To Kill A Mocking Bird By Lee Essays - English-language Films

To Kill A Mocking Bird By Lee Racial categories are created in the film To Kill A Mockingbird through a complex societal hierarchy founded in difference. Although all of Macon county lives in poverty, the town does not unite on the basis of this shared experience, but instead focuses on their differences, both real and imagined, to segregate themselves. The town operates under a general assumption that wealthier whites hold the most power and prestige, followed by poorer whites, while all blacks, regardless of financial station, are considered to be the lowest citizens. General depictions of black men and women in the film are of household servants and ignorant, docile farm workers. The only slight indication that there were any educated blacks in Macon comes from the appearance of the preacher at Tom Robinson's trial. Held on charges of raping and beating a poor, white woman, Mr. Robinson is portrayed as a meek and nearly helpless man. The fact that he can barely speak in his own defense, relays both the idea that black men were uneducated, as well as the idea that blacks were afraid to step over the boundaries of their society. Attics Finch, a kind and fair white lawyer, is the only person to speak up for Mr. Robinson. This demonstrates the idea that the lowly black man needs a benevolent white man to "save" him and direct his life along the right path. Black men and women in the film are unable to make their own decisions. Clearly, there were obvious lines drawn in Macon, delegating specific roles to the various groups of citizens. The dark pigment of Mr. Robinson's skin placed him on the bottom rung of society, forcing him into a subservient position. It is difficult to discern whether the film is attempting to garner sympathy for the oppressed black community, or reinforce stereotypes of ignorant and complacent black men and women. While the initial depictions of the black community center around the Finch's maid, Calpurnia, the respect with which the family treats her is far from the norm. Ranging from the callous indifference of several of the white law-enforcement officers, to the blatant racism of the group of country farmers, much meaning is assumed from difference. The racism of Macon seems to stem from the Southern history of slavery. Blacks continue to be classed as servants, and not equals, to the white townspeople. With no other opportunities available to them, the black workers attempt to make the most out of what they have. They are faced daily with the stigma attached to the color of their skin, a difference which assigns the entire black community an inferior status. Especially evident in the treatment of blacks by the poor, white farmers, is a desire for dominance over the blacks. Bob Ewel, the father of the victim, expresses his distaste by referring to black men as "boy," a term we have seen is weighted by heavy historical significance. This racism most likely stems from the substandard treatment these farmers receive from the wealthier population of Macon. In the blacks, the farmers are looking for a place to vent their own frustration and exert power over another group. The idea of ethnic identity as an illusion opened my eyes to the fallacy of a single identity for every group. Using only the basic elements of family life for example, it is clear to see that the Finch family is very different from the farming Cunningham family, despite the fact that they are both white. This illusion shows up again in the lumping together of all of the black men and women of Macon into a single category, at the expense of any individual identities. Even Tom Robinson, the man held on (false) charges of raping a white woman, is never developed as a character. The audience is left to imagine that he is "just" another poor, black farmer. I chose this film because of the use of difference as a foundation for social hierarchy. Throughout the film, there is much lumping of various ethnic groups. A group identity is favored over the individual identity, and all assumptions are based on the idea that each member of a group shares the same thoughts, values, and identity. Seeing the various episodes of the film through the eyes of the young narrator, Scout Finch, also offered a unique perspective to the film. The questioning eyes of a child are often as critical as any educated outsider looking in on Macon could be. Through this course I have

Murder is Murder(Capital Punishment) essays

Murder is Murder(Capital Punishment) essays Murder is Murder Capital punishment has been a controversial topic almost since it's inception. Since biblical times, an "eye for an eye," or a " tooth for a tooth", has been the established norm for retribution. As society advanced, the methods of capital punishment became more "civilized". However, the result remains the same, legally sanctioned death. Reform of automatic death sentences began in Europe in the 1750's. The social reformers and English law reformers of that time argued that the death penalty was needlessly cruel, overrated as a deterrent, and occasionally imposed in fatal error. The social reformers proposed life imprisonment as a more humane alternative. The social reformers proposal is consistent with my opinion. Any death of any person is wrong. The general population's opinion is that capital punishment permanently removes the worst criminals from society, and is less expensive and safer for society, than long-term or permanent incarceration. It is evident that dead criminals cannot commit any more crimes. However, the same is true for criminals serving life sentences. Most people would think it is less expensive to execute a person rather than keep them in prison, which is not always true. It is estimated that a capital case resulting in execution may cost $2,000,000. However life imprisonment's $20,000 a year is comparable. Of course we would think that execution would not be expensive but the legal fees, appeals and the court cost make execution very costly. It is simply not cost effective. Furthermore, the fact that a person is convicted of a murder and sentenced to death does not always mean he or she is guilty. There are many people who are wrongly accused. What if someone is innocent and they are wrongly ex ecuted? There is no possible way to compensate for his or her wrongful death. In some cases a person convicted of the murder ...

