Effects of War since 9/11 - 1124 Words

The idea of war, just war, wars of aggression or any of the innumerable ways humans convey and justify war is certain an intangible. War has been part of human society for thousands of years, and it is unlikely that some sort of cultural or human conflict will ever be completely erased (Brodie, 1974, p. 276). One very standard definition of war states that it is a quarrel between nations conducted by force - essentially derived when two groups are unable to communicate reasonably and meaningfully and also when a group or individuals nature is collectively aggressive or violent, encouraging war for oppressive purposes. (Somerville, 1975, p. 199). Historically, it was often easier to define what war meant, but as we the 20th century changed the economic, cultural and political structure of the world, the idea of well-defined war becomes murky (Horgan, 2008). One obvious commonality throughout the historical record is the justification and/or cause of conflict. Points of view differ, bu t there is always a publicly justifiable reason for cultures to make war upon each other. Thus, in the late 20th century, the continual purchase of weaponry, the continual development of new ways to destroy, and the continual fight for militaristic superiority has taken on a life of its own. When one couples this with the fervor of religion, or the perception that a culture or way of life is at stake, the necessary checks and balances set up after World War II are no longer effective. As theShow MoreRelatedThe United States Economic Crisis1332 Words   |  6 PagesOver a decade into the War on Terror, the U.S. has largely succeeded in its attempts to destabilize Al-Qaeda and eliminate its leaders. In the writing Manhunt by Jonathan H. Cody, he states that these accomplishments didn’t come without a price; in fact the cost was enormous, and our nations decisions on how to finance it have profoundly damaged the U.S. economy. The US economic crisis can all be traced back to 9/11. In Catherine New’s article Then and Now she compared the US economy today to theR ead MoreAmerica s Views On Safety And Vigilance1433 Words   |  6 Pagesengaged in any wars and the United States deported half the amount of people that they do today. This attack impacted America’s views on safety and vigilance notably. After being hijacked, four commercial planes deliberately crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The fourth plane, although intentionally going to the U.S. Capitol, crashed into a grass field in Pennsylvania due to the passengers fighting back. This occurred because of the easy access to planes in 2001. 9/11 not only changedRead MoreThe Bombing Of Twin Towers1654 Words   |  7 Pagesattacked on Setember, 2001. The attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group Al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks consisted of suicide attacks used to target symbolic U.S. landmarks. Due to the attacks many bad effects were occured. First, hundreds of thousands of tons of toxic debris containing more than 2,500 contaminants, including known carcinogens, were spread across Lower Manhattan due to the collapseRead MoreOn September 11Th, 2001, Terrorists Hijacked Four Planes1182 Words   |  5 Pagesthen-President George W. Bush has declared a â€Å"war on terrorism†, an approach which dominated the agenda of American politics ever since. US troops conducted military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and military spending was increased dramatically. Economic impact of 9/11 tends to be overlooked because of shifts in foreign policy and military offensive. Nonetheless, the economic shifts caused by the attacks were significant and included both short-term effects, such as currency fluctuations and stockRead MoreThe Practical, Psychological, Economical, Physical Impacts Made by 9/111444 Words   |  6 Pagesyears since the worst terrorist attack in the history of the United States. In the decade since the September 11 terr orist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security was founded, airports and airlines increased security, and Osama bin Laden has been killed. The U.S. has been entrenched in two ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanastan. The Patriot Act and other legislation increased surveillance while decreasing our civil liberties. How have all of these changes and the lasting impact of 9/11 affectedRead MoreThe Airline Industry s Impact On The United States1309 Words   |  6 Pagesnumber of international flights landed in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with alternate transportation provided from there (Zuckerman). The airlines were required to refund ticket purchases for anyone unable to fly because of contracts that went into effect when all planes were grounded throughout the nation (Zuckerman). In addition, United Airlines and American Airlines both provided $25,000 to the families of the victims who died in the plane crashes and had the difficult job of notifying all of theRead MoreThe Profilin g Of Muslims At North American Borders1564 Words   |  7 PagesKehinde 1001374764 Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 SOC209 - LEC0201 Introduction Following the tragic events of 9/11 by Islamic extremist group named Al-Qaeda, produced widespread fear through terrorism and ever since border security in North America has been on high alert (Schwartz 2010). Muslims face the most problems when it comes to immigration because of the ‘war on terror. Even though many of these individuals are innocent, society labels them as terrorists, based on the assumptionsRead MoreThe Homeland Security Act Of 20021333 Words   |  6 Pagesterrorism. In response to 9/11, the government, as well as the airline industry, has gone through many changes. As of result of 9/11, the airline industry lost a total of $7.7 billion. This paper reviews the reasons behind the making of the Homeland Security Act, the effects of 9/11 on the airline industry and the government, the purpose of the Homeland Security Act, and the aftermath of the Homeland Security Act. Reasons behind the Homeland Security Act On September 11, 2001, millions of peopleRead MoreEssay about Homeland Security1415 Words   |  6 PagesSince 9/11, terrorism has become a priority for law enforcement and military personnel in the United States. Even more importantly, it has turned into a War on Terrorism. September 11th was the worst terrorist attack ever on the United States. Therefore, our government officials responded in the only way that felt suitable, attacking terrorism. The group responsible for the events of 9/11 is called the Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is one of the most well known terrorist groups in the world. BecauseRead MoreAmericas Changes Due to 9/111564 Words   |  7 PagesIt has been ten years since the worst terrorist attack in the history of the United States. In the decade since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. has been entrenched in two ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Department of Homeland Security was founded, and Osama bin Laden, the alleged perpetrator of the attacks, has been killed. The Patriot Act and other legislation increased surveillance while decreasing our civil liberties. Heres a look at how the attacks and Americas reaction to

Responsive writing “A Lesson Before Dying” Free Essays

The movie â€Å"A Lesson Before Dying,† a prize winning novel by Ernest Gaines, is a story about racial injustice against African-Americans. Set in the south, in the late 1940’s, this story is another example of how oppression against a race of people leads to psychological defects, inferiority complexes, and feelings of self degradation. Jefferson, played by Mekhi Phifer, finds himself the witness of a murderous crime between the owner of a liquor store and two black men. We will write a custom essay sample on Responsive writing: â€Å"A Lesson Before Dying† or any similar topic only for you Order Now Hearing the shots, local residents enter the store while Jefferson is stealing money from the register. He’s assumed to be the shooter and is apprehended and put on trial by a racist society of white people. His own lawyer tells the jury that Jefferson didn’t have enough sense to know better, and that executing him would be the same as killing a hog. Nevertheless, Jefferson is sentenced to be executed. Miss Emma, Jefferson’s mother, is angry by the lawyer’s comments. She contacts a African-American teacher; Grant Wiggins, to go to the jail cell and convince Jefferson that he isn’t a dumb hog, but that he’s a man. Reluctantly, Grant visits Jefferson daily, and the two men build a bond and new sense of self identity. Reverend Ambrose, played by Brent Jennings; wants Jefferson to trust in Jesus, but he’s unable to get through to him, so he asks Grant Wiggins to speak to Jefferson. Grant is already struggling with his own belief in God. Whether it’s Miss Emma, Jefferson’s aunt, or Reverend Ambrose, Grant resists everyone’s attempt to remind him of Jesus. Ultimately, Grant and Jefferson find some understanding about religion within themselves. Jefferson prepares himself to die with a new sense of dignity. One of the most heart felt scenes is when the school children take a trip to the jail to say goodbye to Jefferson. Each child gives Jefferson a gift as they say goodbye to him. With tears in his eyes, and a new sense of appreciation for the people that care about him, Jefferson says â€Å"thank you.† In addition, Lisa Arrindell Anderson; playing the part of Vivian Baptiste, delivers a magnificent performance. Lighting up the screen with her beauty, and strong conviction, she becomes the support mechanism for Grant Wiggins. Grant is in love with Vivian and intends to marry her, therefore, he confides in her about his struggles with Jefferson, as well as, the pressure everyone is putting on him. As a result, they strengthen their relationship with each other, and find new direction in their lives. In the end, this story reminds us that; despite the insurmountable odds that we face in life, we can overcome self degradation; due to the oppression of others, with self dignity, spirituality, and an appreciation for the people who love us. How to cite Responsive writing: â€Å"A Lesson Before Dying†, Papers

