Friday, November 29, 2019

College And Athletes Essays - Cheating, Point Shaving,

College And Athletes Sports have always been one of American's favorite pastimes. Americans love the thrill of hard competition. College athletics has always been at the heart of this. It has always been something more pure than professional athletics. In recent years college athletics has changed for the worse. Players have drifted away from what it used to mean to play college sports. They have fallen into illegal activities and have left fans disappointed. One of the reasons for this change is the lack of funds for the players. There are many benefits to paying college athletes. In many cases, scholarship athletes are treated differently than academic scholarship recipients. There are unnecessary National Collegiate Athletic Association rules that restrict and even punish scholarship athletes. Embarrassed when one of its nonsensical rules was challenged in court by sophomore running back Darnell Autry of Northwestern, the sorry-you-can't-do-that specialist on Overland Park, Kansas rounded up enough members of their Administrative Review Panel (ARP) to over turn the original ruling and grant a waiver to Autry that allows him to accept a bit part in a feature film called The Eighteenth Angel (McCallum, 1996). It is not right that a football player, who loves drama, is not allowed to perform with his class and be treated the same way. The rest of Autry's class was to get paid for their performance but because of this he was originally not even permitted to perform with them. He was eventually allowed to perform but was not paid for his performance that every other student in the class was to be compensated for. Something needs to change in the rulebooks regarding the absurd rules. The Autry case was not the first case that protested a useless rule in the N.C.A.A. rules and procedures. And remember that the troublesome bylaw that almost tripped up Autry is still on the books, undoubtedly to be changed again (McCallum, 1996). Some of the rules are old fashioned and useless in today's society. Darnell Autry is in a drama class and the N.C.A.A. is hurting his education by limiting his experience in that class. The N.C.A.A. should not have jurisdiction over a players earnings outside his sports participation. The rules need to be looked at and changed. Even if each and every one of its ruler-to-the-wrist statutes was written for a sound reason, the collective impact is that the N.C.A.A.'s treatment of the student-athlete has become capricious, unnecessarily punitive and hopelessly out-of-date (McCallum, 1996). One of the biggest complaints lately from college basketball fans is that to many athletes are leaving college early to enter the draft. Now some athletes are going straight from high school to the NBA and skipping college altogether. A record number of athletes who are still eligible to play college ball have entered next month's National Basketball Association draft, and have plans for two new professional leagues for teen-agers threaten to diminish the talent pool for college teams (Blum, 1996). This upsets fans because they don't get to see the best players. The nations top high-school player, Kobe Bryant, was one of three seniors this year to declare themselves eligible for the draft (Blum, 1996). Fans will follow a team through bad years and good years but if a team has a good year many of its players consider leaving college for the big money in the National Basketball Association. Fans like to get to know a team and support it but become frustrated because of players leaving. Officials of big-time basketball programs are taking a new look at their sport-arguably the National Collegiate Athletic Association's most popular and lucrative-which is beset by worries that it can no longer hang on to or perhaps even attract the game's biggest stars (Blum, 1996). The biggest reason for ball players to skip out on college and to enter into the draft is because of the big money. Many players come from poor families and bad run down neighborhoods. They want an education but they do not want to miss out on a chance to make money. They also do not have enough money to pay for things that scholarships will not pay for. They should get paid a limited amount to help them live and enjoy college. That way players can get an education and then, if they choose, enter the draft after graduation. The lack of money for the players will many times entice them to fall into illegal activities. One of the illegal activities they might fall into is gambling. Boston College has announced a range of

Monday, November 25, 2019

Louis Joseph Papineau essays

Louis Joseph Papineau essays Papineau was born October 7, 1786. He was an Aristocratic Seignior of the old school who inherited from his father the seigneury of La Petite Nation (The Small Nation) on the Ottawa River. He was Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1815 to 1823 and from 1825 to 1832. With his forceful interventions in the House and his popularity as a powerful speaker, Louis-Joseph Papineau became the champion of the nationalist movement. In his youth he had great faith in British Institutions and believed that the Quebec Act was all that French Canada needed to ensure a successful development. He believed in British parliamentary democracy for the sake of what I could bring to French Canada. His goal was self-government of Quebec un the British Crown. When he reached his middle age his view points changed. He was disillusioned with the British Constitutional way. The British-based government would evade the assembly in every way possible and he saw it as a poor base and example for the French Canadian to follow. He then turned to the American way. He admired the American way to insist on independence and the fundamental rights of each individual. Papineau ambitioned a democratic republic. As leader of the Canadian Party, which later became the Patriot Party, he made an important speech in the House of Assembly on February 28, 1834, on the Ninety-two Resolutions which criticized the oligarchic system of the government. He demanded that the elected assembly could have more control over colonial revenues, and more political control as well. London responded to these requests rejecting all the demands made, causing an economic crises (especially for the Farmers which couldnt afford new products to re-farm) to flourish in Lower Canada. Their terms only swelled the discontent, and rebellion took shape. In 1836, warrants were issued for the arrest of Louis-Joseph Papineau and the other main leade ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Global and International Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Global and International - Essay Example Magon focused on the manufacture of winemaking, which served as a platform for agricultural activities of the Roman. The Romans acclaimed Magon’s treatise and regarded it as valuable. Consequently, the Romans transferred the treatise to Rome upon the obliteration of Carthage. The Romans translated the dissertation into the Latin language. The Byzantines, Vandals and Romans, proceeded with the production of wine in Tunisia. On the other hand, the Arab leaders repressed the production of wine after Tunisia was conquered in the 8th Century AD. The large-scale production of wine in Tunisia returned in 1881 after the French invasion. The French anticipated the benefits derived from Tunisia’s soil and climate that is naturally suitable for the production of wine. The French numerous huge vineyards for the production of wine created to French standards. However, the dynamics of production in Tunisia changed in 1956 after attaining independence. The citizens of Tunisia fully controlled the production of wine. The situation is similar presently. Numerous varied vineyards and domains currently exist in Tunisia. Nevertheless, Tunisia is yet to attain the full potential of wine production. Subsequently, the country exports minimal wine to outside countries. The drawback in realization of full potential of wine is reprehensible. The wine that Tunisia produces matches international standards. Therefore, Tunisia can compete favorably with other countries whose terrains produce exceptional wine. Tunisia offers quality and tasty wine for oenophiles inside the nation at low cost. By 2008, the area in Tunisia covered with vineyards was 31,000 hectares. Of the total land covered by vineyards, 108,000 acres is dedicated to grapes that are utilized in wine making. The major varieties of grapes found in the vineyards of Tunisia are identical to grapes in southern France. The similarity occurs because of the indulgence of France in Tunisia’s

