Latin American Politics - Effect of multiparty system in Colombia Essay

Latin American Politics - Effect of multiparty system in Colombia - Essay Example It also involves the distribution of power as well as resources in the most efficient manner at large for greater effectiveness. It will be crucial if politics or the approaches involved in it differ on the basis of nations and its various regions. The nation of Colombia follows diversified a governance approach, which will be crucial to obtain a comprehensive understanding. In this particular research study, focus has been levied on comprehending the prospect of multiparty system in Colombia. To what extent does multiparty system’s existence affect and contribute to political issues such as democracy and political violence in Colombia? The article intends to determine the impact of the transformations of multiparty system to democracy with a specific focus on Colombia. The main argument is that the multiparty system has aided in the development and growth of democracy in Colombia but it has also resulted into political instability marked by violence and deteriorating democracy. The political change that has been witnessed in Colombia with the transformation from a two party state to a multiparty state has yielded differences with regard to the democracy of the nation at large. It has been observed there are various prevailing studies that are centered towards understanding the relationship amid multiparty state with regard to the general political changes occurring. However, this particular research paper levies considerable attention on determining as well as ana lyzing the relationship between multiparty system and democracy of the nation i.e. Colombia. In addition to the same, the research study will also focus upon comprehending assumption that multiparty system certainly has negative influence on the democratic structure of a particular nation with due regard to the one, prevailing in Colombia1. Notably, though Colombia has remained relatively silent on global or

My Intellectual Development Up Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My Intellectual Development Up - Essay Example Frankly, my intellectual development up to where I am today would not have been successful without the unreserved guidance and support from my father, a successful businessperson whose relentless passion and dedication for success have always inspired me to achieve and be more like him in future. My own father is my role model and I always look up to him for not only love, guidance, and approval, but for inspiration in life as well, especially because I consider him a significant authority in matters regarding my personal growth and development. In all these years of my growth, from a small boy to the young adult I have become, I owe all gratitude to this amazingly great father, whose kind words of wisdom have catapulted me to where I am today. My father always encourages me to strive to be exceptional because being average alone is not good enough, especially in today’s era of globalization, where opportunities are increasingly becoming scarce by the day. Above all, my father has made it clear that I can always achieve everything I set my eyes upon in life with the right kind of positive attitude, and that nothing can stop me from doing so if I really purpose too. Every day I remember my father’s words that success begins by establishing a positive attitude I feel reinvigorated not just to succeed, but also to succeed exceedingly since nothing can stop me from doing so with the right attitude. Reading this amazing article titled â€Å"Gaining a sense of self-worth† from Deepak Chopra, a spiritual leader who responds to Oprah.com users’ questions with enlightening advice to help them achieve their optimum potential, has  really transformed my sense of self and how I approach life in general (Deepak).

Introduction Of Swot Analysis Marketing Essay

Introduction Of Swot Analysis Marketing Essay SWOT analysis is approach for auditing a business organization and its environment where it operates. Generally SWOT analysis is the initial stage of planning that helps policy makers and marketers to identify and focus on key issues. The acronym for SWOT is strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal SWOT factors (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013). Opportunities and threats are external SWOT factors. A strength is considered as positive internal factor. A weakness is considered as a negative internal factor. Similarly, an opportunity is considered as a positive external factor and finally a threat is known as a negative external factor (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). Apart from understanding the business environment, another function of SWOT analysis is to turn companys weaknesses into strengths and threats into opportunities. Moreover it allows management to integrate internal strengths with external opportunities. Theoretically SWOT analys is is that simple. It is expected from SWOT analysis that the outcome should create value for customers and help to get competitive advantage (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013). C:UsersKhayyamDesktopSWOT_MAS_NaifSWOT intro.jpg Figure: SWOT analysis framework, Data Source: (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013) 3.1 Strengths: Strengths refer to those characteristics of a particular business which are unique and give the company advantage over competitors (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). For example, a company might have specialist marketing expertise or the company produces new and innovation product and services e.g. Apple I phone, the company might be strategically located, the company may produce best quality and top value for money products or services e.g. Rolls Royce cars, or any other aspect of business which is unique and hard to imitate for competitors would be considered as an strength of the company. If the company has special capabilities, powerful human resource e.g. Google employees, Unique Selling Point e.g. Google Nexus 7- best hardware releases on a tablet PC, powerful financial position e.g. Wal-Mart financial capabilities, economy of scale and global reach e.g. McDonalds and KFC etc. above mentioned qualities can be termed as strengths of a company. Each of these strengths creates pri ce inelasticity and generate loyal customer base (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013) (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). 3.2 Weaknesses: Weaknesses refer to those characteristics that creates completive disadvantage situation for the business (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). For example a company may produce good quality products but due to lack of marketing expertise the company may suffer e.g. in February 2011, HOME DEPOT had to close operation in China (Bhasin, 2012), the company may offer undifferentiated products or services e.g. PC hardware market, the company may be located in inappropriate location, the company may produce poor quality goods or services e.g. Chinese brand-less electronics companies which produces inferior goods, damaged reputation e.g. Dominos you tube scandal 2009 (Clifford, 2009). These negative internal factors can be termed as weaknesses of a company. These factors often play a negative role in companys performance and achievements. A company should continuously try to convert its weaknesses to strengths. Sometimes big successful businesses suffer due to inappropriate market strategies a nd damaged reputations (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013) (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). 3.3 Opportunities: Opportunities are positive external factors which a company can capitalize to gain competitive advantages (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). For example a company can explore a developing market such as internet e.g. UK retailer predicted that online shopping would be a popular choice in near future so they respond to this change of need (CIPS 2010). Mergers, joint ventures or strategic alliances help a company to generate bigger financial resources and allow the companies to explore more markets e.g. the merger of GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), the company can find out new market segments that offer greater profits e.g. McDonalds targeted children to market its product which was unique marketing strategy at that time. The company can explore a new international market for further expansion. These external factors are known as opportunities which allow a company to integrate its internal strengths with external opportunities for greater profitability (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013) (Ireland , Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). 3.4 Threats: Threats are considered those external elements which may generate trouble for the business. A company should apply its strengths or try to build new strengths to minimize the risks of external threats. For example a new competitor in the existing market e.g. entrant of Google in electronics gadget manufacturing market possesses threats for existing market leaders like Samsung, Apple or HTC. Price war is a common practice in extreme competitive businesses where switching cost is very low e.g. fast food industry. When a competitor launches new and innovative products that possesses threats for others e.g. innovation of Windows by Microsoft. Additionally competitors access to superior supply channels, financial distress situation new tax and legislative changes are considered as threats (MarketingTeacher.Com, 2013) (Ireland, Hoskisson, Hitt, 2008). Bibiliography: Bhasin, K. (2012). Home Depot Gives Up And Closes The Last Of Its Big Box Stores In China. Retrieved 3 14, 2013, from Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-gives-up-and-closes-the-last-of-its-big-box-stores-in-china-2012-9 CIPS. (2010). Case Study Analysis Marks Spencer (MS). Retrieved 3 14, 2013, from CIPS: http://profex.co.uk/secureassets/files/MS Analysis.pdf Clifford, S. (2009). Video Prank at Dominos Taints Brand. Retrieved 3 14, 2013, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/business/media/16dominos.html?_r=0 Ireland, R. D., Hoskisson, R. E., Hitt, M. A. (2008). The Management of Strategy Concepts and Cases. Canada: Cengage- Learning. MarketingTeacher.Com. (2013). SWOT Analysis. Retrieved 3 14, 2013, from MarketingTeacher.Com: http://www.marketingteacher.com/wordpress/swot-analysis/

Billy Budd Essay: Comparing Christ to Billy -- Billy Budd Essays

Comparing Christ to Billy of Billy Budd      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "I stand for the heart. To the dogs with the head!" wrote Herman Melville in his June 1851 letter to Nathaniel Hawthorne (Davis and Gilman 3). Yet, by the time he began writing Billy Budd, Sailor in 1888, Melville must have tempered this view, for Billy Budd depicts the inevitable destruction of a man who is all heart but who utterly lacks insight. Melville no doubt intends for his reader to connect this tale with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Billy Budd endures a persecution similar to Christ's; he is executed for like reasons, and he eventually ascends, taking "the full rose of the dawn" (BB 376). Yet, in creating Billy Budd, Melville forms a character who is but a half-Christ, more like the Child than the Man. Indeed, a number of characteristics and circumstances sharply distinguish Billy Budd from the complete Christ. These differences ultimately work to support Melville's (now refined) philosophy that innocence, unaccompanied by wisdom, must inevitably meet wi th destruction and that only when a man balances the "spontaneous impulses of [his] 'heart'" against the experiential "wisdom of [his] 'head'" (Howard 328) can he prevail in a fallen world.    Critics often connect Billy Budd with the Christ Child. Richard Chase, for instance, writes that Billy Budd is the realization of Melville's "fresh commitment to the infantile Christ" (267), and Milton Stern claims that Billy's behavior represents an "ideal Christliness" because he accepts "everything with animal insightlessness and the childlike faith of innocence" (216). Christ taught that to enter heaven, one must become like a little child (Matt. 18:2-3). Many have inferred from this that, from a Christian perspective, ... ...W.H. Gilman, eds. The Letters of Herman Melville. New Haven: Yale UP, 1960. Online. Internet. 29 July 1998. Available HTTP: www.melville.org Howard, Leon. Herman Melville: A Biography. Berkley: U of California P, 1951. Melville, Herman. Billy Budd, Sailor and Other Stories. Ed. Frederick Busch. New York: Penguin, 1986. - - -. Moby Dick. Ed. Charles Child Walcutt. New York: Bantam, 1981. Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader's Companion. Wheaton: SP Publications, Inc., 1991. Sten, Christopher W. "Vere's Use of the 'Forms': Means and Ends in 'Billy Budd.'" On Melville: The Best from American Literature. Ed. Louis J. Budd and Edwin H. Cady. Durham: Duke UP, 1988. 188-202. Stern, Milton R. The Fine Hammered Steel of Herman Melville. Urbana: U of Illinois P, 1968. The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Dallas: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1979.

