What Is A Hero Essays (796 words) - Chinese Communists, Rice

What Is A Hero? What is a hero? A hero is a person noted or admired for nobility, courage, or outstanding achievements. In the two stories I read the two main characters, although much different from each other in rank, had many things in common. In the story ?Field of Rice?- Buck, the character Wang San represents the traditional, ancestral values of life especially when it comes to knowledge of the land and growing rice. He believes rice should be grown close to the soil, and that this has proven successful in China for thousands of years. He risks getting himself and his villagers shot by voicing his opinion on how to plant rice to the communist authorities, represented by Comrade Li. Comrade Li wanted the villagers to cut deep into the soil with machines just like the Americans. However, Wang Sang disagreed he said it may be successful in America but it wouldn't work on China's ancient soil. Comrade Li is guided by the principles of Chairman Mao. He believes in communism and that everyone shares equally when it comes to food, clothing, and land. He accepted the new thinking that rice should be planted more deeply into the soil. He also believes on coming down hard on any villager who disobeys. He's completely brainwashed by the communist system to the extent that he denounces his own father who refused to become a communist, he saw this as his duty even though his father was shot. Wang San sees this ?duty? as a dangerous matter. He sees the dangers of having to choose family traditions and feelings over duty, but he does so anyways. He risks going to see Comrade Li on two occasions: One to try to make him change his mind and later to console him when the rice crop fails. Comrade Li realizes that he's been defeated and that he was wrong about the rice. He later turns a gun on himself as a result. Wang San to me is considered heroic because he does instinctively leap forward preventing Li from killing himself. Also because he was outspoken about his beliefs regardless of any consequences. In the story ?Blood of the Martyrs?-Benet, Professor Malzius admires the scientific ability of his students, but he wishes to remain ?aloof? when it comes to their personal lives, and their political concerns, out of the classroom. However, his students tell him things because they like his truthfulness; he hears of their political concerns even though he doesn't want to. He is lulled into a false sense of security because he assumes the new political regime would have no interest in him, for he is not a political person, only a biochemist. Therefore he assumes he'll be left alone, however he is wrong. Bonnard, Malzius' friend, is different; he did leave the new regime when it came into power. Also unlike Malzius he's politically active and vocal, he signs, protest, attends rallies and writes anti-government statements from a secure, distant land. It is ironic that he, and not Malzius, is free. Professor Malzius is imprisoned on insufficient evidence. He is maltreated and apparently held without trial for supposedly being a conspirator with his students in an underground, political movement. He was treated fairly badly. His glasses had been cracked as a result of numerous beatings. They are completely broken by the time he's led to his execution. He's had teeth missing and his knees has broken and poorly set. He feels he has a low blood count and he's probably correct. The dictator sees his state as one that will lead the world because he believes his people are superior to all other nations. The idea of republics and democracies must be squashed; everyone must submit to the will of the state. These are the ideas that the dictator wants Malzius to put across to people. This is what will gain Malzius his freedom from prison. Even though Malzius feels one political regime is just as good as another, and he could salute any dictator if need be, he does draw the line. Malzius has too much integrity as a scientist to spread lies. Scientists are engaged in the pursuit of truth, and to do anything less would be to shortchange students and

Free Essays on Cultural Differences In Parenting

Cultural Differences in Parenting Raising a child can be very difficult and it seems that parents, caregivers and siblings alike sometimes forget that children need to learn how to become adults from us and our examples. That they are not just little adults needing redirection. In my opinion, there are certain characteristics a devoted parent should have. Parental expectations vary from culture to culture, and whether a person belongs to a majority or minority ethnic group, there are variations between and within the groups. Culture usually applies to patterns of behavior that are linked to characteristics among the groups including origin, physical appearance, family structure and gender roles. However I still believe there are fundamental parallels between all cultural backgrounds. For instance, being a good example is part of what I consider to be a crucial part of parenting. Amongst some Asian families, the older children will be expected to take on responsibility for their younger siblings. This is why it is absolutely imperative that we not only hold ourselves up to be acknowledged for personal gain, but for the enhanced experience children get under our influence. Yet again, in Western cultural context, this scenario could be perceived as bullying by an older sibling. Showing again the gap between cultures. One’s upbringing is also the product of economic and social circumstances. In an affluent family for example, with a fair amount of living space, money, books and toys, a well-behaved child my be energetic, inquiring, active and out going. However in a low-income working family, living in smaller accommodations in the city, a well-mannered child may be the quiet one. This situation, I feel brings up the issue of unconditional love. Loving your child unreservedly and never allowing room for doubt in their minds of your love is something that I consider a vital part of successful parenting. I know that a... Free Essays on Cultural Differences In Parenting Free Essays on Cultural Differences In Parenting Cultural Differences in Parenting Raising a child can be very difficult and it seems that parents, caregivers and siblings alike sometimes forget that children need to learn how to become adults from us and our examples. That they are not just little adults needing redirection. In my opinion, there are certain characteristics a devoted parent should have. Parental expectations vary from culture to culture, and whether a person belongs to a majority or minority ethnic group, there are variations between and within the groups. Culture usually applies to patterns of behavior that are linked to characteristics among the groups including origin, physical appearance, family structure and gender roles. However I still believe there are fundamental parallels between all cultural backgrounds. For instance, being a good example is part of what I consider to be a crucial part of parenting. Amongst some Asian families, the older children will be expected to take on responsibility for their younger siblings. This is why it is absolutely imperative that we not only hold ourselves up to be acknowledged for personal gain, but for the enhanced experience children get under our influence. Yet again, in Western cultural context, this scenario could be perceived as bullying by an older sibling. Showing again the gap between cultures. One’s upbringing is also the product of economic and social circumstances. In an affluent family for example, with a fair amount of living space, money, books and toys, a well-behaved child my be energetic, inquiring, active and out going. However in a low-income working family, living in smaller accommodations in the city, a well-mannered child may be the quiet one. This situation, I feel brings up the issue of unconditional love. Loving your child unreservedly and never allowing room for doubt in their minds of your love is something that I consider a vital part of successful parenting. I know that a...

