Coriolanus is a man of action who is finally defeated by words Essay

‘Coriolanus is a man of action who is finally defeated by words.’ To what extent do you agree? There is no question that Coriolanus has, like any other tragic hero, a large flaw in his soldier personality, a weakness that could inevitably lead to his downfall. His inability with words against his ability as a warrior is a fatal combination, and this begs the question as to whether it was this one weakness or his military strengths that were ultimately the cause of his defeat. Coriolanus demonstrates right from the beginning of the play that his tactless way with words leads him to become his own worst enemy. In Act 1, Scene 1, Menenius cleverly uses the Parable of the Belly to highlight to the plebeians how fundamental Coriolanus is to their society, that he is ‘the storehouse and the shop of the whole body’ and they couldn’t get by without him. Yet immediately after the citizens have calmed down and accepted Menenius’ speech as ‘an answer’, Coriolanus enters and undoes all that Menenius has said by saying that the ‘dissentious rogues’ are ‘curs†¦hares†¦geese’ who ‘like nor peace nor war’, belittling them first through his use of animal imagery and again by implying their weak and fickle nature. His pride gives him the ability to completely disregard the impact his words will have on others and, eventually, himself, which indeed gives the impression that words, partic ularly his own, will be the destroyers of his position. However, this tendency that Coriolanus has to speak his mind without hesitation reflects his nature as a soldier and the way that it is essential to act instantly on the battlefield, as even the slightest hesitation could be disastrous. As Menenius says, ‘his heart’s his mouth’ and that his mother has ‘bred [him] i’th’wars / Since ‘a could draw a sword, and is ill-schooled / In bolted language’, which clearly shows that the reason he lacks the skill to speak like a true politician is because he has been brought up as a soldier, and soldiers need only to think of their actions and how swiftly they execute them. Communication is unimportant; what proves a fighter’s worth is his wounds not his word, whereas a statesman is the complete opposite. It is therefore apparent that whilst Coriolanus speaks irrationally and with haste in a way that is damaging towards his reputation, it is only because he is adopting his combatant natur e, the only attitude he knows. It is not only his own words, but also the words of others that exacerbate his downfall. The Tribunes in Act 3, Scene 3 manage to persuade the mob that Coriolanus is ‘a traitor to the people’ and that they should withdraw their votes and ‘banish him [their] city’. Shakespeare uses Sicinius provoking Coriolanus into a fuming rage twice to show how strongly and negatively words affect him, as Brutus and Sicinius deliberately ‘suggest the people in what hatred he still hath held them’. In Act 3, Scene 1 the Tribune uses the word ‘shall’, a very forceful word implying necessity, which angers Coriolanus and causes him to make an insulting and vicious speech in an attempt to indicate his power over them. In Act 3, Scene 3, a similar event takes place, where again Sicinius provokes Coriolanus into a furious rage by calling him a ‘traitor’. All Coriolanus’ rant manages to do is make the citizens turn against him even more and convince them to indeed ‘banish him’. This banishment does eventually lead to his death, so in this particular instance the use of words is a key factor in his defeat. Although throughout the majority of the play the tragic hero is seen as a poor public speaker, there are a few examples of words turning from being his enemy to being his friend. Act 1, Scene 4 sees Coriolanus giving a speech to ready his army for battle. Shakespeare cleverly changes his speech into verse for the first time, to highlight the change in the quality of his words and also to emphasise his persuasiveness. He also describes his soldiers as having ‘hearts more proof than shields’, a powerful metaphor designed to inspire them to fight. He treats the men as his ‘fellows’ rather than animals, as well as threatening to kill them if they don’t fight. This authoritative and influential speech made by Coriolanus emphasises the fact that he is able to use words effectively when he needs to. Act 1, Scene 6 also includes a powerful use of rhetoric by Coriolanus when he asks ‘make you a sword of me?’ which incorporates the extended metaphor of the body politic and of all the men working together, a very significant element as it is the first time this play sees the men working as one with the protagonist. These words certainly do not lead to Coriolanus’ downfall, but rather allow him to gain a prestigious title after winning a spectacular battle, demonstrating the true warrior that he is. The reason that things do start to go wrong for Coriolanus, however, is because he is not well suited to be a statesman, as well as the fact that he has to ‘stand for his place’ as consul and is forced to ask the plebeians for their votes, which in the end he does not succeed in getting. Politics are about words and battles are about actions, and Coriolanus is definitely more suited for one than he is for the other. His mother’s aspirations for him to become consul are highly ambitious, yet she ‘doubt[s] not but our Rome will cast upon thee’, whereas he ‘had rather be their servant in [his] way / Than sway with them in theirs’. This makes it apparent that Coriolanus would rather fight than speak as he does not want to be a politician, and it is the first sign of conflict between him and his mother, as well as the first sign of where things begin to take a turn for the worse. Words are evidently not only his enemy but also something that he himself is scared of, reflected in his modest behaviour, and he also says that ‘when blows have made [him] stay [he] fled from words’. He knows that he is not a good speaker and would therefore rather stay a soldier. It is strongly ironic that his greatest enemy isn’t on the battlefield but in fact much closer to home. This certainly shows that Coriolanus is a man of action, and that he is trying to avoid being defeated by words, although he does not succeed. Volumnia did not just have high ambitions for her son after winning his battle; she had been forming him through her words since he was a child to become the person that she could not be, due to the restrictions of Roman society. She ‘rejoiced in [his] absence’ when he was fighting and was ‘pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame’. Honour was what mattered most to her, and her guidance had managed to lead Coriolanus astray, as she steered herself and her son through her delusional plans to make him a great leader. She counts his wounds and ‘thank[s] the gods for’t’, which is a very unaffectionate thing to do. This lack of a true maternal presence in his life is what some believe to be the leading factor that made him abandon Rome to fight alongside Aufidius after he was accused of being a traitor and ultimately what led to his death. This is then another possible example of the use of words against him as his own mother shaped him into the man he became through her words. Although Coriolanus is capable of speaking effectively and using words to his advantage when under pressure, he has essentially been brought up to be a soldier and is therefore not only a victim of the harmful words of others but also incapable of defending himself through his own speeches, which is the fatal flaw in his character that leads him to be defeated. Shakespeare clearly shows that, apart from a few exceptions, Coriolanus is certainly a man of action defeated by words. Bibliography Shakespeare, W. Coriolanus. (L. Bliss, Ed.) The New Cambridge Shakespeare. Coriolanus: Godalming College Study Guide, 2011. Godalming College.

