Education is the key to a bright future

â€Å"Education is the key to a bright future†, a statement that my parents have constantly reminded me of and has become a reality. My ambition and determination to succeed in education has prompted me to maneuver through the thickets of financial constrains to which I was predisposed throughout my early schooling life. In many occasions in the course of my education, I have been forced to halt my progress to give my parents an opportunity to gather more resources to push me forward. The hardships I encountered have shaped me into a determined student and consequently, I have engaged in many activities with the aim of ensuring that I cultivate a better life is for myself as well others in society. After completing my high school studies in Russia, the top grades attained gave me an opportunity to access college education, although this leaning stage was not a bed of roses bent on the several challenges encountered. However, my zeal to reach my goals and objectives could not give any room to despondency and hopelessness. Complacency and dwelling in the comfort zone have always been my worst enemies which I have overcome with sober mindedness and hard work. At the time, the course that I decided to study was Japanese and English studies. My choice of course was in line with my bigger vision of studying not only in Russia but also in other countries like U. S and Japan since I believed in looking for higher opportunities which can only come forth with sharpened multi-lingual abilities. It bears mentioning that financial constrains forced me to seek employment especially during the holidays. Luckily I found an opening in a certain tourism agency where I worked as an assistant record keeper, carrying out all the duties assigned diligently and effectively. The money however was inadequate since I only worked for a few hours after school and therefore I had to find some more work to adequately meet my needs. Consequently, I volunteered to teach English language in several high schools from which I earned some more income. This was a greatly supplement to what my parents earned from their cloth selling business. Eventually, my three years in college were complete and wonderful credits could not fail to reflect in my certificates. After graduating from my first college, my parents concurred with me that it was the high time I explored the academic world in a different environment having acquired the great foundation. However, the financial aspect of it had to be addressed quite explicitly to ensure that problems do not crop up in the middle of the journey. My dreams had always been to further my studies in the United States. My parents had to look for all the available means to ensure that my quest for excellence in the world of academia was fulfilled. Eventually they managed to raise funds for my flight and a part of my college tuition fee at Hunter College in New York. The background I had in Russia was of great help in my new environment where most students are English speakers. Therefore, my persistence and ability to make the right choices and appropriate decisions seemed to be paying off as my dreams of studying in America had finally come true. As a Russian transfer student, my English skills facilitated my interaction not only with my fellow college mates but also with the highly qualified teaching staff. I decided to further my studies in English and Japanese translation for which the progress was quite commendable and the grades encouraging. However, my hopes of finishing the second college were overshadowed by severe shortage of finances to cater for tuition and also my upkeep. Despite the wonderful efforts made by my parents and friends to sponsor my studies at Hunter College, there was always a deficit which made me to be in and out of college on several occasions. More often than not, I had to plead with the college administration to allow me stay in class for more days since the amount paid intermittently for my tuition was inadequate to sail me through to the end of each semester. Unfortunately, I could not make it to complete the stipulated three years period of study and therefore had to terminate my studies. However, I have never believed in impossibilities since my optimistic disposition gives no room for hopelessness. I am determined to climb the next available rung in the diverse opportunities in Berkeley College where I intend to study a Bachelors degree in Fashion Marketing and Management. As I have explained, my greatest obstacle has been shortage of funds. Therefore with a scholarship, I am sure I will have the ability to study this business course to its full length. After acquiring this precious knowledge, I intend to help my parents in marketing the various fashions of clothes they deal with and also assist them in expanding their business through good management skills. I also envision establishing my own business empire in the long run.

Managerial Accounting Essay

To Mr. George Friedman and Bill Compton, here are some options on ways to operate base of household incomes. Below are various ways to decide which might best fit in your organization. â€Å"Managerial skills are important in an organization and in leadership, especially managerial decision making. These help achieve the goals of the organization and harness the potential of everyone inside the organization† (Managerial Skills, n.d). The fee for food is $1.25 per student each day. Staff will received a 10% benefit on their salaries in addition $200 for the benefit programs. Variable supplies are $1 per student each month. Step costs are salaries for instructors, averaging $1,600 per instructor for each class. â€Å"As opposed to fixed costs, which remain constant, these costs arise in direct proportion toa business output, increasing and decreasing along with the volume of production† (Schneider, 2012). Experiencing a new class added would be beneficial due to the profits increased by $355. Whatever case of profit adding to the revenue helps Friedman and Compton childcare center. â€Å"A business can have higher revenue, but if the costs are higher, it will show no profit and is destined to go out of business when available capital runs out. Managing costs and revenue to maximize profit is key for any entrepreneur† (Davidson, n.d). If the tuition remains the same the infant care class will be taking, the division would contribute $615 to net income. According to Lynch & Williamson, understanding what makes a profit is important (Lynch, Williamson, 1984, para 2). Although the school may be having some problem with increasing revenue, however, containing the new infant class could assist with the cash flow problem. Reference Davidson, E. (n.d). What are cost, Revenue and Profit Important? retrieved website http://smallbusiness.chron.com/cost-revenue-profit-important-11952.html Lynch, R. & Williamson R. (1984).Accounting for Management, Planning, and Control, Tata Mc-Graw Hill Publishing Co, New-Dehli Managerial Skills (n.d) Decision Making Critical for Managers retrieved website http://www.managerialskills.org/managerial-skills-decision-making/ Schneider, A. (2012). Managerial Accounting: Decision Making for the Service and Manufacturing sectors. San Diego. CA, Bridgepoint Education.

Use of Modeling and Simulation in the Design of the Boeing 777 Essay - 8

Use of Modeling and Simulation in the Design of the Boeing 777 - Essay Example The Boeing 777 is one of the most successful commercial airplanes made in the industry. The design process started in 1990 and the first plane was delivered in 1995, a remarkably short design period for a complex engineering product such as an airplane. Though the plane was initially designed for a production run of 300 planes, as of August 2013, over 1100 of these wide-body airlines had been delivered. Airlines continue to order these planes 17 years after the first production and the current production rate is 100 a year (Tinseth, Randy, 2013). The aircraft has also had an unblemished safety record and even the crash of the Asiana Airlines plane at San Francisco airport in July 2013 has been attributed to pilot error. The aircraft industry design process has been described as â€Å"design- mockup- rework-prototype-test-revise-produce-test-revise-produce-test† cycle (Snyder, Charles, R., et al, 1998, p34). Boeing 777 design process was dramatically different from earlier practice in the airline industry. Wolf L. Glende, the Chief Engineer – Systems of the Boeing 777 programme says that the plane was conceived as a model urgently needed to fill the gap between the 747 and the 767. The design target was a plane that could carry 300 and 500 passengers over distances up to 7500 nautical miles at a cruise speed of 0.84 much. The Boeing 777 was the first commercial airplane designed with active participation from its customers. Boeing worked with eight major airlines from the US, Europe and South East Asia to configure the plane they preferred (Glende, Wolf, L., p 5-2). One key objective was to reduce by at least 50% the change, error and rework that is typical of large engineering system design projects. These objectives were achieved by adoption of certain core processes discussed below (Glende, Wolf, L., p 5-3). Design of a large airplane involves large teams, employed by different organizations and at various locations. Design activities tend to be done in series with results â€Å"thrown over the fence† with incomplete communication. The job specialization of each time makes for incomplete understanding and inter-organization rivalry. For the 777, Boeing created multi-functional Design/Build Teams (DBT) for each major subsystem of the airplane such as Structures, Avionics, Mechanical/Hydraulics, Propulsion and Payload.  

Proposal to determine if standardized testing is an effective method Research

To determine if standardized testing is an effective method to measure student learning - Research Proposal Example Application of the SAT test later extended to evaluation for entry into colleges and universities, becoming popular among the institutions. The tests are however not limited to application for entry purposes into colleges and universities, as use of common standards in the education curriculum requires standardized tests for evaluating students. While standardized testing may offer a basis for evaluation, consideration of such factors as disabilities and special needs undermine the equal opportunity concept. Disparities in environmental factors are also threats to standardized tests. A study, for example, noted that students may perform poorly in a standardized test that is developed in a foreign environment with such factors as language barriers being significant (Wood, Eichner-LeFrank, Wood, S., and Braus, n.d.). Standardized tests are used to evaluation students’ intelligence for grading and comparison with other students. While need for equal opportunities is one of the reasons for standardized tests, allowing for evaluation on the same baseline, differences in potentials, some of which may be induced by natural factors, undermine the fairness objective. Relative significance of the factors to performance in mathematics identifies the need to understand effectiveness of standardized tests in understanding students’ potentials in mathematics. Mathematics, according to Claro, Cabello, San Martin, and Nussbaum (2015), is more sensitive to environmental factors than reading is and this suggests difference in effectiveness of standard tests between the two. Economic, social, and cultural statuses, among students from Chile, have greater effects on mathematics skills than on reading skill and this means that the factors influences effectiveness of standardized tests for mathematics among the students and others. Students with similar level of competence in

HRM2013 Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

HRM2013 Human Resource Management - Essay Example The team was very positive with everyone’s suggestions and it further developed a great bond between all the participants. Everyone in the team was involved and there was a great understanding of each person’s strength and weakness. (Definition of team building, n.d) We had adopted Bruce Tuckman’s Team theory where the team’s development was split into 4 phases. Creating a structure for the group where each team member would fit in by carefully assessing each person’s ability. The team members attempt to have a leader within the group who would direct the team members. The team begins to establish rules, goals, objectives and work as a team together The last phase is the performance of the task by the team members. It is at this phase that the team starts growing together. (Teamwork Theories, n.d) There are different ways in which the team can be more successful. The employee’s attitude towards work can affect the outcome and negatively impac t the end customers. The team leader needs to ensure that the employees are co-cooperative which will increase teamwork. Respect is a very important aspect in work environment. As a team manager, one needs to understand and respect employee’s feelings, frustrations and respond appropriately than reacting to an employee’s non-productivity. The second most important way for the team to be successful is listen to the employee’s problems and not criticize or discount the issue. Acknowledging and communication helps the employees feel valued. The third most important factor that makes the team very successful is to engage the employees to do their work. If the company trusts the employees and if the employees are comfortable with the workplace, then the next level is to make the employees actively participate in decision making, publicly acknowledge the employees ideas and feedback. (Marlene, 2011) JOB ANALYSIS The primary role of a class representative to the board of studies is to be the point of contact between the academic leaders, students and parents. This role is voluntary and this nomination would be for an academic year. An effective class representative would provide valuable suggestions and contribution to the school community. This also includes several personal benefits which include many people, exposure and experience. This also provides a good platform to exercise leadership and initiate change. It also provides an opportunity to voice out opinions, concerns, feedback regarding the school. A certificate of recognition for the contributions and leadership skills would also be provided by the school thus helping them in their future jobs. (Class Representative- Job Description, n.d) Class representatives play a very important role in the school community. They are very instrumental in keeping the class in contact with the parents association and the school management. The main requirements or the prerequisites of being a school re presentative is to Be enthusiastic Hold good relations with the management and the class members Have good leadership skills Represent the class members views and feedback The role of a school representative involves a great amount of responsibility and leadership. The class representative needs to bring forward any opinions, improvement, suggestions and feedback from the class and take it to the management. The other aspect is to get feedback from the class representative regarding the policies, fees structure, and academic environment, based on the feedback from the school

