FORTH ROAD BRIDGE MAINTENANCE Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

FORTH ROAD BRIDGE MAINTENANCE - Coursework Example This paper examines maintenance/upgrading/repair of the bridge’s crucial members, with particular emphasis on the main cables. This, in the context of identification of the faults associated with the cables, and the methodology adopted in repair or remedy of the observed damages. The techniques involved/applied in the maintenance of this bridge will also be discussed. Recommendations will be made, and where appropriate, alternative repair methods would be suggested. The methodology entails a critical assessment based on literature research, hence references will be made to available studies on the subject, and where necessary, other relevant material would be cited. The maintenance of the Forth Road bridge is multi-dimensional in nature. Generally, there could be a categorisation into two broad classes: (a) small to medium-sized maintenance operations, and (b) major operations. The first category serves the general purpose of simply keeping the bridge usable, while the second category serves the more vital purpose of enhancing, improving or elevating the serviceability of the structure to a higher level. It is noteworthy that training of staff, risk assessments and method statements are carried out prior to any task, to ensure that work is carried out as safely as possible. This can perhaps be described as yet another dimension of these maintenance operations, impacting on quality of the procedures involved, in the context of safety. A number of simple or basic operations have been identified in connection with maintenance of this bridge. There are, for instance, routine tasks during the summer months involving the washing of the steelwork of the suspended span truss with freshwater to remove surface salts and guano. There are, and have been, small to medium-sized maintenance works carried out since the Forth Road Bridge commenced service, and, in this context, these

International Hospitality Operations Coursework

International Hospitality Operations - Coursework Example Essentially Dubai is one of the countries that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Different ethnic groups reside in the Emirates, some of the include Pakistani, European, Bangladesh, Indian and Emirati. It is significant to note that, Middle East, is burgeoning in numerous ways, which include politically, economically and demographically (Baum, 47). It is evident that, much of the region’s wealth is attributable to having the world’s largest deposits of easily extractable oil and tourism activities. Background information The tourism industry in Dubai and in the whole Gulf region is comparatively young. Until the late 19550s, Dubai had no hotels. Visitors would spend with their hosts. It is noticeable that, the following two decades saw Dubai grow tremendously in developing basic facilities for travelers (Baum, 49). The opening of an international airport in 1959 and discovery of oil in 1966 spurred development and opening of several hotels. The founding of the Emirat es Airlines in 1985 and the Dubai Tourism Board saw Dubai attract investors and tourists from across the globe. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) facilitated international promotion and positioning Dubai as both commercial hub and resort destination (Rehman, 217). The establishment of the Jumeirah Group in 1997 as a hotel management company has seen the development of a portfolio of high-end hotels in Dubai and across the globe. For instance, the Burj-Al-Arab was opened in 1997 as the first seven-star hotel in the world (Brotherton, 151). This trend has accelerating to the current state, which puts Dubai in the global arena in tourist attraction and foreign investment (Rehman, 218). Political trend The middle East is often professed by westerners to be tantamount with conflict, but it middle East has serene areas where many diverse nationalities congregate, work and live together in a harmonious way (Buhalis & Costa, 122). It is imperative to note that, the UAE is one of the peaceful places with Dubai having the highest influx of international workers who make up to 80% of the country’s work force (Rehman, 219). Dubai is politically stable, and it has developed a reputation for being a safe hub for people of diverse nationalities, who work for companies from all over the globe. It is a constitutional monarchy ruled by Sheikh Mohammed (Rehman, 215). Mohammed, who has been on the wheel of leadership since 1995, had a vision for Dubai as an international hub for business and leisure. Mohammed realized his vision for Dubai quickly by the establishment of business centers, tourist attraction centers, which included skyscrapers such as the Burj Khalifa. It is the tallest building in the world. Such building makes Dubai distinct from the rest of the United Arab Emirates. They act as tourist attraction centers. It is imperative to note that, Dubai has managed to raise numerous sophisticated and pleasurable buildings even on water. The Burj Khalifa is illustrated below (Tizabi, 321). Additionally, is a member of numerous global organizations and associations, which include the Arab League, United Nations and World Trade Organization, this trend has sustained healthy relationships with the Western democratic countries. This membership has strengthened Dubai’s internal political stability (Tizabi, 317). Culture and religion background It is vital to note that, Dub

The Love In John Donne Poems English Literature Essay

The Love In John Donne Poems English Literature Essay John Donne (1572-1631) was born in London to a Roman Catholic family, but changed to Anglicanism during the 1950s (Fowkes x-xi). He is an English metaphysical poet, writer, and theologian. He makes poems focused on death, love, and sex. In addition, he writes a wide range of secular and religious. Besides, he has many subjects focusing of love, the pain of parting, and the exhilaration of sex. These poems show the suppressed energy in Donnes characteristics and its source the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional conflicts, which john passed through out his life. Donnes love poetry is a very complex phenomenon. Nevertheless, he has two strains: the strain of dialectic and the strain of realism (Grierson 84). He writes about love as an actual experience in all its moods, even in gay or angry. With regard to, Donne relates to 16th century the era in which all poets are Petrarchan, otherwise, he challenges his time and breaks off the Petrarchan tradition. He breaks the tradition becaus e his poems with specific temper, imagery, rhythm and colors. John writes many poems about love one of his collections is Songs and Sonnets. The majority of this book talks about love, which is addressed to an imagined hearer. He establishes a metaphysical relationship between body and soul. Donnes love poems characterize with truth. He shows the truth through the passions that he represents them existed in human experience. Therefore, he makes his poem equal to real world. Still, his love poems are less real than that of the Petrarchans. In the same manner, Donnes poetry is not about the marriage and adultery, whereas, it is about the difference between love and lust. He mentions love in different types and shapes such as beauty, betrayal, and death. John Donne poems are not about the lust or desire; therefore, they are not about chivalric, but intellectual love in general. The greatness of Donnes love poetry is due to the fact his experience of the passion range from its lowest to its highest reaches (Bennett 142). Sometimes, he shows desires but not the whole poem about this desire. For example, Air and Angels is a type of a love poem does not empty from a desire; still it talks about love with other idea. Air and Angels has an argument between two types of love: the metaphysical and the rhetorical. The metaphysical shows the motion in Air and Angels. This poem seems often to defeat its readers; not because of its difficult argument, but, because readers do not recognize the idea of it. Donne, in this poem, is placing a very high value upon pressuring some detachment at the heart of an emotional involvement.(Sanders 89) It is an open image that sometimes the reader can see the detachment as a betrayal of love. In addition, Donn e shows the implication that neither the mind, nor the man can rest to leave this woman unattached by his desire to her. Any way, in the first stanza, the speaker addresses his beloved; he describes the beauty of his beloved that he always looks for it. In lines (11-14) he gives a beautiful metaphorical image for his mistress, he portrays her beauty as an angel: And therefore what thou wert, and who,             I bid Love ask, and now That it assume thy body, I allow, And fix itself in thy lip, eye, and brow. Those lines are an example of a Petrarchan era that shows the woman as an object. Similarly, he looks and searches for this type of beauty, which is angelic. Referring to line (8), Takes limbs of flesh, and else could nothing do the speaker argues to a flesh and blood woman that her nothingness, must be embodied by means of love. He compares this embodiment to the habitation by his soul of his body (Salomon 13). Also, he shows the irony in nothing do, the tone is flexible to take this love with that womans beauty has fobbed him off. In the second stanza, Donne satisfies that love is more pleasing to any woman than worship of her beauty. Therefore, he finds the beauty does not last as love. According to lines (15-20): Whilst thus to ballast love I thought,       And so more steadily to have gone,       With wares which would sink admiration, I saw I had loves pinnace overfraught ;       Thy every hair for love to work upon Is much too much ; some fitter must be sought ; Here the image of love is so beautiful, in which, he says that his problem was that his love had no body; but now, his problem is that she has a beautiful body that he himself cannot imagine it. whereas, the next lines (21-25) he shows the pure love that he finds in his beloved appearance. Then as an angel face and wings Of air, not pure as it, yet pure doth wear,       So thy love may be my loves sphere ;             Just such disparity As is twixt airs and angels purity, Twixt womens love, and mens, will ever be. he shows a problem about physical love. The last six lines are the solution which show love must be pure between the two souls. In line (27) As is twixt airs and angels purity Salomon says that the speakers love being more pure than the ladys as an angel is more pure that its airy embodiment (13). In lines (23-25): Then as an angel face and wings Of air, not pure as it, yet pure doth wear,       So thy love may be my loves sphere; Those lines an image of wooing to his love, he sees her as the air-body angel, which confines the spirit in earth, as this woman is a resting place for him. In final line Twixt womens love, and mens, will ever be. It is an image of love between women and men, which will stay forever because they are united. To conclude the discussion of Air and Angels, Donne discovers that her beauty is dazzling. Therefore, he must work very hard to get her angelic love. In the metaphysical view, angels appeared to men as a vapor (Martz 171). In that case, he shows the Petrarchan point of view through the superior image that he draws to his beloved. He portrays her beauty with angelic, pure. Again in the previous line, which has mentioned, he asks for her love by coming down from her angelic status, and be one. According to john, love is exciting experience and love poems are the communication with others to feel in this excitement. Despite of the fear in falling in love due to the torment that one f eels, but since love is peaceful and restful, there is no fear to feel in love. Donne is a great love poet because he has the ability to write his experience of love and let the other feel it with him. Donne in his collection Songs and Sonnets shows another type of love. In his poem Witchcraft by a Picture, reveals the obscure between the two characters in the poem. His poem reflects his era which he relates for it, although, he was not following the Petrarchan system. Therefore, he intends to show the bad side of love in the betrayal image of a man who leaves his woman alone, this picture differs from the Petrarchan because the dont show the man in a cold-heart image. The betrayal reveals in the lover who bewitches his beloved and he fears to fall in love with her. Therefore, he has broken up with her because he accuses her that she is a witch and bewitches him. In the first stanza, lines (1-3): I  FIX  mine eye on thine, and there     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pity my picture burning in thine eye;   My picture drownd in a transparent tear, Those lines reveal how was the woman astonished this broken up. Here is a visual image, portrays in the tears of this woman that this speaker was the reason for them. The metaphorical image portrays in that the speaker sees the reflection of his picture in her eyes that full of tears burning as someone burns a paper to be able to forget. Despite all of that, Greg Bentley when he comments on this poem and mentions that in the medieval era, they symbolized for a witch with non-human, and they was beating her until she dies. In addition, the witch cannot cry, unless if there is a priest or cleric. If she does then she is innocent and if she does not then she is guilty (16). In these previous lines, Donne makes the woman cries because she is innocent from the accusation that her beloved accuses her with it. As well, the word pity has an ambiguous meaning: the first meaning the speaker wants his beloved sympathy, and the second he feels pity in his mistress because of what he did with her (Bentley 15-16). Besides in the third line my picture drowned in a transparent tear has an ambiguity. It can be that the woman tricks the speaker with her tears to catch his attention and destroy him. In addition, the second reading can be that her tears are genuine that she is not a witch because she hurts honestly hurt by her lover. Then Donne establishes that the lover is a betrayal. In the same manner, the second stanza has other images shows the betrayal of the fearful lover. Donne starts with I have drunk the sweet salt tears, this line is a reminding to her tears that burning and drowned. It is a gustatory image the lover tastes his mistress tears and relishes with her misery. Then, he completes with second line and though thou pour more, Ill depart, this visual image reveals the rudeness of this lover who although to his relish, he wants to leave her alone, because he knows that her tears are powerful. Since he will not be next to her, his picture will not reflect again and affect on him. However, Donne puts another ambiguity in line (11) that I can be endamaged by that art, the ambiguity appears in word art. Firstly, he means that she has tricks art that supports speakers accusation of being her mistress witch. Secondly, he means that her tears are genuine and support the woman innocence (Bentley 17). Although, the speaker can remove himself from her tears and depart. Still he cannot remove himself from her heart, because she loves him honestly, and she cannot stifle her tears and sincere love. In the end, Donnes imagines the bad side of love that leads to harm one of the lovers heart, because of cowardice and betray like the man who rejects his mistress. Donne varies in his Songs and Sonnets, he writes about love in different ways such as beauty, betrayal, and now about death. Donne has attached the idea of death with love in his poem The Expiration. The title of the poem gives the whole explanation of the poem. He has shortened his feelings of departing in this poem. He draws beautiful images about death and apart. In the first stanza, for example, he portrays the picture when the speaker feels in heartburn due to his beloved leaves him because of her death. In the first six lines: SO, so, break off this last lamenting kiss,       Which sucks two souls, and vapors both away ; Turn, thou ghost, that way, and let me turn this,       And let ourselves be night our happiest day. We ask none leave to love; nor will we owe       Any so cheap a death as saying, Go. The speaker says he will sacrifice with his soul to his love, although, he imagines himself as a murder because he will leave her alone. We ask none leave to love; nor will we owe/ Any so cheap a death as saying, Go. This line is an evidence for the previous discussion, he portrays that the speaker does not choose to leave her but the death takes the soul very easily. In the second line, there is a metaphorical image, he describes the kiss with a lollipop, which sucks the water and vapors it. Beyond the conception of separation, Donne plays with the idea of death through rejection or love domination. He does not stop at the idea of the beloved as killing through neglect, but often to picture her as a murder. (Bernhoft 2) To emphasize this idea, in line (12) Being double dead, going, and bidding, Go. He says that killing him is impossible because he is being double dead. Donne uses the repetition in the first line So, so a significance of death and depart. To conclude, Donne is a brilliant poet, he has the ability to write his experience of love and let the other feel it with him. He varies a lot in his collection poems especially in the poems of Songs and Sonnets. His love poetry is a record of moods. the moods of love, desire, death, betrayal, and other moods. He tries to show the metaphysical relationship between soul and body. Even though, he shows the sexual love in his Holy Sonnets because he does not consider it as a sin. In general, he talks about spiritual love; he has several of moods and sentiment due to his capacity of experience. He shows the beauty, death, betray and in those previous poems that has been discussed. Donnes poetry is simple to satisfy. In his poems, the reader can find a series of passion. Those passions that Donnes talks about are comprehensive every problem in life. As a reason, his poetry has a competence, in which it can make a man feels about woman, scorn, sensual, delight, and the peace and security o f mutual love (Bennett 115). (2,318)

