Thursday, December 26, 2019

A Business s Only Responsibility - 1013 Words

Appendix 1 B. Argumentation and Academic Essay Writing (CSR Essay) appendix: A business’s only responsibility is to produce profit. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Businesses should take social responsibility in addition to producing profits. Corporate social responsibility refers to a business practices that involves participating and make benefits to society. CSR is a way of companies benefiting themselves so; business should also take social responsibility instead of only taking profit. This is because taking on social responsibility benefits both the society and the companies themselves. CSR refers to a business practice that contributes to the economic development while improving the quality of life of not only the†¦show more content†¦As customers have the choice to choose where to consume, taking social responsibility in the business helps the business to gain confidence and faith from customers because it creates a nice and strong image. Hence, more business opportunities will be manufactured when the business takes social responsibility. Relationship with the customers, suppliers, employees and networks from cooperates may develop and be enhanced. Apart from these, the business will be more profitable. Because if the businesses are socially responsible, it allows the business to attract customers, which means the business will able to earn more. Business taking social responsibility can help the environment. Mainly large corporates can strongly influence the society, they can impact the world by taking social responsibility and guide customers and educate them such as donations. They can inspire other business. It is important for a business to have a good reputation. Taking social responsibility can reduce potential risk reputation suddenly being damaged so it increases the sustainability of the business. This is a worthwhile and easy way to build up a good reputation of the business. It helps for the company to kn ow its supply chain to help them in targeting customers more conveniently. This can also produce a certain and constant amount of customers to guarantee the income of theShow MoreRelatedDo You Agree with Milton Friedman’s (1970) Claim That: â€Å"the Only Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits†?2888 Words   |  12 PagesDo you agree with Milton Friedman’s (1970) claim that: â€Å"the only responsibility of business is to increase its profits†? Today we live in a world were companies are major actors and influence society on many levels. This is why ethics were brought into the business world. Ethical enterprises follow certain values and moral beliefs and were created with the supposed intention of using that influence in a positive way and protect what surrounds them, whether it is the people who work for the companyRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Responsibility1673 Words   |  7 PagesThe pattern of social responsibility will be demonstrated in this paper by noting a couple inquiries encompassing the thought and routine of social responsibility. The paper will start with characterizing the idea of social responsibility and noting the accompanying inquiries: What does Cohen feel is the social responsibility of a business to its workers, stakeholders, and society as a whole? How does this perspective align with that of Drucker? How does Cohen’s opinion compare with that of FriedmanRead MoreThe Importance Of Corpor ate Social Responsibility Development1196 Words   |  5 Pages Introduction Recent decades have witnessed the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility development in business landscapeï ¼Å'which is defined as be responsibility to all corporation activities with environment sustainable. Whether a small enterprise or a multinational company, CSR is an integral part of company to promote brand imageï ¼Å'enhance social harmony. And it also become a standard of company working measurement. Internallyï ¼Å'the CSR activities give staff respect and welfare, and forRead MoreSocial Responsibility And Business Ethics Essay1470 Words   |  6 PagesDrucker’s description of the role of social responsibility in business organizations and society. This paper will compare similarities and differences between Cohen’s perspective on social responsibility to the social responsibility and business ethics theories of Drucker and Milton Friedman. Furthermore, this paper will provide a frame of reference on corporate social responsibility and business ethi cs presented in other research. Social Responsibility Defined Cohen, 2009 wrote in his article thatRead MoreThe Conception Of Corporate Social Responsibility1236 Words   |  5 PagesSocial responsibility is the accountability of companies for the contacts of its results along with actions on civilization and the surroundings, through crystal clear and ethical performance with the purpose of gives to continue progress together with the strength and the benefit of people. The truth so as to the expressions itself has tainted above this point also recommends that the significance qualified to perception for example, corporate social responsibility will maintain to progress inRead MoreReview Of Corporate Responsibility Research1102 Words   |  5 Pages Corporate Responsibility Research :- Past—Present—Future(june 2015) 1. Abby Ghobadian 2. Kevin Money 3. Carola Hillenbrand Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK Carola Hillenbrand, Henley Business School, Henley-on-Thames, Greenlands, RG9 3AU, Oxfordshire, UK. ABSTRACT The concept of corporate responsibility (CR) has moved a long way over the past six decades, since Bowen’s book titled Social Responsibilities of the Businessman marked a modern era of business and societyRead MoreSocial Responsibility Of Business : Milton Friedman, The Famous Nobel Prize Winning Economist805 Words   |  4 Pagessaid there is 0:12 one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage 0:18 in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the 0:23 game. Friedman s comments characterize one of two perspectives related to business social 0:28 responsibility. On one hand we know that the primary objective of a business is the attainment 0:34 of profits. But does that mean that profits are the only factor that business managers 0:40 should considerRead MoreThe Concept Of Corporate Social Responsibility Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesThe Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility According to Pearce Robinson (2014), corporate social responsibility (CSR) is â€Å"the idea that business has a duty to serve society in general as well as the financial interests of stockholders.†(P.56) The concept of corporate social responsibility of the business operation must comply with sustainable development idea; the company should not only consider its own financial and operating conditions, but also think of its impacts on the social and environmentRead MoreEthical Perspective on Social Responsibility1456 Words   |  6 PagesEthical Perspective on Social Responsibility Social responsibility defined (3 views) * Responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent is consistent with sustainable development and the welfare of society * takes into account the expectations of stakeholders * is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with international norms and behavior * is integrated throughout theRead MoreThe Impact Of Corporate Social Responsibility On Business1626 Words   |  7 Pages In contrast, this research shows that the impact of corporate social responsibility can extend beyond public relations and customer goodwill to influence the way consumers evaluate a company s products. Specifically, this research documents that acts of social goodwill--even when they are unrelated to the company s core business, as in the case of charitable giving--can alter product perceptions, such that products of companies engaged in prosocial activities are perceived as performing better

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Health Care Systems Of The United States And The Netherlands

This paper presents a comparison of the health care systems in the United States and the Netherlands. The health care systems in the United States and the Netherlands are both a work in progress. This paper compares the many common strengths and weaknesses between these two countries health care systems using recent data and current trends. The government of the Netherlands has been working towards providing universal health coverage for their citizens since World War II. The government of the United States is divided on the necessity of providing universal health coverage for its citizens; however, it appears to be moving in this direction. The United States approximately 70 years behind the Netherlands on the health care front. Comparing the similarities and differences in the health care systems of the United States and the Netherlands gives a lot of insight into policy changes and reform that could benefit the United States. The continually improving health care system in the Netherlands may be the best model for the United States as it moves towards a Universal Health Care system. Keywords: Healthcare, Netherlands, United States, reform Health Care Reform: Comparing Health Care Systems of the United States and the Netherlands As the United States continues make improvements to its national health care system, it is important to look to the health care policies of other countries. We can learn a lot from noting what is working in regards to foreign healthShow MoreRelatedImplementing Universal Healthcare Coverage For All Citizens1715 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States is in a period of transition in regards to healthcare. After the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more widely known as â€Å"ObamaCare†, in 2010, many dissenting politicians looked towards Europe to find critiques of the universal systems already in place. The Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom were the main targets of allegations that the United States was attempting to become socialist. However, there is an alternative path to universal healthcare that may prov ideRead MoreThe Health Care System Of The United States1218 Words   |  5 PagesCurrently, The United States sits as the thirty-sixth best nation at delivering effective healthcare, and yet the US does so at over $8,200 per capita, more than two and half times the OECD average. This creates and incredibly paradoxical circumstance where â€Å"the most powerful, most innovative, and richest country [on] the plant† delivers on average one of the worst healthcare results among developed countries (Reid 28). Several countries including Canada, England, the Netherlands, France, and GermanyRead MoreMeasuring The U.s. Health Care System1248 Words   |  5 PagesMeasuring the U.S. Health Care System The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) reports and tracks over 1200 health systems annually (Alexander, 2010). Moreover, the organization assesses approximately 30 industrialized countries. The OECD collects data ranging from the citizens’ health status to almost all non-medical determinants of health care utilization and resources. For instance, according to the OECD analysis of 2008, the United States differs markedly from the restRead MoreBirth Practices Of Prenatal Care920 Words   |  4 PagesPrenatal to Neonatal in the Netherlands Sara Stewart Daytona State College â€Æ' Birth practices around the world vary greatly from one culture to another. I chose to take a look at the practices of the Netherlands to see how they differed and how they were the same in comparison to here in the United States. Most Dutch women seek prenatal care around week ten or eleven for first pregnancies and slightly later for subsequent pregnancies. The majority of prenatal care is provided by a midwife MidwivesRead MoreImplementing Universal Healthcare Coverage For All Citizens2024 Words   |  9 PagesThe United States is in a period of transition in regards to healthcare. After the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more widely known as â€Å"ObamaCare†, in 2010, many dissenting politicians looked towards Europe to find critiques of the universal systems already in place. Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom were the main targets of allegations that the United States was attempting to become socialist. However, there is an alternative path to universal healthcare that may provide aRead MorePersuasive Essay Pro Euthanasia954 Words   |  4 Pagesthe duty to die as elderly people, disabled population and depressed family members of patients could be pressured or coerced into ending own/patients’ lives for sake of others/themselves. Also at a time when health insurance coverage is in flux for millions of Americans due to health care laws such as ObamaCare, discussions of legalizing doctor-prescribed death under name of â€Å"patient’s will† seems dangerous. In the money-based world, assisted death might not be an alternative choice but a forcedRead MoreThe World Health Organization Essay examples594 Words   |  3 PagesThe World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations specialized agency for health, and was established on April 7, 1948. The WHOs objective, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. The WHO defines health in its Constitution as, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The World Health Organization uses several categories to establish standards that show how countries stand up to othersRead MoreHuman Trafficking Solutions902 Words   |  4 Pagestrafficking but many countries have parts of solutions to the problem. Germany and the Netherlands have legalized prostitution to help lower the sex trafficking numbers in their countries. While in the United States, in Nevada, prostitution has been legal since 1971. In 2013, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws wrote the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking, to help states have a consistent basis for understanding and punishment of human traffickingRead MoreBarriers and Disparities for Patients Seeking Mental Health Care794 Words   |  3 Pagesmental health care. In a study done in 2007, titled Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Service Utilization in the United States, Ontario and the Netherlands (Sareen, Jagdeo, Cox, Clara, de Graaf Stein) it was reported that attitudinal barriers frequently cause Americans to not seek care for mental health issues. These barriers include thinking that the mental illness will fix itself and not believing that psychiatric care is helpful (Boyd, 2011). A lot of people do not get mental health careRead MoreHomelessness Intervention Paper : Homelessness1134 Words   |  5 Pagesare â€Å"frequently unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education† (nationalcoalitionforthehomeless.org). Housing accounts for a major percentage of income and often must be eliminated. â€Å"Two issues that contribute to increasing poverty are: eroding employment opportunities for large segments of the workforce and the declining availability of public assistance† (nationalcoalitionforthehomeless.org). The United States official definition of homelessness is: A homeless individual