Greater Access to Medical Cannabis Productsin Australia †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Greater Access to Medical Cannabis Products. Answer: Slide one Currently, there is a great shortage of access medical cannabis in Australia. It thus affects the patients terribly since they have to acquire them from outside sources(Butler, 2017). Patients suffer from ailments that could otherwise be cured if the products were easily accessible (Janichek Reiman, 2012). It is then important to examine why and how greater access to medical cannabis should be allowed in Australia. Speaker notes Australia does not have a local supply of medical cannabis as per now. The government, therefore, depends on imports from other nations that take months before they arrive. It thus threatens patients lives as it gives time for ailments to worsen. Slide two Cut down on the cost of medication Allowing greater access to medical cannabis in Australia ensures that the patients do not incur a lot of medical costs (SCARR, 2017). Patients use a lot of money buying other alternative medications, which are least effective A lot of money is also incurred in travelling overseas to acquire medical cannabis (Butler, 2017). The government also needs to cut down on the cost of medical cannabis to enable access by citizens of varied economic status. Speaker notes Patients tend to incur a lot of costs buying medical cannabis from abroad. At the same time, it takes too much time before the same arrives in the nation. Others just choose to use less effective alternatives which are cheaply available in the country but do not cure the ailments, and the situation persists leading to more medical costs. Since the medical cannabis is imported, it is very costly, and the government needs to cut down on its cost so that anyone can access it. Slide three Allowing the domestic companies to sell the product Allowing domestic companies to sell medical cannabis will ensure that the product is accessible within the nation (SCARR, 2017). However, it requires strict control of the business (Butler, 2017). The companies need to sell the products only to those patients prescribed by the doctor Speaker notes Shortages of the products in the nation may end by allowing domestic companies to sell medical cannabis. The government has realised that and is in the process of ensuring some companies are licensed to conduct the business under strict regulations. Slide four Growing own crops Greater access to medical cannabis may be achieved by growing cannabis crops in Australia. The government has announced that growing of Cannabis is underway although it may sometimes take (Health department, 2017). The Victorian government is the first one to announce the harvest of Cannabis (Butler, 2017). Speaker notes Growing cannabis crops in Australia will save a lot for the government on imports. The plan is underway, but it is going to take some time. However, the first harvests have already been received in Victoria. Slide five Effectiveness on ailments Medical cannabis is very effective in several ailments that seem to challenge other forms of medications (SCARR, 2017). Examples of such ailments include epilepsy, cancer and other chronic and painful illnesses (Kirkwood, 2014). It is also less addictive than even coffee Speaker notes Greater access to the medical cannabis is paramount since the products are effective on illnesses like epilepsy and cancer among other chronic and painful ailments. Bibliography Josh Butler, (2017). Medical Cannabis Available For Sale In Australia In Just Weeks The Huffington Post; retrieved fromhttps://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/02/21/medical-cannabis-available-for-sale-in-australia-in-just-weeks/ LANAI SCARR, ( 2017). talking about weed: How medicinal cannabis might help The Daily Telegraph, extracted from https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/health/lets-talk-about-weed-how-medicinal-cannabis-might-help/news-story/91ebe2ecbe0475c581449911e9ebd582 Janichek, J. L., Reiman, A. (2012). Clinical service desires of medical cannabis patients. Harm reduction journal, 9(1), 12. LANAI SCARR, ( 2017). Health minister Greg Grant approves prompt medicinal cannabis business The Courier Mail; link https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-minister-greg-hunt-approves-immediate-medicinal-cannabis-trade/news-story/6247a5bf300879a488d48f834c038770 Health department, (2017). Access to medicinal cannabis Australian Government; link https://www.tga.gov.au/access-medicinal-cannabis-products Ian Kirkwood, (2014). Cannabis oil stopped my cancer Herald; https://www.theherald.com.au/story/2587931/cannabis-oil-stopped-my-cancer/

Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain

Introduction During Middle Ages, Spain witnessed the rise and development of various literal traditions. Three major religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism in the Iberian Peninsula contributed to the existence of different intellectual communities, beliefs and practices. Due to the presence of these religions, conflicts and traditions were common as each entity pursued dominance over each other.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Political leaders and philosophers played a major role in setting such disputes among warring groups. This essay discusses the impact and knowledge and understanding of the relations in Spain between the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities, based on Dwayne Carpenter’s literature, Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain. Abdallah ibn Tumart During early years, Medieval Spain was treated by the rise of different le aders from varying communities. For instance, Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tumart came to the limelight in 515 (A.D. 1121) (Carpenter 239). He hailed from Sus district and presented himself as a person who believed in doing good things. According to genealogical findings, he belonged to the â€Å"high born† and traversed several countries for studies. During his tours, he learnt a lot from influential leaders he met, including Abu Bakr al-Shashi, who influenced him in the understanding of law and theology. Additionally, he was privileged to hear hadith narrated by people like Mubarak ibn Abd al-Jabbar. He also attended the lectures of jurist Abu Bakr al-Turtush in Alexandria, where he made several calls, ordering people to do the right thing and shun evil. These calls contributed to his immediate departure from the city using a ship, whose crew could not put up with his endless â€Å"good† calls, choosing to throw him into the sea but survived (Carpenter 240). Muhammad ib n Abdallah ibn Tumart’s desire of spreading knowledge had no borders. He landed at Bijaya in North Africa, where his influence grew significantly through teaching and preaching. As a result, the Prince of Bijaya got threatened, forcing him to move to another city (Carpenter 240). His obedience was also evident as he obeyed commands to leave certain territories. Due to his deep knowledge, people followed him, including Abd al-Wahid and Abd al-Mumin, who accompanied him to al-Ubbad mosque. While camping at the mosque, Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tumart influenced the surrounding communities until he became an idol to most of those who interacted with him, including rulers. At Fez, he continued to win the hearts of many through his knowledge and doctrines of the Ash’anya school (Carpenter 240).Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He empowered rulers, giving them the power to win de bates and influence their subjects by expounding legal rulings. However, his influence equally threatened some rulers who believed that he was out to corrupt people. For instance, he was exiled from the city of Fez, after the fuqaba heard his theology, forcing him to relocate to Marrakesh. Despite the fact that Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tumart used his knowledge to promote good deeds among people, his life was at risk after some rulers believed that his theology promoted evil among people. There were attempts by Andalusian, who wanted him killed for corrupting Muslims. However, the commander of Muslims found no guilt in him to justify his death or life imprisonment as suggested by Malik ibn Wuhayb. He was therefore allowed to move to Sus with his followers, where he launched his propaganda (Carpenter 241). Although Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tumart invited many people from Sus to attend his teachings, he never disclosed his agenda of gaining power. As an eloquent scholar, ibn Tumart composed papers on several articles of faith in local languages, attracting people from all over Masmuda (Carpenter 241). Consequently, his fanatics developed love and obedience to him; he was endowed with immense knowledge. He identified trustworthy people and tasked them to preach his mission and convince chiefs from all the tribes. He however forbade them from shading the blood of innocent people as a way of practicing his doctrine of doing good things and avoiding evil. Ibn Tumart introduced Mahdi to people in a manner that triggered their desire to see him among his followers. He claimed the title, after winning everybody, saying that he was the sinless prophet Muhammmad ibn Abdallah (Carpenter 241). This made people to take the oath of allegiance to him, allowing them through similar prophetic engagements. He also continued to write treatises, books and statements of belief in his religion. Ibn Tumart’s popularity grew widely in Masmuda as people obeyed every command th at was issued by him, including killing a brother, sister or parents. He remained focused to his dream and formed an army in 517, whose main aim was to convert the al-Murabits and make them acknowledge the sinless Imam Mahdi (Carpenter 242). They were also given the power to fight and kill those who would resist their commands. Nevertheless, their first attack on Marrakesh was unsuccessful; leaving Ibn Tumart’s army with great loses. He later made several raids, which were successful, killing people mercilessly and capturing other territories in the name of a saint. His influence continued even after his death, Abd al-Mumin tool over, conquering province after province until the entire Morocco was submissive. At this stage, his armies targeted other eastern areas of North Africa and then Spain (Carpenter 243).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn Mor e Conclusion From this, it is clear that knowledge was a powerful tool in advancing religious, political and personal interests. Ibn Tumart is an example of these people, having convinced multitudes to be the sinless Imam and Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdallah. Works Cited Carpenter, Dwayne. Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain. Michigan: G. Braziller in association with the Jewish Museum, 1992. Print. This essay on Jews and Muslims in medieval Spain was written and submitted by user Lilianna Stevens to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Piaget

Outline and critically evaluate piagets theory of cognitive development children. Jean Piaget’s (1896 - 1980) theory of cognitive development was One of the most important contributions that Piaget made, it established the fact that the cognitive development in children are not simply immature versions of that of an adult, but that they have their very own rules. Having a great influence on the studies of young children and also upon education. Cognitive is referred to as â€Å"the mental function of retaining information about a stimuli, events, images ideas etc after the original stimuli is no longer present† (Reber, 1995 p446) this is exactly what Piaget set to find out in his study in infants. In this essay I am going to describe Piagets theory in each of the four stages giving evidence for his research and also critically evaluate it. Piaget states (Gross P642) that children development is caused through biological â€Å"mental functions† development through interaction with the environment and events which occur during stages in childhood. The Childs develops schemas in order to organise experiences and to cope with new ones. This is because according to Piaget(Gross P642) we all have a biological drive to obtain balance and reasoning(equilibration) Schemas are mental organisations which represent our view of the world each unique to the specific person. An infant is born firstly with a set of schemas which then develop into ‘reflexes’. These schemas are then adapted and replaced with contracted schemas which change to adapt to there environment. For example a young infant is born with the innate biological drive off sucking a bottle to survive this is then adapted to sucking a thumb or a dummy. The infant adapts continuously in to different ways, through Assimilation (change environment to a dapt to schema) or through accommodation(change schema to adapt to environment). Piagets theory consist of four stages, an infant ... Free Essays on Piaget Free Essays on Piaget Comparison and Contrasts of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky This essay will seek to compare and contrast Jean Piaget’s and Lev Vygotsky’s theories on cognitive development of children. Information for this essay has been derived from the classroom text and also various internet resources that will be cited at the conclusion of the essay. Jean Piaget’s and Lev Vygotsky’s are two theorist who studied childhood development in the early 1900’s Although the two never met, their theories have many commonalities, but yet also have several differences. Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories are widely-known and still practiced today. There are three themes that Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories share: challenge, readiness, and in the importance of social interaction. The best example of challenge is exemplified in Vygotsky’s concept of the zone of proximal development. ZPD can be defined as the range of tasks one cannot yet perform independently, but can perform with assistance and guidance of others. Challenge appears more discretely in Piaget’s theory, but is still present. Piaget’s theory states that children develop more sophisticated knowledge and thought processes only when they encountered phenomena they cannot completely understand. This creates what Piaget refers to as disequilibrium, a sort of mental discomfort. This prompts the child to attempt to make sense of what they have observed by replacing, reorganizing, and better integrating their schemes. This is called accommodation. Readiness is another theme that appears in both theories. Growing children are not cognitively ready for all experiences. According to Piaget, children can accommodate to new objects and events only when they can also assimilate them into their existing schemes. Thus meaning there must be an overlap of "new" and "old". Piaget also argued that children cannot learn from an experience until they have begun the trans... Free Essays on Piaget Outline and critically evaluate piagets theory of cognitive development children. Jean Piaget’s (1896 - 1980) theory of cognitive development was One of the most important contributions that Piaget made, it established the fact that the cognitive development in children are not simply immature versions of that of an adult, but that they have their very own rules. Having a great influence on the studies of young children and also upon education. Cognitive is referred to as â€Å"the mental function of retaining information about a stimuli, events, images ideas etc after the original stimuli is no longer present† (Reber, 1995 p446) this is exactly what Piaget set to find out in his study in infants. In this essay I am going to describe Piagets theory in each of the four stages giving evidence for his research and also critically evaluate it. Piaget states (Gross P642) that children development is caused through biological â€Å"mental functions† development through interaction with the environment and events which occur during stages in childhood. The Childs develops schemas in order to organise experiences and to cope with new ones. This is because according to Piaget(Gross P642) we all have a biological drive to obtain balance and reasoning(equilibration) Schemas are mental organisations which represent our view of the world each unique to the specific person. An infant is born firstly with a set of schemas which then develop into ‘reflexes’. These schemas are then adapted and replaced with contracted schemas which change to adapt to there environment. For example a young infant is born with the innate biological drive off sucking a bottle to survive this is then adapted to sucking a thumb or a dummy. The infant adapts continuously in to different ways, through Assimilation (change environment to a dapt to schema) or through accommodation(change schema to adapt to environment). Piagets theory consist of four stages, an infant ...

