Freedom Road Term Paper Essay

Howard Fast, the author of the book Freedom Road, was born on November 11, 1914 and died at the age of 89 on March 12, 2003. Fast lived a long and adventurous life. A few of the things he did throughout his lifetime were; joining the American Communist party in 1943, serving a prison term in 1950 for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and his books were purged from American school libraries. On the other hand some of the positive things that happened in his life was that in 1953, he was rewarded the Stalin Peace Prize and in June of 1937 he married his first wife, Bette Cohen. In adjunction with his adventurous lifestyle, Fast spent most of his time writing. He wrote seven works of nonfiction, two autobiographies, fifty-two novels, five short stories one essay, and seven Masao Masuto Mysteries under the Penn name E.V. Cunningham. As well as writing, he created two films based off novels. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Fast) In the book Freedom Road, Howard Fast tells a fictional story based off the true events that occurred during the Constitutional Convention. The beginning of the book does not start the way most books start. This novel starts by talking about the main character, Gideon, as if we are supposed to know who he is. At first, this is confusing but after a couple of pages, you catch on and start to understand a lot easier. The first thing we are told about in the book is how all of the freed men from the small town of Charleston, had left a few weeks back to go vote. However, neither the town nor the men who left knew what voting actually was. Not knowing what voting was, made everyone who stayed in town very nervous and worried, they were not sure whether or not those men would be coming home or not. Therefore, when they men were spotted walking back into town everyone was extremely excited and could not wait to hear all about this voting thing. However, it seemed that none of the men were really talking, until one of them tells the town that they have some big news to share with everyone. Thus far, into the book, we have yet to hear from the main character, and we have actually been reading from his wives point of view. Once the returning men started talking, the book transitions from the wives point of view to Gideon’s, and that is when things start to pick up. We learn that the men’s big news is the fact that Gideon was elected to be a delegate. Because of his prowess in battle, the other ex-slaves looked to him as their leader in peacetime, but he was an uneducated man who felt himself unsuited for leadership. Yet knowing that his people wanted and needed him, he was determined to make himself fit into the pattern their hopes had cut out for him. However, none of them truly knew what a delegate was or what exactly a delegate did. The only thing they really knew was the Gideon would be receiving a letter once all the votes were counted to tell him if he had won the election. Several months go past in the book and nothing happens, no one in the town hears anything about Gideon being elected. Then one day, the postal man comes around and hands Gideon the letter that he had been waiting for. At this point in the book, we find out how afraid he is to go to Charleston because he is a â€Å"nigger.† He feels as though he is not very smart. He does not want to go â€Å"to city full of white houses†¦ full of white folks making fun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 16-17). So in order to help him overcome that fear Brother Peter tells him the people need a leader and because of how strong Gideon is physically and mentally, he was chosen to represent them. Because of Brother Peter, Gideon decides to go to Charleston. When he arrives in Charles and he realizes that, he has no money and no place to sleep, so he ends up sleeping under a hay barrel for the first night. It is the next morning when Gideon is offered a couple of cents for some physical labor, he reluctantly accepts the job realizing that he has no other option but to. Because of that money he is able to rent a room for the nights he will be at the convention, buy some food, and clothes that will look appropriate for the convention. Moreover, this is when we start getting into the convention. For the first couple of days Gideon was determined not to speak at the convention, in fear of making a fool of himself in front of all the educated white folk. Yet one day he is outraged and just cannot help himself, he gets up and speaks. Nevertheless, he was still embarrassed that he could not find the right words for what he was saying and for the fact that he sounded very uneducated compared to some of the rest. However when he was given some books that taught him how to read and speak properly, he began to speak out more and voice his opinion. To his surprise he was heard, people started to listen to what he was saying, and even siding with him. Fast explains that the Constitutional Convention worked because, though neither black nor poor whites were overly fond of each other, both realized they had a common enemy in a planter group. With the help of Gideon’s voice, and many others they fought against the planter group. The fought for a system of public schools, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, a simple and fair divorce law, a statute making it impossible for a wife’s property to be sold in settlement of her husband’s debts, and a measure for universal suffrage – which, came as close as man had ever come to giving women a break and land. Even though he fought for all of these things, the most important ones for Gideon were fair and equal education, and lan d. Throughout his time at the convention lets his wife slip away from him and stands by while a white northerner helps Gideon’s oldest son, Jeff, through medical school in Scotland; there was no medical school in America free enough from prejudice to accept him. Gideon loses site at what he loves the most in his life, and lets them all slip away because freedom seems more important than family. Some of the themes of this book are love and understanding, vigilance and perseverance, and hope. The reason why I say that a theme is love and understanding is because in the beginning of the book we hear about how his wife has stayed by his side through thick and thin. She waited for him though the war that he willingly signed up to go fight for. She let him go vote because she realized that even though no one knew exactly what it was, it was something of importance to her husband. In addition, though she has just gotten her husband back and did not want him to leave again; she understoo d that this was something that he needed to do. She stood by his side, maybe not physically but mentally, throughout the entirety of the convention. Although this theme is not a main theme in the book, I think that it is a rather important one. The other theme I had mentioned was vigilance and perseverance. I believe these two themes are the main themes of the book, because everyone in this book is persevering in one way or another. Brother Peter insists that Gideon goes to the convention. Everyone at the convention is pushing for exactly what it is that they want written down, and his son is moving to a land unknown to him for an education that he cannot receive where he is. The last theme I had mentioned was hope. I believe that hope is the most predominant theme throughout the book, because every single person has hope. In the beginning, the town and the men who left were hoping that this voting thing was not going to get them killed. Gideon’s wife hoped that he would not leave her again, and when he did, she hoped that he would be okay and that she would get to see him again. The people of the convention all held on to the hope that what they say and what they want will be written down into a law. Then we have Gideon himself, he has hope that he will be able to read, write and give all freed slaves the right to an education. The theme of hope plays repeatedly throughout the story. All of the stories characters played a large role in the book, everyone influenced the book in one way or another, but a few of the characters that stood out to me are Brother Peter, Gideon, and Cardozo. The first character that really stands out to me is Brother Peter. I think the fact that he did not stand up and ask people to vote for him, as a delegate was a selfless act. All of the people in town look up to him and ask him for advice, they would have easily voted for him as they did Gideon, but brother Peter knew that Gideon would have more to learn from being a delegate than he would. Brother Peter also knew that Gideon would have more of a fight in him than he would. I th ink the reason why Brother Peter was so pushy about Gideon going to the convention was that he knew that Gideon would get things done. The other character that stands out to me is Gideon. Gideon starts in the beginning of the book being illiterate, but pushes though the struggle of learning how to read and write by himself. He also struggles with the fact that he is poor and does not measure up to some of the other people in the convention. Gideon fights for education and freedom so much that he lets go of everything that he truly loves. He lets his wife slip away and his son leaves. He forgets that he has people waiting for him back home. Even though I hate that he loses sight of the place he came from and his family, he over comes many struggles and fights to achieve his goals. The other character that stands out to me is Cardozo. Cardozo is the first person at the convention that comes up and talks to Gideon. I like the way Cardozo sees things differently, he is a black man that has been free all his life, got an education, socialized around white people his entire life. Therefore, when he first talks to Gideon he wants him to explain why black people should have en education. Once Gideon explains himself Cardozo understands, and helps Gideon as much as he can. He introduces him to all the right people, he supports him in the convention, and most of all he gave Gideon books that taught him how to read and write. He gave Gideon what he had come to fight for. I think it takes very kindhearted people to stand by someone who cannot even form the words to fight by themselves. Before I actually started reading this story, I thought it was going to be another extremely boring history book, however once I started I could not put it down. The way this story was written was fabulous. The way Fast incorporated Gideon’s thoughts, his writing and speaking was interesting. I loved that the real facts of what happened during that time was not just thrown in our faces, it was mixed into the fictional story that kept you interested. I think the way that we are lead through the past so effortlessly was a fascinating way to keep reader interested. I like the way Fast incorporated all the different kinds of people at the convention. In the story, the laws of freedom, education, and land would not have got through without the black folks and poor white folks being there. I think the way Fast portrayed Gideon, as a strong illiterate freedman was a great way to grab the reader’s attention and walk us through the past in a wonderful way. I think the only thing that Fast is really missing is more of Gideon speaking. Fast does an excellent narration of illiterate folks, but he does not do enough of it. Overall, this book was great, I will most likely be keeping it, and not reselling it so I can re-read it repeatedly.

