Mock Interview with Edward Snowden Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mock Interview with Edward Snowden - Assignment Example Throughout my working, I have learned our government is doing the exact opposite of what it purports to do in our name. Edward Snowden: I have worked thought in security settings, and more particularly in the settings of information security. I can assure you what the government is doing against you against the law the very laws it is supposed to protect are a lot. They pretend to be following the law, protecting your security, your privacy and working for the interest of the nation when in actual sense they are just working for their interests. They intercept all your telephone conversations; your activity on social media is spied on in the name of national security including your very private pictures yet the law protects the privacy of every individual. I thought things would change when President Barrack Obama was elected but to my shock, whistleblowers have been prosecuted at an alarming rate in this administration. It came to my realization that I was just part of the harm and nothing was going to happen to make the truth known unless I acted myself on what I strongly believe in. My experience o f what our government is doing against us and other people the world over informs and more especially my stint in Geneva strongly informed my decision to do at least something. Interviewer: Do you ever ponder the fact that it was actually wrong to release the documents and circulate them against our employer and government? Didn’t you think you were betraying and actually sabotaging? Edward Snowden: One may want to look at it the same way you are doing but for me, it was a bigger picture. A strong belief in the rule of law, the right to privacy as envisaged in America’s own constitution and equality for all are principles dear to my heart. I worked shortly in the military, at the CIA, NSA, and for private companies.  

Explain the Muslim idea of Religious Authority Essay Example for Free

Explain the Muslim idea of Religious Authority Essay Revelations are the way in which we receive knowledge of God and this is done through the Holy Books. In the Christian tradition there is an understanding that the Bible is a medium of revelation (Prepositional view), this is where the truths recorded by God are recorded, there is also an understanding that revelation is the way in which God acts with human experience through history (non-prepositional view) In Islam religious authority comes from God via the Quran through the process of tanzil. The Quran tells them about God and gives them guidance this is the book in its guidance is sure without doubt. The Sunnah and the Hadith are also sources of authority. The Sunnah, which is the life example of the Prophet Mohammad, is a source of authority because he was a wise and trustworthy man who settled tribal disputes. The Hadith is also a source of authority because Muslims look to Mohammad because he showed true obedience to Allahs commands. The Imam also has authority, the Shiites believe the Imam possess spiritual ability and divine light but the Sunnis simply see the Imam as a leader of prayer who has no superior status. The Shariah is also part of religious authority because this is the Islamic law for Muslims and it gives all the basic rules and regulations as to how human beings should live and act in a political, economic, social and collective individual spheres. The Shariah looks at family life, inheritance, marriage, food regulations and divorce for example Muslims must eat halal foods, those that have been slaughtered by the neck vein being slit and blood drained whilst the name of Allah is invoked. Muslims follow the Shariah so that they are doing what is good and right according to God and removing evil from society, which works through the process of Greater and Lesser Jihad. Greater Jihad is about establishing maruf (right) and removing munkar (evil) from yourself A Muslim learns to control his own bad desires and actions. Lesser Jihad is the struggle of the Muslim community to remove haram from society. Evil will always exist in society and a Muslim must resist this by showing true dedication to Allahs commands. In Islam Allah is the main source of religious authority and to help Muslims to show they are showing their authority towards God, Muslims believe that Allah allows evil and suffering in the world to see if they do what is right. Muslims have free will and believe that everything is pre-determined and that Allah knows the present, the past and the future of every creature but this does not mean that man has and freedom of will, its just that they have the choice to obey or disobey Allah and that this will show on the day of judgement whether they will go to Heaven/ Hell because all their actions are judged. Religious authority from the Quran is seen to govern every aspect of life for example women in Islam are seen as the most important in the family. She is the one who should keep a halal home and to make sure food and dress laws are kept. The teachings of Islam is that women should have total equality in religion and education but they can never be fully equal, for example the husband has more power but with that comes a lot of responsibilities to perform The man has full responsibility for the maintenance of his family therefore a man has more inheritance than a womens because his need is seen to be greater. Through the 5 Pillars Muslims are seen to be showing obedience to Allahs commands this is because they are a very intense and personal struggle to abide by and through reading the Quran Muslims believe that it enhances there spiritual development because it is the word of God. They believe it is the pure word of God because it is seen to be a perfect copy of a timeless document. In Islam the Quran is more important than the Bile/Torah because they where seen to be distorted to suit their believing communities and the revelations in the Quran are believed to be recorded when Mohammad received them. The other basic beliefs of Islam such as Tawhid are also seen as authority. Tawhid implies that everything is created by Allah; it is the belief in Allah with all his powers. It is a source of authority because this is one way a Muslim fulfils Allahs commands as it reveals Gods loving and caring nature. From a non-religious perspective a philosopher would look to reasoning to emphasise human freedom to make moral choices. They would argue that all of humanity relies upon their conscience to decide what is right and wrong, and for many this authority does not come from God. However from a Christian perspective this higher level of consciousness comes from God. In Islamic terms we gain our conscious awareness from Quranic teachings about Akirah which gives us focus for this temporary life on earth, from taw hid which reveals the qualities of God that we should aim to develop in our own hearts (such as love and compassion), and Al Qadr which ultimately points to a pre-determined path which only God knows about he does not dictate.

What Does Unity Mean In Islam?

What Does Unity Mean In Islam? Introduction The Muminoon are a single Brotherhood. (The Holy Quran, 49:10) as quoted in the Quran. Allah further explains about Brotherhood by explaning that Muslims are awliyyaa (allies, friends, supporters) of one another, and this again is based solely on Islam: A real Muslim will help his bro/sis in Islam to live in peace. Brotherhood is to live in peace and to understand one another. They must not argue even if one disagrees with another and that they should follow the best meaning of what is being discussed. They must always forgive and have mercy for one another. A Muslim also helps any innocent person and loves his bro/sis for the sake of Allah swt. This is because Allah wants all Muslims to live together in peace,love and tranquility, not backbiting and hating each other for no reasons. Even with non Muslims we should live in peace and respect. Allah swt says in the Quran about brotherhood and commands us to act as brothers and sisters. The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islà ¢mic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allà ¢h, that you may receive mercy. (Surah 49:10) Muhammad saws said the real Muslims must love each other as real brothers and sisters too. You will not enter Paradise until you have faith, and you will not have faith until you love each other(hadith). Islamic Unity What does Islam mean? Islam comes from an Arabic word which means submission to the will of God. It also comes from the same root as the Arabic word salam, which means peace. Unity is the strength and the unity of people forms a strong nation. Therefore, this is one of the reason Islam emphasise great stress on the importance of unity. The Islamic concept of Towhid  [1]  is similar to unity of humankind. The corner stone in Islam is the unity of God. Allahs unity teaches Muslims that the y should not divide persons into sections and sects  [2]  . As been quoted by Dr. Mohammad Ali Al-khuli is his book titled The Light of Islam writes: Islam is the greatest unifying force in the world. It is a religion to all humans regardless of color, race and language. It is a religion that tolerates other religions and orders its followers to respect and protect all humans. According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet every human being belongs to Adam and Adam was from soil. Islam has been st rictly prohibiting racial discrimination. Peace, equality and paternity  [3]  are thought through unity. When there are no unity, it will bring about disruption, devastation and disputes. God is the God of all human beings. All humans unity is the ultimate aim of the teachings of Islam. The doctrinal and ideological differences must not end up through war or bloodshed. Religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law. The most important truth that God revealed to mankind is that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God. However, anyone who submits completely to God and worship Him alone is a Muslim. The word Muslim refers to one who submits to the will of God, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a Muslim entails willful submission and active obedience to God, and living in accordance with His message. Things which can be implemented to bring the unity which are commanded to have amongst the Muslims is that they are required to put Islam as their top priority in life instead of the amusement in this world knowing that Islam is the way to Paradise. And whosoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. (Al-Imran:85) Besides that, all Muslims are also required to return the Quran to Its proper place. The Quran provides as a guideline for living and needs to Muslims and it is to be the Muslims central focus, and is needed to implement it as a whole. Ways to achieve Brotherhood in Islam The way to achieve Brotherhood in Islam is through: Quran The Quran is : The speech of Allah sent down upon the last Prophet Muhammad, through the Angel Gabriel, in its precise meaning and precise wording transmitted to us by numerous persons ( tawatur), both verbally and in writing. Inimitable and unique, protected by God from corruption. ( Denffer, 1991, 17). The Quran is the foundation of Islam and the primary source of guidance for Muslims in all aspects of life, whther spiritual, legal, moral, political, economic or social. An important theme of the Quran is legal guidance and related matters about how the Muslim community should conduct itself. This includes how to worship God through prayer; fasting and pilgrimage  [4]  ; marriage and divorce; the restriction of polygyny; the regulation of slavery; spending money to help the poor and needy; relations between the sexes; children and custody; prohibition of gambling and alcohol; punishment for crimes such as theft, murder, adultery and slander; war and peace; commercial transaction s; and inheritance. It also covers moral injunctions such as truthfulness, moderation in behaviour, justice, fairness, forgiveness, honesty, kindness to ones parents, keeping generosity and the keeping of promises. Muslim scholars have developed agreat number of Quranic exegetical (critical explanation) works over the past fourteen years. Some of these rely heavily on the Quran and the explanations of the Prophet. The Quran is for Muslims, the revealed word of God. Hence, the exegesis  [5]  of the Quran (tafsir) has emerged as one of the most revered  [6]  disciplines in Islam. The life of the early Muslims revolved around the Quran, one of their earliest concerns was to understand the message of the sacred text. Therefore Quran is important for Muslims in order to achieve Brotherhood. Six pillars of faith: essential beliefs of a Muslim Belief in God (Allah) Belief in the angels Belief in the revealed books Belief in the messengers (prophets)