Beyond The Writers Market Seven Ways to Find New Magazines

Beyond The Writers Market Seven Ways to Find New Magazines Feel like you’re out of ideas to pitch the magazines you know? Then find new magazines. There are more magazines out there than you can imagine. Despite what you may have heard, new titles continue to evolve (over 130 in 2017 alone,  Statista reports).You’ve dogs include Modern Materials Handling and Industrial Heating. Due to their more specialized target audiences, trades tend to pay well.Another little-known but great-paying type of glossy are company magazines, known in the mag trade as custom pubs. The best-known of these is  Costco Connection  magazine, along with all the airlines’ in-flight mags, but there are more. Find more at the  Custom Content Council’s  site with its handy members’ directory search tab to sort

Two One page orders for a discussion post - not a paper just to be Essay - 3

Two One page orders for a discussion post - not a paper just to be done as a discussion board post - Essay Example cientists and leaders like John Adams and Owen have understood the wider implications of education and believed that along with propagation of knowledge, it should also become a tool for preserving the constitution of the nation. Gutek, the modern educationalist has been quite vociferous in promoting radical reforms in the education system to meet the challenges of the contemporary environment of pluralistic society and fast advancing technology. He reaffirms the relevance of the philosophies of Mann, Adams etc. and categorically says that educational institutes must widen their vision and mission to include children and people from diverse background. The goals of NCLB have thus, brought the Public schools to the common man who can now access education, especially in the public schools that are considered a seat of academic excellence but which were well-known for their preferences to the elite class. In the early eighteenth and nineteenth century, education was not universal and catered to the select few who could afford it. Though, the philosophers through the ages have advocated education as the mainstay of development of the nations, historians have shown that the Americans had realized early its importance and reformers like Jefferson, Adams, Mann etc had advocated an education system that would help gain knowledge that could be used for the wider welfare of the society. In the subsequent years, the emergence of public schools, private schools and government schools had promoted politics of segregation, based on social status, racism and class difference. To make education universal and accessible to all, No Child Left Behind is the most commendable program, taken by the Bush government to reduce the increasing disparity in the education system in the United States. The four pillars of the program greatly support the accessibility to good education through ‘accountability, choice, and flexibility in Federal education programs’ (USDOE). NCLB has

I will proved topic tomorrow Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

I will proved topic tomorrow - Essay Example Hobbes on the other hand, assumed that people are the same with regard to their mental and physical characteristics and that one is responsible for controlling personal behavior. In addition, he said that people differ in both physical and mental capability. For instance, another through mental skills can overpower an individual with physical strength. Therefore, people are guided by societal norms and guidance to be behaved morally upright. However, the two thinkers cannot be considered moral egoists. For instance, the meaning of pleasure contradicts with the definition of Epicurus. â€Å"Pleasure is every person’s first and kindred good, it is the starting point of every choice and of every aversion† the statement means that searching for pleasure and living a pleasant life occurs naturally. Every individual has a right to live a pleasant life. Therefore, the behavior of a person should be controlled and should not only fulfill personal pleasures but also respect other people happiness (Shaw & Barry, 2004, 18). Epicurus does not however receive entire judgment as being a free thinker that is not egoistic. It is important to understand the fact that many books have termed him egoistic and many contemporary philosophers. The fact that he states that all actions are ethical does not offer him full credit as being liberal. If people acted out of their own interests without caring about the fate of others, the world would not be a so comfortable place. This would lead to a world full of selfish acts where people consequently carry out their actions just to please one. For example, a person who takes up an activity knowing very well that the result would harm the neighbor or someone else and still carries on with it shows moral egoism. According to Epicurus, the state in which the human mind operates does not always allow him to have moral justification in the carrying out of several acts. It is basic ethics to understand that

Machine Essay Example for Free

Machine Essay Society is in all shapes and forms a lie. Consumerism drives our economy, our government, and our lives. As a people we are amazed and enthralled by the new technology that has become available to us in recent years. From smart phones to 3-d televisions we have it all, technology may as well be an extention of our bodies at this rate, it is creeping in. The speed at which technology has developped is impressive to say the least, we are able to make the blind see, the def hear, or the mute able speak. Computers have connected the world, opening a wealth of information to anyone witch access. With the annoucement of a new wearable computer called Google Glass we have taken a step forward into the cyborg age, not only that but we have taken a step into the what will be known as Surveillance States. We have given the oppurtunity to the government to control us even further. There are many positive and negative developments that come with the age of information, like the ease of accesing information from anywhere, to constantly being watched by our government or even to the militirization of these technologies. How could this affect our lives today, and more importantly tomorrow? Mann is an innovator, a man who excels in the field of technology. He had created a portable CD player before they were officially marketed, in time he began working on a portable computer that would allow him to access any of the information he needed. He even created a program that would replace ads on bilboards with things he felt were more important, and that he wanted to see. Some may wonder when this technology may be available but the fact of the matter is, it is available. It is all around us, Mann began experimenting with portability and computer in 1987. It is now the year 2013, and the technology has developped at an exponential rate, with the release of Google Glass we will be able to live the way Mann lived, replacing ads we dont want to see with other things that interest us. Another thing this technology will allow us to accomplish is having a better understanding of dissabilities, and how we can correct them; that is to say giving a blind individual the ability of sight. Weve had the technologies to accomplish these feats for some time, but is only until now that we have seen them begin to surface. Not everything about these technological advancements are good, although they may seem that way we must always think about the way this tech can change our lives, potentially for the worst. With the route government is taking these technologies might end up being used against us, inventions like Google Glass will permit the government to have 24/7 surveillance of everything we do. Countries have slowly been turning into Surveillance states, all illusions of privacy are slowly being taken away and we are doing nothing to change this. The population has been made docile, we sit at home on computers and walk around with phone in hand while the world around us closes in; slowly suffocating us until we can no longer catch our breath. Soon enough all of this technology will be implemented into our bodies, turning us into, basically, cyborgs. Can we expect to live life like Mr. Roboto, becoming the modern man. Imagine seeing Robocop prowling the streets for miscreants while we all access our own personal HUD the song that is playing. These are the things we can come to expect, along with a number of severe problems; cyber terrorism, iruss, trojan horses, key stroke programs (that is to say, in this context, a program able to acces your mind and watch everything you do). How will these issues be resolved is a mystery as it is nearly impossible to eradicate and keep up with the number of programs that are being made even today. Will the human race become more machine than man? Can we still consider ourselves human if we are made up of more computer and metal then we are of flesh? How will we experience life differenty? Do we really want to take this direction with technologie, considering the repercussions of such an act and the sacrifice involved? It may be safe to say that we may be going too far. Although the technological advancements we are creating are phenomenal we cannot expect them to be used to only improve our lives; it is a well known fact that the human race is a self-destructive creature, and seems to be addicted to finding new and more efficient ways to kill eachother. That being said the technological era we are moving into brings a great many benefits to society, and to the army. The militirization of these innovations will be inevitable. This can be both seen as good and bad, depending on your point of view. War often incites change and pumps up the economy, although with these technologies we will be experiencing a different kind of war, one that could quite possibly affect us all. What will happen to these technologies in the coming years is somewhat of a mystery, perhaps Johny Mnemonic will be the world of tomorrow, those who chose to augment themselves versus those who did not. This technology brings a number of opportunities to better our lives, we will be able to improve our life span and cure more illness and disease, amputees will be able to live normally and those with ental dissabilities may be cured with the use of microchips. With the direction we are taking concerning technology we will have to come to expect that the government will take advantage of these technologies, with profit in mind, and it is very likelly that the uneven distribution of wealth and power will be easily distinguishable in the world of tomorrow. It is impossible to know exactly what the future holds and so we must simply do what we can today, to ensure that tomorrow is the way we want it too be. With that said, how far away are we from being able to see into the future?