Non-Violence as the Bigger Statement Essay

In the documentary _Eyes on the Prize_, John Lewis- an attendee of the 1960 Nashville Lunch Counter Sit-In, regales the use of nonviolence in their fight for racial equality, saying â€Å"We took our seats in a very orderly, peaceful fashion†¦We just sit there, and we continue to sit all day long†¦ But for me, I’ll tell you; it was like being involved in a holy crusade. It became a badge of honor† (PBS). The Civil Rights Movement, which began in 1954, was so deeply impactful largely in part to the unusual nature of its participant’s actions against their opposition. Scarce physical tactics or retaliation was threatened against the white opposition on the black insurgent’s behalf in order to achieve what they sought. Instead, the African Americans took a stance of nonviolence as their weapon of choice, hoping to reach a middle ground of peace between all of the nation’s races. Some of the historical and structural causes at the core of this stance were the guidance of Martin Luther King Jr., the organized fight to dismantle long-standing norms of racial segregation within the white communities, and the effort to raise awareness to a blind political system. In introducing the concept of social insurgency, Doug McAdam says, â€Å"At the close of 1876-1930 period, the southern black population was only just beginning to develop the institutional strength so vital to the generation of social insurgency† (McAdam 94). Historically, black Southern Americans had experienced little to no sense of togetherness as a community; it would take someone or something with enough passion and commitment to bring them together. Obtaining a leader to push such idealistic views for the African American race is practically a requirement to incite immense social change. An organizer is the heart of the movement, because they diffuse centralized direction and coordination (McAdam 47). Having Martin Luther King Jr. as a guiding force behind the Civil Rights Movement was, arguably, the biggest motivation for non-violence as a directive in community institutions during this period. In his _Letter from Birmingham Jail_, often called the Call for Unity, Dr. King says, â€Å"In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic  steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action† (Letter 2). Martin, born and raised in the church, came from humble beginnings; his father, a pastor, sermonized many ideals of a future of peace and the effectiveness of words over physicality. Dr. King went on to preach the ideals of a future based on equality, regardless of skin color or nationality, to his followers. His goals primarily focused on the rise of the nation as a whole- as one- rather than just the rise of the African American race. In his _Chicago Freedom Movement Rally Speech_, he stated, â€Å"The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears. The white man needs the negro to free him from his guilt† (King). Dr. King was aware that for there to be peace and success for our country, we would have to learn to coexist as one community, instead of having one dominant race in any aspect. In another excerpt from the Chicago rally, he summarizes his intent with nonviolence, saying, â€Å"Nonviolence does not mean doing nothing. It does not mean passively accepting evil. It means standing up so strongly with your body and soul that you cannot stoop to the low places of violence and hatred. I am still convinced that nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, it cuts without wounding† (King). In result, his practices flourished, inspiring others to come together and follow in his footsteps. Historically, it also aided that typically only violence had been used to fight battles and/or change things in the past, which had only gotten them to the point they found themselves at then. The typical day-to-day life of White Southerners consisted of structural norms within the economy, the government, and social customs. Breaking down the barriers of such an established arrangement would never be an easy feat. Blacks in the South knew this and therefore banned together, creating solid organizations such as CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), and the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). These organizations were so vital to the cause and effect of the nonviolence movement, as â€Å"A conductive political environment only affords the aggrieved population the opportunity for successful insurgent action. It is the resources of the minority community that enable insurgent groups to exploit these opportunities† (McAdam 43). As could be expected, white oppositionists reacted extremely violently to the changes  that were being force-fed to them through the motions of the Civil Rights Movement. The way of life that they’d known for so long was being threatened and as human nature would have it, we are programmed much of the time to fear what we do not know. African American advocates in the South were brutally beaten, humiliated, and killed as a retaliation tactic. Thus, such actions sparked black insurgence to essentially stray away from â€Å"feeding the fire†, and instead choose to demonstrate the direction of race relations that they strived for. In order to achieve results, they had to ban together to strengthen their ideals within the community, thus creating strong indigenous organizations as a backbone for their fight. McAdams states, â€Å"†¦the same dynamic is evident in regard to the relationship between organizational strength and insurgency, with the pace, character, and outcome of collective protest shaping the availability of those organizational resources on which further movement activity depends† (McAdam 53). Thus, as the black insurgent groups gained the social stability, they were able to engrain their nonviolent tactics within a larger audience as they gained support. It was such growth of backing that allowed them to create cracks in the barriers that upheld the white Southerners’ traditions. It was also such groups that were the pillar to sustain an ongoing protest. The Political Process Model that McAdam lays out considers that â€Å"a structure cannot function without the routinized exercise of structural power, and any threat to structural power becomes a threat to that system itself. Thus†¦any system contains within itself the possibility of a power strong enough to alter it† (McAdam 37). Politically, much opportunity was to be gained for black insurgents through the use of non-violent action. W.E.B. DuBois issued an example of such a possible process of advancement, saying â€Å"We need sufficient income for health and home; to supplement our education and recreation; to fight our own crime problem; and above all to finance a continued, planned and intelligent agitation for political, civil, and social equality† (B., DuBois 197). Since the black population felt so absolutely undermined as a race by the government, it would do them no good to repeat the same actions as those before them when trying to change the way things worked. McAdam discourses that â€Å"the point is that any event or broad social process that serves to undermine the calculations and  assumptions on which the political establishment is structured occasions a shift in political opportunities† (McAdam 41). In other words, if someone is questioning the way the government works in the first place, already a shift has been sparked in the standards, just by drawing attention to it. To some degree, all changes involving social movement for the nation are going to imply some level of struggle to change and/or pull for institutionalized power (McAdam 36). Using this explanation in the cause of the non-violent tactics, once the aggrieved population shed light on the issues of political alignment through a peaceful approach, the movement only continued to gain attention and leverage over political opponents. McAdam sums it up when he synopsizes, â€Å"the contention is that, far from remaining constant, the organizational resources available to southern blacks increased simultaneously with the expansion in political opportunities† (McAdam 87). Like most ideals in life, the concept of nonviolence as a promising tactic for change started with one individual. Martin Luther King Jr. not only believed in what he preached, but practiced it in his own life. Through his consistent stand-by of nonviolence, the subsequent growth in support through organizational groups, and said group’s ability to power through the withstanding customs of white folk, nonviolence flourished. In his closing statements, McAdam reminds, â€Å"it must be remembered that the movement was able, in a matter of years, to dismantle a thoroughgoing system of caste restrictions that had remained impervious to change for some seventy-five years†¦These gains are hardly insignificant† (McAdam 232). Therefore, though near the end black insurgency took a turn for the worse, the influence that nonviolence caused on the nation absolutely left a lasting imprint on history. Work Cited B., Du Bois W. E. Dusk of Dawn. Millwood, NY: Kraus-Thomson Organization, 1975. Print. King, Martin Luther, Jr. â€Å"Chicago Freedom Movement Rally Speech.† Courtesy of the King Center. Atlanta, Georgia. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp. September 24, 2014. King, Martin Luther. _Letter from Birmingham Jail_. Stamford, CT: Overbrook, 1968. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. McAdam, Doug. Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1982. Print. PBS, prod. â€Å"Ain’t Scared of Your Jails.† _Eyes on the Prize_. PBS. N.d. _PBS_. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Leadership Qualities Essay

Charisma and personality are two important traits of successful leaders. Many brilliant men and women have risen to positions of power based on technical skill and knowledge base; yet, these same people typically do not fully succeed in leadership positions unless charisma and strong personality traits shine. Without charisma and likable personalities, leaders cannot survive, inspire for long durations, and become superior leaders. The job of a successful leader is to â€Å". . . ommunicate where the business is going, why, and what the benefits will be if we accomplish what we set up to achieve (Bossidy 2007). † The best leaders communicate through charisma and strong, likable personalities. Without the ability to communicate effectively and inspire, leaders are left with good visions; no followers to get the job done; and no successes on which to build successful business. While successful leadership is certainly possible without charisma, â€Å". . . sing reasoning instead takes a lot more of what global companies don’t have anymore: time (Welch 2006). † Leadership without charisma is like traveling in a â€Å"slower, more challenging lane (Welch 2006). † In today’s business world, leaders are not afforded the luxury of time to lead companies to successes. Competition is so fierce in many industries that companies cannot afford to not have charismatic leaders that can affect immediate change. A leader must realize that having skills to execute a task is not the only requirement for successful leadership. A leader’s calling starts with evoking values; using these values to forge a vision; then finally inspiring collaborative action throughout the organization (Shenkman 2005). Charisma allows leaders to follow this path in a timely fashion and to superior successes. In all, without charisma and personality, leadership is possible, but very difficult over time. In today’s business environment, charisma is an essential quality for superior leadership in order keep up with market demands and maintain business successes.

An examination of the connection between sexuality and suffering Essay

An examination of the connection between sexuality and suffering - Essay Example Journal du voleur is the closest Genet came to writing a traditional autobiography. As D’Asciano (1998) points out, though his other novels incorporate names from the author's life experience, the focus of these novels is to create mythical characters out of names pulled from Genet’s reality. The character â€Å"Genet† figures in these other novels as the creator/narrator, but it is in the Journal that Genet concentrates on recounting his life experience (D’Asciano, 1998). As White has shown in his biography of Genet, the chronology of events in Journal, while loosely followed, does, in fact, correspond with Genet's life in the late 1930's. What is most important to Genet, however, is not a simple recounting of his life story, but rather the elaboration of his aesthetic preoccupations. It is in this narrative that Genet identifies most clearly his means of literary production, and discusses the relationship of body to text. It is within the context of the stated reality, and as influenced by Genet’s own sexual proclivities, that the theme of sexuality and suffering asserts itself. Traditionally, autobiography is a narrative form that has as its primary theme the recounting of the life of the author. The key element in identifying a narrative as autobiographical is, to use the terminology of Philippe Lejeune (1975, p. 1), the pacte autobiographie By identifying the pacte the ideal reader realises without a doubt that the character denoted by â€Å"I† is indeed a projection of the author on the page. Genet accomplishes this in Journal principally by providing verifiable statistics regarding his â€Å"statut civil,† - his date of birth and the circumstances which surrounded it. ... Genet accomplishes this in Journal principally by providing verifiable statistics regarding his "statut civil," - his date of birth and the circumstances which surrounded it. Though a Genet character exists in Genet's other novels, this information appears only in Journal du voleur. What is most remarkable about this fact is that, rather than stabilizing the identity of the author, by its very nature it destabilises. The fact that Genet was orphaned at a young age, and that he knows only the name of his mother, and not that of his father, puts the author character in an awkward position in a society more patrilineal than most. The Journal is in many ways, an aesthetic treatise, an examination of the ideas and practices that have made Genet a creator. The two fundamental concepts that drive his creation are "beauty," and a vertiginous space that we could call the "vide," or, "nothingness." As may be inferred from Barber's (2004) analysis of Journal, Genet's writing exists in a tense space between the aesthetic attractions of the physical world, and the intellectual imperative of the contemplation of the emptiness of existence. Genet attributes his attraction to the physical world to its beauty. Pinning down a precise meaning of beauty is difficult. In the short entry on "beauty" in the Oxford Companion to Philosophy, Aquinas is quoted as defining beauty as "that which pleases in the very apprehension of it" (Hondrich, 1995, p. 80). This definition, though vague, does point to two components of the assessment of beauty, the observer and the observed. There is no beauty without a subjectivity to apprehend it. The article goes on

