What makes Shenzhen China a unique and interesting illustration of Assignment

What makes Shenzhen China a unique and interesting illustration of geographic processes - Assignment Example (Cartier, 2001) This city is one of the most unique and a great option for those who wish to migrate to a place which is an amalgamation of natural and artificial beauty. This city was initially considered as a fishing village but with the passage of time things have evolved and it is considered as a modern city with great tourist attractions and facilities. The currency of Shenzhen is Renminbi which is known as People’s currency and has a short form of RNB. Basically Shenzhen is considered to be coastal area which is situated Guangdong district which is in south east China, just near to the boundary (border) between Hong Kong and China. (Zeng, 2010) Guangzhou is considered as the capital city of the Guangdong district which was commonly referred to as Canton for relatively long period of time. This region has rough forested mountainous region which acts like a background for a fairly large coastal region. Shenzhen is apparently demarcated into six individual districts namely Nanshan, Yantian, Longgang, Luoho, Futian, and Bao’an. It is approximated that three districts that sum up for most of the major Shenzhen area are Futian, Nanshan and Luoho. These districts directly join with Hong Kong. The most important city of Shenzhen is Futian which is thought to be the city centre. Shenzhen is considered to be a subtropical region which has long summers that are very hot and humid. This climate approximately lasts from April to September. The temperature ranges from 30-35 degree Celsius in the months of June and July. This range is given for extreme summers when temperature tends to be very high for this period. This temperature is not fixed and it sometimes even goes higher than the range mentioned earlier. The temperature gets lower at nights but still it is fairly hot with temperature ranging from 25-30 degree Celsius. The summers are quite unpredictable during the monsoon when rains usually happen. Furthermore there is

Wal-Mart Essay Example for Free

Wal-Mart Essay This paper will focus on a change initiative for Wal-Mart. Next, this paper will analyze how this change will impact the people, products, and processes. Then this paper will focus on the people portion, and provide recommendations to position this change initiative in a manner that results in high performance. Finally this paper will conclude with a summary of how the recommended approach to the change initiative will result in organizational excellence. A company’s image is very important. It shows how a company is viewed as a whole. Wal-Mart has gotten a bad reputation, and many consumers have stopped shopping there because of this image. The change initiative will be to change consumer’s image of Wal-Mart. The public perception can really affect a company’s profit. According to Margot and Rachel (2011), A 2006 marketing report by Walmart’s then-advertising agency described the public’s view of Walmart as that of a â€Å"bad corporate citizen who doesn’t treat employees well and isn’t acting as a good citizen of the planet† (p. 62). To change Wal-Mart’s Image they will need to change employee’s wages, increase staffing or don’t cut hours, and change the atmosphere. The first change that needs to happen is employee wages. Wal-Mart needs to look at the cost of living in each community where they are located, and pay a competitive wage. Costco pays its employees a competitive wage, and their profits have increased. Ungar (2013) states the following: In an identical economy, how do we explain Costco’s growth vis-a-vis the failures over at Walmart? Here’s a crazy thought—might it have something to do with the fact that Costco pays nearly all of its employees a decent living (well in excess of the minimum wage) while Wal-Mart continues to pay its workers as if their employees don’t actually need to eat more than once a week, live in an enclosed space and, on occasion, take their kids to see a doctor (para. 3). If Wal-Mart paid its employees more how would it impact the people, processes, and products and services? The impact on the people would be positive not only to the employees, but the consumers as well. It would raise employee morale. When one goes to Wal-Mart now, one can tell the employees don’t want to be there, and it’s hard to find someone to help. I have heard employees actually say, â€Å"They don’t pay me enough to help these people. † Ungar (2013) sums it up best about employee attitudes by stating, â€Å"and with those on site being paid a wage so low that it is difficult to expect much in the way of pride or motivation† (para. 6). If the employees got paid a competitive wage it would motivate the employees to take pride in their jobs. This would lead to better customer service for the consumer. So in a sense it would not only be positive impact for the people, but would be great for Wal-Mart processes regarding the customer. The impact on the products and services would be the employees would take pride to answer any questions on these items and other services. Also, Wal-Mart can raise wages without having to raise prices on products. According to Bivens (2006) state the following: Wal-Mart could raise wages and benefits significantly without raising prices, yet still earn a healthy profit. For example, while still maintaining a profit margin almost 50% greater than Costco, a key competitor, Wal-Mart could have raised the wages and benefits of each of its non-supervisory employees in 2005 by more than $2,000 without raising prices a penny (para. 3). Wal-Mart would not need to raise prices. There would be no impact on the products, or the consumers, or the process of everyday low prices. Plus, it would be a step in increasing their public image. The next change increase staffing or reduce cutting hours is another step in rectifying their image. Wal-Mart now has more stores operating and not enough staff to run them. So what do they do? They cut the employees working hours. The impact is negative for the consumers, their services, and the products. Ungar (2013) states the following: Without enough employees to get the basic work of a retail operation done†¦Wal-Mart merchandise remains stacked on pallets in the warehouse rather than making it to the floor where customers can find the products they want. At the same time, check-out lines are painfully long and annoying as the overall shopping experience continues to deteriorate. One is left to wonder about the value of offering products at a lower price if those products are not on the shelves when the customer needs to buy them (para. 4). So the impact on the people, processes, and product and services would be positive. The employees would be happier because they would have enough staff, and hours to get the work done. The consumers would be happier because the product on the shelves, and enough employees not to have to stand in long lines. The products and services would be better because there would items on the shelves, and employees able to service the customer. The last change would be the atmosphere. Wal-Mart’s atmosphere is not a positive one. When one looks on social media or reviews of Wal-Mart there’s a certain low class theme. When one goes to Wal-Mart sees carts all over the parking lot. Employees outside smoking or cussing at the tables they set up for them. Some of the types of consumers who go there can be rude, and ruthless to other consumers. Overall, it’s not a great shopping experience. According to City Data. com (2008) the unknown author states the following: From the errant carts strewn about the parking lot to the huddles of employees smoking in small designated areas outside the building, to hearing more languages than I can count, to hearing profanity, to seeing women younger than myself (Im 22) yammering into cell phones while toting around multiple screaming kids, I just get a bad vibe from that place. I realize you get what you pay for, but I also find good deals at Target and find it to be a much more pleasurable shopping experience. I saw just how low-class many Wal-Mart shoppers were when we learned of the trampling death of that Wal-Mart employee on Long Island this past Friday and just how many caused a further ruckus when told the store would be closing temporarily to remove the mans body (para. 3). The changes Wal-Mart would need to make to their atmosphere would help their public image. The first thing is moving the employee break area away from the customers’ view. No one wants to see the employees smoking. They could move it to the back of the store where there are no customers. Especially, at a time when people are trying to ban smoking from public areas; this sends out a bad image. The impact will be positive to the consumers it will give them a better view when walking into Wal-Mart. The impact on the employees may not all be positive. They may like where they take breaks, and hate the fact they have to go in the back where trucks unload products. They only impact on products would be if the employees got in the way of the trucks that are carrying the products; so this could be a negative too. The process would not really be impacted unless the employees sneak off to the back to smoke when it’s not their normal break time. This could be solved by putting a camera in the break area. The next change needs to be the carts. They need to have someone out in that parking lot keeping up with those carts. Wal-Mart is bad for having carts everywhere. Many people do not shop there in fear of a cart hitting their vehicle. This would be a positive impact for the people, product and services. The people will see that Wal-Mart takes pride in their appearance. This would let to more products and services being sold because people would come to Wal-Mart more if they didn’t have to fear their cars being hit by a cart. There would be an impact on the process. The process now does not work because the carts are not being picked up. The process would need to change for the employees, and some may not want the process to change so this could impact the employees. The employees may think the process of getting the carts is not broke, and may not cooperate with the changes. The last change would be towards the consumer. Wal-Mart tolerates bad behaviors in there store from consumers. This has lead to a bad environment to shop in. Wal-Mart needs to address the customers that are out of control in their store. Places like Target or JcPenney would not tolerate customers harassing other customers; they would be asked to leave. Wal-Mart should adopt this same kind of mentality. This would require a process change, and some employees may not feel comfortable dealing with rude customers. Wal-Mart may need to create a position to handle these types of customers. The impact may be negative to the employees if this change is not handled right. The impact for the consumers would be positive. They can go shopping in a nice atmosphere without the worry of dealing with other rude consumers. The people would know it won’t be tolerated in a place like Wal-Mart. This is the kind of image Wal-Mart wants to have. The products and services may be impacted at first because the loss of the rude consumers, but once word gets out Wal-Mart will attract more consumers. The changes that Wal-Mart would need to make would impact people. This part will provide recommendations to position this change initiative in a manner that results in high performance. In every one of these changes there will be some people who will want to resist this change. The way to overcome this resistance is by accepting this is part of the process. It may be frustrating, but this is part of change. Listen to what they have to say, and try to understand where they are coming from. By being supportive, they will eventually become less resistance. The next is defining the goals so all understands. Change is a journey, and if you want to succeed people need to know the destination. Harrison (2004) states that â€Å"the critical aspects of individual and group effectiveness for diagnosis on the primary problems and challenges facing the groups and their main tasks, goals, and standards† (p. 7). To sum it up, the goals need to be defined to be effective. By defining goals, it will result in high performance. Then, I recommend Wal-Mart hold the people accountable. For example, the cart removal process needs to hold employees accountable. If the employee responsible is not following through this needs to be addressed. In order for the changes to wor k one has to follow through with the processes. If Wal-Mart puts this in effect, and then the employees are still letting the carts go in the parking lot, and nothing is done the process won’t change. In order to get high performance one must make the employees accountable. Also, promote team by being accountable for each other. Corelli (n. d) states the following: Dont ask people to be accountable only for their actions and job performances, but just as importantly, ask them to be accountable to each other for maintaining high morale. By placing an equal value on teamwork, professional behavior, job performance, and accountability, you will be able to provide better service to both customers and to each other (para. 25). Next, empower the employees to find solutions instead of problems. The change will come with problems, but if Wal-Mart empowers the employees to find solutions this will help the changes go smoother. Corelli (n. d) states the following: This goes hand in hand with setting goals and establishing accountability. When new procedures are instituted and problems arise, people may wait for someone else to fix them. As you let people know that they are accountable, let people know you expect them to come in not only with their problems, but also with possible solutions. Add your input, too. Changes rarely occur without glitches, so be prepared to brainstorm ways to solve problems and get them out of the way to elp people achieve high performance (para. 27). The last recommendation is to train the people well on all the changes. Training is essential when making changes. If the proper training is not done then the new change initiatives may not be effective. Corelli (n. d) states the following: By its very definition, change suggests that you are attempting something new and different. To create that high performing work place during change, you need to ensure your people have the necessary skills to succeed in the new environment. Education and training must be seen as a top priority. The time you invest in training will eventually payoff in increased productivity as well as product and service quality (para. 29). All these recommendations will help the change initiative result in high performance. These approaches to the change initiative will result in organizational excellence. The first approach would be initiating the changes raising the wage, increasing the staff, and changing the atmosphere. This will be done after all the research, and training of the staff has been done. Managers will need to think differently; no more get them in and get them out. The new way is do we have enough staff to stock shelves and service customers. After initiating the change, Wal-Mart will need to manage the change. They will need to make sure everyone is following the changes. Wal-Mart needs to make sure everyone has the resources and materials available to manage through this change. For example, with wage increase can have a pay structure so employees know if they want to move up; they will know the pay. This would give employees something to strive for, and will promote organizational excellence on Wal-Mart’s part. The last is just sustaining the change. Wal-Mart needs to keep up with the changes; don’t go back to old ways. For example, don’t go back to tolerating rude customers. Let them know that behavior is no longer acceptable at Wal-Mart, and keep up with that change. Wal-Mart needs to change their public image in order to reach organizational excellence. If Wal-Mart makes these changes their reputation will get better. This will lead to more profits, and survival of the big chain. If Wal-Mart keeps going in the current direction eventually they may lose more than their reputation, but their whole organization.

