Free Essays on Israel

The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat requested Israel’s new government to resume talks involving the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Arafat said that they are ready to resume negotiations with the Israel’s government, and immediately if necessary. Ever since Sharon had won a victory over Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Feb. 6, Sharon and Arafat have been undeniable enemies. Both of the leaders have seemed to put aside their difference unwillingly, in order to further negotiate talks. â€Å"Let the negotiations over the permanent status be resumed from the point it had left off,† Arafat said. â€Å"This is the only efficient and logical way to reach a clear security formula and a strong basis for coming agreements.† Sharon said that he would only resume talks with the Palestinians only if they stop the revolt that started after Sharon visited Jerusalem. Arafat must order his people to stop the violence in order to negotiate. Sharon said that once the negotiations begin he will offer the Palestinians only about 42 percent of the West Bank, in which they completely control now. But Arafat wants to resume talks where they left off, in which they would share Jerusalem and the Palestinians would get more than 95 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip to compose a Palestinian state. In class we have discussed the issue of the Palestines and the Israelis and the conflict between the two. This is definitely a step in the right direction in order to have peace in this troubled area. With this area having so much valuable history it is a shame seeing it being destroyed the way it is. Fighting has been a reoccurring event in this area and peace talks are in desperate need. At this point in time the talks are in the early stages, but they are in the process of working things out. It’s definitely a shame to see the tragedies that are occurring but it is also good to see that they are atleast talking.... Free Essays on Israel Free Essays on Israel The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat requested Israel’s new government to resume talks involving the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Arafat said that they are ready to resume negotiations with the Israel’s government, and immediately if necessary. Ever since Sharon had won a victory over Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Feb. 6, Sharon and Arafat have been undeniable enemies. Both of the leaders have seemed to put aside their difference unwillingly, in order to further negotiate talks. â€Å"Let the negotiations over the permanent status be resumed from the point it had left off,† Arafat said. â€Å"This is the only efficient and logical way to reach a clear security formula and a strong basis for coming agreements.† Sharon said that he would only resume talks with the Palestinians only if they stop the revolt that started after Sharon visited Jerusalem. Arafat must order his people to stop the violence in order to negotiate. Sharon said that once the negotiations begin he will offer the Palestinians only about 42 percent of the West Bank, in which they completely control now. But Arafat wants to resume talks where they left off, in which they would share Jerusalem and the Palestinians would get more than 95 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip to compose a Palestinian state. In class we have discussed the issue of the Palestines and the Israelis and the conflict between the two. This is definitely a step in the right direction in order to have peace in this troubled area. With this area having so much valuable history it is a shame seeing it being destroyed the way it is. Fighting has been a reoccurring event in this area and peace talks are in desperate need. At this point in time the talks are in the early stages, but they are in the process of working things out. It’s definitely a shame to see the tragedies that are occurring but it is also good to see that they are atleast talking....

Precede vs. Proceed

Precede vs. Proceed Precede vs. Proceed Precede vs. Proceed By Mark Nichol Lazy pronunciation can wreak havoc on the language as word pairs like precede and proceed become confused. These similar-looking and similar-sounding terms, however, though not antonyms, face in opposite directions. The origin of the former word is the Latin term praecedere (â€Å"go before†), while the latter stems from the Latin word procedere (â€Å"go forward, advance†). Interestingly, however, the prefixes share a sense: Pre- and pro- can both mean â€Å"before,† though pro- usually signals â€Å"in favor of.† Each word is part of a family of inflections and terms based on it: One writes, for example, that a rainstorm preceded snowfall later that night, or that the preceding chapter of a book is longer than the one that follows it. Precedent refers to a situation that serves as an exemplar for others that follow. It’s employed formally in law to refer to a rule or principle that serves as a reference for judgments in cases similar to those in which the rule or principle was first set forth. Informally, laypeople refer to â€Å"establishing a precedent† for anything from a habit to a protocol. Meanwhile, a precession is a â€Å"coming before.† (In physics and astronomy, this term refers to the alteration in the orientation of a rotating body’s axis.) Inflectional forms of proceed are used to state that someone proceeded to act in some way or do something that they had not been doing previously, or that they are proceeding to do so now. The plural of the latter form is also a noun referring to the published minutes or records of an organization’s meeting. Procedure, taken directly from French and referring to a sequence for accomplishing a task, is also based on proceed. Procedural can be applied as an adjective (while procedurally is an adverb), and it stands on its own (or modified as â€Å"police procedural†) as a noun referring to genre fiction that realistically portrays how an investigation or a similar process is conducted. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:30 Synonyms for â€Å"Meeting†Round vs. AroundPrepositions to Die With

Critically analyse why a business can fail during the early stages of Essay

Critically analyse why a business can fail during the early stages of operation in a context you are familiar with - Essay Example Below are a number of reasons why businesses may fail soon after inception. Before a business is started, proper planning should be done by the promoters of the business, who may also be the managers when the business has started operating. Prior planning is done using a business plan which looks into various aspects of the prospective business including the market, consumers, and the requirements of the business. A business plan should be prepared by a professional, and it should also show an extrapolated financial account of the business (Landstrom, 2007, p.57). Preparation of a business plan is essential because it gives the entrepreneur a feel of how the business will be. Most times when one is considering starting a business, the profit motive usually cloud a person’s judgment yet there could be telltale signs in the market which can show somebody that the business will actually not be prospective. Therefore, many businesses fail because the owners do not do a proper planning before they start operations, and some issues that would have been dis covered during business planning get the entrepreneur as a surprise. Another factor that may lead a business to fail within the initial stages of its operations is competition and barriers to entry. In well-established markets like the pharmaceutical industries and the hospitality sector in some countries, there is a stiff competition in the market and those who are already developed create barriers to entry for the upcoming businesses. A market example with barriers to entry in the hotel and hospitality sector is a market where Starbucks has a branch. Starbucks has been known to make market entrants face a difficult challenge which end up failing the business because of the competition practices it practices. Since the company is well established, with minimal operational costs due to its

Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Buddhism - Essay Example Mahayana or the ‘lesser vehicle’ is the physical, mental and spiritual discipline to maintain the purity of mind and body. As stated in the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, â€Å"not to do any ill-being in the act, in a word, in thought, that is ahimsa according to the Veda, for the Atman is present everywhere, inaccessible to the senses, in all beings; recognizing atman in them, that is true ahimsa†. It teaches compassion, ascesis, and contentment. The Lotus Sutra explains the infinite possibilities open to man. People have an infinite capacity to be good or bad. Through the Lotus Sutra, man can realize that it is possible to change for the better. Second, it teaches that all things are manifestations of the great life-force of the universe. In short, all things are coexisting and necessary for existence. Hinayana or the ‘greater vehicle’ can be equated to Theravada. The teachings concentrate on the four Noble Truths as defined by Buddha. For all these, the first Noble Truth is to be comprehended; the second is to be abandoned; the third is to be realized while the fourth is to be developed. In order to do this, there is a need to reconcile the physical senses and desires to a person’s mental concept of the things ‘desired’ by man. It teaches the concept that nothing is permanent, thus there is nothing significant when it pertains to anything physical in nature. With the recognition that everything is an offset from desire, there is a need to purge the mind of desires by recognizing the Four Noble Truths. (De Bary, 1969). 3. The Four Noble Truths form the very heart of Buddha’s teaching. It consists of the ‘Dukkha’ or suffering, the origin of suffering, the end to suffering, and lastly, the path to the end of suffering. Firstly, it must be recognized by an individual that there is suffering (Dukkha). Second, one must realize the origin of one’s suffering and it is attached to three kinds of desire (tanha): desire for sense of pleasure (kama tanha); desire to become (bhava tanha); and desire to get rid of

People are Born Homosexual Essay Example for Free

People are Born Homosexual Essay Homosexuality is not just a contemporary ideology or behaviour of people. It has been present even during the ancient Grecian times, and the early African and Native American tribes. In some Native American tribes, a man dressed as a woman was treated with great respect because they were considered to be spiritually gifted (Bidstrup, 2001). In some African tribes, masturbation and other homosexual behaviours between young boys were even tolerated (Bidstrup, 2001). They saw these actions as innocent and nothing but child-play. In the ancient Greek and Roman civilization, same sex relationships were accepted. It was not unusual to see men kissing other men in public. This tolerance was somehow changed upon the intrusion of the English. They introduced the idea that same sex relationships and behaviours were immoral. Thus, some of these people repressed these behaviours until it became taboo even today. Homosexuality is different from sexual orientation. It is a specific type of the sexual orientation of an individual. Sexual orientation is the degree to which an individual is attracted to persons of the other sex and/or to the persons of the same sex (Smith, et al, 2003). Homosexuality, on the other hand, is the attraction of an individual to the same sex and heterosexuality is the attraction to the opposite sex. The origin of homosexuality has been debated for a long time now. There were psychologists and scientists who support the idea that sexual orientation is innate. On the other hand, some say that environmental factors play a great deal of importance in determining an individual’s sexual orientation and not innate ones. But which one is true? Let me first discuss the history of homosexuality in order to have a better understanding on it. Why is it sacred and ordinary in the past? Do these histories prove the existence of innate and environmental factors in influencing an individual’s sexual orientation? Homosexuality in Prehistoric Africa According to some early text during the Inquisition period, African tribes accepted homosexuality in their culture. Even one of these tribes, the Hausa people, had terms to describe homosexuals: ‘Yan dauda which describes a transvestite and ‘dan dauda which can be translated as homosexual ‘wife’ (Bidstrup, 2001). In this tribe, they engaged in male prostitution. These male prostitutes did not have ‘pimps’ but they engaged in prostitution if an opportunity arises. There were other tribes in Africa where boys engaging in homosexual activities were considered to be innocent. They considered themselves virgins at marriage despite having experience in homosexual activities. There were also tribes where they expect men to engage in sexual activities with other men like the Bantu-speaking people of Africa. Homosexuality among Native Americans There were a significant number of men wearing women clothes in Native American tribes. These men were called Two-Spirits because they embody the two sexes the male and the female. They were respected because Native Americans believed that these men were special gifts by the God. They believed that these men have insights regarding spiritual matters. They were considered to be prophets who were able to understand the realm of both man and woman (Bidstrup, 2001). Homosexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome It was known that the Roman Empire did not tolerate homosexuality in the society. But this belief is wrong. Like the ancient Greeks, Romans also accepted men having relationships with men. It was believed that the Roman Empire declined when the tolerance on homosexuality increased. On the contrary, when it was ruled by the Senate, it was discovered that Romans had a high tolerance on homosexuality (Bidstrup, 2001). In Ancient Greece, they believed that masculinity and feminity was not two separate essences. They believed that the sex of an individual was actually the combination of both masculinity and feminity. Therefore, homosexuality was not an issue for Greeks. They do not find men kissing other men in public an unusual scene. They accept men getting married with another man and having sexual intercourse with them. Thus, we can find a large number of literature and art regarding homosexuality in these civilizations. This brief history on the presence of homosexuality among individuals proves that homosexuality is not just a mere trend brought by contemporary ideals. It has been part of our society since the dawn of man. Also, these histories show that homosexuality may be in-born and may also be influenced due to environmental factors. Despite the primitive nature of prehistoric Africans, some men were able to find themselves attracted to other men. It is possible that innate factors played in this instinctive behaviour of being attracted to the same sex. Another illustration is apparent influence of environmental factors. The Greeks’ wide acceptance of man-to-man relationships and their beliefs on gender and sexuality influenced men’s sexual orientation. Innate Factors in Sexual Orientation Psychologists say that childhood gender nonconformity is a phenomenon that shows the innateness of sexual orientation. Childhood gender nonconformity is when an individual enjoys activities typical of the other sex and most of their friends are the other sex. It was also found that adults who experienced gender nonconformity report that they had not been masculine (for men) or feminine (for women) when they were children (Smith, et al, 2003). Another evidence is the presence of a gene present in homosexuals. It was observed that gay brothers often tend to share the same X-chromosome Xq28 (Deem, 2009). This finding suggests that this gene may affect male’s sexual orientation. Environmental Factors on Sexual Orientation One evidence of environmental factors acting as determinants of sexual orientation is the nurture aspect in child development. It is said that parents play a role in the gender identity and sexual orientation development of a child. But this theory is not strongly supported by scientific studies. Another evidence is the exotic-becomes-erotic theory of Daryll Bem of Cornell University. In this theory, he believes that sexual orientation is socially determined. Thus, environment plays a role in sexual orientation development. But we should also take into account that EBE theory addresses the innateness of sexual orientation. EBE theory suggests that genes and hormones cause differences in a child’s temperament. The difference would determine if the child will be engrossed in activities typical to his/her own sex or to the other sex. When the child spends more time with the opposite sex, they feel similar with the opposite sex and become alienated with the same sex. This exotic feeling then becomes an erotic feeling when the child grows. Although the evidence for environmental factors is weak, Bem’s EBE theory supports the existence of both factors. Homosexuality isn’t just inborn in an individual, environmental factors also play a role. It is the interplay of these two factors that differences in sexual orientation are possible. References Beem, R. (2009). Genetics and homosexuality: Are people born gay? The biological basis for sexual orientation. Godandscience. org. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://www. godandscience. org/evolution/genetics_of_homosexuality. html Beem’s essay focused on the innateness of sexual orientation. It discussed related brain and twin studies and other scientific studies that support the innateness of sexual orientation. Bidstrup, S. (2001). Saint Aelred the queer: The surprising history of homosexuality and homophobia. Bidstrup. com. Retrieved at March 30, 2009, from http://www. bidstrup.com/phobiahistory. htm Bidstrup discussed the history of homosexuality and homophobia in this essay. He talked about the ancient tribes and civilizations that tolerated homosexuality and why it has become oppressed in these groups. Smith, E. E. ; Nolen-Hoeksema, S. ; Fredrickson, B. and Loftus, G. R. (2003). Atkinson Hilgard’s Introduction to Psychology. (14th ed. ). Australia: Thomson Wadsworth. Smith’s textbook covers general psychology lectures like emotions, learning, and motivation. It provides specific and up-to-date examples and applications of terms, theories, and definitions.