Joels Dream :: Dialogue Conversation Essays

Joel's Dream Joel was sitting in the airport lounge, sipping his mineral water, when the tanoy came on," BA flight two-six-one to Milan is now boarding. Please make your way to departure gate three, Thank you." " That's me! See you later Shaz, I'll phone you when I get there !" " See you Joel, hope everything goes okay!" After exchanging kisses, Joel picked up his bags and heads off through the Departures corridor and to the plane. Joel was possibly the best talent to come out of Scotland for years. He could play football with such style and skill, this was why he had been offered the most lucrative deal for a Scottish player ever. AC Milan, arguably the greatest team in the world had offered him a deal which would see him earn more than £40000 a week. This would make him the highest paid player in Europe and accelerate him to the top of world football. He was due to meet the manager on Monday to discuss the terms of his contract and if all went well he would sign for Milan and fulfill his dream of being a star footballer and also make his wife Sharon very very happy. Sharon was a gold digger and was after Joel for his money, but she did stick by him, they had been married for two years and if Joel got the contract Sharon would be able to move to Milan and have everything and have everything she desired. So obviously she was very determined to see this deal go through. After arriving at the hotel Joel settles in and unpacks before going to the Milan training camp to meet the players and his (hopefully) new manager, Roberto Ravelli. " Hello! I'm Erigo I will be your guide while you are in Italy. I'm sorry if my English is no good but I am still getting lessons. Anyway welcome to Italy!! Anywhere you want to go I will take you." " Oh thanks but I just want to meet the players then go back to the hotel and get some rest." " I understand it has been a long flight and you need to rest." " Yeah maybe we can go somewhere tomorrow or something!" said Joel who was getting a bit bored of talking and just wanted to get home and sleep. " OK then it's a date," replied Erigo." But I've been instructed to take you on a tour of the stadium before you go!"

Black Madonna’s Essay

According to Scheer Black Madonna’s have went from majesty to mystery with the construct of race as a science toward the end of the 18th century. With this construct of race it begins to dramatically undermine the pious interpretations of the objects and images surrounding the Black Madonna. A common theme used is that the Madonna’s became black unintentional, has greatly affected the depth into which the study of the Black Madonna’s has gone. Michael P. Duricy gives three categories in which the Madonna’s can be placed: 1) Dark brown or black Madonna’s with skin pigmentation matching that of the indigenous population. 2) Those that have turn black as a result of certain physical factors such as deterioration of lead-based paints, accumulated smoke from the use of votive candles; and the accumulation of grime over the ages. The third and final category is a residual category with no ready explanation. Charles Rohault de Fleury and Stephen Beissel support the second category that the images were blackened by the surround elements. There are two strong theories that if the Madonna was indeed intentionally darkened it was because the Madonna was to illustrate a text from the Canticle of Canticles or Song of Songs that said â€Å"I am black but beautiful† Stephen Benko summarizes the other theory as relating the Black Madonna to the ancient earth-goddess and then converted to Christianity. The most fertile soil is black in color and the blacker it is the more suited it is for agriculture. Scheer mentions that the ideas of pre-Christian beliefs are preserved in the folk culture of the Black Madonna’s earth centered spirituality at the helm of the hypothesis of the color choice of the Madonna’s. Scheer says that there is no mention of color of the Madonna’s only the recurrence in motifs of a miraculous find and the refused removal of the object or painting. Lastly, Scheer mentions that the votive tablets do not speak of when the images became black but when they were perceived Black.

Compare and Contrast Michael Dell and Andy Grove Essay

Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computer Corporation had his humble beginnings in the computer industry when he began selling personal computers directly out of his dorm room. This impressed upon him that this was the path to take in his professional life, he started his company in 1984, registered as Dell Computer Corporation. Krames, (2003) Unlike other computer companies at the time, Dell was heavily focused on the end user, the consumers who would actually be purchasing the computers. By placing the emphasis on the consumers instead of big box stores to sell his product he brought a new way of selling computers to the industry, which was an uncommon way of doing business at that time. This is a notable contribution to the computer field, as it made other computer companies rethink how they would sell their products, to try to combat Dells’ growing market share. As Krames (2003) â€Å"Dells direct model of â€Å" mass customization† was not born of any desire to revolutionize an industry. Instead, it was foraged through a â€Å"bottom-up† strategy based on customers’ needs and preferences.† (p.59) This proved to be a successful strategy, in 1988, 4 years after opening, Dell went public bringing in an impressive $30 million at its IPO. Krames, (2003) Seeing soaring success in personal computer sales, Dell decided to try a new direction, Olympic was introduced. â€Å"Olympic was a line of desktop and workstation computers that were able to perform a wide array of tasks.† (Krames, 2003, p. 67) In releasing this new program Dell neglected the principle part of his successful strategy-what do the costumers want? Resistance from consumers was noted, the consumers did not feel that they needed what the new line offered. Olympic proved to be Dells biggest tanking product. Andy Grove, born Andras Grof of Hungary, cofounded Intel corporation in 1968. Krames, (2003) Grove’s contributions to the computer industry is highly notable. Grove, along with his partners revolutionized how the computer industry looked at and transistors on computer chips. His contribution to the field was so noticeable, that Time magazine bestowed on him title of Person of the Year â€Å"for his role in fueling the computer revolution† (Krames, 2003, p. 135) Grove met with considerably more resistance and opposition that Dell. Intels’ first large confrontation and change was in 1980. The Japanese began producing chips that were not only lower cost wise but also considered better in quality. Krames, (2003) Groves was able to associate several factors that were partially responsible for this crisis. Intel had of recent, been constantly late with the release of new products. To compound this, the company had also neglected to invest in new manufacturing plants in a timely manner. As Krames (2003) states â€Å"†¦ the cause of the problem came down to the wrong strategy and poor execution† (p. 137) Grove and the then current CEO made the hard decision to get out of memories. Even though this is what the company was based on, and started from, they realized that if they remained in this market segment it could be the end of Intel. They made the hard decision to move into microprocessors, â€Å"the thinking part of the computer.† (p. 139) The next big issue Intel faced was 14 years later, in 1994. Intel was releasing its newest microprocessor, The Pentium. A small design flaw was detected, which prompted IBM to halt shipment of all Pentium-based computers. â€Å"Intel’s credibility- and, by extension- the entire company- was threatened as anxiety about the â€Å"bug† spun out of control in the business community.† (Krames, 2003, p. 140) Grove made the decision to replace all processors at the cost of a half billion dollars. This strategy, while costing a massive amount to the company, restored customers’ faith. Dell and Grove have a few similarities that can be noted. Each created a hugely successful business out a need or want that they saw that was not currently being fulfilled. Dell with his customer oriented selling approach, Grove with a computer chip that enabled a computer to run better and faster. Each man faced a point in their career of what Grove called a â€Å"strategic inflection point†Kramer (2003) While the magnitude of these was vastly different for each, it caused each man to reexamine how the company was running. The biggest difference that can be seen between these two is, while Dell simply restructured an already successful method of operation by segmenting it further. Grove completely changed how his company did business by changing the product, which could have ended in massive failure, but thankfully did not. Dell chose to focus more microscopically on the end user, on a person-to-person basis. Grove chose to focus more on the big picture with a mass production outcome. I think Dells’ beginnings of selling computers out of his dorm room gave him a taste for the personal aspect which his business is so well known for. Dell saw that this more approachable method worked for people, and obviously worked for him, thus creating one of the largest PC sales companies in the world. Grove’s very obvious personal factor that affected his business, is his background from before he entered the US. It even gave him â€Å"His personal manta, â€Å"only the paranoid survive†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Krames, 2003, p. 135) With this in mind he was able to overcome Intels’ crisis involving the Japanese, coming out on top, more successful than before. Each man is hugely successful, simple choices made throughout their careers differentiate them from one another.

Life on Top Is Hard Essay examples

Life on Top Is Hard Essay examples Life on Top Is Hard Essay examples Children and Psychiatric Medications I. Introduction A. According to the Surgeon General, one in five children has symptoms of a behavioral or psychological disorder. About 5 million children in the US. B. The number of children diagnosed and treated with psychiatric medicine has risen dramatically over the last several years. C. Psychiatric medication includes stimulants for ADHD (Attention Deficit –Hyperactivity disorder), anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-consultants, and mood stabilizers. D. ADHD is more common in the U.S than any other country, primarily diagnosed in children. II. What are commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in children? A. Anxiety Disorders B. Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) C. Disruptive Behavior Disorders D. Pervasive development disorders E. Eating Disorders F. Elimination Disorders G. Learning and Communication Disorders H. Schizophrenia I. Tic Disorders J. Mood Disorders III. What are commonly prescribed psychiatric medications? A. Stimulants: Ritalin, Focalin, Methylin, Adderall B. Non-Stimulant: Strattera C. SSRIs or SRIs (specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors): Prozac, Serefam, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro D. Antipsychotics E. Second generation (atypical) antipsychotics F. Anxiolytic (benxodiazepine): Xanax, Clonopin G. Hypnotics (sleep): Ambien, lunesta H. Mood Stabilizers: Lithium I. Anti-Convulsants (anti-seizure) J. Off Label Use 1. Based on clinical experience and medication knowledge, a physician may prescribe to young children a medication that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults or older children. This use of the medication is called "off-label." Most medications prescribed for child mental disorders, including many of the newer medications that are proving helpful, are prescribed

Get Your Resume In The Door in 8 Seconds or Less

Get Your Resume In The Door in 8 Seconds or Less With the hours we spend on our resumes and cover letter- the editing down, the asking friends to proofread, the tailoring to every job opportunity- we’d like to think that employers spend at least a few minutes taking in all our attention to detail. But they don’t. Since employers are often fighting time constraints,  they usually  spend about 8 seconds  scanning your resume for relevant info. Here’s how to make the most of all 8 seconds!Make the First Half CountI’ve never been one for resume objectives, but if I’m setting 8 seconds worth of priorities, I’m going to make sure I stand out from the other 299 people applying for this same job! The big 3: Skills, Experience, and Value. The top of your resume should reflect the qualifications that only you can offer- delete anything that could apply to anyone who has ever held a job.Use Keywords that MatterBefore you even get those 8 seconds, chances are a data-mining program has already scr eened you for an HR manager to review. Make sure you prime the hiring manager to like you by front-loading your resume with the most impressive accomplishments, specific technical skills, and other eye-catching (but accurate) terms. They should also pick up on what the job posting was specifically looking for.Lead With the Best InformationFor each position, there will be the achievements you accomplished and the responsibilities you completed. Which one do you think is more compelling to a hiring manager?Use bullets for your results and a paragraph format for roles and responsibilities so that what you achieved stands out more than just what you did. Use the active voice and avoid weak-sounding words that underplay your contribution.Don’t Make the Reader SquintYour resume font size should NEVER be smaller than 11- it’s impossible onscreen and the time it takes your hiring manager to reach for their reading glasses is precious! Use bold typeface to accent crucial inform ation, leave a healthy amount of white-space, and guide your reader through your resume with indentations and formatting that tells them clearly what information is grouped together.Make sure those 8 seconds are worth it- no typos, no sluggish passive voice, and definitely no exaggerations!