Monday, December 9, 2019

Aristotle was born in 384 BC and lived until 322 B Essay Example For Students

Aristotle was born in 384 BC and lived until 322 B Essay C. He was a Greek philosopher and scientist, who shares with Plato being considered the most famous of ancient philosophers. He was born at Stagira, in Macedonia, the son of a physician to the royal court. When he was 17, he went to Athens to study at Platos Academy. He stayed for about 20 years, as a student and then as a teacher. When Plato died in 347 BC, Aristotle moved to Assos, a city in Asia Minor, where a friend of his named Hermias was the ruler. He counseled Hermias and married his niece and adopted daughter, Pythias (wierd names, huh). After Hermias was captured and executed by the Persians, Aristotle went to Pella, Macedonias capital, and became the tutor of the kings young son Alexander, later known as Alexander the Great. In 335, when Alexander became king, Aristotle went back to Athens and established his own school, the Lyceum.Since a lot of the lessons happened when teachers and students were walking, it was nicknamed the Peripatetic school (Peripatetic means walking). When Alexander died in 323 BC, strong anti-Macedonian feeling was felt in Athens, and Aristotle went to a family estate in Euboea. He died there the following year. We will write a custom essay on Aristotle was born in 384 BC and lived until 322 B specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Aristotle, like Plato, used his dialogue in his beginning years at the Academy. Apart from a few fragments in the works of later writers, his dialogues have been wholly lost. Aristotle also wrote some short technical writings, including a dictionary of philosophic terms and a summary of the doctrines of Pythagoras (the guy from the Pythagorean Theorem). Of these, only a few short pieces have survived. Still in good shape, though, are Aristotles lecture notes for carefully outlined courses treating almost every type of knowledge and art. The writings that made him famous are mostly these, which were collected by other editors. Among the writings are short informative lectures on logic, called Organon (which means instrument), because they provide the means by which positive knowledge is to be attained(Theyre not my words, Im quoting him). His writing on natural science include Physics, which gives a huge amount of information on astronomy, meteorology, plants, and animals. His writings on the nature, scope, and properties of being, (I know what one of them means!) which Aristotle called First Philosophy (to him it was Prote philosophia), were given the title Metaphysics in the first published version of his works (around 60 BC), because in that edition they followed Physics. His belief of the Prime Mover, or first cause, was pure intellect, perfect in unity,immutable, and, as he said, the thought of thought, is given in the Metaphysics. Other famous works include his Rhetoric, his Poetics (which we only have incomplete pieces of), and his Politics (also incomplete). Because of the influence of his fathers medical profession, Aristotles philosophy was mainly stressed on biology, the opposite of Platos emphasis on mathematics. Aristotle regarded the world as made up of individuals (substances) occurring in fixed natural kinds (species) (more confusing quotes, yippey!). He said each individual has its built-in specific pattern of development and grows toward proper self-realization as a specimen of its type. Growth, purpose, and direction are thus built into nature. Although science studies many things, according to Aristotle, these things find their existence in particular individuals. Science and philosophy must therefore balance, not simply choose between, the claims of empiricism (observation and sense experience) and formalism (rational deduction).One of the most famous of Aristotles contributions was a new notion of causality. Each thing or event, he thought, has more than one reason that helps to explain what, why, and where it is. Earlier G reek thinkers thought that only one sort of cause can explain itself; Aristotle said four.(The word Aristotle uses, aition, a responsible, explanatory factor is not the same as the word cause now.)These four causes are the material cause, (the matter out of which a thing is made); the efficient cause, (the source of motion, generation, or change); the formal cause, (the species, kind, or type); and the final cause, (the goal, or full development, of an individual, or the intended function of a construction or invention.) Although I dont know what these mean, they sound philosophical. An example he gave is a young lion is made up of tissues and organs, its material cause; the efficient cause is its parents, who generated it; the formal cause is its species, lion; and its final cause is its built-in drive toward maturity. Another example he gave is the material cause of a statue is the marble from which it was carved; the efficient cause is the sculptor; the formal cause is the shape the sculptor realized Hermes, perhaps; and the final cause is its function, to be a work of fine art.In each wy, Aristotle says that something can be better understood when its causes can be said in specific terms rather than in general terms. So it is more informative to know that a sculptor made the statue than to know that an artist made it; and even more informative to know that Polycleitus chiseled it rather than simply that a sculptor did so. .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .postImageUrl , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:hover , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:visited , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:active { border:0!important; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:active , .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud21a98150ffed5831d78d77d956da4ab:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Will to Wonder EssayIn astronomy, Aristotle proposed a finite, spherical universe, with the earth at its center. The center is made up of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. In Aristotles physics, all of these four elements has a right place, determined by its relative heaviness, its specific gravity. Each moves naturally in a straight line. Earth goes down, fire up toward its proper place, where it will be at rest. So Earths motion is always in a line and always comes to a halt. The heavens, though, move naturally and endlessly in a complex circular motion. The heavens, according to, must be made of a fifth, and different element, which he called aither. The strongest element, aither cant change other than change of place in a circle movement. Aristotles theory that linear motion always takes place through a resisting medium is actually true for all planets that we can see motions. Honestly, to me it seems like Aristotle was crazy. Many of his theories were completely false, and I dont really understand why he is so famous. If I started saying the things he says now, Id be thrown into a mental hospital.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Ultima, Bless Me Essay Example