Managing Strategic Marketing Malaysian company PROTON Essay

Managing Strategic Marketing Malaysian company PROTON - Essay Example Marketing mix is one of the core components of a marketing plan. This paper describes how PROTON, a car Malaysian car manufacturing company, can improve its marketing mix to evaluate the success of the marketing plan. Before going into the details of the marketing mix, let us get to know what a marketing plan actually is in order to get a better understanding of marketing mix. A marketing plan is a well-designed strategy to advertising a product or to create awareness of a company’s products and services among the customers. A properly designed marketing plan not only includes defining marketing goals and objectives of a company but also includes the strategies and tactics to achieve the marketing goals. Implementing an effective marketing plan and taking steps to monitor the performance of the plan are very important for any manufacturing company. Marketing mix is one of the main tools used by the managers of a company to monitor and control the working of the marketing plan. Marketing mix is one of the core components of a marketing plan. A marketing mix includes proper set of tools and guidelines which a company can use to market its products and services in the market. Managers make us e of marketing mix to evaluate the success of the marketing plan of their products. The assessment or evaluation makes the managers know whether the marketing plan is appropriate for the product or it needs to be changed. Being the marketing manager of PROTON, which is a leading car manufacturing company, I will propose improvements in the marketing mix of my company in order to make it compete effectively with the main competitor of the company. 2. Background of the Company The name of the company where I work as marketing manager is PROTON. PROTON is a Malaysian company which was established in 1985 and since then, it has been a valuable part of the Malaysian automotive industry. PROTON deals with manufacturing and distribution of passenger and commercial cars. Some main types of vehicles, which the company manufactures, include commercial cars, family vans, and private cars. In addition to the implementation of ISO 9000 standards of quality, PROTON has also adopted the QS 9000 qu ality standard, which has also been adopted by many of the famous American car manufacturing companies like General motors and Ford. The company has done alliance with Sauber and Petronas which really help PROTON achieve its goals in the international market. 3. Introduction of the Product The product, which I have been marketing for the last six months, is Cronze Family Van. Cronze van is a new product manufactured by the PROTON car manufacturing company in collaboration with the Lotus automotive company. Cronze is a 7-seater vehicle, which is a very economical car for large families. Some of the most attractive features of this van include beautiful shape, built-in stereo system, powerful engine, high mileage, and capacity to hold a large number of people at a time. Low fuel consumption and high mileage are two of the most incredible features of this van. People like to buy such vans which consume very less amount of fuel and give high mileage. Another attractive feature of this v an is that a customer is able to

Oswestry Mutual Insurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Oswestry Mutual Insurance - Essay Example In 1991, the company decision-making process was highly centralized. The growth experienced by OMI in the mid to late 1980's and the need to become more responsive to the dynamics of the industry, top management decided to change the operating structure. In 1991, they reorganized into 6 sectional-regional profit centers. The branch offices remained at 68, each branch office reports to a specific sectional profit centre and sectional office. The sectional office is responsible for approving all policies written and claims filed through both branch offices and the independent agents located in that region. The head office's is suppose to establish overall corporate policy and provide support to 6 sectional offices. The head office in Oswestry and the sectional offices were organized on a functional basis. The functional units in all locations are: Premium Audit, Underwriting, Sales, Claims/Losses, Finance, Human Resources, Loss Monitoring and Support. However, even though the operational structure was decentralized, most of the information services still remain centralized in the head office, which includes related planning, control, budget authority and decision- making stays at the head office. Computers were used, at first, for financial and statistical report production: standard MIS reports included, profit/loss, operations, claim data, loss ratios, and marketing information. In the 1980's, it became painfully obvious to OMI that the companies method of processing policy and claim data needed a major overhaul. John Robson, at the time, director of Information Systems called for a serious review of information service operations. He wanted to know what data was being collected, processed, and how the information was being used by every department and branch office. In 1991, a committee was established. Representatives came from Information Systems, and the major functional area user groups. They studied current information system problems, determined future requirements, and developed specifications for new systems to meet their needs. The project was completed in 1993, implemented was: an automated policy-writing system which would issue policies, cancellations, changes and renewals, marketing and financial reports were regularly prepared, directly from the data already entered into the policy writing and claim system, an automated claim input system which automatically issue claims cheques, online retrieval of policyholder information became possible at all branch offices, online retrieval of claim information became possible at all branch offices Overall Process To Implement Change The new systems were not perfect, but was a great improvement. When a new application for insurance was received by the Underwriting department in a sectional office, relevant data was entered by a sectional office by a PPD clerk over a telephone line link into the company's large IBM 3090 central mainframe located in Oswestry. Data would then be processed in overnight batch mode to produce a policy which could be printed in multiple copies the next day in Oswestry, and on a remote printer in the sectional office. Also, an online policy-holder file would also be available the next day for retrieval on the sectional office terminal which was also connected to the 3090 in Oswestry. Prior to the systems development, work that took place between 1991-1993 and before, the establishment of the sectional offices, handling personal policy information was a semi-automated clerical

Primary Analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X Research Paper - 1

Primary Analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X - Research Paper Example Nation of Islam was an organization which tried to establish a separate state for African American Muslims and therefore it opposed many of the policies of the civil rights movement1. The intentions of civil rights movement were not for breaking the country, but for regaining the civil rights of the oppressed African American community. Malcolm was attracted by the ideologies of the leaders of civil right movement and he separated himself from Nation of Islam, before delivering his famous speech "The Ballot or the Bullet". Even though he supported Black Nationalism in principle, he never advocated the argument for a separate state for Muslim African American people. He always believed that it is better to fight for justice without sacrificing the interests of America as a country. In other words, he never advocated the efforts to destabilize America even though his community struggled to achieve equality in American social life. At the same time many people believe that Malcolm was actually trying to prepare black community for a bloody war with the dominant white community with the help of this speech. In their opinion, even though he appeared to be distanced himself from the constraints of religion, his actual intentions were mysterious. He tried to ridicule the activities of some of the former black and white Christian leaders like Martin Luther King, Clayton Powell, and Reverend Galamison, Billy Graham etc. Moreover, he asked his community to use their voting rights judiciously and take weapons for self-defense purpose. This paper analyses whether the dimensions of the public speech "The Ballot or the Bullet" made by Malcolm X, were culturally/communally motivated or socially motivated. â€Å"Although Im still a Muslim, Im not here tonight to discuss my religion. Im not here to try and change your religion† (Malcolm). Malcolm has realised the importance of achieving unity among African

Relection on Total knee replacement surgery Research Paper

Relection on Total knee replacement surgery - Research Paper Example After the knee is open, a four-step procedure is undertaken to have the knee completely replaced with metallic components, some plastic spacers and button, to enhance the normal functionality of the knee joints. The first step of the knee replacement surgery entails the removal of the damaged knee components, where the damaged knee cartilage on the surface of both tibia and fibula are removed, together with some reasonable amount of the underlying bone (Scuderi & Tria, 2002). This marks the preparation of the knee, for a total replacement, since the already damaged components are removed and the knee is now ready to take a replacement. This step is followed by positioning the metal implants. Here, the components of the knee; the cartilage and the bone surface, are now replaced with some metal components that recreate the surface of the joint (Bellemans, Ries & Victor, 2005). During this replacement, the metal components, which have been prepared to suit the natural knee components, a re either cemented or pressed to fit into the remaining bone component. The next step that follows the positioning of the metal implants is the resurfacing of the patella (the knee cap), which requires the knee cup to be cut and then resurfaced with a plastic button, which will not collide with the metallic implants that have been implanted on the knee (Scuderi & Tria, 2002). However, as explained by the surgeon, depending on the case and extent of the knee damage, the knee cap might not be resurfaced. The final step of the Total knee replacement surgery is to place the spacers. This step entails putting some medical-grade plastic spacers between the metal components that have been implanted on the knee, to create a smooth gliding surface (Bellemans, Ries & Victor, 2005). My feeling during the procedure was that the patient may fail to function fully after the knee is replaced, because the operation was being undertaken for a 70 year old woman. I also felt that the Total knee replac ement surgery was not a very complex sort of operation, although it required a high degree of concentration and precision, lest the metal implantations done on the knee fails to fit accurately and thus lead to more knee problems. The lesson that I learnt from the Total knee replacement surgery procedure is that; it is a surgical procedure that is compatible with all ages. Additionally I learnt that the Total knee replacement surgery is not uniformly done to all people, and that some aspects of the procedure depends on the patient, their situation, and the extent to which their knee is damaged either through injury or arthritis. While the Total knee replacement surgery basically follows a four-step procedure, I realized that the final step of the surgical procedure, referred to as spacer insertion, is not a mandatory or universal step in the Total knee replacement surgery, since it can be omitted for some patients. Another invaluable lesson that I learn regarding the Total knee repla cement surgery is that; the medical history of the patient is fundamental in determining their qualification for the procedure. This is because, the medical history helps the surgeon to assess the strength of the patient

