Asset Bubbles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Asset Bubbles - Assignment Example Asset price movements that are not related to economic fundamentals result in the occurrence of asset bubbles. The role of government in the economy encompasses both protection and intervention. Conservative politics are relatively resistant to change, but they do not overlook the role that government plays in the regulation and control of economic activities (Evanoff, Kaufman & Malliaris, 2012). The occurrence of asset bubbles and related scenarios in the economy trigger critical decision making pursuits among involved stakeholders. The fact is such occurrences distort economic performance, leading to the realization of variant hardships in the many sectors of the economy. In this respect, the government stands a chance to manage the situation through protection and intervention. This means that the government should remain vigilant over sectorial "animal spirits" in order to protect the economy and safeguard public interests, as well as take relevant actions in the event that such "animal spirits" bursts (Evanoff, Kaufman & Malliaris, 2012). The idea is to create coherence among economic v ariables for enhanced economic

Drawing, Printmaking, and Painting Essay Example for Free

Drawing, Printmaking, and Painting Essay There are different ways on how to make exquisite two-dimensional masterpieces. It can be in the form of a drawing, printmaking or painting. All of these methods may seem identical because of their common dimensions. However, there are some specific components and characteristic that each form of visual art has that sets them apart from one another. Drawing is considered to be the foundation of all pictorial representation. More so, it is in this stage where almost all art activities start. The utilization of lines to represent various forms and shapes serve as the guidelines or foundation of more advanced or elaborate art depictions such as paintings. Though it may seem that drawing is part of other visual art forms, its emphasis on the use of line is its most distinguishing factor. Furthermore, drawing also makes use of shadings and color to create an illusion that it has mass and more dimensions. However, it all depends upon the artist’s choice of medium and tools of whether the drawing will have a linear or painterly quality. Linear is a technique in the visual arts wherein lines and curves are highlighted meanwhile painterly is the exact opposite technique of linear because it uses colors to create shapes and forms (Delahunt). A famous example of a linear drawing is the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci. In this illustration, Da Vinci showed the human anatomy and ideal body proportions. Da Vinci used pen and ink to draw the lines and curves that perfectly generated an accurate depiction of a human body. Meanwhile, printmaking is more complex in terms of execution compared to drawing because it uses an object, which can either be made from metal, plastic or wood with carvings of any design to create an artwork. The process of producing prints is quite complicated than drawing because in drawing, an artist can produces a work of art with just the use of pencil and a piece of paper while printmaking requires more apparatus. After the block is made which will be used as a stamp, the next step is to dip the engraved block on a container of wet colored inks so that when it is pressed down on a flat surface whether wood, cloth or paper, the engraved design will appear on it. There are many techniques involved in printmaking but they all follow the basic processes. It is the materials and tools that make the difference in the output (Delahunt). During the Renaissance period, printmaking became an instant success with the people. It was used â€Å"for all manner of illustrations, including topographical survey, and for portraiture. † One of the famous artists who used prints was Albrecht Durer who made several religious prints and the Knight, Death, and the Devil was the most popular. This print symbolized the status of moral value (Cartage. org). On the other hand, painting is another form of visual art which is the exact opposite of drawing. It is far more sophisticated and more complex than drawing and printmaking. Painting uses a variety of visual elements including lines, shapes, perspectives, space, light and others. More so, these elements are combined in accordance with the principles of design specifically unity, balance, proportion, and emphasis. Usually artists use either oil or water colors on a canvas to make a painting. Furthermore, the content of the painting is dependent on the technique of the artist and the materials used. Overall, drawing, printmaking and paintings are all used to express the creativity and craftsmanship of an artist. Though they have similar purposes, each form of visual art has its own features not present with the others. Drawing is seen as a portable and simple way of generating artworks. Meanwhile, printmaking is the most precise way of making aesthetic designs. Moreover, out of the three, painting is the most glorified form because of its versatility and sophistication. Works Cited Delahunt, Michael. â€Å"Drawing. † 2008. Artlex. com. 8 September 2008 http://www. artlex. com/ArtLex/d/drawing. html. Delahunt, Michael. â€Å"Printmaking. † 2008. Artlex. com. 8 September 2008 http://www. artlex. com/ArtLex/p/print. html. â€Å"Printmaking and prints. † Cartage. org. 8 September 2008 http://www. cartage. org. lb/en/themes/arts/Graphicartists/generalities/Historyofprintmaking. htm

Rising Cost of Gas And Oil Prices :: Economics

Not only have gas and oil prices changed but they have made everything else go up in price. The cost of living and the way that people are living is effected by these rising costs. In this paper I will discuss the different ways that these prices are affecting everyday life. The way that everyone has changed things in there life would be transportation and business costs. Gas Prices have changed a lot over the years and it seems to be increasing in cost and that it is not going to change. According to Foreman (2008), in 1981 the cost per gallon was $1.35 and now the cost is between $2.84 to $3.23 . Some of the reasons that the cost of gas is going up is because of the rising cost of oil. Gas prices are affecting people in there everyday lives with driving, living expenses, and with the cost of their living. Families are having to set a budget for there fuel and are having to not drive as much. Oil Prices are at there highest points and the repercussion of this is the cost of gas and the cost of living. The cost per barrel is going up, at that point the cost of fuel goes up as well as everyday costs. The cost per barrel is â€Å"$91.77 to $ 100.09 ( Oil prices rise back above $91 a barrel, 2008)† , this year alone and only seems to be getting worse. The war has helped to make the cost of oil go up, because we are at war with Iraq and that is where we get our oil. There is a shortness of oil and with this the cost of oil will go up, so will the cost of living, and the cost of fuel. Across the United States individuals are feeling the high prices of gas and oil prices. These prices are starting to hurt our economy because people are not being able to travel as much as they used to be able to. Families are feeling the hurt when they do travel because when people go to go camping with there children it costs more in food then they had in there budget and same with fuel.

Medicine Is Not Always The Answer Essay

For as far back as one could remember, using medicine to ‘fix’ an ailment has always been the right thing to do. Runny nose? Take something for it. Scratchy throat? Take something for it. If what’s being taken doesn’t help, take something stronger! It is never implied to let a cold run its course. The exact same thing happens when a child is diagnosed with ADHD. Medication is one of the first things that is suggested to control the symptoms of ADHD. Children who have been labeled as having ADHD are almost uncontrollable and it causes a strain on the parents, teachers and doctors who are already overworked and exhausted. However, medication brings on a plethora of other issues. When attempting to treat a child for ADHD, medicine, especially stimulants, shouldn’t be the first option. A child who is given stimulant medicines to combat the symptoms of ADHD can look forward to heart related issues, additional health problems and the possibility of the medicine regimen not being successful. Stimulant drugs are almost always used to treat the symptoms that a child is experiencing after being diagnosed as having ADHD. Stimulants are designed to increase the attention span of a person while decreasing their impulsiveness. With all of this, stimulants potentially affect the heart. These medications cause sudden death in children and adults that mostly have existing heart issues. One side effect of stimulants relative to heart issues is racing heartbeat. Stimulants cause the heart to race and will eventually cause death if it isn’t controlled in a timely manner. In addition, stimulants also cause the blood pressure to become elevated. Elevated blood pressure weakens the heart. Using stimulants in a child that may have ADHD has been proven to not be as safe as it was initially thought.   Now, because of the stimulant medicines, the child has the potential to experience other health issues. Some of the more common health issues that occur as a result of using stimulant medicines are headaches, upset stomach, nausea, depression and difficulty sleeping. All of these other additional health issues will need to be addressed. The child will have to take something for the nausea and the headache and the insomnia that they are now experiencing. So the initial stimulant medication is tweaked to try to rule  out side effects and then they’re on three or four medications. Is it ever considered that these stimulant medications can do more harm than good? None of these things seem to be considered when deciding to just ‘medicate’ the symptoms. This doesn’t help the situation at all. Potentially you have a child who’s been misdiagnosed, is now on medication for it and now he’s on medication for the side effects. At the end of all of this you have a parent who is now overwhelmed. What could possibly happen now? According to Christian Science Monitor, ADHD is Problematic. â€Å"After generations of research, there is still no test for ADHD, nor is there a standard diagnostic measure within the profession’ (Christian Science Monitor, 2013). When the parents and the doctors of a child who has symptoms of ADHD have tried stimulant medicines and nothing has works, what can be done? Having a medicine regime that is unsuccessful is definitely a very strong possibility. What happens when the medication route becomes unsuccessful? All medicines don’t work for everybody. What does a parent do when they’ve taken the doctor’s advice to medicate their child and end up doing more harm than good? Medicating a child is not necessarily a guaranteed solution. This is one of the main reasons that medicine should not be the first choice when attempting to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Medicating a child is not a guaranteed fix for dealing with ADHD. When making the decision to address ADHD and children, don’t rush to do so. â€Å"Sometimes other medical conditions – or even normal childhood behaviors – can be mistaken for ADD/ADHD symptoms, so be sure to eliminate all other possible causes before considering medication for your child† (Help Guide, 2013). Is medicating the symptoms of ADHD really the answer? Unfortunately, medication will not cure this disorder. Medication is designed to control the symptoms of the disorder. Medicating a child should be a last ditch effort when dealing with ADHD. Choosing to medicate a child brings on several different, complex issues. Heart related issues, additional health problems as well as an unsuccessful medicine regimen are all real issues when choosing to deal with medicating the symptoms of ADHD. Considering the use of medication is very risky. There should be other avenues that are considered when attempting to address dealing with ADHD in a child. Giving a child love, affection and mostly attention, should always  be one of the first things to try when dealing with a child that could possibly have ADHD. It’s not the child’s fault that his parents are overwhelmed with life.

