puddle of gore had probably saved Edgar's life. I got him propped against the boulder and brought him around with some gentle smacking and a stout splashing from his water skin. â€Å"What?† Edgar looked around, and shook his head to clear his vision, a motion he clearly regretted immediately. Then he spotted his father's corpse and wailed. â€Å"I'm sorry, Edgar,† said I. â€Å"‘Twas Goneril's steward, Oswald, knocked you out and killed him. Drool strangled the scurvy dog and tossed him over the cliff.† â€Å"Where is Drool? And the king?† â€Å"Taken, by your bastard brother's men. Listen, Edgar, I need to follow them. You go to the French camp. Take them a message.† Edgar's eyes rolled and I thought he might pass out again, so I threw some more water in his face. â€Å"Look at me. Edgar, you must go to the French camp. Tell Cordelia that she should attack the White Tower directly. Tell her to send ships up the Thames and bring a force through London over land as well. Kent will know the plan. Have her sound the trumpet three times before they attack the keep. Do you understand?† â€Å"Three times, the White Tower?† I tore the back off of the dead earl's shirt, wadded it up, and gave it to Edgar. â€Å"Here, hold this on your noggin to staunch the blood.† â€Å"And tell Cordelia not to hold for fear for her father's life. I'll see to it that it's not an issue.† â€Å"Aye,† said Edgar. â€Å"She'll not save the king by holding the attack.†

Guns Should Not Be Banned in the US Essay

Just a few weeks ago a man with the name Adam Lanza decided to take the guns of his mother and take the life of 20 children and 8 adults, including his mother’s and his own. This atrocity hasn’t been the first one. In the weeks since the massacre, gun control supporters have called for a new federal ban on assault weapons and for reductions in the number of concealed-carry permits issued to private citizens. However, to blame assault weapons for this tragedy makes as much sense as blaming airplanes for the 9-11 attacks. The problem lies with the perpetrator, not the tool used to commit the crime. It is an illusion that further gun control will protect the public since no law, no matter how restrictive, can protect us from people who decide to commit violent crimes. Guns should never be banned in the United States, because the possession of guns ultimately helps improve public safety. Embodied in the Second Amendment to the Constitution is the truth that self-governing i ndividuals should bear the responsibility for defending themselves. The Amendment states, â€Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.† Many heated controversies in regard to the Second Amendment have been generated among legal scholars. The most vigorous debate among all is the correct meaning of the phrase. Some argue that the right of bearing arms only applies collectively to those in the militia. However, Pratt indicates that many scholars ignore the foundational principles in the Amendment, including the law of self-government and the right of self-defense. His argument is supported by a quote from one founding father, â€Å"a primary law of nature, which . . . (is] the immediate gift of the Creator.† Pratt indicates that, self-defense is a God-given right that is unalienable and incapable of being surrendered or transferred. Many pro gun control supporters adhere to the belief that the availability of guns make violent crime happen and, more importantly, that criminal violence in general can be reduced by limiting access to firearms. This is a testable empirical proposition. Research shows that disarming the public has not reduced criminal violence. For example, in Washington, D.C. and New York City, severe gun control laws had been applied, yet Washington D.C. is the â€Å"murder capital of the US† and New York City ranks among the most dangerous places in the country. In both cities, violent criminals can easily obtain the most deadly weapons on the streets within minutes. Legal scholar John Lott presents the most rigorously comprehensive data analysis ever done on crime statistics and right-to-carry laws. Lott had sat the agenda on the impact of guns on crime in America by creating a massive dataset of all 3,054 counties in the United States during 18 years from 1977 through 1994. He proposed a powerful statistical argument that state laws enabling citizens to carry concealed handguns had reduced crime (18). There are two reasons why concealed handgun laws reduce violent crime. First, they reduce the number of attempted crimes because criminals are uncertain about the possibility of potential victims defending themselves. Second, victims with possession of guns are in a much better position to defend them. Lott also presented the strong negative relationship between the number of law-abiding citizens with permits and the crime rate, which declines as more people obtain permits (59). The ultimate question that concerns everyone is whether allowing law-abiding citizens to own guns will save more lives or not. While there are many anecdotal stories illustrating both good and bad uses of guns, Lott answered this question by illustrating his data analysis and conclude the net effect. This timely and provocative work comes to the startling conclusion: more guns mean less crime. Possessing guns is one of the major methods for citizens to defense themselves. Some people may use guns in illegal ways, but more have the purpose of preventing horrible things from happening to them. Making guns illegal will primarily disarm peaceful citizens. At the same time, criminals will always find the weapons they need to carry out their crime. This situation leaves a green light for violent criminals to attack everyone, leaving potential victims defenseless. Every day, thousands of peaceful Americans successfully use guns to defend themselves. A study conducted by Florida State University criminologist Gary Kleck found that Americans use guns defensively 2.5 million times a year based on 16 national surveys of samples of the U.S. population. Prior to Kleck’s study, thirteen other surveys indicated a range of between 800,000 to 2.5 million defensive gun uses annually. Given that there are far more gun-owning crime victims than there are gun-owning criminals and that victimization is spread out over different victims while offending is among a relatively small number of offenders, Kleck arrived at the conclusion that defensive gun uses are substantially more common than criminal gun uses (102). This claim has been repeatedly confirmed, and remains one of the most consistently supported assertions in the guns-violence research area. Through years of research, Kleck has found strong evidence that â€Å"crime victims who use guns during a crime are less likely to be injured or killed, and less likely to lose property than crime victims who adopt any other strategy, including non-resistance.† The intent of some advocates of gun control can be misleading. As the debate over the 1976 District of Columbia gun ban demonstrates, â€Å"gun control† often covers for a hidden agenda. British Cabinet papers declassified in 1969-70 demonstrate that contrary to claims made in Parliamentary debates, the intent of the Firearms Act 1920 was not to reduce or prevent crime, but to prevent a feared Bolshevik revolution in Britain. Direct statements by members of the Cabinet demonstrate an intent to mislead the public about their objectives. There are reasons other than the possession of guns that could cause the high frequency of shooting. Being one of them, Cramer’s article, Ethical problems of mass murder coverage in the mass media examines the way in which statistically disproportionate coverage of mass murders by Newsweek and Time from 1984 to 1991 encouraged at least one copycat crime, and may have caused others. Cramer uses a copycat crime Joseph Wesbecker convicted after Patrick Purdy as an example. Initial coverage of Purdy’s crime was relatively restrained, and only the essential details were reported. But a week later, Patrick Purdy’s name continued to receive press attention, and consequently his fame increased. Articles referencing Purdy or his crime continued to appear in for many months. On September 14, 1989, Joseph Wesbecker, using the exact same weapon as Purdy did, conducted a massacre of his own. After reading about the destructive power of Patrick Purdy’s weapon, Wesbecker clipped out a February Time magazine article on some of Purdy’s exploits, in order to describe the gun to a gun dealer. Fame and infamy are in an ethical sense, opposites. Functionally, they are nearly identical. The human need to celebrate human nobility, and to denounce human depravity, has caused us to devote tremendous attention, both scholarly and popular, to portraying the polar opposites of good and evil. The pursuit of fame can lead people to acts of great courage and nobility. It can also lead to acts of great savagery. Other than the long-time debates on gun control law itself, it is necessary for the public to think about other issues regarding public safety. In all cases, gun bans have been ineffective, expensive, and even counter-productive. If properly issued, registered, monitored and stored, guns will help defense US citizens’ safety. The fact is that we live in a dangerous world and the government cannot protect us for every single minute. We must ultimately rely upon ourselves and only by having the necessary tools can we make it realizable. Therefore, guns should never be banned in the United States.