Equal Opportunity and the Law in the United Research Paper

Equal Opportunity and the Law in the United - Research Paper Example Every institution should set in place remedies to challenges that may impede learners of English language in educational institutions. Hillberry, 2008, identifies and a number of other provisions of law as in the education sector that aim at promoting equity among learners. Embracing models that ensure English Learner programs forms some of the common strategies to ensure equality in learning institutions. Equal opportunity laws condemn any conduct that shows discrimination against employees (Alaska Job Center Network, 2012). The labor department, in attempts to discourage discrimination, has set standards for fulfillment by employers and organizations to guarantee equal opportunity provision. There are diverse policy provisions in the United States including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), passed in 1998. As a measure of ensuring equality and provision of basic human rights, the legislation cushions beneficiaries of diverse programs provided by the state. The law provides that t he beneficiaries of programs should not be subject to prejudice based on their status. In view of the law, beneficiaries of programs have equals opportunities that are free from discrimination. Opportunity provision to citizen of the United States should be guided by principles that contradict considerations based on the beneficiary’s gender, national origin, sex, age and religion. Mahagan and Sylvia, 2002, identify the role of WIA in ensuring equality in service provision to dislocated workers. This is among the measures in place to attain equality in service provision across the citizens of the United States. Any favor credited to a party based on color, religious affiliation and state regarding disability is illegal. Equality should be a core value of that tops among the various considerations concerning decision-making processes and protocols and participation of various parties in administration. The department of labor, in the United States, is keen to ensure fairness t hrough the different departments set to monitor the application of the laws related to the provision of equal opportunities (DOL, 2012). The civil rights center bears the mandate to supervise and monitor diverse programs supported by the finances from the federal assistance. In addition, the center plays a critical role of ascertaining equality regarding the allocation of assistance to applicants. To strengthen the realization of equal opportunity, monitoring of compliance to provisions of contracts using set programs is of sound importance. The commission, set to oversee equal opportunity provision in the United States, is independent and enjoys exclusive power to ensure equality in judicial proceedings. This ensures that judicial processes that promote the enforcement of individuals and organizations’ civil rights are set in place. Besides the provision technical awareness, the commission makes an immense contribution to enforcing equality through awareness provision. The c ivil rights act passed in the United States in 1964 provides a clear provision that anchors the enforcement of equal opportunities in the United States (EEOC, 2012). Title VII of the legislation condemns any form of discrimination on any person regarding the provision of employment. Any form of violation by any party against the provisions of the law

What is weird realism and how does the speaker apply this concept to Essay

What is weird realism and how does the speaker apply this concept to his music - Essay Example The illusion is another application of weird realism in this music as explained by the speaker in the seminar. Elements of illusion such as magic are horrific to the listeners and viewers. From the speech during the seminar, the sound of the music played in an alternate manner with the speech is terrifying. The impacts shock on the audience with a frowned facial appearance. The use of delusion is inexhaustible in this music. The music scary sound that continues from a low to a high pitch at once is of horrific scenes (Harman, 2015, p. 1). The tone used in the music is another application of weird realism. The ‘screeching’ sound in the music is prohibitive and may create tension in a person. The awkward gimmick sound produced during the speech when the speaker plays his music is terrifying. A person who listens to such sound may have a frowned face but the reality of frowning may come from sound disturbances. This shows that reality is weird because it is not commensurable with any attempt towards measuring it. This music uses implications to communicate horrific information. The mentioning of different geographical place and other names to imply another meaning is a technique in the song. The artist fails to represent the misery of occurrences propounded by horrific things. There is a failure of language to describe truly the meaning of misery things. For example, the speaker says the misery has an acute angle but it is behaving as an obtuse angle. This is an application of Lovecraft work and hence the use of weird realism.

Managing a Banks Sources and Uses of Funds Essay

Managing a Banks Sources and Uses of Funds - Essay Example The essay "Managing a Bank’s Sources and Uses of Funds" provides an overview of the principal types of deposits offered by TD Bank. Direct deposits offered by TD Bank enable the account holder to avail the designated salary amounts payable through salary checks or social security checks without having to wait for the checks to clear. Funds are made available to the account holder on the designated date. Remote deposits are yet another product offered by the TD Bank. This enables the account holders to deposit their checks from their office by scanning the check and sending the image to the bank. The bank captures the image and the funds are available to the account holder on the very next business day. It has been voted as one of the best national banks that offers its customers high-quality services and convenience in banking through odd hours. The Bank offers competitive rates of interest on its deposits. The bank’s interest rates on savings accounts and other deposit accounts are much higher than other banks. The bank offers its customers a number of value-added benefits that include a waiver on charges on access to online statements for 7 years, free online banking, free bill pay services, access to mobile banking with free mobile deposits, and waiver on purchase fees for a gift card. The non-deposit liabilities of the TD Bank include mortgages, capital notes, and debentures. The interest earned from these products is much higher when compared to the market rates offered by other financial institutions.