The play Amadeus and the Destructive Nature of Jealousy Essay -- essay

The play "Amadeus" is Mainly Concerned With the Destructive Nature of Jealousy This passage is all too true, both in Peter Shaffer's ‘Amadeus' and in life in general. However the play is also concerned with the destructive nature of ignorance and naivety. Salieri is jealous not just of Mozart's talent, but of the fact that God gave the talent to â€Å"Mozart †¦ spiteful, sniggering, conceited, infantine Mozart†. He is envious of the vessel of God's laughter at the ‘patron saint of mediocrity' as he had dubbed himself. Not only did God double-cross Salieri, but he did it using this â€Å"obscene child†. It was this jealousy and the rage it inspired that caused Salieri to attempt to kill Mozart by starving him of work and students, and thus, money and food. If Salieri had not restricted the amount of work actually shown to the general public, then Mozart could have been wealthy, and quite possibly selected as the new Kapellmeister. Mozart doesn't understand the importance of pleasing members of the Viennese court. He has no comprehension of the value of money, for when he successfully earns any, he spends it on lavish food and clothes immediately, instead of saving it. He spends all his time churning out music in final copy, which, although beautiful, doesn't earn money as would teaching music. Mozart is really the one who should be jealous, as he has little in the way of money or assets, or even respect. All he has is his talent and his priceless music, but not the sense he...