Fahrenheit 451 Dialect Journal Essay

Predict This sentence has negative and a happy tone at the same time. Bradbury makes the character sound like he’s evil or perhaps has a lot of things to hide, considering that snakes in general slither around and seem to hide themselves. Yet, he has no remorse for what he was doing either with the included phrase, â€Å"and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies. I predict that this person is doing this as it was he’s job. I also wonder why he is burning whatever he was trying to get rid of. This reminds me of a firefighter because of the way the author is describing what this person was doing, but instead of water it is kerosene. Maybe this person’s job was to purify the area in the society by burning it. â€Å"He remembered nothing like it save one afternoon a year ago when he had met an old man in the park and they had talked†¦.† Predict/Clarify This sentence holds a mysterious tone. Who is this man and why is â€Å"they† in italics? Did something peculiar happened a year ago that made him remember  it in a odd way? I think we shall learn more about this other man later in the story. Maybe this man is related to the girl, that’s why Montag suddenly remembers the man after the conversation with the girl. It was said that he saw Clarisse’s face in the walls too. It has been confirmed that the man, Montag, is a firefighter, but with no usage of water what so ever. He’s job is to purify the community by burning book because it is illegal. I wonder why that is and also why other things that should be okay illegal as well. This shows sign of a world that supposedly utopian, but in reality, a dystopian society in itself. â€Å"He felt his smile slide away melt, fold over and down on itself like a tallow skin, like the stuff of a fantastic candle burning too long and now collapsing and now blown out.â €  Evaluate The author explains that Montag is not only unhappy, but he is now incapable of pretending otherwise. Which he is revealing his true emotions. By comparing his smile to a burnt our candle, it shows how definite his unhappiness is. Then when you read the part where it describes the candle that can never be lit again tells us readers that Montage can never truly be happy with himself again. Predict There is something that is bothering him and he has been unhappy for awhile now. â€Å"He felt that the stars had been pulverized by the sound of the black jets and that in the morning the dart would be covered with their dust like a strange snow.† Evaluate The author is describing how Montag feels like the stars are being ruined by the black jets. The starts represent his perfect world and the black jets are something that is destroying his perfect world. Bradbury is creating a somber situation. Predict The sentence shows hidden darkness within Montag. Maybe the black jets represents Mildred swallowing the pills and how he is aware of the imperfect  world that is around him with the author’s usage of the words, â€Å"pulverized† instead of â€Å"crushed† or â€Å"ruined.† â€Å"You don’t need an M.D., case like this; all you need is two handymen, clean up the problem in half an hour.† Predict The word that are placed in this sentence demonstrates insensitive words towards one another humanity has become. Mildred was dying and society cared enough to send only two â€Å"handymen† to fix the â€Å"problem.† This sentence has surprisingly cold connotation which shows Montag and the readers the heartlessness of the world. I wonder why that is? Also, why they didn’t send professional help instead of people (who we don’t know if they were qualified) with machines to essentially replace almost all the inner liquids of the body with new (from a stranger) liquids. Again, the question of why Mildred was trying to kill herself? I think this is one of the reasons why Montag is unhappy with life. â€Å"He felt his body dive itself in a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding one upon the other.† Evaluate The author is showing us that Guy was having contradicting feelings about what Clarisse has said. Bradbury has chose to put the contradicting words next to each other to create a pulling effect. As a result, it makes the reader feel the confusing tug-of-war effect as Montag did. Even though he has an uneasy feeling about the girl, Montag is still fascinated by her and is interested enough to stick around to listen to what she says. Predict This is character development and where Montag learns more about her. Then afterwards, they go on an adventure to figure out why their society is the way it is. Eventually, Montag will regain his happiness again by spending more time with Clarisse possibly. I wonder what kind of a relationship they will build as we progress in the plot. â€Å"Montag’s hand closed like a mouth, crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his  chest.† Evaluate Guy’s hand represents his subconscious and his true desire. Bradbury illustrated this by describing it like Montag’s hand has a mind of its own. This is change in Guy’s heart and the start of something new. He is beginning to show what he really wants as opposed to what he’s supposed to be doing. Predict Eventually, Montag will have a change of heart of what is right and what he is required to do. It makes me wonder if Clarisse and Guy will find the truth of the world they live in. Why isn’t everyone curious about why they are doing what they are doing? â€Å"He felt her there, he saw her without opening his eyes, her hair burnt by chemicals to a bottle straw, her eyes with a kind of cataract unseen but suspect far behind the pup is, the reddening pouting lips, the body as thin as a praying mantis from dieting, and her flesh like while bacon.† Clarify I never really thought that Clarisse would disappear like that. I thought Clarisse was a character that would come back and continue the story with Montag. Also, it seems to be that Mildred was really scatterbrained. I honestly never really thought that she had that kind of personality. It makes me wonder even more why she wanted to kill herself and if the society is doing it to her. Evaluate Bradbury used imagery to describe the detailed features of Mildred and how she doesn’t seem to be a healthy being. The abnormally white flesh and burnt hair shows that they live in a place where artificial beauty through hair dye and diets are required. They way she is described is almost like a walking corpse and is hopeless. The only Montag remembers her is that he â€Å"saw her without opening his eyes† because she is so distant. â€Å"If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to  worry him; give him one.† Predict This sentence is optimistic and gives a general picture of how the society is looking at things. They’re seeing that if we give people one choice then everyone can be happy or at least content with life. Which I don’t understand why since there are still people upset because they are losing their books and other odd events such as children killing other children. I have a feeling that after reading a book or two, Montag could question the motives of the society and where it is heading like the reader is. I don’t understand how the people agreed to this to let the world involve into this. If this was America and the â€Å"Land of the Free,† shouldn’t the people be allowed their freedom of owning books? It looks as though the â€Å"authors† are more worried about books and pedestrians then the lives of the citizens. â€Å"Again he found himself thinking of the green park a year ago The thought had been with him many times recently but now he r emembered how it was that day in the city park when he had seen that old man in the black suit hide something, quickly, in his coat.† Clarify Again, we hear about this man Montag met at the park. He can’t seen to shake that memory. Although this time he describes it in more detail. Predict What is so significant about this person? Was that man hiding a book in public? Is he connected somehow with Clarisse? Guy mentioned the man after talking about her, so maybe they are connected in some relevant way. At this point he is stuck and doesn’t know what his move is next. I think that he’s going to go out and find this man to learn more about books. Assuming he find the old man, possibly he will fight for the rights for books and for things to go back to the way it used to be, breaking the dystopian society he is facing.

Ethics -Radio Shack Ceo Sacandal Essay

Ethics is the consideration of how human actions can improve or deteriorate the environments in which we work and live. In the wake of recent corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom leading to trials and imprisonment of previously powerful (Chief Executing Officer) CEO’s public trust in CEO’s has diminished. Therefore when the story about the forged academic credentials of Dave Edmondson, CEO of Radio Shack came it re-ignited the mistrust. This paper will provide a brief background of the scandal and detailed analysis of the ethical issues involved and whether the actions taken by RadioShack were ethical or not. Background: Dave Edmondson was on a fast career track and was named CEO of Radio Shack in May 2005. In February, 2006 Radio Shack announced that its CEO, David Edmonson has resigned over questions raised over his resume. The Fort Worth Star- Telegram discovered that he had not earned degrees in theology and psychology from Heartland Baptist College as claimed on his resume. Moreover Edmonson had only finished two semesters at the college and the college did not even offer a psychology major. Edmonson admitted to the errors calling them â€Å"misstatements† and resigned in the aftermath of the corporate scandal. Analysis: The main issue about this case is not just forging of the academic credentials but how Radio Shack handled the case that generated criticism from public and turned it into a media circus. The basic hypernorms of honesty and integrity were not met by RadioShack in handling the situation. Edmondson did not display fairness towards Radio Shack by trying to communicate the value of knowledge via false degrees. It was not just the disappointing fact that Edmondson lied on his resume but what was equally troubling was the individual and corporate response to the scandal. Radio Shack supported its CEO and failed to give public any substantial answers. The ethical question then becomes that what is the responsibility of board of directors? Should they oversee the personal ethics of a CEO as long as he is driving the shareholders maximum value and yielding higher profits for he firm or they should step up and take responsibility for their own short comings, take the required action and set an example of driving the company by ethical values and standards not just profits? Radio shack displayed lack of responsibility as a company when it came to take ownership of the issue and failed to address the public with compassion and was unable to provide clarification regarding the r esume issue. From philosophical approach- consequentialism view holds that whether an act is morally right depends only on the consequences of that act. Edmondson’s decision to lie on his resume turned out to bring good consequences only for him in terms of a career hike. Deontology brings up these questions: Was Edmondson’s decision legal, fair, just or right? No, it was not and transparency and information sharing regarding the falsified resume might have led to different outcomes both for Edmondson and RadioShack. Considering the virtue ethics, did Edmondson and RadioShack’s decision demonstrate expected virtues? The company had built its image and reputation over many years. This reputation entailed virtues of trustworthiness, compassion, integrity and responsibility. It did not seem that Edmondson’s decision to not come clean was based on any of these considerations. He bluntly violated the virtue ethics. The stakeholders involved were shareholders, board of directors, employees and common people. He could be cut slack for being an ambitious young individual at the start of his career but how can the ignorance be overseen that in the years of making towards a CEO he never came clean. Infact when the scandal was raised and he was confronted he did not even admit right away. This displays lack of character and credibility. A company’s leader should be transparent and trustworthy. From a modified moral standards approach I feel that there wasn’t any net benefit to the company from his falsified educational claims. It was also not fair to all the stakeholders involved as there could have been a better candidate who got rejected due to a truthful but less flashy resume. Also the distribution of benefits was enjoyed by the CEO whereas the burdens were shared by him and the company equally in terms of a bad reputation and loss of public trust. Also RadioShack was not consistent with the virtues expected by its employees as they did not bring them and other stakeholders in the loop during the media frenzy which led to a discontented employee atmosphere. This also leads to question the monitoring and compliance at RadioShack. They had a code of conduct and code of ethics in place detailing the responsibilities of the employees but how realistically this was being followed can be easily criticized based on Edmondson’s case. I believe that company’s code of ethics should be incorporated in its values and system actions. Corporate risk can be reduced and even mitigated if the organization can align values for ethical motivation and action. Edmondson did take accountability of his unethical actions later and RadioShack’s board of directors also learned the hard way that blind support of a CEO without any solid evidence is unwise and can tarnish the reputation of the company. If they had accepted and reacted to responsibility as soon as the scandal broke the company would have been able to save its reputation and maintained credibility.

Nacl and cellular respiration Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nacl and cellular respiration - Coursework Example State of the cell determines the type of energy transformed from the available nutrients. Even though, the cell may contain salts like NaCl, the most important aspect is the locality of the cell. Working cells like root have a higher rate of respiration as compared to dormant ones like the seed cells due to extra energy stored (Meldrum 25). Nutrients in a given food substrate contain different compounds and, therefore, not only sodium chloride. Therefore, the availability of different types of nutrients results in different amounts of energy produced during respiration. This explains why energy content from carbohydrates id different from proteins and fats (Meldrum 33) One of the primary requirements of cellular respiration is oxygen availability in the breakdown of food substrate to yield energy. The oxygen has no salt component, and this, therefore, means the process can take place in any environment that has an adequate supply of oxygen (Meldrum

With reference to two out of the seven regions identified here (see Essay

With reference to two out of the seven regions identified here (see below in assign.criteria) ,how useful is it to continue classifying and contextualising media systems in geographical terms - Essay Example â€Å"Geography is a visual discipline...media representations are part of individual and societal conceptions of the world but also because of medias power to conceptualize and spread political ideas and reinforce hegemonic orders.† (Zimmermann, 2007). From the commercial point of view also, geography helps a lot in finding the target customer base for the media houses. Although there is no physical restriction to media content and it can reach any regions, geography induced media content is mainly applicable to specific geographical region. For example, the geographical boundaries of the Middle Eastern as well as the North American region and the commonality in most issues have led the media houses there to classify and contextualize the media content in a particular way. As this practice is happening world over, the aspects which need to be discussed are the advantages or disadvantages of continuing to compare the worlds media systems on the basis of geographical location. For that, the paper will bring out the differences between the historical forces which have shaped the media in Middle Eastern as well as in the North American regions. Finally by case studying the prominent media houses of the respective regions, CNN and Al Jazeera, the paper will discuss how it is disadvantage to classify and contextualise worlds media systems on the basis of geographical location. Middle East region of Asia has been one of the most active regions ever since the discovery of oil resources, and the resultant entry of foreign countries and firms. With the entry of outsiders, all forms of technology developed including the communication and media technology, which developed along with optimum media exposure. Both these two aspects particularly media exposure also lead to the development of indigenous media. Although few forms of media had already been established, the proliferation