Global Logistics Opportunities and Challenges

Global Logistics Opportunities and Challenges Western Europe consists of United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Malta and microstates of Vatican City, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra and Liechtenstein. Western Europe is considered as major contributor of the European economy. Its determining characteristics are common currency, tax equalization, political homogenization and standards homogenization. Logistically speaking Western European markets offer a great opportunity for exploiting economies of the scale and size in moving goods throughout the Europe opting from a number of transportation modes. European transport networks have grown because of deregulation of transportation; shipments, optimal route and plan scheduling, and the development of national services. The number of long-distance transports has grown significantly with the largest share of freight transports as road transports. The preferred mode s of transportation in the area are roads and rails, closely followed by sea freight. In addition, the Chunnel links the UK with the rest of Europe reducing the transportation cost to a great extent. Source: (DHL Discover Logistics, n.d.-a) The logistics systems in Western Europe are characterized more by political change associated with EU enlargement than by geographic features. In Western Europe transport, storage, packaging and administrative jobs are becoming noticeably more efficient due to uniform regulations. The transport networks are very well developed but average shipping distances have grown principally in the wake of the European Unions enlargement. Outsourcing activities are increasingly affecting logistics in Western Europe because companies no longer consider logistics to be a core business. Instead, larger distribution networks are developing at a rapid pace. Global firms prefer vertical integration and go for direct marketing and distribution in order to reduce inventory and total logistics costs. The changes in the logistics sector have generated challenges of increased efficiency in shipping, packaging and labelling. Here, the reduction of customs processing plays a critical role. In addition, techn ological improvements throughout Europe are almost uniform and not just clustered in individual countries. As a result, order processing, inventory management, warehousing and IT technology are being further centralized. In nutshell, the competitive situation in Western Europe is intense as compared to the rest of Europe. Japan has evolved into an economic powerhouse of Asia and created a highly developed logistics system in spite of challenging geographic conditions. On one hand, such a system is necessary to offset the Japanese islands lack of raw materials. On the other hand, it is the foundation for expanding the positive growth of the export nation. The countrys main manufacturing and therefore, logistics hub lies in a triangle around the cities of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka on the island of Honshu. Air transport, in particular, plays an important role here. The most important means of freight transport in Japan are road transports and coastal shipping. Almost ninety percent of the transport is carried by trucks. The role of rail transports is almost non-existent. But this could change in the years ahead. A portion of sea freight has been shifted to air transport in recent years. As a result of this shift, international air transports on trans-Pacific routes have climbed tremendously. Compared with other industrial countries, Japans distribution system is very complex and inefficient leading to high distribution costs. Most aspects of goods distribution Source: (DHL Discover Logistics, n.d.-b) in Japan is tightly regulated by the government. Joint distribution is typical; competitors who make deliveries to the same businesses tend to use joint delivery capacities and trucks. The logistics market in Japan is opening up to international service providers which are already successfully competing against Japanese companies in areas such as storage, distribution and complex contract logistics. The major logistics challenge is traffic congestion in metropolitan areas around the industrial hub. Just-in-time systems require small and frequent shipments to meet customer requirements. The distribution system in Japanese market is characterised by non-store channels, carrying least inventory. It is helpful in introducing new products through mail order, catalogue sales, and tele-shopping. Shared distribution system is common among competitors. Uniform palletization is used to avoid complicacy in operations. China Chinas logistics market is opening up gradually to the outside world. Logistics enterprises are reorganizing and integrating in the competitive environment. It is more and more obvious that state owned, private owned and foreign funded enterprises are surviving and thriving in the competitive markets. With the increasing demand of logistics, the logistics service for enterprises is changing from low value fundamental services to the high value added services. Logistics infrastructure, integrated logistics, traffic and transportation, and delivery services provide huge investment opportunities. However, the related risks must be put into account, and firms should be cautious when choosing investment projects. Source: (DHL Discover Logistics, n.d.-c) In some parts of China, due to advancement in technology, the road network now approaches Western standards. Modern freeways have been built in the Pearl River delta as well as in Shanghai and Beijing. Parts of this network extend far into the countrys interior but the standards and quality of the road drops as we move away from the cities particularly in the areas located away from the metropolitan areas. As a result of the underdeveloped infrastructure outside the metropolitan areas, logistics costs are high in an international context. In comparison to other means of transport, the rail network is almost inappropriate for logistics operations due to poorly built rail lines. For example, a container takes five days to journey by train from Hong Kong to Shanghai (DHL Discover Logistics, n.d.-c). A transport by ship takes about the same amount of time, but is much cheaper. Rail transports play a major role only in the shipment of bulk cargo like coal or iron ore. As a result, rail tr ansports are not particularly attractive to international companies for general logistics operations. The key challenges for the Chinese logistics industry are: Poor infrastructure: insufficient integration of transport networks, information technology (IT), warehousing and distribution facilities. Regulation: exist at different tiers, imposed by national, regional and local authorities and often differ from city to city, hindering the creation of national networks. Bureaucracy and Culture: companies need to build links with political agents at various levels. Moreover, it is difficult to repatriate profits back to home country. Poor training: in logistics sector and the manufacturing and retailing sectors, both at a practical level, i.e., IT, transportation and warehouse as well as at a higher strategic level. Information and communications technology: lack of IT standards and poor systems integration and equipment. At a very basic level, there is no consistent supply of energy. Undeveloped domestic industry: logistics sector is fragmented and dominated by commoditized and low quality transport and warehousing, unable to meet the growing supply chain demands for industrial and commercial enterprises. High transport costs: almost 50% more than Japan, Europe and North America, mainly due to high tolls on roads. Logistics costs (including warehousing, distribution, inventory holding, order processing, etc.) are estimated to be two to three times the normal. Poor warehousing and storage: high losses, damage and deterioration of stock, especially in the perishables sector. Regional imbalance: of goods flows from the developed east of the country to the more undeveloped west leading to higher costs for haulage companies which are then passed on to their clients. Domestic trade barriers: besides lowered trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas for international shipments, there are still problems such as unofficial border tolls from an inland manufacturing location to a port city or vice versa. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe Four out of fifteen former Soviet Republics belong to CIS are in Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. Eastern Europe is made up of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Albania, and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The countries of Eastern Europe occupy a strategically central position on the continent and are located at Western Europes interface with Russia. As a result of the European Unions enlargement to the east, they are increasingly serving as a bridge. As a result, many manufacturing companies have moved their production facilities to Eastern Europe for cost reasons. Logistics service providers entered either following these companies or to exploit the new markets by carrying out mergers or acquisitions. The opportunities for the companies interested in entering these markets vary significantly from country to country. Although, these countries have relatively well developed transport ne tworks but they do not meet western European standards. Despite the rapid growth of road transports, railroads remain the dominant means of transport. The Eastern European logistics market is characterized by wide regional differences. While the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Poland have made major strides, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia are trailing far behind. The infrastructure is in even worse shape farther to the east. The road-based freight transports have limited ability to meet the demands of European industry in a cost effective manner. The causes of these limitations include traffic jams, the limited potential for expanding network capacity, rising energy costs and growing intermodal competition from railways. Eastern European harbours, particularly the major sea ports in Poland, perform a significant amount of trans-shipping and are being increasingly expanded. The European Unions enlargement and the increasing transport volumes have resulted in intensified storage and distribution activities in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. One of the major challenges is to overcome the barriers that exist between Eastern and Western Europe, including the transport infrastructure. Foreign Market Entry Strategies Foreign market entry strategies are mainly categorized into: Indirect exporting Direct exporting Manufacturing strategies Cooperative strategies Indirect Exporting Piggybacking An established international distribution network of one manufacturer may be used to carry the products of a second company without such a network. The second manufacturer is said to be piggybacking on the first in these cases. The first company has an established reputation and contacts in an international environment. It handles the logistics and administration costs of exporting for the second manufacturer. Piggybacking can offer many advantages to firms; such as cheaper and quick access to new markets, an established knowledge base of the foreign markets and economies of scale with regards to administration, shipping, marketing and distribution. Piggybacking may lead to unsatisfactory marketing arrangements such as lack of strategic fit, providing technical support, and after sales services for buyers potentially leading to disagreement. This method of exporting too is not ideal for building a long-term foreign market presence. Trading Companies A trading company trades on its own account. It performs many functions as; buying and selling as a merchant, handling goods on consignment, or it may act as a commission house for some buyers. Trading companies match sellers with buyers and manage all the supportive functions such as export arrangements, paperwork, transportation, and legislative requirements. Firms initially choose this mode, because of TCs extensive contacts, experience, operations and long-term commercial relationships in many different trading regions in the world. After some experience in the international market, exporting firms want more control over decision making, so TCs are not their long-term partners. Export Management Companies Export Management Companies are specialist companies that act as export department for a number of companies. They provide companies with access to foreign buyers, take orders from those foreign buyers, purchase finished products, and handle the transporting and distribution of the goods in the foreign market. Their core competency is in export logistics and deals with the necessary documentation and extensive knowledge of purchasing practices and government regulations in the foreign markets. This is a less risky and fast penetration strategy suitable for new entrants in the international market in the short-term. Disadvantages of EMCs include; export strategy conflict among both parties, lack of manufacturers control over foreign market decisions and market knowledge. Due to expertise in exporting, the EMC has complete control over all foreign market decisions. In addition, EMC may even export products that are in direct competition with each other. Therefore, manufacturers need to devote resources to monitoring the performance of an EMC and invest in managing the business relationship. As the manufacturers revenue from exporting increases, moving away from the EMC or eliminating EMCs from the business may prove harmful due to lack of foreign buyer contacts or market knowledge or because of contractual agreements. Domestic Purchasing Domestic purchasing is a method of market entry which involves the least company involvement. This export method often involves an unsolicited purchase request from a foreign commercial buyer. The company may not even have considered the export potential of their products until approached from the foreign buyer. In general, companies can use this method to sell off excess stock with the least inconvenience. It generates a relatively low level of revenue and the company is completely dependent on the foreign buyer. The company gains limited knowledge of the international markets, as it has no direct contact with them. The foreign buyer often picks up the goods at the factory gates and proceeds to transport the goods, market them, and distribute them in one or more overseas market. Direct Exporting Distributors Export distributors differ from agents in that they take ownership and responsibility for the goods. Distributors usually take limited rights for the sales and servicing of a particular territory where they represent the manufacturer in all respects. The capital investment can be particularly high for a firm exporting goods requiring specialist handling. Due to this large investment both parties undertake to maintain a long-term relationship. Agents Export agents are usually individuals or firms operating in a foreign market, contracted by the firm, and paid a commission to obtain orders for the product. After entering into a contractual agreement, sales targets are usually agreed with agents by the firms. Agents are usually contracted to carry non-direct competing products therefore providing a lower exposure to risk. Although agents are the cheapest and quickest form of market entry, the long-term profitability is moderate to low with a short payback period. Agents can be beneficial to the company in that they have local market knowledge, established relationships and provide adequate feedback regarding further product or market development strategies. Agents do not owner goods which limits their motivation to improve performance. They can take the form of brokers, manufacturers representatives, managing agents and compradors performing specific functions (Cateora Graham, 2002). Direct Marketing Using database marketing tools such as mail order, telemarketing, media marketing, direct mail and the internet can be a useful technique to expand a firms customer base abroad. Usually, this market entry method is very useful when there are high barriers to entry exist in a foreign market or where markets have insufficient or underdeveloped distribution systems. Success using direct marketing can only be obtained if the standard product/service is customized to meet the personal needs of the target market in different markets. Issues of product promotion and privacy needed to be addressed when engaging in telemarketing, direct mail or Internet commerce. Franchising In franchising, the firm grants the legal right to use branding, trademarks and products, and transfers the method of operation to a third party (the franchisee) in return for a franchise fee. Franchising is less risky and less costly due to the nature of the agreement. The franchisee provides the local market knowledge, capital, time and resources needed to develop the franchise. The two types of franchise agreement used by franchising firms are that of a master franchise and licensing. A master franchise often operates a multi-unit franchising agreement or it may take the form of a trading company whereas in licensing the franchiser uses the property, trademark and intellectual rights for a royalty or fee. Management Contracts Management contracts usually involve selling the skills, expertise and knowledge of firms in an international context. The contracts undertaken are usually those for installing management operating and control systems and the training of local staff to take over when the contractors are finished (Doole Lowe, 2001). Manufacturing Strategies Own Subsidiary This form of market entry requires the maximum commitment in terms of management and resources and offers the fullest means of participating in a market. Before investing huge capital, the firm must evaluate the pros and cons of the business as the cost of withdrawing from the market would be significant. Although sole ownership provides high level of control, the firm may not only incur the costs if withdrawal is eminent but also the companys reputation can be damaged both in the foreign and domestic market. The advantage is of avoiding communication and conflict of interest problems which may occur through other methods like acquisitions and joint ventures. Acquisition Acquisition occurs where an organization develops its resources and competences by taking over another organization. It is a faster entry strategy in new product or market areas. A firm may acquire cost efficiencies, immediate access to a trained labour force, recognized brands, existing customer and supplier contacts, an immediate source of revenue and an established distribution network or otherwise as a result of acquisition. In return, the acquiring company may have to make certain sacrifices. Assembly Assembly involves establishing plants in foreign markets simply to assemble components manufactured in the domestic market by the firm. This method of market entry is attractive for certain companies when they see that the importation of components is subject to lower tariff barriers than assembled goods which eventually decrease their costs. Moreover, it can be more advantageous if the finished product is large and transportation costs are high. The domestic plant in addition, can focus on development and production skills and investment, hence, profiting from economies of scale. Assembly firms also take advantage of lower wage costs and government incentives. Cooperative Strategies Joint Ventures Joint venture (JV) is a market entry option in which the exporter and a domestic company in the target country join together to form a new incorporated company. Both parties provide equity and resources to the JV and share in the management, profits and losses. The JV should be limited to the life of a particular project. This option is popular in countries where there are restrictions on foreign ownership, e.g. China. Its advantages include; acquisition of competencies or skills not available in-house, risk sharing of a large project with other firms, faster market entry/penetration and payback, and avoiding technical trade barriers. Its disadvantages are; divided management control, difficult to recover capital invested, disagreement on new export markets, and different views of partners on expected benefits. Strategic Alliances Strategic alliances are a wide range of cooperative partnerships and joint ventures which unite to follow a set of important, agreed goals while in some way remaining independent subsequent to the formation of an alliance. The partners share both the benefits of the alliance and control over the performance of assigned tasks during the life of the alliance. The partners contribute on a regular basis in one or more key strategic areas, for example, technology or products. Strategic alliances are usually formed in three areas technology, manufacturing and marketing. The main reason behind strategic alliances is competition. Other reasons include; the reduction of risk, the attainment of economies of scale and complementary assets such as a brand name and government procurement. Firms, which employ strategic alliances, have the advantage of simultaneously penetrating several of their key markets. Specific Recommendations The decision of, which foreign market to enter, depends on firms external as well as internal factors and foreign countrys market conditions. The strategy to be adopted should be based on firms short and long-term corporate objectives. Initially, the firm should choose among direct or indirect exporting leading to cooperative and then manufacturing strategies. If exporting is a long-term goal of the firm, then indirect exporting methods may not prove to be the wisest strategic choice. In long-run, the firm has to trade off among costs and control over the decision making. Customer Service When a firm becomes extensively involved in international business, logistics is seen as a critical part of the strategic planning process and a deterministic factor of customer service level. The complexity of the international business environment, including different business customs, inadequate/inappropriate transportation infrastructure, restrictive regulatory frameworks, and different levels of logistics services, presents barriers that make operations in foreign countries far more complicated and less controllable than in domestic markets. Generally, existing or emerging barriers result in longer order cycle times, higher logistics costs, and greater customer dissatisfaction. The customer service level chosen for use internationally is based on expectations encountered in each market. These expectations are dependent on past performance, product desirability; customer sophistication, and the competitive status of the firm and industry. Therefore, additional logistics costs are required to support operations which may be so important that, if not handled properly, they may offset any potential cost savings from using inexpensive labor and other resources in foreign countries. The need for cost-service trade-off analysis becomes inevitable for the managers in such an indifferent situation. Under these circumstances, logistics barriers obviously make it difficult for firms to gain a competitive advantage from their international operations. Table 1 summarizes the firms major external factors affecting its logistic performance (and therefore, customer service) at domestic and global level. It also depicts how difficult it becomes for the firms to provide same level of customer service at international level. Another major external (and therefore, uncontrollable) factor which has made international logistics more vulnerable and complex is security risks after 9/11 terrorist attacks. As a result security clearance procedures have lengthened and transit times of shipments have extended. Insurance rates for cross-border shipments have also climbed. Some factors internal (and therefore, controllable) to the firm, for example, centralized logistics activities, do not make the customer service work best, as it can be under local control in foreign market. Financial aspects such as working capital, inventory, capital investments in buildings and equipments, and accommodation of merchandise are also difficult to manage in the cas e of international operations. The managerial capability of logistics management in deciding optimal cost-service mix plays a major role in determining the customer level. In order to establish an efficient logistics system to support international operations, especially customer service, a firm should be able to evaluate when and where logistics barriers may disrupt materials flows in the distribution channel. The identification of barriers is important in designing an effective international operations network. A better understanding of those barriers enables a firm to take actions to reduce or avoid them so that it can improve its competitive position in international markets. The firms entering in the international market should obtain as much as possible information about the business conditions and operating expenses of potential markets. As the customer service levels and hence the cost incurred, vary between countries, the firm must examine the service requirements of customers in each foreign market. A flexible and responsive global customer service strategy is based on inventory policy and control procedures, packaging and containerization, sourcing raw materials, managing export shipments and terms of trade. International logistics is characterized by inventory points at more levels between suppliers and customers making it much complicated than at domestic level, leading to longer transportation times. Depending on the length of transit time and more inventory volume needed to cover the resultant delays, the firm can develop inventory policies and control procedures most appropriate for each market area. Another component of customer service is the products physical condition (must be in right condition). Packaging and containerization are important for product handling, climate effects, potential pilferage, communication and language differences, freight rates, and customs duties when a product moves across the borders. The quality of a product is determined by the quality of its raw materials. International sourcing may enable a firm to optimize products quality at lowest possible cost. The services of many facilitator organizations involved in international logistics activities are continuously utilized by almost all of the firms operating internationally. These organizations include export distributors, customs-house brokers, international freight forwarders, trading companies, and non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCC). These organizations are highly professionalized in performing their functions and operate at economies of the scale. A firm involved in exporting for the first time would likely utilize the services of a facilitator organization. There are a number of shipment modes/terms, each one of them having its own pros and cons. These terms of trade/shipment used in international logistics are Ex-Works, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DES, DEQ, DDU and DDP. Terms of shipment have a major impact on a firms logistics performance as each of them yields a different cost of shipment and value to the customer. Finally, integrated logistics management (ILM) is the ultimate strategy to deal with the international customers efficiently. ILM integrates all the logistics activities; facility location and network design, information management, transportation management, inventory management, warehousing management, material handling, and packaging into a single activity or process of logistics directed towards servicing the customer effectively and at the lowest total cost of all the functional activities taken together. The methodology of integrated logistics conforms to the logistics objectives; getting the right item to the right customer, in the right quantity, in the right condition, at the right place, at the right time and at the right cost. Customer service level of a firm is the representation of managerial capability of its management team. A firms executive management is likely to use any or a combination of some or all of the above mentioned customer service strategies to deliver value to its customers. The combination may differ for different countries/markets at different times. Answer the below given questions : Explain the role each of the following exporting organizations has in global logistics: (a) export distributor, (b) customs house broker, (c) international freight forwarder, (d) trading company, and (e) NVOCC. Export Distributor: An export distributor deals with the manufacturer on a continuous basis and is authorized and granted an exclusive right to represent the manufacturer and to sell in some or all foreign markets. It pays for goods in its domestic transaction with the manufacturer and handles all financial risks in the foreign sale. An export distributors functions include; managing distribution channel and related marketing activities, handling customer clearance, managing inventories and warehousing facilities, collecting market information, breaking bulk, managing credit policies and providing after-sale services. Customs House Broker: A customs house broker (CHB) is an agent who performs the clearing of goods through customs barriers for importers and exporters (usually businesses). Agent performs different functions/duties, for example, preparation of documents, the calculation (and usually the payment) of taxes, duties and excises on behalf of the client, and facilitating communication between the importer/exporter and governmental authorities etc. CBH also prepares and submits documentation to government agencies such as drug department, food safety department and many others to obtain the clearance. CBH is usually expected to be well familiar with the tariff schedules, duty rates for imported items, and the state regulations i.e. products country of origin. International Freight Forwarder: An international freight forwarder is a person or company that organizes cross-border shipments for individuals or other companies and may also act as a carrier. A freight forwarder is usually acts as an agent instead of a carrier, in other words, as a third-party (non-asset-based) logistics provider that dispatches shipments via asset-based carriers. They have the expertise that allows them to prepare and process the documentation and perform related activities including commercial invoice, shippers export declaration, bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, or transshipment pertaining to international shipments. Trading Company: A trading company trades on its own account. It performs many functions. It may buy and sell as a merchant. It may handle goods on consignment, or it may act as a commission house for some buyers. Trading companies match sellers with buyers and manage all the supportive functions such as export arrangements, paperwork, transportation, and legislative requirements. NVOCC: Non-vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) is a sh