How can managers and leaders use problems they face as source of Essay

How can managers and leaders use problems they face as source of learning - Essay Example The report analyse the possibility of using daily organisational issues encountered by managers as a means of learning to facilitate continuous development. In the face of growing business environmental pressures stemming from process of globalization and the advent of the knowledge economy, the demands placed upon managers and leaders to be effective in their relevant functions and roles has increased. Therefore, management and leadership development on a continuous basis has become a prerequisite for staying in business. While management designations may be limited, organisational success would largely upon its ability to develop the managerial and leadership skills at every level of the employee participation. As such skills development is based on a continuous learning process, managers and leaders need to use problems they encounter in everyday operations as a source of learning. In UK alone, the demand for high caliber managers with professional qualifications is in the rise and over 100,000 new management positions are being created as per estimates. But survey statistics points to poor management and leadership skills at all levels and relating `2to many areas such as delegation, choosing appropriate style of management and inability to involve the subordinates in to the decision making process (Managers & Leaders 2002). The report aims to analyse the need for managerial and leadership development and propose a conceptual model for the same. To understand the importance of Management & Leadership development, one should see the distinction between concepts such as management/leadership education or training which is in-effect associated subsidiary aspects of the overall effort of Management & Leadership development. While Management and Leadership education will take more of academic stance, the training will be more related to specific informal and formal delivery

Dulzura Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dulzura - Essay Example Additionally, the free verse allows the persona to speak in disjointed thoughts because of the confusions and doubts that characterize her lover who is unable even to pronounce her name correctly. This is demonstrated by the last stanza where the persona laments â€Å"Say my name. Say it/The way it’s supposed to be said (Cisneros 1).† Epic form, on the other hand, is notable in each of the three stanzas especially the specific messages they communicate to the reader. In stanza one, the persona is pleading for love in Spanish; stanza two she wants her lover to feel her compassion while stanza three is an affirmation of the love. However, Cisneros is also sensitive to the use of alliteration to establish a rhythmic effect as noted in the last stanza in the use of the words ‘know’ and ‘knew.’ These words are meant to illustrate struggles the persona is undergoing when recalling a past love affair. Notably, the poet equally uses blank verse as a means of defying regulations of writing poetry and, thus, communicating her message of desolation over broken love. Blank verse, for example, is exemplified in the first stanza in the use of small letters in the last lines of that stanza unlike the other lines. Cisneros notes that â€Å"lullabied, mi bien/querido, that loved† to demonstrate the futility of clinging on to a certain love affair now gone. Imagery, however, is a testament of the need for the poet to illustrate his message using flowery and colorful words that portray the pain of the persona. Contrastingly, this is only possible through the use of repetition to generate rhythmic effect as noted in the usage of ‘I want’ to expose the feelings of the persona in the poem (Cisneros 1). Similarly, repetition adds more emphasis because it consistently tells a certain angle of narrative within the poem and, hence, allows the reader to formulate varying mental i mages

Professional Project - Rehearsal Studio Dissertation

Professional Project - Rehearsal Studio - Dissertation Example This is inclusive of the sociocultural conditions and other economic situations that are now a part of the UK. This also includes the trends and conditions which are in the current environment and how this will affect the capability of having a rehearsal studio within a given area. The aims and objectives of the methodology will then be able to determine if it is financially feasible to begin a rehearsal studio as well as how the response would be from the social perspective in the UK. Design There will be two studies that will be used to determine whether a rehearsal studio can be incorporated into today’s climate in the UK. One consists of a qualitative analysis and the second a quantitative analysis. These will define the independent factors that would change the needs for a rehearsal studio and will show the impact which will be made when creating a rehearsal studio. The overall design will work to create the process of triangulation, or a mixed methodology. This particula r approach is able to combine several perspectives and to combine independent data to show how each is related to each other in the defining of a given situation (Tashakkori, 2006). Sample Populations The first concept which will be kept in mind with the design is based on geographic location. In the UK, there are several regions and areas that are designated as cultural quarters, specifically which is a part of the growing urban culture that is in the region (Montgomery, 2004). There are also other regions which are not as focused on implementing new cultures and ideologies, which build a different outlook on how many approaches the ideology of rehearsal studios and whether this should be implemented. Examining both aspects of the need for a rehearsal studio will then assist in creating a different outlook for the implementation of the studio. A second aspect to consider with the sample population is based on the target market of who would use a rehearsal studio. The main approach is toward musicians, engineers and producers that would be interested in having a main area for creating music. There can also be applications for other types of art, such as a rehearsal space for dance, as well. With these considerations, is also an understanding that the concept is based on creating communities through the use of space. This is combined with the alternative, which is available with online and remote communities and technology tools used for creating music or working with the fine arts (Trueman, 2007). From this perspective, there is the need to create a rehearsal studio that define what the studio can be used for and how it should be approached in terms of community building. Quantitative Method The first method which will be used will combine the sample populations with an overall examination of the viability of starting a studio. This will begin with creating an understanding of the finances that are involved with a rehearsal studio. The quantitative method will examine the budgets of rehearsal studios that are already in place in the UK, including ones based on urban culture and others that are in both city settings and remote areas. The examination will include: 1. Start up costs of the studio. 2. Maintenance costs of the studio. 3. Amount of income from the space. 4. Years in operation. 5. Profit and loss over each year and whether this has grown. 6. Main individuals using the rehearsal space. The comparison of these different factors will show examples of how much investment has to be made with the rehearsal studio as

The Oak and the Elm Tree Essay Example for Free

The Oak and the Elm Tree Essay Narrowing this vast amount of species down to the most widespread of the broadleaved trees would be the mighty oak and will be compared with the American elm for their beauty. In nature, the oaks hold their own well in competition with the other trees. The oak is a large tree growing to heights of thirty-five to one hundred feet tall. Their leaves are of the most dramatic in shape, which are described as being pinnately veined and pinnately lobed. Meaning the main vein runs through the leaf to its tip and smaller veins branch out, also having deep wavy outline indentations which extend half way or more to the midrib, giving it a hand-like feature. In contrast, the American elm is also a large tree that grows to a height of forty to ninety feet tall and has a simple, short oval shaped leaf that is saw-toothed and lopsided at the base. The trunk of both trees is described as being similar in most ways, thick and covered with furrowed gray bark. The trunks grow lateral with broad branches opening up into a beautiful crown. In time, these dome-headed trees will spread its branches needing a lot of growing space for the canopy. The beauty of the oak tree gives way as it sways in a gentle breeze and flutters its leaves as if waving a happy welcome to anyone who may pass. The elm tree swaying in the same breeze illustrates a simple flat wave. A tree isn’t just for a season; it is for life. The quality of life for these trees depends on the care they might receive. To grow, a tree needs a period of more than two months each year without frost; some need certain soil conditions, and plenty of water and light. The normal age span of trees is different for each species. An average oak tree may take as many as on hundred years to mature and may live for as long as four hundred fifty years, whereas, some elms live more that on hundred fifty years. Both the oak and elm trees are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves. All deciduous trees are broad-leaved. One of the most appealing aspects of deciduous trees is their signaling of fall by the changing color of their leaves. The oak has rich leaf color that change during the fall from the many shades of green to red, orange, yellow, purple, and every imaginable tint. The simple on-step change of the elm leaves turn from a glossy green to yellow in the fall. Both trees loose their leaves completely and go dormant during the winter months. Diseases endanger each species of trees. The gypsy moth favors the oak leaves, the caterpillars dine on the foliage. â€Å"But scientists have counterattacked with a variety of weapons†¦pesticides, insect-eating birds, and even processed scents called pheromones, which lure insects into traps† (Page 117). One of importance is a wasp that preys on the gypsy moth caterpillar. The wasp lay their eggs on the skin of the caterpillar and when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on their host, and kill them in the process. Elm bark beetles spread Dutch elm disease from tree to tree. â€Å"It is a potentially very dangerous and fatal disease to which all of our native elms are highly susceptible† (Grimm 191). The beetles attack the living tree and form tunnels under the bark and the adult carries the spores of the disease from tree to tree. Affected trees show sever wilting and yellowing of the leaves on one or several branches, especially during periods of dry weather. There is no effective chemical treatment. Pruning and burning out affected branches are most effective. In many cases it is disease that shortens a tree’s life. Trees are the source of materials we need for many everyday purposes. The strong wood of the oak has a beautiful grain. An important use of oak is for lumber, but also has other uses such as furniture, flooring, paneling, barrels, railroad ties, and ship keels. Some of the oak species contain tannin, found in the wood and the bark, and is used for preparing leather. Some oaks are grown for landscaping in personal gardens to provide shade and to show off their natural beauty. The oaks acorns are an important source of food for wildlife. The elm also has been used for many sources of everyday uses. The wood of the elm is tough, hard, and does not split easily. It is used for making barrels, farm tools, fence post, hockey sticks, furniture, and boats. Elms are used in landscaping too. They are planted along streets and in parks. Trees provide us with oxygen, lumber, and among other things, fuel, to heat our homes. Trees have also provided young children with hours of fun while climbing and exploring the world above ground. Trees provide a place to build clubhouses, tree houses, or a comfortable branch to read a book. In Oregon, a family vacation might include a few nights stay â€Å"in one of twenty tree houses created by Michael Garnier at Out’n’About Treesort† (Nolan6). If trees could talk, our American history might have to or could be rewritten. Under these trees, agreements and treaties have been made. A historic tree in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, shades union soldiers graves. â€Å"The mighty limbs of the Treaty Oak in Jacksonville, Florida, are said to have sheltered natives and settlers during peace treaty talks† (Brown 6). Various species of trees have played an important public role as the center for meetings. â€Å"The Washington Elm, under which George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army in 1775, remained standing for many years in Cambridge, Massachusetts† (Jonas 186). Much of the nation’s history lives in thousands of trees, and we might be touching history and not even realize it. Again, trees enter into the lives of us all. It could be the piece of furniture we sit on, a tree planted in a yard for shade, or the oxygen we breath, but most of all, the beauty a tree provides in our outdoor surroundings.

