Woman, Arshile Gorky, David Garnand, Roy Lichten, One Dot At A Time, Essay

Woman, Arshile Gorky, David Garnand, Roy Lichten, One Dot At A Time, Fantastic Child - Essay Example Pollock’s inspiration by Garnand is seen to be photos within the modern and real life environment. The photos are mainly focused on a tree section, and the background appears to be misty or foggy. The photos are taken on an elevated view focusing the sky as the background. The tree section appears to be dry and quite dark signifying a winter period. The white and mostly clear background give more focus on the tree section which is seen to be quite dark. An essence of nature and its effect are seen from these photos which make them look quite beautiful and natural. Corey Egbert illustration photo portrays a woman who is depicted with a cartoon appearance. There is use of bright colors that are focused upon by the dark background. The photos portrays emotion within the paintings while maintaining a real life emotional situation, like the use if tears and facial expression. The photo also portrays a beautiful woman who makes the observer feel sorry about the tears from her eyes. From looking at the painting, I am able to blend in within the mood of the painting setup even without my knowledge. There is some good work applied on this painting. The one dot at a time art is some colorful pictures which include emotions and feelings within the picture. There is great use of color and perfect combination of the background. If checked closely, the pictures are seen to be formed by little dots placed and drawn in a picture to pull out a perfect picture at the end. The dots are quite small and cannot be seen.

Analysis case about death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis case about death - Essay Example Betty’s intention is for Polly to take the ecstasy tablets and hallucinate then hurt herself by falling over or something similar. Thus, there is specific intent of causing harm directly or indirectly. Beyond having the general intent to commit a crime, Betty had the intent to achieve a specific goal, which was to have Polly hurt herself. Actus reus is the physical component of a crime and is the result of voluntary body movements. This is what the accused physically does that harms another. Under the circumstances, actus reus was discharged immediately Betty did successfully put the ecstasy tablets into a paracetemol bubble pack which Chloe unknowingly took. The crime had been enabled; the only thing awaiting was someone getting hurt. It is immaterial that the targeted Polly did not hurt herself by falling over or die. This principle is known as transferred malice; the same malice that was to hurt Polly was the one that killed Chloe. In R v Latimer (1886) 17 QBD 359, where the facts are substantially similar, the accused struck a blow with his belt at Horace which recoiled off him and injured an innocent bystander. The defendant was convicted of maliciously wounding the victim, which he appealed on the ground that it was not his intention to hurt her. The court held that the conviction would be affirmed. The defendant had committed the actus reus of the offence with the necessary mens rea; that is, he had acted maliciously. There was no requirement in the relevant act that his mens rea should relate to a named victim. Thus, Latimers malice was transferred from his intended to his unintended victim. Therefore, given the facts of this case, Betty cannot escape liability just because her intent was to have Polly hurt instead of Chloe who ended up dying. However, since her intention was not to kill Chloe, the charges can be reduced from murder to manslaughter. Polly will not be criminally

