Gun control in my community and nationally Essay

Gun control in my community and nationally - Essay Example countries like Switzerland and Germany, the rate of gun ownership is three times the number of legal gun ownership in America making gun related violence a matter of motive rather than ownership (Sowell, 2012). Further, this matter encompasses the issues on rules, restriction on the use of firearms, ownership, distribution, and regulations surrounding the same. On one hand, the acquisition of a gun may be for protection purposes while on the other hand, the acquisition of a gun may be for criminal activity. In recent times, policy makers have formulated policies aiming at gun control that are not yet law. With these aspects in mind, this argumentative essay will negate the argument that proposed federal legislation on gun ownership should become law. Presently, critics are of the idea that control of those who carry guns is the suitable approach as compared to controlling the spread of guns. According Watkins from the Detroit Green haven Press, his attribute influenced a bill by Senator Schumer Manchin Toomey on background checks for those intending to buy guns. In recent times, America has witnessed a number of shootings in inner city district schools and public schools where innocent children and civilians have met their sudden demise. This factor has triggered debate on the need to effect gun control measures as a way of preventing further loss of life. According to Killough from CNN, President Obama intimated the need to revisit these regulations in order to replace them with effective laws, but the timing for this was wrong because families were still in mourning. Across America, this bill has received intense backing from quarters that are pro the gun control idea. In the case for school shootings, the question that author ities grapple with is how the kids accessed the guns in the first place. This means that the gun owners have become reckless in how they choose to store their guns. However, most guns in crimes scenes are stolen hence making it hard to

Education Standards in Kentucky Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Education Standards in Kentucky - Essay Example However, this also serves to keep the page counts low for each grade and standard, and this seems like a practical and effective way for teachers to use the page for lesson planning. The CCD puts a great deal of information on a relatively small matrix, including Big Ideas, Academic Expectations, Understandings, Skills and Concepts, and Related Core Content for Assessment. It is a logical and useful organization of the information, but it sometimes seems a bit difficult to hone in on an exact specification because there is so much "going on" in the tables (KDE, Combined Curriculum Document Reading-End of Primary, 2006). The Kentucky School Laws Annotated (Kentucky General Assembly, 2006) is a different type of resource for school employees. It is organized as a codified legal document with section numbers, paragraph indicators, and other marking utilities. It addresses school funding, breakfast programs, and teacher compensation. It also cites rules for textbook purchases, IEPs, teacher tenure and retirement, and a host of other topics. It is definitely the place to go to determine if a professional decision meets the standards of conduct expected by the state of its teachers. It lists extremely specific requirements which are easy to find in the Web version by using the handy "Search" function. The Kentucky Teacher Standards (KDE, 2007) are a well-organized, easy-to-use presentation that differentiates between novices and veterans in two-column chart. Standards are organized by area. Each states in clear, precise language exactly what each teacher is expected to do in instruction, ensuring a positive learning climate, assessment, reflection, collaboration with others in the school community, professional development, and leadership. The document is short enough to easily navigate. It lists specific ways teachers can meet each expectation (e.g., find and prioritize areas for professional growth based on peer feedback). These three documents had interesting similarities and differences. For instance, the CCD is student-directed, the Teacher Standards are teacher-directed, and the School Law is court/judge/lawyer-directed. Although each has the same ultimate goal - providing a fair, effective, high-quality educational system for Kentucky's children - each is written for a different audience and intended for different uses. Two of the three did not seem to be for direct student use. Students are not likely to read about Kentucky school law, or view the Teacher Standards. Hopefully, teachers speak enough about the CCD to make students well aware of what they are, although it seems unlikely students would read the entire set of standards on their own. All three documents had much in common. They are generally not directly used by students. Each seeks to give extremely precise instructions and guidelines for conducting educational business. Each lays out actions for which different people and parties are responsible. Each document supports the educational process in a unique way. School law must be codified and available to anyone who wishes to see it. It is critical to our educational organizations. Imagine trying to play a game of SCRABBLE without knowing or agreeing upon the rules of play. It

Trip Report Essay Example for Free

Trip Report Essay INTRODUCTION Where: Tokyo Japan When: 23 January 2008-28 January 2008 Why: Communication Exhibition (Technology Scout) What Next: Company Application of the Learned Innovations The company RUNC TELCOM is a joint venture of network products in the field of information and communication technology. It specializes in producing and dealing with the quality products of telecommunication equipment accessories and network products. RUNC INC is committed to providing quality products and services to customers and is an ISO9001 quality accredited company. DISCUSSION During the conference, we have been able to observe how a state-of-the-art SONY P300 Cellular Phone works. Likely, the process of the production of the said piece of technological art has lead us to a conclusion that technology today is certainly not only catering to the needs of the society but also to the wants of the majority in the human population. The said communication gadget comprises of different features that suits the modernized human community today. It is primarily video conference capable, which could easily connect to the Internet for connection purposes. As the producer of the product, Miyoko Sony Company has mentioned that the said gadget is indeed one of a kind that could be well developed by other companies as they wish to do so. As for the expenses that were consumed during the exhibit, the breakdown shall be presented below: Rental Car 300.00, food and hotel 800.00 Conference room rental 400.00 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As noted earlier, the exhibit aimed to introduce a new way of treating modern systems of communication through introducing SONY P3500 Cellular Phone to the society. This is the primary reason why it is suggested that RUNC TELCOM be able to grasp the important implication of the said exhibit within its system so as to forward towards progression. As recommended, the RUNC TELECOM is proposed to consider following suggestions: Locate and Buy thin communicators [Cellular Phones] that are innovatively capable of VTC connection that is cheaper that any phone in the market today. Find and exhibit its features to the market and lure attract them in buying the product thus becoming one of the companies controlling the cellular industry today.