Early Understanding of HIV and Syphilis :: essays research papers fc

In the last few weeks of class we have looked at several different cases of disease outbreaks throughout the world, and how different cultures have diverse understandings of these outbreaks. Of the sicknesses we have studied, I feel that the HIV and Syphilis outbreaks stand apart from the others because of their massive infections in many different cultures and parts of the world, and also due to the fact that the diseases cannot be cured, along with the unfortunately high rate of death among its victims.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the outbreaks of syphilis and HIV first became present, science at the time was unable to come up with a clear cause for the sicknesses. People witnessing the diseases, however, were quick to assign their own cause. Unfortunately, most put the blame on African Americans. While Syphilis may have been introduced to the western worlds by slave trade according to Philip D. Curtin, inefficient evidence is present to call this fact, and most blame when these diseases first became present were completely racially based. This blind prejudice led to an extremely limited understanding of the diseases. Many felt the diseases were so racially specific that whites were completely immune to the epidemics. Some even felt that Blacks became infected because they were inferior unchristian beings, and as being so, they were being punished by god. (PBS/NOVA â€Å"The Deadly Deception†) As an effect of this logic, many more fell victim to the sicknesses, refusing treatmen t due to these beliefs. This racial attitude of the time also severely hindered the discovery of the real causes of HIV and Syphilis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many years later, and after a very large progression in medical research, scientists have finally came to a clear agreement on the causes of these diseases. It is now obvious that there are three main causes to an HIV or Syphilis infection. A victim may become infected through blood transfusions or sexual contact with another, or the diseases may be carried from a mother to her child. These conclusions vary greatly from what was first thought as the cause of the epidemics. The incorrect causes initially found by those in early times most likely were based on a lack of knowledge in the areas of sanitary blood transfusions, safe sex, and the extremely racist attitude of the time. This lack of knowledge can be seen in what the diseases first became known as: â€Å"Bad Blood† (CDC).

The Comedy in Chivalry

Jordynn Barnes April 16, 2013 The comedy in Chivalry The historical adulteration of chivalry in Don Quixote by Cervantes ties in to its literary parody. Don Quixote parodies the anticipation of chivalric affection: lone knights had lost their military essence. The dominant classes still served the ideology of chivalry. The loss chivalry can be tied into the War of the Alpujarras. The knights, the caballeros de cuantia, were obligated to keep their horse and armor ready for serving the king, but slowly and shamefully they were unprepared.The knight’s individual language of knightly service represents the parody realism of chivalry as foolish as Don Quixote could fantasize about. Also, The knight’s materialistic behavior and desire of self-interest represented the character Sancho Panza. Don Quixote has read about chivalric romance and he tried to imitate the knights-errant. This is comical, because he had such a since of mission. These knights that he was trying to imita te were so far from being chivalric, yet he thought otherwise.The armor that the knights used to wear was for military purposes, but while going on his missions through La Mancha, he made sure to have his armor on. This was strange to the La Mancha town’s people, because wearing armor did not necessarily mean that knight was chivalric. Chivalry was long dead, and people only knew of it through books; it was not a practice they were used to. Don Quixote attempted to bring back this practice, and this draws attention to the interlude between social hierarchy and the principles that it sustained. This story of Don Quixote is a burlesque epic of the chivalry romance.Cervantes tried to teach the readers the sincerity by creating a ridiculous comedy my mocking and ridiculing the time period. Cervantes first shows how the protagonist’s noble knightly manner is old fashioned. The comedy is easy to understand, because the dynamics of the story are simple. Don Quixote tries to a ct out what he has read in the stories, for example, he lets prostitutes pamper him, because he says that they are princesses. In chapter three, he lets the innkeeper properly knight him, because he has not yet been knighted yet.Don Quixote thought that it was a knight’s duty to protect the citizens, so another comical scene in the novel is when Don Quixote tries to save a boy from being beaten from his master. Don Quixote tried to revolve the conflict, and he felt satisfied when he rode off on his horse; but little did he know is that the master beat the worker boy even worse after Don Quixote had left. â€Å"We can define comedy as something that entertains the reader and that makes us want to laugh out loud and Cervantes succeeds in doing this through his use of parody and satire and burlesque, slapstick and simple self-reflexive comedy. Along with the comedy, Cervantes uses adventures and shock through Don Quixote’s character to further entertain. Don Quixote had intervals of lucidity and moments of insanity. A moment of insanity is when he used the galley slaves to help fight off the guards so that he could reach his princess. Don Quixote freed the galley slaves, and in return the galley slaves beat Don Quixote, and left him. â€Å"Cervantes places particular emphasis on the comedy of appearance, comedy of situation and the comedy of action during Don Quixote’s adventures and it is the use of these devices that makes the story so humorous from beginning to end. The theme of appearance is used to show the burlesque role of chivalry in the story. The material appearance of Don Quixote and his horse Rocinante, as well as Don Quixote’s vision on the banal places he stumbles upon proceeded to generate the foundation for laughter. The fact that Don Quixote had used cardboard as a visor showed in itself the humor from the description of his appearance. Not only did he use cardboard, he held his helmet together by green ribbons, and when the innkeeper had asked him to take his helmet off he said no, because taking it off would make the helmet fall apart.