Memo Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Memo - Research Paper Example Welcome! Inc. is a joint venture and operates under the new partnership laws of Mexico State. Therefore, any member among the partners is entitled to an equal treatment as long as the organization is still operational. The law supports joint decision making for the venture regardless of the conflicts among the partners. Therefore, you, Mr. Morgan, according to the laws governing partnership corporations, you are entitled to equal rights and position in the board of directors just like other partners in Welcome! Inc. In addition, the partnership laws advocate for equal distribution of dividends among the shareholders of the company. As much as the board of directors makes decisions through voting, reducing the salary of a partner by 50% is unlawful according to the constitution governing joint entities. Therefore, whatever steps other partners are taking against you are illegal and unethical as per the law. Any partner in Welcome! Inc. Mr. Morgan included, has a claim to the dividends of the organization, distributed equally. Furthermore, the agreed salary for all the partners, as long as the partnership exists must be equal for all the members; no partner is more superior than other partners and voting a partner out of the board of directors due to personal selfish interests is unlawful. Thus, as one of the partners at Welcome! Inc. you are entitled to full salary, equally shared dividends and profits that the firm makes as long as it is

Public health law. (summary topic about marijuana legalization ) for Scholarship Essay

Public health law. (summary topic about marijuana legalization ) for scholarly paper. not full scholarly paper but only one page summary topic - Scholarship Essay Example In addition, it is also argued that decriminalizing the use and sale of marijuana would reduce the processing and enforcement tasks for criminal justice agencies that are associated with marijuana use. Thirdly, proponents for decriminalization of marijuana contend that a direct correlation exist between the number of cases or arrests that the criminal justice system processes for marijuana sale and use and the funds used by criminal justice agencies (Brownstein, 2013). Finally, there is an argument that elimination or reduction of events related to marijuana would portend a proportionate decline in the expenses for criminal justice agencies. However, opponents of this argument claim that the increased use of marijuana that will result from legalization (Pacula & Kilmer, 2013), which may result in additional crime and a subsequent increase in costs for non-criminal justice agencies like mental health facilities. In addition, it is also claimed that legalizing marijuana could result in lower worker productivity due to the depressant-effects of marijuana. Finally, statistics show that a high proportion of those in adult correctional facilities have an ongoing marijuana habit and, therefore, legalizing marijuana would result in increased rates of crime (Hoobler & Hoobler, 2012). In conclusion, it seems that the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana may only portend marginal effects on costs to the criminal justice system. However, it could allow the criminal justice system to focus on public safety issues of more

The Moral Implications of Oretga and Gasset's Account of Barbarism Essay

The Moral Implications of Oretga and Gasset's Account of Barbarism - Essay Example For example, missionaries of humanity civilize savage race by using sword and fire because there is no other method than violence to transform the savage people from their way of life. After applying these violent methods, principles of civilization gradually develops and creates various forms of a human being’s spiritual manifestation that are called philosophy, religion, art and science and other forms of social life that enable an individual to enjoy freedom, security, leisure and self manifestation in greater spheres of activity. Thus barbarism transforms itself into civilization. As mentioned earlier, civilization is the beginning of all principles and ideas and all the knowledge for this transformation comes from the ideas preserved during the previous civilization. However, simultaneous to the beginning of civilization destruction and violence also arises and as a result, barbarism grows along with civilization. The parallel growth of barbarism side by side with the civ ilization can be easily traced in our society. In ancient times, the savage used to kill his enemy and in the cultured times, man has a wide range of technical devices, explosives, aero planes, poisonous gas and submarines to get rid of the enemy. These sophisticated weapons are the modern forms of the club and they are different only in the power and action. These are the civilized means of destruction and this cultured method and means of violence is the culture of barbarism (Ouspensky p.39). Barbarism thus exists in our society in the form of violence to gain control over another state, religion, morals and ideas and in the every other factor imaginable. The basic ambition of a modern society, its interests and tastes comprises of barbaric traits. The passion for competition, gambling, sport and the idea to influence, and behaviors like fear, panic and suspicion are features of barbarism. These features flourish in our daily life through technical culture by means of telegraph, q uick means of communication, wireless telegraphy and the like. Culture has established a differentiation between itself and barbarism. The manifestation of barbarism in the society is called crime. Prevailing criminology is insufficient to separate barbarism because crime is an infringement of law and law are usually a manifestation of violence and barbarism. Though the culture of civilization and barbarism develops simultaneously these two factors cannot sustain in the society indefinitely. A moment inevitably arrives when barbarism stops the development of civilization, and swiftly or gradually, completely destroys civilization (Ouspensky p.40) Why is philosophical barbarism important to the reader? The difference between barbarism and non barbarism is. Ortega y Gasset implicates that the people in modern society has the right to change and impose law directly. The common man has freedom to proclaim the rights and impose them wherever necessary. This indirectly means that common m an can control the process of civilization even if there is no progress in it. It is indeed extremely complex to preserve the current civilization that requires incalculably subtle powers. Even if a person is unfit to change the civilization, the common man has learned to utilize the advantages of the machinery built by the civilization by ignoring the principles of the civilization. The command of leaders over the public even though they are intellectually vulgar is not acceptable to culture because