Returning to School Essay

Pregnant at seventeen and no foundation of stability, I dropped out of school to prepare to raise my child. I then began to struggle and had a hard time making ends meet, so at that time I got on track to seek help and guidance. I started the process to get enrolled in school but backed out due to finding out at nineteen I was expecting my second child. I finally went back to school and got my GED and graduated my program in summer of 2010. I walked across the stage to receive my diploma carrying my son Joziah Jah’Von (5 months) and holding my daughter Ajiona Amory’s hand (2 years). I was very proud and felt extremely accomplished. The importance returning to school will have on my life is that I will be able to provide a stable life for my children, become successful and self-fulfilled through a career in business, and rise above the negative expectations some people have of me. Being a young mother of two children, I had a rough time finding childcare and being comfortable with strangers caring for my babies. I tried to find work but wasn’t able to find flexible hours. I was at a hard spot in my life. I didn’t know what step to make. I enrolled in cosmetology school and did the best at my classwork and tests but my attendance was poor due to unreliable sitters. I ended up withdrawing from the program to be a mother to my children. Two years later I am now a mother to three intelligent, beautiful, amazing children. I want nothing but the best for them so I’ve decided to make the best move to better our futures and got back on the wagon and got my head back in the books. Returning to school is the best decision I could’ve made for my family. We now have a chance at success and stability. Not having much stability present in my childhood is why I want more for my children. Growing up in a broken home, constantly moving, my mother struggling to make ends meet, and not having happy memories; was miserable. As a child, I always promised myself I’d do whatever it took to make sure my children never had to experience what I did. But I feel I failed my babies, because it has taken me so long to get on track and we have been in a struggle. I am upset that I allowed them to experience not having stability in their lives. But things will now be different. Ajiona Amory, Joziah Jah’Von and Marcella Pamela are my life, my reason for living, my everything and I will give them the best of the best. I am dedicated and devoted to my family; I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they have the greatest lives I can possibly give them. I want my daughters and my son to be happy and have what they need. I never want to see them wanting or needing anything. My children and I have struggled enough throughout the years, it’s our time to rise above and live the lives we deserve. School will help me to do so and I want stop until they have it all. Education is one of the keys that will open many doors for us. By furthering my education it will help me to get a good job so that I won’t struggle to make ends meet and it will help to keep stability in our lives. With the struggles and lack stability I now am ready to be successful and do what needs to be done for my family. I, Angelique, have always wanted and dreamt of being the successful business type. I’ve always wanted to wear the fancy suits and the sexy heels, while carrying a leather brief case. It’s something I just never stopped wanting, no matter what other careers came my way. Desiring to be successful and have power, respect and money; I knew a good career was the only way. There is no room for trial and error. I got 100 percent devotion and motivation to fulfill my dream get the job I’ve always wanted and I deserve to have. Nothing will stand in my way; I’m on the rise to the top. Majoring in business and management is the start to our new life, new beginnings, new ways and new accomplishments. Finally with striving to have a good professional career and stability, I am ready to prove everyone wrong. I have always had family, friends, and others downing and doubting me, telling me I’ll never amount to nothing nor be a somebody. Not having the support and extra push from the ones that you think love and care for you really take a toll on you in every aspect of life and emotion. But dwelling will hold you back. Yes I have failed myself by not following through with things I have started but I had my reasoning-‘s. I taught myself to take the positive and negative criticism and shift what you can use out and just toss the unnecessary shit aside and keep moving forward. If you sit and ponder on why no wants to see you succeed and why they strive to see you fail, it will eat you alive and stop you from doing what it is that you want to do. It will disable you to be motivated and crush your dreams and dedication. Never let someone reserve space in your mind to the point it stops your life. If they hate they hate. Stand up, smile and strive for the top and don’t stop until you’ve reached it. Prove that you can be who you want to be and that they can’t stop your shine. I as a single mother will keep moving forward and never again let a negative empower me and my life. Indeed, while I have made mistakes, and they pierced my will power to stay motivated these failures also made me work harder to succeed. Being a young mother is very hard and has its ups and downs. But just because I now have major responsibilities on my hands doesn’t mean I won’t be able to travel smooth roads throughout life. I will cross the bumps and dips in life but its normal; everyone goes through it here and there. It now has showed me that it’s okay to fall off the horse a few times but it is most important for me to get up and keep trying until I get it right and succeed. Returning to school was the best choice I could make for not only myself but for my children. Wanting nothing but the best for my family I decided to make the best move to better our futures and got up, got back on the wagon and got my head back in the books. Now having a chance at success and stability, we are happy and anxiously waiting to rise above the negative and evil.

Creating Shared Value: Lessening the Tension Between Society and the Economy by Utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility to Its Full Potential