PAPER WRITING SERVICE for College and University Students

PAPER WRITING SERVICE for College and University Students The known fact is students during their educational process are overwhelmed with studies and assignments. It is wise to obtain professional writing help when the deadline is close. Professional paper writing service available on line today are ready to accommodate any type writing request. Whether it is an essay or complex research project, professional writer is able to address the problem and to deliver the quality written essay to anyone who needs it. The specific requirements that clients may have can be done easily as well. Another great feature that our company does offer is an option for Revision. Already written paper may have some adjustments that must be done. The client is able to order a revision of already written offer and receives as many revisions as he likes completely free of charge within 30 days since the order has been placed. It is easy to order an essay writing online. We have carefully gathered a team of professional writers who have over 5 years of essay writing experience. We are able to do the assignments of any complexity. It takes just minutes to place an order. If you have questions, the customer support team will be able to address your questions immediately.

The Professional Health Educator in the 21st Century Essay

The Professional Health Educator in the 21st Century - Essay Example Essentially the health educator can be defined as the facilitator of disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles by way of knowledge and behavioral change. The profession of health care educator exposes the working professional to inter-disciplinary preventative healthcare research and literature. Disciplines incorporated into the profession of health education include biology, physiology, psychology, sociology, education, community services and research methodology. As a science, health educator science is dynamic and continuously developing from previous knowledge. As such, the health educator is required to take part in at least four years of academic training at an approved institute. And although there is no global consensus as to the optimal length of training, health educator students are expected to complete their Bachelor's Degree in Health Education or Health Promotion to be able to practice. As well, the health educator professional has the responsibility to continue their education through professional development courses. This may entail attending workshops and seminars, professional organization meetings, or adding to the ir academic achievements within the formal context of the university. The health educator professional is expected to access to numerous journals and other literature so as to be aware of the changes of knowledge and practices within their discipline.In these ways, members of the public can be assured that the services provided by the health educator are of a very high standard. Their academic studies have focused on concepts of attitude and lifestyles behavior and so the professional health educator can deliver a unique service to the community. Also, in order for the health educator to be accepted as a member of a professional body it is necessary that they demonstrate a high level of proficiency of selected competencies. These competencies have been developed within a Framework for the Development of Competency-Based Curricula for Entry-Level Health Educators.At the national level, professional health educators are contributing to the shaping of legislation in regards to preventa tive health care services. Health educators contribute to legislative changes by way of lobbying or debating government decisions and approaches, either as individuals or as a professional group. Such changes highlight the importance of belonging to a professional organization of health education, as often changes sought are in regards to the profession itself, and the overriding body can lobby for changes to legislation that ensure the optimum standards of pay and working conditions and opportunities for its members. The professional organization, such as the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc (NHEC), the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), or the American Association for Health Educators (AAHE), are comprised of members who have been awarded certification of achieving a high level of competencies at university. And it is the professional organizations that determine the standards that must be obtained in order to become a member. Thus, there is little room for lay control from those

Economic, Demographic, and fiscal effects of Immigration Research Paper - 1

Economic, Demographic, and fiscal effects of Immigration - Research Paper Example At the beginning of the new millennium, global migration patterns changed dramatically from those from the last millennium. The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed massive immigration resulting in assimilation and association in terms of economic and social aspects of the host country. The examination of the effects of immigration on employment, as well as wage outcomes of resident workers remains one of the most pertinent concerns in the immigration debate. The possibility that shifts in the composition, as well as size of the demographic layout, could adversely impact the labor force as a consequence of immigration is quite compatible with theoretical models. As a consequence, research on demographic, fiscal and economic effects of immigration, for instance, effects on employment and wage are the core areas of research in immigration. Available literature, save for a few exceptions, points out that immigration has quite a minimal or no effect on the economy of the host country (Friedberg and Hunt 1995, 31). This paper will use suitable data sources to address a myriad of issues on the theoretical level to provide a comprehensive picture of the manner in which immigration impacts the financial and social environment of the host country, taking into account the situation in the US. The substantive number of immigrants residing in the US necessitates this research. As of 2002, 32.5 million immigrants resided in the US. The purpose of thi s paper is to investigate the economic, fiscal and demographic effects of immigration. This investigation entails responding to a number of questions, which include the following: Strong views regarding the value of immigration, or lack thereof has always been a pressing issue. Inclusive research, which attempts to examine the full scope of fiscal, demographic and economic implications of immigration, is a significant undertaking that has been