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

HISTORY COURSEWORK PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HISTORY PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION - Coursework Example The problem with this particular type of governance was that it lacked a central form of government that would have given it coherence and a uniform direction in governance. It was the problem of governance relating to economics, legislation of laws, and central leadership that created the problems within the confederate government. â€Å"Brackemyre, T. â€Å"Americas First Failure at Government: The Articles of Confederation†). So, while the ideas behind the conderacy form of government were based upon good intentions and safeguards, the implementation and lack of central leadership created a confusing form of governance which eventually led to the disintegration of the condeferacy. 2. The main problem they faced was not having a central form of government that could create a cohesive plan of action for the states. Since each state had individualized, extreme powers, there was an uneveness in the mode of governnance because of the federal state power. Each law that was created needed to be ratified by 9 of the then 13 states before it could be passed into law. Economically speaking the government could not directly tax the citizens so the existing congress did not hae a budget and could not request money directly from the states either. That said, any changes to the articles were hard to implement because all 13 states needed to approve the changes. There was a military problem as well due to the fact that men could not be drafted. Thus creating a smaller than usual military force. There was also a judicial problem since all the state conflicts had to be settled in state courts. Additionally, since congress did not have the power to resolve state disputes, the problems between states tended to escalate (Sage, H. â€Å"American Under the Articles of Confederation: 1783-1989) As such, the problems that existed had a tendency to escalate due to the lack of a moderating body within the government. 3. The two party system of the United States stemmed from the

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Success of Ford Motor Company Research Paper

The Success of Ford Motor Company - Research Paper Example According to the paper we highlight some of the issues mentioned in the case and support it with research in the automobile industry domain. The focus is restricted to the US automobile market; though we need to consider the global car market since the automobile industry is global in nature. Manufacturing, Research and Development and raw materials are often sourced from across the globe. Similarly, products manufactured in one country are often exported and sold in several other countries. Here, we are discussing the case in the context of the automotive industry in US. There are references to the global environment also. Some of the peripheral aspects of the case also deal with the global scenario. From this discussion it is clear that the company was operating in a highly competitive US market. The US market was marked by consumers who were facing the brunt of a slow-growth economy with several macro-economic indicators at an all-time low. Naturally, this led to the demand for highly efficient automobiles. The concerns were with maximizing the value of every dollar earned. This was applicable to all consumer durable products. The political setup was stable and emphasized robust economic growth. Socio-economic forces tended to be positive for all the consumer durable goods that dominated the market. The environment was technology intensive and it permeated to all classes of products, more especially in the area of communication services. In automobile industry, hybrid cars, electric vehicles and traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles with higher fuel efficiency were making their presence felt. The industry was driven by the car manufacturers. Supplier power was low since they could not bargain for higher prices easily. Additionally, there were more suppliers who could cater to automobile companies.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The Objective Of Green Building Concept Environmental Sciences Essay