Driving Forces Of The Jamaican Economy

Driving Forces Of The Jamaican Economy The purpose of this research is to do an analysis of the investment setting of the local economy . This will be done through an analysis of the macro economy, industry analysis and company analysis. This research seeks to identify the three industries which have the greatest potential for growth for the period 2013- 2016. From the three industries identified, the industry with the greatest growth potential will be analysed further and a company chosen from this industry for fundamental analysis. The results presented from the research should be treated as conclusive but rather as an hypothesis or best guess for the direction of the economy during the period 2013- 2016. Economic Analysis is the study of general economic conditions that is used in the valuation of common stock. The macro economy is the environment in which all firms operate and it has a great influence on profits and the firms relative performance within the industry. Driving Forces of the Jamaican Economy Jamaica is a small developing economy with a lot of potential for growth if resources are used more effectively. Over the years it is evident that the economy has been growing, however, there are areas that seem to be crippling. The major drivers of growth in the economy are agriculture, forestry and fishing. On the other hand it is expected that mining, quarrying, hotels, restaurants and electricity will expand. Over the past years the contribution of agriculture to GDP ranges from 6.5% 8.5%. If this number is to grow the economy would have to get in the frame of mind of eating what we grow which will help to decrease imports, however exports would have to increase since it would not be beneficial to stop importing but do nothing about exporting. Industries make up 29.5 % and services makes up 64.7% of GDP. The economy depends mostly on services which include restaurants and hotels which make up the greater portion of GDP. However the country generates most of its foreign exchange from tourism and bauxite. Although the economy is growing it would be better if there were not so many hindering factors. These factors include crime and corruption, large-scale unemployment and underemployment. Instead of seeing a decline, the economy is experiencing growth in those factors, and these affect the economy negatively. According to a paper on national security it stated Jamaica has a culture of crime, this high crime rate in the economy causes there to be fewer investments which results in a slow growth of the economy. As a small economy with so much potential to grow but little resources and few modern technology there are some corrective measures that should be in place if the economy should grow. According to Paul Allen a business reporter these measures include: embracing competitiveness and taking the necessary measures to achieve and maintain it, companies need to move away from targeting the local market and focus more internationally, make better uses of resources invested in economic activities and adopting policies that encourage innovation and cohesion. In implementing these measures the economy will be sure to see growth. It may not show currently but it will show over a period of time if implemented at the right time and with the right precautions. Unemployment Unemployment rate is the percentage of the total labour force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment and willing to work. Decreasing unemployment in Jamaica has always been one of the major economic factors that the Jamaican government have always tried to solve. The graph  [1]  shows the movement of unemployment rates between the years 2009-2013. The figures show a gradual increase in unemployment over a three year period and also a forecasted increase over a two year period. According to the PIOJ in an article in the Jamaican Observer dated August 22, 2012 the economy is going through a transformation in which sectors growing the fastest are the ones shedding jobs due to modernisation taking place. Compared to other Caribbean countries Jamaica has been experiencing the slowest economic growth and the country will continue to face challenges for years to come. To combat this problem the current government will be maintaining a broadly market friendly policy stance and reducing Jamaicas high unemployment rate a priority. They have found $4 billion funding for the Jamaican Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) in the efforts to solve this problem and as such the projections for unemployment for 2012 and 2013 are 13% and 14% respectively. Interest Rates Interest rate is a rate which is charged or paid for the use of money and is often expressed as an annual percentage of the principal. The lending interest rates for Jamaica over three years are graphically represented  [2]  . These figures show a gradual decrease in interest rates which can have both negative and positive effects. Low interest rates increases borrowing by consumers and thus increase consumer spending, it will prompt investors to invest more in equities and businesses will be able to finance expansions and so on at cheaper rates all of which will help to expand the economy and increase GDP as they can borrow for less money to finance these activities. On the other hand lower interest rates also indicates that persons will begin to save less as they will not be receiving much return and it can also weaken the dollar. According to Bryan Wynter the Governor of The Bank of Jamaica, He stated in an article dated June 14, 2012 Jamaica will sustain low levels of interest rates. Jamaica is expected to continue stable/decreasing levels of interest rates. Interest rate for Jamaica is currently 17.55% as of August 2012. GDP Gross Domestic Product is the measure of the economys total production of goods and services. Rapidly growing GDP indicates an expanding economy with ample opportunity for a firm to increase sales. The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services which accounts for about 60% of GDP. GDP in Jamaica 2009 was reported at -2.6 % this shows that the level of production in the economy was declining compared to -1.7 % in 2008. In 2010 GDP was -0.6% this contraction was reflected in low economic demand, job losses and reduced disposable income. In 2011 however GDP increased to 1.3 % this was due to improved international economic conditions, particularly in the first half of the year. Domestic demand for goods and services, although weak, continued to improve throughout the year, it was also influenced by sustained growth in remittance inflows to Jamaica. According to the Bank of Jamaica, GDP is projected to be within the range of -0.5% to 0.5%. Inflation According to Mankiw inflation is the overall increase in price levels. Inflation may cause the value of investments to fall. Government deficit and rising cost of productive inputs are causes of inflation in Jamaica. When the governments expenditure exceeds its revenue, the government is said to be running a fiscal deficit. In order to finance this deficit, the government has the option of either borrowing from the Bank of Jamaica or borrowing from local or international financial institutions or from the general public. If the government borrows heavily from the local sources outside the Bank of Jamaica, it may lead to an increase in domestic interest rates. If the government decides to borrow funds from the Bank of Jamaica to finance its deficit, the process of printing money may have to be done. This is not a preferred option as the process usually leads to inflation because it represents an increase in money balances without a corresponding increase in the quantity of goods in th e economy, that is, more money chasing too few goods. Inflation also arises out of increases in the cost of production inputs. The price of any final good or service will depend upon the cost of the inputs used to produce that good. The more expensive the inputs are to the producer, the higher the cost of the product to the consumer. This therefore means that continued increases in the cost of productive inputs would result in continued increases in the price of the good and hence causes inflation.  [3]   According to the Bank of Jamaica the inflation rate in 2009 was 10.2 % which decreased from 16.8% in 2008. This decline was a result of the declining in prices of import commodities and an increase in productivity and output in the agricultural sector. In 2010 however inflation increased to 11.7%, this was a result of domestic weather shocks this included drought conditions and a tropical storm which affected food supplies. In 2011 inflation decreased to 6.0% this was influenced by the impact of excess supply on agricultural prices which means there was a high supply of agricultural produce. Domestic demand also was remained low during this period. Projected inflation for year the years 2012 to 2013 is estimated to range from 10% to 12 %. National Debt Debt to GDP According to Ken Chaplin in an article dated Tuesday November 15, 2011, the country is not doing well when a lot of its economic and financial activities are measured against the GDP for instance the debt. In 2008 Jamaica had a debt to GDP ratio of 128 percent. Total debt for 2010 was 128.3% of GDP compared with 129.3% of GDP in 2009. The projection for 2011/12 is 122.8% of debt to GDP and the projection for 2015/16 is 95.1 percent of debt to GDP.  [4]   Total debt stock for 2009 was $1,434,755.8 million compared with $1,570,368.30 in 2010 and a projected $1,639,502.5 in 2011. All of these figures broke the debt ceiling of l00 percent. In 2009 the domestic debt ratio to GDP was 68.4%, in 2010 66.1%, and for 2011the projection is 65%. As far as external debt is concerned, the debt to GDP ratio was 60.9% in 2009, 62.2% in 2010 and the projection for 2011is 57.7%. The government projects that by the year 2015/16 the debt to GDP ratio will be 95.1%, but this is not sufficient. In every respect the extent of the debt is a heavy burden with which the country is struggling to maintain. Industry Analysis An industry analysis is an analytical tool used to identify various attributes within an industry. In Jamaica we have many industries, and there success and growth are often dependent on a number of factors. The more common factors considered for an industry include the level and type of technology employed, type of labour force employed, government regulations and the like. The three industries identified in this research paper, are the three industries that the authors of this paper felt had a better chance to do better than all other industries during the period 2013- 2016. These industries are the financial industry, manufacturing industry and the telecommunications industry. These three industries have shown the greatest potential for sustained growth over the projected horizon. Financial Industry The finance sector is regulated by the Financial Regulations Division (FRD) this division deals with the development of the regulatory framework, which influences the operations of the countrys financial sector. Jamaicas financial sector is made up of merchant banks, commercial banks, credit unions, building societies that are license under the financial institution act. The sector also includes non-deposit taking institutions including insurance companies, development bank and securities dealers. The Bank of Jamaica Financial Stability Report for 2011, states that the general financial stability environment in 2011, although remaining stable, was dominated by higher credit risks. The credit risk conditions permeating the financial markets in 2011 were affected by domestic economic conditions pertaining to uncertainty surrounding the status of the Stand By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), deteriorating debt indicators, the delay of other key economic reforms and the less than favourable strength of economic recovery. It further stated that the annual change in Jamaicas gross domestic product (GDP) returned to positive growth rates at end 2011. In addition, economic activity appeared to be trending to levels recorded prior to the international financial crisis that started in 2007. Improved performance was reflected within the financial sector for 2011. Compared to 2010, profitability rose for financial institutions. Increased profits were mainly due to: activities in the banking sector which realized accelerated growth in the asset base; continued reduction in risks related to the cost of financing in 2011, despite low aggregate demand and unfavorable performance on interest bearing assets; and lower market interest rates during 2011, thus generating lower interest expense relative to 2010. Despite several risks identified for the period under review, the financial sector was adequately capitalized. Two of the major risks were the protracted uncertainty due to the status of reviews of the countrys medium term programme by the International Monetary Fund; and the evident increase in Non-Performing Loans, specifically to corporations. This industry is driven by technology, as is evident from the various machines utilized by the various financial institutions to ensure the continued operations of its business. This technology includes internet banking and telebanking facilities which allow customers to shop and pay bills from the comfort of their own home. Manufacturing Industry The manufacturing industry is comprised of any and all organizations that engage in production activities. In view of this definition, this industry would include organizations involved in food processing such as Grace Foods and Lasco Manufacturing, outdoor signage companies such as National Outdoor, furniture making companies and the like. The manufacturing industry, also known as the secondary industry, employs a lot of labour especially unskilled labour which is used to produce the wide variety of manufactured goods found within our local economy. Technology is also employed to this sector to aid in production but, the industry remains very labour intensive and is the main source of income for many within the local economy. The contributions made by the manufacturing industry as showed steady declines since 1990 at 21.3% to 8% in 2011. The importance of this industry is however underscored by the president of the Jamaica Manufacturing Association as the largest contributor to GDP of all the goods producing sector. This industry is regulated by the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, which is responsible for ensuring that companies within this industry are properly licensed to do business and also acting as an agent of the government on behalf of the stakeholders of this industry. Since the Jamaica debt exchange in 2009, businesses and individuals who formerly depended on earnings from government debentures have had to shift their focus as they desire to gain greater returns on capital. The industry has benefitted from this has some manufacturing businesses have sought to increase their capacity, and in so doing generate more income. (Edwards, 2010) The major players in this industry enjoy greater market share and economies of scale. Nevertheless the industry is not yet saturated and more and more players are entering the market with a view to earning income and gaining greater market share. There are little barriers to entry within this industry and it has become a worthwhile alternative employment for those who did not benefit from an acceptable level of secular education. In recent times the financial stability of Jamaica seems to be hinging on an IMF deal. As a result vision 2030 which is a mandate of sorts for growth in the manufacturing industry has taken on greater meaning. It is the desire of the government to see this industry expand it capacity and export more and import less. (Edwards, 2010) Telecommunications Industry In 1986 LIME then known had Cable and Wireless Jamaica enjoyed a monopoly position within the industry. This was however sanctioned by an act of parliament, and in 1999, CWJ was asked to give up their monopoly status and liberalize the market. (Country Profile Jamaica, 2007) By the end of 2005 Jamaica was described by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as having the highest usage of cell phones than any other country within the American region. The Jamaican mobile sector which includes companies such LIME and Digicel are credited with the extensive growth in the telecommunications industry, despite the global recession during the periods 2007-2011. According to (Business Wire, 2011) the mobile sector is poised for strong growth during the periods 2011- 2016. Factors contributing to this projected sustained growth are the 3G and 4G deployments by the mobile sector. As noted by (Country Profile. Jamaica, 2007), in 2007, Digicel was market leader with a customer base of 1.7 million Jamaicans and LIME followed with a customer base of 700,000. In the ensuing years there have been slight fluctuations, but Digicel remains as market leader. The telecoms industry in Jamaica is regulated by the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). The fair trading commission asses the market and ensures that as companies within this industry interacts fairness exists and that no entity is able to cause negative impacts to other players in the market. The Office of Utilities Regulation focuses on the interaction between industry players and the consumer society. At times they may set rates for service providers or approve rate increases. However, as a result of the competitive nature of this industry, there is not much if any interference from the regulator in this regard. As mentioned before there is a high level of competition within this industry with the major competitors being, LIME vs. Digicel, LIME vs. Flow, LIME vs. Digicel vs. Flow, and offcourse the list goes on. Success in this industry is however dependent on technology employed and the corporation with the greatest investment in technology is poised to see the greatest return on investments. In Depth Analysis of chosen Industry (Manufacturing) In the view of the members of this group, the manufacturing industry is positioned to do better than the other two industries assessed during the periods 2013- 2016. Our decision was drawn from past and present activities within the economy and we hypothesize that the manufacturing industry will be the leading industry at the end of the projected period. Manufacturing in Jamaica has grown from small beginnings to the well oiled machinery that now exists. In times past it was about trial and error. Bringing things to the market and hoping that sales would be made. This industry is however faced with the reality that it does not have unlimited resources for trial and error. As a result, corporations within this industry have diversified to gain greater economies of scale. Within this industry we have food processors. Leading in this area are companies such as Jamaica producers, Grace Foods, Lasco Manufacturing, Polyfoods and offcourse the list goes on. We have beverage companies such as Pepsi, Jamaica Beverage, Wysinco, Grace and still others. Not to be outdone is the industrial giant Tankweld Metals which produces all type of steel to be used in the construction industry. Time would not allow us to go into every sub sector within this vast and expanding industry. This industry benefits from various government concessions as an inducement to ensure sustained growth of the sector. In the vision 2030 that was drafted, the manufacturing industry was viewed as a critical area that the government would be looking to make investments in to ensure growth of the sector, through its manufacturing task force (vision 2030, 2009). As noted by (Country Profile Jamaica, 2005), the manufacturing industry is the second largest contributor to GDP growth. Despite this second place status on the issue of GDP growth, the industry is still growing and there are incentives available for growth which underlay the potential for it to become an industry leader during the projected period. A recent occurrence that has had a negative impact on the manufacturing industry includes the recent passing of hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy has washed away crops, blown down structures and damaged parts of some factories. This has caused setbacks within the industry and may inevitably lead to increases in cost of products produced. However in times past, these