Free Essays on Dr. Bloodstein About Stuttering

Computers Since the beginning of human life, we as a people have always strived to obtain machines or tools to make our lives easier. Before the computer was invented in 1822, people were performing boring, repetitive tasks that we now take for granted. The computer, a modern complex machine, now accomplishes things we never thought possible. Computers, in general, have many benefits for they provide entertainment, help modern cities function, above all, make the most aggravating and mundane tasks incredibly simple. One of the least important aspects of computers is that it provides entertainment and yet this is the sole reason why many people buy computers. The gaming and entertainment industry has become extremely large in the world, the products they sell range from shareware games to adult blood and gore. For instance, the 3D-shooter series, Quake, has sold millions of copies and essentially everyone in the world has seen it or played it. The entertainment industry not only provides gaming amusement but it also contributes learning programs, for children and adults, to help individuals excel in a certain trouble areas. Furthermore, computers also are also capable of training military personal in a virtual reality environment. An example of this is the U.S. and Canadian military, they both train soldiers and pilots in the ways of war using high tech computers and virtual reality equipment. To sum up, entertainment on the computer may not be important but is does satisfy million of people wor ldwide. Cities as we know them today would not exist if it were not for the help of the computer. In a modern city hundreds of items are under control by computers and most of them we take for granted. For example, the traffic lights at all intersections are controlled by computers and sometimes even with the support of underground sensors. Without computers the entire electrical grid would fail and all of the world’s neoteric popul... Free Essays on Dr. Bloodstein About Stuttering Free Essays on Dr. Bloodstein About Stuttering Computers Since the beginning of human life, we as a people have always strived to obtain machines or tools to make our lives easier. Before the computer was invented in 1822, people were performing boring, repetitive tasks that we now take for granted. The computer, a modern complex machine, now accomplishes things we never thought possible. Computers, in general, have many benefits for they provide entertainment, help modern cities function, above all, make the most aggravating and mundane tasks incredibly simple. One of the least important aspects of computers is that it provides entertainment and yet this is the sole reason why many people buy computers. The gaming and entertainment industry has become extremely large in the world, the products they sell range from shareware games to adult blood and gore. For instance, the 3D-shooter series, Quake, has sold millions of copies and essentially everyone in the world has seen it or played it. The entertainment industry not only provides gaming amusement but it also contributes learning programs, for children and adults, to help individuals excel in a certain trouble areas. Furthermore, computers also are also capable of training military personal in a virtual reality environment. An example of this is the U.S. and Canadian military, they both train soldiers and pilots in the ways of war using high tech computers and virtual reality equipment. To sum up, entertainment on the computer may not be important but is does satisfy million of people wor ldwide. Cities as we know them today would not exist if it were not for the help of the computer. In a modern city hundreds of items are under control by computers and most of them we take for granted. For example, the traffic lights at all intersections are controlled by computers and sometimes even with the support of underground sensors. Without computers the entire electrical grid would fail and all of the world’s neoteric popul...

The effects of mental health stigma in the media and society

The effects of mental health stigma in the media and society Mental Health StigmaSuraya YosofAllison GreenEnglish 205The Effects of Mental Health Stigma in the Media and SocietyIf someone is diagnosed with a physical illness or viral infection, we expect them to receive treatment until it's cured or it is not harmful to him or her. If someone had cancer or Tuberculosis we don't simply tell them to "brush it off" or "you don't need help with that". Yet when it comes to mental illness, people suffering from it are expected to just brush it off and not receive treatment. Society does not accept nor understand the treatment of mental illness. The media places stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness. That people who are suffering from mental illnesses avoid getting treatment for their illness; in order to not be labeled as "crazy" or "being socially unacceptable". Although physical and mental illnesses are not the same; mental illness can also have severe consequences such as isolation, self-harm and death.Society and the media play a huge role in mental health stigma among patients with psychiatric disorder, and their refusal and avoidance of receiving mental health care.Stigma is defined as mark a disgrace towards a certain group base on a particular circumstance or quality (Oxford dictionary).There are two types of stigma surrounding mental illness; the first one is public perceived stigma. This is the public common beliefs and stereotypes towards mental illness. It is also the common public response to people who seek help for psychological problems (Bathje, Pryor, 2011, p.161). The second one is self-stigma is the views held by the individual that he or she is socially unacceptable and accepts how the public perceived mental illness.(Maier, Gentile, Vogel, and Kaplan, 2013, p. 239)I've had my own experience of the stigma surrounding mental...

Assignment 9 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

9 - Assignment Example This promotes wholesome growth physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially which is essential for the child. â€Å"It ought therefore to enter into the domestic policy of every parent, to make her children feel that the home is the happiest place in the world† I agree with the scholars who call Mrs. Beeton a feminist because her thought process portrays a woman who seeks to clearly define and defend the equal social, cultural and economic rights of a woman. We see this when she likens the mistress of the house to the Commander in Chief of an army by saying that the woman is the leader of the house who should perform her household duties now that the man is off looking for work. She ranks household duties by the woman and work by the man as equal, thereby making the both of them of the same stature in the chain of command hierarchy in the house. â€Å"as with the commander of an army or the leader of an enterprise, so is it with the mistress of a household. Her spirit will be seen through the whole establishment: and just in proportion as she performs her duties intelligently and thoroughly, so will her domestics follow in her path.† She believes that it is equally as important for the woman to show leadership in the house, both to her children and her servants, who will then follow the good example she sets for them and become better from it. She goes on to state that good leadership which was previously provided by the husband is now being provided by the woman because the man is not at home most of the time. The tone of Fichte’s address is one of revival and renewal. He is directing his sentiments to the German public whom he wants to reaffirm their status as belonging to a unique and special identity that should not be cowed by any forces, political or otherwise. He seeks to remind them of their rich history, in the hope that it will

Critical Thinking in the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking in the Workplace - Essay Example Let us now discuss an example to show how critical thinking can be applied to work-related decisions. One of my friends, James, was working as assistant manager in an event management firm. A conflict arose when one of his senior employees, Steve Hudson, refused to supervise a campaign on religious grounds. Hudson had to taste meat in front of the public to launch the campaign. The HR manager consulted the issue with James in order to find a proper solution to the problem. They came up with four options to resolve the issue. Those options included assigning Austin to a low-profile campaign, terminating Hudson’s services on the grounds of disobedience, switching place of Hudson with some other supervisor, and promoting one of Hudson’s subordinates to lead this campaign for this specific event. James and his manager analyzed all options and selected fourth option because that option was the most suitable one to resolve the issue. James and his manager gave preference to the religious views of Hudson over any other thing and did not terminate him on the grounds of disobed ience because he was a very skilled and talented employee of the company. Critical thinking plays a considerable role in decision-making processes. It makes people aware of all aspects of the issue, which helps them take most appropriate decisions based on the analysis of all aspects. Decision-making is the process of choosing the best alternative from the pool of choices. A person needs to look at all possible consequences of all choices before selecting the most suitable choice. The process of critical thinking is unbiased in nature and provides assists decision-makers in taking unbiased decisions. Critical thinking means to let the past assumptions go and embrace new ideas based on proper evaluation and reasoning. Upson (2011) states, â€Å"Critical thinking can help people to excel in their professional lives, allowing for clearer, more concise thought