Business plan for a fitness centre Fitness One Coursework

Business plan for a fitness centre Fitness One - Coursework Example The business will be financed with ? 100,000 by a sole proprietor and ? 200,000 through a business loan from a bank. Sales are estimated to reach about ? 52,000 average for the first and second year. A positive cash flow is projected at the end of the first year. 2. Range Of Products To Be Offered Fitness One shall offer club membership for access to various fitness and health programs, to include: a. Swimming b. Tennis c. Fitness Center with cardio vascular and weight training equipment d. Court Sports e. Massage f. Physical therapy 3. Geographical Location I have chosen the Covent Garden area due to its proximity to my hometown in Canterbury. London would be my home base as this offers better market reach. Covent Garden in London is popular for its shops, street performers, bars, restaurants, theatres and the Royal Opera House. It is an Italian style piazza holding restaurants, bars and fashionable boutiques and is known for being the capital’s premier entertainment and leis ure destination. (Covent Garden Life.Com. 2007). Marlowe Arcade in Canterbury and Westgate Shopping Centre at Oxford are both popular destinations for both local residents and tourists. They are also the best places to put up Fitness One branches as they are situated along busy districts where the hustle and bustle happens. 4. Anticipated Customers, Target Market and their Distribution Fitness One will focus on  the young urban professionals as its primary customer base. The programs will be designed to address the health and fitness needs of this target market. 5. Statement Of Viability/ Keys to Success Fitness One shall rely on the following Internal and External Factors as its Keys to Success: a. Market Knowledge – b. Service Quality - c. Targeted Marketing Campaigns – Fitness One will prepare and implement promotional campaigns that will create noise in the market. It will utilize its Internet Marketing Channel to ensure that it would be positioned in the right m arket. d. Right Marketing Mix – Fitness One’s aims to penetrate the target market via Internet Marketing. Its primary location in London assures the company of a solid footing, as this placed is recognized to be Europe’s Best City for Business by the European Cities Monitor 2004. (Visit London. 2007) e. A systematic cash flow – Membership costs shall be determined basing on the services offered and the target number of members per month. 6. Staff & Skills Requirements In Early Stages (If Needed) The minimum required skills and experience for the start up crew are as follows: Staff Assistant – At least two years experience doing administrative job. Must be skilled in basic accounting and bookkeeping. She is responsible in consolidating information and sales reports from the store and shall provide administrative support as well. Purchasing Staff – At least three years doing purchasing work for a retail company. Must be knowledgably in the pro cesses in purchasing and as experience in supplier handling and relations. Store Supervisor – At least five years experience in store operations, two years as supervisor, with experience in Marketing and a graduate of any Business course Sales Staff – At least six months experience in sales in any kind of store industry Cashier – At least one year experience in store cashiering Inventory Staff – At least one year experience in Inventory Management 7. Explanation Of Basis For Planned

Kroger Co.s financial position and the role of profitability and Assignment

Kroger Co.s financial position and the role of profitability and shareholder equitys ratios in it - Assignment Example This essay analyzes The Kroger Co. that is rated among the top five players in thirty-eight out of the forty-two major markets. Most of its competitors have experienced negative growth trend in the recent past however, Kroger Co. has successfully managed to keep a smile on its shareholder’s face by steady sales growth in last twenty-nine quarters. Kroger Co. has a substantial customer base and it and it takes great pride in its loyal customer base as approximately one half of US households have a Kroger loyalty card. This has been a result of Customer 1st strategy that Kroger Co. believes in. It has also been popular among shareholders for its consistent dividend payments. In 2010, it gave out $250 million along with maintaining high investment-grade credit rating and reducing its leverage which eventually resulted in capital gain. Profitability ratios are an indicator of a company’s performance over the year. Profitability ratios include operating profit margin, net pr ofit margin, return on asset, and return on equity. Sales increased by 7.1% to $82.2 billion in 2010, which is more than its competitors. Operating profit margin is calculated by dividing the operating profit by the net sales. The operating profit for the year was $2182 M, as compared to net sales of $82189 M. The operating profit margin was 2.65% for the year. Net profit margin is calculated by dividing the net profit after tax by the net sales amount. Net profit for the year was $1116 M and it constituted 1.36% of the sales. ... Kroger has been trying to reduce its long term debt in the past few years which makes the company less risky to benefit shareholders. The company has kept its shareholders happy by giving a return of 21.07%. Shareholder’s Equity Ratio: The most important ratio in determining the impact of equity on the company is to find the percentage of equity to total assets. This ratio will give us an idea of the role of shareholder in the company’s operation. Also, companies take up debt to keep the larger portion of the profit with them (HORNE, James C. Van and Wachowicz, John M., 2008). This is a regular practice of profitable and established firms. Likewise, Kroger Co.’s asset base is majorly financed by debt and only 22.5% of its assets are sourced by shareholder. This is one of the reasons of high return on equity. This ratio indicates that Kroger Co.’s business model is profitable and becoming its shareholder will be profitable in future. Use and Application of Financial Reports Financial statements are an integral document for any company. It is used by stakeholders to assess the financial position and performance of the company. These stakeholders can be classified as internal and external (BRIGHAM, Eugene F. and Ehrhardt, Michael C., 2010). The internal users of these statements are management, board of directors and sometimes the employees as well. The external users include investors, lenders, suppliers and customers, government department and agencies, competitors, media, labor unions, supporters and opponents. Following are the three financial statements that is of prime importance for an investor, Balance sheet: It is also known as statement of financial position. It presents the picture of the company’s

Personal Professional Ethics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Professional Ethics - Assignment Example The nursing profession is run under a set of predefined ethical code of conduct and this explains my ethnic statement. According to Canadian registered nurses code of ethics, the nursing profession has distinct responsibilities and ethics explains the code of conduct by practicing nurses that would be acceptable (â€Å"Canadian Nurses Association†, 2008). From the nursing values, I singled out the three responsibilities to form my ethics statement. This is informed by the great passion that explains my choice for a career in nursing. Through studies, I have come to learn that a nurse is ethically required to ensure that his/her patients are safe through ensuring that safety comes before any other thing in practice. Safety can be observed by ensuring right prescriptions of medicine as well as observing healthy living conditions. On the other hand, it is almost sure that patients would seek nursing care for such chronic diseases as cancer and HIV and Aid, which necessitate that compassion, be part of the nurse. Ethically, compassion may improve the quality and value of life for many patients even without treatment hence the commitment to observing compassion. Finally, excellence is a virtue and every person in any field pursues to realize. It is unethical to practice nursing without observing the nursing principles and the knowledge learned while studying. It is, therefore, an ethical expectation that practicing nurses would be competitive and hence this forms part of my ethical statement.

Cells, Tissues, Movement of Molecules & Action Potential Physiology Essay

Cells, Tissues, Movement of Molecules & Action Potential Physiology - Essay Example There is a hormonal link between the rise of blood sugar levels before and after meals. These hormones that regulate the blood sugar levels interact with other hormones within the human body such as the liver, pancreas and skeletal muscles in order to convert these sugars as fuel for the human body (Sinacore & Gulve, 1993). Exercise or activity speeds up glucose absorption by the body by burning these sugars into muscle. This is why exercise or activity is recommended for non-insulin diabetic patients. With physical activity the hormones that produce and absorb insulin in the liver are more active (Yamanouchi, et al., 1995). Two hormones mainly regulate blood sugar levels in the body. These are insulin and glucagon which if not utilized and processed may result in abnormal sugar levels resulting in obesity and diabetes. In the homeostatic regulation of blood sugar levels, these peptide hormones become synthesized by the pancreas and are released into the bloodstream. Upon the release of these synthesized hormones into other organs such as the liver and adipose tissues, there will be another reaction that can be triggered by the activity or inactivity of a human being (Lee & Park, 2004) 2.You are exercising at maximal capacity (i.e. maximum heart rate and therefore oxygen carrying capacity has been reached) and the workload you are subjected to continues to increase. Which metabolic pathway would supplement the production of ATP in this setting? What metabolites (i.e. products of metabolism) would you expect to see increased in both skeletal muscle and blood, when using this metabolic pathway? There is a correlation between the increase of hormones from blood sugar metabolism and skeletal utilization of blood glucose as a fuel for energy. Glucose homeostasis is greatly affected by insulin dependent skeletal muscle glucose transport (Sinacore &

Calculate the bounce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Calculate the bounce - Essay Example There are 49 employees, with a total monthly payroll output of  £101,400. Each employee, on average, earns  £2069 monthly or  £24,828 yearly. However, bonus amount should be based on profit figures. Employees are used to receiving  £70,000 in commissions, therefore bonus should be more equal to this figure in which they have become accustomed in order to improve motivation and performance incentives. Analysis methodology should consider current objectives, such as whether the business is looking to invest or, perhaps, expand the company which will require additional expenditures. Questions should be asked such as whether owners’ equity, for the investor stakeholder, should be considered prior to paying a bonus. There is one important factor to consider: In 2008, the company agreed to  £16.5 million in goods in exchange for 50 percent of the company, giving the business these goods for a period of one year. This agreement raised inventory assets in the company, which only improves its position for growth or perhaps access to new credit. The current global accounting standards would identify these goods or perhaps depreciate their value over time, however its rising liquidity from the goods exchange makes the company stronger at the accounting level. Therefore, bonus should not be reduced as current profit levels remain unchanged even with the new 50/50 ownership. The goods received are still part of the company’s inventory. Profit in 2009 was  £7.72 million. There was no cash balance from 2008 to consider as profit was used to expand sales for 2009. With this in mind, if the company divided the entire profit among the 49 employees, it would be calculated as: However, this is far outside of industry norms and equates to more than the employees are used to receiving with their sales commission and would not add to the business’ cash balance, which is strategically

