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Report for multimedia presentation Essay Example

Report for interactive media introduction Essay The theme I have decided for my introduction is after school exercises. I picked this the...

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Report for multimedia presentation Essay Example

Report for interactive media introduction Essay The theme I have decided for my introduction is after school exercises. I picked this theme as I am extremely keen on what the school brings to the table to individuals who appreciate different exercises outside of school. Additionally I take an interest in a great deal of these exercises so I had a generally excellent comprehension of how they have created and accomplished. I likewise believe that all understudies ought to know about what extra curricular viewpoints the school offers as it encourages them to figure out how to fill in as a group and become more acquainted with the remainder of the understudies better. Decision of utilization I have picked Microsoft power point to introduce my introduction as I know about this application from different assignments and thusly I have a decent comprehension of how to utilize it. It is likewise very time productive while introducing data to a group of people as you don't sit around evolving overheads. Likewise pictures, charts, sounds and outlines can be included which makes it all the more fascinating to watch. Microsoft power point permits me to import pictures from plates and furthermore the web to use in my introduction, which is useful as clasp craftsmanship doesn't have all the vital pictures I may need. We will compose a custom article test on Report for media introduction explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on Report for sight and sound introduction explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Report for sight and sound introduction explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer The slide show permits me to pick how I need to structure the slide and what data I need to be entered. It permits me to pick the planning of the adjustments in the slide and what impacts I need included. Arranging my slide show first slide: For my title I will utilize Kristen ict textual style and will have it at size 44. My title will be My sight and sound introduction. For the picture from clipart I will utilize a lady on a PC. I will likewise add a cheering sound to include more impact. The title will turn out to be enormous and afterward decline into position as the name will show up. The picture had a blinds impact included and furthermore the sound will come on. second slide: The bug chart will contain all the after school exercises and the data next to it will enlighten use concerning the exercises. I will pick brilliant hues for the bug chart as it will be increasingly appealing and will draw in my crowds consideration better. My Title will be After School Activities and will likewise be size 44 and Kristen Ict. I will pick a brilliant back ground so it is all the more engaging. The title will have the impact to ricochet in from the privilege and the data will show up as a blinds impact. The creepy crawly chart will show up from originating from the base after the data has completed the process of showing up. third slide: My third slide will be founded on the after school movement Gaelic. Gaelic will be my title and will be text style Kristen Ict and will be size 44. I will clarify the foundation for our Gaelic group and how individuals can join, in the data part. I will have an image of a Gaelic group for my picture and will pivot it after the data has been gotten with the impact jewel. I have additionally made this foundation beautiful to draw in individuals and will do as such all through my introduction. This slide will show the choice of the school ensemble. It will have data on the accomplishments and how to join. I should examine an image of the school ensemble onto the slide as the clasp workmanship doesn't contain an image of the school ensemble. The title will plummet into position as the content roll in from the right. The picture will have a checkerboard impact too. My fifth slide will be on the schools netball crew. I will have data on when and how you can join the group. The content will have a shading typewriter impact added to it. The two pictures I will have, I will download them from the schools site and have a turn impact to the photos. My title will have two impacts, unfurl and afterward look in as these are both exceptionally short impacts. My last slide will contain data on our Hockey exercises. I will clarify in my content the past of our school hockey group and furthermore the preparation days for any individual who needs to join. The impact, which I will use to introduce this content, will be unfurl. This sets aside a long effort to finish so I should correct the time so it will be speedier. I will have a picture imported from the Internet of a tackle in hockey. This picture will sling from the left and afterward settle in the right position. The title will have a stretch impact when it is entering. To import the pictures I will use in my slide show I should visit the locales, which contain these photos and spares them in My Pictures. I will at that point have the option to add them to my clasp craftsmanship where I can utilize them for my introduction. This is the site I used to import my video cut I tapped the second catch on my mouse and afterward I spared it to my PC. I at that point went to my introduction and added the video to my clasp workmanship. I utilized a similar strategy for bringing in the pictures I utilized however I got the greater part of the pictures from the Thornhill site. My introduction will be intended for young people somewhere in the range of 12 and 18. I will attempt to adjust my introduction to my crowd however much as could be expected in the fitting way. I will utilize brilliant hues to stand out for them and use as meager composition as conceivable yet enough for them to comprehend and not get exhausted. I will utilize impacts that will likewise stand out for them and will make them need to peruse the introduction. I will attempt to use as much pictures as possible to clarify what my introduction is about. I have chosen to make the introduction on a subject that incorporates The crowd all things considered about their school and what they bring to the table them as extra curricular exercises. I will likewise add sounds to my introduction to keep the crowd mindful and it will likewise make them need to tune in. For my text style I will make it less formal and attempt to adjust it to one, which is appropriate for my crowd.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Environmental Risk and Carbon Emissions †Free Samples to Students