The Objective Of Green Building Concept Environmental Sciences Essay Buildings, as offices, are responsible for around forty percent of the expenses borne by the business in operations. It is estimated that by the year 2050, the residential and office buildings will consume thirty eight percent of the total global energy and will release three thousand eight hundred mega tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. Green Building is a technique of constructing buildings using processes and materials which are environment friendly and energy efficient at the same time. Buildings require air, water, energy and space for its occupants. These are provided by systems in place like the ventilation system, the water supply system and the electricity supply system. The materials which are used in the construction of the building also produce environmental impact like carbon footprint, pollution through wastes and slurry, and the consumption of water and power. Buildings are one of the major sources of pollution that cause air pollution and are responsible for climate change. The objective of green building concept is to develop buildings which use the natural resources to the minimal at the time of construction as well as operation. Green buildings emphasize on the resource usage efficiency and also press upon the three Rs Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The technique of green building maximizes the use of efficient construction materials and practices; boosts the use of natural sources and sinks in the buildings surroundings; minimizes the energy usage to run itself; uses highly proficient equipment for the indoor area; uses highly proficient methods for water and waste management. The indoor equipment includes lighting, air-conditioning and all other needed equipment. Green Building is a team effort and the designing and construction include consultants from architecture and landscaping, air conditioning, plumbing, energy and electrical areas. These consultants have to assess the impact of the each and every design on the environment, keeping in mind the cost involved. The final design needs to be feasible and should minimize the negative impacts that the building would have on the environment. Implementation of the green building concept can lead to a reduction of carbon emission by thirty five percent, water usage by forty percent, solid waste reduction by seventy percent and reduction in energy consumption by fifty percent. Green Building concept also emphasizes on the fact that an area with high biodiversity should be avoided as a site for the construction of a building. To ensure minimum negative impact on the environment by the construction and operation of a building, the factors which are to be kept in mind are to preserve the external environment to the building location; to improve the internal area for the residents of the building; and also preserve the areas which are not close to the building. Saving Energy Energy saving through green building concept occurs in two ways. First is reduction in the amount of energy that is consumed in lighting, air conditioning and other building operations. Second is the usage of energy sources which do not produce any greenhouse gases and are renewable in nature. Green Buildings emphasize more on natural lighting and concepts of temperature control and efficient design to further reduce the carbon footprint as well as reduce cost of operation. Saving water Green Buildings use various methods to reduce water usage, treat and reuse waste water and filter water from sourced from precipitation. The target is to be able to achieve zero water table negative impact from the green building. Reducing Waste Waste reduction is one of the most important issues that are to be dealt with. In the US alone, the waste from construction and demolition of buildings accounts for sixty percent of the total non-industrial waste. Green Building concept emphasizes on improving the design of the product, re-using and recycling materials. It results in tremendous waste reduction and also helps to reduce the environmental impact of the building. Improving Health and Productivity Hygiene and proper conditions inside the building also help in boosting human productivity. Hence various businesses concentrate on this aspect. Green Building concept provides for cleanliness and sound working conditions for employees and other inhabitants. Green Building concept in USA: Green building markets in the United States of America (USA), account for five to ten percent of the total building market. The largest organisation for green building in USA is the US Green Building Council (USGBC). It has over twelve thousand member organizations and is around a financial worth of over twelve billion dollars. Some of the rating systems that have been developed for green building concept are: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Globes, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), International Codes Council and American National Standards Institute. In USA, the existing buildings are accounting for forty percent of total energy consumption, twelve percent of total water usage, sixty eight percent of electricity usage, thirty eight percent of carbon dioxide emission and sixty percent of non-industrial waste generation. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System: LEED rating system was developed in USA by the US Green Building Council in the year 1998. It provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction of building using a market-based rating system. This rating system is being followed in the US and many other countries for the evaluation of sustainable building. LEED can be defined for new constructions, existing buildings, commercial buildings and schools. Buildings which have been recognized to be eligible for LEED are offices, retail establishments, institutional buildings and service establishments. LEED rating system provides a variety of benefits and cost savings. The benefits include reducing the operating costs, reducing resource utilizations in terms of water and electricity, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The other cost savings includes the tax rebates and zone allowances. LEED rating system provides four levels of rating to a building design: Certified 26-32 pts Silver 33-38 pts Gold 39-51 pts Platinum 52-69 pts The points are obtained by the building through the following design issues: Sustainable sites 14 pts Innovation and design 5 pts Energy and atmosphere 17 pts Indoor quality 15 pts Materials and resources 13 pts Water efficiency 5 pts Green Building concept in India In India, a number of agencies are involved in the Green Building concept execution and monitoring. The major agencies are Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) was established in 1974 and is headquartered at New Delhi. TERI has developed a new rating system for Green Building assessment. This rating system is called Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA). In India, both the LEED and the GRIHA rating systems are followed along with the Energy Conservation Building Code 2007 given by BEE. Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rating system: GRIHA was developed by TERI and has been adopted by the ministry of new and renewable resources. It takes into account the variations in the climate, architectural practices followed and the practices for construction and also keeps the National Building Code 2005 as well as the Energy Conservation Building Code 2007. GRIHA has been specially created keeping in mind the non-air conditioned and the partially air conditioned buildings. GRIHA provides ratings for institutional, residential and commercial buildings. The emphasis is on the national concerns for environment, the weather and climate conditions, and providing solutions. According to the information collected, the following hypothesis is formulated: H: The benefits of Green Building approach are significantly greater than the costs incurred to go green Green Building concept and corporate sustainability: For corporations, green building concept comes with a bundle of benefits. The benefits include: Potentially higher capital value in the future for the building Risk of obsolescence decreases The demand from institutional investors increases Operating costs reduce for the building The attrition for the tenant decreases The maintenance cost reduces The need for refurbishment in the future decreases Green Building concept also helps in ensuring that the business stays insulated from any energy price increase in the future Cost and Benefits of Green Buildings: Figure : Source: Greening our built world: Costs, Benefits and Strategies The major barrier found towards Green Building concept, through research conducted, is the widespread perception amongst people that the upfront costs involved in the development of a green building are significantly higher than those of conventional buildings. In a survey, by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in the year 2007, it was found that the people perceived the green buildings initial setup costs to be higher than the conventional buildings by 17 percent. This perception of the people was found to be wrong. 170 buildings were analysed in the research in Greening our built world. The analysis revealed that the green buildings cost, on an average, less than 2 percent more than the conventional buildings, also providing a large range of additional benefits. The same survey, by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, also found that the people perceive buildings to produce around 20 percent of the CO2 emission. This perception is also wrong since buildings produce around 40 percent of the world CO2 emissions. The architects and the developers interviewed from these 170 buildings gave information on the premium, in terms of cost of turning green. The following figure illustrates the cost premium that is incurred, in green building development according to the levels of certification by LEED rating system. It shows that more than 80 out of the 170 buildings analysed have incurred less than 2 percent premium in going green. Figure : Source: Greening Our Built World: Costs, Benefits and Strategies The average costs and benefits analysed through the research are also listed in the form of a graph. It provides a comparison of the additional costs incurred by going green in schools and offices, and the simultaneous benefits received. The graph clearly suggests that the benefits far outweigh the costs incurred. Figure : Source: Greening Our Built World: Costs Benefits and Strategies Another perception that people have about green buildings is that a green building necessarily has to air conditioned. This perception is also proved wrong by the application of green building concepts to some of the Indian like the Gulbarga and the Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management. The third misleading perception about green buildings that people have is that green buildings typically take more time to be developed than a conventional building. This perception is also not true. (Urban Sustainability and Green Buildings for the 21st Century, 2009) Hunzinger Construction University Case: Hunzinger Construction University achieved Platinum level LEED certification in Green Building concept. It has been able to achieve savings in water, energy and increased usage of green materials. Water efficiency has been achieved through various measures like dual flush water closet, waterless urinals and efficient lavatory faucets. These methods have led to a saving of 7700 gallons of water per annum. Energy efficiency was achieved using intelligent lighting systems which could control light intensity and power usage, and work with the day light intensity control. Automatic shut-off systems were also used. Using these techniques, HCU has achieved more than 34 percent reduction in power density, significantly more than the specifications of ANSI. HCU has opted for green power generation like solar panels and wind power, to minimise its power requirements from conventional power sources. The construction material used in the HCU comprised of more than 57 percent of salvaged recycled materials. These practices have led to a decreased operation cost as well as reduced impact on environment. The case has been published in Journal of Green Building, 2008. Woods Hole Research Centre Case: Woods Hole Research Centre (WHRC) is an independent, non-for-profit, NGO with core focus on environmental studies, education and creation of new and innovative policies. The research facility spans 19,300 sq. feet and has been designed with the target of achieving zero net-energy building status. It has been fitted with a solar photovoltaic system on the roof and a wind turbine for electricity generation. The design of building provides natural lighting to reduce energy consumption and also provides for insulation materials which are CFC-free. The HVAC system installed in the complex provides for an energy efficient heating, cooling and ventilation. The target of the photovoltaic system is to provide for 33 percent of the energy requirements of the complex while the rest is provided by the wind powered turbine system. The facility requires a total of 90964 kiloWatt-hour electrical energy, out of which 60720 kiloWatt-hour was provided by utility grid and the remaining 30244 kiloWatt-h our was provided by the Photovoltaic System. The case is an extract from the Journal of Green Building, 2008. The following figure compares the energy intensity of the Woods Hole Research Centres other facilities, average of US offices and the newly constructed WHRC facility. Figure : Source: Journal of Green Building, volume 3, 2008 Nordheim Court Case: Nordheim Court is a student housing facility for University of Washington. It forms a great example of the operational and setup benefits of green building concept with the right choice of strategies. The building has been constructed with a budget of 85 dollars per sq. feet. The energy efficiency of the building far surpasses the Washington State Energy Code standards and the water consumption in the building is less by 30 percent than a conventional building. The construction waste has been diverted to prevent 589 tonnes of landfills. This procedure of waste diversion has also resulted in a saving of 14582 dollars. University of Sunshine Coast Chancellery Case: University of Sunshine Coast is located in Queensland, Australia. One of the parts of the university called the Chancellery has been designed on green building standards. The total fossil fuel based energy consumption of the building is around 133 kiloWatt-hour per sq. metre which is less than the 152 kiloWatt-hour per sq. metre. The building uses a combined mode of ventilation system which provides natural ventilation as well as fully air conditioned area without any natural ventilation. This helps in reducing the CO2 emissions from the building. The lighting system used in the building also uses natural light and light intensity control systems to provide better energy efficiency to the building. (St. Clair, Peter Hyde, Richard, 2009) Green Building performance in India Name of the Project Location Built-up Area (sq ft.) Rating Achieved Increase in Cost (percent) Payback Period (Years) CII-Sorabji Godrej GBC Hyderabad 20,000 Platinum 18 7 ITC Green Centre Gurgaon 170,000 Platinum 15 6 Wipro Gurgaon 175,000 Platinum 8 5 Technopolis Kolkata 72,000 Gold 6 3 Spectral Services Consultants Office Noida 15,000 Platinum 8 4 HITAM Hyderabad 78,000 Silver 2 3 Grundfos Pump Chennai 40,000 Gold 6 3 Figure : Source: CII According to studies, in a project worth 5 million dollars, an additional expenditure on green building concept of 100 thousand dollars results in a saving of 1 million dollars over a period of 20 years. One Indiabulls Centre in Lower parel, Mumbai is a fine case of green building initiatives that have been undertaken in India. The material usage in the centre have been through use of fly ash in concrete, recycled metal content in steel used, low VOC content paints, efficient HVAC systems. The centre also includes a sewage treatment plant, solar panels for heating water, water harvesting system as well as a roof top garden. Figure : Source: Indiabulls Real Estate The cost benefit analysis from the project of One Indiabulls Centre is given below. The savings resulting from the concept of green building is substantial. Figure : Source: CII, Indiabulls Real Estate