Inflation Rate Essay Example for Free

Inflation Rate Essay Inflation means a sustained increase in the aggregate or general price level in an economy. Inflation means there is an increase in the cost of living. What are the economic policies that lead to low inflation in an economy? 1. Monetary Policy In the UK and US, monetary policy is the most important tool for maintaining low inflation. In the UK, monetary policy is set by the MPC of the Bank of England. They are given an inflation target by the government. This inflation target is 2%+/-1 and the MPC use interest rates to try and achieve this target. The first step is for the MPC to try and predict future inflation. They look at various economic statistics and try to decide whether the economy is overheating. If inflation is forecast to increase above the target, the MPC will increase interest rates. Increased interest rates will help reduce the growth of Aggregate Demand in the economy. The slower growth will then lead to lower inflation. Higher interest rates reduce consumer spending because: * Increased interest rates increase the cost of borrowing, discouraging consumers from borrowing and spending. * Increased interest rates make it more attractive to save money * Increased interest rates reduce the disposable income of those with mortgages. * Higher interest rates increased the value of the exchange rate leading to lower exports and more imports. Base Rates and Inflation Base interest rates were increased in the late 1980s / 1990 to try and control the rise in inflation. 2. Supply Side Policies Supply side policies aim to increase long term competitiveness and productivity. For example, privatisation and deregulation were hoped to make firms more productive. Therefore, in the long run supply side policies can help reduce inflationary pressures. However, supply side policies work very much in the long term. They cannot be used to reduce sudden increases in the inflation rate. 3. Fiscal Policy This is another demand side policy, similar in effect to Monetary Policy. Fiscal policy involves the government changing tax and spending levels in order to influence the level of Aggregate Demand. To reduce inflationary pressures the government can increase tax and reduce government spending. This will reduce AD. 4. Exchange Rate Policy In the late 1980s the UK joined the ERM, as a means to control inflation. It was felt that by keeping the value of the pound high, it would help reduce inflationary pressures. The policy did reduce inflation, but at the cost of a recession. To maintain the value of the  £ against the DM, the government had to increase interest rates to 15%. The UK no longer uses this as an inflationary policy. 5. Wage Control Wage growth is a key factor in determining inflation. If wages increase quickly it will cause high inflation. In the 1970s, there was a brief attempt at wage controls which tried to limit wage growth. However, it was effectively dropped because it was difficult to widely enforce. Main Cause of Inflation 1. Demand pull inflation If the economy is at or close to full employment then an increase in AD leads to an increase in the price level. As firms reach full capacity, they respond by putting up prices leading to inflation. AD can increase due to an increase in any of its components C+I+G+X-M The link between output and inflation suggests that there will be a similar link between inflation and unemployment, The Phillips curve initially showed a link between money wages and unemployment, it was then argued an increase in wages would lead to inflation 2. Cost Push Inflation If there is an increase in the costs of firms, then firms will pass this on to consumers. There will be a shift to the left in the AS. Cost push inflation can be caused by many factors 1. The Labour Market If trades unions can present a common front then they can bargain for higher wages, this will lead to wage inflation. 2. Import prices One third of all goods are imported in the UK. If there is a devaluation then import prices will become more expensive leading to an increase in inflation E.G. a German car costs DM 40,000. If the exchange rate is DM  £1:3DM then it will be priced at  £13,333. If the E.R falls to  £1: 2DM then it will be priced at  £20,000 3. Raw Material Prices, The best example is the price of oil, if the oil price increase by 20% then this will have a significant impact on most goods in the economy and this will lead to cost push inflation. E.g. in early 2008, there was a spike in the price of oil to over $150 causing a rise in inflation. 4. Profit Push Inflation When firms push up prices to get higher rates of inflation. 5. Declining productivity If firms become less productive and allow costs to rise, this invariably leads to higher prices. Source: http://www.economicshelp.org/index.html PHILIPPINES INFLATION RATE The inflation rate in Philippines was recorded at 2.90 percent in December of 2012. Inflation Rate in Philippines is reported by the The National Statistics Office (NSO). Historically, from 1958 until 2012, Philippines Inflation Rate averaged 9.1 Percent reaching an all time high of 62.8 Percent in September of 1984 and a record low of -2.1 Percent in January of 1959. In Philippines, the most important categories in the Consumer Price Index are: food and non-alcoholic beverages (39 percent of total weight); housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (22 percent) and transport (8 percent). The index also includes health (3 percent), education (3 percent), clothing and footwear (3 percent), communication (2 percent) and recreation and culture (2 percent). Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, furnishing, household equipment, restaurants and other goods and services account for the remaining 15 percent. This page includes a chart with historical data for Philippines Inflation Rate. Source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/philippines/inflation-cpi causes Historically, a great deal of economic literature was concerned with the question of what causes inflation and what effect it has. There were different schools of thought as to the causes of inflation. Most can be divided into two broad areas: quality theories of inflation and quantity theories of inflation. The quality theory of inflation rests on the expectation of a seller accepting currency to be able to exchange that currency at a later time for goods that are desirable as a buyer. The quantity theory of inflation rests on the quantity equation of money, that relates the money supply, itsvelocity, and the nominal value of exchanges. Adam Smith and David Hume proposed a quantity theory of inflation for money, and a quality theory of inflation for production.[citation needed] Currently, the quantity theory of money is widely accepted as an accurate model of inflation in the long run. Consequently, there is now broad agreement among economists that in the long run, the inflation rate is essentially dependent on the growth rate of money supply relative to the growth of the economy. However, in the short and medium term inflation may be affected by supply and demand pressures in the economy, and influenced by the relative elasticity of wages, prices and interest rates.[29] The question of whether the short-term effects last long enough to be important is the central topic of debate between monetarist and Keynesian economists. In monetarism prices and wages adjust quickly enough to make other factors merely marginal behavior on a general trend-line. In the Keynesian view, prices and wages adjust at different rates, and these differences have enough effects on real output to be long term in the view of people in an economy. Keynesian economic theory proposes that changes in money supply do not directly affect prices, and that visible inflation is the result of pressures in the economy expressing themselves in prices. Monetarist view Monetarists believe the most significant factor influencing inflation or deflation is how fast the money supply grows or shrinks. They consider fiscal policy, or government spending and taxation, as ineffective in controlling inflation.] According to the famous monetarist economist Milton Friedman,Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.[49] Some monetarists, however, will qualify this by making an exception for very short-term circumstances. Unemployment A connection between inflation and unemployment has been drawn since the emergence of large scale unemployment in the 19th century, and connections continue to be drawn today. In Marxian economics, the unemployed serve as a reserve army of labour, which restrain wage inflation. In the 20th century, similar concepts in Keynesian economics include the NAIRU (Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment) and the Phillips curve. Rational expectations theory For more details on this topic, see Rational expectations theory. Rational expectations theory holds that economic actors look rationally into the future when trying to maximize their well-being, and do not respond solely to immediate opportunity costs and pressures. In this view, while generally grounded in monetarism, future expectations and strategies are important for inflation as well. A core assertion of rational expectations theory is that actors will seek to head off central-bank decisions by acting in ways that fulfill predictions of higher inflation. This means that central banks must establish their credibility in fighting inflation, or economic actors will make bets that the central bank will expand the money supply rapidly enough to prevent recession, even at the expense of exacerbating inflation. Thus, if a central bank has a reputation as being soft on inflation, when it announces a new policy of fighting inflation with restrictive monetary growth economic agents will not believe that the policy will persist; their inflationary expectations will remain high, and so will inflation. On the other hand, if the central bank has a reputation of being tough on inflation, then such a policy announcement will be believed and inflationary expectations will come down rapidly, thus allowing inflation itself to come down rapidly with minimal economic disruption. Austrian view For more details on this topic, see The Austrian view of inflation and monetary inflation The Austrian School asserts that inflation is an increase in the money supply, rising prices are merely consequences and this semantic difference is important in defining inflation.[50] Austrians stress that inflation affects prices in various degree, i.e. that prices rise more sharply in some sectors than in other sectors of the economy. The reason for the disparity is that excess money will be concentrated to certain sectors, such as housing, stocks or health care. Because of this disparity, Austrians argue that the aggregate price level can be very misleading when observing the effects of inflation. Austrian economists measure inflation by calculating the growth of new units of money that are available for immediate use in exchange, that have been created over time.