How Life Has Changed For African Americans History Essay

How Life Has Changed For African Americans History Essay Life has changed dramatically for African Americans in the last 145 years. African Americans have seen changes to their culture, role in politics, and the economy. African Americans have chosen to progress and change their fate in the past 145 years rather than sit back and simply accept the way that they are treated by others. They prove that a lot can change in a matter of just a few years. President Lincoln ended slavery during the Civil War in 1862. This was called the Emancipation Proclamation. Even though it freed the slaves, some of the slaves stayed with their Masters. They had a comfort level with them and really had no where else to go. Most others were happy to be free and go make a life for themselves elsewhere. Charleston, South Carolina acted as a magnet for many thousands of freed slaves who migrated to the city seeking work after the end of the war, reversing a short-term decline in the citys black population evident in the 1850s (Lockley). African Americans felt that the best way for them to take care of themselves is to own land and till it by their own labor (McGraw-Hill pg478). However, not many owned land after the war as it was hard to come by if you were of color. Just because the laws changed, doesnt mean that opinions changed. White Americans still wanted to control the land and did not want African Americans to have it because that gave more control. Since they were not able to own much of the land, they had to work for the white land owner a lot of the time. Sharecropping became popular during this time. African Americans would live in cabins in distant parts of the white owners land and would farm separate plots of a white owners land. At the end of the year, they split the profit of the crops (McGraw-Hill pg483). African Americans did not have many in political office during this time. Only those in top levels of their own society held any type of office. Most of them were free before the war. The very few that were in office were more conservative than the majority of African Americans and they did not show any interest in the issue of Blacks owning land (McGraw-Hill pg 479). It was important that African Americans had the right to vote. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment gave African American males the right to vote. The Fifteenth Amendment does not allow the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous conditions of servitude. Blacks were more apt to vote Republican due to the Democratic party being more for the whites (McGraw-Hill pg 481 and 487). While trying to keep the family together was difficult during slavery, it definitely got better after slavery. African American males were proud people and they were the head of the house. They would not allow their wives to work in fields as they did during slavery, but they were sure to have their children in the fields. Next to owning land, education was an important aspect of their lives. It was their hope for bettering themselves. African Americans were able to attend school, worship in churches and own land by the end of 1876. In 1900, Black Americans as a whole increased their wealth holdings from $230,000,000 in 1900 to $500,000,000 in 1910 (Parker). If African Americans were not tilling the land, they had to find work somewhere. They were discriminated against just as women were during this time. Either they were not given the job or they were paid less wages than the white American male (McGraw-Hill pg559). They had a long way to go in the rode to equal rights. After the turn of the century though, black owned businesses started to thrive. Segregation was big during this time. While blacks were able to own businesses, they owned their own business and only blacks shopped there. They worshipped in churches with only their own color and the same with schools. Whites and blacks did not do anything social together. During the 1880s, Redeemers wanted to formalize segregation. Redeemers were Democratic politicians that wanted to overrule any power that the Republicans had with regard to black Americans. The fourteenth amendment gave equal rights to all and the Redeemers were not successful. However, with segregation being an actual law, this allowed for blacks and whites to be totally separate, making blacks second class citizens. Blacks did not dare cross the line of segregation or they were sure to be lynched or whipped (McGraw-Hill pg 505 and 506). In 1905, W.E.B. DuBois, founded the Niagara Movement and by 1909, it was renamed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (McGraw-Hill pg 644 and 645). This organization fights for equal rights for everyone. This was a milestone in the progression for blacks in this country. This organization leads the way to help assist those fighting for their rights even today. W. E. B. Du Bois concept of upbuilding, defined as the social and economic development of black communities after slavery, . . . the literal and figurative construction of the structures African Americans used to climb out of slavery African Americans upbuilt their families, political and social institutions, and businesses in the face of homegrown oppression and terrorism. Within decades, African Americans transformed Durham into the capital of the black middle class.(Adams) In the 1920s, most white Americans understood race as biology: blacks were genetically, irreversibly, inferior in intelligence, emotional maturity, governing capacity, and depth of finer feelings (Hochschild). During the timeframe of 1921-1945, African Americans continued to face prejudice. The Ku Klux Klan was an organization that was violent towards any black person. They would burn crosses on front lawns, rape black women, whip and lynch any black person. This came from such hatred, but they say they are God-fearing. If they are so proud of what they do, why do they wear white hoods hiding their faces? Since segregation was still in place, blacks and whites were not able to be on the same sports teams. In 1920, they formed their own Baseball League called the The National Negro Baseball League. By the end of 1920 and on to the end of 1929, something special came out of Harlem, New York. The music, art, theater, and literature of African-Americans came alive. 1921 saw the renewal of interest in the productive, creative talents of African-Americans. This historical stage was called the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Globetrotters were created in 1927. A lot of entertaining and fun came out of this era. African Americans were finding their way in society, but still separated by the hatred and thought that they were second class citizens. During the Battle of the Bulge, blacks fought side by side for the first time with white soldiers. This may have been the start of some very valuable friendships that started to teach whites that blacks really werent second class citizens. Money was scarce because of the Depression for everyone especially black Americans. By 1932, unemployment hit 50% for African Americans. In 1931, Elijah Muhammad established the Black Muslims. They blended faith and Black Nationalism. He wanted African Americans to celebrate their heritage and have self-discipline. He wanted to strive for a separate black nation. During the timeframe of 1946-1976 a lot of changes took place for African Americans. The NAACP started a more accelerated fight against segregation and discrimination in America. 1953 marked the start of a campaign called the Fight for Freedom. On December 1, 1955, Mrs. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus and was arrested. The NAACP wanted to end the unfair treatment of African-Americans as American citizens by the year of 1963 The 100th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. I remember my dad telling me about the time that he lived in Jacksonville, FL in the 1950s and blacks were not allowed to walk on the same side of the sidewalk as whites did. He was surprised by this because he lived in Richmond, IN before moving there and this was a different way of living for him. But, this is how it was in the south. He even befriended a black person and his parents frowned on it. I can remember my mother frowning on me having black friends even in the early 1980s. The 60s brought about the high hope of change for African Americans. Martin Luther King gave everyone hope for peace and equal rights for all. He was able to assist in the Civil Rights act in 1964 and the Voting Rights act in 1965. King spread his message with non-violence. He saw many African Americans fighting for justice through violence and he still tried to get his message across with non-violence. He would let young African Americans know that they did not win anything if people were dying. King was assassinated by James Earl Ray in 1968 (McGraw-Hill). Riots broke out among many. People seemed to forget what Kings message was really about. King wanted change without violence. He wanted change for all poor races, not just African Americans. Many Americans today remember King not as a firebrand radical but as a godly preacher who sought brotherhood and sisterhood among all (Simpson). African Americans have faced many challenges in life. One of the most frustrating would be housing. Over the past 100 years, city planners have used neighborhood planning to address a variety of issues. The formula used has discriminated against blacks and poor families. The thought being that they did not belong in all white middle class neighborhoods. Over a 25-year life of a program designed to renew urban neighborhoods, Congress made various alterations in response to criticisms and concerns, so that the urban renewal program of 1973 was very different than the one originally passed in 1949. Its transformation began with the Housing Act of 1954, in which Congress responded to early criticism of the program by authorizing the use of federal funds for the rehabilitation of housing and neighborhoods rather than just their clearance, and providing a special allocation of public housing units for families displaced by urban renewal projects. The same law was also the first to allow pr ojects that involved commercial development and redevelopment (Rohe). Neighbors, realtors, banks, and mortgage companies play a role in the qualitative immersion into case materials offering important insight on relevant processes pertaining to victimization and status, and how discriminatory actions themselves occur (Roscigno). By the time 1990 came, things were well on their way to improving for African Americans. Oprah Winfrey was the highest paid woman in America and she is also African American. Colin Powell was looked at to possibly be the next president. But, when Rodney King was beaten by Los Angeles police and the police were not found at fault, there was a major set back. Riots filled the streets, people were angry (McGraw-Hill pgs973 and 974). It was like the riots from before. In 1991, economic success ensued. Once declared a slum, people rebuilt old neighborhoods and made them worth several hundred more dollars than before. This was a step forward for African Americans. But, they were leary of the statistics. After going through so much, could it be true? Could things be getting better? The twenty-first century showed the final success for African Americans. It finally happened, a black president. Barack Obama was voted the 44th President of the United States. He was the first African American President. How joyous this occasion was for many. I remember going to McDonalds that day and the air was different in there. Everyone was talking to everyone, white, black, it didnt matter. They just wanted to soak in the moment. It gave us all hope that finally, people would be judged on their actions rather than the color of their skin. The economy in the twenty-first century is horrible for all. The difference between now and 100 years ago is that it doesnt matter if someone is black or white. Black people make the same wages as whites do, black people live in the same neighborhood as white people do. They go to the same schools, worship at the same churches and eat at the same restaurants. Freedom is a beautiful thing for us all. Acceptance is even better. Of course, things are not perfect, I dont know if they ever will be. I see so many homicides on the news. It seems that is mostly African Americans shooting each other for one reason or another. I would say this is our biggest challenge today with regard to the culture of African Americans. How horrifying for families to face this no matter what color or race they are. It would seem that they are still angry about something. Why else would they feel that violence is the answer? There is much success that can show young African Americans that they can succeed. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopee Goldberg, Barack Obama, Sean Combs, just to name ones that come to my mind. They can be doctors, lawyers, basketball players, singers, etc. Never has it been easier to accomplish any goal that they set out to do. But, they still fight each other? I dont understand it and wish I did. Life has changed dramatically for African Americans in the last 145 years. African Americans have seen changes to their culture, role in politics, and the economy. African Americans have chosen to progress and change their fate in the past 145 years rather than sit back and simply accept the way that they are treated by others. They prove that a lot can change in a matter of just a few years.