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Free Essays - Doing the Right Thing in Their Eyes Were Watching God :: Their Eyes Were Watching God Essays

Doing the Right Thing in Their Eyes Were Watching God When faced with urgent moral conflicts such as during the hurricane in Zora Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, men generally have two choices: help others or help themselves. Hurston's characters choose to they help others before attending to their own needs for survival. The characters' actions are typical of Immanuel Kant's philosophy of the categorical imperative: actions are intrinsically good and do not find justification in their effects, nor does one expect compensation for his actions. In short, one could say that the very lack of thought on the part of Hurston's characters indicates the characters unyielding confidence in their beliefs and the basic moral goodness they possess. The first event in Hurston's story is the evacuation of the muck as Lake Okechobee overtakes the characters' village. Hurston's characters could run away as fast as their legs can carry them, but they instead notify neighbors without delay. As Hurston describes it, "They cried out as best they could, `De lake is comin'!' and barred doors flew open and others joined them in flight..." (154). They expect nothing for their actions, but they inevitably save many families. Moreover, although Motor Boat refuses to leave the high house, he still makes an offer to his friends which is as selfless as he can make it: "Mah mamma's house is yours" (155). Motor Boat acknowledges his friends' trouble, as well as his own, but he offers his mother's house as a lodging simply because it is the right thing to do. Contrary to what might be contended, the white people on the Six Mile Bend bridge, however, are not necessarily demonstrating egoism. A finite area of bridge exists, and if white people were there first (156), then the white people can claim its use. On the other hand, they could be charitable by moving on after a rest and allowing the weary blacks to rest before continuing the journey to Palm Beach or high ground. Hurston could be again demonstrating her perceived differences between the races, but the degree of racism depends on readers' viewpoints. Not too long afterwards, Tea Cake demonstrates benevolence as he notices a man trapped between an electrified tin roof and a rattlesnake. Tea Cake notices the man's predicament and stops to urge him to move to his left. Readers can presume the man was freed by taking Tea Cake's advice, but in the spirit of the categorical imperative, Tea Cake does not wait in expectation of laurels. Free Essays - Doing the Right Thing in Their Eyes Were Watching God :: Their Eyes Were Watching God Essays Doing the Right Thing in Their Eyes Were Watching God When faced with urgent moral conflicts such as during the hurricane in Zora Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, men generally have two choices: help others or help themselves. Hurston's characters choose to they help others before attending to their own needs for survival. The characters' actions are typical of Immanuel Kant's philosophy of the categorical imperative: actions are intrinsically good and do not find justification in their effects, nor does one expect compensation for his actions. In short, one could say that the very lack of thought on the part of Hurston's characters indicates the characters unyielding confidence in their beliefs and the basic moral goodness they possess. The first event in Hurston's story is the evacuation of the muck as Lake Okechobee overtakes the characters' village. Hurston's characters could run away as fast as their legs can carry them, but they instead notify neighbors without delay. As Hurston describes it, "They cried out as best they could, `De lake is comin'!' and barred doors flew open and others joined them in flight..." (154). They expect nothing for their actions, but they inevitably save many families. Moreover, although Motor Boat refuses to leave the high house, he still makes an offer to his friends which is as selfless as he can make it: "Mah mamma's house is yours" (155). Motor Boat acknowledges his friends' trouble, as well as his own, but he offers his mother's house as a lodging simply because it is the right thing to do. Contrary to what might be contended, the white people on the Six Mile Bend bridge, however, are not necessarily demonstrating egoism. A finite area of bridge exists, and if white people were there first (156), then the white people can claim its use. On the other hand, they could be charitable by moving on after a rest and allowing the weary blacks to rest before continuing the journey to Palm Beach or high ground. Hurston could be again demonstrating her perceived differences between the races, but the degree of racism depends on readers' viewpoints. Not too long afterwards, Tea Cake demonstrates benevolence as he notices a man trapped between an electrified tin roof and a rattlesnake. Tea Cake notices the man's predicament and stops to urge him to move to his left. Readers can presume the man was freed by taking Tea Cake's advice, but in the spirit of the categorical imperative, Tea Cake does not wait in expectation of laurels.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Mtv’s 16 & Pregnant Glorifies Teen Pregnancy Essay