[51][52][53] Critics of the Austrian view point out that their preferred alternative to fiat currency intended to prevent inflation, commodity-backed money, is likely to grow in supply at a different rate thaneconomic growth. Thus it has proven to be highly deflationary and destabilizing, including in instances where it has caused and prolonged depressions.[54] Real bills doctrine Main article: Real bills doctrine Within the context of a fixed specie basis for money, one important controversy was between the quantity theory of money and the real bills doctrine (RBD). Within this context, quantity theory applies to the level of fractional reserve accounting allowed against specie, generally gold, held by a bank. Currency and banking schools of economics argue the RBD, that banks should also be able to issue currency against bills of trading, which is real bills that they buy from merchants. This theory was important in the 19th century in debates between Banking and Currency schools of monetary soundness, and in the formation of the Federal Reserve. In the wake of the collapse of the international gold standard post 1913, and the move towards deficit financing of government, RBD has remained a minor topic, primarily of interest in limited contexts, such as currency boards. It is generally held in ill repute today, with Frederic Mishkin, a governor of theFederal Reserve going so far as to say it had been completely discredited. The debate between currency, or quantity theory, and banking schools in Britain during the 19th century prefigures current questions about the credibility of money in the present. In the 19th century the banking school had greater influence in policy in the United States and Great Britain, while the currency school had more influence on the continent, that is in non-British countries, particularly in the Latin Monetary Union and the earlier Scandinavia monetary union. Anti-classical or backing theory Another issue associated with classical political economy is the anti-classical hypothesis of money, or backing theory. The backing theory argues that the value of money is determined by the assets and liabilities of the issuing agency.[55] Unlike the Quantity Theory of classical political economy, the backing theory argues that issuing authorities can issue money without causing inflation so long as the money issuer has sufficient assets to cover redemptions. There are very few backing theorists, making quantity theory the dominant theory explaining inflation.[citation needed] - Controlling inflation A variety of methods and policies have been used to control inflation. Stimulating economic growth If economic growth matches the growth of the money supply, inflation should not occur when all else is equal.[56] A large variety of factors can affect the rate of both. For example, investment inmarket production, infrastructure, education, and preventative health care can all grow an economy in greater amounts than the investment spending.[57][58] Monetary policy The U.S. effective federal funds ratecharted over fifty years. Main article: Monetary policy Today the primary tool for controlling inflation is monetary policy. Most central banks are tasked with keeping their inter-bank lending rates at low levels, normally to a target rate around 2% to 3% per annum, and within a targeted low inflation range, somewhere from about 2% to 6% per annum. A low positive inflation is usually targeted, as deflationary conditions are seen as dangerous for the health of the economy. There are a number of methods that have been suggested to control inflation. Central banks such as the U.S. Federal Reserve can affect inflation to a significant extent through setting interest rates and through other operations. High interest rates and slow growth of the money supply are the traditional ways through which central banks fight or prevent inflation, though they have different approaches. For instance, some follow a symmetrical inflation target while others only control inflation when it rises above a target, whether express or implied. Monetarists emphasize keeping the growth rate of money steady, and using monetary policy to control inflation (increasing interest rates, slowing the rise in the money supply). Keynesians emphasize reducing aggregate demand during economic expansions and increasing demand during recessions to keep inflation stable. Control of aggregate demand can be achieved using both monetary policy and fiscal policy (increased taxation or reduced government spending to reduce demand). Fixed exchange rates Under a fixed exchange rate currency regime, a countrys currency is tied in value to another single currency or to a basket of other currencies (or sometimes to another measure of value, such as gold). A fixed exchange rate is usually used to stabilize the value of a currency, vis-a-vis the currency it is pegged to. It can also be used as a means to control inflation. However, as the value of the reference currency rises and falls, so does the currency pegged to it. This essentially means that the inflation rate in the fixed exchange rate country is determined by the inflation rate of the country the currency is pegged to. In addition, a fixed exchange rate prevents a government from using domestic monetary policy in order to achieve macroeconomic stability. Under the Bretton Woods agreement, most countries around the world had currencies that were fixed to the US dollar. This limited inflation in those countries, but also exposed them to the danger of speculative attacks. After the Bretton Woods agreement broke down in the early 1970s, countries gradually turned to floating exchange rates. However, in the later part of the 20th century, some countries reverted to a fixed exchange rate as part of an attempt to control inflation. This policy of using a fixed exchange rate to control inflation was used in many countries in South America in the later part of the 20th century (e.g. Argentina (1991–2002), Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile). Gold standard The gold standard is a monetary system in which a regions common media of exchange are paper notes that are normally freely convertible into pre-set, fixed quantities of gold. The standard specifies how the gold backing would be implemented, including the amount of specie per currency unit. The currency itself has no innate value, but is accepted by traders because it can be redeemed for the equivalent specie. A U.S. silver certificate, for example, could be redeemed for an actual piece of silver. The gold standard was partially abandoned via the international adoption of the Bretton Woods System. Under this system all other major currencies were tied at fixed rates to the dollar, which itself was tied to gold at the rate of $35 per ounce. The Bretton Woods system broke down in 1971, causing most countries to switch to fiat money – money backed only by the laws of the country. According to Lawrence H. White, an F. A. Hayek Professor of Economic History who values the Austrian tradition,[59] economies based on the gold standard rarely experience inflation above 2 percent annually.[60] However, historically, the U.S. saw inflation over 2% several times and a higher peak of inflation under the gold standard when compared to inflation after the gold standard.[61] Under a gold standard, the long term rate of inflation (or deflation) would be determined by the growth rate of the supply of gold relative to total output.[62] Critics argue that this will cause arbitrary fluctuations in the inflation rate, and that monetary policy would essentially be determined by gold mining.[63][64] Wage and price controls Another method attempted in the past have been wage and price controls (incomes policies). Wage and price controls have been successful in wartime environments in combination with rationing. However, their use in other contexts is far more mixed. Notable failures of their use include the 1972 imposition of wage and price controls by Richard Nixon. More successful examples include the Prices and Incomes Accord in Australia and the Wassenaar Agreement in the Netherlands. In general, wage and price controls are regarded as a temporary and exceptional measure, only effective when coupled with policies designed to reduce the underlying causes of inflation during the wage and price control regime, for example, winning the war being fought. They often have perverse effects, due to the distorted signals they send to the market. Artificially low prices often cause rationing and shortages and discourage future investment, resulting in yet further shortages. The usual economic analysis is that any product or service that is under-priced is overconsumed. For example, if the official price of bread is too low, there will be too little bread at official prices, and too little investment in bread making by the market to satisfy future needs, thereby exacerbating the problem in the long term. Temporary controls may complement a recession as a way to fight inflation: the controls make the recession more efficient as a way to fight inflation (reducing the need to increase unemployment), while the recession prevents the kinds of distortions that controls cause when demand is high. However, in general the advice of economists is not to impose price controls but to liberalize prices by assuming that the economy will adjust and abandon unprofitable economic activity. The lower activity will place fewer demands on whatever commodities were driving inflation, whether labor or resources, and inflation will fall with total economic output. This often produces a severe recession, as productive capacity is reallocated and is thus often very unpopular with the people whose livelihoods are destroyed (see creative destruction). Cost-of-living allowance The real purchasing-power of fixed payments is eroded by inflation unless they are inflation-adjusted to keep their real values constant. In many countries, employment contracts, pension benefits, and government entitlements (such as social security) are tied to a cost-of-living index, typically to the consumer price index.[65] A cost-of-living allowance (COLA) adjusts salaries based on changes in a cost-of-living index. Salaries are typically adjusted annually in low inflation economies. During hyperinflation they are adjusted more often.[65] They may also be tied to a cost-of-living index that varies by geographic location if the employee moves. Annual escalation clauses in employment contracts can specify retroactive or future percentage increases in worker pay which are not tied to any index. These negotiated increases in pay are colloquially referred to as cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) or cost-of-living increases because of their similarity to increases tied to externally determined indexes.