Causes of Corruption Essay

Many officials are motivated to participate in corrupt behavior because of the inherently selfish desire to have an unfair advantage over their peers. Through bribery, extortion, embezzlement, nepotism and other means, corruption can help dishonest people get ahead while the public pays the price. A corrupted politician may seek to sway a person’s opinions, actions, or decisions, reduce fees collected, speed up government grants, or change outcomes of legal processes. Through corruption, people seeking an unfair advantage may pay courts to vote in their favor or, as with police, customs units, and tax collectors, to disregard a penalty. Bribery may be paid to allow for otherwise unacceptable building and zoning permits, to sway school exam results or allow acceptance by an unqualified student into a school system. People in the private sector may pay off politicians so that they dismiss rules and regulations to protect employees in the workforce. Corruption motivated by an   unfair advantage may also occur in immigration, passport and visa offices in which unqualified individuals may be allowed an unfair advantage to obtain these important documents, at the expense of others. In order to obtain an unfair advantage, governments and government officials may apply any number of methods to abuse their power over the citizens. First, a politician may apply diplomatic, political, or financial pressure, for example trade embargoes. However such pressures may also work to effectively bully vulnerable citizens. Also, many countries are the recipients of development aid, which might cause politicians who seek an unfair advantage to earmark this funding towards their particular cause. The threat of reduced foreign aid, defense ties, arm deals, and gifts may help politicians to obtain an unfair advantage through corruption. Lack of Punitive Measures Thomas Hobbes, the great political philosopher, once said, â€Å"A man’s conscience and his judgment is the same thing; and as the judgment, so also the conscience, may be erroneous.† This idea that individuals cannot always rely on a working inner moral compass alone to guide them to virtue is at the heart of the next motivating factor for participating in corrupt behavior. When the legal agencies do not impose sanctions on parliamentarians and other government officials who have violated their public duties there is a lack of punitive measure for corrupt behavior. This is the case, for example when judges are in the pay of the ruling party or there are too few police officers to enforce the law. When there are not punitive measures to assure transparency, monitoring, and accountability through a working justice system, some people will participate in corrupt behavior simply because they can get away with it. Politicians and other individuals require a legal, monitoring system to assure that corruption will not occur in the planning and execution of public sector budgets. Social and internal control mechanisms are required for civil society and autonomous state auditing agencies. Without them or with only weak enforcement measures, people in power are more  likely to embezzle money from the national budget, sway votes or participate in other actions that will result in personal gain at the public’s expense. Lack of Transparency Transparency describes when there is free access by citizens to public information. When the rules, procedures, and objectives of the government are not available to the public, there is not budgetary and administrative oversight to balance the power of government officials, transparency is lacking and corruption can be bred. Without oversight and transparency of budget and rules, national resources may be plundered and power may be abused in favor of the corrupt official only. Further, when there are not public sector mechanisms that channel social preferences and specific complaints of the population to the agencies involved in those complaints, people of power will not serve their purpose of representing the populace, but have free reign to do as they please in the public sector. Lack of transparency creates opportunities for public officials to abuse their office for private gain. This closely relates to accountability, and weak accountability mechanisms tend to facilitate corruption. Where there is a lack of transparency and accountability corruption will flourish. Once corrupt bureaucrats realize that they can take advantage of regulations, they will produce more regulations and run the risk of becoming less transparent. Poor Incentive Structures Bad incentives, such as clerks not earning a living wage or not having job security might also encourage corrupt behavior such as supplementing income with bribes. Some people who do not have an incentive to perform their official duties, but actually pay for their jobs with the understanding that they will make money through bribes. A lack of incentive also results when positions of power are granted as a result of favoritism and nepotism (See unit 1). Making people resist hard work. Incentives also come into the picture when salaries are so low that people cannot meet the basic living standards for food  and housing. As a result, people will often  take other jobs that cause absenteeism of  public officials, and often increase the  demand by government officials for bribes  and other paybacks in order to supply the  public  services. Problems with the law: Lawless and Over Regulated Governments Corruption can also be caused when there is excessive control and a sort of monopoly of power. In these circumstances, there again is not a level playing field, and decisions will always be made at the advantage of the group or person who dominates political control. As a result, ordinary citizen rights are lost and public resources are often plundered for the personal gain of the public officials. Poverty or scarcity of goods may also push people to live outside the law. Finally, corruption occurs when government officials resist government policies and programs. Introducing policies that allow for greater oversight would help to assure that power were balanced and no one person would be making all of the political decisions. When politicians resist this change they prevent political and cultural progress for their country, prohibit civic interests from being met, and allow the pattern of corruption to flourish. Dysfunctional Systems as a Cause for Corruption Instability in government may also catapult a nation and its leaders towards corruption. Among them, war, ethnic or religious conflict, economic hardship, and social inequalities may instigate corruption. Any circumstance that threatens a nation or its people either through identity or establishment may diminish the good governance practices of a nation. Even in less difficult times, the institutions and policies of government may undermine how well the government carries out its work. When institutions and policies are weak, individuals tend to take advantage of them. Therefore, poor governments are a product of sick institutions, or institutions that function poorly because of inadequate resources or bad  policies and procedures. As stated earlier, good governance refers to the provision of services that are responsive to citizen needs. When government services are not provided to citizens, either because they were deemed unnecessary, services providers demanded bribes or were lazy, or the services are provided in theory but are not readily available in practice without a bribe, people will aim to have their needs met illegally or unofficially. Likewise, when financial systems are outdated, they are more corruptible. System-Wide Allowances for Corrupt Behavior: Government may allow system wide corruption to spread by not institutionalizing and enforcing prevention mechanisms. For example: Overly complex procedures for obtaining public services allow government to covet the services to only the well-informed or well-connected elite, and not allowing the system to work for the poor. Lack of internal systems to assure relative transparency, monitoring and accountability in the design and execution of public policies. Lack of social control mechanisms aimed at preventing grand corruption schemes usually seen when the state’s policies are captured by vested interests. Lack of employee participation in and knowledge of the public institution’s decisionmaking criteria. Absence of results based management in public service delivery. An ineffective judicial sector (police, prosecutors, officers, and the judiciary.) Conclusion Problems in governance occur when a government is not only corrupt, but also when it is inefficient, unresponsive, or secretive. Essentially, when a government is ineffectual, it is considered to be corrupt. As this unit explained, corruption is fundamentally caused by low wages, poor incentive structures and inefficient systems. In addition, it is also caused by the desire for an unfair advantage, and the knowledge that one will not be caught or punished for corrupt behavior. Corruption is not just about ethics. It is also about how the government is set up and managed. Parliament and parliamentarians improve the way government works so that corrupt behavior is punishable and opportunities for corruption are limited through the laws. In order to fully rectify corruption in a society, it must first be thoroughly diagnosed. Unit three shows methods for diagnosing, measuring, and interpreting data on corruption. As the units thereafter will explain, this step will help to make focused and measurable changes and improvements to corruption when those mechanisms are enacted.

Pursing a Career as a Police Officer

Pursing a Career as a Police Officer A sociology degree is a very useful and relevant degree for any career in the criminal justice field. Police officers are one great example of this. As a career that is present in every city, town, and community across the country, becoming a police officer does not usually require relocation and is it is usually always in demand. One way that a sociology degree is especially helpful to a police officer is that it allows one to examine situations with knowledge of the structural issues that surround a society. For example, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and age are all especially important for understanding specific conflict situations. Understanding the Effects Stereotypes Have It is always important to understand the effects that stereotypes have in how people perceive a community problem. Witnesses to a crime, for example, might believe a stereotype about the criminal and will therefore bias the true events. By understanding this and asking very specific questions, the police officer may be able to get an accurate depiction of the crime without any stereotyped influences. In conducting police work, it is also important to understand that communities are composed of relational networks. These networks can be especially important in both investigating crimes and in preventing criminal acts. Since police officers are constantly interacting with community members, education on how to interact with and deal with certain types of people is crucial. In fact, it is often the case that less than half of police academy training has to do with laws, legal codes, and weapons, and the majority of training is spent on human interaction. How a Sociology Degree Is Extremely Helpful This is where a sociology degree is extremely helpful. Role-playing, modeling people’s behavior, and understanding group dynamics is crucial to be a successful police officer. An understanding of cultural diversity is also important. Those going into a career in law enforcement need to learn that there are other patterns of living and officers need to learn to adapt to those patterns when they enter certain situations. Job Description The primary duty of police officers is to enforce the law. They help the community fight crime by making arrests, assisting people with emergencies, investigating crimes, helping prosecute crimes, collecting evidence, testifying in court, and writing detailed reports of crimes. Educational Requirements The educational requirements for police officers vary by city and community. Larger cities often require four-year degrees while some small communities only require a high-school diploma. However, the majority of places are now requiring formal job training, commonly an associate’s degree. Additional training is provided at a federal or state law enforcement academy after an officer is hired. Salary and Benefits Police officers entering the field can expect to earn on average between $22,000 and $26,000, however, some areas pay as low as $18,000. Salaries vary by city and region. After six years of service, police officers earn an average of $34,000 or more. Benefits are offered by the majority of police departments, which typically includes life insurance, medical benefits, and retirement plans. Other Recommendations For those thinking of entering a career as a police officer, there are some other recommendations that will help you during your career. First, it is important to understand cultural diversity and be able to adapt to different cultural contexts. Foreign language capability, especially Spanish, is nearly essential. Other languages might be emphasized according to local needs. For example, Southeast Asian languages (Vietnamese, Cambodian, Chinese etc.) are needed in parts of California. Computer literacy is also a must, as officers compose written reports that are transmitted directly and immediately to the department for analysis. Finally, oral communication skills are essential to conduct good community relations. Search for jobs in law enforcement or other sociology careers in your area. References Stephens, W.R. (2004). Careers in Sociology, Third Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Criminal Justice USA. (2011). Police Officer. criminaljusticeusa.com/police-officer.html