On the Importance of the Educational Experience Essay

In Democracy and Education Dewey presents his views regarding the three functions of education. He gives the main function of education, these being: (1) Education should simplify and order the factors of the dispositions it wants to develop, (2) Education should purify and idealize existing social customs, and (3) Education should create a wider and better balanced environment which will influence the young (Dewey 37). He notes that these stand as a requirement for enabling the development of a progressive and democratic society wherein he defines a progressive society as one in which â€Å"individual variations are considered precious†¦ (thereby) allowing for intellectual freedom and the play of diverse gifts and interests in its educational measure† (Dewey 451). Dewey’s views thereby relate the importance of the experience within educational institutions to that of ensuring democracy within a particular community. Since the foundations of democracy are that of liberty and equality, Dewey places emphasis on the necessity of ensuring that intellectual freedom may be practiced within the context of an institution that allows diversity. Within educational systems, an example of this can be seen in the practice of coeducation. As opposed to this view, however, Link Byfield, in his article â€Å"If Girls Can Succeed Only at the Expense of Boys, Maybe We Need Segregated Schools† claims that the implementation of coeducational systems leads to the development of sexism within the system which proves detrimental to the non-privileged sex. In line with this, the tasks of this paper are the following: (1) It seeks to present the views presented by Byfield in his article above and (2) It aims to present an analysis of his argument in line with how coeducation has helped in the presentation of more views in the different subjects within the educational institution and how these views enable the expansion of the educational process. Byfield (2008) argues that increase in the scores of high school girls in the School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP) in Canada shows that there is ‘regress’ in the educational system. The bases for his claim are the following. He claims that low proficiency of high school boys in language skills and low number of high school boys who have graduated within the time-frame of the survey. He thereby opposes the view presented by the SAIP that school systems within favor the members of both sexes. The bases for SAIP’s conclusion are the following views. First, â€Å"high school girls on average are matching boys in the technology related subjects of math and science, and are far ahead in language skills† and second the ratio of the number of graduates shows that more girls are graduating as opposed to boys. In line with this, Byfield notes, given that a change in the system [from male-oriented to female-oriented] led to the ‘regress’ in the educational achievement of male students, the author argues that it is necessary to segregate students in terms of sex. The basis for his claim is the view that sexism continues to be practiced within educational institutions. He notes that this is apparent in the shift of power from the boys to the girls. He says, â€Å"Now girls seem to run everything†¦ the boys’ just tune out†. In addition to this, he says that the adaptation of a segregated system will allow the individual to be socialized in a natural environment which will allow him to be prepared for the ‘real life’. He further argues that this will not â€Å"offend the ‘social imperative’† in the sense that it will create a society â€Å"driven by misunderstanding, ignorance, selfishness, and distrust†, on the other hand, such a setting will free the individual from an environment characterized by â€Å"moshpits of vulgarity where youth is free to run itself according to the values it has absorbed from MachMusic and 12 years of automatic passing and parent-free sex instruction†.

Llano Estacado in the U.S. and Around the World

Llano Estacado in the U.S. and Around the World Llano Estacado literally translated from Spanish-to-English means Staked Plain, and it is a region at the southern end of the American Great Plains in the southwestern United States. The Geographical Region The Llano Estacado region  encompasses parts of  eastern New Mexico  and northwestern  Texas. It is marked by large mesas at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. One of its most popular landmarks is the Caprock Escarpment in Texas. Possible Historical Reference The settling of the western United States in the 1800s was known for its land runs with settlers on foot and horseback racing to claim lands by driving a stake into the ground. Llano Estacado may be a historical nod to the stakes or posts driven  into the ground in this region that were used as landmarks delineating property. Some suggest the plain was called Llano Estacado because it is surrounded by cliffs resembling palisades or stockades, which explains the definitions of palisaded plain or stockaded plain. The Caprock Escarpment is a 200-mile long cliff or palisade that delineates the border of the Llano Estacado region from the high plains.   Spanish Translation   Llano Estacado  can be translated to mean palisaded plain, stockaded plain, or staked plain. Llano is a direct translation for the word plain or prairie.  Estacado  is the past  participle  of  estacar. Estacar  is the verb meaning to tie to a post. Of the three possible translations, the three have very similar meanings. Many words in English are derived from Spanish words. The English word stockade comes from the Spanish word  estaca, so originally stockade and staked meant basically the same thing. The same can be said for palisade, it comes from the French word  palissade, meaning stake. The word palisade is related to the Spanish word  palo, meaning stick, which may be a close relation to the word stake. Non-American Spanish Speakers What does a native Spanish speaker not from the United States assume as the meaning for the term Llano Estacado? A native Spanish speaker would approach the term in the same way an English speaker would understand staked plain. As in English, it is not a common term, but it does evoke a certain meaning when you give the term some thought. The understanding of the term would likely be different for someone living in suburban Madrid than it would be for someone living on the plains of Argentina.

Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example

Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example Child Labor Concerning Issues Paper Child Labor Concerning Issues Paper Although forms of child labor are still in affect today, the worst of it is in the past. Commonly defined as work performed by children endangering their health or safety, interfering with their education, or keeping them from activities that are important for their development, child labor began centuries ago. It started with the rise of industrial production and capitalism in the United States (Shahrokhi). The worst took place in the 1800’s and early 1900’s when such industrialization was on the rise, and before laws were in effect. However, child labor in all forms has not been fully removed from society today. The most common places that children were put to work were textile factories, coal mills, farms, and other various factories. The reason that children were put to work in these environments is primarily due to machines. They were responsible for keeping the machines running smoothly, even if it put them in danger. In textile mills the youngest were known as â€Å"scavengers† and â€Å"piecers† (Child Labor). The scavengers would pick up the loose cotton from underneath the machinery, while it was still in motion. The piecers were stationed where wool was spinning. They had to reach in to fix any threads that broke and carefully repair them. Piecers had very little time to do this, because the wheel was still spinning as they worked. There were also â€Å"doffers† who removed bobbins when they filled with thread, and replaced them with empty spools (Innocence 113). These children worked barefoot so that they could climb the machines when needed. Children that were involved with sewing clothing often took garments home after work ours to finish them for the next day (Innocence 110). Young girls often worked at hosiery mills, and it was documented that their shifts were eleven to twelve hours long, frequently six days a week. These children were expected to stand their entire shifts (Innocence 113). One of the most common places of work was the coal mine. Boys were known as â€Å"breaker boys†. Their bodies, including the face, were covered on soot. These workers sat on wood boards straddling the coal chutes and picked out stones from the flowing coal beneath them (Innocence 108). A former child laborer stated that he left school at the age of eight to work in the mines. He was out of bed at five-thirty every morning and had to walk in the snow to work. He was then carried into the dangerous mill with a fellow worker (Bartoletti 11). The conditions in most factories were extremely unhealthy and dangerous in many ways. Most were not ventilated or drained well, dirty, and there was no place to clean up or wash hands. The dust and cotton fibers floating in the air caused many illnesses (Child Labor). Accidents were very common as well due to the unguarded machinery. Frighteningly, one of the most common injuries was the loss of limbs, including fingers and toes (Child Labor). One twelve year old â€Å"doffer† fell in to a spinning machine, losing two of his fingers (Innocence 113). Factory owners were responsible for supplying the workers with food. However, the quality was bad, and many owners expected the workers to continue their jobs as they ate, meaning that they had no breaks and their food was covered in dust and other debris (Child Labor). Children were also punished for being late, becoming drowsy on the job, or working too slow. The overseers would beat them with leather straps, or dip them head first into water if they were tired (Child Labor). Perhaps one of the best and most well known documenters for fighting against child labor was a man by the name of Lewis Hine. He once commented, â€Å"There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings only profit to employers,† (Innocence 108). In the early twentieth century, he photographed coal mines, textile mills, and tenement sweatshops for almost ten years (Innocence 108). Factory owners rarely allowed him to come in so he would disguise himself as various other professionals who would need photographs for their line of work. In 1908, Hine was hired by the National Child Labor Committee (Innocence 108). The NCLC lobbied for federal laws that regulated the employment of young children. Hine’s work appeared in newspapers, magazines, and NCLC publications throughout the country, causing a wide response and support for the cause by the American public (Innocence 108). Despite the efforts of people like Hine and many organizations, the United States continues to put children to work illegally, whether that means underage, long hours, below the minimum wage, or performing hazardous tasks. Children are being employed in agricultural fields and factories all over America, and some United States companies are putting them to work in sweatshops across the world where governments have a difficult time protecting the children. Whether they are in America or somewhere else in the world, these young laborers are not only hidden from the consumers, but also the companies purchasing the products. Back in 1938, congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, with the purpose of ending child labor (Foster). It did decline over many years, but has since leveled off after 1995. In 1997, the Associated Press discovered some disturbing statistics. While trying to uncover the secrets of child labor, they came to find 165 children illegally working throughout sixteen states (Foster). Wanting to find more significant numbers, the AP went to a labor economist from Rutgers University by the name of Douglas L. Kruse. After performing his study, he estimated that 290,200 children were illegally working in 1996 (Foster). Kruse did report that some were teenagers that worked extra hours at their after school jobs. However, he discovered 59,600 of them were under the age of fourteen, and 13,100 worked in sweatshops (Foster). By hiring underage children to work for them, employers reportedly saved $155 million in 1996 (Foster). The labor laws that were set in the Fair Labor Standards Act are straight forward, but seem far from reasonable. As Kruse said in his study, â€Å"Child labor laws for agricultural employment are much less stringent than for nonagricultural employment† (Kramer). There are large differences between agriculture and other occupations. If working in agriculture children can work at the age of twelve, can work unlimited hours outside of school, and are able to perform hazardous labor activities at sixteen (â€Å"Child Farmworkers†). However, in other occupations children cannot start before fourteen years of age, at fourteen and fifteen years children can only work for three hours on school days, a maximum of forty hours a week when not in school, not before seven in the morning, and engaging in hazardous labor is illegal until the age of eighteen (â€Å"Child Farmworkers†). It does not make sense that there should be any differences in the laws, no matter where the children are working. Another problem with the laws is that they are being weakly enforced. With only twenty-three investigators working on farm labor in the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, how can they possibly uncover all of the illegal activity (Child Farmworkers). That is less then one person for every two states. With agriculture being the second most hazardous industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration spent less than three percent of its inspections on it, and the penalty for violations in 1998 was only $971 (Child Farmworkers). When the companies are made aware that their distributors are putting children to work illegally, they do fight it. However, some investigations take years and are not pursued well enough, while other companies say that when they find that child labor was involved with their product, the contract for that supplier will be terminated. Disturbingly enough, most of the companies only take action when it is brought to their attention by a reporter or investigator. They rarely find the problems on their own. Something that the public may be more knowledgeable of than the child labor that takes place in the United States, is that being done outside of the country, but by US companies. This includes the sweatshops and factories making the clothing, rugs, bedding, and so on that we sell throughout America. Perhaps the most well known case is that of Nike. This came to attention in 1996 in a Life magazine article with a twelve year old in Pakistan stitching together pieces of a Nike soccer ball, receiving only sixty cents for her work that takes most of the day (Nike). Nike finds the nations that are still developing so that the labor is extremely cheap, and the government does nothing about this because there is a lack of awareness to human rights. The products are then sold for far more than it costs for the materials, and the labor, giving Nike large profits. Nike is only an example of the companies performing child labor in countries abroad. Without laws for attending school like the United States, children are working in agriculture before even going to school. They work seasonally and attend school during non-harvest months (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). Those who are trying to put an end to this say that enforcing the attendance of school age children would help end child labor (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). As said before, agriculture is a very hazardous industry, but the most common for involving child labor. They face a variety of health and safety issues. Outside of the US, children are forced to work without protective equipment and are injured. When they work long hours without rest, children face fatigue resulting in more accidents. Also detected is malnutrition, exposure to disease-carrying animals and toxic chemicals (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). Most of the children facing these issues do not receive proper care either. Although the worst of it may be in our past, child labor is still prevalent. Although it is hidden from the public eye in many ways, it is there and is causing many problems. It is terrifying to learn about what children were put through; the harsh conditions, low wages, and long hours. Laws and regulations have helped tremendously. With the help from people like Lewis Hine, children are back to going to school, playing, and bettering themselves for their own future.