Impact of Mental Health Act 2007 on Children

Impact of Mental Health Act 2007 on Children The amendments introduced into the Mental Health Act 1983 by the Mental Health Act 2007, amending s.131 of the 1983 Act, in relation to the informal admission of 16 and 17 year olds is, at last, a step in the right direction and goes some way to addressing an unsatisfactory failure to recognise the right to autonomy of a competent child. Critically analyse this statement with regard to the law relating to the medical treatment of children. Introduction In order to analyse whether the Mental Health Act 2007 has given new rights to children in respect of autonomy it is necessary to examine the way in which children were treated before the introduction of the Act. In doing this it will be necessary to examine the various Acts that have been implemented and the content of these with regard to the rights of children. It is hoped to be able to draw a conclusion from the research as to the effectiveness of the 2007 Act in allowing children to be able to make decisions about their own medical treatment. Consent to treatment Consent to medical treatment is founded on the principle of the respect for autonomy, which has been encompassed in Article 5 and Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Many doctors are of the opinion that there is a legal requirement for consent to medical treatment (Kessel, 1994). Informed consent has become an issue following several cases against doctors on allegations of negligence and battery (Faden and Beauchamp, 1986). Supporters of the Human Rights Act 1998 believe that mature minors should be protected under the right to a private life and should be able to insist on not having their wishes overridden (Hagger, 2003). Patient autonomy has been the impetus behind legislative changes in relation to the issue of consent. Faden and Beauchamp (1986) believed that the aim of the process of consent is to allow the patient the maximum opportunity to reach an autonomous decision. They believed that this could also be achieved by persuasion through convincing the patient of the benefits of the treatment by appealing to their sense of reason. Internationally the Nuremberg Code 1947 and the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki 1964 have attempted to increase patient autonomy, particularly with regard to medical research. The Human Rights Act 1998 has also increased the rights of autonomy which impacts on not only adult patients but also on adolescents who are deemed to be competent to make such decisions (Hewson, 2000). In terms of legislation on the issue of autonomy the Family Law Reform Act 1991 was enacted to give 16 and 17 year old a greater degree of autonomy over their treatment. In essence the notion of the Act was that a person in the stipulated age range would be entitled to decide whether or not to accept the treatment offered. Unfortunately there was a reluctance to give full autonomy to adolescents and so in order to allow a degree of parental control s8(3) of the Act was inserted which stated that ‘nothing in this section shall be construed as making ineffective any consent which would have been effective had the section not been enacted’. This effectively allowed a parent to still give consent on the part of the adolescent if they refused the treatment. The Mental Health Act 1983 did little to assist with autonomy especially when in relation to the autonomy of a child. Under this Act parents or carers of children with mental disorders were given even less autonomy then under the previous legislation. Under the 1983 Act the competence of the patient was even more difficult to establish in cases where the patient was suffering from a mental disorder. It was viewed that such a disorder was likely to lead to the patient being less able to decide whether the treatment would be beneficial to them. The Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice regards parental authority for treatment and detention sufficient irrespective if the competence of the child (Department of Health and Welsh Office, 1999). In 1989 the Children Act attempted to provide a child with a degree of autonomy by granting them limited rights to refuse medical treatment. However, the courts were instructed to view the refusal of the child in line with the professional’s perception of the best interests of the child. This effectively meant that a doctor could override the wishes of the child if he were able to display that the treatment would benefit the child. Similar attempts at increasing autonomy were contained within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991 which stated that children should have the same dignity and rights of an adult when making a decision concerning their treatment. Article 12 of the convention states that ‘†¦the child who is capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child: the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with age and maturity of the child. the child shall in particular be provided with the opportunity to be heard in any surgical or administrative proceedings affecting the child directly; or through a representative body. The Convention was, however, reluctant to allow total autonomy and made it clear that despite the right to autonomy children are dependent on their parents or carers and need protection and guidance. This in essence allows those caring for a child who is refusing treatment to insist on the child receiving the treatment on the grounds that they are incapable of making their own decisions and need the guidance of their parents. In 1999 the Department of Health conducted the Mental Health Act Review in which it recommended the lowering of the age of capacity for decision making to 16 and inserted a presumption that a child is regarded as competent from the age of 10. Distinction between consent and refusal of treatment Whilst accepting that there are occasions when the child should be regarded as competent to give consent the courts have been reluctant to allow a child to refuse to treatment. In order for consent to be given by a minor the court need to be satisfied that the child is competent enough to be able to make such a decision. This was tested in the case of Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1986] in which Lord Scarman ruled that the parental right to determine whether their child below the age of 16 will have medical treatment terminates if and when the child achieves a sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is proposed . This case led to the formation of the principle of Gillick competence. In assessing the ability of the child to give consent the courts use the above case as a yardstick for determining the competence of the child. Although the case mentioned above would appear to open the floodgates for children to be able to assert their right with regard to consent to treatment those who are suffering from a mental disorder are unlikely to be able to rely on this. This was the case in Re R (A minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) [1991] in which a 15 year old who had been admitted to hospital with a suspected psychotic illness and who had refused medication was forced to receive treatment. At the Court of Appeal the judge held that a child who had a fluctuating mental capacity as in the instant case could never be considered to be competent. In the case of Re W (A minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) [1992] the court held that a parent’s right to consent was not extinguished by the Family Law Reform Act 1969. In this case a 16 year old girl who was suffering from anorexia nervosa was refusing treatment for her condition. Case law regarding the compulsive treatment is at a variance to the treatment of adults. A competent adult is entitled to refuse medical treatment even if the reason for the refusal is irrational. A competent adult can also refuse treatment without any specific reason for refusing as was demonstrated in Sidaway v Governors of Bethlem Royal Hospital [1985]. There have also been occasions where adults who have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 have not been regarded as wholly incompetent. This was held to be the case in Re C (Adult: Refusal of treatment) [1994] in which the patient who was schizophrenic refused to have his foot amputated despite the fact that it was gangrenous and that by not having it removed it was likely that he would die. In this particular case the patient accepted a less invasive treatment which resulted in the foot returning to normal without the need to amputate. It can be concluded from the above that within English law a minor has the right to consent to treatment but is denied the right to refuse treatment. One of the major concerns expressed by doctors with regard to the refusal of treatment is that the essence of medical opinion is that they are required as doctors to act in the best interests of their patient. Allowing the patient to refuse treatment denies the doctors the right to act in the patient’s best interests. Test for competence The British Medical Association alongside the Law Society (1995) published guidelines to assist in determining the competence of a child. Assessments are based on the determining whether the child understands the choices available, the consequences of each of those choices and that they are able to make those choices. The person carrying out the assessment should ensure that the child has not been pressured to make the choice they are making. Most doctors will consider the rationality of the decision made by the child, however they should consider these choices in context of the emotions of the parties, their experience and the social context (Dickenson, 1994; Rushforth, 1999). The maturity of the child has also been a deciding factor in the assessment of competence. Children mature at different rates and maturity can be affected by the role of the parents in the child’s life (Alderson, 1993). Maturity is of particular relevance in relation to mental health issues of the child. Batten (1996) argues that maturity can be difficult to determine as their can be a harsh fluctuation in the maturity level of a child with a mental disorder. Gersch (2002) believes that professionals should be trained in child development so as to understand the thought processes of the child. by understanding the way they think the professionals can determine whether the child is making a decision of their own free will or whether the child has been coerced by those responsible for the care of the child. Alderson (1996) believes that in assessing the competence of the child consideration should be given of the child’s understanding of their condition. Alderson holds that an assessment of the child’s experience of their illness will disclose their level of maturity and understanding of the consequences of the refusal of treatment. Chapman (1988) felt that using the age of the child as a traditional measure of competence was flawed as children mature at different levels. Using age as a measure failed to take into account those suffering with mental disorders, some of whom were unlikely to ever be competent enough to make a decision in their own right. Ethics and consent When dealing with adult patients with mental disorders the emphasis is on allowing the patient to make autonomous decisions. By contrast with children the major deciding factor is the welfare of the child as expressed by those who have parental responsibility for them and the medical staff treating the child. The Mental Health Act 2007 is an attempt to redress this imbalance by accepting that children mature at a much earlier age nowadays and that in the past the parents have made decisions regarding the child’s treatment without proper consideration of the quality of life the child will have (Dickenson, 1994). Given that it is the children who have to live with the decisions that are being made about their treatment the 2007 Act seems to enforce the right of the child to be able to make their own decisions. Mental illness and treatment Much of the above centres on the rights of children in respect of general medical treatment and allows for the decision of a child to be overruled where the situation is regarded as life threatening, as demonstrated in the case mentioned above with a child suffering from anorexia. Shaw (1999) believes that children should be involved as much as possible where refusal of such treatment is only likely to have minor consequences for the child. Rushforth (1999), however, feels that there should be a sliding scale of involvement in the decision making process, with the medical practitioners, parents and children all being actively involved. Rushforth (1999) also believes that even if the admission was formal or compulsory this should not affect the autonomy of the patient in respect of all treatment. It could be argued that overruling the refusal of the child to undergo treatment is tantamount to child abuse, as the child is forced to have treatment against their will. The impact of the Mental Health Act 2007 From 1 January 2008 16 and 17year olds can no longer be admitted to hospital for treatment for a mental disorder based on the consent of a person who has parental responsibility for them. The change in legislation has been into section 43 of the Mental Health Act 2007 and states (4) If the patient does not consent to the making of the arrangements, they may not be made, carried out or determined on the basis of the consent of a person who has parental responsibility for him. By virtue of subsection (3) a person aged 16 or 17 is able to give consent for an informal admission to hospital even if those who have parental responsibility for them refuse to consent. (3) If the patient consents to the making of the arrangements, they may be made, carried out and determined on the basis of that consent even though there are one or more persons who have parental responsibility for him. Given that this section only came into force since January 2008 there is no case law available to prove that the legislation will be fully adhered to. It is unclear from the information available whether exceptions will apply where the refusal of treatment can be overruled. Life threatening conditions In some spheres eating disorders have been regarded as a form of mental illness. Since the change in legislation to the Mental Health Act whereby 16 and 17 year olds can refuse medical treatment it is likely that conditions such as anorexia nervosa will be classified as illnesses rather then mental abnormalities. Should such conditions be classed as mental illnesses this would effectively mean that an adolescent could refuse treatment thereby starving themselves to death. Before the introduction of the 2007 Act patients with eating disorders where compulsorily admitted to hospital for treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983. Compulsory treatment for this condition has been deemed to be compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998 although many have questioned the legitimacy over parental consent being applied where the sufferer is aged between 16 and 18. In the white paper ‘The New Legal Framework’ published in 2000 it was recommended that the amended Mental Health Act should introduce community detention powers, at the same time as altering the detention and representation rights of children (Department of Health, 2000a). It was argued that the definition of mental disorder, as would be amended by the 2007 Act, would become to broad and concerns were expressed that should anorexia be regarded as a mental disorder difficulties might arise in being able to force feed sufferers as doctors have been able to in the past (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001). This point was raised during the early stages of the Bill. In an attempt to prevent such an anomaly the white paper suggested that the limits of the definition of mental disorder should be clearly set. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2001) the proposed amendments to the definition were sufficient and would not cause any difficulty when dealing with a patient with an eating disorder. In their report they stated that as the main treatment was in making the patient eat it could be argued that this was not medication and therefore the patient would not be able to refuse in reliance on the Act as this specifically deals with the refusal of medication (Szmukler et al, 1995). It was also felt that someone suffering from an eating disorder could be admitted under a formal admission process as there was a severe medical risk to the sufferer. Since s43 deals specifically with informal admissions and the right of the patient to refuse to be informally admitted, classification of the illness as a severe medical risk could be used to for malise the admission which would mean that the patient would not be able to refuse admission relying on the Act. Capacity and the Mental Health Act Changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 have been included within the 2007 Act which assists those dealing with patients with eating disorders to be able to detain the person under a formal admission. Section 50 of the 2007 Act deals specifically with the deprivation of liberty and highlights the occasions where a patient can be deprived of their liberty. The amendments have the effect of inserting into the 2005 Act the following 4B Deprivation of liberty necessary for life-sustaining treatment etc (3) The second condition is that the deprivation of liberty— (a) is wholly or partly for the purpose of— (i) giving P life-sustaining treatment, or (ii) doing any vital act, or (b) consists wholly or partly of— (i) giving P life-sustaining treatment, or (ii) doing any vital act. (4) The third condition is that the deprivation of liberty is necessary in order to— (a) give the life-sustaining treatment, or (b) do the vital act. (5) A vital act is any act which the person doing it reasonably believes to be necessary to prevent a serious deterioration in P’s condition.† By including this provision into the 2005 Act doctors can insist on hospitalisation and treatment of a person with an eating disorder on the grounds that the treatment is necessary in order to sustain life. During the discussions leading up to the change in the Mental Health Act the Government expressed concern about the use of compulsory powers following a diagnosis of mental disorder (Department of Health, 2000b). In the New Legal Framework paper it specified that there should be an assessment period of a maximum of 28 days where compulsory treatment could be given. After the expiration of this period a tribunal will be required to authorise a care plan guided by the opinion of an expert. Those responsible for the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa argued that the patient would be unlikely to have significantly improved within 28 days and would still lack the necessary capacity to make rational decisions as the condition has the effect of impairing the mental capacity of the patient. The paper also suggested that in some instances patients could be treated through compulsory community treatment as opposed to enforced admission. This was included under section 32 of the 2007 Act. A safety net has been inserted into the amendments such that a community patient can be recalled to hospital if they need medical treatment for their condition. 17E Power to recall to hospital (1) The responsible clinician may recall a community patient to hospital if in his opinion— (a) the patient requires medical treatment in hospital for his mental disorder; and (b) there would be a risk of harm to the health or safety of the patient or to other persons if the patient were not recalled to hospital for that purpose. In cases of eating disorders community treatment might be difficult to monitor or control although it was agreed by those dealing with these disorders that treatment of patient’s at home could be beneficial in preventing relapse. In Somerset and Wessex the Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association has adopted the National Plan of meal support. The role of the meal supporter is to help the person with the disorder to overcome their anxiety about being scrutinised over the foods they are eating. Meal supporters in this area have found that the best way to assist a sufferer is for the meal supporter to eat exactly the same as the sufferer that way the sufferer does not feel that they are being patronised and singled out. Health professionals have agreed that the provision of meal supporters nationally will enable people suffering from eating disorders to be treated in the community rather than having to be hospitalised. Where the condition of the person suffering from an eating disorder is so severe and they are refusing treatment medical practitioners are not limited by the 2007 Act with regard to the compulsory admission of patient’s. Fears that a 16 or 17 year old patient with anorexia nervosa could refuse treatment on reliance of the 2007 Act are unlikely to come to fruition. The treatment of adult patients suffering from this condition since the introduction of the 2007 Act is still carried out through compulsory admission under the Mental Health Act 1983. The recent case of R. (on the application of M) v Homerton University Hospital [2008] EWCA Civ 197 involved a woman in her forties who was suffering from anorexia nervosa. The patient was admitted to hospital under s2 of the 1983 Act and following treatment her condition improved and she was gaining weight. The mother of the applicant indicated to the hospital that she intended to apply to the court for an order of discharge. Realising that this would result in the release of the patient the hospital applied to have the woman detained under s3 of the 1983 Act as well as applying to have the mother displaced as the nearest relative under s29 of the Act. The patient appealed on the grounds that compulsory admission was unlawful. The court disallowed the appeal and concurrent detention was ordered. Using the decision above it would be impossible for a 16 or 17 year old to argue that they had been treated any differently to an adult in the same situation, therefore the courts would be li kely to order compulsory detention. Conclusion From the above it can be concluded that the amendments made by the Mental Health Act 2007 are likely to have a positive impact. The insertion of the right of 16 and 17 year olds to refuse informal admission to hospital for treatment gives them a degree of autonomy that has previously been denied to them. Within the amendment adolescents in this age range are also entitled to insist on informal admission in situations where their parents or carers have refused to allow them to be admitted. The concerns expressed over the treatment of such people with eating disorders has been addressed by allowing doctors to apply for formal admission where the condition of the person has deteriorated to the extent that the condition has become life threatening. The use of compulsory community treatment orders is also likely to be beneficial in dealing with patients with eating disorders as statistics have shown that there is a higher mortality rate amongst those treated compulsorily in hospital then those that have been treated at home or in the community. Bibliography Alderson P, Montgomery J. What about me? Health Service Journal April 1996:22–4. Alderson, P. (1993) Childrens Consent to Surgery. Buckingham: Open University Press. Batten, D. A. (1996) Informed consent by children and adolescents to psychiatric treatment. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 30, 623-632 British Medical Association the Law Society (1995) Assessment of Mental Capacity. London: BMA. Chapman M. Constructive evolution: origins and development of Piaget’s thought. Cambridge University Press, 1988 Department of Health Welsh Office (1999) Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice. London: Stationery Office. Department of Health (2000a) Reforming the Mental Health Act White Paper Part 1 ‘The new legal framework’ and Part 2 ‘High risk patients’. London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2000b) Reforming the Mental Health Act White Paper Summary. London: Department of Health. Dickenson, D. (1994) Childrens informed consent to treatment: is the law an ass? Journal of Medical Ethics, 20, 205-206 Faden, R. R. Beauchamp, T. L. (1986) A History and Theory of Informed Consent. Oxford: Oxford University Press Gersch I. Resolving disagreement in special educational needs: a practical guide to conciliation and mediation. Routledge/Falmer, 2002. Hagger L. Some implications of the Human Rights Act 1998 for the medical treatment of children. Medical Law International 2003;6(1):25–51 Hewson, B. (2000) Why the human rights act matters to doctors. BMJ, 30, 780-781. Honig, P, Consent in relation to the treatment of eating disorders, Psychiatric Bulletin (2000) 24: 409-411. doi: 10.1192/pb.24.11.409 Kessel, A. S. (1994) On failing to understand informed consent. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 52, 235-239 Law Commission (1995) Mental Incapacity (Law Commission Report 231). London: Law Commission (http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/library/lc231/contents.htm). Parekh, S.A, Child consent and the law: an insight and discussion into the law relating to consent and competence, Child: Care, Health and Development, Volume 33,Number 1, January 2007 Blackwell Publishing Potter, R, Child psychiatry, mental disorder and the law: is a more specific statutory framework necessary?, The British Journal of Psychiatry (2004) 184: 1-2 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists Royal College of Psychiatrists (2001) White Paper on the Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983. Letter from the Chair of the Colleges Public Policy Committee. 13 June 2001. Royal College of Psychiatrists Rushforth, H. (1999) Communicating with hospitalised children: review and application of research pertaining to childrens understanding of health and illness. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 683-691 Shaw, M. (1999) Treatment Decisions in Young People: The Legal Framework. London: FOCUS, The Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit. Szmukler, G, Dare, C. Treasure, J. (1995) Handbook of Eating Disorders. London: Wiley and Sons. Webster, P, ‘Reforming the Mental Health Act’: implications of the Governments white paper for the management of patients with eating disorders, Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 364-366. http://www.swedauk.org/leaflets/mealsupport.htm