How to Write a Research Project on Computer Science

How to Write a Research Project on Computer Science When you are writing a research project on computer science it is important that you cover all of the necessary components. You must include all of the following, and anything else dictated by your university. Title Page.  The title page is where you list your institution, the title of your report, and your name. In some cases your educational institution might ask that you include the date. Dedication Page and Acknowledgements.  Beyond this some institutions may ask that you list a dedication page where you dedicate your research project on computer science to someone alive or living and the acknowledgement page where you write your appreciation to anyone who has contributed to the success of your research. Abstract.  The abstract is a synopsis of your research often written in the past tense and consisting of roughly 200 words. You should have roughly one sentence for each of the sections of your research project on computer science with one sentence adequately summarizing what is contained in your work. Table of Content.  Beyond the abstract you will be asked to include a table of contents and if you use them, a table of figures or symbols. You might also need a list of abbreviations if applicable to your paper. Body.  The body of your research project on computer science is broken down into chapters. The first chapter is often the introduction where you describe the background to your topic, the scope of your project, and the purpose of your research. You want to prevent any details as to why youve completed this study. The next section or chapter is the literature review. This is where you review work done by other authors who have contributed in some fashion to the research you are going to complete. You can use this to make comments on what other people have done, where they have left off, where you are picking up, and what gaps in the research exist. The next chapter is your methodology where you resent a summary of the research design, the research procedures, and the population you use. You must detail the data sampling and the data sources accurately while also remembering to list the equipment and the materials you use. Conclusion.  The next chapter is where you prevent your results and discussion. You must present the results of your research project on computer science and compare it to your hypothesis, after which you discuss the implications your work has in the grand scheme of your field. Beyond this is the conclusion and recommendations chapter where you offer suggestions for how other researchers could improve upon your study and what recommendations you have to offer your field based on the results of your study. Following this you must present a list of your references and any extra materials you used during the research which were not included in the body of your work. This is labeled as the appendix and should contain graphs, charts, images, questionnaires, etc†¦ If you need fee-based Computer Science project writing help, you can always contact our professional research paper service.

Understanging the Parallel Structure of English

Understanging the Parallel Structure of English One of the most common writing mistakes in more advanced English learners writing is parallel structure. Parallel structure refers to structures which are repeated because they are connected by words such as: and, but, and or. These connecting words are referred to as coordinating conjunctions. Here are a few examples of correct parallel structure. Tom enjoys taking hikes, riding his bicycle and paragliding in his free time.I went home, took a shower, changed my clothes and ate some lunch. Here are the same two sentences using incorrect parallel structure: Tom enjoys taking hikes, to ride his bicycle and paraglide in his free time.I went home, take a shower, change my clothes and eat some lunch. In both cases, there is a mistake in parallel structure. Notice how the verb forms in the correct version of the two sentences use the same verb form. In the incorrect version of the sentences, the verb forms are varied. Parallel structure refers to the same structure repeating throughout a sentence. In other words, if the gerund form (ing form) of a verb is used after one verb, all the listed verbs also take the gerund form. Remember:  If you are listing verbs after the main verb, keep the verbs in the same form. (verb infinitive, verb gerund) He hopes to play, eat and get some rest.She enjoys listening to music, reading novels and playing tennis.He would like to have some lunch, study and then play the piano. If you are conjugating a number of verbs to relate a story for the same subject, use the same tense. We went to church, bought some lunch, came home, ate and took a nap. There are also other types of parallel structure mistakes. Which two types of mistakes in the parallel structure do you think are made in these sentences? Bob drove carelessly, quickly and in a reckless manner.Peter mentioned that he wanted to go home, that he needed a shower, and go to sleep. ... and the correct versions of the sentences: Bob drove carelessly, quickly and recklessly.Peter mentioned that he wanted to  go home, that he needed a shower, and wanted to go to sleep. In the first sentence, adverbs are being used in a list and should continue, rather than injecting an adjective. carelessly, quickly, recklessly, ruthlessly, etc. RATHER THAN carelessly, quickly, and in a reckless (adjective) manner. In the second sentence, the dependent clauses are used that he wanted to go home... that he needed a shower, etc. and should continue in the same manner. Notice also that the verb used in the third clause of this string of clauses is in the present tense, rather than the past as the other clauses. Here is another example of a similar adjective mistake in parallel structure. Which adjective is incorrect? Why? Jennifer appears to be tired, distracted and upsetting. If you answered upsetting, you are correct. The first two adjectives tired and distracted refer to the state that affects Jennifer. In other words, she feels tired and distracted. Upsetting refers to the effect that she has on someone else. Jennifer is upsetting to Jim. In this case, the intent is that Jennifer appears tired, distracted AND upset. All three adjectives refer to how she feels, rather than the effect she has on someone else. Double-Check for Mistakes in Parallel Structure A good way to check for mistakes in the parallel structure is to look for anything you list using commas  and make sure the list of equal elements are all in the same form. Parallel Structure Exercise Identify and correct the mistakes in a parallel structure in the following sentences.   Alex decided to get up early, go jogging, eat a healthy breakfast and got ready for school.I wish he would listen to his father, take his advice, and applied for a job.James stopped smoking, drinking and to eat too much.Jason invited Tim, her, they and Peter to the wedding.He is an articulate, thoughtful, and meaningfully speaker.Alexander did her homework, cleaned her room, but doesnt play the piano.The politicians hope to clean up, and modernizing this city.Eating healthy food, drinking lots of water and get exercise improves your quality of life.The teachers had graded the tests, completed the reports and meeting with parents before they went on summer vacation.Sheila misses seeing Tom, going on long walks with her friends, and played football. Answers: Alex decided to get up early, go jogging, eat a healthy breakfast and  get  ready for school.I wish he would listen to his father, take his advice, and  apply  for a job.James stopped smoking, drinking and to  eating  too much.Jason invited Tim, her,  them  and Peter to the wedding.He is an articulate, thoughtful, and  meaningful  speaker.Alexander did her homework, cleaned her room, but  didnt  play the piano.The politicians hope to clean  up and  modernize  this city.Eating healthy food, drinking lots of water and  getting  exercise improves your quality of life.The teachers had graded the tests, completed the reports and  met  with parents before they went on summer vacation.Sheila misses seeing Tom, going on long walks with her friends, and  playing  football.

Stroke Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Stroke - Research Paper Example The problem about stroke’s presence is prevalent in all parts of the world and therefore, the number of patients suffering from stroke is growing in all parts of the globe on an annual basis. The people are busy in making a living whereas, they are least bothered by the medical condition of their close relatives and let alone colleagues and friends. The government and medical facilities are also lethargic in terms of spreading the word about the featured illness and therefore, general public usually confuses the condition with daily life stress and burnout. The people suffering from stroke are often suggested to take rest and antidepressants but, these superficial solutions have been identified as responsible for aggravating the prior situation. The inactivity of the brain contributes notably towards causing brain-cells to die and therefore, the journey of stroke towards total collapse becomes shorter than most of the people think. It is also important and imperative to note t hat antidepressants play a significant role in killing the brain-cells of the person, who is already suffering from mild stroke. Causes of Stroke and Common Drug Treatments According to recent research on the topic, it was found that thickening of the blood is a main reason for stroke as thick blood does not flow swiftly in the body while in addition it clots and causes the blood supply to the brain to decrease (Astorm, Adolfson and Asplund pp. 980). The people who do not exercise on a routine basis or do not drink sufficient water are believed to be the usual victims of the disease (Landau pp 596). Moreover, people who suffered or are suffering major physical trauma in their lives, are also noticed to become serious sufferers of the disease. The people with unhealthy eating habits and obesity have been placed at the top of the potential patients’ list. Nevertheless, in summary it can be established that lack of awareness and physical activity are among the major causes of st roke in developed and underdeveloped countries alike. Along with these reason, poor eating habits and obesity are believed to be the sources of the featured disease in the so-called modern era of the 21st century. The doctors usually recommend aspirin, plavix and other similar drugs. Common Symptoms of Stroke and Identification Technique The misconception that dizziness, lack of ability to maintain body balance and memory loss are caused by stress and burnout are leading towards increase in the number of dying patients from stroke. However, there is simple technique to identify whether or not the person is suffering from stroke. Firstly, ask him or her to say â€Å"it is sunny out there†. Secondly request the person to raise their both arms to a full extent and if the concerned person is not able to perform one or both of the abovementioned tasks then surely he or she is a potential victim of less blood supply to the brain. The technique is simple yet surprisingly effective b ecause it calls upon both mental and physical engagement of the person and therefore, it can help in deciphering the level of probability associated with possibility of the stroke. Importantly, human mind has to engage more energetically when a person is making an

Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development - Career Guidance Essay - 1

Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development - Career Guidance Theory - Essay Example In fact, these two go hand-in-hand. One has to be guided on the best career that suits him/her, basing on some well proven facts, before the career is now developed and nurtured in him/her. Career guidance is a broad process that involves many career development practices that bring people to their occupation understanding (James A., 2008,420). Various factors influence the peoples’ career making decisions they include; interests, hobbies and talents, environment, society, parents among others. These factors alter the peoples’ career making decisions bringing forth four critical concepts or theories that bring about the success of a good career choice they include; career choice, decision making, career learning and transition and vocational behavior.√ In my profession of career guidance, these concepts are very vital in helping clients overcome the career choice problems. I have to employ these concepts step by step, starting from the long list of careers that people have in mind, till the time they are able to come up with a satisfying career decision and learning. I have to make sure that I make use of each and every theory and aspect that is necessary for a good career development and guidance plan. There are very many processes that can be followed. Different groups of scholars have come up with varied ways and processes that can be used in career development, in various professional fields. To understand the career guidance process vividly, I am going to discuss some of the career guidance theories and their relation to the above mentioned concepts of career choice. These theories are John Holland’s career theory, John Krumboltz’s theory and Donald Super’s theory. John Holland topological theory states that personality types and background or peer group are what attracts people to certain careers. He gives much emphasis on self scrutiny and career preference whereby one selects a career to satisfy