Mailing Gifts to Canada Without Duties or Taxes

Mailing Gifts to Canada Without Duties or Taxes Sending gifts to Canada by mail can incur taxes and fees, just as mailing things to people in other countries does. When you mail presents and other non-commercial presents to friends or relatives in Canada, consider the rules about duties and taxes before arriving at the shipping retailer of your choice. Exempt Gifts Gifts sent to individuals in Canada are exempt from duties and taxes if: The item is worth less than $60 CAN (Be mindful of exchange rates)The item sent is clearly a personal gift and includes a card or notice indicating that it is a gift Gifts That Are Taxed If the gift is worth more than $60 CAN, the recipient will have to pay applicable duties and sales taxes on the value of the gift over $60 CAN. Also, the $60 gift exemption does not apply to tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or advertising material, nor does it apply to  items sent by a business, company, or association. All of these packages would incur fees upon delivery. Getting Around Gift Taxes Taxes and fees cant simply be avoided by giving the gift to the recipient in person, though the recipient can use a personal exemption for gifts if they transport them. Also, the $60 gift exemption cannot be combined with the regular $20 mail exemption available for all items.

Banking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Banking - Essay Example Although a preferred means of solving the inherent challenges in the current banking industry, the reality is that it has its own disadvantages, as discussed in this essay. According to economists, there are a number of benefits of banks consolidation. One of these advantages is increased efficiency in the banking sector. Consolidation eliminates geographical restrictions in the banking industry, exposing it to high levels of competition, driving out all inefficient banks from the industry. This is not the only way of ensuring efficiency in the banking sector; moving to larger banking organizations too increases their levels of efficiency due to economies of scale and scope of work. Since consolidation increased the diversification of the loan portfolios by banks, thus lowering the probability of a future banking crisis. Mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry are economical, providing banks with an opportunity to minimize their expenditures. In the event of a merger, there is closure of overlapping branches, laying off any unnecessary staff, and sale of unwanted capital goods, thus minimizing some of the operational expenditures while at the same time creating some of income for the bank. Merging also increases sales volumes of banks’ products, especially when done from a central branch. One of the major advantages of consolidation in the banking sector is market diversification, creating new geographical markets. With these new markets is an increase in business revenues. Bank mergers additionally create stronger market power, changing the pricing offered by the banks. Although argued as a means of beating the inherent operation problems in the industry, consolidation faces a myriad of drawbacks. Critics of this form of banking fear on the elimination of the smaller banks from the banking industry due to acquisitions. Not only do the investors lose in such instances; small businesses too lose their source of funding. Large business organizatio ns seek funding from large banks while small businesses seek for funding from the small banks. If large banks acquire the small banks in an effort to minimize competition, small businesses lose their source of funding. If this trend persists, the banking industry risks suffering from domination by a few banks. This makes the banking industry less competitive, reducing the quality of services provided to the customers. Some of the economists however argue that this does not have any significant effects on the industry, since there is freedom of entry into the market, and thus balances the equation of competition. Differences in the working cultures of the merging banks could lead to failure of these mergers. In their initial stages of merge, different businesses suffer from increased operational costs, for instance resultant from communication differences. Although experts argue on the efficiency of creating bank mergers, the reality is that when a merger takes place, managers face m ore vast and complicated organizations, exceeding their usual capacity. They may lack the essential expertise required in the field, reducing such bank’s efficiency. Some of the experts argue that the creation of stronger markets provides the banks with an opportunity to exploit their customers. Strong markets mean that there are reduced

Allowing Mobile Devices In The Office Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Allowing Mobile Devices In The Office - Essay Example Purpose The purpose of the report is to establish whether veteran affairs will allow or reject introduction of mobile device by offices. Summary has to be made on the different devices that can be allowed and their use in the organization. Scope The scope of introduction of mobile phones should extend to only those devices that are used in organizations. The devices mostly looked at are the mobile phones, laptops and tablets. The devices use should affect the working conditions of the workers. The devices covered are discussed below. Mobile phone Almost every worker in the office environment owns a mobile phone. Critiques argue allowing workers use their mobile phone in the office premises will lower productivity. These devices give voice and data communication ability. Their portability reason can allow easier location of workers. Businesses which allow workers to use their mobile phones have policy on which place to use devices. This reduces the possibility of workers making noise to others when talking on their mobile phones. The veteran affairs should set up locations where people can use their mobile phones in the offices. This will cut stress on worker and increasing on productivity (Anindya, 2007). Laptop and Notebooks These devices are almost replacing the desktop computers in the offices. Workers like them because of their high processing speed and flexibility. Modern laptops are blue tooth and Wi-Fi enabled. This enables them to connect to the institutions network. Use of personal laptops in the workplace should be controlled but not eliminated. The veteran affairs can set up policies on access limitation using these devices. People who would like to use these devices have to join the domain of the institution. This will enable them save every work carried... This paper approves that there is a greater assumption that after introduction of mobile devices in different offices workers will follow principles that will be laid down by the veteran authority. The introduction of mobile devices in the organization will require change of infrastructure to accommodate them. It is assumed organizations will have financial capability to buy this technology. In reality most organizations work with a constrained budget which would not allow them make any provision for such changes. Managers are the most influential people in organization. Manager’s refusal to take up the new technology will lead to juniors rejecting introduction of the new technology. The assumption is that they will accept the technology without any resistance. Workers comfort ability plays a major role in their production. Providing workers with the most recent technology in their working place increases their optimism. The optimistic atmosphere making them feels the need of being associated with the institution. Workers who are using portable devices feel as if no one is watching. This report makes a conclusion that there are many benefits associated with portable device. These benefits make it necessary to introduce them in the working environment. The veteran affairs should allow their use but with some limitation to eradicate misuse. Focus on improving working conditions of workers and service delivery to the public. The other measure is educating workers on the benefit of using those devices in the right way. Education will cut resistance from worker because of change in the working environment.