Organizational Strategies for Quality Assessment and Improvement Essay Example for Free

Organizational Strategies for Quality Assessment and Improvement Essay Ambiguous medical notations are one of the most common and preventable causes of medication errors (Grissinger Kelly, 2005). Drug names, dosage units, and directions for use should be written clearly to minimize confusion. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the Food and Drug Administration recommend that error-prone abbreviations are considered whenever medical information is communicated (Institute for Medical Safety, 2012). Medication errors result in thousand of adverse drug events, deaths, and preventable reactions every year (Grissinger Kelly, 2005). Healthcare personnel, IMSP, the pharmaceutical industry, and The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some of the groups responsible for determining how these medication errors occur and designing strategies to reduce these errors (Institute for Medical Safety, 2012). ISMP is a nonprofit organization made up of nurses, pharmacist, and physicians. IMSP was founded in 1944 and are dedicated in educating and increasing awareness of medication error prevention and safety measures (About ISMP, 2012). They base their non-punitive initiatives on five key areas: analysis, communication, cooperation, education, and knowledge (About ISMP, 2012). The IMSP get their data by healthcare professionals reporting so that they can assist in learning and understanding the causes of the error and everything is confidential (About ISMP, 2012) IMSP Objectives The objective of the ISMP is to help the healthcare providers clarify any order that is not clearly legible or obvious especially with error-prone abbreviations, dose designations, and making sure that orders with abbreviations are clarified and written out completely, and verbal orders are read back, repeated if misunderstood, and spelled out (About ISMP, 2012). Also to hold webinar educational programs and medication safety issues. They offer tool kits for healthcare facilities to get the word out like posters, videos, patient brochures, books, and other drug safety tools. IMSP will conduct risk assessments on-site risk of medication safety in healthcare facilities and respond to sentinel events (About ISMP, 2012). IMSP Propose Strategies or Recommendations Suggest for the Acute Care Setting Here are some strategies that healthcare facilities can employ to  help eliminate the use of dangerous abbreviations. One is encouraging all healthcare professionals to avoid using medication error-prone abbreviations in all electronic and written communication (National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), 2010). Another is identifying and promoting Physician Champions who will not only support accreditation-related activities but also advocate for full compliance. Healthcare facilities can assist in providing educational seminars and webinars to update all healthcare professionals and staff at the beginning of their employment period. Another way is for healthcare management and safety personnel to use advertised posters, create laminated cards with error-prone medication abbreviations, and dosage classifications throughout the acute care facility. The healthcare professionals should have these items at their disposal and distributed out at the beginning of employment (National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), 2010). Lastly, making sure that the healthcare personnel avoids the use of medication abbreviations on CPOEs, labels generated from the system and bins, drug storage, and shelves. All the while making sure that the facility and personnel are adhering to guidelines, charts, and protocols (National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), 2010). Reference â€Å"About ISMP.† (2012). Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Retrieved from http://www.ismp.org/about/default.asp Grissinger, M., Kelly, K. (2005). Reducing the risk of medication errors in women. Journal Of Womens Health (15409996), 14(1), 61-67. doi:10.1089/jwh.2005.14.61 Institute for Medical Safety. (2012). Acute Care. Medical Safety Alert!†. Retrieved from www.imsp.com National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). (2010) Rapid response report NPSA/2010/RRR009: reducing harm from omitted and delayed medicines in hospital. Retrieved from www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/type/alerts/?entryid45=66720

Kaleidoscope Strategy Resume Essay Example for Free

Kaleidoscope Strategy Resume Essay Pursuing success can feel like shooting in a landscape of moving targets: Every time you hit one, five more pop up from another direction. We are under constant pressure to do more, get more, be more. But is that really what success is all about? Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson interviewed and surveyed hundreds of professionals to study the assumptions behind the idea of success. They then built a practical framework for a new way of thinking about success—a way that leads to personal and professional fulfillment instead of feelings of anxiety and stress. The authors’ research uncovered four irreducible components of success: 1.- happiness: (feelings of pleasure or contentment about your life); 2.- achievement (accomplishments that compare favorably against similar goals others have strived for); 3.- significance (the sense that you’ve made a positive impact on people you care about); and 4.- legacy (a way to establish your values or accomplishments so as to help others find future success). Unless you hit on all four categories with regularity, any one win will fail to satisfy. People who achieve lasting success, the authors learned, tend to rely on a kaleidoscope strategy to structure their aspirations and activities. This article explains how to build your own kaleidoscope framework. The process can help you determine which tasks you should undertake to fulfill the different components of success and uncover areas where there are holes. It can also help you make better choices about what you spend your time on and the level of energy you put into each activity. According to Nash and Stevenson, successful people who experience real satisfaction achieve it through the deliberate imposition of limits. Cultivating your sense of â€Å"just enough† can help you set reachable goals, tally up more true wins, and enjoy lasting.

Universal Diagnostic Criteria for Oral Lichen Planus

Universal Diagnostic Criteria for Oral Lichen Planus ABSTRACT: For years, dissentions and debates on the malignant transformation of oral lichen planus (OLP) have been sparked not only by a lack of an accurate diagnostic criteria but also due to the failure on our part in not following single universal one. In this short communication, we try to reiterate its importance, with a goal of making the clinicians and pathologists aware of its serious implications. Keywords: Oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid lesion, dysplasia BACKGROUND: The lack of a universal diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of oral lichen planus (OLP) can be made accountable for the current scepticism and controversies over its malignant transformation. Van der meij et al have stressed for a need of a diagnostic criteria to be universally adopted for its firm diagnosis.1,2 A clinical and a histopathological definition of OLP was formulated by the WHO in 19783 (Table 1). Later, in 2003, van der Meij and van der Waal4, proposed a modification in the WHO criteria (Table 2), stating OLP diagnosis should be clinico-pathological. Results of Rad M et al’s4 study in 2009 showed higher clinicopathologic correlation in the diagnosis of OLP based on the modified criteria of OLP (van der Meij 2003) compared with the 1978 criteria. Studies in the past, and present have substantiated the malignant potential of OLP.6-9 So, now that we have evidence for its malignant transformation and a suitable criteria in hand, what could be the problem? 1978 WHO CRITERIA VS MODIFIED 2003 CRITERIA: There have been studies related to the malignant nature of OLP since 1924 by Williger et al. to a recent meta-analysis by Fitzpatrick SG et al8 in 2014. It has to be noted, that, over the years, the diagnostic criteria of OLP has undergone a number of significant changes. A criteria was agreed by WHO in 19783 and again modified in 2003 by van der Meij and van der Waal4. There are pathologists who still favour the 1978 criteria and others who follow the 2003 modified criteria. This difference in opinion among pathologists has a very significant bearing on the data collected in literature. What would have been an OLP to one pathologist following a particular criteria could seem to be an oral lichenoid lesion(OLL) to another following a different criteria. Let us consider the following hypothetical examples: Hypothetical scenario 1: Let us consider an OLP lesion clinically manifesting with white radiating striae unilaterally in the buccal mucosa. If the oral medicine and pathology specialists agree to follow the 2003 modified criteria(clinico-pathologic), then, this lesion being clinically compatible(unilateral), will have to be diagnosed as OLL, though it could be histologically typical of OLP. However, the diagnosis would be OLP according to the 1978 criteria. One should make note of the lines quoted by van der Meij and van der Waal4(2003), in their paper which says: â€Å" We do realise that application of these criteria will exclude a number of patients who actually may have the disease but do not meet the strict criteria.† This line has considerable relevance if we consider the above example. Also, if this in turn progresses to carcinoma, a false record of malignant transformation of OLL is generated,when in reality the lesion could possibly have been a true OLP. This example quoted, cannot be rejected on the grounds of being hypothetical, as there is every possibility of OLP manifesting unilaterally though it often manifests bilaterally. ABSENCE OF DYSPLASIA :AN EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR OLP – IS THIS JUSTIFIED? The heated debate of OLP and dysplasia started with Krutchkoff and Eisenberg’s10 paper in 1985, â€Å"Lichenoid dysplasia: A distinct histopathologic entity†. While they could have been right about epithelial dysplasia with lichenoid features being misdiagnosed as OLP, the possibility of OLP showing dysplasia cannot be ruled out. The present 2003 modified criteria of OLP have dysplasia as an exclusion criteria. Van der Meij and van der Waal3 in their paper, in 2003, state that â€Å"To avoid confusion over the terminology- ‘Lichenoid Dysplasia’ we propose to regard the presence of epithelial dysplasia as an exclusion criterion for the histopathological diagnosis of OLP†. This is not convincing enough to make ‘absence of dysplasia’ as a criterion because, there is accumulating evidence of OLP’s malignant potential and it is rather logical to assume that it could manifest dyplastic features. In fact, exclusion of all lesions that re semble OLPs but exhibit epithelial dysplasia may lead to an underestimation of the rate of malignant transformation.11 This fact was restated by Mignona et al12 in 2007, where they reported severe epithelial dyaplasia and carcinoma in situ in their series of OLP. Rejecting a diagnosis of OLP solely due to the presence of dysplasia, therefore requires consideration. LICHENOID DYSPLASIA: Krutchkoff and Eisenberg’s conclusion of epithelial dysplasias manifesting with lichenoid features were substantiated in the recent papers published by Patil et al13 and Fitzpatrick et al14. Moreover, Patil et al13 observed features of dysplasia in OLP and OLL in their case series, further reiterating the malignant potential of these entities. These papers enlighten us about the co-existence of lichenoid features in OLP,OLL and epithelial dysplasia, further stamping the necessity for an accurate and universal diagnostic criteria for the distinction of these lesions. Also, the lesion, lichenoid dysplasia deserves some consideration and requires further appraisal by a panel of experts. Hypothetical scenario 2: Assuming there is a case of OLP manifesting bilaterally (clinically typical) and the histopathology, though being very typical, reveals dysplasia, what then, should it be diagnosed as? According to 2003 modified criteria, it should be branded as an OLL, since it is histologically compatible (shows dysplasia). But is this diagnosis justified? Pathologists would also consider other different diagnoses like: OLP with dysplasia, lichenoid dysplasia or simply, epithelial dysplasia. Hypothetical scenario 3: If a patient with a history of OLP, consults another pathologist, unaware of the fact that it has become dysplastic, he/she would again be diagnosed with OLL if the 2003 diagnostic criteria are followed. SIGNIFICANCE OF DIAGNOSING ORAL LICHENOID LESIONS: van der Meij et al4 proposed the designation OLL for cases that are clinically typical and histologically compatible, clinically compatible and histologically typical, or clinically and histologically compatible with OLP. As already stated and explained in the first hypothetical scenario, not all patients with OLP manifest with the classical bilateral white striae. In such situations, clinicians and pathologists must exercise prudence in blindly branding the lesion as OLL by strict adherence to the 2003 modified criteria. Whether the lesion to be diagnosed represents an OLP like disease can be suspected by other clinical manifestations like: manifestation in cancer-prone areas (floor of the mouth, lateral border and ventral surface of the tongue, retromolar trigone and soft palate–uvula complex), lesions accompanied or preceded by skin manifestations suggestive of other diseases like lupus erythematosus, lesions that have a plaque-type keratosis or a verruco-papillary nature and lesions that may have a possible etiology like restorations(silver amalgam) or drugs.10 Differentiating between OLP and OLL is very significant as both the lesions are potentially malignant. It becomes all the more pertinent as two prospective studies by van der Meij et al15,16 one in 2003 and one in 2007 showed that only OLLs in their many cases turned malignant. DIAGNOSIS OF CANDIDIASIS IN OLP PATIENTS: Culture studies have demonstrated Candida infection in 37% to 50% of OLP cases.17 There appears to be no differences in the frequency of Candida infection between ulcerated OLP and non-ulcerated OLP.18 Candida albicans produces nitrosamine which is harmful carcinogen. Thus, OLP and candidiasis together provide a fertile background for malignant transformation of oral epithelium. Moreover, candida albicans isolated from potentially malignant oral disorders are able to produce mutagenic amounts of carcinogenic acetaldehyde when exposed to substrates such as wine and ethanol.19 Thus, one cannot disregard oral candidiasis from OLP. Both the lesions together can act synergistically and/or additively in progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Hence, we believe that this association needs serious considerartion in the revision of diagnostic criteria of OLP. WHAT IF BOTH THE CRITERIA ARE FOLLOWED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GLOBE? This could possibly be the situation today as there is no universal consensus on any specific criteria to be followed. This would be a serious issue, as there would be a gross under or overestimation in the diagnosis of OLP or OLL, inadvertently leading to false data regarding its malignant potential. Studies done on the current topic by different institutions using different diagnostic criteria would generate contrasting data in literature precipitating confusion and controversies. UNIVERSAL DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA – THE NEED OF THE HOUR! So, how then, do we undo the debates surrounding the current issue? The answer lies in not only formulating more accurate diagnostic criteria but also in universally following them. Of course, further molecular or immunological studies on OLP would throw further light. We, in this commentary have tried to explain the possible demerits and confusions that could possibly arise if the current criteria are used and not universally followed. The 1978 WHO criteria may need more accuracy while the 2003 modified criteria could be rigid and strict. Devising an accurate criteria taking into consideration, the above mentioned points, would go a long way in eliminating the confusion and disputes surrounding OLP.