Simons Stigmata In Lord of the Flies Essay Example for Free

Simons Stigmata In Lord of the Flies Essay In William Goldings novel, Lord of the Flies, the character Simon portrays many characteristics similar to those demonstrated by Jesus in the bible. He is shown to have all the qualities that Jesus has: determination, intelligence and resilience. Even his physical appearance portrays Christ since he is skinny and not much of a tough person. Simon was very calm and caring for others, especially with the little children and enjoyed being alone when he could. Simon embodies a pure spiritual human goodness that is deeply connected with nature and people around him as Jesus did with his disciples. Both Jesus and Simon had prophecies about things to come, and they were both persecuted and were ridiculed of for sharing those prophecies. Whereas Ralph and Jack stand at opposite ends of the scale between civilization and savagery, Simon stands on an entirely different plane from all the other boys. Unlike all the other boys on the island, Simon acts with kindness and purity because he believes in the inherent value of morality. He behaves kindly toward the younger children, and he is the first to realize the problem posed by the beast, that the monster on the island is not real or something that can be hunted down and killed. It isnt physical but rather a savagery that lurks within each human being. In Golding’s view, the human impulse toward civilization is not as deeply entrenched as the human impulse toward savagery. Despite the fact that Simon is one of the smallest biguns he never follows the others way of thinking, nor backs down when it comes to speaking up for himself. One such occasion where he shows his defiance of the others beliefs is when he says to everyone, I think we ought to climb the mountain. (page 128) This shows that he knows the beast isnt real and he shows no fear of the unknown. Jesus called people to do things they thought would be simply impossible just as Simon did, and the fact that not even the stronger boys had the courage to do it shows how assured Simon is to his morals. Simon was sacrificed during the ritual dance so that the other boys could live. Simon was killed by all the boys in an excruciating way and claimed that it wasnt really him. Everyone but Ralph thought that Simon was the beast, and didn’t think twice before attacking him. Ralph knew it was Simon they killed, and he realized how everyone was acting like wild creatures. Also the way Simon was shown in the movie after he died showed him as a Christ-figure in the story; Simon dies on water that is calm and peaceful, as the light reflected off the water it gave a kind of feeling of holiness. Simon’s body was carried out by the waves and the way he was floating with his arms stretched out, replicates the way that Jesus died on the cross. Throughout the story, Simon is shown to have a very strong connection with Jesus by his actions of kindness. He displayed as a person with divine ties with Christ and a reminder that purity is everywhere, even when all hopes seem to be gone. The many occurrences Simon gains the courage to speak up and show how smart, intelligent he really is makes a huge impact on everyone. Simon, like Christ, was never evil and always helped others out with what he could. Simon symbolizes and demonstrates a sort a purity that goes beyond human goodness. However, his brutal murder at the hands of the other boys designates the lack of that goodness in people against an overwhelming abundance of evil that lies deep within each and everyone one of us.

Megans Law Essay -- essays research papers

MEGAN’S LAW PROTECT THE CHILDREN OR THE PEDOPHILES Megan Kanka was an innocent little girl, someone’s daughter, sister, and best friend. The defendant, Jesse Timmendequas, changed all of that. He changed it brutally, savagely, and permanently. In a few moments of unspeakable horror, the defendant destroyed all of Megan’s dreams, all of that joy, all that hope, all that promise. In those few moments, he destroyed Megan Kanka’s life. She would never live to see her wedding day, never have children, and never embrace her family again. Jesse Timmendequas took Megan’s life on July 24, 1994. Her funeral was held on Wednesday, August 3, 1994. Jesse Timmendequas was a twice convicted sex offender. He moved in across the street from Megan’s home without the family’s knowledge of his history as a pedophile. Joseph Cifelli was another convicted sex offender who had spent nine years at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center. He had been convicted after admitting to repeated sexual abuse of a relative that had begun when the child was nine. A third man, Brian R. Jenin had been convicted twice of crimes involving young boys. Jenin, along with Timmendequas, was under investigation in connection with the unsolved murders of two boys in San Diego. All three were Megan's neighbors. Jesse Timmendequas’ convictions stemmed from a 1981 attack on a 5 year old girl, for which he served 9 months. That same year he was convicted for an attempted rape of a 7 year old girl, for which he was sentenced to ten years. After serving only six years, he was free to lure 7 year old Megan into his home where he brutally raped and strangling her with a belt as she bit and fought for life. He knocked her to the floor, hitting her several times in the head. He wrapped her head in plastic shopping bags to prevent her blood from staining the rugs. He then took a toy box and stuffed her inside. Megan’s body was found in a weeded area of a nearby park near a portable toilet. On May 30, 1997, a jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts of murder including capital murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault and sentenced Jesse Timmendequas to death. It was this little girl’s brutal death that prompted her parents, Richard and Maureen Kanka, to fight for broad based community notification. Megan’s parents believe that if they had known that a pedophile lived nearby, this heinous crime... ...s due process. Due process is best defined in one word--fairness. When a person is treated unfairly by the government, including the courts, he is said to have been deprived of or denied due process. The most common and successful due process challenge is procedural due process. This challenge has occurred mainly in states that classify offenders according to the level of risk they pose to communities. This argument centers on whether an offender is allowed a hearing to challenge a risk classification. The Massachusetts Supreme Court recently found that provisions of the state’s community notification law violated constitutional due process Doe v. Sex Offender Registry Board, Mass. SJC-07608 (July 24,1998). The United States Supreme Court has yet to weigh in it’s opinion as to whether or not offender’s due process or Ex Post Facto rights are being violated by Megan’s Law. Are we bothered by the fact that in the current social climate, the rights of convicted pedophiles are routinely violated and nobody cares. Rules of evidence are stretched, and terms of punishment are increased. The danger of this precedent is impossible to ignore. As parents, though... are we okay with it.