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 86 percent of mothers who give birth out-of-wedlock are teenagers. MTV’s show â€Å"16 & Pregnant,† which has only been on air since June 2009, is already reflecting the rapid boom in teenage pregnancy across various cities in America. Since the early eighties MTV has been considered somewhat of a cultural phenomenon for American adolescents and its depiction of gender has a strong impact that continues to this day (Holtzman 2000). Created by Morgan J.  Freeman (director of teen shows Dawson’s Creek and Laguna Beach), the show â€Å"16 & Pregnant† has been said to be guilty of exacerbating, normalizing and even glorifying teen pregnancy. Perhaps, it’s just reflecting a current social dilemma occurring amongst female youth. Each week a new episode revolves around a different girl struggling with the challenges of teenage pregnancy. The network presents these characters as â€Å"real†, plucked from the grips of reality, validated and â€Å"chosen† to represent some sort of normalized or otherwise glamorized middle-class identity of teenage motherhood. The show depicts women’s roles that are often typified to include traditional gendered norms of heterosexual relationships, marriage, motherhood and femininity. â€Å"16 & Pregnant† serves as a platform to broadcast what is seen as a stereotypical American culture that is now engulfing teen girls everywhere. The social identities MTV presents reinforces those of traditional female roles and gender norms and attempts to establish a new model for pregnant teens in a modern age. Just by airing the show, MTV is assimilating new ideas of teen pregnancy into American society. Historically, there has always been some sort of unspoken Christian tradition that has governed American women’s birth rights; that one should not get pregnant out-of-wedlock. Today, however, teenage pregnancy is so rampant that families are forced to deal with the situation in a positive manner, often honoring the decision the child has made in regards to keeping and raising the newborn child (Gallagher 2009). In a 2004 survey, the Parents Television Council reported that MTV is the most watched program for those between the ages of 12 and 19. Studies showed watching MTV created a more liberal attitude toward pre-martial sex. Teenagers who watch MTV receive messages about sex that are likely to sway their own behavior. MTV is shaping the identity of the â€Å"teenage mom,† a pregnant 16 year old high school student whose uncertainty about motherhood is due to the fact that she views her pregnancy as the consequence of a selfish action that was ultimately unavoidable. 16 & Pregnant† normalizes sexual behavior that eventually forces teenage girls into the traditional gender role of the â€Å"grieving mother†, one who is forced to take care of a baby while struggling to support herself (Schmidt 2009). The first episode of â€Å"16 & Pregnant† takes place in Chattanooga, Tennessee and documents the life of Maci who gets pregnant by her first boyfriend, Ryan. For Maci, adoption and abortion were never an option, she figured she made the decision to have unprotected sex so now she must deal with the consequences. At one point during an argument in the show, Ryan yells out, â€Å"If we didn‘t have a kid, we wouldn’t be together,† and it’s clear from watching the that the two are still just teens. Maci struggles to take care of her newborn child, who, once born, requires constant attention and deals with the turmoil of trying to get Ryan involved in the relationship of fatherhood. The â€Å"teen mom† is now a stable identity offered up on the MTV network to heterosexual female youth; a child who is forced to mature and deal with adult realities as an accepted way of life. The show is sending a message that it is normal for teenage girls to deal with such serious issues as: birth control, adoption, abortion, marriage, and finances, further cementing these issues into the female identity at a young age. Maci symbolizes that it is now acceptable for a sixteen year old girl to be a dedicated mother in America. Episode two introduces Farrah, a cheerleader from Council Bluffs, Iowa who juggles school, work and cheer practice. Her life becomes a lot more complicated when she finds out she is pregnant. Farrah’s best friend turns on her spreading nasty rumors, forcing Farrah to finish school online. Farrah’s ex-boyfriend, also the baby’s father, begins to harass her after he finds out she is pregnant which leads her to change her number. â€Å"I would have never lost my virginity to someone I believed would treat me like this,† Farrah exclaims about her ex-boyfriend. Farrah struggles with single motherhood and has to deal with a judgmental parent who looks down upon her decisions. Episode two again reinforces traditional American cultural eliefs of female gender roles by portraying the woman as the single mother, ultimately responsible for the child, showing the girl dealing with emotional problems while trying to hold the family together, tasks and situations often associated with femininity. These images become engrained on a young viewers minds and being sixteen and pregnant becomes just another fad for young girls to consider. â€Å"MTV has a long history of reflecting the lives of our viewers with compelling reality stories,† says Tony DiSanto, MTV’s president of programming. The program’s featured girls come from rural Mid-Western or Southern states, usually from small, working-class towns, in attempt to appeal to teenage girls of the same background. The implicit message at the center of the series’ class prejudice implies that working-class girls from middle America, should opt to have a child because it’s as good a road to character development as working on the high school yearbook (Bellafante 2009). The show reinforces the stereotype that a woman is at least a good mother, if not anything else and displaces the identity of â€Å"teen mom† onto middle American teenage girls. 16 and Pregnant† seems to, above all, incite viewers to working-class voyeurism, given how many cliches of lower-income American life are exploited. It could be possible that other MTV shows, are themselves, responsible for increases in teenage pregnancy. Shows such as â€Å"The Hills† and â€Å"The Real World† both portray the loose sexual morals of a younger generation, which eventually leads to an adoption of those ideals from the show’s younger viewers. Researchers at the Rand Corp. say they have documented for the first time how such exposure to sexual content on TV can influence teen pregnancy rates. They found that teens exposed to the most sexual content on TV are twice as likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they reach age twenty. This means that if teenagers think having sex is the â€Å"norm† they will continue to engage in it. â€Å"The relationship between exposure of this kind of content on TV and the risk of later pregnancy is fairly strong,† says Anita Chandra, a behavioral scientist. â€Å"Even if it were diminished by other contributing factors, the association still holds† (Bellafante 2009). So, is it in fact MTV who is esponsible for the abundance of pregnant teens it is helping to exploit? One thing for sure is that such a program like â€Å"16 & Pregnant† is endorsing and sanctioning teenage girls as hyper-sexed individuals. So, why does a television show have such an immense impact on the female identity? Sociologist Chris Barker’s study of British Asian girls’ television viewing practices in the U. K. suggest that soap operas provide young women with resources to discuss issues that may not be sanctioned within some of the religious and cultural spaces they inhabit (N&K 2008). Nayak and Kehily, authors of Gender Youth & Culture (2008), would argue that this theory could be applied to teenage girls and reality television shows in the U. S. By watching these shows the conceptualization of â€Å"appropriate femininities† are derived. These shows allow young girls to make moral and ethical judgments about what they see and refashion gender values to suit their own identities (N&K 2008). The girls in â€Å"16 & Pregnant† largely conform to the values of normative femininity in their search for romance, marriage, and long term happiness with a male partner In the end, MTV is glamorizing the life of a teen mother and cementing its identity in a society where sex at a younger and younger age is already becoming the norm. â€Å"16 & Pregnant† is perpetuating the normalization of traditional gender roles by portraying young girls who have already been forced to take on such general notions of femininity and female identity. The young, unwed mom has now become a new identity for young girls to aspire to. Popular culture and the ways in which it is consumed forms a key site for the learning of gender identities, and MTV is the designated teacher.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Creating a Nonfiction Book Proposal