Accommodating Pluralism: Liberal Neutrality and Compulsory Education :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

Accommodating Pluralism: Liberal Neutrality and Compulsory Education ABSTRACT: This paper examines the general neutrality principle of Rawls’ liberalism and then tests that principle against accommodationist intuitions and sympathies in cases concerning the non-neutral effects of a system of compulsory education on particular social groups. Various neutrality principles have long been associated with liberalism. Today I want to examine the general neutrality principle Rawls associates with his own liberalism.(1) I want to begin by getting clear on just what that principle is. Then I want to test it in the context of compulsory education. Let us begin by noting that any basic social structure faithful to liberal principles of political justice will inevitably prove nonneutral in its effects on many comprehensive doctrines and ways of life. This will be true for politically unreasonable doctrines and ways of life (militantly theocratic doctrines, or ways of life centered on violating the basic rights of others). But it may also prove true for comprehensive doctrines and ways of life more or less unopposed to most liberal political values (perhaps the doctrines or ways of life of certain traditional or anti-modern religious sects). Liberalism, Rawls tells us, cannot and should not promise neutrality of effects. But this should not count against it. Every basic social structure faithful to some conception of justice, liberal or nonliberal, will prove nonneutral in its effects on some comprehensive doctrines or ways of life. Here one might think Rawls has missed the point. For what is problematic about his liberalism, it might be argued, is that it will prove non-neutral in its effects on doctrines and ways of life permissible on its own account of political justice. But Rawls has not missed the point. Rawls’s liberalism does not rest on a commitment to the value of, nor does it require, a social world maximally diverse with respect to comprehensive doctrines or ways of life willing more or less to accept liberal principles of political justice. Of course, Rawls’s liberalism would be in serious trouble were it to lead to a social world only weakly diverse. But so long as Rawls’s liberalism permits a healthy degree of diversity, to claim that its non-neutral effect on some comprehensive doctrine or way of life is unfair is to presuppose rather than establish the correctness of some competing conception of justice. Liberalism cannot and should not promise neutrality of effects, but it can and should promise what Rawls calls neutrality of aim. Accommodating Pluralism: Liberal Neutrality and Compulsory Education :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers Accommodating Pluralism: Liberal Neutrality and Compulsory Education ABSTRACT: This paper examines the general neutrality principle of Rawls’ liberalism and then tests that principle against accommodationist intuitions and sympathies in cases concerning the non-neutral effects of a system of compulsory education on particular social groups. Various neutrality principles have long been associated with liberalism. Today I want to examine the general neutrality principle Rawls associates with his own liberalism.(1) I want to begin by getting clear on just what that principle is. Then I want to test it in the context of compulsory education. Let us begin by noting that any basic social structure faithful to liberal principles of political justice will inevitably prove nonneutral in its effects on many comprehensive doctrines and ways of life. This will be true for politically unreasonable doctrines and ways of life (militantly theocratic doctrines, or ways of life centered on violating the basic rights of others). But it may also prove true for comprehensive doctrines and ways of life more or less unopposed to most liberal political values (perhaps the doctrines or ways of life of certain traditional or anti-modern religious sects). Liberalism, Rawls tells us, cannot and should not promise neutrality of effects. But this should not count against it. Every basic social structure faithful to some conception of justice, liberal or nonliberal, will prove nonneutral in its effects on some comprehensive doctrines or ways of life. Here one might think Rawls has missed the point. For what is problematic about his liberalism, it might be argued, is that it will prove non-neutral in its effects on doctrines and ways of life permissible on its own account of political justice. But Rawls has not missed the point. Rawls’s liberalism does not rest on a commitment to the value of, nor does it require, a social world maximally diverse with respect to comprehensive doctrines or ways of life willing more or less to accept liberal principles of political justice. Of course, Rawls’s liberalism would be in serious trouble were it to lead to a social world only weakly diverse. But so long as Rawls’s liberalism permits a healthy degree of diversity, to claim that its non-neutral effect on some comprehensive doctrine or way of life is unfair is to presuppose rather than establish the correctness of some competing conception of justice. Liberalism cannot and should not promise neutrality of effects, but it can and should promise what Rawls calls neutrality of aim.

Learning experience Essay

When I think about â€Å"Learning Experiences,† I think of every situation someone finds themselves in as a learning experience. People have not traditionally used that phrase in relating to more formal learning interventions – i. e. classroom, but from a learner’s perspective, both formally and informally, that’s exactly what is happening: learners are experiencing something that, hopefully, results in a change in thinking, understanding, or behavior afterwards. Learning experiences are a way to think about what a learning intervention might be (i.e. – its design) in the context of desired end goals and outcomes. This can then inform our choices about how communication channels and modes, learning activities, and resources come together to best support the end goals and outcomes, and also how these channels and activities may evolve over time. Certainly in this context, a learning intervention is something that is much more than what has traditionally been thought of as â€Å"content. † In thinking about what is currently thought of as learning content, I think of something akin to a page from. a textbook (that has its doppelganger in web-based training) with which one â€Å"reads† and then â€Å"interacts† with in some way. That definition of learning content and learner interaction represents a very narrow and limited view of what a learning experience can be and usually limits the type of learning to that of recognizing or memorizing specific facts, procedures, and concepts exemplified in the deployment of web- based, self-directed individual learning experiences commonly called e-learning. Learning content can be thought of much more broadly and inclusively. This could mean that learning content could actually include not only the â€Å"whats† but the â€Å"hows† of learning. For example, learning content in the context of learning experiences could contain a collection of specific content resources, content pointers, functional tools or tool pointers, activity descriptions, and assessments that, when brought together, embody a particular pedagogical model. In fact, the reverse could also be learning content – a pedagogical model describing the types of learning resources, tools, and activities needed to achieve learning outcomes. So you could think of learning content as collections of pedagogical models and collections of resources that participate in shaping an individual’s learning experience that are aligned with learning outcomes and positive actions that stem from the experience. Another facet of learning content is the artifacts produced during the learning experience. Besides the description above, learning content models should also be collaborative or cooperative with resources and activities supporting the learners working together to produce a learning artifact. A learning artifact could  be anything based on an authentic learning activity or experience such as a model, computer code, diagram or even the ubiquitous PowerPoint presentation. As these artifacts are created and evaluated during the learning process, they then become learning resources that can be used iteratively for others in similar or more advanced experiences. These ideas allow us to merge knowledge management and single/double loop organizational learning into our concept of learning content. Conceptually, this represents a shift from the typical view of content managed by a typical content  management system, with the assumption that when content is simply presented to a learner that he or she will just â€Å"learn† from it – that somehow learning (and especially learning to do or understand) is transmitted from the content to the learner. With that view of content and of the learner’s experience, then it’s no surprise that critics of the pedagogical merits of SCORM view it as being â€Å"limited. † When I think about learning experiences in the context of this effort by ADL, I define them as a model that will allow higher order learning outcomes to be realized. This can occur by expanding on our  understanding of learning content to include specific collections of learning resources, tools, and activities guided by pedagogical models. This is sometimes conceived as a problem-based, collaborative-based approach shaped and tailored to meet specific learning goals but I believe it is even much more than that. Learning experiences as currently being thought of by ADL will be able to provide an interoperable and reusable means for design and/or self organization of learning activities that are pedagogically sound, allowing the attainment, assessment, and tracking of higher order learning outcomes.

Hour at these part-time jobs

You can make at least $20/Hour at these part-time jobs Need a part time job, but can’t make it work on minimum wage, or even double minimum wage? Lucky for you, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics came up with a list of part time jobs that pay $20 per hour- or more- which is nearly triple the federal minimum wage. Here are some of the best options in fields that aren’t likely to collapse in the next 10 years and that don’t require more than a bachelor’s degree.1. Dental HygienistEarn an average of $35 an hour, with a job growth rate of 19% projected. This job typically requires an associate’s degree.2. Diagnostic Medical SonographerTake pretty pictures of people’s insides! Make an average of nearly $35 per hour, with projected growth of 26%. This job typically requires an associate’s degree.3. Respiratory TherapistHelp people breathe! Earn an average of $28 per hour, with growth projected at 12%. This job typically requires an associate’s degree.4. Physical Therapy AssistantYou donà ¢â‚¬â„¢t need to be a physical therapist to help train people and work in the field. Earn an average of $21 per hour (projected growth: 39%). This job typically requires an associate’s degree.5. Registered NurseThis is a pretty involved career, not so much like picking up a side job, but it comes with the potential to be compensated well. The average hourly pay is $32 and the projected growth 16%. This job typically requires an bachelor’s degree, plus some specific certification.6. Management AnalystEarn nearly $39 per hour, with job growth projected at 14%. This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree.7. Dietician or NutritionistHelp people lead healthier lives and earn an average of $28 per hour. Projected growth for this job is 16%. This job also typically requires a bachelor’s degree.8. TutorIf you’re looking for something that involves a little less commitment and a bit more flexibility, you can always try tutoring or teaching test prep. If you can help teach advanced material or specialized subjects/exams, you can make up to $75 per hour- but the bare minimum is usually over $20.9. Interpreter or TranslatorAre you already fluent in a language other than English? You can earn an average of $22 per hour providing real time interpretation in places like  schools, hospitals, or courtrooms. You can also get a job with a translation company or work on a freelance basis. Projected growth for this job is 29%.10. Massage TherapistIf you like healing people and you have strong hands and a desire to learn, you can get certified as a massage therapist and make an average of $21 per hour.No matter what your qualifications, there are part-time jobs out there that allow you the flexibility you need in your schedule and still will make it possible for you to pay the rent. When all else fails, consider the service industry (serving, bartending, catering, personal chef-ing, personal assisting, nannying, personal shopping, landscapin g, dog walking, etc.) or the fashion industry (consulting, doing make-up or hair) or even designing apps or selling crafts on Etsy. A little imagination and tenacity can lead to you making a great living on an hourly wage.

Taking The SAT In 7th Grade Should You Do It

Taking The SAT In 7th Grade Should You Do It SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Imagine: you’re in Social Studies. You hear a fellow 7th-grader sitting next to you say â€Å"Ugh, I have to take the SAT this weekend.† What is this person talking about? Why would you take the SAT in middle school? Is there even such a thing as a 7th grade SAT score? If you're a parent, you may have heard of various advanced programs for gifted and talented children that require taking the SAT. But is it worth it to have your child take the SAT so early? Why start the stress around college applications earlier than high school? In this article, I’ll go over the pros and cons of taking the SAT in 7th grade and the programs you can get into with high 7th grade SAT scores.

Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia Essays

Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia Essays Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia Paper Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia Paper   Breast cancer in Saudi Arabia has been on the rise in acute form compared to the developed countries. Even women at younger age have been diagnosed with cancer. It is argued that lack of information and education has the reasons for it to spread at an early stage. Although breast cancer in Saudi Arabia is not as startling, but the situation is becoming a pressing public healthcare issue, for the reason   that every fifth woman in the country is in danger of contracting this fatal disease. 1.2 Statistics Breast cancer can be considered to be the leading cause of death among women in Saudi Arabia. According to extrapolated statistics breast cancer   amount to 19,441 per 25 million population . However, this statistical data is automated and does not take into account the   genetic, cultural, environmental, social, racial or other features of the Saudi Arabia. Cancer Incidence Report 1999-2000 has mentioned   that, between   the period of January 1999 and December 2000, there were 1,157 official cases of female breast cancer in Saudi Arabia (NCR, 2000).   The report also states that breast cancer is considered the most common cancer among females accounting for 20.6 percent of all newly diagnosed female cancers (5,617), while the Age Standartised-Incidence rate (ASR) was 13.6/100,000 for the female population. According to the report, the mean age at diagnosis was 49 years. The five regions with the highest ASR were the Eastern region at 21.2/100,000, Riyadh region at 19.9/100,000, Madinah region at 16.9/100,000, Makkah region at 16.4/100,000 and Hail Region at 9.4/100,000 (NCR, 2000). 2.0 BREAST CANCER PREVALENCE IN SAUDI ARABIA Breast cancer is considered to be a group of undifferentiated cells reproducing under extremely rapid rate in the area of the breast in women. The earliest changes usually appear in the epithelial cells of the terminal end buds of the breast milk system, where new cancer cells form tumors.   If cancer cells are active, the tumor increases at significant rate and may result in metastasis.   Being a complex process in which cells are separated from their initial tumors and supplied trough blood and lymph systems to other organs, metastasis spreads cancer throughout the body. Ravichandran et al (2005) affirmed the statistics revealed prior in Cancer Incidence Report 1999-2000 that the rate of breast cancer among women in Saudi Arabia amounts to 19.8 percent. Ravichandran et al (2005) aimed to examine 5-year survival for all incidents of invasive breast cancer that occurred during 1994-96 in the province of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ravichandran et al (2005) also determined that the survival probability of women with cancer during the first year had been almost 94 percent, and the percentage was down sloping with the time. At third and fifth year, it dwindled to 79 and 59.6 percent respectively. The highest five year survival rate has been determined in the patient category of 40-49 years old, while the lowest one in women older than fifty. According to Ravichandran et al (2005) localized cases of breast cancer had much better prognosis and survival rate among 5-year patients comparing to regional and distant metastasis. Ezzat et al (1999) indicated that locally advanced breast cancer disease constitutes more than 40% of all non-metastatic breast cancer among Saudi   women. Ezzat et al (1999) also demonstrated that radiotherapy represents the most favorable treatment of locally advanced breast cancer and the most contributing method of treatment to overall patient’s survival. Simultaneously, such methods as adjuvant chemotherapy, tamoxifen and neoadjuvant chemotherapy) have been recognized as ineffective or even deleterious (as in case with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy). A study conducted by Millat (2000), which aimed to identify general, awareness of the disease among the secondary school’s students   (18 years old) through self-examination. It was been expected, that the knowledge of general risk factors has been very low and over 80 percent of the students failed to answer the majority of questions. Millat (2000) indicates that those students who had been previously exposed to breast surgery had positive breast cancer history, or those who had undergone mammography showed higher awareness and higher knowledge levels about the disease. From the statistical viewpoint, only 40 percent of the study sample (6380 students) reported ever hearing of breast cancer, only 14 percent knew the correct frequency of disease, and only 7 percent were aware of its timing. A similar case study conducted by Alsaif (2004) among Saudi female nursing students to examine young women’s breast cancer awareness rate and overall attitude to breast cancer. Comparing to study conducted previously held by Millat (2000), Alsaif’s survey included a smaller sample of 149 respondents but the overall results of study was more positive and encouraging. The study found out that 66 percent of surveyed students performed breast self-examination and majority of those performing self-examination indicated that they learned about breast cancer, its causes and prevention methods from their college curricula. Alsaif (2004) found significant relation between breast cancer awareness and self-examination and nursing specialization of the study sample.   3.0 MAIN RISK FACTORS Medical specialists distinguish risk factors for breast cancer that individual can change and those that cannot be affected (Miller, 1996). There have been two major   factors of breast cancer as described below (Oncology Resource Center, 2006) 3.1   Heredity and Genetic Factors The heredity factors include, if some one in the family has the history of cancer, such as sister, aunt, mother with cancer history. In such families breast cancer have greater chance to develop. In majority of such cases women have a genetic abnormality, which is referred as BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Women with BRCA1 gene have 85 percent risk of developing breast cancer. Women with BTCA2 also have chance to develop cancer, but lesser than BRCA2. Similarly women with previous case history of cancer are also at risk. In addition, women with female fraternal twins (two eggs) also have greater chance of developing cancer (Miller, 1996). 3.2   Non-Genetic Factors Other than genetic factors, early age menstrual cycle and   late age menopause also increase the risk. Other factors include late childbirth, hormone replacement therapy, and extensive use of oral contraceptive, high fat diet and obesity. Some researchers have also mentioned a relationship between ovarian hormones and breast cancer. Smoking has also been mentioned as one of the reasons for developing breast cancer. 4.0 STRATEGIES TO PREVENT CANCER 4.1 Diet In US two third of the cancer illness are related to poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise. The main causes of breast cancer are different; however overall poor diet and poor health can increases the risk factors. If habits are changed are preventive lifestyle and diet is followed, there can be reduction in cancer 4.2   Hormone replacement It is proven that hormone replacement with estrogens or progestins increase the incidence of breast cancer, especially among the post-menopausal women. Even though there are benefits attached to hormone replacements and the number of breast cancers cases are slowing down, however the risk has to be weighed against the benefits of hormone replacement. Such preventive measure are a better safety procedure than the later age crisis. 4.3   Oral Contraceptives and Breast Feeding As oral contraceptives are associated with increased risk of breast cancer, therefore it is essential to understand risks associated with use of long-term use of contraceptives. Breast-feeding has been proved to reduce risk of breast cancer as much as by 50 percent. The greater a woman feeds her child, the lesser are the chance of infected with breast cancer. 4.4   Early Screening and Treatment Screening refers to the examination of the symptoms of cancer, which means to check risk factors, which are more likely to develop cancer in future. An awareness of these risk factors makes it essential to have early screening and detection.   The common medical practice indicates that regular mammography screening allows the decrease and the mortality of breast cancer by 30 percent (Hart, 1999), which means that every woman should get a yearly mammogram starting from age 40 or even earlier. During the mammography screening, the x-ray picture sometimes detects various substances in the breasts; which are sometimes not recognizable and may provoke unnecessary worrying for both patient and health professional (Hart, 1999).   Young woman are recommended to have a compulsory clinical breast examination done by health professional.   In addition, during the clinical examination, every woman has an opportunity to learn how to conduct self-examination. 4.5   Self Examination One should not underestimate the value of clinical breast exams or self-examination as 15 percent of the tumors are felt, but cannot be detected by regular mammographic screening.   Although a lump in the breast is the most common way women discover a breast cancer, younger women should understand that any change in the breast require further medical investigation.   Among the clinical tests that are conducted in modern oncological clinics, some women are on a chance, if they have a chance of getting the disease by simply tracing back cases of breast cancer throughout the history of relatives. Contemporary oncologists consider the following signs as a serious threat which require immediate attention from health specialist:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thickening or density in the breast or underarm;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ulcerated or inverted nipple;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Puckered or dimple skin;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Redness or swelling of the breast; A lump near the breast including the underarm, collarbone and neck (Bostwick, 1998), if any of these abnormalities are detected, the individual should get immediate consultation (physical exam) from a health professional and get a mammogram, possibly an ultrasound, and visit a breast surgeon for complete examination. Contemporary medicine possesses various treatment techniques for breast cancer; in particular, radiotherapy, toxic chemotherapy combinations, hormonal treatments and prophylactic mastectomies are used to treat early lesions. 20-year follow-up data from the NSABP B-06 trial (Hamid et al, 2004) have confirmed that radiation therapy clearly decreases the rate of locoregional recurrence in patients who undergo lumpectomy. Usually, radiation treatment is given after, rather than before, chemotherapy. Newer radiation techniques include partial breast irradiation, partial breast irradiation and brachytherapy, and interstitial brachytherapy. These techniques are under investigation and, at this point, may be used in the context of a clinical trial. Another effective treatment of the disease, adjuvant treatment is defined as the use of systemic therapy for microscopic meta-static disease, which is normally taken after the surgical resection of the primary tumor. Chemotherapy and anti-estrogen therapy are the two major forms of adjuvant treatment, and patients may be given one or both. A meta-analysis conducted by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (Hamid et al, 2004) showed the benefit of adjuvant therapy in premenopausal and postmenopausal women and in women with node-negative and node-positive disease. 5.0 CONCLUSION The risk of getting breast cancer is about 1:8, and the risk of dying from breast cancer is lower than 1:28; however, if preventive measures are taken many more people can survive; for which greater public awareness and change of attitude in Saudi Arabia is essential. There is an acute need of extensive education among Saudi youth, mothers and society at large. The program efforts should focus on creating breast cancer early detection and treatment awareness, which can be achieved by constant encouragement by professionals, who must indulge in extensive mammography   screening and genetic testing for early detection and treatment. There is also need for more cancer health centres and education in Saudi Arabia not among the physicians alone, but active participation from nurses and medical students is also vital for creating this awareness. The healthcare sector should also be provided with better and latest equipment so that it is possible to   fight this fatal disease at an early stage. References Ezzat AA, Ibrahim EM, Raja MA, Al-Sobhi S, Rostom A, Stuart RK. Locally advanced breast cancer in Saudi Arabia: high frequency of stage III in a young population. Med Oncol. 1999 Jul; 16(2):95-103 Altaf FJ. Breast cancer screening. Saudi Med J. 2004 Aug; 25(8):991-7 Alsaif AA. Breast self-examination among Saudi female nursing students in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2004 Nov; 25(11):1574-8. Ravichandran K, Hamdan NA, Dyab AR. Population based survival of female breast cancer cases in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2005 Jan-Mar; 6(1): 72-6. Milaat WA. Knowledge of secondary-school female students on breast cancer and breast self-examination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. East Mediterr Health J. 2000 Mar-May; 6(2-3):338-44. The National Cancer Registry. Cancer Incidence Report Saudi Arabia 1999 – 2000. Available kfshrc.edu.sa/NCR/ Accessed Oct 26, 2005 Hamid R. Mirshahidi, MD Jame Abraham, MD. (2004). Managing early breast cancer.  Postgraduate Medicine.  Minneapolis: Oct. 116(4), 23-27 Miller A.B. (1996). Fundamental issues in screening for cancer. In: Schottenfeld D., Fraumeni J.F. (ed.). Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1433-52. Hart D. (1999).  Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Plastic Surgical Nursing.  Pitman: Fall.19(3): 137-145 Lauersen, N., Stukane, E. (1996). The complete book of breast care. New York: Random House Bostwick, J., (1998). A womans decision: Breast care, treatment and reconstruction. St Louis: Quality Medical Publishing, Inc. Statistics by Country for Breast Cancer.( 2003)   Available wrongdiagnosis.com/b/breast_cancer/stats-country.htm Accessed Oct 26, 2005