Impact of World War One on American Literature Essay -- Literature Ess

The Impact of World War One on American Literature As people mature, their beliefs evolve; as a child it is easy to be guided by adults, to believe in adults. As adults, people have their own beliefs. It is the period in the middle that is the hardest. As children begin to grow, they begin to push limits and question authority. The modernist period in American literature is comparable to those teenage years. In the early stages of American literature, America looked to her mother England for guidance. The very traditional literature that resulted had a strong emphasis on religion, family, and country. In early literature it was scandalous to question God; the family was only to be portrayed as a supportive, loving community; and dying for one's country was the ultimate act of bravery and honor. This glorification of war in early American literature and attitude created unrealistic expectations in Americans concerning war. When these same young Americans marched into World War I, they were struck by the true horror of war; the result was a backlash at the society that had deceived them. America has a long history of glorifying war. Many of America's early presidents were war heroes, a tradition that started with America's first president, George Washington, who was a soldier in the American Revolution. Being a war hero was sometimes all that was needed for a candidate to be successful in his bid for the presidency. Zachary Taylor, for instance, had never even voted in a national election prior to his becoming president, but he was a war hero (Tindall 513). This exalted view of war filtered into American literature. American literature portrays war as the true test of manhood. Any "real" man should be more than willing to d... ...orks Cited Eliot, T. S. The Waste Land. McQuade, et al. 2: 1382-1399. Faulkner, William. "Barn Burning." McQuade, et al. 2: 1137-1150. Howells, William Dean. "Editha." McQuade, et al. 2: 362-371. March, William. "The Fate of Honor, Courage, and Patriotism." Company K. McQuade, et al. 2: 931. McQuade, Donald, et al., eds. The Harper American Literature. 2nd ed. 2 Vols. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. Owen, Wilfred. "Dulce et Decorum Est." The Bedford Introduction to Literature. 5th ed. Ed. Michael Meyer. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 1993. 763. Pound, Ezra. "Hugh Selwyn Maubery." McQuade, et al. 2: 1325-1329. Stevens, Wallace. "Sunday Morning." McQuade, et al. 2: 1273-1276. Tindall, George, and David Shi, eds. America: A Narrative History. 5th ed. New York: Norton, 2000.

The “High Court Ruling Only Tweaks Sarbanes-Oxley Act” Article

ARTICLE SYNOPSISThe â€Å"High Court Ruling Only Tweaks Sarbanes-Oxley Act† article is about the Supreme Court ruling in Free Enterprise Fund vs. PCAOB indicating that Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) will remain â€Å"fully operative as a law† with the exception to remove members of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Prior to the SOX Act, the removal of member was said to violate the appointments clause of the Constitution. In addition to discussing the ruling, the following will explain how the Sarbanes-Oxley act affects ethical decisions in today’s business and the criminal penalties that it provides.ETHICAL DECISIONThe process of making decisions consists of ethical attribute that include integrity, transparency, and accountability. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has the effect of ensuring investor confidence through the existence of regulatory provisions effective in enhancing ethical standards. In the case of Free Enterprise Fund v. PCAOB shows the extent to which the issue of separation of powers is upheld. The main argument in the case was the excess power granted to the board as it was appointed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) other than the president.This means that the board had regulatory non-restricted power by the executive. According to the ruling, PCAOB has the power to continue overseeing public company audits with the intention of protecting investors interest (Jaeger, 2010). This is a major development as it relates to ensuring that proper measures supports the scope of executives ensuring that proper decisions are effective in protecting the interests of investors. The court’s ruling indicated that PCAOB board members will be removed from office by SEC at will other than for good cause (Jaeger, 2010).However, other programs of PCAOB remain unaffected by the decision of the court. It is important to note that the enactment of the SOX Act is a major development that has ensured integrity in decision-making proce ss essential in protecting the integrity of investors. As a result of maintaining proper books of accounts and ensuring proper internal controls are in place, the SOX Act ensures ethical decisions are made enhancing the integrity and transparency. Ultimately, the impact of the SOX Act is to protect the interest of investors through prevention of accounting frauds.CRIMINAL PENALTIES The SOXAct provides for various criminal penalties under certain sections. Section 802 of the SOX Act provides criminal penalties for influencing the United States agency investigation, which is also known as proper administration. The criminal penalty punishes any person who knowingly falsifies information or document with the intention of obstructing a particular investigation. An individual can be put in jail if found guilty of this criminal offense for a period not exceeding 20 years.Another criminal penalty under the SOX Act is retaliation against whistleblowers (Jaeger, 2010). This relates to any pe rson who takes harmful action against another person with the intention to retaliate. A fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years can be placed if a person is found guilty for this criminal offense. Section 906 of the SOX Act provides for criminal penalties for CEO or CFO financial statement certification. According to this section, any corporate officer who fails to certify financial reports is liable for a jail term not exceeding 20 years.

Biography of Sol LeWitt, Conceptual Artist

Biography of Sol LeWitt, Conceptual Artist Solomon Sol LeWitt (September 9, 1928–April 8, 2007) was an American artist regarded as a pioneer in both the Conceptual and Minimalist Art movements. LeWitt stated that ideas, not physical creations, are the substance of art. He developed instructions for wall drawings that are still being created to this day. Fast Facts: Sol LeWitt Occupation: ArtistArtistic Movements: Conceptual and Minimalist ArtBorn: September 9, 1928 in Hartford, ConnecticutDied: April 8, 2007 in New York City, New YorkEducation: Syracuse University, School of Visual ArtsSelected Works: Lines in Four Directions (1985), Wall Drawing #652 (1990), 9 Towers (2007)Notable Quote: The idea becomes the machine that makes the art. Early Life and Education Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Sol LeWitt grew up in a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. His father died when Sol was only six years old. With encouragement from his mother, he attended art classes at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. LeWitt showed a talent for creating humorous drawings. Most children in LeWitts neighborhood took industrial jobs, but he pursued art to rebel against expectations. Although he wanted to skip college, Sol compromised with his mother and attended Syracuse University. While in college, he won a $1,000 award for his work creating lithographs. The grant helped fund a trip to Europe in 1949 where LeWitt studied the work of the Old Masters. Drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1951, Sol LeWitt served in the Special Services and created posters among other duties. He visited many shrines and temples in both Korea and Japan. LeWitt returned to New York in 1953, set up his first art studio, and began working as a design intern at Seventeen magazine. He also attended classes at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. LeWitt joined I.M. Peis architectural firm in 1955 as a graphic designer. There he began developing his idea that art is a concept or a blueprint for creation, and not necessarily the finished work- meaning that the physical work could be executed by someone other than the artist. Sol Lewitt in New York (1969). Jack Robinson / Getty Images After taking an entry-level job as a clerk at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1960, Sol LeWitt had firsthand exposure to the landmark 1960 exhibit Sixteen Americans. Among the featured artists were Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Frank Stella. Structures Showing independence from the tradition of sculpture in the arts, LeWitt called his three-dimensional works Structures. Initially, he created closed wooden objects lacquered by hand. However, in the mid-1960s, he decided it was necessary to reveal the internal structure leaving only a skeletal form. In 1969, LeWitt began creating his structures on a large scale often constructed out of fabricated aluminum or steel. X with Columns (1996). Raymond Boyd / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images In the 1980s, LeWitt began creating large public structures out of stacked cinder blocks. He started working with concrete in 1985 creating the cement Cube for a park in Basel, Switzerland. Beginning in 1990, he created multiple variations on a tower of concrete blocks for locations around the world. One of LeWitts final structures was the 2007 design for 9 Towers to be constructed in Sweden out of over 1,000 light-colored bricks. Wall Drawings In 1968, LeWitt began developing guidelines and diagrams for making works of art by drawing directly on the wall. At first, they used a graphite pencil, then crayon, colored pencil, and later India ink, acrylic paint, and other materials. Many of LeWitts wall drawings were executed by other people using his guidelines. LeWitt stated that the wall drawings are never the same, as everyone understands the instructions differently and draws lines uniquely. Even after his death, LeWitt wall drawings are still being produced. Many are created for exhibitions and destroyed once the exhibition is over. John Hogan creating a Sol Lewitt line drawing. Andy Kropa / Getty Images A characteristic example of LeWitts wall drawing instructions is as follows: Draw all combinations of two lines crossing, placed at random, using arcs from corners and sides, straight, not straight, and broken lines. This example comes from Wall Drawing #122, executed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After moving to Spoleto, Italy in the late 1970s, LeWitt began creating wall drawings with crayon and other brightly colored materials. He credited the change to his exposure to Italian frescoes. In 2005, LeWitt began developing a series of scribbled wall drawings. As with his other works, the instructions for creation are highly specific. The scribbles are done with six different densities that ultimately imply a three-dimensional work. Major Exhibitions New Yorks John Daniels gallery mounted Sol LeWitts first solo show in 1965. In 1966, he took part in the Primary Structures exhibition at the Jewish Museum of New York. It was a defining event for Minimalist Art. The Museum of Modern Art in New York launched a Sol LeWitt retrospective in 1978. Many art critics embraced LeWitt for the first time following the exhibition. The 1992 Sol LeWitt Drawings 1958-1992 exhibit began at Gemeentemuseum in The Hague Netherlands before traveling to museums around the world for the next three years. A major LeWitt retrospective by the San Francisco Musem of Modern Art in 2000 traveled to Chicago and New York. Sol Lewitt Line Drawing #84 (2011). Andy Kropa / Getty Images A massive exhibition titled Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective- a collaborative project of Yale University, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, and Williams College- opened in 2008, a year after the artists death. It includes almost an acre of wall space devoted to more than 105 drawings created to LeWitts specifications. Sixty-five artists and students executed the works. Housed in a 27,000-square-foot historic mill building, the exhibition will remain open for viewing for 25 years. Legacy and Influence LeWitts methods of using lines, shapes, blocks, and other simple elements made him a key figure in Minimalist Art. However, his primary legacy is his vital role in the development of Conceptual Art. He believed that concepts and ideas are the substance of art, not the final piece that is created. He also insisted that art is not about anything in particular. These ideas distinguished LeWitt from the romantic and emotional work of the abstract expressionists. LeWitts 1967 essay Paragraphs on Conceptual Art, published in ArtForum, is a defining statement for the movement; in it, he wrote, The idea becomes the machine that makes the art. Source Cross, Susan, and Denise Markonish. Sol LeWitt: 100 Views. Yale University Press, 2009.