Aldi Inc Strategic Swot Analysis Review Essay

Summary Aldi, Inc. (Aldi) is a grocery retailing company. The company’s stores supply various food and general merchandise such as fresh meat and produce; refrigerated and frozen foods; snacks and sweets; bakery, dairy, pantry items and beverages. In addition, it also offers skincare and beauty products, house hold must have products, and beer and wines. Aldi operates over 1,200 stores in the US and sells over 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items in manageable, non-bulk packaging. It operates as a subsidiary of ALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG. The company is headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, the US Our Aldi, Inc. provides a comprehensive insight into the company’s history, corporate strategy, business structure and operations. The report contains a detailed SWOT analysis, information on the company’s key employees, key competitors and major products and services. This up-to-the-minute company report will help you to formulate strategies to drive your business by enabling you to understand your partners, customers and competitors better. Scope – Business description – A detailed description of the company’s operations and business divisions. – Corporate strategy – Our summarization of the company’s business strategy. – SWOT analysis – A detailed analysis of the company’s strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. – Company history – Progression of key events associated with the company. – Major products and services – A list of major products, services and brands of the company. – Key competitors – A list of key competitors to the company. – Key employees – A list of the key executives of the company. – Executive biographies – A brief summary of the executives’ employment history. – Key operational heads – A list of personnel heading key departments/functions. – Important locations and subsidiaries – A list of key locations and subsidiaries of the company, including contact details. Note: Some sections may be missing if data is unavailable for the company. Reasons to Buy – Gain key insights into the company for academic or business research purposes. Key elements such as SWOT analysis and corporate strategy are incorporated in the profile to assist your academic or business research needs. – Identify potential customers and suppliers with this report’s analysis of the company’s business structure, operations, major products and services and business strategy. – Understand and respond to your competitors’ business structure and strategies with Our detailed SWOT analysis. In this, the company’s core strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are analyzed, providing you with an up to date objective view of the company. – Examine potential investment and acquisition targets with this report’s detailed insight into the company’s strategic, business and operational performance.