The Things that Make a House a Home :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Things that Make a House a Home There are many wonderful places in the world to explore and live. Some travelers and adventurers have even said that they can feel the soul of the place that they go to visit or explore. Although many people disagree with these ideas, I know that they are true. Every place has a soul, but sometimes it is just harder to find in certain areas than others. One such area is the place where I was born and raised. That very special place is the Phoenix metro area. Being more specific, the area in which I am talking about is the lovely house that I grew up in. This house has been my residence for the last eleven years and represents the heart of my childhood because of the events that I was a part of and the memories that I received while living there. Many things have happened while I have been living at the house. I’ve watched myself grow grade by grade in school until finally I graduated and moved on to college. There have also been many changes to the house itself over the course of time. But though the years my family and I have all gotten used to living at this house and the things that go with it. The country music artist John Denver said in one of his most famous songs, â€Å" There are many things that make a house a home†. That statement is true, a house isn’t a home without the people that live and exist inside if it. When I moved into the house on 58th street and Mountain View, I was in the second grade. My twin sister and I were moving schools and it was a big point in my life. Until then, I had only known one house, one neighborhood, and one set of friends at school. And although we were only moving about three miles, the move placed us in a different school district. So, scared and uncertain, we started out at a new school. Like it usually was, it was very hard for a kid like me to find friends. But I had my sister as a companion and it was alright. Many afternoons I spent playing in the backyard with my sister and dog, and I had a great time.