Question: Talk about the Environmental Risk and Carbon Emissions. Answer: Presentation: Distributed computing is remarkably affecting all the business and is probably the greatest forward leap in the data innovation frameworks in the previous decade. Monetary Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) began their arrangement of moving to the Amazon Cloud (Wamba et al. 2015). FINRA began moving their incredibly basic frameworks in to the Amazon Cloud framework. They had the option to move their entire procedures into the Amazon Cloud and now they can screen and record the day by day occasions in the New York Stock Exchange without any problem. The organization can record around 75 billion individual occasions regularly, which is a surprising accomplishment for the association. The association has had the option to lessen the expense of capacity by executing the Amazon cloud administration and has had the option to store trillions of information, which may record to around 20 petabytes of information (Provost and Fawcett 2013). The U.S. Protections and Exchange Commission are the essential controllers of the securities exchange and the new guidelines set by the administration will require FINRA to gather and break down more measures of information. This is the very explanation that FINRA will be attempting to embrace to Amazon distributed computing framework which will assist the association with reducing the expense of capacity and increment the capacity limit. The association at first sort help of numerous experts and sellers who offered such types of assistance, yet a large portion of them attempted to persuaded the association that it is difficult to deal with a database of such size on a private stage (Kraska 2013.). There are four significant effects of the open cloud administration on FINRA and it depends on the standards of the association. These central point are independence, open source, open versus private cloud and customization. FINRA had the option to build up an in house framework, which as ready to deal with the Amazon Web Services with no merchants and advisors (Cai and Zhu 2015). This has assisted with decreasing the general expense of the association fundamentally. The organization has built up an open cloud framework, which could be trying, as it is hard to deal with a foundation of such greatness. The organization built up an open source database, which will assist them with avoiding authorizing, and it depends on the Hive and HBase. The association redid the stage as indicated by their necessities that decreased expense of moving the framework into another cloud database (Kuner et al. 2012). FINRA has consolidated the majority of the accessible highlights of the Amazon cloud administrations. They are utilizing the Elastic Container Services rather than the EC2 virtual machines. The association utilizes a private cloud database and utilizations an immediate association for systems administration (Chen, Mao and Liu 2014). This shows the association has rolled out enormous improvements to the database, which will suit their own need. FINRA has had the option to get rid of the restrictive foundation and has empowered them to encourage the preparing of the colossal number of information. This likewise helped the association to store enormous piece of information advantageously at an insignificant expense (Ularu et al. 2012). The improvement in the new framework is unquestionably increasingly better than the old framework and the improvement in the framework is exponential in nature. The association can do their whole assignment in unimportant seconds, which will spare them a great deal of time and outstanding task at hand. The new framework has had the option to change the entire association; the new framework is as such it will have the option to retain streak crashes and other unfriendly market circumstances. The framework will naturally turn up a large number of hubs to take them disconnected and the security of the cloud-based framework is undeniably progressively better than the ordinary frameworks (Dubey et al. 2016). Request Audit Trail System (OATS) is a computerized framework, which is utilized to store and record information identifying with orders. The data pretty much all the values that had been sold on the NASDAQ is recorded utilizing the OATS framework. This is a framework, which will disentangle the general procedure beginning from the underlying receipt to the execution of the system. This gadget helps in following of the all the market instruments with the goal that it tends to be effectively examined a short time later. FINRA has consolidated this framework in to their association, which is helping the association to reproduce occasions all together lifecycles and observing of the considerable number of stocks and the values in the market. Influence of the rising advances on existing innovations The conventional data framework approach was to purchase equipment, servers, permit and establishment of programming. This customary procedure was tedious and exorbitant as it required arrangement cycles that are long and framework requests. Nonetheless, with the development of the cloud based framework the entire situation of the data innovation framework has changed radically (Cai and Zhu 2015.). The old procedures and the frameworks have gotten excess, as other compelling