Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Our Education System Needs to Be Improved essays

Our Education System Needs to Be Improved essays Our Education System Needs To Be Improved Education plays an important role in our society, which is the key of success for our future. This is why everybody has the obligation to go to school. Therefore, education system shall be considerate seriously. In What Our Education System Needs is More Fs, Carl Singleton suggests that our education system need to be improved by failing students. He states that teachers have tendency to pass unfaithfully students for more than 20 years, which means that teachers pass students who dont deserve to pass. The reason is that teachers dont want to feel guilty by failing them, so they quite change their grading standard. Another reason to increase the number of grade F is to eliminate illiterate graduate students from high school. Therefore, students who deserve to go to college will be able to read and write well. He also mentioned that the grade F would pull the parents attention to their childrens education, and makes the school boards and principals aware of the degradation of the education system. Finally, Singleton proposes that all teachers should respect the standard grading line in order to keep the education system in a good shape. Singletons arguments imply that the education system is getting worse from days to days because there are more and more graduates with lower quality knowledge. He also conveys that teachers easily pass students because teachers want to have a lower rate of failed students in their class, and proving that their teaching methods are efficient. Without Fs nobody would knows that the systems is in troubles. Moreover, school board and principal would ignore the issue, which help to save money and avoid futures difficulties management such as overload classes with those who have to repeat the class. Singleton insights that school doesnt want to take their responsibilities to fail students because th...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

10 Activities That Will Make Your Trip to Germany Special

10 Activities That Will Make Your Trip to Germany Special Top 10 Things to See and Do in Germany Travelers are often attracted by different exotic options and unexplored routes that promise new emotions and unforgettable impressions. It is quite understandable, since tourism has become very developed sphere and a life passion for many people. Though along with the original and extraordinary trip opportunities, Europe remains the unfailing focal point of sight-seeing. Its priceless architecture, cultural and art heritage and original atmosphere represent the endless source for touristic inspiration and attraction. If you made your decision in favor of the sophisticated European sights, in particular Germany, we will advise you ten things and places that you shouldn’t miss in this country. Visit the Semperoper Opera in Dresden Even if you are not very fond of opera and ballet, this opera is really worth seeing. It fascinates by magnificent architecture and luxurious interiors. Being built in 1841, it represents the historical, architectural and cultural masterpiece, which dazzles and astonishes its visitors with beauty. The Semperoper Opera offers numerous operas and ballet performances and you for sure will find something to your taste. Besides the very first opera, which was performed here is the opera written by German composer Carl Maria von Weber. Take a tour or buy a ticket to one of the performances and view this outstanding and pompous sight with your own eyes. Spend Spring in Bonn Spring is the special part of the year, which brings inspiration; desire to live, to create and to make something original in this world. Moreover, we are sure that if you meet spring in unique and remarkable places, it will endow you with a lot more impressions, encouragement and delight. Undoubtedly, Bohn is one of such places. Its Heerstrasse or Cherry Blossom Avenue is adored by all tourists in spring due to its pink splendid blossoms. In the Internet you can find thousands of photos of the Cherry Blossom Avenue but they can be hardly compared with viewing it in person. So if you have free April, head for Bohn, enjoy beauty of blossom, walk through the city center and visit famous Beethoven’s House, everything is nearby. Calm Nerves in the Tropical Islands Resort This place helps to change every day routine and take you away from all troubles. Here you forget about rush and schedule and enjoy dozens of entertaining activities for the whole family. The park is opened 24 hours a day and offers sandy beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, waterslides, the Shopping Boulevard and acrobatic performances. Here you become the combination of different activities and a great opportunity of entertainment this spring. Try Ski Jumping in Steinach This offer seems pretty risky and unsafe from the first side. However, no one is born with the ability and knowledge in a certain sphere. A lot of people search for new sources of emotions and adrenaline burst and ski jumping is the right thing. Rennsteig Outdoor Center in Steinach provides numerous courses and decent level of safety. Thus, we advise you to consider the possibility of having 150-meter ski jump this spring. Take Wine Tasting Tour in Cochem Cochem is famous by its vineyards and picturesque landscapes and if you like nature and wine, trip to this town will be a great choice. Go on foot or rent a bicycle and set out on a journey. Besides except wine tasting there are a lot of other things to do. The architecture in Cochem is remarkable and attractive; in particular Cochem’s Imperial Castle is one of its greatest masterpieces. The town is not big but there are a lot of things to see and to do, so this touristic destination is an excellent choice for a weekend trip. Hike in Saxon Switzerland Both professionals and amateurs will find great opportunity for hiking in the beautiful area along the Elbe River. There are about 1000 peaks, which attracts hikers with the awesome views. Especially, we should mention a famous and fascinating rock formation – Bastei. Wooden bridge, which connects several rocks, uncovers unforgettable and stunning views. Combine extreme experience with the fascination of the nature beauty in Saxon Switzerland and enjoy every moment of this. Go to Lichtenstein Castle Feeling attraction to medieval period of time, one should not miss an opportunity to visit the Lichtenstein Castle. It is situated on the cliff in Swabian Alps and is a beloved attraction for tourists. It is significant that by going to the castle you explore the history and admire the nature. The interior of the castle represents armory, paintings, medieval furniture, you have everything to deep into the life of those times. Attend Cultural Events in Heidelberg Heidelberg is a popular tourist destination. The city offers for its visitors a lot of architectural attractions: Medieval and Baroque buildings, ruins of the famous Renaissance castle, the oldest university in Germany. However, architecture is not the only reason of influx of tourists. There are a lot of cultural events held in the city. They are various music, theater and art festivals and numerous entertaining and cultural events. Visit Bavarian Alps Are you looking for fresh mountain air and interesting activities that can distract you from academic or business activities? There is such place in southern Bavaria, where the Alps are situated. Here you can find a lot of outdoor activities: skiing and snowboarding in winter, cycling, hiking and camping in summer. Also there are a lot of different events, festivals and spa resorts. There is a wide choice for any preferences. Visit Munich Munich is the capital of Bavaria and is often called one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. It attracts visitors by its geographic location, since it is situated in the backdrop of the Alps. Munich has a remarkable architecture, outstanding museums and a lot of other interesting sites. In October Munich becomes the center of all beer lovers due to its annual beer festival. Munich is more than just a city, it is the spirit, and it is the atmosphere, which should be witnessed at least once in the life. As you see, there is a lot of exiting things to do in Germany this spring and all the year round. Do not miss your chance and indulge yourself with the unforgettable trips!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Women and their Rights to Sexual and Reproductive Health Essay

