Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Zombie banks - 1779 Words

What are ‘zombie banks’ The term ‘zombie bank’ was first introduced by Edward Kane in 1987 to describe a bank that has a negative net worth but still continues to operate. A negative net worth means that the fair value of assets is lower than the total value of liabilities. Zombie banks usually have large amounts of non-performing assets on their balance sheets making them unprofitable. A loan is considered to be a non-performing asset if no principal payments or interest have been paid for 90 days and is therefore seen to be in jeopardy of default. The fair value of an asset that is considered non-performing is considerably reduced. Zombie banks usually continue to operate until their financial situation is resolved or they are run†¦show more content†¦As a result, Japan went into a prolonged period of deflation that lasted for most of the 1990’s. In order to boost demand, the Japanese government took a Keynesian approach and went through 10 fiscal stimulus packages in 1990â₠¬â„¢s totaling over 100 trillion yen (10). However, this didn’t have the desired effect on demand because of deflation. Consumers were putting-off purchase decisions because prices were falling. The real GDP stagnated and average growth between 1990 and 2001 was only 0.37% (12). The European debt crisis began in 2009 when rating agency’s downgraded Greek government and bank debt because Greece’s government debt reached 113% of GDP. Furthermore, in 2010 Greece’s budget deficit for 2009 was revised from 3.7% to 12.7% (13). Since then Greece has received multiple bail-outs and the crisis has spread throughout the Eurozone and many countries like Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Italy have been severely affected. The Eurozone crisis is a combination of sovereign debt, productivity, private debt, asset bubble and banking crisis. Contrary to BOJ in 1990’s, the ECB reacted to the crisis by quickly lowering the interest rate to 1% in May 2009 (14). Furthermore, the ECB started intervening with the securities market directly in 2010 with the ’Securities Markets Programme’, purchase programme to buy bank-issued covered bonds (2011)Show MoreRelatedCulture of Consumerism, Gender Roles, and Violence in Romero’s Night of the Li ving Dead and Boyle’s 28 Days Later 2773 Words   |  11 Pagescontrols the host like in zombie films, but rather a virus that unleashes the rage all humans pertain. In 28 Days Later, we witness Boyle’s â€Å"infected† killing the population. Are these â€Å"infected† zombies? To understand the term zombies, we must first look at the history of the zombie genre in film history. George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) was not the first zombie feature to be created. Many believe the zombie genre began with Victor Halperin’s White Zombie (1932). The differenceRead MoreInside the Meltdown49737 Words   |  199 Pagesabout public confidence. That s how we maintain the stability with people having confidence in our brand and our insurance guarantee, and I think we ve done that fairly successfully. We have seen a lot of stability. People are keeping their money in banks, which is good. ... I think we ll be judged by how history judges us, whether we continue to be effective in trying to stabilize the banking sector and maintaining people s confidence in the banking system. ... You say in speeches that the FDICRead MoreChina Related Market Events Overwhelm The Fed1814 Words   |  8 PagesFed? The Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), William Dudley, appeared last week to virtually rule out any chance of an increase in the federal funds target at the 16-17 September policy meeting. As President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he is probably the best qualified member of the FOMC to understand the implications of tightening US financial conditions. That having been said, Mr Dudley was careful not to entirely rule out the case for normalisation, depending on incomingRead MoreChina Related Market Events Confuse The Fed?1838 Words   |  8 PagesFed? The Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), William Dudley, appeared last week to virtually rule out any chance of an increase in the federal funds target at the 16-17 September policy meeting. As President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he is probably the best qualified member of the FOMC to understand the implications of tightening US financial conditions. That having been said, Mr Dudley was careful not to entirely rule out the case for normalisation, depending on incomingRead MoreZombie Industry : Zombie Lending And Depressed Restructuring856 Words   |  4 Pagesis â€Å"Zombie lending and depressed restructuring†. The lax misleading supervisions of the banking system were extremely serious, but the Japanese government not takes any measure to stop lending money to zombie firms. Zombie firms are defined as firms are low on production and profit should exit the market but still continue the business by government’s support. They kept recr uit labor supposed be work in regular firms lead to decreasing of production. When the assets price falls, most banks lossesRead MoreTypes Of Attacks On A Computer System1546 Words   |  7 Pagesused in a following attack to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. Phishing attack - In this attack, attacker uses social engineering techniques to steal confidential information - the most common purpose of such attack aims user s bank details. This kind of attacks mostly use schemes involving spoofed emails that send to users to lead those infected websites designed to appear as real on-line banking websites which are malicious. Users get emails will look authentic sent from sourcesRead MoreThe And Of The Basement1720 Words   |  7 PagesWe hoped to push the zombie down the stairwell; and, if we were lucky, that would create the necessary trauma to the brain area to cause permanent death. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, said Tim stoically with a knowing grin. Or the one, added Dean. I had no idea what they were talking about. As the door swung out, we lunged into the breach. The stairs before us were empty. We could hear muffled sounds from the kitchen. Here zombie, zombie, zombie... Dean called out,Read MoreMovie Analysis : Film And Film870 Words   |  4 Pagesprovoke laughter, exaggerating situations, language, action, drama, relationships and characters. Could also include slapsticks, parody, romantic comedies. †¢ Crime and Gangster: These are designed around actions of criminals and mobsters, practically bank robbers, young teenagers, operating outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life. †¢ Drama: Dramas portray real life characters, settings, life and situations, stories including character development. Not focused on special effectsRead MoreFinancing Of The Japanese System898 Words   |  4 Pagesstability, and the company had access to well trained-sector specific workers. However, the increase in financing in Japan, and the emphasize on long-term employment, had a negative effect on the economic system as a whole, through the creation of zombie companies that only served to drain the economy, rather than protect labor relations (Edgington 2009; Yamamura and Streeck 2003). As a result, it seems that while financing could make companies more efficient, it also could lead to job loss and wageRead MoreEssay about Japanese Malaise793 Words   |  4 Pagesnominal interest rates and the emergence of the liquidity trap. According to Hayashi Prescott (2002), a major contribution to the productivity slowdown is that Japanese banks conceal their non-performing loans from inefficient firms by discounting lending rates regardless of the little likelihood of being recovered. As the result, banks restrain from providing the capital necessary for firms to adapt to changes through investment and the introduction of more productive technologies. Microeconomic theory

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Night World Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13 Free Essays