Human Resource Development studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Human Resource Development studies - Essay Example This essay will discuss how boundaries between organisations are increasingly becoming fluid across a diverse range of networks and the implications that these network forms have on the maintenance and development of skills for individuals and organisations. Reasons for diversification of networks The thinning of the boundaries between organisations has to a large extent been caused by the diversification of organisations, this has seen most of the organisations increase their product diversity to minimise risks and increase their capability to take advantage of opportunities in the market (Johnson, 2010, p65). In addition, organisations have also diversified their markets in several regions in order to reach a larger client base. These processes of diversification have caused major shifts in the way the companies conduct their operations (Hill & Jones, 2007, p85). In the case of concentric diversification where organisations are concerned with increasing the scope of their products through the adding related goods and services, integration of different skills has been a necessity; this is to increase the strategic fit in the running of the organisations (Gu?Nther, 2007, p152). The related products that an organisation includes in its operation depends on the field that it operates in, for instance, organisations that offer services in the service industries are likely to add to their products other services that compliment their operations or those that add value to the initially existing services. For instance, a company that has a conservancy for wild animals or that is manages a game reserve is more likely to diversify its operation to include offering travelling packages for tourists who visit their facility. In addition, it may wish to own a hotel within the conservancy where the tourists can stay when they are visiting the region, this would encourage more tourists to visit the conservancy or the game reserve. Still to increase the visibility of the orga nisation to possible tourists, the organisation is likely to acquire an advertising firm. This diversification in operations of a service company would require that the workers especially in the management levels to acquire new skills to enable them run the organisation efficiently and effectively. Diversification in organisations that deal in goods is more likely to be extensive and complex than for the organisations that are in the service industry, this makes the workers in the goods producing organisations more affected by the organisation’s operations in different networks (Toxvaerd, 2010, p72). Most of the organisations that have their final products in form of goods require a lot of technological and management expertise, this is because in the production of goods, there are a lot of stages that are involved before the goods are ready to be taken to the market (Gregory & Cooper, 2009, p111). These stages include; procurement and transportation of raw materials, the pro cessing of raw materials that may involve several stages, quality assurance checks, packaging and branding of the product, warehousing search and transportation

Painful Ankle Medical Treatment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Painful Ankle Medical Treatment - Case Study Example Medications: The patient has been on analgesics broad-spectrum antibiotics regimen that ended three days ago; provided at the clinic. No other medication currently.Allergies: The client has a specific protein food allergies, cannot eat eggs. There is no known drug allergies.Immunisation: Tetanus injection immediately after the cut (one week ago) scheduled for a repeat (booster) in three weeks’ time (Greaves and Johnson 2002, p.38).SH: the patient is married, living with the wife and two children. He is a farmer while his wife owns a grocery shop. Does not smoke but occasionally takes alcohol.His hobbies include reading, listening to music and tending the flowers.O/E: Stable general outlook. Not sick-looking. NAD on examination of the head, Neck, back, chest. Hands.Left foot: The ankle joint is swollen. The patient reports painful joint and cannot walk well.ROM: ROM: Active: Flexion- Cannot flex the ankle due to pain on anterior aspect Extension- full range; with minimal pain o n movementAbduction- painful Adduction- painfulMedial Rotation- painful Passive: Flexion- full range; with pain on anterior aspect the ankleExtension- full range; painful Abduction- full range; painfulMedial Rotation- painfulResistive: Flexion-with intense pain on anterior aspect of ankleExtension- painful Abduction- painfulMedial Rotation- painfulImpression: Ankle sprain

Los Angeles International Airport Risk Assesment Essay

Los Angeles International Airport Risk Assesment - Essay Example Risk assessment varies from interpretation of data based on numerous and regular occurrences or vents to the approximation of the probability of very atypical events, amalgamated in each scenario with the measurement of exposure to risk. Setting of the target needs forecasting of the exposure, extent of risk, and tolerable and viability of the policies and mitigations for risk reductions, to spot targets which hits a balance between achievability, challenge and public and political suitability. STEP ONE: THREAT IDENTIFICATION AND RATING LAX Terrorist threat Identification and rating Airport terrorism risk assessment and analysis is not conducted in a vacuum. This kind of risk is usually assessed and analyzed as a way to control or buy down risk over duration via developing certain measures and mitigations across the airport facilities. Presently, majority of the world known airports LAX included are at increasing risk from both internal and external terror attack due to their securit y arrangement. Presently, despite the improved security at LAX, it still remains one of the centers of targets by the terrorist attack, owing to the fact that it has sustained more alarming incidences than any other airport in the United States. This implies that counterterrorism still remains a top concern for the LAX safety management. In 1974, a terrorist organized a bomb in the LAX airport terminating the lives of three and severely injuring eight people. The mitigation for any terror attack at LAX is therefore, a very a fundamental concept which must not be wished away and must be supported by all the employees within the LAX working environment or footprint. LAWA management is charged with responsibilities of operating, capital improving and provision of security at the airport. Given the ongoing massive construction, competing demands of managing the airport and the renovation of other terminals to expand its international terminals, there is a conviction that the security of the airport is wanting, making it to be very vulnerable for threat attack. In addition, intelligence associated with aviation is not institutionally passing all public safety agencies of LAX on a constant basis. This means that as a pre-mitigation measure, there should be consistent intelligence sharing of the information between public safety agency, local laws enforcement and US intelligence committee. Improvement of relationships and collaboration between these three bodies whereby they provide one other with crucial intelligent information based on the evolving terrorism threats, both in the US and abroad is very critical for the general safety of the airport. Explosive Blast armaments According to LAX terrorism threat identification, two parameters are applied to describe the explosive blast plan threat: the size of the weapon determined in equal pounds of TNT (trinitrotoluene) and the stand-off. The stand-off is defined by the distance calculated from the charge’s cent re of gravity to the component of interest which in this case is the LAX and its surrounding. Table 1.1 Showing Explosive Evacuation Distance Threat Description Explosive Substance1 With respect to TNT equivalent LAX Evacuation Distance2 Open-air Evacuation Distance3 Semitrailer 27,214kg 480m 2,136m Moving van 13,608kg 377m 1980m Small Moving van 4,537kg 265m 1144m Cargo van 1,815kg 196m 838m Sedom 454kg 122m 536m Compact Sedom 229kg 98m 456m Briefcase Bomb 22kg 47m 566m Suicide Vest 9kg 33m 415m Suicide Belt 4.5kg 26m 330m

Technical Communication Essay Example for Free

Technical Communication Essay Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication. Communication is the exchange of thoughts, message or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. Derived from the Latin word â€Å"communis†, meaning to share. Communication requires a sender, a message, and a recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender’s intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distance in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender. Technical Communication would mean a communication specific to the sender and the recipient and both would be from the same field of knowledge. This communication may not be understood by any others in the sense that the messages passed across are in a language that can be understood by persons from once field of knowledge. Here the importance subset of such a communication. Technical Communication is the flow or exchange of information within people or group of people sharing a common platform of similar knowledge or people from the same field with or without the technical knowledge. Means of Communication 1. Verbal Communication: Spoken and pictorial languages can be described as a system of symbols (sometimes as known lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated. The word â€Å"language† also refers to common properties of languages. Language learning normally occurs most intensively during human childhood. Most of the thousands of human languages use patterns of sound or gestures for symbols which enable communication with others around them. Languages seem to share certain properties although many of these include exceptions. There is no defined line between a language and a dialect. Constructed languages such as Esperanto, programming languages and various mathematical formalisms are not necessarily restricted to the properties shared by human languages. Communication should also include the display of text, Braille, tactile communication, large print, accessible multimedia, as well as written and plain language, human –reader, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication, including accessible information and communication technology. Manipulative Communications are intentional and unintentional ways of manipulating words, gestures, etc. to â€Å"get what we want â€Å", by demeaning, discounting, attacking or ignoring instead of respectful interaction. Sarcasm, criticism, rudeness and swearing are examples. 2. Non Verbal Communication: A variety of verbal and non-verbal means of communicating exists such as body language, eye contact, sign language. Nonverbal communication describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non – word messages. Research shows that the majority of our communication includes chronemics (use of time) , haptics (using the sense of touch),gesture, body language or posture; facial expression and eye contact, object communication such as clothing , hairstyles, architecture, symbols infographics, and tone of voice as well as through an aggregate of the above. Speech also contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage. These include voice lesson quality, emotion and speaking style as well as prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation and stress. Likewise, written texts include nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words and the use of emoticons to convey emotional expression in pictorial form. 3Oral communication: Oral communication, while primarily referring to spoken verbal communication, can also employ visual aids and non verbal elements to support the discussion, and aspects of interpersonal communication. As a type of face-to face communication, body language and choice tonality play a significant role, and may have communication also garners immediate feedback. Historic Stages in Written Communication: 1. Pictograms in the form of stone graphics hence immobile. 2. Written form on papyrus, paper, clay tablets. Introduction of common alphabets and also the invention of printing in the 15th century made the written form a very strong means. 3. Transfer of information through controlled waves and electronic signals. Effective Communication All communication, intentional or unintentional, has some effect. This effect may not be always in communicator’s favor or as desired by him or her. Communication that produces the desired effect or result is effective communication. It results in what the communicator wants. Effective communication generates the desired effect, maintain effect increase effect. Effective communication serves its purpose for which it was planned or designed. The purpose could be to generate action, inform, create understanding or communicate a certain idea/point etc. Effective communication also ensures that message distortion does not take place during the communication process.