ways have been created which will effectively virtualizes the data innovation framework. The web applications can likewise be gotten to by the other new innovative techniques. This has essentially diminished the expense of equipment that were utilized for creating and keeping up of the servers. In any case, the quantities of parts that are being moved in to the cloud by most of the organizations are a bunch. At first the organizations needed to comprehend the upsides of utilizing distributed computing with the go al that it very well may be coordinated in to the arrangement of the association by altering it as per the requirements of the association (Kuner et al. 2012). The usage of the distributed computing framework in to the plan of action of the association is extreme, as the association would need to alter their plan of action to oblige the consideration. This has expanded the interest of the new authorities who can screen and apply the progressions with no issue. The methods of making and building up the application have changed and the product engineers need to acclimate to the better approaches for utilizing the cloud server. The applications are move to the general population or the private cloud so the organizations should change their methods of conveying applications. The help staffs that were required in the customary framework have now gotten pointless thus the requirement for help staffs has diminished altogether (Kraska 2013). The greatest difference in everything is that the information has lost its physical control and are being put away in server farms gave by the sellers. The security of the information has expanded and more secure in the cloud servers. The cloud suppliers have security specialists who keep up programming and equipment to shield the information of the customer from any break. There is no particular normalized programming for the cloud and the organizations change the product to redo it as per their requirements (Provost and Fawcett 2013). The quantities of programming application that are accessible in the open market are in millions. There is requirement for combination among the specialist co-ops and different applications, which are comparative and have a place with the adversary association. Mix is the new need where the organizations will smooth out the multi organization venture to make the work community oriented. These angles are significant for association show have framed a c oordinated effort and without the utilization of the reconciliation there will be issues in security of information, slips by underway and there will be disappointment in the correspondence arrangement of the associations. The cross breed Cloud administrations have gotten well known, as this is an assistance that give most ideal intends to meeting the administrative congruity for the association. Be that as it may, establishment and overseeing of this crossover servers is costly and just 27% of the association have the assets for completely pleasing the cloud based servers (Ularu et al. 2012). The distributed computing framework has permitted all the individual utilize their own altered applications thus it hard to screen and secure the information. Along these lines, the organizations are utilizing outsider cloud arrangement, which comprise of security applications that will screen and shield the information from any undesirable penetrate. Distributed computing is one of basic necessities for advancement of adaptable working environment. The workers are utilizing innovation propelled gadgets to get to the information remotely and cloud will encourage in coordinated effort, serious gains and exchange. The organizations will have the option to give the representatives adaptability, which will help in expanding the efficiency in the association (Dubey et al. 2016). This had lead to the rise of cloud business administrations, which will encourage in furnishing the associations with perfect cloud specialist co-op for the association. These cloud financier administrations have picked up ubiquity because of the requirement for combination in the half breed models and there has been quick development in this market. This has helped the association in adjustment of the BYOD, huge information and administrations identified with portability, which is going about as an impetus in the development of the Cloud Brokerage Services (Pr ovost and Fawcett 2013). This needs to prompt the development of the SaaS arrangements that has been impeccably joined in the computerized framework. This will guarantee full combination fo the applications and programming with no holes and breaks. DaaS offers the association with the help to organizations to settle on decisions that cost productive and will give the association an upper hand in the market. FINRA has had the option to consolidate the OATS framework with their private cloud framework, which has improved the capacity of the OATS framework. The following of complex information and recording it has gotten exceptionally simple for the association and the assignments that would take a period of in any event five to seven hours can be comprehended right away and minutes. Corporate key arranging process Business execution doesn't consider the business in various level yet thinks about the business overall, which helps in distinguishing the exhibition of the association