The Fear Of Sex Offenders Criminology Essay

The Fear Of Sex Offenders Criminology Essay In previous years, the fear of sex offenders has led the public to believe a fallacy regarding sex offender treatment. The public often start to view anyone who commits a sexual offence to be a high risk sex offender. Society need to understand that some sex offenders are low risk offenders who are very unlikely to reoffend again. The public will easily say sex offenders should be thrown in prison and never let out again however this is an inefficient way in helping offenders to stop committing crime. Crime overall is a major problem around the world and a controversial debate that often brings up more questions than it answers. Explaining these criminal behaviours has become more complex as researchers have become aware that crime is a more complicated and confusing situation than they have previously recognized (Burke,2005). This essay is intended to dispel the myth of the untreatable sex offender. In addition it will also cover and provide conclusive evidence from programmes that sex offender treatment is not only possible but to a large extent is successful in reducing the recidivism of sex offenders. Before this is examined, this paper will briefly define what a sex offender is, what derives people to become one and how the government has tried to prevent sex delinquents from re-offending. A sex offender is a person who has committed a sexual crime, an act which is prohibited by the jurisdiction. What constitutes a sex offence or normal and abnormal sexual behaviour varies over time and place (Pakes Winstone, 2007). Every country has a different perspective on sexual crimes which makes their legislation vary; even the age of consent to a sexual act is a culturally based construction. The age of consent median seems to range from 16 to 18 years, but laws stating ages ranging from 9 to 21 do exist. This means that in some countries sexual activity is illegal and in some it is legal. Many people tend to think sexual offending mainly relates to adult rape or child molestation (Pakes Winstones, 2007), but there are many other types of sex crimes such as lust murder, internet grooming, sexual harassment, incest, etc. It is very difficult to distinguish the difference between sex offenders with non-offenders. It is presumed that many sex offenders have various sexual abnormal fantasies or an unusual high sex drive (Elsevier, 2007-PRINTOUT). People tend to believe most sexual offences are committed by strangers but the truth is most victims know their attacker and also they are not any different to normal people (CSOM). Most sex offenders are not mentally ill as shown in this article Fewer than 5% of people who commit a sexual offence suffer from a psychotic mental illness (Nota). Many theories try to explain why people commit sexual offences. Since sexual deviance takes several forms, no single theory maybe adequate to account for all aspects (Blackburn, 1993), Ellis (1989) identifies two major theories which will underline the most common approaches to as why a person may want to become a sex offender. Social learning theory suggests people learn and get exposed to certain things in life in which the person start to believe it is the right way to live life. This theory focuses on childhood experiences, especially within the family by either getting victimised by an adult at home or by getting exposure to pornography at a young age. This experience might lead them to being insecure and make them want to be in power instead of being the one subjected. The second theory Ellis supports is the Evolutionary theory which can also be known as the biological theory. This theory connects with genetics and male aggression. There is lacking evidence to support any theor y. Getting victimized by a sex offender can be very traumatising and psychologically damaging. The public and media seem to only worry about two types of crime which are both sex crimes; sexually offending against women or children. Sex offenders have been increasingly a focus of attention by the criminal justice system over the past decade (Thomas, 2000). In recent years, many countries have started to change their laws regarding sex offenders. The criminal justice system is strengthening the legislation and revising punishments as the public believe it is too lenient. Before the Criminal justice Act 1991, the laws on sex offences were very old; coming back from the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (Pakes Winstone, 2007). Next came along the Sex Offenders Act 1997, this Act made it easier to manage, and identify the offender on community release. Sex offenders had to register their addresses and names with the police which helped manage and protect the public. It was mainly prepared to reduce the risk within the public so every sex offender can be monitored for up to 5 years. In 1998 the Crime and Disorder Act (Section 58), paid attention to extending the post-release supervision of sex offenders to a maximum of 10 years for a prison sentence of any length, and Section 2 introduced the Sex Offender Order. A sex offender order is a civil preventative order made by a magistrates court on application by the police. If the police consider that a sex offender has acted in a way that gives reasonable cause to believe that an order is necessary to protect the pu blic from serious harm by him, then they can apply for an order. The order may place a number of prohibitions as necessary to protect the public from serious harm by that person. For example, he might be prevented from entering childrens playgrounds or visiting swimming pools. The breach of any of these prohibitions carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. ((This can be used to prevent sex offenders from going to specific locations))- legislation.go.uk)). Since this has taken place, the laws in 2003 changed which introduced longer sentences, which allow for lengthy periods of formal supervision in the community, and for high risk sex offenders the life sentence was put into effect (Pakes Winstones, 2007). The Sexual Criminal Act 2003 also redefined the meaning of rape by including penetration to the vagina, anus or mouth with his penis without lack of consent (legislation.co.uk). Internet grooming is defined to be illegal in this Act as well. This is when an adult trie s to arrange meetings and/or has sexual conversions online. So, what happens to those that are convicted? Nearly two-thirds of sex offenders immediately go to prison (Homeoffice, 2003c), the rest are taken care of by probation or supervision orders, fines and some are totally discharged. The ones who are convicted or charged are often required to record their names in the sex offender registry. These databases are classified into levels and are open to the public. A serious high risk sex offender must register for the rest of their lives whereas a low risk sex offender has to register for a certain period of time. There are many advantages and disadvantages of the Sex offender Registry. Some of the advantages are that the public can easily access information about sex offenders on the internet, citizens have the right to know if there is a sex offender in their area, and the right of innocent children and others to safety outweighs the right of sex offenders to privacy. The disadvantages are many records are often inaccurate or not updated, t his practice makes it hard for ex-offenders to look for a house or job and some seem to believe this information could lead to networking within sexual offenders. According to the Review of Sex offender Treatment Programmes (1998) the highest risk sex offenders appear to be characterised by the following factors: criminal history, convicted of diverse sexual offending (different victim ages, gender, or location), antisocial lifestyle, emotional loneliness, denial, psychopathic personality, low victim empathy and problem solving abilities and lastly sexually deviant arousal or fantasies. These criminals either being in prison, have been recently released from prison or have not been sent into prison at all run the same type of treatment programmes. A cognitive behavioural approach is mainly used or anti-libidinal medication (Perkins, 1998). The aim of the each programme is to challenge offenders distorted thoughts and reasoning in relation to their victims and to help manage their impulses by providing alternative courses of action which they view as being more rewarding (Worall Hoy, 2005). Many of the treatment programmes are taken place within group format unless the sex offender has a higher risk then it is a one-on-one basis. Sex offender treatment programmes require at least 80 hours of treatment (Evenden, 2008). In the last ten years, the British Prison Service has developed a largely group-based treatment programme for sex offenders to reduce crime rates (Thornton and Hogue, 1993), and this has led to the development of a national Sex Offender Treatment Progr amme (SOTP), which is now the largest of its kind in the world. The prison offender behaviour Programme Unit manages the SOTP. SOTP have made a criterion for all of the sex offenders in prison or attending programmes outside of prison. This criterion has ten characteristics which a sex offender treatment programme should have to be successful (Journal Site). Contains an explicit theoretical model of how the programme is meant to bring about change Includes a clear specification of the types of offender for whom the programme is intended Addresses a range of dynamic risk factors known to be associated with re-offending The treatment methods used are likely to have an impact on the targeted dynamic risk factors Skills are taught that will assist participants in avoiding criminal activities and facilitate their involvement in legitimate pursuits There is a rationale for the sequencing, intensity and duration of different programme components The programme is structured to maximize and sustain the engagement of participants There are clear links between the programme and the overall management of the offender There is provision to monitor programme integrity (is it being delivered as intended?) There is provision to evaluate the efficacy of the programme The main goal of the sex offender treatment programmes are that the person avoids committing another offence in the future. The offender must admit he is guilty for him or her to be a part of the program. It is a condition of acceptance into the programme, not agreeing is breaching the law and the offender can be sent back to prison. Many programmes follow this rule but it is not done everywhere. The programme expects the perpetrator to admit his mistakes, to talk about his unacceptable behaviour, expresses feelings, remorse for them and is agrees to apologize to the victim. To reduce reconviction rates many people suggest to also decrease the sexual arousal. Sexual arousal is one of the key factors which can lead to sex offending. Psychiatrists contribute to the treatment of sex offenders as well, not only prison officers and probation officers. Psychiatrists prescribe the medication, which has shown to reduce crime (Grublin, 2007). The most effective way to manage and supervise potentially dangerous offenders in the community is for the relevant agencies to work together. This partnership work is directed and governed by the national Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). The MAPPA was created nationally on 1st April 2001. MAPPA works with a number of other agencies are under a duty to co-operate with the Responsible Authority. These include: Children Services, Adult Social Services, Health Trusts and Authorities, Youth Offending Teams, local housing authorities and certain registered social landlords, Jobcentre Plus, and electronic monitoring providers. The purposes of MAPPA are to ensure more comprehensive risk assessments are completed, taking advantage of co-ordinated information sharing across the agencies and to direct the available resources to best protect the public from serious harm. MAPPA deal with the management of sexual and violent offenders convicted by a court of a relevant offence or those whose behaviour poses a significant risk of harm to the public. After a comprehensive risk assessment, a system comprising three levels is used to make sure that those offenders who may pose the highest risk, receive the greatest degree of scrutiny and oversight. Who are the MAPPA offenders? There are three categories of offender eligible for MAPPA. Registered Sexual Offenders (Category 1) sexual offenders who are required to notify the police of their name, address and other personal details and notify any changes subsequently; Violent Offenders (Category 2) offenders sentenced to imprisonment/detention for 12 months or more, or detained under hospital orders. Other Dangerous Offenders (Category 3) offenders who do not qualify under categories 1 or 2 but who currently pose a risk of serious harm. There are 3 categories include supervising the offenders, arranging meetings between agencies to see which type of treatment the offender needs, police surveillance, specialised accommodation, and/or to provide ongoing senior management oversight. In the last year, MAPPA in Cumbria has worked in partnership with Circles UK, a national charity set up to encourage the development of Circles of Support and Accountability. Circles of support and accountability was first introduced in Canada about 15 years ago. The purpose of this programme is to support and reintegrate sex offenders who are about to be put back into the community. This idea was introduced to the UK by the Quakers. Sex offenders are lonely people who feel isolated when they are released into the community. These types of feelings make them re-offend. Circles pay attention to employment, financial difficulties, isolation and loneliness (circle journal). Circles believe that the act sex offenders have committed may be monstrous but that doesnt mean they are monsters. They believe sex offenders needs to be shown care and humanity to help them avoid further offending. The individual becomes a core member of the Circle. They are expected to commit and open within the Circle. They also promise that there will be no more victims by his or (her) hand, and that he or she will follow the laid down release plan (print out). Circles do involve the police and probation officers if any problem arises. Circles take place weekly. They consist of four to six volunteers taken from different faith communities. Sex offender programs/strategies are administered in prison and/or in the community to manage sex offenders. Three common therapeutic approaches to treating sex offenders are: The cognitive-behavioral approach, which focuses on changing thinking patterns related to sexual offending and changing deviant patterns of sexual behavior. The psycho-educational approach, which focuses on increasing offenders empathy for the victim while also teaching them to take responsibility for their sexual offenses. The pharmacological approach, which uses medication to reduce sexual response. Research has shown that sex offender treatment programs tend to have a high percentage of offenders who are either expelled from or drop out of treatment. Higher risk offenders and those who are mandated to receive treatment are the most likely to drop out. Fewer individuals drop out of cognitive-behavioral than hormonal treatment. Offenders who are married and employed are more likely to complete treatment. Offenders who do not complete treatment are more likely to commit subsequent sexual offenses than those who do complete treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapies are known to be effective treatment interventions that have helped lower the recidivism rates. This is the most common therapy used within sex offenders. Most sex offenders are let off and released within the community under supervision before there sentence is completed. Some other type of sex offender treatment programmes that are taken place in America are the Sex Offender Groupwork Programme (SOGP) for adult male offenders whose victims are children. Specialist assessment is required for this intensive programme and Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (I-SOTP) for male offenders with convictions for internet only sex offences.   It is designed to reduce the risk of future internet offending and progression to contact sex offending. There is a tremendous need for effective interventions that can lower the recidivism rates of sexual offenders. EFFECTIVE? Whether sex offender treatment is effective in reducing recidivism continues to be debated and reaching firm conclusions on this issue is complicated by the lack of high quality studies. Longer programmes are perhaps predicable, more effective than short ones and programmes which teach offenders technique which they can utilize themselves, especially to prevent relapse, are also successful ( book) 172. Sexual recidivism is generally lower than general recidivism. Different studies used different criteria for sexual recidivism. Effectiveness for register -There have been many controversial arguments regarding the use of Sex Offender Register. Criminals who committed crimes before 1997, were not a part of this registry, criminals with acute risk to the public were exempt from the list and there is no national sex offender register (Pakes Winstone, 2007) Mention 2 cases MAPPA à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Treatment programmes have been researched regarding their impact on re conviction à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The group work treatment programmes in prisons and in the community have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the re-conviction rates. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Offenders successfully completing these programmes are 3 times less likely to be re convicted of a sexual offence and 5 times less likely to be re-convicted of a violent offence than offenders who have not completed the programmes. (NOTA) PART 3 There have been many debates about the rehabilitation process and its success rates. Circle of support reduced re ffending70% The Canadian model has proved to work. Re-conviction rates have halved and those who did re-offend committed less serious offences (paper). Conclusion In order to assess and treat a sexual offender effectively, therefore, one needs to obtain a realistic account of his psychosexuality , something that is notoriously difficult to do (Elsevier, 2007). or (Grubin, 2007). Maybe use another type of approach not only cognitive/behaviour but also psychotherapy and skills therapy to improve results. Programmes are constantly evolving as new information becomes available. Improvements will continue. Every step of this process is vital to reducing the risk a sex offender poses when he or she is returned to the community. Assuming every coach, every priest, every teacher is not likely to be a sexual predator, but that one could be and that you will not know if he is. Given that we cannot detect child molesters or rapists with any consistency, we must pay attention to ways of deflecting any potential offenders from getting access to us or to our children'(Salter,2003) Anthony Rice Long history of sexual and violent attacks Convicted 1989, given discretionary life sentence Released on life license Nov 2004 after 15yr prison term.Killed Naomi Bryant in August 2005 ROY WHITING The sex offender population is increasing and most of these offenders will be released into the community without having received any treatment.(((ARTICLE))

Examining the Reasons for Changes in the Educational Attainment Essay

Examining the Reasons for Changes in the Educational Attainment In this essay, the reasons for the changes that have occurred in recent years in regards to the educational attainment of males and females will be looked at. Evidence seems to suggest that females outperform males in schools. There are various reasons for this, which will be examined in the essay. Mitsos and Browne are a few of the many sociologists that believe that boys are underachieving more than girls, even though they also believe that girls are disadvantaged. The fact that boys are doing worse than boys is shown in the SATs results where girls are doing better than boys. Girls are also outperforming boys at every GCSE subject except for physics. Mitsos and Browne have identified five main reasons of why girls have improved in recent years. One reason is that women’s movement and feminism have achieved success in improving the rights and raising expectation and self esteem of women. Women are more likely to aspire to top jobs that are well paid ...