Gains and Losses in Educating Rita :: Educating Rita Essays

Gains and Losses in Educating Rita The question of what Rita gains in Educating Rita is quite easy to answer. What she loses is less obvious. Her intention is to gain a college education and she largely succeeds in this. On the way you could say she loses her job and her husband, but it is worth asking whether these are really losses to the person Rita, or rather Susan, becomes. Â   The play follows just over a year in Rita's life and shows her gradual progress in an English Literature course. At first Rita knows she wants to do the course but not how to do well in it. It seems that she would rather do anything but talk about literature in the early lessons but she gradually gains confidence and skill in her speech and writing. A good example of her progress is her response to Macbeth. Initially she does not understand how to write about it and produces a 'crap' essay. Frank explains that the essay is not bad in terms of a personal response to the play but it does not fulfil the criteria of the course she is doing. Rita accepts this and resolves to write the essay again. Â   Rita's education goes far beyond just reading and responding to books however. When she first comes to the university she is impressed and even a little intimidated by the intelligent people she sees around her. By the end of the play she is able to tell them when they are speaking nonsense and join in their conversations as an equal. Success in her literature course has thus given her greater confidence in the wider world. Â   Willy Russell shows that for Rita, education involves a move out of her original social class and away from the values of her family and friends. This could be seen as a loss for her, but in moving beyond her working class background she gains in self-respect and self-confidence so that she is better able to handle the challenges of life. The most obvious thing she loses is her husband. From what Rita says, they seem to get on well enough, but Denny doesn't understand her wish to be educated.

The Sage :: essays research papers

Throughout history, there have always been stories. From the myths of ancient civilizations long since past to today’s epic blockbuster movies, civilizations have used stories not only as entertainment, but as a way to convey ideas, or to pass down oral history through the generations. However, over time, as we look through these myths, books, movies, and other mediums, we find a common similarity in many of them. We find repeated patterns of situations, characters, and other parts. The patterns have been classified as â€Å"archetypes.† For instance, one of the archetypes we often see in myths, books, and movies is the â€Å"outcast.† The outcast is one who has been exiled from his home to wander the world without rest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Greek mythology, one of the well-known outcasts is Perseus, the son of Zeus and the daughter of the king Argos however, a god once prophesized to Argos that the son of his daughter would kill him, so he sent the child in a box across the sea to wander the world forever. Over this time, Perseus completed many fantastical quests, such as slaying the infamous Medusa. However, when he returned to his home and participated in a fighting competition, he was pitted against Argos, and accidentally hit him, thus fulfilling the prophecy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Greek play of Philoctetes, Philoctetes is an outcast who has been left behind by his fellow soldiers after being bitten by a snake. His wound had become so foul smelling and his cries were so irritating, that the soldiers abandoned him on an island in the Aegean Sea. Greek heroes Odysseus and Neoptolemus arrive at the island in search of Philoctetes’s bow and arrow, which a seer prophesized would end the Trojan War. The two, knowing Philoctetes would attack any of the Greeks that abandoned him, decide to pose Neoptolemus as a mistreated soldier in order to get him close to Philoctetes. But, Neoptolemus is moved by the outcast’s misery and confesses the plot and begs him to join. Philoctetes agrees to join them, but only because Heracles declares a mandate that his wound shall heal when he arrives at Troy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Holy Bible of Christianity, in Genesis, Adam and Eve are forever banished from the Garden of Eden, when they eat the forbidden fruit of God. This makes humanity itself an outcast. Also, the first children of Adam and Even, Cain and Abel, bring about another tale of an outcast.

New Leadership in Indonesia and Singapure Essays -- International Gove

The emerging globalized world brings with it new global threats. Various forms of advancement have made the threat of terrorism a global threat. As a result, leaders of democratic states have been forced to work together to contain such threats. This paper examines the extent to which the Indonesian leadership transition from 2004 to 2009 affected security policy relations with Singapore. First, this paper takes a brief look at the new leadership transition of Indonesia and Singapore in 2004. Second, this paper examines whether the new leadership was able to strengthened regional security through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). New Leadership in Southeast Asia The year 2004 was of significant change not only for Indonesia, but also for Singapore. Both, Indonesia and Singapore, went trough a leadership change in 2004, which allowed them to realign their relationship and interest in the region. On August 12, Lee Hsien Loong was sworn in as Singapore’s third prime minister since independence. Lee Hsien Loong preceded Goh Chok Tong’s 14-year leadership. Lee had long been expected to have some sort of leadership because his father, Lee Kuan Yew, was Singapore’s first prime minister. More notably on October 20, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was sworn in as Indonesia’s sixth president since independence. Mr. Yudhoyono was the fourth president in six years, but was the first directly elected president since the fall of President Suharto in 1998. The leadership transition of 2004 is crucial to understanding foreign relations between Indonesia and SIngapore because it laid the platform from which they could renew, strengthen, and expand their regional ideals. In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Singapo... ...nd Southeast Asia: Australia, the U.S., and ASEAN’s Counter-Terror Strategy.† Asian Survey 48, no. 4 (July/August 2008): 626-649. Chow, Jonathan T. â€Å"ASEAN Counterterrorism Cooperation since 9/11.† Asian Survey 45, no. 2 (March/April 2005): 302-321. Febrica, Senia. â€Å"Securitizing Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Accounting for the Varying Responses of Singapore and Indonesia.† Asian Survey 50, no. 3 (May/June 2010): 569-590. Kassim, Yang Razali. Transition Politics in Southeast Asia: Dynamics of Leadership Change and Succession in Indonesia and Malaysia. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2005. Lee, Kuan Yew. â€Å"The United States, Iraq, and the War on Terror: A Singaporean Perspective.† Foreign Affairs 86, no. 1 (January/February 2007): 2-7. Narine, Shaun. â€Å"ASEAN and the Management of Regional Security.† Pacific Affairs 71, no. 2 (Summer, 1998): 195-214.