situations have levelled off and normalcy returned. Similarly the effects of Sandy will be a thing of the past. Social Influences The manufacturing industry is impacted by the need of many to have employment in order to support their families. Many secondary school graduates first job is in the manufacturing industry as unskilled labourers. There they have an opportunity to learn industry relevant skills that will benefit them in later years. The Manufacturing industry however is not to be viewed as a day-care centre for the nations youth. It is in fact a very well paying industry for those who have qualified themselves in that area through skills training or tertiary learning. The success of this industry will inevitably depend on those individuals with new knowledge and innovative ideas to keep it moving forward. A very important part of the economy is growth in gross domestic product. The more developed this industry becomes, the greater will be GDP. Of special note also is the fact that the manufacturing is the single largest employer of human labour. Technology Employed Like other industries, the manufacturing industry is aware of the benefits derived from the use of technology in its operations. The use of technology in this area is complemented by human labour, the two works hand in hand. In times of long ago, the adage many hands make work light had real meaning. It took many hands to get things done at that time. In this modern economy, the usage of technology has increased capacity within the various companies within the manufacturing industry. As a consequence many have had to learn how to operate and maintain these machines in order to secure their employment within the industry. Others have left to find their place in other industries such has the service industry. It is with the aid of technology that firms within this industry can gain economies of scale. These include industry giants such as Grace Kennedy, Lascelles, Lasco and much more. Regulatory Environment In Jamaica, there are incentives to be gained from the government if the thing being produced is deemed to be in the national interest (Chen-Young). Government officials have on numerous occasions spoken about the need for Jamaicans to capitalize on the benefits that can be gained from producing more and importing less. Linked to its national policy, we are admonished to be self sufficient to the extent possible. On a more serious note we have the Bureau of Standards, This institutions sets the standards that must be met for goods that are to be used by the public (bsj.org.jm). In the case of building blocks built by Carib Cement, there is a certain level of pressure that each block should be able to withstand before it breaks. The standards set by the Bureau are in the best interest of the nation and they are not burdensome to implement. Forces Driving Competition Mr Porter identified five forces which drive competition within an industry, these are also known as Porters five forces. These are the; bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from potential entrants, threat from substitutes of products or services, and intense competition among existing companies within an industry. Bargaining Power of Buyers As a result of the buyers knowledge of the market and the competitors thereof, the buyer is able to make demands on the business. Buyers are more sensitised to the various facets of the manufacturing industry and the many niche markets that have sprung. The buyer therefore has the option to shop around and get the best deals. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers are aware that they do not have a monopoly market on raw materials needed by companies within the manufacturing industry. As such suppliers seek to form partnerships with companies in order to secure further business. As such the bargaining power of suppliers is moderate. Threat from Potential Entrants Threat from potential entrant is low. This is because a sizable investment is needed to enter this market and not everyone can afford to set up shop and manufacture their own goods to be sold to consumers. Threat from Substitute Products There is a high level of threat from substitute products. As a result the consumer can go elsewhere if not satisfied with what is being offered for sale. This forces the company to be sensitive to the needs of consumers since there needs can be filled elsewhere which would result in a loss of revenue. Intense competition among existing companies within the industry There is intense competition within the industry, with the exception of those that operate as monopolies. In every subsector of this industry, there is intense rivalry and the consumer only stands to benefit. Those that have however established themselves within the industry see favourable returns despite the intense rivalry. These companies include Pepsi and Wysinco from the beverage sector. Company Analysis The company chosen from the industry that is believed to outperform the other two industries is Lasco Manufacturing. This company exists as a major player within the food manufacturing sector of the manufacturing industry despite being quite young when compared to its major competitors. It has as its vision, to become a global corporate leader through innovation and entrepreneurship. Lasco Manufacturing came into existence as a consequence of a decision that was made to reorganize the Lasco companies in the year 2010. The board of directors entered into and amalgamation agreement which in effect led to Lasco Foods being made responsible for its own activities the name was thereafter changed to Lasco Manufacturing. The chairman for the Lasco manufacturing company is Mr. Lascelles Chin; he is also the founder of the Lasco Affiliated Companies. A recipient of the Order of Jamaica for the work he did in the development of commerce in Jamaica. This man along with his qualified team of directors and committed staff are positioned to take this company to new heights during the projected period of 2013- 2016. Economic and Industry Influences Lasco Manufacturing, like all other business are affected by the economic climate. The countries inability to secure an IMF deal will result negatively on its operations as it relates to its importation of raw materials for its business. The countries net international reserves are getting low and this may lead to further downgrades in on Jamaica as a place for doing business and Lasco Manufacturing will be affected. The recent passage of hurricane Sandy left damages that the government is still paying some of which will remain unchanged. Many manufacturing companies including Lasco Manufacturing were affected by Sandy. Food prices are expected to rise and this company will not escape this reality if it comes to fuition. The economy has been in worst state before and was revived, the authors of this paper are confident that normality will return to Jamaica and this company will continue to thrive. There has been an influx of brands which are rival to our company under consideration. However the Lasco brand is an household name and as a result still enjoys a favourable position within the market. The company however has to maintain a strategic focus because not all consumers will be loyal to a brand and as the consuming public become more educated and aware they will make greater demand on the producers of goods and services. Structural Influences Firms Competitive Strategies SWOT Analysis A SWOT analysis is a tool used to make an assessment of the strategic position of an organization. This assessment is used as a guide to position or reposition the organization in a profitable direction, taking into consideration availability of resources. Strengths Dominates the powered milk market. Well recognized brand locally. Company is more distribution oriented; this is positive considering the high manufacturing cost in Jamaica Weaknesses Products have a stigma of being low ended. Concentration in one product type; milk powder. Low regional diversification, revenues are concentrated in Jamaica. Alliance between chairman and managing director. Opportunities Tax break from listing on the JSE for the next 10 years. Stronger profit growth to fund retooling and business expansion. Threats Though Lasco benefits from weak demand, continued weakness in the Jamaican economy could impact them. Favourable Attributes of the Firm Generally, the favourable attributes of a company look at its unique qualities or characteristic that makes it the preferred choice for its customers and it is this same uniqueness that lures its potential customers. The major qualities or characteristics that contribute to a companys favourable attributes are its competitive advantage, exceeding management styles and market leadership. Competitive advantage can be further subdivided into differentiation advantage and cost advantage. Differentiation advantage is when the company offers superior product and services at the same price in the market. In contrast, cost advantage is when the company offers the same goods and services like its competitors but for a lower price. Above average management speaks to the level of managerial approach which is used within the company and it also looks at the level of mentorship that the existing managers can provide to the next generation of managers. The attribute of market leadership gives an o verview of the overall marketing styles which the company uses to builds its reputation and thus making it a priceless entity. ( Annonymous, 2008) Now when we use the definition of favorable attribute to scan Lasco manufacturing limited it was observed that it portrays numerous qualities which contributed to its uniqueness. In the first place, it can be seen that Lascos attribute of competitive advantage exemplifies a cost differentiation style in which it offers a variety of low price products on the market. The majority of these products which they offer are a part of the food basket of the average Jamaican consumers and so they have created a guaranteed market in that spectrum. This attribute has branded Lasco products as cheap and therefore gives them a huge competitive advantage among some of the major manufactures in Jamaica such as Seprod Ltd, Nestle and Grace Kennedy