Creating a Nonfiction Book Proposal For millennia, the human race relied on oral tradition to pass on history, mythology, and religion on to the next generation. With the revolutionary advent of the written language, the human race merely began to write down what had been delivered for generations, in speeches. Therefore, it seems intuitive to this writer, having a strong background in public speaking, that the same guidelines that govern good public speaking also govern good nonfiction writing.There are as many approaches to writing nonfiction as there are nonfiction writers. As the adage goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. What is presented here may not be the best way for you, but it has worked for me, and it will be appealing to anyone with a background in public speaking.In order for a book to be considered nonfiction, it is assumed that at least the author believes that the content he is setting forth is historically or empirically true. In the case of a book on the Mayan calendar, for example, the au thor himself does not need to believe in the religion or astrological processes of the Mayan people. He does, however, have to be convinced that he is giving a true representation of their beliefs.This means that nonfiction writing is very much like persuasive speaking. Some are polemic in nature, attacking another established position. Others are more akin to apologetics. I use the word apologetics in the academic sense and not in its common usage. An apologia is a formal argument or defense of something, such as a position or a system.Although your topic may not seem as volatile as a public debate, you were, no doubt, drawn to it because there is some degree of controversy to it. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, controversial topics get better traction. If it were a settled matter, you would not be writing the book and others would not bother to read it.A novelist often desires to leave readers wandering, to leave questions unanswered for as long as they dare string the reader along. When one writes a novel, they dont want to answer the readers questions until the reader has had time to ponder them awhile. When approaching nonfiction as you would a persuasive speech, you want to be much more deliberate. Slight cliffhangers are acceptable, but you want to lead your reader from point to point with as few lose ends as possible. You want to answer those questions for them so that they can move with you to your deeper line of reasoning. In fact, you may wish to preempt many of their questions; ask them in your book before they think of the question, so that they can see how you have cross examined yourself. This will help your reader trust your line of reasoning better.If your nonfiction is narrative in nature, then your outline is the chronology of events. If your book will be topical in nature, this type of outline could prove very valuable to you. What follows here is a typical outline for a persuasive speech, and how you can use it to start organizi ng your book.TopicThis is the easy part. Most writers have a few of these kicking around in their head at any given time.PurposeYour purpose may never appear in print, as such, in your book, but you need to know what it is. You need to have the mission of your book at the forefront of your mind at all times.Thesis StatementYour thesis statement is a concise description of the work you are setting down to write. Can you sum up the message of your book in one, or no more than two, sentences? If not, you need to further refine your message.IntroductionIn public speaking, one would need something to first get the attention of their audience. The same is true of your book. Some use an ice breaker, such as a humorous or anecdotal story that segues nicely into their theme. Others use a more aggressive approach. They will start with a very shocking or controversial statement to create an intentional tension. Either of these tools will serve your introduction well.Your books Introduction mig ht include one or multiple chapters. In the first chapter, you could do as I have just described and get the attention of your reader with some anecdotal story or some shocking proclamation. In the second chapter, you could tie that opening attention-grabber to your readers in some way. In the third, lay out your purpose and thesis. Of course, all of this could be in your opening chapter, depending on how concise you want to be.One note of caution: Many modern readers are not sitting down for long periods of time but rather read books in bite-sized chunks. This means that many readers will find many smaller chapters more appealing than fewer longer chapters. A writer must, as a public speaker must, always keep their audience in mind as they craft their outline.BodyIf you look closely at your main points, you will see that they have a progression of logic to them. In other words, one would need to be addressed before another. Some points will have to build upon the strength of others .While each of your arguments may serve as individual chapters, once you have supported them with research, you can organize them in related groups and organize those groups in a logical order.If you are looking to add weight to your work, ask yourself whether you have considered giving to each of your points a reason, an example, and an application. Not all of your points will merit such care, but considering them for each point will ensure you are being thorough.ConclusionYou can signal that you are wrapping things up by putting different points from the body of your work together to come up with a third point. This is called a syllogism: Fact A plus fact B produces a third dependent fact, Fact C.This is also the time to summarize your objective, perhaps more assertively, more boldly than you did in the introduction. It will also be necessary to apply abstract or lofty ideas from your work to your readers daily life or encapsulating them in more common language that they can take with them, from your book. Finally, depending on the genre you are writing in, it may be appropriate to challenge your reader to take action or to make a decision based upon what you have conveyed.Ordering Your IdeasYou can begin organizing your nonfiction book right now, as you are reading this article.Take a piece of paper and write down your purpose and thesis. Next, begin writing points down as they come to you. Your subject is likely a topic about which you are passionate, or you wouldnt be writing a book about it; so these points should come readily to you with just a little reflection.If you write them down on paper with a pen, after you are done, read over the page a few times. You will begin to notice that many of your points, arguments, and supporting statements are related. Begin to organize those by highlighting or using a numbering system. After this is done, you will have narrowed your points down under umbrella categories. Points that are outliers, or do not fit under any of the primary themes, should likely be dismissed.If pen and paper never factor into your writing process, you can do this on your computer screen. It makes ordering the ideas as easy as Cut and Paste. As good as this sounds, many find the brainstorming session is more creative when they are physically writing the ideas down.If you have done that, you are ready to create an outline for your nonfiction book.  Plug your organized ideas into your outlines Introduction, Body, and Conclusion and then get writing.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Bristol Blenheim in World War II