The Country of the Pointed Firs Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Country of the Pointed Firs - Coursework Example As with the attachment to their mothers, the duality of living the part assigned to them by society and at the same time resisting it makes the life of a woman that much more interesting for artists to portray in their pieces of work. Thus, the daughter has a special relationship with their mothers as evidenced by the fact that the mother is the one who has to make her â€Å"learn the paces†. But, her relationship with the father is one of subordinating herself as well as receiving special treatment because she is a woman. The other interesting point is the way in which women treat the rooms in their homes. The living room is for common purposes and where men go about their business. The kitchen is the place where women rule the roost. But the parlor room is where they come into their own because of the inherent dualities as listed in the book. In conclusion, the contention of the author is that women by leading dual lives lend themselves to the symbolic discourse of the mainstream society and this is a fascinating study in contrast for anyone who wishes to delve deeper into the psyche of

Advance cost accounting Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Advance cost accounting - Article Example Hongren, Datar and Foster explain capital budgeting as having six stages that are, in that order, identification, search, information acquisition, selection, financing and implementation and control stages (7). Formal methods employed in capital budgeting that use incremental cash flows of potential projects include techniques such as discounted cash flow, internal rate of return, equivalent annuity, net present value, payback period and profitability index. Essentially, through the discounted cashflow method, the expected outward and inward flow of cash in a project are calculated as if they took place together at one time so they can be averaged appropriately. The net present value and internal rate of return are methods of discounted cash flow, and the internal rate of return is a function of the expected net annual cash flow and present value annuity factor (Hongren, Datar & Foster 19). Compared to internal rate of return, net present value is more advantageous because its end re sult is not expressed as a percentage but, rather, in dollars, and it provides the opportunity to add individual projects. Further, it is applicable in situations in which the required rate of return of a project varies throughout its life. On the other hand, it is not possible to add or average a project’s individual rate of return to derive internal rate of return of several combined projects (Hongren, Datar & Foster 22). Through the identification stage, the need to consider venturing into a new project is identified by the management, and several alternatives will be yielded in the search stage, although the focus will remain on a particular project (Hongren, Datar & Foster 8). Decisions deemed to be of a strategic nature call for the management to consider a wide scope of factors that cannot be easily estimated. While information will be acquired by the administration in

Technical Communication Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Technical Communication Assignment - Essay Example So, from the wide variety of fields or branches that will be available, the individuals will chose their field, specialize in it, ‘graduate’ in it and even ‘Master’ it, going through different stages. So, I James Peck, an estate agent also went through all these stages or part of these stages. Working in the property development sector, I have quite a good knowledge about my field and the job I do. As mentioned above, each of the individual will have an academic choice and career choice of their own, based on their interest, influences and also expected opportunities. If anyone is interested in my field of property development, or if anyone haven’t made their career choice, or if anyone wants to change their current choice to an estate agent, or even if anybody wants to know about the field of property development, as a general knowledge subject, my speech will be quite useful. Importantly, this speech could also be an influencing activity. To entice the listeners and make them attentive to my speech, I intend to plan the outline in a logical way. That is, firstly, I wanted to speak to them about their interests and influences in their childhood and during their school life. This is because; humans are mostly ‘made’ in their childhood and teenage years, before they enter their adulthood. Every human’s life will be composed of several stages, which are inter-linked. And, for every living individual in this world, who has lived long enough, the stage when they were young will be considered the crucial one. At that stage only, an individual’s life can take a turn, both in the positive as well in the negative direction. Positive direction in the sense, if the individual, when he/she was a juvenile concentrates on education, career, etc, their lives will be a successful one. Even if their parents or

Contribution of an information audit to an information systems Essay

Contribution of an information audit to an information systems strategy - Essay Example Information audits are useful tools employed by organizations to identify, cost, develop, and rationalize their information resources and services. Also, as the foregoing definition suggests, an important function of information audits is that it yields results that clarify the benefits contributed by the firm’s information services to the overall effort of the organization in the attainment of its goals (Dubois, 1995). While information audits are of primary importance in organizations that deal in information, such as libraries, and archival and database centres, they nevertheless tend to benefit all types of organizations in managing the firm more effectively (Suduc, et al., 2010). There are several benefits to information audits; these include ensuring validity (that information is accurate and complete), diagnostics (identification of strong and weak points), feedback (to see if inputs produce the desired outputs), information (for staff to maximize the benefits of inform ation), and training (for staff members) (Botha & Boon, 2003). Aside from these, one of the most important of which is the enhancement of information systems security. The great amount of information accessible through the current digital communication networks also creates vulnerabilities for the integrity of company information systems, both to attacks from inside and outside the company (Suduc, et al., 2010). In another study, Rosca, et al. (2010) forward the proposition of and information systems audit as cornerstone of corporate IT governance in the context of institutions of higher learning. Information Technology Governance (IT Governance) addresses the concerns of regulators, management and clientele about the proper use of information, most especially personal data. It focuses on IT systems and their performance and risk management. Application of IT audits in the Rosca study served the purpose of identifying, evaluating and managing university risks, in the course of estab lishing the organization’s governance structure. The principles around which IT audit and governance are structured, however, are not limited to the academe but find much relevance in any type of organization that has its own internal IT system. The goals of information audit, particularly in the service of IT governance, are several and varied, but primarily are aimed at (1) assuring the investment in IT generates value, and (2) mitigating the associated risks with IT implementation. More specific objectives that may be identified are: Objectives for IT audit Major objectives To implement prevailing best practices in IT To assess existing controls or introduce common policy and processes, among which are: IT Help desk amalgamation with common support processes PC/Desktop installation and deployment techniques Information security Software licensing Virtualization of desktops, servers and data hosting To configure key parameters for information security To reduce the frequenc y and/or impact of major incidents Important objectives To align IS components and

Technical Communication Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Technical Communication Assignment - Essay Example So, from the wide variety of fields or branches that will be available, the individuals will chose their field, specialize in it, ‘graduate’ in it and even ‘Master’ it, going through different stages. So, I James Peck, an estate agent also went through all these stages or part of these stages. Working in the property development sector, I have quite a good knowledge about my field and the job I do. As mentioned above, each of the individual will have an academic choice and career choice of their own, based on their interest, influences and also expected opportunities. If anyone is interested in my field of property development, or if anyone haven’t made their career choice, or if anyone wants to change their current choice to an estate agent, or even if anybody wants to know about the field of property development, as a general knowledge subject, my speech will be quite useful. Importantly, this speech could also be an influencing activity. To entice the listeners and make them attentive to my speech, I intend to plan the outline in a logical way. That is, firstly, I wanted to speak to them about their interests and influences in their childhood and during their school life. This is because; humans are mostly ‘made’ in their childhood and teenage years, before they enter their adulthood. Every human’s life will be composed of several stages, which are inter-linked. And, for every living individual in this world, who has lived long enough, the stage when they were young will be considered the crucial one. At that stage only, an individual’s life can take a turn, both in the positive as well in the negative direction. Positive direction in the sense, if the individual, when he/she was a juvenile concentrates on education, career, etc, their lives will be a successful one. Even if their parents or

The study of organized crime United States of America vs. Afghanistan Essay

The study of organized crime United States of America vs. Afghanistan - Essay Example Towards the end of 2005, the Convention Against Corruption entered into force and its' goal inter alia is to prevent organized crime. The World Bank estimated in 2005 that over $1 trillion is paid in bribes each year to corrupt government officials. The impact is significant. Initially, corruption facilitates drug trafficking, organized crime, money laundering and illicit international money transfers, which can be used to support mechanisms for international terrorists. But the toll on an impoverished nation is even more devastating and real. Against that backdrop, this paper will attempt to define organized crime in the United States, explore its' genesis and discuss the impact of organized crime in the United States. Next this paper will discuss the origins of organized crime in Afghanistan and the Middle East, define the parameters and establish the nexus of organized crime between the United States and the Middle East.Definition of Organized Crime: The American Heritage Dictiona ry defines organized crime. "1. Widespread criminal activities, such as prostitution, interstate theft, or illegal gambling, that occur within centrally controlled formal structure. 2. The people and the groups involved in such criminal activities."Kelly (1994) states "Organized crime" is more than a specific type of "crime," much like a "violent crime" is a subset of all crimes. For example, one can talk about a violent crime and describe a particular incident to others; if the incident's description fits the legal definition of the crime and includes violent acts as a part of its commission, then we understand the incident to be a violent crime. But one cannot talk about "an organized crime" in the same manner, because society and the law does not conceive of "an organized crime" as a similar subset of all crimes; rather, American law has labeled a crime fitting into the category "organized crime" by virtue of other factors, such as inter alia, whether the person committing the cr ime is affiliated with a criminal enterprise and the description of the circumstances surrounding the crime. Kelly, R (1994). Handbook of Organized Crime In the United States. Philadelphia, PA.: Greenwood Press. 5 Organized Crime USA vs. Afghanistan History and Historiography of Organized Crime in USA: Murry Kempton criticized people, whom he called good citizens, for always insisting that [organized] crime is 'un-American' activity, as the Mafia was also taken as un-American concept. (The New York Reviews of Books; 9 April 1992). 'The orthodox model states that organized crime's crucial history is the rise of Italian American organized crime.'. This paper also tries to establish that organized crime, notwithstanding the fact of multicultural facets of it, has indigenous roots too. Alan A. Block