Ultima, Bless Me Essay Irma Rosero AFPRL 356 Latino Literature Sec 051 September 18, 2011 Cultural and Religious Identity: Bless me, Ultima Bless Ultima, me, is a novel written by Rudolfo Anaya in 1972. The story starts in 1940 during and after World Word II in Guadalupe, New Mexico. The main character is Antonio. Anaya describes Antonio’s childhood through a life changing journey. Also, Ultima, the â€Å" curandera† who helped his mother in childbirth has a strong presence in his spiritual growth and development. Antonio portrays a human being with internal struggles and experiences that conflict with tradition, beliefs, faith, religion and find acceptance of change and growth. Antonio’s familia education is tense with the two opposing symbols of Spanish colonization, his mother’s family, the Lunas, and his father ‘s family, the Marez. The Lunas represent the indigenous people, tied to the earth by their farming; whereas, the Marez represent the conquistadors, freely roaming the llano. Through the novel, Antonio is divided between his Luna blood and his Marez blood, always trying to decide between the two and please his parents desire. This one will be a Luna†¦. he will be a farmer and keep our customs and traditions. Perhaps God will be bless our family and make the baby a priest†¦Then the silence was shattered with the thunder of hoof beats; vaqueros surrounded the small house†¦He is a Marez†¦His forefathers were conquistadores, men as restless as the seas they sailed and as free as the land they conquered† (pag. 5-6). Anaya remarks on the difficult time Antonio has to go through. He will have to choose to be his â€Å"mother’s priest† or â€Å"his father’s son† (41). We will write a custom essay sample on Ultima, Bless Me specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ultima, Bless Me specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ultima, Bless Me specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Antonio’s parents constantly argue about Antonio’s destiny. 2 Antonio Mares, through the story witness many situations that cause conflict with his beliefs and religion. He discovers the magic of a pagan God called The Golden Carp and magic ‘s Ultima that is superior to the power of the Church. Anaya uses Ultima as representing all religious beliefs, which is what gives her power. She respects and reveres God, the Virgin, the Golden Carp, and the earth equally. The conflict emerge choosing between Native American religion and traditional Catholicism. Ultima guides and mentors Antonio to make his own religious choice. The first event occurred when his friend Cico tells him that the Golden Carp is a God that has taken mortal form ,and watches over its people. He asks Ultima about this legend, she tells him that it is true. This answer makes him start doubting the Christian Church. Ultima helps him to find his own path but it could lead him away from the Church. The second event that affects Antonio’s faith, is when Lucas his friend is dying of the witches curse. doctors and priest s come to try and save him but they can not. The 3rd challenge to his Christian’s Faith is when Ultima’s Power is greater than the churches, when she removes the curse of the Tellez family. The author portrays Ultima as a mysterious, magical and luminous character that appears in Antonio’s life the day he was born. â€Å" A cry came to my throat, and I wanted to shout it and run in the beauty I had found† (pag. 12). Antonio admired Ultima and praised her presence because every time she was around, he felt a deep sense of warmth and comfort. â€Å" As Ultima walked past me I smelled the sweet fragrance of herbs (pag ) The author uses the name Ultima with a purpose. Ultima is a Spanish word meaning ultimate or the end. Ultima is special for Antonio since the first time he sees her. She is the unification between the beginning and the end. She is the mentor and guide who helps him from the beginning to find his path to reconcile his cultural and religious conflicts. Ultima has an strong bond of spiritu al affection with Antonio. He has to suffer the rejection of people attacking her as a witch. Ultima is considered a witch with black powers. But Anaya shows us that Ultima is a witch not like Trementina sisters, Ultima is a witch with white power. She uses her power to help people not hurt them. In the events discussed before, Antonio seems to question his religion. He doubts his desire to be a Priest. At the beginning, he attends church willingly and i very interested in Religion. He is eager to learn the Catholic prayers and take Communion classes to pleased his mother religious conditioning. He wonder if God is still alive or exist, because he recalls all the times when God has failed where Ultima has succeeded. In Antonio’s mind, the Priest should have no trouble at all with witches, since their powers are nothing compared to the all strength manifested in the priest by the Church. Antonio believes the power of God is so potent, that â€Å"all you have to do is to lift your right hand and cross your right thumbs over your first finger and form the sign of the cross. No evil can challenge that cross† (pag 55). 4 With many failures and no answers from God, he is away from Catholicism so that he questions a God in whom he has no more trust or strong feelings. He questions God’s love and ability to know all and see all, considering that perhaps† God is to busy in Heaven to worry or care about us† (pag 187). The crucial event that leads Antonio disbelief in God is his first communion. When the answers do not come from God, he is extremely disillusioned, wondering why â€Å"there was only silence† (pag 221). At this point, he becomes very unsatisfied with the Catholic religion, wanting something more concrete and tangible like the Golden Carp. Episode 22 finds him trying to pray the Act of Contrition for his friend Florence, but he knows that it is useless because Florence is an atheist. Antonio is also failing his mother’ desire to be a Priest. He begins to abandon the traditional beliefs that he had nurtured in his heart for so long. Ultima advises Antonio to make his own religious choices: â€Å" I cannot tell you what to believe†¦. As you grow into manhood you must find your own truths†(pag 119). The author seems to convey and compare those difficult moments in Antonio’s journey as it happens in our daily lives. When we are in conflict, we enter in an area of darkness and turbulence as Antonio’s dreams. Anaya uses in story elements and symbols of nature to represent the frightening and unsafe. Stormy weather that represent conflict, tension that disrupts the peace and harmony. The wind and thunder represent forces of disturbances, â€Å" a flash of lighting struck and out of the thunder a dark figure stepped forth† (pag 71). Anaya creates the perfect scene to sense the feelings of turbulence and the agitation during the story. 5 The author mentions the Owl. The Owl is a major symbol in Hispanic Culture, it is an evil bird. It is considered a bad luck. However, in this story the owl is meant to be protector, Ultima’s soul. It represents life force, and power of religious mysticism. The Virgin of Guadalupe, the name of the Town: represents forgiveness and understanding. Antonio’s mother has a two foot big statue of the Virgin. He loves the Virgin more than any of the saints because of what she represents. The Golden Carp as a symbol that represents an alternative religion to the Catholicism that Antonio was raised in. The imagery used to describe Antonio’s family also links the human world to the wider cosmo, The family name Marez means â€Å"sea† like Antonio’s ancestor. The men of the llano are known as men of the sea, because they are wild like the ocean. In contrast, the men from the farms along the rivers, where Antonio’s mother comes from, are associated with the moon. This can be seen in their name Lunas and in the village where they live. El Puerto de la Luna, which means the door of the moon. The Lunas live all aspect of their lives in harmony with the changing phases of the moon. . The reader notices the repetition of the number three. The three sources of understand for Antonio (Ultima, God and Golden Carp). The three deaths that Antonio witnesses, (Lupito, Narciso and Tenorio). And The three Trementina Sisters. The number Three is related to Blessed Trinity. God is one God, He exists in three distinc persons, God, Son and the Holy Spirit. Anaya uses powerful images to evoke multiple responses from his headers. 6 Anaya the narrator, sets up a dialogue between Antonio and Ultima. He admits that he uses his personal experience and those of others in his childhood to construct the story. He uses Antonio as reliable narrator whom the readers can trust. Finally, at the end, Antonio understands the balance Ultima has taught him; he must be Marez and Luna and have a balance between all religious beliefs to truly be a man of learning. In the story Ultima appears to him and explains that he must see beyond himself: â€Å"You have to been seeing only parts†¦and not looking beyond into the great cycle that binds us all â€Å" (121). He learns all beliefs are bound together into a balanced system. Ultima allows him the freedom to make his own decisions. Antonio finds his inner strength, when he goes to stay with his uncles in El Puerto for the summer. Ultima knows that when he returns he will be a different person. â€Å"Be prepared to see things change when you return†¦. You are growing, and growth is change. Accept the change, make it part of your strength† (pag. 245). Antonio discovers a way to reconcile his conflicting religion and beliefs as different issues that occur in his life. He must take the best characteristics of the Mares and Lunas. Also, accept different religion and beliefs to create his personal faith and make himself stronger. â€Å" Maybe I do not have to be just Marez, or Luna, perhaps I can be both† (pag 247). 7 Anaya includes in the story the value of friendship. It was a very important aspect of Antonio’s life. Although his friends were involved in a lot of conflicts, their bond never did not break. During the story the author conveys to the readers about change as a process of life. The process of entering the adolescence is simile as a loss that is to be mourned and accepted. Antonio senses that his friends are also changing â€Å"Vitamina Kid does not want to race anymore† Antonio mourns the loss of â€Å"something good†. When Ultima dies, he is able to understand the link between change and violence, chaos and harmony. Ultima’s death serves to reinstate the harmony of the world. He comforts himself at the end of the story, because he understands he had changed â€Å"no more a child† . He understands that Death is a natural cycle of life and a change that is necessary for life to continue. He knows that Ultima is someone especial and she makes a big impact in his life. Anaya expresses his point through the story that not everyone has the same truth. We find our own truth â€Å"by testing, each and everything that comes your way and not missing out† (pag. 119). Through Ultima’s teachings, we see Anaya challenging the values of the traditional Christian Church. The author intends to suggests the need for a more holistic or diverse view of religion. Anaya uses Ultima her character as a metaphor of understanding, acceptance and tolerance. Her actions show us, that the understanding is based in building the character according experiences of life. In this way, a person cannot think in terms of absolutes. 8 Antonio finally learns the strength of truths is to explore and patiently accept and growth. â€Å"But as you growth into manhood you must not despair of life, but gather strength to sustain you†¦. â€Å" (pag 245) Ultima is a firm believer in tolerance and understanding. She teaches that different belief system can offer equally valid way of understanding the world. Meaning that not matter if it is religion, identity or love, we should learn to open our minds and search what are really matter to us.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Dutchman by Leroi Jones