Situational Analysis of Women in Managament Essay

Situational Analysis of Women in Managament - Essay Example Situational Analysis of Women in Managament The goals and mission will be communicated more effectively and everyone in the organization will know what they are supposed to do and when they are supposed to do it in order to get to the goals of the organization and women are adept at managing households and communicating effectively with every member of the family. Every employee will work towards the same goals if they understand them and are committed. Most companies are aware that they need to have a good top management in their organization. However, they are unsure how to get that perfect team and many a times unsure about women. Creating the team requires that they know two aspects of their job; that is their responsibility to the organization and the lines of communication between them and the employees. Women should be crystal clear as to what they should be doing and how to do it properly. They also need to communicate the information effectively and efficiently so that other follow suit in the pursuing of goals. They should be open to employees and their feedback as well because communication is a two way street; women tend to be good listeners as well The top management job remains essentially the same; whether it is a flat structure organization or a typical hierarchical level organization with senior managers, middle managers and their own employees. It also changes with the size of the organization, but once again, even as the approaches are different, the roles remain the same. And since women always perceive themselves as an alien, they are more flexible to change and change management and so would be to the structure of an organization as well. The top management team takes charge of the decision making primarily and hence they need to have good judgment skills. A bad manager, will be detrimental both to the employees and the organization as well, and sometimes it is difficult to gauge if a manager has a sound personality fit for the job or not. The following discussion further outlines why women are competent for higher posts in organizations. (Drucker, 1974) Why women? A study of 2,500 Danish firms shows that women in top management and senior executive posts are not harmful but actually positive for an organization. Since this is a large sample size, the study seems to be plausible. However, the qualification of women is important as well; top management positions filled by less qualified women will lead the organization towards a downfall and therefore, women don’t have special knack but education benefits males and females both equally to equip them with the skill of running an organization. Women of skill and power such as Angelina Merkel and Hillary Clinton are good examples of good candidates for top posts and are a living example of leading women. (Nina Smith, 2006) Another study shows that women are good for the organization as they also bring diversity which is important in top management teams or TMTs. However, women in the top management are an ongoing issue over the years. Most men simply do not feel comfortable with women as their bosses. Especially in Asia, the barriers to entry for women are extremely high. However, those companies that did employ women noticed a positive growth in their companies and it is also foreseen as positive for their

Macro5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Macro5 - Essay Example Every labour market depending on the economy has its own fluctuations and structural characteristics. In addition, every job always retains its core characteristics like working conditions, required qualifications, working hours and compensation. Furthermore, each employee is represented through professional qualifications, personal abilities and work expectations. Practically, employment occurs when an employee and particular position are matched. In any economy, there are situations when some positions remain unfulfilled, qualified workers are unemployed and some workers are not included in the labour force. When employees and positions are matched poorly and those employees remain in labour force, this trend results in both additional vacancies and additional unemployment. Partially, natural rate of rate is determined by the dynamics of new job creation and termination of current jobs because of decision made on microlevel by individual employees and businesses. Therefore, if othe r aspects of the economy remain constant, simultaneous creation and termination of jobs leads to a higher rate of unemployment. In addition, turnover rates among current employed workforce are also associated with higher unemployment, and are significantly influenced by the nature of jobs and the age mix of the adult population. According to McConnell, Brue and Flynn (2008), inflation is defined as the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is increasing, and, subsequently, purchasing power of consumers is decreasing. From this definition, it is evident that inflation is a negative economic trend. Indeed, two digit inflation rate indicators in the early 1980s in the United States are a good illustration for â€Å"bad† inflation. General decline in purchasing power, particularly among consumers with fixed income, compromised

Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Buddhism - Essay Example It is normally interpreted as good words, good conduct, and good thoughts. This entails giving, compassion, kindness, love, and delight in other people’s joy and all act of generosity and selflessness. Buddhists also directs themselves via the ethic fields with the knowledge of 6 realms. Rebirth is never guaranteed, and committing to bad behaviors will result to suffering bad rebirth ones in hell, animal realms, or even prate. Clear predictions of suffering and the nature of being in the reals are bound in Buddhist literature, apparently to shock and scare followers to improve their conduct. However, the attitude that befalls Buddhism towards bad deeds is more therapeutically rather than heavily judgmental. No believer can be written off beyond the salvation on the ground that what he has done is depicted to be irretrievably bad, evil, sinful, or wicked. Additionally, there has been no attempt to render or condemn those perceived to be guilty. In some instances, they are seen sympathetically, for they develop a path that could easily be followed, But the Law can never be evitable; we reap what and where we have sown. The above is certainly applicable and correct, yet to some extent it is proper to say that the ethics of Buddhism are rooted in rebirth and Karmas. ... Indeed one can say that without the dimensions of life, the ethics would not be there at all. This is because people would be the end product of interactions between molecules from where the consequences of morals would not flow. Therefore, in this scenario the only benchmark for the ethics would be relative, social, subjectively shifting, and based on the biological survival. Buddhism says a lot of the problems and how to solve them. Buddhism teaches people on the basic noble truth. Meaning there are four true facts and four truths that any person can truly realize. The four are certainly the problems that people face in their daily lives. Therefore, the teachings of Buddhism are directed to enable people to overcome the problems they face in life. The methods are very down to earth and very rational. The teachings show that every problem that one experiences came from a cause. It is imperative to look into one life and see the difficulties that one faces. There is no bid difference between the Buddha and the ordinary person. The difference is dwelled in the mind and the action of someone. It is very crucial to appreciate that the earlier Buddhism aspiration has been the wish to be happy together with other people. Buddhism has so believed that it is pure and eternal desire of everyone in the depth of one’s life. The thought is equally and originally inherent in the Buddha lives and in conventional people alike. Anyone who is awakened and lives according to the teaching of Buddha can attain the Buddhahood status by having profound self-esteem that the Buddha has. It is always tricky to see the Buddhahood principle manifesting in the life of a person but as a deal which is unattainable. Few will believe that when respecting other people, is the proper way for

Starbucks Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Starbucks - Case Study Example However, today the luxury industry has seen some dramatic changes in changed market conditions. Increase in global competition has changed supply and demand patterns for the market according to Roux and Floch (1996) whereas Arghavan and Zaichkowsky( 2000) feel that it is counterfeited luxury goods that has changed the market conditions. Some feel that economic hardships have also changed market conditions. The changed market conditions have raised new challenges for marketing strategists of luxury brands. One thing is clear that no brand can claim that it is recession-proof even though one can find many instances where luxury brands have done well during recession. For instance, Rolls-Royce reported an increase in its in sales in 2008 and Hermes, a designer bag maker is also faring well. Luxury brands have to discover new and different ways in order to stay ahead. Luxury goods marketing men have to become more creative and cost conscious in order to make a success of the brands. Patrick Chalhoub, Joint CEO, Chalhoub Group, feels that in times of recession companies must have the ability to adapt and compete in the changed circumstances. According to him, "Times of recession bring an emphasis on change for both product and brand. Some of them may not have the capacity to adapt, compete or reinvest, while others will thrive in these circumstances†. Starbucks can be taken as an example on how things can go wrong in changed conditions. Starbucks Corporation that was founded in 1971 has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. This chain of coffee houses saw tremendous growth and success and by 2007 had more than 15000 stores around the world. But suddenly in 2007 its performance slipped and its share prices began to decline. A combination of reasons, recession and overexpansion among them, was the cause of this decline. It had to bring back Howard Schultz to revive the company. This paper discusses the challenges of

Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Buddhism - Essay Example It is normally interpreted as good words, good conduct, and good thoughts. This entails giving, compassion, kindness, love, and delight in other people’s joy and all act of generosity and selflessness. Buddhists also directs themselves via the ethic fields with the knowledge of 6 realms. Rebirth is never guaranteed, and committing to bad behaviors will result to suffering bad rebirth ones in hell, animal realms, or even prate. Clear predictions of suffering and the nature of being in the reals are bound in Buddhist literature, apparently to shock and scare followers to improve their conduct. However, the attitude that befalls Buddhism towards bad deeds is more therapeutically rather than heavily judgmental. No believer can be written off beyond the salvation on the ground that what he has done is depicted to be irretrievably bad, evil, sinful, or wicked. Additionally, there has been no attempt to render or condemn those perceived to be guilty. In some instances, they are seen sympathetically, for they develop a path that could easily be followed, But the Law can never be evitable; we reap what and where we have sown. The above is certainly applicable and correct, yet to some extent it is proper to say that the ethics of Buddhism are rooted in rebirth and Karmas. ... Indeed one can say that without the dimensions of life, the ethics would not be there at all. This is because people would be the end product of interactions between molecules from where the consequences of morals would not flow. Therefore, in this scenario the only benchmark for the ethics would be relative, social, subjectively shifting, and based on the biological survival. Buddhism says a lot of the problems and how to solve them. Buddhism teaches people on the basic noble truth. Meaning there are four true facts and four truths that any person can truly realize. The four are certainly the problems that people face in their daily lives. Therefore, the teachings of Buddhism are directed to enable people to overcome the problems they face in life. The methods are very down to earth and very rational. The teachings show that every problem that one experiences came from a cause. It is imperative to look into one life and see the difficulties that one faces. There is no bid difference between the Buddha and the ordinary person. The difference is dwelled in the mind and the action of someone. It is very crucial to appreciate that the earlier Buddhism aspiration has been the wish to be happy together with other people. Buddhism has so believed that it is pure and eternal desire of everyone in the depth of one’s life. The thought is equally and originally inherent in the Buddha lives and in conventional people alike. Anyone who is awakened and lives according to the teaching of Buddha can attain the Buddhahood status by having profound self-esteem that the Buddha has. It is always tricky to see the Buddhahood principle manifesting in the life of a person but as a deal which is unattainable. Few will believe that when respecting other people, is the proper way for