Theories Actually Seen in Practice in Ojt

Assessment of the OJT/Practicum Program A. New knowledge, attitudes, and skills acquired I learned the flows and transaction in the Government process. Though, most of the work involves papers in procedural ways. The receiving and releasing of memorandum is very essential in a way that affects the flow of the work and it should be submitted on or before deadline, so as the require data. As I was expose to this environment, it not much different with the projects at schools, terms papers that have deadline and of course you must know what you have on those papers because you might be question for it. B. Theories actually seen in practice In Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the community and client service exists in theory, but in practice there are few officials who work in it. They have philanthropy theory and giving good intensions for the good but some of it lacks of practice because of its manpower. Though, they have a good goal towards it. C. Feedback that can be given to the company or institution The mission and vision of the company is great, it really reflect the needs of the Filipino citizen especially to the youth. It offers vocational courses that can help the youth to find work or build up their own business. In that way, it will lessen the population of unemployed individuals. But as I observe, the processing of its transaction and others are sometimes delayed due to many unfinished transaction. The workers are minimal, and the works are exceeding its normal worker. It leads to unbalanced ratio of work, they lack of manpower. If only they have much worker or officials that only work to specific job at a time, they can render its service with utmost confidentiality and transactions will be process on time. And also with their worker, some of the workers don’t do immediately their work, they will just wait until the deadline is near. And when it is almost the deadline, that’s the time they will tend to the work, sometimes lead to many erasure and errors of data they put on their reports. The result, some of the transaction will be delayed because the worker will be invalid at the moment. D. Benefits gained The things or knowledge that I gained from working in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is that the government work is not that easy. It has many structure and procedures that must be followed before it is done or implemented. It will go under observation and studies before it is approved from the head of the agency. That’s why, it will takes months or even years before it is practice, some of us citizen’s complain why it’s not implemented directly, or done immediately. The cash flows, the money that are allotted to its specific project. It must liquidate thoroughly, because they will question it, even a single cent that is missing to data. They are very careful with it, especially when the heads of the agency will conduct unnoticed visit to conduct inspection for the cash flows report they have. E. Problems encountered They are various problems that I encounter within the first month I work in, but most of them are repeated actions; error in logging the receiving letters and releasing, error in checking the database in the enrollment and terminal report against the database, error in answering the telephone and mistakes in putting some data in the records room. But I overcome these problems, because it’s just the same old routine every day, so I easily adjust and remember my errors.