Self-Motivation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Self-Motivation - Essay Example Muhammad. In addition, the need to attain attention from other people also made him work harder. Lastly his envy towards other people who were able to communicate efficiently e.g. Bimbi made him yearn to reach that level. This made him look for different sources that could help him become fluent both in writing and communicating (Munisamy, 2005, p. 43). In reaction to his desires, he decided to use a dictionary in order to study the meaning of different words. This was together with tablets and pencils to write down words that he learnt. As a result, his writing speed improved and he started understanding some few words an aspect that motivated him more. Learning to use dictionary also broadened his knowledge as he came to realize that different people that belong to various races exist. This was in addition to different places of the world. Also, he was able to read books and understand the meaning of the sentences unlike previously when he could not comprehend anything. This experience improved his urge to learn more therefore, reducing his free time that he previously used in planning criminal activity that led him to prison. Instead, he used this time reading books. The experience of this person is a good lesson that what once desires can be achieved if the person devotes his effort towards achieving it. In addition, one should not be frustrated when he is unable to achieve it easily. Instead, he/she should use the frustrations as an encouragement to work harder as the results are fruitful. In addition, one should relate with the right people who can help either with material or psychological help as people with a negative attitude can reduce the motivation level. Having hailed from Uzbekistan I had a rough time communicating with my friends in United States who were fluent in English. Some of them jeered at me while other encouraged me to learn English. At first, it was hard for me to understand

Child Abuse with Adopted children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Child Abuse with Adopted children - Essay Example There is an increase in the number of transnational adoptions. IV History Effects Weir 2011 2009 controversy on a Tennessee mother sending back her adopted child rudely. Bonnet 2011 Adoptive father sexually abusing girl child. Miller et al. 2007 Death of 18 adopted children in the US. V Summary As family is the most private space that exists for an individual, any attempt to monitor and interfere in what happens inside a family will result in rising eyebrows, and allegations of an intrusion into personal freedom. This is why the case of adopted children falling victims to child abuse, go unreported and un-remedied often. Still time and again there have been some such reports coming in. It is in this context that the issue of child abuse of adopted children needs to be studied more. In an adopted family, a child can possibly have a series of problems as compared to conventional biological families. These include, difficulties in forming a tie with the new parents who are strangers to the child, absence of support mechanisms outside family, socio-cultural and economic gap, parents’ attitudes and expectations, differences in cultural standards of parenting, issues of class, race and religion involved, etc. These can be remedied only through establishing government leve l and community level mechanisms to monitor the problems of adopted children and to interfere if necessary. There are class, race and religious feelings involved.

Financial Accounting Analysis of Pearson Group Case Study

Financial Accounting Analysis of Pearson Group - Case Study Example The Company operates a variety of pension plans, the largest being the UK Group plan which includes both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. It also operates a few smaller defined benefit plans in the U.S [(401 [K)] and Canada. Defined contribution pension plans and post-retirement medical benefit plans (PRMB) are principally for employees located in the U.S. The plan assets for the UK Group plan are held by a trust independently of the Company and hence are accounted for at their net value in the balance sheet as per IAS 19 (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group, 2008). Based on the discount rate of 5.80% (FY06: 5.20%), present value of this obligation was 1,682m (FY06: 1,683m) and the fair value of plan assets were 1,744m (FY06: 1,528). The net value of 62m was carried to the balance sheet as Retirement Benefit Asset. Deficit in FY06 amounting to 155m was reported under non-current liability as Retirement Benefit Obligations. In FY07, the Company contributed 121m (including a special contribution of 100m) to fund this shortfall and disclosed it as a reduction from cash flow from operations. The Management expects to eliminate this shortfall by FY14 and has agreed to further contribute 21m in FY08 and 21.9m per annum thereafter in excess of an estimated 30m of regular contributions. Any further deficit in funding can add significa nt burden on the Company's cash flows from operations. As per IAS 19, service cost of 29m (FY06: 27m) for UK Group plan was charged to income statement as an operating expense. Excess of expected returns on these plan assets over the interest paid on plan liabilities amounting to 12m was reported as finance income. While the expected return was 96m (FY06: 85m), the interest paid was 84m (FY06:78m). The rate used for discounting these plan assets is based on the annualized yield on the iBoxx over 15-year AA-rated corporate bond index. As required by IFRS, the Company has disclosed the details of retirement benefits arrangement for its directors and the assumptions used for estimating the present value of benefit obligations. The expected sensitivity of present value of obligations to changes in discount rate and the changes in the value of plan assets and liabilities are also disclosed under notes to consolidated financial statement. The Company has also reported Retirement Benefit Obligations amounting to 95m (FY06: 95m) under non-current liabilities as their present value of obligations were exceeded the fair value of their plan assets. These liabilities relate to other defined benefit obligation pension plans, US PRMS and other pension accruals. Service costs of these plans amounting to 3m were charged as an operating expense; whereas and the interest on the PRMS liabilities of 2m was recognized as finance expense in income statement. PRMS are unfunded but are accounted for and valued similarly to defined benefit pension plans. The total actuarial gains on defined pension benefit plans and post retirement plans amounting to 80m (FY06: 107m) was directly charged to equity and reported under Statement of Recognized Income and Expense (SORIE). Discount rate for all the U.S plans are based on a U.S bond portfolio matching model, which

Hunger in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hunger in America - Essay Example This is significantly above the figure of Americans who go hungry daily. This shows the irony that underlines the food situation in America. Hunger is mostly associated to poverty. It is, therefore, natural that one should expect that the groups that are affected by hunger are the low class and the homeless, generally the social classes that belong to the low-income categories. This is, nevertheless, not the scenario as highlighted in the video Food For Thought, which shows the shocking reality that the middle class is adversely affected by hunger. Statistics support this with America recording 3.5 million homeless individuals. This number is significantly low as compared to the mammoth number of 35 million who are affected by the hunger issue. Though the number of middle-income individuals who suffer from hunger is not as large as that of the lower social classes, they make up a significant number of the number of the affected population. The reason cited from the problem is loss of income through unemployment, which jeopardizes individuals’ ability to access food (Donavan and Mash, p1). It is, therefore, imperative that America takes measures to curb this dire situation. This will involve putting measures in place that will reduce food wastage. Initiatives should also be put in place to distribute food and to empower individuals economically hence curbing

Self-Identity Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Self-Identity Writing - Essay Example At California State University, am majoring in civil engineering. Initially, I came to the University and enrolled in a business course seeking to follow in my family’s footsteps. However, business studies proved to be a major challenge to me as it never reflected on my desires and ambitions. My entire family majored in business, and everyone expected me to follow in line. When discussing my career path with my family, I never considered mentioning engineering in a family where business studies had made everyone whom they are. Being a female in a country where men are considered to be the sole sources of authority I never wanted to get into an argument with my parents as this would have elicited social and cultural consequences. To avoid this trouble I came to the United States and enrolled as a major in business. However, my desire and passion for engineering was driven by the love for science. Additionlly, it was inspired by the boundless infrastructural structures in the United States and other parts of the world. Opting to major in engineering was a personal choice though. Initially, I was afraid to address the issue with my parents until my new friends in the United States convinced me to do so. After discussing the issue with my parents, they were more than supporting and they supportive as they encouraged me to seek my dreams and pursue what my heart desired. My educational goals go past the bachelor’s degree. Currently, the society is becoming increasingly competitive, and education is no longer an option one should miss. In Saudi Arabia, not many women have become successful in a society that favors males to women when it comes to professional success.

Analyze the case and answer the questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Analyze the case and answer the questions - Essay Example Imaging-X-rays, ultrasounds, CT-scans, MR- are also used to determine tumor stage. Biopsies, laboratory tests of fluids (cytology) such as urine, blood, and lymphatic fluids can also be used. Surgical reports on the size and appearance can also be used. The doctor selected an ultra sound to determine the exact location, size and spread of the tumor to the lymphatic nodes and other organs. A biopsy is the removal of part or the whole tumor for pathology examination such as microscopy. This is done to determine malignancy or benign. A combination of the two methods was sufficient to determine the mode of treatment. Chemotherapy is the application of antineoplastic drugs to kill cancer cells and inhibit the tumor growth. Surgery removes the entire tumor and a regimen of chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. If any remaining cells are left the cells proliferate faster and become more invasive. Monthly systematic palpation of the breast aids in earlier detection. It should be done after menstruation when hormones are more stable. If a lump is detected further consultation at a doctor is

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs - Essay Example As Multi National Companies (MNCs) come into the picture, the scenario gets a little different. MNCs typically misjudge the effect that disparities in Industrial relations methods, workplace settings, and defiance from local people to several HRM practices can all have on their workings and operations. In addition, Unions also time and again, weaken to establish effectual transnational strategies to provide their memberships and associations in other countries in an improved manner. A question therefore arises that whether the MNCs can effectively transfer their HRM practices abroad, particularly when the notions that lie beneath these practices do not coincide with the norms, values, and cultures of the host-countries. The U.S. MNCs into the Chinese market have been taken into account in this paper Under the HRM practices, it is also important that one administers their approach toward the assistance and recompense for the employees, employee accounts and programs. However it is also critical that they make sure that their staff has, and is informed about, the personnel policies that coincide with the existing code of practice. Drivers of Change The world is moving on the path of change, with two significant drivers, i.e. globalization and technological revolution. The two influences actually pose as the foundation for a new way of sharing out the workforce concerning countries and organizations that has come to light throughout the preceding few decades. Different attitudes and opinions about globalization, divide countries and corporations, and also their volume and capability to transform or update themselves with new technologies. Basically the search for new markets and the means for resources has been the driving force toward globalization. As competition gets highly international, and in fact in some businesses, completely global, new production processes and organizational practices are seen to have emerged. (Competitiveness in Developing Asia, pp.58, 2003) The method, by which production at a transnational level is embarked on at current time, varies a lot from the way it was done some years ago. The argument remains in the intricacy of the production procedure, accompanied by the pace and extent of the transnational movements of goods and information. A large variety of highly innovative products, these days, are manufactured by Multi National Corporations (MNCs) in significantly competitive markets. Although MNCs have been there for quite a while now, their existence is very much sensed at current time. The uniqueness of MNCs nowadays is that they have production plants positioned worldwide, with the concern that production consists of planning, management, and coordination of innumerable operations. This lets MNCs to cut up the sequence of their