Creating Shared Value: Lessening the Tension between Society and the Economy by Utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility to its full Potential PA 311 Introduction to Civic Engagement INTRODUCTION Commerce is an essential part of humanity. Without commerce man would most likely still be in an animalistic state relying on the hunter-gatherer life style. With business and trade, come economic prosperity and a higher standard of living. However, business can also create situations that are unjust and not equitable for all humans.On the same token, society can create environments in which a business cannot successfully operate. A tension between economy and society has existed since the beginning of modern human culture. Throughout history cultures have tried to lessen the tension with mixed results. Communism attempted to eradicate the problem by eradicating the profit motive but in the end, it was unsuccessful. Socialist theorists failed to understand that business is part of human nat ure and if wielded correctly can benefit not only the business, but the society as well.In modern times the attempt to lessen the tension between the two has taken the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). While it has many benefits it also leaves the profit motive out of the equation by only focusing on the needs of society and not of business. In its current state, CSR is not a sustainable form of philanthropy and will ultimately fail. A newer version of CSR, Creating Shared Value takes into account, not only society’s needs but the businesses’ as well. By operating within this model we can create a self-sustainable equilibrium in which both business and society as a whole, prosper.Only by uniting the two, and focusing on the commonalties, not the differences, can we create a situation in which the tension between economics and society are tempered. This paper will show how the modern era attempted to lessen the tension between the two by the creation of CSR . It will show the history of the program and ultimately its failings. Later, it will focus on the new concept of Creating Shared Value and how it can benefit society and lessen the tension between economics and society. Origins of Corporate Social ResponsibilityBenjamin W. Heineman, a senior vice president for law and public affairs at General Electric, defines CSR as. 1. Strong, sustained economic performance. 2. Rigorous compliance with financial and legal rules. 3. Ethical and other citizenship action, beyond formal requirements, which advance a corporation’s reputation and long-term health (Olowski, p. 6). These concepts were not the norm in business forty years ago. Most people believed that corporation’s sole responsibility was to conduct business and be profitable.However, the role of business in society began to be seriously questioned during the cultural revolution of the 1960s. With the possible exception of the depression of the 30s corporations were held i n high esteem in America. From the early beginnings of US business to the 1960s people assumed that business existed solely to serve the economic needs of the country. Businesses produce goods and services and employ citizens thus providing them economic security. Employed Americans can then buy more goods and services producing more commerce and business which leads to more employment (Wilson, 2000, p. 3).This role is very important in a society because if it is done correctly, it will eventually raise the standard of living for most of its citizens. This idea that corporations were merely agents of economics was not seriously challenged until the 1960’s (Wilson, 2000, p. 6). During the turbulent 60s there were many societal changes that led to the birth of Corporate Social Responsibility and a heighted sense of conflict between society and business. Affluence doubled in the decade of the sixties allowing more young adults to attend college. Citizens of the US became more fi nancially stable and better educated (Wilson, 2000, p. ). With this social growth came more expectations from corporations in regards to safety, quality, and environmental considerations. They also had increased consumer buying power giving them the freedom to choose which products and from which firms they would purchase. At the same time confidence in our institutions were begging to wane in part due to the war in Vietnam and the Civil Rights movement (Ackerman, 1979, p. 4). Corporations, which were run mostly by an older generation, were quick to dismiss the changing tides as â€Å"a few radical kids on campus† (Wilson, 2000, p. 8).However, as pressure mounted on American corporations, many politicians took the mantle and conducted congressional hearings to investigate corporate scandals. Starting in the late 60’s corporations’ general mentality began to change as they felt the impact on their corporate image and their bottom line (Wilson, 2000, p. 10). Thoug h there had always been tension between the public and business, not until the 60’s was there such a strong public backlash to corporate scandals. Starting with boycotts of the Civil Rights Movement and the agricultural sector, businesses began to change their attitudes towards the public.This was exacerbated with the scandal of Nestle, who, for decades, sold infant formula as a substitute for breast milk in many developing nations with devastating effects on infant development (Richter, 2001, p. 50). Also during the Vietnam War, Dow Chemical, the major producer of napalm and Agent Orange saw their public image devastated. The two chemicals that they sold to the US government compounded the pain and suffering of the Vietnamese people and many in the US began to protest and boycott their products. Later in the 20th century Nike was found to have unfair working conditions in many of its factories in developing nations.This scandal, like that of Nestle and many others, had a det rimental effect on the company’s reputation and ultimately their profits. US corporations knew they had to react to stay competitive in the changing world. American firms changed from being reactionary to social and political scandals to being pro-active. In an attempt to restore their image with the public they started to invest in what is now known as Corporate Social Responsibility. Problems with Corporate Social Responsibility Porter and Kramer in their work Strategy and Society (Harvard Business Review, 2006, p. ), remark that there are four main arguments for Corporate Social Responsibility: moral obligation, sustainability, license to operate, and reputation. However, most companies CSR approaches were created and implanted to bolster their reputations. Not that this is particularly unfounded because in this market economy many companies live or die by their reputations. Their CSR policies can produce some societal benefits. However, many focus on â€Å"short term def ensive reactions†¦ with minimal value to society and no strategic benefit for the business† (Porter, Kremer, 2006 p. ). Porter and Kremer (2006) also state that all four of these rationales share the same