Compare and Contrast images of L.A Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Compare and Contrast images of L.A - Essay Example Ponce’s use of imagery and description in the text makes you feel like you are actually right there with her watching Roy Rogers and Cassidy movies on Sundays. Her joyful tone makes it seem as if life in those days was much easier and less demanding than it is today in our global rat race. In those days, the people would look forward to Father Mueller’s western movies after rosary; it would create a break from monotony and encourage socialization. Today, I’m sure, a teenager would not be caught dead at a social organized by the church, and instead they prefer going to the theatres/movies (which are now extremely affordable), the discos and other places where â€Å"occasions of sin† are very likely to happen. Her word choice is superb; especially the mixture of Spanish and English when relaying a conversation shows the Spaniards character: hot, bubbly and dramatic. The tone of the text gives the reader a sense of excitement and a want to read more, to see w hat is going to happen next. You almost feel as if you want to go back to that day and age and live the author’s life. In almost all aspects, both authors write in the same manner, but of different things. The author also shows the cheekiness of a teenage girl when she speaks of her loyalty to the older ladies for whom she translates the films: â€Å"At times the movies were too long, the plot too predictable. I would tire of my job and yearn to sit in front with Elena. By now I had spent the money given me by Dona Luisa and the Trinidads. As the show dragged on, I fidgeted in my seat, edging toward Elena. Once I had collected mas cincos, I sought ways to escape from the boring job of translating an old cowboy movie. One usually worked†¦ (pg. 805, p. 5). I remained unruffled, my fist tight around the nickels I had earned, as I pushed my way toward Elena. Around me the thoroughly confused women sat in wonder at this sudden turn of events. They squabbled, each wanting to believe only what they had seen on the white screen, until told to â€Å"hush† by those sitting in back†¦. (pg. 806, p. 3). At times I felt guilty about the translation and the nickels, especially when the senoras began to bicker among themselves. My guilt would last until the following Sunday, when once more I might recite an original version of an old western. (pg. 807)† In this respect, we see how children and teenagers have not really evolved much throughout the years, the feelings, the attitudes and the actions are still very much the same. Sure, today one does not have to translate a movie, but it can be seen at events where a teenager who shows up with his/her parents will stay with them only until they can find their friend and soon they are off. There is also still what one might call a â€Å"great divide† between the popular kids and the not so popular kids: â€Å"When she saw me changing my dress for las vistas, Trina would just snicker. â€Å"I wouldn’t be caught at them old movies. It’s not hip!† â€Å"I like em.† â€Å"That’s cause you’re a square.† She tossed back her pageboy, arched her eyebrows (just like Joan Crawford), and then locked herself in the

Wengart Aircraft Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wengart Aircraft - Coursework Example Need to implement TQM to comply with Presidential Executive Order (PEO) 12552: Not only does profitability demand better quality one of its major customers is demanding it and doing so with the authority of a PEO. Quickly and effectively Wengart must implement TQM in a verifiable manner and with a significant impact on production quality Education and Training Deficiencies: The case only refers to these tangentially. However, implementing a new system such as TQM will require education and training of employees in this new system. According to the case the company is failing miserably at this already. Poor communication: Managers and line supervisors left a meeting on TQM â€Å"with various interpretations of TQM† and line workers had even more interpretations of its meaning. Mary Romero, a supervisor studying TQM â€Å"is confused at the brevity of TQM information she and other supervisors got...† The company is not adequately communicating the definition, process or importance of TQM. Confused responsibilities: The President, Ralph Larsen, does not want to be directly involved in TQM so he can focus on profits: TQM is the key to increased profitability. The Human Resources department is not involved in leadership in the program despite the fact that it will require redefinition of jobs and responsibilities, and may result in lay-offs. Alternative #3 is recommended. Implementation of TQM is the most important challenge facing he company. Without it it may loss its DoD contracts. Also, TQM is key for improving the companys profit profile. Therefore, the company needs to create a TQM department, headed up by a V-P TQM who is an experienced expert in the field. Working with the VP Production and VP HR to develop a comprehensive implementation program, an effective communications strategy, and metrics to measure the success of the

A Review Of Bacons Rebellion History Essay

A Review Of Bacons Rebellion History Essay Bacons rebellion causes a transition in the history of labor in the early southern colonies for the reason that the people involved in the rebellion were indentured servants, freemen, and slaves. Bacons rebellion was a popular revolt in colonial Virginia in 1676. It was a rebellion in which was based on the discontent of the majority of the people in the colony. The causes of the rebellion were high taxes, low prices for tobacco, and resentment against special privileges given those close to the governor, Sir William Berkeley, Berkeleys failure to defend the frontier against attacks by Native Americans. The rebellion then ended when Bacon died of bloody flux or dysentery. Bacons rebellion explains why African laborers eventually supplanted white bonded servants as the primary labor force (Bacons rebellion). In the rebellion, indentured servants play a role, and these indentured servants was what changed the labor in early southern colonies. Murrin explains indentured servants as people who had their passage to America paid by a master or ship captain (G-12). These indentured servants agreed to work for their master for a term of years in exchange for their cost of passage, bed and board, and small freedom dues when their terms were over. The number of years they have to served depended on the terms of their contract with their master. The servants that were brought to Virginia allowed planters to obtain a double profit. The double profits were, they get several years of cheap labors and for each new settler they brought, and they receive fifty acres of land. During the time, servants were cheaper compare to slaves, and since both were likely to die within years, servants were better bargains (Bacons rebellion). Eventually soon people learn to survive longer in the new land. Servants began to live long enough to achieve their freedom. These servants, who soon became free, were anxious for their land that they pressure the colonial government to expand westward into American Indian lands. They soon became unwelcome competitors to the already-established planters (Bacons rebellion). These indentured servants wanted more land and that was also a cause of the rebellion. They followed Bacon in the rebellion against Indians, not because they were rebelling against hostile Indians, and authorities. By overthrowing the Indians, they were able to obtain those lands. Land was what the indentured servants wanted, so it was a great thing for them to follow Bacon in his rebellion (Bacons rebellion). Bacons Rebellion demonstrated that poor whites and poor blacks could be united in a cause. This was a great fear of the ruling class that the fear hastened the transition to racial slavery. Indentured servants soon were replaced with slaves, because of the rebellion. Bacons rebellion demonstrates that a labor in which could challenge the authority of the planters was not desirable. It also shows that the poor laborers and farmers could prove a dangerous part against wealthy landowners. So by switching to chattel slavery, new white laborers and small farmers were mostly limited to those who could afford to immigrate and support themselves. In addition, improving economic conditions in England meant that fewer laborers would want to migrate to the colonies as indentured servants, so the planters needed to find new sources of labor. Africans continued to be voluntarily available and because many were not Christian, they could be enslaved and regulated in a manner that indentures could not. Virginia then enacted a series of laws, constituting a formal slave code that removed many slaves rights that they previously enjoyed and they also added further restrictions to slavery including anti-miscegenation law (Race). This shows the reason why the rebellion was a transition in the history of labor in early southern colonies. Indentured servants involvement in Bacons Rebellion caused the changed in history labors in the early southern colonies because of their involvement in the rebellion. Not only that, but because of their rebellion against the authorities when they became free. The rebellion was mainly cause by land, discontent of majorities, taxes, and tobacco, the resentment against special privileges given those close to the governor, Sir William Berkeley, and hostile Indians. Indentured servants are people who paid their passage to their master or ship captain to get to America. These servants were able to be free after serving their terms, and when they were free they wanted to obtain their land. So they pressure colonial government, which also leads to the rebellion as they involve themselves with Bacon. Soon the rebellion causes the replacement of servants with slaves, which soon starts to evolve as time continues.

An Open Mind is a Prerequisite for Learning :: Personal Narrative Essay Example

An Open Mind is a Prerequisite for Learning The difference between comfort and open-mindedness is the difference between cowardliness and truthfulness. The mind that is open is open to the truth, whereas the close mind invents whatever truth it is comfortable with, so that it may persist in its delusions. To be truly open-minded, we must renounce the religion of our parents, and deny our cherished beliefs. Comfort is seduction. Better it is to suffer the pains of uncertainty, and the insanity of lost identity, so that we might open our minds to a firmer foundation, a deeper truth. Close-mindedness is afraid of reality. We need reality. Therefore, close-mindedness is a form of death worship. It denies our needs. Open-mindedness allows us to embrace the alien and discover what others will not discover. The distinction is between fear and love; life and death. Close mindedness is not a label for people who are not knowledgeable. That is what we call ignorance. Close-mindedness is willful ignorance, the unwillingness to see what is before them, and the unwillingness to see it for what it is. Close-mindedness is a form of dishonesty and fear. So yes, the position of the open minded is so right, for they are also open to criticism, and so they will have the greatest chance of being right. Any evidence they can get, they do get. Wisdom rejoices in rebuke. So to do the open minded consider insults, criticisms, and rejoinders very carefully. A close-minded person will consider an insult. He will not entertain the notion that he is wrong. Given that we are all wrong on some issue at all times, the close-minded man makes this chronic. He is stuck in infancy. As for your argument that close-minded people are better able to act, because they are sure, you are making the assumption that open-minded people are paralyzed by their acknowledgement of uncertainty. Far from it. Where the close-minded are comfortable with self-certainty, the open-minded are comfortable with uncertainty. They enjoy the instability of growth, which gives greater stability as they mature. You said there is no greater benefit then life then to be sure of your position. This is only true if your position is correct. If you are sure there is no hell, but there is one, your so-called benefit is your doom. Only the open minded have the right to be sure about any matter, for their knowledge is based on critical thinking, vigorous analysis, thorough questioning, and the consideration of positive and negative evidence.

A Study On Low Back Pain Anthropology Essay

The well-known anthropologist W.M. Krogman frequently talked about the jobs modern worlds have in some of their biological characteristics as being the consequence of the manner we evolved, what Krogman called the â€Å" cicatrixs of human development. † Discuss a biological composite that you believe Krogman might hold been mentioning to, and include in your essay some grounds why he might hold called these a cicatrix of human development. As hominids began walking upright, they underwent extended morphological versions. The human anchor was forced to suit to new perpendicular weight-bearing emphasiss. As a consequence of this comparatively recent development in the spinal column, modern worlds regularly experience lower back strivings, which can be labeled as â€Å" a cicatrix of human development. † In modern worlds, the vertebral column environments and protects the spinal cord as it descends from the brain-stem at the hiatuss magnum to the lower bole. The vertebral column provides the organic structure ‘s chief axial support, but it still remains flexible ; the spinal column is comprised of 24 single castanetss, called vertebrae, and two amalgamate castanetss, the tail bone and the sacrum. The first 7 vertebrae located in the cervix are cervical vertebrae, followed by 12 thoracic vertebrae that connect to the rib coop, and 5 lumbar vertebrae that make up the lower dorsum. The sacrum is composed of 5 vertebrae ( organizing the dorsum of the pelvic girdle ) that fuse together during maturity. The tail bone ( the tailbone ) is made up of irregularly shaped vertebrae that fuse together between the ages of four and six old ages. The thoracic and sacral curvatures form during foetal development. The cervical curve signifiers when a human baby begins to keep up its caput. The c oncave lumbar curve signifiers when a immature human kid begins to walk. These characteristics maintain the balance and support necessary for bipedalism. In quadrupeds, there is a gently C-shaped curve that makes the pectoral part of the spinal column somewhat convex. The human biped, nevertheless, has an S-shaped spinal column ensuing from opposing curvatures ( in the cervical and lumbar spinal parts ) grafted onto the C-shape curvature of a quadruped. The lower dorsum ( lumbar ) vertebrae signifier a really acute curve in worlds by puting the last two inter-vertebral phonograph record at a pronounced angle to the transition of organic structure weight. The spinal curves in the biped let the weight of the organic structure to be carried straight over the hip joint sockets in the midplane, by conveying the centre of gravitation closer to the hips. The weight of a biped is borne down the spinal column to the sacrum, where it passes to the hips and so through the two legs. Because the sum of weight additions increasingly down the spinal column, the vertebrae of a biped are progressively larger as they approach the lumbar part. In contrast, weight bearing does non increase along the spinal column of a quadruped, and so the vertebrae remain of about equal size in the different parts of the spinal column. Intervertebral phonograph record of connective tissue separate each vertebra. The exterior is made up of several beds of fibrocartilage. The interior is the karyon, which is filled with a mush that has the consistence of Jell-O. The karyon of the phonograph record act to buffer each vertebra and absorb daze. Once a human reaches maturity, the operation of the spinal column goes downhill. With age, the spongy discs between the vertebrae lose wet and snap ; the mush inside loses flexibleness and becomes less lissome. The harder, drier discs lose tallness, conveying the vertebrae closer together. Many persons develop serious complications of the vertebral column. Intervertebral phonograph record dislocations affect 1000000s of people worldwide ; many suffer serious chronic hurting, and life long disablement. A ruptured phonograph record, â€Å" a slipped phonograph record † in common idiom, occurs when an intervertebral phonograph record becomes thinner and compressed, doing a herniation of the phonograph record ‘s contents and force per unit area on the spinal nervousnesss, most significantly, the chief sciatic nervus. A tear in the annulus fibrosis on an intervertebral phonograph record allows the soft nucleus pulpous to seep out. This herniation consequences in loss of musculus. An illustration of this muscular devolution is foot retarding force. Almost 90 per centum of herniations happen in vertebrae 4 and 5 in the lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae have the most acute curve, and bring forth our unsloped position. Because these two vertebrae are so angled, they bear the most differential weight and, consequently, suffer the gr eatest wear and tear. Most people can retrieve from intervertebral phonograph records breakdown without surgery ; the mush that is seeping out will finally abjure from the nervus because it loses wet and it shrinks. However, there are more than 4 million operations a twelvemonth in the United States entirely to rectify disc herniations. If an intervertebral phonograph record interruptions down and consequences in force per unit area on the spinal cord, it can be life endangering. The most immediate symptom is the loss of vesica and bowl control. Another serious complication of the vertebral column is osteoarthritis – the dislocation and eventual loss of the gristle between the vertebrae. This consequences in thickener of the articulations and back uping ligaments and the growing of bony goads that can shut in around the issues for the spinal nervousnesss. Osteoarthritis can take to spinal stricture, which is â€Å" the narrowing of the cardinal spinal canal or its sidelong deferrals † ( Weinstein ) . Lower back hurting was non every bit large as a job for our ascendants. There are three theories to explicate this fact. The first account is that the little organic structure of our ascendants led to less force through lumbar system. The 2nd account is that our ascendants were non couch murphies. Our ascendants had improbably powerful musculuss ( robust castanetss and big articulations ) , as a consequence of changeless physical activity. This helped to continue the lower dorsum. The 3rd account is that our ascendants did non populate every bit long as modern worlds, as so they did non make the age where back jobs emerge. In support of this theory is the fact that the average age for disc surgery is 42 old ages old. Today, more than 70 per centum of grownups suffer from back hurting at one point in their lives, and 30 per centum have had it in the last 30 yearss. There are many ways to handle and forestall back hurting in modern worlds. The most of import is exercising, and increasing our musculus tone of the dorsum and legs. Minimizing sitting is besides good, because chairs offer uneven distribution of weight. Surgery is a intervention option, but it should be the last option ; surgery can be really painful, and sometimes it does non relieve the hurting. Treating back hurting presently costs $ 26 billion a twelvemonth ; which is 2.5 per centum of entire wellness attention costs in the United States. Lower dorsum hurting is a biological composite that Krogman would hold clearly labeled as a cicatrix of human development. It is the inevitable merchandise of bipedalism and length of service. Hopefully medical scientific discipline will progress to a point where it can more efficaciously relieve this painful effect of human development.Mentions:Deyo, Richard A. â€Å" Low Back Pain. † Blackboard. Web.Mann, Alan. â€Å" Bipedalism, Power Point Presentations 1 and 2. † Lecture.

Computer aided design package Essay

A company called Engineering ? Us have employed me to find out the cost, benefits and the drawbacks of upgrading from their current method of hand made technical drawing to using an up-to-date Computer Aided Design (CAD) package. This company designs and constructs office furniture to order; because of this work only begins on an item once the exact details of the item have been calculated and have the clients’ approval. The current method which is used to gather the information that the designers need to make the drawings for the office is to send over a person to measure the location where the item or items of furniture will be located and how they will get the item into the building. After this has happened and the measurements have been given to the designers the designers will draw the blueprints by pen and paper. After they have drawn the design they will send the blueprint via one of the company’s employee’s to the client for him/her to look at and decide if it is what they wanted. If the client decided they liked the design the blueprint would be sent down to the workshop where they would start construction of the design. If the client didn’t like the blueprint that the designers had made Engineering ? Us would find out from the client what was incorrect with the blueprints, then the designers would redesign the blueprints with the client’s inputs in mind. After this it is shown to the client again to see if it is to their liking. The reason the company is upgrading to a CAD based system from their hand drawn method is that up until now they have only had to make items on a smaller scale with a lot of time allowed for each project. Currently they allow the designer to make the drawings on the A0 paper taking their time which would take a few months, then have it sent to the manufacturing department to be constructed. Now they have managed to negotiate a contract with another company who will require Engineering ? Us to make the items faster, this means that they will need the technical drawings drawn faster so they can construct the items sooner. To allow this to happen they have decided to change from their current system to a computer based system using a CAD package appropriate to their needs. Engineering ? Us is a small company; they have one office and a workshop which are situated in separate places. The office block is where the items are designed and the workshop is where they are constructed using the designs from the office block. To transport the drawings from the office block to the workshop they walk over from the office block to the workshop with them, the reason they do this rather than any other method is that the two locations are very close together. Engineering ? Us has ten people working in the workshop where they are constructing the designs that are made and they have two designers drawing the blueprints in the office. There are also seven people who take blueprints out to clients to make sure that they like the drawing before Engineering ? Us constructs the design. These five people also take orders and measurements of the areas where the clients want the items to be placed and deliver the items to the client using a company van. The company has three supervisors, one is in charge of the technical drawing department, one is in charge of the workshop and one is in charge of the five people who communicate directly with the clients. One manager is in charge of all three of the supervisors and then the director of Engineering ? Us is above him. In total this brings the number of employees working for Engineering ? Us to twenty and two of these twenty employees will be using the system I am to justify. The company has recently won a new contract from a client and now has to construct a lot more furniture over a shorter period of time. For the company to meet these demands they have decided to upgrade their workshop to use a CAM machine that will speed up construction. The CAM machine has already been chosen by the company and the training plus everything else that is required for the CAM machine to operate. Engineering ? Us only require me to analysis the designing part of the company and make this more efficient to keep up with the new contract they have acquired. Engineering ? Us wants me to come up with a system that will run a CAD package that I justify for the company to use. This system will have to output a file format compatible with the CAM machine so that they integrate with each other easily. The contract will provide the company with i 60,000 at the end of the year once all of the items have been constructed and delivered to the client. This will be paid in instalments at the end of each month of i5,000. This contract will also be renewed with the client providing that Engineering ? Us can adequately provide the items they required within the allotted time frame. The system that I have been asked to come up with will have two users; these two users are currently working with Engineering ? Us and they will need to be trained in using the new system as they have not had any training or experience with any CAD application. They also need to have the capability to back up their drawings daily so that if something did happen to their hard drive they wouldn’t have lost everything. They also want all three computers linked up to their own network separate to any others that the company already have. It also needs to be connected to the internet so they can download updates for their CAD package as updates become available over the internet. The company has given me a budget of i 15,000 to come up with a costing to make or to buy two PCs capable of running a CAD package that I justify and anything else that is needed to run this application. With this budget I will also need to buy an A0 plotter, two graphics tablets, networking equipment and training for the employees on using the CAD package. P2 The company currently has two computers in their office block; these computers are very old and are only used for word processing for administration tasks. The current specification of their computers is shown in the table below: Component Specification Processor Intel Pentium 166 MHz (Random Access Memory) RAM 30MB Optical drive CD-ROM x8 speed Hard drive 9GB Modem 56K The computers they currently have can’t be upgraded to use any of the new CAD packages because everything in the current computers would all need to be replaced to make it compatible with any new CAD packages. This would effectively mean making a new computer rather than upgrading it, so just constructing a new computer would be a more cost effective way of proceeding. For that reason it would be better to keep these computers for administration purposes they are currently being used for, this would allow the company to still use them and not have to throw them away as they do their current task perfectly. DeltaCAD, MiniCAD, TurboCAD and AutoCAD are four different CAD packages that I have found that could do the job required by Engineering ? Us. The reason I have chosen these four is because the CAM machine in the workshop will only accept . DWG files for reading and if the CAD package didn’t output . DWG files it would not be able to integrate with the CAM machine. These files must be contained on a floppy disk as the CAM machine has only a floppy drive input and then it will read the data from it and construct to the specified design. I have chosen to further investigate three separate CAD packages out of the ones listed above; these three are DeltaCAD, TurboCAD and AutoCAD. The reason I have decided to investigate these further is that DeltaCAD is the cheapest, TurboCAD is the mid range and AutoCAD is the most expensive out of the packages. Using these three will give me a wide band of different costs for the different CAD applications which will allow me to come up with cheap systems, mid ranged and expensive an system for the company. This will help me not only stick to the budget I have been allocated but may also save the company money depending on the over all costs of the CAD package that is used. After finding out more on DeltaCAD, TurboCAD and AutoCAD I have found out that the latest versions of these three CAD packages are DeltaCAD 5. 0, TurboCAD 10 and AutoCAD 2005. DeltaCAD is made by a company called Midnight Software, TurboCAD is made by a company called IMSI and AutoCAD is made by a company called Autodesk, both IMSI and AutoCAD sell other products that are like CAD, but they will not be suitable for the tasks that Engineering ? Us require of it. Upon further investigation I have discovered one problem with TurboCAD that DeltaCAD and AutoCAD don’t have is that the CAM machine might not read the files it outputs perfectly. TurboCAD 10 outputs a different type of file but they state that this type of file is perfectly compatible with any CAM machine that reads . DWG files. Although they say this I think that from past experiences there could be problems from time to time with this type of file on Engineering ? Us’s CAM machine, when these problems arise it will slow the construction process down. P3/M2 I will have to either buy a new PC from a store or make the computers myself; whichever approach is adopted the hardware that will have to be in the machine will be the same and is listed below: Motherboard which will support all other hardware required for the computer   Video card to output a display on the monitor for the user to see what they are doing   CD-ROM drive to install the software applications which will be needed for the task the company requires of it   Floppy Drive to move the . DWG files to the CAM machine in the workshop to construct the items, this can also be very useful for fixing a broken computer or to help analyse its fault   Case for all of the components that will make up the computer to go into. RAM for the computer to open up applications and to keep data that is being used at the present times Hard drive to install the software applications on and store the CAD files created   Keyboard for the users to enter in alphanumeric data and other characters   Mouse or other pointing device for the user to move the curser on the screen   Processor to be able to process all of the data that needs to be processed   Processor heat sink to take heat off of the processor and disperse it into the air. Fans to keep the components inside the computer cool enough to work correctly, e. g. processor fan, case fans and video card fan   DVD/CD reader rewriter drive to back up the drawings that they produce during the day   Monitor for the user to view what they are doing while using the computer Other hardware that will be needed that is not part of the computer and is not needed to get the computer working, but will be required by the company to enable it to do all the work required is the A0 plotter and graphics tablets. An A0 sized plotter will be used to print off the CAD drawings on A0 paper and used to show the blueprints to the clients, they then decide if they like it or not from these blueprints. The reason that they will need to be printed out on A0 size paper is because due to the size of the items they are designing and the amount of information that needs to be shown to the clients it can only be easily displayed on an A0 sized piece of paper. One advantage of the system for the plotters is that there would only need to be one cheap plotter that prints off the drawings in low quality.

Free Essays on The Life And Works Of Chinua Achebe

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF CHINUA ACHEBE Chinua Achebe, prominent Igbo writer, is famous for his novels describing the effects of Western customs and values on traditional African society. Achebe's satire and his keen ear for spoken language have made him one of the most highly esteemed African writers in English literature. He has obtained many awards and written many novels, and has also touched numerous lives. Raised in Nigeria, Chinua went to school and majored in English literature with the hope of enlightening the world about his experiences growing up. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born the son of Isaiah Okafo, a Christian churchman, and Janet N. Achebe November 16, 1930. He was born in Ogidi, an Igbo village near the Niger River under British Rule. His parents were devoted Christians, and his father worked as a teacher of the Church Missionary Society (Things Fall Apart xxi). After a few months his parents baptized him and gave him the Christian name Albert, after Prince Albert. As a child Chinua was taught to look down on his fellow tribe members who practiced the traditional faith. Nonetheless, he was fascinated with the customs and traditions of his non-Christian neighbors and went to their ceremonies and festivals despite the fact his parents forbid him to do so. (World Book 26) Chinua later went to the University College of Ibaden, where he studied English, theology, and history. In 1944 he attended Government College in Umuahia. This school was known for fabricating such writers as Wole Soyinka, Eleche Amadi, John Okigbo, John Pepper Clarke, and Cole Omotso (Kirjatso). In 1953 he graduated with a BA. Before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Company in Lagos in 1954 he traveled in Africa and America, and worked for a short time as a teacher. After going to London in 1956 he was invited back to Nigeria for the position of Controller of Eastern Region Satiations. Things Fall Apart was Achebe's first nove... Free Essays on The Life And Works Of Chinua Achebe Free Essays on The Life And Works Of Chinua Achebe THE LIFE AND WORKS OF CHINUA ACHEBE Chinua Achebe, prominent Igbo writer, is famous for his novels describing the effects of Western customs and values on traditional African society. Achebe's satire and his keen ear for spoken language have made him one of the most highly esteemed African writers in English literature. He has obtained many awards and written many novels, and has also touched numerous lives. Raised in Nigeria, Chinua went to school and majored in English literature with the hope of enlightening the world about his experiences growing up. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born the son of Isaiah Okafo, a Christian churchman, and Janet N. Achebe November 16, 1930. He was born in Ogidi, an Igbo village near the Niger River under British Rule. His parents were devoted Christians, and his father worked as a teacher of the Church Missionary Society (Things Fall Apart xxi). After a few months his parents baptized him and gave him the Christian name Albert, after Prince Albert. As a child Chinua was taught to look down on his fellow tribe members who practiced the traditional faith. Nonetheless, he was fascinated with the customs and traditions of his non-Christian neighbors and went to their ceremonies and festivals despite the fact his parents forbid him to do so. (World Book 26) Chinua later went to the University College of Ibaden, where he studied English, theology, and history. In 1944 he attended Government College in Umuahia. This school was known for fabricating such writers as Wole Soyinka, Eleche Amadi, John Okigbo, John Pepper Clarke, and Cole Omotso (Kirjatso). In 1953 he graduated with a BA. Before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Company in Lagos in 1954 he traveled in Africa and America, and worked for a short time as a teacher. After going to London in 1956 he was invited back to Nigeria for the position of Controller of Eastern Region Satiations. Things Fall Apart was Achebe's first nove...

The 10 Best Spelling Games to Improve Your Word Skills

The 10 Best Spelling Games to Improve Your Word Skills SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In case you haven’t heard, according to Taylor Swift, spelling is fun! But if Taylor’s word isn’t enough to convince you, we’ve come up with a list of ways that playing spelling games can actually improve your spelling, including examples of 10 spelling games that are excellent options for kids, adults, or anyone who wants to improve their spelling skills! (Don’t worry: the possibilities for spelling games go way beyond Scrabble.) Check out our list of 10 fun and challenging spelling games that you can play on your own or with friends to build your spelling skills and vocabulary. In this article, we’ll explain why spelling games are an effective way to improve your skills quickly, and we’ll also help you pick out the best spelling games to help you meet your goals. Let’s get started! Top 4 Ways Games Can Improve Your Spelling Did you know that the spelling game Words With Friends is one of the most popular mobile games of all time? That’s probably because friendly competition, gamification, and skill-building can be a really fun combo! In addition to being fun, gamifying spelling can provide you with some other benefits too. Here are four ways spelling games can improve your spelling, provide cognitive benefits, and increase your vocabulary! #1: Learning Can Come More Naturally When Combined With Games Researchers have found that incorporating games (like spelling games) into formal classrooms can boost student learning. Specifically, teachers who have used spelling games for kids in their classrooms reported improved test scores, heightened engagement from their students, and better attention spans. But the benefits of games don’t end with childhood- adolescents and adults can reap many of the same benefits from incorporating play and games into their life, too. Unfortunately, it’s easy to overlook the need for play and learning in our lives. Spelling word games are a popular and easily accessible way for adults to relax and enjoy learning, and you might even make friends with your fellow game players in the process. #2: Games Provide Practice What many people really need in order to improve at something they’re trying to master is practice. But sitting down with a piece of paper and writing a word over and over again is boring! Likewise, being in a classroom can be intimidating, too. Spelling word games- especially spelling games for kids- provide a fun environment to practice spelling...without the stress of a classroom environment. Formal environments where you have to perform a skill in front of other people- like school or work- can create anxiety around developing that skill. Practicing spelling in a game format allows you to try, fail, and try again without worrying about the consequences. And when people play games, they tend to try over and over again even after â€Å"failing† because they’re having fun! The kind of recurring practice and willingness to try again that spelling games promote can help anyone improve their spelling skills at any age. #3: They’re Great For ESL Learners and People With Dyslexia We mentioned how high-stakes environments like school or work can make spelling scary for some people. After all, no one wants to feel silly if they make a mistake! This can be especially true for people who are trying to learn a new language or who have dyslexia. Spelling games can be especially helpful for people in these situations. Research has shown that making spelling, reading, writing, listening, and speaking into a game can help English Language Learners and people with dyslexia learn to remember things faster and better and develop greater fluency. Connecting people who are learning a new language or who experience dyslexia with effective spelling word games can help them with their language learning. #4: Spelling Games Can Help With Other Important Skills Games give people the opportunity to learn how to spell words over an extended period of time, and they help cultivate an understanding of how the words are formed. Plus, research shows that learning to spell and learning to read and write rely on much of the same underlying knowledge. Many adults describe themselves as both poor readers and poor writers, and recent studies have shown that the time Americans spend reading is at an all-time low. But guess what has seen an increase over the past two decades? The amount of time that Americans spend on playing mobile games. Spelling games provide a great opportunity to dust off those reading and writing-related skills while also enjoying yourself. It’s an added bonus that exercising the reading and writing skills you already possess through game playing can help you grow and expand those existing skills in new ways as well. Top 4 Spelling Games for Kids Now that you know how word/spelling games can benefit people from all walks of life, let’s look at our list of top spelling games. First up: the best spelling games for kids! PBS Kids Spelling Games If you’re searching for one resource for spelling games online that provides access to a variety of spelling, vocabulary, and reading games designed for kids by education and child development experts, look no further than PBS Kids Online. PBS Kids’ website conveniently categorizes the many educational games they provide based on different content areas. There are also games for children ranging from the pre-reading stage to age 8. Younger kids may also appreciate the fact that many of PBS Kids’ spelling, vocabulary, and reading games feature characters they might already know and love from their favorite TV shows, like Big Bird, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the little heroes of Super Why! The familiarity of these popular TV characters can serve as a big incentive for younger kids to engage with educational games. Though there are tons of educational games on the site, one of our favorite PBS Kids word/spelling games available for free online is Super Why Saves the Day. This game introduces a familiar story, like a fairy tale, and asks players to help rewrite the story using words they spell in the game. Players select letters as they appear on the screen to spell out 3-5 letter words, then choose from the pool of words they’ve spelled to rewrite different parts of the story. Super Why Saves the Day helps kids with both spelling and reading comprehension. Ideal For: Kids ages 3-8 Where to Find/Buy: PBS Kids website, or download the PBS Kids Games app for iOS, Android, or Amazon Fire Vocabulary Spelling City If you’re a parent or teacher, helping kids succeed in school-based reading and writing is probably important to you. Spelling City games can be a great source of support! Spelling City is a website and app that gamifies literacy learning to help children and youth grow and improve their vocabulary, spelling, phonics, and writing skills. The activities and games provided by Spelling City mimic the forms of learning and assessment that are used for literacy learning in U.S. schools. Using Spelling City can help students develop confidence and familiarity with the ways their literacy skills will be assessed in school through fun, engaging games. There are two different versions of Spelling City currently available: a free version and a paid annual subscription, called the Family Annual Membership. With the free version, you can access spelling games online or through the app. The Family Annual Membership provides more capabilities: in addition to over 40 spelling games, the membership gives you word study playlists, automatically graded spelling and vocabulary tests, and tracks student data and progress. Plus, the membership version is ad-free. Ideal For: Students aged K-12; families who homeschool; parents seeking extra learning support for their children; teachers seeking to gamify literacy learning; English Language Learners Where to Find/Buy: Online at the Vocabulary Spelling City website, or download the VocabularySpellingCity app for iOS or Android. Wordplay for Kids If you’re trying to cut down on screen time, Wordplay for Kids is a great board game option for building kids’ spelling, vocabulary, word building, and concentration skills. Here’s how the game works: players use a â€Å"letter spinner† to acquire certain letters that they then use to form a word before time runs out. The longer the word that they form, the more points they receive. The words must fall into six special categories: â€Å"Food and Drink,† â€Å"Object or Thing,† â€Å"Living Creature,† â€Å"Something in the House,† â€Å"Boy’s or Girl’s Name,† and â€Å"Any Word.† Another benefit of Wordplay for Kids is that the game can be played as an individual or with a group of 2-6 other players. The inclusive nature of this game gives kids an opportunity to practice spelling with others, which can take the anxiety out of the process. Plus, every player participates in every round, which keeps the excitement and momentum up for young players who want to stay in the middle of the action. Perhaps best of all, Wordplay for Kids is a Teachers’ Choice Award winner, so you know its potential to help kids find success in school-based spelling activities is strong. One word of caution, though: This board game does come with small pieces that could be a choking hazard, so be sure to keep out-of-reach of youngsters who are still in the â€Å"taste-everything-you-touch† phase. Ideal For: Children ages 6+ Where to Find/Buy: Purchase the board game online through Amazon Montessori Crosswords Montessori Crosswords is an app that comes highly recommended for children with dyslexia. Using the Montessori learning method, Montessori Crosswords uses a phonics-enabled moving alphabet to allow kids to build words from a set of 320 word, image, audio, and phonics combinations. The learning methods used by Montessori Crosswords help kids understand that words are made up of sounds, or phonemes. It also helps kids memorize the phonics associated with letters. The app accomplishes these two things by allowing kids to engage with the letters and phonics in the crosswords through sound, touch, and sight. As we mentioned earlier, making learning feel like playing can decrease many young learners’ anxiety about spelling. Additionally, this app tackles spelling from a unique learning perspective, so it makes spelling accessible to kids who have had difficult experiences with literacy learning. Ideal For: Any child, and especially children with dyslexia Where to Find/Buy: App store for iOS devices only Top 3 Spelling Games for Adults Now that we’ve looked at spelling games designed specifically for kids, let’s check out some top spelling games for adults. WordBattle WordBattle is a real-time, multiplayer online word game designed to help you practice word building in friendly competition with friends, family, or fellow Facebook users. Here’s how the game works: each player is given the same 9 random letters and attempts to create a word using them in 40 seconds. Here’s the catch: each letter is assigned a different point value. Your goal is to come up with the word with the greatest point value because whoever has the most points wins! Since WordBattle can be played through a social media site, there is also opportunity for community discussion about the game. Sometimes there are even debates about the legitimacy of words that are played. Especially enthusiastic players might even bust out the dictionary! Overall, WordBattle is simply meant to be a fun way to stretch your brain and improve your agility at word play...and you might just make a few new friends in the process. Ideal For: Any Facebook user who’s down for some competition! Where to Find/Buy: The WordBattle Facebook page, or download the app for iOS or Android. New York Times Crossword A classic in the world of spelling puzzle games, the New York Times crossword has been an icon of American culture since the 1940s. It first appeared in the Sunday paper, then was upgraded to a daily feature in the 1950s. The New York Times crossword puzzle gets increasingly difficult throughout the week, with the easiest puzzle appearing on Monday and the most difficult on Saturday. Knowing how the difficulty increases throughout the week can help you pick the puzzle that’s right for you. And even better: you don’t have to carry a newspaper around with you to play! The New York Times crossword is now available in an app for your phone or tablet. If you want to participate in a beloved national tradition and test your spelling and vocabulary skills, the New York Times crossword is a guaranteed winner. Ideal For: Adults looking for new, challenging spelling word games Where to Find/Buy: The New York Times online; iOS, Google Play, and Amazon Fire app stores Letter Tycoon If you’re interested in face-to-face, interactive spelling word games, consider looking into Letter Tycoon. This board game is an example of a solid approach to integrating a familiar, popular theme with spelling skills. Letter Tycoon asks its 2-5 players to engage in commodity speculation, hand management, and set collection to create the most valuable empire and become the â€Å"letter tycoon.† It’s kind of like Monopoly-meets-Scrabble! Here’s how the game works: players take turns forming a word using a seven-card hand and a three-card community pool, then score money and earn stock rewards based on the word they play. Players may use the money they’ve earned to buy one letter â€Å"patent† in the word they make. For the rest of the game, when other players use a letter you â€Å"own,† you receive â€Å"royalties† from the bank. Patents, money, and stocks are added up at the end of the game to determine the winner! If you’re looking for a fun, sophisticated spelling game that you can bring to game night, Letter Tycoon is a great option. Ideal For: Adults (and people who like economy-based games like Settlers of Catan) Where to Find/Buy: Purchase the board game from Amazon Prime or Walmart.com Top 3 Spelling Games for Anyone! But games are always more fun if you can play it with your whole family, no matter how old they are. That’s why we’ve compiled our favorite all-ages spelling games, too. Bananagrams Bananagrams is like Scrabble’s hip younger brother. It uses a similar concept in that the first player to use all of the letter tiles they’ve drawn to create a word grid is the winner. But Bananagrams ups the drama by making it a race against the other players. Bananagrams also comes in a cute, compact, banana-shaped cloth bag that’s about the size of a pencil case, making it easy to stuff into a backpack or purse and take anywhere. It also requires no pens, pencils, or papers to play! The Classic Bananagrams is great for people of all ages. Children as young as seven can play, and adults of any age can have fun playing, too. But Bananagrams also makes a version of the game called My First Bananagrams, designed for children as young as four who are still in the pre-reading stage. And, get this: if you’re trying to work on your spelling in a language other than English, you can buy Bananagrams in other languages! Available options include: Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Whatever your age or native language, Bananagrams is designed to make you more comfortable with letters and words and helps you improve your spelling. Ideal For: People of all ages and various language backgrounds Where to Find/Buy: Amazon, in-store or online at Target, Barnes Noble, Walmart, or at local toy stores Big Boggle Boggle is a word/spelling game that’s been around for a while, but it remains popular among people of all ages. Big Boggle is a variation on the classic game, and here’s how it works: players attempt to find as many connected words as possible from face-up letters in a 25-cube grid. But, the players are also on the clock! When time is up, players compare their lists of words, then eliminate any words they have in common. Players then receive points based on the number of letters in their remaining words. Adding the time element helps you practice your spelling under pressure, and it gives you the confidence to take spelling risks you might not normally take. (After all, you’re trying to earn precious points!) Ideal For: Anyone, but recommend ages 8+ Where to Find/Buy: eBay, Amazon, or in-store and online at Walmart Words With Friends You’ve probably heard of Words With Friends, a longtime fixture in online and multiplayer word/spelling games. In Words With Friends, players take turns building words in a crossword puzzle format. (If that sounds familiar, you’re right: Words With Friends riffs on the classic Scrabble concept.) If you’re a pretty active game player and enjoy multitasking, Words With Friends allows you to participate in up to 30 games at one time! Players can also connect with people they know to play Words With Friends, or be randomly assigned opponents through â€Å"Smart Match.† Like many other apps that can be played through social media networks, Words With Friends also provides a built-in chat feature that allows players to send messages to each other while playing the game. Ideal For: Anyone, but recommended ages 8+ Where to Find/Buy: iOS, Android, and Windows app store; Facebook, Kindle Fire, and Nook Tablet. What's Next? Do educational games sound like something right up your alley? Then make sure you check out our other posts on educational learning games! (Coming soon) If you’re trying to improve your spelling, you might be interested in working on your reading comprehension, too. Here’s our complete guide to improving your reading comprehension skills. One reason you might want to improve your spelling skills and vocabulary is to prepare you for the reading portion of the SAT or ACT. (It’s a great plan!) Learn more about the reading portions of the SAT and the ACT exams to make sure you’re prepared.

Barack Obama - Speech Before a Joint Session of Congress

Barack Obama First Speech to a Joint Session of Congress delivered 24 February 2009 Madame Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States (who is around here somewhere): I have come here tonight not only to address the distinguished men and women in this great chamber, but to speak frankly and directly to the men and women who sent us here.I know that for many Americans watching right now, the state of our economy is a concern that rises above all others. And rightly so. If you haven’t been personally affected by this recession, you probably know someone who has a friend; a neighbor; a member of your family. You don’t need to hear another list of statistics to know that our economy is in crisis, because you live it every day. It’s the worry you wake up with and the source of sleepless nights. It’s the job you thought you’d retire from but now have lost; the business you built your dreams upon that’s now hanging by a thread; the college acceptance letter your child had to put back in the envelope. The impact of this recession is real, and it is everywhere. But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before. The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation. The answers to our problems don’t lie beyond our reach. They exist in our laboratories and universities; in our fields and our factories; in the imaginations of our entrepreneurs and the pride of the hardest-working people on Earth. Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure. What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more. Now, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that for too long, we have not always met these responsibilities as a government or as a people. I say this not to lay blame or look backwards, but because it is only by understanding how we arrived at this moment that we’ll be able to lift ourselves out of this predicament. The fact is, our economy did not fall into decline overnight. Nor did all of our problems begin when the housing market collapsed or the stock market sank. We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy. Yet we import more oil today than ever before. The cost of health care eats up more and more of our savings each year, yet we keep delaying reform. Our children will compete for jobs in a global economy that too many of our schools do not prepare them for. And though all these challenges went unsolved, we still managed to spend more money and pile up more debt, both as individuals and through our government, than ever before. In other words, we have lived through an era where too often, short-term gains were prized over long-term prosperity; where we failed to look beyond the next payment, the next quarter, or the next election. A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future. Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn’t afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day. Well that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here. Now is the time to act boldly and wisely to not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity. Now is the time to jumpstart job creation, re-start lending, and invest in areas like energy, health care, and education that will grow our economy, even as we make hard choices to bring our deficit down. That is what my economic agenda is designed to do, and that’s what I’d like to talk to you about tonight. It’s an agenda that begins with jobs. As soon as I took office, I asked this Congress to send me a recovery plan by President’s Day that would put people back to work and put money in their pockets. Not because I believe in bigger government – I don’t. Not because I’m not mindful of the massive debt we’ve inherited – I am. I called for action because the failure to do so would have cost more jobs and caused more hardships. In fact, a failure to act would have worsened our long-term deficit by assuring weak economic growth for years. That’s why I pushed for quick action. And tonight, I am grateful that this Congress delivered, and pleased to say that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is now law. Over the next two years, this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90% of these jobs will be in the private sector – jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit. Because of this plan, there are teachers who can now keep their jobs and educate our kids. Health care professionals can continue caring for our sick. There are 57 police officers who are still on the streets of Minneapolis tonight because this plan prevented the layoffs their department was about to make. Because of this plan, 95% of the working households in America will receive a tax cut a tax cut that you will see in your paychecks beginning on April 1st. Because of this plan, families who are struggling to pay tuition costs will receive a $2,500 tax credit for all four years of college. And Americans who have lost their jobs in this recession will be able to receive extended unemployment benefits and continued health care coverage to help them weather this storm. I know there are some in this chamber and watching at home who are skeptical of whether this plan will work. I understand that skepticism. Here in Washington, we’ve all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending. And with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right. That is why I have asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort – because nobody messes with Joe. I have told each member of my Cabinet as well as mayors and governors across the country that they will be held accountable by me and the American people for every dollar they spend. I have appointed a proven and aggressive Inspector General to ferret out any and all cases of waste and fraud. And we have created a new website called recovery.gov so that every American can find out how and where their money is being spent. So the recovery plan we passed is the first step in getting our economy back on track. But it is just the first step. Because even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that has severely weakened our financial system. I want to speak plainly and candidly about this issue tonight, because every American should know that it directly affects you and your family’s well-being. You should also know that the money you’ve deposited in banks across the country is safe; your insurance is secure; and you can rely on the continued operation of our financial system. That is not the source of concern. The concern is that if we do not re-start lending in this country, our recovery will be choked off before it even begins. You see, the flow of credit is the lifeblood of our economy. The ability to get a loan is how you finance the purchase of everything from a home to a car to a college education; how stores stock their shelves, farms buy equipment, and businesses make payroll. But credit has stopped flowing the way it should. Too many bad loans from the housing crisis have made their way onto the books of too many banks. With so much debt and so little confidence, these banks are now fearful of lending out any more money to households, to businesses, or to each other. When there is no lending, families can’t afford to buy homes or cars. So businesses are forced to make layoffs. Our economy suffers even more, and credit dries up even further. That is why this administration is moving swiftly and aggressively to break this destructive cycle, restore confidence, and re-start lending. We will do so in several ways. First, we are creating a new lending fund that represents the largest effort ever to help provide auto loans, college loans, and small business loans to the consumers and entrepreneurs who keep this economy running. Second, we have launched a housing plan that will help responsible families facing the threat of foreclosure lower their monthly payments and re-finance their mortgages. It’s a plan that won’t help speculators or that neighbor down the street who bought a house he could never hope to afford, but it will help millions of Americans who are struggling with declining home values – Americans who will now be able to take advantage of the lower interest rates that this plan has already helped bring about. In fact, the average family who re-finances today can save nearly $2000 per year on their mortgage. Third, we will act with the full force of the federal government to ensure that the major banks that Americans depend on have enough confidence and enough money to lend even in more difficult times. And when we learn that a major bank has serious problems, we will hold accountable those responsible, force the necessary adjustments, provide the support to clean up their balance sheets, and assure the continuity of a strong, viable institution that can serve our people and our economy. I understand that on any given day, Wall Street may be more comforted by an approach that gives banks bailouts with no strings attached, and that holds nobody accountable for their reckless decisions. But such an approach won’t solve the problem. And our goal is to quicken the day when we re-start lending to the American people and American business and end this crisis once and for all. I intend to hold these banks fully accountable for the assistance they receive, and this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. This time, CEOs won’t be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over. Still, this plan will require significant resources from the federal government – and yes, probably more than we’ve already set aside. But while the cost of action will be great, I can assure you that the cost of inaction will be far greater, for it could result in an economy that sputters along for not months or years, but perhaps a decade. That would be worse for our deficit, worse for business, worse for you, and worse for the next generation. And I refuse to let that happen. I understand that when the last administration asked this Congress to provide assistance for struggling banks, Democrats and Republicans alike were infuriated by the mismanagement and results that followed. So were the American taxpayers. So was I. So I know how unpopular it is to be seen as helping banks right now, especially when everyone is suffering in part from their bad decisions. I promise you – I get it. But I also know that in a time of crisis, we cannot afford to govern out of anger, or yield to the politics of the moment. My job – our job – is to solve the problem. Our job is to govern with a sense of responsibility. I will not spend a single penny for the purpose of rewarding a single Wall Street executive, but I will do whatever it takes to help the small business that can’t pay its workers or the family that has saved and still can’t get a mortgage. That’s what this is about. It’s not about helping banks – it’s about helping people. Because when credit is available again, that young family can finally buy a new home. And then some company will hire workers to build it. And then those workers will have money to spend, and if they can get a loan too, maybe they’ll finally buy that car, or open their own business. Investors will return to the market, and American families will see their retirement secured once more. Slowly, but surely, confidence will return, and our economy will recover. So I ask this Congress to join me in doing whatever proves necessary. Because we cannot consign our nation to an open-ended recession. And to ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again, I ask Congress to move quickly on legislation that will finally reform our outdated regulatory system. It is time to put in place tough, new common-sense rules of the road so that our financial market rewards drive and innovation, and punishes short-cuts and abuse. The recovery plan and the financial stability plan are the immediate steps we’re taking to revive our economy in the short-term. But the only way to fully restore America’s economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world. The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care; the schools that aren’t preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit. That is our responsibility. In the next few days, I will submit a budget to Congress. So often, we have come to view these documents as simply numbers on a page or laundry lists of programs. I see this document differently. I see it as a vision for America – as a blueprint for our future. My budget does not attempt to solve every problem or address every issue. It reflects the stark reality of what we’ve inherited – a trillion dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession. Given these realities, everyone in this chamber – Democrats and Republicans – will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me. But that does not mean we can afford to ignore our long-term challenges. I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves; that says government has no role in laying the foundation for our common prosperity. For history tells a different story. History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas. In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry. From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age. In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle-class in history. And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world. In each case, government didn’t supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive. We are a nation that has seen promise amid peril, and claimed opportunity from ordeal. Now we must be that nation again. That is why, even as it cuts back on the programs we don’t need, the budget I submit will invest in the three areas that are absolutely critical to our economic future: energy, health care, and education. It begins with energy. We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy efficient. We invented solar technology, but we’ve fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea. Well I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders – and I know you don’t either. It is time for America to lead again. Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history – an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine, science, and technology. We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. And we will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills. But to truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America. As for our auto industry, everyone recognizes that years of bad decision-making and a global recession have pushed our automakers to the brink. We should not, and will not, protect them from their own bad practices. But we are committed to the goal of a re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry that can compete and win. Millions of jobs depend on it. Scores of communities depend on it. And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it. None of this will come without cost, nor will it be easy. But this is America. We don’t do what’s easy. We do what is necessary to move this country forward. For that same reason, we must also address the crushing cost of health care. This is a cost that now causes a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes. In the last eight years, premiums have grown four times faster than wages. And in each of these years, one million more Americans have lost their health insurance. It is one of the major reasons why small businesses close their doors and corporations ship jobs overseas. And it’s one of the largest and fastest-growing parts of our budget. Given these facts, we can no longer afford to put health care reform on hold. Already, we have done more to advance the cause of health care reform in the last thirty days than we have in the last decade. When it was days old, this Congress passed a law to provide and protect health insurance for eleven million American children whose parents work full-time. Our recovery plan will invest in electronic health records and new technology that will reduce errors, bring down costs, ensure privacy, and save lives. It will launch a new effort to conquer a disease that has touched the life of nearly every American by seeking a cure for cancer in our time. And it makes the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that is one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control. This budget builds on these reforms. It includes an historic commitment to comprehensive health care reform – a down-payment on the principle that we must have quality, affordable health care for every American. It’s a commitment that’s paid for in part by efficiencies in our system that are long overdue. And it’s a step we must take if we hope to bring down our deficit in the years to come. Now, there will be many different opinions and ideas about how to achieve reform, and that is why I’m bringing together businesses and workers, doctors and health care providers, Democrats and Republicans to begin work on this issue next week. I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year. The third challenge we must address is the urgent need to expand the promise of education in America. In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite. Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish. This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education – from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. Already, we have made an historic investment in education through the economic recovery plan. We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life. We have made college affordable for nearly seven million more students. And we have provided the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children’s progress. But we know that our schools don’t just need more resources. They need more reform. That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance; pathways for advancement, and rewards for success. We’ll invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps. And we will expand our commitment to charter schools. It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. I know that the price of tuition is higher than ever, which is why if you are willing to volunteer in your neighborhood or give back to your community or serve your country, we will make sure that you can afford a higher education. And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy. These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children. But it is up to us to ensure they walk through them. In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend those parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework after dinner, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, and read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father when I say that responsibility for our childrens education must begin at home. There is, of course, another responsibility we have to our children. And that is the responsibility to ensure that we do not pass on to them a debt they cannot pay. With the deficit we inherited, the cost of the crisis we face, and the long-term challenges we must meet, it has never been more important to ensure that as our economy recovers, we do what it takes to bring this deficit down. I’m proud that we passed the recovery plan free of earmarks, and I want to pass a budget next year that ensures that each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities. Yesterday, I held a fiscal summit where I pledged to cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term in office. My administration has also begun to go line by line through the federal budget in order to eliminate wasteful and ineffective programs. As you can imagine, this is a process that will take some time. But we’re starting with the biggest lines. We have already identified two trillion dollars in savings over the next decade. In this budget, we will end education programs that don’t work and end direct payments to large agribusinesses that don’t need them. We’ll eliminate the no-bid contracts that have wasted billions in Iraq, and reform our defense budget so that we’re not paying for Cold War-era weapons systems we don’t use. We will root out the waste, fraud, and abuse in our Medicare program that doesn’t make our seniors any healthier, and we will restore a sense of fairness and balance to our tax code by finally ending the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas. In order to save our children from a future of debt, we will also end the tax breaks for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. But let me perfectly clear, because I know you’ll hear the same old claims that rolling back these tax breaks means a massive tax increase on the American people: if your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime. In fact, the recovery plan provides a tax cut – that’s right, a tax cut – for 95% of working families. And these checks are on the way. To preserve our long-term fiscal health, we must also address the growing costs in Medicare and Social Security. Comprehensive health care reform is the best way to strengthen Medicare for years to come. And we must also begin a conversation on how to do the same for Social Security, while creating tax-free universal savings accounts for all Americans. Finally, because we’re also suffering from a deficit of trust, I am committed to restoring a sense of honesty and accountability to our budget. That is why this budget looks ahead ten years and accounts for spending that was left out under the old rules – and for the first time, that includes the full cost of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. For seven years, we have been a nation at war. No longer will we hide its price. We are now carefully reviewing our policies in both wars, and I will soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war. And with our friends and allies, we will forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and combat extremism. Because I will not allow terrorists to plot against the American people from safe havens half a world away. As we meet here tonight, our men and women in uniform stand watch abroad and more are readying to deploy. To each and every one of them, and to the families who bear the quiet burden of their absence, Americans are united in sending one message: we honor your service, we are inspired by your sacrifice, and you have our unyielding support. To relieve the strain on our forces, my budget increases the number of our soldiers and Marines. And to keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned. To overcome extremism, we must also be vigilant in upholding the values our troops defend – because there is no force in the world more powerful than the example of America. That is why I have ordered the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and will seek swift and certain justice for captured terrorists – because living our values doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger. And that is why I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture. In words and deeds, we are showing the world that a new era of engagement has begun. For we know that America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America. We cannot shun the negotiating table, nor ignore the foes or forces that could do us harm. We are instead called to move forward with the sense of confidence and candor that serious times demand. To seek progress toward a secure and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors, we have appointed an envoy to sustain our effort. To meet the challenges of the 21st century – from terrorism to nuclear proliferation; from pandemic disease to cyber threats to crushing poverty – we will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones, and use all elements of our national power. And to respond to an economic crisis that is global in scope, we are working with the nations of the G-20 to restore confidence in our financial system, avoid the possibility of escalating protectionism, and spur demand for American goods in markets across the globe. For the world depends on us to have a strong economy, just as our economy depends on the strength of the world’s. As we stand at this crossroads of history, the eyes of all people in all nations are once again upon us – watching to see what we do with this moment; waiting for us to lead. Those of us gathered here tonight have been called to govern in extraordinary times. It is a tremendous burden, but also a great privilege – one that has been entrusted to few generations of Americans. For in our hands lies the ability to shape our world for good or for ill. I know that it is easy to lose sight of this truth – to become cynical and doubtful; consumed with the petty and the trivial. But in my life, I have also learned that hope is found in unlikely places; that inspiration often comes not from those with the most power or celebrity, but from the dreams and aspirations of Americans who are anything but ordinary. I think about Leonard Abess, the bank president from Miami who reportedly cashed out of his company, took a $60 million bonus, and gave it out to all 399 people who worked for him, plus another 72 who used to work for him. He didn’t tell anyone, but when the local newspaper found out, he simply said, I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old. I didnt feel right getting the money myself. I think about Greensburg, Kansas, a town that was completely destroyed by a tornado, but is being rebuilt by its residents as a global example of how clean energy can power an entire community – how it can bring jobs and businesses to a place where piles of bricks and rubble once lay. The tragedy was terrible, said one of the men who helped them rebuild. But the folks here know that it also provided an incredible opportunity. And I think about Ty’Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, South Carolina – a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters. We are not quitters. These words and these stories tell us something about the spirit of the people who sent us here. They tell us that even in the most trying times, amid the most difficult circumstances, there is a generosity, a resilience, a decency, and a determination that perseveres; a willingness to take responsibility for our future and for posterity. Their resolve must be our inspiration. Their concerns must be our cause. And we must show them and all our people that we are equal to the task before us. I know that we haven’t agreed on every issue thus far, and there are surely times in the future when we will part ways. But I also know that every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed. That must be the starting point for every debate we have in the coming months, and where we return after those debates are done. That is the foundation on which the American people expect us to build common ground. And if we do – if we come together and lift this nation from the depths of this crisis; if we put our people back to work and restart the engine of our prosperity; if we confront without fear the challenges of our time and summon that enduring spirit of an America that does not quit, then someday years from now our children can tell their children that this was the time when we performed, in the words that are carved into this very chamber, something worthy to be remembered. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America. Source: WhiteHouse.gov

International Politics - advising John Deere on recent drought in Essay

International Politics - advising John Deere on recent drought in Brazil - Essay Example cy response to drought, the Brazilian government highly prioritizes the availability and distribution of clean drinking water to save the lives of the people living in affected communities more than the need to supply water for agricultural activities (Osava). As an end result, the profitability of the businesses related to agricultural products suffers most. A large number of agricultural farmers in Brazil purchase their agricultural equipments from the world’s biggest manufacturer of farming machineries known as Deere & Company. (John Deere) As part of Deere’s marketing strategy, the company extends a credit loan to as much as 17 countries worldwide including the medium- and large-scale agricultural businesses in Brazil (John Deere Credit). Since majority of the agricultural business in Brazil are seriously experiencing financial difficulty to pay their credit loan to John Deere Credit, several marketing and non-marketing strategy will be provided in order to prevent the negative financial impact of the phenomena in Brazil over the business performance of John Deere. Drought can exist in any country temporarily. Considering the demand for corn and soybean will always be present, it is highly expected that the business performance of agricultural companies in Brazil will normalize as soon as the period of drought ends. In times of a global natural phenomenon such as the existence of drought, it is advisable on the part of John Deere Credit management to extend the loan payment to affected agricultural companies in Brazil. This can be done by extending the number of payment years depending on the length of forecasted drought period and the time frame wherein the Brazilian farmers will be able to plant and harvest crops including a grace period of at least one year to allow these businesses to recover from the financial loss caused by the uncontrollable environmental factor. Considering the proposed strategy, John Deere Credit could maintain a good business

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Whole Grain Food Choice - Essay Example Amanda (2014) indicates that USDA recommends individuals to consume grains daily and at least half of the grains should be whole grains. Unless one is experiencing non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this article depicts that an individual should not miss the health benefits of eating whole grains. Some of the notable benefits of whole grains as outlined by this article include getting adequate fiber, vitamins, a variety of phytochemicals, and minerals. A Vital aspect to note is that whole grains have the original parts of the kernel which include bran, endosperm, and germ. This article indicates that whole grain lower blood pressure, which is a major factor for heart diseases. As compared to refined food, Amanda argues that whole food helps individual’s blood glucose from rising, thus reducing the risks of getting type 2 diabetes. For example, a study indicated that by taking one-third of serving cooked white rice per day for brown rice, the risks of type 2 diabetes is reduced by 16%. Reference no. 2: WebMD. Tips for Reaping the Benefits of Whole Grains This article indicates that whole grains diet has positive implications on bowel health due to the regular bowel movements and promotion of healthy bacteria in the colon. Despite the importance of whole food in consumers’ bodies, WebMD indicates that only 10% of Americans consume three servings a day, which is the recommended level. This is due to the fact that it is somehow challenging to tell just which foods are whole grains.

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Analysing engineering product - Essay Example omotive components division is the largest of the three business areas which employs 60% of the workforce and most of its business comes from its overseas divisions. The case study focuses on this business area of the company. The automotive components division is also first tier supplier to multinational final producers of automobiles and 49% of its sale comes from Europe and mostly from Germany, France and Spain where 69% of its overseas workforce is employed. In the recent years, looking at the demands of its customers, the company has standardised the production lines and its working practices in all its sites worldwide. The main reasons being that though the cars sold in different countries may vary slightly, they are nevertheless produced in similar manner thereby necessitating the need for same specifications for the components of the cars in different countries. The company has been persuaded to standardize because most of its clients are multinationals who have their business spread through out the world. internalization; MNEs are the vehicle through which production has become international and factors of production such as management, labor and technology have become mobile internationally† (Stopford and Strange 1991).Multinational companies have the advantage of operating their business in different countries throughout the world with the same standard and efficiency. Hence they mostly prefer those companies as their suppliers which can provide product or services that have same specifications worldwide and can be freely used by any or all of their globally located operations. Engineering Product Company has thus managed to gain multinational customers by standardising processes in their production lines in different countries. The restructuring, integrated and streamlined the administration and production lines of its various sites across the globe. All the previously broadly decentralised plants have now been brought under a common code of

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Business ethic aboute Nike Companey - Essay Example Loveleena Rajeev (2009) supposed that â€Å"the lack of business ethics in the market, is the reason the world economy is presently in crisis†. Ethics, in its simplest definition is the perception of right and wrong. Our urbane and civilized world is anchored in ethical values, where without it, the society will be in chaos and disarray (Smith & Smith, 2009). It follows that business ethics â€Å"are moral values and principles, that determine our conduct in the business world† which refer to all aspects and phases in commerce (Rajeev, 2009). In a sense, it should not have been a contentious matter as the conduct of business is simply about delivering and/or exchanging advantages with the firm making profits from it, however, the emergence of â€Å"greed has led the present business scenario towards unethical business practices, legal complications and general mistrust (Rajeev, 2009)† The need for ethical behaviour especially in business leapt from this mire of distrust. Thus the framework of ethical business practices outlines â€Å"a code of conduct that facilitates, if not encourages, public confidence in their products and services (Smith & Smith, 2009). This structure provides guiding principles in getting through ethical dilemma posed in the conduct of business to encourage fair practices and unbiased results, always putting the best interest of the concerned sectors in mind. One such company which found itself in the middle of an ethical scandal is one of the world’s largest shoe manufacturers, Nike, Inc. The controversy was nicknamed Nike’s sweatshop as it pertained to the offshore production houses of the company which was alleged to have poor labour practices and exploitation of manpower. Nike was born from the coming together of Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman which in its early stages imported sports shoes from Japan. In two decades, this shoe manufacturer was able to conquer about half of the world market after it

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Analysing engineering product Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysing engineering product - Essay Example omotive components division is the largest of the three business areas which employs 60% of the workforce and most of its business comes from its overseas divisions. The case study focuses on this business area of the company. The automotive components division is also first tier supplier to multinational final producers of automobiles and 49% of its sale comes from Europe and mostly from Germany, France and Spain where 69% of its overseas workforce is employed. In the recent years, looking at the demands of its customers, the company has standardised the production lines and its working practices in all its sites worldwide. The main reasons being that though the cars sold in different countries may vary slightly, they are nevertheless produced in similar manner thereby necessitating the need for same specifications for the components of the cars in different countries. The company has been persuaded to standardize because most of its clients are multinationals who have their business spread through out the world. internalization; MNEs are the vehicle through which production has become international and factors of production such as management, labor and technology have become mobile internationally† (Stopford and Strange 1991).Multinational companies have the advantage of operating their business in different countries throughout the world with the same standard and efficiency. Hence they mostly prefer those companies as their suppliers which can provide product or services that have same specifications worldwide and can be freely used by any or all of their globally located operations. Engineering Product Company has thus managed to gain multinational customers by standardising processes in their production lines in different countries. The restructuring, integrated and streamlined the administration and production lines of its various sites across the globe. All the previously broadly decentralised plants have now been brought under a common code of