Free Essays - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Free Essay on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, describes a young boy torn between what he feels for his country and what society expects of him and what his heart tells him is right. Huck Finn, faces many situations forcing him to deal with decisions that carry with them the ability to bring about change. Huck begins searching for an identity which is truly his own. In determining his self image, Huck deals with conforming to the social norms and freedom, trying on different identities that do not belong to him, and shaping these new found tributes into an identity which best suits his conscience. Throughout the book, Huck rejects "sivilized" life because he has no reason for it. All that civilization has brought for him was bad things. He meets many people and they all try to influence him to change his ways to what they see is right. Pretty soon, he does not want to deal with any of it and just wants to live a life of adventure and fun. The novel begins with Hu ck under the care of Widow Douglas as "she took me for her son, and allowed that she would civilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time." (p. 11) Huck has become so used to being free that he sees the Widow Douglas' protection solely in terms of confinement. He finds this impossible because he loses his freedom amongst "the bars and shackles of civilization." Huck feels that he belongs out under the stars where the community cannot tell him what to do. His drunken and often missing father has never paid much attention to him; his mother is dead and so, when the novel begins, Huck is not used to following any rules. At the beginning of the book, Huck is living with the Widow Douglas and her sister, Miss Watson. Both women are fairly old and are really incapable of raising a rebellious boy like Huck Finn. They attempt to make Huck into what they believe will be a better boy, as Huck says, to "sivilize" him. They do this by making Huck go to school, teach ing him about different religions, and making him act in a way that the women find socially acceptable, which means no more smoking. Free Essays - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays Free Essay on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, describes a young boy torn between what he feels for his country and what society expects of him and what his heart tells him is right. Huck Finn, faces many situations forcing him to deal with decisions that carry with them the ability to bring about change. Huck begins searching for an identity which is truly his own. In determining his self image, Huck deals with conforming to the social norms and freedom, trying on different identities that do not belong to him, and shaping these new found tributes into an identity which best suits his conscience. Throughout the book, Huck rejects "sivilized" life because he has no reason for it. All that civilization has brought for him was bad things. He meets many people and they all try to influence him to change his ways to what they see is right. Pretty soon, he does not want to deal with any of it and just wants to live a life of adventure and fun. The novel begins with Hu ck under the care of Widow Douglas as "she took me for her son, and allowed that she would civilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time." (p. 11) Huck has become so used to being free that he sees the Widow Douglas' protection solely in terms of confinement. He finds this impossible because he loses his freedom amongst "the bars and shackles of civilization." Huck feels that he belongs out under the stars where the community cannot tell him what to do. His drunken and often missing father has never paid much attention to him; his mother is dead and so, when the novel begins, Huck is not used to following any rules. At the beginning of the book, Huck is living with the Widow Douglas and her sister, Miss Watson. Both women are fairly old and are really incapable of raising a rebellious boy like Huck Finn. They attempt to make Huck into what they believe will be a better boy, as Huck says, to "sivilize" him. They do this by making Huck go to school, teach ing him about different religions, and making him act in a way that the women find socially acceptable, which means no more smoking.