A Dirty Job Chapter 21

21 COMMON COURTESY Charlie was torn – he really wanted to take his sword-cane, but he couldn't carry it while using the crutches. He considered duct-taping it to one of the crutches, but he thought that might attract attention. â€Å"You want me to go with you?† Ray asked. â€Å"I mean, you okay to drive, with your leg and all?† â€Å"I'll be fine,† Charlie said. â€Å"Someone needs to watch the store.† â€Å"Charlie, before you go, can I ask you something?† â€Å"Sure.† Don't ask, don't ask, don't ask, Charlie thought. â€Å"Why did you need me to find these two women?† You robot-necked bastard, you had to ask. â€Å"I told you, estate stuff.† Charlie shrugged. No big deal, let it go, nothing to see here. â€Å"Yeah, I know you told me that, and normally that would make sense, but I found out a lot about these two while looking for them – no one in either of their families has died recently.† â€Å"Funny thing,† Charlie said, juggling his keys, the cane, his date book, and his crutches by the back door. â€Å"Both bequests were from nonrelatives. Old friends.† No wonder women don't like you, you just won't leave things alone. â€Å"Uh-huh,† Ray said, unconvinced. â€Å"You know, when people run, when they go as far as faking their own death to get away, they are usually running from something. Are you that something, Charlie?† â€Å"Ray, listen to yourself. Are you back on your serial-killer thing? I thought Rivera explained that.† â€Å"So this is for Rivera?† â€Å"Let's say he's interested,† Charlie said. â€Å"Why didn't you just say so?† Charlie sighed. â€Å"Ray, I'm not supposed to talk about this stuff, you know that. Fourth Amendment and all. I came to you because you're good, and you have contacts. I depend on you and I trust you. I think you know that you can depend on me and trust me, right? I mean, in all these years, I've never put your disability pension in jeopardy by being careless about our arrangement, have I?† It was a threat, however subtle, and Charlie felt bad for doing it, but he just couldn't let Ray continue to push on this, particularly since he was in unexplored territory himself – he didn't even know what kind of bluff he was covering. â€Å"So Mrs. Johnson isn't going to end up dead if I find her for you?† â€Å"I will not lay a hand on Mrs. Johnson or Mrs. Pojo†¦Mrs. Pokojo – or that other woman either. You have my word on it.† Charlie raised his hand as if swearing on a Bible and dropped one of his crutches. â€Å"Why don't you just use the cane?† Ray said. â€Å"Right,† Charlie said. He leaned the crutches on the door and tried his weight on the bad leg and the cane. The doctors had, indeed, said that it was just a flesh wound, so there was no tendon damage, just muscle, but it hurt like hell to put any weight on that foot. The cane would work, he decided. â€Å"I should be back to relieve you before five.† He limped out the door. Ray didn't like being lied to. He'd had quite enough of that from his desperate Filipinas and was becoming sensitive about being taken for a fool. Who did Charlie Asher think he was fooling? As soon as he got the store squared away, he'd give Rivera a call and see for himself. He went out into the store and did a little dusting, then went to Charlie's â€Å"special† rack, where he kept the weird estate items that he made such a fuss about. You were only supposed to sell one to each customer, but Ray had sold five of them to the same woman in the last two weeks. He knew he should have said something to Charlie, but really, why? Charlie wasn't being open with him about anything, it seemed. Besides, the woman who bought the stuff was cute, and she'd smiled at Ray. She had nice hair, a cute figure, and really striking light blue eyes. Plus there was something about her voice – she seemed so, what? Peaceful, maybe. Like she knew that everything was going to be okay and no one needed to worry. Maybe he was projecting. And she didn't have an Adam's apple, which was a big plus in Ray's book lately. He'd tried to get her name, even get a look at something in her wallet, but she'd paid in cash and had been as careful as a poker player covering her cards. If she'd driven, she'd parked too far away for him to see her get into her car from the store, so there was no license number to trace. He resolved to ask her name if she came in today. And she was due to come in. She only came in when he was working alone. He'd seen her check through the window once when he was working with Lily, and only came into the store later when Lily was gone. He really hoped she'd come in. He tried to calm himself down for his call to Rivera. He didn't want to seem like a rube to a guy who was still on the job. He used his own cell phone for the call so Rivera would see it was him calling. Charlie didn't like leaving Sophie for this long, given what had happened a few days ago, but on the other hand, whatever might be threatening her was obviously being caused by his missing these two soul vessels. The quicker he fixed the problem, the quicker the threat would be diminished. Besides, the hellhounds were her best defense, and he'd given express instructions to Mrs. Ling that the dogs and Sophie were not to be separated for any amount of time, for any reason. He took Presidio Boulevard through Golden Gate Park into the Sunset, reminding himself to take Sophie to the Japanese Tea Garden to feed the koi, now that her plague on pets seemed to have subsided. The Sunset district lay just south of Golden Gate Park, bordered by the American Highway and Ocean Beach on the west, and Twin Peaks and the University of San Francisco on the east. It had once been a suburb, until the city expanded to include it, and many of its houses were modest, single-story family dwellings, built en masse in the 1940s and '50s. They were like the mosaics of little boxes that peppered neighborhoods across the entire country in that postwar period, but in San Francisco, where so much had been built after the quake and fire of '06, then again in the economic boom of the late twentieth century, they seemed like anachronisms from both ends of time. Charlie felt like he was driving through the Eisenhower era, at least until he passed a mother with a shaved head and tribal tattoos on her scalp pushing twins in a double stroller. Irena Posokovanovich's sister lived in a small, one-story frame house with a small covered porch that had jasmine vines growing up trellises on either side and springing off into the air like morning-after-sex hair. The rest of the tiny yard was meticulously groomed, from the holly hedge at the sidewalk to the red geraniums that lined the concrete path up to the house. Charlie parked a block away and walked to the house. On the way he was nearly run over by two different joggers, one a young mother pushing a running stroller. They couldn't see him – he was on track. Now, how to go about getting in? And then what? If he was the Luminatus, then perhaps just his presence would take care of the problem. He checked around back and saw that there was a car in the garage, but the shades were drawn on all the windows. Finally he decided on the frontal approach and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later a short woman in her seventies wearing a pink chenille housecoat opened the door. â€Å"Yes,† she said, looking a little suspicious as she eyed Charlie's walking cast. She quickly flipped the lock on the screen door. â€Å"Can I help you?† It was the woman in the picture. â€Å"Yes, ma'am, I'm looking for Irena Posokovanovich.† â€Å"Well, she's not here,† said Irena Posokovanovich. â€Å"You must have the wrong house.† She started to close the door. â€Å"Wasn't there a death notice in the paper a couple of weeks ago?† Charlie said. So far, his awesome presence as the Luminatus wasn't having much of an effect on her. â€Å"Well, yes, I believe there was,† said the woman, sensing an out. She opened the door a little more. â€Å"It was such a tragedy. We all loved Irena so much. She was the kindest, most generous, most loving, attractive – you know, for her age – well-read – â€Å" â€Å"And evidently didn't know that it's considered common courtesy when you publish a death notice to actually die!† Charlie held out the enlarged driver's-license picture. He considered adding aha! but thought that might be a little over-the-top. Irena Posokovanovich slammed the door. â€Å"I don't know who you are, but you have the wrong house,† she said through the door. â€Å"You know who I am,† Charlie said. Actually, she probably had no idea who he was. â€Å"And I know who you are, and you are supposed to have died three weeks ago.† â€Å"You're mistaken. Now go away before I call the police and tell them that there's a rapist at my door.† Charlie gagged a little, then pushed on. â€Å"I am not a rapist, Mrs. Poso†¦Posokev – I'm Death, Irena. That's who I am. And you are overdue. You need to die, this minute if possible. There's nothing to be afraid of. It's like going to sleep, only, well – â€Å" â€Å"I'm not ready,† Irena whined. â€Å"If I was ready I wouldn't have left my home. I'm not ready.† â€Å"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have to insist.† â€Å"I'm sure you're mistaken. Perhaps another Mrs. Posokovanovich.† â€Å"No, here it is, right here in the calendar, with your address. It's you.† Charlie held his date book turned to the page with her name on it up to the little window in the door. â€Å"And you say that that is Death's calendar?† â€Å"That's correct, ma'am. Notice the date. And this is your second notice.† â€Å"And you are Death?† â€Å"That's right.† â€Å"Well, that's just silly.† â€Å"I am not silly, Mrs. Posokovanovich. I am Death.† â€Å"Aren't you supposed to have a sickle and a long black robe?† â€Å"No, we don't do that anymore. Take my word for it, I am Death.† He tried to sound really ominous. â€Å"Death is always tall in the pictures.† She was standing on tiptoe, he could tell the way she kept bouncing up by the little window to get a look at him. â€Å"You don't seem tall enough.† â€Å"There's no height requirement.† â€Å"Then could I see your business card?† â€Å"Sure.† Charlie took out a card and held it against the glass. â€Å"This says ‘Purveyor of Fine Vintage Clothing and Accessories.'† â€Å"Right! Exactly!† He knew he should have had a second set of business cards printed up. â€Å"And where do you think I get those things? From the dead. You see?† â€Å"Mr. Asher, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.† â€Å"No, ma'am, I'm going to have to insist that you pass away, this instant. You're overdue.† â€Å"Go away! You are a charlatan, and I think you need psychological help.† â€Å"Death! You're fucking with Death! Capital D, bitch!† Well, that was uncalled for. Charlie felt bad the second he said it. â€Å"Sorry,† he mumbled to the door. â€Å"I'm calling the police.† â€Å"You go ahead, Mrs. – uh – Irena. You know what they'll tell you, that you're dead! It was in the Chronicle. They hardly ever print stuff that's not true.† â€Å"Please go away. I practiced for a long time so I could live longer, it's not fair.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Go away.† â€Å"I heard that part, I mean the part about practicing.† â€Å"Never you mind. You just go take someone else.† Charlie actually had no idea what he would do if she let him in. Maybe he had to touch her for his Death abilities to kick in. He remembered seeing an old Twilight Zone as a kid, where Robert Redford was Death, and this old lady wouldn't let him in, so he pretended to be injured, and when she came to help him†¦ALA-KAZAM! She croaked, and he peacefully led her off to Hole in the Wall, where she helped him produce independent movies. Maybe that would work. He did have the cast and the cane going for him. He looked up and down the street to make sure that no one could see him, then he lay down, half on the little porch, half on the concrete steps. He threw his cane against the door and made sure that it clattered loudly on the concrete, then he let out what he thought was a very convincing wail. â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhh, I've broken my leg.† He heard footsteps inside and saw gray hair at the little window, bouncing a little so she could see out. â€Å"Oh, it hurts,† Charlie wailed. â€Å"Help.† More steps, the shade in the window to the right of the door parted and he saw an eye. He grimaced in fake pain. â€Å"Are you all right?† said Mrs. Posokovanovich. â€Å"I need help. My leg was hurt before, but I slipped on your steps. I think I've broken something. There's blood, and a piece of bone sticking out.† He kept his leg below the level where she could see it. â€Å"Oh my,† she said. â€Å"Give me a minute.† â€Å"Help. Please. The pain. So – much – pain.† Charlie coughed the way cowboys do when they are dying in the dirt and things are getting all dark. He heard the latch being thrown, and then the inner door opened. â€Å"You're really hurt bad,† she said. â€Å"Please,† Charlie said, holding his hand out to her. â€Å"Help me.† She unlatched the screen. Charlie suppressed a grin. â€Å"Oh, thank you,† he gasped. She threw open the screen door and blasted him in the face with a stream of pepper spray. â€Å"I saw that Twilight Zone, you son of a bitch!† The doors slammed. The latch was thrown. Charlie's face felt like it was on fire. When he could finally see well enough to walk, as he limped back to his van, he heard a female voice say, â€Å"I'd have let you in, lover.† Then a chorus of spooky-girlish laughter erupted from the storm sewer. He backed against the van, ready to draw the sword from the cane, but then he heard what sounded like a small dog barking in the sewer. â€Å"Where did he come from?† said one of the harpies. â€Å"He bit me! You little fucker!† â€Å"Get him!† â€Å"I hate dogs. When we take over, no dogs.† The barking faded away, followed by the voices of the sewer harpies. Charlie took a deep breath and tried to blink the pain out of his eyes. He needed to regroup, but then he was taking the old lady down, pepper spray or not. It took him the better part of an hour to get into position, but once he was ready, he put down the cinder block, flipped open his cell phone, and dialed the number he'd gotten from information. A woman answered. â€Å"Hello.† â€Å"Ma'am, this is the gas company,† Charlie said in his best gas-company voice. â€Å"My grid is showing pressure loss at your address. We're sending a truck right out, but you need to get everyone out of the house, right now.† â€Å"Well, I'm the only one here right now, but I'm sorry, I don't smell gas.† â€Å"It may be building up under the house,† Charlie said, feeling proud of himself for being quick on his feet. Is there anyone else in the house?† â€Å"No, just me and my kitty, Samantha.† â€Å"Ma'am, please take the cat and go out by the street. Our truck will meet you there. Go right now, okay?† â€Å"Well, all right.† â€Å"Thank you, ma'am.† Charlie clicked off. He could feel movement inside of the house. He moved right to the edge of the porch roof and raised the concrete cinder block over his head. It'll look like an accident, he thought, like a cinder block fell off the porch roof. He was glad that no one could see him up here. He was sweating from the climb, his armpits stained, his trousers wrinkled. He heard the door open and got ready to throw the cinder block as soon as his target emerged from under the roof. â€Å"Good afternoon, ma'am.† A man's voice, out by the street. Charlie looked down to see Inspector Rivera standing at the sidewalk, having just climbed out of an unmarked car. What the hell was he doing here? â€Å"Are you the gas company?† said Mrs. Posokovanovich. â€Å"No, ma'am, I'm from the San Francisco police.† He flashed his badge. â€Å"They told me there was a gas leak,† she said. â€Å"That's been taken care of, ma'am. Could you step back inside and I'll check with you in a minute, okay?† â€Å"Well, okay, then.† Charlie heard the doors open and close again. His arms were trembling from holding the cinder block over his head. He tried to breathe quietly, thinking that the sound of his wheezing might attract Rivera's attention, make him visible. â€Å"Mr. Asher, what are you doing up there?† Charlie nearly lost his balance and went over. â€Å"You can see me?† â€Å"Yes, sir, I certainly can. And I can also see that cinder block you're holding over your head.† â€Å"Oh, this old thing.† â€Å"What were you planning on doing with that?† â€Å"Repairs?† Charlie tried. How could Rivera see him when he was in soul-vessel-retrieval mode? â€Å"I'm sorry, but I don't believe you, Mr. Asher. You're going to have to drop the cinder block.† â€Å"I'd rather not. It was really hard getting it up here.† â€Å"Be that as it may, I'm going to have to insist that you drop it.† â€Å"I was planning on it, but then you showed up.† â€Å"Please. Indulge me. Look, you're sweating. Climb down and you can sit in my air-conditioned car with me. We'll chat – talk about Italian suits, the Giants – I don't know – why you were about to brain that sweet old lady with a cinder block. Air-conditioning, Mr. Asher – won't that be nice?† Charlie brought the cinder block down and rested it on his thigh, feeling his trousers snagging beyond repair as he did so. â€Å"That's not much of an incentive. What am I, some primitive Amazon native? I've had air-conditioning before. I have air-conditioning in my own van.† â€Å"Yes, I'll admit it's not exactly a weekend in Paris, but the next choice was that I shoot you off the roof, and they put you in a body bag, which is going to be sweltering on a warm day like this.† â€Å"Oh, well, yes,† Charlie said. â€Å"That does make air-conditioning sound a lot more inviting. Thanks. I'm going to toss my brick down first, if that's okay?† â€Å"That would be great, Mr. Asher.† Disillusioned with DesperateFilipinas, Ray was browsing through the selection of lonely first-grade teachers with master's degrees in nuclear physics on when she came through the door. He heard the bell and caught her out of the corner of his eye, and forgetting that his neck vertebrae were fused, he sprained the left side of his face trying to turn to see her. She saw him looking and smiled. Ray smiled back, then, out of the corner of his eye, saw the monitor with the photo of the first-grade teacher holding her breasts, and sprained the right side of his face trying to turn in time to punch the power button before she passed the counter. â€Å"Just browsing,† said the love of his life. â€Å"How are you today?† â€Å"Hi,† Ray said. In his mental rehearsals, he started with â€Å"hi,† and it just sort of burped out of him before he realized that it put him behind a beat. â€Å"I mean, fine. Sorry. I was working.† â€Å"I can see that.† Again the smile. She was so understanding, forgiving – and kind, you could just tell that by her eyes. He knew in his heart that he would even sit through a hat movie for this woman. He would watch A Room with a View AND The English Patient, back-to-back, just to share a pizza with her. And she would stop him from eating his service revolver halfway through the second movie, because that's just how she was: compassionate. She made a show of browsing the store, but two minutes hadn't passed before she made for Charlie's special shelf. Even the sign said SPECIAL ITEMS – ONE PER CUSTOMER, but it didn't say if that was a per-day policy, or one per lifetime. Charlie hadn't really specified, now that Ray thought about it. Sure, Lily had yammered on about how important it was that they adhere to the policy, but that was Lily, she might have grown up some, but she was still disturbed. After a short time she picked up an electric alarm clock and brought it over to the counter. This was it. This was it. Ray heard the back door open. â€Å"Will this be everything?† he said. â€Å"Yes,† said the future Mrs. Ray Macy. â€Å"I've been looking for one like this.† â€Å"Yep, you can't beat a Sunbeam,† Ray said. â€Å"That's two-sixteen with tax – aw, heck, call it two even.† â€Å"That's very nice of you,† she said, digging into a small purse woven from colorful Guatemalan cotton thread. â€Å"Hi, Ray,† Lily said, suddenly standing there beside him like some evil phantom who appeared out of nowhere to leech every potentially joyous moment out of his life. â€Å"Hi, Lily,† he said. Lily clicked some keys on the computer. Slowed down by his freshly sprained face, Ray wasn't able to turn before she'd hit the power button on the monitor. â€Å"What's this?† asked Lily. With his free hand, Ray thumped Lily in the thigh under the counter. â€Å"Ouch! Freak!† â€Å"I'm sure you'll enjoy waking up with that,† Ray said, handing the alarm clock to the woman who would be his queen. â€Å"Thank you so much,† said the lovely brunette goddess of all things Ray. â€Å"By the way,† Ray said, pushing on, â€Å"you've been in a couple of times, I was wondering, you know, because I'm curious that way, uh, what's your name?† â€Å"Audrey.† â€Å"Hi, Audrey. I'm Ray.† â€Å"Nice to meet you, Ray. Gotta go. Bye.† She waved over her shoulder and headed out the door. Ray and Lily watched her walk away. â€Å"Nice butt,† Lily said. â€Å"She said my name,† Ray said. â€Å"She's a little bit – I don't know – unimaginary for you.† Ray turned to the nemesis Lily. â€Å"You have to watch the store. I have to go.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"I have to follow her, find out who she is.† Ray began to gather his stuff – phone, keys, baseball cap. â€Å"Yeah, that's healthy, Ray.† â€Å"Tell Charlie I – don't tell Charlie.† â€Å"Okay. So is it okay if I switch the computer from the UGLY Web site?† â€Å"What are you talking about?† Lily stepped back from the screen and pointed to the letters as she read, â€Å"Ukrainian Girls Loving You – U-G-L-Y, ugly.† Lily smiled, a perky, self-satisfied smile, like that kid who won the spelling bee in third grade. Didn't you hate that kid? Ray couldn't believe it. They weren't even being subtle about it anymore. â€Å"Can't talk,† he said. â€Å"Gotta go.† He ran out the door and headed up Mason Street after the lovely and compassionate Audrey. Rivera had driven up to the Cliff House Restaurant overlooking Seal Rocks and forced Charlie to buy him a drink while they watched the surfers down on the beach. Rivera was not a morbid man, but he knew that if he came here enough times, eventually he'd see a surfer get hit by a white shark. In fact, he sorely hoped that it would happen, because otherwise, the world made no sense, there was no justice, and life was just a tangled ball of chaos. Thousands of seals in the water and on the rocks – the mainstay of the white shark diet – hundreds of surfers in the water, dressed like seals, well, it just needed to happen for all to be right with the world. â€Å"I never believed you, Mr. Asher, when you said that you were Death, but since I couldn't explain whatever that thing was in the alley with you, didn't want to explain, in fact, I let it slide.† â€Å"And I appreciate that,† said Charlie, showing a little discomfort at drinking a glass of wine with handcuffs on. His face was candy-apple red from having been burned by the pepper spray. â€Å"Is this normal procedure for interrogations?† â€Å"No,† Rivera said. â€Å"Normally the City is supposed to pay, but I'll have the judge take the drinks off your sentence.† â€Å"Great. Thanks,† Charlie said. â€Å"And you can call me Charlie.† â€Å"Okay, and you can call me Inspector Rivera. Now, braining the old lady with the cinder block – just exactly what were you thinking?† â€Å"Do I need a lawyer?† â€Å"Of course not, you're fine, this bar is full of witnesses.† Rivera had once been a by-the-book kind of cop. That was before the demons, the giant owls, the bankruptcy, the polar bears, the vampires, the divorce, and the saber-clawed woman-thing that turned into a bird. Now, not so much. â€Å"In that case, I was thinking that no one could see me,† Charlie said. â€Å"Because you were invisible?† â€Å"Not really. Just sort of not noticeable.† â€Å"Well, I'll give you that, but I don't think that's any reason to crush a grandmother's skull.† â€Å"You have no proof of that,† Charlie said. â€Å"Of course I do,† Rivera said, holding up his glass to signal to the waitress that he needed another Glenfiddich on the rocks. â€Å"I saw pictures of her grandchildren, she showed me when I went in the house.† â€Å"No, I mean you have no proof that I was going to crush her skull.† â€Å"I see,† said Rivera, who did not see at all. â€Å"How did you know Mrs. Posokovanovich?† â€Å"I didn't. Her name just showed up in my date book, like I showed you.† â€Å"Yes, you did. Yes, you did. But that doesn't really give you a license to kill her, now does it?† â€Å"That's the point, she was supposed to be dead three weeks ago. There was even a death notice in the paper. I was just trying to make sure it was accurate.† â€Å"So in lieu of having the Chronicle print a correction, you thought you'd bash in granny's brains.† â€Å"Well, it was that or have my daughter say ‘kitty' at her, and I refuse to exploit my child in that way.† â€Å"Well, I admire your taking the high ground on that one, Charlie,† Rivera said, thinking, Who do I have to shoot to get a drink around here? â€Å"But let's just say that for one millisecond I believe you, and the old lady was supposed to die, but didn't, and that because of it you were shot with a crossbow and that thing I shot in the alley appeared – let's just say I believe all that, what am I supposed to do about it?† â€Å"You need to be careful,† Charlie said. â€Å"You may be turning into one of us.† â€Å"Pardon?† â€Å"That's how it happened to me. When my wife passed away, in the hospital, I saw the guy that came to collect her soul vessel, and wham, I was a Death Merchant. You saw me today, when no one else could, and you saw the sewer harpy, that night in the alley. Most of the time, I'm the only one who can see them.† Rivera really, really wanted to turn this guy over to a psychiatrist at the hospital and never see him again, but the problem was, he had seen the woman-thing, that night and another time on his own street, and he had seen reports of weird stuff happening in the City over the last two weeks. And not just normal San Francisco weird stuff, but really weird stuff, like a flock of ravens attacking a tourist in Coit Tower, and a guy who slammed his car through a storefront in Chinatown, saying that he had swerved to miss a dragon, and people all over the Mission saying that they'd seen an iguana dressed like a musketeer going through their garbage, tiny sword and all. â€Å"I can prove it,† Charlie said. â€Å"Just take me to the music store in the Castro.† Rivera looked at the sad, naked ice cubes in his glass and said, â€Å"Anyone ever tell you that it's hard to follow your train of thought, Charlie?† â€Å"You need to talk to Minty Fresh.† â€Å"Of course, that clears things up. I'll have a word with Krispy Kreme while I'm there.† â€Å"He's also a Death Merchant. He can tell you that what I'm telling you is true and you can let me go.† â€Å"Get up.† Rivera stood. â€Å"I'm not finished with my wine.† â€Å"Leave the money for the drinks and get up, please.† Rivera hooked his finger in Charlie's handcuffs and pulled him up. â€Å"We're going to the Castro.† â€Å"I don't think I can work my cane with these things on,† Charlie said. Rivera sighed and looked down on the surfers. He thought he saw something large moving in a wave behind one surfer, but as his heart leapt at the prospect, a sea lion poked his whiskered face out of the curl and Rivera's spirits sank again. He threw Charlie the handcuff keys. â€Å"Meet me in the car, I have to take a leak.† â€Å"I could escape.† â€Å"You do that, Charlie – after you pay.†