weakness; â€Å"they focus on the tension between business and society rather than on their interdependence. They mostly focus on issues that are unrelated to their business practice and set up philanthropic programs designed to bolster their corporate image† (p 4). For example Ford, which up until recently, were having monetary difficulties, donated a large portion of money to help develop an environmentally friendly high tech football stadium for the Detroit Lions.The idea was well intentioned but keeping the money and investing in many of their Midwest plants could have kept them from shutting down, thus preserving jobs and stock holder equity (Olowski, p. 12). The major criticism of CSR is that it is a shield against corporation’s wrong doings. One migh t argue that they are trying to buy the public’s support by investing in projects that will gain them notoriety. Though CSR in this state may be well intentioned, giving money away frivolously does little to assist the business and in most cases does little for society.This is unfortunate, because corporations possess vast resources and have the potential to create a lasting impact. Companies have a symbiotic relationship with the communities in which they live and do business. An unhealthy community is not a good environment for firms and likewise an unhealthy company does not benefit the community. A company that seeks profits at the expense of its people will be unsuccessful. However the reverse is also true; citizens who attempt to drive out successful businesses will only end up hurting their communities.Only by recognizing the linkage between the two will the tension between society and business be tempered. As Wilson states in his book, The New Rules of Corporate Condu ct (2000, p. 16); â€Å"But the scene (CSR) is ever in motion. There is no point of stability and equilibrium. Where we are now is not a settled end point but a springboard to the future. † The new concept of Creating Shared Value attempts to restore the balance and equilibrium between society and business. Creating Shared Value Porter and Kramer wrote in their study, Strategy and Society (2006, P. ) that â€Å"no business can solve all of life’s ills. † Companies, historically, have used CSR to focus on issues not related to their business model and have gotten mixed results both from society and their bottom line. This is not a sustainable business model because it does not create wealth potential. Many CRS initiatives have been disregarded by firms due to lack of share holder interest and monetary problems. Instead, Porter and Kramer argue that a more sustainable system should benefit both parties.Firms, wanting to engage in CSR, should focus on a single issu e that creates shared value between the business and society. By focusing on social issues directly related to the business they can create a greater impact that is measurable and sustainable. In essence, Creating Shared Value is about benefiting the society and the company. When the two come together to create shared value both benefit tremendously and the tension is lessened. A good example of the concept of Creating Shared Value comes from an unlikely source; Nestle.Although they partook in some unforgivable business practices, they possess some redeeming qualities. In the 1960’s Nestle built a dairy in the northern Indian province of Moga. This was an extremely poverty stricken area where farmers lacked refrigeration and veterinary care for their cows. Nestle built refrigerated collection points in each town and sent its trucks to come and collect milk from each farmer. Nestle also provided veterinary care and information to the farmers not only for their benefit but to e nsure that the milk they were receiving was of high quality.The relationship between the farmers of Moga and Nestle continued to grow and benefited both tremendously. When Nestle opened its first dairy, they had only 180 farmers who sold milk. As of when this study was produced there are now over 75,000 (Porter, Kramer, 2006 p. 11). Now Moga has a significantly higher standard of living in comparison with other provinces of India. Nestle benefited by entering into a new market and gaining a competitive advantage without having to pay middlemen for their milk. This is a good example of how shared value can benefit both the society and the business.CONCLUSION Throughout human history many have attempted to resolve the conflict between economics and society. Even in the early stages of the United States our founding fathers recognized that a strong economy would foster an even stronger society. As Henton, Melville and Walesh state in their book The Civically Engaged Reader (2004, P. 91 ); â€Å"Adams and Madison reconciled these extremes with their pragmatic view that civic government and free markets could channel self-interest toward public good. The modern commercial society developed from a market economy based on shared principals. During the modern era, many companies attempted to diminish the tension between their business and the surrounding society with the creation of Corporate Social Responsibility. They figured that if they invested in social programs their image would not be negatively affected. Ultimately, CSR was a failure because it did not recognize the link between society and business. Instead, it focused solely on preserving the companies’ reputation without realizing the potential business opportunities that the commonalities could create.Creating Shared Value attempts to fix the failings of CSR by concentrating on the linkage between society and business and creating opportunities that benefit both parties. As Porter and Kramer state in Strategy and Society (2006, P 13); Efforts to find shared value in operating practices and in the social dimensions of competitive context have the potential not only to foster economic and social development but to change the way companies and society think about each other.Only by realizing that society and economics engage in a symbiotic relationship will we be able to extinguish the tension between the two. Works Cited Olowski, Lew J. Corporate Social Responsibility: It’s History, Ethical Justification, And Abuses in the Business World. Retrieved from http://www. rockhurst. edu/news/events/images/projecti/olowski. pdf Porter, M. E. , Kramer, M. R. (2006) Strategy and Society. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://www. salesforcefoundation. org/files/HBR-CompetiveAdvAndCSR. pdf Henton, D. , Melville J. , Walesh K. 2004). Civic Revolutionaries. San Francisco, CA: Jossey – Bass. Wilson, I. (2000). The New Rules of Corporate Conduct: Rewriting the Social Ch arter. Westport, CT: Quorum Books. Davis, L. E. , Hughes, J. R. , McDougall, D. M. (1969). American Economic History: The Development of a National Economy. Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin, Inc. Richter, J. (2001). Holding Corporations Accountable. New York, NY: Zed Books Ltd. Ackerman, R. W. , Bauer, R. A. (1979). Corporate Social Responsiveness: The Modern Dilemma. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Company, Inc.