Interest Group Report Essay Example for Free

Interest Group Report Essay John Muir made the incomparable Yosemite Valley the center of his experience. Soon his words reached the larger audience of the New York Tribune and other influential publications, and he was writing that the Sierra should be explored by everyone, and permanently protected as a recreational resource accessible to all. In 1889 Muir embarked on an excursion in northern Yosemite with Robert Underwood Johnson. The two planned a campaign for a Yosemite National Park, a campaign that succeeded the following year when Congress established the park. Sierra Club was founded on May 28 with 182 charter members in 1892 The Sierra Clubs charter members elected Muir president, an office he held until his death in 1914. In the first decade of the 1900s, the Sierra Club became embroiled in the famous Hetch Hetchy Reservoir controversy that divided preservationists from resource management conservationists. The Sierra Club served its members as a social and recreational society, conducting outings, improving trails and building huts and lodges in the Sierras, it had some 7,000 members in 1950. In September 2005, the Sierra Club held its first Sierra Summit in San Francisco. Approximately 1,000 volunteers from around the country, selected by their chapters and groups, were delegates; some nondelegate members also attended. In 2008, the Sierra Club endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President, citing his strong record of support for clean air, wetlands protection, and clean energy. The Sierra Club has several goals and creates campaigns to dedicate mainly on each goal they pursue. The Beyond Coal campaign’s main objective is to replace dirty coal with clean energy by mobilizing grassroots activists in local communities to advocate for the retirement of old and outdated coal plants and to prevent new coal plants from being built. The Resilient Habitats campaign’s main objective is to protect wildlife habitat from climate change. Youth and Diversity campaign is about how people of every age and background embrace the Sierra Clubs motto to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. The Beyond Oil campaign’s main goal is to block the most dangerous oil projects, eliminate the outsized influence of the oil industry, raise and defend strong fuel-efficiency and pollution standards, and accelerate the transition to cleaner cars and trucks. Sierra Club Water Sentinels work to protect, improve and restore our waters by fostering alliances to promote water quality monitoring, public education, and citizen action. Beyond Natural Gas campaign’s main goal is to close industry loopholes, clean up drilling, protect our parks, and stop liquefied natural gas exports. To become a member of The Sierra Club you have to sign up on the website and choose an amount of dollars to pay monthly and go to every event. The current president of The Sierra Club is Robin Mann Robin Mann grew up outside Wilmington, Delaware, near a pond and stream where the springtime nights were alive with spring peepers, small chorus frogs whose high-pitched calls made the air vibrate. After starting a family, she lived in rural Connecticut, and got active with the local Sierra Club as newsletter editor, pasting up copy at the local newspaper plant. She moved to Pennsylvania and started working with Chapter Director Jeff Schmidt on nutrient pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. There she found her niche in wetlands and water quality protection and developed the expertise to join and later lead the Clubs national campaign work in that area. The currently proposed legislation is called Sierra Club 2012 Legislative Priorities for Washington: This year the sierra club presents acute challenges to their efforts to advance an environmental agenda at the State Capitol. At the Sierra Club, they believe that environmental protections improve their quality of life and are essential to a long-term sustainable economy. Environmental programs and policies may have upfront costs, but will prevent staggering future costs. In 2012, their priorities in the Legislature are no rollbacks of environmental standards in a difficult budget situation; sustain I-937, the Renewable Energy voter-approved standards; ensure clean water and realistic, data-based management of limited water resources; sustainable transit funding in a transportation budget that emphasizes maintenance. There are also some legislations that’s been passed with The Sierra Club help like Priority Legislation to combat global warming, legislation limiting solar permit fees, The Capitol Watch legislation, 2011 Legislature, Sustainable and Equitable Transit Funding, The 2011 Clean Water Jobs Act, REAL ID Act was passed as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief. â€Å"The Sierra Club had taken money, gobs of it, from an industry that we in the grassroots have been in the fight of our lives to oppose. The largest, most venerable environmental organization in the United States secretly aligned with the very company that seeks to occupy our land, turn it inside out, blow it apart, fill it with poison. All for the goal of extracting a powerful heat-trapping gas, methane, that plays a significant role in climate change. National Sierra Club served as the political cover for the gas industry and for the politicians who take their money and do their bidding. It had a hand in setting in motion the wheels of environmental destruction and human suffering. It was complicit in bringing extreme fossil fuel extraction onshore, into our communities, farmlands, and forests, and in blowing up the bedrock of our nation. And I can’t get over it†. Sandra Steingraber My conclusions and thoughts about The Sierra Club is very positive, since what they do and aim for is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of earth, to practice and promote the use of the earths ecosystems and resources responsibly, to educate and recruit humanity to restore and protect the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out all these objectives. I think not every organization is perfect, sometimes they can fail in some other things like projects, campaigns, but it doesn’t mean that they are a bad organization since the impact they have made worldwide has been huge and successful. The founder of The Sierra had a purpose and a goal, he build the organization and through years people around the world has been joining The Sierra Club since is a positive and good cause to support and they have done several campaigns that have helped a lot like protecting rivers, the formation of Blue-Green Alliance that pursue a joint public policy agenda reconciling workers need for good jobs with mankinds need for a cleaner environment and safer world. It also has chapters across the country. Each chapter offers opportunities for hikes and other outings, activism on local and state issues. I think that the fact they don’t focus just in the environment but with thwarting industry and obstructing technological progress is a positive thing as well. Links: http://socialistworker.org/2004-1/494/494_06_SierraClub.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Club#Organization http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/194-sierra-club