Sunday, August 9, 2020

One of those big picture days

One of those “big picture” days A preview, courtesy of todays MIT homepage: It was 2:03 pm when I ripped out the carbon record of my experimental results and dashed out of the 5.310 (Experimental Chemistry) lab. Though the lab period is scheduled to end at 5 pm, today was the end of a four-day experiment and we had finished early. I had two minutes to get to Kresge auditorium, where Julie Gerberding, the director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), was scheduled to give a talk titled Health System Transformation: Getting Our Moneys Worth of Healthness.' What is healthness (not a typo)? I had no idea, but ever since elementary school I have dreamed of working in the Biosafety Level 4 facilities of the CDC, and I wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to hear an infectious disease expert speak, let alone someone who is basically in charge of protecting the health of our country. President Susan Hockfield gave an introduction to the talk, citing Gerberding’s experience in medicine and public health and that she was named #12 on Forbes Magazine’s “100 Most Powerful Women” list in 2005. Gerberding was also apparently involved with setting up the Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing (a 10-year partnership between MIT and one of the biggest pharma companies in the world. ) The main problem that Gerberding and the CDC are trying to address is the fact that the U.S. is ranked #37 in the world for its health system (according to the World Health Organization.) This is appalling; we consider ourselves to be a world leader and we spend the most money on healthcare, yet our health outcomes are dismal! The current system spends an inordinate proportion of the money on people who are already sick, instead of preventing sickness from happening in the first place. Gerberding believes that protecting health is a strategic national investment, and that we’re at a tipping point where we can greatly increase the value of the healthcare system if we just invested a little more. Her vision is a “value-based health system.” She also emphasized that we need to find better measures of “healthiness” and we also need to reward good results in the healthcare arena. (If this interests you, consider taking 17.315 (Health Policy) or 17.317 (U.S. Social Policy). I’v e taken them both, they’re great!) For those of you who think that changing the healthcare system is impossible, she gave the example of Kennedy’s 1961 space challenge. Even though sending men to the moon seemed utterly unattainable to most people, including NASA scientists, the challenge was met eight years and 59 days later. Gerberding hopes that by May 30, 2016 (the same # of days from today), America will become “a healthiest nation” (again, not a typo. She emphasized that all nations need to be healthy, we shouldn’t be the only ones.) How does this apply to MIT? The end of the talk focused on “translating health discovery to health.” She emphasized that bench research (done at places like MIT) ends up becoming clinical practice. We need to use our knowledge of systems to evaluate the health outcomes of these clinical practices. Finally, we need to combat problems like obesity by examining a person’s environment. Otherwise, Gerberding warns, our children may have shorter life spans than we do (!) I saw President Hockfield slip out of the auditorium at around 3:00, and the talk ended at about 3:05. A friend and I made the decision to skip the QA session and see if we could make it over to Tom Brokaw’s talk, which was scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm in the Stata Center. Off we went to follow Hockfield! Of course, the line outside of the Stata lecture hall was very long (as opposed to Gerberding’s talk, which had plenty of seats to go around.) The MIT news page introduces the event best: “An internationally respected journalist, Brokaw served as the NBC anchor for 21 years. He was the NBC White House correspondent during the Watergate scandal, advancing to lead NBCs coverage of primaries, national conventions and election nights in 1984, 1988 and 1992. Brokaw, 68, is the author of The Greatest Generation (1998) and A Long Way from Home (2002). The Karl Taylor Compton Lecture Series was established in 1957 to honor the late Karl Taylor Compton, who served as president of MIT from 1930 to 1948 and chairman of the Corporation from 1948 to 1954. The purpose of the lectureship is to give the MIT community direct contact with the important ideas of our times and with people who have contributed much to modern thought.” I got fourth row center seats and couldn’t wait to hear his familiar voice bellow from a few feet in front of me. Again, President Hockfield introduced the distinguished guest, and then Brokaw took the stage. He is the most poised speaker I have ever seen. With a pen in his right hand, he delivered his speech in a way that nobody else could. His pauses were perfectly placed, he emphasized just the right words and captivated everyone’s attention. I have to admit that I was so caught up with thinking about his gravitas that my mind wandered and I didn’t pay all that much attention to what he was saying =) I also didn’t take notes because I wanted to focus on watching him…just like on TV but better! He began by making a joke that giving the Compton lecture was the only circumstance in which he would be admitted to MIT (according to Wikipedia, “Tom Brokaw dropped out of The University of Iowa, where he says he majored in beer and co-eds before receiving his B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 1962.”) He also joked about how he was afraid that he would also have to speak at Harvard (which he referred to as something along the lines of the’ lesser institution up the street’, which drew much applause) and how he has commiserated with Harvard dropouts like Bill Gates over not being accepted to the college. Anyway, he described how he grew up in South Dakota and then talked about some of his experiences as a journalist. He has met every president since Kennedy, conducted the first American TV interviews with Mikhail Gorbachev, Vladimir Putin, and Yevgeny Primakov, reported the collapse of the Berlin Wall, covered the September 11th attacks, and so much more. He’s been in the midst of almost every conflict that you can imagine and he told some heartbreaking and inspiration stories. Basically, he’s the kind of person that you’d die to have dinner with (incidentally, some MIT students got to have lunch with him earlier today. They said it was amazing!) The directly MIT-relevant part of his talk was about the role of information technology in our lives. He described the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet as a media outlet, and the advent of the 24-hour news cycle. He warned us that we have to be careful about where we get our information and that, as consumers, our decisions can affect what is covered (like car chases vs. world conflict.) There was more that he discussed… but I’ll leave it to Bryan to fill in the gaps =) I still can’t believe that they scheduled these lectures back-to-back. What happened to spreading the love? I should have added this to my “10 reasons why I love MIT”: the lectures! We get to hear some of the most amazing people in the world, it’s really a privilege. Incidentally, our graduation speaker will be Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace prize. I can’t wait! P.S. Thanks for the Brokaw pict, Bryan! P.P.S. An example of Brokaw in action:

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Somalia - 1276 Words

From Tranquility to Turmoil: Imperialism in Somalia No force has had a greater impact on modern nations and their cultures than imperialism. Imperialism is a policy of extending a nation’s rule over foreign areas by acquiring and holding colonies. During the nineteenth century in particular, imperialism became a trend among wealthy European nations such as Great Britain, France, and Italy, as countries competed to gain resources and expand their empires. In enforcing these policies, imperial powers spread numerous effects over the span of the globe. The question is, were the effects of imperialism beneficial or detrimental to the colonized nations? For the nation of Somalia, it is clear that imperialism was nothing but a perversion of†¦show more content†¦Originally Somalia was on the road to a democratic government; the Somali people ratified a new constitution on July 20, 1961 and elected Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as president and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as prime minister (â€Å"Italian Somaliland† 3). However , the British government failed to prepare the Somalis for independence. As a result, Somalia, though its goals were to unite and form a stable democratic government, has only cycled through corruption, from the autocracy of Siad Barre to Farrah Aydid’s corrupt rule in 1991, a government so destructive it was followed by anarchy (â€Å"Somalia Post-Independence† 1-3). Had European imperial powers not interfered in Somalia’s development, it might not have begun moving in the direction of a modern democracy but it would have remained functional and peaceful as an Arab sultanate. But since imperial powers did interfere, Somalia was not prepared to stand on its own when given independence, and as a result is in a volatile position and is widely regarded as a â€Å"failed state† according to the Economist (â€Å"Poll† 1). The turbulence in Somalia’s government that followed the period of imperial rule would not have occurred had Britain and Italy never interfered in the first place, thus showing that imperialism leads to governmental instability. In addition to problems in government, the Somalian economy’s decreasing level of prosperity over timeShow MoreRelatedSomalia And Its Effects On Somalia1514 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"I don t recognize my people anymore. I feel Somalia is lost. There is no Somalia. It is just a name (Abdi, 2016)†. Over the past 20 years Somalia as a country has been in turmoil and constant fighting. Today’s Somalia is still a harsh environment and the people are unforgiving as they too are trying to survive this oasis of violence. Considering Somalia in the news now we see after years of fighting and trying to support this country with food, water, and security it has progressed but not quicklyRead MoreSomalia678 Words   |  3 PagesSomalia  (/sÉ µÃ‹Ë†mÉ‘Ë liÉ™/  so-mah-lee-É™;  Somali:  Soomaaliya;  Arabic:  Ã˜ §Ã™â€žÃ˜ µÃ™Ë†Ã™â€¦Ã˜ §Ã™â€žÃ¢â‚¬Å½Ã‚  aá ¹ £-á ¹ ¢Ã… «mÄ l), officially the  Federal Republic of Somalia[1]  (Somali:  Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya,  Arabic:  Ã˜ ¬Ã™â€¦Ã™â€¡Ã™Ë†Ã˜ ±Ã™Å Ã˜ © Ø §Ã™â€žÃ˜ µÃ™Ë†Ã™â€¦Ã˜ §Ã™â€ž Ø §Ã™â€žÃ™ Ã˜ ¯Ã˜ ±Ã˜ §Ã™â€žÃ™Å Ã˜ ©Ã¢â‚¬Å½JumhÃ… «rÄ «yat aá ¹ £-á ¹ ¢Ã… «mÄ l al-FidirÄ lÄ «yah), is a country located in the  Horn of Africa. It is bordered by  Ethiopia  to the west,  Djibouti  to the northwest, the  Gulf of Aden  to the north, the  Indian Ocean  to the east, and  Kenya  to the southwest. Somalia has the longest coastline on the continents mainlandRead MoreAfghanistan and Somalia771 Words   |  3 PagesAfghanistan and Somalia have had many terrorists emerge over the span of twenty years in order to evoke disorder in the world. The United States (U.S.) has been attempting to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorists (A person, group, or organization that uses violent