The Pros and Cons of Majoring in Journalism

The Pros and Cons of Majoring in Journalism So youre starting college (or going back after working awhile) and want to pursue a journalism career. Should you major in journalism? Take a few journalism courses and get a degree in something else? Or steer clear of j-school altogether? The Pros of Getting a Journalism Degree By majoring in journalism you get a solid foundation in the fundamental skills of the trade. You also get access to specialized, upper-level journalism courses. Want to be a sportswriter? A film critic? Many j-schools offer specialized classes in these areas. Most also offer training in the kind of multimedia skills that are increasingly in demand. Many also have internship programs for their students. Majoring in journalism also gives you access to mentors, namely the j-school faculty, who have worked in the profession and can offer valuable advice. And since many schools include faculty who are working journalists, youll have the chance to network with professionals in the field. The Cons of Getting a Journalism Degree Many in the news business will tell you that the basic skills of reporting, writing and interviewing are best learned not in a classroom, but by covering real stories for the college newspaper. Thats how many journalists learned their craft, and in fact, some of the biggest stars in the business never took a journalism course in their life. Also, journalists are increasingly being asked not just to be good reporters and writers, but to also have specialized knowledge in a particular field. So by getting a journalism degree, you may be  limiting your opportunity to do that, unless you plan on going to grad school. Lets say your dream is to become a foreign correspondent in France. Many would argue that youd be better served by studying French language and culture  while picking up the necessary journalism skills along the way. In fact, Tom, a friend of mine who became a Moscow correspondent for The Associated Press did just that: He majored in Russian studies in college, but put in plenty of time at the student paper, building up his skills and his clip portfolio. Other Options Of course, it doesnt have to be an all-or-nothing scenario. You could get a double major in journalism and something else. You could take just a few journalism courses. And theres always grad school. In the end, you should find a plan that works for you. If you want access to everything that a journalism school has to offer (mentors, internships, etc.) and want to take plenty of time to hone your journalism skills, then j-school is for you. But if you think you can learn how to report and write by jumping in headfirst, either by freelancing or working at the student paper, then you may be better served by learning your journalism skills on-the-job  and majoring in something else entirely. Whos More Employable? It all comes down to this: Whos more likely to get a journalism job after graduation, a journalism major or someone with a degree in another area? Generally, j-school grads may find it easier to land that first news job right out of college. Thats because the journalism degree gives employers a sense that the graduate has learned the fundamental skills of the profession. On the other hand, as journalists move forward in their careers and start to seek out more specialized and prestigious jobs, many find that a degree in an area outside of journalism gives them a leg up on the competition (like my friend Tom, who majored in Russian). Put another way, the longer youve been working in the news business, the less your college degree matters. What counts most at that point is your knowledge and job experience.

Training day essays

Training day essays Everyday there is a war being waged on America's inner city streetsa war between residents, drug dealers and the people sworn to protect one from the other. This war has its casualties, none greater than L.A.P.D. Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris, a 13-year veteran narcotics officer whose questionable methodology blurs the line between legality and corruption. His optimism has long since been chipped away by his tour of duty in the streets, where fighting crime by the book can get you killed and getting the job done often requires Alonzo and his colleagues to break the laws they are empowered to enforce. This crime tale shadows Alonzo as he tests the resolve of wide-eyed, idealistic rookie Jake Hoyt, who has one day and one day only to prove himself to his fiercely charismatic superior. Over the next 24-hours, Jake will be pulled deeper and deeper into the ethical mire of Alonzo's logic as both men put their lives and careers on the line to serve their conflicting notions of justice It's obvious why perennial good-guy Denzel Washington was intrigued by the malevolent role of veteran L.A.P.D. Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris, who heads an elite, undercover narcotics squad. He's a dedicated rogue cop who's glib that "you gotta have a little dirt on you for anyone to trust you." His "street justice" ethics and morality are outside the norm but he has his own ambiguous integrity. So when Jake Hoyt, an idealistic rookie, played by Ethan Hawke, wants to join his unit, Harris gives him 24 hours to prove himself saying, "You've got today and today only to show me what you're made of....You've got to decide if you're a sheep or a wolf." Their day begins with drugs and alcohol, part of "getting to know the streets," and includes extortion, execution, and a $4 million seizure, which quickly decreases to $3 million as the corrupt cops take their cut. "It's ugly but it's necessary," rationalizes Harris. "Play the game, grow wise and then you can...

Contemporary Retail Environments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Contemporary Retail Environments - Essay Example Shopping is no more a simple act based on the human need, exchange of the currency and the goods but much more. The perception of shopping and its experience differs as few people perceive it to be a part of entertainment, act of expression, path for happiness and stress therapy (Tuttle, 2010). The experience of the shopping is judged by the accomplishment of the individual perception in the retail environment. Shopping can be deciphered as a contradiction that yields both pleasures and anxieties among the people based on their experience. The concept of shopping experience has changed to a greater degree for the modern shoppers based on their psychology, lifestyle and requirements. Consequently, the shopping experience is the point at which the tension, promises of modernity and postmodernity are apparent. The experience of shopping can be evaluated by the people on the basis of the information gathered, product variety and wide range of products. The easy accessibility of the servi ces and goods through the use of online sources and mobiles has made the shopping experience convenient, economical and exciting (Falk & Campbell, 1997). Shopping experience can be a recreational aspect depending on the consumer behaviour and their considerations. Shopping experience is cherished by meeting the emotional value and affect behaviour of the individual. As illustrated by Levy, â€Å"People buy products not only for what they can do, but also for what they mean† (Hirschman, 1986). The objective of the essay is to emphasise the shopping behaviour and experience of the individuals in the retail environment. It evaluates the component, motivational factors, role of environment and the models to explain the shopping experience. Explanation of Shopping Experience The shopping process is initiated by the need recognition of the individuals. It the behaviour by which the unwanted needs of the individuals are realised and are being fulfilled in the retail shop. The needs of the people differ and so the choice of buying, some prefer design over brand, some look for uniqueness and some consider budget. It is observed that before buying a product customers tend to gather information by searching for the same products in various shops. This process of gathering information and taking advices are part of the holistic shopping experience. Information gathering through various sources to get the knowledge about the price of the product, availability and features influence the shopping decision of the individuals. Moreover, the evaluation of the alternatives is a part of shopping wherein the personal views and opinions along with advices from the friends influence the decision process of the individual. The huge displays of the products in the retail environments affect the process of evaluation of the individuals and make their shopping process easier or at times complex. Individuals tend to shop based on their need but at times due to the influence of ret ail environment they tend to buy products which are not desired by them before coming to the retail shop. The impulsive shopping makes the experience of shopping great as it signifies the fulfilment of the undesired

Aphra Behn Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Aphra Behn - Term Paper Example She stood up and demanded to be heard and accepted; she never looked back and always stood her ground. She is certainly not to be forgotten. This essay functions as a general retrospective of the life and writings of Aphra Behn. Section I considers her background and career as a writer, including her time spent working as a spy for England; section II is an in-depth analysis of one of Behn’s most renowned works, the novel Oroonoko; finally, section III considers the extent to which Aphra Behn should assume her rightful place among the Western literary canon, ultimately arguing for her inclusion. Aphra Behn, also known as Afra, Aphara, or Ayfara, was baptized at Waye, Kent, in 1640. Behn’s father was a barber named John Johnson. During the restoration period in which her father was raised record keeping wasn’t as well structured as contemporary standards; as a result, Behn’s father’s status is not entirely known and parts of Behn’s early childhood are shrouded in history. As a result, historians turn to her works for insight into these early childhood years. During these years she went to Surinam, and then in 1658 she returned to England. Behn’s time in Surinam was a pivotal development period in her life, as it was during this period that she acquired significant historical knowledge of the area, as well as personal knowledge of the African prince Oroonoko. Later in life this experience would be explored in her seminal novel Oroonoko (Hobby 1990). After returning to England from Surinam she married a London merchant with a Dutch extraction. Her intelligence and extraordinary wit made her a favorite at the royal court. After her husband’s death Charles II appointed her to a position as a spy within Netherlands for the Dutch war. She proved to be an effective spy for England; her code name was â€Å"Astrea†, and she was also known as Agent one hundred

Principles of Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of Business - Assignment Example The result might have been conflicts of interest that had negative effects on the financial health of the company. According to the company’s federal tax returns, financial dealings with companies that were owned by board members cost UPMC $10 million. $5 million worth of transactions between businesses connected to the board members were reported in the tax records (Roche Jr., 2010). In reviewing the financial activity, the concept of corporate governance becomes relevant. It is defined as the standards which are deemed as appropriate in the running of the company. Because the management of UPMC engaged in cozy business deals with insiders, costing the company $10 million, it clearly was not recommended by the corporate governance system. The concept of fair market value is also relevant. Because the transactions were affected by the board members’ relationships as reported by the press, the financial activity might not have been conducted at fair market value. A finan cial transaction is conducted at fair market value when the transaction happens at the rate that is set by the market mechanism. Because UPMC awarded contracts to the board members’ companies at favored rates, it cost the company $10 million, resulting in $489 million losses in 2009.