Women and their Rights to Sexual and Reproductive Health - Essay Example This system of patriarchy is supported and intensified by our society through the continuous reinforcement of the male domination via different institutions such as religion, government, economy, family, and often than not, the institution of education as well. Likewise, one among the roles being played by these social institutions is the shaping of gender roles between men and women. It is the case that how people are supposed to behave and how they act are something that is already influenced and anticipated by the society. On the one hand, the unjust power dynamics between men and women has affected greatly women in our society in general. It is not just the old, middle – aged, young, or even those females who are not born yet who are affected but generally, all women are troubled. This is for the reason that women are clearly situated at a disadvantageous point because of the unfair and unequal power relations between men and women. Women are considered as second class cit izens who are powerless and need to depend on men. Women lack the power to control their lives and even to rule over their own body since the normative standard expects men to dominate over women. Because of the fact that women cannot even have power over their own bodies, they are not given priority and are usually ignored to have the rights to the sexual and reproductive health. In this regard, this argumentative paper will dwell on the position that women, who lack the control over their bodies, must have the rights to their sexual and reproductive health. I am saying this not just on behalf of those women who are infected by sexual infections and diseases, but I am stating this on behalf of all the women. Not all women may have the full awareness that they are limited because of gender but just accept what the society dictates them. However, sexual and reproductive health is one of the many things that women do not have. Thus, they should have these rights as women. Human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as stated by Amzat and Abdullahi (2008), has turned out to be a challenging global health concern for having around 40 million infected people in Africa. Indeed, this health issue is indeed a global concern but the condition of Africa is something that is really shocking. It is the case that seven (7) out of ten (10) infected with the disease are residing at this region. What contributes to this bulk number of infected people is not just the lack of awareness of having protected sex and the lack of safe sex practice however, according to the United Nations Development Programme – Pacific Centre’s (UNDPPC) (2009) report, there is a close connection between the spread of HIV as well as the distinct and unfair experiences of women and men and together with the unjust power relations between them that leads to the gender – based discrimination of different sorts suffered by women. Moreover, the r esult of the new report has been consistent to the United Nations’ old report in 1996. Both have asserted that gender is still suggested to be considered as a concern in order to address, stop and invert the increase of HIV as well as the other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The case of the spread of HIV in the Pacific is marked by risky sexual behaviors of men who have happened to hold more social power and have more freedom in having sexual activities as compared to women (UNDPPC, 2009). Meanwhile, the society has constructed its ideas on masculinity whose common features link to their likelihood of acquiring this sexual infection. Men’s physical and sexual prowess together with their authority in the society has altered the

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

New Ideas in Lighting Get Closer to Market Research Paper

New Ideas in Lighting Get Closer to Market - Research Paper Example The scope of saving energy and the techniques required may vary from place to place but it is regarded switching to more eco-friendly and energy efficient source as it helps in reducing the CO2 emissions by a significant number (CARDWELL, 2014). Adapting to energy efficient sources usually costs more money up-front but in many cases the capital outlay will be paid back in the form of reduced energy costs within a short period of time. This makes switching to energy efficient sources more attractive and budget friendly. In order to conserve and save energy in terms of light bulbs, green lights are the most efficient option available today to save more energy. Incandascent bulbs have been the mainstream bulbs we have known. Incandescent use more electricity during the process of production of heat hence they are short-lived and need constant replacement. Usually homeowners would argue that energy saver lights such as the LED and other energy saver bulbs or energy saver light bulbs are less expensive than ever before and provide superior light quality, and quickly payback in the form of saving energy and reducing replacement costs. LED lights are more affordable and flexible now. These incredibly efficient and technologically advanced lights will be the lights used in future. There are other lights bulbs which are also energy efficient, such as the CFL (compact florescent lights), which have come a long way and can be fitted into the same socket as the incandescent bulbs (smartandgreen.eu, 2014). This is the most common type of lighting in homes, owing to the fact that it is affordable and comes in a vast range of sizes, shapes, and wattages. The drawback of these bulbs, however, is that they are inefficient. They produce light by heating a solid material until that material produces a glow. In the process, much energy is consumed as a result of the heat that is produced. As a