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott :: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

It is interesting that Louisa May Alcott writes Little Women, in which she incorporates her own feelings and experiences. In fact, Jo's character is a near replication of Alcott herself. This makes the novel all the more interesting and personal, with the author speaking directly through the protagonist. Alcott writes the novel from third person limited point of view, focusing chiefly on Josephine March. She develops the characters brilliantly throughout the entire work, especially the March girls. Each sister is entirely unique, and yet so tightly bound together through their love for one another. Little Women takes place during the Civil War in a small town in Massachusetts. The Marchs live a life of poverty with their father in the war. Through this hardship, the girls: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, learn to be thankful in all circumstances and help those less fortunate than themselves. The girls are very hopeful and dream of a brighter future. Each experiences adventures and pursues her own dreams. In the end, they are still gathered as one family, grateful for their many blessings and for each other. Josephine March is the protagonist, a tomboy who refuses to submit to the traditional image of ladyhood. This mindset is radically different from a typical woman of her time. Jo possesses an innate passion for writing and literature in general. However, she loses much of her headstrong independent nature through marrying Professor Bhaer. She gives up writing as he is a significant critic of her style. The reader is exposed to two the dramatically different sides of Jo March. She is rebellious, fiery, and outspoken, wishing all the while that she was a man who could fight in the war along side her dear father. Jo stresses and works to keep her family together, becoming extremely upset when Meg and Amy become married. With their father absent, Jo assumes the male role as a father figure in many ways. Nevertheless, her flaws only make Jo a more lovable character. The reader cannot help but adore Jo for her sheer humanity, much like Huck in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Amy is the youngest March sister. She is ladylike, artistic, and is regarded as the beauty of the March family. Often fantasizing a life of riches and popularity, Amy's thirst for worldly pleasures represents the inner desires of man.

The Philosophy of Teaching According to Dave :: Educationg Educating Teaching Papers

The Philosophy of Teaching According to Dave Still very much in the developmental stage, the mere thought of a philosophical idea creates a shiver. Older and more worldly than most students, experienced seems to fall short when describing cultural diversity. Thinking inside the box is just hard to do; conventional falls short of my teaching platform. The platform needs to consist of more than what exists in the confines of books. Besides the eclectic mix of essentialism, and behaviorism, the underlining progressivism will be ever present. A history major, I believe there is more than what can be read in a book. The expressions, passion and theatrics just do not exist between the covers of textbooks. Teaching history from a book falls short of telling the story. It is full of epics, and lessons not just dates to learn. It is those lessons that our youth is lacking. The most concerning thing in today’s schools is the lack of respect, for the teacher as well as the institution they represent. We live in a new world full of true stories, not in the Beaver Cleaver world of perfection. Youth is wasted in the pursuit of a duel household reality. A parent at home to instruct morality is increasingly becoming non-existent. Children are going through life with out mentors and roll models, except for what they see in the media. The belief that education should involve the whole child is not lost here. I believe that an open line of communication must exist between the student and the teacher. I do not believe in labels and stigmatisms that cubby hole any child. We as educators have a plethora of resources at our disposal to impart, at the same time remaining the all-important professional. Our job as teacher is not just to regurgitate facts but also to communicate their importance and value to the student and their life. It is said that a child will learn all they need to know to survive society before the age of seven. I do realize that the need for the basics is beyond reproach.