Effect of Temperature on Membrane Permeability Beetroot

Effect of Temperature on Membrane Permeability Beetroot In this investigation I shall find out the relationship between the amounts of leakage of beetroot pigment into water under various range of temperatures. Furthermore, I will also investigate if there is a correlation between absorbency and temperature. Hypothesis Since the temperatures are high, it is possible that the phospholipids in the cell membrane will move faster. This will inevitably result in the membrane becoming for permeable. Therefore, I predict that, there will be a positive relationship between permeability and temperature. I also predict that there will be a positive correlation between the two variables, which means as the temperature increases the absorbency will inevitably increase. Null Hypothesis There will be no relationship between the rise in temperature and the amount of beetroot pigment leaking into the water. To give me a visual perception of my obtained results compared to that of the two other groups, I will represent the results in a form of a scatter diagram/graph. I will use the Spearman Rank Statistical test to carry out a statistical analysis of my results. This will allow me to establish a significant relationship between the two sets of data, which are the temperature and the absorbency. To work out the significant relationship I will be using the following formula: Rц¢ = 1 6 ∑D ² N = no. of pairs of measurements that I have, which is 7. n (n ² 1) Rц¢ = 1 6 x 2 n (n ² 1) Rц¢ = 1 6 x 2 7 (7 ² 1) Rц¢ = 1 12 336 Rц¢ = 0.96 I have been provided with a table, which indicates that for every n value there is a critical value. For 7 pairs of measurements the critical value is 0.79. If Rц¢ is greater than or equal to the critical value indicated in the table, than there is a significant relationship between my sets of data. Rs = 0.96 > 0.79. This indicates that there is a correlation between temperature and the absorbency. I also know that I have a positive correlation, as 0.96 is a positive value. I also need to work carry out a Spearmans rank test using my average value of absorbency, which includes my own set of results as well as the two other pooled results. Rs from my average value of absorbency is identical to the previous Rs. This clearly means that I have successfully managed to support the fact that there is a positive correlation between absorbency and temperature. Therefore, I can discard my Null Hypothesis, which states otherwise. The first graph, which is a scatter diagram of pool results, displays my results alongside with two other students. By carefully comparing the graph I have noticed that all the results indicate the same pattern of a positive correlation. However, I have noticed that one set of results had produced an anomalies result. Therefore, I intend to discuss possible limitation and problems, which may have caused this. The graph as well as the statistical analysis both indicates that my prediction was correct, and as a result of this I can discard my null hypothesis. Scientific Knowledge In the cells of a beetroot plant, substances called anthocyanin, which are common plant pigments, is contained within the plasma membrane. This substance is a glycosides that is water-soluble with some of the sugar groups removed. The red/purple color of the organism is produced from the anthocyanin, which in turn contains a positive charge distributed over the chemical ring system. A damaged beetroot cell with a broken membrane would initiate the anthocyanin bleeding out of the cell like a dye. This aspect could be used to test the conditions that affect the integrity of the cell membrane. The cell membrane in a beetroot plant is made up of a phospholipids bi-layer, which forms a fluid mosaic structure. If the temperature were increased the cell membrane would gain high kinetic energy and vibrate vigorously, causing the phospholipids bi-layer to break, which in turn would increase the size of the pores. As a result, when the temperature continues to raise the plasma membrane of the beetroot cell will rupture. This due to the fact that the phospholipids bi-layer, which forms the cell membrane, is made of proteins, and as the kinetic theory states; with increased temperature molecules in the protein will receive high energy and vibrate vigorously. For that reason, above the optimum temperature, the bonds holding the protein structure together will be broken, thus the proteins are denatured. This means at higher temperatures more of the pigment or anthocyanin would leak out, in turn increasing the rate of diffusion. As a result I have decided to find out the temperature v ariable and use the colour change, caused by the anthocyanin as the independent variable. The results, which I received, seem to support this fact, in that as the temperature increased the percentage transmission of light read by the colorimeter decreased. Evaluation of Evidence The graph produced from my results seem to illustrate the same trend as the two pooled results, which is that there is a direct proportionality between the increase in temperature and the absorbance. This indicates that my results were somewhat reliable. Throughout the experiment I used a syringe for measuring volume, which consequently would have increased precision, as this assured the measurements used were to the nearest millimetre. Moreover, I also used a stopwatch, which ensured that the time in which I allowed each set of beetroot discs to be heated in water was kept constant. I also used the same cork borer to cut out each beetroot cylinder, which indicates that all the beetroot cylinder should have been more or less identical to each other.