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Great Gatsby and a good man is hard to find Essay Example for Free

The Great Gatsby and a good man is hard to find Essay There are so many ways and means that man evolve himself into: his pursuits of his dreams, his conduct of his life as he sees it fit; his definition and interpretation of the other lives that revolve around his own life. The parallelism and yet paradoxically the extreme difference in the central characters of â€Å"The Great Gatsby† and â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† – illustrate the variances and also the similarities in the lives of two different men. It is therefore necessary for man to be properly guided by his perspective in life to enable him gain his rightful place in society and in this life. The Great Gatsby: Stocks and bond became an intriguing business in the 20’s and thus it lured a curious, young, business neophyte – Nick Carraway. From his hometown in Minnesota, he moved to New York to pursue the burgeoning promise of wealth. Nick lived in a house he rents in Long Island New York in the area of the wealthy in West Egg district. He soon learned that his neighbors are all socially well connected and established with newfound wealth that makes them all aggressive, dreamy, gregarious and showy. One such neighbor is Jay Gatsby. In Gatsby’s magnificent mansion, fabulous parties and guests happen every time. And what unfolds to Nick are circumstances that mixes all the decadence there could be. Nick is distinctive from his West Egg neighbors because he is a Yale graduate and has nevertheless established connections with the high society of the East Egg district of Long Island. Nick has a cousin that lives in East Egg, Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is married to Tom, who was Nick’s former classmate in Yale University. During one visit of Nick to his cousin, Daisy and Tom introduced Nick to a beautiful young girl, Jordan Baker. Nick and Jordan become besotted, fell in love and carried a romantic affair. It was Jordan who confessed to Nick about the true state of the marriage of his cousin Daisy and Tom. It is because Tom is carrying an extra marital affair with a certain Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle lives in a not so impressive neighborhood in a dumping ground of industrial refuses that is located between New York City and West Egg District of Long Island, called the Valley of the Ashes. Indeed it has come to pass that Tom was audacious to invite Nick to join him and Myrtle to parties. The summer that came along, Nick got an invitation from Jay Gatsby for one of his famous parties. Nick attends and finds Jordan Baker already there. It was Jordan who formally introduced Nick Carraway to Jay Gatsby. Nick was impressed by Jay a someone who is extremely gregarious, pretentious, good looking, and has a very winsome smile. It was Jordan who told Nick that Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan were friends way back their days in Louisville. Jay has been in love with Daisy from day one and still carries the torch to the present time. The reason why Jay pursued his dream, his social status, his wealth were all because of Daisy whom Jay wants to impress and win her love. Therefore, inviting Nick and meeting him was for purposes of Nick arranging for Jay to meet Daisy once again. It is because Jay learned from Jordan also that Nick is the cousin of Daisy. So, Nick found a way for Jay and Daisy to meet and talk. Daisy eventually got enamoured by Jay and thus the two has an affair. To which, Tom slowly became suspicious. Inspite of Tom’s infidelity, he still feels outraged that his wife has the gall to cheat on him. Tom confronts Jay and told him that he can never truly win Daisy’s heart because what they shared is something that Jay cannot out shine. Tom also confronts Daisy and told her that she is being blinded by Jay’s status, wealth and power because she does not know and will never know that what Jay Gatsby has are all from illegal businesses. Daisy eventually realizes that she loves Tom and feels she has to sustain her loyalty to her husband. A tragedy that transpired twisted all of their fate. Myrtle Wilson, the mistress of Tom was ran over by a car and died. The car is Jay Gatsby’s car and it was driven by Daisy. Gatsby could not take to heart that Daisy will be made responsible for Myrtle’s death. Gatsby decided that he will take the blame and claim that he was the one driving. Thus, it was such that Tom told George Wilson, the husband of Myrtle – that Gatsby was the one driving the car that killed Myrtle. George therefore suspected that Gatsby and Myrtle must be having an affair. George confronts Gatsby and shoots him to his death. Then George consequently shoots himself. Nick was the one who arranged for the final services for Jay Gatsby and buries him. Nick breaks off with Jordan and completely decided to leave behind the New York City life that he thought would make him pursue his dreams of wealth, prestige and power. It is because he found himself immersed in mind boggling misery of intrigue of decadent morals, greed and values. Nick concluded that there is really no such thing that can be emulated from Jay Gatsby as the epitome of an American dream fulfilled. A Good Man is Hard to Find: The family of Bailey is due for a holiday vacation and they planned to go to Florida. However, Bailey’s grandmother prefers to go to Tennessee. To win the debate, Grandmother pointed out to her son and his family that there is an escaped convict who has murdered to so many people and is on the loose. He is called The Misfit. The family was taken to the story of the Grandmother and they decided on Tennessee. On the road for their trip, the family did not know that Grandmother sneaked out her cat in a basket. She was seated at the back of the car, together with her grandson John West and her granddaughter June Star. Bailey and his wife were seated in front with their baby. Along the way, Grandmother remember at a certain section came to her recollection as the plantation that she used to live. She insisted to her son Bailey that they should stop for a while so she could visit. Grandmother enticed the family to abide by her wishes by telling her grandchildren that the house is mysterious for it has a secret panel that leads to somewhere yet to be discovered. The children got fussy and intrigued by the story and insisted that their father follows the wish of their Grandmother to visit that house in that plantation. The road was graveled and bumpy. As they all struggled thru the uncomfortable ride, Grandmother shifts her leg and it irritated the cat. The cat escaped from the basket and crawled at Bailey’s back. This caused the accident and the car turned over. However, no one is hurt. A car is seen to be soon driving by and they all waved for help. The car stops and three men approached the family of Bailey. The three men were carrying guns. And Grandmother recognizes one of man as The Misfit himself. The Misfit told the family that they have put themselves in trouble since they recognized him. The two other male companions were told to haul the entire family in the thick woods ahead of the road and kill them. Grandmother started begging The Misfit in all sorts of manner elucidating on the Christian principle that all men are good and that The Misfit does not actually have to be mean and bad. Grandmother was trying her best to convince The Misfit that he could even be her own son but nevertheless is loved by his own parents and family and God and he should be inspired by that. Grandmother assured The Misfit that he could find happiness in prayers. To it all, The Misfit nevertheless shot and killed Grandmother. The Theme: The Great Gatsby expounded on the realities of what it takes to reach ambition and goals in life. With the scenario of a prosperous decade of the 20’s the abundance of opportunities lured the Americans to pursue the heights of anything – no matter at what cost and what it takes. As Nick said in Chapter IX: â€Å"I see now that this has been a story of the West, after all—Tom and Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan and I, were all Westerners, and perhaps we possessed some deficiency in common which made us subtly unadaptable to Eastern life. † â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find ventures on the ethical values and faith to be generally in every human being. The conviction of the Grandmother that she could spare her family from the ire of The Misfit is based on such principle. She pleadingly tried to convince The Misfit when she said: â€Å"Listen, you shouldn’t call yourself The Misfit because I know you’re a good man at heart. I can just look at you and tell†. The Symbol: The Valley of the Ashes is the metaphorical representation in The Great Gatsby between being a success or a failure in one’s pursuit of your dreams. It is because that stretch of dumping ground separates the old rich constituents of East Egg and the place of struggle of their dreams which is New York City The cat buried deep in the basket that which eventually escaped symbolized the means that life can unfold to bring one’s fate to an undefineable track. Grandmother, with all her imaginary, fictionalized stories to earn all her whims was finally struck by the unforeseen way that the cat could bring her to her end, inspite of all the righteousness she beholds. She just has to have her way. As her granddaughter June Star said: â€Å"She wouldn’t stay at home to be queen for a day. † Works Cited O’Connor, Flannery. â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find†. 1993 Rutgers University Press Fitzgerald, F. Scott â€Å"The Great Gatsby†. Hayes Barton Press