Amazon vs. Barnes & Noble Essay

The qualitative services department was hired to provide an in depth analysis of two leaders in their industry, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The purpose of this report is to provide all the necessary data in an unbiased manner, so that the accounting partners may make their investment decision knowing all the facts and figures about both companies. Our report was developed as a result of conducting independent and group research about each company’s background, competitors, philosophical differences in management, success stories, challenges (past and future), strategic moves, as well as key comparative statistics. Our research was compiled using a variety of online sources. The analysis of these key areas will provide greater understanding as to which company to invest in, Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com. Background Barnes & Noble was founded in 1893 in Wheaton, IL as a printing business but has developed into the largest book retailer in the United States today. Headquartered in New York, Barnes & Noble has 675 stores worldwide and partners with 686 collegiate bookstores. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and employs more than 30,000 employees. Barnes & Noble has a significant presence in the United States as a physical retailer of books and magazines. Amazon was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It is traded on the NASDAQ, and as a strong historical performer, is a component of the NASDAW 100 and the S&P 500. Amazon was founded initially as an online bookstore but soon into seemingly every segment of consumer goods. Amazon is heavily involved in the Internet as an online retailer and producer of various applications linked to its tablet products. Amazon does a significant amount of business in books, both online and print, but differs from other book retailers in that it is a selling platform for seemingly anything you could think to purchase on the Internet. Competitive Strategy Barnes & Noble has a significant competitive advantage over Amazon and a number of other book retailers in that they have a physical location. While online shopping is a significant competitive force, it is very difficult to beat a physical store. Barnes & Noble goes to great lengths to ensure that their customers are comfortable in their stores, outfitting them with plush couches and chairs. In addition, Barnes & Noble often has cafes in their store locations. The goal is to keep customers in store as long as possible, even if they spend most of the day reading a magazine or a book, to ensure that they are making some kind of purchase. The store locations serve a two-fold purpose; they act as a physical showcase for books that can be purchased online and have environment that fosters community. The college textbook business is a very profitable segment of Barnes & Noble’s business. There is a great degree of markup on college textbooks that is deflected to students, and when students sell books back to colleges, it is at a greatly reduced price. Books repurchased by Barnes & Noble are repackaged and resold for a price greater than cost. Barnes & Noble is set apart from competition in this regard because no other retailer has a similarly structure partnership. The simple model that Amazon operates under is its key to success. Amazon uses little more than a bare bones online platform to sell its products meaning a minimal cost structure. At the same time, this business model requires no asset investment in physical store locations. Through an online platform, Amazon can offer products from a variety of sellers on a global scale, allowing them to mitigate expensive shipping costs. This online platform also means increased transferability to mobile devices, meaning they can offer the same services through application stores and exchanges. Amazon’s Kindle product line is a competitive advantage because it was first to market for handheld book readers. Since releasing the first Kindle, Amazon has only increased the Kindle’s capabilities to match that of the iPad, Nook, and Galaxy tablets. Amazon’s distribution process is a work of art. Amazon has been working very  hard to revolutionize the distribution process, from creating futuristic technology to developing basic processes that would increase efficiency of distribution channels. Currently, Amazon’s distribution channels are almost entirely automated. When a product is ordered, a â€Å"robot† processes the order and searches out the product on the warehouse shelves. The robot packages the product and returns it to the front of the warehouse, while dozens of other machines are operating simultaneously. Amazon’s extensive distribution network is far superior to any other competitors. Vision for the Future It’s clear that both companies understand the importance of e-commerce and accessibility to consumer goods on the online realm. Amazons’ chief business model is Internet commerce, but Barnes & Noble is moving towards this realm of commerce with the creation of the Nook. Both companies see business via handheld tablets becoming more prevalent, evident in the ever-increasing capabilities of the Nook (B&N) and Kindle Fire (Amazon). Barnes & Noble has beefed up their online presence while reducing their number of stores as well. Amazon’s vision of the future has more to do with distribution than anything else. Amazon is doing everything in their power to create a shopping experience similar to going to an actual store; including the instant gratification of receiving your purchased goods right as your purchase them. Amazon is moving towards an incredibly automated distribution channel that will reduce time to consumer through revolutionary technology. One of these te chnologies is drones that will fly purchased goods to a consumer’s home and drops them on the front step. Both companies understand the profit potential of the industry and are taking steps to capitalize on profit opportunities. Company Success Stories Both Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com have experienced great success in their years in business. Barnes & Noble originated in 1873 and opened its first bookstore in New York City in 1917. In the 1970’s they became the first bookstore to advertise on television, as well as the first bookstore to discount New York Times bestsellers at 40% off. From 1992 through 2003, Barnes & Noble released a series of classics for adults and children under the imprint Barnes & Noble Classics Collection. Barnes & Noble stores are also known for their Starbucks cafes, where people often sit and relax with a cup of coffee or a snack. Undoubtedly, Barnes & Noble’s greatest success comes from the NOOK, their electronic book reader, introduced in November 2009. The NOOK’s biggest competition for the tablet market comes from the Amazon Kindle Fire, and Apple’s iBooks for iPhone, iPad and iTouch. Although only in business 17 years, Amazon.com has experienced great success and is now the world’s largest retailer. Amazon has separate retail websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and China, with international shipping to certain other countries for some of its products. Amazon.com sells a variety of retail goods online including books, jewelry, baby items, tools, software, toys, and is a huge third party reseller. Amazon Prime membership is very popular and for an annual fee, a user can join, which entitles them to free two-day shipping on eligible purchases. Amazon Prime also provides Amazon Instant Video and access to the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library. Amazon’s greatest success to date is the introduction of its e-reader, Kindle, in November 2007 and the Kindle Fire in September 2011. Since 2007, Amazon has released multiple versions of the Kindle e-reader and two versions of the Kindle Fire. Its biggest competitors in the tablet market are the Barnes & Noble NOOK and the Apple iPad being used in conjunction with the Kindle app. Past Challenges The challenges that these two companies have faced, and continue to face, are the digital landscape and competition. Barnes & Noble became the last hope for bookstores after the collapse of Borders. Barnes & Noble is now the last major bookstore chain standing. The company is in constant competition with e-commerce sites, e-readers and tablets. It is safe to say that Barnes & Noble’s primary competitor is Amazon. Barnes & Noble began to utilize their website, offering more titles and including free shipping for members. After Amazon launched its tablet, the Kindle, Barnes & Noble was forced to step up in the digital landscape. It created the NOOK and the NOOK Bookstore. Several generations later, the NOOK has come a long way in its  evolution. Now it has become a tablet with color, a built in light, Internet searching and application capabilities. Its newest tablet comes in high definition. While the NOOK looks more appealing than it did in previous years, one thing stands i n its way of success, which is price. Amazon’s Kindle, is priced anywhere from $69-$100 cheaper than the NOOK. This is not to say Amazon doesn’t have its challenges either. Amazon has made a name for itself globally, however it still has competition with other e-commerce sites like e-Bay. EBay allows individual sellers to auction essentially anything they want for a fee. Amazon has limitations on what individual sellers can sell due to competition with other retailer partnerships with Amazon. However, according to a recent Forrester report, 30 percent of all online shoppers start at Amazon to research products as opposed to Google or eBay (Savitz, 2012). Another competitor Amazon faces is Apple. The highly coveted Apple iPad is in fierce competition with Amazon’s Kindle. While the iPad is more expensive than the Kindle, Apple fans might point out that the iPad has far more tablet-optimized apps, options for 4GLTE connectivity, and is the thinner and lighter device of the two. However, Amazon’s Kindle is a cheaper alternative for those who cannot afford an iPad or even the NOOK. Future challenges Any company trying to survive in today’s economy will undoubtedly face challenges. The key to success lays in predicting these challenges and implementing strategies to overcome them. The places where Amazon finds opportunity seem to be the same places where Barnes & Noble faces challenges. Firstly, Amazon continues to make it very attractive for authors to self-publish their titles with their publishing services including, the Kindle Direct Publishing option for online books, and the CreateSpace option for print books. Barnes & Noble does offer its own self-publishing service, PubIt, but its services are only offered for e-books, not print. In fact, 28% of the top-selling titles on Kindle are not even available on the NOOK (McIlroy, 2012). If Barnes & Noble wants to compete it will have to expand  its self-publishing services and offer better incentives to authors. Another challenge that Barnes & Noble faces is its lack of an international presence. The fact that Amazon operates in so many countries worldwide is a serious challenge for Barnes & Noble. The Kindle is available internationally, but the NOOK is not. The NOOK is one of Barnes & Noble’s most successful products. Therefore, it would seem logical to expand the number of locations where this product can be purchased. However, it still remains unclear as to when and if Barnes & Noble plans to expand to international markets. One challenge that Amazon could face may be the law. Since it allows an unlimited number of people to sell on the site, from all over the world, it is difficult to monitor every single product that is sold under the Amazon.com brand. In order to prevent future lawsuits it is crucial that Amazon.com employs a highly skilled legal team, and closely monitors its sellers and their products. Recommendation We have found that Barnes & Noble and Amazon may appear to rivals but this appearance is only visible on the surface. With further examination of the facts, it is evident that one company is far more successful than the other. We have concluded that Amazon.com is that company. These are the main factors that have contributed to our conclusions: †¢Amazon has more appealing future growth with the implementation of drone shipping. †¢Amazon’s success of the Kindle compared to Barnes & Noble’s NOOK. †¢Amazon sells internationally. Barnes & Noble only operates in the US. †¢Amazon allows an unlimited number of sellers to do business on its site. Barnes & Noble restricts its number of sellers to 200. †¢Amazon.com is more attractive and rewarding for self-publishing which is set to play a leading role in the future of industry. †¢Amazon has the capital to sell its products cheaper than Barnes & Noble. Therefore, with the evidence provided in this re port, we have determined that the most secure investment opportunity of these two companies is Amazon.com. Based on current performance, and the opportunities for future success that were outlined in this report, it is now clear that Barnes & Noble simply cannot compete with Amazon.com’s current success and future potential. Works Cited Amazon.com. (2011, October). Retrieved from http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-mediaKit Barnes and noble booksellers. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/for_investors/for_investors.html barnesandnobleinc.com . (2012). Retrieved from http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/our_company.html McIlroy, Thad, (2012), Four Disadvantages for Barnes & Noble in the Bookseller Wars Retrieved from http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/four-disadvantages-for-barnes-noble-in-the-bookseller-wars/ Savitz, Eric. (2012, October 29). Amazon’s Hidden Weak Spot: Lack Of Local Leverage. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/10/29/amazons-hidden-weak-spot-lack-of-local-leverage