Rate of Treatment Failure among Tuberculosis Patients

Rate of Treatment Failure among Tuberculosis Patients ABSTRACT Treatment failure in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) poses a great danger to the global effort in control of tuberculosis. This study evaluated prevalence of treatment failure among PTB patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Pakistan. Consecutive patients of smear positive PTB patients managed between February 2011 to October 2013 at the directly observed therapy (Tuberculosis) unit of our hospital were enrolled for the study. Sputum specimens were collected from each patient at entry for Acid Fast Bacilli microscopic examination and repeated at the end of 2nd (in category I cases only), 3rd (in category II cases only), 5th and 7th month of treatment. Of the 144 patients recruited, 124 patients consisting of 53 (42.74%) males and 71 (57.26%) females aged 14-85 years completed the study. Ninety three (75 %) of the patients were New (category I) at entry while 31 (25%) were Retreatment cases (category II). Among 124 smear positive patients at baseline, 22 (17.74%), 6(4.84%) and 6(4.84%) patients remained positive after 2nd (in category I patients only) and 3rd (in category II cases only), 5th and 7th month of treatment respectively. In conclusion, there is considerable treatment failure rate (4.84%) among our smear positive TB patients; and this poses a great danger to healthcare personnel and close contacts in the community. Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis, prevalence, treatment failure. INTRODUCTION: About two billion or nearly a third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.(1) The global prevalence of TB was an estimated 14 million, with 9.4 million incident cases and 1.3 million deaths among HIV-negative cases for the year 2009. (2) Eighty-five percent of the 9 million people infected with TB each year live in the developing countries. (2) Whereas more women of child bearing age die of Tuberculosis than from all causes of maternal mortality combined.(3) TB incidence has tripled in high HIV prevalence countries in the last two decades with a slight decline in 2009. Globally, in people living with AIDS, one out of every four deaths is due to TB; globally 380,000 people died of HIV associated TB in 2009. Persons co-infected with TB and HIV are 20-30 times more likely to develop active TB disease than persons without HIV. Globally, 440,000 MDR TB cases were estimated in 2009 (8). There are 27 high MDR TB burden countries contributing 86% of the MDR TB case burden. Pakistan falls on number 4 among these high MDR TB burden countries.(2) Currently Pakistan stands 5th amongst the 22 high TB burden countries which account for about 81 % of all estimated TB cases around the globe. (4) Pakistan contributes about 63% of tuberculosis burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. According to WHO, the incidence of sputum positive TB cases in Pakistan is 97/100,000 per year and for all types it is 231/100,000 or around 420,000 new cases each year. The prevalence of the disease is much higher and is estimated at 373/100,000 population or 670,000 cases.(5) TB is responsible for 5.1 percent of the total national disease burden in Pakistan. The impact of TB on socio economic status is substantial.(6) Sputum smear-positive patients are the most potent sources of infection and, without chemotherapy, have poor outcomes, as about two-thirds of them die within 2-3 years of developing disease. (Ten years case fatality rate of HIV negative untre ated smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis is 70%, while that for smear negative cases is 20%). (7) Non-completion of treatment has serious consequences, including ongoing infectiousness and development of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The problem of resistance results from treatment that is inadequate, often because of an irregular drug supply, inappropriate regimens, or poor compliance. Drug resistance is a potential threat to tuberculosis-control programs throughout the world. (8) Materials and methods The study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital in  Pakistan. The research proposal was approved by the Ethics and Review Committee of the hospital. Informed consent was obtained from the patients. The hospital has a TB clinic which is supported by the National Tuberculosis Control Programme Pakistan. Laboratory services for sputum microscopy and the drug regimens are provided according to National Tuberculosis Control Programme protocol. Consecutive patients who presented at the TB clinic of the hospital with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled. Sociodemographic data such as age, sex, marital status and occupation were recorded. Patients of age less than 5 years were excluded. Before enrolling into the study, the patients were well informed about the consequences and potential predictors of treatment failure such as treatment compliance. Pretreatment sputum specimens were collected from each patient for acid fast bacilli (AFB) examination. Patients were categorized as New cases (category I) and Retreatment cases (category II) on the basis of history of previous anti TB treatment. All patients were followed up to completion of eight months TB treatment. Sputum examinations were repeated at 2nd month (in case of category I only), 3rd month (in case of category II only), 5th month and 7th month of treatment. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 16.0 version. Results A total of 144 patients were recruited during the study period (between February 2011 and October 2013). Twenty patients were either transferred out or lost to follow up. One hundred and twenty four patients who completed their treatment at the centre were evaluated. There were 93(75%) New cases (category I) and 31(25%) Retreatment cases (category II). There were 71 (57.26%) females and 53(42.74%) males aged between 14 and 85 years. Majority of the patients (47.58%) were aged above 45 years with 6 patients above 80 years. Table 2 shows the age group distribution of sputum positive pulmonary TB patients on entry. Repeat sputum AFB results in study participants are presented in figure 1. Of the 124 patients who were sputum positive at baseline, 6 (4.84%) patients were AFB smear positive after 5 months therapy revealing the prevalence of treatment failure in these patients. Our study showed that TB affects mainly the middle and elderly age in our environment (47.58% of the patients managed were above age 45 years). This finding is also observed in some studies from the developed countries (9), While in developing countries it affects mainly the young age group. (10) One reason may be the changing circumstances in the less developed countries and further large scale studies may highlight the issue. Greater percentage of our study population was females which again is different from studies in our region. (10,11) Treatment failure rate among our patients was 4.84%. Though this is lower tthan reported in many studies we still need to further improve it (The cure rate of tuberculosis among Category I patients in our study was more than the cure rate reported by studies from Bangalore (65.7%) and Tamil Nadu (75%). (12,13) The World Health Organization guidelines have recommended achieving cure rate of 85%. The smear positive TB patients pose a significant risk to members of the public, close relatives, and health care staff who treat these patients. They are the focus for infection control measures, and contact investigations. This type of patient must be isolated because of risk of transmitting microbes. Treatment failure increases the risk further. These are the cases where there are much chances of drug resistance including multidrug resistance and extended drug resistance. ((((All 3 failure patients who underwent DST testing had MDR-TB, while 3 of 22 of relapse patients and 0 of 5 default patients tested did. While these DST results were only available for three failure patients and, therefore, not representative, these data and those from other studies suggest that MDR ri sk is not uniform among retreatment subgroups, with increased prevalence of MDR among patients with initial treatment failure. (14-16) Drug resistance is a global health concern and effective programmatic therapy of the smear positive cases is one of the cornerstones in its prevention. Facilities for rapid detection of rifampicin resistance are being made available throughout the country which can help in early detection of drug resistant cases. Physicians involved in TB management need to be involved in its programmatic management and timely referrals for testing resistance in appropriate cases. Taken together, these findings support use of DST in all retreatment patients, earlier DST testing in those with clinical and microbiological indications of impending treatment failure, and use of second-line drugs for retreatment of patients with initial treatment failure until DST results are known.(17) Recently, total drug-resistant tuberculosis has been described in which some patients with TB infection were completely unresponsive to all TB drugs. This is a big blow to the global effect in control of TB. On the other hand, additional burdens of isolation and stigmatization on the patients are enormous. (18) Noncompliance to treatment, deficient patient knowledge/health education, drug quality, and other comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and HIV infection had been identified as major predictors of treatment failure in patients with TB. These factors were not considered in our study participants. According to observations made in many countries, only directly observed therapy is capable of improving treatment outcomes. (19-22) The effectiveness of the DOTS strategy is also confirmed by our own studies. In conclusion, there is still considerable treatment failure rate among TB patients managed in our tuberculosis clinic. There is need for provision of facility for sputum culture for detection of patients with drug resistant TB cases. Policies on the management of tuberculosis need to be reviewed and strengthened in order to reduce open TB cases in the community.

An Analysis Of The Video Like A Prayer By Madonna :: essays research papers

An Analysis of the Video "Like A Prayer" by Madonna Madonna first arrived in the national popular culture in 1984 with her song "Borderline". She moved very quickly in the ensuing years to make several records (many of which have gone multi-platinum) and to take several world tours with sold-out concerts, and has caused quite a bit of controversy in what she has done in the public eye. Examples include posing nude for Penthouse magazine (and announcing afterwards that she was not ashamed for doing it), marrying (and subsequently divorcing) actor and media-avoider Sean Penn, creating a fashion trend (which was primarily popular with teenage girls), and making truly atrocious movies which the critics hated and the people refused to see (the only two exceptions are Dick Tracy and Truth or Dare, her controversial yet fascinating self-documentary about her tour of the same name). It seems that Madonna seems to enjoy attention, good or bad, and it seems like she feeds on her own controversy. Her songs, and the music videos which accompany them, are no exception to this. However, the things she does and the images she projects requests contemporary society to reflect on itself, and to possibly re-create itself in innovative and inventive styles. Perhaps she always breaks with convention because she sees things in a different light than the rest of society. This essay shall focus on the video which accompanies the title track from her 1989 album, "Like A Prayer," which certainly had its share of controversy. Probably the most startling image in the music video was that of several burning crosses on a lawn or a hill. These crosses were in the background, while Madonna was facing the camera and singing. When I saw the music video for the first time, this particular section of the video made me sit up and intently watch my television screen. The first things I thought about were, "She's a very outspoken woman for doing this! Boy, she's got a lot of nerve! I believe she was raised Catholic, and she's making a mockery of the Catholic Church by doing so! The Pope would be offended, to say the least!" The radical approach to dispose of any religion (or a person's religious or pious fervor) is at least shocking. The cross is the symbol of Christianity and all it stands for. Seeing the cross engulfed in fire -- which symbolizes (and is) a destructive force -- would be very disturbing for anyone to see, Christian or not. I sat up and took notice, and I'm not even Christian -- I am Jewish. Furthermore, the fact that

Setting in Greasy Lake by T. Coraghessan Boyle Essay -- Greasy Lake T.

Greasy Lake by T. Coraghessan Boyle Nature has a powerful way of portraying good vs. bad, which parallels to the same concept intertwined with human nature. In the story â€Å"Greasy Lake† by T. Coraghessan Boyle, the author portrays this through the use of a lake by demonstrating its significance and relationship to the characters. At one time, the Greasy Lake was something of beauty and cleanliness, but then came to be the exact opposite. Through his writing, Boyle demonstrates how the setting can be a direct reflection of the characters and the experiences they encounter. The lake itself plays a major role throughout the story, as it mirrors the characters almost exactly. For example, the lake is described as being â€Å"fetid and murky, the mud banks glittering with broken glass and strewn with beer cans† (125). The characters are also described as being â€Å"greasy† or â€Å"dangerous† several times, which ties the lake and the characters together through their similarities. The narrator explains, â€Å"We were bad. At night we went up to Greasy Lake† (124). This demonstrates the importance that the surroundings in which the main characters’ choose to be in is extremely important to the image that they reflect. At the beginning of the story, these characters’ images and specifically being â€Å"bad† is essentially all that mattered to them. â€Å"We wore torn up leather jackets†¦drank gin and grape juice†¦sniffed glue and ether and what somebody claimed was cocaine† (124). They went out of their ...