Research Findings, Statistical Analysis and interpretation for Essay

Research Findings, Statistical Analysis and interpretation for Etisalat Telecom Corporation - Essay Example The developed or developing world countries are the major victims affected by the dynamics of the demographic splits. The main concerns relating to the identification of the developing and developed countries gets connected from the populace records (Lovie, 2005). The median age, raises the majority of populace in developed countries, whereas median age falls in developing countries therefore affecting the demographic splits of financial busting by a great percentage. Therefore, the median age in developed and developing countries need analyzation with great concern to the dynamics that they create in business financial status particularly the effects of demographic splits that they establish from their populace. Companies must come up with new product portfolios to meet the need of these new growing demographic needs established by the median age both in developed and developing world countries. The new products will establish new markets that meet the customers’ tastes and p references in the demographic splits. Identification of the new products concerns the median age in the developing and developed world countries. Additionally, companies must develop new methods of marketing messages and the method of packaging. The packaging of Old consumers should be one that is easier to open compared to the packaging of new consumers. Eventually, quick reactions to these changes in the demographics can bring significant growths in different companies that create greater opportunities for expansion and profit development (Lovie, 2005). Independent T-Test Independent T-test using SPSS compares the relation between two groups connected in any way but are on the same progressive, dependant variable. Independent t-test has two variables, the dependent variable and independent variable, manipulated in different ways to come up with variables that determine the independent t-test. Besides, ones data must meet certain assumptions to come up with comprehensive independen t t-test results. The assumptions establish valid t-test results using your data. According to Lovie, using an independent t-test, one of the major processes involves checking analyzed data if it actually uses an independent t-test. The main reason for checking is to be sure and appropriate that the independent t-test data passes the required six assumptions required an independent t-test to give valid and reliable results. The six assumptions determine the validity of independent t-test results by adding a little more time to the analysis. It requires checking and using keys in SPSS while performing the analysis as well establishing more ideas and thoughts about your data. When analyzing the data some of these assumptions are violated despite the fact all the six assumptions are valid and used in when analyzing data of the independent t-test. This is mostly common when working with data that is real rather than data found in the textbooks. Using the real world data, allows for the use of data that often shows you how to handle out an independent t-test when everything concerning the anayzation of the data goes in a professional way. In contrast, when the data fails to meet all the assumptions there is still a solution to overcome all this. The six assumptions that are considered in the independent t

Downtown Beirut, Response on Mohsens Article Essay Example for Free

Downtown Beirut, Response on Mohsens Article Essay Downtown Beirut: a spot pour les bourgeois In his article Downtown Beirut: A City of Ghosts? , published in the Alakhbar English journal on Saturday, January 7 2012, Ahmed Mohsen describes the heart of Beirut as an empty, fake, artificial hanging spot for the elite, so distant and alienated from the culture and the civilization of the good old Beirut known for its diversity among different social classes. Mohsen considers rebuilding the capital after the traumatizing war have indeed its true identity and covered its alleys with fake architecture that destroyed the historical beauty of what once was known as the Paris of the Middle East. For many, whats known today as Solidere , projects the new post war era, the era of a flourishing economy and an original society. In fact, the new buildings are indeed nothing more than an overpriced imitation of other countries architecture leaving the old Beirut and its rich Middle Eastern history nothing more than a memory along with its social traditions. Mohsen pointed out in his article that after rebuilding the center of the capital, the original citizens in Wadi Abu Jamil and its surroundings are no longer there. According to the authors article Wadi Abu Jamils original residents and owners have vanished. (Page #120) I personally believe that the old Beirut with its old, wrecked buildings and crowded dirty alleys is a unique haven of coexistence between the various religious sects and the different social classes unlike the new Down Town or DT with its new original buildings inhabited by only one social class. The High class. The reconstruction of Beirut put money and artificial beauty over the unity of the classes and the unity of the different peoples that lived for centuries in Lebanon and their reunification after the devastating war. In his article, the author criticized the fact that only rich people can shop or hang out in the DT saying For those who can afford it, the place to shop in downtown is Beirut souks. (Page # 119). In fact, all the shops present in downtown are indeed expensive for the average citizen. But the problem is that even the most basic things in a small shop are much more expensive than any other place in the country. Buying a simple cone of ice cream will cost you something around 2000 L. L in Lebanon, but buying it from downtown will cost you about 7000 L. L. All the artificial beauty that is supposed to encourage the Lebanese around the world to go back to their country is in fact, a repulsive, ugly place reserved for the elite and rich tourists from neighboring Arabic countries.