Peripheral Neuropathy among Patients Living with Diabetes

Peripheral Neuropathy among Patients Living with Diabetes Update on Foot Care: Identifying Early signs of Peripheral Neuropathy among  Patients Living with Diabetes Mellitus Bernice S. Samuel DNP  and  Susan J. Appel, PhD, APRN-BC, CCRN, FAHA Introduction Among those individuals living with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (PNP) is a major contributor in the development of foot ulcers.1 Even though there has been a decline in recent limb amputations due to advanced management of foot ulcers, 7% of those affected with type 2 diabetes (T2D) will still develop foot ulcers.2 Diabetes-related foot ulcers not only cause further physical disability, they also reduce the quality of life and increase the risks of lower extremity amputations. 3 The CDC 4 reports that 65,700 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed among people living with diabetes. While diabetes is a major cause of complications such as vasculopathies and PNP, foot ulcers are the most easily prevented complications. 5 Therefore, practitioners must be fully apprised of tools and methods used to identify early PNP and prevent foot ulcers. Practitioners should also focus on actively educating the patient and family regarding PNP. Most practitioners are familiar with the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament testing (SWMT) as the gold standard used in primary care to assess for PNP. Mayfield and Sugarman reported the use of the SWMT as a useful tool in the primary care office for practitioners to assess patients for PNP, but indicated it is not without limitations. 6 Further interventions are needed when there is a loss of sensation detected, such as proper footwear and patient education, to prevent trauma and foot ulcers. 6 Research has shown that practitioners can continue to assess patients with diabetes using the monofilament testing as long as PNP is not present. Once PNP is noted, additional assessment and management techniques are warranted. A yearly thorough foot exam by a podiatrist has been recommended by the American Diabetes Association for those living with diabetes. 7 In addition, persons with diabetes and one or more risk factors need frequent assessments of their feet during routine office visits. 5 Patients with known risk factors for foot ulcers (e.g., poor vision, previous foot ulcers or amputation, monofilament insensitivity, and fungal infections of skin or nails) deserve special attention. 8 When practitioners have available clinical information that can help to predict the development of diabetes- related foot ulcers, patients will have better outcomes. 8 These predictors were found to be helpful in accurately targeting clients at high risks of contracting foot ulcers for preventative interventions. The use of proper footwear such as diabetes specialized shoes with proper diabetes foot insoles has been found to be a protective intervention. Pathophysiology of Foot Ulcers Diabetes related foot lesions occur as a result of two or more risk factors: PNP and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). 9 Diabetes-related PNP is a leading contributor to foot lesions. 10 The presence of PAD increases the risk for foot infections and ulcers among people living with diabetes. 11 Foot lesions are less likely to heal due to vascular insufficiency. 12 Research shows that there are three factors that leads to foot ulcers and infections: foot deformities, PNP, and minor trauma. 13 It is important to understand that the longer an individual lives with elevated blood glucose, the more likely he or she will develop PNP. 2 Long term hyperglycemia can affect the skin and delay wound healing if minor cuts or sores occur on the foot. 14 PNP According to Benbow, 14 PNP can be classified as sensory, autonomic or motor. In sensory system PNP, an individual with diabetes has no feeling of sensation on his or her feet, does not feel hot or cold temperature, and does not feel cuts or trauma to his or her feet. 14 When PNP affects the autonomic system an individual will experience a decrease in sweat, resulting in cracked or fissured skin, dilated dorsal veins and an increase in temperature of their feet. 14 When the motor system is affected by PNP, the patient will be at risk for developing foot deformities such as Charcot foot. 14 Commonly, these patients report symptoms of aches and pains with tingling in their feet when PNP is present. 13 Foot Deformities According to Abad Safdar, 13 foot deformities are the second causative factor that leads to foot ulcers among people living with diabetes. People affected by neuropathy have decreased sensation in their feet, and are more prone to foot deformities. 13 These foot deformities affect the muscles and bones of the foot leading to bony protrusions that put the individual at increased risk for ulceration especially when PNP is present. 13 The correlation of PNP and foot deformities was examined by Soyupek, Ceceli, Suslu, Yorgancioglu, 15 utilizing x-rays. Their study showed that the patients with PNP commonly also have foot deformities such as pes planus, pes cavus, tendon calcifications and osteoporosis. 15 Patients living with type 1 diabetes are particularly at risk for developing Charcot neuropathy that causes destruction of the bones of the foot. 16The resultant bone thinning causes the bones to be fragile and leads to foot deformities. 16 Foot Trauma Abad Safar 13 identify foot trauma as the third factor that can lead to foot ulcers. Foot ulceration occurs when there is breaking of the skin, which leads to impaired healing of the lesion. 12 People affected by PNP have sensory loss of their feet and are unable to identify foot pain, trauma, calluses or injury to their feet. 13 Wearing ill-fitting shoes, calluses, onychomycosis, and foot infections that are not treated are all causes of foot trauma leading to ulceration. Once ulceration occurs due to trauma, the wound becomes infected. Testing Tuning Fork and Neurothesiometer A study by Kà ¤stenbauer, Sauseng, Brath, Abrahamian, Irsigler 17 investigated the effectiveness of the Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork in helping with the detection of diabetes-related neuropathy and compared its ability with that of the electronic neurothesiometer. In this study a 128-Hz tuning fork and a neurothesiometer were used at the bedside. 17 The results of the study showed that vibration perception threshold (VPT) was normal in 1917 individuals and abnormal in about 105 individuals when the tuning fork was used. 17 The participants who had abnormal results were older and also had elevated A1c results. The researchers used the neurothesiometer and the results showed that VPT was 2.5 times higher among patients who had an abnormal tuning fork test. 17 The researchers concluded that the tuning fork had a higher sensitivity and a better predictive value in diagnosing PNP at the bedside. 17 The tuning fork is a reliable instrument in helping to detect PNP in the outpatient setting. It is an appropriate clinical tool that practitioners can utilize either at the bedside or in primary care. Neurometer A double-blinded study by Nather and et al. 18 showed that there were other testing methods that were superior in comparison to the SWMT in detecting PNP. One useful tool was neurometer testing. The neurometer measures readings from rapid current perception threshold (R-CPT) which is derived from the lowest strength of stimulus that the patient could perceive. 18 Three different rates of current signals at levels measuring between 0 and 10 mA were applied by the neurometer to the big toe and ankle. 18 Neurometer testing was found to be highly sensitive as compared to the SWMT. Sensory neuropathy was detected with better accuracy when using the neurometer testing at the big toe and ankle sites in comparison to the SWMT. 18 Studies show that the neurometer is an effective tool that practitioners can use to detect PNP. Temperature guided avoidance therapy Research shows that the best intervention in the prevention of foot ulcers was foot temperature guided avoidance therapy (TGAT). 19 A study by Lavery et al. 20 sought to evaluate the effectiveness of infrared temperature monitoring among individuals at a high risk for diabetes related ulceration and amputations. Patients were placed in a usual therapy group or an enhanced therapy group. 20 The enhanced therapy group had additional tasks such as such as the use of a handheld infrared skin thermometer to measure the temperatures on the bottom of their feet twice a day. 20Participants contacted a nurse if they noted a difference in temperature >4 °F between the left and right foot. 20 The results of the study showed that the enhanced therapy group had notably fewer diabetes related foot complications. 20 The TGAT is an effective method in the detection of PNP where practitioners can assist patients in identifying sensory loss so that foot ulcers and complications can be prevented. Scales for Neuropathy Symptoms The Diabetes Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) score is a valuable tool that can be used to screen for and identify PNP. 21 The scoring is based upon symptoms such as ataxic walking, neuropathic pain, paraesthesia, and/or numbness. The DNS criteria are scored with 1 point each and there is a total of 4 points that can be given. 21 Presence of PNP is present with a score of 1, or more. 21 Similarly, the Diabetic Neuropathy Examination (DNE) is another valuable scoring system that helps to identify PNP. This scoring system consists of a total of eight items: two of the items describe the person’s muscle strength; one item addresses reflexes of the tendon and the other five items address sensation. 21 There is a total of 16 points that can be scored with this system. Any score above 3 points is considered to be abnormal and is PNP. 21 Treatment Educating patients Educational interventions are an important tool in reducing foot ulcers. A randomized controlled trial by Gershater and et al. 22 was designed to investigate the effectiveness of patients learning in groups versus learning on their own with information that is provided to them. The authors sought to understand what types of learning would decrease the incidence of foot ulcers. The study results showed that about 42% of the patients got foot ulcers. 22 Some of the reasons for ulcer development were: stress- related plantar ulcer and trauma. 22 The study showed that education in group sessions among patients who are at increased risk for foot ulcers did not have an effect on whether they would develop ulcers of the foot. 22 It was concluded that sessions conducted within a group educational method may be suitable for patients who have a low risk of getting foot ulcers. The authors of the study suggests that it is important to educate practitioners involved in the patient’s medic al care and also their caregivers regarding improved foot care such as footwear and signs of foot problems. Implications for Practice The conclusive results show the best methods to identify PNP and to prevent foot ulcers was the TGAT, the neurothesiometer and the tuning fork. The TGAT method shows that patients can complete this task at home and alert their practitioner about the results. The TGAT is valuable in showing the results of further neuropathy or damage if patients have a prior history of insensitivity to the SWMT. The SWMT is valuable for practitioners to use in the office setting as this is an inexpensive test. The SWMT is not valid once neuropathy is diagnosed. The practitioner should consider the use of the TGAT at this point and teach the patient how to use an infrared sensitive skin thermometer. The patient should be advised to keep a log book and if the temperature on the designated site is >4 °F, he or she will need to reduce the number of steps taken in the following days and contact their practitioner. The tuning fork was also validated as being highly sensitive in diagnosing PNP and is a goo d test for practitioners to use at the bedside. Certain clinical information about the patient is valuable in predicting future foot ulcers. These predictors were high A1c levels, poor vision, prior history of foot ulcer and/or amputation, monofilament insensitivity, tinea pedis and onychomycosis. The practitioner needs to be aware of these predictors and educate the patient about foot care. Practitioners need to increase monitoring of the patient’s foot at every office visit when these predictors are identified. Education is an important criterion in managing PNP. Patients need to be educated about PNP, foot ulcers, proper fitting shoes and the signs of foot infections. This review of the evidence- based literature revealed that basic SWMT is useful in predicting neuropathy but is not useful in preventing ulcers once neuropathy is diagnosed. There is a common misconception among practitioners that SWMT can be used even when neuropathy is diagnosed. The re-education of practitioners is important with the introduction of new testing methods such as TGAT once neuropathy is already diagnosed. This best practice will help to prevent ulcers among persons affected by diabetes and therefore improve the quality of their life. References Meaney, B. (2012). Diabetic foot care: Prevention is better than cure. Journal Of Renal Care, 3890-98. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6686.2012.00276.x Eddy, J., Price, T. (2009). Diabetic foot care: Tips and tools to streamline your approach. Journal Of Family Practice, 58(12), 646-653 Dorresteijn, J., Kriegsman, D., Valk, D. (2011). Complex interventions for preventing diabetic foot ulceration. The Cochrane Library. Retrieved from http://www.thecochranelibrary.com Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Diabetes data and trend. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/prev/national/figraceethsex.htm Broersma, A. (2004). Preventing amputations in patients with Diabetes and Chronic kidney disease. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 31(1), 53-64. Mayfield, J. A., Sugarman, J. R. (2000). The use of the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament and other threshold tests for preventing foot ulceration and amputation in persons with diabetes. Journal Of Family Practice, 49(11), S17-S29. American Diabetes Association. (2013). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes care. Retrieved from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/Supplement_1/S11.full Boyko, E.J., Ahroni , J.H., Cohen, V., Nelson, K.M., Heagerty, P.J. (2006). Prediction of diabetic foot ulcer occurrence using commonly available clinical information: The Seattle Diabetic Foot Study. Diabetes Care, 29(6):1202-7. Retrieved from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/6/1202.full.pdf+html Bakker, K., Apelqvist, J., . Schaper, N. C. (2012). Practical guidelines on the management and prevention of the diabetic foot 2011. Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews, 28, 225-231. doi:10.1002/dmrr.2253 Bakker, K., Apelqvist, J., . Schaper, N. C. (2012). Practical guidelines on the management and prevention of the diabetic foot 2011. Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews, 28, 225-231. doi:10.1002/dmrr.2253 Jarrett, L. (2013). Prevention and management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Standard, 28(7), 55-65. Nagoba, B., Gandhi, R., Wadher, B., Rao, A., Hartalkar, A., Selkar, S. (2010). A simple and effective approach for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with different Wagner grades. International Wound Journal, 7(3), 153-158. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742- 481X.2010.00666.x Abad, C., . Safdar, N. (2012). From Ulcer to Infection: An Update on Clinical Practice and Adjunctive Treatments of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Curr Infect Dis Re, 14:540–550. DOI 10.1007/s11908-012-0283-3 Benbow, M. (2012). Diabetic foot ulcers. Journal Of Community Nursing, 26(5), 16 Soyupek, F., Ceceli, E., Suslu, F., Yorgancioglu, R. (2007). Neurologic and radiologic abnormalities of the foot in diabetic patients. Journal Of Back Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 20(2/3), 55-60 Holt, P. (2013). Assessment and management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Standard, 27(27), 49-55 Kà ¤stenbauer, T., Sauseng, S., Brath, H., Abrahamian, H., Irsigler, K. (2004). The value of the Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork as a predictor of diabetic polyneuropathy compared with a neurothesiometer. Diabetic Medicine, 21(6), 563-567. Nather, A., Keng, W., Aziz, Z., Ong, C., McFeng, B., Lin. C. (2011). Assessment of sensory neuropathy in patients with diabetic foot problems. Diabetic Foot Ankle.2(10). Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22396819 19. Arad, Y., Fonseca, V., Peters, A., Vinik, A.( 2011). Beyond the monofilament for the insensate diabetic foot: a systematic review of randomized trials to prevent the occurrence of plantar foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 34(4):1041-6. doi: 10.2337/dc10-1666. Lavery, L., Higgins, K., Lanctot, D., Constantinides, G., Zamorano, R., Armstrong, D., Kyriacos, A., Agrawal, M. (2004). Home Monitoring of Foot Skin Temperatures to Prevent Ulceration. Diabetes Care, 27 (11):2642-2647. Meijer, J.W., Bosma, E., Lefrandt, J., Links, T., Smit, A., Stewart, R., Van Der Hoeven, J. (2003). Clinical Diagnosis of Diabetic Polyneuropathy With the Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination Scores Diabetes Care, 26(3), 697-701. Retrieved from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/ Gershater, M., Pilhammar, E., Apelqvist, J., Alm-Roijer, C,. (2011). Patient education for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. European Diabetes Nursing, 8(3), 102-107b. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/edn.189