Anti-alcoholism Programms - Smart Custom Writing Samples

Anti-alcoholism Programms - Smart Custom Writing Gulf Spill's Estimated Impact May Be More than $1.7 Billionâ€Å"If tourism losses reach 30 percent and fishing losses 80 percent what Addy called the worst-case scenario the overall economic loss would reach more than $3.3 billion, with almost 49,000 jobs wiped out and up to $150 million in state and local tax revenues not collected† (Woodruff, By Cosby). The British Petroleum oil spill is measured as a cost in monetary value. However, it is more than that. It is a failure of policy. An act of greed. A disrespect of life itself. Rebecca Solnit has shed light on all the widespread repercussions of the British oil spill in her article entitled ‘Diary’. She has effectively used pathos as well as ethos to communicate her claim and I strongly agree that the combination of both these is necessary to explain such an issue. Moreover, she has mentioned first hand and gathered insight from the ground workers themselves. Thus, I support her approach on the issue. The article, based on the writer’s personal experience, has the appeal to ethos as well as pathos right in the opening paragraph which immediately identifies that the writers is well-informed and is absolutely clear about her approach to the argument. This method is reasonably effective to explain an environmental issue because such issues inherently involve both the use of facts as well as an appeal to ones feelings. The article starts by a vivid description of the most perfect environment to live in, with ‘oak trees’, ‘Spanish moss and Mardi grass beads’,’ beautiful old houses with turrets’ and most importantly, ‘no refineries’ for miles.   Suddenly, the reader is engaged with an abrupt transition from the thoughts of the heavenly abode to the bitter reality, that is, of the existence of ‘powerful smell of gasoline’ and a ‘strange metallic taste in ones mouth’. Here, the writer has effectively gained the reader’s attention by reminding them that the even the most serene environments, free from massive development, are negatively affected by the BP oil spills. Moreover, the writer also pinpoints the inadequate measures taken by the authorities in regard to the spills. She reminds the reader of the fact that the tragic incident of the British Petroleum oil spill was only catered for or more appropriately, temporarily unplugged, in mid-July. Millions of gallons of oil was still floating in the ocean and travelling in the air.   She also highlights the fact that the handout published by the Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency was unhelpful. Furthermore, it provided evidence of the policy maker’s indifference as the handout bluntly stated ‘These effects should go away when levels go down or when a person leaves the area’. However, she presents a weak argument to support her assertion. The fact that a birdwatcher, Drew Wheelan, wrote on his blog, ‘that 20 hours later my mouth and tongue still feel as though they’ve been burned by a hot liquid’, does not provide concrete evidence that the effects ward off with distance. It might just be a fictitious claim or an attempt to generate negative propaganda. If the claim was verifiable or has she been able to establish Drew Wheelan as a reliable source, than the case might have been in her favour. The writer has accommodated all class of people being affected by the environmental damage in her article to highlight the widespread affects of the spills. She writes. ‘ it’s home, for pregnant women, for children, for old people who’ve spent their entire lives here, for people who love the place passionately   †¦ And for countless birds, fish, crustaceans, cetaceans and other ocean life. The spill has hit them all hard’. Here, the use of pathos is again very effective as she instantly strikes an emotional cord when she mentions that people of all age group, gender and medical condition are adversely affected by the traumatic repercussions of the oil spill. Her approach to the oil spill being better explained as synonymous to a blowout on policy also identifies her deep understating of the widespread repercussions of the issue. She claimed that she also saw the pictures of oiled pelicans like the others, but insists that the sensitivity of the issue is far complex than just a spill causing threat to life (human and animal both). It is actually a failure of policy under ‘the Bush-era corruption that turned the Minerals Management Service into a crony-ridden camp’. Here again, she has been able to highlight another flaw in the system which most of the articles on environmental damage fail to account for. Along with highlighting the failure of the companies and policies involved, she has also pointed the general apathy and ignorance of the people. She emphasized that petrol is part of our daily life, we are well aware of the threats posed, but never bother. Thus, she has rightfully held both profit oriented companies and people responsible for the hazards. This also adds complexity to her approach on the issue and makes it more appropriate. Most of the facts mentioned have been gathered through reliable sources like CNN and the employees themselves. For example, she mentions the BP clean up worker who quit because he was asked to only remove the surface sand. Similarly, another worker was fired on questioning over the clean up process and keeping the media at bay. Workers had to sign non-disclosure agreements and all their recording technologies were confiscated. All these provide evidence that the BP was well aware of the health and environmental violations but displayed unexplainable apathy. Perhaps the strongest argument presented by the author is the comparison between natural and technological disasters. She explains that hurricanes come, wreck and are soon over. Hurricane Katrina alone led to eight million gallons of petroleum being spilled. However, the damage was rectified. However, the damage posed by technological disasters like meltdowns, contaminations and toxic spills can neither be measured and nor be controlled. Effectively Building her argument further, she explains that ‘uncertainty has been central to the horror of spills’ as ‘the spill has no clear termination, no precedent, there’s little that ordinary people can do to respond, and no imaginable end to its consequences’. As mentioned earlier, the writer has cleverly presented the issues of people with differences in age, gender and social status. She quotes a poor tattoo artist, the person who called the first big demonstration against BP in New Orleans and co-founder of the organization ‘Murdered Gulf’, saying that ‘I don’t even eat seafood anymore, because that shit’s fucked up.’ Similarly, she highlights the threat to the $330 million fishing industry posed by the diversion of Mississippi river water. The industry is the livelihood of highly skilled but poorly educated people. On the other hand, a University of Alabama economist, Sam Addy claims that "Water transportation was not affected to our knowledge, fishing lost at least one major season out of two annually, and tourism was not wiped out al though it was severely impacted in the two coastal counties". The evidence against this assertion is the fact that twenty-one years after the Exxon Valdez spill, fishing industry has not revived. It is unjust to deny the repercussions and avoid taking responsibility of one’s act. Moreover, the existence of adverse affects after twenty-one years presses one to ponder how long would the BP oil spills last and what will be the repercussions.   The article finishes on the same note and thus, a solemn message was communicated effectively. Almost all the aspects of the issue were covered and diverse perspectives were also highlighted. Woodruff, By Cosby. "Gulf Spill's Estimated Impact May Be More than $1.7 Billion | Montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser." Montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser | Montgomery News, Community, Entertainment, Yellow Pages and Classifieds. Serving Montgomery, AL. 06 Nov. 2010. Web. 06 Nov. 2010. montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101106/NEWS02/11060346/Gulf spill s estimated impact may be more than 1.7 billion.