Liveable Cities

Urban Transportation: Towards A Liveable City CHUAH PEI JIN ABSTRACT Cities as we know them today are already dramatically changing. Our living environments are reshaping the way we live. Malaysia is planning for long-term sustainability, encouraging us to think about how we can shape it and new ideas that can transform our future. The importance of ecosystem has resulted in the concept of Livable City that becomes a popular concept which is widely used in most city center of established country but in Malaysia it is still considered a new concept.It is obvious that the concept has contributed a great deal to the urban environment. This research will discuss the contribution of urban transportation bringing forwards our country to become a livable city by taking Penang as its case study. Achieving livable city concept is important as it subsequently enhance city with benefits that sustainable lifestyle can provide in terms of environmental, economic and social. Therefore this initiat ive will be further enhanced on policy commitment by the Penang State Government to make Penang a Cleaner, Greener and Healthier city.What has constantly guided our approach to sustainable development is far-sighted, holistic, and comprehensive planning, which enables us to take into account future development needs through an integrated planning process. INTRODUCTION The twenty-first century finds civilization heavily based in cities that have grown into metropolitan areas. Many of these focal points of human activity face problems of economic inefficiency, environmental deterioration, and an unsatisfactory quality of life–problems that go far in determining whether a city is â€Å"livable. A large share of these problems stems from the inefficiencies and other impacts of urban transportation systems. The era of projects aimed at maximizing vehicular travel is being replaced by the broader goal of achieving livable cities: economically efficient, socially sound, and environ mentally friendly. This explores the complex relationship between transportation and the character of cities and metropolitan regions. Transportation for Livable Cities dispels the myths and emotional advocacies for or against freeways, rail transit, bicycles, and other modes of transportation.The consequences of excessive automobile dependence and shows that the most livable cities worldwide have intermodal systems that balance highway and public transit modes while providing for pedestrians, bicyclists, and para transit. The policies necessary for achieving livable cities: the effective implementation of integrated intermodal transportation systems. Traffic impact mitigation measures can be divided into two categories: those related to land use and those related to transportation.Two case studies in Bangkok, Thailand showed that measures related to land use were effective in reducing congestion in the area surrounding a development, while traffic-related measures were useful in al leviating site-specific impacts. In the centre of Bangkok, the ineffective implementation of measures related to land was considered one of the major causes of traffic congestion. It is recommended that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should develop more explicit policy tools for mitigating the traffic impact of new developments.DEFINATION OF LIVEABLE CITY A liveable city is cities that provide a good quality of life for its citizens. * Develop in an environmentally responsible manner * Sustain a robust a vibrant economy BACKGROUND Penang is a state in northern part of peninsular Malaysia. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia and consists of Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the mainland. Penang Island consists of about 1048 km2, with an estimated population of around 1520 thousand, while Seberang Perai occupies an area of about 738 sq km, with a population of 670 thousand.The major urban centers on the island are Georgetown, which is the administrative centre, and Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam on the mainland. Penang Island has an international airport and is linked by a ferry service and a bridge to the mainland. The major port facilities are on the mainland, while passengers and minor cargo vessels are handled at Swettenham Pier on the island. Penang is a highly urbanized state, with a vibrant economy driven primarily by manufacturing industry and tourism.Known as the â€Å"Silicon Valley of Asia†, it is home to most of the major electronics and semiconductor giants in the world and is a major centre for international industrial investment. With its beaches, multicultural and heritage attractions, Penang is also a leading tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. Until the current financial crisis, the state was experiencing a rapid rate of economic growth with an average of 12 per cent growth in gross domestic product between 1992 and 1997. CURRENT URBAN TRANSPORT ISSUES IN PENANGCities are locations hav ing a high level of accumulation and concentration of economic activities and are complex spatial structures that are supported by transport systems. The larger the city, the greater its complexity and the potential for disruptions, particularly when this complexity is not effectively managed. The most important transport problems are often related to urban areas and take place when transport systems, for a variety of reasons, cannot satisfy the numerous requirements of urban mobility.Urban productivity is highly dependent on the efficiency of its transport system to move labor, consumers and freight between multiple origins and destinations. Additionally, important transport terminals such as ports, airports, and rail are located within urban areas, contributing to a specific array of problems. Among the most notable urban transport problems are: i. High private vehicle dependency To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ ii. Public transport inadequacyThe limited capacity, poor reliability a nd quality of public transport facilities in the state is a major determinant of mode of transport choice. Presently, over 60 per cent of those travelling by bus (schoolchildren, factory workers, migrant workers, the poor and elderly) are captive passengers who do not own a private vehicle (Penang State Government 1995). Despite significant improvements having been made to the bus system in the last few years, such as the introduction of air-conditioned buses and minibuses and the expansion of routes, the proportion of bus passengers on he busiest routes is estimated to remain below 30 per cent. While bus users complain about delays and missed schedules, bus operators are frustrated by buses being unable to follow fixed schedules due to traffic congestion during peak hours. iii. High rate of traffic accidents The number of road accidents in the state more than doubled between 1991 and 1995, while the number of casualties and deaths increased by 235 per cent and 175 per cent respecti vely. Casualties per 1,000 vehicles also increased from 3. 5 in 1991 to 9. in 1995. The rate of fatalities in 1995 (34 per 100,000) was more than twice that in 1991 (13 per 100,000) and significantly higher than the level considered acceptable (5-10 per 100,000). More than 50 per cent of fatalities and 60 per cent of casualties are motorcyclists. It is also significant to note that between 1992 and 1996, 12 to 15 per cent of total fatalities and 10 to 13 per cent of total casualties were pedestrians, and 5 to 7 per cent of total fatalities and 5 to 6 per cent of total casualties were cyclists. iv.Inadequate facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility-impaired Existing pedestrian footways are of inadequate quality and do not provide sufficient levels of safety and comfort to encourage walking. Facilities for cyclists, such as bicycle lanes, are non-existent. The transportation needs of the mobility-impaired such as the elderly and the disabled, as well as those of young chi ldren have also been seriously neglected. v. Traffic Congestion and parking difficulties Traffic congestion in Penang has reached fairly serious levels due to the rapid increase in traffic volumes on the major urban roads.Traffic volumes between 1975 and 1995 more than doubled on most roads, with increases of up to 5 times on certain road sections in Seberang Perai. In terms of vehicle concentration, there has been an increase of almost 40 per cent since 1980, with an estimated doubling in travel delays. Traffic is growing at an average of 7 per cent annually on most of the major roads in the state (Highway Planning Unit 1995) in close correlation with the average 8 per cent annual growth rate in the total number of cars and motorcycles.While congestion reduces travel speed, which causes much inconvenience and economic loss, it also results in higher vehicle emissions due to engine idling and the frequent acceleration and deceleration associated with stop-and-go conditions, as most vehicle emissions (except nitrogen oxides) typically decrease with speed. vi. Environmental impacts and energy consumption To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ SUGGESTION * Improve bus service with Rapid Penang [Initiatives by Penang State Government] To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Introduce Park and Ride System [Bridge Express Shuttle Service] The BEST service was introduced by the Penang State Government in March 2011 as the country's first park and ride service as an effort to promote more efficient connectivity via public transport in the state. On average, some 800 passengers commute between Penang island and the mainland daily. From 3 September 2012, in addition to the existing park and ride hub at Sunway Carnival Mall, the BEST service introduced two new feeder hubs at Bandar Perda and Auto City at Juru. Save on fuel and toll charges, park your car and take a free ride on the BEST service.If you stay on the mainland and drive to work daily in the Bayan Lepas FIZ, the BEST service i s made for you. Park your car at Sunway Carnival Mall for RM 1. 00 (per entry) or park for FREE at Bandar Perda* and Auto City. BEST covers all areas in FIZ 1, 2, 3, 4, Technoplex and BLlP. -lQ the evening, the BEST service takes you back to your car. * CATS (CENTRAL AREA TRANSIT SERVICE) Rapid Penang CAT (Central Area Transit) is the free bus service funded by Penang state government with frequencies of every 20-30minutes around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown.Tourist can just hop on the bus without any fare. * Cycling action plan To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ * Improve public space leads to increase quality of life To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ * Walking areas, proper sidewalks and car-restricted zones To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ CONCLUSION REFERENCES DAP PENANG . (February 5th, 2013). Building a cycling city. Available: http://dappg. org/11735/cky_20130204b/. Last accessed 27 Feb 2013. Vukan R. Vuchic (December 31, 1999). Transportation for livable cities. US: C enter for Urban Policy Research. 376.Liang Fook Lye, Gang Chen (2010). Towards a Livable and Sustainable Urban Environment: Eco-Cities in East Asia. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.. 222. HOKAO, K ; MOHAMED, S S (1999). TRAFFIC IMPACT MITIGATION FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS: A WAY TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MAJOR CITIES. London: Transport Research Laboratory. 