Dutch and English Essay

The economic and political success of the Dutch and the English between 1570-1766 How the Dutch and English became successful was not only in trading but being merchants and bankers as well. When the other countries were busy fighting each other the Dutch were specializing in trading with them. Out of 20,000 trading vessels 16,000 of them were Dutch ships.† In the early 1400’s two thirds were based in Amsterdam.†The English and Dutch went to war over trading not only once but three times. The first was fought in 1652-54 the second in 1665-67 the third and final was in 1672-74 with the Dutch being the victor at Solo Bay in 1672. The most important thing to the Dutch was there trading, they even came up with something called the Maritime Insurance: with this people didn’t lose out on the profit. When the ships left port and out to sea nobody knew what would happen or if they were going to make it back, till the ship sailed into the harbor once aging. The Dutch even design a ship that was able to carry more goods and less people, it was a la rge bulk- carrying vessel called a flute or fly boat. The Dutch had trading stations and supply depots in many ports to name a few were: Norway, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, Formosa,† which they took control of by 1641.† They were also the first to dominate the Baltic trade route between Spain, France, and England. The Dutch were able to pay a higher price for your goods and also give you credit, in doing this even if the crops were not ready yet the farmers still made sure they had something to sell to the Dutch. This meant a lower profit margin but the Dutch were able to profit since they had so much trade. There was even a market for Dutch paintings they were the first one to paint every day citizens doing every day things: form standing at the market, celebrations, or just having a good time. The  colors and demotions of the paintings is what made they more life like. Painting also showed how clean the homes and alleys were, of the farms the Dutch weren’t afraid to show everyone what they were like, took pride in showing people how they lived. Map making was another thing the Dutch did well they were able to lay it flat instead of in a cylinder shape. This way they were able to write on it redesign the different countries it was easier to measure how far you came or still needed to go. Education was available to anyone who wanted to learn woman and children, and not just to the rich but to everyone who wanted to learn. Pictures show that the schools were like an out of control daycare. Women were able to help run a business draw up contracts, women were just about equal to the men expect they couldn’t be on things like town counsels or like. Girard P.2 Women were still expected to get married and become a mother that was very important more then running a business. What was interesting was woman were able to go out by themselves and feel safe they didn’t need to worry about being abused, the other towns people looked after each other children they cared what happed to each other. The Dutch people seemed to always be talking about anything and anyone it didn’t matter where they were. In doing this people from other countries were surprised in this. The Dutch had an option on things form there own country two any other that might cross there mind. While other countries were fighting a religious war the Dutch were more laid back each religion had it place. At the some time there were many people moving to the Dutch Netherlands because they were able to study things like being a mathematician, even studying astrology. The Dutch showed the world what middle class family was and they didn’t need to starve or be poor; the farmers were able to sell their livestock or crops at the markets, they made a good living they didn’t dress in rags or dirty. In fact the Dutch were very clean, their homes were neat, even the back allies were keep clean and in order. The Dutch were very curious they wanted to know how the human body looked on the inside they even painted they doing an autopsy of the era. They were all about advance technology they used the ocean to power water wheels they dug canals to the wheels this powered the machinery, even  the wind was used for the windmills. The Dutch currency stayed the same, to help with the trading the first stock market was started in the Amsterdam town square. Not long after that the bank of Amsterdam was founded in 1694. Merchants were able to give credit and finance people. â€Å"Around 1700 the Dutch Netherland was ruled by the merchants mostly in Amsterdam it was the riches in province.† So while the rest of the world was taking from everyone and fighting over what religion was the right one the Dutch were trying to improve themselves trading was were the money was even if they had to spend money to make it they came away richer for it. They use the elements around them the ocean and the wind. There country men were there equals the country worked together. Things like money and finance was agreed on. The Dutch were traders, farmers, fishermen, merchants, bankers, even slave traders they did what they could to succeed in life while everyone else were fighting. Agriculture was a imporant econimc factor in England by the sixteenth century they had improved in better breading in their livestock, better dranges in the lower farmlands. People even came to England to learn how to farm. England imported other crops form different areas like rice from Asia.Trading was economicly favorable not as successful as the Dutch. Some of the English shipments were things like: â€Å"timber, flax, pitchwere the first of the Baltic trade†. England and the Dutch first went to was in 1652-54 the English were the victor. Some of England’s wealth came from the skilled craftsmen. They were invented and came up with new techniques.† Two centuries of gunnery had brought mining and metallurgy to a high pitch.† Girard P.3 In the year 1558 England got a new Queen named Elizabeth, she was the daughter of Henry the Eighth and Ann Boleyn. Before she became Queen her half sister imprisoned her in 1554 then final put her in exile in May 23 1554. When Elizabeth came to the throne due to fate she didn’t have the very men killed that tried to have her killed. Instead she bade them to place her in their hearts and have trust in her in other words. She talked to them as they were her equals, not just her royal subjects. On her coronation she asked nothing more of her subjects then to think of the good of England she stated that the common wealth of England comes first. Instead of fighting  amongst themselves she wanted them to stand together to fight their enemies. Spain and the Dutch were England’s greatest enemies. With the defeated of the Spanish in the Gulf of Mexico by John Hawkins in 1577 he was appointed treasurer of the navy. The English came up with a prototype of a ship in 1569 that was faster and easier to maneuver and had a better chance of hitting their target even in the turbulent whether. By 1588 the English had eighteen of them built. In 1776 saw another sea battle with Spain, during the next few years England would war with Spain three more times. Religion was a major political in England it seems from the start of the world: you had the crusades that were fought in the Holy Lands not only once but at lease three times. Everyone was trying to convert anyone they can to the true church. You had the Roman Catholic like John Knox an ordained priest. John Calvin who after braking from the Roman Catholic Church and becoming a Protestant around 1530, Calvinism and Lutheranism was the out come of that religion. Lutheranism was after a man named Martin Luther who was an Augustinian Monk. Because of him and his belief and thinking that we all didn’t need to follow one religion we today have many different faiths and we are able to choose what we are and what believe freely. Between the years of 1562-1598 there were at lease nine religion wars fought. Even under Elizabeth Catholics died because they were judged to be traders. In 1694 the bank of England was founded, the merchants were able to give credit and finance, there was a rise in the use of paper for currencies and instead of using bullions the cheque was invented. â€Å"Joint stock companies generated another form of negotiable security, their own share.† In the seventeenth century the coffee house were being taken over by the start of the London Stock exchange. Financer started to offer the public life insurance for the first time. The English became merchants and bankers when it was apparent that more money was to be made if they were more involved in the trading. The Economic gain of both the English and the Dutch were closely related, the trading and the banking. They soon realized that they would have to spend money to make it so that is how the Dutch came up with the stock market were everyone was able to have a share in. both countries were into slave trading, the Dutch started their West Indies company solely for the trading of slaves. This was an important economic for both countries. . Girard P.4 Another of England’s success was in the colonizing of the many countries and the discovery of even more. New York was a Dutch colony before England took it over. The other reason the English were successful because they didn’t wait for things to come to them they went out and took it. Whether it was the trading, farming, banking: both England and the Dutch kept trying to improve what they had in life. They still went out to make something of themselves discovering new countries and learning from there mistakes. One of the biggest successes the Dutch had been their trading routes. They didn’t just stop at a few they went on establishing many new shipping ports. Then they even designed ships that were able to carry larger bulk items, with less man power. They were able to give better bargains that made people wasn’t to trade with them. Back then it was important that you didn’t loose your product or that was the end of your money till the next season. The Dutch were so successful with their trading they had control over the Baltic trade routes, Spain, France, and England were just a few ports they traded with. The Dutch even had the environment working for them: they had advanced their technology where the ocean powered their water wheels, which powered the machinery. If the water wheels were inland they dug canals to where they needed the water. The wind was even utilized with the windmills that were spreading up across the country side. How they worked to maintain the shipping trade was everyone who could afford it bought stock in the company and that is how the first stock market was invented. The English on the other hand was a close second in the trading, one of the biggest commodes was the slave trade. The import trade was just an important this brought to England how to improve better breading with the livestock, the different crops like rice. then you had other shipments such as cotton and rubber just to name a few. Not only were the English traders but they became merchants industries were gaining a foot hold like the brewing establishments and the wool merchants. Mechanical and engineering skill clocks were done with mechanical interments. Brewing and textile establishments were also a growing business along side of the cloth and wool merchants that were spreading across the country side When Elizabeth became Queen she tried to improve the political stand point with England instead of fighting each  other she stated that the common wealth of England should come first. She talked to the people as if the were her equals and just her royal subjects. The economical success of both English and the Dutch was learning how to advance their trading what things worked and what didn’t. They applied and design different techniques the farm land and the crops were improving with every century and generation. Religion was always an issue in the political area you had your Roman catholic, or your Protestants. Then when Luther was making an issue of which god and belief was the true one two more faiths came into play and that was the Lutherans and Calvinists because of a man name John Calvin. The bible didn’t come into print till 1455 and that was the Gutenberg Bible. After that t5he people were able to read the words of God for themselves.

Free Essays on Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

I. Title: â€Å"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets† II. Author: J. K. Rowling III. Summary: This book was about a boy named Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts School for Witches and Warlocks. It is Harry's second year at the school. His two best friends are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also attending Hogwarts. They all live at the school during the school year. Harry lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and their son Dudley Dursley. An evil wizard called Voldemort killed Harry’s real parents when Harry was very young. For some unknown reason, Voldemort was unable to kill Harry and this defeated Voldemort. Harry’s life at the Dursley’s was not good. He was forced to life under the stairs for most of his life. At Hogwarts mysterious attacks begin to occur. The victims of the attacks become â€Å"petrified†, they are almost statue-like. At the first attack there was some writing on the wall warning muggle-borns and muddbloods. (Muggles are nonmagical people, and muddbloods are people with muggle blood as well as wizard blood.) Harry, Hermione and Ron are very anxious to stop the attacks, Harry is a muddblood and Hermione is a muggle born. They discover many clues. The attacks are a result of The Chamber of Secrets being opened. The heir of Slytherin can only open the chamber. Slytherin is one of the four founding fathers of Hogwart. The others are Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. Some students thought Harry was the heir because during dueling practice Harry stopped a snake from attacking a kid by talking to it, in snake talk. No one else could understand what Harry was saying and they thought he was urging the snake on. The chamber had been opened in the pa st. Harry found this out when he over heard some teachers talking. He learned more about this when he found a diary. It was magic. When you wrote on the pages the writings disappear and it wrote back to you. It wrote back to... Free Essays on Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets Free Essays on Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets I. Title: â€Å"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets† II. Author: J. K. Rowling III. Summary: This book was about a boy named Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts School for Witches and Warlocks. It is Harry's second year at the school. His two best friends are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also attending Hogwarts. They all live at the school during the school year. Harry lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and their son Dudley Dursley. An evil wizard called Voldemort killed Harry’s real parents when Harry was very young. For some unknown reason, Voldemort was unable to kill Harry and this defeated Voldemort. Harry’s life at the Dursley’s was not good. He was forced to life under the stairs for most of his life. At Hogwarts mysterious attacks begin to occur. The victims of the attacks become â€Å"petrified†, they are almost statue-like. At the first attack there was some writing on the wall warning muggle-borns and muddbloods. (Muggles are nonmagical people, and muddbloods are people with muggle blood as well as wizard blood.) Harry, Hermione and Ron are very anxious to stop the attacks, Harry is a muddblood and Hermione is a muggle born. They discover many clues. The attacks are a result of The Chamber of Secrets being opened. The heir of Slytherin can only open the chamber. Slytherin is one of the four founding fathers of Hogwart. The others are Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. Some students thought Harry was the heir because during dueling practice Harry stopped a snake from attacking a kid by talking to it, in snake talk. No one else could understand what Harry was saying and they thought he was urging the snake on. The chamber had been opened in the pa st. Harry found this out when he over heard some teachers talking. He learned more about this when he found a diary. It was magic. When you wrote on the pages the writings disappear and it wrote back to you. It wrote back to...