Psychological Influences of Midlife Transition in Men Essay

Understanding human development has, for quite a time, concentrated on childhood and adolescence and it took some time for researchers to shift considerably on exploring adulthood. This does not indicate however that there is a dearth of data about specific facets of the adult life (e. g. marriage, life expectancy, occupation, retirement, etc. ). Still, one may consider that there is a very restricted understanding of the basic principles of adult development. Consider for example one significant phase in the adult life cycle, specifically that which has been acknowledged as the â€Å"midlife† crisis. Isn’t it a fact that individuals, in one point of their lives, regardless of the phase they are in, experience critical moments? Perhaps we should consider the â€Å"midlife† as a transition or a common phase in an individual’s life as Dr. Fred Horowitz, an executive coach who has worked with hundreds of business owners, executives and professionals assisting them in the transition process sees this phenomenon. One may assert nonetheless that this stage is one of the most critical stages in an individual’s life cycle, next to adolescence, since individuals experiencing crisis during the midlife transition may end up re-living the extreme options to the crisis a particular individual is experiencing at that particular time. Passage to this phase of the life cycle may well be considered of equal importance as the understanding of separation anxiety of a two-year old or the questions on identity and self-expression commonly experienced by the adolescent. The midlife transition is developmental and inherently built into the structure of the personality and the Self. It is Psychological Influences 3 at this phase that the deepest inner strivings of the soul press for expression, even if that expression threatens a well-structured world and sense of identity. As much as undergoing the â€Å"midlife† transition† is inevitable, so is the recognition that in spite of the confusing and serious psychological influences that accompany this phase in the life cycle, an understanding leading to acceptance of these facts, can serve as a threshold for growth and change. In this connection, I have found two articles that provide insights on what could be considered debilitating psychological effects of man’s passage to this particular phase in the life cycle: 1) Les Brown, H. (November 09, 2008). â€Å"Is the Man in the Mirror a Fraud,† and 2) an article titled, â€Å"Crisis in Middle Adulthood: Age 45- 65. † Both articles describe this transitional phase, where the man who could not overcome the pressures accompanying the transition, puts on a â€Å"psychological defense mechanism. † L. Brown refers to such response as projection. On the other hand, â€Å"Crisis in Midlife Adulthood,† points to â€Å"stagnation† or â€Å"self-absorption† as a direct psychological response of an individual undergoing this transition. Les Brown, while positioning his article on a latest book titled, â€Å"Irritable Male Syndrome,† written by Dr. Jed Diamond, centers on the family as he considers it as the main context in which this male psychological response to midlife transition is most discernible. He rationalizes that in this context where a man experiences the most intimate relationships is where he is also most vulnerable— â€Å"When a guy’s inner world starts to come unglued, the first to notice it are those who love him. † As a result, the man ‘projects’ a personality that is entirely different to what he really is in real life as the Psychological Influences 4 ‘midlife male’ sees all around him in his most intimate surroundings reflections of his own (supposed) shortcomings. † The process continues: 1) the male perceives a reality (which is assumed to have been distorted by his present psychological state) and assumes that such circumstance poses a threat to his personality; 2) as he moves from the source of the reflection he carries and projects a self-image (presumably to defend himself of being unmasked of his real emotional state); 3) his significant others perceive the obvious change however are uncertain of what is really going on with the â€Å"midlife male. † They try to act out as what is the â€Å"midlife male† tries to picture to them as what should be their response to his behavior. The â€Å"midlife male† still sees such behavior in a different perspective. The seemingly unending and continuous empowering of â€Å"cultural bias, faulty assumptions, and dysfunctional belief,† results to the â€Å"midlife males† feeling of â€Å"shame. † Les Brown ends with a reminder to the â€Å"midlife males† who are in constant struggle as they try to understand the transition phase. He provided an analogy of the â€Å"reflection process† to the literal â€Å"mirroring† act— what the person is seeing is â€Å"exactly the person [his] going to need to confront, and, in spite of [his] fears, he’s not a fraud†¦[rather] he is the person [you’d] need to know for the first time. † He ends by pointing out the imperative nature of this life cycle that one’s reaction to the process may undeniably shape what the person will become afterwards. Though the presentation of the writer’s ideas relative to â€Å"midlife transition† is obviously clear and lucid, however, his earlier attribution to a recent writing on the subject did not make him as credible as the author he earlier referred to. It sounded much Psychological Influences 5 more of marketing strategy than a call for credibility. It would have been better had he presented his ideas first then anchored them on not just one reference, which would made him sound more authoritative on the subject –matter. The second article, alternatively presents a general understanding on middle adulthood, specifically the â€Å"crises† that both genders experienced during the midlife transition. A brief characterization of the â€Å"crises† experienced by the two sexes were delineated in the article. At the end, however, the writer differentiated two models that apparently â€Å"explain such events as the midlife transition and the midlife crisis. † Such transition seems illogical and unnecessary and made the presentation of the articles idea unclear. I would consider the second article rather loose since it presents a number of although related thoughts do not present a holistic clarification of what these separately identifiable elements are. A little explanation on different aspects in the subject (middle adulthood) made his presentation unacceptable. Ideas were presented from the specific to the general, but the relatedness as well as the transition from one of the sub-topics to another could not be considered conclusive of foregoing statements. Also the fact that there was no reference to the author or other authority on the subject (except for Erickson, though reference to authority was not rationally done) made the presentation less acceptable. In conclusion, both articles although to some extent served their purpose as being content articles could not be considered successful in providing new insights in the subject matter. Finally, in a word of hyper-mediation, which is the primary facet of the Psychological Influences 6 Web and the internet, writers as those specified here, should have maximized what their medium could offer (though this is not part of the review, I still consider this part and parcel of that which contributes to the efficiency of the distribution of specific content to its intended audience). As such hyperlinks may have been considered in presenting the articles they have written. References: Les Brown, H. (November 09, 2008). â€Å"Is the Man in the Mirror a Fraud? † Retrieved April 06, 2009 from Midlife Mastery Website: http://www. midlifemaster. net/2008/11/for-the-past-few-days-ive-been-reading-dr- jed-diamonds-newest-book-the-irritable-male-syndrome-with-rapt-attention-in- adv. html CliffsNotes. com. Crisis in Middle Adulthood: Age 45–65. Retrieved April 06, 2009 from Cliffnotes Website: http://www. cliffsnotes. com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/topicArticleId- 26831,articleId-26814. html

A Rainy Day

It was raining. I and mother were coming back from our forest campsite as the plan was all washed away in the rain water. It was around 10 at night. We both were all alone. The rain got heavier, the wipers of the car faster. The streets were empty. Our car fleeted through the logged water and the wheels splashed the water all around the bushes nearby. Everything was quiet. I tried to turn the radio on but the signal was not caught in the dense forest. Mom checked the mobile. Not only the battery was low but there was no coverage. Dad was out of station. He was not at home from a month or more. Mom drove really fast. She was worried about old granny at home. Suddenly the phone rang. It was an unknown number. I picked up the phone. â€Å"Hello. Hello! Are you there? † The phone was cut. We didn’t wonder who was there. We thought that the phone must be cut because of low coverage. It was ignored. We headed on. After a mile or two, amidst the foggy ambiance we saw a diminished structure. It was not clear. I thought it was just a foggy illustration. As the car got a bit near, it seemed to be an injured man. As fast as a jaguar, the car had lost its control. Mom couldn’t apply brakes. It looked as if an accident is going to take place. The car stopped making a dreadful noise. We looked back there was no one. Mom got off the car. Looked around. What was it? Was it a zombie? Or really a man? We were truly scared. My heart was beating like anything. We reached home-safe and sound. What happened that night nobody knows. We didn’t share this incident with anyone. It was forgotten and considered only a rainy day.

Infancy and Early Childhood Paper Essays

Infancy and Early Childhood Paper Essays Infancy and Early Childhood Paper Essay Infancy and Early Childhood Paper Essay I believe Piaget’s theory of cognitive development best explains the cognitive development both in babyhood and early childhood. His theory is explained by a theory of cognitive organisation called strategies. Schemes are the actions or mental representations that organize knowledge ( Santrock. 2008. p. 94 ) . Harmonizing to his theory. strategies change with age ; in other words. they are action-based ( motor forms ) at first and so bit by bit change to a mental ( believing ) degree. There are several cardinal footings that explain Piaget’s procedure of developmental alteration ; those include version. assimilation. adjustment. organisation. and equilibration. Sensorimotor phase is the first of the Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. It lasts from birth to the about 2 old ages of age. where consciousness of the universe is limited to what can be known through centripetal consciousness and motor Acts of the Apostless. Furthermore. Piaget divided the sensorimotor phase into six sub-stages: 1 ) simple physiological reactions ; ( 2 ) first wonts and primary round reactions ; ( 3 ) secondary round reactions ; ( 4 ) coordination of secondary round reactions ; ( 5 ) third round reactions. freshness. and wonder ; and ( 6 ) internalisation of strategies ( Santrock. 2008. p. 96 ) . Reflexive Schemes: this is present in neonates. Initially. the infant’s actions are coordinated through automatic behaviours. such as rooting and suction. But bit by bit the baby produces behaviours that resemble physiological reactions in the absence of the usual stimulation for the physiological reaction ( Santrock. 2008 ) . Primary round reactions: it develops between 1 and 4 months of age. In this phase. babies begin to accommodate their physiological reactions to their environment ; simple motor wonts are centered around ain organic structure ( Caulfield. 2001 ) Secondary round reactions: it develops between 4 and 8 months of age. The focal point of infants’ geographic expedition craps to external events. Babies develop consciousness that objects continue to be even when non in sight at about 8 months of age ( Caulfield. 2001 ) Coordination of secondary round reactions: develops between 8 and 12 months of age. Babies begin to show knowing behaviour and anticipate events ; they coordinate separate actions to accomplish desired ends ( Caulfield. 2001 ) . Tertiary round reactions: develops between 12 and 18 months of age. Babies reach an advanced degree of proficiency ; they begin to research belongingss of objects through fresh actions ( Caulfield. 2001 ) . Internalization of strategies: develops between 18 and 24 months of age. Their ability to stand for the external universe internally begins to develop. besides called as symbolic representation. Besides. deferred imitation. the ability to retain and copy a representation of an ascertained behaviour. begins to develop ( Caulfield. 2001 ) . I besides believe Piaget’s theory best explains the cognitive development in early childhood every bit good. His Preoperational period. the 2nd phase of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development stopping points from about 2 to 7 old ages of age. In this age. children Begin to stand for the universe with words. images. and drawings. Not merely that. they begin to organize stable constructs and embark on reasoning ( Santrock. 2008. p. 145 ) . Besides. egocentricism ( inability to separate between one’s ain position and person else’s position ) and charming beliefs besides begin to play a function in child’s cognitive development. There are different sub-stages of the preoperational phase. Symbolic map sub-stage is the first sub-stage of the pre-operational idea. In this phase. the kid has the capableness to mentally stand for an object that is non physically present. This phase occurs between the ages of 2 and 4 old ages of age. The Intuitive Thought Sub-stage. the 2nd sub-stage of preoperational idea that by and large occurs between 4 and 7 old ages of age. In this phase. kids are tempted to inquire many inquiries. In other words. one of the most outstanding words for the kids around this age is why . There are many similarities and differences between the Piaget’s theory of cognitive development that explains babyhood and early childhood. Similarities Both the selected theories that I believe best describes cognitive development in babyhood and early childhood semen from Piaget. Both theories have phases ( Sensorimotor and preoperational ) and are farther divided into sub-stages. Both theories rely on the premise that babies and kids actively construct an apprehension of the universe. Both theories give a clip frame of when the phases and the sub- phases occurBoth theories have restrictions. Differences Sensorimotor phase trades with babies from birth to 2 old ages of age and Preoperational phase trades with early childhood that by and large occurs between the ages of 2 and 7. Sensorimotor is the phase one of the Piaget’s theory of cognitive development ; whereas preoperational period is stage two of his theory. The restriction of the sensorimotor stages remainders on the truth of the timing of the events that Piaget mentioned ; whereas the restriction of the Pre-operational idea remainders on the constructs such as centration and preservation. Therefore. in this paper. I have considered Piaget’s theory to explicate cognitive development in both babyhood and early childhood. I have besides considered the similarities and differences between the two theories. Mentions Caulfield. R. A. ( 2001 ) . Babies and yearlings. Upper Saddle River. New jersey: Prentice HallSantrock. J. W. ( 2008 ) . Necessities of life-span development. New york: McGraw-Hill.