On-Site & Ready-Mix Plaster Comparison Essay Example for Free

On-Site Ready-Mix Plaster Comparison Essay Ready-Mix Spray Plasters – Comparisons FAQ Ready-Mix Spray Plasters are a rapid, cost-effective alternative to traditional (manually mixed manually applied) plaster for finishing external internals walls and ceilings. They are formulated for machine application on fast-track quality building projects. They are supplied as â€Å"dry pre-mixed† to the correct consistency for spray application by Plaster Machines. Ready-Mix Spray plastering has been used in Europe, UK, Far-East for many years and is quickly becoming a widespread alternative to traditional plastering due to both it’s economic benefits and rapid speed of application. What are the Major Differences between: Cement-based: They are used mainly for outdoors, generally for rendering. Cement based plasters can be used indoors for areas that are susceptible to damp and areas that require a greater thickness of cover. What Finishes are available in Ready-Mix Spray Plaster? Normally Ready-Mix Plasters are available in three finishes: Standard smooth Finish – After spray plastering Base Finish costs, the plaster is then manually smoothed over with large spatulas or butterfly trowels to give a smooth hard wearing finish Fine Textured – After spray plastering Base Finish costs, the spray may be left to give a â€Å"textured† finish. Course Textured – After spray plastering Base Finish costs, the spray may be troweled to give a â€Å"textured† finish. For the texture finishes a hard wearing, water resistant material is used which does not need final decoration; ideal for high traffic areas such as stairwells and corridors. What are the Ready-Mix Spray Plaster range? Normally 2 product ranges: Base Plaster: Filler and levelling compound for use over thin joint brick / block systems, uneven in-situ concrete and on refurbishment projects to fill cracks, holes and undulations to prepare surface for final decoration. Normally applied upto 5-10 mm (max. 20 mm) thick in one application. 1 to 2 coats are recommended with 12-24 hrs drying between applications. This is applied using Uelzener Ready-Mix Plaster Machines. Finish Plaster: Normally applied upto 1-2 mm thick as a single top coat on â€Å"Base Plaster† or as a 2 coat finish directly onto smooth backgrounds including pre-cast panels, Aircrete panels, composite boards, and/or refurbishment over previously decorated surfaces. This is applied using Uelzener Ready-Mix Plaster Machines. What is the Coverage of Ready-Mix Spray Plaster? Base Plaster: Normally 1.5–2.0 Kg per m2 at 1 mm thickness Finish Plaster: Normally 1.35-1.5 Kg per m2 Where can Ready-Mix Spray Plaster be used? Ready mix plaster can be applied to almost any substrate including brick work, block work, concrete panels, dry lining, plaster boards, ceramic tiling, artex, wood, glass, steel, old / damaged plaster, and even painted wall coverings (e.g. woodchip). Why should you use Ready-Mix Spray rather than â€Å"traditional on-site† plastering? What are the benefits of â€Å"Ready-Mix Spray Plaster† using UELZENER German Spray Plastering Machines? Quality†¦ * The plaster is supplied â€Å"pre-mixed to the correct consistency† for spray application. * Flexible products: Less likely to crack than plaster skim coats. Final surface is less prone to cracking than traditional plaster. It accommodates normal thermal movement without flaking or chipping. * Non-reactive with all substrates including lime plasters and sand and cement renders. * Offers moisture resistance so suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and changing areas. * Hard Wearing: The material can be specified to be high density and water resistant so is ideal for use in high wear areas such as school and hospital corridors and stair wells. * Specifications: Confirming to DIN, EN, British Standards for Fire Integrity, Acoustic Thermal performance Mechanical strength. * It absorbs and subsequently releases moisture (5-10% of its own weight in water) greatly reducing the incidence of condensation and mould growth. * Insulation properties. Easy†¦ * Can be applied by the same teams applying paint finishes Speed Cost * The use of ready mix plastering over traditional plastering techniques offers significant savings during the project by significantly reducing construction time by optimizing internal fit-out. It’s fast! A two man team can cover between 200 and 500 m2 per day (typically 2-4 times faster than traditional plastering techniques) depending on the substrate. Upto 1,000 m2 per week can be finished by a three man gang. * Surfaces can be emulsion painted 24-48 hrs after final coat (saving project time and cost). * White surface finish reducing paint coats required (saving project time and cost). * Material can be tinted the same colour as the decoration reducing maintenance requirements over a long period (saving project time and cost). * Ease of Access: Heights of upto 3.0-3.5 meters can be plastered without the need for scaffolding or platforms, although brick/block work surface preparation may require scaffolding (Health and Safety).