The History and Importance of Personal Hygiene Essay -- Health, Wellne

Personal hygiene is a major part of your everyday life. It includes brushing your teeth, taking a shower, applying deodorant, wearing clean clothes, cooking your food properly, and washing your hands when necessary. There are many different types of hygiene and different ways of doing them. The types of hygiene are food and cooking hygiene, medical hygiene, and personal hygiene, there is even such a thing as excessive hygiene. Excessive hygiene may cause allergic diseases. Some parts of the body like the ear canal, or inside of the vagina are mostly better left alone for the body's own cleaning systems. Also, excessive application of soaps, creams, and ointments can adversely affect certain of the body's natural processes. For example, soaps and ointments can reduce the skins natural protective oils, and some substances can be absorbed and, even in trace amounts, disturb natural hormonal balances. The ear canals are an example of a self cleaning part of your body. So they have a per fectly functioning cleaning system of their own, and don't normally need assistance. Actually, attempt...

Autobiography Of a Pen Essay

Autobiography Of a Pen feelings that lay inside her, through her writing. She used to call me her Lucky Pen and i was proud of that status. But one day, I remember her writing writing†¦ PremiumSaved An Autobiography Through Fiction-Based Prose of his life and, through his prose, still does. George Orwell wrote his autobiography not as a book written in the first person, but as a lifetime of prose based†¦ Premium Jayson De Lemon’s Autobiography Jayson de Lemon’s Autobiography â€Å"I once asked myself, how history was written. I said, â€Å"I have to invent it.† When I wish as now to tell of critical incidents†¦ Premium Autobiography Of a Yogi: Summary pen of Paramhansa Yogananda, whose teachings my husband and myself have had the pleasure of studying for twenty years.† The value of Yogananda’s Autobiography is†¦ Premium Autobiography 1922 THE QUINN & BODEN CO. PRESS RAHWAY, N. J. CONTENTS Introduction vii The Autobiography I. Ancestry and Early Life in Boston 3 II. Beginning Life as a Printer 21†¦ Premium The Power Of The Pen Gandhi. He read several works by this great leader, including his autobiography, and believed in the non-violent ideals that it promoted. â€Å"The impact they made†¦ Premium n Autobiography Twenty One Years In The Making Autobiography Twenty One Years in the Making Born just two days before Christmas, I started my life in the tender loving arms of my mother, and my ever-guiding†¦ Premium The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin of nearly 30 years and covering his life only until 1759 (he died in 1790), The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is actually tells approximately half of his life†¦ Premium The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin He died on April 17, 1790. The first five chapters of the Autobiography were composed in England in 1771, continued in 1784-5, and again in 1788, at which date†¦ Premium Autobiography Christine Jorgensen Biography Christine Jorgensen (May 30, 1926 May 3, 1989) was the first widely known person to have sex reassignment surgery – in this case†¦ Premium Autobiography Memoir, Spiritual autobiography * Biography * Diaries and Journals * Electronic literature * Erotic literature * Fable, Fairy tale, Folklore * Fiction o†¦