Writing Within Limitations

Writing Within Limitations Writing Within Limitations Writing Within Limitations By Michael A writer cant do anything he or she wants. Every human being you too is bound by limitations. Our readers are limited because they are human. A skillful writer learns to work with these limitations. Dont overload the emotions of your readers. Escalating the emotional level of your story makes it interesting, you may say, so why not do it unceasingly? If one or two spies add tension to a novel, why not include forty-eight or forty-nine spies? Because the human mind can only handle so much stress (and so many characters). Thats why writers use comic relief. While reading about tragic events, its restful to read a little comedy. Skilled writers give their readers time to breathe before taking away their breath again. Dont stretch the credibility of your readers. When I was a young student, my teacher taught us a big word: verisimilitude, meaning lifelikeness. That is, readers dont mind if a story didnt really happen, but they do mind if it couldnt have really happened. That is, readers demand that characters display the sense and emotions of real people (even if the characters are three-eyed aliens). For example, with a well-written magical fantasy, somehow it becomes easy to believe that people can fly through the air, but hard to believe the hero wouldnt fly through the air to rescue his beloved. Its physically impossible to fly without wings, but its psychologically impossible to love someone without caring about them. I dont think this preference is a choice, but rather an unavoidable part of human psychology, similar to our expectation that pushing an object will move it away from us we couldnt stand a world where the opposite happens. To explain why modern people can accept supernatural s tories, Samuel Taylor Coleridge coined the phrase willing suspension of disbelief. Dont overload the patience of your readers. Wise teachers say, The mind can only absorb what the seat can endure. If a lecture goes on so long that a student becomes physically uncomfortable, he or she will have trouble learning from it. In the same way, you want readers to say about your book, I couldnt put it down, but you should still include chapter breaks stopping places where they can eat and sleep. The cliff-hanger technique of carrying suspense across chapter divisions can get to be too much, especially if the suspense isnt warranted. Then came a knock at the door. Her heart pounded. Could this be her long lost true love? Chapter Six She opened the door. It was the postman, who handed her a cable TV bill. Length is obviously a factor in how patient your readers can be, but that doesnt apply only to your book as a whole. Your reader will become restless with any passage that seems too long to them, such as your description of the setting. He or she will skip ahead, looking for quotation marks and white space. Of course, some of the best-selling books of all time have been long books. They have also been interesting books. I still say, if they cant lift it, they wont read it. Dont forget to research commonly known facts. Some writers keep researching when they should just start writing. But if a fact can easily be checked, make sure its accurate. A recent novel by one of my favorite authors seemed to depend on the premise that Irish people have supernatural powers. Because I live in a country (the United States) where there are more Irish people than in Ireland, I can easily test that premise, so I was disappointed by the book. If she had written about Cornish or Manx people instead, I wouldnt know if she were right or wrong, because I dont know any Cornish or Manx people. When your readers catch you in an obvious error, they can say I personally know that setting or event, but you apparently dont, and they may decide not to read your book. Facts tied to emotions are particularly sensitive. Dont flippantly change the facts behind the founding of my nation or my faith, or I will be annoyed. Dont try to display a superlative. Writers with big ideas can fall into this trap. Its one thing to say that your character is the wisest or funniest person in the history of the world, or the most brilliant or the most intelligent. Its another thing to show your readers an example of exactly what you think that means, which you will as soon as your character opens his mouth. Because at that point, they can instantly decide if they believe you. For example, once your character tells a joke, they will decide for themselves if he is really the funniest person in the world. Heres my example of displaying a superlative: She looked out over the formally-dressed audience, glancing at the head of the Swedish Academy which was now awarding her the Nobel Prize for literature. As everyone in the hall held his or her breath, she unfolded the manuscript of her most famous poem and began to read. If youre writing this, you should draw a veil over the scene right here. Dont actually quote the poem, unless you think you already deserve a Nobel Prize for literature. Can you get away with passing off your own work as an example of a Nobel Prize-winning poem? Ayn Rand, the author of Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead and The Virtue of Selfishness, was not afraid of displaying a superlative. In her novel Atlas Shrugged, important people suddenly disappear when they hear John Galts message. We wonder, what could that message be? Well, Rand spends 70 pages telling us, leaving nothing to the imagination. Writers are well advised to show, dont tell. But by this point in Rands life, telling had become more important than showing. So she lost any readers mystified by the question of What is making these important people suddenly disappear? but disappointed by the answer. That is, she lost the readers who couldnt believe what she was now displaying. Good writers know their limits. Once you say something, your readers will use their own judgment to decide whether its believable. They dont need to use their imaginations anymore. And you dont want your readers to stop using their imaginations. 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 Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Writing Prompts 101How to Pronounce Mobile5 Erroneously Constructed â€Å"Not Only . . . But Also† Sentences

Legal Canadian Smoking Age by Province and Territory

Legal Canadian Smoking Age by Province and Territory The legal smoking age in Canada is the age at which a person is allowed to buy tobacco products, including cigarettes. The legal smoking age in Canada is set by each province and territory in Canada. Buying tobacco is split more or less evenly between age 18 and age 19 across Canadas provinces and territories: Legal Smoking Age in the Provinces and Territories of Canada   Alberta - 18British Columbia - 19Manitoba - 18New Brunswick - 19Newfoundland and Labrador - 19Northwest Territories - 18Nova Scotia - 19Nunavut - 18Ontario - 19Prince Edward Island - 19Quebec - 18Saskatchewan - 18Yukon Territory - 18 Selling tobacco is tightly regulated in most areas. In Ontario, for instance, the seller, whose age is not regulated, must request identification from any person who appears to be younger than 25 years old, and the seller must determine that the prospective buyer is at least 19 years old before selling tobacco products to that person. Smoking Is Banned in Indoor Public Spaces As of 2010, all territories and provinces and the federal government have enacted relatively consistent legislation banning public smoking in their jurisdictions. The legislation bans smoking in indoor public spaces and workplaces such as restaurants, bars, and casinos. The federal governments ban applies to federal workplaces and to federally regulated businesses such as airports. There is growing support for raising the minimum legal smoking age to 21  across the country to make access to tobacco more difficult and tamp down tobacco-related illness and deaths.  About 37,000 people die in Canada every year from a smoking-related illness. The Movement to Raise Legal Smoking Age to 21 The federal government suggested in early 2017 moving the legal smoking age to 21. The  idea of raising the minimum smoking age was put forward in a Health Canada paper considering ways to reach a 5 percent national smoking rate by 2035. In 2017, it stood at 13 percent. The federal government is reportedly not ruling out the possibility of raising the minimum smoking age to 21. The intent would be to try and reduce the number of young people picking up the habit. Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott said,  It’s time to push the envelope. What are those next steps? We’ve put out some bold ideas, things like raising the age of access. Things like putting restrictions in terms of multiperson dwellings. We want to hear what Canadians think about those [ideas].† Cancer Society Supports Raising the Minimum Age The  Canadian Cancer Society  says it  supports the idea of setting a federal smoking age of 21. Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst with the society, says he believes raising the smoking age is an inevitability and cites a 2015 study by the US National  Institute of Medicine, which suggests that raising the legal smoking age to 21 could drop the smoking rate by roughly 12 percent and eventually reduce smoking-related deaths by 10 percent. Study Shows Drop in Smokers In the first quarter of 2017, the national group Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSC) released its health survey on 2000–2014 tobacco use in Canada.  During this period, there was an overall 1.1 million drop in the number of Canadian  smokers, while  the number of smokers ages 15 to 19 also dropped but remained substantial. The percentage of Canadians who smoked fell by one-quarter, from 26% of Canadians aged 12 or older to 19%.  Over the  2000–2014 study period, the  majority of people ages 20 to 29 who have ever smoked reported smoking their first cigarette between the age of 15 and 19, while the percentage of those who reported their first cigarette over the age of 20 increased slightly from 7 percent to 12 percent.