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Capital Punishment is Not the Answer Essay -- social issues

Capital Punishment is Not the Answer Capital punishment is a difficult issue and there are as many different opinions as many people. Public support for the death penalty has decreased only a little in the last years. Meanwhile, many countries have outlawed the practice - capital punishment doesn't exist in the European Union countries - and strict laws about who may be executed are becoming more common. Despite of all this capital punishment is racially, socially and economically biased and allows the possibility of the execution of innocent persons, too. Furthermore, there is no benefit to society that would make it necessary to continue it. For these reasons, the death penalty doesn't support what the ideal criminal justice system tries to achieve and therefore must be abolished. Capital punishment cannot be a collective act of revenge. It must never be allowed to become a release for collective anger. Bud Welch lost his twenty-three year old daughter, Julie, in the Oklahoma bombing in 1995. "I'm opposed to the death penalty. It's vengeance that doesn't do my heart any good..."-said Mr. Welch. Capital punishment is no answer to the major challenges we face as a society. Moreover, it has not proven to be a deterrent to violent crime, and it has mainly occurred to the poor, and more to minority poor. This is not surprising, since a well-paid, high-powered defense team can make all the difference. In the United States there lives a conception of justice: a figure of a blindfolded woman holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other. The scales symbolize the careful investigation of evidence, the sword represents the speed with which justice is dealt with, and the blindfold symbolizes the unprejudiced reach of decision. This has the message that the poor, uneducated defendant has the same opportunity for a quality defense, and has the same chance for justice as the wealthy one. Yet, this could be questioned. Wealthy defendants are able to pay for false witnesses and expensive tests that are not available to poor defendants. The ill-paid Counsel of Defense may not really pay attention at the trial missing important evidence, so they result in their client being sentenced to death. Capital punishment is biased not only this way but also racially. The color of the skin of the accused and victim alike decides whether the death penalty wi... ...n for no reason must also be handled equivalently. There is a problem with a society that allows such a corrupt institution. In the year of 2000, 3058 people were sentenced to death in 65 countries from which 88% took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and in the USA. These numbers are terrifying! No longer should it be believed that executing a person is the only way to ensure that they do not get released from prison and kill again. It would be more necessary to increase the prison sentences of murderers. Imprisonment without the possibility of parole could be the sentence of those who would be sentenced to death under the current system. Such a move would help to calm down the fears of recidivism and would send a strong message to lawbreakers. The abolition of the death penalty would mean the end of executions and that the government wouldn't put any more prisoners to death. It should be recognized that murder is wrong in and of itself. Beyond that, it is wrong even as a secret plan within the heart. It is as old a human problem as Abel's death by his own brother, Cain. We should really keep ourselves away from the spiral of violence because violence begets violence. Capital Punishment is Not the Answer Essay -- social issues Capital Punishment is Not the Answer Capital punishment is a difficult issue and there are as many different opinions as many people. Public support for the death penalty has decreased only a little in the last years. Meanwhile, many countries have outlawed the practice - capital punishment doesn't exist in the European Union countries - and strict laws about who may be executed are becoming more common. Despite of all this capital punishment is racially, socially and economically biased and allows the possibility of the execution of innocent persons, too. Furthermore, there is no benefit to society that would make it necessary to continue it. For these reasons, the death penalty doesn't support what the ideal criminal justice system tries to achieve and therefore must be abolished. Capital punishment cannot be a collective act of revenge. It must never be allowed to become a release for collective anger. Bud Welch lost his twenty-three year old daughter, Julie, in the Oklahoma bombing in 1995. "I'm opposed to the death penalty. It's vengeance that doesn't do my heart any good..."