Solar Energy Informative Speech

Heather Smith Informative Outline Michelle Talasis Topic: Solar Energy General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose:To inform the uses of Solar Energy to my audience. Thesis:When all of our natural fossil fuels are low or gone, solar energy will be one of the leading sources of energy that we will need in the future. Introduction Attention Getter: Natural fossil fuels, such as coal used for burning, oil used for gasoline, and natural gas used to heat and warm houses, are a threat to the Earth and everything in it. Fossil fuels pollute the air and they are non-renewable and non-recyclable.We need different energy sources that are renewable and recyclable for our future existence. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is renewable and recyclable. When all of our natural fossil fuels are scare or gone, solar energy will be one of the leading sources of energy that we will need in the future. With all of the technology we have today, we can develop different ways to use and harness these ener gy sources. Reason to Listen:Solar energy is making a big impact on lives today all over the world. The development of solar energy in all ways and technologies is making our world a cleaner, safer, and less dependent nation.A. Thesis Statement: When all of our natural fossil fuels are low or gone, solar energy will be one of the leading sources of energy that we will need in the future. B. Credibility Statement: My dad is an electrician that puts up solar energy plants for businesses. I had to research for this paper. C. Preview of Main Points: 1. First I will explain solar energy technology and how it can be used in houses. 2. Next, I will explain the uses of solar energy and how it will be helpful saving water. 3. Finally, I will explain the unique uses of solar energy in transportation and military weapons. II. Body A.People have created new technologies for others to use in their homes, vehicles or buildings. 1. One of the technologies that people have created to be energy effi cient is the photovoltaic cells or â€Å"solar cells† which use sunlight and convert it into electricity automatically. PVs can be used in anything from watches to an electric grid. They can also be used to provide energy to places where power lines cannot be attached to buildings. â€Å"Thermal technologies use the heat from the sun and use it directly in space or water heating in homes and buildings or it is directly converted into electricity,† says Fischer and Finnell.Thermal technologies are also used for agriculture needs that farmer’s livestock or crops require. With solar energy being used in electrical, heating, and transportation applications, the idea for an energy efficient house would be more probable. Energy efficient improvements can cut energy costs by over 40% in most affordable housing. They help reduce health risks from mold, dust mites, radon, and combustion by-products and other contaminants. These houses have less condensation, and better m oisture control and temperature. These energy improvements usually cost less than the savings they offer on utility bills.Increasing the value of a home is a great investment-paying high energybills are not. Transition:Now that I have discussed new solar technologies that people use in their homes, and for electricity, I will now explain the uses of solar energy in water. A. Solar power has helped with electricity and heat, but it can also help with the growing need for fresh water. 1. â€Å"Instead of using fossil fuels and electricity to desalinate water, engineers at the University of Florida have developed a system that uses a gravity-induced vacuum and solar energy. † (â€Å"Here Comes the Sun†) The desalination of water is the same process as nature. . A U-shaped pipe is place in two different containers, one side in salt water and the other in fresh water. ii. A vacuum is then surrounded by a circulator that heats the saltwater and the salt water is then evapora ted. iii. The evaporated steam is then condensed and finally the fresh water drips down into a tank. This system have been proved to be 90% efficient, while the solar â€Å"stills† only proved to be 50% efficient. Water has been desalinized by solar power for more efficient and inexpensive drinking water and fresh water supply, but it is also being detoxified by solar power for other usages around the house.Detoxification of water by solar power has proved to be one of the most promising methods to disinfect water, an earth-friendly operation and it does not create harmful emissions. â€Å"One way was ZED or Zero Effluent Discharge,† says Inamdar and Singh. i. ZED disposed of inadequately cleaned waste water that is contaminating fresh water resources, the waste water will recycle water properly if it is forced to generate fresh water from the waste water generated by them, and it is economical to use recycled water than to pay for consuming fresh water and wasting was te water.Transition:Now that we have learned the uses of solar energy in water, I will explain the uses solar energy in military weapons and transportation. Solar power is being used for disinfecting water and electricity, but for transportation and military weapons? 1. Solar power has been used in cruise boats and ferries. â€Å"The first boat that used solar power was in Australian waters that won a contract to build another ferry to carry passengers between San Francisco Harbor and Alcatraz Island,† explains Thwaites, a science writer and broadcaster in Australia. i.The guy who built the solar powered boat is Robert Dane. ii. He wanted to build a boat that was powered by solar power and wind power. iii. He called it the Solar Sailor, which has an electric motor they can power to drive the propeller properly, meaning the boat will be more efficient and easy to move and back up without stalling them. Solar Sailor technology also helped the Navy create UOVs or Unmanned Ocean Vehicles. i. These vehicles could be used to collect data for climate research, ocean exploration, offshore oil exploration and production and even surveillance of pipelines and telecommunications.Solar power is also being used in the US Military and even some weapons too. â€Å"The US Military have installed black and blue solar panels to use in solar-powered battlefield radios and even in tents with solar panels woven into their fabric to power military equipment,† says John Naish, an environmental campaigner. The solar panels are also being used for sensors and radars, which saves troops from being predictable targets when they regularly refuel generators. I. Conclusion Review of Main Points: Today, I explained how solar energy technology can be used in houses.Second, I discussed the uses of solar energy and how it will be helpful saving water. Finally, I talked about the unique uses of solar energy in transportation and military weapons. Restate Thesis:When all of our nat ural fossil fuels are low or gone, solar energy will be one of the leading sources of energy that we will need in the future. Closure: If we don’t continue to develop different ways and technology to lessen our needs on all of our natural fossil fuels, water, natural gas, and the environment, we will soon be living in our own human and mechanical waste.

Draft Statistics on Health Care Prescription Errors Essay

Relation between Error in Healthcare prescription and the inconsistency in Technological information Introduction Background Information            A lot of errors are occurring within the healthcare field lately. They are a result of many factors. Among the principle causes of error are related to wrong prescriptions. As indicated by Benjamin (770), one of the elements that is playing a key role ion this is the use of advanced technological methods. Computers have been used to aid in the computerized entry of prescription orders. Depending on the intensity of the prescription, they can result in serious injuries on the patient or even lead to fatality incidences. In turn, they lead to unnecessary court cases and legal suits that eventually cost many healthcare institutions and practitioners a lot of money that is paid to cater for the damages (Carroll 52-8). As such, there is a need to study the main causes of wrong prescription to ensure that such avoidable consequences are kept at their possible minimal rates. The main questions that will be answered in this study include:            What are the most common types of error in healthcare prescriptions?            What kind of information technology is used in the provision of proper prescription?            Are there specific errors that are related to inconsistently provided information in the same prescription order entry? Methodology            In this study, both primary and secondary data collection methods will be employed. It will include the use of surveys for the collection of first-hand information. In this sense questionnaires and interviews from the participants will also be used to gather information for the data. For accuracy and proper validation, these will be combined with secondary sources such as the national health statistics (Wu, Pronovost, Morlock 88). Data analysis            In this study, the..method of data analysis will be used. The method mainly†¦. Findings            Previous research performed on this topic revealed that†¦..Thus, in relation to this study, it was evident that†¦.. Conclusion            It is important that the laid down professional ethics are adhered to in different fields. This is especially within the medical field where a slight mistake can lead to devastating consequences. Therefore, healthcare providers are always obligated to use the knowledge that they acquired in their studies as well as new knowledge and practices appropriately. They should ensure that drugs are prescribed in the most proper ways to avoid errors. In particular, computerized drug entries should be counterchecked to eliminate disparities. However, owing to the continuous change in the nature of disease processes and hence the production of advanced drug formulas, there is need to conduct more research. These will provide more guidance to guarantee safe drug prescription by providers of healthcare services using new technological methods. References Benjamin, D. M. Reducing medication errors and increasing patient safety: case studies inclinical pharmacology. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2003; 43:768–83. Carroll, P. Medication issues: the bigger picture. RN. 2003; 66(1):52–8. Wu, A. W., Pronovost, P., and Morlock, L. ICU incident reporting systems. Journal of Critical Care. 2006; 17(2):86–94 Source document

Literature and writing

Nature, as seen and depicted by Walt Whitman in â€Å"Leaves of Grass† is vast and sweeping in its grandeur, like a giant movie screen, where he unloads scenes upon scenes of grand vistas in living color.  Ã‚   If it were a theatrical performance, he would create lavish scenes of epic proportions : majestic skies, billowing waves, golden fields of grain extending to the horizon.   They would be the exact opposite of the languid seascapes captured on canvas in Virginia Woolf’s â€Å"To the Lighthouse†.   Describing the sea, Whitman writes: Behold, the sea itself, And on its limitless, heaving breast, the ships; See, where their white sails, bellying in the wind, speckle The green and blue, See, dusky and undulating, the long pennants of smoke (33.30-37). To Whitman, nature perpetually calls attention unto itself, but man ordinarily ignores it or is not sensitive enough to perceive its charms.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thus, the poet continually exhorts the onlooker to behold the beauty unfolding before his eyes. For him, a leaf of grass is â€Å"no less than the journey work of the stars† and that â€Å"the running blackberry would adorn the parlors of heaven†(31.1-8). As in theatre, the poet conjures images to create moods as would suit his purpose.  Ã‚   Whitman’s poems overflow with robustness and energy as he writes about the pioneers of a new nation leaving the sanctuary of their homes to tame the great frontiers.   In the process he is overwhelmed by the magnificent beauty of the outdoors as well as the great cities and industries built by man’s labor. If his medium were a film screen, Whitman would come up with glorious takes of canyons and sunsets and deserts in Cinemascope, of buffalo herds grazing the plains, interspersed with the creaking wheels of industry.  Ã‚   When Whitman hears America singing, the songs he hears are those of vigorous workmen as they go about their daily tasks. For him, America is one vast theatre with the American common man as hero.   For him, life consists of â€Å"Victory, union, faith, identity, time,/ The indissoluble compacts, riches, mystery,/ eternal progress, the kosmos, and the modern reports†.   (Book II. 2.4) These are abstract terms, vague and incomprehensible, but the reader follows the thread of his thoughts when the poet writes about â€Å"sturdy blacksmiths swinging their sledges†, â€Å"cheerful axemen, wielding all day their axes†, and of â€Å"how the ash writhes under the muscular arms† of oarsmen on the lakes   (33.39-43).     For Walt, commonplace things in nature become the stuff of legend. Nature is likewise a common theme in a ballet performance.   Because no lines are spoken, the audience rely on the setting, the music, and the language of the bodies in motion.  Ã‚   That there is no dialogue seems to enhance rather than detract from the performance, for the dancers themselves with their seemingly effortless   leaps, twists and turns, their graceful flowing motions tell the story; no words are necessary. Sometime ago I had the opportunity to watch a ballet performance at the Metropolitan Opera House.   The experience was fascinating.   It impressed on me the beauty of the human body in motion, so long immortalized in poem and marble, but more usually ignored. The classic ballet Apollo, where the sun-god is offered the gifts of poetry, dance and music, began with the stage decked in black with haunting music in the background to create a somber mood.  Ã‚   The ballerinas, clad in contrasting white, were seen distinctly on stage as they retold one of mythology’s enduring tales. Jeu de Cartes was a modern ballet that featured poker hands, each being shuffled until the last card became a royal flush.  Ã‚   Modern and very lively,   Jeu de Cartes was very entertaining. Petrouchka, a classic Russian ballet, made use of lavish costumes and contrivances and four changes of scene.   Set in a Russian village, it made use of puppets and costumed characters. Watching a ballet performance makes one appreciate the tremendous work and resources needed to stage it.  Ã‚   It also makes one realize how beautiful the human body is, how graceful its gestures, its subtle flowing and gliding motions, as it tries to mimic life or capture its essence, in the same way that an artist tries to transfer the colors of sunset into canvas, or a poet his ruminations about life into rhyme. The poet, like the ballet dancer, tells a story by the subtle use of words, of symbols, of everyday things that ring a bell in the reader’s mind, or strike a chord in his heart.   Ã‚  Ã‚  The cast of a ballet and its creators also reach out to an audience by the use of movement synchronized with music in the midst of an appropriate setting to define mood.   In both arts, appreciation and enjoyment are the just rewards. WORKS CITED Whitman, Walt.   Leaves of Grass.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Dead Stars Essay