The Dutchman by Leroi Jones Summary Clay, a twenty year old black man is taking the subway. At first glance he looks like an educated black man. Lulu on the other hand is a thirty year old white woman. She is a decade older than Clay. She is tall, slender, and beautiful. Her long red hair flows straight down her back. It is a chance meeting, man and woman did not know each other. Lulu sits down besides Clay and talks him as if she knew him.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Dutchman by Leroi Jones specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More She engages in him in a light conversation. She is teasing him, saying that Clay looked at her with lust in his eyes. In his defense, Clay vehemently denies her accusations. She starts to humiliate him talking about his utter lack of independence, the fact that he is living with his parents and making references to racial slurs and other forms of insults. But the moment that Clay shows his discomfort, she changes her tone and appears to be friendlier. The change of heart disarms Clay and he is caught off-guard. The light banter quickly turns serious once again but this time she is forcing him to admit that he is a phony, a man who wants to be someone he is not. She is obviously referring to the fact that Clay is a black man trying to behave as if he is a white man. When things began to overheat she diffuses the tension by making sexual gestures that sent a clear message to her seatmate. She places her hand on Clay’s knee and she said: â€Å"Am I exciting you now?† (Baraka, p.4). Once again Clay is caught-off guard and he lowers his defenses once more, each time he allows Lulu to enter deeper into his heart and mind. Clay is no match for a seductress. He has no clue that Lulu is playing with him. Lulu’s actions are all premeditated and she is trying to lead him to a place to be comfortable and vulnerable before she pounces on her unsuspecting prey. The seduction continues in an accelerated pace. By her words and actions she makes Clay believe that they will make love in her apartment. Clay believes her with all his heart that there is a genuine attraction between them. This is made evident in the opening of the second scene when the audience can see Lulu hugging the arm of Clay. The young man’s tie is loose and suggests that he is already comfortable with her and willing to follow her lead. The seduction is complete and the hunter is ready for the kill. Her actions seem to be harmless at first. Lulu is acting as if she is overly excited about something. She began to throw things out of her bag and into the aisle of the train. She began to sing and all of a sudden she was hysterical. She is like woman under the control of a spirit.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is as if a foul spirit is controlling her like a puppet. It is also as if she is drunk. She is gyrating wildly. The behavior did not really bother Clay except for the words coming out of her mouth. Lulu began to humiliate Clay in front of the other passengers. After some time Clay could no longer take the insults. Clay grabs her arms and forces her to her seat. Lulu refuses to obey and so Clay hit her on the face. The force of the violence slams her head against the back of the seat. Clay began to verbalize his frustrations and aims his speech at Lulu and the passengers. He told them that the world should let them be. He is referring to the black man and their desire to fit in. He is angry and he said that murder is a simpler solution but he would not use it. But when he calms down and ready to leave the train Lulu stabs her with a knife. She kills him and all the passengers did nothing. The passengers are passive. When all the passengers are already out of the train, Lulu waits for her next target. A young black man boards the train. After a while an old Negro conductor enters the car and he tips his hat to Lulu. Characters Clay represents all middle class African-Americans who are desperate to fit in. Clay’s character demonstrates how this can be done by acting like a white man. He is educated and speaks as if he has an English accent. He associates with white people. He is not afraid to interact with them. The lack of inhibition against white people is made evident when Clay did not back down against an equally talented, beautiful and educated woman in the person of Lulu. Aside from trying to fit into the white man’s world Clay improves on his actions by choosing friends that are like him. His desire to create a world where whites and blacks can interact is made clear when Lulu made a playful reference to one of his friends and said: â€Å"Is Warren Enright a tall skinny black boy with a phony English accent† (Baraka, p.4). While Clay’s desire to live in peace in a white man’s world is acc eptable to some, there are those who feels that it is wrong to do so. This is where the character of Lulu and the old conductor plays a vital role in the story. Lulu hates the idea that Clay is not real. The old conductor represents black people who oppose the actions and belief system of the young man Clay.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Dutchman by Leroi Jones specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lulu is a complex character. She plays the part of the hunter and she also plays the part of a person who hates black people and everything they stand for. She wants to eliminate from the face of the earth. Aside from being racist she also plays the role of a victim. Lulu represents those who felt that they are victims of the actions of young black man desiring to enter their world. She resents them and ends up becoming some sort of a persecutor to force black people to realize that they should not aspire to become white . It is also possible that Lulu is a victim of violence and she blames young black man for that crime. She is therefore enforcing the law to punish the guilty. The old conductor represents all the members of the black community who wants to preserve the status quo. He also represents the fence sitters – the people who are aware that racial violence has been committed and yet refuses to believe in the reports and refuses to act on it. The old conductor is a member of the Negro race and he refuses to lift a finger because he is already content with life and he wants to keep his job. The young black man who came in at the latter part of the story represents all the young black males that have faith in the system. This young black man is like Clay who came before him. He has the proper attire and the tools he needs to convince others that he is more than willing to do anything to be like white people. His character represents those who thought that imitating the ways of the white man results in acceptance but there are people like Lulu who think otherwise. Setting The setting of the play represents the world where black and white people interact. It is a meeting place, a location wherein they interact. They may not like each other but in the train station they meet face-to-face and it is inevitable for their bodies to touch because they are to take a journey together. The setting is also a microcosm of the real world in terms of a society filled with different people coming from all sorts of social, political, background. Conflicts There are three types of conflict that is evident in the play. The first is man against man or more specifically the conflict between the young black man and the white woman. The second major conflict is man against himself. Clay is torn by two opposing forces. He knows that he has to be true to himself and that he has to be proud of his heritage but he is also aware that he has to become someone he is not. He imitates the white man because of his desire for acceptance.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The third major conflict is man against society because Clay feels there is oppression from without. He feels the impact of racism and he wants to retaliate but he believes that he is powerless to do so and decides to keep quiet. Symbolism One of the symbolisms in the story is the reference to Adam and Eve. The apple is the symbol of seduction and temptation. Lulu comes into the train eating and apple. Clay understands the significance of the action. She makes him understand that the apple is a tool to seduce him. This symbolism is important if one takes a closer look at the nature of temptation and the consequences of falling into the trap set by the woman. In this play Clay wants to do the right thing. He thought that he is safe by doing the right thing. Nevertheless, the temptation is stronger than he thought. The symbolism helps explain the struggles of the young black man. Significance The significance of the play can be seen in two ways. The first one is the need to break free from the idea that acceptance can only be achieved by conforming into an alien and restrictive lifestyle. Clay is unhappy but he forces himself to do things against his true desire. He is hoping that he can receive the acceptance and friendship of the white people. Although Clay is wrong in trying to imitate white people and doing things for the sake of maintaining the status quo, Lulu exhibits a more destructive behavior because her hatred causes her to kill. One of the moral lessons of the story is that violence is not the answer. If one uses violence then there is no resolution because the cycle continues. Themes One of the main themes is Race and Racism. This is made evident in Lulu’s harsh response to Clay’s choice of clothes and she says: What’ve you got that jacket and tie on in all this heat for? And why’re you wearing a jacket and tie like that? Did your people ever burn witches or start revolution over the price of tea? Boy, those narrow-should er clothes come from a tradition you ought to feel oppressed by. A three-button suit. What right do you have to be wearing a three-button snit and striped tie? Your grandfather was a slave; he didn’t go to Harvard (Baraka, p.9). In every chance that she could get Lulu tries to insult and humiliate Clay because of his race. Lulu is not only hateful to black people she is also mean to people that does not shares her religious background. Her racist attitude is evident in the following statement: â€Å"You’re too serious. I bet you’re even too serious to be psychoanalyzed. Like all those Jewish poets from Yonkers, who leave their mothers for other mothers, or other’s mothers, on whose baggy tits they lay their fumbling heads† (Baraka, p.17). The racist behavior leads to Cruelty and Violence, Passivity another major theme in the story. Both Clay and Lulu are guilty of violence. Clay hurt her and the drunkard with his excessive use of force. However, it is interesting to note that the passenger and the conductor did nothing to stop Lulu’s murderous rampage and that is a clear example of passivity. The third major theme is Victim and Victimization. This is seen through Lulus actions and words. In an indirect way Lulu is saying that she is a victim and she is doing these things to force the guilty to pay for their sins. She is playing the part of a victim. But at the same time she also acts the part of the person who is doing the â€Å"victimization† as she stalks and murder hapless prey. The fourth major theme is Sex Roles and is made evident by the sexual tension in the interaction of Clay and Lulu. This is an important theme to discuss because in the area of sexuality there is equality among people belonging to different social and cultural backgrounds. Lulu is white and Clay is black but they are attracted to each another. At least Clay demonstrates that he can flirt with a white woman and he can have a relationshi p with a white female. The fifth major them is Retribution. Lulu is killing young black men. It is an obsession. She is on some sort of a mission. She is a hunter looking for her prey and she seduces them for the purpose of killing them. It is possible that Lulu is a victim of some past crime and the perpetrator is an educated young black man. This is her way of seeking retribution. She has become a murderer but in her mind her actions is justified. She hates them for what they have done to her. However, payback time comes in the same way that she has been victimized by the perpetrator of the crime, she seduces them first so that they would not see the knife that she would use to kill them. Work Cited Baraka, Amiri. The Dutchman. New York: HarperCollins, 1964.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Civil War Battle of Spotsylvania

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Civil War Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was fought May 8-21, 1864, and was part of the American Civil War. Armies Commanders at Spotsylvania Court House: Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. GrantMajor General George G. Meadeapprox. 100,000 men Confederate General Robert E. Leeapprox. 52,000 men Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Background: Following the bloody stalemate at the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864), Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant elected to disengage, but unlike his predecessors, he decided to keep pressing south. Shifting bulk of the Army of the Potomacs strength to the east, he began moving around the right flank of General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia on the night of May 7. The next day, Grant directed Major General Gouverneur K. Warrens V Corps to capture Spotsylvania Court House, approximately 10 miles to the southeast. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Sedgwick Killed: Anticipating Grants move, Lee rushed Major General J.E.B. Stuarts cavalry and Major General Richard Andersons First Corps to the area. Utilizing interior lines and taking advantage of Warrens tardiness, the Confederates were able to assume a position north of Spotsylvania before Union troops could arrive. Quickly building several miles of trenches, the Confederates were soon in a formidable defensive position. On May 9, as the bulk of Grants army arrived on the scene, Major General John Sedgwick, commander of the VI Corps, was killed as he scouted the Confederate lines. Replacing Sedgwick with Major General Horatio Wright, Grant began to develop plans for assaulting Lees army. Forming a ragged, inverted V, the Confederate lines were weakest near the tip in an area known as the Mule Shoe Salient. At 4:00 PM on May 10, the first Union attacks moved forward as Warrens men assaulted Andersons corps along the left side of the Confederate position. Repulsed with around 3,000 casualties, the attack was the precursor for another assault which slammed into the east side of the Mule Shoe two hours later. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Uptons Attack: Assembling twelve regiments from the VI Corps, Colonel Emory Upton formed them in a tight assault column three wide by four deep. Striking a narrow front along the Mule Shoe, his new approach quickly breached the Confederate lines and opened a narrow but deep penetration. Battling valiantly, Uptons men were forced to withdraw when reinforcements to exploit the breach failed to arrive. Recognizing the brilliance of Uptons tactics, Grant immediately promoted him to brigadier general and began planning corps-size assault using the same approach. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Assaulting the Mule Shoe: Taking May 11 to plan and shift troops for the pending assault, Grants army was quiet for most of the day. Misinterpreting the Union inactivity as a sign that Grant was going to attempt moving by his army, Lee removed artillery from the Mule Shoe in preparation for shifting to a new position. Shortly before dawn on May 12, Major General Winfield S. Hancocks veteran II Corps struck top of the Mule Shoe using Uptons tactics. Quickly overwhelming Major General Edward Allegheny Johnsons division, Hancocks men captured 4,000 prisoners along with their commander. Rolling through the Mule Shoe, the Union advance bogged down as Brigadier General John B. Gordon shifted three brigades to block Hancocks men. Also hampered by the lack of a follow-up wave to press the attack, Hancocks troops were soon being pushed back. To regain the momentum, Grant ordered Major General Ambrose Burnsides IX Corps to attack from east. While Burnside had some initial success, his assaults were contained and defeated. Around 6:00 AM, Grant sent Wrights VI Corps into the Mule Shoe to fight on Hancocks right. Raging through the day and into the night, fighting in the Mule Shoe surged back and forth as each side sought an advantage. With heavy casualties on both sides, the landscape was quickly reduced to a body-strewn wasteland that presaged the battlefields of World War I. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, Lee repeatedly sought to personally lead his men forward, but was prevented from doing so by his troops who desired to preserve his safety. Some of the most intense combat occurred at an area of the salient known as the Bloody Angle where sides were sometimes reduced to hand-to-hand fighting. As the fighting raged, Confederate troops built a defensive line across the base of the salient. Completed around 3:00 AM on May 13, Lee ordered his troops to abandon the salient and retire into the new line. Occupying the salient, Grant paused for five days as he probed east and south seeking a weak spot in the Confederate lines. Unable to find one, he sought to surprise the Confederates at the Mule Shoe line on May 18. Moving forward, Hancocks men were repulsed and Grant soon cancelled the effort. Realizing that a breakthrough would not be possible at Spotsylvania, Grant continued his trend of moving left and again slipped around Lees army by marching south towards Guinea Station on May 20. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Aftermath: The fighting at Spotsylvania Court House cost Grant 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded, and 2,258 captured/missing, while Lee suffered 1,467 killed, 6,235 wounded, and 5,719 captured/missing. The second contest between Grant and Lee, Spotsylvania effectively ended in a stalemate. Unable to win a decisive victory over Lee, Grant continued the Overland Campaign by pressing south. Though desiring a war-winning triumph, Grant was aware that each battle cost Lee casualties that the Confederates could not replace. Selected Sources Fredericksburg Spotsylvania Court House National Military ParkCWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseBattle of Spotsylvania Court House Overview

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Using Educational Research as a Lean for the Wire Paper