Anatomy, Physiology and of the Integumentary and Lymphatic Systems In Essay

Anatomy, Physiology and of the Integumentary and Lymphatic Systems In Conjunction with the Immune System - Essay Example The inner core is keratin, while the outer layer is a single layer of overlaid flat cells (Gale, 2005, Hair section). All integumentary external cells, of nails, hair, and skin, are dead cells. This is because new cells are generated beneath the surface; this process pushes the dead cells towards the outside. This process is easiest to discuss through an anatomical dissection of the skin into it's three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layers. The epidermis is composed of multiple layers of epithelial cells, which are extremely flat and range from two extremes. The outermost layer is entirely dead and made entirely of keratin, which is tightly joined so as to be waterproof. The innermost layer, consists of basal and melanocyte cells: the former produces keratin; the latter, melanin. Beneath these layers lies the live cells of the dermis, which produces all of the accessory features, contain the nerve fibers and blood vessels, and is constructed of fibrous proteins of collagen combined with connective tissue. The dermis is much thicker than the epidermis and is anchored to the muscles by the subcutaneous layer (Gale, 2005, Epidermis and Dermis sections). Farabee ( 2001a) notes that "Skin functions include protection, regulation of body temperature, sensory reception, water balance, synthesis of vitamins and hormones, and absorption of materials." The external layer both prevents excessive water loss while allowing the body to cool itself via sweat glands and the process of evaporation. The glands contract when the body has cooled. Other glands secrete acidic solutions to the skin surface to prevent fungus growth. Sebaceous (oil) glands secrete a mixture of fatty proteins both through hair follicles and directly to the skin surface. These oils prevent the dead hair and skin cells from drying out, while simultaneously killing bacteria on the skin surface (Gale, 2005, Sebaceous glands section). The epidermal melanocytes help prevent harm from UV radiation by producing melanin - it is this pigment which gives the skin both it's coloring and it's ability to darken (Gale, 2005, Epidermis section). The dermis sends nutrients to the epidermis through extended capillaries into the basal cells called dermal papillae. The dermal papillae result in looped ridges on the outer surface, i.e. fingerprints and similar markings. The sweat glands of the dermis are divided into two categories: the eccrine and the apocrine (Gale, 2005, Dermis section). The first are the sweat gland found all over the body, the second refers particular sweat glands found in the armpit, groin, and nipple area. The apocrine are normally larger glands which empty out into hair follicles; their production attracts a bacteria which produces what is generally termed 'body odor'. The dermis layer also contains the hair follicles (attached to pili muscles), and sensory receptors, which communicate information of temperature or pressure to the brain, thus allowing the brain to process external information (Gale, 2005, Hair and Sensory Reception sections). The lymphatic system mimics the circulatory system: it is a system of tubes that spread throughout the body anywhere the blood is carried. Plasma from the blood washes

Advantages of e-CRM systems Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Advantages of e-CRM systems - Coursework Example This involves first seeking the customer’s permission and providing them with an incentive, before targeting them with the organization’s given marketing message. E-CRM systems make it easy for organizations like Our Town Photography to engage in multiple relationships with multiple customers through the use of different opt-in and opt-out tools such as checking a box in an online form. E-CRM systems are essentially designed for this new form of marketing. Permission marketing ensures that the company only concentrates its marketing on customers who are interested. This leads to the second advantage of e-CRM systems: effective targeting. E-CRM systems keep records of those who have visited a web site and expressed an interest in the products or services offered by registering their name and other details. By sending marketing messages to this category of web visitors, Our Town Photography will receive higher response rates from its target customers. With the e-CRM tech nology, the company could further tailor its messages to customer micro-segments. With effective targeting, the overall cost of reaching customers also goes down. Firstly, it is cheaper to use electronic communication methods than physical ones. Secondly, with effective targeting the number of mail-outs is reduced ... These systems also support active information gathering from customers through tools such as online forums and communities, new product prototype evaluations and even customer-led innovations. List the specific data you would to store in your system Name Address Birth dates Purchase History Product or service recommendations made Gifts sent and received Anniversaries Hobbies and interests Gender Marital Status Post-sales service and/or product rating Research at least two e-CRM systems that are available and do a compare contrast between the two systems. List the advantages and disadvantages of each the system and create a side by side comparison matrix. Table 1: SugarCRM versus Microsoft Dynamics CRM Feature SugarCRM Corporate Microsoft Dynamics CRM Deployment On-premise or cloud-based On-premise and cloud-based Trial period 7 days 30 days Cost US$ 45/user/month US$ 44/user/month Databases -Client can opt to use SugarCRM datacenter or Client datacenter or third party datacenter -Off ers 30GB free -Client can use own datacenter or Microsoft Cloud datacenter -Offers 5GB free, client pays for extra storage Employee applications and channels -Unlimited customization options / based on Open Source standards -Proprietary system thus customization limited by vendor -Massive ecosystem of extensions developed by Open Source community found at SugarExchange for over 200 commercial extensions and SugarForge.org for over 800 free extensions -Seamless integration to Microsoft products -Integration with Outlook and Microsoft ERP is especially very appealing to small and medium businesses. -Full sales, marketing and support automation -Full sales, marketing and support automation -Email integration, reporting, team selling, collaboration tools, advanced security, workflow

Does Billy receive a fair trial Herman Melville Billy Budd Essay

Does Billy receive a fair trial Herman Melville Billy Budd - Essay Example The outcome of the trial goes to show how a composite plot, ably supported by ingenuity of narrative techniques, can be made analogous to a set of clandestine attributes of legal procedures. The thesis question to be resolved in this paper is whether Billy Budd receives a just trial or not, following the crime he commits after being charged with mutinous provocations. Judgment on the fate of Billy is legitimized per se by a number of factors that are ingrained in the protagonist’s characteristic features as well as in some external stimuli. Minkowitz argues that while Billy embodies ‘moral goodness and grace’ and is well liked among his colleagues, the ship’s master-at-arms John Claggart is ‘sinister’ (4). This perplexes the readers for they know who the culprit is according to the law. But mere understanding of the legal righteousness fails to provide an accurate picture of the author’s intentions. Captain Vere, for instance, is portrayed as a person of contradictory dispositions. He is stuck between the loftier ethics of law, which he is supposed to adhere to out of his professional responsibilities, and the apparent leniency of divine justice. He is the only person who knows that Billy is both clean-handed and guilty (Parker 37) and yet, he must convict Billy for his crime. It is apparent that the execution of Billy Budd symbolically represents a ‘justified animosity into a retributive righteousness’ (Melville 78). The question about whether Billy Budd receives justice or not is answered by Yannella: †¦Vere prejudges the case against Billy, uses irregular proceedings to convict him, and then executes him in a gross miscarriage of justice†¦Vere’s conservative rationale for hanging Billy, of course, is that it will silence and tame the sailors, who otherwise will take the captain’s inaction as a sign of weakness and an excuse to rebel (27-8). It is, therefore, quite clear that Billy Budd does not receive

Making a theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Making a theory - Essay Example More over it has got a five button mouse, which will assist the user working in a natural way.2 Using a pen tablet with its matching point will help the user to get the design displayed on the screen exactly what he draws on the tablet. The pressure sensitivity is yet another feature of the product, it lets the user to have a control over the software tools such as brush size, opacity and other things can be controlled dynamically.3 The tablet has a Ergononic design with sloping control palm , in addition to multiple cod positions for generator work and space flexibility. Above all it has enhanced resolution and available in various sizes. The Grip Pen has 11024 levels of tip and eraser pressure sensitivity for control, battery free technology, multi-position pen stand three nib styles and tilt sensitivity. The five button mouse has a smooth and accurate tracking without ball or optic functioning with battery free technology.. Previously were using only a scanner or a Paint Brush soft ware to draw something, and then came Auto Cad, which too helped in drawing diagrams of machines and tools with help of pre fixed shapes such as straight lines, circles, rectangle, etc. But INCUOS.3 has gone forward more steps further and the easy way to develop a graphic design is very clearly seen in this method. The flexibility which this product gives has all the reason behind my attraction towards this product. When you find your imagination take its shape with colors and you get the chance immediately to view your dream spot or painting or thought with a realistic touch, the happiness you get is immeasurable. The INCUOS.3 Graphic Pen Tablet , I would say with least hesitation that, is it a yet another invention, a miniature of a dream factory. Usually a cinema world is called a dream factory, where those things we imagine are given life for quiet some time and there we get a partial but better satisfaction that

Seminar in Criminology - Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Seminar in Criminology - Research paper - Essay Example These are not good prison films because they show criminals suffering behind bars, but they are good because the actors capture those moments as if they were real. Though there are critics that may argue that the films do not provide an authentic presentation of prison life, the film directors try as much to capture all the details. In United States, prisoners have always had to adapt to so many pressures which most of them have to adapt to so as to survive while in prisons (Pollock, 2011). This has always been the turn of events in the last few decades. In the last seven to nine years, the criminal justice system has transformed and it is now changed the way most prisons are today. As noted by the prisoners who are there today, the challenges that the Federal Bureau of Prisons registers in its records from prisons shows that they have intensified and exchanged as opposed to the way they were 20 or 30 years ago (Thistlethwaite & Wooldredge, 2014). All prisons have a specific subculture that is exceptional only to them. It is the functional code or a system of beliefs that inmates adhere by when in any prison. However, looking at the behavior of inmates while in prison it is important to know the terms involved. What is a prison subculture? Thistlethwaite and Wooldredge (2014) it is a means of adapting to the deprivations that inmates face while in prison. According to Blackbrun, Pollock and Fowler (2012), prisoner subculture refers to the inmate code which is the set code of behavior among inmates, or special languages or values and prisoner roles. From this description, the subculture of prisoners shows that it is usually associated with negative use of words such as â€Å"sissys† and â€Å"punks† (Blackbrun, Pollock and Fowler, 2012). Based on what Blackbrun, Pollock and Fowler (2012) see as a prison subculture, development of such prisoner roles, and