Compare the two nineteenth century horror stories Essay

Compare the two nineteenth century horror stories, ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ by Edgar Allan Poe, showing how Poe uses a range of techniques to make his stories dramatic and effective. ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ are two of the earliest horror stories ever written; they were written in the 1840’s by the American author Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts in 1809. He tragically died in 1849 following a life of alcohol and drugs. ‘The Black Cat’ tells us about a man who is in a condemned cell. He is on death row and reflecting on his life and the reason behind the situation he is in. He tells the reader about his love for animals and how he married early in life. His wife allowed him to buy a black cat who never left his master’s side. However, the narrator tells how he became an alcoholic and started to mistreat his wife and pets. On returning home one night he seized the cat and in fright the cat had bitten him. This made him angry and therefore he cut out one of the cat’s eyes. A few days later he took the cat, slipped a noose around its neck and hung it from a limb of a tree. That night the house burnt down and engraved on the wall was the figure of a cat. Later on in the story the narrator tells us of how he found a cat that closely resembled the one he had killed. The cat would never leave his side which started to make him hate the creature. He was walking down the steps of the cellar one day with his wife when the cat followed and sent him headlong down the steps. In fury he picked up an axe and aimed a blow at the cat. His wife tried to stop him so he buried the axe into her brain. He buried the body in the wall of the cellar. The police found the body as the man become cocky and tapped on the wall where he had buried his wife, there was a wailing sound and the police uncovered the body with the cat on the corpses head. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ tells us about a man who has been accused of being mad. He looked after an old man who had a ‘vulture eye’. His eye was a pale blue and had a film over it. Whenever the eye fell upon the narrator, it made his blood run cold. Therefore he decided to kill the old man. In the week before he killed him the narrator tells us about how he crept into the old man’s bedroom every night at midnight, trying to find the right moment to kill him. On the eighth night the old man became aware that someone was in his room. The narrator says how he could hear the man’s heart beating in his chest and was frightened that the neighbours would hear it. He ran into the room; seized the man out of his bed and pulled the bed on top of him. He then took the planks from the flooring of the bedroom and placed the body there. Once he had replaced the floorboards the police arrived saying that a neighbour had heard a shriek and they wished to search the property. He led them towards the old man’s bedroom and placed some chairs out for them on the exact spot of the body. He began to make typical chat with the officers but could hear the heart of the old man beating louder and louder until it drew the narrator mad and he confessed to the murder. Both stories have typical features of a modern horror story – blood, murder, the murders conscience and supernatural aspects. However, the structure of the stories differ. ‘The Black Cat’ is a longer story and is more detailed. It includes more background description. â€Å"I was especially fond of animals, and was indulged by my parents with a great variety of pets.† This quote shows that ‘The Black Cat’ tells us about the background of the narrator since he was a young boy. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ is more concise and includes some very detailed sections but less background. â€Å"Presently, I heart a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief — Oh no! It was a low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.† This quote shows that ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ has some very detailed sections as the narrator goes into depth about the noise that the old man made. The two narrators have various things in common; they both tell the story in first person and use eyes as an important feature in the story. In the opening paragraph both narrators also say that they have been accused of madness but deny the accusation. â€Å"Mad indeed would I be to expect it, In a case where my very senses reject their own evidence. Yet, mad am I not.† This quote from ‘The Black Cat’ supports my point that the narrator has been accused of being mad but denies it. â€Å"But why WILL you say that I am mad?† This quote from ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ also supports my point as it is from the opening paragraph of the story and the narrator is asking why he is being accused of being mad. The significant differences between the two narrators are; ‘The Black Cat’ gives a more in-depth background about his life before the present day whereas ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ goes straight into the present. ‘The Black Cat’ is also set in different rooms of the house and other areas where as ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ is set in just one room. The relationship between the readier is also different. ‘The Black Cat’ is wrote as if the narrator is writing a letter whereas ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ is wrote as if the narrator is actually speaking to the reader. â€Å"For the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen.† These words suggest to me that ‘The Black Cat’ tells the story as if he is writing a letter. â€Å"How then am I mad?† This rhetorical question shows that the narrator tells the story as if he is actually talking to the reader. The two narrators in the story get caught as they become too over confident about the hiding place of their victims. They both lead the police to the place that the bodies are buried. Sound is also a major part in the reason for the two narrators getting caught. Poe uses a range of visual and sound techniques to make the stories dramatic and effectible. In both stories sound plays a major part in the narrator’s getting caught. â€Å"Then quickly swelling into one long, loud and continuous scream, utterly anomalous and inhuman.† This quote from ‘The Black Cat’ suggests to me that the points I have made are correct. The sound makes the story more dramatic and suspicious. It also leads the police to the corpse. â€Å"But the beating of the heart grew louder, LOUDER! I thought the heart must burst.† This quote also suggests to me that the beating of the heart made the murderer go mad and confess. It also adds an eerie effect to the story. Poe also uses visual description in the stories. â€Å"The corpse, already greatly decayed and clotted with gore, stood erect before the eyes of the spectators. Upon its head, with red extended mouth and solitary eyes of fire†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This phrase of writing from ‘The Black Cat’ goes into great visual detail about the corpse which makes it a lot easier to picture the story in your head. The amount of description sets the scene very effectively and makes the reader feel like there telling the story from their own personal experience. The use of evil words such as ‘greatly decayed’ and ‘clotted with gore’ also emphasise the fear and terror of the story. Poe uses a range of imagery in the stories; including alliteration, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeias, and rhetorical questions. These all make the stories dramatic and keep the reader interested. In ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ Edgar Allan Poe uses a lot of onomatopoeia and metaphors. â€Å"my blood ran cold† This quote proves the point that Poe uses metaphors in this story. â€Å"Like the thread of a spider† This also proves that Poe uses Similes in this story. Both of these enhance the story as they make it more dramatic and effective. In ‘The Black Cat’ Edgar Allan Poe uses a lot of alliteration, metaphors and personification. â€Å"My tenderness of heart† This quote is particularly important as later on in the story the narrators heart is the complete opposite from tender. â€Å"Grew with my growth† This quote from the story shows alliteration. By using both of these quotes the writer is making the story more effective as he is making it more interesting to read. He is also encourage interpretation from the reader and helping them to feel the emotion of the characters. Poe also uses language devices to make the stories dramatic and effective. These include rhythm, repetition, and rhetorical questions. In ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’. Edgar Allan Poe uses a large amount of rhetorical questions. â€Å"How then am I mad?† This is effective in the story as it involves the reader. It does so by encouraging the reader to reflect upon the question and therefore get involved more with the story. Poe also uses repetition. â€Å"He had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him†¦.† The repetitive phrase all in vain, tells us of the narrators joy at the old mans terror. He also uses a capital ‘D’ in death. This infers he is using death as a name, suggesting that the old man is death. In ‘The Black Cat’ Poe uses plenty of rhythm and repetition. â€Å"Have terrified — Have tortured — Have destroyed me.† In this quote Edgar Allan Poe has repeated the word ‘have’. He has used a rhythm by pausing at the end of each word and the dashes indicate an intensity of emotions. He has also used evil words such a ‘terrified’ and ‘tortured’ which again emphasise the fear and terror of the story. This makes the story more dramatic. In both stories Poe also uses capital letters to emphasise words this gives an immediate dramatic impact. In conclusion, Poe uses a range of techniques to make his stories dramatic and effective, many of these are still used by horror writers today. Although ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ are similar in numerous ways, Poe uses different techniques in each one to make the stories effective in their own particular way.

Religion Terms Chapter 3 (Social Justice)

1. Praxis: Living according to one’s belief, not just in private, but also in a way that affects the world. a. Through this critical appropriation critical praxis becomes a possibility.2. Circle of faith in action: The approach to doing justice that we will examine, which borrows the aspects of the circle of praxis and A Call to Action. b. People all around are called to follow the circle of faith in action to help make the world a better place.3. Awareness: Seeing, hearing, and knowing the world in a spirit of friendship, as God does. c. We are called to spread awareness of the problems people are facing in the world, so we can help them.4. Worldview: The beliefs that guide the way someone relates to the world. d. People around the world have different worldviews on how things may affect them, good or bad.5. Culture: All of the shared values, beliefs, and ways of relating and living together that characterizes a particular group of people. e. Understanding another’s cu lture is one way to bring people closer.6. Respect: To look beyond the outer appearances and first impressions to see the goodness that is the foundation of all God’s creation f. If we want to be respected, we must first respects ourselves.7. Analysis: The process of understanding how people’s lives are affected by the relationships that shape the society in which they live. g. Before we try to approach the problem, we must first go through the process of analysis.8. Interdependent: Depending on one another for our existence. h. We live in an interdependent world where everyone need one another.9. Relationship map: Shows the connection between people that shape our society. i. Everyone’s relationship can be seen in the link of the relationship map. 10. Social structure: The patterns that shape any society. j. Many people say that the social structure of out society are somewhat corrupted.11. Structure of sin: The individuals’ decisions that contribute to the social structure that block justice. k. Our bad decisions are the structures of sin.12. Power: God-given ability everyone has to affect their own lives; lives of others, and the world around them in either positive or negative ways. l. Everyone thirsts for power over others, but little do they know that sometimes is brings pain to them.13. Power-over: The belief that human beings are the source of their own power recalls the Original Sin of the first humans, who believe that they could become their own God. (If power is given, it can also be taken) m. Many corporations long for power-over, because they are always fighting to become the top company in the world.14. Power-with: Everyone has God-given power, because we live in an interdependent world, that power is mean t to be shared in relationships with others. n. God wants his creations to have power-with instead of longing to have all the power to their selves because power-with can help bring the relationship between everyone stronger.15. Boycott: Withdrawal from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest. o. Throughout history, there have been many boycotts regarding because people have been treated unfairly.16. Strike: Refusal to work as a form of organized protest, typically in an attempt to obtain a particular concession or concessions from their employer. p. Many strikes have taken place because employees are not happy with the way they are treated by their employers,17. Action: To change the situation in a way that allows all the people who are involved to experience the good life that the Creator planned for them. q. People should take the action of helping to increase peace and health in the world.18. Direct action: Action that occurs on the level of individual relationships and is aimed at meeting an immediate need. r. When we do direct action, we can immediately help those in need.19. Social action: Action that occurs on a level of social structure. s. When social action is taking place, we can spread the awareness of the problem to people who pay no attention to such horrors in the world.20. Basic ecclesial communities: Small groups of Christians who gather to celebrate the liturgy, hear the Scripture, discuss problems they face in society, and find solutions through inspiration of the Gospel. t. Basic ecclesial communities gather together to help those in need through ideas from the Gospel.21. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Took seriously Jesus’ instructions to love the enemy; developed own ideas about how to act on Jesus’ teachings. u. M.K. Gandhi was a very influential man from India.22. Non-violent non-cooperation: Gandhi’s approach of protesting, striking, and boycotting. v. Gandh i’s non-violent non-cooperation was a way of protesting without aggression of the protestors that may start violence.23. Civil disobedience: intentionally breaking laws that are unjust. w. Civil disobedience can be seen as breaking a law but not actually breaking a law because it was already broken in the first place.