Desert Solitaire essays

Desert Solitaire essays A reluctant nature writer, Edward Abbey writes of his experiences of, and personal philosophical developments during, his time in southeastern Utahs canyonlands. Abbey doesnt like to consider himself a nature writer, yet he clearly exhibits great strengths as a preserver of nature through his writings. I have currently read the introductory material and first six chapters of his book Desert Solitaire. I was immediately drawn to his descriptions of the desert because of my own love for the outdoors, particularly the arid landscape and natural beauty of the desert. In the first six chapters he introduces the reader to his new home, a metal trailer residing miles away from any other people and anything civilized. His only companions, the rocks, plants, a few ravens, some resident mice, a snake (and its friend) that he befriended, and a few other more-or-less elusive animals. Abbey is clearly an educated outdoorsman, reciting the names of dozens of plants that comprise the fauna around his new home as well as the plants of other regions. He also lists off the names and classification of many of the geological resources of the area; he names rocks and minerals that the average, even fairly educated, person would not recognize. These rock and mineral descriptions drew me even deeper into his book due to my own interest in geology (although there were names that even I didnt recognize). There have been different aspects of Abbeys book that I have enjoyed for different reasons, and some that have detracted enjoyment. I feel his visual descriptions of the plants, animals and rock formations are incredible, while his sometimes drawn out tangents are sometimes distracting. I particularly enjoy his brief interactions with the wildlife. When he asks the dear to join him, or queries the snakes about their behavior, the animals only response is to walk, slither, or run the other dir...