Paz Mà ¡rquez-Benà ­tez (1894-1983) Paz Marquez-Benitez, a Filipina writer born in 1894 in Lucena City, Quezon, authored the first Filipino modern English-language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. Born into the prominent and affluent Marquez family of Quezon province, she was among the first generation of Filipinos trained in the American education system which used English as the medium of instruction. She graduated high school in Tayabas High Schooland college from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. She was a member of the first freshman class of the University of the Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. Two years after graduation, she married Francisco Benitez, with whom she had four children. Mà ¡rquez-Benà ­tez later became a teacher at the University of the Philippines, who taught short-story writing and had become an influential figure to many Filipino writers in the English language. The annually held Paz Marquez-Benitez Lectures in the Philippines honors her memory by focusing on the contribution of Filipino women writers to Philippine Literature in the English language. Though she only had one more published short story after ―Dead Starsâ€â€" this of which is entitled ―A Night In The Hills,â€â€" nevertheless, she made her mark in Philippine literature because her work is considered the first modern Philippine short story. For Marquez-Benitez, writing was a life-long occupation. In 1919, she founded ―Woman’s Home Journalâ€â€", the first women’s magazine in the country. ―Filipino Love Storiesâ€â€", reportedly the first anthology of Philippine stories in English by Filipinos, was compiled in 1928 by Marquez-Benitez from the works of her students. When her husband died in 1951, she took over as editor of the Philippine Journal of Education at UP. She held the editorial post for over two decades. ―Dead Starsâ€â€" is the 1925 short story that gave birth to modern Philippine writing in English. TRIVIA: Dead Stars had been praised as ―a model of perfection in character delineation, local color, plot, and message.â€â€" ILLUMINATIONS ON THE THEME EXTRACTED Since the author’s life and experiences is not significant to the content of the short story, MoralPhilosophical as a literary lens was applied. This is an approach that puts literature as one that teaches morality and explores philosophical issues. By looking and analyzing Benitez’ ―Dead Starsâ€â€" the short story reflects the time in which the literary work was written along with the language, the norms and the way people think. It serves as a literary time machine for readers as it enables them to understand how courtship, marriage and fidelity were viewed through the early 1900 standards. It renders a sound comparison between the past and the present, the existing modern culture and the fading, almost obsolete tradition. I could say that the philosophical principle of the story is love. This is further compared to the concepts and dialogues of the characters in the story like the concept of engagement and marriage, the dialogue of Esperanza which is ―I am not blind, or deaf; I see and hear what perhaps some are trying to keep from meâ€â€" and also ―If you are tires of – why don’t you tell me you are tired of meâ€â€", the words of Alfredo to Julia which are ―I could study you all my life.â€â€" and ―Nothing? There is you.â€â€" and the concept in which Alfredo had been seeing light of the dead stars and the immense sadness that invaded his spirit. These concepts and words from the characters of the story bring the force this unifying thread: Love is like a puzzle, it is confusing and mind blowing for it can be gained and it can also be lost in a snap of a finger. PART TWO: MY TEXT-DEPENDENT INTERPRETATION In Light of Modernist Vistas: Formalism (Elemental Exploration) and Structuralism (Binary Opposition and Signification) EXEGESIS ―Was he being cheated by life? Love—he seemed to have missed it! Or was the love that others told about a mere fabrication of fervid imagination, and exaggeration of the commonplace, a glorification of insipid monotonies such as made up his love life? Was love a combination of circumstances, or sheer native capacity of soul? In those days love was, for  him, still the eternal puzzle; for love as he knew it, was a stranger to love as he divined it might be.â€â€" –Alfredo Julia is quite different from Esperanza—―a girl striking and vividly alive, the woman that could cause violent commotion in his heart, yet had no place in the completed ordering of his life.† The rare-turnedregular neighboring trips lead Alfredo to deep conversations with Julia and hence, develop an admiration for the woman. Sometimes, he would forget he is engaged, continuing his meetings with Julia while thinking that Esperanza ―was not prone to indulge in unprovoked jealousies†¦ (for) she was a believer in the regenerative virtue of institutions, in their power to regulate feeling as well as conductâ€â€". Unfortunately, he also forgets the fact that Esperanza is a woman and, being so is already a risk factor for jealousies, provoked or otherwise. ―I do not understand you at all! I think I know why you have been indifferent to me lately. I am not blind, or deaf. I see perhaps some are trying to keep you away from me†¦ Whatever my shortcomings, and no doubt they are many in your eyes, I have never gone out of my way, out of my place to find a man.â€â€" – Esperanza Julia is in love with Alfredo. That much is pretty obvious in the story, especially after learning belatedly that Alfredo is engaged. An unconscious believer himself in the regenerative virtue of institutions, Alfredo still marries Esperanza. Over the years, he becomes an impassive husband. I feel sad for both of them but must I say they brought it upon themselves? Alfredo, for one, does not really know what he wants and so he lives his life as it comes. He was not unhappy in his marriage. He felt no rebellion: only the calm of capitulation to what he recognized as irresistible forces of circumstance and of character†¦ From his capacity of complete detachment he derived a strange solace†¦ At such times did Esperanza feel baffled and hopeless; he was gentle, even tender, but immeasurably far away, beyond reach. –Alfredo Eight years later, he still could not forget Julia. So while on business, he makes a side trip to Julia’s hometown to check if he had meant anything to her and her to him. Julia has not married. This implies many things—one of which could be that she is still in love with Alfredo but chooses not to fight for that love because she was taught that the act of giving through self-denial is a good thing and so she turned from a spirited young woman into a boring one living a boring life after she  lost Alfredo to propriety and social order. What did Alfredo fi nd during his meeting with Julia after his marriage? Dead stars So that was all over. Why, why hade he obstinately clung to that dream from the weariness of actuality? And now, mere actuality had robbed him of the dream. So all these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. -Alfredo Alfredo has been clinging onto something that is unattainable because he is bored with the predictability of his life. Julia was a like a star, brimming his dull life with light and excitement for a short time. Because of the choices they made, Julia and Alfredo (and even Esperanza) become dead stars. ILLUMINATIONS ON THE THEME EXTRACTED It is in this section of the paper where Formalism as a literary lens was used. This is the key to grasp the meaning of the text exists within the text itself. It involves elemental exploration of the literary piece via explication and exegesis. If one will look and interpret the story, Dead Stars is a love story written in prose with a heart-warming message. It is told from the perspective of Alfredo Salazar who is in personal conflict with his feelings towards two women—Esperanza, his fiancà ©e of four years, and Julia Salas whom he met while ―neighboringâ€â€". Esperanza is the embodiment of the ideal wife to the ideal man, and so they make an ideal couple in the eyes of society. Alfredo has pursued her at the start of their relationship with intense courtship, but later on, the feeling seems to subside. These interpretations of the poem based on the views of the author bring to the force unifying thread: Our decisions or choices in life can make us dead stars – we are living in our delegated places in the society but not actually glimmering, not actually living our lives. STRUCTURALISM ―Dead Starsâ€â€" BINARY OPPOSITION SIGNIFICATION NEED WANT Love a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Marriage a legally, religiously, or sociall y sanctioned union of persons who commit to one another Detachment freedom from selfinterest or bias; disinter estof it. ILLUMINATIONS ON THE THEME EXTRACTED It is in this part of the paper where STRUCTURALISM as a literary lens was employed. This is an approach which asserts that literature is a text. A particular structure of language produces reality. This further includes literary interpretation via binary opposition (concepts in opposition) and signification (signifier and signified). Through simply looking into and interpreting the lines of the short story ―Dead Starsâ€â€", we could say that the two opposing concepts are NEED and WANT which we could say that these two entities are powerful and supreme. These interpretations of the poem say that: For the sake of reputation, a man will do the things he ought to do even though he does not wholeheartedly like what he need to do thus he is not living and building a life rather he is just living to survive.