The United States of America Essay Example for Free

The United States of America Essay A glimpse of the multiple experiences of the author truly negates the circumstance that the United States of America has undergone for the past years and at this moment in time. There were several occurrences that the citizens felt that there is a bit change the way the country’s system is running which positively affects their manner of living. As the author, Anthony Burgess touches quite a few areas of Politics and Religion in his masterpiece â€Å"Is America Falling Apart? † he provide his readers a sense of sensuality as regards to dealing life and accept the practical world of transformation hand in hand with an articulate connotation of being realistic not just have an animalistic point of views. Burgess started his inscription in such a straightforward approach of looking back to things he had experienced when he stayed for about a year in New Jersey, and now that he came home to Bracciano, he can’t help but notice a huge difference towards the system he perceived of proliferating the system of life and living a gay but practical existence. Given the fact that it was quite hard to tackle living in an unstable realm together with harsh approach of survival, the author still paved a way of appreciating what life could have been if there is something to look forward to, â€Å"the quality of life has nothing to do with the quantity of brand names, what matter is talk, family, cheap wine in an open air, the wrestling of minimal sweetness but of the long-known bitterness of living† (Burgess, 286). The Author extremely enlightens his readers on how the United States of America deals with life – and that is full of extravagant material things which sometimes not necessary in building a true meaning of living. It has been said that in a year or two, the possessions that we have could be easily replaced due to a very fast paced transition of what’s in and what’s hot and certainly, these material possession would leave us with nothing but just a temporary and fake notion of fame, â€Å"Let me stay for a while on this subject of consumption. American individualism, on the face of it an admirable philosophy, wishes to manifest itself in independence of the community. You don’t share things in common; you have your own things. A family’s strength is signalized by its possessions† (Burgess, 287). You can easily sense that the author wishes to embark with its readers the realization of what life is all about giving emphasis on the platform that the realm he had been for quite sometime shares a positive impact of being realistic. Not all our naked eyes can reach is imperative to adopt in our system, we also need to scrutinize things and know what we really need and not just coping with what we desire, â€Å"America made me develop new appetites in order to make proper use of the supermarkets† (Burgess, 287). Bits and pieces around us can truly fascinate our subsistence but it is still in our discretion on how we say no to what we believe is not essential for us. The author epitomized how such thing made him feel as to what extent his self discipline reaches his soul – a good point to consider in dealing with life in order to proliferate. As we grasp the first statement of Anthony Burgess in his first paragraph, noticeably, he was depressed as he brings to mind together with his arrival in Bracciano the negative atmosphere of an unstable Italian government and a disheartening mode of living, â€Å"I find the Italian government still unstable, gasoline more expensive than anywhere in the world, butches and bank clerks and tobacconist ready to go on strike† (Burgess, 286). But as we approach the second paragraph, he revived his negative statements as he tries to put some positive air of giving hope, â€Å"It is delightful to be back. People are underpaid but they go through an act of liking their work, the open market are luscious with esculent color, the community is more is more important than the state, the human condition is humorously accepted† (Burgess, 286). A fastidious alteration of a structure wherein the readers would not just suffer the feeling of depression but at the same time it gives hope to find courage in battling what life has to offer as well as what our nation has in store for us. The author’s chose of style mutually with the use of language tends to adopt unfathomable terminology which translate to its reader to go deep as well which leads them to have intense feelings as regard to the controversy of the subject matter, â€Å"Consumption, on one level, is turning insipid, especially as the quality of the artifacts themselves seem to be deteriorating. Planned obsolescence is not conducive to pride in workmanship† (Burgess, 288). The structure of the essay exemplifies a voice of echoing scream of transformation in lieu of the way the nation lead its people. Practically, the usage of comparison connotes a strong hold to the statement that would merely strike the emotions of its readers. The effectiveness of the arrival of syntax was such of great use in terms of embodying the premise of the author, â€Å"A character in Evelyn Waugh’s Put Out More Flags said that the difference between prewar and postwar life was that, prewar, if one thing went wrong the day was ruined: postwar, if one thing went right the day would be made. America is a prewar country, psychologically unprepared for one thing to go wrong. Now everything seems to be going wrong. Hence, the neurosis despair, the Kafka feeling that the whole marvelous fabric of American life is coming apart at the seams. Italy is used to everything going wrong. This is what the human condition is about† (Burgess, 287). Intensely, the Burgess conveys how America seems to approach the downfall if it wouldn’t responsible enough to prepare for what unexpected occurrence will come transversely. Analogous to this, the strength of the words seems to hit the heart of the readers as it is very unyielding as the author stresses how the norm of the United States of America seems to be alike with other nation, which in turn leaves a mark of doubt and fear if it really shares a positive impact, â€Å"America is no longer Europe’s daughter nor her rich stepmother; she is Europe’s sister. The agony that America is undergoing is not to be associated with breakdown so much with the parturition of self-knowledge† (Burgess, 290). The relentless insights of Anthony Burgess indeed provide an enormous impact to its reader. We cannot deny the fact that his masterpiece was truly a focal deliberation of passionate clamor for transformation and readiness to what may come at hand. He uses diverse area of discussion such as Religion, Politics and even Literature. â€Å"America was built on a rejection of the past. Even the basic Christianity which was brought to the continent in 1620 was of a novel and bizarre kind that would have nothing to do with great Rank River of belief that produced Dante and Michelangelo. America as a nation has never been able to settle to a common belief more sophisticated than the dangerous naivete of the Declaration of Independence† (Burgess, 289). It was believed that there was something far beyond producing money and proliferate the luxurious material possessions that the people have in their homes. There’s a lot to explore like that of the Religion that will give the people a strong faith which will help them better to achieve the abundance that they really want in their lives. Political arena comes to mind as well as Burgess stressed how powerful the United States of America had become during the past years which give them the height of admiration, â€Å"When Europe, after millennia of war, rapine, slavery, famine, intolerance, had sunk to the level of a sewer, America became the golden dreams, the Eden where innocence could be recovered† (Burgess, 289). Accordingly, as we have been saying all through out the paper, the hope that eventually, everything will be put in its proper place and that the transformation and change will be put into account, not just have a one track of doing what we want – doing what the leaders want in their realm – maybe then a bright day full of hopes and dreams will inspire every individual in the nation that they belong, as the literary text expound â€Å"Shakespeare’s period was one of poverty, unemployment, ghastly inflation, violence in the streets. Twenty-six years after his death there was a bloody civil war, followed by a dictatorship of religious fanatics, followed by a calm respite in which the seeds of a revolution were sown. England survived. America will survive† (Burgess, 290). Anthony Burgess gives us a very good way of enlightenment – a profound illumination for America to have a clamor for change as well as a vibrant implementation of platforms that they have in order to propagate their nation.

Mindless Humans Essay -- essays research papers fc

Humans have been socially networked with each other since the time they have been created. Civilization was fashioned by humans interacting with one another. With this interaction with others and communal peers, â€Å"social man is a somnambulist† (Asch 61). In other terms, when humans become social, they are really â€Å"sleep walking†, or following the crowd, even though belief in the western world has it that people are â€Å"free† to choose for themselves. This sleepwalking factor then turns individuals into mindless ants. It only occurs because a human is a social animal and with that comes, social pressures and authoritative figures. Stanley Milgram studied at Harvard University and tested how social humans would react in a certain situation. Milgram tested how certain individuals would respond to inflicting harm onto another person because another figure told them to. He was interested in why regular day people would actually do such horrific things to the victim. In the experiment there was no physical consequence for the individual pushing the button if they said no. People in this situation believed in that the scientist knew what he/she was doing so they assumed that what they were doing was acceptable even though in actuality they believed it was not right. Subjects gave up their free will to choose because a higher authority told them to do so. This is similar to ants in that the majority of ants are worker ants; they obey the authority of the queen and will act out every wish she wants. Even though the ants can think for themselves, they follow the authority. Originally the theory was that many would stop the experiment being aware that the person that they were shocking is indeed being harmed, but that was proven wrong (Milgram 41). A different scientist who redid this experiment found that 85 percent of his subjects were obedient (Milgram 42). As a result it was evident that individuals will succumb to authoritative figures. Strudler and Warren explain that the subjects acted the way they did because of authority heuristics, which is the reliance on an authority figure (57). In Milgram’s experiment, the scientist was the authority figure in the experiment and the subject trusted his/her judgment because they believed that the scientist knows what he/she is doing. Even though the subject believed they have â€Å"free† will in their choices, the pressures of t... ...ately, disinterestedly, without emotions† (38). To do so would allow us to think for ourselves and not be swayed in any other direction by any other factors. As humans we are naturally social creatures. That is how civilization began, by humans interacting with each other. We need to be able to understand ourselves and trust ourselves so that we can make the decisions for ourselves and not me mindless ants just following the crowd. In the end the main person that is affected by decisions is the one who is making the decision. Works Cited Lessing, Doris. â€Å"Group Minds.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 37-38. 2000 Milgram, Stanley. â€Å"The Perils of Obedience.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 39-50. 2000 Nssani, Moti. â€Å"Review on Stabley Milgram’s Experiments on Obedience.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 51-54. 2000 Strudler, Alan. â€Å"Authority and Excuses.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 55-60. 2000 Asch, Solomon. â€Å"Opinions and Social Pressure.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 61-66. 2000 Fromm, Erich. â€Å"Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 67-71. 2000

Friday :: essays research papers

FRIDAY A handsome, in about 26 years old, with straight and strong limbs, tall and well shaped fellow who bare name Friday which he got for the memory of a day he was rescued. The native who was saved from a certain death by Robinson Crusoe during one of the cannibal rituals of a local tribe. By the man who was actually on his way to Africa to buy Negroes! His hair was long and black but not curled, he had very high forehead and great sparkling sharp eyes. Friday’s appearance was somewhere in between Negro and European, black but tawny skin, round face and small but not flat nose as most of the Negroes have. Of course, like all Negroes have, had he fine teeth well set and white as ivory, but oddly enough – thin lips. To lay his head flat upon ground, close to person’s foot and set other foot upon his head – this was Friday’s way of showing the servitude and submission. Robinson understood him in many things and let him know how very pleased he was with him. This was something Friday understood before he could speak Robinson` s language. Still he was a cannibal in his nature, full of lot abhorrence. We can see how the other culture is suppressed from the very beginning. Robinson cures Friday of his cannibalistic habits and gives him a new Western name. But the first words he taught him in English were words that one servant has to know and use! So Friday was domesticated and incorporated into Western society. The main fear and an idea throughout the book is Crusoe `s goal to re-educate Friday to a civilised human being and if he wouldn’t have, he would have no mercy but to kill him!