Media and Football Essay Example

Media and Football Essay Example Relationship Between the Media and Football Essay Relationship Between the Media and Football Essay Cooperative games first became mandatory in Harrow school, but they were encouraged in other educational institutions too, mainly because they somehow allowed students organizing their leisure. As a result, in 1840-1870, football has become one of the elements of educating loyalty to the team, as well as willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of the team. In general, it became such internal unity of the spirit, which schools in England were famous for (Turnbull, Raab, and Satterlee 76). How and why has the Relationship Between the Media and Football Changed Over Time? By the middle of the 19th century, the educated classes established a cult of physical exercise, where football and cricket was the subject of worship not only in private schools, but also in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The number of participants was not limited; there were always fights and brawls, while one could play using both arms and legs. If there were any rules, they were going the rounds rather orally than in any other way. Two years later, several graduates of private schools, who arrived in Cambridge, tried to develop a common set of football rules, known as Cambridge Rules (Turnbull, Raab, and Satterlee 79). Now we know that the game of football was not confined to the walls of private educational institutions, being beloved among a much wider population. Sports newspapers of that time were full of advertisements about calls for football competitions, and often the game was for money. It was the first mention of football in general, and in newspapers particularly (Turnbull, Raab, and Satterlee 81). According to John Turnbull, the First Division appliance between Arsenal and Sheffield United became the initial football match to be aired live on the radio. The given event took place at Highbury, on Saturday, January 22, 1927. The first football commentator in the history was Henry Wakelam, who became a sports reporter only three weeks after the BBC had received its Royal Charter, which allowed it to transmit coverage of major sporting competitions. In order to encourage the listener to track the play, the Radio Times printed an enumerated grid of the pitch with Wakelam announcing grid numbers in his commentary. Arsenal was also involved in the first radio broadcast of an FA Cup Final (Turnbull, Raab, and Satterlee 92). Ten years later, on September 16, 1937, Highbury again organized a famous first, namely the first live TV broadcast of a football game. It should be mentioned that it was the period when television broadcasting was very much in its infancy. The event was an all-Arsenal affair, and the match itself was scheduled to examine the highly advanced technology of that time. Yet, there were only a few thousand TVs in the whole country; thus, not many people were able to watch this broadcast at the time but, as they say, the rest is history. Football was originally designed more to become a form of leisure time, and not a professional occupation. Young people, who founded the English Football Association, did not seek to professionalization of the game, and did not wish their offspring such a fate. However, by the early 1880s, it became clear that a new sport had become something of a mania, especially for the population of industrial cities in central and northern England, as well as Glasgow and Central Scotland. Thousands of people were ready to pay for the opportunity to watch Cups competitions of the leading teams. In turn, local businessmen gladly spent money to maintain the football clubs of their cities. Leaving a home and a job, the Scots went to play in the English clubs; 55 Scots played for eleven Lancashire teams in 1884 (Goldblatt 42). High and medium skilled workers and even many middle-class clerks had the opportunity to play football or just go to games; they regularly received sufficiently high salary, and Saturday night was a public holiday when the games were held. Football Association tried to prevent players from getting money, facing players to suspension in some matches or even disqualifying them for a long time. The decisive moment came in the 1884-1885 season (Goldblatt 45). In early 1884, Preston North End took in its field Upton Park in the fourth round of the Cup of the Football Association. After the match ended in a draw, guests, gentlemen amateur team from London, filed a protest, claiming that the Preston North End were professionals. The Football Association conducted an investigation, and although the fact that the participation of professionals had not been confirmed, Preston North End was accused of illegally luring away players from other clubs. The team was removed from the tournament, but in response, several major clubs held a meeting, at which they discussed the possibility of theirs exit from the Football Association, as its headquarters were located in London. Representatives of 40 clubs met in Manchester, threatening the creation of alternative British Football Association. A certain social, regional, and emotional subtext was standing over this attempt to split, since the essential role in the outlined conflict was played by confrontation between North and South, as well as strong anti-London moods. However, it was obvious for some FA managers, and primarily for its Secretary, Charles Alcock, that if the association wanted to maintain its position, it was necessary to find a compromise with supporters of professional football. A compromise was found in 1885, and professionalism in football was legalized within the English Football Association. It was the start of commercialization (Goldblatt 50-51). Sponsorship and sponsors’ logos on the form of football clubs have long been a â€Å"non grata†, unless one considered drawings of the agencies and organizations logos on the official team T-shirts. However, only in the second half of the 20th century (in the 1970s, to be precise), it became possible to break the consciousness stereotypes of those, who did not want to see commercial trademarks next to their favorite teams’ logos. Therefore, the first football uniforms with the printed commercial names or signs of the sponsors, appeared in Europe in the 1970s (Fizel 61). The first club that placed its sponsor’s logo on the shirt was the West German club, Eintracht Braunschweig. The management of the team has signed a contract with the producers of the famous Jgermeister, and the famous antlers, which symbolize this particular drink, became the world’s first image of the sponsor placed on a football uniform (Young 132). A few years later, other major professional leagues have adopted the West German experience. For example, the first mention of such cooperation between a football club and a sponsor was applied in the UK, in 1976. With regard to Major League of the United Kingdom, today Liverpool players are considered to be the first, who started to wear commercial company logo on their shirts. Liverpool became the first British professional club, which placed the logo of their sponsor on the shirt, after they agreed to a deal with Hitachi in 1979. A long-liver among the title sponsors of the British teams is JVC. Its logo has appeared on the Arsenal shirts in 1981, and this partnership continued until the year 2000 (Young 134). Spanish Football Federation endorsed the idea of selling advertising spaces on the teams’ game forms in the 1981-82 season. At the same time, Manuel Meyer, then head of the Espanyol, strongly opposed the decision, calling it a â€Å"betrayal of the club colors and values†. The decision was made on October 9, 1981, with 82 votes â€Å"for† among 124 clubs taking part in the vote. By now, since Athletic Bilbao signed agreement with Petronor in 2008, and Barcelona yet agreed to host logo of Qatar Foundation on their game shirts, La Liga does not have a single club that has never had a title sponsor (Fizel 68). Big money came into football in the 90s, and after the â€Å"Bosman case†, football player did became a customary employee, who worked for the money and had all the privileges of the employee. The moment of football becoming a business could be clearly shown on the example of Manchester United. Back in 1990, when the present Manchester United was just reborn from the ashes under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, the board decided to issue shares on the public sale of the club (that is the IPO), which made it clear that the club would be positioned as a mixture of a football club and the company’s business. The club had various owners until that day, and they were formally the owners of a company called MU. However, the simultaneousness of shares release to the exchange and the overall commercialization of football in the 90s, certainly clarified in what direction the club would go (Dobson 121). It meant the fact that there was a chance that any more or less billionaire, who naturally could not have any idea that Theatre of Dreams was not a theater at all, having enough money, could fully buy the club and take it under control, that is even now impossible to imagine in Germany and in several clubs in Spain (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic). Considering that incomes of the Premier League clubs in the late 90s began to spring up like mushrooms overnight, attempts at such capture (capture by businessmen, who try to make profit) were inevitable and were only a matter of time. Certainly, this time had come (Dobson 125). The first man, who tried to grab a piece of sweet cake called Manchester United that was growing by leaps and bounds, was Rupert Murdoch from the BSkyB Corporation, and it happened 8 years after the release of club’s shares to the exchange. Then, there appeared the Glazer family, which seeing a huge financial potential of the club, slowly began to buy the club shares, reaching about 30% in October 2004. Then, in summer 2005, the Glazers brought theirs block of shares to 98% that gave them absolute power over the club. Later, there was information that the family took a debt of 265 million pounds by putting in pledge MU, and 275 million pounds of other debts. In general, the debt increased to an astronomical 660 million pounds, by which the club was obliged to return 62 million pounds every year (Dobson 129). Today, the debt fell to 367 million pounds mark due to the stable service and the first output of shares to the exchange. Summing up all these figures and facts, it can be said that the majority of big clubs now turned into the company’s business due multimillion TV and sponsorship contracts. Such clubs put profits rather than athletic performance for the sake of all. Generally, management style of big clubs can be divided into three types: Private owner who seeks only benefit; Private owner, who loves football, and spend a lot of money; Joint ownership of the club fans or small investors. Each of the mentioned types has its pros and cons. However, the fact remains that Premier League clubs have turned to the company’s business and the price of transfers, TV and sponsorship contracts are growing very quickly. As in any economic sector, protracted period of growth will someday reach its peak, and the correction will begin, that is, the bubble will burst, bringing great upheavals in this sphere. Nonetheless, only preventive measures, such as Financial Fair Play from European football officials could save the situation. Undoubtedly, commerce is very useful to football, making it brighter, more interesting and more accessible, but it also brings some pitfalls that one needs to successfully circumvent right now, or it will be too late (Fizel 94). Nowadays, more money is spent on players. It is the new reality and paradox at the same time. The best players in the world get paid more than they have ever been paid, when they played a brutal, utilitarian football. Consequence of enrichment of players on such a scale is the degeneration and destruction of command ethics, connection between player and fan. If such a gap occurs, one cannot possibly save the very foundations of this beautiful game. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo severed all relations that bound him to Manchester United fans, not to mention the relationship with his teammates. Commercialization of football led to a basis of transfers. There is a gulf between football science and football practice, and no one cares about this gulf. The most important things are money and entertainment events, which are ensured by the innate abilities of players-legionnaires. National football schools, which demand is rapidly declining, more and more serve as props. If the club owners were worried about the national football, they would make some efforts to impose a veto on further transfers, and would be seriously engaged in development of football schools. At a minimum, they should reduce an annual legionaries’ quota. Currently, the world football moves on the road, sunk in the transfer fog. However, there is another way that is clear, and where money is not the top priority. This is the way of development of national football schools and establishment of coaching schools, alongside with their radical reformation.