Dealing with culture Essay

It has already been mentioned earlier that for effective intelligence work there must be an ability to understand other people’s culture especially that of the enemy. But there is also another type of culture that must be addressed and understood – it is the culture that exists within the US intelligence community. It must be made clear though that no organization or community does not develop values or norms overnight. This only means that any initiator for change must be ready for the long haul because it will not away that easily. There is always organizational culture, it helps define the group and guides its members on the proper course of action. According to Amy Zegart the culture that exists within the intelligence community can be described as parochialism, risk aversion, resistance to change, and that â€Å"need to know trumps need to share† (2007, p. 64). All of these need to be transformed in order to have a much improved intelligence community. Coordination The 9/11 fiasco as seen in the nine-one-one report clearly calls for better coordination among the different counter-terror agencies of the US government. This realization leads to the recommendation that for America to be safer there is a great need for more coordination among the said groups. But as many have known this is easier said than done. According to Zegart the CIA from the onset was not really given the power to coordinate all government agencies related to intelligence gathering and as a result: The existence of so many separate agencies and the absence of formal mechanisms to integrate them became reinforced by bureaucratic procedures over time. Throughout the Cold War, different intelligence agencies developed their own budgets and set their own priorities, hired their own staffs and trained them in separate programs, communicated by separate e-mail systems and kept intelligence in incompatible databases (2007, p. 66). Jurisdiction is one of the major stumbling blocks in solving a crime or gathering data. When this term comes up immediately more barriers will shoot up immediately preventing the agency with a significant lead to pursue even further. Now, there is a good explanation for jurisdiction and it is the need for order, focus, and responsibility. But most of the time it only serves one thing and it is to be sure who to blame when there is a failure in the system. One of the painful realizations in 9/11 is the fact that terrorists do not respect jurisdiction, they come and go as they please and successfully exploited the civil liberties offered to individuals living in this country. So a member of a terror group can be living in Asia for one year and then at the end of that period decides to fly to Los Angeles and then from there move around the country in preparation for a major attack. Who then is in charge to track this guy? Sharing of Information Aside from the lack of coordination, another related problem is the strong dislike for information sharing. And again this is understandable; each group is rewarded for their effort. If one has caught a huge quantity of fish by being up all night on a fishing expedition there is no logic to sharing it with others who did not put up the same effort. On the other hand there are cases wherein the failure of one agency is the failure of all. Take for instance 9/11, there is no use shifting blame or pointing fingers at the CIA because the destruction is close to the heart of America where everyone is affected. This leads to the argument that information should not be the standard-operating-procedure but there are cases where information sharing is a must. And one way of doing this is by classifying cases, finding out which one requires the collaboration of those working internationally, on the national level or local level. Improvements The preceding pages clearly demonstrated that there is a need for positive change in the US Intelligence community. If civilians and those who are from the outside looking in can provide key observations on areas that needed change then those who are working within the intelligence community are painfully aware of their shortcomings. The following pages will describe the improvements made by various counter-terror groups within the fold of the Federal Government. Need to Share Information One of the areas that requires overhaul is with regards to information sharing. This has not been lost to the analysts and strategists working under the U. S. Department of Homeland Security and its think tank the Homeland Security Advisory Council who proposed the Intelligence and Information Sharing Initiative: Homeland Security Intelligence and Information Fusion. The key term here is fusion and this program calls for the: †¦ managing of flow of information and intelligence across levels and sectors of government and the private sector to support the rapid identification of emerging terrorism-related threats and other circumstances requiring intervention by government and private-sector authorities. It is more than the one-time collection of law enforcement and/or terrorism-related intelligence information and it goes beyond establishing an intelligence center or creating a computer network (see Homeland Security Advisory Council). This relatively recent move by the DHS is not only audacious but shows how they have completely acknowledged the error of their ways. There is no single or central agency that can do all the work when it comes to apprehending terrorists. The lowly policeman may not be wearing fancy suits and may not even pull top dollar from his work but a police officer does the dirty work. The operatives of counter-terror groups may have the firepower and the resources apprehend a terror group but they can be far away; it will take them precious time to leave their offices in and pursue. Whereas the local police department is in close proximity to the terrorist cell and therefore there is no reason why they could not be dispatched to stop the said terror group from executing their plans. To get a better idea with regards to how serious DHS is in improving their capabilities, the anti-terror agency is not only acknowledging the need for sharing information and intelligence but they are also admitting that crucial data can come from anywhere. The DHS pointed out the sources of relevant information to be coming from: a) Federal; b) State; c) local; d) tribal; e) various government entities; f) General public; and g) Private-sector entities. Therefore, there is a great need to improve on the process of information analysis and information dissemination. The following steps are designed to jump-start the said process (see Homeland Security Advisory Council): †¢ The use of common terminology, definitions, and lexicon by all stakeholders; †¢ Identifying critical information repositories and establishing the process, protocols, procedures, and technical capabilities to extract information and/or intelligence from those repositories; †¢ Understanding and elimination of impediments to information collection and sharing (i. e. , it should be a priority for the Federal Government to provide State, local, and tribal entities unclassified terrorism-related information); †¢ Extensive and continuous interaction with the private sector and with the public at large. The FBI It was mentioned earlier that in the decades of the 70s and 80s the Federal Bureau of Investigation was forced to mellow down its tough investigative stance. The lack of aggressiveness was criticized in the aftermath of 9/11. Today new laws are giving new life to the FBI invigorating the said agency to pursue suspected terrorists. Aside from the new mandate – following 9/11 – that allow the FBI to step on the accelerator the President of the United States issued a new directive in 2005 that would forever transform the FBI. On June 28, 2005 the President directed the FBI to create the National Security Branch within the FBI that will result in, â€Å"Integrating investigative and intelligence activities against current and emerging national security threats†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (see National Security Branch Overview, 2006). This new mandate from the President allows for the creation of the following: a) the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division (CTD); b) the Counterintelligence Division (CD); c) the Directorate of Intelligence (DI); and d) the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate (WMDD). This simply means that the FBI is no longer typecast as the main investigative body of Federal government it now also functions as counterintelligence and counterterrorism arm of the government as well as the main agency that will handle weapons of mass destruction in the domestic sphere. Conclusion The United States of America, its leaders and its citizens must come to terms with its new found status. And it is the sole superpower in the global arena. There is nothing that comes close to the US in terms of economic and military might. This is good news for those who come to enjoy the protection of a superpower – a protector who believes in democracy and the rule of law. But this is not a welcome thought for American citizens who are now perceived as enemies by those who have a sick worldview such as extremists. These fanatics are frighteningly angry at the US and their blabbering and crazed invectives show that they may not be coherent at times but are dead serious in causing harm. The US Army is capable pulverizing a small country into smithereens and even able to bring a powerful enemy nation to its knees e. g. Iraq but it does not have the moral authority to simply barge in and decimate suspected enemies. The Federal Government is therefore dependent on an effective and efficient intelligence gathering arm. It has been shown earlier that it is no longer possible to rely on one single agency to combat terrorism and therefore what is needed is coordination and information sharing. One of the major issues that was resolved was in dealing with a prevailing culture of fragmentation, parochialism, and the insistence of need to know versus sharing of information. After 9/11 it is easy to consider changing negative attitudes and adopting a new view on coordination and information sharing. Thus, after 9/11 the U. S. Department of Homeland Security was tasked to break down barriers as it has become painfully clear that the lack of coordination was the simple explanation as to why suspected terrorists were able to undergo flight training under the noses of Federal officials. Concrete steps are made to ensure information dissemination as well as the creation of structures and human resources that will be able to analyze data coming from different parts of the world. Aside from these the U. S. Intelligence community acknowledged the fact that everyone is involved including the State, local and even tribal entities. The big wigs from the Federal Government are also acknowledging the importance of local law enforcement agencies as a deterrent as well as the most effective and efficient aspect of the whole counter-terrorism apparatus of the US. A welcome development was the strengthening of the capabilities of the CIA and the FBI. Special mention is appropriate for the President’s directive to vastly improve the ability of the FBI not only as an investigative arm of the Federal Government but also as a counter-intelligence as well as counter-terrorism agency especially when it comes to weapons of mass destruction that could be potentially deployed in the homeland. All of these changes and improvements combined will greatly deter terrorist activity and would help in the speedy arrest as well as dismantling of terror cells before these groups can wreak havoc in the same magnitude as September 11, another day that will also live in infamy. References Carafano, J. & M. Sauter (2005). Homeland Security. New York: McGraw-Hill. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2006). National Security Branch Overview. Retrieved 07 February 2008 from http://www. fbi. gov/hq/nsb/whitepaper12-06/whitepaper. pdf. Ganor, B. (2005). The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide For Decision Makers. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Hulnick, A. (2004). Keeping Us Safe: Secret Intelligence and Homeland Security. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. Paine, T. (2005). Homeland Security: The American Tradition. In M. Sauter & J. J. Carafano (Eds. ). Homeland Security. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Perl. R. (2007). Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends. In A. L. Fitzgerald (Ed. ). Terrorism and National Security. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Posner, R. (2006). Uncertain Shield: The U. S. Intelligence System in the Throes of Reform. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Sands, A. (2005). Integrating Open Sources into Transnational Threat Assessments. In J. E. Sims & B. Gerber (Eds. ). Transforming U. S. Intelligence. Washington, D. C. : Georgetown University Press. Sims, J. & B. Gerber. (2005). Transforming U. S. Intelligence. Washington, D. C. : Georgetown University Press. The 9/11 Commission Report. Retrieved 08 February 2008 from http://www. 911commission. gov/report/911Report. pdf. Turner, M. (2005). Why Secret Intelligence Fails. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, Inc. U. S. Department of Homeland Security. (2005). Intelligence and Information Sharing Initiative: Homeland Security Intelligence & Information Fusion. Retrieved 07 February 2008 from http://www. dhs. gov/xlibrary/assets/HSAC_HSIntelInfoFusion_Apr05. pdf . Warner, M. & J. K. McDonald. (2005). US Intelligence Community Reform Studies Since 1947. Washington, D. C. : Center for the Study of Intelligence. Zegart, A. (2007). Spying Blind: The CIA, the FBI, and the Origins of 9/11. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