Managing Business Organizations (business studies) Essay

Managing Business Organizations (business studies) - Essay Example and these differences and similarities a multi-national organisation â€Å"ZARA† is compared with a local UK architecture firm Purcell Miller Tritton (PMT) LLP. Zara is a renowned brand and flagship chain store of Inditex Group. It has gradually gained major popularity since its first store was opened in Spain. Zara has operated with an aggressive management style towards the business. It has proven many theories wrong, theories related to economies of scale, supply chain, etc. The company’s operation can be divided into philosophy, capability and payoff. Zara has kept a philosophy to keep 5 fingers touching the factory and five touching the customer i.e. they have kept a very quick movement between the production of their stock and the immediate transfer of that stock to the stores. Their main capability is to design, produce and deliver in 15 days as compared to the six month industry average. This is the major area in which the company has excelled over its competitors and has kept them way behind and it is because of these unique strategic capabilities that the company took over the clothing industry giant GAP in their first quar ter of 2010. Zara’s main and the innovative approach is their fast fashion trend, which makes their product available in stores after just two weeks in the designing process. Besides such a fast and flashy approach, they keep their production limited i.e. the batch of clothing in merchandise is only available for just that two weeks time period and after that it is not available in the stores. This approach of scarcity and the customer’s perception towards rarity has helped Zara to boost their Revenues significantly. (Bonnin, 2002; Tokatli, 2008) The main distinctive feature about Zara is its co-operative nature i.e. every staff member of the organization is involved in some business process for the entire organization. Each store manager and the store assistant are really participative in collecting and providing information

General Biology I - Human Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

General Biology I - Human Perspectives - Essay Example The heart rate was minimum (51) at rest under normal conditions but found maximum (71) after drinking caffeine in the shape of coffee. Exercise for a minute did not significantly change heart rate as compare to working in the office as hypothesised. This indicated that working in the office also needed extra energy comparable with short exercise. Heart rate after eating and digesting food was similar to exercise for one minute. This is why cardiologists advise heart patients to avoid exercise or walk for at least two hours after taking meals. Drinking coffee increases heart rate but the recent research indicated that it is beneficial for heart diseases in moderate quantity in elderly people ( James et el, 2007). Coffee has oxidative properties which keep the LDL cholesterol level under low levels and chances of getting cardiovascular disease are minimal. Heart beats per minute were expected to be equal to or lower than resting time but in my case it was higher. The probable cause for this change may be dreams immediately before wake up which resulted in elevated heart rate. 3. Trained athletes have resting pulse rate at 40-60 as their metabolism has adjusted to exercise. Therefore exercise is recommended for proper body functioning and keeping healthy heart. My resting pulse rate is also low because I exercise regularly. It means my heart need to work less as compare to persons whose heart rate at resting is 70-72 beats per minute. 4. I calculated my BMI using standard BMI calculator given by National Institute of Health. My height is 5’ 5† and weight 152 pounds. The BMI come to 25.3 which are on the higher side of the normal range (18.5 – 24.9) of NIH standards. My BMI does surprise me because I have kept my body weight within limit. I take care of my food and exercise regularly. Therefore, my heart rate is lower and it is expected that I have low risk of mortality due to heart problems. 5. People who have criticized BMI have

A Wall of Separation between Law and Religion Term Paper

A Wall of Separation between Law and Religion - Term Paper Example The history of the United States is replete with governmental acknowledgment, and in some cases accommodation, of religion. The national motto â€Å"IN GOD WE TRUST† of the United States first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin, which was officially adopted in 1956, clearly proves that the government is not atheist. (Facts sheet, 2007) The First Amendment states that â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.† The Establishment Clause represents one of America’s most cherished safeguards and is also most heavily litigated. Time and again there are allegations that â€Å"the courts and their civil-libertarian allies have waged a relentless battle to drive the words and symbols of traditional faith from the nation’s discourse.† (Stanton, M., 1996) The main focus was not only the public schools, where prayer, Bible reading, and display of the Ten Commandments have all been banished but extends to other venues also. The co mmon view is that â€Å"from the first day of the United States until today, the Supreme Court has been pivotal in interpreting our Constitution and shaping our republic.† (Land Mark Supreme Court Cases, 2007). In the opinion of Justice Hugo Black and others, the Founding Fathers sought to raise an impregnable ‘wall of separation’ between government and religious faith when they adopted the First Amendment. Perhaps Thomas Jefferson is considered as the first to cite the term â€Å"wall of separation† in a message to the Danbury Baptists. Jefferson further emphasized his point through a letter to a Presbyterian clergy that â€Å"I consider the government to the United States as interdicted from meddling with religious institutions; certainly no power over religious discipline has been delegated to the general government.†

English - reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

English - reflection - Essay Example An invention that makes its place in the lives of individuals does not get shunned out unless it is proved to have highly dangerous effects. Therefore, David Suzuki condemns the usage of technology without being sure about its safety and possible side effects. He gave the example of the usage of DDT that is used to eradicate mosquitoes from the environment. Its usage has caused such a diverse range of effects that never could have been predicted by the scientists, for example its concentration in different living things when transferred up in the food chain (biomagnifications), the accumulation of it in shell glands of the birds that causes the thinning of the egg shell, affects of oral contraceptives on women etc. He condemned the latest technologies by stating, â€Å"technological innovations have had detrimental side effects that eventually outweighed their benefits† (347). In his article, he proposed a wishful proposition of appointing certain number of people from the soc iety as representatives who can assess the benefits and cost of any technology before its common usage and decide if it is hazardous or not. The cost and benefit analysis should be done in an unbiased manner with the aim of judging its effects on all living things.

Forensic Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Forensic Science - Essay Example Experiments are then performed to measure the accuracy of these hypotheses and they are repeated several times in order to determine whether or not the phenomena behaves according to the predictions laid out by the hypotheses i.e. whether the tests are predictable (Wudka 1998). Some domains of inquiry tend to come under certain theories which permit the structuring of specific hypotheses. Almost all fields of inquiry share the common ideal that the manner of gathering data and acquiring new knowledge must be unbiased and objective. This leads to accurate observation, data gathering and interpretation of results. Scientific method also requires that the data is documented, shared and accessed in order for other researchers and scientists to conduct their own experiments independently and reproduce the results. This enables the statistical measurement of data and verify their reliability. Forensic science is a scientific method of collecting and scrutinizing evidence. It is a science that is applied to legal issues. It involves the testing of different parameters and associated references to the background information about the subject in question in order to arrive at a conclusion (Ellen 2005 p.3). Forensic scientists are specialized professionals who involve themselves in accident or crime scene investigation. They use their skills by observing, recognizing, identifying and individualizing the physical evidence available at the scene, then go about attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events that took place so that the police, lawyers and the courts can fully unravel in detail the crime or accident. Observation and Description in Forensics As in other fields of scientific study, forensic scientists rely greatly on scientific method. The initial first step is the observation and collection of information and data most of which is physical. Forensic scientists generally search for data at the scene or in the laboratory. This data includes physical evidence that is to be recognized as being crucial to the investigation, protected from the elements to avoid contamination and collected. Crimes are solved using pathological examinations of crime scene data such as fingerprints, footprints, palm prints, blood stains, soil, bodily fluids, plant and animal matter and hair samples. Apart from this handwriting and typed samples, including ink and paper are also studied as are impressions and questionable documents. Insects present at the scene, maybe collected and in a lab examined by a forensic entomologist. Where weapons are involved, bullet remnants, direction and range of the shot and other ballistics are studied to determine the origins of the shooting. In addition, voice identification techniques are also used to ascertain the criminal's identity. Impression evidence is also vital and can come in two-dimensional or three-dimensional forms such as shoeprints (Genge 2002 p.58). All evidence is carefully cordoned off from possible contamination, collected and placed in plastic bags or boxes, labeled with time, date and location and signed by the crime scene personnel. These and other items of physical evidence are investigated to determine that a crime has occurred and also to ascertain the criminal's Modus Operandi and establish a connection between the suspect and the victim. The other goal is to place the persons, both

Classroom Climate and Learning Environments Research Paper

Classroom Climate and Learning Environments - Research Paper Example The definition of learning has also created a fine line of depicting the importance of improved instruction among the people of the generations before towards the people of the generations at present. This improvement is probed by the need of each human generation to know something new apart from what has already been learnt by the past generation of learners. This is the reason why there came to be the birth of modern research procedures application. It is through this particular approach of investigative learning that the different environments of learning have been given birth. Before, knowledge was based on general understanding, however, through research procedures, the path towards a larger scope of learning has been given way. It could not be denied that the imposed position on the process of developing knowledge through investigative research has been proven effective through the years. The proposition to which the said development has been based on has practically created a new sense of understanding the importance of learning in connection with social development and other matters that are designed to provide the human society with the progress that they so long to have. In this paper, a discussion on how the emergence of research affected human learning and how it has given way to the proper sense of understanding the deepest sense of education shall be introduced. It shall also be identified herein how research proceedings has practically provided a basis of understanding for the students and the instructors as well in connection with the importance of the effectiveness of instruction procedure that is used in classrooms within common learning institutions. Why the Need for Research Improvement; this is the practical reason why research has been given way and was rather supported by the learning institutions worldwide. No matter what field of education the instructional fields are engaged with, it could not be denied that the continuous application of research in the process creates a better understanding and implication as to how the said subjects involved are given proper chances of further improving towards a more strengthened source of knowledge for the new generation of learners who are hungry of being fed with clarified presentations of education with regards the different issues that they are most likely interested in. When it comes to researching though, there are different ways as to how one could actually find the most definite and instantaneous ways to which the researcher himself would be much comfortable in handling a particular issue in concern. In terms of pedagogy, the researchers in this field have constantly introduced the different indications of teacher and student relationship and reaction that identify the process of knowing how the process of passing knowledge from one to another directly affects the personality of one. The basic indication that a particular research on education is successful is the process by which it is likely considered practical for application. How is this indication tested Through practical trial and error period application. Every research has a

Forensic Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Forensic Science - Essay Example Experiments are then performed to measure the accuracy of these hypotheses and they are repeated several times in order to determine whether or not the phenomena behaves according to the predictions laid out by the hypotheses i.e. whether the tests are predictable (Wudka 1998). Some domains of inquiry tend to come under certain theories which permit the structuring of specific hypotheses. Almost all fields of inquiry share the common ideal that the manner of gathering data and acquiring new knowledge must be unbiased and objective. This leads to accurate observation, data gathering and interpretation of results. Scientific method also requires that the data is documented, shared and accessed in order for other researchers and scientists to conduct their own experiments independently and reproduce the results. This enables the statistical measurement of data and verify their reliability. Forensic science is a scientific method of collecting and scrutinizing evidence. It is a science that is applied to legal issues. It involves the testing of different parameters and associated references to the background information about the subject in question in order to arrive at a conclusion (Ellen 2005 p.3). Forensic scientists are specialized professionals who involve themselves in accident or crime scene investigation. They use their skills by observing, recognizing, identifying and individualizing the physical evidence available at the scene, then go about attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events that took place so that the police, lawyers and the courts can fully unravel in detail the crime or accident. Observation and Description in Forensics As in other fields of scientific study, forensic scientists rely greatly on scientific method. The initial first step is the observation and collection of information and data most of which is physical. Forensic scientists generally search for data at the scene or in the laboratory. This data includes physical evidence that is to be recognized as being crucial to the investigation, protected from the elements to avoid contamination and collected. Crimes are solved using pathological examinations of crime scene data such as fingerprints, footprints, palm prints, blood stains, soil, bodily fluids, plant and animal matter and hair samples. Apart from this handwriting and typed samples, including ink and paper are also studied as are impressions and questionable documents. Insects present at the scene, maybe collected and in a lab examined by a forensic entomologist. Where weapons are involved, bullet remnants, direction and range of the shot and other ballistics are studied to determine the origins of the shooting. In addition, voice identification techniques are also used to ascertain the criminal's identity. Impression evidence is also vital and can come in two-dimensional or three-dimensional forms such as shoeprints (Genge 2002 p.58). All evidence is carefully cordoned off from possible contamination, collected and placed in plastic bags or boxes, labeled with time, date and location and signed by the crime scene personnel. These and other items of physical evidence are investigated to determine that a crime has occurred and also to ascertain the criminal's Modus Operandi and establish a connection between the suspect and the victim. The other goal is to place the persons, both