-said Mr. Welch. Capital punishment is no answer to the major challenges we face as a society. Moreover, it has not proven to be a deterrent to violent crime, and it has mainly occurred to the poor, and more to minority poor. This is not surprising, since a well-paid, high-powered defense team can make all the difference. In the United States there lives a conception of justice: a figure of a blindfolded woman holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other. The scales symbolize the careful investigation of evidence, the sword represents the speed with which justice is dealt with, and the blindfold symbolizes the unprejudiced reach of decision. This has the message that the poor, uneducated defendant has the same opportunity for a quality defense, and has the same chance for justice as the wealthy one. Yet, this could be questioned. Wealthy defendants are able to pay for false witnesses and expensive tests that are not available to poor defendants. The ill-paid Counsel of Defense may not really pay attention at the trial missing important evidence, so they result in their client being sentenced to death. Capital punishment is biased not only this way but also racially. The color of the skin of the accused and victim alike decides whether the death penalty wi... ...n for no reason must also be handled equivalently. There is a problem with a society that allows such a corrupt institution. In the year of 2000, 3058 people were sentenced to death in 65 countries from which 88% took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and in the USA. These numbers are terrifying! No longer should it be believed that executing a person is the only way to ensure that they do not get released from prison and kill again. It would be more necessary to increase the prison sentences of murderers. Imprisonment without the possibility of parole could be the sentence of those who would be sentenced to death under the current system. Such a move would help to calm down the fears of recidivism and would send a strong message to lawbreakers. The abolition of the death penalty would mean the end of executions and that the government wouldn't put any more prisoners to death. It should be recognized that murder is wrong in and of itself. Beyond that, it is wrong even as a secret plan within the heart. It is as old a human problem as Abel's death by his own brother, Cain. We should really keep ourselves away from the spiral of violence because violence begets violence.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Civil War General Sherman once said, â€Å"War is hell. † He was right. In the short story â€Å"The Things They Carried,† Tim O’Brien shows us the hell that our soldiers suffered. The narrator shows us a captivating, and up-close story about our soldiers in the Vietnam War. While the title relates to the story about things carried, but the soldiers carry more than just the physical burdens-in many cases, they are weighed down by emotional baggage. The emotional baggage that lies heavy in their hearts outweighs the physical weight. In addition to the items that they must carry, they also carry personal mementos. To show how much the soldiers are carrying the narrator tells us â€Å"things carried were largely determined by necessity. † Some of the necessities included, â€Å"P-38 can opener, pocket knives†¦candy, cigarettes†¦C rations and two or three canteen of water. Together, these items weighed between fifteen and twenty pounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The narrator goes on to give us even more detail about the things the soldiers carried; â€Å"†¦. carried the standard M-16 gas-operated assault rifle. The weapon weighed 7. 5 pounds unloaded, 8. 2 pounds with its full twenty-round magazine†¦. grenade launcher, 5. pounds unloaded†¦Ã¢â‚¬  By telling us exactly what the men carried and how much it weighed, it gives us an insight on the physical burdens that the men had to carry. The narrator tells us that the intangible items that these men carried proved heavier than any backpack and gun. The main character in the story is Lieutenant Cross, platoon leader. He is in l ove with a young girl in the United States. She is always on his mind and because he allows his thoughts to take him away and be with her. Because of this, he blames himself for the death of another platoon member even though there was nothing he could have done to protect him. Lieutenant Cross felt the pain. He blamed himself. † â€Å"He pictured Martha’s smooth young face, thinking he loved her more than anything, more than his men, and now Ted Lavender was dead because he love her so much and could not stop thinking about her. † I think here he is being a little unreasonable. His love for her didn’t kill Lavender. He didn’t feel only the burden of being responsible for Lavender’s death, â€Å"it was the burden of being alive. † They all carried great emotional weight. â€Å"They carried all the emotional baggage of the men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing-these were the intangibles, but the intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight. † With all the physical and emotional things they carried, they also carried things that were close to their hearts. They carried mementos and other small weapons. â€Å"Mitchell Sanders carried brass knuckles. Kiowa carried his grandfathers feathered hatchet†¦. Kiowa always took along his New Testament†¦Lee Strunk carried his slingshot; ammo, he claimed, would never be a problem. † We’re told that Lieutenant Cross carried letters from Martha in his rucksack, and pictures of her in his wallet and a pebble. †¦Lieutenant Cross received a good-luck charm from Martha. It was a simple pebble, an ounce at most. † These things, although that was something else they carried, I feel like that, these items are things that made them feel like there was a world outside the war. They carried a silent awe of the power of the weapons, which kept them alive by killing the enemy. They carried infection, the weak or wounded, the thumbs of slain Viet Cong, guilt, and the soil of Vietnam itself. Perhaps the only certainty of a rather ambiguous war was that there would never be a shortage of things to carry.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Debt Policy and Value