How to Drive Value Your Way Essay

MGT665 – Individual Assignment HOW TO DRIVE VALUE YOUR WAY Submitted By: Hiten Bachani (129278117) 0 MGT665 – Individual Assignment Main theme The paper revolves around the migration of the value within the supply chain as industries and technologies evolve. The basis of which can be traced down to the changes occurring in the patterns of consumer behaviour. But the changes in consumer patterns does not necessarily result in the value being shifted from one stakeholder to other; rather it is purely a function of the type of industry and how it has evolved over the years. Idea in Brief Argument Successful Companies do four things well: Problem Lessons In turbulent times, profits have a tendency of migrating up or down the value chain, away from the established companies to the upstream or downstream partners. eg: In PC industry, value moved from IBM (manufacturer) to Wintel (suppliers) The trajectory is not witnessed in the Auto Industry, where the incumbent carmakers have maintained a constant share of the industry’s market capitalization despite dire predictions to the contrary. 1) Controlling the assets least likely to be commoditized 2) Being the guarantor of quality to end customer 3) Staying in close touch with the changing customers needs 4) Balancing the imperatives of growth and strategic control of the value chain The paper emphasis on four rules to that the companies can practice to influence whether the value migrates – and if so, to where in the chain. Rule 1 : Be the least replaceable player The question of who along the value chain is most replaceable fundamentally affects who can capture surplus  value. It has been argued that the system integrators are most difficult to replace in auto industry but it is not so in the PC industry. However, a company seeking to preserve or gain advantage needs not only to reinforce its own irreplaceability but also ensure that none of its suppliers become impossible to replace Rule 2: Become the Guardian of Quality Value in an industry mostly accrues to the player that customers associate most of the quality with the product. The quality guardian in the value chain, typically carries a disproportionate share of legal liability. Also the cost of liability differs across the industries, for e.g. it is quite high in auto industry since the life of customers are at risk if car crashes while it is low in PC. Rule 3: Follow the Customer When the end customer changes his needs, value may shift across the value chain. Hence it becomes imperative for the companies to link the customers need to the value proposition they offer. But in the absence of a fundamental shift in the end customer, incumbents will be well positioned to 1 MGT665 – Individual Assignment manage even disruptive technology—as long as they retain ownership of distribution and can resist the emergence of open standards. Rule 4: Manage the Growth Story This rule throws light on type of industry such as high growth or low growth and within that how the company changes its market share. It might be the case that a firm has only a small market share in a violently growing sector or a high share in a stable sector. When the high-growth industry in question is relatively small: Incumbents will be less inclined to fight hard to preserve dominance when the absolute profits are limited. The opposite applies, however, when the high-growth market is large. Here, scale often favours stability, because established players are large enough to maintain closed systems of suppliers, eschew open standards, and forestall change. Methodology study The author has tried to look at the problem through the lens of auto industry and PC industry and h as found contrasting differences while comparing. It has been observed that the value has hardly shifted along the value chain in case of Auto Industry while in case of PC industry it has drastically shifted from the hands of system integrators to the suppliers. The reason lies in the very nature of the product which both the industries sell. The paper also throws light on the methodology of how incumbents and challengers shift value across the value chain; both leveraging their strength depending upon their current capabilities. Also, it talks about the new corporate giants like Facebook and Google who do not compete in a sector but on the other hand shape it. This is because they focussed on the latent needs of the customers and came up with a value proposition leveraging the internet space (platform) at the right time making it difficult for the rivals to imitate because of the viral diffusion of the technology. Does it make sense Yes, up to a certain extent it does makes sense and there have been ample examples in the past to prove the hypothesis. Over time the customer needs have changed and successful organizations have reoriented themselves to cater to their needs. Also, they have been cautious to preserve their share of pie by follow ing the rules mentioned in the text. However, the conditions vary from industry to industry due to the different dynamics of the business scenario and the ecosystem in which they operate. It is worth noting that reputation of the player (not factored in the methodology) also plays a major role in some industries viz. Pharmaceutical industries. This may help the incumbents in the short run and give them a buffer time to rethink their strategies and retaliate so that the value does not move away from them. My opinion The author has done justice to his research by quoting right examples at the right place. One factor which has not been factored is the barrier to entry in the industry for a new player or for an existing player to transit from one stage to another within the value chain. Even in today’s world when the technology has become very sophisticated; suppliers also have a chance to build economies of scale and be a crucial member in the value chain of the industry by supplying to many players. This can be achieved by standardization of components at an initial stage and then employing methodologies like SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) in manufacturing industry(Automobiles) which the author had quoted as difficult in terms of replace-ability as compared to PC industry; however thi s can be achieved given the upstream or downstream player has sufficient resources to overcome the barriers of entry. 2