Kevin Stevenson retires as AASB Chair Essay

This article is concerned with the accomplishments and achievements of Kevin Stevenson upon his retirement as the Chairman of the Australian Accounting Standards Board on 30th June 2014. During his tenure, Kevin Stevenson ensured that the long traditions of financial reporting were upheld both internationally and domestically and also provided counsel on issues concerning the FRC. Mr. Stevenson was an example of pioneer standard setters for generations down the line as he was among the founding members of the Accounting Standards Advisory Forum of the International Accounting Standards Board. Through his leadership, the AASB’s Research Centre was established as Stevenson served the Asian-Oceanian Standard Setters Group’s chair. His main focus was to work in the interest of the public, as stated by Lynn Wood, the FRC’s chair and trustee of the IFRS Foundation. In concurrence is Ian Mackintosh, the former Chair of the PSASB of Australia and Deputy Chair of IASB. Ac cording to Mackintosh, Stevenson largely contributed in the moves by Asia countries like Nepal and Korea to the IFRS. From the onset of the 1970s, Mr. Stevenson’ attention was driven towards setting ‘principal based’ standards and developing a Conceptual Framework to be used in financial reporting. He advocated for accounting regulations as evidenced by his association with the Accounting Research Foundation and later on watched over the growth of the AARF upon being appointed its Director. He was at the forefront of setting the international pace in the development of common accounting standards for both the public and the private sectors. Stevenson largely contributed to the formation of the Public Sector Accounting and also played a significant role in the establishment of the stable platform of International Financial Reporting Standards in 2005 for adoption in Australia and the entire Europe. Concepts, ideas and facts                      Teamwork and leadership are two important components that must be in alignment so as to provide effective high quality and efficient accounting services. A strategic human resource management model provides guidance to accounting teams and leaders to deliver high-quality services in a timely manner. Accounting operates within a performance measurement that tolerates no errors. Therefore, a state-of-the-art investigation requires scientific leadership working with major stakeholders as a team to provide the best accounting services to a fraud investigation. The new techniques of accounting are significant steps in the right direction and they require leaders with skills and business tools to apply concepts such as efficiency, cost benefit analysis, economies of scale and cost-effectiveness analysis that will measure continuous improvement on a regular basis. Effective leadership is needed to develop, design and implement a solution that would resolve the core competency of an organization. Strategic leadership in accounting provides quality and timely accounting services to a company. Such leadership like that o Stevenson brings together a fragmented system consisting of thousands of accountants working within a fragmented system of organizations. Effective teamwork and leadership in accounting shows the way through the development of new innovative fraud investigations for the future. Leaders in positions like that of Stevenson are encouraged to consider both the social and moral implications of their decisions with regard to how their decisions will affect the clients and shareholders of the company. It is the ethical responsibility of every employee to ensure their company does not illegally evade income taxes or allow questionable deductions. They should ensure that the company finds are allocated to the appropriate activities based on their importance and determine the important elements of the business. The accounting issue                      One major way of improving the confidence in financial reporting and accounting is to ensure that there is improvement in ethical standards, reporting mechanisms, strengthening of governance and adequacy of financial management. It is ethical to maintain the right to the truth while practicing accounting and financial reporting. Those who use financial statements have the right to accurate and truthful information when engaging in investment strategies. Clients have a legal right to receive competent and professional services from accountants who have a legal obligation to perform their responsibilities within the constraints of their skills. It is often argued that most accountants lack ethical ability to recognize and solve ethical dilemmas. This has necessitated the need to include ethics education as a major component of the accounting profession. The development of professional ethics and values should be initiated early in the accounting profe ssion and be emphasized throughout the career. Major issue of the article                      Stevenson clearly shows that it is the responsibility of management to serve the best interests of the company that they are providing auditing and accounting services for, investors and society as a whole. This can be done by providing truthful and accurate financial records. Ethical guidelines require that management should be honest, concise, accurate and complete while recording financial data to ensure ethics are held to the highest degree. It is also the duty of every employee to make wise, informed decisions about the future of a company. These accounting standards are useful in financial reporting and accounting as they are processes that are currently under a great deal of scrutiny. The two are important functions that organizations should take care of and ensure that they exhibit a high code of ethics. This is because clients and shareholders use accounting and financial reports in their decision making process. Legal and ethical issues ar e important elements of financial reporting and accounting as has been demonstrated by the positions assumed by Mr. Stevenson. These issues prompted Stevenson to establish financial reporting and accounting departments to set up specific sets of rules that govern the functioning of any organization. Relevant topics and theories                      The long traditions of financial reporting applied Positive Accounting theory by focusing on various aspects that are of major interest to accounting techniques and the issues that provided an informative background and the gives in depth details of the functionality of accounting in financial reporting. Positive Accounting gives a holistic description of what is currently unknown and proposes future considerations. Financial reporting and accounting apply to any economic entity relating to the company’s future business. The major ethical elements involved are objectivity, competence, independence and integrity. These ethical elements require that accountants and financial reporters are independent of the clients to whom they provide financial and accounting services. Ethical obligations help to determine the effectiveness of accounting and financial report and redress any imbalance that may alter information symmetry. The move by Nepal and K orea followed the ethical guidelines of financial reporting and never let the desire for a better living and acquiring more possession get in the way of their financial obligations. It is ethical for any employee of the accounting or financial department working in the public or private sector to remain loyal and impartial to ethical obligations when reviewing both individual and financial reports. It is usual for one to encounter various ethical issues and it is therefore important for one to remain vigilant to resist temptations to manipulate financial records that could violate ethical guidelines. Transparency and integrity are important ethical elements of normative accounting theory. Some companies may receive pressure from management to maintain a certain public image. This is because some public companies have the burden of succeeding at high levels and it becomes an ethical issue for them to maintain true reports of the company assets, profits and liabilities without succumb ing to the pressure from management. It is unethical for management to alter the financial records of its company and manipulate the numbers to create a false image of the success of the company. This only leads to prosperity in the short term since such fraud cases are discovered by the Securities and Exchange Commission ultimately spelling the downfall of the company. For these reasons, accounting theories assert that companies must remain ethically vigilant to avoid breaching the code of conduct. High standards of ethical behavior are expected for those people engaging in accounting and financial reporting. These standards provide rules and guidance to employees in the performance of their professional obligations. Poor decision making by management based on faulty or manipulated financial records aimed at deceiving the public about a company’s financial health has negative consequences on the business. It is therefore unethical for management to overlook such behavior. Gi ven how tempting it is for companies to manipulate their financial records in order to portray an image of economic health, management should provide the last defense possible to prevent accounting fraud. In comment letter 1, the Financial Reporting Committee of the IMA wrote to express its views on financial accounting standards on simplification of the income statement presentation through the elimination of the concept of extraordinary items. The FRC is in charge of several accounting books of different companies this in essence means that they are charged with the responsibility of making timely responses to statements, pronouncements, research legislations, proposals and pending legislations. Their main concern in this letter is the complex nature of financial statements in FASB comment letters. They support the simplication initiative adopted by the board as regards to making the financial statements easier to understand by the common folk CITATION Sch l 1033 (Schroder, 2014). Their support is on the elimination of elimination of extra ordinary items as in most times this criterion is not always met. Their proposal thus rids of the tedious work in the preparation of financial documents and whether this requirement is met by auditors in the process of doing their work. Their support is based on the fact that it reduces to a great extending the complex nature of the time for the allocation of the provision of income tax by reducing the occurrence of other income items occurring. They thus advocate for a thorough examination of the details of this suggested proposal CITATION Sch l 1033 (Schroder, 2014). In comment letter number 2, Marcum Accountants and Advisors write to the FASB regarding the proposed accounting standards through the simplification of the income statement by elimination of the concept of extraordinary items. Their letter is generally a response to several questions regarding the process of simplification of the income statement. They support the concept of elimination of extra ordinary items from the General Accounting principles. Their contention is based on the difficulty of application the extra ordinary items in accounting practice CITATION Giu14 l 1033 (Giugliano, 2014). They thus support the application for extra ordinary items in previous accounting periods. A sudden change of the rules would otherwise lead to confusion in the accounting practice. The ease of application of the proposed update makes it easy to make these recommended changes quite easy to adopt. They thus suggest the immediate adoption of the proposed update. They are in agreement with the decision by the board to stick to the principle of separate disclosure of infrequent transactions. Items must thus meet the definition of occurring infrequently in recurrent expenditure. They list the following examples as those that should not be classified as unusual or infrequently occurring: occupancy related expense, routine tax audit returns and losses and gains from reimbursements from insurance CITATION Giu14 l 1033 (Giugliano, 2014). They thus suggest the importance of offering guidance on the determination of unusual items. Proper definitions should thus be provided of the unusually occurring items. In comment letter 3, Ford Motor Company also writes in support of the simplication initiative by FASB. Their agreement is based on the objective of evaluation, identification and improvement of the generally accepted accounting principles CITATION Cal14 l 1033 (Callahan, 2014). This thus means that the reduction of the cost of complexity is possible with the simplification of the income statement. They are also in agreement with the board that such an update would not lead to data loss. The overall benefit would be to the end users of such financial statements. References Callahan, S. (2014). Ford Company. Giugliano, G. (2014). Marcum Accountants. Schroder, N. (2014). Institute of Management Accounting. Source document