EMBA 8500 #1 Book value of debt Book value of equity Market value of debt Market value of equity Pretax cost of debt After Tax cost of debt rd Market value weights of: Wd Debt We Equity bL Levered beta Rf Risk-free Rate Market Premium RM Ke Cost of equity WACC EBIT – Taxes (34%) EBIAT + Depreciation – Capital expense Change in Net Working Capital Free Cash Flow Value of Assets ( FCF/WACC) CASE # 31 0% Debt 100% Equity $ $ 20,000 $ $ 20,000 7. 0% 4. 62% $ 34% $ $ $ $ $ $ 0 1 0. 8 7% 8. 6% 13. 88% 13. 88% 4,206. 00 1,430. 04 2,775. 96 1,000. 00 (1,000. 00) 0 2,775. 96 19,999. 1 25% Debt 75% Equity $ 5,000 $ 15,000 $ 5,000 $ 16,700 7. 0% 4. 62% 12/2/2012 50% Debt 1) As the firm becomes more leveraged the WACC will change because debtholders have a 50% Equity fixed claim on cash which increases the risk for stockholders. This can cause the stock to go up $ 10,000 and firms can reduce the taxes paid, thereby freeing up more cash. Debt also increases the risk $ 10,000 of bank ruptcy. $ 10,000 $ 13,400 (Debt * Tax Rate) + BV Equity 7. 0% 4. 62% (Pretax * (1-Tax Rate)) 23. 0% 42. 7% 77. 0% 57. 3% 0. 96 1. 19 7% 7% 8. 6% 8. 6% 15. 24% 17. 27% 12. 79% 11. 6% $ 4,206. 00 $ 4,206. 00 $ 1,430. 04 $ 1,430. 04 $ 2,775. 96 $ 2,775. 96 $ 1,000. 00 $ 1,000. 00 $ (1,000. 00) $ (1,000. 00) 0 0 $ 2,775. 96 $ 2,775. 96 $ 21,699. 69 $ 23,399. 66 Added Tax Shield increase value VL = VU + TD MV Debt / (MV Debt + MV Equity) MV Equity / (MV Debt + MV Equity) 0. 8 is the b u b L = b u [1+(1-T) * D/E HAMADA D/E Ratio 29. 94% 74. 63% Ke = Rf + (b L * RM) CAPM WACC = (Wd * rd) + (We * re) EBIT * Tax Rate EBIT – Tax amount V = FCF/WACC M3DISK – Maryann Albert, Mike Arendosh, Mark Jarboe, Dan Pool, Ivo Hegelbach, Sean McPherson, Krista Massell 1

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Biography of Lizzie Borden, Accused Murderer