When a Comma Means And

When a Comma Means And When a Comma Means â€Å"And† When a Comma Means â€Å"And† By Maeve Maddox Although â€Å"blessed† by Fowler and the Chicago Manual of Style, the serial comma is readily dropped by a growing number of writers who prefer the advice given in the AP Style Guide: Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and egg for breakfast. In the Penguin Guide to Punctuation, R.L Trask likewise recommends omitting a comma before and. As does the AP guide, he says the only excuse for placing a comma before the and is to avoid ambiguity. Trask points out another use of what he calls the â€Å"listing comma.† In a list of adjectives all describing the same noun, a comma may be used to separate them: My dog’s long, dense, rough fur requires frequent brushing. A frequent error is to place commas between adjectives that are not all describing the same noun: My first pet was a purebred, Alaskan Husky. By remembering that the listing comma is a substitute for the word and, writers can avoid error by mentally replacing each comma in a list of adjectives with the word and. Compare the following examples: My dog’s long and dense and rough fur needs frequent brushing. My first pet was a purebred and Alaskan Husky In the the first example, replacing the commas with the word and makes the expression cumbersome, but it does not alter the sense. All three adjectives describe the same noun, â€Å"fur.† In the second example, replacing the comma with and makes no sense because â€Å"purebred† does not describe â€Å"Husky†; it describes â€Å"Alaskan Husky.† It’s sufficient to write, â€Å"My first pet was a purebred Alaskan Husky.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Grammar Mistakes You Should Avoid50 Nautical Terms in General UseLetter Writing 101

At the beginning of our day out Briggs is portrayed as an antagonist Essays

At the beginning of our day out Briggs is portrayed as an antagonist Essays At the beginning of our day out Briggs is portrayed as an antagonist Essay At the beginning of our day out Briggs is portrayed as an antagonist Essay Essay Topic: Literature At the beginning of Our Day Out the character of Mr. Briggs is told to keep an eye on things. At this point we dont know a great deal about him apart from the fact that he acts a bit like a spy. Briggs addresses the pupils on the coach to sit down and his first words are typical of a strict teacher: Reilly. Dickson. Sit down! It shows it will not be easy for the pupils to get on with as they want to have a good time, and a good time in his eyes is to sit down quietly and talk to people sitting near by you. Briggs dialogue indicates that he is strict. He does not talk to people in a normal tone; it is more of a strict tone. And there are a lot of exclamation marks in his dialogue indicating he shows most of the time. Mrs. Kay is the classes teacher, she is a nice lady that knows the children wont amount to much, as there is no jobs around in that area. Briggs and Mrs. Kay seem to not get along, this is because of the different teaching styles. Briggs does not understand that the pupils fathers work hard and do not have much to show for it. Whereas Mrs Kay understands it is hard for them, understand they wont grow up to be much and tries to be nice. Mrs Kay and the other teachers are as disappointed as the children when they hear Briggs is coming on the trip because they know what he is like. He does not think the children deserve to be allowed on a trip like this and enjoy it. He is an old fashion teacher, who sticks by rules. He thinks Mrs. Kay should teach them in a different way. He is under the impression that if they learn something they will have a better lifestyle. Comedy is a main ingredient to the play. It happens in many scenes throughout the play. To begin with when Les walks out to get Carol across the road. He sets his timing just right to stop the arrogant get that is Briggs. Then, there is the scene when Mrs. Kay fools the driver into believing that the children are poor. The zoo, the shop, the girls with Colin all of these scenes all have comedy in them. Briggs serious nature also adds to the humour because the behaviour of the children makes him so mad. Mrs Kay persuades Briggs to sit down and have a coffee. He does not think that the children should be left alone, however Mrs. Kay reassures him that they will be okay. Yet when Briggs finds out the children have stolen the animals he gets angry. He disagreed with Ronsons view about the caged animals and he says that was all they were used to. Here, Willy Russell speaks metaphorically. The caged animals are like the children. The children see the life they want, like the bears see the freedom, yet they cant reach it. Russell shows us that Briggs and the children are so different thought the language by using phonetic spelling to highlight accent. At the beach and the fair, Briggs seems like a different person. He tells the driver to go to the fair. He seems to have become used to the children by this time. At the beach, Carol, a student from the progress class that has big dreams but no way of getting them, goes missing. Briggs finds her on the edge of a cliff and tells her to get away from the edge. She replies with something the audience thinks, You dont care. The audience then start to see a different side to Briggs when he replies If I didnt care, why am I here now. This implies that Briggs does care about the students, but he is an old-fashioned teacher. He believes that children go to school to learn, not to have a fun time. The end of the play is relaxed. The children have a good time at the fairground and Mrs Kay takes some photos, which Briggs gets hold of, with the promise to develop them, yet he throws them away. Personally I dont think Briggs changes. Just before the bus got back to school, Russell adds this stage direction: Briggs takes off his hat, combs his hair and put back on his jacket I think he relaxed and tried to enjoy the trip, but when he gets back to school, his place of work, he is the old Briggs again. I think in general that the audiences view has changed of Briggs. He is an old fashioned teacher and thats the way he is, but I think that the audience now see that there is a different side to him. A side that is rarely seen. I think that Briggs is a good teacher and that he does have a better approach to the children than Mrs Kay. Although she understands them better, I think that Briggs would teach them more as he has strict rules, He would make them learn, where as Mrs Kay simply talks to them and plainly understands them.

Coup dEtat and Coup de Grace

Coup dEtat and Coup de Grace Coup d’Etat and Coup de Grace Coup d’Etat and Coup de Grace By Maeve Maddox Watching a rerun of Castle (U.S. television police drama), I was startled to hear a character use the expression counting coup. TV script writers rarely throw in literary or historical allusions. I was pleased to hear it, but disappointed to hear the character pronounce the p in coup. English has borrowed coup from the French not once, but twice. In about 1400, coup came into English with the literal meaning of â€Å"a blow or a stroke.† As a completely naturalized word, this use of coup was pronounced with a p until it dropped out of use. Later, in about 1640, the word coup was borrowed into Modern English in the expression coup d’etat. coup d’etat /ËÅ'ku deÉ ªÃ‹Ë†tÉ‘/. noun. a sudden and decisive stroke of state policy. In this figurative expression, the p at the end of coup and the t at the end of etat (French for â€Å"state†) are silent. Several other figurative expressions containing the word coup may be found in English texts written since then. At least twocoup d’etat and coup de graceare still common in the general media. Coup d’etat is often shortened to coup and used to describe a take-over of power, as in â€Å"a military coup.† The p is silent. coup de grace /kudÉ™ ˈgrÉ‘s/ noun. a blow by which one condemned or mortally wounded is quickly killed to be spared further suffering. As novelist Rick Castle explains to his bewildered detective friends, counting coup refers to a custom of the North American Plains Indians. Counting or taking coup could be a literal touching of an enemy with hand, weapon or stick and escaping alive, but it could also refer to taking a scalp, stealing horses, or any other bold act that bestowed prestige upon the doer. I’ll mention one more use of coup that may be familiar to billiard players: to run a coup. This, according to the OED, is â€Å"the act of holing a ball without its first striking another ball.† In case anyone is wondering, the word coupe, in which the p is pronounced, comes from the French verb couper, â€Å"to cut.† The French past participle form is coupà ©, pronounced /kuˈpeÉ ª/. American usage dropped the accent mark, changing the pronunciation to /kup/. The word first came into use to describe a type of horse-drawn carriage. Now it refers to a two-door automobile. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:5 Uses of InfinitivesHyper and HypoMay Have vs. Might Have

Not Just Another Outdoor Company Essay Example

Not Just Another Outdoor Company Essay Example Not Just Another Outdoor Company Essay Not Just Another Outdoor Company Essay Nau is an outdoor company which the whole organization shares a belief that â€Å"in addition to generating a profit, companies have an equal responsibility to create positive social and environment changes†. To achieve this target, they claimed that they have 3 approaches in design, sales and financial areas to do a green business. The public get an impression that this company is doing something to improve the society by using the sustainable approaches and they must be ethical and responsible. However, if we keep a lookout for it, we will have questions. Is this company really doing something good for the society or it is just some marketing gimmicks? I have doubts and do not think that they are ethical and responsible. Firstly, in the design area, they stated that they develop 24 of its 32 fabrics to be more sustainable. To some certain extent, the sustainable fabric is a real boon to the environment. But what is the inwardly intention by achieving this goal? The raw material of the sustainable fabrics may be much cheaper than the original one. By developing these, the companies can save cost and their revenue is higher. They may not be so considerate to the environment but these are just pretty covers. Secondly, in the sales area, they have provided a web store so that customers can do online shopping. As the real store inventories has reduced, the store become smaller. The company claimed that this is good for the planet by minimizing the operational cost to save energies. Let us have an exhaustive examination of the issue. Provide online shopping platform is for saving the cost to hire staff and promoting their business using the World Wide Web. They also save the cost to rent a bigger store. These helps their business for better revenue which nothing done with the environmental protection. That’s only the goldbrick to create a positive reputation for the company. Thirdly, in the financial area, the company has pledged 5% of the sales to charitable organization. Compared to other companies, Nau has donated a much higher sale to the charity. However, what if Nau raised the selling price higher and customers pay more. Therefore, the 5 % denotation is actually all coming from the customers and Nau have the same profit without any sacrifice. They use the tricks on the selling price and make everyone thinks that they have corporate responsibility to do something good for the world. All in all, I do not think Nau’s approaches place much emphasis on the social responsibility. Although their ideas are worthy of praise, they are still under suspicion due to the above reasons. This is not a good approach for Nau to do business. You can use this as the decoration for your company to increase the reputation but this is not a long term way to build the images. Nau has now decreased the denotation to charity from 5 % to 2% which provide a bad impression to the public that if this company can stay long in the market. This also scares away the investor to put their investment into Nau. If the price of the material of the sustainable fabrics increase a lot and this makes the company cannot survive, will the company abandon the sustainable fabrics and use the normal fabrics? Therefore, it is not wise for the company to only build their images on this areas and they should think of some other promotion gimmicks like good and colourful appearances of their products.