The role of the management in organizational Behavior Essay

The role of the management in organizational Behavior - Essay Example A readjustment of work-roles and behavior of employee teams, to cope with new challenges, is the first step to initiating changes in organizational culture. It is this first step that translates into new attitudes. Thus, behavior changes attitudes, and not the reverse; change happens from bottom up, and not top down. And for this to happen effectively, the CEO should be willing to change too, based on the signals received by her from the teams at the grassroots. Additionally she has the task of encouraging these teams to 'lead' the company in the direction required, without herself being directive. Her role is that of a competent doctor assisting childbirth. If the process is going smoothly, the doctor waits and encourages the mother, and provides her all the assistance required. Medical intervention should happen only in an emergency! What is the process that teams go through while resolving business issues Beer et al (p160) state that research has proven that "interfunctional coordination, decision making, work organization and concern for people" are the four indicators of performance-in the long run-and not financial parameters, which in the short term, can spike or recede in response to other factors. These four factors are directly connected with team functioning. Apart from this, they talk of six distinct steps (pp161-164) taken by successful managers to elicit task-related responses-i.e. a response ideally suited to deal with the task at hand. What are these six steps First, mobilizing commitment to change through a joint diagnosis of business issues. Here, the operative word is 'joint'. The participation in this process ensures a commitment to the process of change required to tackle this problem. Second comes the process of drafting a 'shared vision' to organize to cope successfully with the situation. Note, it is not the CEO spelling out the steps to be taken, it is the team ('shared') doing this. In this process, new roles and responsibilities are taken on, but since it does not involve change in titles or remuneration there is less resistance to the steps. Here, cross-functional teams operate-teams from across different departments and at different levels of the hierarchy-the only criterion for the composition of teams being that it is the most conducive to task attainment. Then (third) comes a pro-active fostering of consensus for the new way of functioning, and building competence and cohesion to achieve it. The new way of functioning would require new skills, and employees seek to gain these skills. This process is assisted by the management. Apart from this, if the management sends out a message that team functioning is what is required, then the building of competence and cohesion happens quickly and smoothly. (Fourth) Once team functioning has succeeded in one department, it has to spread to other departments. However, it is likely to fail if it is a top-down effort. Other departments, which would be at various levels of readiness to reorganize themselves into new functional teams, need to work out their own way of attaining this. The management has to stand by and cheer, as it were, without pushing. (Fifth) Once the process of change has more or less spread through most departments, the new roles and team relationships have to be institutionalized, so that the company does not inadvertently slip back to the

Principles of Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of Business - Assignment Example The result might have been conflicts of interest that had negative effects on the financial health of the company. According to the company’s federal tax returns, financial dealings with companies that were owned by board members cost UPMC $10 million. $5 million worth of transactions between businesses connected to the board members were reported in the tax records (Roche Jr., 2010). In reviewing the financial activity, the concept of corporate governance becomes relevant. It is defined as the standards which are deemed as appropriate in the running of the company. Because the management of UPMC engaged in cozy business deals with insiders, costing the company $10 million, it clearly was not recommended by the corporate governance system. The concept of fair market value is also relevant. Because the transactions were affected by the board members’ relationships as reported by the press, the financial activity might not have been conducted at fair market value. A finan cial transaction is conducted at fair market value when the transaction happens at the rate that is set by the market mechanism. Because UPMC awarded contracts to the board members’ companies at favored rates, it cost the company $10 million, resulting in $489 million losses in 2009.

Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Diplomacy - Essay Example First of all let us try to define what is diplomacy. This term is very often mixed with the term 'foreign policies'. The difference between the two terms was well summarized by Watson (1982, p.10), who points out that "while foreign policy is the substance of a state's relations with other states and agencies and the goals it strives to achieve by those relations", diplomacy is "the process of dialogue and negotiation by which states in a system conduct their relations and pursue their purposes by means short of war." As observed by Berridge (1995, p.1), "diplomacy as a professional activity is regulated by custom and by law. These two conditions are central to the emergence and maintenance of the transnationally distributed diplomatic logic of appropriateness: general respect for the common set of legal rules and routines delineating diplomacy as a practice anchored in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Conduct (1961) and the recruitment and socialization processes at foreign minis tries socializing diplomats into the dual role of promoting national interests in ways conforming to the transnationally accepted diplomatic norms and procedures". According to Der Derian (1987, p. 111), "what uniquely characterizes the paradigm of diplomacy is its utility for states in balancing the forces of hegemony and anarchy. In other words, diplomacy emerges as the collective and reflexive embodiment of the states' ultimate task - self-preservation in an alien environment". But it is generally known that there is no future without history. Diplomacy has a long history of adaptation and change (Hocking 1999, 2001: Melissen, 1999). That is why there is no doubt that it is time to do some hard thinking in regard to the analysis of the historical experience of diplomatic relations. The evolution of the foreign service is traced in detail in: M.S. Anderson, The Rise of Modern Diplomacy 1450-1919 (London, 1993).Diplomatic law is an area of international law that is a summation of norms, which govern the status and functions of state organs of foreign affairs. For a long period of time diplomatic law has been based on custom. The first attempt to conduct partial official codification of diplomatic law has been made in Latin America. On the 20th of February 1928 it has been established "Havana Convention of 1927, which under the heading "Duties of Diplomatic Officers" stated that these officers must not interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving state and must confine their relations to the foreign ministry of the host state" (Robersts, 2006). Nowadays diplomatic law is mainly codified.The most significant document in the area of diplomatic relations is undoubtedly Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.The establishment of diplomatic relations involves the interchange of diplomatic missions. Such an interchange becomes possible only in appropriate legal and political

The role of the management in organizational Behavior Essay

The role of the management in organizational Behavior - Essay Example A readjustment of work-roles and behavior of employee teams, to cope with new challenges, is the first step to initiating changes in organizational culture. It is this first step that translates into new attitudes. Thus, behavior changes attitudes, and not the reverse; change happens from bottom up, and not top down. And for this to happen effectively, the CEO should be willing to change too, based on the signals received by her from the teams at the grassroots. Additionally she has the task of encouraging these teams to 'lead' the company in the direction required, without herself being directive. Her role is that of a competent doctor assisting childbirth. If the process is going smoothly, the doctor waits and encourages the mother, and provides her all the assistance required. Medical intervention should happen only in an emergency! What is the process that teams go through while resolving business issues Beer et al (p160) state that research has proven that "interfunctional coordination, decision making, work organization and concern for people" are the four indicators of performance-in the long run-and not financial parameters, which in the short term, can spike or recede in response to other factors. These four factors are directly connected with team functioning. Apart from this, they talk of six distinct steps (pp161-164) taken by successful managers to elicit task-related responses-i.e. a response ideally suited to deal with the task at hand. What are these six steps First, mobilizing commitment to change through a joint diagnosis of business issues. Here, the operative word is 'joint'. The participation in this process ensures a commitment to the process of change required to tackle this problem. Second comes the process of drafting a 'shared vision' to organize to cope successfully with the situation. Note, it is not the CEO spelling out the steps to be taken, it is the team ('shared') doing this. In this process, new roles and responsibilities are taken on, but since it does not involve change in titles or remuneration there is less resistance to the steps. Here, cross-functional teams operate-teams from across different departments and at different levels of the hierarchy-the only criterion for the composition of teams being that it is the most conducive to task attainment. Then (third) comes a pro-active fostering of consensus for the new way of functioning, and building competence and cohesion to achieve it. The new way of functioning would require new skills, and employees seek to gain these skills. This process is assisted by the management. Apart from this, if the management sends out a message that team functioning is what is required, then the building of competence and cohesion happens quickly and smoothly. (Fourth) Once team functioning has succeeded in one department, it has to spread to other departments. However, it is likely to fail if it is a top-down effort. Other departments, which would be at various levels of readiness to reorganize themselves into new functional teams, need to work out their own way of attaining this. The management has to stand by and cheer, as it were, without pushing. (Fifth) Once the process of change has more or less spread through most departments, the new roles and team relationships have to be institutionalized, so that the company does not inadvertently slip back to the

Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Diplomacy - Essay Example First of all let us try to define what is diplomacy. This term is very often mixed with the term 'foreign policies'. The difference between the two terms was well summarized by Watson (1982, p.10), who points out that "while foreign policy is the substance of a state's relations with other states and agencies and the goals it strives to achieve by those relations", diplomacy is "the process of dialogue and negotiation by which states in a system conduct their relations and pursue their purposes by means short of war." As observed by Berridge (1995, p.1), "diplomacy as a professional activity is regulated by custom and by law. These two conditions are central to the emergence and maintenance of the transnationally distributed diplomatic logic of appropriateness: general respect for the common set of legal rules and routines delineating diplomacy as a practice anchored in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Conduct (1961) and the recruitment and socialization processes at foreign minis tries socializing diplomats into the dual role of promoting national interests in ways conforming to the transnationally accepted diplomatic norms and procedures". According to Der Derian (1987, p. 111), "what uniquely characterizes the paradigm of diplomacy is its utility for states in balancing the forces of hegemony and anarchy. In other words, diplomacy emerges as the collective and reflexive embodiment of the states' ultimate task - self-preservation in an alien environment". But it is generally known that there is no future without history. Diplomacy has a long history of adaptation and change (Hocking 1999, 2001: Melissen, 1999). That is why there is no doubt that it is time to do some hard thinking in regard to the analysis of the historical experience of diplomatic relations. The evolution of the foreign service is traced in detail in: M.S. Anderson, The Rise of Modern Diplomacy 1450-1919 (London, 1993).Diplomatic law is an area of international law that is a summation of norms, which govern the status and functions of state organs of foreign affairs. For a long period of time diplomatic law has been based on custom. The first attempt to conduct partial official codification of diplomatic law has been made in Latin America. On the 20th of February 1928 it has been established "Havana Convention of 1927, which under the heading "Duties of Diplomatic Officers" stated that these officers must not interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving state and must confine their relations to the foreign ministry of the host state" (Robersts, 2006). Nowadays diplomatic law is mainly codified.The most significant document in the area of diplomatic relations is undoubtedly Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.The establishment of diplomatic relations involves the interchange of diplomatic missions. Such an interchange becomes possible only in appropriate legal and political