Biography of Lizzie Borden, Accused Murderer Lizzie Borden (July 19, 1860–June 1, 1927), also known as  Lizbeth Borden or Lizzie Andrew Borden, is famous- or infamous- for allegedly murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. She was acquitted, but the murders are memorialized in a childrens rhyme: Lizzie Borden took an axeAnd gave her mother forty whacksAnd when she saw what she had doneShe gave her father forty-one. Fast Facts: Lizzie Borden Known For: Accused of killing her father and stepmother with an ax  Born: July 19, 1860 in Fall River, MassachusettsParents: Andrew Jackson Borden, Sarah Anthony, Abby Durfee Gray (stepmother)Died: June 1, 1927 in Fall River, MassachusettsEducation: Morgan Street School, high schoolNotable Quote: Maggie, come quick! Fathers dead. Somebody came in and killed him. Early Life Lizzie Borden was born on July 19, 1860, in Fall River, Massachusetts, the third of three children born to Andrew Jackson Borden (1822–1892) and Sarah Anthony Morse Borden (1823–1863). The eldest was Emma Lenora Borden (1851–1927). A middle child, a daughter, died in infancy. In 1865, Andrew Borden remarried to Abby Durfree Gray (1828–1892), and the couple and their daughters lived mostly quietly and uneventfully until 1892. Lizzie attended the Morgan Street School, which was not far from her home, and the local high school. After graduating, she was active at church by way of teaching Sunday school and serving as secretary of the local Christian Endeavor Society. She was also a member of the Womans Christian Temperance Union and dabbled in the Ladies Fruit and Flower mission. In 1890, Lizzie briefly traveled abroad with some friends. Family Conflict Andrew Borden started out his business career as an undertaker but bought rental properties and went into banking and textile mills as well. At the time of his death, he was a bank president and a director of several textile mills, and estimates said he was worth about $300,000 (about $8.5 million in 2019), not counting his real estate. He was, however, known for being miserly with his money. In contrast to the fathers wealth, the house they lived in was small and shabby, not in the part of town where the rest of Fall River elite society lived, and had neither electricity or indoor plumbing. In 1884 when Andrew gave his wifes half-sister a house, his daughters objected and fought with their stepmother, refusing thereafter to call her mother and calling her simply Mrs. Borden instead. Andrew tried to make peace with his daughters. In  1887, he gave them some funds and allowed them to rent out his old family home: at the time of the murders, Lizzie had a small weekly income and $2,500 in a bank account (what would be $70,000 today). Lizzies Difficulties According to various accounts, Lizzie was mentally disturbed. She was known to be a kleptomaniac- local shopkeepers would check for missing objects after she had been in and send a bill to her father, who paid them. And in 1891, Abbys jewelry box was rifled, after which her father bought locks for his bedroom door. In July 1892, Lizzie and her sister Emma went to visit some friends; Lizzie returned and Emma remained away. In early August, Andrew and Abby Borden were struck with an attack of vomiting, and Mrs. Borden told someone that she suspected poison. John Morse, the brother of Lizzies mother, came to stay at the house. Morse and Andrew Borden went into town together on the morning of August 4. Andrew came home alone. Killings The reconstruction of the crime found that around 9:30 a.m. on August 4, 1892, Abby was hacked to death with an ax, interrupted while she was in the guest bedroom. Andrew arrived about an hour later, met Lizzie and the maid at the door, and went to sleep on the sofa in the sitting room. He was killed, also hacked to death, at roughly 10:45 a.m. The maid, who had earlier been ironing and washing windows, was taking a nap when Lizzie called her to come downstairs. Lizzie said she had been in the barn and returned to find her father dead. After the doctor across the street was called, Abbys body was found. Because Andrew died without a will, his estate went to his daughters, not to Abbys heirs. Lizzie Borden was arrested in the killings. The Trial Lizzie Bordens trial began on June 3, 1893. It was widely covered by the local and national press. Some Massachusetts feminists wrote in Bordens favor. Townspeople split into two camps. Borden did not testify, having told the inquest that she had been searching the barn for fishing equipment and then eating pears outside during the time of the murders. She said, I am innocent. I leave it to my counsel to speak for me. Evidence included a report that shed tried to burn a dress a week after the murders (a friend testified it had been stained with paint)  and reports that she had tried to buy poison just before the murders. The murder weapon was never found for certain- a hatchet head that may have been washed and deliberately made to look dirty was discovered in the cellar. No blood-stained clothes were found. Without direct evidence of Lizzie Bordens part in the murder, the jury was not convinced of her guilt. She was acquitted on June 20, 1893. After the Trial Although the towns social elite supported Lizzie during the trial, they cooled to her after the acquittal. Lizzie remained in Fall River, but she and Emma bought a new and bigger home in the elite part of town that she called Maplecroft, and she began calling herself Lizbeth instead of Lizzie. She dropped her club and charity work and began attending theater performances in Boston. She and Emma had a falling out in 1904 or 1905, possibly over Emmas displeasure at Lizzies friends from the theater crowd. Both Lizzie and Emma also took in many pets and left part of their estates to the Animal Rescue League. At the time of her death, Lizzie was a very wealthy woman; her estate was worth approximately  $250,000, the equivalent of about $7 million in 2019 dollars. Death At the age of 66, Lizzie Borden died of pneumonia in Fall River, Massachusetts, on June 1, 1927, her legend as an accused murderer is still strong. Her sister Emma died a few days later, at her home in Newmarket, New Hampshire. They were both buried next to their father and stepmother. The home in which the murders took place opened as a bed-and-breakfast in 1992. Legacy The World Catalog lists 1,200 entries dedicated to Lizzie Borden, including 580 books, 225 articles, 120 videos, and 90 theatrical pieces, the latter including ballets, operas, plays, television and movie scripts, and musical scores. Google Scholar lists over 4,500 entries, including 150 in 2018 alone. There are other accused and convicted murderers who attract more attention, of course, but there is a seemingly unending fascination with this particular story, primarily speculation about why this Victorian middle-class woman may have killed her family. Among all the literature, books, movies and other forms of art, postulated possible and impossible hypotheses about why or whether Lizzie Borden did hack her parents to death include:   She was criminally insane, with a dual personality like Jekyll and Hyde.She was irresponsible and ill, and hysteric in the Victorian sense.She was a free spirit who was oppressed by Victorian values.She adored her father who infantilized her, and one day she snapped.She was physically abused by her father and stepmother.She was a victim of incest.She was angry because she missed exercising the social standing she felt she deserved.Her father killed her stepmother and then Lizzie killed him because of it.Somebody else did it (a stranger; a rejected suitor; her uncle; the maid).Her stepmother broke up Lizzies relationship with a lover.She was involved in a lesbian affair with the maid and the parents found out.She was in love with her sisters suitor.For the money. Sources Bartle, Ronald (2017).  Lizzie Borden and the Massachusetts Axe Murders. Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hampshire: Waterside Press.Kent, David and Robert A. Flynn. The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook. Boston: Branden Books, 1992.Lincoln, Victoria. A Private Disgrace: Lizzie Borden by Daylight: (A True Crime Fact Account of the Lizzie Borden Ax Murders). Seraphim Press, 1967.Robertson, Cara W. Representing Miss Lizzie: Cultural Convictions in the Trial of Lizzie Borden. Yale Journal of Law and the Humanities 351 (1996): 351–416. Print.Roggenkamp, Karen S. H. A Front Seat to Lizzie Borden: Julian Ralph, Literary Journalism, and the Construction of Criminal Fact. American Periodicals 8 (1998): 60-77. Print.Schofield, Ann. Lizzie Borden Took an Axe: History, Feminism and American Culture. American Studies 34.1 (1993): 91–103. Print.The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. â€Å"Lizzie Borden.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 15 July 2018.â€Å"Lizzie Borden.†Ã‚  Famous Trials .