Atticus Finch as a Moral Character Essay

Throughout literature, there are numerous examples of characters who serve to reinforce moral values of both other characters, and the reader. These characters consistently choose to do the â€Å"right† thing in the face of severe adversity. For example, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan man goes against all societal values to help the Jew after he had been left for dead by muggers. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch serves as a shining beacon of morality in the face of the prejudice-ridden early 20th century Alabama. Atticus helps to develop healthy and moral attitudes in his children by encouraging them to avoid unnecessary conflict, to always strive to be the better person, but also to still be prepared to accept a challenge if it is necessary for doing what is morally right, which demonstrates his truly moral character. Being passive and avoiding conflict is often viewed as being weak, but in many cases, avoiding conflict can be the only responsible, morally correct choice. This is specifically demonstrated by Atticus Finch after Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus displays extreme restraint by refusing to fight Ewell. When asked to comment on the incident, he simply remarks, â€Å"I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco† (Lee 291). In this case, Atticus demonstrates that he is perfectly willing to swallow his pride and do what is right. Secondly, Atticus further expands on this attitude by teaching his children that it is wrong to fight with neighbours, no matter what insults are said to them. After Mrs. Dubose tries to antagonize Jem, Atticus advises: â€Å"†¦hold your head up high and be a gentleman. It’s your job to not let her make you mad† (Lee 133). On this occasion, Atticus is teaching his children the old proverb of â€Å"sticks and stones† – that people should learn to ignore things that others say about them. By being peaceful and restrained towards Bob Ewell, and requiring his children to do the same to Mrs. Dubose, Atticus is teaching his children how to avoid conflict and handle situations properly, which is a critical element of acting morally. It is often difficult to travel on moral high ground, especially when there is pressure not to, but experience teaches us that it is always the best option. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus provides a clear example of how to be the better person when forced into an uncomfortable situation. After Jem  destroys Mrs. Dubose’s garden, Atticus has to teach his children that people are not always going to be kind to them, especially with Atticus’ role in the Tom Robinson case, but they must still treat everybody with respect. Atticus tells Scout, â€Å"It’s not fair for you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things† (Lee 139). In this example, Atticus is teaching his children that no matter what happens, always try to be positive about it, and never to let their detractors bother them. Additionally, Atticus does not condone his children fighting. Once again, Atticus knows that there are always going to be people that are unkind to them, but that fighting will not make the situation any better. Scout mentions, â€Å"Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting anymore; I was far too old and big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold in, the better off everybody would be† (Lee 99). In this instance, Scout remembers that Atticus does not permit her to fight with others because it is immature and damaging, regardless of what caused the fight. Therefore, Atticus’ attitude towards conflict, to be the better person, demonstrates that he understands how to behave morally when presented with conflict. Doing the right thing is often significantly tougher than indecision, or even doing the wrong thing. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves that doing the right thing might be difficult, but it is always the preferable choice, and that it is never impossible. In 1930s southern Alabama, racist or otherwise prejudiced attitudes are plentiful. This can make morally correct choices difficult. When Atticus Finch took the Tom Robinson case, he knew that the popular opinion of the residents of Maycomb would be against him. However, he understands that taking the case was the right thing to do, and that he must do it. When Atticus is explaining his decision to take the Tom Robinson case, he states, â€Å"This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience – Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man† (Lee 139). By saying this, Atticus is acknowledging that although Maycomb may be against him, he knows he has to help Tom Robinson because it is the only way to do what is morally right. Later, Tom Robinson’s life is threatened by a mob who want to break into the jail and murder him. Atticus  is warned of this, and he goes to the jail in order to help Tom. Atticus prevents the mob from reaching Tom, telling them, â€Å"You can turn around and go home† (Lee 202). At this time, Atticus understands that he could be attacked and potentially injured, but he knows that he must make the morally correct, albeit challenging choice, and go to the jail to protect Tom. Based on this evidence, it is clear that Atticus understands that some of the choices that he has to make will be difficult, such as defending Tom Robinson in court, or protecting him from the mob. However, Atticus knows that they are the only morally right choices, and therefore the only choices he may permit himself to make, as he is a strong moral character. Acting morally does not require perfection, and any person or character will have minor flaws and imperfections. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch serves as a near-perfect role mode in contrast to the chaotic environment of 1930’s Alabama. His desire to avoid inane conflict, always strive to be the better person, and accept challenges in the process of doing what is right demonstrate his true sense of righteousness, and call us to act as better people in the face of adversity. If adopted by everyone, Atticus’ actions, attitudes and principles would make the world a much more pleasant place to live in.

Research proposal on press freedom

The close proximity to Eugene ensures a steady flow of customers. MGSG is a start-up grower and distributor of exotic salad greens for restaurants and individual consumers. MGSG is located in Blue River, Oregon and serves the southern Willamette Valley.M6SG's objectives are to develop a product-based company whose goal is to exceed customer's expectations, increase roduction efficiency by 10% a year, and lastly, and develop a sustainable farm business, able to survive off their cash flow. Products MGSG will sell a spring mix of salad field greens. These greens will include but are not limited to: red leaf, arugula, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, and chicory. These greens are grown for use in salad mixtures, purchased by the end consumer as well as by restaurants who then serve it to their patrons.The Market MGSG has decided to target two distinct market segments, individual customers and restaurants. The individual customers will purchase greens from MGSG at the Tuesday and Satur day Farmer's Market. This segment is growing at 12% and has 12,000 potential customers. The second segment is local restaurants. This market is smaller at only 28 potential customers, but is more consistent in demand throughout the year. Competitive Edge MGSG has two competitive edges that will help them maintain strong growth rates, ncreasing their market penetration.The first edge is quality. MGSG prides themselves on the high quality of exotic salad greens. Greens that do not meet MGSG high standards of quality are rejected as imperfects and go to a not-for-profit food bank. M6SG's second competitive edge is their flexibility. The entire farm has been set up to allow them to change crops or scale existing crops to meet demand. This is highly unusual as most farms are unable to change crops mid year. Management MGSG is led by Heidi Ponic.Heidi initially got her start in growing while working at a greenhouse. After college, Heidi went to work for a large grass seed company. This ex perience is what solidified Heidi's desire to continue working in an agricultural capacity. Soon after her experience at the Willamette Seed Company she decided to enroll in Oregon State University's Master of Horticulture Program. Heidi's Masters provided her with requisite detail and skills to develop her own farm business research proposal on press freedom By Jkamaleki

Astronomy: From the Earth to the End of the Universe

What is the universe? For something so mind numbingly large, it is quite simply to define – the universe is simply everything that exists. However let us ponder that question. Imagine a blind goldfish born and raised in a tiny fishbowl.For that goldfish, the universe is the gallon of water, the glass boundary, and the sand and ornaments sitting at the bottom. While it is apparent to us the universe is much larger than that, for the fish that is the entire extent of the universe – a gallon of water, a glass bowl, some sand and the rain of fish food coming from above.In some ways, mankind is that blind fish, oblivious to the extent of the universe since his universe is defined only by what he can perceive and observe. Astronomy can be seen as a tool by which mankind slowly grew his universe, from his planet, to his solar system, to his galaxy to 156 billion light years wide thing that we call our universe today.One could argue that astronomy is the first science to emerge , beating out physics, biology, chemistry and other fields of study in occupying mankind’s academic curiosity. We can say this because astronomical phenomena are probably one of the first observations made by our ancestors. It does not take a knowledge or curiosity of science to notice the presence of night and day.It does not take a scholar to notice that the sun rises in the same direction and sets in the opposite direction day after day. Primitive man looked at the moon and would notice its changing shape and the fact that on some days it is present and on some days it is not. One does not need a telescope to notice those numerous twinkling points of light in the sky called stars.Even without possessing the astronomical tools we have today, ancient civilizations have created numerous ways to observe and catalogue the behavior of celestial bodies. The concept of a calendar was based around the changing patterns of stars in the heavens.Knowledge of such patterns became impor tant for ancient farmers as the presence of specific patterns in the sky could tell them that it is time to plant, another set of patterns would tell them that it is a good time to harvest, and another set of patterns could tell the imminence of the annual flooding of the river. For early man, the connection between movements of stars and the events unfolding in his midst were clear. Knowledge of celestial movements aid him feed himself and his family.With such heavenly foretelling, the development of a feeling of connection between the Gods and the stars is hardly surprising. Huge monuments were erected to serve as observatories for these events.Monuments to the gods were created to align with celestial behavior. Stonehenge in Britain served as a stencil for solar motion. In Chichen Itza, pyramids and towers dedicated to the gods also served as astronomical observatories.