Root Surface Caries Essay -- essays research papers

Root Surface Caries Caries can affect any surface of the teeth. The most commonly seen caries are found on the crown of a tooth, above the cemento-enamel junction, it is also possible for caries to form on the root surface, below the cemento-enamel junction. Dental root caries has received a great deal of attention in the past few decades. A variety of different patients are at risk for root surface caries. Dentists use several methods of treatment. Root surface caries are also called cemental caries, cervical caries, or radicular caries. (Wilkins) Root surface caries only involves the roots of teeth. The cementum and dentin located just below the crown of the tooth is involved. No involvement of enamel is seen with root surface caries. Bone loss and corresponding gingival recession are the first symptoms to be seen in the caries process. These result in exposed root surfaces, which are more prone to forming caries because caries does not form in the root surface while periodontal fibers are still attached. Clinically, the lesion starts on the root surface. It has been found that root caries spreads in a lateral or circumferential manner, and over time can extend completely around the tooth, undermining the enamel. (Wilkins) In general, root caries have the same etiology as coronal cavities. S. mutans, Lactobacilli, and sometimes, Actinomyces are involved and are found in high numbers in root caries, but there are two main differences between enamel and root surface caries. (Flaitz) These differences cause the lesion on a root surface to be more destructive than that in enamel. First, because the pH at which demineralization will occur is higher for root cementum (approx. pH 6.0) than for enamel (approx. pH 5.0).(Wilkins) Therefore, root cementum has potential for demineralization at an earlier point in time than enamel does. Secondly, once the cementum is demineralized, the dentin contains dentinal tubules which, if present, are potential methods of entry for the pathogenic microbes as mentioned previously, such as S. mutans, Lactobacilli, and sometimes Actinomyces; whereas, enamel consists of tightly-arranged crystal prisms, which have a much lower chance for bacterial entry. The process of caries form ation begins with colonization by acid-producing bacteria plaque. In the next step, Gram-positive bacteria invade the dentinal tubules, which leads to the ... ...at more tentatively, with fluoride gels and varnishes or a chlorhexidine varnish. Some dentists may restore root caries with amalgam restorations. Another treatment option used by some dentists to restore root caries is Glass Ionomer Cements. Glass ionomer cements were first introduced in the early 1970s. They have good adherence to mineralized tooth tissue, which keeps the removal of tooth structure to a minimum. Glass ionomer cements also have the ability to leak and absorb fluoride into the tooth, which decreases the rate of secondary caries. These factors have increased the potential for glass ionomer cements to replace amalgam as a restorative material. (Hammel) Although the most common caries seen are coronal, root surface caries present just as much of a problem. Once root caries are detected, the bacteria have already begun to demineralize the cementum or dentin and create a great deal of damage. There are several different ways that root caries may appear clinically. A variety of different patients are at risk for root surface caries. Different measures can be taken to prevent root surface caries. Methods of treatment differ among dentists, but there are several choices.

The Hidden Relationship Between Government and Media :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Hidden Relationship Between Government and Media Rather than being a neutral conduit for the communication of information, the U.S. media plays an intricate role in shaping and controlling political opinions. Media is extremely powerful in the sense that without an adequate functioning media, it is virtually impossible for a sophisticated social structure like the U.S. Government to exist. Henceforth, all known sophisticated social structure, have always dependent upon the media’s ability to socialize. The U.S. government generally will exploit the media, often times manipulating the enormous power of the printed word. Ultimately empowering the U.S. government, strengthening it with the ability to determine and control the popular perception of reality. One way in which government achieves this objective, is by its ability to misuse the media’s ability to set the agenda. Contrary to popular belief, media is in fact an enormous hegemony. In fact, separate independent news organizations relatively do not exist. Rather than creating an independent structured agenda of there own, generally lesser smaller news organizations adapt to a prepared agenda, previously constructed by a higher medium. Based upon this information alone, it is quite apparent that media functions in adherence to the characteristics of a hierarchy. This simply means that media is structured in a way that it operates functioning from top to bottom. This is also identical to the hierarchical nature of the human body, in that from the commands of the brain transferred through the central nervous system, the body responds accordingly. In order for the U.S. government to control and determine the public’s popular perception of reality, the government must shape and oversee the information that the media reports to the existing populous. This particular process of democracy is known and referred to by political scientists as cognitive socialization. However, many of us, who do not adhere to the cushioning of political correctn ess, refer to it as the propaganda machine. Numerous political scientists consider cognitive socialization to be the most effective form of political socialization. According to theory, cognitive socialization is doctored up information, which is strategically fragmented in such a manipulative manner, that the probability of its rationalization is highly predictable. The manipulative properties of cognitive socialization are so diabolical and Machiavellian in nature, that I consider it to be the ultimate perversion of the democratic process. In all seriousness, numerous intellectuals, and gentleman held in good stature agree, that cognitive socialization is the product of an evil genius.

Implications of the Internet – moral, social and commercial disadvantages of the Internet