1-32. Dietrich Garbrecht. (1999). Walkability: A Prerequisite for Livable Cities. Available: http://www. livablecities. org/blog/walkability-prerequisite-livable-cities. Last accessed 1 March 2013 . Liveable Cities Urban Transportation: Towards A Liveable City CHUAH PEI JIN ABSTRACT Cities as we know them today are already dramatically changing. Our living environments are reshaping the way we live. Malaysia is planning for long-term sustainability, encouraging us to think about how we can shape it and new ideas that can transform our future. The importance of ecosystem has resulted in the concept of Livable City that becomes a popular concept which is widely used in most city center of established country but in Malaysia it is still considered a new concept.It is obvious that the concept has contributed a great deal to the urban environment. This research will discuss the contribution of urban transportation bringing forwards our country to become a livable city by taking Penang as its case study. Achieving livable city concept is important as it subsequently enhance city with benefits that sustainable lifestyle can provide in terms of environmental, economic and social. Therefore this initiat ive will be further enhanced on policy commitment by the Penang State Government to make Penang a Cleaner, Greener and Healthier city.What has constantly guided our approach to sustainable development is far-sighted, holistic, and comprehensive planning, which enables us to take into account future development needs through an integrated planning process. INTRODUCTION The twenty-first century finds civilization heavily based in cities that have grown into metropolitan areas. Many of these focal points of human activity face problems of economic inefficiency, environmental deterioration, and an unsatisfactory quality of life–problems that go far in determining whether a city is â€Å"livable. A large share of these problems stems from the inefficiencies and other impacts of urban transportation systems. The era of projects aimed at maximizing vehicular travel is being replaced by the broader goal of achieving livable cities: economically efficient, socially sound, and environ mentally friendly. This explores the complex relationship between transportation and the character of cities and metropolitan regions. Transportation for Livable Cities dispels the myths and emotional advocacies for or against freeways, rail transit, bicycles, and other modes of transportation.The consequences of excessive automobile dependence and shows that the most livable cities worldwide have intermodal systems that balance highway and public transit modes while providing for pedestrians, bicyclists, and para transit. The policies necessary for achieving livable cities: the effective implementation of integrated intermodal transportation systems. Traffic impact mitigation measures can be divided into two categories: those related to land use and those related to transportation.Two case studies in Bangkok, Thailand showed that measures related to land use were effective in reducing congestion in the area surrounding a development, while traffic-related measures were useful in al leviating site-specific impacts. In the centre of Bangkok, the ineffective implementation of measures related to land was considered one of the major causes of traffic congestion. It is recommended that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should develop more explicit policy tools for mitigating the traffic impact of new developments.DEFINATION OF LIVEABLE CITY A liveable city is cities that provide a good quality of life for its citizens. * Develop in an environmentally responsible manner * Sustain a robust a vibrant economy BACKGROUND Penang is a state in northern part of peninsular Malaysia. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia and consists of Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the mainland. Penang Island consists of about 1048 km2, with an estimated population of around 1520 thousand, while Seberang Perai occupies an area of about 738 sq km, with a population of 670 thousand.The major urban centers on the island are Georgetown, which is the administrative centre, and Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam on the mainland. Penang Island has an international airport and is linked by a ferry service and a bridge to the mainland. The major port facilities are on the mainland, while passengers and minor cargo vessels are handled at Swettenham Pier on the island. Penang is a highly urbanized state, with a vibrant economy driven primarily by manufacturing industry and tourism.Known as the â€Å"Silicon Valley of Asia†, it is home to most of the major electronics and semiconductor giants in the world and is a major centre for international industrial investment. With its beaches, multicultural and heritage attractions, Penang is also a leading tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. Until the current financial crisis, the state was experiencing a rapid rate of economic growth with an average of 12 per cent growth in gross domestic product between 1992 and 1997. CURRENT URBAN TRANSPORT ISSUES IN PENANGCities are locations hav ing a high level of accumulation and concentration of economic activities and are complex spatial structures that are supported by transport systems. The larger the city, the greater its complexity and the potential for disruptions, particularly when this complexity is not effectively managed. The most important transport problems are often related to urban areas and take place when transport systems, for a variety of reasons, cannot satisfy the numerous requirements of urban mobility.Urban productivity is highly dependent on the efficiency of its transport system to move labor, consumers and freight between multiple origins and destinations. Additionally, important transport terminals such as ports, airports, and rail are located within urban areas, contributing to a specific array of problems. Among the most notable urban transport problems are: i. High private vehicle dependency To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ ii. Public transport inadequacyThe limited capacity, poor reliability a nd quality of public transport facilities in the state is a major determinant of mode of transport choice. Presently, over 60 per cent of those travelling by bus (schoolchildren, factory workers, migrant workers, the poor and elderly) are captive passengers who do not own a private vehicle (Penang State Government 1995). Despite significant improvements having been made to the bus system in the last few years, such as the introduction of air-conditioned buses and minibuses and the expansion of routes, the proportion of bus passengers on he busiest routes is estimated to remain below 30 per cent. While bus users complain about delays and missed schedules, bus operators are frustrated by buses being unable to follow fixed schedules due to traffic congestion during peak hours. iii. High rate of traffic accidents The number of road accidents in the state more than doubled between 1991 and 1995, while the number of casualties and deaths increased by 235 per cent and 175 per cent respecti vely. Casualties per 1,000 vehicles also increased from 3. 5 in 1991 to 9. in 1995. The rate of fatalities in 1995 (34 per 100,000) was more than twice that in 1991 (13 per 100,000) and significantly higher than the level considered acceptable (5-10 per 100,000). More than 50 per cent of fatalities and 60 per cent of casualties are motorcyclists. It is also significant to note that between 1992 and 1996, 12 to 15 per cent of total fatalities and 10 to 13 per cent of total casualties were pedestrians, and 5 to 7 per cent of total fatalities and 5 to 6 per cent of total casualties were cyclists. iv.Inadequate facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility-impaired Existing pedestrian footways are of inadequate quality and do not provide sufficient levels of safety and comfort to encourage walking. Facilities for cyclists, such as bicycle lanes, are non-existent. The transportation needs of the mobility-impaired such as the elderly and the disabled, as well as those of young chi ldren have also been seriously neglected. v. Traffic Congestion and parking difficulties Traffic congestion in Penang has reached fairly serious levels due to the rapid increase in traffic volumes on the major urban roads.Traffic volumes between 1975 and 1995 more than doubled on most roads, with increases of up to 5 times on certain road sections in Seberang Perai. In terms of vehicle concentration, there has been an increase of almost 40 per cent since 1980, with an estimated doubling in travel delays. Traffic is growing at an average of 7 per cent annually on most of the major roads in the state (Highway Planning Unit 1995) in close correlation with the average 8 per cent annual growth rate in the total number of cars and motorcycles.While congestion reduces travel speed, which causes much inconvenience and economic loss, it also results in higher vehicle emissions due to engine idling and the frequent acceleration and deceleration associated with stop-and-go conditions, as most vehicle emissions (except nitrogen oxides) typically decrease with speed. vi. Environmental impacts and energy consumption To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ SUGGESTION * Improve bus service with Rapid Penang [Initiatives by Penang State Government] To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Introduce Park and Ride System [Bridge Express Shuttle Service] The BEST service was introduced by the Penang State Government in March 2011 as the country's first park and ride service as an effort to promote more efficient connectivity via public transport in the state. On average, some 800 passengers commute between Penang island and the mainland daily. From 3 September 2012, in addition to the existing park and ride hub at Sunway Carnival Mall, the BEST service introduced two new feeder hubs at Bandar Perda and Auto City at Juru. Save on fuel and toll charges, park your car and take a free ride on the BEST service.If you stay on the mainland and drive to work daily in the Bayan Lepas FIZ, the BEST service i s made for you. Park your car at Sunway Carnival Mall for RM 1. 00 (per entry) or park for FREE at Bandar Perda* and Auto City. BEST covers all areas in FIZ 1, 2, 3, 4, Technoplex and BLlP. -lQ the evening, the BEST service takes you back to your car. * CATS (CENTRAL AREA TRANSIT SERVICE) Rapid Penang CAT (Central Area Transit) is the free bus service funded by Penang state government with frequencies of every 20-30minutes around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown.Tourist can just hop on the bus without any fare. * Cycling action plan To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ * Improve public space leads to increase quality of life To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ * Walking areas, proper sidewalks and car-restricted zones To be continuing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ CONCLUSION REFERENCES DAP PENANG . (February 5th, 2013). Building a cycling city. Available: http://dappg. org/11735/cky_20130204b/. Last accessed 27 Feb 2013. Vukan R. Vuchic (December 31, 1999). Transportation for livable cities. US: C enter for Urban Policy Research. 376.Liang Fook Lye, Gang Chen (2010). Towards a Livable and Sustainable Urban Environment: Eco-Cities in East Asia. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.. 222. HOKAO, K ; MOHAMED, S S (1999). TRAFFIC IMPACT MITIGATION FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS: A WAY TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MAJOR CITIES. London: Transport Research Laboratory. 1-32. Dietrich Garbrecht. (1999). Walkability: A Prerequisite for Livable Cities. Available: http://www. livablecities. org/blog/walkability-prerequisite-livable-cities. Last accessed 1 March 2013 .