Asylum Seekers in Australia Essay Example for Free

Asylum Seekers in Australia Essay Australias mandatory detention of asylum seekers are of a serious concern. There has been aroused intense national and international debate. In the past few years we have been bombarded with images of detainees suffering from depression, mental anguish, trauma and psychological damage. Australia has a policy of mandatory detention for all refugees and asylum seekers who arrive by boat to Australian shores. Those who have reached Australias shores should not be placed in inhumane conditioned detentions, it is a breach of human rights. There have been proposed alternatives to detention of asylum seekers, many of which should be considered. The Human Rights Watch has established many reasons to why asylum seekers have come to Australia, many of which to seek safety and hope for a better life. Once reaching Australias shores, for the majority, hope for a better life is not the case. Instead, these aslyum seekers are imprisoned. Many, if not all, are innocent. Being punished for being innocent? People working in the field of migrant and refugee, claim that non-genuine applicants for refugee status are a very small minority, this is highly unfair to genuine applicants, the majority. (http//www. socialjustice. catholic. org. au). Like the saying, Keeping the whole class in because one child spoke. By Australian law, these refugees are eligible to stay on Australian soil. But, under Government policies (administrated by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA)), asylum seekers are prevented claim of asylum, they not permitted to work, are denied access to medicare and foremost are forced into detention. These asylum seekers should not be placed in detention, it is unethical. We are the only developed country to put into practice indiscriminate detention of asylum seekers. We have indeterminately jailed them all the elderly, the children, the sick and the preganant (A speech by The Hon Justice Marcus R. Einfeld http//www. westnet. com. au/jackhsmit/detention. htm). Unauthorised asylum seekers are detained in one of six on-shore or one of three off-shore detention facilities. Detention generates the most attention of any asylum issue. These detention facilities are in inhumane conditions, where there are riots, frequent beatings, psychotic breakdowns and suicide attempts. Is this really the sort of place to be living in? Detention facilities very much resemble jail-like cells behind razor wires. An investigation from the Federal Parliament Human Rights Committee found conditions in some of the centres appalling, reporting that conditions were often below Australian jail standards. Asylum seekers have been subjected to unneccessary use of force and have had their rooms trashed by guards for no apparent reason. The detention facilities in Woomera and Port Headland have attracted the most attention. Both these detention centres are in inhospitable remote locations with overcrowded conditions. Both have also generated violent riots and breakouts. Human rights have been violated due to the conditions of these detentions; restricted access to services; and restricted access to judicial review. These asylum seekers have come to Australia to sought refuge in a, what was thought to be a compassionate and humane country, not to be sentence to imprisonment. There have been proposed alternatives to detention of asylum seekers The Alternative detention model and The Detention Standards Document. Both wanting similar outcomes. The treatment of aslyum seekers is inhumane, the Australian government should provide a more flexible detention regime. They should only detain these people for only a limited period enough for a complete health and criminal check, a prediction of less than a month. After initial compulsory checks, asylum seekers awaiting for their status to be decided should be allowed to roam freely in communities, with access to facilities, support and help. They should only be detained if they pose a threat to communities/Australia. There should be closure to detention centres and for them to be replaced with reception centres with community support suggested by Pamela Curr Victorian Greens spokesperson on refugee (http//www. esistance. org. au/zine/news4. html). These receptions would be friendlier places, with leisure and educational facilities open spaces. The housing of asylum seekers in well-resourced, open receptions while their claims are to be decided offers the most logical and humane alternative Although, there may be some restrictions on what they are allowed to do and are not allowed to do, this is a much better alternative to the current mandatory detention system. Australia has turned a blind-eye to the fact that one of the reasons for asylum seekers leaving their country of origin is because of risk of persecution and have come to Australia to sought protection, their treatment here in Australia is unjust. The Australian government should provide a more felixble system. The asylum seekers have not come to Australia to be imprisoned, yet we are treating them as criminals. What really have they done wrong but to seek a better life for their family?

Quality of Life in Turkish Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

Quality of Life in Turkish Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Introduction Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatological disease characterized by spinal inflammation, usually in the form of sacroiliitis and spondylitis which may lead to syndesmophyte formation and ankylosis in the further course of the disease [1]. AS most commonly begins in the second and third decade of life as persistent inflammatory back pain that can already be associated with significant loss of function, work disability and impaired quality of life early in the disease [2-4]. In studies conducted previously, risk factors affecting the functional status and quality of life in patients with AS have been evaluated. Age, duration of symptoms, pain severity, stiffness, peripheral arthritis, total hip arthroplasty, smoking habit of patient, having history of more physically demanding jobs and lower levels of education have been demonstrated as risk factors for functional limitations and quality of life in patients with AS [3-8]. In other rheumatic diseases, level of education has been found to be possibly associated as a risk factor [9-11]. In this study, we planned to determine the possible risk factors affecting functional situation and quality of life in Turkish patients with AS. Materials and Methods Eigthy nine Turkish AS patients diagnosed with AS according to the Modified 1984 New York Criteria who were admitted to the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinics of Akdeniz University and Adnan Menderes University were included in the study. This study was approved by the Research Eth ­ics Committee Yet, one patient, who did not want to participate, was excluded from the study. Thus, a total of 88 volunteer Turkish AS patients consisting of 24 females (27.3%) and 64 males (72.7%) with their age ranging from 21 to 81 were enrolled in the study. Demographic information of the patients was obtained, their heights and weights were measured and these values were recorded. Then body mass indices (BMIs) of the patients were calculated by dividing the body weight as kilograms by the square of height in meters. Levels of education of the patients were investigated and recorded (0: illiterate, 1: literate, 2: primary school graduate, 3: secondary school graduate, 4: high school graduate, 5: university graduate). Dates of diagnosis of the patients, drug(s) they used, their duration of morning stiffness (as minutes) were investigated and recorded. Patients with diagnosis of AS who were admitted to the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinics are routinely instructed with a home-based exercise program. Exercises recommended are as breathing and posture exercises, and range of motion/stretching exercises for all joints. Patients were inquired about the extent they do these recommended exercises, and they were rated as 0 (not doing the exercises) , 1 (doing irregularly or occasionally), 2 (doing regularly every day), and the results were recorded. Smoking habits of the patients were evaluated. Those who have smoked at least one cigarette a day for a period of longer than 6 months during their lifetime were included in the smoking group. Whether or not the individuals in this group were currently smoking and how many cigarettes a day and for how many years they have smoked were determined. â€Å"Packs/year† term was calculated by multiplying amount of cigarettes (as packs) smoked daily by smoking period (as years). Indices have been developed to measure the activation status, functional status, spinal mobility values and quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), developed for evaluating disease activity, consists of 6 visuel analog scale (VAS) measurements comprising of fatigue, spinal and peripheral joint pain, severity and morning stiffness [12]. Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), developed for functional evaluation, was determined to have been superior regarding sensitivity to the change to the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) which was developed for the same purpose [13]. Bath AS metrology index (BASMI) was developed by evaluating 20 different clinical assessment methods and selecting 5 among them with the property of the highest validity, reliability, repeatability, and sensitivity to the change [14]. Developed to assess the quality of life of patients with AS, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) has been demons trated to be a valid and reliable tool that can be used both in clinical practice and in scientific research [15]. To evaluate the functional status, disease activity, spinal mobility and quality of life of the patients, BASFI, BASDAI, BASMI and ASQoL scales were used respectively. All indices were assessed by the same physician. Turkish versions of BASFI, BASDAI and ASQoL were used. The reliability of the Turkish versions of BASFI, BASDAI, and ASQoL has been confirmed [16-19]. BASMI is a combined index comprising five assessments of spinal mobility in AS patients. The index include assessments of lateral lumbar flexion, tragus-to-wall distance, lumbar flexion, intermalleolar distance and cervical rotation [20]. These measurements have been found to be clinically practical and reliable in reflecting axial status [1]. In our study, measurements of tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober, cervical rotations (mean of the sum of right and left rotations was taken), lumbar lateral flexion difference (mean of the sum of right and left lateral flexion differences was taken), intermalleolar distance were performed by the same physician on all patients to obtain BASMI score. Apart from these mobility assessments performed, occiput-to-wall distance, chin-to-sternum distance, chest expansion, thoracic Schober, lumbar Schober, hand-to-ground distance and intermalleolar distance were measured. As laboratory values of the patients, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (using Standard Westegren Method) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. SPSS 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Il., USA) software package was used for data analysis. Results for continuous variables were presented as maximum, minimum and mean  ± standard deviation (SD). Descriptive statistical method was used to obtain these values. For the correlation analysis of the results, Pearson Correlation test was used. Multivariate regression models were constructed to evaluate associations between identified variables. A p value of