Pornography – although pornography itself dates back hundreds of decades, the mass media availability of pornography is rather modern; however, Internet pornography evokes various problems. Online pornography is so popular partly due to the level of anonymity it offers as certain individuals can use this privacy to hide their dubious activities. For example: * A married man could be unsatisfied with his sex life, however rather than tell his wife, he can anonymously achieve sexual gratification without his wife discovering his dissatisfaction through pornography via the Internet. * Alternatively, online pornography can be a teaching tool to the likes of teenagers who do not have the confidence to ask others about sex – nonetheless as the vast majority of pornography is edited in ridiculous ways, e.g. making certain assets bigger, this can be more hindering than helpful * However, the biggest problem with anonymity is PAEDOPHILES! Disgusting individuals can use technology and the Internet to conceal their illegal activities and therefore massive child pornography rings exist – nevertheless it is incredibly hard to prevent such actions as no one really owns the Internet, as it is an international free network, so centralised control cannot be implemented to censor such filth The Internet also offers an astonishing amount of various explicit materials for very cheap costs and psychologists believe that the concept of ‘too much of a good thing' leads to a serious addiction to online pornography. Potentially, this addiction can cause problems in other aspects of life e.g. careers, family relations, friendships and issues with ones self-esteem. Read also Twitter Case Study Of course, when morally speaking there are the typical issues concerning pornography that it is exploitative in nature. Many argue that pornography teaches people to view others as objects of lust rather than someone with feelings and unique personality traits. Consequently the threat of harming the way in which we view others increases as the Internet has made pornography much easier to consume in large quantities. Alternatively, many view the claim that pornography makes people view others as ‘sex objects' slander, saying that very few are actually affected in this way and in fact most consumers are well-adjusted individuals. For example, they assert that an increase in high levels of online pornography has not increased any country's rape or domestic violence levels. Another issue to discuss is that thousands of people below the legal age are able to access pornography on the Internet. Contrast to stores where you can prove your age, online you simple ‘agree' you are above the legal (18 in most countries) and so many youngsters are viewing explicit material illegally, which in some ways, if rather graphic and serious alter ones outlook. [1] Chat rooms – it is indisputable that chat rooms have revolutionized social communication way before social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. People across the globe can escape the burdening aspects of life's reality to hang out online typing away to online friends, participating in random theme-based discussions. However, the widespread use of the chat rooms has brought a certain level of threats and dangers to users. Read also Recording General Fund Operating Budget and Operating Transactions * Online Threats / Illegal Activities – Cyber criminals, drug dealers and other unsocial individuals lurk in chat rooms to lure in unsuspecting victims, as well as the willing, to participate in various illegal activities. Once done so, participants are left vulnerable to police enquires and could even be arrested for their crimes. * Example: An advance-fee fraud such as the Nigerian Letter, also known as 419 fraud, is a type of scam where victims are convinced that someone is stranded in a country – Nigeria – and that they cannot get their passport back until certain bills are paid. Therefore, vulnerable people are targeted, in some cases through chat rooms, and are then contacted via email to ask for help. A 2006 BBC article stated that at the time this â€Å"style of incidents alone cost the UK economy à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½150m a year – with the average victim losing à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½31,000†. * Paedophile Predators – The greatest threat of chat rooms in my opinion is the presence of paedophiles, online stalkers and other repulsive predators constantly looking for ways to exploit the vulnerabilities of pre-teens and young teens. * Example: Recently in Australia, (June 2011) an alleged US predator Stephen Vosilla was arrested for â€Å"going into video chat rooms and talking to minors and convincing them to take their clothes off or do sexual acts and he was recording and taking screen captures of what they were doing.† (As said by Morristown Detective Michael O'Keefe) * Harmful Addiction – Addiction to chat rooms can cause users to spend hours on different forum at the cost of other life activities. Human behavioural scientists and clinical psychologists have even considered chat room addiction to be almost as damaging as alcohol or drug addiction on the human psyche and health. * Hacking Threats – Too much time spent on chat rooms can also lead to the possibility of your computer being hacked by the universal threats of semi-automatic spyware, adware and various human-related viruses, or even receiving spam emails via your chat room accounts * Social Disengagement – Spending hours online in chat rooms can ruin your interaction with people in the real world. Becoming too familiar with online-only friends can leave you detached from outside relationships and make you incredibly social awkward. Therefore, not only personal hindering your life, but this can make getting and holding down a job very difficult. Social Dominance of the English Language Some argue that the exponential growth of the Internet has caused considerable damage to language: * Firstly, language usage and written proficiency is gradually deteriorating with online ‘slang' ruining the need for correct spelling and good grammar. * Secondly, the Internet threatens national borders through the apparent foreign influence and hegemony. * Thirdly, the Internet threatens to oppress the language of linguistic minorities and the linguistic identity of minor communities and nations. Although across the globe there are more native speakers of Chinese, Spanish or Hindi, it is English that they use to communicate across cultures, and it is English they teach their children to help them become citizens of an increasingly intertwined world. Ultimately, it could be argued that English is the ‘lingua franca' on the Internet (and in the world). Although one widely quoted figure stated that 80% of online content is in English, other sources argue showing figures 5 to 15% lower. However, it is evident that well over 50% of the Internet's information is in the English Language; hence overall English does dominate the Internets data. Historically the English dominance on the Internet is understandable as the Internet was basically developed in America, therefore naturally the Internet predominantly spread in the other English-speaking countries of the world. Nevertheless, many have bitter views of the Internet due to the English language: * The director of a Russia Internet service provider has at one point referred to the Internet as â€Å"the ultimate act of intellectual colonialism.† * Former French President Jacques Chirac was far more apocalyptic stating that the prevalence of English on the Internet is a â€Å"major risk for humanity,† which threatens to impose linguistic and cultural uniformity on the world – and as a result the French government inflicted a mandate that all Web sites in France must provide their content in French. Alternatively, there are some positive aspects of the Internet when concerning language. People in foreign countries can now access online versions of nearly any resource, so if French speakers in non-Francophone regions wish to read the French newspaper they can do so thanks to the Internet. People unable to speak English are provided with search engines in their own language, in 2008 Google owned around 800 domains, here's just a few: * www.google.com (USA) * www.google.co.uk (UK) * www.google.com.af/ (Afghanistan) * www.google.cn/ (China) * http://www.google.com.ng/ (Nigeria) Whatever country you are in Google will provide the best results in your spoken language; therefore even if you cannot speak English, you can still search the Internet. More importantly, online users can now get remote access to government information, educational materials, scientific journals, and, ultimately, the digitized collections of the major national libraries in an array of languages, enhancing learning capabilities. Of course the Internet cannot prevent the global dominance of the English language but it does provide the opportunities to communicate with other members of geographically dispersed communities. Today more than 100 different languages are used in discussion groups, including not just the major national languages but Catalan, Gaelic, Navaho and Welsh, among so many others. People now have the opportunity to speak in their native tongue with others all other the world who before could only talk in Welsh or Yiddish with older relatives. Therefore, despite the indisputable dominance of the English language the Internet provides so many opportunities for other language speakers. Web Addiction Due to the constant use of the Internet in today's society, such as using emails relentless at work or video conferencing with business partners or teenagers spending ridiculous amounts of time online for social networking, the possibility of becoming an addict is highly likely. There have been several cases of people being addicted to the Internet features such as chat rooms, or to certain websites, such as eBay. Like any addiction, Internet addiction must be taken very seriously as resulting financial and social problems can sincerely destroy people. Case Study: China In China Internet addiction is treated as a mental illness and sufferers are sent to military-style training camps where severe discipline ensues in order to rehabilitate. It was been estimated that up to 10% of China's millions of web users could actually be addicts and as a result the Chinese government shut down almost 2,000 Internet cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s in 2001 because of the concerns over the influence of the countries teenagers. As of yet there is no proven way to treat the addiction, however in July 2009 China's Ministry of Health formally banned the use of electroshock therapy. An incident concerning one of the Internet addiction training camps happened in august 2009 at Qihang Salvation in China. A 15-year-old boy called Deng Senshan was sent by his father to receive ‘treatment', nonetheless, within less than 24 hours of being their Deng was out in solitary confinement and horrendously beaten. Deng was later found vomiting and was then taken to a clinic however, having received such brutal injuries (marks were found on his body), Deng unfortunately died. Of course this is an extreme case, but the fact that China has taken such extreme measures emphasises how serious the increase of Internet addiction is becoming. Society will not be able to function properly if our people are addicted to the web and therefore, this serious problem of a need to be online must be stopped before other countries start following China's inhumane methods. Commercial – The concerns with e-Commerce The past decade has shown a revolutionary increase in business transactions online, however despite e-commerce modernizing the world of business, the developments have also brought along an array of problems. * Privacy and Security issues: Privacy of personal information is a highly significant issue for consumers. Each legal jurisdiction has varying laws when concerning consumer privacy, and as a result there are different levels of enforcement. The vast majority of consumers wish to avoid spam and telemarketing that comes with supplying contact information to an online merchant and therefore many merchants promise to not share consumer details for these purposes, or they provide options to ‘pot-out' of such contacts. Many websites, like Amazon.com, track consumer purchases in order to suggest other items or websites for the customers to view. Although this can be a useful service, however, if this was done across companies this could be viewed as an infringement of privacy. The biggest security risk with shopping online is someone obtaining your credit / debit card details and then running up huge bills, spending your money. Although today secure payment methods are many and varied, there are still risks of hackers and malicious software's obtaining such information. Online merchants need to have high security as hackers many try to illegal breach the software to obtain all the personal details of consumers to not only use their credit cards but also open up new accounts in their names. The old clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½: ‘If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is' becomes highly relevant with credit card fraud. Ridiculous bargains and suspicious looking sites should be treated with vast caution, as these could be a front for stealing credit card details. * Products: Misinterpretation and misunderstanding of items bought online is a common problem nowadays, hence a problem with online shopping is that you are unable to physically see and touch the item before purchase: for instance, Items can be of poor quality or items may differ significantly from the description given or clothes cannot be tried on or tested. * Delivery and Returns: Waiting for you items to arrive can be in some cases frustrating. Once your order has been placed, you have to wait for ‘processing' and finally when it is ‘dispatched' you have to wait for the courier or postman to delivery it. By the time you actually received your item the ‘thrill' of shopping is practically gone. Furthermore, there are risks of the item never arriving as it can get lost or stolen, or the couriers could damage your package. Both resulting in a series of extensive phone calls to resolve the problems. Moreover, although some sites may offer free shipping, many only offer free delivery if your spent over a certain amount, meaning buying ‘cheap' items is pointless as you end up paying more. Buying items that you need immediately is a problem, unless you pay extra costs for ‘next day delivery', which can be substantially high. Additionally, if you decide to return your item, this requires even more phone calls or emailing and you could als o be charged for the shipping back costs. Diminishing physical stores – better deals online Another significant problem when concerning commerce is the Internet has diminished the value of certain ‘brick and mortar' stores, and combined with the current economic climate, has resulted in numerous chain stores having to shut down, such as Woolworths, Jane Norman and TJ Hughes. In October 2010, over 89% of people had reported that they shopped online and Verdict Research experts estimate that by 2014 online shopping spending will grow by à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½14 billion (61%) – in 2008 people already spent à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½14.7bn online. [18] The increase use of online stores like Amazon, which allows individuals to find goods at the lowest price, means people are benefiting from the so-called â€Å"flight to value†. In todays economic climate average people can no longer afford to go out on a massive shopping spree and instead stay at home surfing online for a bargain. However, another factor of the Internet that diminished the value of stores like HMV is the ability to illegal download music, movies and TV shows. People can no longer afford to buy their favourite songs or films and therefore resort to illegal download them from various websites via the likes of torrents. Hence, HMV is now going through tough times, being very close to closure, if it weren't for a Russian investor.

Issues of Same-Sex Marriage

6, November 2009 Issue of Same-sex Marriage As the world rapidly transitions into the twenty-first century, a new set of problems arise and the people of the world are faced with challenges that they have never encountered. The majority of world cultures are based around religion and religion comes with many stipulations that are not agreed upon by everyone. In Christian culture, the issue of homosexuality is a conflict that is currently being debated. The direct issue is whether or not people of homosexual tendencies have the right to share a union that is comparable to that of heterosexual couples.Marriage has been described as a legally binding contract, a moral commitment, a change of familial ties, and in some cases, a religious rite. That religious rite is what is being debated. Why shouldn’t two homosexuals be joined by the same kind of relationship that is accepted by everyone? These unique individuals share the same human characteristics as their heterosexual counterp arts, and they hold the same civic responsibilities. Many argue that a same-sex relationship ruins the sanctity of marriage or is morally irreprehensible, but the issue of divorce does the same exact thing.Not to mention, the main argument against homosexual relations is people believe the church has the last word on all moral issues, but after thousands of years, they hold almost no relevance in today’s issues. Pondering the idea of same-sex dealings, people need to take into consideration the fact that unions between two people does not effect outside parties personally; so it should mean next to nothing to them to see two men or two women be bonded by more than plutonic love. The Catholic Church has been active for many centuries. In the early years, the church was the ruling party of the lands in ancient Europe.However, as time progresses, the church slowly lost its power and it was merely there as a support system for its believers. Church theories are known around the w orld, but as time moves ahead, they continue to loose their value. I believe the churches messages are mere suggestions. Due to the fact that the modern countries have spent an enormous amount of time and money shaping their nations into what they think it should stand for apart from church’s principles. The church and its ideals are not nearly as valuable to the modern world.But when dealing with the issue of same sex unions, it is exactly the opposite, people go by what the church says as if the church is the actual government. It is puzzling to hear people speak of their respective churches and what it stands for, as if that church is the last word on all things of moral impact. Perhaps I am a modernist, but I believe that the government can be the only one to issue judgments upon relationships. The institution of a federal government can actually preside over different aspects of relationships, including marriage.The government has recorded over thousands of different way s married couples are given special status under federal law. It is not fair to limit same-sex couples a variety of benefits just because they are gay. Because the issue of same-sex marriage has become a prominent discussion topic, the Catholic Church decided to publish their opinion on the matter. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith states, â€Å"all Catholics are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of homosexual unions† (Griffiths, 10).The church so blatantly stating all Catholics should be opposed to homosexual unions is absurd. It offers no real reason, other than its contradiction to the bible. The bible is a book written thousands of years ago, and some might argue that it holds no real evidence of its events being true. In addition, the bible itself contains homosexual activity; in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, homosexual pursuits are very evident. One could go as far as to say that the Catholic Church is boarding hypocritical.Joseph Cardinal Ratzinge r states in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God (CDF 18). It is unimaginable how the Catholic Church can come to a conclusion such as this, because they know nothing about homosexuality. All the church sees is the general idea of being gay , and therefore misinterprets the entire culture. With a world as diverse as this one, no one can assume they know everything about a topic that they haven’t experienced for themselves.To generalize that someone is unable to be happy is utterly bizarre because they have no real way of knowing what that person is going through. Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormick explain it best in their pursuit for homosexuals’ needs to be incorporated into a wider community, for physic-security and well being just as the rest of the people in society (Curran, McCormich, 345). Homosexualsâ⠂¬â„¢ needs to be accepted into society is parallel with everyone else’s, because it gives people security and the feeling of acceptance.Most people are able to achieve acceptance through their community, but when homosexuals strive for acceptance within their community, they are shut down for their orientation. It is not right to exclude homosexuals from normal society just because they are different. Sexuality is a defining characteristic of ones life; it carves the path on how one will live the rest of their life. Because sexuality holds such an important place in people’s lives, it should not be able to hold them back in anything they want to do.Of course homosexuality is very different from what was considered the norm hundreds of years ago and therefore still somewhat a taboo topic, but homosexuality is not a bad thing. People who oppose same-sex relations are not willing to take the chance and introduce something different into their lives, and more often than n ot, it is just an uncomfortable situation that they are unwilling to face. For same-sex couples to be accepted, we, as a society, must put our judgments aside and experience a world where gay people are able to participate in daily life without being oppressed.I suspect that people would not notice a change from how life is today; the idea of same-sex relationships only affect the people who actually take part in such behavior. I honestly believe that homosexuality would not be nearly as big as a problem as it is today, without the influence of the Catholic Church. The church spews out their opinions on all issues, and provide no alternative; it is either their way or not at all. Same-sex relations should be positively acknowledged with the rights of every other couple in the world, and not ignored.Work Cited Curran, Charles E. , and Richard A. McCormick, S. J, eds. Readings in Moral Theology. 8th ed. New York: Paulist Press. 330-46. Print. Griffiths, Paul J. â€Å"Legalize Same-Se x Marraige. † Commonweal (2003): 10-14. Print. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, â€Å"Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons† (October 1, 1986), http://www. vatican. va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en. html, 18.