Using Educational as a Lean for the Wire - Research Paper Example Using education research as a lean for the wire The articles talks about the different in relationship between families and students at various school studying levels. The factors, which regulate the relationship, are also extensively discussed and expounded in the article. The good relationship between schools, families, and the community is the core contributor to the students’ success in many parts of the world. International studies have proved the grave of the school parent relationship to the success of the student at all academic levels. However, as students grow older, the relationship between the school and the parent decline systematically. There are various reasons that facilitate the decline of the relationships between the families and the students.The complexity in the secondary school learning environment also confuses the parents on the areas to be involved. In The Wire, community and parents involvement are less valued in the early child life development. Students squarely rely on their teacher for guidance and counseling during their early school life. Nevertheless, at the advanced school age, the community involves itself fully in the student’s life. At this level, they are regarded as a potential investment in criminal activities. Therefore, the differences in the level of family involvement in the student life between the society discussed by the article and society in The Wire show how different societies value differently the lives of the children and youths. In reference to the article, there are various conditions that control and influence the families’ involvement in the teenagers’ education in high school. The family time and material resources, the nature of the parent teenager relationship, and the family take on the involvement are some of the factors responsible of the parents’ involvement in the student high school education (Simon 186). Additionally, the community way of living has a role in the parents’ involvement in school life. T he excising ties between communities and the teenagers’ determine the magnitude of the parent involvement in high school activities (Todd 17). In this area, the article fits The Wire. In the series, there are intimate relationships between the community and high school students. However, students at this level are negatively involved by the society for community’s self-gain. The similarity is decidedly essential in the contemporary world. In all societies, there is a need for mutual relationship between the teenagers, the families and society. Teenage age is a transitional period in human development and entails a lot of challenges which demand the support of the family and community. Teenagers require social, professional, and developmental guidance and counseling at this time, to necessitate positive development. Therefore, the barriers that disregard the families’Â  student involvement should be overcome for the benefit of the student and the entire society. However, the manner in which community and families are involved in the students life need to be controlled. The immoral relationship between the high school students and the community should be discouraged. Appropriate measures should be agreed upon to necessitate a controlled relationship. The article

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Bulling in Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Bulling in Schools - Essay Example This essay approves that the first solution offers the scope that since bullying usually happens in the school premises, teachers will be able to identify any such activity quickly and will be able to educate their students about it. However, teachers cannot be present everywhere all the time and they will not be able to do much about the bullying that happens outside of school premises. The second solution will be of help outside of school premises and since children fear their parents more, they would probably listen to them. However, this does not guarantee that the students will abide by what their parents tell them even in the school premises. The third method is a more direct approach and hence perhaps the best. Educating students directly will help in curbing the activity both within the school premises and outside of it. Though explaining things to students is always a difficult job, however, once the students decide to listen, this method will be the most effective. This report makes a conclusion that the project regarding the problem of bullying in schools was not just an interesting project for me but it also helped me understand the various factors that are associate with bullying. Bullying is a growing nuance in schools and the best solution that can help curb the nuance is to educate people involved in the cycle, the students, parents and teachers. Educating the three will help in complete elimination of the problem. This project helped in developing my knowledge about the problem of bullying and the research helped in increasing my understanding about the various factors associated with the problem. Bullying is certainly a major problem and stern measures need to be taken to curb this nuance.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Google Searching Essay Example for Free

Google Searching Essay Searching for information on Google is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Is that true? Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. They got its name from the mathematical term googol (a number that has a one followed by a hundred zeros. The intention of Goggle was to help control the all the information on the web. That being said they have made searching for information pretty easy to navigate. All someone has to do is type in a word or phrase and the information is there instantly. It has convience over the conventional library of the 19th century. You are often on time restraints while using the library and only have limited resources. As technology grows searching for information becomes more efficient and less time consuming. How is searching in a specific database, such as Ashford Library different from searching in Bing, Google, or Yahoo? Roughly 1.46 billion people use the internet. (Mark D. Bowles, Introduction to Computer Literacy,p.6.4). Just in the U.S. there are 2.27 million users, which is 75% of the population. The main difference is the type of database each search engines uses. Ashford Library is a proprietary database in which only those who belong to the institution can benefit . Google and the others are a public domain database which means anyone has access to them. In my opinion the two are totally different. One is for a specific group while the other is open to everyone.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Ignorance and Air Power: The Failure of U. S. Leadership to Properly U

Ignorance and Air Power: The Failure of U. S. Leadership to Properly Utilize Air Power in Vietnam Major Ted Tolman’s F-105 Thud fighter/bomber streaked through the air at just under the speed of sound. His aircraft performed modestly at best, struggling to maintain its speed and altitude under the heavy load of ordinance and fuel it carried under its wings (Patrick). Tolman, and his wingman Major Lonnie Ferguson, were en route to a rail line that served to distribute supplies from Cam Pha Harbor to enemy troops throughout North Vietnam. The harbor itself was protected from attack by orders coming directly from Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, meaning the only way to neutralize supplies coming through the harbor was to attack the distribution network that surrounded it (Patrick). As he flew low near the harbor, puffs of flack began to appear, and Tolman soon found himself under heavy attack from North Vietnamese ground based anti-aircraft artillery (AAA). He hesitated a moment, then decided that he did not want to become a prisoner in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Tolman depressed his rudder pedal and rapidly swung his F-105 around, pointing the nose at the AAA emplacement and releasing a burst of 20mm cannon fire. In doing so, he made the biggest mistake of his career (Patrick). As he swung his fighter around, Tolman inadvertently passed his gun sight directly across the Soviet cargo ship Turkestan as it traversed towards its intended target. Designed to provide a record of the action, the gun camera mounted in the nose of Tolman’s F-105 caught an image of the Soviet ship, inside the Cam Pha Harbor sanctuary, directly centered in his sights (Patrick). There was nothing that suggested any of the rounds Tol... ... Diss. United States Air Force Command Staff College, 1995. McNamara, Robert S. and Brian VanDeMark. In Retrospect. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. â€Å"Operation Rolling Thunder.† Military Analysis Network. 1998. Federation of American Scientists. 20 Dec. 2003. Patrick, Joe. â€Å"Testing the Rules of Engagement.† Vietnam Memoirs. 2003. 80th Fighter Squadron. 13 Nov. 2003. Rendall, Ivan. Rolling Thunder. New York: The Free Press, 1997. â€Å"Robert S. McNamara.† Secretaries of Defense. Defenselink. 20 Dec. 2003. United States Joint Chiefs of Staff. Memorandum to CINPAC, Definitive Rules of Engagement Applying to Laos. Washington: DoD, 1964.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Destruction Of The American Dream English Literature Essay

The American Dream is a journey through life that people venture out on to accomplish ends, fiscal stableness and felicity. One can state that dreams went manus in manus with strength and hope. Although that is true, the clip of the 1920 ‘s dreams were tainted by the demand of mercenary points and munificent life styles. Author Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald reveals the devastation of the American dream through symbolism in the life of Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is determined to resuscitate his past immature love affair with the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan but unluckily his dream is destroyed because of his greed. Gatsby knows that he wants something and person that he can ne'er hold. Jay Gatsby destroys the opportunity of holding a normal life when he pushes himself to make an impossible end of being with Daisy for the remainder of his life ; desiring to do her his married woman. In order to be the adult male she ‘ll of all time desire and necessitate, he changed himself from a hapless adult male who is James Gatz to a successful Jay Gatsby. This end greatly impacted his life and would alter him everlastingly. His thrust was so strong that he had even gone through with such illegal behaviours such as bootlegging. The lone ground why Gatsby had invested so much clip to go wealthy is merely because he knew this is what Daisy needed in adult male. Gatsby knew that Daisy would ne'er get married a adult male without fiscal stableness and security, so Gatsby worked himself to be a adult male that Daisy could get married. No affair how hard he tried to be a suited adult male for Daisy, Gatsby would ne'er hold the opportunity to marry his love. A A A A After Gatsby has established himself as a successful adult male, he feels ready to reunite with Daisy. Now cognizing Gatsby is the perfect adult male, the love of her life that evidently has a batch of money ; Daisy begins to pass her clip reminiscing about the love they shared. Gatsby still remains highly close to Daisy, invariably prosecuting her and wishing that one twenty-four hours she will portion the feelings he has and would desire to be with him everlastingly. Towards the terminal of the novel, it can be seen that Daisy will non go forth the life she has now to be with Gatsby. Gatsby is â€Å" †¦ left standing in the moonlight-watching over nil † ( 153 ) . â€Å" And as I sat at that place, dwelling on the old unknown universe, I thought of Gatsby ‘s admiration when he foremost picked out the green visible radiation at the terminal of Daisy ‘s dock. He had come a long manner to this bluish lawn and his dream must hold seemed so near that he could barely neglect to hold on it. He did non cognize that it was already behind himaˆÂ ¦ . † ( 189 ) The green visible radiation symbolizes a hope and dream of Gatsby ‘s hereafter with daisy. Although his bosom pushes him frontward and he remains strong, his dreams are destroyed by his stuff ownerships, much like how the American society is now with it ‘s compulsion with wealth. Gatsby ‘s dream dies because of sloppiness and shallowness. Gatsby reaches for his hopes, ranges for the green visible radiation as if he was a worshipper of some kind. His mission of deriving Daisy is a religious one and non merely a physical enterprise. â€Å" He was a boy of Go d – a phrase which, if it means anything, means merely that – and he must be about His Father ‘s concern, the service of a huge, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. So he invented merely the kind of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old male child would be probably to contrive, and to this construct he was faithful to the terminal. † ( 63 ) The symbolism in The Great Gatsby, show that the American dream has been corrupted. Gatsby has finally corrupted himself and his ain dream before he even set out to accomplish it. He fails in his mission because of the mercenary success he must possess to fulfill the love of his life. So hence, his dream fails before he even begins. So, Gatsby ‘s dreams become merely another hope, another visible radiation at the terminal of Daisy ‘s dock. â€Å" Gatsby believed in the green visible radiation, the orgiastic hereafter that twelvemonth by twelvemonth recedes before us. It eluded us so, but that ‘s no affair – tomorrow we will run quicker, stretch out our weaponries farther aˆÂ ¦ And one mulct forenoon – So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back endlessly into the yesteryear. † ( 115 ) Gatsby ‘s life was led by dishonest success and unanswered love. He abandoned a life of being potentially a better individual from his earlier life. Gatsby was foolish and threw his life off to derive Daisy ‘s love. He wanted more than he could of all time manage emotionally or physically have. She ruined his life. Scott Fitzgerald is capable to capturing an of import word picture of how the American dream was destroyed and how it affected work forces like Gatsby. Gatsby ‘s being in West Egg was wholly for Daisy. Gatsby changed who he was to suit into Daisy ‘s life. Gatsby merely wanted to be the adult male that was able to hold Daisy and in the terminal they both ruined him and ne'er reunited.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Evaluation of Bretton Woods Institution’s Influence on the Sovereign Decision Making Essay