Bristol Blenheim in World War II Specifications - Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV: General Length: 42 ft. 7 in. Wingspan: 56 ft. 4 in. Height: 9 ft. 10 in. Wing Area: 469 sq. ft. Empty Weight: 9,790 lbs. Loaded Weight: 14,000 lbs. Crew: 3 Performance Power Plant: 2 Ãâ€" Bristol Mercury XV radial engine, 920 hp Range: 1,460 miles Max Speed: 266 mph Ceiling: 27,260 ft. Armament Guns: 1 Ãâ€" .303 in. Browning machine gun in port wing, 1 or 2 Ãâ€" .303 in. Browning guns in rear-firing under-nose blister or Nash Thomson FN.54 turret, 2 Ãâ€" .303 in. Browning guns in dorsal turret Bombs/Rockets: 1,200 lbs. of bombs Bristol Blenheim: Origins: In 1933, the chief designer at the Bristol Aircraft Company, Frank Barnwell, began preliminary designs for a new aircraft capable of carrying a crew of two and six passengers while maintaining a cruising speed of 250 mph. This was a bold step as the Royal Air Forces fastest fighter of the day, the Hawker Fury II, could only achieve 223 mph. Creating an all-metal monocoque monoplane, Barnwells design was powered by two engines mounted in a low wing. Though dubbed the Type 135 by Bristol, no efforts were made to build a prototype. This changed the next year when noted newspaper owner Lord Rothermere took an interest. Aware of advances overseas, Rothermere was an outspoken critic of the British aviation industry which he believed was falling behind its foreign competitors. Seeking to make a political point, he approached Bristol on March 26, 1934, regarding purchasing a single Type 135 in order to have a personal aircraft superior to any flown by the RAF. After consulting with the Air Ministry, which encouraged the project, Bristol agreed and offered Rothermere a Type 135 for  £18,500. Construction of two prototypes soon began with Rothermeres aircraft dubbed the Type 142 and powered by two Bristol Mercury 650 hp engines. Bristol Blenheim - From Civil to Military: A second prototype, the Type 143, was also built. Slightly shorter and powered by twin 500 hp Aquila engines, this design was ultimately scrapped in favor of the Type 142. As development moved forward, interest in the aircraft grew and the Finnish government inquired regarding a militarized version of the Type 142. This led to Bristol beginning a study to assess adapting the aircraft for military use. The result was the creation of the Type 142F which incorporated guns and interchangeable fuselage sections which would allow it to be used as transport, light bomber, or ambulance. As Barnwell explored these options, the Air Ministry expressed interest in a bomber variant of the aircraft. Rothermeres aircraft, which he dubbed Britain First was completed and first took to sky from Filton on April 12, 1935. Delighted with the performance, he donated it to the Air Ministry to help push the project forward. As a result, the aircraft was transferred to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (AAEE) at Martlesham Heath for acceptance trials. Impressing the test pilots, it achieved speeds reaching 307 mph. Due to its performance, civil applications were discarded in favor military. Working to adapt the aircraft as a light bomber, Barnwell raised the wing to create space for a bomb bay and added a dorsal turret featuring a .30 cal. Lewis gun. A second .30 cal machine gun was added in the port wing. Designated the Type 142M, the bomber required a crew of three: pilot, bombardier/navigator, and radioman/gunner. Desperate to have a modern bomber in service, the Air Ministry ordered 150 Type 142Ms in August 1935 before the prototype flew. Dubbed the Blenheim, the named commemorated the Duke of Marlboroughs 1704 victory at Blenheim, Bavaria. Bristol Blenheim - Variants: Entering RAF service in March 1937, the Blenheim Mk I was also built under license in Finland (where it served during the Winter War) and Yugoslavia. As the political situation in Europe deteriorated, production of the Blenheim continued as the RAF sought to re-equip with modern aircraft. One early modification was the addition of a gun pack mounted on the aircrafts belly which featured four .30 cal. machine guns. While this negated the use of the bomb bay, it allowed the Blenheim to be used a long range fighter (Mk IF). While the Blenheim Mk I series filled a void in the RAFs inventory, problems quickly arose. Most notable of these was a dramatic loss of speed due to the increased weight of the military equipment. As a result, the Mk I could only reach around 260 mph while the Mk IF topped out at 282 mph. To address the problems of the Mk I, work began on what was eventually dubbed the Mk IV. This aircraft featured a revised and elongated nose, heavier defensive armament, additional fuel capacity, as well as more powerful Mercury XV engines. First flying in 1937, the Mk IV became the most produced variant of the aircraft with 3,307 built. As with the earlier model, the Mk VI could mount a gun pack for use as the Mk IVF. Bristol Blenheim - Operational History: With the outbreak of World War II, the Blenheim flew the RAFs first wartime sortie on September 3, 1939 when a single aircraft made a reconnaissance of the German fleet at Wilhelmshaven. The type also flew the RAFs first bombing mission when 15 Mk IVs attacked German ships in Schilling Roads. During the wars early months, the Blenheim was the mainstay of the RAFs light bombers forces despite taking increasingly heavy losses. Due to its slow speed and light armament, it proved particularly vulnerable to German fighters such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Blenheims continued to operate after the Fall of France and raided German airfields during the Battle of Britain. On August 21, 1941 a flight of 54 Blenheims conducted an audacious raid against the power station at Cologne though lost 12 aircraft in the process. As losses continued to mount, crews developed several ad hoc methods for improving the aircrafts defenses. A final variant, the Mk V was developed as a ground attack aircraft and light bomber but proved unpopular with crews and saw only brief service. By mid-1942, it was clear that the aircraft were too vulnerable for use in Europe and the type flew its last bombing mission on the night of August 18, 1942. Use in North Africa and the Far East continued through the end of the year, but in both cases the Blenheim faced similar challenges. With the arrival of the De Havilland Mosquito, the Blenheim was largely withdrawn from service. The Blenheim Mk IF and IVFs faired better as night fighters. Achieving some success in this role, several were fitted with the Airborne Intercept Mk III radar in July 1940. Operating in this configuration, and later with the Mk IV radar, Blenheims proved capable night fighters and were invaluable in this role until the arrival of the Bristol Beaufighter in large numbers. Blenheims also saw service as long-range reconnaissance aircraft, thought they proved as vulnerable in this mission as when serving as bombers. Other aircraft were assigned to Coastal Command where they operated in a maritime patrol role and aided in protecting Allied convoys. Outclassed in all roles by newer and more modern aircraft, the Blenheim was effectively removed from frontline service in 1943 and used in a training role. British production of the aircraft during the war was supported by factories in Canada where the Blenheim was built as the Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke light bomber/maritime patrol aircraft. Selected Sources The Blenheim Society Warbird Alley: Bristol Blenheim