Discuss research associated with the development of secure and Essay

Discuss research associated with the development of secure and insecure attachments in children - Essay Example Infants instinctively reach out to a caregiver for security and protection; caregivers instinctively protect and nurture infants. This mutual responsiveness is what creates the secure base for early development† (The Project, 2006). Inefficiency to tackle problems in its initial stages leads to society paying a high price for it. Collectively the cost is reflected in social disruption, poor educational attainment, physical and mental ill health, anti-social behaviour, and the financial cost related to each of these† (Vision, 2005). In 2004 the Department of Health placed greater emphasis on prevention of illness, The NSF for Mental Health (1999) recommended promotion of mental health and wellbeing NSF (2003) Attachment theory is a child - development theory that helps in the understanding of child-parent relationship from an early age. According to this theory relationship between children and their parents, lays the foundation for the child’s future relationship that can be either social or emotional. It also has a bearing on the way the child functions at school. The lasting emotional ties created between infants and their parents are called attachment. Children of abusive parents too, develop attachment towards their parents. Attachment usually grows through repeated interactions that take place in the first year of the life of an infant with their parents. An infant can develop multiple attachments with the father, mother or grandparents, but they have generally one parent who is their â€Å"primary attachment figure†. The two basic attachment patterns are –secure and insecure. Researchers have found that responsive and sensitive parenting, results in secure attachments where the child uses his or her parent as a source of comfort. Dependence on the parent leads to independence, which is the key principle of attachment theory. Parents of secure children are sensitive and responsive. The

Making a theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Making a theory - Essay Example More over it has got a five button mouse, which will assist the user working in a natural way.2 Using a pen tablet with its matching point will help the user to get the design displayed on the screen exactly what he draws on the tablet. The pressure sensitivity is yet another feature of the product, it lets the user to have a control over the software tools such as brush size, opacity and other things can be controlled dynamically.3 The tablet has a Ergononic design with sloping control palm , in addition to multiple cod positions for generator work and space flexibility. Above all it has enhanced resolution and available in various sizes. The Grip Pen has 11024 levels of tip and eraser pressure sensitivity for control, battery free technology, multi-position pen stand three nib styles and tilt sensitivity. The five button mouse has a smooth and accurate tracking without ball or optic functioning with battery free technology.. Previously were using only a scanner or a Paint Brush soft ware to draw something, and then came Auto Cad, which too helped in drawing diagrams of machines and tools with help of pre fixed shapes such as straight lines, circles, rectangle, etc. But INCUOS.3 has gone forward more steps further and the easy way to develop a graphic design is very clearly seen in this method. The flexibility which this product gives has all the reason behind my attraction towards this product. When you find your imagination take its shape with colors and you get the chance immediately to view your dream spot or painting or thought with a realistic touch, the happiness you get is immeasurable. The INCUOS.3 Graphic Pen Tablet , I would say with least hesitation that, is it a yet another invention, a miniature of a dream factory. Usually a cinema world is called a dream factory, where those things we imagine are given life for quiet some time and there we get a partial but better satisfaction that

Discuss research associated with the development of secure and Essay

Discuss research associated with the development of secure and insecure attachments in children - Essay Example Infants instinctively reach out to a caregiver for security and protection; caregivers instinctively protect and nurture infants. This mutual responsiveness is what creates the secure base for early development† (The Project, 2006). Inefficiency to tackle problems in its initial stages leads to society paying a high price for it. Collectively the cost is reflected in social disruption, poor educational attainment, physical and mental ill health, anti-social behaviour, and the financial cost related to each of these† (Vision, 2005). In 2004 the Department of Health placed greater emphasis on prevention of illness, The NSF for Mental Health (1999) recommended promotion of mental health and wellbeing NSF (2003) Attachment theory is a child - development theory that helps in the understanding of child-parent relationship from an early age. According to this theory relationship between children and their parents, lays the foundation for the child’s future relationship that can be either social or emotional. It also has a bearing on the way the child functions at school. The lasting emotional ties created between infants and their parents are called attachment. Children of abusive parents too, develop attachment towards their parents. Attachment usually grows through repeated interactions that take place in the first year of the life of an infant with their parents. An infant can develop multiple attachments with the father, mother or grandparents, but they have generally one parent who is their â€Å"primary attachment figure†. The two basic attachment patterns are –secure and insecure. Researchers have found that responsive and sensitive parenting, results in secure attachments where the child uses his or her parent as a source of comfort. Dependence on the parent leads to independence, which is the key principle of attachment theory. Parents of secure children are sensitive and responsive. The

The Price of Greatness Is Responsibility Essay Example for Free

The Price of Greatness Is Responsibility Essay In his first few days in office, President Barack Obama issued executive orders and presidential memoranda directing the U. S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq, while he could have let the US military continue devastating that part of the world on the basis of false allegations made by the previous senator. Our public figures are not only well known, but admired and loved. However, with their fame and greatness come great expectations from us, the public. Under their seemingly exotic outer shell and fame, they are simply ordinary people like the common man on the street. Even in literature, public figures are faces with expectations of being perfect. For example, in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a well-known local lawyer. He has an overall good reputation, and he is a very learned man; however, one day, he chooses to defend a black man in a case against a white man. The black man is convicted of raping the white mans daughter, and even though all charges are faced towards the white man lying, the black man is proven guilty. Atticus Finch receives a lot of hatred for his decision to face someone who is unlike him, and his children also hear a lot from the citizens of their town. The citizens of his town always thought of him as someone who they could look up to, but when he defies their initial trust with something that they could not even imagine, they start degrading him. In this way, the public expects a lot from their public figures, because they inspire it to lead others in the same way. Winston Churchill once said â€Å"If the people of the United States had continued in a mediocre station, struggling with the wilderness, absorbed in their own affairs, and a factor of no consequence in the movement of the world, they might have remained forgotten and undisturbed beyond their protecting oceans: but one cannot rise to be in many ways the leading community in the civilized world without being involved in its problems, without being convulsed by its agonies and inspired by its causes. † It is also evident that public figures are faced with many expectations in everyday life. For instance, the current American president, Barack Obama. It is already extremely difficult to actually be president, but Obama is, arguably, president during one of the hardest times in history. He has been ruling us through a difficult recession, capture of a very dangerous terrorist, and just hard times in general. However, even though he is most likely trying his hardest in order to be a successful president, he has to always be careful because even a minor slip-up can cause citizens to stop believing in him as a success.

Economic Man Or Homo Economicus Business Essay

Economic Man Or Homo Economicus Business Essay Job design is a term that is widely used in the management of todays modern organizations structure as a strategy to increase their profitability and productivity. Daft, et al., 2010 It is mainly concerned with the process of planning, setting up and organizing systematic tasks within the organization according to the organizations needs and employees capability. In order for the strategy to be effective and efficient, management put the responsibility to their employees and explains how the implementation process of their organization work arrangement will be in their management system. (DuBrin, 2008) Virtual organization is an association that exists but cannot be physically seen by the naked eye. Its a concept that changed in line with the current vast developments. (Burn, J., et al., 2012) The virtual organization is very flexible and responsive because it does not necessarily require an office to operate but the existence of this virtual organization can be felt and experienced throughout the business process. Thurow (2011) states that business processes refers to the networking system used along the production process which conducted virtually through the way of communicating using electronic devices as the main telecommunication form. According to Parker, Craig and Craig (2008), matrix structured organization has the advantage of giving the opportunity for the top management to develop their skills in conducting and managing project-based strategy as well as gaining experience. It also practices a decentralization decision-making system that encouraging improvements of employees self motivation level as they have the chance to make decisions and act independently. Matrix structure organization also creates the flexibility of cross-communication system in exchanging information and ideas among the team members from different departments which can helps on saving time and cost. ( Gido and Clemens, 2008) Chain of command function as an organization system that showing how the operational and management within the organization works in a systematical manner to ensure efficient flow of work activities. It clarifies the organization reporting system between the subordinates to their superior which resulting as the unity of command. (Madura, 2007) According to Lunenburg and Ornstein (2011), it signifies the continues line of authority from the top managerial position to the lowest levels of an organization that showing the distinctive status, roles, responsibility, and the rights inherit in varies positions of the organization itself. Question 14 Maslows need theory consist of physiology needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs. Each level must be completely fulfilled before moving on to the next level. (Robbins, 2009) Physiology needs refers to our physical needs. Safety needs are needs of safety and security. Both levels are the low-order needs that can be satisfied internally. The high-order needs that can be satisfied internally are the social needs that seek for love and affection, then the esteem needs that refer to the needs of self-esteem and lastly the self actualization which is the needs of becoming fully matured human. (Shajahan, 2007) Question 7 Scientific management mainly focuses on the application of scientific method of study and also analysis into a problem which occur during management. Scientific Management basically referring on understands what one wants his subordinates to do and see it to be done efficiently and effectively. (Sahni and Pardeep, 2010) According to Murugan (2007), among the principles of scientific management are Science not rule of Thumb, scientific training and development of workers, close cooperation between employees and manager, equal division of works and also responsibility, maximum prosperity of employer and employee and mental revolutions. Question 15 Hackman and Oldhams Job Characteristics Model consists of five characteristic such as skill variety which means variety increases when overcome new problems each day and implementing various skills in completing tasks. Secondly, task identity, where employees working performances is acknowledgeable. Third, task significant is where an employee contributes positive result to the company. Fourth, autonomy is where the employees are given the freedom in planning while carrying out tasks. Lastly, the feedback where there will be an evaluation on employees performance in order to improve any deficiency. (Daft and Marcic, 2010) The application of these characteristic may increase the productivity and produces more motivated and productive the employees. Question 13 Montana and Charnov states the Expectancy Theory of motivation was proposed by Victor Vroom, a business school professor. The theory is more on the individual goal which focuses more on outcomes and their expectations while achieving it. (Jex and Britt, 2008) Employees are able to receive rewards according to his or her performance while working. The theorys method will keep the employees motivated at all times as they hold their personal expectations of the rewards. (Montana and Charnov, 2008) The expectancy of increasing effort by the employees will lead to the increment of performance which will increase the productivity and positive result. Question 10 According to Wright (2010), Hawthorne studies were first attempted by Elton Mayo showing how lighting affected the employees working performance. But it shows that the physical conditions of the workplace do not influence the performance or motivation. In his finding, taking interest in all individual was enough to increase their work efficiency and output. Hence, the Hawthorne Experiment continues to show its result from time to time. Companies which value their employees ideas and opinions will result a higher standard of achievement. (Wong, 2010) This will also increase the ability and self esteem of the employees. Thus, increase their performance and productivity while working. Question 12 Montana and Charnov (2008), states the theory of X and Y was proposed by Douglas McGregor. In theory X, managers will assume that their employees are less ambitious, less responsible, dislike their job and prefer to wait for instructions rather than to lead a task. Managers with theory X are stricter and may threaten their employees to motivate them. But manager who holds the theory Y will assume that the employees are more responsible, willing to do work, more creative and self-directed. Thus, in theory Y the managers will not control much on their employees because they believe that employees are capable to perform well. (Shermerhorn, 2011) Question 16 The effectiveness of an organization internal communication can be improved through creating forum site on social websites such as Facebook and Twitter for discussion related to a matter. (Heath, 2005) Furthermore, any perceptions and ideas proposed by the employees should be considered and not being excluded in order to improve good relationship with other teamwork. Next, employers and employees should also instill proactive attitude to ask when in doubts related to a matter in order to avoid conflicts and distorted message. Lastly, employees should be train on communication skills to improve their self-esteem and communicating potential. (Quirke, 2012) Question 5 Public sectors are basically a bureaucratic government-based organization which normally focusing more on providing services to public rather than making profit. (Lienert, 2009) A simple example of a public sector organization is the government hospitals. The organization emphasizes more on accommodating the health service to the community by providing free to low-cost medical aid. However, privates sectors are non-government owned organization and runs on the main motive on making profit. (Rees and Porter, 2008) For example, supermarket such as Tesco and Carrefour in Malaysia are operated by private enterprises and not the government. Question 6 Planning stage is one of the functional approaches involved in the management process. According to Schwalbe (2006), it concerns activities such as setting goals and objectives of the work in an effort to keep it on track throughout the operation process. Next step would be, create and considering relevant strategies to achieve goals effectively. At last, the final step is simulating plans to coordinate and objectify activities in various possible ways it can succeed. (Lewis, et al., 2006) Within this stage, it requires a lot of critically thinking creativity and innovative aspects from that individual to come out with a radical and quantum ideas. Question 9 Fordism is a term that was named after an American entrepreneur; Henry Ford which was the founder of Ford Motor Company. (Schhlosser and Simonson, 2009) Fordism is a philosophy of manufacturing that being conducted based on the Taylorism theory that emphasizes in machine and efficiency of employees working performance. Fordism philosophy aimed to increase the productivity and reduce costs by adjusting output, set the installation process in phases, and dividing the work into small tasks according to employees expertise. (Blyton and Jenkins, 2007) The effectiveness of the philosophy enables an organization to maximize their profit and performance. Question 11 Personality is an influential matter that affecting a persons decision. It is developed through their education, ways of socialization and nurturing since they were a child.