Truly our global economy works in complexity as various collaborations and interrelationships happens between countries around the globe. Because of the interaction of different economies, Bretton Woods Institutions were established to guide those developing countries towards the attainment of impressive economic growth through the assistance of developed countries. Two of the major organizations under the Bretton Wood Institutions would be the World Bank and International Monetary Fund which provides research and financial services to developing countries to boost the economic activity of developing countries. Despite of the said gains that World Bank and International Monetary Fund offers to developing countries, a lot of debates concerning the real effects of such â€Å"intermediation† of WB and IMF happening on various parts of the globe. In this regard, the main question that this paper will about to answer would be: what are the effects of Bretton Woods Institutions programs on the sovereignty of developing countries and would there be really benefits that can be derived by developing countries on such existence of international institutions in the long run? These are some of the questions that we will uncover by the end of this paper. One of the main programs of World Bank and IMF for the developing countries would be to lend funds that can be used for economic development such as building of various infrastructures like roads and bridge that are essential to attract more foreign investors (Fischer et al 2003: 4). Aside from this, both of the identified international institutions provides research assistance as to how to deal with various economic problems such as poverty, high inflation and unemployment rate as well as stabilizing financial sector of the economy. But the only problem with IMF and WB would be their policy-conditional lending wherein they demand reforms on various economic policies of developing countries like lower tariff rate for United States or higher tax discount on foreign investors from developed countries in exchange for funds. Therefore, to some extent, IMF and WB, influences the economic policies of developing countries by requiring the latter to comply first on IMF and WB’s policy reforms before granting those financial aids. Since it is the government that makes economic policies, sovereignty is now at stake every time developing countries borrow money to MF and WB since the government becomes powerless from the demands of IMF and WB, and just let these international institutions to change whatever economic policies that is currently being implemented. For the past two decades, IMF and WB have been able to influence every developing country around the globe. Lending money serves as the powerful tool of IMF and WB in successfully penetrating the sovereignty of a given developing country in exchange for funding. In the short run perspective, every one would agree that IMF and WB are of great help for developing countries. But in the long run, due to their interventions on economic policies of developing countries, there is a tendency that the policy-conditional lending of IMF and WB would not fit to the nature of economic activities a certain country has thereby will only cause instability in the next coming years. In this regard, it is already clear that the policy-condition lending of IMF and WB would only provide short lived benefits for the economy of developing countries since negative effects of the said intervention would offset all those benefits. It would be better if IMF and WB would minimize its interventions on economic policies of developing countries to give room for the latter to have sustainable economic development.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Aristotle and Oedipus essays

Aristotle and Oedipus essays Oedipus is a prime example of a tragidy, according to Aristotles definition in the poetics. Aristotles Poetics is considered the first work of literary criticism in our tradition. The couple of pages in the book mainly describe tragedy from Aristotles point of view. He defines tragedy as being an imitation of an action that is a whole and complete in itself and of a certain magnitude. Aristotle also points out terms such as catharsis, which can be said that is the purification of ones soul. He argues in his Poetics that catharsis is achieved through emotions of pity or fear, which is created in the audience as they witness the tragedy of a character who suffers unjustly, but is not entirely innocent. Then he moves on to describing the main elements of tragedy. Such elements are: plot, character, language, thought, spectacle, and melody. Then he classifies these in three parts, the media, the manner and the objects. The language and melody constitute the media, in which they effect the imitation. Then there is the spectacle, which is the manner, and the remaining three, the plot, character and thought are the objects that are imitated. Aristotle considers the plot to be the most important of these elements. He describes the plot as not being a unity revolving around one man. Instead, he states that many things happen to one man, which may not always go together, to form a unity. At the same time, he says that among the actions that a character performs there are many that may be irrelevant to one another, but yet they form a unified action. Aristotle continues depicting the plot categorizing it in two manners: simple and complex. In a simple plot, a change of fortune takes place without a reversal or recognition. In contrast, in a complex plot, the change of fortune involves recognition or a reversal or both. T...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Womanhouse, CalArts 1970s Feminist Art Collaboration

Womanhouse, CalArts 1970s Feminist Art Collaboration Womanhouse was an art experiment that addressed the experiences of women. Twenty-one art students refurbished an abandoned house in Los Angeles and turned it into a provocative 1972 exhibit. Womanhouse received national media attention and introduced the public to the idea of Feminist Art. The students came from the new Feminist Art Program at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). They were led by Judy Chicago  and Miriam Schapiro. Paula Harper, an art historian who also taught at CalArts, suggested the idea to create a collaborative art installation in a house. The purpose was more than just to showcase womens art or art about women.   The purpose, according to Linda Nochlins bok on Miriam Schapiro, to  help women  restructure their personalities to be more consistent with their desires to be  artists and to help them build their art making out of their experiences as  women. One inspiration was Judy Chicagos discovery that a womans building had been part of the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The building was designed by a woman architect, and many art works, including one by Mary Cassatt, were featured there. The House The abandoned house in the urban Hollywood area was condemned by the city of Los Angeles. The Womanhouse artists were able to postpone the destruction until after their project. The students devoted enormous amounts of their time in late 1971 to refurbishing the house, which had broken windows and no heat. They struggled with repairs, construction, tools, and cleaning out the rooms that would later house their art exhibits. The Art Exhibits Womanhouse was opened to the public in January and February of 1972, gaining a national audience. Each area of the house featured a different work of art.   â€Å"Bridal Staircase,† by Kathy Huberland, showed a mannequin bride on the stairs. Her long bridal train led to the kitchen and became progressively grayer and dingier along its length. One of the most famous and memorable exhibits was Judy Chicago’s â€Å"Menstruation Bathroom.† The display was a white bathroom with a shelf of feminine hygiene products in boxes and a trash can full of used feminine hygiene products, the red blood striking against the white background. Judy Chicago said that however women felt about their own menstruation would be how they felt seeing it depicted in front of them. Performance Art There were also performance art pieces at Womanhouse, initially done for an all-female audience and later opened to male audiences as well. One exploration of men’s and women’s roles featured actors playing â€Å"He† and â€Å"She,† who were visually depicted as male and female genitalia. In â€Å"Birth Trilogy,† performers crawled through a â€Å"birth canal† tunnel made of the legs of other women. The piece was compared to a Wiccan ceremony. The Womanhouse Group Dynamic The Cal-Arts students were guided by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro to use consciousness-raising and self-examination as processes that preceded making the art. Although it was a collaborative space, there were disagreements about power and leadership within the group. Some of the students, who also had to work at their paying jobs before coming to labor at the abandoned house, thought that Womanhouse required too much of their devotion and left them no time for anything else. Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro themselves disagreed about how closely Womanhouse should be tied to the CalArts program. Judy Chicago said things were good and positive when they were at Womanhouse, but became negative once they were back on the CalArts campus, in the male-dominated art institution. Filmmaker Johanna   Demetrakas made a documentary film called Womanhouse about the feminist art event. The 1974 film includes the performance art pieces as well as reflections by the participants. The Women The two primary movers behind Womanhouse were Judy Chicago and Miriam Shapiro. Judy Chicago, who changed her name to that from Judy Gerowitz in 1970, was one of the major figures in Womanhouse. She was in California to establish a Feminist Art Program at Fresno State College. Her husband, Lloyd Hamrol, was also teaching at Cal Arts. Miriam Shapiro was in California at that time, having originally moved to California when her husband Paul Brach was appointed dean at Cal Arts. He accepted the appointment only if Shapiro would also become a faculty member.   She brought her interest in feminism to the project. A few of the other women involved included: Faith WildingBeth BachenheimerKaren LeCocqRobbin Schiff Edited and updated with content added​ by Jone Johnson Lewis.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Industrial Revolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Industrial Revolution - Essay Example d politics, thereby stimulating varied other disempowered and marginalized sections of the society to strive for empowerment and a fair share in the national income. Capital emerged as the pivotal factor of production. This led to a greater polarization of opinion on both sides that are the labor and the capitalists, thereby both sections getting more organized and politicized. One negative thing about Industrial Revolution was that it envisaged earth as an external resource to serve as a fodder for the industrial engine of growth. In the long run it not only resulted in an irreversible depletion of natural resources and the commensurate pollution, but led to the contemporary challenges like global warming. There is no denying the fact that the map set by Industrial Revolution is not absolutely relevant in the current times marked by the emergence of new priorities like sustainable development and corporate social

Friday, November 1, 2019

Credit Risk Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Credit Risk Management - Essay Example In other words, the bank has to incorporate technological processes in the identification of risk. Credit risk management must start from a particular point and this is determination of where the problem is. (Reserve bank of Vanuatu, 2007) No effective solution can be worked out if the bank does not understand the full magnitude of its problems. Additionally, banks that fail to understand the dynamics involved in counterparty risks are also likely to fail in managing that risk. Technology is also essential in the measurement of risk because through the latter, the bank can have standardised ways of dealing with it. Besides these, robust technology is also critical in the actual process of managing the risk. (Damiano and Massimo, 2006) The latter facts may seem quite basic to the bank, however, a word of caution is necessary when dealing with this issue. Because of forces of globalisation and the technology wave, many banks and financial instructions are merely rushing to the latest IT products without due consideration of their personal needs. This is the point at which these financial institutions go wrong; the most sophisticated form of IT can be worthless if it does not meet the needs of the bank. Consequently, there should be more emphasis on the process rather than the product in this regard. If all a bank needs is a simple IT tool to meet their needs, then they should opt for only what they need. In certain cases less is more; credit risk management ought to take precedence over other systems that are required to implement them. Numerous companies tend to operate from the wrong side thus making it increasingly difficult to proceed with one's choices. A research conducted by a certain investment bank (Lepus) about the importance of information technology in implementing effective credit risk management found out the following: Importance of technology in credit risk management 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Just a tool Enhances efficiency and effectiveness Eradicates manual processes Promotes data transparency Smoothens Global credit risk Active management of portfolio Source: Lepus Investment Bank (2007): Effective risk management, available at http://www.sas.com/ accessed on 27th November As it can be seen above, the most important function among these bankers is the management and development of a bank's portfolio. Information technology is therefore a vital tool in effecting strategies for effective risk management. Aside from technology, a bank needs to have a comprehensive strategic policy for achievement of effective credit risk management. It should be noted that this forms the backbone of successful credit risk management. The principles and guidelines provide a background against which banks can operate in a sound environment. These policies serve as directional pointers to financial institutions because they are a set of rules that can be applied in a series of credit situations facing them. (Brigo and Pallavicini, 2007) The bank under study needs to put in mind the fact that those companies that have failed in their credit risk management endeavours have done so because of a lack of commitment to their policies and procedures. Having a set of rules that have been smartly laid out by a series of credit risk management experts is just one side of the story. The other side is