Media coverage of the african continent

Media coverage of the african continent Introduction This thesis contemplates long standing issues surrounding media coverage of the African continent. Previous studies have shown a systematic trend amongst Western journalists to depict current events in developing nations, particularly African nations, from a negative and oversimplified perspective. It examines why important events in less-developed parts of the world often have their reality distorted in the Western media. Unfortunate precedence has shown that this is particularly relevant to the Western media in the context of its questionable conduct in covering the African continent. The media portrayal of the unrest in Sudans troubled Darfur region appears to reflect the errors that often lurk amidst the work of journalists covering humanitarian catastrophes in distant lands. In spite of Gà ©rard Pruniers assessment of the violence as the â€Å"quintessential ‘African crisis: esoteric, extremely violent, rooted in complex ethnic and historical factors which few understood, and devoid of any identifiable practical interest for rich countries,† Darfur generated an unanticipated amount of interest in the West. It quickly became the cause cà ©là ¨bre amongst people on both sides of the political divide. Darfurs power to transcend politics was most apparent in April 2006 as thousands of Americans converged into the nations capital to appeal for greater action to end the alleged genocide in Sudan. Republican senators joined Democrats such as Barack Obama to urge the Bush administration to take a more decisive approach to tackle the crisis and help refu ges escaping the violence. Although the event attracted prominent speakers including celebrities, politicians, athletes and Noble Peace Prize winners such as Elie Wiesel, the bulk of the crowd was comprised of ordinary Americans who donned blindfolds to urge political decision makers not to look away from the atrocities taking place in Darfur. The medias part in this event cannot be overstated. As conflicts in remote areas of the globe have little impact on the lives of ordinary Western citizens, regardless of the magnitude of the violence, the extent to which an ordinary person knows and cares is entirely contingent on the level of media coverage a conflict is granted. As such, the mass media has massive power in shaping both a governments foreign policy and the publics imagination of situations around the globe. The medias influence in determining the perception of the Darfur conflict was particularly immeasurable because in most instances it was the only image outside observers in the West received of the crisis itself. As a consequence of the medias attentiveness to the unfolding catastrophe in Sudan, they were able to spark a sophisticated and popular human rights campaign. Coupled with advocacy organizations such as the Save Darfur Coalition, an unlikely alliance of liberal and conservative groups, the mainstream med ia in the United States exposed their audiences to the atrocities that were unfolding in the Sub-Saharan nation. Yet, as Darfur burst onto the worlds consciousness in mid-2004 and became the Western medias darling as far as coverage was concerned, depressingly similar outbreaks of violence in Africa at the time, including in Uganda and the Congo, were all but overlooked. As such, this thesis aims to understand how a ‘quintessential African crisis became an international issue that garnered Western empathy and generated an unexpected level of press interest. Essentially, how did an internal crisis in a remote area of Sudan, where the concerns were primarily local, manage to capture the attention of campaigners and writers in the West? If we are to accept Susan Moellers claims that audience sympathies towards foreign deaths have hardened, and that the American public is largely interested in news events related to their own country, how did the narrative of Darfur, a story that does not contain an obvious American connection, overcome public apathy when other tragediesinAfricaare often unab le to? To better understand why Darfur was prioritized in the Western media and to better ascertain why certain foreign events became news the way they do, this thesis will examine the media press coverage of Darfur in the Washington Post and the New York Times during the first three years of the conflict. These two American newspapers were initially chosen for this study because of their high circulation numbers (601,669 and 1.65 million respectively) and the value that both these media organizations place on covering international affairs despite their opposing political leanings. Moreover, during the preliminary selection process to decide which newspapers to analyze in this thesis, it quickly became evident that compared to their rivals, the Washington Post and the New York Times had not employed news wire services such as Reuters and the Associated Press for their articles. These two American newspapers mostly relied upon their own correspondents and journalists to deliver stories from the ground, either from Sudan itself or from neighboring Chad. In addition to the published articles from the Washington Post and the New York Times, Britains Guardian newspaper has been included in this study for critical examination as it offers a unique opportunity to investigate whether a newspapers national affiliation and political culture has any impact on the presentation of the Darfur issue. Methodological Approach And Organization Of This Thesis This thesis is divided into five sections. The second chapter will address the fundamental question: how did the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Guardian report on the Darfur conflict and what were the prominent themes and media framing devices evident in their articles? This chapter will examine the content (what the journalists covered) and the form (how the journalists covered the conflict). Due to the scope of examining three newspapers over a three year period, this thesis will concentrate on critical moments in media reportage of the Darfur disaster. As such, this chapter and the thesis at large is not a quantitative study of the media treatment of Darfur. Rather, it merely attempts to highlight the peaks and lows of media coverage in order to ascertain the reasons behind the fluctuating press interest. Five decisive moments will be studied: 2003 in its entirety, April 2004, June 2004, September 2004 and January 2005 The third chapter will provide an extensive critique of the media representation of the violence in Darfur and scrutinize the themes that emerged from the three newspapers in question. The purpose of this particular section is to address whether the Western newspapers in question appropriately covered or mishandled the Darfur crisis. By exploring the construction of Arab and African identity in the Sudanese context, this thesis will analyze and explain how through the use of emotive language and framing, the American press were able to create and solidify a misleading image of the crisis as a genocidal campaign instigated by Arabs against an indigenous African population. It will address the controversy surrounding Darfurs genocide status under international law. With this objective in mind, this thesis will refer to ‘genocide only as it was defined by the United Nations in 1948. This chapter also seeks to expose important dimensions to the conflict that many journalists overlo oked as they peddled one convenient version of the violence at the expense of critical evidence. The latter part of the thesis will draw upon seminal postcolonial theory to explain why Darfur captured the public imagination and the attention of Western journalists. It will examine whether the medias interest and frequent misrepresentation of Darfur can be read in the larger context of a new Orientalist discourse. This chapter will also endeavor to explore the possible reasons and motives behind the Western media interest in Darfur. Literature Review Foreign news stories related to the African continent are often characterized by images of tribal warfare, rampant disease, political instability, famine and despotic regimes. These unpleasant misrepresentations of African issues have been closely studied since the ‘New World Information and Communication Order debates of the 1970s. The historical media debates were instigated by developing non-aligned states as a response to the lopsided transfer of mass communication content from Western nations to poorer nations that often reflected the preferences of Western news agencies. Scholars such as Hassan M. El Zein, Anne Cooper and Melissa Wall have all acknowledged its relevance to contemporary media discussions. These scholars insist that the tendency amongst Western media organizations to disproportionately focus on the negative, the violent and the exotic when it comes to covering developing regions and particularly African issues did not end with the great media debates of the 1970s. Their findings are not dissimilar to Abiodun Goke-Pariolas contention that the Africa continent as a whole suffers from a long practice of media neglect and when African issues are eventually acknowledged in the Western press, the stories and images are permeated with stereotypes and tropes that have persisted since the time of slavery and imperialism. The fifty-three distinct nations that make the African continent are often treated as a homogenous entity comprised of uncivilized heathens who are unable to govern themselves. If and when Africans are shown in the western media, Goke-Pariola argues that they are regularly portrayed to be poor, helpless and malnourished. Michael Maren points out that such graphic descriptions and imagery work to advance the notion that the inhabitants of African are reliant on the compassionate West for their survival. Whilst reports in the Western press about conflicts on the African continent are frequently crisis-driven in such a way as to insinuate that the inhabitants are naturally more prone to violence, journalists rarely make mention of the Wests connection to the violence. In his article titled American Media and African Culture, Bosah Ebo emphasizes the lack of historical context in media stories about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Ebo notes that Western journalists covering Rwanda repeatedly failed to make the association between the ongoing civil war and the impact of the Belgian colonial legacy of politicizing Rwandan ethnicity by pitting Hutus against Tutsis in their ‘divide and rule strategy. Instead, the genocide was portrayed as another African crisis fuelled by irrational tribal hatred. Wall echoes similar sentiments in a comparative study of the Rwandan and Bosnian crises. In her analysis of American newspaper coverage of the two conflicts, Wall found that whilst the ethnically motivated violence in Bosnia was framed as an aberration for Europeans, despite the largest genocide occurring in Germany, the conflict in Rwanda was portrayed as standard behavior for Africans. David Gordon and Howard Wolpe have claimed that this level of misinterpretation and formulaic media treatment of the African ‘continent as little more than a gigantic basket case leaves Western audiences with an unconscious sense of cultural, intellectual and political superiority. As most Americans have never visited Africa and probably never will, the images of the African continent that most Americans hold to be real and authentic come courtesy of the media. This view of Africa as the ‘dark continent is primarily based on press coverage and is also ‘an outgrowth of a deeply burie d, fundamental set of cultural assumptions about race and civilization that have been building in Western culture for at least four hundred years. Despite this extensive scholarship on the mass medias portrayal of Africa, modest research exits in the field of Darfur and the media. Much like David Campbells Geopolitics and Visuality: Sighting the Darfur conflict, this thesis is limited to the study of contemporary events in Western Sudan. In his study of the photo-journalism of the Darfur conflict, Campbell found that most photos were graphic images of starving and dying women and babies in refugee camps. Unlike Campbells study however, this thesis attempts to go beyond content analysis that largely corroborates prior studies on media casing of African issues. It endeavors to comprehend the outpouring of humanitarian good will that the atrocities in Darfur produced in the West and the possibility that strategic geopolitical interests played a role in the medias intense interest in the conflict. Pippa Norris, Politics and the Press: The News Media and Their Influences (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1997), 23; Eronini R. Megwa and Ike S. Ndolo, â€Å"Media image and development: political and economic implications of U. S. media coverage of Africa,† in Development and democratization in the Third World: myths, hopes, and realties, ed. Kenneth E. Bauzon (Washington: Crane Russak, 1992), 267-272. Gà ©rard Prunier, Darfur: the ambiguous genocide (New York: Cornell University Press, 2005), 124. For a detailed analysis of media power and the CNN effect, the theory that postulates that the modern mass media have a significant bearing on the conduct of foreign policy, see Piers Robinson, â€Å"Operation Restore Hope and the Illusion of a News Driven Media Intervention.† Political Studies 49 (2001): 942. Prunier, Darfur: the ambiguous genocide, 124. Susan D. Moeller, Compassion fatigue: how the media sell disease, famine, war, and death (London: Routledge, 1999), 11. William Preston, Jr., Edward S. Herman, and Herbert I. Schiller, Hope folly: the United States and Unesco, 1945-1985 (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1989), 296. A.Goke-Pariola, Africa in the â€Å"New World Order†: Old Assumptions, Myths, and Reality, available from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED347842; [24 June 2009] Michael Maren, The road to hell: the ravaging effects of foreign aid and international charity (New York: Free Press, 1997), 13. Bosah Ebo, â€Å"American Media and African Culture† in Africas media image, ed.Beverly G. Hawk (New York: Praeger, 1992), 18. Ibid. Melissa Wall, â€Å"A pernicious new strain of the Old Nazi virus and an orgy of tribal slaughter: A comparison of US news magazine coverage of the crises in Bosnia and Rwanda.† 59 (1997): 411-428 David F.Gordon, Howard Wolpe, â€Å"The Other Africa: An End to Afro-Pessimism.† World Policy Journal 15 (1998): 9 E. J. Murphy, The African Mythology: Old and New. (Storrs, CT: World Education Project, 1973), 1. David Campbell, â€Å"Geopolitics and visuality: Sighting the Darfur conflict,† Political Geography 26, (2007): 357-382.

Internet Cookies :: Essays Papers

Internet Cookies Most Experienced Web visitors and even new ones know about cookies these days. Cookies are small data files that are being put on your hard drive by Web sites when you visit them. They do this for many different reasons. One of them is to identify you as a distinctive visitor by identifying your Web browser software. When your return to the Web site that has stored a cookie, it will search your computer for those cookies, and they will know what you were doing in the past. It may update your cookie. This way the site can customize its contents depending on previous activities. It will also allow the site to provide customized news, weather, sports information, and many other things based on stated interests. In theory, a cookie only transmits information back to the Web site that put it there and can’t be accessed by other parties. But some Internet advertising companies had crossed the limits of using their own cookies. These companies use cookies to create highly sophisticated profiles of online visitors, most of the time without visitors’ knowledge and usually without their consent DoubleClick Whenever I go to any site on the Web and I see an advertisement, I DoubleClick on it in order to view it. DoubleClick has taken the first step in building a profile on my surfing habits. From this point on, until I change browser, buy a new computer, or delete my cookie files, DoubleClick can track my browser’s activity across all sites. DoubleClick controls sixty percent of the banner ad market. This profiling powerhouse collects data about where I go and what I do on line. DoubleClick rents or sells this data to other companies, allowing them to broadcast advertising e-mails to recipients whoses urfing habits fit a desired profile. DoubleClick associates these files through cookies obtained on my hard drive. By sending out junk e-mail with graphics, advertisers can match e-mail addresses with previously issued cookies. Privacy advocates contend that DoubleClick’s use of cookies is an invasion of privacy and could lead to misuse of the information. Consumer Privacy and Cookies Under the â€Å"Options† or â€Å"Preferences â€Å" menus, most current Web browsers can be set to reject cookies or alert surfers when one is being sent, but this may prevent you from accessing some sites at all.