The Conclusion for Judges Essay example -- essays research papers

The Conclusion for Judges The book of Judges tells of an era in Israel in which the people of the land had no king. This book follows the incidents of twelve individuals whom were selected by God and shown favor to lead the Israelites out of the hands of the oppressors of their days. A judge is a military official known for his or her bravery in battles or incidents and nothing more than a mere warlord. This individual was given authority over decision-making and political squabbles among the people of Israel since there was no king. A judge would arise in the time of need and lead the tribe or tribes to victory over their enemies. God would show favor unto the judges and they would lead the people of Israel for their lifetime. The book of Judges displays an era of chaos in which the people of Israel did what was right in their opinion. This period is full of utter chaos in which the lack of leadership led to idolatry, rape, murder, the absence of unity among the tribes, and disorder. The last verse in Judges reads, â€Å"In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what right in their own eyes† (21:25), this conclusion is perfect for a book whose entire writings describe a time of such turmoil. The most prevalent form of worship throughout the book of Judges is idolatry. This is one of the sins of the covenant but the people of Israel for some reason cannot abandon this tradition among themselves. Idolatry is the worship of an idol, statue, or some other god or gods. The most popular among the people of Israel were Baal and Astartes. The people of Israel may have been led in a different path if there would have been some sort of leadership or power. Instead, the people of Israel followed a judge by the name of Gideon who created an ephod out of golden earrings for them to worship. There are several incidents throughout the book of Judges that exemplify the worship of idols, which resulted in the anger of God. The people of Israel take up gods from other towns and worship them, also. The presence of a king may have changed this due to the fact he would have been able to shed insight on a specific religion among the people. A disturbing fact of the book of Judges was the senseless raping of women throughout this wretched era. A Levite man’s concubine was raped in a town of which he should be able to trust the people. The men of the town initiall... ...bout. Some of the worst battles were fought as a source of revenge of one person being wronged. Entire towns are slaughtered for the deeds of one or two individuals. Husbands are betrayed to the death by wives for the mere price of eleven hundred pieces of silver, entire races of people are nearly wiped out because of the action of several ruthless men. This disorder itself would allow the last verse of Judges to be a great conclusion for the book. In conclusion, the verse, â€Å"In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes† (21:25), is an apt conclusion for a book written of a disorderly era. The era in which Judges is written about needed the presence of a king or some type of monarchy. The people of Israel took the law into their own hands, they handled problems to the best of their abilities but this was not sufficed. They needed some form of true leadership so that all of the tribes would be of one accord. This could not be accomplished with the thoughts of all of the tribes being vaguely different. Everyone doing what they felt was right only caused for more problems, which would only lead to working harder on trying to fix those.

AFGHANISTAN A Second Chance to Transform a Nation :: Essays Papers

AFGHANISTAN A Second Chance to Transform a Nation GRAPH I. Historical Background, Pre-European Intervention Before Western European intervention in its affairs, Afghanistan progressed relatively well while resisting the interference of invading foreigners. The region was among the first to domesticate plants and animals over 50,000 years ago, and in the 2000s BCE, urban centers served as important centers of commerce and craft. The city of Mundigak, located near the modern city of Kandahar, possibly invented bronze and served as an important passage between Mesopotamia and other Indus valley civilizations. Its relative prominence and strategic value led Darius the Great to expand the Persian Empire into the majority of Afghanistan in an invasion around 500 BCE that included some of its most metropolitan areas. In a foreshadowing of conflicts to come over the next few thousand years, the Afghan people constantly revolted against and attacked the Persian authority with their tribal groups, particularly in the Arachosia region. After 200 years, Alexander the Great conquered Persia, whic h consequently led to another invasion into Afghanistan met by constant and bloody revolt. In 50 AD, Kushan rule was established by King Kanishka, but the empire fragmented into hostile dynasties 170 years later, setting up the stage for the White Hun invasion of 400 AD that resulted in the destruction of Afghani Buddhist culture. In 550 AD, Persians reaffirmed control over roughly the modern boundaries of Afghanistan, but once again, Afghan tribes revolted fiercely against the Persian occupiers. These events should have served as important and noted precedents for future generations of invaders (Chronological History of Afghanistan). II. Early Precedents of Failed Western Intervention in Afghani Affairs The region of Afghanistan became strategically significant with Great Britain’s colonization of India. By the early nineteenth century, India provided vast amounts of resources, land, and profit for England, and the British considered India the jewel of their â€Å"imperial crown† that needed to be protected at all costs (Chirnside). Under its tsarist rule, Russia had been expanding in many directions, and southward seemed to be the next logical alternative. Russia sent various diplomatic envoys that began to gain favor with Dost Muhammad, the acting ruler of Afghanistan during that time.