Thanksgiving Day Celebration Essay Example for Free

Thanksgiving Day Celebration Essay All families have their ups and downs, I would like to say that my family has had more ups than downs but we have defiantly faced many challenges as a family. My family is very small and close and we are a pretty happy family. We have our differences and we get on each other’s nerves now and again but in the end we have shared a lot of very special memories together. My mother is a single mom of three kids and I am the oldest. I have two younger brothers, Aaron who is 12 and DJ who is 6. They are very funny and outgoing kids. It has been my mom, my two brothers and I for a while now and we are doing really well. I have learned to be very grateful for the things I have as well as the opportunities that are given to me. My mom has taught my brothers and me that we should always work for what we get, and that respect is not given but earned. My family has had a lot of bumps in the road but we have always managed to pull through as a family and learn a little more with each bump. Happiness is a non-stop battle that we face as human beings where it is not a constant feeling. I believe that overall yes my family is a pretty happy family but like I said the feeling is not constant, some days we feel sad or mad at one another and for that point in time are not the happiest family. In the end family is always going to be there for you, blood runs thicker than water. I am very thankful for the family I was given, even though they are not perfect I still love them with all my heart. The perfect family does not exist and would be kind of weird if it did.

Majestic Wine Plc Uk Marketing Essay

Majestic Wine Plc Uk Marketing Essay Majestic Wine Plc. opened its original wine warehouse in 1980. This Wood Green, North London warehouse merged in 1991 with Wizard Wine, which, at that time belonged to Iceland, the frozen food group, (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). Majestic Wine was listed on the Alternative Investment Market in 1996. In 2009, it acquired Lay Wheeler, a Burgundy and Bordeaux wine specialist (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). The retailing of wines, beers and spirits is its principal business activity (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). This business report analyses the group performance for two financial years, to 29th. March, 2010. It recommend, on basis of appropriate performance ratios, (detailed in Appendices 1 4), that shareholders should buy more shares and augment their investment significantly if the group management shows a more aggressive and focused plan of expansion, accompanied by expansion of stores, the deployment of a more aggressive capital gearing ratio, and sharper operations management. Majestic has grown more than 12 fold from 1985, when it had only 12 shops, to 152 shops n 2010. It aims to expand its shop strength to 250 during the coming decade (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). Its sales are at a 10 year high, post the discarding of its policy of retailing only 12-bottle cases. Off-licences, (establishments selling alcohol for consumption off the premises), could in the 1980s operate only for a few hours every day, and even fewer over weekends. Warehouses circumvented this rule by posturing as wholesalers, thus compelling their customers to buy bulk 12-bottle cases (Goodway, 2010, p1). Steven Lewis, the feisty CEO of the company, tested and subsequently rolled out, from November 2009, a model allowing customers to buy a minimum of six bottles at a time (Goodway, 2010, p1). The policy was instrumental in increasing the number of customers by 54000 to 472000 in the course of a year (LSE, 2010, p1). The objective of this Business Report is to recommend to the shareholders of Majestic Wine PLC on augmentation or reduction of their investment in the company. The profitability ratios of the company reflect a marked improvement in terms of revenues, cost of sales and ROI. Most organisations opt to keep their debt low and cut their debt at the earliest (Jablonsky Barsky, 2001). Whilst such inclinations arise from the need to be conventional and secure in business, excessive eagerness to diminish debt frequently leads to poor utilisation of obtainable debt, higher costs and uneconomical capital gearing (Jablonsky Barsky, 2001, p 7-15). The practically unchanged working capital ratios reflect the maintenance of sub-optimal liquidity levels. The weak acid-test ratio can lead to a difficult situation if the need for liquidity arises on account of contingencies that need to be swiftly addressed. The long-term debts ratios reflect under capitalisation. The low gearing ratio reflects risk adverse tendencies, which can lead to slow growth in future. 2.2. Group Performance The group turnover for the 52 week period ending 29th March, 2010 at  £33.2m was up 15.6 percent, with the profit before tax at  £16.0m rocketing by an incredible 117 percent (LSE, 2010, p1). Appendix 4 summarises the group performance, as reported in the Preliminary Results for 2010. The Group has experienced strong cash generation during 2010, with operational cash-flows of  £21.2m during the year.  This figure is  £5.7m more than the  £15.5m generated during the previous year, and has essentially come about from the improvement in the underlying profit before tax during 2010. The Distribution and Administrative Costs have increased by 15.6 percent during 2009-10 as compared to the previous year. The EBIT (Earnings before finance costs and taxation) rose by 118.3 percent during the same period. The Profit before Taxation (PBT) grew sharply from  £7.4m to  £16.0m during 2009-10 year, registering an increase of 117 percent. The sales to private customers, which make up the mainstay of the business, have shored up well, even though sales to corporate customers has been unsatisfactory. The companys French operations have been hurt by a stronger Euro (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). This contributed to an exceptional non-cash charge of  £5.33m in 2009, which arose from the writing-down of the carrying value of the companys French retailing operations, Wine and Beer World (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). The companys purchase policy of reducing the minimum purchase of 12 bottles to 6 has led to excellent results, even as it needs to be recognised that it may be difficult to replicate this years soaring profits next year, because of challenges in manoeuvring even more supermarket customers through its shop entrances (ODoherty Kuchler, 2010, p1). Majestic is nevertheless working towards seizing mid-market space with a number of value-adding schemes like developing sales to gastropubs, increasing its wine-tasting programmes, and growing its fine wines business (ODoherty Kuchler, 2010, p1). Majestics market share at 3.4% leaves abundant room for growth (ODoherty Kuchler, 2010, p1). With its share trading at 20.3p per share at approximately 14 times its forecast earnings for 2011, higher than the average trading of its peer retailers at an average of 12 to 13p, Majestic, ODoherty Kuchler, (2010, p1) feel merits the premium and some more. The companys results are remarkable, considering that the underlying profit growth of 26 percent in 2010 has been achieved after accounting for the reduction of  £5.3m in the carrying value of the French operations (Hemming, 2010, p1). The business is well positioned to capitalise on its core strengths as the economic environment starts improving (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). The companys acquisition of Lay and Wheelers fine wine business in 2009 has contributed  £12.4m to 2010 sales (LSE, 2010, p1). It is to the credit of the group that the total dividend for the year has been raised by 5.1 percent, to 10.3p per share, against last years 9.8p, despite continuing market pressures (LSE, 2010, p1). The Underlying basic earnings per share (EPS) for 2010 at 18.4p were 31.4% higher than the 2009s 14.0p. The underlying diluted EPS for the same period at 18.3p rose 30.7% against the previous years figure of 14.0p. The basic EPS for 2010 at 18.4p was 247.2% more than the 2009s 5.3p. The diluted EPS for 2010 at 18.3p was 245.3% more than the 5.3p achieved in 2009 (LSE, 2010, p1). The average transaction expenditure at  £129 for 2010 is 4 percent lower than 2009, despite a growth of 14.6 percent to 1.7m in transaction numbers (LSE, 2010, p1). The UK like-for-like sales for the 10 week period from 30th.March, 2010 to 7th.June, 2010 rose 7.3 percent (LSE, 2010, p1). The company is expected to improve its sales in future. The retailers professional credentials and good service levels have produced considerable loyalty amongst its patrons, which will be of assistance in the present economic climate. Majestic will also probably not be impacted by the recommended changes to alcohol pricing as its focus is more on the superiority of its offering than on its price (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). It is recommended that shareholders should steadily increase their investments. Larger positions should be taken if the group management shows persistent and aggressive efforts to achieve its growth target of 250 sites within a decade and change its conservative capital gearing. The company however needs to address its short term liquidity in order to be ready for short-term contingencies. 2.3. Mission Statement Majestic Wines progresses its mission of providing wine of high quality backed up with superior customer service through its clearly differentiated retailing model, with its core excellent value straddling the price range, its captivating product offering, and most of all, its compelling and distinguishing customer service proposition (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). The companys commitment to its mission is exemplified by the recognition accorded to it as the High Street Chain of the Year, in 2008, by the International Wine Challenge Awards. The Group was also awarded The Specialist Wine Chain of the Year by Decanter magazine in 2008 (Majestic Group, 2010, p1). The companys strength in customer services emanates from its ability in recruiting and retaining high quality graduate level staff, its continual investment in comprehensive training programmes, (widely accredited as best in the wine industry), and its focus on customer service, product knowledge and management (Majestic Group, 2010, p1). Majestic augments its specialist credentials by focusing on its staff training. New staff members tend to take the course qualifying for the Wine and Spirits Education Trusts (WSET) Advanced Certificate in six months. In fact, several employees train further: 149 staff members presently have, or are qualifying for the WSET Diploma, even as 7 of Majestics personnel received Excellence Awards from WSET in January 2010 (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). Majestic distinguishes itself from its competitors is by cultivating strong customer relationships (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). The company hosts numerous events, like wine tastings, and courses to enhance customer knowledge of wine (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). Such approaches, combined with high service levels, have facilitated the retailer in trading its clientele up the value chain (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). The latest annual results disclose that the average value for a bottle of still wine increased by  £0.21 and sales of bottles more than GBP20 grew by 22.7% in relation to the previous year (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). Majestic aims to enhance its fine wine credentials by putting up fine wine display sections in all its stores in the next two years. Approximately around 50 percent of its present stores have such sections (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1). 2.4. Environmental Policies Many companies tend to confuse green concerns relating to their own businesses with elementary cost savings measures. This adversely affects the larger green issues that are related to implementation of green processes, products and technologies across such organisations. Environmental issues the company including the collections, reprocessing and disposal of the recyclable waste material. A pioneering lightweight British-designed bottle has facilitated the UK wine industry in meeting aggressive targets on reduction of its carbon emissions and glass waste (Greenwise, 2010, p1). The 300 grams (g) screw-cap bottle, the first worldwide, weighs 188g less than the average wine bottle and 40g less than the earlier lightest bottle produced in Britain (Greenwise, 2010, p1). It has been designed and developed, through the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP), by Quinn Glass and is currently being deployed by key supermarkets like Tesco (Greenwise, 2010, p1). The ground-breaking design is the outcome of a 4 year program known as GlassRite Wine launched by WRAP in 2006 to spot prospects within the wine sector to generate environmental- cum-commercial savings (Greenwise, 2010, p1). WRAP avers that the project currently has accomplished the targets, with which it was launched, of decreasing glass bottle weight by approximately 27,000 tonnes with using lighter weight bottles and increasing recycled glass usage in UK wine-bottle production by 44,295 tonnes per year (Greenwise, 2010, p1). In terms of CO2 savings, the project has further contributed almost 35,000 tonnes per annum (Greenwise, 2010, p1). Nicola Jenkin, in charge of WRAPs drinks category business, stated that huge opportunities are still present in using lighter-weight bottles in the global wine supply chain (Greenwise, 2010). She elaborated that the pioneering 300g wine bottle was presenting considerable potential in UK alone for reducing glass and carbon wastes (Greenwise, 2010, p1). Further, she clarified that use of these bottles for all wine sales within UK itself would produce glass saving of 153,000 tonnes per annum, equivalent to the weight of over 460 jumbo jets resulting in axing CO2 discharges by 119,000 tonnes (Greenwise, 2010, p1). Another major success of the GlassRite project has been in promoting bulk importation wherein the wine is transported in vats instead of being bottled at source (Greenwise, 2010, p1). Consequently, WRAP has confirmed that emissions have been cut by 40 per cent (Greenwise, 2010, p1). Majestic Wine would do well to adopt environmental friendly policies in view of the enormous potential for savings possible in adopting green processes and practices along its entire supply chain. 2.5. Majestic and Major Competitors strengths and weaknesses The retail wine industry is intensely competitive. The Group competes with numerous retailers of varying size in terms of criteria like quality, range, price and service. Failure to compete successfully could adversely impact the financial results. Apart from monitoring performance repeatedly against competitors in these spheres, the Group lessens its exposure by guaranteeing that the trade is differentiated from the competition by the quality, quantity and diversity of merchandise at every location, provision of wine expertise as well as dedicated car parking (Majestic Group, 2009, p1). We differentiate ourselves by the high quality of our customer service and advice, the diversity and quantity of stock available to purchase at each store, our dedicated on-site customer parking, wines to taste every day, the ability to order in-store or via our website and the availability of free delivery throughout mainland UK (Majestic Group, 2009, p2). Constellation Brands along with Fosters Group, owning brands including Lindemans, Hardys and Penfolds and employing thousands of personnel in UK, have charged the Government of demolishing the UK wine business with constant tax rises (Hall, 2010, p1). Both organisations have axed UK jobs and are already shifting investments to other European nations. Last year Fosters cut 10 percent of its UK labour force (Hall, 2010, p1). Peter Jackson, Fosters MD for Europe, Middle-East Africa division, stated that 55 percent of a  £4.32 priced wine bottle, an average UK price-tag, is spent on taxes; approximately  £1.60 is excise duty, 65p is VAT and 11p is the Common Customs Tariff (Hall, 2010, p1). Research conducted for The Sunday Telegraph reveals that, whilst the price of a wine bottle has risen by 25pc since Labour Government ascended to power in 1997, its duty has increased by 53.3 percent (Hall, 2010, p1). Earlier in the month EJ Gallo Winery, makers of wines including Turning Leaf and Carlo Rossi, stated that it will continue curtailing its UK range in 2010, because high levels of promotions and the brutal tax regime make it tough to do business (Hall, 2010, p1). Cheap alcohol traded by supermarkets has struck off-licence chains very hard. Wine Rack and First Quench owned Threshers collapsed last year benefiting Majestic (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). Majestic steer clear of challenging supermarkets on price but instead claims to provide more products and better service. Majestics share price has risen 38% in the past year to 272.5p, valuing it at  £167m (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). The UK is recognized worldwide as a sophisticated wine market and it is surprising that it short-changes sophisticated wine consumers the aspect of procuring fine wine by the single bottle (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). The number of high-quality wine shops has dropped sharply due to competition from supermarkets, which sell over 70% of wine in Britain, and high rents as well as the current growth in online wine sales (Sunday Times, 2010, p1). However, the finest places in UK to procure expensive wine are within London, where departmental stores like Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum Mason proffer fancy bottles at a price (Robinson, 2010, p1). The 2009-20 financial year results further highlight that specialists can be successful when faced with severe competition from supermarkets if they can offer outstanding levels of quality, service and range (TradingMarkets.com, 2010, p1).