helicopters essays

helicopters essays Early in 1961 General Maxwell Taylor, who was then Military Advisor to John F. Kennedy, went out to Southeast Asia to find out just what was happening there. During his visit to Vietnam, he noticed the lack of good roads inhibited the movement of government troops in fighting the Viet Cong. His reports to the president motivated Kennedy to help the South Vietnamese in their struggle against communism. Although he quickly decided to help out, the president knew that new army techniques and weapons would have to be administered to combat in the dense jungle terrain, still new to the United States Army. Kennedy proceeded to send in a newly improved military innovation to help American troops fight the rising Vietnamese War. This innovation was the Helicopter. On December 11, 1961, the U.S. aircraft carrier Card carried the first Army H-21 helicopters to South Vietnam.(Gregory 12) During the Vietnam War, the helicopter proved to be a necessity in being able to combat the power of the Vi et Cong. The helicopter is a member of a very versatile group of airplanes known as vertical takeoff and landing craft. The main advantage in the jungles of Vietnam was the helicopters ability to takeoff and land in a small area without the use of a runway. In 1100 the Chinese were the first to invent the concept of the rotating blades with a helicopterlike top. In 1843, Sir George Cayley built a steam driven helicopter that rose a few feet, but was too heavy to be practical. In Spain, Juan de la Cievera built the first Autogiro in 1923. The autogiro was the father of the helicopter. Although the Autogiro is not at all fast, it requires no fuel and flies on the concept of autorotation. Autorotation was adapted to modern helicopters in case of power loss, where the helicopter could land safely without crashing. The first practical flight of a helicopter in the United States took place in 1939, when Igor Sikorsky flew his VS-300. (Comptons 1)...

Islamic Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Islamic Finance - Essay Example The paper tells that despite the upheavals and mayhem that exists between the Islamic world and the United Kingdom, as peculiar as it may seem, it is wise to say that Islamic banking and finance has found its way in the United Kingdom. Islamic finance is the basis of Islamic banking system. Laying its foundation on the rules and principles of Sharia, commonly known as the Islamic law, this offers Islamic finance its very unique and competent features. As much as Islamic Banking has its challenge and opportunity, many western bankers have sort to involve themselves in this growing business. Their guiding principles and rules state that Allah owns everything in this world and that man has only been rendered permission to use it. In the United Kingdom, London has emerged itself to be the core ad centre of Islamic banking. In the United Kingdom, a decade ago, the business was perceived to be in its infancy this being the reason as to why its extent is limited. A decade later, Islamic ban king and finance has prevailed in the United Kingdom due to its unique characteristics. One of the most distinct characteristics that have made Islamic banking and finance business to grow is the fact that Islamic banking does not offer interests, which is commonly referred to as riba in the Islamic world. The reward for money deposited as perceived is done by not charging or paying interest. As a way of curbing the loss and profits occurred, Islamic banking use the technique of sharing both the profit and loss occurred. This is commonly known as mudarabhah, which in lay man’s term means profit sharing. In cases that involve mortgage buying, the bank itself buys the mortgage from the seller then giving it to the buyer making profits thus allowing the buyer to pay the money in installments. The mortgage is registered under the buyers name from the start to avoid any suspicions. This kind of arrangement is known as Murabah. The entrepreneur feature of the Islamic banking and f inance is another characteristic that has made this type of banking to stand out. Putting its focus not only on financial expansion but on also physical expansion of economic services and production, this has made many western bankers to use the Islamic banking and finance services. Trade financing and equity financing have led the way for the Islamic banks. No wonder the growing trend of people enjoying their banking services. The United Kingdom being one of the worlds’ most sophisticated and complicated banking and financial systems, this has helped the Islamic banking and finance to prevail. The main reason as to why Islamic banking and finance has prevailed more in London than in any other cities of the world is due to the fact that London is much closer to Middle East than any other cities. In fact, London is estimated to have hosted the world’s largest Islam’s in all the cities of the world (Anwar, 1995). In the center of London, the Arab community is rank ed among the most affluent Arabs in the world. To add on to that, Arabs restaurants and hotels exists in London center to cater for the Arabs that visit the city every now and then. There has been an increasing number of doctors, engineers, and students in the United Kingdom. London emerges to be the leading market in the world for foreign currency exchange, dollar being the popular currency trade. In the recent years, the retail level banking in the United Kingdom has gone down. This is due to the introduction of the Banking Act of 1987, which allowed external banking to exist. The big four banking players dominance namely Barclays, Lloyd, NatWest and the Midland bank, the latter being the only one that has managed to secure its market share. Evolving from a small niche bank in the Middle East in the last four decades, Islamic Banking and finance have grown in to a dynamic, profitable, and resilient competitor to all major banks in the United Kingdom. By the end of 2008, Islamic ba nks are estimated to be over $850 billion and

Public Policies Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Public Policies - Term Paper Example These people feel threatened by the public interest groups that jockey for room and influence. However, there are others who believe that these groups prove that America is a vibrant democracy. This latter opinion makes much more sense and will be explored in the course of this essay. America has a truly brilliant political system. Each person has one vote. But by organizing together, groups of people can have a larger impact on the system. For example, people who enjoy owning guns for recreational purposes such as hunting can join together to be members of the NRA. There are millions of people who have done so. This is an issue that is important to them. When a politician suggests that the law should be changed to make possessing guns more dangerous, these millions of NRA members have an effective way of championing their position. Likewise, those who want more gun control are free to organize to present the opposite point of view. The debate will presumably happen in public. The representatives can choose a position and can allow the voters to ratify his or her decision at the next election. That is how democracy works. There is nothing broken about lobbying. As Anderson explains in his book, there are a number of different types of interest groups. Some are professional, some are ad hoc. Some are interested in a single issue, others have multiple interests. Some think tanks provide constant pressure on political issues (Anderson, 64). Others groups are collections of professional activists (Anderson, 72). In all of these forms, these groups contribute to our democracy. One of the transformative decisions of the Supreme Court in recent years regarding interest groups is the Citizens United decision which overturned the campaign financing laws. In the past groups could not spend very much money promoting a candidate during an election period. The Court felt that this was an assault on freedom of expression and overturned the law. In