Using a Collocation Dictionary to Improve Your English

Using a Collocation Dictionary to Improve Your English One of the least appreciated tools for learning English is using a collocation dictionary. A collocation can be defined as words that go together. In other words, certain words tend to go with other words. If you think about how you use your own language for a moment, youll quickly recognize that you tend to speak in phrases or groups of words that go together in your mind. We speak in chunks of language. For example: Im tired of waiting for the bus this afternoon. An English speaker doesnt think of ten separate words, rather they think in the phrases Im tired of waiting for the bus and this afternoon. Thats why sometimes you may say something correctly in English, but it just doesnt sound right. For example: Im tired of standing for the bus this afternoon. To someone whos imaging the situation standing for the bus, makes sense, but standing goes together with in line. So, while the sentence makes sense, it isnt really correct. As students improve their English, they tend to learn more phrases and idiomatic language. Its also important to learn collocations. In fact, Id say its the single most under-used tool by most students. A thesaurus is very helpful to find synonyms and antonyms, but a collocations dictionary can help you learn the right phrases in context.   I recommend the Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English, but there are other collocation resources available such as concordance databases. Using a Collocation Dictionary Tips Try these exercises to help you use a collocations dictionary to improve your vocabulary. 1. Choose a Profession Choose a profession you are interested in. Go to the Occupational Outlook site and read the specifics of the profession. Take note of common terms that are used. Next, look up those terms in a collocations dictionary to extend your vocabulary by learning appropriate collocations. Example Aircraft and Avionics Key words from Occupational Outlook: equipment, maintenance, etc. From the collocations dictionary: Equipment Adjectives: the latest, modern, state-of-the-art, high-tech, etc.Types of Equipment: medical equipment, radar equipment, telecom equipment, etc.Verb Equipment: provide equipment, supply equipment, install equipment, etc.  Phrases: the proper equipment, the right equipment From the collocations dictionary: Maintenance Adjectives: annual, daily, regular, long-term, preventive, etc.Types of Maintenance: building maintenance, software maintenance, health maintenance, etc.Verb Maintenance: carry out maintenance, perform maintenance, etc.Maintenance Noun: maintenance personnel, maintenance costs, maintenance schedule, etc.   2. Choose an Important Term Choose an important term that you might use on a daily basis at work, school, or home. Look the word up in the collocations dictionary. Next, imagine a related situation and write a paragraph or more using important collocations to describe it. The paragraph will repeat the keyword too often, but this is an exercise. By repeatedly using your key term, youll create a link in your mind to a wide variety of collocations with your target word.   Example Key Term: Business Situation: Negotiating a contract Example Paragraph Were working on a business deal with an investment company who carries on business with profitable businesses throughout the world. We set up the business two years ago, but weve been very successful due to our business strategy. The CEOs business acumen is outstanding, so were looking forward to conducting business with them. The companys business headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. Theyve been in business for more than fifty years, so we expect their business experience to be the best in the world. 3. Use the Collocations You Learn Make a list of important collocations. Commit to using at least three of the collocations each day in your conversations. Try it, its more difficult than you might think, but it really helps with memorizing new words.

Pachyrhinosaurus Facts and Figures

Pachyrhinosaurus Facts and Figures Name: Pachyrhinosaurus (Greek for thick-nosed lizard); pronounced PACK-ee-RYE-no-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of western North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (70 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 20 feet long and 2-3 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Thick bump on nose instead of nasal horn; two horns on top of frill About Pachyrhinosaurus Its name notwithstanding, Pachyrhinosaurus (Greek for thick-nosed lizard) was an entirely different creature from the modern rhinoceros, though these two plant-eaters do have a few things in common. Paleontologists believe Pachyrhinosaurus males used their thick noses to butt one another for dominance in the herd and the right to mate with females, much like modern-day rhinos, and both animals were approximately the same length and weight (though Pachyrhinosaurus may have outweighed its modern counterpart by a ton or two). Thats where the similarities end, though. Pachyrhinosaurus was a ceratopsian, the family of horned, frilled dinosaurs (the most famous examples of which were Triceratops and Pentaceratops) that populated North America during the late Cretaceous period, only a few million years before the dinosaurs went extinct. Oddly enough, unlike the case with most other ceratopsians, the two horns of Pachyrhinosaurus were set on top of its frill, not on its snout, and it had a fleshy mass, the nasal boss, in place of the nasal horn found in most other ceratopsians. (By the way, Pachyrhinosaurus may turn out to be the same dinosaur as the contemporary Achelousaurus.) Somewhat confusingly, Pachyrhinosaurus is represented by three separate species, which differ somewhat in their cranial ornamentation, especially the shape of their unflattering-looking nasal bosses. The boss of the type species, P. canadensis, was flat and rounded (unlike that of P. lakustai and P. perotorum), and P. canadensis also had two flattened, forward-facing horns on top of its frill. If youre not a paleontologist, though, all three of these species look pretty much identical! Thanks to its numerous fossil specimens (including over a dozen partial skulls from Canadas Alberta province), Pachyrhinosaurus is quickly climbing the most popular ceratopsian rankings, though the odds are slim that it will ever overtake Triceratops. This dinosaur got a big boost from its starring role in Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie, released in December 2013, and it has featured prominently in the Disney movie Dinosaur and the History Channel TV series Jurassic Fight Club.

Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 7

Law - Essay Example the UK government was in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights; the Grand Chamber of the European Court dismissed the appeal of the British government in October 2005. But as of June 2006 there has been no revision in UK law on the issue.3 Once the European Court of Human Rights ultimately rejected the British government’s inexcusable appeal in the John Hirst’s case they granted the New Labour Government with a rare and genuine opportunity to implement their much proclaimed policy of political and social inclusion.4 Until Hirst’s case, whenever any person in the United Kingdom is sentenced to imprisonment they sacrificed more than their rights or freedom. They also sacrificed their right to vote and along with it their position as citizens. Convicts remain the last primary group to be prohibited from the electorate.5 Consequently their welfare is mostly overlooked and politicians have little motivation to pay comprehensive and knowledgeable attention in penal policy.6 The electoral disentitlement of inmates is a remnant of the nineteenth century which plays no contemporary role and which is in conflict with the declared commitment of the government to social and political inclusion.7 Sentenced inmates in the UK have been stripped of their right to vote ever since the Forfeiture Act of 1870, immediately after the vote was bestowed upon multitudes of working class men in urban areas and after transportation was closed down as a court ruling.8 The forfeiture was brought in by a privileged class resolute to shun impoverished offenders away from the ballot box. In the past, the moving of lawbreakers and a quite controlled authorisation had implied that right to vote for inmates had never been a problem.9 The beginnings of the electoral banning of inmates can be traced back from the ancient concept of ‘civic death’, a sentence involving the forfeiture of citizenship rights.10 The prohibition reveals outdated and negative concepts of social

The Apology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Apology - Essay Example He was found guilty and faced death penalty not because he was not able to present an effective dialogue but his opponents or accusers were highly threatened by his great wisdom which he did not boast off. Socrates further asserted that he wasn’t an evildoer and denied the accusations on him corrupting the minds of the youth and that relied heavily on the existence of God. He claimed that man knows nothing and if he knows even a little bit of something, this should not be a reason to be proud of because he himself humbled his wisdom on things. As one of the most influential Greek philosophers of his time, Socrates did not attack corruption or worship in false gods but rather on exposure of man to false wisdom. He believed in morality and that this could bring about happiness in an individual. Hence, throughout his trial, he was able to prove he was not a wretched man that he did not corrupt the youth, and that there was no man wiser than God. It was in Delphi where the myth of Zeus can be recalled being curious about the exact location of the earth’s center. Zeus release two eagles from Mount Olympus then flew in opposite directions and met at Delphi. The Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in Greece dating back to 1400 BC. Delphi was considered the navel or center of the world. People from all over Greece come to Delphi for answers about their future. Pythia, the priestess of Apollo could determine the course of everything from when a farmer planted his seedlings, to when an empire declared war. Socrates did not celebrate nor boast when he learned from a friend that the Oracle of Delphi had revealed the wisest man in Athens since he thought of himself as ‘ignorant.’ Instead, he tried to prove it wrong. After questioning everyone about what was truly worthwhile in life and no one fairly answered but pretended that they knew something but actually did not, Socrates finally realized that the Oracle was right. He alone admitted his own

Communication and Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Communication and Media - Essay Example Wherever we look the availability of information bombards us with the need to accumulate. In a time where we are no longer bounded by only three forms of media, namely, television, radio and print, it would seem not viable to remain ignorant. It is clichà ©d to say that the world is now at our fingerprints but it is a clichà © because it is a reality that we experience regularly. The availability of information contributes to the power and the idea that knowledge is a commodity that can and should be availed of. When we look at how information is a product, we only need to look at the interaction between the people and the business of communication. Knowledge moves people and the possession of it can mean a difference between success and failure. The history of the marketability of news as a commodity has developed from mass communication’s evolution as a veritable business. The increase in the number of published magazines, journals, newspapers, books and other print materials is a manifestation of this. Radio stations have crossed over the airwaves to the cyber world and television now has a plethora of channels to choose from that can be grouped a number of ways. Society today depends highly on information to keep it on track for people to do daily activities from work to other aspects of everyday living. We base our decisions on facts and assumptions but mostly based on experience in reference to how we execute our work but in daily life it is our reliance on the media that is the basis of conformity in our decisions accordingly. From the current news to the facts, these are the things that we keep aware of for valid reason (Ravuso, par.4). The question of how we value information is one that remains vague but comprehensible. Peter Drucker notes that the cost of an automobile can be broken down between 25% for labor and 40% for material compared to 10% labor cost, 1% material and 70% information for a silicone chip. This ratio is an