Pennsylvania Adoption Law

Adoption has been prevalent since time immemorial. In fact, history tells that the practice of adoption dates back as far as the 18th century BC. This was practiced by the ancient civilizations such Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, and Babylonians. It is even referred to in the Bible and other religious texts (Meiser, 1997).Adoption is the process whereby a child is removed from his/her biological parents and placed with non-biological parent(s). This establishes a parent and child relationship, in contemplation of law, between persons not so related by nature (Adoption, 1994). Thus, adoption creates a legal parent-child relationship between individuals without the benefit of biological relation.Reasons for the Emergence of the adoption In the early decades of the twentieth century, adoption was rather unusual. In fact, adoption was not recognized by the common law, and exists later in the United States solely by virtue of the special statutes. Thus, adoption was not a common way to form a family.Due to humanitarianism, upward mobility, and infertility, however, adoption started to be institutionalized. These factors mirrored reality especially in 1920s and 1930s, when inquiries made by adults about children unattached to their families greatly increased in the United States.Through adoption, children are transferred from adults who do not want or is not capable of becoming parents to adults who want the offspring and is capable of giving love, time, and an acceptable standard of living. Hence, adoption is considered as a salvation to married couples deprived of bearing their own children because of infertility since this process allow them to form families of their own.Likewise, adoption allowed illegitimate children to be protected from social stigma as they are legitimized once adopted by their adopting parents. Thus, adoption gives a fresh start to everyone involved—the mother can erase her past by placing her baby for adoption, the child can join a normal family rather than being raised by a single parent, and the adoptive parents can experience the joy of having a child (Martin, 2006).Adoption Phenomenon: Some statistics In 1950s and 1960s, as measured both by number and by the enthusiastic support of a broad white middle class, adoption flourished. Ten years thereafter, or in the 1960s and 1970s, adoption brought a remarkable transformation to society as adoption posted a record high of almost ninety thousand adoptions made by non-relatives.In recent years, however, this number increased by almost forty (40) percent as survey reveals that Americans annually adopt approximately one hundred twenty-five thousand (125,000) children, strangers and relatives alike (Adoption statistics, 2006).This has affected 2.4% of the United States population or about five (5) million Americans (id). The Census also reveals that among those children adopted, sixty-four (64) percent are whites, sixteen (16) percent are African American seven (7) perce nt are Asians (2000).In Pennsylvania alone, 4,047 children were served by the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) (PAE 2004). Forty-eight (48) percent of these children are African Americans, thirty six (36) percent are Caucasians and five (5) are Hispanics (id).Despite this wide acceptance of adoption in the American society or the inhabitants of Pennsylvania for that matter, a number of children are still â€Å"waiting† to be adopted. For instance, in Pennsylvania, out of the twenty two thousand six hundred ninety (22,690) children who were placed in foster care, twenty two (22) percent are still â€Å"waiting† to be adopted (Adoption institute, 1999).Considering this unprecedented increase in adoptions in the country, the United States senate is pushing for a bigger funding for the child support enforcement and family support programs to be paid to various states. Thus from a mere $2,121,643, 000 appropriated in 2006, the proposed budget for the administration of c hildren and families is increased to $2,759,997,000 for this incoming year of 2007 (US Department f Health and Services, 2006). This is equal to a $7,300,00 increase of funding.Adoption Laws in the United StatesBefore the first adoption statutes went into effect in 1850’s, children were removed from his/her biological parents and were transferred to non-biological parent(s) without the legal recognition of the adoption. As this informal type of adoption increased the State legislature devised a way to formalize the adoption process.Thus, in May 24, 1851 the first adoption statute in the United States went into effect – the Massachusetts Adoption of Children Act. Pursuant to the Massachusetts statute, adoption was required to be judicially approved, likewise the consent of the child’s parent or guardian were needed to be secured, and also a finding that the prospective adoptive family was of with sufficient ability to raise the child.History of Pennsylvania Adopt ion LawFollowing the example of Massachusetts, the Pennsylvania enacted its own adoption statutes – the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. In earlier times, Pennsylvania provided that adoption could be decreed by the common pleas of courts of the countries.An amendment to this adoption legislation was thereafter made in 1872 wherein the process of adoption referred to as the â€Å"common law form of adopting a child be deed† was legalized. Under this system, it is possible that an adoption refused by the judge will be consummated by a deed. (Deardorff, 1925).The State legislatures saw the defect in this kind of Pennsylvania system. For under this system, no social investigation of the child and his natural family or of the adopting family was provided. Further, a judge can consummate an adoption without seeing any of the parties and worse, even without sufficient information other than that contained in the petition for adoption.With this kind of system, cases of perj ury as to the identity of the natural parents of a child and as to whether or not these natural parents are still alive were exposed.Due to the globalization of the adoption, legislatures have made vigorous reforms as regards adoption statutes. In 1917, for instance, Minnesota passed the first State law that required children and adults to be investigated and adoption records to be shielded from public view (Adoption history in brief, 2006).Decades later, more than twenty states had translated similar standards into law. By mid-century, policies of minimum standard such as certification of child-placers, investigation of the child and adult parties to adoption, and supervision of new families after placement and before finalization were incorporated in the revision of adoption statutes in all the states in the country.The policies of confidentiality and sealed records were likewise instituted by most states. Confidentially of records, however, at this time meant that the records of information are off limits to the inquisitive members of the public but kept it available to the children and adults directly involved in adoption, who were called the â€Å"parties in interest.†Similarly, in 1925, under the Pennsylvania adoption law, the adoption was accessible to anyone curious enough to search it out. Other court records were sealed only at the discretion of a judge, in which case they could then be inspected by court order. In 1947 however, Pennsylvania followed suit in sealing its records.Although the records were sealed, adoptees who would reach the age of twenty-one (21) could still obtain their original birth certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics. Then in 1953, court records including the adoption decree were sealed to all, with the exception of being able to be opened upon showing of an undefined â€Å"good cause.†(Holub, 2006) In 1984, after a six (6) year push by state Rep. Stephen Friend, R-Delaware Country â€Å"to close the lo ophole†, as it was termed, the state legislature passed a bill denominated as Act 185 finally closing the records of adoption. Act 185 amended Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and provides that all adoption records, and other papers shall be withheld from inspection except upon a court order.The Pennsylvania adoption law, thus prohibits adoptees from obtaining their original birth certificates or any other document that would identify birth parents. That includes baptism certificates and adoption records. After the grace period in February 1985, adoption records were finally closed.This law was pushed by Rep. Stephen Friend since he claimed that young, unmarried pregnant women would choose to have abortions rather than relinquish their children to adoption if it were possible for their adult children to discover their identity. He also asserted that the state should â€Å"keep its promise† of â€Å"privacy† to birthparents. (id)Cynthia Bertrand Holub, a member of the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee to the Joint State Government Commission on Adoption Law, says the desire to â€Å"preserve the middle-classness of these women, so they could relinquish their [illegitimate] child and go home as if nothing had happened,† was one of several forces that led states to seal adoptees' birth records (2006).Thus, confidentiality now means that when courts issue adoption decrees, they shall produce new birth certificates, thus, listing adopters’ names in the new birth certificate, and sealing away the originals, which contained the names of birth parents, or at least birth mothers.Criticisms of the Pennsylvania Adoption Law.  The Pennsylvania Adoption law was criticized mainly with respect to the sealing of the adoption records. Critiques refutes Rep. Stephen Friend’s claim that â€Å"unmarried pregnant women would choose to have abortions rather than relinquish their children to adoption if it were possible for their adult children to discover their identity.†They assert that Pennsylvania’s abortion rate should have declined and the adoption rate should have risen accordingly. Between 1985 and 1990, however, the abortion rate in Pennsylvania is inconsequential, and Pennsylvania still has one of the lowest adoption rates in the country.They further assert that neither was there ever a single suit by a birthparent for invasion of privacy. Other critique says that the confidentiality made it possible for some of these parents to avoid telling their children that they were adopted at all.As far as a number of birthparents are concerned, they believe that they still have the right to copies of everything relating to the loss of their babies. Dorner, in her book Adoption Search citing the Catholic manual states that â€Å"[b]irth parents also seek information about their children and their adoptive families through the years. Being able to obtain file informat ion pertaining to the time of the pregnancy, is reality basing and healing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Buterbaugh, 2001).On the other hand, supporters of the Pennsylvania Adoption Law, such as the relatives of many unmarried birth mothers also favored the confidentiality measure. After the World War II, when more out-of-wedlock births occurred in middle-class families, mortified parents contends that their daughters should have a second chance to lead normal, married lives. ConclusionAdoption statutes by different states primarily emerged as an answer to the growing unrecorded adoptions in the country. More so, these enactments are hoped to protect the interests of the parties involved — i.e. adopting parents, biological parents and the child himself.Adoption statutes, however, are of varying degrees in terms of privacy across states. Recently, Pennsylvania adopted a very strict standard on privacy matters.This means that nobody can actually view the original birth certificate of the adop ted child as a new one was created. This new law, however, sowed criticism from different sectors as they believed that biological parents still have the right to information as to what has become of their child.Also, they argued that the child, himself, is entitled to information as to whether he is indeed of the same flesh and blood as that of his known parents. They also sans the statute for allowing adopting parents to forever conceal the truth regarding the child’s birth.

Fast Food and Obesity Essay

In today’s society, fast food has become a large part of many American’s lives. With the rising numbers of obese people, it is hard not to draw a correlation between the increase in fast food and obesity. Most obese people don’t want to be obese and wish they could lose weight, yet they continue to struggle with their fast food intake and obesity. This is due to the advertising done on the consumers, the highly addictive food itself, and most importantly, how advertising and addiction combine with children to form habits that are kept once they become adults. These factors are the reasons that fast food restaurants are to blame for the rising obesity and health risks across America. The government needs to step in and place restrictions on these fast food restaurants so they will stop taking advantage of people’s weaknesses. So with that said, I actually disagree with Weintraub’s point. And that is why I believe that the fast food industry is at blame for this issue. Before we go into detail about how fast food companies are to blame for people over eating their food, it first must be proven that fast food is indeed the main problem causing today’s obesity in America. It is known to many people how the number of fast food restaurants in America has increased tremendously over the past several decades, but it is difficult to calculate by how much due to the lack of certain data. Also, it is difficult whether or not to categorize certain restaurants as fast food. Although, a good way to get a feel on the growth of the fast food industry is to take a look at McDonald’s, which has been America’s most popular fast food chain for decades. In 1968 McDonald’s open its 1,000th American restaurant. This number has increased to 13,800 restaurants in 2011, which really shows how much more fast food people are consuming compared to the past. Consider the increase of almost fourteen times in the number of McDonald’s restaurants, with the number of obese adults between the ages of 20 and 74 over a similar time period. From 1960-62 to 2005-06 the number of obese Americans almost tripled from 13.4% to 35.1%. These two extreme upward trends might make a convincing case that the extra fast food intake has caused the rise in obesity rates, and it may very well be a good indication, but it is far from  proof. Too many things have changed over the years, from the way the average American exercises, to the types of other food that people are consuming. Now that it has been established that fast food is the main cause behind the rising obesity numbers in America, it is time to dig deeper and show how exactly these fast food chains are at fault for this issue. A common topic when talking about people overeating fast food is addiction. When numbers are brought up about obesity and how often people visit fast food restaurants, people tend to ignore it and are categorized as fat people who are too lazy to cook their own food or break the habit of visiting fast food restaurants. However, people don’t realize the true addictive power that food can have on someone, especially fast food. While people try to use their willpower to stay away from fast food restaurants, they often fail due to the countless TV, radio, billboard, and online advertisements that draw them back in. Fast food advertising has been increasing over the years. In 2009, the American fast food industry spent over $4.2 billion on advertising. That might seem like an illogical amount of money to spend on advertising, but it lead to over $140 billion in sales, so these fast food restaurants must know what they’re doing. It is obvious that this tremendous advertising is leading to greater sales, otherwise these restaurant’s marketing teams would not be spending so much. As profit-seeking corporations, fast food restaurants cannot be blamed for wanting to advertise as much as they do, but that doesn’t mean that their advertising isn’t a huge problem in our society. Advertising clearly leads to greater consumption of fast food which leads to obesity and other health risks. Although fast food advertising as a whole is a huge issue, the far greater concern is the way children are targeted in today’s advertisements. In a 2007 report done by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, they found that the average child in America views 15 television commercials per day. This isn’t necessarily a problem as long as these commercial are composed of mostly healthy foods. This is such a huge problem due to children being more easily manipulated by food advertising. Their experiment discovered that children who viewed food advertisements ate 45%  more food than children who viewed non-food advertisements. Add all this up, and it comes to no surprise that in the last 30 years, the number of overweight and at risk children has more than tripled to 34%. It is clear that changes need to be made regarding fast food advertising, particularly involving children. Change needs to come soon as children will soon develop habits of high fast food consumption, which has our society pointed towards an unhealthy future. Efforts have been made in order to cause change, but it clearly hasn’t been enough. This is why the government needs to step in and regulate how much these restaurants are allowed to advertise. Not only does the government need to regulate the volume of advertisements, but more importantly they need to stop the fast food restaurants from targeting certain demographics. For example, not allowing advertisements on children’s television shows will decrease the wanting of food as often. As for what they are allowed to advertise, there definitely needs to be an emphasis placed on healthy food choices. Over the past decade, fast food restaurants have been offering more and healthier food choices or alternatives on their menus. These alternatives are most often salads, but also include grilled chicken sandwiches amongst other items. These so called â€Å"healthy alternatives† appear to be healthy, which is what the fast food restaurants are most concerned about. However, these alternatives are not always as healthy as they seem. With every passing moment, the over-popularity of fast food becomes more of a difficulty as it causes obesity numbers to skyrocket across the nation. Normally, the choices should ultimately lie in the hands of the people to choose healthier lifestyles, and decreases their reliance on fast food. However, in this instance, due to the validity of fast food addiction, along with too much advertising, and the cheap menu alternatives offered, people have been unable to make a change, and continue to head in the wrong direction. But until Americans take measures to mend the problems fast food has created, it’ll take some time for us to become a healthier nation.