Fenix Del Sur Case Analysis Essay

I. Problem Definition: Should Fe’nix accept the contract to broaden its position and potentially add $4million in additional sales, given the constraints of dedicating a large percent of their business to replicas – which may have an effect on their relationship with current dealers? II. Industry Analysis: According to the product-market matrix above, and after reading about the industry, it is apparent that Fe’nix del Sur competes in selling authentic artifacts to collectors. After some of their clients insisted on an expanded product line, Fe’nix del Sur started producing replicas of their authentic artifacts. The replicas, in return, have broadened the company’s market to include gift buyers and individuals looking for decorative items. III. Organizational Analysis: Fe’nix del Sur is a reputable importer of authentic Southwestern jewelry and pottery for collectors. They originally sourced Hopi and Navajo artifacts, but in recent years have expanded their product line to include pre-Columbian artifacts from Peru and Venezuela, along with tribal and burial artifacts from Africa. If Fe’nix del Sur accepts the contract, their business definition would change. Since the company’s main focus in currently on dealing authentic artifacts to collectors (exclusively through specialty dealers, firm-sponsored showings and a few exclusive department stores), the loyal collectors who continually purchase their products may start to look elsewhere if the company fully expands their product line to include many replicas. The company would no longer be in just the authentic jewelry and pottery business, but rather also in the â€Å"replica† business. Therefore, their new business definition would be altered to include being a producer of replicas for gift buyers. Through careful verification, Fe’nix del Sur is able to successfully determine the authenticity of South American and African artifacts. This skill has enabled Fe’nix del Sur to develop a national reputation as one of the most respected sources of these types of artifacts. Fe’nix del Sur’s distinctive competency, which sets them apart from department stores that sell only replicas, allows them to sell through suppliers with highly limited distribution. The company had originally established a solid relationship with the retailers that sold their products, often being the sole supplier to its clients. However, in more recent years, due to the increase in competition, Fe’nix Del Sur’s products are not the only products being sold at some of these retailers. In fact, some of the retailers are now sending out their own buyers to deal directly with some of the Hopi, Navajo and African sources – completely stepping past Fe’nix. Therefore, the company’s relationship with those retailers is not as strong due to an increase in consumer demand for both authentic artifacts and replicas. By accepting the contract, I feel that the relationship between Fe’nix del Sur and the retailers they currently deal with would change. Most of the larger specialty and exclusive department stores are now dealing directly themselves or with other suppliers. Forming this new relationship with the mass merchandiser chain, allowing them to buy at 10% below the company’s existing prices, would spell disaster for Fe’nix’s current business relationships. Once the other businesses that Fe’nix currently deals with find out about this 10% price cut, they will either find another importer of authentic artifacts and jewelry or they will demand the 10% price cut as well. If all businesses that they currently deal with demanded a 10% price cut, Fe’nix del Sur’s income statement would drastically change – probably not for the better. IV. Alternatives A. Accept Contract a. Advantages i. Fe’nix Del Sur can broaden their position in the replica segment ii. They can potentially add $4million in additional sales over and above their annual growth. iii. Fe’nix could become a competitor in the â€Å"replica† business b. Disadvantages iv. Fe’nix could lose their current clientele – such as the collectors they currently target v. Accepting the contract may affect their relationship with their current dealers by causing them to seek other importers that sell only â€Å"authentic† pieces vi. Being acquainted with a mass merchandiser could ruin the company’s image so loyal customers who frequently purchase Fe’nix’s items may start searching for artifacts that are imported through dealers that only sell â€Å"authentic† pieces vii. The 10% price cut for the mass merchandiser could hurt their reputation with all of their current suppliers. Cutting the price 10% for one type of retail outlet will cause all other stores to want the same treatment. This would be a disruptive change to Fe’nix’s business and their overall profit. viii. Fe’nix would have to increase their replica production almost three times B. Reject Contract c. Advantages ix. The company will maintain their current relationship with dealers and customers. x. Their current sales growth per year would more than likely remain constant. xi. They would not have to worry about a price cut for any retail outlet since they already have a solid clientele of suppliers who are buying their artifacts regularly. xii. Their production could remain constant – with no increase in the amount of replicas being produced. d. Disadvantages xiii. Fe’nix could lose the large increase in additional sales revenue that the mass merchandiser chain could help them achieve. xiv. The company could lose potential sales due to competition in the â€Å"replica† business if they don’t accept the contract. xv. They would not be able to capture a broader target market. V. Recommendation: After careful analysis and consideration of Fe’nix del Sur’s business foundations, I feel that it would be best to reject the contract at this point in time. Reviewing the advantages and disadvantages above, along with assessing Fe’nix’s current business definition led me to this conclusion. The company’s current sales revenue is about $25million, and has had steady sales growth for the past ten years with an annual increase of 20%. This large annual increase in sales can be greatly attributed to their core competency of being able to accurately verify the authenticity of South American and African artifacts. Over time, Fe’nix del Sur has established a national reputation as one of the most respected sources of these types of artifacts. Aside from their solid sales growth, Fe’nix has established great relationships with the specialty dealers and exclusive department stores that sell their products. Building solid relationships with clients is a process that takes a lot of time and attention. Without these relationships, Fe’nix’s sales would drastically decrease, possibly causing them to go out of business. Because the company has been selling to selective types of retail outlets, the end consumers (collectors) are very loyal to continually purchasing Fe’nix’s products. If Fe’nix del Sur accepted the contract, they would have to completely reposition their brand and business definition to include both replicas and authentic items. Because they are not in any danger of losing sales at this point in time, it would be wise for the company to continue business as they normally do. Just because an external opportunity exists does not mean that Fe’nix should take advantage of it. It seems as though the sales manager is very focused on the potential to add $4million in additional sales revenue. Although this may sound good at first thought, it is always wise to consider where the business stands at the present. Overall, the contract is too demanding on Fe’nix. The company’s prices seem to already be accepted by the specialty dealers and exclusive department stores; therefore, cutting their prices by 10% for one retail outlet will lead to relationship issues down the line. These long-term relationships that have taken years to nurture could be gone in a matter of months. Also, because Fe’nix is known for authentic artifacts, increasing their production of replicas three times would create a disruption in their normal way of doing business. Again, this would force Fe’nix del Sur to reposition its brand – possibly losing a lot of clientele in the process.