A Study On Zero Tolerance Policy

A Study On Zero Tolerance Policy There are hundreds if not thousands of students in any given school. The sheer size and magnitude of the student population encompassed in these schools leads to complications of school safety. Zero tolerance is a policy which was brought about enforcing school safety more firmly, and aimed to better protect students. However, the way in which these students are protected is highly debatable, making the zero tolerance ideology very controversial. Exactly which approach is most effective in protecting a student, let alone, thousands? Is strictness more effective than leniency? Overly strict policies aim to protect the majority, however, severally punish those who have to deal with the wrath of zero tolerance, those who violate the rules. Overly lenient policies can lead to dreadful events, however, give students a sense of reason, in turn creating an understanding of what they have done wrong. In the long run which method is most effective in protecting students? These type of questi ons, along with the excess amount of questionable cases, compose a highly controversial topic. The well being of a student is the single most important factor for public schools. No parent would ever send their child to school if there was a high probability of violence. For this reason there are people who favor zero tolerance. Domoine D. Rutledge, general counsel for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana, reports that zero tolerance policies have aided in creating a culture inside schools that â€Å"certain things will not be tolerated, period.† However, whether or not that policy is effective relies on â€Å"how fairly it’s enforced and how consistently it’s enforced.† He continues saying that: Schools districts have had to really balance the interest of the whole school, the student body, teachers and faculty . . . as well as the rights of individual bad actors. The ability to strike that balance, and to do it fairly, more than likely influences the effectiveness of the zero-tolerance policies. Whether or not zero tolerance is effective brings about more argumentative material. Statistical data reports a significant drop in school homicides following the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado strongly suggesting, as Rutledge advocates, zero tolerance has in fact led to safer schools for students. (nces.ed.gov) Kay S. Hymowitz, a contributing editor for a magazine published by the conservative Manhattan Institute, stated that, â€Å"The arrest of a pair of New Jersey 8-year-olds for pointing paper guns at classmates was just the kind of episode that leads people to question zero-tolerance policies.† (Billitteri) Statements such as those insinuate a basis of anti-zero tolerance and further complicate the controversy. However it must be noted that, â€Å"It’s not so easy to distinguish the prankster from the wild-eyed adolescent with a [lethal] plan when lives are at sta ke,† Hymowitz says. (Billitteri) How is one supposed to know the intentions of a giving situation? While the general consensus will no doubtingly agree that a pair of 8-year-olds pose little to no threat, on the slight chance of an event occurring, the questions of â€Å"why weren’t they stopped† or â€Å"how could you assume† will undeniably be asked, and in this sense, it is without a doubt better to assume the ugly and end up being wrong, than to assume no harm and end up with fatal consequences’. Hymowitz continues, stating that, â€Å"Zero tolerance may be more symptom than cure for the uneasy disciplinary climate of our schools. Certainly it’s no final answer to out-of-control 5-year-olds or revenge-crazed teenagers. But as the threats continue and the bombs and guns appear, it’s all we’ve got.† (Billitteri) Bringing back the topic of effectiveness, those with the â€Å"get-tough† attitude witness no proof of zero tolerance policies creating a safer environment in schools. In fact, a decade of research on such policies by the American Psychological Association have concluded that zero tolerance â€Å"can actually increase bad behavior and also lead to higher dropout rates.† â€Å"Schools are not any safer or more effective in disciplining children than before these zero-tolerance policies were implemented,† the association said. (APA) There is much debate surrounding zero tolerance, however, the real problems arise when zero tolerance is set in motion.