Camp Bow Wow Company Growth

Camp Bow Wow Company Growth 1. â€Å"How did Camp Bow Wow think Global and act local†Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Camp Bow Wow Company Growth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Camp Bow Wow has seen massive growth in ten years since initiating the first business in Denver. The thought of establishing a dog service business originated from the challenges that people undergo while caring for their pets. The trauma that pets experience in their closed kennels causes apprehension among owners.[1] Heidi Ganahl underwent similar experiences that informed her idea to offer dog owners opportunities to register their pets for day care services. Camp Bow Wow presently owns fifty million dollars stake in the American pet segment.[2] Within America, the firm controls two hundred franchises within forty states. The expansion of Heidi’s pet business has continued into Canada where it offers similar services.[3] The firm appreciates the impor tance of collaborations in escalating its business and encourages huge proportions of interested persons to adopt the business idea. This call has enabled people from diverse backgrounds to engage in pet care services by owning a franchise through the leadership of Camp Bow Wow.[4] 2. â€Å"How successful is this business after went on global, how many areas are covered right now and the achievement they got† Camp Bow Wow operations have taken place smoothly thus resulting into massive growth. The firm offers pet services and currently operates approximately two hundred franchises in America. Its international marketplace presence is currently in Canada where it operates a single franchise. Notably, further growth appears imminent through the implementation of aforementioned recommendations. The firm differentiated its services consequently initiating new processes basing on home behavior buddies. Furthermore, the growth of these new services also attracts additional clients thus escalating the firm’s client base. Camp Bow Wow plans to create additional five hundred franchises within four years.[5] Future growth also entails initiating branches in the international marketplace beginning with Australia and United Kingdom.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Notably, Heidi’s pet service that began as a small business has grown to reach massive levels thus offering products in the local and global marketplace.[6] This development confirms that through local acts the business will eventually serve global clients. 3. â€Å"How big is the global market and what is their plan for global market†? â€Å"Basically connect with the second question and look up for the future plan† The company enjoys impressive growth as noted in the previous decade. Furthermore, the company ought to escalate its speed in order to create ma ssive revenues and clients base.[7] In order to attain further growth, Camp Bow Wow has the following plans It focuses on enhancing product differentiation by initiating additional activities including the provision of rearing pets of superior traits for mating purposes. This will allow pet owners who desire certain traits of pets to deliver their dogs to Camp Bow Wow for mating thus acquiring such qualities. Camp Bow Wow plans to implement a new business into international marketplace. This should occur through initiating collaborations with interested persons.[8] Furthermore, it can augment international market leadership by creating subsidiaries with local businesses. Camp Bow Wow plans to improve its organizational communication. This will escalate its marketplace presence by delivering appropriate information to the targeted audience. Camp Bow Wow plans to avoid recruiting friends into key business roles.[9] This will potentially cause interest conflicts, finance losses, and d isregard to the company. The firm plans to recruit persons after investigating their backgrounds basing on qualities and skills at handling company players. This potentially stimulates business growth to greater echelons. Bibliography Camp Bow Wow. â€Å"About Us.† Camp Bow Wow Website. campbowwowusa.com/corporate-info/about-us . Kahn, Jocelyn. A Decade of Successful Business for Nations Largest Pet Services Company. Camp Bow Wow Website. campbowwowusa.com/ten-year-anniversary . Sue, Browny. Entrepreneur Interview: Heidi Ganahl, Camp Bow Wow. In the Business Information Guide, http://businessinfoguide.com/entrepreneur-interview-heidi- ganahl-camp-bow-wow/ . Footnotes Browny, Sue. Entrepreneur Interview: Heidi Ganahl, Camp Bow Wow. In the Business Information Guide,(http://businessinfoguide.com/entrepreneur-interview-heidi-ganahl-camp-bow-wow/ . Browny, Sue. Entrepreneur Interview: Heidi Ganahl, Camp Bow Wow. In the Business Information Guide,(http://businessinfoguide.com/e ntrepreneur-interview-heidi-ganahl-camp-bow-wow/ . Camp Bow Wow. â€Å"About Us.† Camp Bow Wow Website. (campbowwowusa.com/corporate-info/about-us . Camp Bow Wow. â€Å"About Us.† Camp Bow Wow Website. (campbowwowusa.com/corporate-info/about-us . Kahn, Jocelyn. A Decade of Successful Business for Nations Largest Pet Services Company. In the  Camp Bow Wow Website. campbowwowusa.com/ten-year-anniversary . Camp Bow Wow. â€Å"About Us.† Camp Bow Wow Website. (campbowwowusa.com/corporate-info/about-us . Kahn, Jocelyn. A Decade of Successful Business for Nations Largest Pet Services Company. In the  Camp Bow Wow Website. campbowwowusa.com/ten-year-anniversary . Browny, Sue. Entrepreneur Interview: Heidi Ganahl, Camp Bow Wow. In the Business Information Guide (http://businessinfoguide.com/entrepreneur-interview-heidi-ganahl-camp-bow-wow/ . Browny, Sue. Entrepreneur Interview: Heidi Ganahl, Camp Bow Wow. In the Business Information Guide,(http://businessinfoguide.c om/entrepreneur-interview-heidi-ganahl-camp-bow-wow/ .

12 Imaginary Places

12 Imaginary Places 12 Imaginary Places 12 Imaginary Places By Mark Nichol Religion, legends, and literature alike are replete with various conceptions of ethereal or terrestrial paradises or places with romantic flair. Here are a dozen examples of ideal locales, including their names, their origins, and their definitions. 1. Arcadia (the Greek region of Arcadia): an idealized, unattainable pastoral state, bereft of civilization 2. Atlantis (allegorical legend recounted by Plato): an island with a complex, advanced civilization that was submerged in a cataclysmic disaster in preclassical times) 3. Camelot (European legends and folklore): the seat of the court of King Arthur, renowned for its splendor 4. Cockaigne (European medieval legend): a place of idleness and luxury 5. El Dorado or Eldorado (Spanish legend): the name given to a Native American chieftain and, by extension, to the prosperous city and surrounding empire he supposedly ruled; later, a metaphor for happiness or personal fulfillment 6. Erewhon (Samuel Butler’s satirical novel Erewhon): a seemingly utopian society with the same flaws as actual civilization 7. Faerie (European fairy tales and folktales): the magical realm of fairies and other legendary beings 8. Neverland or the Neverlands or Never Never Land (J. M. Barrie’s stage play Peter Pan and his novelization Peter and Wendy): an idyllic land serving as a metaphor for escapism and perpetual childhood 9. Shambhala (Buddhist tradition): a mythical hidden kingdom in Central Asia adopted as an ideal state by believers in mysticism 10. Shangri-La (James Hilton’s romantic novel Lost Horizon): an idealized paradise in a hidden valley in Asia 11. Utopia (Sir Thomas More’s allegorical novel Utopia): an island with a harmonious sociopolitical system; in uncapitalized form, any idealized society 12. Xanadu (Chinese history): a city in what is now Inner Mongolia, the historical summer palace of Kublai Khan, but also, inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan, an idealized place of luxurious splendor Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Writing Prompts 101Capitalization Rules for Names of Historical Periods and MovementsThrew and Through

The 49ers and the california ethos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The 49ers and the california ethos - Essay Example On many occasions, the gold mines and the mining camps took toll on people as it presented the issue of time and circumstances of returning to families and communities to be a different perspective away from the original quest for fortune. It brought forth a different view in terms of an individual, family and community at home as compared to the 49ers of the gold camps. To the married people, family, friends and community formed the basis that it difficult for them to go back home. To others, there were issues that included a commitment, responsibility, the chain of burdens and many other issues related to family. In the course of staying in California, some 49ers managed to keep the promise of returning after some period or sought for an extension of the original time specific. Despite these, majority of members deemed such agreements as being passed to the reality of California and the gold fields. The pleasantries of California and the hope to find something to return home on most occasions made it difficult for the 49ers to go home to their families. Many of the 49ers who thought that they would go to California and be back within a year found it had to keep that promise. This was influenced by the consideration of how one would return home. It was discouraging for 49ers to learn that they could only go back home little than they had come with or sometimes with nothing at all. The quest to find something much better to go home with made them stay even longer in California (Malcolm, 1997). With increased publications of free gold, people around the world continued flocking California, demand for almost everything kept increasing, and the prices for most commodities kept on skyrocketing. This made life more difficult rendering the 49ers with the inability to save for their return. As such it became a difficult question

Supply Chain Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Supply Chain Management - Case Study Example In this particular article, the authors mentioned the term core competency which can be defined as the collective learning and coordination skills behind the product lines of a firm (Hamel). It was further stated by the authors that core competencies are the main source of competitive advantage and hence they enable the firm to introduce an array of new products and services into the market. Competitive advantage is the critical advantage that a firm possesses in the market over a competitor in the industry. Almost all the firms in the market try to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage ((ICMR), Marketing Management). The other way of expressing the same would be - when sustained profits that are beyond the average industry profits are earned by a firm, then the firm is said to possess a competitive advantage over its competitors present in the market (Administration). The goal of much of the business strategy of every firm would be to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. There are two basic types of competitive advantages as identified by Michael Porter (Porter). They are the cost advantage and differentiation advantage. A firm that offers the consumer the same value as the competitors, but at a lower cost is said to possess cost advantage, whereas a company that offers superior value to its customers when compared to its competitors, possesses differentiation advantage. These two advantages are called positional advantages as they represent the firm's leading capability in the industry in either of these advantages. The resources of an organization along with its skills create unique competencies. These competencies, in turn, help the firm identify its cost or differentiation advantages and ultimately create value for the customers (Harvard Business Review). The resources of the organization include its brand value, technological know-how, patents and trademarks, and the goodwill of the firm in the market. The skills include its service quality, employee skills and efficiencies (Andrew C. Gross et al). Core Competencies are the basis for the development of core products. Core products are not the ones which are directly sold to the end-user. Instead, they are used in the manufacturing or building of a large array of end products. Let us consider an example of this. Motors are core products which can be used for the manufacturing of many end products like cars, air coolers etc. The business units of the firm are required to tap the few relative core products and then develop a number of end-products that can be used by the end-user by making use of the prevailing technology of core products.  Ã‚  