Racism in America Today Essay

Racism has been a terrible problem in American society for hundreds of years. Racism issues are not limited to one specific race, but include all races. It is the responsibility of the people of this nation to address racism and learn to accept and embrace each other for our differences, and allow this great nation to become even more united for our sake and the sake of future generations. To eliminate racism it is imperative to know first, where racism started and how it has developed, why it continues to be present in our nation today, and what we must do as a people to overcome this major problem. History The Middle Passage was the system set up as a form of triangular trade that forced millions of innocent humans from their homes in Africa, and forced them to become slaves as part of the Atlantic slave trade. These people were essentially traded as slaves for materials, food, supplies etc. Many of the enslaved Africans were shipped to the Caribbean and the Americas. The Middle Passage route began in Europe where they left with the manufactured goods and headed to Africa. The goods were then traded for the slaves, and then the ships set off for the Americas and Caribbean islands (Stoddard). After the trading was done there the ships would return back to Europe. According to Elizabeth Mancke, and Carole Shammas authors of, â€Å"The Creation of the British Atlantic World,† they write, â€Å"An estimated 15% of the Africans died at sea, with mortality rates considerably higher in Africa itself in the process of capturing and transporting indigenous peoples to the ships. The total number of African deaths directly attributable to the Middle Passage voyage is estimated at up to two million; a broader look at African deaths directly attributable to the institution of slavery from 1500 to 1900 suggests up to four million African deaths. † Historian Lisa Vox expounds on the origin of slavery in North America in her article â€Å"The Start of Slavery in North America. † Vox states that, â€Å"Historians normally date the start of slavery in the North American colonies to 1619. That year, a Dutch ship carrying African slaves docked at Point Comfort, which served as Jamestown’s checkpoint for ships wanting to trade with the colonists. The crew of the Dutch ship was starving, and as John Rolfe noted in a letter to the Virginia Company’s treasurer Edwin Sandys, the Dutch traded 20 African slaves for food and supplies. † It was not until the early nineteenth century that this practice was banned with a hefty penalty for those individuals that were found participating in it. Other groups of people were affected by racism as well. When Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, he discovered the Native American Indians which he referred to as â€Å"savages. † The Europeans deemed the Native Americans as uneducated, uncivilized creatures, and treated them as such. Native Americans were manipulated and taken advantage of by the European people, and treated more like animals than human beings. This was another historical beginning of racism in America. As America began to flourish in the mid nineteenth century, many immigrants (Irish, Chinese, Norwegians, and the Italians to name a few) flocked to the New World to seek fortune and freedom. The accumulation of many different cultures, beliefs, and ethnicities resulted in nicknaming the United States as the â€Å"melting pot. † While they were all united in their resolve to be free and determined to live the â€Å"American dream,† prejudices began to form as one race considered itself superior to the others. Americans were not happy that there were others so willing to take low pay for the jobs that they were scarcely available. There was low tolerance for different cultures and beliefs. Immigrants sought refuge and segregated themselves from one another by forming their own communities, thus resulting in â€Å"Little Italy† and â€Å"Chinatown† etc. Prejudices dissolved somewhat with the initiation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, along with the Bill of Rights. The Emancipation Proclamation was released in 1863 at the conclusion of the Civil War; however, slavery was not made illegal everywhere in the U. S. until the Thirteenth Amendment took effect in December 1865. Even though slavery was outlawed, there continued to be a strong segregation between the whites and African Americans. Although the Constitution states that â€Å"all men are created equal,† Latinos, Native Americans, African Americans, and other ethnicities were not receiving this kind of treatment. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, many groups were formed to combat this problem of inequality. Groups such as the Black Panthers, and the Japanese American Citizens League sought to protest to gain equal rights. Such Civil Rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. participated in nonviolent protesting to fight for these rights. In Alabama Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person and was arrested for it, this lead to the Montgomery Bus Boycott where African Americans refused to use the buses for almost a year, and then the state ruled that it was unconstitutional to have segregated buses. It was through leaders and acts like the one just mentioned that have ended segregations and given equal rights to all Americans. Post- Racial In 2008 after Barack Obama was elected president, during the time leading up to his inauguration, it was said that many people heard for the first time, the term post-racial. The term post-racism represented a new era initiated by putting the first African-American president in office. Several people expected, believed, hoped or wanted that this new presidency would change how racism was viewed and experienced in this land of the free and home of the brave. Many individuals wanted to be able to come to this country and be a part of the great opportunity that is presented in America. They wanted to embrace a country with freedom and with a democratic government. These are a few of the things that people from other countries can only hope for and dream that someday they might make the money for the documentation and be able pay for the trip over to this land of opportunity. There are many who make the trip with expectations in their heads of how wonderful it will be upon arrival to the United States. Unfortunately not all of these individuals receive a warm welcome upon entry to this country. Racism happens to every race. Depending on what race someone might be, or what town or city that person may go it is very possible that they will feel that they are not wanted there. In the following example Kevin Merida, a writer for the Washington Post, writes about an incident in his article, â€Å"Racist Incidents Give Some Obama Campaigners Pause. † While campaigning for Barack Obama in Indiana, Danielle Ross and her group experienced a horrible response that none of them expected. Ross recalled on that day that, â€Å"The first person I encountered was like, ‘I’ll never vote for a black person. † This does not sound like racism is out of our mists. On a National Public Radio broadcast, Rebecca Roberts interviews Ralph Eubanks author of â€Å"The House at the End of the Road. † Roberts asks Eubanks to define post-racial and his response is as follows, â€Å"I think there are two popular definitions of post-racial. I think the first definition is that we are – it’s where race is no longer an issue or an impediment to progress in American society. I think that’s one way that it is often defined. Another way that it is defined is that moving – that post-racial means a color-blind society where race is not an issue. We are all Americans, and we’re just completely color blind. So, there are issues with both of those definitions, and where we’re actually moving is somewhere in between those. † For a majority of Americans, this is the goal that is in the back of their minds. Every man is created equal; everyone has the same rights, and is not judged by the color of skin they were born with. This great nation has taken steps in that direction. America is not the same place as it was in the 1950’s. Members of minority groups are not invisible like they were back then. Eubanks talks more about how he does not think that there will ever be a post-racial society because of our demographics. He believes that a post-racial society is something to always hope for, and strive towards, but pictures a multi-racial society with many different components to it. And a lot of that depends on, over the next 20 years, where our demographics take us (Roberts). Striving towards the ideal of having a color blind society will not come to past by evading the issue. Stopping racism When the topic of racism comes up many may think, â€Å"Oh no, here we go again, someone else complaining about racism. Or, why do we have to talk about this? Isn’t it time we moved on? † This may be a very uncomfortable the topic for countless American, but this is a conversation that needs to happen and continue to happen until this problem ceases to exists. It won’t disappear just because we choose not to mention it. Tim Wise, writer for timwise.org, talks about the problem of racism here in America in his article â€Å"Denial, Evasion Won’t Solve Racism. † Wise says that, â€Å"Indeed, the problem is not talking about racism but racism itself: Contrary to popular belief, race is not merely a card played by those who wish to stir up resentment. Instead it is a real and persistent determiner of who has what and why in this country. † Nobody can help what family they are born into, or what color their skin might be. Looking at the issue of race from a spiritual stand point, we are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. Why would one human being think less of the other? The golden rule says that we do unto others like you would want them to do unto you. These are simple solutions to a giant problem. Like mentioned earlier, many are tired of hearing about these things, but however tired many are of hearing about this, people of color are more sick and tired of living it. Conclusion To eliminate racism it is imperative to know first, where racism started and how it has progressed so that mistakes from the past can be avoided. By understanding why it continues to be present in our nation today, one can understand that there are significant changes that need to take place in order for this problem to be overcome. In concurrence with Wise, â€Å"until whites join with our black and brown brothers and sisters to put an end to the kind of racial inequity described above, we’ll continue to be confronted with the uneasy conversations, as well we should be. † It will take courage, consistency, and time just as it has already, but we are making progress and in due time this nation will become all that our founding fathers dreamed it would be. Works Cited Mancke, Elizabeth and Shammas, Carole. The Creation of the British Atlantic World. 2005, page 30-1. Merida, Kevin. â€Å"Racist Incidents Give Some Obama Campaigners Pause. † Washingtonpost. com. Web. 13 May 2008. Roberts, Rebecca. The ‘Post-Racial’ Conversation, One Year In. Interview with Ralph Eubanks. National Public Radio: 2010. Print. Stoddard, B. , Murphy, D. Ph. D. â€Å"The Issue of Slavery†. Netplaces. com. Web. 25 April 2012 Wise, Tim. â€Å"Denial, Evasion Won’t Solve Racism. † Lexington Herald-Leader. 10 Nov. 2003.