action, or the threat of violent action, to further political goals; frequently in an attempt to coerce a more powerful opponent) associated with al-Qaida and its aff iliates (U.S. Relations With Afghanistan). For example, during theRead MoreEssay on Clans of Somalia1208 Words   |  5 PagesSomalia, also known as the Democratic Republic of Somalia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Somalia history can be traced back as far as the Paleolithic period. (Funk Wagnalls, 1900) Ancient structures, ruined cities, and stone walls found in Somalia, is evidence of a country that once thrived with a sophisticated civilization (p. 132). Somalia is a country that was once known for its rich geographical location located near oil wells in the Persian Gulf and a mainstream for internationalRead MoreSomalia at War Essay995 Words   |  4 Pagesit is perpetually facing armed conflict (Lukunka, 2012). Of the conflicts Africa is facing currently, Somalia is the center for some of the largest conflicts. The history of Somalia has been hit with conflict after conflict, not only between rival clans but also with other countries, most recently between no t only regional powers but also the US and Al-Qaida. The current conflict in Somalia differs from the rest due to the number and type of players involved; the large numbers of foreign playersRead More20th Century Somalia1656 Words   |  7 Pages20th Century Somalia Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the east. With the longest coastline on the continent, its terrain consists mainly of plateaus, plains, and highlands. It is made up of the former British Protectorate of Somaliland and Italy’s former Trust Territory of Somalia. Somalia’s modern history began in the late 1800’sRead MorePiracy in Somalia1881 Words   |  8 PagesPiracy in Somalia Somalia has been dealing with piracy for decades now. Piracy is a major problem in today’s waters, but what exactly is piracy? Piracy is the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea. The piracy epidemic in Somalia is not going to go away overnight. Piracy in Somalia has drastically affected everything about the country. Piracy might now sound like a whole lot of a big deal, but the real fact is, it is a big deal. Solving such an issue as piracy is not an easy task by anyRead More Somalia Culture Essays1841 Words   |  8 PagesSomalia Culture Somalia is a country situated in the Ã’hornÓ of East Africa. It is bordered by the Gulf of Aden in the north, the Indian Ocean on the east and southeast, Kenya in the southwest, Ethiopia in the west, and Djibouti in the northwest. Somalia is about four times the size of the State of Minnesota, or slightly smaller than Texas. The capital is Mogadishu. Somalias population is mostly rural. Nearly 80% of the people are pastoralists, agriculturalists, or agropastoralists. ExceptRead MoreSecurity Stability in Somalia2688 Words   |  11 PagesSecurity Stability in Somalia Since their indirect elections on September 12, 2012, and despite the fragile regional security situation of the Horn of Africa, Somalia has continued to experience significant and sustained progress towards security stability in their country. In order for Somalia to succeed as viable and trusted state, the United States (US) as well as the International Community should not allow another security stability failure in Somalia. The US and the International CommunityRead MoreIrregular Warfare Strategy for Somalia696 Words   |  3 Pagesto stabilize the nation of Somalia. I will also discuss why it would be considered as an Irregular Warfare environment. Body Somalia gained its independence from British control in 1960, where the British relinquished control and gave Somalia to the United Nations. Somalia was governed by civilians until 1969; after which the military rebellion by General Muhammed Siad Barre took place. General Muhammed Siad Barre was a military tyranny that was in command of Somalia and it’s military. His tyranny

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Cyber Bullying Must Be Improved And Consistent - 1267 Words

Amanda Bridges Ms. Shultz / Mrs. Seymore English 5th Period 28 January 2015 Cyber Bullying Have you ever been cyber bullied? The effects of cyberbullying are greater than many people have come to realize. Cyber bullies have been around for a long time, but technology now gives them a whole new way to get to their victims easier and faster. Cyberbullying is the use of information technology to repeatedly harm or harass other people in a deliberate manner (abouthealth). Cyberbullying happens when kids bully each other through electronic technology. The consequences of cyberbullying must be improved and consistent. One important reason the consequences of cyber bullying must be consistent is that many victims suffer from†¦show more content†¦Any bullying is wrong and hurtful, but cyber bullying is the worst bullying of all (abouthealth). If the consequences for cyber bullying were consistent and more harsh cyber bullying wouldn t be as common as it is today. If people would really see what cyber bullying does to people they might think twice about doing it to somebody or they might not even do it at all. 19.6% of kids reported being cyber bullied once or twice a month 5.3% reported being cyber bullied once or twice a week and 3.1% reported being cyber bullied almost everyday. Do not forget the 71.9% reported being cyber bullied once or twice in the school year (Issues Related to Bullying). Cyber bullies don t think about how many kids they affect when cyber bullying. It can start out as an innocent joke and then other people can join in on the cyber bullying Cyber bullying may cause psychological distress, which is a range of symptoms and experiences of a person s internal life that are commonly held to be troubling, confusing or out of the ordinary. Bullying and cyberbullying are similar, there are not many differences between the two of them. Even though the two are very similar the consequences are much different. Cyber bullies bully people but their behind the screen of their computer or technology, they are not face to face with their victims, bullies are face to face with their victims. Cyber bullying can happen

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Machiavelli and Bush Free Essays

In school, we came to know about Niccolo Machiavelli through his extremely popular statement, â€Å"The end justifies the means† (Machiavelli n.p.). We will write a custom essay sample on Machiavelli and Bush or any similar topic only for you Order Now Due to the unsavory reputation that has hounded Niccolo Machiavelli, the terminology Machiavellian is now utilized to describe a leadership style that is shrewd/cunning, deceiving/to be regarded with suspicion, as well as, ruthless/cold-blooded; a kind of leadership which is actually instituted upon â€Å"power politics† (Machiavelli n.p.). Political Action is an End Itself Furthermore, for some individuals who have read Machiavelli’s thoughts and ideas, they consider him as a â€Å"negative person†, sometimes he is even addressed as â€Å"somebody who is upholding evil and sin† (Machiavelli n.p.). In fact, the church considers him as immoral, unethical, and even evil (Machiavelli n.p.). This is because politics for Machiavelli should be taken as something which should not be blended with topics of religion, morality, as well as, ethics since politics he says is instituted upon its own value system (Machiavelli n.p.). For him, to evaluate political actions basing on religion or ethical standards is actually unwarranted (Machiavelli n.p.). Moreover, Machiavelli states that the end of the state is the acquirement/getting hold of, preservation, as well as, development/growth of authority/political power (Machiavelli n.p.). Comparing it to the other critical thinkers of the Machiavellian world, Machiavelli just do not consider this as â€Å"a means to an end† but an end in itself (Machiavelli n.p.). What he is saying is that if an act that’s motivated by politics leads to acquirement/getting hold of, preservation, as well as, development/growth of authority/political power then it is reasonable, understandable, and acceptable as well (Machiavelli n.p.). Similarities of Machiavelli and Bush This is where President Bush connects with Niccolo Machiavelli, President Bush believes that by annihilating the ruler, for instance, Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, he will be able to strengthen his hold and power and to bring about unity in the state and since that is the case, like Machiavelli, he believes that his action is justifiable (Thompson n.p). In addition to that, President Bush like Machiavelli feels that since they are the type of rulers who planned to get the better of, and to safeguard the state, then they will be eternally judged to be praiseworthy and be commended by everyone (Machiavelli n.p.). Last but not least, since Machiavelli believes that a ruler has to be cruel and ruthless if he has to; Bush patterned his attitude on that as well (Thompson n.p). He declared a war against Iraq which annihilated two hundred Americans working for the U.S. Armed Forces (Thompson n.p). Furthermore, his declaration also caused the death of countless Iraqi civilians, of which several are women and children (Thompson n.p). Added to that is the fact that such a war costs one hundred billion dollars, which if spent back home then will surely benefit more who are starving and are suffering from poverty (Thompson n.p). All of the above-mentioned entails a great deal of cruelty which should not at all occur in the first place (Machiavelli n.p.).   However, because, President Bush thinks that all these political actions he took are bound to cause the state to unite, then declaring a war even if it would cause countless deaths is still right and should not be negated or objected upon   (Machiavelli n.p.). Simply put, both President Bush and Machiavelli are similar basically on how they rule; to them, cruelty is justified as long as it will unite their state in the end (Machiavelli n.p.). Works Cited Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. 1505. n.a. 16 April 2008. http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince.txt Thompson, Robert. n.d. n.a. 16 April 2008.                   How to cite Machiavelli and Bush, Essay examples