Virtual Communities: A Sociological Perspective From Pastoral Village t

The technical, functional, and symbolic characteristics of the Internet may have changed the ways that communities are formed and experienced through a decentralized global communication network that transcends physical time and space. While this notion of â€Å"virtual community† is closely associated with the emergence of information communication technologies (ICTs), the idea that communities can be seen as series of social ties that vary in density, size and nature is not a novel concept. The rise of cities and urban centers as a result of industrialization have long concerned sociologists, many of whom (e.g., Wirth, 1938; Woodsworth, 1911) feared that traditional social relations that permeated folk communities may be transformed and even threatened by the growth of contemporary metropolis. The development of traditional mass media (e.g., print, radio, and television) had contributed to the process of urbanization by serving as a means of communication for both social an d commercial activities. To understand what the Internet may mean for human communities in today’s social and technological context, it is necessary to first explore the changing conception of â€Å"community† before the arrival of computers. While the existence of a community is typically defined by the types of social ties formed by its members (e.g., family or work) and by the physical boundaries that it occupies (e.g., neighborhoods or towns), the idea of community can be traced to ancient social and political thought, ranging from the five fundamental relationships in Confucianism to Plato’s ideal republic. During the Enlightenment period, philosophers such as Locke (1988/1689) and Rousseau (1998/1762) wrote extensively about the ways in which individuals enter t... ...ace of community in the age of digital communication technologies. As a result, it is the person, rather than issues associated with the change in physical environment (e.g., urbanization, migration), becomes the new focus of the community research in the information age from a sociological standpoint. For example, what motivates individuals to join virtual communities? In what frequency and capacity do individuals interact with multiple social groups? And to maintain what kind of social relations? These are some of the emerging questions that community scholars will soon have to answer. It is for this reason that the study of community must move beyond the realm of sociology and incorporate perspectives from psychology in order to obtain a more compete picture of what has, and what has not, changed as a result of the networked environment at the individual level.

A Reflection on Plan Evaluation

Topic: PLAN EVALUATION REFLECTION In this topic plan evaluation, I now understand why we always have visitors from the division, region and even from the central office visiting our school to evaluate and observe how things are being carried out. In my three years of service in the government, there was no school year that there was no evaluation. Seeing them holding some checklists made us tremble while asking us things and observing our classes.Being new in the system I wondered and ask myself, is it proper that after evaluation they will have feed backing so that we will be able to know what areas we need to improve and what are their suggestions for the betterment of our school and children. That is one thing that I had observed that after evaluation, results of the observation were not discussed for improvement sake. As I go over with my topic in plan evaluation I was enlightened why they regularly conduct evaluation and why we were not informed about the results of the evaluati on.It was then that the results were for the policy makers, program directors and direct program staff consumption only. If given a chance in the future to plan for an evaluation, I would suggest that any corrections or any part of the program that need some improvement, during the onset of evaluation, feed baking should took place right after the evaluation so that the implementers of the program (teachers) will be able to know where they need some polishing that will be congruent with the objectives of the program.During the design of the evaluation process it would be better if local persons and all those who are involved in the implementation of the program will be present during the discussion period so that opinions are expressed and be validated, for everybody has its part to the success of the program. All evaluation plans should identify both participants and stakeholders, and should include the relevant items developed in the evaluation process.In the monitoring aspect, I would go with the combination of performance evaluation and evaluation done on a continuing program because this will measure the impact of the program on the society or on the people. This is done to improve continuously the performance of the program period after period and in the same way this will enable planners identify shortcomings and can devise remedial actions while the plan/program is still in progress.Thorough studies should be done on what evaluation design will be best applicable to a program and I would recommend applying it or testing first the evaluation design on small population prior to the piloting. Through this, monitoring and evaluation will be manageable and any unexpected occurrences in the program will be observed right away and be given solution.Revisions of the program can be done as early as this stage. Lastly, ensure that the evaluation will be as fair, accurate, and effective as possible. The use of specific tools can help in the success of the project like annual reports, quarterly or monthly reports from the monitoring system, and anything else should equally agreed between the organization and the evaluation team.

Agricultural enterprises seeking to employ management accounting techniques Essay

Yes. I think the case study with its proposed solutions would be useful to the agricultural enterprises seeking to employ management accounting techniques. It is because the study adopts the activity-based method of costing product and cost allocations. Activities are the main focus on activity-based costing. The main theory in ABC is that overhead costs are originated by an array of movements, and those different products make use of these activities in a heterogeneous way. Costing the activity is normally an in-between step in the distribution of overhead costs to products, to acquire more precise product cost information. However, occasionally the activity itself is the cost object of interest. Like for example, manager of a company might desire to know how much the company spends to acquire their raw materials, as input in a sourcing judgment. The activity of acquiring the raw materials incurs costs associated with negotiating prices with suppliers, issuing purchase orders, receiving fabric, inspecting fabric, and processing payments and returns. The steps to product costing are: 1) Identify the cost; 2) Identify the direct costs associated with the cost object; 3) Identify overhead costs; 4) Select the cost allocation base for assigning overhead costs to the cost object; and 5) Develop the overhead rate per unit for allocating overhead to the cost object. ABC improves steps #3 and #4 dividing large heterogeneous cost groups into multiple smaller, homogeneous cost groups. ABC then tries to choose, as the cost allocation base for each overhead cost pool, a cost driver that best takes hold the cause and effect relationship between the cost object and the incurrence of overhead costs. Usually the best cost driver is a non-financial variable. ABC can moderately turn out to be elaborate. For example, it is frequently helpful to use a two-stage allocation method whereby overhead costs are allocated to intermediate cost groups in the first phase, and then allocated from these intermediate cost groups to products in the second phase. Intermediate step is useful because it permits the introduction of multiple cost drivers for a single overhead cost item. Cost pools are usually established for each level in a hierarchy of costs in an activity-based costing. The following cost hierarchy is commonly identified for manufacturing firms: Unit-level costs. These costs change in a more-or-less linear manner with the number of units produced for any given product. For example, fabric and thread are unit-level costs for a clothing manufacturer; if the company would like to increase production by 100%, it will need twice as much fabric and thread. Batch-level costs. These costs change in a more-or-less linear mode with the number of batches run. Machine setup costs are regularly batch-level costs. The time needed to prepare a machine to run one batch of product is usually independent of the number of units in the batch; the same time required in preparing the machine to run a batch of 100 units as a batch of 50 units. Consequently, batch level costs do not necessarily differ in a linear way with the number of units processed. Product-level costs: These costs are regularly fixed and direct with respect to a given product. An example is the salary of a product manager with responsibility for only one product. The product manager’s salary is a fixed cost to the company for a wide range of production volume levels. However, if the company removes the product totally, the product manager is not anymore needed. Facility-level costs. These costs are usually fixed and direct with respect to the facility. An example is property taxes on the facility, or the salaries of front office personnel such as the receptionist and office manager. ABC provides more exact product cost information because traditional costing systems commonly distribute all overhead, including batch-level overhead, using an allocation base that is suitable only for unit-level costs. The traditional costing system distributes all overhead based on number of units produced. ABC method clearly identifies the cost  hierarchy would correct this problem. ABC could be effectively applied in merchandising and service companies as well as manufacturing firms. Although, originally ABC is attributed to manufacturing companies in the 1980s, by then hospitals were already allocating overhead costs to departments and then to patient services using methods comparable to ABC. Implementations of relatively sophisticated allocation processes were required in hospitals to comply with Medicare reimbursement rules. Other non-manufacturing industries that have benefited from ABC include financial services firms and retailers. 2. If the Farm Council Case did not use Activity Based Costing, identify several dysfunctional decisions that could be made using traditional cost allocation. Which solution do you prefer, the initial or alternative solution proposed in the case? Unlike ABC, the traditional costing system distributes all overhead based on number of units produced which resulted to inappropriate identification of the cost hierarchy. Thus product costing and pricing is not at all very precise and effective.

Classic Airlines and Marketing Essay

Classic Airlines in an airline company that has been in business for over 25 years and has gained great success within the airline industry. In the 25 years since its creation the company has grown to over 32,000 employees and has generated 10 billion dollars worth of business. Although the company has seen great success, it also is subjected to the many challenges that other airlines companies face in today’s market. Classic airlines must be able to market its product so that customers will pick there product over competitors within the industry (University of Phoenix, 2012). There are several marketing concepts that Classic airlines have applied and are using in their business. The first marketing concept that Classic airlines use is the needs, wants, and demands concept. This concept is applied by understanding the needs, wants, and demands of the customer. The way Classic airlines have done this is create a rewards program for the customer. This feels the need for a customer to get something for a reduced price. If the customer has enough miles they can upgrade to first class or stay at a Classic airlines hotel partner for a free night (Kotler & Keller, 2006). The second concept that Classic airlines have applied to their business strategy is offering and brands. This concept is applied by a firm by offering benefits to a customer that fills needs and using brands that are a known commodity. The Classic airlines rewards program is a perfect example of this marketing concept. The airline offers if a customer signs up for the rewards program they will gain points which can be redeemed for free or reduced items. Although in the reading it does not state what hotel companies are partners of Classic airlines they should make sure that these hotels are name brand hotels such as Marriott or the Hilton so customers feel they are getting a premium brand (Kotler & Keller, 2006). The third marketing concept that Classic airlines applies is value and satisfaction. The concept is successful if it delivers value and satisfaction to the customer. The customer must be able to choose between different options to determine what the best value is for them. Classic does this with the rewards program. It gives customers options on what value they use once they earn a certain number of miles. This is a great marketing ploy for Classic airlines because it allows the customer to feel as they have the power in the situation and they are able to pick what option is best for their situation. All three of the above marketing concepts are used by Classic in some way through the rewards program. They are very smart because they use a combination of these concepts to create the rewards program. Classic knows that they are successful as long as the customers are happy. The rewards program allows the customer to receive benefits for staying loyal to Classic airlines(Kotler & Kelle r, 2006).