Women Have Natural Power And Abilities English Literature Essay

Women Have Natural Power And Abilities English Literature Essay Abstract The common story in most parts of the globe is that of the humble woman suffering under the cruelty of man. The widespread belief that women have borne the blunt of mans beastly nature makes it challenging to market the idea that women have enormous power that they sometimes utilize in ways that are detrimental to society. This research proposal uses Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights and Anne Brontes Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in examining these immense powers on the hands of women. These novels are replete with issues pertaining to female behavior and male response that will help analyze the subject of female power in a deeper sense. Through their strong wills, purposes, and desires, women characters in these novels often form mens characters, and define their behaviors. For example, in Wuthering Heights, Catherines headstrong and rebellious ways are partially responsible for Heathcliffs antisocial behavior, and it is through Catherines lens of how men should behave and react to her demands that she forms Heathcliffs character and leaves him to his madness at her death. In Agnes Grey, Miss Murray forms the manipulative and ultimate perspective alterations in Mr. Hatfields view of women as helpless creatures in their need for rescue, protection, and provision. In light of this argument, how does the womans creation of the patriarchal figuration for the male character affect the man and the woman, especially in the formation of the womans worldview? Does this power result in ramifications for the woman as well? Are women aware of the power that they wield, and if they are, why do they blame the man for relationship and cultural breakdowns? In my dissertation, I use evidence from the Bronte novels to show that it is womens unwillingness toward self-awareness and accountability that contributes to variant male behavior and perceptual outcomes. To that end, I argue that women have far more influence and power than often they acknowledge either publicly or privately, and this power and influence consistently contribute to the formation of male thinking and behavior. Summary Women have natural power and abilities. These innate characteristics affect the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men with different outcome and with detrimental results to both genders. An in-depth study of the emergence, construction, and outcomes of feminism on men within myriad contexts is a sure way of vindicating the existence of the female power. Applying this theory to three British novels written by Emily and Anne Bronte Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall- this study will draw important correlates between female abilities, capacities, and innate talents and the use of these elements to alter or supersede male potentialities. For example, Catherines misuse of her natural female strengths and talents is used to override Heathcliffs reticence against and desire to withdraw from her controlling manipulation, culminating in tragedy to both characters. Additionally, much has been written about the Bildungsroman in Brontes adolescent-to-adult theme in Agnes Grey. The use of feminine potential and power toward men found in this novel shows the deleterious effects on both men and women. Similarly, female power and control in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is measured through Helen Grahams interactions with the men in her life. In this novel, Bronte reveals this power and manipulative awareness in her protagonist, but the theme remains intact: women often have inordinate amounts of power and control over men in myriad realms of their lives. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the above three novels to show the deleterious outcomes of the immense powers in the hands of women. Tentative Title: Medusa never Died: Female Power and Men Victimization Introductory Statement of Background, Purpose and Thesis I will analyze The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte and Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights with the aim of showing how they developed female characters that revealed the resulting destruction when females neither correctly understand nor properly apply their power. The analysis will prove that the female power and influence affect the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men with different outcome and with detrimental results to both genders. The purpose of this study will involve comparing three British novels, written by sisters, through whom female power is used to effect masculine changes, behaviors, and affect situational outcomes. Demonstrating the application of feminine power in relationship dyads will support the hypothesis that the female power can manipulate, control, and cause harm to men and, through them, socio-political constructs which affect everyone. In addressing the research problem, then, a thorough review of the selected works, combined with a thorough literature review of existing studies which serve to amplify the feminine use of power to manipulate or form outcomes. As a contribution to human science, my research topic is highly significant for socio-cultural, gender-based, and psychological awareness of conflict source and resolution, and greatly contributes to the literatures body of knowledge. While the literature is rife with widely diverse discourse and study on feminism, the body of knowledge is seriously deficient in considering the research problem. That is because this issue requires a major paradigmatic change since the major outcomes of feminism have been militant and rejects feminine limitations while creating male-opposition toward many of its tenets. Signe Arnfred exposes a practical sense of feminine power in a non-western setting in her article entitled Sex, Food and Female Power: Discussion of Data Material from Northern Mozambique. In this article, she shows how women in a certain part of the world harness their mastery of feminine chores in both reproduction and family into a power tool that calls for respect from men (141). It is vital to note that what the characters in the Bronte novels do is not so much removed from what Arnfred tries to show in her article. The setting might be different, but the game is the same as shown by the similarity of the playe rs. In fact, male dominance was common in Victorian times, as was female servility; But it is this servility that supported the dominance. Critics of the Bronte novels have noticed the male dominance in these novels, and identified the role women play in perpetuating this dominance. The feminine role in the advancement of male dominance is a power in itself, which, if withdrawn, can have a regulatory outcome on male behavior. In the article The Question of Credibility in Anne Brontes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Arlene Jackson points out that, Anne Bronte also answers a question that other novels of her time do not ask: what happens to a marriage and to the innocent partner when one partner (specifically, the male) leads a solipsistic life, where personal pleasures are seen as deserved, where maleness and the role of husband is tied to the freedom to do as one wants, and femaleness and the role of wife is linked to providing service and pleasure not necessarily sexual, but including daily praise and ego-boosting and, quite simply, constant attention (203), On the surface, Jackson is asserting that powerlessness is another way of describing women. This is how she decodes the message that Anne Bronte is sending to society through her book. Obviously, numerous people agree with this position, considering the woman to be the victim, suffering silently without a means of escape from the cruel claws of the man. But this is not the case because in the process of praising someone, there is the knowledge that the praise can be withheld. There is also the knowledge that the praise can lead to dependency as well as other undesirable manifestations of character that may be harmful to both the person lavishing praise, who is the woman as well as the man, who is the recipient of the praise. An objective analysis of the message from Jackson reveals that men have a certain degree of dependency on the lavish praise they are showered with by women. As much as Jacksons work may have been an attempt to show the credibility of Anne Brontes literary skills, she helps in the identification of areas of female power that is sometimes wrongly used to enhance female servitude and perpetuate male dominance. Maggie Berg, in her Hapless Dependants, Women and Animals in Anne Brontes Agnes Grey argues that, in a patriarchal society where women are faced with challenges of identity, expression and recognition- the general treatment of women is implied to be like treatment of animals. This position is also shared by another critic of Anne Brontes The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Juliet McMaster, who takes the position that the Victorian period was characterized by a huge power imbalance that tilted heavily in favor of men. In her article entitled Imbecile Laughter and Desperate Earnest in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, McMaster talks of a Victorian power structure that did not allow women to have a say in society. All things were done according to the rules set by men for everyone (368). However Berg and McMasters view is harsh and seems to fall into a perception that women have no place in the society. In support of the position that goes against this perception, the several published works that have a stand on womens power in relation to men will be examined too. In this line of scholarship, Naomi Wolf is a popular and influential voice. Her critically acclaimed book entitled Fire with Fire: The New Female Power and How to Use it is a slap on the face of McMaster and Jackson as it crushes their positions on female victimhood. Wolf believes that women have always had more power than men. The biggest problem according to her is that women have not mastered the art of utilizing this power for their benefit (23-25). She further disagrees with women whose time is spent agonizing over a male dominated society where every woman is a victim (56). Evidently, Wolf is not ready to buy into the ideas of Jackson and McMaster. The areas where the latter two see oppression and in justice, the former sees opportunity and freedom that has not been seized by women. As it were, scholarly arguments are as strong as the evidence. Wolf avails solid examples of women who have managed to live happily through the realization that female power is sufficient to combat what has come to be known as male dominance. She points out that politics, business, and family life are all potential areas of female excellence if women meet fire with fire and learn to use some of the tactics men use to manage affairs in society (34). This is the basis of her phrase, fire with fire. Another female scholar who has done research on the issue of female power and influence is Margaret Beetham. In an article entitled Thinking Back Through our Mothers Magazines: Feminisms Inheritance from Nineteenth-Century Magazines for Mothers, Beetham, whose main objective is to survey the motherhood oriented magazines that existed in the nineteenth century, makes a refreshingly different statement based on what she discovers in the magazines she reads. As much as there was injustice in society during a greater part of the Victorian period, there was the acceptance that women were equal to men, but different. The admission of equality in these magazines that were published for mothers shows that the empowering element for women was present. What lacked was the will to pursue the path of equality through the elimination of obstacles that made it difficult for women to enjoy the trappings of a free life. It helps to point out that the writers and publishers of the magazines that Margaret Beetham analyzes in her work were both men and women, with most of them being in the hands of women. The significance of this is that women had access to the tools for empowerment as early as the Victorian time, a period that is attacked as highly paternalistic and patriarchal. This point is shared by Lisa Duggan and Nan Hunter. In Sex Wars: Sexual Dissent and Political Culture, the authors poignantly state that man and woman have always tried to live as a united pair, but the truth is that each is pulling in a different direction. The struggle is purely power based and is largely to blame for much of the s uffering that goes on in society (19-21). My study will be unique in the sense that it will depart from the traditional feminist readings and exegeses like that of Jackson and McMaster. The dissertation will prove the existence of the female power and influence even in the Victorian society; a society that is known as purely chauvinistic. Even in this analysis, my study will also go beyond the stress on the female power in the political and economic spheres as perpetuated by Arnfred, Wolf and Beetham. In contrast, I will focus on the psychological and personal dimension of feminine power. Through the critical examination of the Bronte novels, I will show that the power and influence held by women is not the literal political or physical power that society is used to, but rather the psychological one. It is partially the psychological dependency that men have on women that gives women the ability of manipulate circumstances and conditions in ways that can hurt or heal both parties. Evidently, my dissertation carries anti-feminist tone. The feminist theory will be employed to deconstruct the myth it perpetuates about the hegemony of man and the victimhood of woman. I will also shed light on the psychoanalytic theory to highlight the psychological power and influence women have on men. In a nutshell, through analyzing the three novels and borrowing from the other available materials and the theoretical framework, my study will purposefully prove that women have natural power and abilities; when these innate characteristics are applied to the intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, sociopolitical, and interpersonal world of men, this power can be abused to control and define the opposite sex, with detrimental results to both genders.