The Rival as an Anti Sentimental Comedy

the rivals †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ as an anti-sentimental comedy Undoubtedly Sheridan’s purpose in writing â€Å"The Rivals† was to entertain the audience by making them laugh and not by making them shed tears. â€Å"The Rivals† was written as a comedy pure and simple. Though there are certainly a few sentimental scenes in this play yet they are regarded as a parody of sentimentality. The scenes between Faulkland and Julia are satire on the sentimental comedy which was in fashion in those days and against which Sheridan revolted.A brief examination of these sentimental scenes would clearly reveal that Sheridan’s intention was to poke fun at the sentimental comedy of the time. We find both Faulkland and Julia absurd. The true character of Faulkland is indicated to us by Absolute’s description of him as the â€Å"most teasing, captious, incorrigible lover†. Faulkland’s own description of his state of mind about his beloved Julia also makes him ap pear absurd. He says that every hour is an occasion for him to feel alarmed on Julia’s account.If it rains, he feels afraid lest some shower should have chilled her. If the wind is sharp, he feels afraid lest a rude blast should adversely affect her health. The heat of the noon and the dews of the evening may endanger her health. All this is funny and certainly no to be taken seriously. Sheridan is here ridiculing the excessive solicitude and concern which an over-sentimental lover like Faulkland experiences when separated from his beloved. Sheridan seems to be pleading for mental equilibrium even in the case of an ardent lover.Sheridan continues to portray Faulkland in the same satirical manner. When Acres appears and is questioned by Absolute regarding Julia’s activities in the countryside, Acres replied that Julia has been enjoying herself thoroughly and been having a gay time. Now, a normal lover would feel extremely happy to learn this. We expect the same reaction from Faulkland because he had assured Absolute that he would feel happy â€Å"beyond measure† if he were certain that Julia was hale and hearty. But his actual reaction is quite different and greatly amuses us by its absurdity.In both his interviews with Julia, Faulkland betrays the same absurdity. In the first interview, he complains to her of the mirth and gaiety that she as been enjoying during his absence. He wants to be loved for his own sake and for no particular reason and he also expects her love to be â€Å"fixed and ardent†. In short, his whole manner of talking to her and his soliloquy at the end of this scene reveals him in a still more comic light. The second interview again shows him a ridiculous light. He subjects Julia to a test in order to convince himself of the sincerity of her love.The author’s intention is to show the absurd length to which an over-sentimental lover can go, and the author expects us to laugh at this kind of lover. Even Juli a suffers from an excessive sentimentality and she too is made to appear absurd and ridiculous for that reason. The manner in which she describes her lover to Lydia shows the kind of mentality that she has. In the two interviews with Faulkland, Julia is again over-flowing with emotion. We smile at the way she behaves; we are amused by her excess of emotion; we mock at the abject surrender to her lover and her repeated attempts to make up with him.Lydia too is an over-sentimental girl though in a different way; and she too becomes the subject of ridicule in the play. Her romantic ideas and her romantic planning appear absurd to us. She wants not the usual routine marriage but a runaway marriage. Now all this makes us laugh at her superficiality and silliness. These absurd notions have been derived by her from the sentimental and romantic stories to which she is addicted. The collapse of her romantic hopes disappoints her greatly but amuses us a good deal.The manner in which the other characters have been portrayed is also evidence of the anti-sentimental character of the play. Captain Absolute is a practical man and though he assumes the name and status of Ensign Beverley, he would not like to forfeit the rich dowry which Lydia will bring him. Mrs. Malaprop is a conventional, practical woman whose attitude to marriage is business-like. Sir Anthony to is a practical, worldly man. Bob Acres is a country boor with no romantic or sentimental pretensions but towards the end of the play he shows that he is more practical than anybody else by saying: If I can't get a wife without fighting for her, by any valour, I’ll live a bachelor. † Then there is Sir Lucius who is absurd but not because of nay sentimentality. One reason why he is absurd is because of his insistence on fighting duels. But he does not want to fight duels for the sake f any sentiment. When Sheridan himself fought a couple of duels for the sake of Miss Elizabeth Linley, there was a strong emotion behind them, but here we have a mockery of dueling and we are made to laugh at the manner in which these duels are arranged. pride and prejudice:ironyIrony is the very soul of Jane Austen’s novels and â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is steeped in irony of theme, situation, character and narration. Irony is the contrast between appearance and reality. As one examines â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, one is struck with the fact of the ironic significance that pride leads to prejudice and prejudice invites pride and both have their corresponding virtues bound up within them. Each has its virtues and each has its defects. They are contradictory and the supreme irony is that intricacy, which is much deeper, carries with it grave dangers unknown to simplicity.This type of thematic irony runs through all of Jane Austen’s novel. In â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† there is much irony of situation too, which provides a twist to the story. Mr. Darcy remarks about El izabeth that: â€Å"tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  We relish the ironical flavour of this statement much later when we reflect that the woman who was not handsome enough to dance with was really good enough to marry. He removes Bingley from Netherfield because he considers it imprudent to forge a marriage alliance with the Bennet Family, but himself ends up marrying the second Bennet sister.Collins proposes to Elizabeth when her heart is full of Wickham and Darcy proposes to her exactly at the moment when she hates him most. Elizabeth tells Mr. Collins that she is not the type to reject the first proposal and accept the second but does exactly this when Darcy proposes a second time. The departure of the militia from Meryton was expected to put an end to Lydia's flirtations, it brings about her elopement. The Lydia-Wickham episode may seem like an insurmountable barrier between Elizabeth and Darcy, but is actually instrumental in bringing them together.L ady Catherine, attempting to prevent their marriage only succeeds in hastening it. Irony in character is even more prominent than irony of situation. It is ironical that Elizabeth who prides herself on her perception is quite blinded by her own prejudices and errs badly in judging intricate characters. Wickham appears suave and charming but is ironically unprincipled rouge. Darcy appears proud and haughty but ironically proves to be a true gentleman when he gets Wickham to marry Lydia by paying him. The Bingley Sisters hate the Bennets for their vulgarity but are themselves vulgar in their behaviour.Darcy is also critical of the ill-bred Bennet Family but ironically his Aunt Catherine is equally vulgar and ill-bed. Thus, the novel abounds in irony of characters. The narrative of â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† too has an ironic tone which contributes much verbal irony. Jane Austen’s ironic tone is established in the very first sentence of the novel. â€Å"It is a truth uni versally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. † As Dorothy Van Ghent remark, what we read in it is opposite – a single woman must be in want – of a man with a good fortune.There is much verbal irony in the witty utterances of Mrs. Bennet. He tells Elizabeth: â€Å"Let Wickham be your man. He is pleasant fellow and would jilt you creditable †¦Ã¢â‚¬  In the words ‘pleasant fellow’ is hidden a dramatic irony at the expense of Mr. Bennet, for Wickham is destined to make a considerable dent in Mr. Bennet's complacency. Jane Austen did not show any cynicism or bitterness in using her irony to draw satirical portraits of whims and follies. Rather her irony can be termed comic. It implies on her side an acknowledgement of what is wrong with people and society.It is interesting to note that ironically, in â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, it is the villainous character Wickham and lady Catherine â⠂¬â€œ who are responsible for uniting Elizabeth and Darcy. She uses irony to shake her major figures of their self-deception and to expose the hypocrisy and pretentiousness, absurdity and insanity of some of her minor figures. It is definitely possible to deduce from her works a scheme of moral values. Andrew II Wright rightly points out that irony in her hands is ‘the instrument of a moral vision’. the rivals:comedy of manners Like typical comedy of manners, â€Å"The Rivals† has a complicated plot.There are three love-affairs in it – the Absolute-Lydia love-affair, the Faulkland-Julia love-affair, and the Mrs. Malaprop-Sir Lucius love-affair. All these love-affairs have a parallel development, so that the interest keeps shifting from one love-affair to the other quite rapidly. Again, like a typical comedy of manner, â€Å"The Rivals† abounds in wit. We have the wit of Captain Absolute, the wit of Sir Anthony, the wit of even Sir Lucius and Acres w ho are otherwise the targets of the play’s satire. â€Å"The Rivals† is an amusing satire on the fashionable upper-class of Sheridan's time. The scene of this play is set in Bath.In the second half of the eighteenth century, Bath was a famous centre of fashionable life. The manner in which Fag dwells upon this life is quite amusing. The Faulkland-Julia love-affair is undoubtedly a parody of the sentimental comedy of the eighteenth century. Julia is portrayed as an excessively sentimental girl, while Faulkland is portrayed as the most whimsical and eccentric lover. Faulkland greatly amuses us by his account of the anxieties that fill his mind regarding Julia. Every hour he is alarmed on Julia’s account. If it rains, if the wind is sharp, he feels afraid. All this is very funny.Similarly, Faulkland’s feeling upset on hearing about the gay life that Julia has been leading also amuses us. Julia’s over-sentimentality in idealizing her lover and repeated ly forgiving his faults and silly suspicions is also funny. The portrayal of Lydia is a satire on the romantic notions which young, fashionable girls of upper-class families of the time entertained. She is fond of reading romantic novels and stories. Fed on such stories, she does not want a conventional and routine kind of wedding. When Captain Absolute’s real identity is revealed to Lydia, she feels terribly disappointed at the collapse of her romantic dreams and hopes.The manner in which she recalls her secret meetings with her lover during the cold nights of January is very amusing to us. The most amusing scenes in the play are those in which Captain Absolute comes face to face with his father, Sir Anthony. Sir Anthony is portrayed as a self-willed, dictatorial kind of father who demands implicit obedience from his son. He threatens to disinherit his son, to disown his son in case his son does not carry out his wishes. Sir Anthony in his own prime of life was a gay fellow. Sheridan also makes us laugh at some of the contemporary fashions.When Bob Acres comes to Bath, he decides to discard his country clothes and to dress himself according to the fashion prevailing in the city. Then he tries to practice some French dancing steps and discovers to his disappointment that his are â€Å"true-born English legs† which can never learn French dancing steps. He is also fond of swearing and has developed a new way of swearing. We find him swearing, by â€Å"Gods’ balls and barrels†, by â€Å"God’s bullets and blades†, by â€Å"God’s levels and aims† and so on. Then there is a satirical treatment of dueling. The manner in which Sir Lucius instigates Acres to send a challenge to Beverley is most amusing.Sir Lucius gives the following argument absurdly in favour of Acre’s sending a challenge to Beverley: â€Å"Can a man commit a more heinous offence against another than to fall in love with the same woman? à ¢â‚¬  The portrayal of Sir Lucius is also satirical. Sir Lucius is an Irishman, easily duped by the maid-servant Lucy, who tells him that the love-letters which she brings for him have been sent by the seventeen-year old niece of Mrs. Malaprop. This wrong impression ultimately leads him to challenge Captain Absolute to a duel and the manner in which Sir Lucius picks up a quarrel with Captain Absolute is itself very funny.The portrayal of Lydia's â€Å"tough old aunt† is also satirical. We laugh at the contradiction in this elderly woman who puts restrictions on her niece, while herself falling in love with a tall Irish baronet and writing letters to him under the assumed name of Delia. Beverley’s description of Mrs. Malaprop as an â€Å"old weather-beaten, she-dragon† is most amusing. One of the most striking features of â€Å"The Rivals† is witty dialogue. The manner in which Sir Anthony snubs and scolds his son for disobeying his wishes, the manner in which Captain Absolute deals with Mrs.Malaprop when he meets her first, Sir Lucius manner of dealing with Acres when he instructs Acres in the rules of dueling is also witty. Humorous and farcical situations are also generally found in a comedy of manner. Captain Absolute’s disguising himself as Ensign Beverley and then unmasking himself when finally he has to face Lydia in his true character are such situations. Then there are two more farcical situations. One is that in which Captain Absolute tricks his father into believing that his is going to make up his quarrel with Lydia when his is actually going to fight a duel.The second is when David shouts to Sir Anthony to stop Absolute because there is going to be fight, murder, bloodshed and so on. Instead of moral sentiments, Sheridan gives quick and witty dialogues, fast moving actions with its highly comic situations and above all the absence of any serious complication or conflict. Right from the beginning to the end, the p lay sends the audience into peals of laughter. The criticism that elements of sentimentality have penetrated into the play is based on misunderstanding.