Why Does Conflict Arise in Organizations

Why does conflict arise in organizations, and how it can be managed ABSTRACT This essay seeks to illustrate how organizational conflict cannot be avoided. It will demonstrate the various ways in which conflict may arise within organizations and classify them into a range of groups. There will be a thorough analysis to show if conflict is positive or negative towards the growth of an organization. Findings of the previous will then lead to different mechanisms that can be used when managing conflict to ensure positive outcomes in an organization. The aforementioned will be supported by relevant theories, which will assist in reinforcing the validity of this essay. INTRODUCTION In this era of rapid development organizations are formed as a social entity to foster an environment of financial, economic and social growth. Organizations can range from large governmental bodies to small business. Organizations have evolved through different stages, from its birth to maturity. During these stages organizations tend to be adversely affected by crisis of leadership, autonomy, control and bureaucracy. Consequently these crises make conflict unavoidable. Additionally, an organization may be exemplified where two or more individual establish a relationship in order to accomplish and acquire a desired goal. There are various schools of thought as it pertains to conflict including the Traditional View, Human Relations View and the Interactionist View. More so conflict exists at different levels namely Intrapersonal, Interpersonal and Intergroup. However there may be some techniques available to manage conflict like Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, Conciliation and Consultancy. The following paragraphs will further explain the scopes of conflict and how it can be managed. CONFLICT It is a process that begins when one part perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affect, something that the first part cares about. [1] An organization is a social arrangement which pursues collective goals, which controls its own performance, and which has a boundary separating it from its environment. [2] Schools of thoughts with regards to conflict: The Traditional View: This view was prevalent in the the 1930’s and 40’s where it was conceived that the existence of conflict can only be harmful to the growth of an organization. Therefore in that era conflict should have been avoided, this resulted in less focus to research on the causes of conflict. The Human Relations View: The human relations position pioneered that conflict was inevitable in all groups and organizations. It could never be eliminated and it also sometimes proves to be beneficial to a group’s performance. This was dominant in the late 40’s and mid 70’s. The Interactionist View: This view encourages the existence of conflict at an ongoing minimum level, enough to keep the group viable, critical and creative. After looking at the above views it will not be feasible to say that conflict is good or bad. It can only be analyzed as bad or good based on the type of conflict. (The schools of thoughts were taken from â€Å"Stephen Robbins, Organizational Behaviour, 10th ed. 2003†) Functional: Interactionist view does not see all conflict as good but those conflicts that supports the goals and improves performance is called functional conflict or constructive conflict. Dysfunctional: On the other hand conflict that is dysfunctional relates to the conflict that promotes alienation, inefficiency and generally has adverse effects on productivity. To know if a conflict is either functional or dysfunctional, the types must be known. Types of Conflict Task Conflict- this relates to the content and goals of the task that is to be performed, Relationship Conflict- this focus on interpersonal relationships, and Process Conflict- this relates to how the task gets done. Studies show that Relationship conflict most of the times turns out to be dysfunctional. Task, relationship or process can perpetrated in the following ways Intrapersonal Conflict occurs within us: when we are at odds with ourselves, when we are torn between choices we need to make, when we are frustrated with our goals or accomplishments. Conflict within us very often leads to conflict with others. Interpersonal Conflict occurs between two or more individuals. We might get into a heated debate in a meeting, get in an argument with a coworker, or have a bad encounter with our boss. This is the type of conflict we are most concerned with in this workshop, although our discussion has bearing on the other types. Intergroup Conflict occurs between groups: nations, gangs, work areas, etc. For example, your department at work might have an ‘us vs. them’ attitude about some other department. Intra/ Interpersonal and Intergroup was taken from a Business Management skills article from Dave Neal found on http://www. scarecrowworkshops. com/b-conflict-management. html The Process of Conflict diagram will help illustrate why conflict arise in organizations, this was taken from Stephen Robbins, Organizational Behaviour, 10th ed. 2003 [pic] Stage 1 shows some of the conditions that has the capacity to develop conflict A break down in communication is significant in contributing to conflict . The true sense of communication is for the receiving party to understand what the sender is communicating in order to attain the right feedback. The bereaucratic nature of an organization facilitate the process of unsuccessful communication. This is so as information passed on to subordinates may be prone to deterioration. This may be so as the subordinate or receiver may not attach the urgency of the message that the sender intended. As such, this reluctance may cause the final message or information to be significantly ambiguous, which would result in conflict. Additionally, another source of conflict is structural factors as it pertains to size, Staff Heterogeneity, Participation, Line-Staff distinction, Reward Systems, Resource Interdependence and Power. In terms of size an organzation tend to operate more effciently and with less conflict when it is small. The manger has more direct influence in the company in terms of supervision and the overseeing of delegated tasks. However where the company grows in size the reins of controll are strained. There may now be increased specialization and bereaucracy. Consequently there may be increased opportunity to for misconception of information and hence conflict. For example, an interview was done at a renowned company, WASA in Trinidad and Tobago. The manager of the Construction Services Department North is responsible for various pipe laying projects therefore it is mandatory for him to retrieve materials for the various projects. The retrieval of these materials does not lie in his hands, thoroughly, but this function is mainly dependent on the Manager of Corporate Services-Supplies to source the right provider of the materials. This process of sourcing these materials may be long at times therefore putting the pipe laying projects sometimes on long delays. Consequently there is the possibility of having conflict between these two managers but note carefully that the structure of certain procedures within the organization is the main cause for the conflict. The issue of staff heterogeneity appears to have an adverse effect as it pertains to conflict. There are many issues which may arise due to differences in staff. For instance the junior staff in a company may feel that the senior staff may be too inflexible. They generally wield more power in organizations and junior staff may be subjected to their redundancy and myopic work approach. Thus conflict may tend to arise. Moreso, Partcipation, in terms of decision making, is a source for conflict. A subordinate may need to be able to express their opinions. Where employees re given a forum to express their decision making opinons it may be noted that conflict is more likely to occur. According to Robbins, an atmosphere of conflict may be created as the employee is unable to prevail with his point of view due to his lack of authority. Futhermore According to Allen 1955, line and staff distinctions may be another cause for conflict. It may be noted that Line units perform tasks that are dir ectly related to the core activities of the organization. However, staff units perform tasks that support the line function. This definition was taken from the book Organizational Behavior by K. W. Thomas. This may be exemplified in the aforementioned WASA scenario where a line unit member involved in the installation of pipe was hampered in carrying out his task. This may result in conflict as the staff unit may be removed and not place as much emphasis on the centralized operations of the company as a line member. It may be also noted that conflict may arise in terms of reward systems. This refers to the fact that one party may receive a reward at the expense of the other. As such conflict would tend to arise. and that i Personal Variables, this is basically personality differences. An important factor is found in stage 2 due to the fact that the antecedents of conflict must be perceived or felt. This is so because all the possibilities in stage 1 could occur but the feelings associated with stage 2 may not necessarily transpire. Further observation of the above diagram with regards to stage 3, which are techniques to handle conflict can also encourage conflict, for instance competing (this speaks for itself) and also avoiding due to the fact that the matter is never resolved leaving the parties unsatisfied and also no growth was made towards achieving the organizations’ goals. In Addition stage 4 can also promote conflict depending on what happened in the previous stage. If the conflict handling techniques (stage3) was destructive then behaviours (stage 4) may be verbal attacks, threats and ultimatums, aggressive physical attacks or overt efforts to terminate the other party. Therefore it can be analyzed that stage 3 can also initiate more conflict. There are other major fields of study within organizational behaviour that can be a recipe for conflict. Some of these are as follows. Job Satisfaction- Job satisfaction is an integral aspect in organizational conflict. The employee needs to feel truly a part of the company and that his contribution is instrumental to the company’s progress. He must also feel challenged by his work load and not bogged down by mundane and alienating tasks. Personalities and emotions- (express on this factor and mention the following in the right context) there is the Myers- Briggs Type Indicator (a test of 100 questions that asks people how they react to a certain situation and then this break down into sixteen personality types. 3] Leadership skills- this is where studies were done analyzing the type of employees to see what type of leadership skill will be best suited in order to facilitate an ambiance of little conflict/ functional conflict thus enhancing the organization’s performance. Hersey and Blanchard’s situational theory reiterate this. In other terms if a manager does not have the right type of leaders hip skills to suit his staff conflict can occur. Organizational Change- if change is not accepted this can cause conflict especially if this change affects the culture of an organization. For example, a technology change may cause conflict if workers perceive they are not ready to handle it. (use other examples) Techniques to Manage Conflict Conflict may be managed If conflicts results in destructive outcomes then it must be managed. The various ways of managing conflict are Negotiation- this is a process in which two or more parties exchange goods or services and attempt to agree on the exchange rate for them. [4] Mediator- A neutral third party who facilitates a negotiated solution by using reasoning, persuasion, and suggestions for alternatives. Arbitrator- this involves a third party to a negotiation who has the authority to dictate an agreement. Conciliator- A trusted third party who provides an informal communication link between the negotiator and the opponent. Consultant- an impartial third party, skilled in conflict management, who attempts to facilitate creative problem solving through communication and analysis. The definition s of the former four was taken from Organizational Behaviour, Stephen Robbins, 2003. Also the positive ways of handling conflict (stage3 of the diagram) Collaborate, Compromise and Accommodate (expand on these points) Other ways are Superordinate goals; this is creating a shared goal that cannot be attained without the working together of the conflicting groups. Smoothing- de-emphasizing on differences while looking at the common interest. Behavioural Change techniques can be used to alter personality. Structural Change Techniques can be used to avoid interactions between the conflicting groups Conclusion In conclusion conflict in an organization is inevitable. In essence, in the 1930’s and 40’s the Traditional View enveloped that all conflict as destructive and hence should be avoided at all cost. Additionally conflict is unavoidable in all organizations and it can never be eliminated. It has been proposed that conflict may also be advantageous to a group’s performance. The aforementioned denoted the Human Relations View which was prevalent among the late 1940’s and mid 1970’s. Moreover, the interactionist view states that a minimal level of conflict is necessary for the stimulation of creativity. Furthermore conflict can operate on various levels namely Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Intergroup. It is caused mainly through communication, structural and personal behaviour factors. Communication factors pertain to the distortion of information along the communication line. Structural factors that lead to conflict may include size, staff heterogeneity, participation, line staff distinctions, Reward systems, Resource Interdependence and Power. Bibliography The following was taken from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Conflict and can be redone from an organizational perspective Conflict is a state of opposition, disagreement or incompatibility between two or more people or groups of people, which is sometimes characterized by physical violence. Military conflict between states may constitute war. [edit] Definitions In political terms, â€Å"conflict† refers to an ongoing state of hostility between two or more groups of people. Conflict as taught for graduate and professional work in conflict resolution commonly has the definition: â€Å"when two or more parties, with perceived incompatible goals, seek to undermine each other's goal-seeking capability†. One should not confuse the distinction between the presence and absence of conflict with the difference between competition and co-operation. In competitive situations, the two or more parties each have mutually inconsistent goals, so that when either party tries to reach their goal it will undermine the attempts of the other to reach theirs. Therefore, competitive situations will by their nature cause conflict. However, conflict can also occur in cooperative situations, in which two or more parties have consistent goals, because the manner in which one party tries to reach their goal can still undermine the other. A clash of interests, values, actions or directions often sparks a conflict. Conflicts refer to the existence of that clash. Psychologically, a conflict exists when the reduction of one motivating stimulus involves an increase in another, so that a new adjustment is demanded. The word is applicable from the instant that the clash occurs. Even when we say that there is a potential conflict we are implying that there is already a conflict of direction even though a clash may not yet have occurred. [edit] Types and Modes of Conflict A conceptual conflict can escalate into a verbal exchange and/or result in fighting. Conflict can exist at a variety of levels of analysis: †¢ intrapersonal conflict (though this usually just gets delegated out to psychology) †¢ interpersonal conflict †¢ emotional conflict †¢ group conflict †¢ organizational conflict †¢ community conflict †¢ intra-state conflict (for example: civil wars, election campaigns) †¢ international conflict †¢ environmental resources conflict †¢ intersocietal conflict †¢ intra-societal conflict †¢ ideological conflict †¢ diplomatic conflict †¢ economic conflict †¢ military conflict religious-based conflict (for example: Center For Reduction of Religious-Based Conflict) Conflicts in these levels may appear â€Å"nested† in conflicts residing at larger levels of analysis. For example, conflict within a work team may play out the dynamics of a broader conflict in the organization as a whole. (See Marie Dugan's article on Nested Conflict. John Paul Lederach has also written on this. ) Theorists have claimed that parties can conceptualise responses to conflict according to a two-dimensional scheme; concern for one's own outcomes and concern for the outcomes of the other party. This scheme leads to the following hypotheses: †¢ High concern for both one's own and the other party's outcomes leads to attempts to find mutually beneficial solutions. †¢ High concern for one's own outcomes only leads to attempts to â€Å"win† the conflict. †¢ High concern for the other party's outcomes only leads to allowing the other to â€Å"win† the conflict. †¢ No concern for either side's outcomes leads to attempts to avoid the conflict. In Western society, practitioners usually suggest that attempts to find mutually beneficial solutions lead to the most satisfactory outcomes, but this may not hold true for many Asian societies. Several theorists detect successive phases in the development of conflicts. Often a group finds itself in conflict over facts, goals, methods or values. It is critical that it properly identify the type of conflict it is experiencing if it hopes to manage the conflict through to resolution. For example, a group will often treat an assumption as a fact. The more difficult type of conflict is when values are the root cause. It is more likely that a conflict over facts, or assumptions, will be resolved than one over values. It is extremely difficult to â€Å"prove† that a value is â€Å"right† or â€Å"correct†. In some instances, a group will benefit from the use of a facilitator or process consultant to help identify the specific type of conflict. Practitioners of nonviolence have developed many practices to solve social and political conflicts without resorting to violence or coercion. [edit] Examples †¢ Approach-avoidance conflict is an example of intrapersonal conflict. †¢ The Vietnam Conflict is commonly regarded as a war. †¢ The Arab-Israeli conflict forms a historic and ongoing conflict between Israel and Arab interests. See also Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Catholic-Protestant conflict in Northern Ireland furnishes an example of another notable historic conflict. For information on the conflict, see the Troubles, Bloody Sunday (Northern Ireland 1972), the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan Bombings and the 1998 Omagh bombing. †¢ Many conflicts have a supposedly racial or ethnic basis. This would include such conflicts as the Bosnian-Croatian conflict (see Kosovo), the conflict in Rwanda. †¢ Class conflict forms an important topic in much Marxist thought. †¢ Another type of conflict exists between governments and guerrilla groups or groups engaged in asymmetric warfare. = [edit] Causes of Conflict Structural Factors (How the company is set up) †¢ Specialization (The experts in fields) †¢ Interdependance (A company as a whole can't operate w/o other departments) †¢ Common Resources (Sharing the same secretary) †¢ Goal Differences (One person wants production to rise and others want communication to rise) †¢ Authority Relationships (The boss and employees beneath him/her) †¢ Status Inconsistencies †¢ Jurisdicational Ambiguities (Who can discipline who) Personal Factors †¢ Skills and Abilities †¢ Personalities †¢ Perception Values and Ethics †¢ Emotions †¢ Communication barriers †¢ Cultural Differences â€Å"Conflict is an emotionally defined and driven,† and â€Å"do es not exist in the absence of emotion. † There are many components to the emotions that are intertwined with conflict. There is a behavioral, physiological, cognitive component. †¢ Behavioral- The way emotional experience gets expressed which can be verbal or non-verbal and intentional or un-intentional. †¢ Physiological- The bodily experience of emotion. The way emotions make us feel in comparison to our identity. Cognitive- The idea that we â€Å"assess or appraise† an event to reveal its relevancy to ourselves. These three components collectively advise that â€Å"the meanings of emotional experience and expression are determined by cultural values, beliefs, and practices. † †¢ Cultural values- culture tells people who are a part of it, â€Å"Which emotions ought to be expressed in particular situations† and â€Å"what emotions are to be felt. † †¢ Physical- This escalation results from â€Å"anger or frustration. † â € ¢ Verbal- This escalation results from â€Å"negative perceptions of the annoyer’s character. There are several principles of conflict and emotion. †¢ 1. Conflict is emotionally Defined-conflict involves emotion because something â€Å"triggers† it. The conflict is with the parties involved and how they decide to resolve it â€Å"Events that trigger conflict are events that elicit emotion. † †¢ 2. Conflict is emotionally Valenced- Emotion levels during conflict can be intense or less intense. The â€Å"intensity† levels â€Å"may be indicative of the importance and meaning of the conflict issues for each† party. †¢ 3. Conflict Invokes a Moral Stance- When an event occurs it can be interpreted as moral or immoral. The judging of this morality â€Å"Influences one’s orientation to the conflict, relationship to the parties involved, and the conflict issues†. †¢ 4. Conflict is Identity based- Emotions and Identity are a part of conflict. When a person knows there values, beliefs, and morals they are able to determine whether the conflict is personal, relevant, and moral. â€Å"Identity related conflicts are potentially more destructive. † †¢ 5. Conflict is Relational- â€Å"conflict is relational in the sense that emotional communication conveys relational definitions that impact conflict. † â€Å"Key relational elements are power and social status. Emotions are acceptable in the workplace as long as they can be controlled and utilized for productive organizational outcomes. – Bibliography ———————– [1] K. W. Thomas, â€Å"Conflict and Negotiation Process in Organizations,† in Dunnette and Hough (eds. ), Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2ne ed. , vol. 3, 1992 [2] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Organization [3] R. R Mc Crae and T. Costa, Reinterpreting the Myers- Briggs Type indicator from the perspective of the five factor model of personality, Journal of Personality, March 1989 [4] J. A. Wall, Jr. , Negotiation: Theory and Practice, 1985 ———————– Antecedent Conditions Communication Structure Personal Variables Perceived Conflict Felt Conflict Conflict Handling Intentions Competing Collaborating Compromising Avoiding Accommodating Overt Conflict Party’s Behaviour Other’s Reaction Increased Group Performance Decreased Group Performance Stage 1 Potential Opposition or Incompatibility Stage 2 Cognition and Personalization Stage 3 Intentions Stage 4 Behaviour Stage 5 Outcomes