Coping With School Failure and School Achievement

Coping With School Failure and School Achievement DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS OF SCHOOL FAILURE Tony JREIGE Abstract (100 to 150 words) he present study examined the relationship between goal orientation, coping with school failure and school achievement. Two questionnaires, Goal Orientation (Niemivirta, 1996a) and The School Failure Coping Scale (Rijavec Brdar, 1997), were administered to 1057 high school students (aged from 15 to 17 years). The first goal of this study was to explore whether students can be classified in groups according to their goal orientation. The results identified four clusters of students with different achievement profiles: learning oriented, work-avoidance oriented, both performance and learning oriented and both performance and work-avoidance oriented group. Learning oriented group used emotion-focused coping the least frequently while students with combined performance and work avoidanc orientation used this kind of coping the most frequently. The second goal was to test the relationship between goal orientation patterns and the adoption of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, and academic achievement. It was hypothesized that goal orientation could predict school achievement directly and indirectly through coping strategies. Coping strategies were considered as mediators between goal orientation and school achievement. Path analysis demonstrated that direct effects of goal orientation on school achievement were not significant. The relationship between goal orientation and school achievement was mediated by coping strategies. Key Words: School failure, Depression, Anxiety, Coping. The problem of school failure is of great importance, as it affects students’ lives and future. In some cases, it leads to marginalization, rejection, alienation and exclusion; hence, the risk of a variety of other problems such as psychological and behavioral may emerge. Patterson and his colleagues (1989) point to an anti-social behavior as a consequence of such marginalization. We say that students who are marginalized and cannot easily adjust tend to drop out school. Although the importance of this topic, unfortunately, literature on the phenomenon of school failure of normally intelligent children and adolescents is still poor. There is a shortage of research that might offer an understanding of school failure in terms of psychological disorders. As a response to this fact, the main objective of this study is to look deep for emotional and psychological disorders accused to be guilty of this failure and, consequently, remove the stigma of being failure and irresponsible from students who lie behind their classmates. The main question we ask is: Do children and adolescents, who fail at school, really suffer from any psychological disorder, particularly depressive and anxiety disorders? And yet, another question emerges: Are females more susceptible to these disorders than males? As potential answers the above formulated questions, the following hypotheses were set up for the study: Children and adolescents who fail at school suffer from depressive disorders Children and adolescents who fail at school show evidence of anxiety disorders There is a gender significant difference in depressive disorders There is a gender significant difference in anxiety disorders LITERATURE REVIEW School failure The term â€Å"school failure† is difficult to define clearly; for some, it would include any kind of failure, repetition or delay in finishing school which usually leads the student to disqualification, and even to being stigmatized, especially because of the segregation between high and low achievers (Bourdieu,1994). On the other hand, researchers advanced several approaches to elucidate school failure, among these approaches we mention: Intelligence based on IQ scores. Supporters of this theory blame low IQs for school failure. Socio-economic status with children’s academic achievement: Supporters of this theory blame the poverty for school failure (Herbert, 1996; Turkheimer et al., 2003; Thomson Harris, 2004; Berliner, 2006, 2009). Interaction theory: Keddie (1973) and many others reproach the teacher for school failure. For them, teachers have a pre-defined opinion of how a student should talk and react and accordingly students are evaluated. Although all the above mentioned approaches, school failure may occur among students of high socio-economic status, beloved by their teachers, and have the ability and intelligence to succeed. Thus, these children get is a stigma of being a failure, a worthless, stupid and irresponsible person, while hidden emotional psychologicaldisorders are often the roots of their inability to meet the school’s standards. For us, several factors may lead to school failure, among these factors we mention depression and anxiety and the incapacity of using appropriate coping strategies. Depression Depression in children and adolescents is often a recurrent and very serious public health problem, it can occur with comorbid behavioral problems, suicidal risk, and psychiatric disorders, touching their whole life by impairing their social, emotional and physical health as well as their learning. Depression in children and adolescents may be expressed differently from that in adults, with manifest behavioral disorders (e.g. irritability, verbal aggression and misconduct), substance abuse and/or comorbid psychiatric disorders. In children aged between 6 and 12 years, the most common signs are classified into are school difficulties, somatic disorders (e.g. Recurrent abdominal pain, headaches), fatigue, apathy, eating disorders, lack of motivation, loss of concentration, irritability, restlessness which often lead professionals to misdiagnose the child with ADHD instead of depression (Melnyk et al.,2003). As for adolescents, the most common signs and symptoms are mood swings, social isolation, hypersomnia, feeling of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and drug or alcohol abuse (Richardson et al., 1996). Risk factors for suicide in young people are: previous suicide attempts; a close family member who has committed suicide; past psychiatric hospitalization; recent loss of a significant figure (through death, divorce or separation); social isolation; drug or alcohol abuse; exposure to violence in the home or the social environment; and handguns in the home. Early warnings for suicide are talking about it, preoccupation with death and dying, giving away special possessions, and making arrangements to take care of unfinished business. Williams (2009), offers a description to identifying depressed adolescents, such as: Somatic symptoms with features of anxiety. Sometimes poor functioning at school, socially, or at home. Bad behavior, particularly in boys. Rapid mood swings often occur. The fact that children are able to enjoy some aspects of their life shouldnt preclude the diagnosis of depression. Anxiety Anxiety is a normal part of living, it’s a biological reaction. Anxiety keeps us away from harm and prepares us to act quickly when facing a danger; it is a normal reaction to a stressful situation, thus it can help us cope with it. Yet we may find it sometimes in the core of the development of psychological disorders especially when anxiety becomes an excessive irrational worry of everyday situations, and a disabling condition severe enough to interfere with a persons ability to focus and concentrate where it becomes a disorder. Helfinstein (2009) believes that â€Å"anxiety refers to the brain response to danger, stimuli that an organism will actively attempt to avoid. This brain response is a basic emotion already present in infancy and childhood, with expressions falling on a continuum from mild to severe. Anxiety is not typically pathological as it is adaptive in many scenarios when it facilitates avoidance of danger. Strong cross-species parallels—both in organisms’ responses to danger and in the underlying brain circuitry engaged by threats—likely reflect these adaptive aspects of anxiety†. Half a century ago, Grinker (1959, p.56) believed that normal anxiety could be objective and real when we face natural situations that generate anxiety, e.g. child before his exams, parents in front of their child’s illness. Almost a century ago, in his â€Å"A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis† (1920), Freud believed that anxiety was used â€Å"in connection with a condition regardless of any objective†, it’s â€Å"a subjective condition, caused by the perception that an â€Å"evolution of fear† has been consummated†. †¦ Nowadays, for the American Psychologists Association (2013) describe Social Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder among the anxiety disorders include where METHOD Sample The sample of this study comprised of 187 children and young adolescents (Males = 122 and Females = 65) aged between 10 and 15 years suffering of school failure and enrolled in the fourth to the eighth grades, randomly drawn from 10 schools located in Mount Lebanon Caza (5 governmental and 5 private). Tools Anxiety The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) developed by Speilberger in 1970 was used. It consists of two 20-item scales that measure state and trait anxiety in children between the ages of 8 and 14. The A-State scale examines the shorter-term state anxiety that is commonly specific to situations. It prompts respondents to indicate how they feel ‘right now’ (e.g. calm, upset) on a 3-point scale ranging from 1 to 3. Summing responses creates a total score that can range from 20 to 60. The A-Trait scale measures longer-term trait anxiety, which addresses how the child generally feels. It asks respondents to choose the best word that describes them in general (e.g. rarely, sometimes, and often) on a 3-point scale ranging from 1 to 3. Summing responses creates a total score that can range from 20 to 60. A separate score is produced for the State scale and the Trait scale to determine which type of anxiety is dominant and which type of treatment is the most appropriate. In 2001, we standardized this scale for the Lebanese children aged between 8 and 17; the cut points for normal children were: A-State scale: 33.36 The A-Trait scale: 37.26 The PROMIS Anxiety scale (AS) is the 13-item Short Form that assesses the pure domain of anxiety in children and adolescents. The PROMIS Anxiety scale was developed for and can be used with children ages 8–17. Each item asks the child receiving care to rate the severity of his or her anxiety during the past 7 days, and is rated on a 5-point scale (1=never; 2=almost never; 3=sometimes; 4=often; and 5=almost always) with a range in score from 13 to 65 with higher scores indicating greater severity of anxiety. The raw scores on the 13 items should be summed to obtain a total raw score. Next, the T-score table should be used to identify the T-score associated with the child’s total raw score and the information entered in the T-score row on the measure. The T-scores are interpreted as follows: Less than 55 = None to slight; 55.0—59.9 = Mild; 60.0—69.9 = Moderate; 70 and over = Severe Depression The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), first published by Maria Kovacs in 1992, assesses the severity of symptoms related to depressionand/ordysthymicdisorder. The CDI is a 27-item self-rated and symptom-oriented scale suitable for childrenandadolescents aged between 7 and 17. It asks respondents to choose the best sentences that describe their state during the last two weeks,on a 3-point scale ranging from zero to 2. Summing responses creates a total score that can range from zero to 54. The cut-point of 19 is able to differentiate between normal and depressive children (Doerfler, 1998; Ø ¬ÃƒËœÃ‚ ±Ãƒâ„¢Ã…  ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¬, 2001) The PROMIS Depression scale (DS) is the 14-item Short Form that assesses the pure domain of depression in children and adolescents. The PROMIS Depression scale was developed for and can be used with children ages 8–17; however, it was tested only in children ages 11–17 in the DSM-5 Field Trials. Each item asks the child receiving care to rate the severity of his or her depression during the past 7 days, and is rated on a 5-point scale (1=never; 2=almost never; 3=sometimes; 4=often; and 5=almost always) with a range in score from 11 to 55 with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression. The raw scores on the 11 items should be summed to obtain a total raw score. Next, the T-score table should be used to identify the T-score associated with the total raw score and the information entered in the T-score row on the measure. The T-scores are interpreted as follows: Less than 55 = None to slight; 55.0—59.9 = Mild; 60.0—69.9 = Moderate; 70 and over = Severe RESULTS SPSS for Windows (Version 17) was used for all analyses. The One-Sample T-Test was used to compare our sample’s levels of anxiety and depression with the means of normal children and adolescents of their ages. The Independent-Samples T-Test was used to understand whether anxiety and depression differed based on gender. Overall, Table 1 illustrates a general view Means and standard deviations of our of the study’s participants for STAIC, Anxiety Scale, CDI and Depression Scale where we can notice high means in comparison with their cut-points. These findings are proved by the T-test (Table 2) where the One-Sample T-Test was run to determine whether our psychological variables scores in our participants were different to normal. Defined as a Astate cut-point of 33.36, mean score (38.11 ± 3.06) (see Table 1) was higher than the normal cut-point; a statistically significant difference of 4.75 (99% CI, 4.16 to 5.33),t(186) = 21.21, p= .000. As for the Atrait, mean score (42.08 ± 3.82) was higher than the normal cut-point (37.26); a statistically significant difference of 4.82 (99% CI, 4.09 to 5.55),t(186) = 17.24, p= .000. The Anxiety Scale where the cut-point is 55, mean score (60.23 ± 2.46) was higher; a statistically significant difference of 5.23 (99% CI, 4.76 to 5.70),t(186) = 28.99, p= .000. These result are also noticed in depression scales as the CDI cut-point is 33.36, while mean score (20.02 ± 2.23) was higher; a statistically significant difference of 1.02 (99% CI,0.59 to 1.44),t(186) = 6.24, p= .000. Nevertheless, results on the Depression Scale revealed a mean score (58.79 ± 2.27) higher than the normal cut-point (55); a statistically significant difference of 3.79 (99% CI, 3.36 to 4.22),t(186) = 22.82, p= .000. Table 1. Means and standard deviations for the participants on psychological variables Table 2. T-test for the participants on psychological variables On the other hand, this study found no statistically significant difference on the Astate Checklist between males (37.95  ± 2.98) and females (38.40  ± 3.22) (Table 3),t(185) = -0.956,p= 0.341 > 0.05 (Table 4). Nevertheless, male participants had statistically significantly lower mean (41.61  ± 4.10) than females’ (42.95  ± 3.07),t(185) = -2.308,p= 0.022 On the Anxiety Scale, both males (59.78  ± 2.73) and females (61.06  ± 1.58) differ significantly in their perception of anxiety, t(185) = -3.481,p= 0.001 The main effect was also significant for the CDI, male participants had statistically significantly lower mean (19.71  ± 2.25) than females’ (20.58  ± 2.09),t(185) = -2.586,p= 0.01. This result was also observed for the Depression Scale where males mean score was (58.43  ± 2.42) and females’ was (59.46  ± 1.79) , t(185) = -3.027,p= 0.003 Table 3. Gender differences on psychological variables Table 4. Independant Sample T Test by gender on psychological variables DISCUSSION CONCLUSION The study calls for a fundamental change of attitudes in educational development and policy making and a redefinition of school failure as a consequence not so much of the child’s unwillingness to study, but of his inability to perform well. As a school dropout explained his decision to drop out:

Human-Centric Computing in Three Dimensions :: Essays Papers

Human-Centric Computing in Three Dimensions The object of any project designated as â€Å"human-centric† is to make computers more accessible to humans, and not to make humans more accessible to computers. It seems that in the twentieth century computers have developed and become slightly easier to use, but no more accessible than they were when they were first invented. This has become a problem, since using a computer is nothing more than using a few mechanisms that are not naturally used by humans, such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Efforts have begun, though, to change the trend, making computers more natural for humans to use. There are many methods of making them more natural, such as voice-recognition, and even simpler items, such as more advanced search engines for the internet. Another good example of the new human-centric projects is an attempt to use recent technological advancements in three-dimensional graphics to make computers more user-friendly. All of these ideas can be brought to gether using new technology, but only if humans direct their progress towards the human-centric instead of techno-centric. One of these new three-dimensional attempts to make computers more human-centric is called Farsight nV, a project by the nVidia Corporation and the Quantum 3D Corporation. This project is utilizing the power of software and hardware made by the nVidia Corporation and integrating these elements into military and civilian vehicles. By using elements such as Synthetic Vision and â€Å"Highway in the Sky† flight guidance, the project will make vehicles safer and easier to use, all while enhancing the methods that humans use to interact with the computers embedded in the vehicles. These two elements utilize the latest enhancements and technology in the three-dimensional graphics field and make all of the menus and information the computers display many times easier to read and much more comprehensive for the user. The project will benefit humans â€Å"†¦by bringing the power of nVidia technologies into the cockpit and onto the dashboard-- greatly benefiting ev eryone who needs real-time 3D information while moving through the world." (Qtd. in Quantum3D and nVidia Announce Farsight nV Program). A second project centered on the same goal is taking place at the University of Utah.

Understanding the Great Commission by the Grace of God and the Help of

Understanding the Great Commission by the Grace of God and the Help of a Cloud of Witnesses â€Å"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.† Matthew 28:18 Clear as a bell, Jesus calls from the pages of scripture to share His love with one another, making disciples of all nations, teaching all peoples to obey his commandments. But how do we do this? What design would God have us follow in evangelizing in this world? What is the best method of sharing witness of Christ in human life, without alienating and condemning people who do not share our knowledge of salvation? In sharing stories of faith and life experience, an author shapes both personal and public perception of what it is to live with Christian faith. To write is to give voice to thoughts from the mind’s inner tissue and the spirit’s impulse, to interlock energy and life into communication of ideas and conceptions. As a transformative thinking process, autobiography transcends physical limits. In reading Breathing Space, I became familiar with Neumark’s personal world, familiar with her feeling on relationships, her church, her sense of mission and her desires for God’s presence in her life. Though I had never met her before she flew to campus to speak about her book, I felt as though I knew her on sight. This suspension of physical limitations on the transmission of thought and feeling holds an incredible potential for communication of faith, though it is not necessarily reciprocal; she hadn’t a clue ... ...ing to accept â€Å"the love of Jesus down in my soul,† and accepting myself as sinner, I trust that God’s will in my life is coming to fruition. For I have a piece of love that will never grow old! Bibliopgraphy Hettinga, Donald R. Presenting Madeleine L’Engle. New York: Twayne, 1993. L’Engle, Madeleine. Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage. Toronto: Collins, 1988. L’Engle, Madeleine. Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art. Weaton, Illinois: Harold Shaw, 1980. Neumark, Heidi. Breathing Space. Boston: Beacon, 2003. Yohanannan, K.P. Revolution in World Missions. Carrollton, Texas: Gospel for Asia, 2003. Sources Consulted Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shift in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2000. Thomas, Nicholas. Colonialism’s Culture: Anthropology Travel and Government. Princeton: Princeton, 1994.

German-American relations after the last Gulf War 2003 :: essays research papers

German-American relations after the last Gulf War 2003 There is hope for a future rapprochement between Germany and the USA. The relationships to the USA, since 1949 a leading part of the German foreign politics, deteriorated enormously and in March/April 2003 they hit an all-time low since the end of the Second World War. The administration of George W. Bush considered a military attack on the regime of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein as an important component for the struggle against the terrorism. The German Federal Government considered the war as an unjustified diversion of the conflict with the terror organization Al-Qaida. The intensity and duration of the German-American annoyance in the course of the conflict in Iraq was surprising against the background of a close political cooperation between the two nations over 40 years. Germany made good experiences with the transatlantic relationship in the past. We share the same basic values and we have a similar understanding of representative democracy, human rights, constitutional state and market economy. In the time of the Cold War from 1949-1989 West Germany and the USA could be regarded as ideal cooperation partners because they followed the same aims with complementary capabilities. The interests of Bonn and Washington were the military protection of Western Europe against soviet attacks as well as the encouragement of democracy and market economy in Europe. The USA played a very important role for the German unification in 1989. The process of unification was not only a result of American support but encouraged the German-American relationship. However, with the end of the Cold War, Germany lost its important role it played for the US-foreign policies. In the 90Â ´s during the Balkan wars the power of the USA and the powerlessness of Europe became clearly expressed. All attempts of the European states to form a united policy on their own continent failed. They could not define a united policy. The USA were frustrated because they did not see in Europe a reliable partner for a security policy. The transatlantic annoyance over the war in Iraq was more than a difference of opinion over the best strategy in the struggle against international terrorism. The USA, a country with global security interests, view the thread of international acting terrorism organizations, which might possess weapons of wholesale destruction, with greater concern than European governments, including Germany. Instead of using military means, which they possess only in a limited way, the European governments strive for a legal attempt at conciliation by means of international organizations like the ONU and the international Criminal Court, ICC.