PEST Analalysis on Poland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PEST Analalysis on Poland - Essay Example The transition has continued over the past decade till 1997 when the new constitution was formed. The state now has more transparency regarding the function of the state and the division of the power between the citizens and the state bodies (European Parliament, 2000). The September 1997 elections changed the government but did not have any adverse affects on the foreign policy towards NATO and the EU. The government worked with the aim of flanking the economic development and modernizing the State structure. The coalition government released a series of ambitious reforms such as educational, pension and health systems and decentralization. The local government started reforming in 1999 which resulted in decentralization and reorganization of both the public authorities and finances. Each of the 16 regions is now responsible for their won development and implementation of policies. Each region therefore has an elected council which is responsible for specialized hospitals, economic development, colleges and universities and development of roads. The health care system is run by insurance schemes and 7.5% income tax is devoted for the development of this sector. Eleven pension funds have also been created for the old-age pension system (European Pa rliament, 2000). However, during the period of Leszek Balcerowicz, the country was able to transform itself to a market economy. The country also became a full member of the EU in May 2004 and also joined NATO in 1999. The country gives full rights of protection to the citizens of the country and warmly welcomes MNCs to operate in their territories (European Parliament, 2000). Between 1994 and 1997, the GDP rate grew by 6.3% but it slowed to 4.1% in 1999. Despite the economic issues in the country, the consumer confidence has appeared to be strikingly stable. The GDP per capita was still half of what it is in Portugal and Greece in 1999.

The Swimming Pool Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Swimming Pool - Assignment Example This discussion stresses that the management seems to be under trouble due to the change of staff, the situation could only be changed if the new employees and managers receive specific training on how Cedar resort is operated. Otherwise, new staff will arrive with fresh ideas and ways of management (DeCenzo, David and Stephen 49). It appears that cedar has managers   who were familiar   with the preferences   of the   trusted   customers, the new staff came   with new ways   of running the   resort that did not work for the members, they opted to leave.This paper discusses that the managers ought to have come up with a way of training the new staff in a manner that would suit the previous standards of the resort, by so doing, the quality of the services would not have deteriorated as it now. Human resource professional are supposed to make decisions that they can be accountable in case of any setbacks. Human Resource managers and other decision makers of the manageme nt who take part in the process of making decisions have in the past years progressively been alleged â€Å"personally liable† in the federal and state employment laws. In most cases, it is due to a decision that they made in the wrong manner.  The case studies   on the swimming pool and   cedar demonstrates   Ã‚  personal liability for general managers who take part in human resource decision making, and what these managers can do to reduce their experience to personal liability.  

Karl Max Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Karl Max - Essay Example Karl Max Karl Max happens to be one of the most eminent and riveting sociological philosopher this world has ever seen and his sociological ideas are still appreciated among millions of people around the globe. In this excerpt, the writer sets out to make the readers realize why the various precious works of Max need to be thoroughly analyzed once again with a new spirit, and why his certain ideas are sadly misunderstood among various people. The writer has mentioned an array of innovative ideas as to how people manage in attributing different meanings to the various sociological theories of Max, and why any single authentic meaning cannot be extracted out of even a single paragraph from Max’s any work. Basically, the context in which the writer strives to convey the message is quite unique in its kind because the various ways illuminated in the text by the writer happen to be extremely successful in making the readers realize the bedrock of misunderstandings erupting from the complex philosophical works of Marx. It is easy to identify after reading the text that the key element of any work written by Max is the usage of extremely complex philosophical terms that are not only hard-to-get-familiar-with but, they are also used by Max himself in different ways in his own various works. This implies that if in one work, one certain term is employed by Max to convey any particular meaning then in the next work, he amazes and confuses the readers by using that same term for producing a totally different idea.

Block 6 (Week 11&12) Cardiovascular Physiology Exercise (Lab Exercise Lab Report

Block 6 (Week 11) Cardiovascular Physiology Exercise ( Exercise #6) - Lab Report Example The period of time between the effective refractory period and phase 4 is the ‘relative refractory period’. The refractory period of cardiac muscle is about 250 milliseconds—almost as long as the contraction of the heart. Summation does not occur in the heart muscle contraction. The refractory period of the heart muscles is longer than that in the skeletal muscles, therefore heart twitches do not overlap and hence increased (summed) ventricular contraction is not seen. Summation would result in more powerful contraction of the ventricle causing irregular high cardiac output. Heart might find it diffult to recvoer from this ‘double-twitch’, i.e. repolarization might take a long time. This irregular pumping of heart would cause dysrhythmia. Vagus nerves are the part of para-sympathetic nervous system and act by decreasing the heart rate by direct effect on the SA and AV nodes in the heart atrium. Parasympathetic stimulation by the vagal nerve endings in the atrium results in slowing down of the heart rate and can bring the cardiac output to almost zero. Vagus nerves are parasympathetic and supply to AV and SA nodes. Parasympathetic stimulation result in decrease in the heart rate and cardiac output. Since the vagal fibers are primarily distributed in the atria, they result in a decrease in the heart rate. Decrease in the heart rate along with slight decrease in ventricular contraction can decrease the cardiac output by 50%. The cardiac muscle has inherent autorhythmicity, i.e. they can generate the contraction activity automatically. However, the un-stimulated heart beats at a much slower rate and needs continuous sypathetic stimulation to maintain the nornal heart rate, i.e. 70 pulses a minute. Also, sympathetic stimulation increases the power of the ventricular contraction to as much as double the normal, thereby increasing the volume of blood pumped and increasing the ejection pressure. The vagal nerve endings

Bad News Message - Revised Version Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bad News Message - Revised Version - Assignment Example I hope you can appreciate that we must draw a line in the sand when it comes to warranties of this type and remain committed to these restrictions. If we did not do this, our company would be inundated with requests for free repairs, which would prevent us from being able to provide the equipment that we do at the competitive price that we offer. We believe that any errors in manufacturing would quickly become apparent, and feel that offering a two year replacement window provides ample coverage for any breakdowns that occur due to mistakes on your part. Equipment of this sort, unfortunately, is subject to significant wear and tear, and it is simply impossible for us to make an exception in any one case, as this would make it necessary to make a similar exception each time this issue arises. We also offer extended service warranties on everything that we sell for a nominal price. If you are concerned about equipment breaking down, you may want to consider such extended coverage in the future, which includes a five year warranty, on-site service, and 24 hours a day, 365 days a year phone service Furthermore, because of the difficulty that you have encountered with this product, we are prepared to offer you a single-use discount coupon, which will give you a percentage off the cost of a new or refurbished piece of equipment I am sorry that I was not able to provide a refund or replacement to your equipment, and hope you understand my position in this case. If you are interested in pursuing any of the options listed above, please feel free to email me at albot.royal@compus.co, or call me at 555-555-5555. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact

Ronald Reagan Essay Example for Free

Ronald Reagan Essay Ronald Reagan came from humble beginnings. He was born on February 6, 1911 in the town of Tampico, Illinois. His parents were Jack and Nelle. Jack Reagan was an unsuccessful salesman who was also known as an alcoholic. His mother, Nelle Wilson Reagon was a devout farmwoman who raised Ronald and his older brother, Neil, in the Disciples of Christ Church despite their fathers Catholicism. The family moved frequently, sometimes in response to new job opportunities, sometimes after Jack had been fired because of his drinking. In 1920 they settled in Dixon, Illinois, where Jack became the proprietor and part owner of a shoe store (Reeves 2). Ronald Reagan was an outgoing, optimistic, popular, and apparently happy youth despite the problems of his family. He was interested in sports from an early age and particularly liked football and swimming. Ronald was also nearsighted, which was later diagnosed, made baseball difficult for him. He was a hardworking and modestly successful student, with a talent for memorization (Miller Center). He was active early in school dramatics. As a teenager, he worked during summers as a lifeguard at the swimming area of the local river and put aside much of what he earned for his education (Reeves 6). Reagans youth was in many ways oddly similar to that of other provincial Americans who rose to political prominence: a boyhood in a small town, a family struggling precariously on the edges of the middle class, education in small, undistinguished schools. Huey P. Long, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and many others had grown up in comparable circumstances. But unlike most other small-town boys who rose to political greatness, Reagan showed little early interest in politics (Brinkley). Jack Reagan, like most American Catholics of his era, was a staunch Democrat and Ronald inherited his fathers unreflective enthusiasm for the party even though, throughout the 1920s, it enjoyed little national success. He became a fervent admirer of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, an attachment that grew stronger when the New Deal agencies began providing jobs to unemployed men (among them his father) in depression-ravaged central Illinois (Miller Center). But he never became actively involved in Democratic politics in the state. He found himself drawn occasionally into campus politics at Eureka and in his senior year won election as class president. But when he graduated in 1932, with a B. A. in economics and sociology, politics and public life remained far from his thoughts. He was, he later wrote, drawn to some form of show business, an interest born in part of his experiences in the Eureka drama society (Brinkley). Following graduation, at a time when a quarter of Americans were unemployed, Reagan found work as a radio announcer, first in Davenport, Iowa, then later Des Moines. Reagan struggled at first but in time became one of the best-known sports announcers in the Midwest (Reeves 9). He also became a popular speaker before Des Moines service groups and enlisted as a reserve officer in the U. S. Cavalry so he could ride horses regularly. But he dreamed of bigger things. In 1937, Reagan went to California with the Chicago Cubs baseball team on spring training and arranged through a friend for a screen test at Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers offered Reagan a contract for $200 a week that launched his film career (Brinkley). His growing success also won him a series of deferments from military service (at the request of Warner Brothers) once the United States entered World War II, and then after he was called up and commissioned an officer in the cavalry, an assignment with an army film unit. He spent the war in California making army training movies at a military base in Los Angeles, with time off to make feature films at Warner Brothers (among them the successful 1943 tribute to the military, This Is the Army ) (D’Souza 10). Much of the time, he lived at home with his family. Despite his later claims to the contrary, he never left the country and never saw combat. But he cooperated with studio public relations efforts to portray him as a soldier, who, like other soldiers, left his family to go off to war. Feature stories described Wyman bravely carrying on, raising the children and maintaining the household while her man was away. Newsreels and magazine photos depicted Reagan coming home for leaves and visits. Reagan later sometimes seemed actually to have believed the ruse. Even decades later, he liked to talk about coming back from the war, like other veterans, eager to take up family life again (a life that in his case had hardly been interrupted) (D’Souza 11). Reagans postwar acting career never regained the momentum it had enjoyed in the early 1940s. He had some occasional successes (among them The Hasty Heart in 1949), but he found himself working more often now in minor roles or minor films. Jane Wymans career, in the meantime, was flourishing, and her absorption with it contributed to what were already growing tensions within the marriage. The couple divorced in 1948 (Reagan 4). As his career and his marriage languished, Reagan had begun to become active in politics. His first vehicle was the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the film actors union. Reagan had been active in SAG since his first months in Hollywood, and his involvement grew with his marriage to Wyman, who was also an important figure in the organization. In 1946, he chaired a union strike committee and demonstrated an energy and a toughness that his SAG colleagues had not previously seen. In 1947, he became president of the union, a position he held for six years. Reagan still considered himself a liberal Democrat, and he used his new political distinction to campaign for Harry Truman in 1948. There was occasional talk of Reagan himself running for Congress as a Democrat, but party leaders apparently opposed the idea because they considered him too liberal (Barlietta 15-17). In reality, Reagans political views were changing more rapidly than his public activities suggested. During the war, he had harshly criticized the waste and corruption he saw in the awarding of military contracts, and his suspicion of government bureaucracies only grew in the following years. He was also now complaining frequently about taxes. He had signed a million-dollar contract with Warner Brothers in 1944, but the very high wartime tax rates (up to 90 percent in the upper brackets) greatly reduced his income. In 1950, after initially endorsing the actress Helen Gahagan Douglas for the United States Senate, he switched his support to Richard Nixon in mid-campaign. And as president of SAG, he became active in efforts to distance the union from Communist influence (driven to do so, no doubt, by the savagely anti-Communist political climate, but also by his own deep and growing aversion to Communists) (D’Souza 12). By the late 1940s, he was cooperating with the FBI and testifying before the House Committee on Un-American Activities against Communism in the union (although he was not asked to name any individual Communists). Subsequently, he cooperated with the studios as they quietly administered the notorious blacklist of alleged Communists who were to be barred from employment in the movie industry. Reagan later claimed that the effort by Hollywood Communists to take over the motion picture business, and the unwillingness of many liberals to confront them, was responsible for his political turn to the right (Brinkley). At least as responsible, however, was his marriage in 1952 to Nancy Davis, a young and largely unknown actress whom he had met at a dinner party in 1949. Davis was the daughter of a once-successful stage actress, Edith Luckett. Her natural parents separated when she was an infant, and she spent most of her childhood in the home of her mothers second husband, Loyal Davis, whose name Nancy took and whose right-wing political views she uncritically absorbed. Her familys conservatism reinforced Reagans own accelerating drift to the right (Brinkley). Reagans second marriage was a happy one. The couple lived in a comfortable home in Pacific Palisades and began to spend time at a ranch Reagan had bought near Santa Barbara. They had two children, Patricia, born in 1952, and Ronald, born in 1958. But Reagans film career was now in serious decline. Warner Brothers had not renewed his contract, and he was having difficulty finding steady work elsewhere. He was now in his mid-forties, and major stardom was coming to seem beyond his reach (Reeves 13). Over the next few years FBI agents working with the House of Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Motion Picture Producers, got 320 people blacklisted from the entertainment industry. As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan refused to support those actors such as Larry Parks, Joseph Bromberg, Charlie Chaplin, John Garfield, Howard Da Silva, Gale Sondergaard, Jeff Corey, John Randolph, Canada Lee, and Paul Robeson who were on this list.   Reagans support of McCarthyism enabled him to continue working in Hollywood but his films continued to appear in mediocre films such as Bedtime for Bonzo (1951), The Last Outpost (1951), The Winning Team (1952), Law and Order (1953), Cattle Queen of Montana (1954), Tennessees Partner (1955) and Hellcats in the Navy (1957). Between 1954 and 1962 Reagan also worked for General Electric as host of the companys weekly half-hour dramas for television. (Miller Center) In the 1930s and 40s Reagan had been a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party. However, he switched to the Republican Party after the war and supported Dwight Eisenhower (1952 and 1956) and Richard Nixon (1960). In 1964 that Reagan became a national political figure. (Barlietta 67) This was as a result of a televised speech in support of Barry Goldwater. It did not help Goldwater win the election (he was seen by most people in America as a dangerous, right-wing extremist). However, it did convince members of the Californian business community that here was a man with the charm to sell right-wing extremism. Reagan was approached about becoming the Republican Party candidate as Governor of California with the help of a smear campaign against Pat Brown and promises of tax cuts he won an easy victory. (Miller Center)? As governor Reagan quickly established himself as one of the countrys leading conservative political figures. This included dramatic budget cuts and a hiring freeze for state agencies. He also put up student fees and when they complained he sent state troopers to deal with their protest meetings. (D’Souza 45) Re-elected with 52 per cent of the vote in 1970, Reagan introduced a series of welfare reforms during his second term in office. This included tightening eligibility requirements for welfare aid and requiring the able to seek work rather than receiving benefits. However, the tax cuts never came, in fact, he presided over the largest tax increase any state had ever demanded in American history. Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter. (Miller Center) On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar. (Brinkley) Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit. (Brinkley) A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression. (Brinkley) In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve peace through strength. During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. (Brinkley) Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub. By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa. D’Souza 74) After leaving office in 1989, the Reagans purchased a home in Bel Air, Los Angeles in addition to the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara. They regularly attended Bel Air Presbyterian Church and occasionally made appearances on behalf of the Republican Party; Reagan delivered a well-received speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention. Previously on November 4, 1991, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was dedicated and opened to the public. (D’Souza 111) At the dedication ceremonies, five presidents were in attendance, as well as six first ladies, marking the first time five presidents were gathered in the same location. Reagan continued publicly to speak in favor of a line-item veto; the Brady Bill; a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget; and the repeal of the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits anyone from serving more than two terms as president. In 1992 Reagan established the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award with the newly formed Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. His final public speech was on February 3, 1994 during a tribute to him in Washington, D. C. , and his last major public appearance was at the funeral of Richard Nixon on April 27, 1994. Brinkley) In August 1994, at the age of 83, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, an incurable neurological disorder which destroys brain cells and ultimately causes death. In November he informed the nation through a handwritten letter, writing in part: â€Å"I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimers Disease At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainde r of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you. † (Miller Center) After his diagnosis, letters of support from well-wishers poured into his California home, but there was also speculation over how long Reagan had demonstrated symptoms of mental degeneration. In her memoirs, former CBS White House correspondent Lesley Stahl recounts her final meeting with the president, in 1986: Reagan didnt seem to know who I was. Oh, my, hes gonzo, I thought. I have to go out on the lawn tonight and tell my countrymen that the president of the United States is a doddering space cadet. But then, at the end, he regained his alertness. As she described it, I had come that close to reporting that Reagan was senile. (Miller Center) However, Dr. Lawrence K. Altman, a physician employed as a reporter for the New York Times, noted that the line between mere forgetfulness and the beginning of Alzheimers can be fuzzyand all four of Reagans White House doctors said that they saw no evidence of Alzheimers while he was president. Dr. John E. Hutton, Reagans primary physician from 1984 to 1989, said the president absolutely did not show any signs of dementia or Alzheimers. (Miller Center) Reagan did experience occasional memory lapses, though, especially with names. Once, while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, he repeatedly referred to Vice President Bush as Prime Minister Bush. Reagans doctors, however, note that he only began exhibiting overt symptoms of the illness in late 1992or 1993, several years after he had left office. His former Chief of Staff James Baker considered ludicrous the idea of Reagan sleeping during cabinet meetings. Other staff members, former aides, and friends said they saw no indication of Alzheimers while he was President. Barlietta 197) Complicating the picture, Reagan suffered an episode of head trauma in July 1989, five years prior to his diagnosis. After being thrown from a horse in Mexico, a subdural hematoma was found and surgically treated later in the year. Nancy Reagan asserts that her husbands 1989 fall hastened the onset of Alzheimers disease, citing what doctors told her, although acute brain injury has not been conclusively proven to accelerate Alzheimers or dementia. Reagans one-time physician Dr. Daniel Ruge has said it is possible, but not certain, that the horse ccident affected the course of Reagans memory. (Barlietta 209) Reagan died of pneumonia at his home in Bel Air, California on the afternoon of June 5, 2004. A short time after his death, Nancy Reagan released a statement saying: My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has died after 10 years of Alzheimers Disease at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyones prayers. (Brinkley) President George W. Bush declared June 11 a National Day of Mourning, and international tributes came in from around the world. Reagans body was taken to the Kingsley and Gates Funeral Home in Santa Monica, California later in the day, where well-wishers paid tribute by laying flowers and American flags in the grass. On June 7, his body was removed and taken to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where a brief family funeral was held conducted by Pastor Michael Wenning. His body lay in repose in the Library lobby until June 9; over 100,000 people viewed the coffin. (Miller Center) On June 9, Reagans body was flown to Washington, D. C. where he became the tenth United States president to lie in state; in thirty-four hours, 104,684 people filed past the coffin. On June 11, a state funeral was conducted in the Washington National Cathedral, and presided over by President George W. Bush. Eulogies were given by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and both Presidents Bush. Also in attendance were Mikhail Gorbachev, and many world leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and interim presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and Ghazi al-Yawer of Iraq. Brinkley) After the funeral, the Reagan entourage was flown back to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, where another service was held, and President Reagan was interred. (Brinkley) At the time of his death, Reagan was the longest-lived president in U. S. history, having lived 93 years and 120 days (2 years, 8 months, and 23 days longer than John Adams, whose record he surpassed). He is now the second longest-lived president, just 45 days fewer than Gerald Ford. He was the first United States president to die in the 21st century, and his was the first state funeral in the United States since that of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1973. (Miller Center) His burial site is inscribed with the words he delivered at the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life.