Jade sat in the wing chair, holding Tiggy upsidedown on her lap, petting his stomach. He was purring but mad. She stared down into indignant, glowing green eyes. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13 or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"The other goat,† Kestrel announced from the doorway, saying the word as if it were something not mentioned in polite society, â€Å"is just fine. So you can let the cat out.† Jade didn’t think so. There was somebody crazy inBriar Creek, and she planned to keep Tiggy safe where she could see him. â€Å"We’re not going to have to feed on the goat, are we?† Kestrel asked Rowan dangerously. â€Å"Of course not. Aunt Opal did because she was tooold to hunt.† Rowan looked preoccupied as she answered. â€Å"I like hunting,† Jade said. â€Å"It’s even better thanI thought it would be.† But Rowan wasn’t listening she was biting her lip and staring into the distance. â€Å"Rowan, what?† â€Å"I was thinking about the situation we’re in. You and Mark, for one thing. I think we need to talk about that.† Jade felt reflexive alarm. Rowan was in one of herorganizing moods-which meant you could blink and find that she’d rearranged all your bedroom furnitureor that you were moving to Oregon. â€Å"Talk about what?† she said warily. â€Å"About what you two are going todo. Is he going to stay human?† â€Å"It’s illegal to change him,† Kestrel put in pointedly. â€Å"Everything we’ve done this week is illegal,†Rowan said. â€Å"And if they exchange blood again well, it’s only going to take a couple of times. Do you want him a vampire?† she asked Jade. Jade hadn’t thought about it. She thought Mark was nice the way he was. But maybehe would wantto be one. â€Å"What are you going to do with yours?† she asked Ash, who was coming slowly downstairs. â€Å"My what?† He looked sleepy and irritable. â€Å"Your soulmate. Is Mary-Lynnette going to stayhuman?† â€Å"That’s the other thing I’ve been worrying about,† Rowan said. â€Å"Have you thought at all, Ash?† â€Å"I can’t think at this hour in the morning. I don’thave a brain yet.† â€Å"It’s almost noon,† Kestrel said scornfully. â€Å"I don’t care when it is. I’m still asleep.† He wandered toward the kitchen. â€Å"And you don’t need to worry,† he added, looking back and sounding more awake. â€Å"Because I’m not doinganythingwith the girl and Jade’s not doing anything with the brother. Because we’re goinghome.†He disappeared. Jade’s heart was beating hard. Ash might act frivolous, but she saw the ruthlessness underneath. She looked at Rowan. â€Å"Is Mary-Lynnettereally his soulmate?† Rowan leaned back, her brown hair spreading likea waterfall on the green brocade of the couch. â€Å"I’m afraid so.† â€Å"But then how can he want to leave?† â€Å"Well †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Rowan hesitated. â€Å"Soulmates don’t always stay together. Sometimes it’s too much-the fire and lightning and all that. Some people just can’tstand it.† Maybe Mark and I aren’t really soulmates, Jade thought. And maybe that’s good. It sounds painful. â€Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,† she said. A dear voice sounded in her mind:Whydoesn’tanybody say â€Å"Poor Ash†? â€Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,† Jade said again. Ash reappeared. â€Å"Look,† he said and sat down onone of the carved mahogany chairs. â€Å"We need to get things straight. It’s not just a matter ofme wanting you to come home. I’m not the only one who knows you’re here.† Jade stiffened. Kestrelsaid, almost pleasantly,†Youtold somebody?† â€Å"I was staying with somebody when the family called to say you were missing. And he was there when I realized where you must have gone. He also happens to be an extremely powerful telepath. So just consider yourself lucky I convinced him to let me try to get you back.† Jade stared at him. She did consider herself lucky. She also considered it strange that Ash would go to such trouble for her and Rowan and Kestrel-for any bodybesides Ash. Maybe she didn’t know her brother as well as she thought. Rowan said, very soberly, â€Å"Who was it?† â€Å"Oh, nobody.† Ash leaned back and looked moodily at the ceiling. â€Å"Just Quinn.† Jade flinched. Quinn †¦ that snake .He had a heart like a glacier and he despised humans. He was the sort to take Night World law into his own hands if he didn’t think it was being enforced properly. â€Å"He’s coming back on Monday to see if I’ve takencare of the situation,† Ash said. â€Å"And if I haven’t,we’re all dead-you, me, and your little human buddies.† Rowan said, â€Å"So we’ve got until Monday to figuresomething out.† Kestrel said, â€Å"If he tries anything on us, he’s in fora fight.† Jade squeezed Tiggy to make him growl. Mary-Lynnette had been sleeping like a stone-buta stone with unusually vivid dreams. She dreamed about stars brighter than she’d ever seen and starclouds shimmering in colors like the northern lights. She dreamed about sending an astronomical telegram to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to register her claim for discovering a new supernova. About being the firstto see it with her wonderful new eyes, eyes thatshe saw in a mirror-were all pupil, like an owl’s or a cat’s†¦. Then the dream changed and she was an owl, swooping down in a dizzying rush from a hollow Douglas fir. She seized a squirrel in her talons andfelt a surge of simple joy. Killing felt so natural. All she had to do was be the best owl she could be, and grab food with her feet. But then a shadow fell over her from somewhereabove. And in the dream she felt a terrible sick real ization-that even hunters could be hunted. And that something was after her†¦. She woke up disoriented-not as towhere shewas, but as to who she was. Mary-Lynnette or a hunter being chased by something with white teeth in themoonlight? And even when she went downstairs, she couldn’t shake off the sick feeling from her dream. â€Å"Hi,† Mark said. â€Å"Is that breakfast or lunch?† â€Å"Both,† Mary-Lynnette said, sitting down on the family room couch with her two granola bars. Mark was watching her. â€Å"So,† he said, â€Å"have you been thinking about it, too?† Mary-Lynnette tore the wrapper off a granola bar with her teeth. â€Å"About what?† † Youknow.† Mary-Lynnette did know. She glanced around to make sure Claudine wasn’t in earshot.† Don’t think about it.† â€Å"Why not?† When she didn’t answer, he said,†Don’t tell me you haven’t been wondering what it would be like. To see better, hear better, be telepathic†¦and live forever. I mean, we could see the year three thousand. You know, the robot wars, colonizing other planets†¦. Come on, don’t tell me you’renot even a little curious.† All Mary-Lynnette could think of was a line from a Robert Service Poem: Andthe skies of nightw re alive with light, with a throbbing, thrilling flame†¦ . â€Å"I’m curious,† she said. ‘But there’s no point in wondering. They do things we couldn’t do-they kill† She put down her glass of milk as if she’d lost herappetite. She hadn’t, though-and wasn’t that the problem? She ought to be sick to her stomach at just the thought of killing, of drinking blood from a warm body. Instead, she was scared. Of what was out there inthe world-and of herself. â€Å"It’sdangerous,†she said aloud to Mark. â€Å"Don’tyousee? We’ve gotten mixed up in this Night World-and it’s a place where bad things can happen. Not just bad like flunking a class. Bad like †¦Ã¢â‚¬  †¦ white teeth in the moonlight †¦ â€Å"Like getting lolleddead,† Mary-Lynnette said. â€Å"And that’s serious, Mark. It’s not like the movies.† Mark was staring at her. â€Å"Yeah, but we knew that already.† His tone said â€Å"What’s the big deal?† And Mary-Lynnette couldn’t explain. She stood up abruptly. â€Å"If we’re going over there, we’d better get moving,† she said. â€Å"It’s almost one o’clock.† The sisters and Ash were waiting at Burdock Farm. â€Å"You and Mark can sit in the front with me,† MaryLynnette told Jade, not looking at Ash. â€Å"But I don’t think you’d better bring the cat.† â€Å"The cat goes,† Jade said firmly, getting in. â€Å"OrI don’t.† Mary-Lynnette put the car in gear and pulled out. As they came in sight of the small duster of buildings on Main Street, Mark said, â€Å"And there it is, downtown Briar Creek in all its glory. A typical Friday afternoon, with absolutely nobody on the streets.† He didn’t say it with his usual bitterness. MaryLynnette glanced at him and saw that it was Jade he was talking to. And Jade was looking around with genuine interest, despite the cat’s claws embedded in her neck. â€Å"Somebody’son the streets,† she said cheerfully. â€Å"It’s that. boy Vic. And that other one, Todd. And grown-ups.† Mary-Lynnette slowed as she passed the sheriff’soffice but didn’t stop until she reached the gas station at the opposite corner. Then she got out and looked casually across the street. Todd Akers was there with his father, the sheriff and Vic Kimble was there with his father. Mr. Kimble had a farm east of town. They were all getting into the sheriff’s car, and they all seemed very excited. Bunny Marten was standing on the sidewalk watching as they left. Mary-Lynnette felt a twinge of fear. This is what it’s like when you have a terrible secret, she thought. You worry about everything that happens, and wonder if it’s got something to do with you, if it’s going to get you caught. â€Å"Hey, Bunnyl† she called. â€Å"What’s going on?† Bunny looked back. â€Å"Oh, hi, Mare.† She walkedunhurriedly-Bunny never hurried-,acrossthe street. â€Å"How’re you doing? They’re just going to check out that horse thing.† â€Å"What horse thing?† â€Å"Oh. . .didn’t you hear?† Bunny was looking behind Mary-Lynnette now, at Mark and the four strangers who were getting out of the station wagon. Suddenly her blue eyes got rounder and she reached up to fluff her soft blond hair. Now, I wonder who she’s just seen, Mary-Lynnettethought ironically. Who could it be? â€Å"Hi† Ash said. â€Å"We didn’t hear about the horse thing,† MaryLynnette said, gently prompting. â€Å"Oh†¦ um, one of Mr. Kimble’s horses cut his throat on barbed wire last night. That’s what everybody was sayingthis morning. But just now Mr.Kimble came into town and said that he didn’t think it was barbed wire after all. He thinks †¦ somebody did it on purpose. Slashed its throat and left it todie.† She hunched her shoulders in a tiny shiver.. Theatrically, Mary-Lynnette thought. â€Å"You see?† Jade said. â€Å"That’s why I’m keeping my eye on Tiggy.† Mary-Lynnette noticed Bunny eyeing Jade. â€Å"Thanks,Bun.† â€Å"I’ve got to get back to the store,† Bunny said,but she didn’t move. Now she was looking at Kestreland Rowan. â€Å"I’ll walk you there,† Ash said gallantly. Withwhat, Mary-Lynnette thought, must be his usual putting-the-moves-on manner. â€Å"After all, we don’t know what could be lurking around here.† â€Å"It’s broad daylight,† Kestrel said disgustedly, but Ash was already walking Bunny away. MaryLynnette decided she was glad to get rid of him. â€Å"Who was that girl?† Rowan asked, and something in her voice was odd. Mary-Lynnette glanced at her in surprise. â€Å"Bunny Marten. I know her from school.What’s wrong?† â€Å"She was staring at us,† Rowan said softly. â€Å"She was staring at Ash. Oh, and probably youthree, too. You’re new and you’re pretty, so she’s probably wondering which boys you’ll take fromher.† â€Å"I see.†But Rowan still looked preoccupied. â€Å"Rowan, what is it?† â€Å"It’s nothing. I’m sure it’s nothing. It’s just thatshe’s gota lamia name.† † Bunny?† † Well.† Rowan smiled. â€Å"Lamia are traditionallynamed after natural things–gems andanimalsand flowers and trees. So Bunny’ would be a lamianame-and isn’t a marten a kind of weasel?† Something was tugging at the edges of Mary-Lynnette’s consciousness again. Something about Bunny †¦ about Bunny and †¦ wood †¦ It was gone. She couldn’t remember. To Rowan she said,†But-can you sense something suspiciousabout her or anything? I mean, does she seemlike one of you? Because otherwise I just can’t see Bunny as a vampire. I’m sorry; I just can’t.† Rowan smiled. â€Å"No, I don’t sense anything. And I’m sure you’reright-humans can have names likeours, too. Sometimes it gets confusing.† For some bizarre reason Mary-Lynnette’s mind wasstill on wood. â€Å"You know, I don’t see why you name yourselves after trees. I thought wood was dangerous for you.† â€Å"It is-,and that makes it powerful. Tree names are supposed to be some of the most powerful nameswe have.† Ash was coming out of the general store. Immediately Mary-Lynnette turned around and looked for Jeremy. She didn’t see him in the empty gas station, butshe heard something-something she realized she’dbeen hearing for several minutes. Hammering. â€Å"Come on, let’s go around back,† she said, alreadywalking, not waiting for Ash to reach them. Kestreland Rowan went with her. Jeremy was around back. He was hammering a long board across a broken window. There wereshards of thick, greenish-tinted glass all over the ground. Light brown hair wasfalling in his eyes ashe struggled to hold the board steady. † What happened?† Mary-Lynnettesaid. She moved automatically to hold the right end of the board in place for him. He glanced up at her, making a grimace of reliefas he let go of the board. â€Å"Mary-Lynnette-thanks. Hang on a sec.† He reached into his pocket for nails and began driving them in with quick, sure blows of the hammer. Then he said, â€Å"I don’t know what happened.Somebody broke it last night. Made a real mess.† â€Å"Last night seems to have been a busy night,† Kestrel said dryly. Jeremy glanced back at the voice. And then †¦ his hands went still, poised with the hammer and nail. He was looking at Kestrel, and at Rowan beside her,looking a long time. At last he turned to MaryLynnette and said slowly, â€Å"You need more gas already?† â€Å"Oh-no. No.† I should have siphoned some out,Mary-Lynnette thought. Nancy Drew would defi nitely have thought of that. â€Å"I justit’s been knocking a lotthe engine-and I thought you could lookat it-under the hood-since you didn’t last time.† Incoherent and pathetic, she decided in the silencethat followed. And Jeremy’s dear brown eyes were still searching her face. â€Å"Sure, Mary-Lynnette,† he said-not sarcastically, but gently. â€Å"As soon as I get finished.† Oh, hecan’t be a vampire. And so what am I doing here, lying to him, suspecting him, when he’s only ever been nice to me? He’s the type to help old ladies, not kill them. Sssssss. She started as the feral hiss tore through the silence. It came from behind her, and for one horrible instant she thought it was Kestrel. Then she saw thatJade and Mark had rounded the comer, and that Tiggy was fighting like a baby leopard in Jade’s arms. The kitten was spitting and clawing, black fur standing on end. Before Jade could get a better grip, he climbed up her shoulder and leaped, hitting the ground running. † Tiggy! â€Å"Jade shrieked. She took off after him, silvery blond hair flying, agile as a kitten herself. Markfollowed, ricocheting off Ash who was just comingaround the comer himself. Ash was knocked into thegas station wall. â€Å"Well, that was fun,† Kestrel said. But Mary-Lynnette wasn’t really listening. Jeremywas staring at Ash-and his expression gave Mary Lynnette coldchills. And Ash was staring back with eyes as green as glacier ice. Their gazes were locked in something like instantaneous, instinctive hatred. Mary-Lynnette felt a quiver of fear for Jeremy-but Jeremy didn’t seem afraid for himself. His muscles were tight and he looked ready to defend himself. Then, deliberately, he turned away. Turned hisback on Ash. He readjusted the board-and MaryLynnette did what she should have done in the beginning. She looked at his hand. The ring on his index finger glinted gold, and she could just make out the black design on the seal. A tall duster of bell-shaped flowers. Not an iris,not a dahlia, not a rose. No-there was only one flower Rowan had mentioned that this could possiblybe. It grew wild around here and it was deadly poison. Foxglove. So now she knew. Mary-Lynnette felt hot and sick. Her hand began to tremble on the board she was holding. She didn’t want to move, but she couldn’t stay here. â€Å"I’m sorry-1 have to get something-† The words came out in a painful gasp. She knew everyone wasstaring at her. She didn’t care. She let go of the board and almost ran away. She kept going until she was behind the boardedup windows of the Gold Creek Hotel. Then she leaned against the wall and stared at the place where town ended and the wilderness began. Motes of dust danced in the sunlight, bright against a dark background of Douglas fir. I’m so stupid. All the signs were there, right in front of my face. Why didn’t I seebefore? I guess because I didn’t want to †¦. â€Å"Mary-Lynnette.† Mary-Lynnette turned toward the soft voice. She resisted the impulse to throw herself into Rowan’s arms and bawl. â€Å"I’ll be okay in just a few minutes. Really. It’s just a shock.† â€Å"Mary-Lynnette †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It’s just-it’s just that I’ve known him so long.It’s not easy to picture himyou know. But I guess it just goes to show you. People are never what they seem.† â€Å"Mary-Lynnette-† Rowan stopped and shook her head. â€Å"Just what are you talking about?† â€Å"Him.Jeremy. Of course.† Mary-Lynnette took abreath. The air felt hot and chokingly dusty. â€Å"He did it. He really did it.† â€Å"Why do you think so?† â€Å"Why?Because he’s a werewolf. â€Å" There was a pause and Mary-Lynnette suddenly felt embarrassed. She looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot, and then said more quietly,†Isn’t he?† Rowan was looking at her curiously. â€Å"How did you know?† â€Å"Well-you said black foxglove is for werewolves. And that’s foxglove on his ring. How did you know?† â€Å"I just sensed it. Vampire powers are weaker insunlight, but Jeremy isn’t trying to hide anything. He’s right out there.† â€Å"He sure is,† Mary-Lynnette said bitterly. ‘ I should have sensed it. I mean †¦ he’s the only person in town who was interested in the lunar eclipse. And the way he moves, and his eyes †¦ and he livesat Mad Dog Creek, for God’s sake. I mean, that land’s been in his family for generations.And’ -Mary-Lynnette gave a sudden convulsive sniffle-â€Å"people say they’ve seen the Sasquatch around there. A big hairy monster, half person and half beast. Now, what does that sound like?† Rowan was standing quietly, her expression grave-but her lips were twitching. Mary-Lynnette’s vision blurred and wetness spilled onto her cheeks. â€Å"I’m sorry.† Rowan put a hand on her arm. â€Å"I’mnot laughing.† â€Å"I thought he was a nice guy,† Mary-Lynnettesaid, turning away. â€Å"I still think he is,† Rowan said. â€Å"And actually, really, you know, it means he didn’tdo it.† â€Å"The fact that he’s a nice guy?† â€Å"The fact that he’s a werewolf.† Mary-Lynnette turned back.† What?† â€Å"You see,† Rowan said, â€Å"werewolves are different. They’re not like vampires. They can’t drink a little blood from people and then stop without doing anyreal harm. They kill every time they hunt-because they have to eat.†Mary-Lynnette gulped, but Rowanwent on serenely. â€Å"Sometimes they eat the whole animal,but they always eat the internal organs, theheart and liver. They have to do it, the same way that vampires need to drink blood.† â€Å"And that means †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He didn’t kill Aunt Opal. Or the goat. They wereboth intact.† Rowan sighed. â€Å"Look. Werewolves and vampires traditionally hate each other. They’ve been . rivals forever, and lamia think of werewolves as sort of-lower class. But actually a lot of them are gentle.They only hunt to eat.† â€Å"Oh,† Mary-Lynnette said hollowly. Shouldn’t shebe happier about this? â€Å"So the guy I thought was nice just has to eat the odd liver occasionally.† â€Å"Mary-Lynnette, you can’t blame him. How can I explain? It’s like this: Werewolves aren’t people whosometimes turn into wolves. They’re wolves who sometimes look like people.† â€Å"But they still kill,† Mary-Lynnette said flatly. â€Å"Yes, but onlyanimals.The law is very strict aboutthat. Otherwise humans catch on in no time. Vam pires can disguise their work by making it look like a cut throat, but werewolf kills are unmistakable.† â€Å"Okay. Great.† I should be more enthusiastic, Mary-Lynnette thought. But how could you ever re ally trust someone who was a wolf behind their eyes? You might admire them the way you admire a sleek and handsome predator, but trust them †¦no. â€Å"Before we go back-we may have a problem,†Rowan said. â€Å"If he realizes that you recognized his ring, he may know we’ve told you about you know.† She glanced around and lowered her voice. â€Å"The Night World.† Mary-Lynnette understood. â€Å"Oh, God.† â€Å"Yes. That means it’s his duty to turn us all in. Or kill us himself.† â€Å"Oh, God† â€Å"The thing is, I don’t think he will. He likes you, Mary-Lynnette. A lot. I don’t think he could bring himself to turn you in.† Mary-Lynnette felt herself flushing. â€Å"But then, that would get him in trouble, too, wouldn’t it?† â€Å"It could, if anybody ever finds out. We’d better go back and see what’s going on. Maybe he doesn’t realize you know. Maybe Kestrel and Ash have managed tobluff him.† How to cite Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13, Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

True Brand Loyalty Essay Example For Students

True Brand Loyalty Essay True Brand Loyalty Essay Introduction A companys main question in relation to selling their products or services use do be: ,,How do I get people to buy my product? It will start of by thoroughly explaining what brand loyalty exactly is. After that an overview of key success factors stimulating brand loyalty will be given and we will have a look at how these factors are influenced by different conditions. Examples will be provided. The relationships between brand loyalty and brand commitment and satisfaction will be explored. Finally a conclusion will be reached on how important brand loyalty is to companies and for what reasons. What is Brand Loyalty? Before one can give a definition of brand loyalty one first has to make the distinction between repeat purchasing behavior and brand loyalty. Repeat purchasing behavior is the actual rebuying of a brand. So the behavioral aspect of this action. Brand loyalty also includes that behaviors antecedents. This means the reason or fact occurring before the behavior. When talking about brand loyalty we can yet again make a distinction between two types: On the one hand we have spurious brand loyalty and on the other True Brand Loyalty Essay. The former was defined by Bloemer and Kasper as the (1) biased (2) behavioral response (3) expressed over time (4) by some decision-making unit (5) with respect to one or more alternative brands out of a set of such brand, (6) which is a function of inertia. The key word here is inertia meaning without commitment towards the brand. Their definition the latter, and the most important one in this paper, is exactly the same on the first five points but differs for the sixth adding is a function of psychological (decision making, evaluative) processes resulting in brand commitment. In this definition brand commitment is the key word. In laymens words true brand loyalty refers to consumers sticking with a brand out of feelings of commitment towards that brand. For instance, when you bought a tube of Prodent toothpaste and you found it ok, you will not have to spend any valuable time on looking for other toothpaste brands, because you are already familiar with it. However, for a more brand-loyalty-sensitive product class like beer, the probability that a consumer will stick to one brand (like Grolsch Beer) is much higher. In the next paragraph we will now look at the relation between brand commitment and brand loyalty. Brand commitment Brand loyalty is based on the amount of brand commitment. The amount of commitment is not fixed, but can be considered as a continuum. The amount of commitment is based on the type of brand satisfaction. In this article, two types of satisfaction are taken into account. For the sake of this paper, a distinction has to be made between manifest and latent brand satisfaction. First, what is brand satisfaction? Bloemer defines it as the outcome of the subjective evaluation that the chosen alternative (the brand) meets or exceeds the expectations (pp 314). Bloemer then makes a distinction between manifest and latent satisfaction. The distinction basically rests on the degree of elaboration. This in turn depends on the level of motivation and capacity that a certain consumer needs in order to evaluate the product. Manifest satisfaction is the result of a high degree of elaboration. Latent satisfaction is based on the fact that the consumer is not fully aware of his/her satisfaction, because of a lack of motivation and/or ability of the consumer to evaluate his/her brand choice (pp. on legends Essay315). The linkage between satisfaction and brand loyalty Many literatures have been written on the relation between brand loyalty and consumer .

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Non-Verbal Communication in Counselling free essay sample

Nonverbal communication is body language and plays a major role in relationship development because it is also the main channel we use to communicate our feelings and attitudes towards others. But because much of our nonverbal communication behavior is unconscious, most of us have limited awareness or understanding of it. The importance of nonverbals in communication cannot be overemphasized; they are crucial to getting the full message. Some writers have suggested that as much as 80% of communication takes place on the nonverbal level. top General Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication: 1. Nonverbal Communication Uses Many Channels for Sending and Receiving – Messages may be sent in many ways, as the list below shows. This list is to help you become more aware of the variety of and complexity of nonverbal communication. With greater awareness you will develop greater understanding of the ways in which others interpret the nonverbal signals you send. Also, by improving your skills in reading the nonverbal responses other persons make to your communication, you will learn how you yourself are perceived. We will write a custom essay sample on Non-Verbal Communication in Counselling or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I. Nonverbal communication behaviours using TIME:  · Recognition  · Priorities II. Nonverbal communication behaviours using the BODY:  · Eye Contact – There seems to be more eye contact in interpersonal interactions between Arabs, South Americans, and Greeks than between people from other cultures. There is evidence that some African Americans looks at others less than whites do when sending and receiving messages.  · Eyes  · Skin  · Posture  · Facial expression – the face is the exhibit gallery of our emotional displays. And although we often try to manipulate our facial cues to project a premeditated feeling, our faces may still betray our true emotions to others. Your face is versatile. According to one research team, it is capable o f producing over 250,000 different expressions. Research has found that facial expressions conveying happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, surprise, and sadness were the same in 68 to 92 percent of the cultures examines. 1. Surprise: Wide-open eyes, raised and wrinkled brow, open mouth. 2. Fear: Open mouth, tense skin under the eyes, wrinkles in the centre of the forehead. 3. Disgust: Raised or curled upper lip, wrinkled nose, raised cheeks, lowered brow, lowered upper eyelid. 4. Anger: tensed lower eyelid; either pursed lips or open mouth; lowered and wrinkled brow; staring eyes. 5. Happiness: Smiling; mouth may be open or closed; raised cheeks; wrinkles around lower eyelids. 6. Sadness: Lip may tremble; corners of the lips turn downward; corners of the upper eyelid may be raised. All humans probably share the same neurophysiological basis for expressing emotions, but we learn different rules for sending and interpreting the expression. For example, the Japanese culture does not reinforce the show of negative emotions; it is important for Japanese to â€Å"save face† and to help others save face as well. Hand and arm gestures: Hand and body gestures with the most shared meaning among Africans, North Americans, and South Americans include pointing, shrugging, head nodding, clapping, thumbs down, waving hello, and beckoning. There are, however, regional variations within cultures; it is not wise to assume that all people in a given culture share the sam e meaning for certain gestures. The OK gesture has sexual connotations for some South American and Caribbean countries. In France the OK sign means worthless.  · Self-inflicted behaviours  · Repetitive behaviours  · Signals or commands  · Touching  · Sexual

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome essays

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome essays Munchausens syndrome is very quickly becoming the modern day, similar to the witch-hunts in the Dark Ages. This syndrome was first described in 1977 by Meadow. Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome is also know as MBPS, it is described as one of the most harmful forms of child abuse. Why do parents have to harm their children in the most harmful way? Researchers say MBPS is a parenting disorder where parents make their children get certain symptoms, while they are trying to perform this, the child gets unnecessary medical tests and surgical procedures. More than 98% of MBPS cases involve the mothers. Many of these people that harm their children in this way have a background in a medical or health-care setting. Typically it seems, that the MSBP parent is on a misguided mission to feel special, to get a lot of attention from people, friends, family and the community, as the heroic parent of a tragically ill child. Other parents crave a major relationship with the doctors. It is also suspected that these parents have had abuse towards them at some point in their early life so they think that this is a way to hide their past. Also, very small children are usually the victims since they are too young to relate what is happening to them. The parents acting skills can match these of a veteran performer, which can mislead the most skillful physicians. For example, the MSBP parent might induce apnea by suffocating their child to the point of unconsciousness, and then panicly display the limp child to the hospital or clinic staff as the tears roll down her cheeks. They might secretly place a drop of blood in the childs urine specimen, and then appear traumatic at the lab results that alarm the unsuspecting physicians and nurses. Behind closed doors, she may scrub the childs skin with oven cleaner to cause a terrible blistering rash that lasts for months. The most common mode of sympt ...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Article Critique

The association between suicidal ideation, friendships with delinquents, and social/parental connectedness in high-risk youth is poorly understood (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger, 2011). The participants include 2,598 pre/early adolescents, but no further information is described regarding the individuals. The results are included: After adjusting for demographic and mental distress factors, suicidal ideation was positively associated with having delinquent friends; yet, after factoring in substance abuse and mental distress, this was negative for males (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger). Furthermore, after adjusting for all factors (demographic, mental distress, illicit substance abuse, and peer/date violence victimization), suicidal ideation was negatively associated with school and parental connectedness, but a higher association did exist for females (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger). The significance levels are not reported. Future research is touched on in the conclusion; potential benefits may exist in increasing school connectedness and improving parenting strategies, especially for females, as well as the improving the violence and substance-abuse prevention strategies, especially for males, connected with delinquent peers (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger). After reading the entire article and re-reading the abstract, it remains clear and provides a good relevant description of the problem under study. The purpose is also clear. The specific hypothesis is not clearly stated, however. The research questions are not clearly stated, but can be interpreted. The review is objective and unbiased, but does not contain any alternative viewpoints. Methods The participants are identified: English-speaking students enrolled in grades 7, 9, 11, and 12 at all 16 public schools within a school district (ranking among the 25 nationally highest in poverty, highest 15 in single-parent families, highest 10 in serious crime rates, and the highest 35 in unemployment rate). The number of the entire population is not stated here, but that only data from grades 7 and 9 are used in the study; (3,314 in 7th grade and 2,598 in 9th grade). The participants were selected for the study by voluntarily completing an anonymous self-administered 174-item questionnaire. 78% participated and each student received a $5 gift card for returning the parental permission form and another $5 gift card after completing the survey (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger). There is no mention of approval from the Institutional Review Board. The variables of interest included the following: friendships with delinquents, parental caring and supervision, social support, school connectedness, and number of perceived close friends. Each of the aforementioned variables were further divided as well. The outcome variable, suicidal ideation, was dichotomized: did or did not seriously consider attempting suicide within the 12 months prior to completing the survey. Three analyses were conducted: (1) basic descriptive analyses to characterize the population (including logistic regression to assess crude associations between each characteristic and the outcome variable; associations were reported via odds ratio); (2) logistic regression to determine the associations of each connectedness variable with the outcome variable, adjusting for potential confounding factors; and (3) interaction terms were added to each model-building step that adjusted for demographic actors between the main variables and the outcome variable by sex (Logan, Crosby, Hamburger, 2011). Enough information to replicate the design is not provided, nor is the data analysis plan. Results Descriptive results are reported in a table, including demographics. A lot of information from the tables is not described in the text, but the tables can be interpreted stand alone. The results are written in plain English: 17% had seriously considered suicide within the previous year; 71% had delinquent friends; 66% experienced peer or date abuse within the previous year; 53% experienced mental distress within the previous 30 days; 12% drank alcohol within the previous year; 10% used illicit drugs within the previous year; 80% felt connected to school; 70% felt they had moderate to high levels of social support; and 63% felt they had parents who cared about them and supervised their activities.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

A-Level Law in Action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A-Level Law in Action - Essay Example For instance, in R v Steane, the accused lent his services to the enemy, in order to protect his family from harm. Consequently, his conviction was set aside6. Â  On the other hand, indirect or oblique intent arises when the accused can foresee the outcome, as being highly probable, and the accused does not desire that outcome. In Hyam v DPP, the accused’s intention had been to terrify the victim and not to cause her death, when he set fire to her house. Their Lordships upheld the conviction for murder, as the accused could anticipate that his actions could result in death or grievous bodily harm7. Â  In the present problem, Bob with the intention of killing Alice exploded a petrol bomb. As a consequence, Alice lost her life. Bob caused her death intentionally.This constitutes, the crime of murder, and Bob will be accordingly held liable. Â  In Goodfellow, the accused was convicted of constructive manslaughter, for having caused the death of his family, while attempting to set his house on fire. It is important to note that he had no intention of causing the death of his family8. Â  Bob had claimed that it was not his intention to cause harm to anyone other than his wife, Alice. This is untenable, on account of the doctrine of transferred malice. The letter states that if an individual has the Mens rea to commit a specific offense against a particular person, and if that crime had been committed by that individual against some other person, then the Mens rea is transferred to the actual victim. This is borne out by the decision in R v Mitchell, wherein the accused had caused the death of an old woman, by striking an old man who fell on that old woman. The latter died subsequently, due to the complications that had arisen in her treatment.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Analysis of eBays Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis of eBays Business Strategy - Essay Example eBay uses online auction-based marketing strategy to expand business across the world. The company has developed community value concept among users while core essence of the concept lies in trusting people. They are trading thousands of dollar daily via online community and the business process is based on faith in online community members. The marketing strategy of the company can be entangled with business strategy. They implemented the concept of e-commerce to create the online platform for buyers and sellers to do the transaction. They did not limit themselves in the USA but designed online platform for international buyers and sellers. They successfully created an environment complemented with mutual trust for traders and ultimately fosters the concept of e-loyalty among them. The company has established a strategic relationship with more than sixty websites to attract new customers and their partnership with America Online helped them access large internet user base. This Move helped them to create an entry barrier for AOL to enter online auction market. Business Exchange program of the company added local dealers to participate in consumer auction market and this strategy helped the company domestic auction market of the country. eBay has rightly analyzed trading behavior of local customers and hence they have developed fifty-three local sites for the country. They expand distribution channel across the country and designed transaction site in accordance with consumer behavior of local users. They have entered more than thirty countries with establishing hundreds of transaction sites. Customers across the globe can get transaction support on a real-time basis. The company did not invest a single dollar on marketing in the initial years and the relied on time-tested viral marketing and word of mouth strategy to promote the brand among customers. Then they shifted to below the line promotion like electronic display, ambient advertising to increase brand visibility, and customers. They shifted their focus to e-marketing after digital marketing revolution. They used a web browser, social media platform, emails to generate response among online users.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

History 17-a American history Essay Example for Free

History 17-a American history Essay Known as the American experiment in liberty and equality, the Civil War of America is supposed to be a major turning point in American history. Originated due to slavery, this war was first revoke from American citizens to acquire the right of liberty and equality. By the war, slavery was extinguished in America. Beginning of nineteenth century was much different from the eighteenth century; this was a revolutionary era in which industrialism was rising against agriculture, nationalization against state particularization and desire of freedom was heading against slavery. However, this moral idealism is not believed as an appropriate reason for the war. In accordance with some historians, it is also called as the war of power and economical affluence. It is said that South was economically abundant than the North. It was making good money in trade and commerce in comparison of North. North was not ready to accept this fact and this resulted as the Civil War. By the time of war, South occupied an area as large as Western Europe and ‘North’ has a strategic assignment to invade and conquer the southern confederation. In this war, southerners were fighting for independence, self-determination, self-government and preservation of life. Nevertheless, results of this war became the decision points for American history as the war grown the offspring of Nationality in Northerners. Southerners wanted to be separated from the American Union and Northerners were not is the support of that. In the battle against southerners, few incidents worked as the turning points of Civil War and American History as well. As instance, Northern Unions hold on Kentucky and Border States in considered as the first turning point of American civil war. This was of a great importance for Northerners. Even president of the nation, Abraham Lincoln said that ‘I can’t think of loosing Kentucky’, Kentucky was a southern state. Considered as the first modern war, the civil war of America made the nation, which is known as ‘United States of America’. During this war, Abraham Lincoln was mainly focused on Border States. He was not in favor of self-government in these states. Border States were extremely crucial for Northerners, as these states were physically separating Northern Union and Southern Confederacy. Bull Run is taken as another major defining moment in the history of Civil War. This was a land battle. This battle was full of anticipations and both sides were sure about their victory. However, Northerners managed to win this was a Herculean task for them and it was an end of southern hopes to set the self-government. Union capture on Mississippi, Forts Henry and Donelson in February 1862 is also considered as the major turning point in Civil War. It was first significant victory of union. Victories in Battle of Anteitam and Battle of Gettysburg made unions to move more rapidly in the direction of uniting American states. A defeat of Confederacy in the Battle of Chattanooga is taken as one of the most prominent turning point of Civil War. In this war Union reduced Confederacy to the Atlantic coast. This opened the way for Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Two incidents that took place in 1864 are taken as the last nail in the coffin of southern confederacy’s desire of self-government, independence and self-determination. These two incidents were Union capture on Atlanta and reelection of Abraham Lincoln. Both incidents respectively took place in September 1864 and November 1864. Civil War: the First Modern War American Civil War is taken as the first modern warfare. Confronted with various viewpoints and issues, this war is marked as the well mobilized war of the modern age. In accordance with historians, it deserves to be the first modern war due to its two important reasons. First reason is its technological advancements and another is a great change in the logistics and tactics applied in the battlefield. Northern generals Ulysses S.  Grant and his sub-ordinates applied strategies those were far ahead from the war approaches applied by the time. The morality war of Northern Americans against Southerners also resulted in many mesmerizing innovations, those helped in nation moving at the forefront from rest of the world. Cannons, rapid fire guns, Gatling gun, telegraphs and aerial warfare are considered as some of the stirring innovations of Civil War period. The civil war also worked as the rapid fire in the growth of American economy. It is also said that this was the beginning of American supremacy. This war was the first war in which army was not involved in killing on one-to-one manner. It was entirely technical. Both Unions and Confederacy army troops were relying on technical weapons instead of traditional ones. This was the first time when air warfare and sea warfare modes were also used. This war was the first war when a strategy of destruction was used and it also boosted he idea of unconditional surrender in the battle-field. In this was Union troops used telescopes and air-balloons to locate the position of enemy. Civil War of American History is known as first war due to it’s a completely foreign planning in accord with the world of nineteenth century. Following reasons the major basis of knowing this was as the first modern war- Railroads: Invention of railroad played a very important role in supplying armies with food, bullets, and soldiers. These cars were armed with weaponry. Hospitals: This was the first time when hospitals were set in battle field. Women s uch as Clara Barton and Dorothea Dix worked in these hospitals to give medical treatments to inured soldiers. Nevertheless, by the time medical knowledge was not advanced as today and mortality rate of soldiers due to disease was greater than their death in battle field. This was the first time in the context of using dogs as armor. Photography and Telegraph- by the time ‘Photography’ and ‘Telegraphy’ science had been introduced. Army troops used the science of photography is taking pictures of enemy position and Telegraph helped them in sending urgent messages. This is considered as a boon created from the devastation of Civil War. Secret Service: Both sides employed highly structured spy service to gain knowledge of army movements. Women and slaves played major role in this. Personnel: Numbers of African Americans fought in the Civil War was not less, most of them participated in the war from the side of Union army. They often fought in regiments those were separated out regiments. This was the first time when they had an identity of soldiers other than slaves. An ambitious win for Abraham Lincoln, civil War was the first time when rights of equality were believed to be a reason of war.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Macbeth - Downfall Of Macbeth Essay -- essays research papers

We see in the play Macbeth that when the motivation to succeed in life becomes overpowering, other people may easily influence one and elements and one may decide on wrongful actions to achieve a goal. Some of the influences on Macbeth include the witches and the apparitions, Lady Macbeth, and lastly Macbeth's own insecurities and misguided attempts to control his future. The witches and their prophecies are the first major influence on Macbeth's actions. Macbeth seems happy and content with himself until the witches tell him he will be king. He begins immediately to consider murdering Duncan. "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion / Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, / Against the use of nature?" (I, iii. 144-147). Macbeth immediately writes Lady Macbeth. "'They met me in the day of success; and I / have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in / them than mortal knowledge." (I, v. 1-3). He obviously has great faith in the witches' words. Later on, the apparitions, called by the witches, influence Macbeth by making him believe he is invincible. "Rebellion's head, rise never, till the wood / Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth / Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath / To time, and mortal custom." (IV, i. 106-109). Lady Macbeth is a second major influence on Macbeth. As soon as Lady Macbeth learns of the witches' words from Macbeth's letter, we learn Macbeth is c...

Monday, November 11, 2019

Latin America’s Problems: Result of Violent History?

Latin America’s Problems:Result of Violent History?History plays a role in the problems of any nation, and for that matter in the lives  of individual people.   Does this mean that a country or person is fated to an inevitable  future that is colored mostly by its past?   To some degree the answer is yes, but to take  any particular feature of a society’s past, namely violence in this instance, and thrust the  whole burden of responsibility upon it may be irresponsible, in and of itself, in a sincere  quest to ameliorate and ultimately eradicate the problematic issues that need to be  resolved. If we do want to attribute the current state of affairs in Latin America to its  violent history, we also need to understand the nature and genesis of that violence. Many  countries, including the USA, achieved independence through wars and violence, but we  do not cite our current problems on the American Revolution or the Civil War which was  violence am ongst our own people. The source of violence can be a key to understanding  how the countries of Latin America and their people have not recovered from the nature of the  violence they endured.When wars are fought to expunge a common enemy there is a feeling of  camaraderie and nationalism to have fought and won not only against a common enemy,  but against the very evil represented by that enemy. This mindset unites people and  solidifies belief systems, ethics, and morals so necessary to the success and continued  success of civilizations and their governments. What happens, however, when the  violence is perpetrated by the very institution that is supposed to be the bulwark of good,  and when the violence is perpetrated by this institution against the very people that look  to it for their protection?Chasteen says that â€Å" At the most basic level, conquest is always about  exploitation.† (p.58). Although we do not always think of the process of relig ious  conversion as conquest,   perhaps we should give this careful consideration. Chasteen  seems to agree with this as he goes on to say that â€Å"Most Spanish and Portugeuse people  that came to the Americas in the early 1500s believed that spreading the â€Å"true religion†,  even by force, was a good thing.† (p. 58). The kind of religion that the Catholic Church  brought to the Americas in the early 1500s was a perfect example of non  church/government separation. â€Å"To sin against Catholic teachings was, in many cases, a criminal  offense.† (p.70). The Catholic Church did not merely have a religious presence in Latin America.  They controlled it.   Chasteen summarizes some of what Las Casas had to say about the control ofCatholicism. â€Å"The reason for the death and destruction of so many souls at   Christian  hands†¦was simple greed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 60).  To further substantiate the demonstration of evil by the Catho lic Church take a  look at an excerpt from Brief account of the devastation of the Indies by Las Casas referred to  by Chasteen as   A brief account of the destruction of the Indies, (p. 61) a translational title  difference of the same work:   â€Å" After the wars and the killings had   ended, when usually there  survived only some boys, some women, and children, these survivors were distributed among the  Christians to be slaves. The repartimiento or distribution was made according to the rank and  importance of the Christian to whom the Indians were allocated, one of them being given thirty,  another forty, still another, one or two hundred, and besides the rank of the Christian there was  also to be considered in what favor he stood with the tyrant they called Governor.The  pretext was that these allocated Indians were to be instructed in the articles of the  Christian Faith. As if those Christians who were as a rule foolish and cruel and  greedy an d vicious could be caretakers of souls! And the care they took was to send the  men to the mines to dig for gold, which is intolerable labor, and to send the women into the  fields of the big ranches to hoe and till the land, work suitable for strong men. Nor to either the  men or the women did they give any food except herbs and legumes, things of little substance.  The milk in the breasts of the women with infants dried up and thus in a short while the infants  perished. And since men and women were separated, there could be no marital relations. And the  men died in the mines and the women died on the ranches from the same causes, exhaustion and  hunger. And thus was depopulated that island which had been densely populated.†(http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/02-las.html).Although these are blatant examples of destruction, Chasteen also cites a more insidious  example the Church exercised, such as hegemony defined as â€Å" the basic principle of social  control in which a ruling class dominates others ideologically, with a minimum of physical force,  by making its dominance seem natural and inevitable.† (p. 325). â€Å"Religion offers one of the  clearest examples of cultural hegemony.† (p.69).   Even more dangerous than outright  exploitation, this creeps into the very fabric of the psyche of a people and carries over throughout  generations. As Chasteen points out, â€Å"When they accept the principle of their own  inferiority†¦they participate in their own subjugation.† (p.69).   The subjugation continued through history as Caudillos, rich landowners, were â€Å"the  party’s national leaders†Ã‚   (p. 124) in post colonial days.   In the neo colonial period from 1880-  1930, (p. 180), Latin America was still subjugated, but instead by cultures that had brought  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Progress† from other countries. The late 1800s saw â€Å"dicatorships or oligartch ies.† (p.192).During the time of   the US overtake of Cuba in the early 1900s we see the incendiary racistattitudes prevail, as Teddy Roosevelt coins the term â€Å"dago† for Latins. (p. 201). Right up until  the present day   it appears that Latins have never risen above the station that was thrust upon  them by the Church from the beginning.The book has opened my eyes to many injustices in Latin American history that I was  unaware existed and has provided food for thought as to the reasons Latin Americans seem to be  a problematic people. It is indeed, not the injustices in and of themselves, but the so called  Christian perpetrators of such injustices that give the history and the present fate of Latin  America such a fatalistic outlook and prognosis.Despite all of this and probably because of the  hegemony, it has happened without notice but it is interesting to note that †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Latin America has  always been Catholic, but now the majorit y of the world’s Catholics are Latin American.†Ã‚  (p. 320). At the end of the book Chasteen asks what the future will bring. (p.321).   He does not  provide an answer but it makes one wonder if   the subjugation can ever really end. Like a child  abused by a parent over years and years of time,   the Church ‘s abuse in the growing and  formative years of Latin America have left scars that will last an eternity.ReferencesChasteen, J.C. Born in blood and fire. A concise history of Latin AmericaDe Las Casas, B. Brief account of the devastation of the Indies. (1542). Retrieved fromhttp://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/02-las.html on November 26, 2006.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Cause of Dystopia in Animal Farm

In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the humanistic characteristics in the animals led them from forming a utopia, to a dystopia. In the beginning of the novel, Old Major leads the animals in the song Beasts of England, encouraging a rebellion against Mr. Jones. After the revolution, the animals began to work towards their utopia, but they began to turn into what they despised, and their utopia began to fall apart. This book shows how human corruption completely destroys a government that is set up to serve the people. Orwell achieves this by giving each of the characters a different human quality. In Animal Farm the pigs symbolize politicians and the upper class. They lie, cheat and steal from the animals that they are supposed to serve; and they make promises that they know they can never keep. Napoleon and Squealer are the two main pigs who take over after Snowball is chased off of the farm. Squealer would constantly justify the horrible actions of Napoleon as for the betterment of the animals. Once after Napoleon took all the apples and milk for the pigs, Squealer says: â€Å"Comrades! † he cried. â€Å"You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. † The selfishness and greed of the pigs not only makes them into what they hated the most, but it also caused to animals to lose their trust in them and to dislike them. Another group of animals in Animal Farm that show human qualities is Boxer and sheep. Boxer is a large and powerful horse to buys into animalism and works the hardest on the farm. He agreed with everything that Napoleon said, and his catchphrases were: â€Å"I will work harder† and â€Å"Napoleon is always right. † Boxer also saves the farm on multiple occasions, but in the end, Napoleon sold him to a glue factory to be killed. Boxer represents the working class, which is used by the government to its advantage, and then never cared for again. Boxer’s complete trust in the government led to his own misfortune. The sheep were totally gullible animals. The believed whatever they were told and repeated it. Boxer and the sheep represent individuals who whole-heartedly follow the government, no matter what. This quality leads to a dystopia because when the followed exactly what Napoleon described, they failed to realize that the government was no longer working for them as intended, but they for the government. Also in Animal Farm, Clover and Benjamin were two animals who were not as trusting of the government, but went along with it anyway. Clover also represents the working class, but she also had her own doubts about how Animalism was being run. Her deepest concerns are expressed after Napoleon’s executions: â€Å"As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. Benjamin on the other hand, was entirely cynical of Animalism, because he knew that it would not work out. He was aware of the fact that life on the farm would go on just as it had, no matter who controlled the farm. These two animals represent two different ideas displayed by those who are under the jurisdiction of the government. Having two separate ideas can lead to dissention in the people, causing a dystopia. Finally in the end of the novel, it is seen that pigs taught themselves how to walk about on two feet, which is completely contradictory to their original ideology â€Å"Four legs good, two legs bad. In the last chapter of the book, it is said when the pigs had humans in the farmhouse for a meal, that â€Å"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. † The animals originally believed that it was the humans that caused them their dystopia, but in the end, it was the humanistic characters in the both the animals themselves and the humans as well that caused a dystopia.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Semantics Pragmatics Essays