The Epidemic of AIDS in the African-American Community :: Health Medical HIV Diseases Essays

In the early 1980's, many gay men were found to suffer from Kaposi's sarcoma, a cancer usually associated with elderly men of Mediterranean ethnicity. Eventually the gay men wasted away and died. Word began to spread throughout the homosexual community that gay men were dying of an otherwise rare cancer. The medical community began to refer to this syndrome by the colloquialism "Gay Cancer". As medical scientists researched, they discovered that the syndrome included other manifestations, such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). A rare form of pneumonia caused by protozoa, its name was changed to "GRID", or Gay Related Immune Deficiency. The effect that the stigma of homosexuality had on the general public's perception and handling of the disease cannot be overlooked. Within the medical community, it quickly became apparent that the disease was not specific to gay men (as blood transfusion patients, heroin users, heterosexual women and newborn babies became added to the list of afflicted), and the renamed the syndrome (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) in misconception holds that the disease was introduced by a gay male flight attendant, named Gaetan Dugas, referred to as "Patient Zero". However, subsequent research has revealed that there were cases of AIDS much earlier than initially known. It has also been theorized that a series of inoculations against hepatitis that were performed in the gay community of San Francisco were tainted with HIV. There is a high correlation between recipients of that vaccination and initial cases of AIDS, though this of course has never been proven to be accurate. Since the turn of the century, the overall health of all Americans has improved substantially. Although advances in medical and scientific technology have improved the health status of the American people, there is a growing concern and recognition that African-Americans have not benefited equally from the fruits of science. Whereas these facts are not "new news," it is apparent that most of the public and the scientific community are not fully aware of the full impact of these problems. There are government agencies that aim to provide health services to minorities: the Office of Minority Health (which seeks to develop health policies beneficial to minorities) and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (which seeks to promote minority health and eliminate health disparities). On June 23, 2004 President George W. Bush spoke at a press conference in Philadelphia, Pa. where he announced his latest HIV/AIDS initiative.

African American Hardships Essay -- African American Studies

African American Hardships During pre-colonial African kinship and inheritance, it provided the bases of organization of many African American communities. African American men were recognized for the purpose of inheritance. They also inherited their clan names based on their accomplishments, as well as other things when one decease. Land was not owned in many parts of Africa during the pre-colonial period. It was yet held and distributed by African American men. Access to the land by women depended on their obligations or duties within the gendered division of labor. Agriculture was the job of many African women. Men believed in having several wives that would all work together as farm workers and do whatever duties necessary as required. Africa is considered to be a multi-lingual country. There are eleven officially recognized languages their, many of which are often spoken but not widespread. English is generally understood across the country. It is one of the eleven common spoken languages but it only ranks 5th out of the eleven spoken languages. During the 15th and the 19th century, major changes had happened to the African and North American continents. Europeans ventured to Africa where they began a trans-Atlantic slave trade. Many Africans were taken as free people and then forced into slavery in South America, the Caribbean and North America. This slave trade had brought about a different type of racism. It was the color of your skin that determined whether a person would be a free citizen or be enslaved for life. This slave trade also devastated African lives and their heritage. Some slaves were sold and traded more than once, often in a slave market. Families were torn apart, children hysterically cried while t... ...t units to serve in the civil war. Most blacks did not care about what the issues of the war was. They joined because it provided a better income which was an alternative way of making money compared to the poorly paid domestic labor that most blacks had endure. The civil war resulted in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution which abolished slavery all together. Although black soldiers fought in the war which eventually ended slavery, they still did not have civil rights. The whites did not want to share political power with African Americans. This had brought about the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. African Americans were now guaranteed civil rights. This change opened doors for African Americans so that they can progress and excel in the political system. Public schools were now established and access to jobs outside domestic labor was now available.