The Introduction to A Day in the Life of Jane :: essays research papers

The discomfort of the hard seat I was perched on, and the stiffness in my lower body, caused me to wake suddenly. My eyes jolted open to reveal a coach full of rowdy strangers. The noise of the people around me made my ears unpleasantly shriek, my mind full of frustration. I tried to disconnect myself from the world around me, covering my ears with my warm, soft hands. My mind wandered back to the world of tranquillity and peace where I had previously been, urging me to stay there forever. I could feel the warmth of the sun glaring on my face. My cheeks felt cleansed from the combination of the heat and the regular dose of gentle breeze streaming through the partly opened window. However, the echoes of laughter and the cries from those around me crept into my world of calm, forcing my eyelids to drift apart once again. This time I decided not to close them. I looked around me, thinking of the day ahead. I felt excited, although quite nervous about the protest I was about to become a part of. I wondered if it would be similar to the one that was held in Birmingham, the preceding year. I had enjoyed that immensely, knowing that I was part of something that could change people's lives, people's undecided futures. The protests were arranged by an organisation called Jubilee 2000. There aim was to try and persuade developed countries to cancel the huge debts owed by poorer countries. Every year a human chain was formed around the location of the G8 summit, to try and get leaders of the richest countries of the world to 'drop the debt'. My mother gently snored beside me, her chest expanding and deflating like a balloon. Occasionally her body twitched, gently touching my side. I turned myself casually to face my father, who was predictably awake, already enthralled in the train magazine he was reading. These magazines were his only accustomed reading material, and unlike him, I claimed that they were undoubtedly 'boring'. However, what could one expect from a man who spent his teenage years pacing station platforms, bracing himself for the next arrival. Dad saw me peering at him through my tired, puffy eyes and sang his normal daily rendition of "Good Morning Paino!" wide eyed, and abnormally cheery.

Intelligence: A Product of Social Construction Essay example -- essays

Intelligence: A Product of Social Construction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since the development of the intelligence quotient, schools in every part of the world have been using the IQ test to categorize millions of students into three groups. These three groups, which are the gifted, the average, and the retarded, are falsifications that perpetuate in our world culture and cause many gifted students to be deemed retarded and vice a versa. Why then is the IQ test so heavily relied on in our school systems? For schools the answer is simple, an I.Q. test is a reliable predictor of a students later performance in academics. This answer is relatively true, but where the I.Q. test falls extremely short is with testing the multiple intelligences of the human brain. The intelligence quotient test, developed by Alfred Binet, was created to evaluate ones intelligence with a test that would yield a numerical value that could be compared with a collective average to determine ones level of intelligence. However, the questions of an I.Q. test, or ev en the SAT’s for that matter, are testing only the verbal-mathematical forms of intelligence. The human brain is extremely complicated and advanced, and to assume that the indicators of intelligence are only found in logical and linguistic intelligences is a poor assumption at best. A more comprehensive test, which can test all seven types of intelligence, should be implemented into the educational system to ensure every student an education tailored to their strongest abilities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In every elementary school in America third graders are forced to take a test that will greatly impact their academic careers. The G.A.T.E. program, which stands for gifted and talented education, is designed to separate the gifted children from the average and below average kids. However, the G.A.T.E. test is comprised of questions the children do not have the answers for. In other words, the kids are being tested on their innate knowledge of the world and their ability to creatively solve problems they have never encountered. Some might believe there is no flaw in testing a child’s natural intelligence. The test is given to each student and each student is given the same amount of time to complete a test of identical questions. But what educators fail to account for is the social bias of the test and the socio-eco... ...or each of the seven intelligences and students will be placed in the category of classes that he or she is best suited for. With this educational system career training can start a much younger age, students will develop in one direction rather than being spread thin over many useless topics, and the professionals of the future will be identified before they ever enter the work force. In the current world, I.Q. tests are the gates that limit ones ability to gain a fair and equal education. The tests given now will continue to reward those lucky enough to live in the upper-middle class and will continue to hold a lid on the potential of the millions of people suppressed into the ghettos of America. New testing and rewriting of tests should be the first step in making American public education fair to all Americans. Eventually the socially constructed idea of â€Å"intelligence† will change, but not fade, and it is up to the people of this generation to redefine what makes a person intelligent. Works Cited Jacobus A., Lee & Howard Gardner. â€Å"A World of Ideas.† A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Bedford/St. Martin’s. 6th Ed. Boston, Ma. 2002. 373 – 391