A Missin Sttement nd Strtegies f NEXT Plc Essay

A Missin Sttement nd Strtegies f NEXT Plc - Essay Example ClÐ ¾thes retÐ °ilers fÐ °ll intÐ ¾ twÐ ¾ brÐ ¾Ã °d cÐ °tegÐ ¾ries: firstly, thÐ ¾se selling Ð ¾wn-brÐ °nd clÐ ¾thing Ð °nd, secÐ ¾ndly, thÐ ¾se selling third-pÐ °rty weÐ °r. MÐ °jÐ ¾r retÐ °ilers such Ð °s MÐ °rks & Spencer Ð °nd the Ð rcÐ °diÐ ° GrÐ ¾up Ð °re gÐ ¾Ã ¾d exÐ °mples Ð ¾f the first grÐ ¾up, Ð °s Ð °re chÐ °in Ð ¾perÐ °tiÐ ¾ns such Ð °s NEXT Ð °nd GÐ °p. The secÐ ¾nd grÐ ¾up includes the mÐ °jÐ ¾r depÐ °rtment stÐ ¾res Ð °nd the mÐ °jÐ ¾rity Ð ¾f independent retÐ °ilers in the UK. ClÐ ¾thing retÐ °iling is Ð ° highly diverse industry. The retÐ °il sectÐ ¾r rÐ °nges frÐ ¾m lÐ ¾w-cÐ ¾st Ð °nd discÐ ¾unts retÐ °ilers thrÐ ¾ugh tÐ ¾ independents, spÐ ¾rtsweÐ °r, fÐ ¾rmÐ °l weÐ °r Ð °nd highly exclusive designer bÐ ¾utiques. HÐ ¾wever, Ð °s in mÐ ¾st cÐ ¾nsumer gÐ ¾Ã ¾ds mÐ °rkets, it is Ð °t the middle level where the mÐ °jÐ ¾r plÐ °yers Ð °re tÐ ¾ be fÐ ¾und Ð °nd mÐ ¾ney cÐ °n be e Ð °rned. The pÐ ¾liticÐ °l envirÐ ¾nment Ð ¾f the NEXT plc is quite gÐ ¾Ã ¾d Ð °s the stÐ °ble Ð °nd reliÐ °ble nÐ ¾twithstÐ °nding thÐ °t BritÐ °in fÐ °iled tÐ ¾ reÐ °ch the Ð °greement with sÐ ¾me EU pÐ ¾licies frÐ ¾m time tÐ ¾ time. Ð t the present nÐ ¾ EU directives Ð °re knÐ ¾wn which will hÐ °ve Ð ° direct effect Ð ¾n the UK clÐ ¾thing retÐ °il industry in the neÐ °r future. Due tÐ ¾ the EU membership Ð ° trend cÐ °n be seen tÐ ¾wÐ °rds stricter envirÐ ¾nmentÐ °l prÐ ¾tectiÐ ¾n legislÐ °tiÐ ¾n. This mÐ °y hÐ °ve Ð ° direct Ð ¾r indirect effect Ð ¾n NEXT Ð ¾r his suppliers. LÐ ¾Ã ¾king Ð °t the ecÐ ¾nÐ ¾mic envirÐ ¾nment, it is sÐ ¾mewhÐ °t tricky since Ð ¾n the Ð ¾ne hÐ °nd there is the strÐ ¾ng sterling cÐ ¾mpÐ °red tÐ ¾ the EurÐ ¾. EurÐ ¾lÐ °nd encÐ ¾urÐ °ges impÐ ¾rts Ð °nd endeÐ °vÐ ¾urs tÐ ¾ hÐ ¾ld dÐ ¾mestic prices Ð °t Ð °n Ð °ttrÐ °ctive level. But Ð ¾n the Ð ¾ther hÐ °nd it is difficu lt fÐ ¾r the UK tÐ ¾ be cÐ ¾mpetitive Ð ¾utside its bÐ ¾undÐ °ries becÐ °use Ð ¾f the high pÐ ¾und sterling exchÐ °nge rÐ °te Ð °gÐ °inst the EurÐ ¾.

Dreamers versus Workers and Their Humanity Essay

Dreamers versus Workers and Their Humanity - Essay Example The Cherry Orchard illustrates Chekhov's time, when feudalism shifted to capitalism and how it differentiated the dreamers from the workers, although Chekhov did not press judgment on these people, since he also believes that humanity is humanity because they are fraught with weaknesses. Chekhov's time represented the transition from feudalism to capitalism in Russia, which drastically altered the social class structure and contributed to the â€Å"defeat of the cultured elite†. He shows Madame Ranevskaya’s household as the â€Å"passing of the semifeudal existence of Russian landowners on their country estates†. Madame Ranevskaya composes the aging and fading Russian aristocracy, who slips into economic decline after centuries of upholding luxurious lifestyles. Another class emerges, nevertheless, the â€Å"semiliterate, ambitious middle class† that Lopakhin belongs to. Lopakhin has become wealthy because of his hard work, which the aristocrats lacked. He is part of the â€Å"workers† in the play. Lopakhin feels short of being part of the true, new upper class, however. He realises that he can never replace the upper class: â€Å"...you'll find I'm still a peasant down to the marrow of my bones† (Chekhov Act 1). This viewpoint may also be part of Chekhov's belief that the bourgeoisie is a class of its own that cannot fully usurp the ancient charm and sophistication of the former aristocracy. The characters depict Chekhov's idea that dreams are nothing without action. Madame Ranevskaya lives in the same dream that she is still wealthy. She sells her villa to have her daughter Anya go to Paris. Once there, they act as if they remain rich. Anya tells Varya: â€Å"We had dinner at a station; she asked for all the expensive things, and tipped the waiters one rouble each† (Chekhov 1). Instead of living within their means, Madame Ranevskaya continues her former wealthy lifestyle, which economically ruins her. Madame Ra nevskaya also wants to save the orchard from being sold and divided. She is emotionally attached to the orchard, which is why she cannot bear selling it. The cherry trees stood for their aristocrat â€Å"happiness,† a happiness which Chekhov felt when he tended to his own orchard (Vorob'eva 82). Madame Ranevskaya knows that they cannot rely on Gaev, because he is also a dreamer who does act to save the orchard. He wants to save the orchard though, because it stands for their erstwhile affluence. He mentions to Lopakhin that their cherry orchard was once mentioned in the Encyclopaedic Dictionary. The dictionary represents the extinction of aristocracy, who will only be remembered in the pages of history. Varya also dreams of Lopakhin's proposal, but the latter does not feel he deserves Varya. Varya expresses her bitterness to Anya: â€Å"But everybody talks about our marriage, everybody congratulates me, and there's nothing in it at all, it's all like a dream† (Chekhov 1). Indeed, these characters have various dreams that they never act on. Gaev illustrates the futility of dreaming:â€Å"I keep thinking and racking my brains; I have many schemes, a great many, and that really means none.† The play draws the difference between dreaming and realising those dreams. But dreaming is better than having no dreams at all. Chekhov shows that people with no aspirations are more deplorable than those who dream. Yephodov, who earned the nickname of two-and-twenty misfortunes because of his

Reading portfolio - summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reading portfolio - summary - Essay Example Employees also believed that their output was recognized by the organization. The private sector gave the most positive feedback, with only one statement receiving weak support in the employees’ responses. For men, the cause of maximum concern was not having good work appreciated whereas for the female employees, it was the absence of a homely environment. The public and semi-government sectors showed generally weak support for numerous statements. Although the percentage of Emiratis employed in the private sector is very small, yet they paradoxically generally enjoyed maximum satisfaction in work. This research showed that the small Emirati workforce thrives on challenge, autonomy, and responsibility under supportive manager’s guidance. Management and researchers need to understand how to encourage more Emiratis to display enthusiasm toward the private sector. Although the sample used in the survey was too small for the results to be universally generalized, yet the Em iratis apparently have a good environment in the private

Culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Culture - Research Paper Example nly by their fellow Irishman but by Irish institutions, the result of which has been the perpetuation of the perception of the group as a negative influence on the culture. Evidence of this is clear in the way the group identifies itself as opposed to how others identify them. While Travellers call themselves pavees, they are often referred to by their fellow Irishman as pikeys, knackers and gypos—all highly derogatory terms essentially shorthand for pickpockets and thieves. A visitor to Ireland might hear them called â€Å"tinkers,† a seemingly benign term but also derogatory in that according to Irish legend tinkers, or tinsmiths were on some level involved in the making the cross of Christ. The actual designation, however, may have more to do with the fact that Travellers to present move from town to town selling and repairing pots among other occupations. Hedican (2000) in his review of Heilleiner writes, â€Å"The origins of the Irish Travellers ...are... obscure† (p.1). Using history as a guide, Hedican (2000), as do other scholars, suggests, â€Å"One origin myth sees them as the remnants of Irish nobles thrown off their es tates by the Cromwellian purge of Irish landed aristocracy...Another account traces their origins to the Great Famine of the late 1840s† (p. 1). Countering the latter theory, legend and history traces the potential origins of the group as far back as pre-Celtic minstrels. Since Travellers have no written history, it is impossible to say, and the debate continues. Though much of what is said and known is peripheral, scholarly studies present clear evidence regarding how and why these nomadic people have come to be singled out in their country, and also the part which racism, in all its forms, plays in that exclusion. In 2005 the United Nations, concerned about Irish institutional and government policies regarding Travellers, demanded an accounting from the government to the International Covenant for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial