Free Essays on 1950s And Today

The 1950s and Today As time changes so does the world. Every day we live becomes a memory for tomorrow. As I look back at these memories, I am able to notice the difference of life today. Today and the 1950s have only a few things in common. The government is pretty much the same, baseball is still loved by all Americans, and automobiles are the number one mode of transportation. Although they share some similarities, there are more things different between now and the 1950s. Compared to fifty years ago, technology is at its finest, the cost of living is at its highest, and our moral values are at their lowest.Our technology today is greater than ever before. Every year science continues to amaze us. In 1950 space travel was just an idea. Now days people go into space all the time. I think the best example of the difference in technology is the computer. Fifty years ago computers were very rare. They were only found in high-tech laboratories such as NASA. Also they were the size of refrigerators, some a s big as a movie theater screen. Today we have computers in almost every home. Some are as small as a notebook, and can fit right on your lap. With the way technology has changed since 1950, you can only imagine what to expect fifty years from now. Cost of living is another major difference from 1950. It costs over five times as much to live today as it did back then. Every year inflation continues to grow. The value of a dollar today is nothing compared to what it used to be. A gallon of gas now costs nearly two dollars, as apposed to then when it was less than a dime. The price of housing has increased dramatically. You used to be able to buy a decent home for the price you have to pay for rent these days. Back then if you wanted to buy a car, you could pick up a nice one for only a few hundred. Now a days, that is hardly enough for a down payment. Every day living was a small fraction of what it would cost to survive to... Free Essays on 1950s And Today Free Essays on 1950s And Today The 1950s and Today As time changes so does the world. Every day we live becomes a memory for tomorrow. As I look back at these memories, I am able to notice the difference of life today. Today and the 1950s have only a few things in common. The government is pretty much the same, baseball is still loved by all Americans, and automobiles are the number one mode of transportation. Although they share some similarities, there are more things different between now and the 1950s. Compared to fifty years ago, technology is at its finest, the cost of living is at its highest, and our moral values are at their lowest.Our technology today is greater than ever before. Every year science continues to amaze us. In 1950 space travel was just an idea. Now days people go into space all the time. I think the best example of the difference in technology is the computer. Fifty years ago computers were very rare. They were only found in high-tech laboratories such as NASA. Also they were the size of refrigerators, some as big as a movie theater screen. Today we have computers in almost every home. Some are as small as a notebook, and can fit right on your lap. With the way technology has changed since 1950, you can only imagine what to expect fifty years from now. Cost of living is another major difference from 1950. It costs over five times as much to live today as it did back then. Every year inflation continues to grow. The value of a dollar today is nothing compared to what it used to be. A gallon of gas now costs nearly two dollars, as apposed to then when it was less than a dime. The price of housing has increased dramatically. You used to be able to buy a decent home for the price you have to pay for rent these days. Back then if you wanted to buy a car, you could pick up a nice one for only a few hundred. Now a days, that is hardly enough for a down payment. Every day living was a small fraction of what it would cost to survive to...

The Ancient Greek Underworld and Hades

The Ancient Greek Underworld and Hades What happens after you die? If you were an ancient Greek, but not too deep-thinking a philosopher, the chances are you would have thought you went to Hades or the Greek Underworld. The Afterlife or Hereafter in the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome takes place in an area often referred to as the Underworld or Hades (although sometimes the location is described as a distant portion of the earth): The Underworld, because it is in the sunless regions under the earth.Hades Realm (or Hades) because the Underworld was Hades third of the cosmos, just as the sea was the god Poseidons (Neptune, to the Romans) and the sky, the god Zeus (Jupiter, to the Romans). Hades is sometimes referred to euphemistically as Pluto, which refers to his wealth, but the Lord of the Underworld had little in the way of a following. Underworld Myths Perhaps the most familiar story about the Underworld is that of Hades taking an unwilling young goddess Persephone below the earth to live with him as his queen. While Persephone was allowed back to the land of the living, because she had eaten (pomegranate seeds) while with Hades, she had to return to Hades every year. Other stories include Theseus being trapped on a throne in the Underworld and various heroic voyages to rescue people down below. Nekuia Several myths involve a voyage to the Underworld (nekuia*) to obtain information. These voyages are made by a living hero, usually, the son of a god, but in one case a fully mortal woman. Because of the details of these trips, even at such a great remove both in time and space, we know some details of ancient Greek visions of Hades realm. For instance, access to the Underworld is somewhere in the west. We also have a literary idea of whom one might meet at the end of ones life, should this particular vision of the after-death happen to be valid. Life in the Underworld The Underworld is not entirely unlike Heaven/Hell, but its not the same, either. The Underworld has a glorious area known as the Elysian Fields, which is similar to Heaven. Some Romans tried to make the area around the burial site of prominent wealthy citizens resemble the Elysian Fields [Burial Customs of the Romans, by John L. Heller; The Classical Weekly (1932), pp.193-197]. The Underworld has the dark or murky, torturous area known as Tartarus, a pit beneath the earth, corresponding with Hell and also the home of Night (Nyx), according to Hesiod. The Underworld has special areas for various types of deaths  and contains the Plain of Asphodel, which is the joyless realm of ghosts. This last is the main area for the souls of the dead in the Underworld neither torturous nor pleasant, but worse than life. Like the Christian Judgment Day and the ancient Egyptian system, which uses scales to weigh the soul to judge ones fate, which could be an afterlife better than the earthly one or an eternal end in the jaws of Ammit, the ancient Greek Underworld employs 3 (formerly mortal) judges. House of Hades and Hades Realm Helpers Hades, who is not the god of death, but of the dead, is Lord of the Underworld. He doesnt manage the limitless Underworld denizens on his own  but has many helpers. Some led their earthly lives as mortals specifically, those selected as judges; others are gods. Hades sits on the Underworld throne, in his own House of Hades, beside his wife, the queen of Hades realm, Persephone.Near them is Persephones assistant, a powerful goddess in her own right, Hecate.One of the attributes of the messenger and commerce god Hermes that of Hermes Psychopomp puts Hermes in contact with the Underworld on a regular basis.Personifications of various sorts reside in the Underworld and some of the creatures of death and the Afterlife appear to be on the periphery.Thus the boatman, Charon, who ferries the souls of the deceased across, might not actually be described as inhabiting the Underworld, but the area around it.We mention this because people argue over similar matters like whether Hercules went all the way to the Underworld when he rescued Alcestis from Death (Thanatos). For non-academic purposes, whatever the shady area in which Thanatos looms may be considered part of the Underworld complex. *You may see the word katabasis instead of nekuia. Katabasis refers to a descent and can refer to the walk down to the Underworld. Which Is Your Favorite Underworld Myth? Hades is Lord of the Underworld, but he doesnt manage the Underworlds limitless denizens on his own. Hades has many helpers. Here are 10 of the most important gods and goddesses of the Underworld: Hades- Lord of the Underworld. Combined with Plutus (Pluto) lord of wealth. Although there is another god who is the official god of death, sometimes Hades is considered to be Death. Parents: Cronus and RheaPersephone- (Kore) Wife of Hades and queen of the Underworld. Parents: Zeus and Demeter or Zeus and StyxHecate- A mysterious nature goddess associated with sorcery and witchcraft, who went with Demeter to the Underworld to fetch Persephone, but then stayed to assist Persephone. Parents: Perses (and Asteria) or Zeus and Asteria (a second-generation Titan) or Nyx (Night) or Aristaios or Demeter (see Theoi Hecate)Erinyes- (Furies) The Erinyes are goddesses of vengeance who pursue their victims even after death. Euripides lists three. These are Alecto, Tisiphone, and Megaera. Parents: Gaia and the blood from the castrated Uranus or Nyx (Night) or Darkness or Hades (and Persephone) or Poine (see Theoi Erinyes)Charon- The son of Erebus (also a region of the Underworld in which both the Elysian Fields and the Plain of Asphodel are found) and the Styx, Charon is the ferryman of the dead who takes an obol from the mouth of each dead person for each soul he ferries over to the Underworld. Parents: Erebus and NyxAlso, note the Etruscan god Charun. Thanatos- Death [Latin: Mors]. A son of Night, Thanatos is the brother of Sleep (Somnus or Hypnos) who along with the gods of dreams seem to inhabit the Underworld. Parents: Erebus (and Nyx)Hermes- A conductor of dreams and a chthonian god, Hermes Psychopompous herds the dead towards the Underworld. He is shown in art conveying the dead to Charon. Parents: Zeus (and Maia) or Dionysus and AphroditeJudges: Rhadamanthus, Minos, and Aeacus.Rhadamanthus and Minos were brothers. Both Rhadamanthus and Aeacus were renowned for their justice. Minos gave laws to Crete. They were rewarded for their endeavors with the position of judge in the Underworld. Aeacus holds the keys to Hades. Parents: Aeacus: Zeus and Aegina; Rhadamanthus and Minos: Zeus and EuropaStyx- Styx lives at the entrance to Hades. Styx is also the river that flows around the Underworld. Her name is taken only for the most solemn oaths. Parents: Oceanus (and Tethys) or Erebus and NyxCerberus- Cerberus was the serpent-tailed 3- or 50-headed hell-hound Hercules was told to bring up to the land of the living as part of his labors. The task of Cerberus was to guard the gates of Hades realm to make sure no ghosts escaped. Parents: Typhon and Echidna

Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Project Management - Essay Example Carly's ability to become an effective group leader is definitely in question since according to the other team members she is the real reason for the conflict and not Morris as she claimed. I feel she was using Morris as an excuse to divert responsibility for not completing project tasks in a timely manner. As an individual Carly must work on improving her management and communications skills as well as improve her emotional intelligence since this situation was completely avoidable. I think her mistakes and dysfunctional emotional conflict with Morris might have been the main contributing factor for the project delays and lack of group cohesiveness. 2) I think Carly was being blinded by her own emotions and insecurities. From what the other team members mentioned they felt that she was treating Morris unfairly as compared to other team members. Since the other team members felt Morris was not causing any problems there was no real reason or excuse for her to confront. The reality w as that Carly was the root of the conflict and not vice versa (Umsl). I think that Carly would benefit from having a one to one conversation with Morris in order to vent out her concerns and fears. As an individual Carly needs to figure out ways to better communicate her emotions without falling into destructive patterns or behaviors that only create unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings. Morris would probably be shocked, but not necessarily surprised by some the fabrications or negative ideas that Carly probably harbors about him. He would probably be more open to keeping the lines of communication open between team members in order to resolve underlying conflicts that will continue to affect team performance if the underlying causes for the conflict are not addressed. 3) Overall there is a definite lack of group cohesiveness between all team members not just Carly and Morris. The lack of open lines of communication between team members is an overall symptom of the underlying tensions and climate of mistrust that Carly as a team project leader has created. Since the team members were aware of Carly's unfair treatment towards one of the team members, their responsibility as a group was to address the problem directly and not let an individual team member's actions negatively affect the overall group performance. As a functional team all members are responsible for team performance, they as a functional group should have discussed ways to address the issue and resolve the underlying dysfunctional conflicts for the benefit of the whole. I think that the group would benefit from participating in a one day conflict management and effective communication seminar in order to empower, educate, and provide all team members with the knowledge and a set of tools to better deal with all types of functional and dysfunctional conflicts that are commonly encountered in group settings. During the seminar the expert speaker and psychologist could have a short 15 minute individual session with all team

Abuse Neglect Or Nothing to Worry about Case Study

Abuse Neglect Or Nothing to Worry about - Case Study Example Broudy for assistance. She notes that Kim had shown her cuts on her body and confessed that she was fed up with her condition. While Kim had revealed that her father was involved in her condition, Mary suspected domestic molestation or ‘self-infliction’, concerns that she communicated to Ms. Broudy. Broudy determined to help but Kim was not willing to open up. As a result, Broudy reported the matter to the school principle and counselor but they took no action. Kim’s parents were equally unconcerned about her condition. Possible action for Ms. Broudy Ms. Broudy’s position identified her as a custodian to students while within the school’s premises. She also had a moral obligation as a member of the society to ensure others’ well being. A number of ethical issues therefore arise to determine possible courses of action for any person in Bourdy’s position. She was for example bound by ethical principles of â€Å"respect for the dignity of persons, responsible caring, and responsibility to society† (Pope and Vasquez, p. 93, 94). As a result, Bourdy was under ethical obligation to protect any of her students from any form of bodily degradation such as molestation or physical abuse. The duty of care and social responsibility also required her to protect students from possible ‘self-inflicted’ harm. ... My decision to talk to Kim and finally report the matter to the administration would be supported by â€Å"consequentialist theory† that values impacts of a decision or an action. This is because if successful, such actions would help Kim out of her problem. I would also consider reporting the matter to law enforcement agency if the school failed to help Kim (Strike and Soltis, p. 158- 160). Neglect or abuse Possibility of neglect Neglect defines failure to provide for and protect a child from harm. Based on the facts of the case, if the parents were not involved in abusing Kim, then they were responsible for negligence. This is because the parents had evidently failed to take actions to protect their child from her source of harm. The injuries having been on Kim’s wrist suggested that the parents were aware of what their child was going through but did not bother to seek a solution. Similarly, their response when called upon by the school’s administration also i ndicated lack of interest in protecting Kim from her problem. While her mother did not even comment on the matter, her father disregarded it. Kim’s parents were therefore negligent for failing to protect her from her deteriorating condition. They, contrary to Mary and Broudy’s actions, communicated lack of social responsibility, disregard to other people’s welfare and lack of the moral doctrine of utilitarianism. The parents were as a result neglecting indicators of Kim’s problems that remained unsolved (Pope and Vasquez, p. 93, 94). Difference between neglect and abuse While abuse involves direct infliction of harm to a person, neglect relates to failure to ensure a person’s safety from harm. Neglect is therefore an act of omission while abuse is an act of

Early Italian Renaissance Essay Example for Free

Early Italian Renaissance Essay The intellectual concepts as well as the trends during a particular period in time are manifested in various ways. One means by which the situations in a specific time frame could be express is through the arts. Arts in the form of paintings, statues, and even in the construction of church or basilicas also symbolize the kind of thinking during the era that they were created. This is evident during the early Italian renaissance wherein the art forms during that time embodies the intellectual concerns of their society. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia (2007), the art forms created in this geographic part of the world that is now known as the country of Italy. The art works produced in this country have motivate the public interest and participation that is why there is a continuous production of monumental and spectacular art forms. In relation to this, Italian works of art has almost always been related with the intellectual as well as the religious events of the time. Furthermore, Italian art has been continuous source of inspiration for many people. The early Italian renaissance art is characterized by its observance of the medieval art, which gives priority to religious traditions and belief. However, it introduced a new idea, which is the importance given to the value and capability of the human person. This kind of mentality is the main idea that the renaissance period emphasized. Great artists like Guido of Siena, Cimabue, and Duccio di Buoninsegna have created many paintings that retain the Byzantine conventions that adhere to religious arts but they also established a new naturalism and a direct importance to human emotions in their art. This is greatly exemplified by the sculpture of Nicola Pisano as well as the fresco painting of Pietro Cavallini in Rome (Columbia Encyclopedia, 2007). The early Italian renaissance is the starting point wherein various art forms flourished. It was also during this time that paintings exhibit a new life and warmth that is similar to the intellectual revolution that is happening in the country in the light of renaissance. Reference ________. (2007). Italian Art. The Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 1, 2008, from http://www. bartleby. com/65/it/Ital-art. html.

The Truth about Hackers Essay -- Hacking Computers Crackers Essays

The Truth about Hackers The Truth about Hackers In the winter of the year 2000 an eighteen year old hacker, who went by the name Curador accessed about 26, 000 credit card numbers and put them on the internet. With the help of an ex-hacker, Curador was eventually tracked down and sentenced. All of this was explained in a frontline interview with Curador himself also known as Raphael Gray. Who are these so called hackers? Are peoples assumptions about teenage hackers correct? In 1995 the movie Hackers portrayed the images and lifestyles of hackers similar to the one mentioned above. The characters in Hackers show a media example of finding themselves in cyberspace by forming a community which creates their own boundaries. According to Coppin, hacking is the process of writing and reading code. People who code in an open range of society are hackers. The term a hack is often meant as a fast and dirty solution. Hackers are often confused with hackers are crackers. Crackers are people who break into or crack co mputer security systems (Coppin). In Hackers, high school cyberpunk teenagers get together and associate with the rave lifestyle known as techno. Due to the medias portrayal of the average hacker, people constantly associate hackers as teens with a love for techno music and rave-like gatherings. This is not necessarily true. Anyone can be a hacker. Even those with a family, a job, and an ideal lifestyle, including females have the potential of being a hacker. Therefore, no stereotypical labels should be placed on hackers due to their possible diversity. Hackers influences the way people tend to associate how everyday hackers are supposed to be. Hackers also show how hackers form their own cyber communities. They share simil... ...se would not have been solved. Work Cited Coppin, Sharon. Computer Hacking Statistics. August 2003. 30 September 2003. Gordon, Sarah. Studying the Psychology of Virus Writers and Hackers. March 2003. 30 September 2003. Gray, (Curador) Raphael. Who are Hackers? March 2003. 30 September 2003. Hackers. Dir. Iain Softly. Metro Goldwyn Mayer, 1995. Holeton, Richard. Composing Cyberspace Identity, Community, and Knowledge in the Electronic Age. The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. 1998. Reid and Count Zero. Cult of the Dead Cow. March 2003. 30 September 2003.

Mitsubishi Corporation Analysis

Capital structure in Japan has been noted to be more highly leveraged than comparative North American firms which brings to mind the question: how is it that Japanese firms have been able to take on such high levels of debt? The answer lies in the environment that Japanese firms have been operating in. More specifically, the levels of debt are likely to have been induced by the lack of alternative sources of finance because of the effect of government regulations, and the different ownership structure in Japanese firms (with institutional lenders being major equity holders). So, the higher leverage has been a consequence of the conditions that Japanese business face-with a more pronounced effect (due to relationships) in companies which are in corporate groups known as keiretsu. These conditions were characteristic of the past. As the benefits of debt are well known in finance theory (tax shields, signaling etc.), the lack of independence and efficiency in decision making borne by Japanese managers seem to be the costs. The result for some firms has been a reduction in debt levels to those more resembling U.S. companies. The questions now have become: What is the optimal debt level for a Japanese firm? Should firms still be taking advantage of the benefits of their keiretsu relationship that have allowed them to take on such levels of debt? Our analysis focuses on Mitsubishi Corporation, a core conglomerate that is part of the larger Mitsubishi Group keiretsu having the capital structure characteristics mentioned above. The report will first explore the circumstances that may have induced Mitsubishi to its present capital structure, then look at more recent events and trends that may affect future financing decisions, and conclude with the Mitsubishi capital structure/optimum debt level analysis. Japanese corporations have outpaced rival firms in the US and Europe in terms of capital investment throughout the 1970†³s and into the 1980†³s. One of the main reasons behind the high level of investment is the better access to capital that Japanese firms have compared to their western counterparts-the result is that Japanese firms seem to have more debt than their U.S. counterparts. A common motive for taking on more debt is for the tax advantages, but there is little to suggest that there is much difference in the taxation systems between the two countries to support such a reason . The most likely factor for this trend in Japan has been the result of the close relationships that Japanese firms have with each other in a keiretsu. In Japan the majority of companies are formed into enterprise groups called keiretsu (which translates as â€Å"series† or â€Å"group†. The basic features of a keiretsu are as follows: cross-share holding agreements, interlocking directorates, intra-group financing, joint investing, and a consistent pattern of dealing among group members. The largest of the keiretsu are Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Fuji, Daiichi Kangyo, and Sanwa (the latter three are centered around Japan†s largest commercial banks. Together, these six corporate groups account for a quarter of total Japanese business assets. Prior to the Second World War, several large monopolistic companies dominated Japanese industry. They were known as zaibatsu – the dominant four were Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Yasuda. During the post-war Occupation the holding companies of the zaibatsu that controlled member firms were dissolved. Many firms subsequently regrouped to create the keiretsu we see today. Types of keiretsu: Vertical and Horizontal Vertical keiretsu are arranged hierarchically along production and distribution lines and organized under a principal manufacturer. The benefits of this network include increased efficiency and customer service, decreased distribution costs, simplified marketing channels, rationalized inventory controls and the facilitation of effective information sharing between members. Also, the principal manufacturers receive the benefit of being in a dominant position, which creates a high degree of bargaining power. Horizontal keiretsu are large groups of Japanese companies in a wide range of industries, organized around a commercial bank. Direct competition is avoided between member firms by only having one company in any line of business. The success of this type of keiretsu is attributed to their cross- shareholding and the availability of bank loans to their members. This is supplemented with personnel exchanges and consensus decision making between member firms. Being in a horizontal keiretsu also means that a stable core of long-term shareholders is in place for a company. For our purposes we will be focusing on the capital structure and other features of firms in a horizontal keiretsu. The economic environment that Japanese firms operated in favored highly leveraged capital structures. The following are some of the factors, besides belonging to a keiretsu, that have had an effect on a Japanese firm†s capital structure. The reluctance of Japanese managers to raise equity capital stems from the operations of the Japanese stock markets. Firstly, the Tokyo Stock Exchange is less stringent on disclosure requirements as compared to the NYSE, for example, which causes sharp asymmetric information differences between corporate insiders and the market. The result of this asymmetry is a severe underpricing of new share offerings and a reluctance to issue on management†s part. Firms, therefore, had a preference for bank debt which was less likely to suffer from such pricing effects. Secondly, equity has been an expensive form of finance in the past. The notion of issuing shares at market value is a recent phenomenon whereas traditionally firms issued equity at a historical par value of 50 yen with a fixed dividend. Investors typically demanded a 20 to 30 percent annual dividend on the par value (in essence the instrument was a preferred share), which were paid out of after-tax cash flows. Loans on the other hand were easily obtained through an affiliated bank at reasonable interest rates, and provided a tax shield through the deductible interest payments. Government Regulations and the Bond Market Table 1 shows how the domestic bond market in Japan began to open up during the 1980†³s. Until that time, strict bond issuing criteria that applied internationally kept most firms out of the domestic and foreign bond markets. Government regulations worked against issuing corporate bonds. The government saw corporate bonds as a competitive threat to the its own bonds since interest rates would have to be raised in order for the government†s bonds to compete with those of the top corporations. It wasn†t until 1985 that unsecured straight-debt corporate bonds were even issued. These conditions meant that firms had a reliance on their bank for debt financing; and as a result of their close relationships to banks, had a lower cost of capital and the ability to invest more than those who did not. Structure of Corporate Ownership in Japan The structure of corporate ownership in Japan is quite different compared to their counterparts in the West, with ownership being highly concentrated in Japan. Japanese laws allow institutional investors to exert more control over firms and their management inducing them to seek higher levels of share ownership. Indeed, there is a striking difference between Japanese and US corporate ownership. Ownership by financial institutions (particularly commercial banks) is far greater in Japan than in the US. Japanese commercial banks and insurance companies hold approximately two to three times the number of outstanding shares of public firms than their US counterparts do. On top of being a predominant shareholder, financial institutions play the simultaneous roles of also being the largest creditors of the firms as well being an important long-term commercial business partner. For example, it has been shown that out of 344 manufacturing corporations, financial institutions own 34.48% of the common equity and individuals own 29.53% . Therefore, many Japanese firms have access to more debt since financial institutions have highly concentrated ownership in firms. Ownership concentration does not differ significantly between keiretsu and independent Japanese firms . With high ownership concentration and cross-share holding by banks, suppliers and customers, keiretsu firms are better able to monitor decisions of firms within the group and direct management†s actions to benefit the whole and to act as a collective rather than just being contractual business partners. During the high growth era, the government of Japan†s Ministry of Finance directed investment to high growth industries. To ensure that investment capital was available to firms in these industries, implicit guarantees on the liabilities of financial and non-financial corporations were given to lenders. The provision of a safety net for the loans made the banks eager to lend money to finance rapid expansion in these industries, and the corporations willing to borrow it. Banks were also threatened by market bonds since they posed direct conflict to their business in two ways. First, there was a fear that interest rates on bank deposits would have to be raised from their artificially low rates to keep funds from migrating to other investment instruments. Second, banks did not want to lose their traditional customers for loans to the capital market. Because of their presence in the management and the board of directors in firms within the keiretsu structure, they were able to effectively keep these companies financing their operations with loans. This was relatively easy since most firms could not issue bonds anyhow until recently. The keiretsu system helped to reduce many of the direct and indirect costs faced by Western firms, which may have allowed firms to raise their debt levels. A major benefit arising from keiretsu affiliation is the reduction in costs of financial distress for member firms thus allowing them to take on a higher debt to equity ratio than otherwise possible. This is mainly attributed to keiretsu banking relationships and the consequent high levels of share ownership by financial institutions. Since a Japanese keiretsu is primarily financed by its main bank, to which a firm has close ties to, the extent of financial distress is greatly reduced. Hypothetically, when a firm within a keiretsu is entering financial distress, its main bank will coordinate rescue efforts by arranging loans from other banks as well as itself. In extreme cases, the bank will even find a company within the same keiretsu to merge with the distressed firm. In the event of a bankruptcy, the main bank will bail out the keiretsu firm by absorbing all losses by taking a subordinated position to other debt holders, eliminating the need for squabbling between the other claimants. The other features of the keiretsu, namely cross-ownership of shares and intra-group financing, also decrease the cost of financial distress. Since all firms within a keiretsu have some sort of stake in the distressed firm, it is in their best interest to try to keep that firm in operation . Aid from companies in the keiretsu can come in the form of stretched receivables, favorable transfer pricing and direct management incentives. To decrease the probability of bankruptcy and to increase the likelihood of recovery by a financially distressed firm, it would be ideal to expand, invest, and allow their organizations to grow. This is consistent among keiretsu firms since in times of financial distress, they tend to invest 46 percent more compared to non-keiretsu firms . Firms in financial distress generally have problems in raising capital, which may be in part due to a free rider problem. Firms with diffuse groups of creditors are faced with this problem because individual debt holders would not be willing to refinance the firm or renegotiate debt claims even though it would be in their collective best interests to do so. This problem is absent however, when a keiretsu firm is primarily financed with bank loans from a single creditor. Free rider problems are less severe or eliminated in keiretsu organizations. In addition, keiretsu firms tend to stay out of Japanese bankruptcy courts. Since financially distressed keiretsu firms are bailed out internally, the direct costs of bankruptcy such as legal and advisory fees, are vastly reduced. American firms on the other hand see the majority of disputes, arising from financial distress, ending up in bankruptcy courts. This problem in the US corporate system can be partially attributed to the wide use of bond financing. A multitude of bondholder claims are more difficult to restructure than a single bank loan and US bankruptcy legislation prevents companies from changing the principal, interest, and maturity without unanimous consent from bondholders. Therefore, keiretsu firms do not incur these large costs of financial distress, which can reach up to five percent of firm value, incurred by their US counterparts. In the end, the lower costs of financial distress is another reason why Japanese firms can take on more debt and thus lower their costs of capital even more with increased utilization of their tax shields. A financial keiretsu, through its network of corporate cross-shareholdings and strong relationship with a main bank, serves as an effective system for monitoring the actions of a member firm. Member firms are in unique positions to serve as mutual monitors because the success of a single firm is in the best interests of the entire keiretsu. As keiretsu firms typically have seats on other member firm†s board of directors, they can make sure that the actions of management are in accord with the interests of the entire group. The main bank acts as the primary lender and as a major shareholder, also tends to have its own executives sit on the board. This dual role ensures that the banks will be looking out for the interests of both bond and equity holders of the firm. The costs of monitoring are not as high as they are in the US system for any one party since the ownership is not as diluted. Hence, each member has a signficant interest in monitoring the firm†s activities and the free rider problem is alleviated. This system of corporate governance effectively makes sure that management pursues long run value creation. Agency costs are reduced in a keiretsu because of the unique relationships within the group. Shareholders cannot participate in moral hazard activities such as transferring risk to debt holders or transferring wealth from them by encouraging management to take on negative NPV projects. Both the higher level of debt and the structure of ownership, i.e. the bank being a creditor-owner and the high proportion of shares being cross-held within a keiretsu, serve the purpose of keeping managerial interests in accord with the group. The lower agency costs also results from the fact that most of the debt is short-term and secured.

Difficult Relationships Between Adults And Children Essay

In many of the stories, the writers describe difficult relationships between adults and children. Compare the relationships that the writers present to the reader in two stories and explore the ways the relationships between the adults and children change as the stories develop. In this essay, I will be exploring the relationships between adults and children in â€Å"Flight† and â€Å"Your Shoes†. It seems to me that both stories have children and adults that are in similar positions. The content and style of the stories are similar in some ways and different in other ways. For example, the main problem in both stories is the daughter leaving home for the first time. Another example of a difference is â€Å"Flight† is written in third-person whereas â€Å"Your Shoes† is not. â€Å"Your Shoes† is a story told from the perspective of a mother who has suffered a great loss, as her daughter has run away. She seems to be forced to realise that she is very upset with aspects of her life. The mother is writing a letter to her daughter describing all the unhappy things that have happened to her. For example, her childhood and details of her marriage. All this seems to stem from the fact that her mother has recently died. â€Å"Flight† is a story about leaving home and becoming independent. The story tells of an old man who keeps birds and seems to be very protective of his last granddaughter. He has seen his other granddaughters leave home, marry, and grow up. He seems to be slightly jealous of Steven who is Alice’s boyfriend. In the story, the birds seem to symbolise the granddaughter. This also could be interpreted as the birds symbolising how the grandfather would like the granddaughter to be like. In the end, the grandfather lets the granddaughter go and this is symbolised in the release of his favourite pigeon. It seems to me that the relationship in â€Å"Flight† between Alice and her grandfather is quite close. I think this because both seem to have a mutual understanding of each other. One example of this would be Steven giving a pigeon to the grandfather. I think this is the case, as I don’t think Steven would have given a bird to the granddad on his own accord. Therefore, this would mean Alice thoughtfully made Steven give the bird to show the granddad that he could look after the bird instead of her. â€Å"Your shoes† is quite different. The author of â€Å"Your shoes† has developed the mothers character in such a way the reader can get a real good insight in what the mother is thinking. This gives us much more detail then anything we got from the Grandfather in â€Å"Flight†. The mother seems to the reader frustrated that people don’t act in the â€Å"proper† way. In the end the mother is left holding her daughters shoes as if they were her substitute. This is quite an extreme from the reaction the grandfather took as he was able to let her daughter take â€Å"flight†. During both stories, the relationships between the adults and the children all seem to mature for better or worse. In â€Å"flight† the relationship between Alice and her Granddad all changes when Steven presents a pigeon to the granddad. The Granddad seems get a revelation and changes his view on the relationship between Steven and Alice. He accepts the fact that his little granddaughter has grown up. This is symbolised in him releasing his favourite pigeon. In â€Å"Your Shoes† we can not see the relationship at first hand but from the detailed insights from the mother we can assume a lot of things. I think that the relationship between mother and daughter was never very strong. Firstly, the daughter who was very fond of her grandmother had died. The mother detested her own mother and we assume that it must have hurt that her daughter preferred her Grandmother to herself. Then finally the daughter running away seems to symbolise there whole relationship. This is quite somewhat different from â€Å"Flight† as mother in â€Å"Your Shoes† seems to go mad, in the end sucking on her daughters shoelaces. In conclusion, both stories seem to have similar relationships at the starting of the story as the children want to grow up. Then both relationships shoot off in different directions, as the mother in â€Å"Your shoes† was unable to let go while the Grandfather in â€Å"Flight† let his granddaughter free.

Essay on Summative Week 2 Part B

Essay on Summative Week 2 Part B Essay on Summative Week 2 Part B Executive Summary One of the key decisions you'll make when starting a business is which legal structure to use. Because it's such an important decision, you should get advice from a qualified independent business, financial or legal advisor. A business name is simply a name or title under which a person, or other legal entity, trades. It not only identifies you to your customers, but also allows you to differentiate yourself from your competitors and enables your customers to make an emotional connection to your business and brand. For many businesses, the name is often the most valuable asset. Decisions made by Business Structures and Business Name also directly impact within the financial advisory services firm which provides advisory service on various types of accounting and business compliance and management issues. Introduction This report will contain information related to legal requirements to setup the Business Structures also advantages and disadvantages of each business structures in Australian. The process of registering a Business Name in NSW for presentation to the client also provided to the relevant section of various legislation and common law. Main Contents 1. Business Structures you choose will depend on the size and type of business, along with your personal circumstances and how much you want to grow the business. Keep in mind that if you need to, you can change your business structure later on if you find that a new structure will meet your needs better. 1. Public companies Legal Requirements Profit/asset test Shareholder spread Certain constitutional and corporate governance requirements Prospectus for the capital raising, a minimum issue price of $0.20 Advantages There is limited liability for the shareholders The business has separate legal entity. These businesses can raise large capital sum as there is no limit to the number of shareholders. Disadvantages There are lot of legal formalities required for forming a public limited company it is costly and time consuming The original owners may lose control Public Limited companies are huge in size and may face management problems such as slow decision making and industrial relations problems. 2. Private companies Legal Requirements Deciding if a company structure is right for you Choosing a company name Deciding how to operate your company Understanding your legal obligations as an officeholder Getting the consent of those involved in your company Registering your company, and Understanding your legal obligations regarding your company name, Australian Company Number (ACN) and Australian Business Number (ABN). Advantages Your liability for the company’s debts is limited, although this protection can be destroyed by creditors, including financiers, calling for guarantees from company directors It’s easy to transfer ownership by selling shares to another party Shareholders (often family members) can be employed by the company Taxation rates can be more favourable You’ll have access to a wider capital and skills base. Disadvantages The company can be expensive to establish and maintain You are required to provide annual and other returns to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) Your financial affairs are public Directors’ activities are scrutinised by ASIC It can be costly to wind up the business. 3. Trusts Legal Requirements Written trust agreement Business name registration Registering for an ABN number with an Australian address Advantages Limited liability is possible if a corporate trustee is appointed The structure provides more privacy than a company There can be flexibility in distributions among beneficiaries Disadvantages The structure is complex The Trust can be expensive to establish and maintain Problems can be encountered when borrowing due to additional complexities of loan structures 4. Partnerships Legal Requirements Written agreement Business name registration Registering for an ABN number with an

Fourth Amendment - the Text, Origins, and Meaning

Fourth Amendment - the Text, Origins, and Meaning The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a section of the Bill of Rights that protects the people from being subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures of property by law enforcement officers or the federal government. However, the Fourth Amendment does not prohibit all searches and seizures, but only those that are found by a court to be unreasonable under the law. The Fifth Amendment, as part of the original 12 provisions of the Bill of Rights, was submitted to the states by Congress on September 25, 1789, and was ratified on December 15, 1791. The full text of the Fourth Amendment states: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Motivated by British Writs of Assistance Originally created to enforced the doctrine that â€Å"each man’s home is his castle,† The Fourth Amendment was written directly in response to British general warrants, called Writs of Assistance, in which the Crown would grant overarching, non-specific search powers to British law enforcement officials. Through Writs of Assistance, officials were free to search virtually any home they liked, at any time they liked, for any reason they liked or for no reason at all. Since some of the founding fathers had been smugglers in England, this was an especially unpopular concept in the colonies. Clearly, the framers of the Bill of Rights considered such colonial-era searches to be â€Å"unreasonable.† What Are ‘Unreasonable’ Searches Today? In deciding whether a particular search is reasonable, the courts attempt to weigh important interests: The extent to which the search intruded on the individuals Fourth Amendment rights and the extent to which the search was motivated by valid government interests, such as public safety. Warrantless Searches Not Always ‘Unreasonable’ Through several rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court has established that the extent to which an individual is protected by the Fourth Amendment depends, in part, on the location of the search or seizure. It is important to note that according to these rulings, there are several circumstances under which police may lawfully conduct â€Å"warrantless searches.† Searches in the Home:  According to Payton v. New York (1980), Searches and seizures conducted inside a home without a warrant are presumed to be unreasonable. However, such â€Å"warrantless searches† may be lawful under certain circumstances, including: If a responsible person gives the police permission to search the property. (Davis v. United States)If the search is conducted during a lawful arrest. (United States v. Robinson)If there is clear and immediate probable cause to conduct the search. (Payton v. New York)If the items being searched for are in plain view of the officers. (Maryland v. Macon) Searches of the Person:  In what is popularly known as its â€Å"stop and frisk† decision in the 1968 case of Terry v. Ohio, the Court ruled that when police officers see â€Å"unusual conduct† leading them to reasonably conclude that criminal activity may be taking place, the officers may briefly stop the suspicious person and make reasonable inquiries aimed at confirming or dispelling their suspicions. Searches in Schools:  Under most circumstances, school officials do not need to get a warrant before searching students, their lockers, backpacks, or other personal property. (New Jersey v. TLO)  Ã‚   Searches of Vehicles:  When police officers have probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains evidence of criminal activity, they may lawfully search any area of the vehicle in which the evidence might be found without a warrant. (Arizona v. Gant) In addition, police officers may lawfully conduct a traffic stop if they have reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation has occurred or that criminal activity is being carried out, for example, vehicles seen fleeing the scene of a crime. (United States v. Arvizu and Berekmer v. McCarty) Limited Power In practical terms, there is no means by which the government can exercise prior restraint on law enforcement officials. If an officer in Jackson, Mississippi wants to conduct a warrantless search without probable cause, the judiciary is not present at the time and cant prevent the search. This meant that the Fourth Amendment had little power or relevance until 1914. The Exclusionary Rule In Weeks v. United States (1914), the Supreme Court established what has been known as the exclusionary rule. The exclusionary rule states that evidence obtained through unconstitutional means is inadmissible in court and cannot be used as part of the prosecutions case. Before Weeks, law enforcement officials could violate the Fourth Amendment without being punished for it, secure the evidence, and use it at trial. The exclusionary rule establishes consequences for violating a suspects Fourth Amendment rights. Warrantless Searches The Supreme Court has held that searches and arrests can be performed without a warrant under some circumstances. Most notably, arrests and searches can be performed if the officer personally witnesses the suspect committing a misdemeanor, or has reasonable cause to believe that the suspect has committed a specific, documented felony. Warrantless Searches by Immigration Enforcement Officers On January 19, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol agents - without producing a warrant to do so - boarded a Greyhound bus outside the Fort Lauderdale, Florida station and arrested an adult female whose temporary visa had expired. Witnesses on the bus alleged that the Border Patrol agents had also asked everyone on board to show proof of U.S. citizenship. In response to inquiries, the Border Patrol’s Miami section headquarters confirmed that under the long-standing federal law, they can do that. Under Section 1357 of Title 8 of the United States Code, detailing the powers of immigration officers and employees, officers of the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can, without a warrant: interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien as to his right to be or to remain in the United States;arrest any alien who in his presence or view is entering or attempting to enter the United States in violation of any law or regulation made in pursuance of law regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, or to arrest any alien in the United States, if he has reason to believe that the alien so arrested is in the United States in violation of any such law or regulation and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the alien arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay for examination before an officer of the Service having authority to examine aliens as to their right to enter or remain in the United States; andwithin a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States, to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railway car, aircraft, con veyance, or vehicle, and within a distance of twenty-five miles from any such external boundary to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States. In addition, The Immigration and Nationality Act 287(a)(3) and CFR 287 (a)(3) states that Immigration Officers, without a warrant, may â€Å"within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States...board and search for aliens in any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railcar, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle.† The Immigration and Nationality Act defines â€Å"Reasonable distance† as 100 miles.   The Right to Privacy Although the implicit privacy rights established in Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) and Roe v. Wade (1973) are most often associated with the Fourteenth Amendment, the Fourth Amendment contains an explicit right of the people to be secure in their persons that is also strongly indicative of a constitutional right to privacy. Updated by Robert Longley

Developing an effective classroom management plan Essay

Developing an effective classroom management plan - Essay Example A positive learning environment can only be created when this philosophy is kept in mind. At the basic level, a classroom simply comprises of a teacher and a group of students. However, a classroom cannot exist in isolation; it comes under the control of a school. Similarly, a school is also required to report to district authorities. Hence, there are multiple stakeholders acting together in this case and each has their own role to play. The role of each of these should be defined in way which maximizes the exchange of knowledge, and creates and maintains the learning environment. Moreover, these roles should also be used as the rules in effectively maintaining a positive learning environment in a K-12 classroom. Let us consider the roles and responsibilities for each of the members one by one. Teachers play the central role in a classroom. A teacher is the one who controls the entire class and it is his skills and capabilities which play a vital role in the learning environment of the class. In some cases, the teacher is the primary source of knowledge who communicates this knowledge to the students. In some cases, the teacher is merely a facilitator who assists the students in acquiring knowledge from textbooks. However, in any case, the role of teacher is indispensible. The role of the teacher should be defined in a way that he is able to effectively communicate with the students and interact with them. It should not be a merely one-sided communication, but the students should respond back. Hence, it is important that the teacher thoroughly knows what he is teaching. He should know all aspects of the topic and should be ready to answer any questions from the students relevant to the topic. Another important role of a teacher is to reward the students for their good perf ormance and punish the students for poor performance. This serves to improve the motivation of students towards the class. Moreover, he should make use of the tools and equipments, such