Monday, November 4, 2019

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Assignment Example Blending the scholarship between the insightful narratives, the story line of this book portrays an extraordinary woman who comes out boldly to challenge the unwritten codes and some barriers of the social hierarchy and goes ahead to dare seek some measure of personal independence in the male-dominated world. This book gives a summary and analysis of the record case that is found in the Florentine archives1. In this book, the class difference is not only revelatory basing on the way that the law handled people of different social classes, but it also bases on how social class was subject in handling matters of love. Just in the same way that class played a role in affecting romance in Renaissance Florence is also evident in Giovanni’s initial pursuit of Lusanna’ love. Giovanni falls in love with Lusanna despite the fact that her husband is still alive, and goes ahead to try and start a relationship with her. Despite the fact that Giovanni is rich and many girls are afte r him, he only loves Lusanna. In this case, the custom was to seek to marry just for the purpose of increasing social status or tying together the important families, but not marrying each other because of love. For this, social class is evident in comparison of Giovanni and Lusanna, but Giovanni argues that he wants to marry Lusenna not because of increasing social ties, but because he is deeply in love with her. Social class is not only the difference separating the love story between Giovanni and Lusanna, but there is also an aspect of gender. Lusanna is the rare exception among many women of her time, and thus making it not possible to categorize her as in any major roles that women adopted in this community. Women of her class would be typical â€Å"chaste wives and widows or cloistered nuns,† but not passionate and driven just as Lusanna was. All through this case Giovanni was determined to prove that their relationship was strong and had started way back before the dea th of Lusanna’s husband Andrea, and that her willingness to not only to participate in this relationship that was making her mush happier than her marriage seizes the initiative of classifying different from the set of other women in her era, in that she participates in the illicit relationship. Another aspect that existed between these different classes of lives is the double standard existing in relation to sex. According to the social norms of the community, adultery was forbidden in the Florence play. Both the secular and religious laws also forbid and even punished adultery, such as the same case that Lusanna portrayed while married to Andrea. There is also an aspect of influence in the justice system following the class difference. For instance, Lusanna was the one who filed a case against Giovanni for attempting to marry another woman while they are married. In this society, rich people had the capacity of bribing the justice system, something that would have made Giov anni walk free. Archbishop Antoninus was the only leader with the capacity of rejecting such bribes and influence from the rich class in this society, thus suiting him to preside over this case. However, the author states that the same judge would have known of Giovanni’s influence and financial power, leading him to uphold the complaint filed by Lusanna. The status difference that was separating Lusanna and Giovanni is

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Whole Grain Food Choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Whole Grain Food Choice - Essay Example Amanda (2014) indicates that USDA recommends individuals to consume grains daily and at least half of the grains should be whole grains. Unless one is experiencing non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this article depicts that an individual should not miss the health benefits of eating whole grains. Some of the notable benefits of whole grains as outlined by this article include getting adequate fiber, vitamins, a variety of phytochemicals, and minerals. A Vital aspect to note is that whole grains have the original parts of the kernel which include bran, endosperm, and germ. This article indicates that whole grain lower blood pressure, which is a major factor for heart diseases. As compared to refined food, Amanda argues that whole food helps individual’s blood glucose from rising, thus reducing the risks of getting type 2 diabetes. For example, a study indicated that by taking one-third of serving cooked white rice per day for brown rice, the risks of type 2 diabetes is reduced by 16%. Reference no. 2: WebMD. Tips for Reaping the Benefits of Whole Grains This article indicates that whole grains diet has positive implications on bowel health due to the regular bowel movements and promotion of healthy bacteria in the colon. Despite the importance of whole food in consumers’ bodies, WebMD indicates that only 10% of Americans consume three servings a day, which is the recommended level. This is due to the fact that it is somehow challenging to tell just which foods are whole grains.