Scotch Tape and Inventor Richard Drew

Scotch Tape and Inventor Richard Drew Scotch tape was invented in 1930 by banjo-playing 3M engineer Richard Drew. Scotch tape was the worlds first transparent adhesive tape. Drew also invented the first masking tape in 1925- a 2-inch-wide tan paper tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Richard Drew - Background In 1923, Drew joined the 3M company located in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time, 3M only made sandpaper. Drew was product testing 3Ms Wetordry brand sandpaper at a local auto body shop, when he noticed that auto painters were having a hard time making clean dividing lines on two-color paint jobs. Richard Drew was inspired to invent the worlds first masking tape in 1925, as a solution to the auto painters dilemma. Brandname Scotch The brand name Scotch came about while Drew was testing his first masking tape to determine how much adhesive he needed to add. The body shop painter became frustrated with the sample masking tape and exclaimed, Take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of yours and tell them to put more adhesive on it! The name was soon applied to the entire line of 3M tapes. Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape was invented five years later. Made with a nearly invisible adhesive, the waterproof transparent tape was made from  oils, resins, and rubber; and had a coated backing. According to 3M Drew, a young 3M engineer, invented the first waterproof, see-through, pressure-sensitive tape, thus supplying an attractive, moisture-proof way to seal food wrap for bakers, grocers, and meat packers. Drew sent a trial shipment of the new Scotch cellulose tape to a Chicago firm specializing in package printing for bakery products. The response was, Put this product on the market! Shortly after, heat sealing reduced the original use of the new tape. However, Americans in a depressed economy discovered they could use the tape to mend a wide variety of things like torn pages of books and documents, broken toys, ripped window shades, even dilapidated currency. Besides using  Scotch  as a prefix in its brand names (Scotchgard,  Scotchlite and  Scotch-Brite), the company also used the Scotch name for its (mainly professional) audiovisual magnetic tape products, until the early 1990s when the tapes were branded solely with the 3M logo.  In 1996, 3M exited the magnetic tape business, selling its assets. John A Borden - Tape Dispenser John A Borden, another 3M engineer, invented the first tape dispenser with a built-in cutter blade in 1932. Scotch Brand Magic Transparent Tape  was invented in 1961, an almost invisible tape that never discolored and could be written on. Scotty McTape Scotty McTape, a  kilt-wearing  cartoon  boy, was the brands  mascot  for two decades, first appearing in 1944.  The familiar  tartan  design, a take on the well-known  Wallace  tartan, was introduced in 1945. Other Uses In 1953, Soviet scientists showed that  triboluminescence  caused by peeling a roll of an unidentified Scotch brand tape in a  vacuum  can produce  X-rays.  In 2008, American scientists performed an experiment that showed the rays can be strong enough to leave an X-ray image of a finger on  photographic paper.

Why Geometry has played a central part in Painting Essay

Why Geometry has played a central part in Painting - Essay Example My main aim in this text, however, is to explore the relationships and importance of geometry in painting. In order to better understand these relationships we need to look back in time into the â€Å"science of space†. I will aim to include three chapters in this text, the first dealing with the study of geometry, symmetry and their basic, most important properties and its uses in earlier movements of art in order to present the most relevant examples of works into the second chapter which will deal with analysis of works of art (mainly paintings). The third and final chapter will deal with answering the question; â€Å"Why geometry has played a central part in painting?† â€Å"It was then that all these kinds of things thus established receive the shapes of the ordering one, through the action of ideas and numbers†- Plato. Plato’s philosophy of the universe was centered on the Deity. He believed that the universe is built out of four elements; earth, fire, water and air (as Empedocles before him), which takes a form of geometrical solids (earth- cube, fire- tetrahedron, water- icosahedron, air- octahedron) which then can brake further into triangles.As mentioned above geometry means earth measure. As we shall see the journey is from the single point into the line, out to the plane, to the third dimension and beyond eventually returning to the point again. Like the elements of its sister subject music, it is an aspect of revelation in a creation myth in itself. Number, music, geometry and cosmology are the four art.

Quantitative Research Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative Research - Article Example In essence, while the research could have reported the challenges facing existing structures, gaps, and failures as basis for the training program produced, it simply dwells on the aspects it considered important. This in essence results in some form of biased study with a predetermined direction. From the onset, it is evident that the study is limited to what the researchers prefer as important rather than on previous research support or any gaps previously identified. The literature review tries to address a number of issues in relation how counselors, ESL teachers and ESL learners interact amongst themselves. The literature reviewed in the paper puts emphasis in three distinct areas. â€Å"These are the significance of and need for multicultural competency in school counseling; the significance of serving ESL students in school counseling; and the significance of and need for collaboration in school counseling.† (p. 3) As much as these are an important part of literature re view and also highlight the importance of bridging the gap between the three groups, it falls short of identifying the areas of the existing structures and hence justifies need for the proposed experiential system. However, this gap is bridged by the section which addresses the rationale for the experiential training project. This however still fails to emphasize the selection of the research questions. As matter of fact, there is a visible detachment between the research questions and the literature. The study by Burnham, Mantero, & Hooper (2009) lists six variables which efforts to answer the research questions are directed towards. These include the following: 1. Pre-training education and assignment to an ESL class; 2. collaboration, coordination, consultation, and teaming with ESL teachers, which involved guidance curriculum planning, development, and implementation based on ESL student needs in the classroom; 3. Teaching classroom guidance lessons; 4. critiquing guidance lesso ns (i.e., self and peer critiques); 5. ongoing synthesis during class discussions; and 6. Post-training education (Burnham, Mantero, & Hooper, 2009). Nonetheless, it is important to mention that the variables are simply mentioned with no clear definitions. The authors also fail to create a clear illustration of what each of the variables constitute in the article. For as much as the variables are closely obvious, it would have been much more appropriate if the scope of each variable was well defined for the reader. Further, the variables enlarge the overall scope of the research making it almost impossible to cover each area of the research within a single paper. Focusing on a single area would have resulted into a more comprehensive research. The results section is perhaps the most useful and comprehensive part of the research. Using the pre-defined set of questions, the research offers a comprehensive analysis of the areas deemed as completely important in the study. The research adopted group interviews as the prime research methodology. The interview approach opens the study to a wide range of data. Issues not previously covered in the research questions also emerged as questionnaire sought to collect as much information as possible from the respondents. Additionally, as the researchers’