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Statistics in the workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Statistics in the workplace - Essay Example Health statistics gives information on the health matters of people. This means that every person is part of a health statistic. To get knowledge, an organization first gathers data, these data is processed into facts and figures which are transformed into information. Statistics has several other uses such as making decision on the relevant staffing needs of the hospital facility in relation to information or data collected frequency or number of patients a hospital has per period of time. Some of the many ways in which statistics can be used in rehabilitation health facility include: to carry out surveys on patient satisfaction or employee satisfaction, to carry out tests or experiments on new procedures just to mention but a few. There are various branches of statistics, the two main branches are; descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics Descriptive statistics is a branch of statistics that describes data that has been gathered revealing the trends and patter ns of the information. Descriptive statistics illustrates how data is dispersed but does not test any hypothesis so as to form a conclusion on the basis of that data (Bennett, Briggs, Triola, 2009). In healthcare, descriptive statistics is used for various purposes. ... The patients who consent to the trial will undergo close monitoring during the study through close observation and evaluation. The results will be based on specifics such as the degree of side effects, rate of recovery and they are not charged for the process. Descriptive statistics basically uses aspects such as means of central tendency and dispersions these are mean and standard deviation respectively. In this example the mean will be used to give the overall impact of the procedure towards rehabilitation while standard deviation might be used to show how stable or unstable the drug may be. Stability simply means the uniformity in the way patients react to the procedure, therapy or drug. Inferential statistics is simply a method through which conclusions about an aspect of a population is drawn from a sample. A sample is a finite subset of a population. This is the procedure of selecting and using a sample statistic to draw conclusions about the population parameters and eventuall y the population. It is used when we have access to a sample but not the population. Statistical inference uses two methods namely; point estimate and hypothesis testing. The estimation method is usually used to inferences where information about a population is in the given sample. There are two kinds of estimates which are point estimate and interval estimate. The estimates are used to make inference on the population parameters. An example of point-estimates is the mean weight of patients in the hospital while an interval estimate is the range within which we expect the mean of a population to fall at some level of confidence say 95%. Hypothesis testing on the other hand is the