Semantics Pragmatics Essays Semantics Pragmatics Essay Semantics Pragmatics Essay Essay Topic: Invisible Man SEMANTICS PRAGMATICS Analysis of Two Texts, 1500 WORD Linguistics is the science of a language. Linguists depend on the use of certain aspects in order to analyse, describe and explain a human language; these aspects include semantics and pragmatics. Semantics can be defined as the study of meaning of lexical words and expressions independently of context. Where pragmatics is the process of recognising the invisible meaning of lexical items and expressions; taking into account the speakers/ addressees intention, the status of hearer/ receiver and the actual situation. This paper will explain the process we, as humans usually follow to understand a certain text or utterance. This explanation would be achieved through the analysis of two journal articles from semantics and pragmatics perspective, taking into account a range of techniques associated with each of the two concepts including: Semantics Aspects: Synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, prototypes, homophones and homonyms, polysemy and ambiguity. Pragmatics Aspects: Deixis and Distance, reference and inference, conversational implicature, anaphoric and cataphoric reference, presupposition, entailment, direct and indirect speech acts and speech events, cultural context and cross cultural pragmatics, conversational analysis and background knowledge, denotation and connotation meaning, the four maxims and hedges. Analysing Article One We will begin by observing the semantic and pragmatic features in article 1 being Men are sulks say surveys . This article is taken from the hot topics section of the popular msn website. The main topic of this article is a medical concept being flu/cold, where the unspecified writer of this article discusses the reaction of men, compared to women when it comes to having flu. The article also lists a number of readers comments on the subject topic. As a whole, article one is rich with lexical items that belong to the medical lexical field, such as cold, flu, Panadol, tablets, sick, suffer, diseases, chicken pox, depression, doctor, coughs, headache etc. The extensive use of these terms throughout the article was a necessity since the main topic is about a medical condition. Another lexical field was elaborated in this article being the family relationships such as mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children etc. Antonymy or the use of two lexical items that represent the opposite meaning appear in this article such as men and women, males and females, wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, vent and defend etc. The use of these terms in this article is more likely for the purpose of comparison. Most of these antonyms are relational opposites; these opposites indicate two ends of a relationship between persons. Also there were synonymous sense relations between few lexical items in the text for example, husband and hubby, males and men, females and women. These lexical items have the same meaning, however they are not absolute synonyms because the terms males and females are more general than the terms men and women because the first set could refer to a larger group of people, being all males/females. Another non-absolute synonyms are the terms hubby and husband, where the word hubby is the more colloquial term for husband. Homonymy also occurs in this article through the use of the term food in the phrase here is a little food for thought shown in comment 1. The term food here even though it has the same phonological and written form of the term food which means the nutrients eaten by human or animals for the purpose of staying alive. However, in this context food for thought can be expressed as a positive idea or piece of information given from the writer to the reader to enhance the knowledge of the reader. In comment 2 the expression wouldn’t lift a finger has a homonymous sense relation because such expression could be interpreted literally as not lifting a finger, where in this context this expression means that the writers husband failed to help her with the housework even by doing little things. Pragmatically speaking, verbs like love in comment 1 love the way everyone gets emotive about men forms an expressive speech act because the writer or the addressee is expressing his feelings. There is also a referential relationship between some expressions, for example in comment 2 in the first phrase being â€Å"Last week, hubby came home with flu. I also had â€Å"it†. The expression â€Å"It† in this context is an example of anaphora meaning that the â€Å" It† here refers back to an already introduced entity, being the â€Å"flu† in this case. Also based on the pragmatic analysis of article 1, the lexeme sympathy which occurred in the first paragraph of the actual article to seek sympathy for their ailment from their partners has a different denotative meaning than that of the writers intention because the most direct meaning of the this lexeme is associated with the feelings and emotions of the sympathy that needs to be paid when someone passes away. Where in this context the term sympathy means the need to be looked after. Another pragmatic expression is used in comment 5 where the writer said a man that would rather chew his arms then complain, the writer used this expressions in order to convey the idea that her dad has the ability to put up with the discomfort associated with flu/cold. Analysing Article Two Article two is called â€Å"Choosing Babys Gender, it is originated from the same website as article one and most properly written by the same author, however the commentators are different. This article discusses the controversial issue of gender detection of baby’s and the selective termination. The writer then asks the question â€Å"Do you think parents should be able to choose their baby’s gender? then it lists few comments of the readers, answering that question, some agreeing and others disagreeing with the subject process. The expression turning their back in comment 2 has a pragmatic meaning in this context meaning giving up on, or rejecting something or someone. This expression has a negative connotation. Where the expression in comment 1 being I do understand where you are all coming from can pragmatically interpreted as I understand your point of view and not as the semantic meaning being I know the place where you all come from. The terms children, babies, boy, girl, child, all belong to the same semantic field of young humans. The words boy and girl form an absolute antonyms because they express absolute oppositeness; where the terms parent and child are relational opposites because its oppositeness indicates two ends of a relationship between persons. Also the gradable pairs healthy and disabled in comment 3 have an antonymous sense relationship because their oppositeness is a question of degree. The lexical items abortion and termination have a synonymous sense relationship because both terms have the same meaning; however the term abortion is the more specialised term for such process. The denotative meaning of the expression so coldly used in comment 2, is usually associated with temperature degree cold, however in this context it means â€Å"in a uncaring manner† or â€Å"not giving the subject topic the concern it deserves†. Semantically speaking the term sad in the title of comment 3 poses an ambiguity because sad could have two meanings one is distressing or heartbreaking, the second meaning is the adjective meaning upset or unhappy†. In this context, the term sad means distressing or heartbreaking. Through the analysis of the two texts, it became quite clear that they share many similarities as they both are medical articles. In terms of language use, they both include many terms of the slang English particularly, in the comments section. The use of this everyday/colloquial language in both texts contributed in making the articles more objectives and convincing to the reader. Overall both articles were rich in terms and expressions that could be analysed semantically and pragmatically; however, we observed only a number of them due the limitation of word number of this essay. On a different subject, the two articles did not tell us much about the author/s, because the writer/s of both texts were mainly providing facts and asking questions about the subject topic. However, the author of article one seem to have a humorous and sarcastic personality because of the word choice in some sentences for example mighty men. The use of this term here with its connotative meaning indicates that the writer is being sarcastic Even though article one had more terms and expressions that could be analysed from the semantic and pragmatic perspective, article two on the other hand is considered to be of a greater importance due to the issues raised in it, as the topic of â€Å"choosing baby gender and deciding on abortion† seems to be of more importance and interest than â€Å"mens reaction to flu†. REFERENCES: 1-Jackson, Howard, Words and their meaning, Longman Inc (1988),New York. 2-Grundy,Peter, Doing Pragmatics 2nd Edition (2000), London. 3-Finegan, E Blair D Collins P Language, its structure and use 4th

Monday, November 4, 2019

Asian American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Asian American History - Essay Example The immigrants were the typical Korean of who were used to speaking the Korean languages in their country. When they came to the United States, the language obstacle became the main challenge that the first Korean immigrants experienced in their new country . As much as they were being taught English as foreign language in their country, they were only allowed to remember the terminologies and the grammatical rules in the language, this did not give them the opportunity to be able to put into practice, listen in and converse with any of the native English speaker so as to enable them to develop their skills in the English language . With this language hurdle among the immigrants, they could not be able to get the high level opportunities in the job market and thus it left them with the low level positions in the workplaces as the farm workers and even stone diggers. This was because, they could not correspond to the American employers or the service providers effectively to pass their information across to be understood well enough by their employers, and because of this, the employers ended up placing them at the low level where it needs no much communication skills to the managerial section . As much as the Koreans immigrants were not good in the languages in the United States, they could not be able to attend the classes offered to them for the purpose of improving their communication skills. This was because, they were too busy on their daily duties of farming and any other activities.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS - Assignment Example Though the amount posted by Dollar General for the merger was far better, the lack of compliance on the company’s part saw the deal being snatched away from the palm of their hands by Dollar Tree. The major requirement for the Dollar General- Family Dollar merger to come to fruition was that the former should sell at least 3500 overlapping stores as this would pose a problem with antitrust regulators. Dollar General was reluctant as the number was too high for it to divest. Family Dollar and Dollar Tree merger will be forced to part ways with 300 stores only. Therefore, the shareholders made a plausible choice by voting for Dollar Tree despite a lower initial amount that the company brought forth. Dollar General’s inability to divest more than 3500 stores meant that the merger would have faced problems with the antitrust regulators. Furthermore, the number of stores that were to be divested in the Dollar General- Family Dollar merger was very high and would cost the shareholders millions of dollars. On the other hand, Dollar Tree- Family Dollar merger would lead to loss of 300 stores that can be easily recovered in the near future. Merced, Michael. Family Dollar Shareholders Approve $8.5 Billion Deal with Dollar Tree. The New York Times, Jan. 22, 2015. Web. Feb. 7, 2015.