Got Milk Study Essay

â€Å" Got Milk? † 1. You are the California Mike Processor Board (CMPB) and your advertising agency was the originator of the successful â€Å"got milk? † campaign. Now all milk producers, including your competition are using the same advertising. How might you establish points of difference from your competitors selling milk? * Spread a new kind of portable packaged dairy beverage. It’s mainly made from milk but with fresh taste, which is distinguished from the pure milk. Also, it has many flavors, like peanut, almond, cashew nut, coffee, blueberry, banana, apple and other fruits. Expand â€Å"Got milk? † meaning, added it with â€Å"Got Milk Today? † and â€Å"Just Drinking Milk for Fun†. * Switching consumers’ traditional concepts that â€Å"I should† to â€Å"I want†. The new message aims to remind customers the possibility of â€Å"drinking milk when you just want a drink† instead of regarding milk only as â€Å"a necessity with cereal†, †an accompaniment with cookies and sandwiches† or â€Å"an ingredient in coffee, milkshakes and soup†. * Launching a new campaign to persuade consumers that the new milk beverage can be drunk not only in the breakfast, but also in any occasions people want to have a drink. Also, this kind of new dairy drink is suitable for any age, not specific for the youth or children. * Expand the distribution channels that consumers can easily access to this dairy beverage, especially in the restaurant, fast food chains, convenient stores, vender machine, etc. 2. Create your â€Å"brand image† of milk. What are the key associations of milk in the minds of consumers and how have you arrived at your answer? * Our brand image is â€Å"Got Milk For Fun Today! †, which means consumers can drink this dairy beverage anytime and anywhere, when they want to drink something, as the same as they want to drink sodas, juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate. The new California dairy beverage is made from milk containing rich calcium and protein, which is healthier than sodas; it is more tasty than milk itself since it has been made into various flavored beverages; and it has convenient bottled-package as other beverages which can be drunk in the fancy restaurant, at school, in the gym, in driving-car, even in a bar. * According to the UDIA national consumer survey results, most people think milk is a healthy drink, a good source of calcium, a need for youth, as well as adults. And usually people drink milk when they eat breakfast with cereal, lunch with sandwiches, dinner with family meal. In a word, people are seldom â€Å"willing† to drink milk itself and few people would think of milk as beverage outside home. * Therefore, we want to change the â€Å"serious food† image into a kind of â€Å"entertainment† with the idea â€Å"Drink Milk for Fun†. We attempt to impress consumers that this flavored healthy dairy beverage is also can drink outside when you talk with friends, walk to somewhere, dine out with family, etc. The â€Å"end-users health benefits of milk† are just moderately motivation, but â€Å"have fun† can be a more effective motivator. We want to build up a new connection between fluid dairy and consumers’ interests in our brand image to remind consumers that milk is not a â€Å"forgettable† beverage in everyone’s life. 3. What is more important for the successful long—term growth of milk, â€Å"brand performance† or â€Å"brand imagery† and why? * â€Å"Brand performance† describes how well the product or service meets customers’ more functional needs. * â€Å"Brand imagery† depends on the extrinsic properties of the product or service, including the ways in which the brand attempts to meet customers’ psychological or social needs. * Brand imagery is more important for the long-term success of milk growth. * Since milk is a kind of product which owns high awareness among end-users, everyone knows it’s healthy, but it doesn’t mean that they have desire to consume it, especially for its old-fashion and serious image. Therefore, it’s more important for us to change the traditional brand imagery in customers’ mind, especially the purchase and usage situations. As most customers consume milk only with other food and only at home for breakfast, to increase the purchase and consume of milk, the first thing is to increase the possible occasions for milk consume in customers’ mind. * In addition, customers know milk’s brand performance well, so it won’t be that helpful for long-term growth if we focus on the functional needs. However, consumers who are high â€Å"self-monitors† and sensitive to how others see them are more likely to choose brands whose personalities fit the consumption situation. So it’s more effective to advertise psychological and social needs, to establish the associations with â€Å"fun†, and provide customers with fresh feelings and ideas about milk, like what â€Å"Got Milk? † have done years ago. 4. What are the Points of Parity and the Points of difference for milk versus other beverages consumed at breakfast? * Since there are various beverages, we discuss the parity and difference based on the different kinds of beverage. * Point of Parity of milk versus other beverage: Fruit juice, coffee, tea & Milk: necessary for people at breakfast Fruit juice & Milk: contain rich nutrition. Coffee, tea & Milk: various flavors * Point of difference of milk versus other beverages: First, milk is a necessity with cereal and some other food in the breakfast. Unlike fruit juice, milk can be an ingredient in the morning coffee and tea. Second, it’s a healthy benefit for growth and good source of calcium, which cannot be replaced by any other beverage. In addition, comparing with addiction to caffeine by drinking coffee, milk drinking for years only benefits people’s health. Last but not least, milk is relatively cheaper than other beverage. 5. The â€Å"Got milk? † advertising campaign in some form has run for over ten years. What can the California Milk Processors Board do to keep the message and strategy fresh in the consumer’s minds? * In this more than-ten year campaign, the â€Å"Got Milk† and â€Å"Milk Mustache† are still fun but not enough to catch consumers’ eyes. No matter how wonderful the â€Å"Got Milk? † campaign is, year after year, people will be fed up with the same message and strategy. * To retrieve the energy of advertising, we deliver some new messages and strategy to bring some fresh air into â€Å"Got Milk? † campaign. Adding the new element â€Å"Drink Milk for Fun† in the â€Å"Got Milk? † means changing the â€Å"milk is as boring as a beverage could possibly be† image in consumers’ minds. As a result, it appeals consumers to keep the interests in consuming more milk. * Engage consumers in the new campaign. Increase consumers’ awareness of drinking more milk by lunching promotion include the free sample-drinking on the downtown street, direct mail with coupon, social activity like dairy fan club etc. * Ultimate goal is to remind consumers to think of milk as a kind of beverage and to drink milk itself, or better, drink more. The new element in advertise will also recall people’s good memory of the â€Å"Got Milk? † in the past.