Succubus Revealed Chapter 11

It was hard leaving Seth's side in the morning. We'd had too few nights together recently, and each day that passed only served to remind me I was that much closer to the transfer. Lying in his arms, watching him sleep in the early sunlight, I thought back to what he'd said about Andrea getting better. If that was true, if she was healing, then there was a chance the ties keeping Seth here might lessen. I felt selfish even thinking that way, but surely it wasn't too terrible a thing to wish we could all get a happy ending. After a leisurely breakfast, Seth and I went over to the Mortensens'. He was on babysitting duty while Andrea went to a doctor's appointment, and I was there to pick up Brandy. Chaos met us at the door, and Brandy practically flew outside, breathless and laughing. â€Å"Don't go in there,† she warned me, after I gave Seth a quick kiss good-bye. She and I headed toward my car. â€Å"It's crazy. Mom and Dad slept in, and Grandma let Kendall and the twins ‘help' with breakfast.† â€Å"What are they making?† â€Å"Waffles,† she said. â€Å"From scratch. I don't know which was scarier: Kendall mixing the batter or Morgan and McKenna on duty with the waffle iron. They set the smoke detector off twice.† I couldn't help but laugh as I pulled out of the driveway. â€Å"And you and Kayla didn't help?† â€Å"No way,† Brandy replied. â€Å"I stayed away from that mess, and Kayla was in one of her silent moods today.† â€Å"Aw.† I kind of wished now that I'd taken a moment to go inside. Tiny Kayla had a special place in my heart. Though she was better than she used to be, she still had a tendency to simply watch her world without a word, and it could be difficult coaxing conversation from her. Some of this was shyness, and some of this – I suspected – was from the fact that Kayla was psychic. Her skills were still undeveloped, but she was sensitive to the workings of the supernatural world, which I had to imagine would make anyone of any age silent at times. â€Å"She'll be fine. She loves waffles.† Brandy smiled, and I was happy to see her so upbeat for a change. She shouldered just as much stress as the adults. â€Å"If any actually get made.† We drove downtown, and I quizzed Brandy about what she was looking for in a dress. She had little to offer, which was both charming and kind of heartbreaking. Brandy wasn't a tomboy, but with all of her family drama, dresses had been understandably off her radar. In fact, when her face lit up at all the downtown lights and decorations, it became clear that family had really been the only thing in her life recently. â€Å"I haven't seen any of the holiday stuff this year,† she told me, gazing out the windows. A pang in my heart reminded me that this would be my last year to see Seattle in all its holiday finery. â€Å"We usually always come down here so that the girls can see Santa. There's been no time.† â€Å"The girls haven't seen Santa?† I asked, snapping out of my moment of self-pity. â€Å"That's not fair, especially considering I see a little too much of him.† It made me wonder how many drinks it would take to coax Walter into a house call. It also convinced me more than ever to make this a special day for Brandy. I couldn't expect her not to worry about her mom, but today, with Andrea on the mend and Seattle's shopping wonderland ready to explore, Brandy was entitled to worry just a little less than usual. She deserved to think about herself. I took her on a whirlwind tour of designer stores, chastising her for looking at price tags. I wanted this to be about more than the dress itself. I wanted her to have an experience, to feel like a princess. I made sure the salespeople were falling all over themselves to help her, which wasn't always so easy to do at such a busy time of the year. Brandy's radiant expression told me it was worth the effort, and we finally hit gold at our third store, finding what was unquestionably the dress. It was made of dark pink satin wrapped around to create a sheath silhouette that could still show off her figure without being pornographically tight. Satin flowers near the top added a whimsical edge, and the straps and knee-length made me feel it wouldn't get her kicked out of a church function. We spent the next hour finding the perfect shoes and jewelry for it, and although each new purchase clearly made her uneasy, she stopped questioning me about the cost. She didn't know about Margaret's f unding, but it had long since been spent. Exhausted and triumphant with our purchases, we went to lunch at an Italian restaurant frequented by other ladies of leisure. It was inside a larger, elegant shopping complex, and just as we were about to enter the restaurant, I saw a familiar face emerge from a nearby store. Something in my chest clenched, and I spoke before I could help myself. â€Å"Doug!† It took him a moment to figure out who'd called to him. When he did, a series of emotions played over his face. I wondered then how the encounter would have been different if Brandy hadn't been there. Would he have even acknowledged me? Maybe. Maybe not. But Brandy's presence guaranteed politeness. No matter how angry Doug might be at me, he wouldn't snub her. â€Å"Kincaid,† he said, strolling over to us. â€Å"And little Brandy. How's it going?† â€Å"Good,† she said cheerfully. The two of them, I realized, could have been related if Seth and Maddie had ended up getting married. The weird fallout from their breakup hadn't had as big an effect on Brandy as the rest of us, though, and she was genuinely happy to see him. â€Å"We're shopping.† He favored her with a smile, and I wondered if he was avoiding eye contact with me. â€Å"Last minute Christmas gifts?† he asked. â€Å"Not a chance,† I said. â€Å"This is all for Brandy. She's going to a dance tonight.† â€Å"Oh, I see how it is,† he said. â€Å"Getting ready to break some hearts for the holidays, huh?† She turned bright red. â€Å"No! It's at my church!† Teasing girls was familiar and easy territory for Doug. â€Å"Yeah?† he said, forcibly keeping a straight face. â€Å"Then why are you blushing? Church boys' hearts break just as easily as us sinners', you know. I'm sure you'll leave a trail of hundreds in your wake.† â€Å"No,† she protested. â€Å"Not hundreds – â€Å" â€Å"Just one?† he asked slyly. Brandy looked to me for help, and I laughed. â€Å"I knew there was someone.† â€Å"You guys are terrible,† she said, though she didn't look that upset. â€Å"Can I go put our name on the list?† â€Å"Sure,† I said, still laughing. But the instant she was inside the restaurant, Doug's playful manner vanished. â€Å"Well, I've got to go,† he said, starting to turn away. â€Å"Wait, Doug, I . . .† He looked back at me, but I was at a loss. What could I say? That I was sorry for sleeping with his sister's fiance? That I was sorry for lying to all of them and breaking her heart? How could you apologize for something like that? â€Å"It . . . it was good to see you,† I said at last. â€Å"You too,† he said, though he didn't sound convincing. He nodded toward the restaurant. â€Å"And her. I hope she has fun.† â€Å"Me too. She deserves it, what with everything else going on.† He had attempted to leave again, but my words made him pause. â€Å"How's her mom?† I shrugged. â€Å"Good days and bad days. It's up and down. . . . sometimes it seems hopeless, sometimes it's like everything's fixed. Wreaks havoc on everyone. . . . you just can't assume anything, you know? She's having some good days right now, but it's been a hard road for all of them. We just never know what's going to happen next and have to hang in there as best we can. I'm trying to help, but I don't know. . . . I don't feel like it's enough. But what could be?† I promptly shut up, realizing I was rambling. Doug said nothing, his dark eyes studying me for several heavy seconds. Then, his gaze shifted to Brandy, speaking to the hostess, for a few more moments before returning to me. â€Å"You're a good person, Kincaid,† he said softly. And this time, he did leave. Nothing else he might have said could have surprised me more. In all the imagined conversations I'd had with Doug, I'd expected frigid politeness at best – and that had seemed like a long shot. More often than not, I'd envisioned him telling me terrible, hurtful things, things I deserved. As much as a secret part of me yearned for him to forgive me so that we could be friends again, I really didn't think I deserved that forgiveness. I watched him walk away until Brandy stuck her head out from the restaurant door and called that they had a table. Despite how pensive my meeting with Doug left me, I was still able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with Brandy. We were both in good spirits when we arrived back at the Mortensen home, and mine soared even higher when I saw Seth's car in the driveway. I hurried inside, eager to see him, only to have my mood shatter when I saw his face. Margaret and Terry wore similar expressions. Brandy, normally so observant, was too keyed up over her purchases to notice that there had been a significant mood shift in the house, compared to the bubbly chaos of this morning. â€Å"We had such a great time,† Brandy told them, face shining. â€Å"I got the best dress.† Margaret gave her a tight smile. â€Å"Why don't you try it on for us?† Brandy didn't need to be told twice, and Kendall and the twins followed her uproariously to the bedroom, offering to â€Å"help.† The instant they were gone, I turned to the adults. â€Å"What happened?† â€Å"Bad prognosis at the doctor's,† said Seth, when no one else spoke right away. â€Å"But she was improving,† I argued. I looked at them all for confirmation. â€Å"Right?† â€Å"We thought so,† said Terry. â€Å"At the very least, she seemed to be feeling better. But in these situations . . . well, cancer tricks you that way. It's why people go so long without ever knowing they have it. She woke up feeling bad this morning, and the doctor confirmed our fears.† I was kind of in awe at how calmly he managed to deliver that. I wasn't sure I could have without breaking down. Honestly, I didn't know how he'd been able to handle any of this with as much strength and determination as he had. If this were happening to the love of my life, I was pretty sure I'd crawl into in a corner and cry. Or would I? Looking at Seth, at those beloved features and compassionate expression, I suddenly knew that wasn't true. If the one I loved needed my strength, then I would give all I had within me. â€Å"We're not telling Brandy yet,† said Seth. â€Å"We're not going to keep it from her, but we figured it would be best to wait until after tonight.† I nodded slowly, having no words. I was usually so quick with a quip or soothing line, but what response could I make to that? Especially when, moments later, Brandy came bounding back down the stairs in the pink dress. Each twin held a shoe, and Kendall carried the glittering chandelier earrings we'd found just before lunch. I was reminded of Cinderella's mouse retainers. Brandy's tastes had been foremost in my mind while shopping, but I'd also had half an eye on what I thought her family would approve of in fashion. As she spun around for them, however, I realized it didn't matter. I could've brought her home in rags, and they would've loved it so long as she wore the look of radiance on her face that she did now. That was what sold it, one spot of pure joy in the dark cloud that kept hanging over this family. The adults were too overcome with emotion to speak, so Kendall did it for us. â€Å"Doesn't she look like a princess?† She kept trying to smooth nonexistent wrinkles out of the skirt, much to Brandy's dismay. â€Å"I want a dress like this.† Morgan sat down on the floor and tried to forcibly push the shoe on Brandy's foot while she still stood, furthering my Cinderella images. McKenna joined in as well, and both nearly succeeded in knocking their older sister over. â€Å"Well?† Brandy laughed. â€Å"What do you think?† â€Å"It's beautiful,† said Margaret. â€Å"You're beautiful,† said Terry. Having successfully dislodged the twins, Brandy stepped into the shoes, flushing under the praise of her family. â€Å"I hope I don't fall in these. How stupid would that look?† â€Å"I don't think anything could make you look stupid,† said Seth. â€Å"You're perfect from head to toe.† â€Å"Okay, you guys,† said Brandy, growing embarrassed. â€Å"Now you're just pushing it.† The â€Å"head to toe† comment suddenly reminded me of something. â€Å"Oh. I won't be here to do your hair. I have to go to work soon.† At that moment, calling in sick seemed like a reasonable idea. Nothing seemed more important than giving her a perfect night. â€Å"That's okay,† said Brandy. â€Å"I can do it. Or maybe Mom can.† â€Å"She's been kind of tired today,† said Terry neutrally. â€Å"But I know she'll want to see you before you leave.† â€Å"I can do a French twist,† said Margaret, surprising us all. â€Å"If you want to wear it up.† â€Å"Will you show me?† asked Brandy. Margaret nodded. â€Å"Sure, let's go upstairs.† Before they did, Brandy paused to give me a giant hug. â€Å"Thank you so much, Georgina. For everything.† They went upstairs, followed by the littler girls, all of whom thought there was nothing so wonderful as dressing up their older sister. Actually, I realized, that wasn't entirely true. Not all of them felt that way. â€Å"Where's Kayla?† I asked. She hadn't been in the entourage. Terry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, in a way similar to what I'd often seen Seth do. â€Å"In the living room, I think. She's been out of sorts today. Sometimes I think she can figure out what's going on, even when we don't tell her.† With Kayla's abilities, I didn't doubt it was true. I remembered Brandy saying Kayla had been in a â€Å"silent mood† since this morning and wondered just how much of her mother's illness the little girl was in tune with. I left the brothers to seek her out and found her curled up in a corner of the overstuffed sofa, making herself so small that she was almost lost in the cushions. â€Å"Hey, you,† I said, sitting down beside her. â€Å"How's it going? Don't you want to see Brandy's dress?† Kayla shifted her face, looking at me with huge blue eyes. â€Å"Georgina,† she said. â€Å"You have to make it stay away.† My thoughts were on the dress, so it took a moment for me to follow what she was saying. â€Å"Make what stay away, honey?† â€Å"The Darkness.† There was something in the way she said the word that let me know she wasn't referring to shadows. When she said â€Å"Darkness,† I could feel the personification in her word, the looming threat of something – or someone – tangible. With a pang, I remembered that Kayla had been able to sense Nyx when she'd escaped her angelic captors. I leaned toward Kayla, glad Seth and Terry were preoccupied. â€Å"Kayla, are you talking about . . . about the creature you felt before? The one you could sense on me?† Nyx's return would be a complication I most certainly didn't need in my life right now. She shook her head. â€Å"A different one. The Darkness comes here, to my house. To see my mommy. Will you make it go away?† â€Å"Is it here now?† I asked uneasily. â€Å"No. Just sometimes.† â€Å"How many times?† Kayla thought about it. â€Å"Two.† A cold feeling crept over me. â€Å"Was last night one of those times?† She nodded. â€Å"Have you seen it?† I asked her. â€Å"No. But I feel it. I can tell where it's at when it's here.† She peered at me beseechingly. â€Å"Will you make it stop?† I had no clue what this Darkness was or what I could do to stop it, but theories were running wild in my head. I kissed her forehead. â€Å"I'll do what I can, baby. I promise. I've got to leave now, but I'll see what I can find out for you, okay? We'll make sure the Darkness doesn't come back.† Like the flip of a switch, Kayla's whole demeanor changed. Whereas she'd been sad and withdrawn moments ago, she was now beaming and hopeful. All that faith – in me. With my empty assurance to take on something I didn't understand, she was able to put aside all of her fears and worries. All was right in her world now, thanks to me. She put her arms around me and kissed me back, and I felt like my heart would break when I finally untangled myself from her. Holiday cheer was calling, as well as a burning need to suddenly talk to Roman. Seeing as how we kept missing each other lately, I sent him a text with a reminder of when I'd be home tonight and that I had important information for him. He was so caught up in his conspiracy theories that I wasn't sure if he'd want to make time for what he'd probably see as a little girl's fantasies. Kayla's perceptions – despite her difficulties in articulating them – had proven accurate before. I didn't know what she was sensing this time, but if there was a force inside the Mortensen household, I intended to stop it.