Case Analysis of 'Genetic Screening' Assignment

Case Analysis of 'Genetic Screening' - Assignment Example Excessive use of chemicals caused this haemolytic anaemia. On the other hand, the cost of health insurance was also increasing. Therefore, the employees were demanding to avail a smoke-free workplace environment. Looking into this matter, the employers tried to provide routine medical screening, drug testing and smoke-free environment facilities. (B) Several critics of DuPont stated that the genetic testing allowed the organisation to transfer the workers, but it was necessary to clean up the workplace environment. It is the major solution to the problems. Nobody can work at zero emission. The organisation had to ensure the health and safety workplace aspect. However, it is not right to relocate the employees. The organization should take care of all the employees and should provide routine medical check-up to all the employees. (C) The organisation did not take any initiative to clean up the workplace environment. Moreover, it was relocating its affected employees to the smoke-free areas. First and foremost, the organisation had to solve the basic problem. Then they had to think about the good health of the employees. The organisation did nothing regarding these two aspects. Therefore, development of law was required in order to restrict it. Question 2 This question will discuss some moral aspects. ... It is their basic right (Cherrie, Howie & Semple 2011, p.51). It is the right of the employees to file legal complaints against the management of the organisation. (B) The outcome is quite serious or critical. The employees were suffering from haemolytic anaemia. According to utilitarianism theory, the organisations should provide a hazard-free working environment to the employees (Collins & Schneid 2010, p. 39). The management of the organisation needed to review the safety aspect of the workplace environment right after the incident, but they relocated their affected employees. (C) The organisation did not take care of all the employees. It has proposed genetic screening but not for all the employees. It is illegal. Attaining a safe workplace environment is the basic right of the employees. Moreover, the organisation did not compensate the affected employees or rectify the basic workplace challenges or issues (Spellman & Bieber 2011, p.87). There is a possibility for the organisati on to face legal challenges based on unethical business operations. Question 3 There are specific moral obligations for the employer that DuPont needs to assume in this case. The operation of various chemical factories such as the dynamite factory involves the emission of chemicals in the environment where the workers work in the hours of operation. Apart from the motives of earning revenues from the business, the employers also have the moral responsibility of safeguarding the health of their workers engaged in the operational work. These are business ethics and social responsibilities of the employer that fulfils the moral obligations involved in the course of work. Apart from paying monthly wages to the

Whistle Blowing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Whistle Blowing - Assignment Example Through whistle blowing, employees are able to act on matters that are out of the set code of conduct. According to Johnson (2003), whistle blowing helps in building a safe working place, protects the name, and earnings of the organization. At times, an employee may desist from reporting potentially harmful practices in the organization as it often raises differences in the organization. It is important to note that whistle blowing may lead to division among various parties in an organization (Johnson, 2003). The other people who are affected by whistle blowing tend to dehumanize the whistle blower in various ways. In the long run the whistleblower may desist from the act (Johnson, 2003). Ethics hotlines are a crucial tool in enhancing reporting of the irregularities in an organization (Corey, Marianne & Callanan, 2011). It is, therefore, important for an organization to have ethics hotlines. To begin with, ethics hotlines help avoid the conflicts that arise from whistle blowing (Corey, Marianne & Callanan, 2011). Additionally, hotlines help the employees access some immediate help in case there is an urgent need. Corey, Marianne & Callanan (2011) outline that, hotlines are imperative in ensuring that the employees develop a trustworthy culture in the organization they work. This can be indicated to be a merit in strengthening organizational governance. However, ethical hotlines have numerous disadvantages such as cost. There is often mistrust of the independence of the hotlines. Employees may fear to make calls since the person that is operating the hotline may be the target or may recognize the person that is being reported. Lastly, the hotlines often raise securit y concerns (Corey,

Kill Bill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Kill Bill - Essay Example No doubt, the girl standing in the middle is the dominant character of the film. It can be proved with the elements: 1. Size: she is the one with largest size in the scene. 2. Focus. Focus is on the sun and the girl. She is more in focus as she comes in front of the sunset 3. Lighting. She is in clear lightening effetcs 4. Color. In the whole bluosh background, she is the one wearing skin top. High key? Low key? High contrast? Some combination of these? The scene is low lightening, the scene is not very much bright and the blur things, there are diffused shadows and atmospheric pools of light. What type of shot? How far away is the camera from the action? This is the full shot, showing the full body of girl, and a minimum location of her is identified. Are we (and the camera) looking up or down on the subject? Or is the camera neutral (eye level)? The scene is captured from the high angle, the girls body is insignificant but still one can see it and the angle seems harmless. What is the dominant color? Are there contrasting foils? Is there color symbolism? ... Other than sun are the circles produced by the sun rays in the scene that capture the attention. How much visual information is packed into the image Is the texture stark, moderate, or highly detailed The image is quite dense, the image is wide but the things are still blur. How is the two-dimensional space segmented and organized What is the underlying design The scene is horizontal and circular, the sunrays give a circular touch and the girl and her surroundings make a horizontal frame suggesting peacefulness. Is the form open or closed Does the image suggest a window that arbitrarily isolates a fragment of the scene Or a proscenium arch, in which the visual elements are carefully arranged and held in balance The form is closed, enclosing the whole scenario and self contained. The necessary information of the sad environment is clearly structured. Thus it is a longer shot Is the framing tight or loose Do the character have no room to move around, or can they move freely without impediments The framing is losse, it's a large ground where the characters can move freely. On how many planes is the image composed (how many are in focus) Does the background or foreground comment in any way on the mid-ground The form is deep, allowing all planes to be in the focus. The girl with the sun and sun rays circles. And the whole ground with some plants are also zaprured. What part of the framed space do the characters occupy Center Top Bottom Edges Why The character is focused in the center implying its importance in the film. Which way do the characters look vis-a-vis the camera The focus is back to camera revealing girls alienation from the world. The only

Memo and letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Memo and letter - Essay Example Since you did not listen to our expert advice, there is nothing that we can do for you on this matter. If it is your wish to still plant trees in this particular wet area, it would be better if you planted balsam firs there. Admittedly balsam needles are significantly darker than the Douglas Firs’, but the shape of both trees would still fit in with your tree line. If you have any more concerns or queries at all, then please get in touch with our customer service department and we will be more than willing to help you. Once again, we understand what you are going through but we just can’t be of assistance at this particular time. I am writing this memo to you to analyze Raymond Manning’s application for a crushing and grinding manager’s position at Durango Chemical Corporation. It my opinion, the application letter is convincing and provides many reasons why he should get the job, although it could be structured better to improve his chances of getting the job. Raymond has set up the heading of the letter in the right format because the letter is addressed to the corporation and includes location details. This is fairly standard procedure. However, Raymond also uses a regular and much used greeting, â€Å"To Whom It May Concern.† While this is an appropriate many to address a letter to someone in a formal business setting, the letter could be much more personable if it was actually addressed to the person who is going to read the letter. It would not be too difficult to find out who is in charge of appointing someone for the role. In fact, the person’s name and position is probably stated in the job advertisement that Raymond read in the newspaper. If it was not, then he could have done some research and found the appropriate name. Employers generally prefer to be addressed directly rather than just having a generic greeting. The first line of the letter is good because it gets straight to the point. Employers often do not have much time to read

Kill Bill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Kill Bill - Essay Example No doubt, the girl standing in the middle is the dominant character of the film. It can be proved with the elements: 1. Size: she is the one with largest size in the scene. 2. Focus. Focus is on the sun and the girl. She is more in focus as she comes in front of the sunset 3. Lighting. She is in clear lightening effetcs 4. Color. In the whole bluosh background, she is the one wearing skin top. High key? Low key? High contrast? Some combination of these? The scene is low lightening, the scene is not very much bright and the blur things, there are diffused shadows and atmospheric pools of light. What type of shot? How far away is the camera from the action? This is the full shot, showing the full body of girl, and a minimum location of her is identified. Are we (and the camera) looking up or down on the subject? Or is the camera neutral (eye level)? The scene is captured from the high angle, the girls body is insignificant but still one can see it and the angle seems harmless. What is the dominant color? Are there contrasting foils? Is there color symbolism? ... Other than sun are the circles produced by the sun rays in the scene that capture the attention. How much visual information is packed into the image Is the texture stark, moderate, or highly detailed The image is quite dense, the image is wide but the things are still blur. How is the two-dimensional space segmented and organized What is the underlying design The scene is horizontal and circular, the sunrays give a circular touch and the girl and her surroundings make a horizontal frame suggesting peacefulness. Is the form open or closed Does the image suggest a window that arbitrarily isolates a fragment of the scene Or a proscenium arch, in which the visual elements are carefully arranged and held in balance The form is closed, enclosing the whole scenario and self contained. The necessary information of the sad environment is clearly structured. Thus it is a longer shot Is the framing tight or loose Do the character have no room to move around, or can they move freely without impediments The framing is losse, it's a large ground where the characters can move freely. On how many planes is the image composed (how many are in focus) Does the background or foreground comment in any way on the mid-ground The form is deep, allowing all planes to be in the focus. The girl with the sun and sun rays circles. And the whole ground with some plants are also zaprured. What part of the framed space do the characters occupy Center Top Bottom Edges Why The character is focused in the center implying its importance in the film. Which way do the characters look vis-a-vis the camera The focus is back to camera revealing girls alienation from the world. The only