Science Is a Threat to Humanity

SCIENCE IS A THREAT TO HUMANITY 1ST – OPPOSITION Thank you my dear madam speaker. Assalamualaikum and a very good day to the wise and honourable adjudicators, the alert and punctual time keeper, my fellow teammates, the misleading government team and MOTH. Before i start, i would like to refute the definition given by the government team. Now, it is my duty to define the key words of today’s motion.According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, science means knowledge about the world, especially based on examination and testing, and on facts that can be proved. Threat means someone or something that is regarded as a possible danger. Lastly, humanity means the state of being human and having qualities and rights that all people have.So, the full definition of today’s motion is knowledge about the world, especially based on examination and testing and on facts that can be proved is a possible danger to qualities and rights of all people. Now, please allow me to rebut the point given by the Prime Minister. He/She claims said that ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ But that is not true because ______________________________________________________________________________________________________Before i go on with my arguments, i would like to stress that my team mates and i are totally disagree with the motion today that says ‘Science is a threat to Humanity’ and would like to switch this motion to ‘Science is a bless to humanity’ which means knowledge about the world, especially based on examination and testing and on facts that can be proved makes people happy and satisfied in terms of qualities and rights of all people. Now, please allow me to introduce my team mates.I as the first speaker will talk about Science gives major health benefits while my second speaker will further strengthen our team’s stand on this motion by talking ab out Science helps in improving qualities of life and Science improve communication. Last but not least, my third speaker will rebut all misleading points raised by the government team. MOTH, In today’s world, Science is vital in ensuring we live a healthy life. It has major health benefits because as we have the knowledge about the treatments of certain illness and cures are discovered, many lives can be saved.MOTH, If we support Science, we can get the benefits from it. Our lives will be much better because we will be able to find the cures and preventions to diseases. We need to have the knowledge in medical aspect so that all fatal diseases can be cured and prevented. Not only that, by supporting science, we will be able to create better health and medical facilities. We will be able to use drugs that prevent diseases rather than merely treating symptoms and we will have body monitors that warn of impending trouble. MOTH,Can you bear the pain of suffering from diseases suc h as cancer and heart attack all your lives just because you oppose to Science? Through science, we can have modern medicine to relieve suffering even for babies. With science also we can detect diseases in early stage even during pregnancies. In genetic screening, for example, we can monitor the development of embryos to get high quality and healthy babies. If there is any disability or defects, it can be treated in early stage. As we know, embryos might have disabilities that would kill them as newborn babies. If properly treated these people may well live to enjoy healthy lives.If we oppose science, we are actually not helping the babies to be better adults in terms of their health. Not only that. Science helps in improving health condition of human beings because of any accidents or tragedy. With science, we are able to help people who are blind to see the lights and all wonderful things on earth and people who cannot walk to be able to walk again. Isn’t it a miracle? Do you think we will be able to do so without the help of science? I don’t think so my dear government team. MOTH, I am sure i have said enough to convince you that science is not a threat but is actually a bless to humanity.The health benefits that we receive from them are so great that we are able to enjoy life to the fullest and no more worries of critical diseases. So MOTH, once again i restate our stand that we totally disagree with the motion today that says â€Å"Science is a threat to humanity’ as it should be ‘Science is a bless to humanity’. With that i beg to differ. Thank you. SCIENCE IS A THREAT TO HUMANITY 2ND- OPPOSITION Thank you madam speaker. Assalamualaikum and a very good morning to the wise and honourable adjudicators, the punctual timekeeper, my fellow teammates, not forgetting the misleading government team and members of the house.As the second speaker, it is my duty to rebut the arguments given by the second minister of the governmen t team. Her/His argument was _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ But i disagree because ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Then he/she also claimed that ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Then, the Prime Minister claims that ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which i don’t agree because ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MOTH, My first argument is about how science helps in improving the quality of life. As humans, we cannot deny that we need science – the knowledge to make our lives easier. You must remember, without science, you will not know how to get clothes, to build a house or to cook food. The contribution of science can be seen in our everyday lives.Can we think about a life without electricity, cars, telephone, internet, television and thousands of scientific inventions that make our life comfortable? The application of science is indeed a great help in people’s every day routine. For example, people use their refrigerator to keep their food chilled and fresh longer. People use cars, buses and other vehicles the transport themselves from one place to another. They use air conditioners and heaters to help maintain temperature. As we can see, every aspect of life is dependent on science and its application to improve the quality of life.MOTH, We cannot say no to science for all the contributions it brings. With science, we can get latest knowledge and find more discoveries to improve our quality of life. With science also we can get new technology to develop our nation and boost our economy. When our country is developed, only then we can compete with other countries or at least be equal with other countries in terms of social, politics and economy. If we are against science, of course we will be left behind. MOTH, The discoveries in genetically modified food have helped to reduce famine and hunger.In agriculture, the genetics of food are improved to produce bigger fruits which provide more nutrients to all people. This is certainly a great achievement in the field of science where it as able to help the poor countries to fight the problem of hunger among their people. MOTH, Now let’s move on to my second argument that is Science helps to improve communication. Years after years we can see advancement in the communication sector where people on opposite sides of the world are able to stay in touch where before, they would have no possible way to do so, thanks to Science and its application.Today, distance will not be an issue because we can communicate and exchange ideas with people around the wor ld in just a moment. This helps to strengthen the relationship among people. As we all know, the internet keeps us connected. We even can change our ways in solving problems easier and faster through the internet. It also makes our job run fast and more effective. Even entrepreneurs use this medium to do their transactions. The development in many industries right now also is actually because of science and the application of science.There is no barrier to market products and we can compete with other develop countries, thanks again to the miracle of science. MOTH, Do you still remember the 6th Challenge of our Vision 2020? , the challenge of establishing a scientific and progressive society, a society that is innovative and forward looking, one that is not only a consumer of technology but also a contributor to the scientific and technological civilization of the future. Our vision 2020 will not be a reality if we say no to Science. MOTH,

How to Make Your Own Etag Burger

How to make your very own etag burger Etag, a way of preserving meat is one of the most loved proteins of the Igorots. Some say it looks like tapa (smoked ham). Others would compare it to Ilocos’s bagnet (their own version of chicharon). Contrary to its meat counterparts, etag smells brackish. It has a strong burnt moss odor with a pinch of pungent fishy smell. And has a potent salty and smoky flavor. Innasin, the other term for etag is derived from the Bontoc/Igorot term inassinan or salted in English. This describes meat such as pork, chicken and beef that are generously treated with salt.Actually, etag is smoked ham but rather than the normal sweet flavor it is salty, very salty. Etag has been a special recipe in cultural gatherings of the Igorots such as weddings and clan reunions. To some who don’t know what it is, what exactly is etag? Etag is like daing na bangus. Just like its fish equivalent, etag commonly made out of pig’s meat is salted liberally and i s hanged to undergo a curing process. Then, it is smoked for a minimum of thirty minutes and a maximum of three hours per day, for two weeks. There are different variations in cooking etag.People of Bontoc, Mountain Province like it sun-baked while locals of Sagada want it smoked. A lot of culinary innovations have been done with the meat. Go Grab Grub’s blog had presented 5 ways on preparing etag. Aside from the traditional boiled etag, the beloved meat can also be cooked as tinola, stir-fry, vegetable soup, an additional ingredient for fried rice and etag salad. In Inglay’s Restaurant at Km. 6, La Trinidad they have incorporated etag with burgers and lumpia. Burgers, who would not love them? Make etag its main ingredient and well, what do you have? Etag burger!So, here’s a simple recipe to help you make your own etag burger. Have a nice piece of etag chunk. I suggest you choose a chunk with twenty percent fat. Grind your meat at a local butcher’s or bet ter yet, grind it with your own chopper or meat grinder (but make sure you cut it into one to one and a half cubes first, to ease up the process). Next, wet your hands with water, this will keep the meat from sticking to your hands. It will also allow the grind etag to come together and prevents it from over-handling. After grinding the meat, put it in a large bowl. Add pepper and other seasoning to add more taste.You don't need to add salt to it for the meat salty enough. If you want to make it healthier, you can toss in small slices of your favorite vegetable like carrots, bell peppers and potatoes. Mix it gently using your hands until it is loosely mixed. Then, scoop the amount of meat you want from the mixture. Normally, burgers shrink and pull in during cooking. In order to solve this, put a dimple at the center (this can be done by poking the middle of the patty with your forefinger). This will result to an even patty-shaped burger in the end. If you are planning to cook it af ter preparing, heat up your pan first to a steady high temperature.Pour oil until the pan is sizzling. This will prevent your patty from sticking to the pan. Upon frying, avoid pressing the burgers. This will release the juices and flavors of your patty. Let it sit for 5 minutes for thorough cooking. Flip it if you think the patty is well done. Let your burgers rest after you take it from the pan. This will allow the patty to finish cooking. Also, it will allow the juice of the burger to be distributed thoroughly. Finally, like any other burgers sold in the market, put you cooked etag patty in a bun. You could include onion rings, lettuce and tomato in it.Add you favorite sauce like catsup, mustard or mayonnaise for a more personalized taste. To maintain the right flavors and if you are planning to not cook the etag patties for a while, better put it in the freezer. Through this the patties will stay together and juicy. Voila! You now have your very own etag burger-fusing old tradit ion and modern gastronomic practice in one. //Reden C. Reyes Sources: Anonymous. â€Å"Who doesn’t love etag? ’ Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from The Igorot Journal. http://www. igorotjournal. com/2010/07/who-doesnt-love-etag. html Anonymous. Go Grab Grub! 5: What to do with Etag (smoked mountain ham).Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from grabgrub. wordpress. com. http://grabgrub. wordpress. com/tag/etag-etag-recipes/ Molly Watson. â€Å"10 tips for perfect burgers†. Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from About. com. http://localfoods. about. com/od/grillingtips/tp/10-Tips-For-Perfect-Burgers. htm Laura Dolson. â€Å"Tips for Cooking the Best Hamburgers†. Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from lowcarbdiets. about. com. http://lowcarbdiets. about. com/od/cooking/a/easybestburgers. htm Donald Daryl Ayochok Daoey. â€Å"Innasin†. Retrieved on October 20, 2012 from daoey. tripod. com. http://daoey. tripod. com/innasin. html