The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives

For most parts of history, government financial executives have been taken as scorekeepers, and made responsible for collecting, processing and reporting the financial information that used by elected officials and senior managers who use them in making their decisions. The question is whether their role has now changed with the present importance of information technology. (From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) Now there is increasing evidence of the importance that information technology is getting in public administration and this is resulting in more and more insistence from the public that government financial executives have a greater say in all decision making activities of the government. The finance executives are now the individuals to lead the charge for getting an entrepreneurial type of government and have it judged based on its performance. For most of the finance executives now, the changes are leading to redesigning of entire processes related to finance, introducing best practices for financial management, improving and integrating financial management with other information management and in certain cases even shifting the responsibility of all financial operations to outsiders. The trend is now to change finance functions in a manner that control functions for financial expenditures are built into non-financial processes so that the non-financial manager also has to take up responsibility for the activities. From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) This provides a lot more freedom to the finance experts to use their expertise for the purpose of finance. The attempt here is not to demean the traditional duties of government financial executives, as it is always important to comply with accounting and financial reporting that is required, make correct cash reconciliation and process all financial transactions in time. Yet, these activities were generally thought to be only the regular duties of the finance executives. (From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) There are also finance officers at different levels and the state or provincial level executives who are the link to the local finance officers from the top. They meet rarely – generally once a year during annual conferences of some type or the other. The importance of these executives is in the fact that they represent their association at official ceremonies. (State and provincial representatives (Profiling GFOA)) The importance of financial officers is being increasingly recognized and in the preface to the GAAFR 2005, which is the set of guidelines to be followed. There are the summarization and specific revisions as also updates of the text of the 2001 edition: there is addition of all the amendments that were earlier included in the GAAFR Update supplement; there has been addition of new material which are connected to the GASB statements from 39 through 45; there has been addition of new material based on the guidance that had been given in the comprehensive implementation guide as given in the GASB 2004; that included a guidance that was given for the first time in relation to GASB statement 40; there was addition of a new section related directly to all school district issues; there was reworking of a significant number of chapters; the set of references to original material was increased to a large extent so that research on the subject could become easier; an expanded and revised glossary and a redesigned index. (Making the most of the New Blue Book) Thus the importance of the finance executives in operation of the government is certain ly realized and steps are being taken to help them in operation of their functions. This is because of the present importance of the functions of the finance executives which helps the government in various ways like helping operation managers develop the financial parts of business cases and proposals for new or expanded services; leading efforts to reposition and increase the funding sources which have not been appropriated like fees, rents, royalties and franchises; provide guidance for financing new and original ventures like setting up of revolving funds, getting into public and private partnerships, or even setting up of fee for service arrangements; help performance based management; to activate a level playing field for the competition between government and the private sector. From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) Sometimes the finance executives are placed in situations beyond their capability and these results in many problems. One of the instances when this sort of event occurs is in situations when the elected person leaves it to the finance person to manage the affairs in even the small cities. Even they have become multi-million dollar enterprises today. The elected person may have been a merchant, homemaker, lawyer, community activist or anything else, but in general they have little understanding of public finance. This makes them rely on the administrators or auditors that they have in their organization. This is what happened in Orange County, California and the faulty investment strategy of the treasurer led to losses for the county of well over a billion dollars. The budget that is presented may be balanced, but that does not mean that the collection and disbursement of money is in proper order. (Guarding the Public Checkbook) In certain cases, for balancing the budget, easy methods are adopted; the money is drawn from reserves. This withdrawal can be done only once, yet the city of Miami followed this process for many years as the city had deficit operations and used bond collections to cover it up. The important matter is that the budget be balanced through the use of current revenues only. This can be understood by looking at the general fund balance sheet and the total requirement checked and the collected resources should exceed the requirements. Any management of a public corporation should be adding to the funds and not decreasing the funds by drawing from it. (Guarding the Public Checkbook) This is the primary responsibility of finance executives as they are able to understand financial statements the best. Yet problems of this nature keep on happening and a Senator in United States was shocked to learn that District of Columbia had received an unqualified audit opinion though it had a deficit as high as $700 million. The reply from the audit firm was that the financial statements were presented properly and â€Å"in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles†. Guarding the Public Checkbook) Thus the matter should have been determined by the accounting executives and brought to the notice of the people as it is their funds that are not in order. The job of the leadership is to decide where the body has to be taken, and the finance executives have to determine what is happening to the revenue base, what are the major problems for the body, what are the implications of the changes that have been made, and so on. When the issue of Orange County bankruptcy hit the headlines, the final truth was revealed that both the chief administrator and the treasurer did not know much about finance. This should have been mentioned by them and the decisions left to better qualified individuals. These sorts of problems come up when the recruitment and hiring processes are not correct. Otherwise someone should have realized that it all right to hire individuals who are not financial experts, but every organization must have at least one individual with that capacity. It is clear that elementary oversight must be practiced. In the case of Orange County, supervisor Bill Steiner clearly admitted that he did not know what questions he should have asked, and this finally made him an accomplice in the whole unfortunate affair. It is important that individuals in charge of recruitment develop the knowledge of asking relevant financial questions. Even when the problem was noted, another mess was nearly started when the county thought of using a sales tax increase as their method of getting out of the situation. The county had fallen into a position where it had to decide on privatization, program reduction, asset sales, etc. the county was trying to take a simple way out. It is clear today that the increase in tax was neither intelligent nor needed. The best advice for the county was to file for financial bankruptcy and this was provided by the Board of Supervisor, Thomas Reilly. (Guarding the Public Checkbook) It is clear that finance executives have an important role and they must live up to the expectations of the people who they are serving. However, like all other government officials, even accounting personnel have to provide leadership and one such case was in the disaster recovery effort after the Hurricane Ivan had struck northern Florida. They were a team of six high level managers who are normally accustomed to working in nice offices in a large organization. They had to toil from dawn to dusk in very high temperatures with steamy weather and there was no electricity. There was no fresh water and not a place for them to take a break. They had to do a lot of physical labor and adequate tools were not available. The food was just peanut butter, cheese from a tube, apples, and candy bars – and this was the same food for all three meals. Sleep was in the back of a cramped vehicle and that had no air-conditioning, and go through the same schedule for a few days. Yet in spite of all the difficulties the team were focused on there jobs, with cooperation and high enthusiasm. Yet the reasons why they had come were not due to government duty, but with the purpose of helping a colleague whose home had been badly damaged. (Unlocking the potential of Your Employees) The main story about all this is that the secret of making people work with a will is treating them like trusted and valued adults. They can work the best when there are clear goals and expectations with autonomy, feedback and appreciation. At the same time, it is essential that the leaders also show a certain amount of enthusiasm and human touch. The leaders have to continue working with the same energy and dedication while relinquishing some amount of control and authority. The attitude of the leaders to others must be one of empathy, or fellow feeling. On top of everything, no leader should feel that the leader knows best about all matters, and be ready to apologize when they make mistakes. These are certain behavioral techniques that help in getting the best help from employees. (Unlocking the potential of Your Employees) This appreciation of leadership role is useful to the chief financial officers and finance directors who are no longer being viewed as only scorekeepers but as trusted business advisors and partners. In the private sector, this change has been going on for quite some time, but it has started only recently in the government. This also determines the role of the financial executives and they have to spend most of their time in determining the correct strategic and operating decisions and spend much less time in earlier operations which used to take up a lot of time – like account reconciliation, payment processing and historical financial reporting. This is all being done in the machine, and thus the shift of the emphasis of the finance executive's direction is not requiring extra employment. (From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) As a matter of fact, the size of employees in the finance function will reduce. The change in the role of the finance executive is occurring in all organizations. Considering the development that has taken place over the last few years, it is important for financial executives to strike a balance between their roles as score keeper and adviser. What is meant by balance is that the regular work also has to be finished, and at the same time take up a more important role in organizational development. The results of this change in the government organizations can be seen through improved budgetary processes that are now beginning to link funds allocation to performance achieved, innovative methods to recover administrative costs, and increased use of technology to reduce the need for reconciliation and useless data entry. The help from technology is high in the areas of account reconciliation, payment processing and historical financial reporting. From Scorekeeper to Business Partner: The Evolving Role of Government Financial Executives) One of the important measures of finance officers in local governments is now performance measures and that is driven by increasing demands from citizens for government accountability, increased interest from local legislators regarding performance related information so that better evaluation can be made of programs as also for resource allocation and the efforts from different organizations and professional associations to make governments targeted to results. The performance measures allow policy makers, managers and the general public find out the effectiveness of government services. The measurement of performance takes into account the resources used, the activities generated by the programs and the final results obtained from the programs and services. However quite a few of the performance measurement activities are limited to only measuring program inputs and outputs. (Performance Measurement) On the other side, correct methods of performance measurement should also talk about the program results. From the side of the government, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board or GASB has been concentrating on performance measurement from the early 1980s. As a result of this concentration, there was a series of research reports called â€Å"Service Efforts and Accomplishments reporting† that was issued for the help of governments in measuring performance. This was followed up in 1994 with the second statement on the same lines. This stated that â€Å"service efforts and accomplishments information – including both financial and non-financial performance measures – is an essential aspect of the measurement of governmental performance and is necessary for assessing accountability and making informed decisions†. (Performance Measurement) It is important for government finance executives to tell the truth and not hide it for presentation purposes. An example is in the case of Oregon where the proportions of adult Oregonians who are smokers are only 20. 7 percent when in the rest of the country the same ratio is 23. 2 percent. Yet, they were not felt to be enough in Oregon as the state had fixed a target of 15 percent to be achieved by 2000 and this was fixed in the year 1989 by the benchmarks program in the state. While fixing the target, the committee was anything but realistic as this sort of non-smoking does not exist in United States. This is a matter that should have been properly discussed at the time of setting up the targets. The targets were set in all areas with direct goals to be reached – in health, education, economic development, environmental policy and so on. (The Problem with promises) The decision was taken that the state government would try to reach these targets within ten years. The decisions for allocation of funds and other matters were then to be made according to the achievements of targets. In one of these instances, the state wanted to reduce the use of drugs among students of the eighth standard to 3 percent from the original figure of 14 percent. Some time later it was realized that the target would not be reached, and then the solution sought for the problem was to change the target to 15 percent from 3 percent. At the end of the period, the proportion of users was 14 percent – the same as at the start of the plan – but it was viewed that the target has been reached. (The Problem with promises) These types of efforts by the accounts officers are just efforts to hide the truth and do not help any part of society. The importance of being truthful has been realized by the National Performance Review and they have stated that â€Å"effective entrepreneurial governments insist on customer satisfaction. They listen carefully to their customers – using surveys and focus groups – and restructure their basic operations to meet customer needs. They use market dynamics such as competition and customer choice to create incentives that drive their employees to put the customer first†. (Linking Quality to Business Planning and Performance Goals in Local Government) The importance of government finance officers are best utilized when they end up providing the truth to the public.