Explain the difference between the marginal propensity to consume Essay

Explain the difference between the marginal propensity to consume (MPC) and the average propensity to consume (APC) and show how one helps to explain the size o - Essay Example For Ð µxÐ °mplÐ µ, if Ð ° housÐ µhold Ð µÃ °rns onÐ µ Ð µxtrÐ ° dollÐ °r of disposÐ °blÐ µ incomÐ µ, Ð °nd thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to consumÐ µ is 0.65, thÐ µn of thÐ °t dollÐ °r, thÐ µ fÐ °mily will spÐ µnd 65 cÐ µnts Ð °nd sÐ °vÐ µ 35 cÐ µnts. MÐ °thÐ µmÐ °ticÐ °lly, thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to consumÐ µ (MPC) function is Ð µxprÐ µssÐ µd Ð °s thÐ µ dÐ µrivÐ °tivÐ µ of thÐ µ consumption (C) function with rÐ µspÐ µct to disposÐ °blÐ µ incomÐ µ (Y). It is cÐ °lculÐ °tÐ µd Ð °s thÐ µ chÐ °ngÐ µ in consumption Ð µxpÐ µnditurÐ µ, DC, dividÐ µd by thÐ µ chÐ °ngÐ µ in disposÐ °blÐ µ incomÐ µ, DYD, thÐ °t brought it Ð °bout. In othÐ µr words, thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to consumÐ µ is mÐ µÃ °surÐ µd Ð °s thÐ µ rÐ °tio of thÐ µ chÐ °ngÐ µ in consumption to thÐ µ chÐ °ngÐ µ in incomÐ µ, thus giving us Ð ° figurÐ µ bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn 0 Ð °nd 1. ThÐ µ MPC cÐ °n bÐ µ morÐ µ thÐ °n onÐ µ if thÐ µ subjÐ µct borrowÐ µd monÐ µy to finÐ °ncÐ µ Ð µxpÐ µnditurÐ µs highÐ µr thÐ °n thÐ µir incomÐ µ. OnÐ µ minus thÐ µ MPC Ð µquÐ °ls thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to sÐ °vÐ µ. It is Ð °ffÐ µctÐ µd by fÐ °ctors such Ð °s thÐ µ prÐ µvÐ °iling intÐ µrÐ µst rÐ °tÐ µ Ð °nd thÐ µ gÐ µnÐ µrÐ °l lÐ µvÐ µl of consumÐ µr surplus thÐ °t cÐ °n bÐ µ dÐ µrivÐ µd from purchÐ °sing.1 TotÐ °ling, Ð µconomists oftÐ µn spÐ µÃ °k of thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to sÐ °vÐ µ (MPS), which is thÐ µ frÐ °ction of Ð µxtrÐ ° incomÐ µ thÐ °t pÐ µoplÐ µ sÐ °vÐ µ. GivÐ µn thÐ °t pÐ µoplÐ µ Ð µithÐ µr sÐ °vÐ µ or consumÐ µ Ð °dditionÐ °l incomÐ µ, thÐ µ sum of thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to sÐ °vÐ µ Ð °nd thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to consumÐ µ should Ð µquÐ °l onÐ µ. ThÐ µ vÐ °luÐ µ of thÐ µ mÐ °rginÐ °l propÐ µnsity to consumÐ µ should bÐ µ grÐ µÃ °tÐ µr thÐ °n zÐ µro Ð °nd lÐ µss thÐ °n onÐ µ. Ð  vÐ °luÐ µ of zÐ µro would indicÐ °tÐ µ thÐ °t nonÐ µ of Ð °dditionÐ °l incomÐ µ would bÐ µ spÐ µnt; Ð °ll would bÐ µ sÐ °vÐ µd. Ð  vÐ °luÐ µ grÐ µÃ °tÐ µr thÐ °n onÐ µ would mÐ µÃ °n thÐ °t if incomÐ µ incrÐ µÃ °sÐ µd by $1.00, consumption would go up by morÐ µ thÐ °n Ð ° dollÐ °r, which would bÐ µ unusuÐ °l bÐ µhÐ °vior. For somÐ µ pÐ µoplÐ µ Ð ° MPC of 1 is rÐ µÃ °sonÐ °blÐ µ, mÐ µÃ °ning thÐ °t thÐ µy spÐ µnd Ð µvÐ µry Ð °dditionÐ °l dollÐ °r thÐ µy gÐ µt, but