Veteran Administration Nursing Home Reform

Veteran Administration Nursing Home Reform Veterans Groups Call for VA Nursing Home Reform Six national veterans groups- including the American Legion- have called for the federal government to reform the standards of care residents receive at all Veterans Administration (VA) nursing home facilities. A detailed article on their concerns is available here.The six national veterans groups- representing nearly 5 million veterans- say Americans who risked their lives for their country endure conditions they call nothing short of horrifying.Their demands to improve care at all VA nursing home facilities came after a recent report detailing substandard care and a blatant disregard for safety at a facility in Brockton, Massachusetts.The ClaimsA former nurse at the facility alleges nurses and aides did not empty urinals, failed to provide water, did not regularly check on residents and slept on the job.In addition to the American Legion, other notable groups calling for reform include AmVets, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and t he Vietnam Veterans of America. Collectively, they are known as the â€Å"big six† for their political influence in Washington.The RatingsIn September, President Trump signed legislation requiring the VA to publish quality ratings, which are based on the VA’s internal rating system. The investigation by the Boston Globe and USA Today revealed care received at many VA nursing homes is significantly worse than private facilities.In fact, the agency’s own rating system gave 93 facilities two out of five stars for quality. Unfortunately, this data demonstrates that the majority of the 133 nursing homes that the VA operates are severely lacking proper care for their nearly 46,000 residents.Data released by the VA shows 95 of these facilities scored below private nursing homes in most quality indicators, including infection rates, bed sores and pain levels.The VA has yet to release the results of their own internal inspections. Such reports typically include instances of neglect or poor conditions encountered inside a nursing home facility.We Can HelpIf you are disabled and unable to work, call Disability Attorneys of Michigan for a free confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check and help you determine if any money or assets you receive could impact your eligibility for disability benefits.Disability Attorneys of Michigan works hard every day helping the disabled of Michigan seek the Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability benefits they need. If you are unable to work due to a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment; call Disability Attorneys of Michigan now for a free consultation at 800-949- 2900.Let Michigan’s experienced disability law firm help you get the benefits you deserve.Disability Attorneys of Michigan, Compassionate Excellence. Michigan Veteran Disability Lawyers, Michigan Veterans Benefits, Michigan Veterans Disability Attorneys, Veteran Nursing Home Reform

Homing In and Plain Honing

Homing In and Plain Honing Homing In and Plain Honing Homing In and Plain Honing By Maeve Maddox Kristi Landis writes: When one wants to get more detail on something is it called â€Å"homes in† or â€Å"hones in†? Until I researched this question, I knew of only two uses of hone as a verb: the literal meaning of â€Å"to sharpen,† as on a whetstone (also known as a â€Å"hone†), and the figurative meaning â€Å"to improve,† as in â€Å"to hone one’s skills.† Hone Your Skills: Become A Better Data Center Manager Honing Skills: This section is devoted to articles on honing and improving your writing skills, by editing, critiquing or discussion. Tomko looks to hone his skills during â€Å"lull† in WWE career Surgeons Hone Skills on Nintendo Wii The OED also gives these dialect meanings for hone as a verb: to delay, tarry, hesitate; to whine or pine for; to hanker after. I’ve heard and read the expression â€Å"to hone in† used with the sense of focus on or get closer to, but always assumed that it was a mistake for â€Å"to home in.† Ive always assumed that the expression to home in originated with â€Å"homing pigeons that return to the place they were hatched. However, in the OED examples of early use, â€Å"home† is used without the â€Å"in†: 1875 Live Stock Jrnl. 23 Apr. 57/3 Pigeons home by sight and instinct. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 12 Apr. 9/1 The first [pigeon] homed at nine oclock. The homing habits of pigeons may have caused aircraft technology to adopt the verb: 1920 Wireless World Mar. 728/2 The pilot can detect instantly from the signals, especially if ‘homing’ towards a beacon. 1956 Amer. Speech XXXI. 228 A good officer could even ‘home in on a bottle of whisky’ placed on the landing field. This use of â€Å"home in on’ is used figuratively to describe other ways in which one comes closer to an object or subject of importance: 1971 New Scientist 16 Sept. 629/1 Mexicos Professor S. F. Beltran homed in on education as a critical need. Substituting â€Å"hone† for â€Å"home† in the expression may have begun as an eggcorn, but it has become common enough for the OED to give it its own entry: intr. to hone in. To head directly for something; to turn ones attention intently towards something. Usu. with â€Å"on†. Cf. HOME Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What is the Difference Between "These" and "Those"?Driver License vs. Driver’s LicenseAffect vs. Effect

Competitive Position of Thorntons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Competitive Position of Thorntons - Essay Example In case of Thorntons, their competitive nature is indeed numerical and the company can generate and withstand different levels of income in reference to its structure. The competition nature of Thorntons is advantageous since the company operates on seasonal bases. Therefore, business becomes partial as government influences rising cost of energy by use of economic factors that may influence positive results on cost of production as well on total sustainability cost. Furthermore, microenvironment is another Thorntons position of competition. Performance indicators like level of growth, volume of sales, and price of shares reveal that this company has a higher competition position. This is prevalent due to amount of revenue collected in 2010 shrunk to 0.1 percent because of challenges the company underwent. Additionally, Thorntons witnessed significant loss of share price in the beginning of 2012. What caused this, according to Thorntorns, is the passing typical situation of its sales and the taking over of Cadbury by Kraft. However, Kraft’s take over of Cadbury affected Thorntons since the overall chocolate industry has grown by four percent which is a total of 3.6 billion a margin Thorntons cannot reach hence they cannot compete. Despite the huge potential Thorntons have, their competitive position continue to dwindle since its profit earnings dropped by 0.1 percent at the fiscal end of June in 2010 compared to revenue earnings of 2009. As a result, the company’s operating cost increased thereby crippling its strategic operations. Thorntons level of competition is high since the company has clean reputation of over a hundred years in market. This serves it as a marketing tool. It is also multi-generational, as many people in Great Britain perceive the idea of chocolates is synonymous with the Thorntons. Due to franchise dollars that help the company bring in fiscal earnings over time, the level of competition continue to build and portray signifi cance sense of market growth. In relation to Porter’s five forces model, if Thornton’s wish to survive the current stiff market competition, it must put into consideration the following industrial contexts in order to help itself surpass this agony. First, they should evaluate the power of their suppliers. In spite of the advantage that they run their own stores, there is still deteriorating performance within its operations. Therefore, they should better their understanding of profits by differentiating the impact of inputs on cost, providing presence of substitute inputs in case of changes in market trends, and confirm their relative cost to total purchases (Hill & Jones, 2009:54). This will in turn reduce their operating costs hence achieve maximum benefits. In order for Thorntons to solve their relative issues, they should consider exploring other markets and produce other products as opposed to their niche commodities. Then using buyer power, which is one of Porte r’s five forces model, they should seek to provide variety of other products to increase buyer’s volume of purchase. They should also consider offering incentives to their prospective clients as part of enticing them, making them repeat customers thus fostering market expansion. It is clear that the management is striving to transform the operating length of the company into annual bases. However, the effort put is not adequate. Thereby,

Global food issue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global food issue - Research Paper Example ad cow disease, H5N1, H7N9, Norovirus Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus, among many others (â€Å"Avian Influenza†; â€Å"Foodborne Illness†; â€Å"Questions and Answers†). Kuchenmà ¼ller et al. supported the World Health Organization (WHO) Initiative of understanding the morbidity and mortality effects of international foodborne diseases and they noted that the latter have become an increasing global burden because of the complexity of understanding their concepts (i.e. concepts of food safety and risk assessment of biological hazards), causes, and pathways and finding appropriate immediate and long-term solutions. The paper defines food safety and risk management of food safety, identifies problems in the monitoring and determination of problem-response paths of the national and global food system, proposes solutions to improve it, and handles objections to the solutions. The current weaknesses in national autho rity and lack of multilateral agreements and effective international mechanisms that ensure and respond to issues of global food safety endanger consumers who access the global food system, so these agreements and improvements in international and national capacities are fundamental to increasing food safety. There is no single definition of food safety, even among international healthcare organizations that deal with it, so it is important to define it to identify emerging issues connected to it and to find different measures and strategies in managing it in the global food supply chain system. International and national healthcare organizations do not offer an exact definition of food safety, although they underscore its importance to the health and the integrity of the international food system (â€Å"Foodborne Illness†; â€Å"Questions and Answers†). Food safety, as a concept, is generally connected to food quality and security. In particular, it includes â€Å"the conditions and practices that preserve the