Golden Ass Book Review

Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Translated by Joel C. Relihan. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company Inc, 2007. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Maps. Index. Pp. xlv, 254. Apuleius’ The Golden Ass describes the trials and tribulations of Lucius, a privileged man who’s extreme curiosity leads to his unfortunate transformation into an ass. His journey as an ass leads to a newfound perspective, enlightenment, and eventual salvation. Relihan’s translation is vividly descriptive and allows the modern reader to relate to the tale. Although extremely complex and vulgar at times, The Golden Ass is an entertaining, humorous, and inspiring story which provides valuable insight into ancient Greco-Roman society. The Golden Ass consists of many stories which are all interconnected. Apuleius weaves folk tales and myths into the main story of Lucius, which draw parallels to the main theme of The Golden Ass. The reader must pay close attention to such tales, particularly that of Cupid and Psyche, as they are important in understanding Lucius’ redemptive journey. Although the format is often difficult to follow, it is crucial to the significance of the story . Lucius’ intense curiosity and inability to control his desires lead to his transformation and all the negative consequences which follow. Apuleius may have been attempting to convey the downfalls of greed and lust, showing that they always lead to trouble. Lucius’ experiences as an ass are often very funny and explicit. Apuleius’ wit and use of sexual humor provide light-hearted entertainment for the reader. On the other hand, Lucius also lives the inhumane life of a slave after his transformation to an ass. He experiences a way of life he never thought of before his transformation. He is abused and fears for his life on several occasions. This perhaps reveals another moral of The Golden Ass, that is, treat others how you would like to be treated. The Golden Ass serves as an excellent historical document. It describes ancient Greco-Roman society’s morals, social classes, and overall way of life. Apuleius offers insight into all sectors of society. Wealthy upper classes, thieves, artisans, and slaves are all depicted in great detail. The society portrayed in The Golden Ass is in chaos. Greed, immorality and crime are abundant. When Lucius is living with a group of robbers, the reader gets to see how their society functions democratically, as well as their desperation and greed. Lucius’ life as an ass shows his maltreatment as well as the abuse of the slaves around him. These descriptive passages cause the reader to empathize with both Lucius and the slaves. This makes his journey more meaningful and effective at the end. The portrayal of women in The Golden Ass shows that women were viewed very negatively. The Tale of the Wife’s Tub, Miller’s Wife, and Drycleaner’s Wife, all describe women as adulterous and manipulative. Another story, the Tale of the Oppressive Land Owner, shows the tyrannical nature of the small land owner’s of the time. These were likely the characteristics of the society in which Apuleius lived. Relihan’s translation offers several tools which are beneficial in helping the reader understand the text. The introduction provides a summary of the work and important background information about Apuleius. The maps and index are helpful to the reader, as they provide more detailed information about place location and character description. A glossary of major characters is not included, but would have been helpful. The Golden Ass is not for the conservative reader, as it contains explicit sex and violence. One must pay close attention to the story, as there are many details which could easily be missed. The Golden Ass is witty, descriptive, and historically relevant. Readers will be entertained by Lucius’ journey to redemption and gain information about ancient society. As stated in the first chapter, â€Å"pay close attention and joy shall be yours. † (p. 3).

Biography of Dolley Madison, Bipartisan First Lady

Biography of Dolley Madison, Bipartisan First Lady Born Dolley Payne, Dolley Madison (May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was first lady of the United States as the wife of James Madison, the country’s fourth president. Over the course of her tenure as first lady, she was instrumental in forging friendly and social relationships between members of different political parties. Fast Facts: Dolley Madison Full Name:  Dolley Payne Todd MadisonOccupation: First lady of the United StatesBorn: May 20, 1768 in New Garden, North CarolinaDied: July 12, 1849 in Washington, D.C.Known For: As first lady, Dolley Madison influenced bipartisan efforts and was known for her grace and charm as a hostess.Spouses: John Todd (m. 1790-1793), James Madison (m. 1794-1836)Children: John Payne Todd (1792-1852), William Temple Todd (1793-1793) Quaker Childhood Dolley was the first daughter of Mary Coles Payne and John Payne Jr., Virginian transplants to North Carolina. Her mother was a lifelong Quaker, and her father joined the faith upon marrying Mary in 1761. In 1769, the Paynes returned to Virginia, where they raised their children on the family plantation. As a child, Dolley was very close to her mother’s family. The Paynes had four daughters (including Dolley) and four sons. As Quakers, the family was somewhat anti-slavery, and in 1783, they emancipated all their slaves. That same year, when Dolley was fifteen, the family moved again, this time to Philadelphia, where John Payne started a business as a starch merchant. Unfortunately, his business failed by 1791, resulting in his expulsion from the Quaker community. He died in 1792. First Marriage In 1790, when she was 22 years old, Dolley married John Todd, a Quaker lawyer whom she met in Philadelphia. They soon had two sons: John Payne Todd (named for Dolley’s father) and William Temple Todd (born in 1793). Her sister, Anna Payne, also moved in to help with the children.   Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755-1828). Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison, 1804. Oil on canvas. White House Historical Association (White House Collection) Tragedy struck in 1793, when a yellow fever epidemic tore through Philadelphia, killing more than five thousand people over the course of four months. Dolley lost her husband, her son William, and her in-laws to the epidemic. In the aftermath, she was stuck dealing not only with her grief and raising her surviving son, but with the legal limitations placed on women inheriting. Because her brother-in-law was the executor of her husband’s will, he was able to withhold her inheritance from her until forced to retract after a lawsuit. At the time, laws around women’s financial rights left many women in positions like Dolley’s. Because women were severely limited in their ability to earn money or own any property, they were almost entirely financially dependent on male relatives, under a system known as coverture- the doctrine that essentially subsumed all of a woman’s rights into her husband’s upon marriage. Mrs. Madison Dolley was a young widow, only 25 years old, and was considered a very beautiful woman. Living in Philadelphia, the temporary capital of the new United States, resulted in Dolley encountering many of the elite figures of the time. Dolley was staying at a boarding house, where the lawyer Aaron Burr was also living. Burr had attended college with James Madison, who was then representing Virginia as a congressman in the House of Representatives. Reportedly, it was Burr’s idea to introduce his old friend and his neighbor. In early 1794, Burr introduced the two, and they apparently hit it off quickly. Although Dolley would have been aware of the necessity of remarriage in order to support herself and her son, she and Madison did apparently care deeply for each other- despite an age gap of seventeen years. They married that September, resulting in Dolley’s expulsion from the Quaker community for marrying outside her faith; she adopted James’ Episcopal faith instead. Drawings of the coin honoring Dolley Madison from the U.S. Mints First Spouse Gold Coin Program are displayed in the East Room of the White House November 19, 2007 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Madison served eight years in the House of Representatives before retiring from politics in 1797. Their family returned to Virginia, where Dolley helped her husband expand their house on his estate of Montpelier. However, the retirement didn’t last long. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson won the presidency, and he asked Madison to take the post of Secretary of State. Madison accepted, and he and his family moved to Washington. Because Jefferson was a widower, Dolley stepped in to fulfill some of the traditional functions of the first lady, as set out by Martha Washington. She assisted in furnishing the White House and served as hostess on several state occasions, while also befriending the wives of many international diplomats. During this era, she gained a reputation for her charm and graciousness. First Lady and Later Legacy Madison was the nominee of the Democratic-Republican Party in the 1808 election and won the presidency; he was reelected four years later as well. She functioned as the official hostess of the administration, smoothing over political tensions with her grace and social finesse. It was her social events, in fact, that helped bring together politicians of different parties. During her tenure as first lady, Dolley also participated in the advances of the ages: she was the only first lady given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress, and the first American to receive and reply to a telegraph message. Illustration shows American First Lady Dolley Madison (1768 - 1849) as she holds aloft the Declaration of Independence, as British soldiers approach the White House, Washington DC, August 24, 1814. Though Madison did save a number of documents from the White House, Gilbert Stuarts portrait of George Washington was the most historically important item she saved, and this image, which even includes a cracked display case in the background, is a fictional representation of the events. Stock Montage / Getty Images Dolley’s most famous action came in 1814- and, technically, it wasn’t even hers. During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Washington and burned much of the relatively new city. As the presidential staff hurried to depart, Dolley ordered that a painting of George Washington, a copy of the famous Lansdowne portrait, be taken down and saved. In popular culture, Dolley was depicted as the one who saved the painting, in reality, it was the house’s servants (or, more accurately, slaves) who did the saving. After Madison’s tenure as president ended in 1817, the family returned to Montpelier, where they enjoyed retirement. James Madison died on June 28, 1836, and Dolley spent the next year organizing and copying his papers for their records and for publication. She then returned to Washington, along with her sister Anna, in 1837. The Montpelier plantation was left in the care of her son, Payne Todd, but he suffered from alcoholism and other illnesses and was unable to carry out his duties properly. Instead, Dolley sold off Montpelier and the plantation’s remaining slaves to pay off her family’s debts. In her later years, Dolley Madison remained a fixture in Washington, as one of the last remaining members of the prominent Revolutionary War families. Over the years, her finances were intermittently shaky, and she sold the rest of her husband’s papers to help support herself. She passed away at the age of 81 at her home in Washington in 1849, and was first buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, then reinterred alongside James at Montpelier. Along with other early presidential wives such as Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison defined the role of the first lady and used social gatherings to work towards bipartisan cooperation in a chaotic era. Sources Allgor, Catherine. A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation. New York: Henry Holy Co., 2006.â€Å"First Lady Biography: Dolley Madison.† National First Ladies Library, firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography4.Howat, Kenna, ed. â€Å"Dolley Madison.† National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dolley-madison.