Causes of the Civil War Essay Example for Free

Causes of the Civil War Essay There were several reasons the Civil War began. The north and the south had completely different views on some very important subjects.The north believed that slavery was not needed, but the south had needed slavery in order to harvest the crops. Also, new territories were being settled. Lastly, Abraham Lincoln was elected president. The areas of the United States had different economies. In the North, the economy was based on factories and wages. Everyday people worked in the factories. The South had large plantations, which grew cotton. The plantation owners needed the slaves to pick the cotton. They didn’t receive wages, but they were provided food and shelter. In the Midwest, wheat was the number one cash crop. It was harvested by a machine, so they didn’t need as many workers or slaves. These different economies caused divisions in the United States. Also, new territories were being settled. The South wanted the new territories to be admitted to the Union as slave states. This was to prevent the slaves from escaping into free territories. The North wanted the new territories to be free. Some people thought the new territories should have the right to vote whether they wanted to be free or slave. This is called State’s Rights. An agreement was reached called the Compromise of 1850, which lasted for three years. In this compromise, fugitive slaves were ordered to return to their owners. The abolitionists thought that they shouldn’t have to follow that law. Next, Abraham Lincoln said that slavery should be abolished. He was elected president and South Carolina immediately seceded from the Union. Then, six more states joined South Carolina and formed the Confederate States of America (CSA). The South felt that Lincoln would abolish slavery and take away their economy or their way of life. They also felt that each state had the right to vote on any law. More people died in the Civil War than any other war. The reasons for the Civil War were different economies, state’s rights to vote on laws, and the election of Abraham Lincoln as president.

Analysis of FDI into Zimbabwe

Analysis of FDI into Zimbabwe UNCTAD (2016) reported that in 2015 FDI inflow to Africa was US$54 billion. However, Zimbabwe only received a fraction of the FDI at just US$0.7 billion (ibid). Similarily for 2014, 2013, and 2012 FDI trends have been low (ibid). According to the World Bank Group Flagship Report (2017), Zimbabwe is the 161th country to ease doing business with out of 190 contries. It pales in comparrion with its neighboring countries such as South Africa who is ranted at 74 and Botswana at 71 (WBG, 2017). Following the adoption of the USD in 2009, investment has averaged at just 16% of GDP- however; this is 17% below the investment rate of 33% of GDP that is required for economic growth (WBG, 2017).   It could be argued that the low FDI patterns are not reflective of Zimbabwes potential. The research paper will study influential factors that encourage FDI inflows into Zimbabwe and those that hinder Zimbabwes economic growth. Aims and Objectives of the Study The aims and objectives  of this research is to provide its reader with an empirical investigation of FDI into Zimbabwe and an analysis of what determinants are crucial to boost FDI inflows into Zimbabwe. Literature Review Bekaert et al. (2014) define FDI a occurring when a company from one country makes a significant investment that leads to at least a 10% ownership interest in a firm in another country. Dunning (2002) is accredited for the infamous electic paradigm thereom that is a commom framework for FDI. Dunning (2002) argues that foreign investors are driven in search for location, internalisation and ownership. In addition, foreign investors are attracted to developing nations such as Zimbabwe for resources, strategic assets and markets and efficiency. The favoured route for FDI in Southern Africa is for effeciency and resource seeking companies. Sikwila (2015) states that companies interested in efficiency are attracted to developing contries such as Zimbabwe. This is due to the low production and labour costs and trade liberisation. Resource seeking companies are in search of gold and diamonds in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Sikwila (2015) also argues that developing nations rarely, if ever, attrac t strategic seeking investotrs as they are often behind on technology and innovation due to domestic financial issues. Economic globalisation consists of FDI, trade and the transfer of technology and knowledge. Despite the globalisation phenomenon, it is evident that LEDC are yet to reap the rewards particularly in technological advancements (Van de Bank, C. 2010). Emperical Literature There are four frameworks that examine FDI in developing nations. The first concept studies the key factors of FDI in relation to push and pulls factors (Norris, E. et al. 2010). This approach focuses on examining factors such as the firms size, its parity conditions (interst rates, exchange rates and inflation rates), its five forces with particular attention to export competitiness and other operational and endogenous conditions. These factors either push or pull FDI. The second concept studies the FDI drivers that are derived externally to investors. Nguyen et al. (2012) classifies these factors into four areas (i) supply side (ii) demand side (iii) institutional. The third concept places FDI determinants into one of three economic groups. The first is the investment climate, secondly, the exchange market policies, and lastly trade (Sekkat et al. K. 2007). The final concept studies FDI in relation to timing, irreversibility, and uncertainty (Ramirez, M. 2006. Lee, C. et al., 200 9). Researches provide arguments for the above afromention constructs and will be dicussed in detail in the final research project. Research Design Methodology Saunders et al. (2012) suggest that ones approach to research stratergy and implementation is crucial as it determines the results and expectations one desires to achieve. To optimise the results, the research metholodody will begin by considering each layer of the research onion (Saunders et al. 2012). As the onion layers unravel, the model will offer a clear metholodogy in conducting the research. The research proposes for the variables to be GDP, Inflation, External debt, Trade Openess. The variables computed will all be led by theoretical assumptions and empirical literature. The methodology for the research will be a dominated by qualitative research with minor quantitative approaches (hbgkbgkergbkre). The general equation for the research can be traced to Clarkes (1917) accelerator theory, which was furher developed by Hicks (1951). However, it was Bernake et al. (1988) who observed that the neo classical approach to investment combined with the accelerator theory produced inte prable and accurate results for FDI in developing nations. Data Collection Method The research will use secondary data from a variety of enquiry sources thus reducing the risk of biased results. The enquiry sources are listed below (not exhausted); Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe South African Development Community Southern African Trade and Investmnet Hub World Bank Group World Trade Organisation Zimbabwe Investment Centre Zimbabwe Minsitry of Finance Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency

Dolly and the New Age of Cloning :: Genetic Engineering Essays

Dolly and the New Age of Cloning The concept of cloning is not new. Organisms ranging from microbes (for example bacteria) and animals (such as aphids and even certain species of shrimp and snails) have practiced asexual reproduction for millions of years, where the offspring are exact duplicates of the parents. It is also not uncommon to encounter identical twins among the more complex life forms like mammals. Twins are in essence clones as they share the same genetic blueprint. What then is so significant about Dolly? In the research paper published by I. Wilmut, W.A. Ritchie, J. McWhir and K.H.S. Campbell (1), Dolly was described as the first known mammal to be cloned by nuclear transfer from a cultured cell line. This technique is revolutionary as it dispelled a dogma in biology that upholds the notion of differentiated cells, being highly specialized, are irreversibly altered to an extent that would render them unable to inter-convert between cell forms (i.e a lymphocyte is not able to produce a nerve cell and vice versa). Dolly is living proof that a differentiated cell, such as one in the udder of sheep, has not only the potential of creating other tissue forms, but the entire living being. The evidence gathered from Dolly also went one step further to establish that organisms produced in such a way were not disadvantaged in their general physiological or reproductive function. Thus the new age of cloning was born with Dolly as its flagship. The success of Dr Ian Wilmut and his team in creating Dolly sparked global interest. This has greatly benefitted science as it has accelerated the rate at which knowledge is assimilated in the field of cloning. Many attempts have been to clone other mammals (for example cows or pigs). However they do not always yield fruitful results. Dolly can be considered to be a success among 277 failures. Indeed of the 277 oocytes used in the experiment, only one yielded a success. The techniques used in cloning would have to be refined before it can be universally applied. We have now uncovered other interesting facts about Dolly and cloning. For example, Dolly is considered to be "older" than her natural counterparts by a measure of the length of her telomeres that was found to be relatively shorter. However Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) of Worcester, Massachusetts, using different techniques than Dr Ian Wilmut and his team, pro duced calves that were found to have longer telomeres (2).

John Cover :: Biography

â€Å"Jack is an unsung hero. He did something great for the world, saved a lot of lives and prevented a lot of injuries,† said retired police captain, Greg Meyer (Jack Cover, page 1 of 3). Rick Smith, the chief executive and founder of Taser International, said in a statement,† Jack was one of the most influential inventors of modern times, who affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers, citizens, and even criminal suspects,† (Taser Inventor Dead at 88, page 2 of 4). From the quotes of these two men, it is clearly seen that John Cover did something tremendous that would affect the lives of thousands. Many people have never heard of this man, so they do not know what he invented. Well, this man invented the Taser, the non-lethal weapon that uses pulses of electrical current to disrupt the target’s ability to control his or her muscles† (John Cover: Inventor of the Taser, page 1 of 2). The term â€Å"open-minded† mean s, â€Å" Receptive to new ideas or to reason† (The American Heritage Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, page 520). John Cover was an extremely open-minded inventor who kept an open mind to any new ideas he or his assistants came up with. John Higson Cover was born on April 6, 1920, in New York. Cover was later nick-named â€Å"Jack†, which was what most people came to know him by. Cover grew up in Chicago where his father was the Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5791955.ece). No other records of his parents or childhood were found. Cover then went to the University of Chicago, where he earned his PhD in physics ( www.timesonline.co). Cover began to invent things such as cooked food testers and voice activated switches in his spare time, early in his career (http://www.nbcfw.com/news/archive/Taser-Inventor-Dead-at-88.htmlcorder=reverse). Cover was a test pilot in the United Stated Air Force in World War II. In 1952-1964, Cover was employed by the American Aviation. Then, in 1970, Cover set up the Taser Systems Company (www.timesonline.co). No claimed religion was found. â€Å"Cover’s goal was to invent a non-lethal weapon to combat the plane hijackings and riots that were occurring in the 1960s,† said Rick Smith, chief executive and founder of Taser International (www.nbcfw.com). The battery operated Taser projects darts attached to insulated wires to give electric shocks over a range of a few meters (www.timesonline.co). Though it was designed to be a non-lethal weapon, the Taser has caused a few deaths (Jack Cover, Taser Inventor, page 1 of 4).