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement In composition and academic writing, a  thesis statement (or controlling idea) is a  sentence  in an essay, report, research paper, or speech that identifies the main idea and/or central purpose of the text. In  rhetoric, a  claim  is similar to a thesis. For students  especially, crafting a thesis statement can be a challenge, but its important to know how to write one because a thesis statement is the heart of any essay you write. Here are some tips and examples to follow. Purpose of the Thesis Statement The thesis statement serves as the organizing principle of the text and appears in the  introductory paragraph. It is not a mere statement of fact. Rather, it is an idea, a claim, or an interpretation, one that others may dispute. Your job as a writer is to persuade the reader- through the careful use of examples and thoughtful analysis- that your argument is a valid one. Developing Your Argument Your thesis is the most important part of your writing. Before you begin writing, youll want to follow these tips for developing a good thesis statement: Read and compare your sources: What are the main points they make? Do your sources conflict with one another? Dont just summarize your sources claims; look for the motivation behind their motives.Draft your thesis: Good ideas are rarely born fully formed. They need to be refined. By committing your thesis to paper, youll be able to refine it as you research and draft your essay.Consider the other side: Just like a court case, every argument has two sides. Youll be able to refine your thesis by considering the counterclaims and refuting them in your essay. Be Clear and Concise An effective thesis should answer the reader question, So what? It should not be more than a sentence or two. Dont be vague, or your reader wont care. Incorrect: British indifference caused the American Revolution. Correct: By treating their U.S. colonies as little more than a source of revenue and limiting colonists political rights, British indifference contributed to the start of the American Revolution. Make a Statement Although you do want to grab your readers attention, asking a question is not the same as making a thesis statement. Your job is to persuade by presenting a clear, concise concept that explains both how and why. Incorrect: Have you ever wondered why Thomas Edison gets all the credit for the light bulb? Correct: His savvy self-promotion and ruthless business tactics cemented Thomas Edisons legacy, not the invention of the lightbulb itself. Don't Be Confrontational Although you are trying to prove a point, you are not trying to force your will on the reader. Incorrect: The stock market crash of 1929  wiped out many small investors who were financially inept and deserved to lose their money. Correct: While a number of economic factors caused the stock market crash of 1929, the losses were made worse by uninformed first-time investors who made poor financial decisions.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Slavery Trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Slavery Trade - Essay Example As the report stresses various abolitionist laws were instituted, though slave trade still grew dramatically spreading to the Northern parts of the American continent.   During this time, there was a gradual growth and expansion of the cotton industry. With the tremendous expansion of the cotton industries which were mostly found in the southern part of the American continent, labor force became a challenge to the industry stakeholders. Acquiring and retaining an adequate workforce that could carry out the day to day activities within the cotton industry became a major challenge to the industry players thus they had to seek a solution.From this paper it is clear that  most of the laborers within the cotton industry at that time were of British origin and were only available as indenture servants. These laborers offered their services in the cotton fields and industry on contractual basis, thus were never reliable to the industry players. They had the tendency of signing contracts that were indenture in nature. They in return received payments in various forms for their services in cotton industries and fields. In most cases, the laborers received payment in the form of upkeep. The cotton field owners and the industry stakeholders had to offer upkeep for the laborers as payment for the services they offered in their fields and cotton industries. Either, the laborers received passage from the cotton field owners and industry owners for the services they offered.

Friday, November 1, 2019

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell Essay

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell - Essay Example Rainsford becomes the prey and in doing so the author unveils the resourcefulness and animal instinct that lies below Rainsford's pompous exterior. Here we glimpse the evil that lies at the primal core of all men such as Rainsford. Rainsford is portrayed as a man of breeding and good manners. He hunts animals because he believes they have no understanding and are incapable of feeling fear or pain. He shows his arrogance on the yacht by insisting he knows the mind of the jaguar and rebuffing the anecdotal tales of Ship-Trap Island as nonsense. Rainsford's smug attitude is further revealed as he "indolently puffed on his favorite brier". However, in his first physical challenge, Rainsford falls overboard as he struggles to retain the symbol of his self-indulgent aristocracy, his treasured pipe. The pompous Rainsford now confronts the sea and a more resourceful man is revealed. He "wrestled himself out of his clothes", as the yacht became a dim drone in the distance. The keen-witted Rainsford is able to make his way to the direction of the gunshots and locate the chateau of General Zarnoff. Zarnoff feeds and clothes Rainsford and tells him of his grisly preoccupation with hunting humans. Rainsford is repulsed by the idea and demonstrates his basic belief in puritan civilization by perceiving Zarnoff as a murderer.