Justice with Michel Sandel

Justice with Michel Sandel Silvia Molina University of Texas at El Paso Justice with Michel Sandel Harvard university professor Dr. Michel Sandel introduces two lecture episodes that discuss a number of philosophy related issues. In the first episode â€Å"The Moral Principles† Dr. Sandel begins the lecture with a story of a trolley cart in a path that may lead kill one, or five people. The decision to kill the one person in oppose to five, is left to a show of hands by participating students. The hypothetical scenario he paints in the story is to introduce moral reasoning.The students then participate in a critical thinking discussion to conclude what would be morality correct, whether to kill the one person so that five should live or vise versa. His story quickly unfolds to introduce two moral principles, one being consequentialist moral reasoning and the second is categorical moral reasoning. In the second part of his first lecture, Dr. Sandel discusses a very popular nine teenth century law case involving an ocean stranded crew of four. Sandel proceeds to initiate the discussion of the principles of utilitarian philosopher, Jeremy Bentham.The inauguration of arguments of utilitarianism follows what is discussed in the second episode â€Å"Putting a Price Tag on Life/How to Measure Pleasure†. The lecture in episode two also includes discussions of critical thinking and arguments by the students to support their contrasting views. Part one of the second episode discusses the cost benefit analysis that companies follow to put a price on human life. The second part in episode two introduces British philosopher John Stuart Mill who argues that utilitarian, those who have experienced high pleasure and lower pleasures will desire the higher pleasure.Utilitarianism is further debated in the lectures of Dr. Sandel as he goes in to details showing how utilitarianism plays a large role in everyday life circumstances as well as in economic situations. The Moral Principal Episode part one opens up with Michel Sandel sharing a story about a trolley cart. The story is as follows, a trolley cart is on a deadly path headed to the fatal crash that will kill five people. The wheel on the trolley cart works and can be steered to kill only one person. The students are asked their educated opinions on what is the right thing to do given the circumstances of the story.Most students answered saving five human lives with the expense of one human life would be the right thing to do. When the story is changed by Dr. Sandel and the human that is to save the lives of the five others is murdered the students opinions change. Sandel then proceeds to introduce the two moral principles that take place which are cosequentialist and categorical. Consequential moral reasoning is one that locates morality in the consequences of an act. Categorical locates morality in certain duties and rights. Both these moral principals where greatly debated by the student s. On the second part Dr.Sandel gives a brief introduction to utilitarianism and the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham. It describes Bentham’s view on the balance of pleasure over pain and the belief of the happiness or well being of the greatest number. The real life case presented, describes four sailors that survive after a massive shipwreck and are now fighting for survival at sea. One of the four sailors gets sick and the others decide to kill him to feed of his body. One of the students finds the idea of cannibalism in the case of necessity morally wrong and that it should not justify murder even though it would keep the rest of the three crew men alive.Another student defended the opposing view, by saying that as humans in a situation like such â€Å"we got to do what we have to do to survive†. Other circumstances are debated and the positions of the students change to be morally ok to have eaten the fourth member of the crew to keep the greater good for the gr eater number. In the opposing view some students still believe that it is morally wrong to not value human life as equally as the weaker sailor. The thoughts of this very famous case are the debates of categorical morality and of Bentham’s idea of the greater good for the greater number.Michel Sandel opens the second episode with a brief history on philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Bentham’s views on utilitarianism is that the highest principal of morality whether personal or political it is to maximize the general welfare or utility. Bentham states that we are all governed by pain and pleasure and must find a balance to achieve the greater good for the greatest number. Maximized utility is best attained when all the benefits are added up and all the costs are subtracted and the result is that happiness is greater than suffering. Dr. Sandel describes utilitarian logic as a cost benefit analysis that many corporations as well as overnments use to give measure to human life us ually in a monetary figure. A cost analysis example is based on a proposal to increase sales tax to cigarette sales in the Czech Republic. The analysis concludes that the Czech government benefits more from smokers. The cost analysis conducted states that the benefits of smoking are greater because smoking increases tax revenue, increases health care savings when people die early, and no more pension payments to those elderly that die early. Therefore the only costs would be an increase health care, which in this case does not outweigh the benefits of smoking.In a way the analysis are giving a monetary value to human life. Another view point by Dr. Sandel, is the Pinto case where a cost analysis was conducted to see if the benefits of adding a protective plate to the car were lower than the costs of human lives affected by not adding a protective plate to the fuel tank of the Pinto car. In argument, the utilitarian principle is discussed by some students that those lives and opinion s of the minority should not be less valuable than those of the majority. Some students believe that no monetary value should be placed on human lives.In other circumstances the students think someone has to make those decisions to be able to adequately take risks in certain situations. The monetary value that is placed on a human life by conducting cost analysis is done for the well being of the greater good to conclude into making important decisions by companies as well as governments. The second part in episode two Dr. Sandel mentions a personal experience that raises the question if all values can be turned into utilitarian terms. The objection to transform all values in to a single uniform measure such as utilitarian is objected by John Steward Mill.Mill believed that utilitarianism can be aligned with defending human rights. Mill also reasons that utilitarianism can distinguish higher pleasures from lower pleasures. The distinction of the lower and higher pleasure can be dist inguished by having experienced both pleasures and one who has experienced both will choose the higher pleasure always. Dr. Sandel proves his point by showing the class three videos in which they must choose one that can be described as the higher pleasure. After the viewing all three videos which were a clip by Hamlet, the other by fear factor, and finally The Simpsons.The class greatly agrees that the majority would pick the highest pleasure to be the clip by Hamlet and that Shakespeare is the highest pleasure out of all three. Exploring further the idea of utilitarianism a series of hypothetical moral reasoning situations can occur in the brother cities of El Paso, TX and Juarez, MX. The drug war happening in the city of Juarez is crucially affecting a developing economy that participates in the NFATA trade agreement. Large corporations have positioned its manufacturing plants to operate in the city of Juarez.With Juarez and El Paso trading goods and money extensively among count ries raises the idea of the following hypothetical scenario. In this hypothetical scenario involves a professional CEO of a major corporation residing in Juarez. The CEO of the corporation lives in El Paso and has to cross the international border to Juarez to be able to attend work on a daily basis. Sadly on any given day the CEO finds himself kidnapped by one of the drug cartels that are at war in Juarez. The drug cartel is asking for five million dollars in ransom for the CEO of the company.Therefore the company is suffering 10 million in losses a day without its CEO leader that conducts all major profitable operations run by him in the company. This scenario brings up the use of cost benefit analysis or utility discussed by Bentham. What would the company do in this situation? What is greater good for the greatest number is the question that should be asked? Would it be worth it to the company to pay the ransom or would the death of the CEO result in greater profit of interest t o the company. This example shows how a cost benefit analysis that can be conducted by the company in which it gives a monetary value to human life.It can be argued that there are other moral benefits to saving the CEO not just for the company but maybe because his family needs him. In a way it can also be argued that it is morally wrong to put a price on human life and that no matter what the company should pay a ransom no matter the amount. It can also be said that the CEO can easily be replaced in less than half a day and that the company could save its 10 million dollar losses for the day. Whatever the decision in the hypothetical scenario might turn out to be, the idea of cost benefit analysis is one that is used by all companies and business around the world.One, especially in business must sometimes come across difficult decisions and it is then when all theories moral reasoning and utilitarian must be applied to come to a conclusion. In sum, the discussion of the two episode s concludes that utility is applied to most certainly justice but to everyday decisions that are made by businesses around the world. Utilitarianism is referred by Bentham as the greater good for the greatest number in episode one of Justice with Michel Sandel.Last but not least in episode two, John Stuart Mill defends the concept of human rights in these words â€Å"Justice is a name for certain moral requirements, which, regarded collectively, stand higher in the score of social utility and are therefore of more paramount obligation than any others†. This quote, Mill says that it is ok to keep the laws and rules that exist only if there is a much greater reason for breaking them. Therefore utilitarian’s reason could be that saving a human life is a better reason in comparison to the loss of millions of dollars a company could sustain.Mill and Bentham dispute significantly ideas and create extensive room to ponder, but it is in our reasoning that these ideas can be co ncluded and interpreted only by one’s own moral reasoning. References Episode 01 – Justice with Michael Sandel. (n. d. ). Justice with Michael Sandel – Online Harvard Course Exploring Justice, Equality, Democracy, and Citizenship. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from http://www. justiceharvard. org/2011/03/episode-01/#watch Episode 02 – Justice with Michael Sandel. (n. d. ). Justice with Michael Sandel – Online Harvard Course Exploring Justice, Equality, Democracy, and Citizenship.Retrieved June 12, 2012, from http://www. justiceharvard. org/2011/02/episode-two/#watch Jeremy Bentham, Principles of Morals and Legislation (1780) – Justice with Michael Sandel. (n. d. ). Justice with Michael Sandel – Online Harvard Course Exploring Justice, Equality, Democracy, and Citizenship. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www. justiceharvard. org/resources/jeremy-bentham-principles-of-morals-and-legislation-1780/ The Queen vs Dudley and Stephens (1884) (The Lifeboat Case) – Justice with Michael Sandel. (n. d. ). Justice with Michael