7p’s marketing mix Essay

The product is basically a smooth orange juice made with natural orange and is organic, with benefits such as it’s never sweetened, never concentrated, there are 11 juicy hand-picked oranges in every bottle ,there is 1 portion of fruit in every 150ml serving. (Also used in this report will be smoothie drinks and it will be part of the marketing mix) The product itself is part of the marketing mix because if the product is unique and offers quite a few benefits then it will help the marketers in selling it, also the fact that the product has what juice drinkers looking for, for example they will be looking for good taste, good health and part of their five a day including additional benefits such as a good source of vitamin c, all these factors help the product be the best it can be and help it sell in the shelves of supermarkets. Promotion The promotion of the juice is done in many different ways, one of the most used is advertising but their other forms of indirect advertising such as sponsorship are also methods of promotion. For innocent the promotion element was very important because they were unknown in the market because they were a new start-up so they marketed their product quite heavily and managed to get their product into a major supermarket which extended their reach nationally and enabled them to advertise on TV, newspapers and major banners on the highways. Eventually all this promotion helped them get to the ? 100million pound turnover that they have today. Over the years their promotion has helped them increase market share and compete with smoothie market leader â€Å"pj† Price The 3 founders of innocent found it surprisingly easy to break into major outlets even though their retail prices were as high as ? 2 for a small, 200 ml bottle. By 2002/2003 sales had risen to ? 10 million a year and the future looked very bright. Then things became a bit tougher. The smoothie market had been originated in Britain in 1994 by a company called ‘PJ’. Stung by Innocent’s success, in 2003 PJ Smoothies were promoted more heavily, stabilising their market leading position. Then the major supermarkets started offering own-label smoothies. With a Tesco’s own-label bottle at ? 1. 39, it would be much harder to charge ? 1. 99 so innocent had to fight on price with competitors and keep growing but they focused on justifying thus making it a very good product which helped it sell at the high end of the price graph. A pro of having a high price is people automatically assume it is a good brand and this help in the marketing because they are seen as quality providers in public so when innocent launch a cheaper alternative they will not find it difficult to sell to people with tighter budgets. People The people behind the brand are well known in the public, they are two former university students who after leaving university, Richard Reed, Adam Balon and Jon Wright decided to try their own business, selling fresh fruit smoothies. The idea started when they spent ? 500 on strawberries and bananas, they went to a festival and got feedback of their smoothies from the public, in the end they got amazing feedback and set up their business so it’s evident that the people behind the company are passionate about the business and have helped raise funds for the start-up and market the business, also they are famous for creating a very good environment to work in (image below) which helps the people in creativity and work productivity and this is a marketing edge which is used when innocent promote their products, they are very happy to publicise the work environment which innocent provides them. Physical The exterior appearance of innocent packaging is very attractive and overall the company projects a very attractive feel for the organisation, even the headquarter buildings of innocent are very well designed and the work place is very clean and attractive and this projects a very good image of the company and in marketing terms a very good proposition to the customer. The logo’s on bottles is very well designed and the graphic fruit images does not hinder in the marketing mix, the packaging delivers a very fresh and exciting look to the customers as much as the fruits themselves. Place The distribution channel is always very important because we all the marketing in the world if people can’t purchase your product then it pretty pointless so it’s vital that innocent are available in a lot of stores, they are available in tesco, asda and Sainsbury’s and together these stores have 80% of market share in the UK so in essence they are very well placed and this gives them a marketing advantage. Process Also important is the process in which the apple goes from field to factory, from factory to store and this logistical side of the equation is important because it’s great to be selling to Tesco, you have to be able to deliver the top quality product promised. So innocent have farms where they produce the fruit also they buy in fruit and transport the products to their production faculty where the smoothies are made and packaged thereafter they are delivered to supermarkets nation-wide, this process helps them get products into place and products to customers quick and effectively. Conclusion During this process of writing this marketing mix, I have realized that the marketing mix is inter-linked and each part works with another, so the promotion work with the price and the people and so on so forth, so in terms of innocent they are covering the marketing mix quite well.

Importance of Library in Our Life Essay

Libraries are only next in importance to schools, colleges and universities as means of educating the public. A library is a store-house of books-books of all kinds and on all subjects under the sun. A good modern library usually subscribes to practically all the important newspapers and periodicals. Books, newspapers and periodicals are the main features of a library and they represent the endeavours, achievements and glory of writers, statesmen, scientists, philosophers and saints. For a person of average means it is difficult to purchase more than one or two daily newspapers, but it is the keen desire of educated people to know all possible shades of opinion as expressed in various newspapers. The obvious course for them is to visit a library during their leisure and glance through the relevant pages of many newspapers which they think are worth the trouble. Generally a person does not subscribe to more than one or two magazines or periodicals and yet in these days of abundant supply of illustrated and pictorial journals most of us would like to have a look at the most attractive and interesting among them. This can be done only in a library which usually subscribes to most of the popular magazines. The best feature of a library is that it either makes no charge upon the readers or collects a negligible membership fee for making available to them newspapers and journals. This fact is immensely helpful to the ill-paid and poor members of society who, notwithstanding their poverty, are interested in the political, social and religious developments reported by newspapers. To those who are vociferous book readers, a library is all the more useful. Only a very rich man can afford to have a large private collection of books, while the desire to read books is now- a-days becoming more and more common. Besides, no private collection can be as big, up-to-date, and varied as the collection of books in a library; one can find books on history, economics politics, philosophy, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, literature, and languages. As the needs of various readers are different, a library serves a very useful purpose by meeting the requirements of all readers. The poorest man can go to a library, take out any book he needs and read or take notes from it without having to pay for the privilege. In this way, a single library benefits thousands of readers. Again, some books are priced so high that they are beyond the means of average reader, but they are usually to be found in a library. It is evident that a library confers incalculable advantages on the public only if they care to make use of it. A library has always a studious atmosphere. As we enter a library, we find ourselves surrounded by books and readers. We see books of all kinds and sizes reposing in their respective places, and earnest readers eagerly devouring the contents of the books they have picked up from the shelves. What is more, all possible facilities are provided to the readers. Comfortable chairs with tables in front, adequate lighting arrangements, and a librarian to help and guide the reader all these factors make the place a veritable sanctuary fit for even the most serious and zealous students. A library is even more useful to research students. A research scholar working on a difficult, obscure subject usually needs books that are very expensive and that are often not available in the market. Sometimes he may need to refer to original manuscripts not otherwise available. In all such cases he will find it very advantageous to visit the various libraries and collect his material. It is a stimulus to reading. It helps us develop a reading habit. Since its gates are open to all and sundry, to rich and poor, to professors and students, to scholars and lay-a-taste in books. In short, a library is a standing invitation to the public to come and read books as well as newspapers and periodicals. There is a wide choice of books and the library helps us to escape from the practical necessities of this world. And while there is a charge for traveling m a bus, for entering a cinema or a circus, for seeing a cricket match, there is no such charge for entering a library and becoming engrossed in a book.

How to Tell a True War Story Essay

O’Briens â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story†, is a compilation of war stories and some experiences that men have had while away from home, at war during a battle. The theme of O’Briens short story is to always look at the positive side of all things that may happen in one’s life. There is a positive side in every single action that takes place in people’s lives. O’Brien tries to explain a war story as best as he can but, most believe that to actually know the events that happened and how gory or pleasant each little thing was, one must experience it themselves. O’Brien’s objective is to prove to the audience that it is next to impossible to tell a â€Å"true† war story and be able to explain all of the details in which are seen throughout a war. In the story, the plot is not an easy one to follow. This is caused by the author putting multiple war stories into one complete story. The following quote is an example of O’Brien trying to express as many minor details as possible: â€Å"They carry the soldier’s greatest fear, which was the fear of blushing. Men killed, and died, because they were embarrassed not to. It was what had brought them to the war in the first place, nothing positive, no dreams of glory or honor, just to avoid the blush of dishonor. They died so as not to die of embarrassment.†(O’Brien 1152) This quote is a direct quote from a different short story pertaining to war. Obrien uses this type of writing to try and capture as many minor details as possible in the short story. In the story, this quote explains how every man away from at war is trying to mask their emotions as well as their fear of dying. In the short story called â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story,† the narrator Tim O’Brien himself has a friend who went to war in Vietnam. His friend Curt Lemon, Tim O’Brien however does not return home to his friends and family after the war is over. In the story, there aren’t any morals. Most people believe war is an awful place and they are exactly correct. The theme of O’Briens short story, â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story,† is to always look at the positive side of things that happen in one’s life. It takes a true soldier who has been in Vietnam fighting in the war to take a positive look at the tings occurring in his life. Shortly after the death of Rat Kiley’s best friend, Curt Lemon writes a letter to Lemons sister, Kileys friend who recently passed: â€Å"He was a slim, dead, and almost dainty young man of about twenty. Hel lay with one leg bent beneath him, his jaw in his throat, his face neither expressive nor in exp ressive. One eye shut. The other was a shaped hole.† (O’Brien 1151) This quote is some of the details in Rat Kileys letter to his dead friend and fellow solider, Curt Lemon. The audience expects the letter to be full of positive things because this is how Rat Kiley looked at certain things though his own eyes. The audience is led to believe that he constantly took a positive outlook in life, which is how all people should see things. Curt Lemon’s sister had no response to Rat’s letter home informing the family that their son had passed. In â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story†, the plot is very hard to follow and to some the theme is hard to find as well. In the end, â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story† is a well written short story by O’Brien. One could take many life lessons from O’Brien’s work as well as get a little insight of what it might be like to serve for one’s country at war.