Sunday, October 27, 2019

History and overview: Catalytic converter

History and overview: Catalytic converter A catalytic converter (colloquially, cat or catcon) is a device used to decrease the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. A catalytic converter works by using a catalyst to stimulate a chemical reaction in which toxic by-products of combustion are converted to less-toxic substances.First widely introduced on series-production automobiles in the U.S. market for the 1975 model year to comply with tightening EPA regulations on auto exhaust, catalytic converters are still most commonly used in motor vehicle exhaust systems. Catalytic converters are also used on generator sets, forklifts, mining equipment, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes and other engine-equipped machines. History The catalytic converter was invented by Eugene Houdry, a French mechanical engineer and expert in catalytic oil refining[1] who lived in the United States. Around 1950, when the results of early studies of smog in Los Angeles were published, Houdry became concerned about the role of automobile exhaust in air pollution and founded a special company, Oxy-Catalyst, to develop catalytic converters for gasoline engines an idea ahead of its time for which he was awarded a patent (US2742437). Widespread adoption had to wait until the extremely effective anti-knock agent tetraHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra-ethyl_lead-HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra-ethyl_leadethylHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra-ethyl_lead HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra-ethyl_leadlead was eliminated from most gasoline over environmental concerns, as the agent would foul the converter by forming a coating on the catalysts surface, effectively disabling it.[2] The catalytic converter was further developed by JohnHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._Mooney J. HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._MooneyMooney and CarlHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_D._Keith D. HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_D._KeithKeith at the EngelhardHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engelhard_Corporation HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engelhard_CorporationCorporation,[3] creating the first production catalytic converter . Metal-core converter Ceramic-core converter The catalytic converter consists of several components: The core, or substrate. The core is often a ceramic honeycomb in modern catalytic converters, but stainlessHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steelsteel foil honeycombs are also used. The honey-comb surface increases the amount of surface area available to support the catalyst, and therefore is often called a catalystHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalyst_support HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalyst_supportsupport. The ceramic substrate was invented by RodneyHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Bagley HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_BagleyBagley, IrwinHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Lachman HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_LachmanLachman and RonaldHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronald_Lewis_(scientist)action=editredlink=1 HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronald_Lewis_(scientist)action=editredlink=1Lewis at Cor ningHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corning_Glass HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corning_GlassGlass, for which they were inducted into the NationalHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_Fame HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_FameInventorsHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_Fame HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_FameHallHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_Fame of HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Inventors_Hall_of_FameFame in 2002. The washcoat. A washcoat is used to make converters more efficient, often as a mixture of silica and alumina. The washcoat, when added to the core, forms a rough, irregular surface, which has a far greater surface area than the flat core surfaces do, which then gives the converter core a larger surface area, and therefore more places for active precious metal sites. The catalyst is added to the washcoat (in suspension) before being applied to the core. The catalyst itself is most often a precious metal. Platinum is the most active catalyst and is widely used. It is not suitable for all applications, however, because of unwanted additional reactions and/or cost. Palladium and rhodium are two other precious metals used. Platinum and rhodium are used as a reduction catalyst, while platinum and palladium are used as an oxidization catalyst. Cerium, iron, manganese and nickel are also used, although each has its own limitations. Nickel is not legal for use in the European Union (due to reaction with carbon monoxide). Copper can be used everywhere except North America, where its use is illegal due to the formation of dioxin. How Catalytic Converters Work James L. Amos/National Geographic/Getty Images A large pile of platinum lined catalytic converters. See more green living pictures. There are millions of cars on the road in the United States, and each one is a source of air pollution. Especially in large cities, the amount of pollution that all the cars produce together can create big problems. To solve those problems, cities, states and the federal government create clean-air laws that restrict the amount of pollution that cars can produce. Over the years, automakers have made many refinements to car engines and fuel systems to keep up with these laws. One of these changes came about in 1975 with an interesting device called a catalytic converter. The job of the catalytic converter is to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they ever leave the cars ­ exhaust system. Catalytic converters are amazingly simple devices, so it is incredible to see how big an impact they have. In this article, you will learn which pollutants are produced by an engine and how a catalytic converter deals with each of these pollutants to help reduce [edit] Types [edit] Two-way A two-way catalytic converter has two simultaneous tasks: Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide: 2CO + O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 2CO2 Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (unburnt and partially-burnt fuel) to carbon dioxide and water: CxH2x+2 + [(3x+1)/2] O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ xCO2 + (x+1) H2O (a combustion reaction) This type of catalytic converter is widely used on diesel engines to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. They were also used on gasoline engines in USA market automobiles until 1981. Due to their inability to control nitrous oxide NOHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOxx, they were superseded by three-way converters. [edit] Three-way Since 1981, three-way catalytic converters have been used in vehicle emission control systems in North America and many other countries on roadgoing vehicles. A three-way catalytic converter has three simultaneous tasks: Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen: 2NOx à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ xO2 + N2 Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide: 2CO + O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 2CO2 Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water: CxH2x+2 + [(3x+1)/2]O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ xCO2 + (x+1)H2O These three reactions occur most efficiently when the catalytic converter receives exhaust from an engine running slightly above the stoichiometric point. This point is between 14.6 and 14.8 parts air to 1 part fuel, by weight, for gasoline. The ratio for LPG, natural gas and ethanol fuels is slightly different, requiring modified fuel system settings when using those fuels. Generally, engines fitted with 3-way catalytic converters are equipped with a computerized closed-loop feedback fuel injection system using one or more oxygen sensors, though early in the deployment of 3-way converters, carburetors equipped for feedback mixture control were used. While a 3-way catalyst can be used in an open-loop system, NOx reduction efficiency is low. Within a narrow fuel/air ratio band surrounding stoichiometry, conversion of all three pollutants is nearly complete. However, outside that band, conversion efficiency falls very rapidly. When there is more oxygen than required, the system is said to be running lean, and the system is in oxidizing condition. In that case, the converters two oxidizing reactions (oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons) are favoured, at the expense of the reduction of NOx. When there is excessive fuel, the engine is running rich; the reduction of NOx is favoured, at the expense of CO and HC oxidation. [edit] Oxygen storage Three-way catalytic converters can store oxygen from the exhaust gas stream, usually when the air fuel ratio goes lean.[5] When insufficient oxygen is available from the exhaust stream, the stored oxygen is released and consumed (see cerium(IV) oxide). This lean-ness occurs either when oxygen derived from NOx reduction is unavailable or certain maneuvers such as hard acceleration enrich the mixture beyond the ability of the converter to supply oxygen. [edit] Unwanted reactions Unwanted reactions can occur in the three-way catalyst, such as the formation of odiferous hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Formation of each can be limited by modifications to the washcoat and precious metals used. It is difficult to eliminate these byproducts entirely. Sulfur-free or low-sulfur fuels eliminate or reduce hydrogen sulfide. For example, when control of hydrogen sulfide emissions is desired, nickel or manganese is added to the washcoat. Both substances act to block the adsorption of sulfur by the washcoat. Hydrogen sulfide is formed when the washcoat has adsorbed sulfur during a low temperature part of the operating cycle, which is then released during the high temperature part of the cycle and the sulfur combines with HC. [edit] For diesel engines For compression-ignition (i.e., diesel) engines, the most commonly used catalytic converter is the diesel oxidation catalyst. This catalyst uses O2 (oxygen) in the exhaust gas stream to convert CO (carbon monoxide) to CO2 (carbon dioxide) and HC (hydrocarbons) to H2O (water) and CO2. These converters often operate at 90% efficiency, virtually eliminating diesel odor and helping to reduce visible particulates (soot). But they cannot reduce NOx because chemical reactions always occur in the simplest possible way, and the existing O2 in the exhaust gas stream would react first. To reduce NOx on a compression ignition engine, the chemical composition of the exhaust must first be changed. Two main techniques are used: exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). NOx trapping (with NOx absorbers) is a third method, but as of yet (2010), is not widely used. Diesel engine exhaust contains relatively high levels of particulate matter (soot), consisting in large part of elemental carbon. Catalytic converters cannot clean up elemental carbon, though they do remove up to 90% of the soluble organic fraction[citation needed], so particulates are cleaned up by a soot trap or diesel particulate filter (DPF). In the United States, all on-road heavy-duty vehicles powered by diesel and built after 1 January 2007 must be equipped with a catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter.[6] Instead of catalysis, a reagent such as ammonia pyrolyzed in situ from urea, is sometimes used to reduce the NOx into nitrogen. One trademark product to do this is AdBlue. [edit] For lean-burn engines For lean burn spark ignition engines, an oxidation catalyst is used in the same manner as in a diesel engine. [edit] Installation Many vehicles have a pre-catalyst located close to the engines exhaust manifold. This unit heats up quickly due to its proximity to the engine, and reduces cold-engine emissions by burning off hydrocarbons from the extra-rich mixture used in a cold engine. Many three-way catalytic converters utilize an air injection tube between the first (NOx reduction) and second (HC and CO oxidation) stages of the converter. This tube is fed by a secondary air injection system. The injected air provides oxygen for the catalysts oxidizing reaction. These systems also sometimes include an upstream air injector to admit oxygen to the exhaust system before it reaches the catalytic converter. This precleans the extra-rich exhaust from a cold engine, and helps bring the catalytic converter quickly up to operating temperature. Some newer systems do not employ air injection. Instead, they provide a constantly varying mixture that quickly and continually cycles between lean and rich to keep the first catalyst (NOx reduction) from becoming oxygen loaded, and to keep the second catalyst (CO oxidization) sufficiently oxygen-saturated. They also utilize several oxygen sensors to monitor the exhaust, at least one before the catalytic converter for each bank of cylinders, and one after the converter. Some systems contain the reduction and oxidation functions separately rather than in a common housing. [edit] Damage [edit] Poisoning Catalyst poisoning occurs when the catalytic converter is exposed to exhaust containing substances that coat the working surfaces, encapsulating the catalyst so that it cannot contact and treat the exhaust. The most notable contaminant is lead, so vehicles equipped with catalytic converters can only be run on unleaded gasoline. Other common catalyst poisons include manganese primarily from the gasoline additive MMT, and silicone which can enter the exhaust stream if the engine has a leak allowing coolant into the combustion chamber. Phosphorus is another catalyst contaminant. Although phosphorus is no longer used in gasoline, it (and zinc, another low-level catalyst contaminant) was until recently widely used in engine oil antiwear additives such as ZDDP. Beginning in 2006, a rapid phaseout of ZDDP in engine oils began.[citation needed] Depending on the contaminant, catalyst poisoning can sometimes be reversed by running the engine under a very heavy load for an extended period of time. The increased exhaust temperature can sometimes liquefy or sublimate the contaminant, removing it from the catalytic surface. However, removal of lead deposits in this manner is usually not possible due to leads high boiling point. [edit] Meltdown Any condition that causes abnormally high levels of unburned hydrocarbons raw or partially-burnt fuel to reach the converter will tend to significantly elevate its temperature, bringing the risk of a meltdown of the substrate and resultant catalytic deactivation and severe exhaust restriction. Vehicles equipped with OBD-II diagnostic systems are designed to alert the driver of a misfire condition, along with other malfunctions, by means of the Check Engine light on the dashboard. [edit] Regulations This section does not citeany references or sources. Please help improve this articleby adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challengedand removed. (March 2009) Emissions regulations vary considerably from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In North America, most spark ignition engines of over 25 brake horsepower (19 kW) output built after January 1, 2004 are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. In Japan, a similar set of regulations came into effect January 1, 2007, while the European Union has not yet enacted analogous regulations. Most automobile spark ignition engines in North America have been fitted with catalytic converters since the mid-1970s, and the technology used in non-automotive applications is generally based on automotive technology. Regulations for diesel engines are similarly varied, with some jurisdictions focusing on NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions and others focusing on particulate (soot) emissions. The regulatory diversity is challenging for manufacturers of the engine as it may not be economical to design an engine to meet two sets of regulations. Regulations of fuel quality vary across jurisdictions. In North America, Europe, Japan, and Hong Kong, gasoline and diesel fuel are highly regulated, and CNG and LPG are being reviewed for regulation. In most of Asia and Africa, the regulations are often lax in some places sulfur content of the fuel can reach 20,000 parts per million (2%). Any sulfur in the fuel can be oxidized to SO2 (sulfur dioxide) or even SO3 (sulfur trioxide) in the combustion chamber. If sulfur passes over a catalyst, it may be further oxidized in the catalyst, i.e. (SO2 may be further oxidized to SO3). Sulfur oxides are precursors to sulfuric acid, a major component of acid rain. While it is possible to add substances like vanadium to the catalyst wash coat to combat sulfur oxide formation, such addition will reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst. The most effective solution is to further refine fuel at the refinery to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel. Regulations in Japan, Europe, and North America tightly restrict the amount of sulfur permitted in motor fuels. However, the expense of producing such clean fuel make it impractical for use in many developing countries. As a result, cities in these countries with high levels of vehicular traffic suffer from acid rain, which damages stone and woodwork of buildings and damages local ecosystems. [edit] Negative aspects Some early converter designs greatly restricted the flow of exhaust, which negatively affected vehicle performance, driveability, and fuel economy.[7] Because they were used with carburetors incapable of precise fuel/air mixture control, they could overheat and set fire to flammable materials under the car.[8] Removing a modern catalytic converter in new condition will only slightly increase vehicle performance without retuning,[9] but their removal or gutting continues.[7]HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-9[10] The exhaust section where the converter was may be replaced with a welded-in section of straight pipe, or a flanged section of test pipe legal for off-road use that can then be replaced with a similarly fitted converter-choked section for legal on-road use, or emissions testing.[9] In the US and many other jurisdictions, it is illegal to remove or disable a catalytic converter for any reason other than its immediate replacement[citation need ed]; vehicles without functioning catalytic converters generally fail emission inspections. The aftermarket supplies high-flow converters for vehicles with upgraded engines, or whose owners prefer an exhaust system with larger-than-stock capacity.[11] [edit] Warm-up period Most of the pollution put out by a car occurs during the first five minutes before the catalytic converter has warmed up sufficiently.[12] [edit] Environmental impact Catalytic converters have proven to be reliable and effective in reducing noxious tailpipe emissions. However, they may have some adverse environmental impacts in use: The requirement for a rich burn engine to run at the stoichiometric point means it uses more fuel than a lean burn engine running at a mixture of 20:1 or less. This increases the amount of fossil fuel consumed and the carbon dioxide emissions of the vehicle. However, NOx control on lean burn engines is problematic. Although catalytic converters are effective at removing hydrocarbons and other harmful emissions, they do not solve the fundamental problem created by burning a fossil fuel. In addition to water, the main combustion product in exhaust gas leaving the engine through a catalytic converter or not is carbon dioxide (CO2).[13] Carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels is one of the greenhouse gases indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be a most likely cause of global warming.[14] Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated catalytic converters are a significant and growing cause of global warming, due to their release of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas over 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.[15] Catalytic converter production requires palladium or platinum; part of the world supply of these precious metals is produced near the Russian city of Norilsk, where the industry (among others) has caused Norilsk to be added to Time Magazines list of most polluted places.[16] [edit] Theft Due to the external location and the use of valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, converters are a target for thieves. The problem is especially common among late-model Toyota trucks and SUVs, due to their high ground clearance and easily-removed bolt-on catalytic converters. Welded-in converters are also at risk of theft from SUVs and trucks, as they can be easily removed.[17]HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-17[18] Theft removal of the converter can often inadvertently damage the cars wiring or fuel line resulting in dangerous consequences. Rises in metal costs in the United States during recent years have led to a large increase in theft incidents of the converter,[19] which can then cost as much as $1000 to replace.[20] [edit] Diagnostics Various jurisdictions now legislate on-board diagnostics to monitor the function and condition of the emissions control system, including the catalytic converter. On-board diagnostic systems take several forms. [edit] Temperature sensors Temperature sensors are used for two purposes. The first is as a warning system, typically on 2-Way catalytic converters such as are still sometimes used on LPG forklifts. The function of the sensor is to warn of catalytic converter temperature above the safe limit of 750  °C (1,380  °F). More recent catalytic converter designs are not as susceptible to temperature damage and can withstand sustained temperatures of 900  °C (1,650  °F).[citation needed] Temperature sensors are also used to monitor catalyst functioning usually two sensors will be fitted, with one before the catalyst and one after to monitor the temperature rise over the catalytic converter core. For every 1% of CO in the exhaust gas stream the exhaust gas temperature will rise by 100 °C.[citation needed] [edit] Oxygen sensors The Oxygen sensor is the basis of the closed loop control system on a spark ignited rich burn engine, however it is also used for diagnostics. In vehicles with OBD II, a second oxygen sensor is fitted after the catalytic converter to monitor the O2 levels. The on-board computer makes comparisons between the readings of the two sensors. If both sensors give the same output, the computer recognizes the catalytic converter is not functioning or removed, and will operate a check engine light and retard engine performance. Simple oxygen sensor simulators have been developed to circumvent this problem by simulating the change across the catalytic converter with plans and pre-assembled devices available on the internet, though these are not legal for on-road use.[21] Similar devices apply an offset to the sensor signals, allowing the engine to run a more fuel economical lean burn that may however damage the engine or the catalytic converter.[22] [edit] NOx sensors NOx sensors are extremely expensive and are generally only used when a compression ignition engine is fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) converter, or a NOx absorber catalyst in a feedback system. When fitted to an SCR system, there may be one or two sensors. When one sensor is fitted it will be pre-catalyst, when two are fitted the second one will be post catalyst. They are utilized for the same reasons and in the same manner as an oxygen sensor the only difference is the substance being monitored.