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Zinn chapter 4 Essay Example For Students

Zinn chapter 4 Essay As the British and Colonists were engaged in the Seven Years War against the French and Indians, the colonists were slowly building up feelings for their removal from under the British crown. There had been several uprisings to overthrow the colonial governments. When the war ended and the British were victorious, they declared the Proclamation of 1763 which stated that the land west of the Appalachians was to be reserved for the Native American population. The colonists were confused and outraged and the now ambitious social elites were raring to direct that anger against the English since the French were no longer a threat. However, the social elite was a miniscule percentage of the colonial population. As documented in city tax lists, the top 5% of Bostons taxpayers controlled 49% of the cities taxable assets. The lower classes then started to use town meetings to express their feelings. Men like James Otis and Samuel Adams from the upper classes formed the Boston Caucus and throu gh their motivational speaking, molded and activated the laboring-class. After the Stamp Act of 1765, the Britishs taxation of colonists to pay for the Seven Year War, the lower-class stormed and destroyed merchant homes to level the distinction of rich and poor. A hundred lower-classmen had to suffer for the extravagance of one upper-classmen. They demanded more political democracy in which the working class could participate in making policies. In 1776 elections for the constitutional framing of Pennsylvania, a Privates Committee urged the opposition of rich-men in the convention. Even in the countryside, there were similar conflicts of rich against poor. Several riots in the New York/Jersey area were more than riots but long lasting social movements to create counter governments. Rioters were breaking into jails and freeing their friends. Soon however, the lower-classmen started to turn to the British for support against the rich colonists. With the intensification of the British conflict, the colonial leaders started to think of ways to unify themselves with the rioters to handle the British. But the Regulators, laborers, petitioned the government on their grievances and as a result a large riot broke out in 1770 in a court.Riots against the Stamp Act swept Boston in 1767. The leaders instigated crowd action and at this time, 10% of the taxpayers accounted for 66% of the taxable wealth.This riot made leaders realize the dilemma and so the Loyal Nine was formed, a group of skilled laborers, and a procession, of two or three thousand, against the Stamp Act was organized in August 1765. Still the leaders denounced the processions actions and even when the act was repealed, a celebration was only attended by the non-processioners. In Britains next attempt to tax the colonists, troops were sent and friction grew.On March 5, 1770 British soldiers killed workers in a fight known as the Boston Massacre and anger mounted quickly. This led to the removal of the sold iers form Boston. There had also been soldier-worker skirmishes elsewhere. In 1772 the Boston Committee of Correspondence was formed to organize anti-British actions. With the Boston Tea Party of 1773, an action against the tea tax, the Parliament proposed the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts which closed the Boston port dissolved the colonial government in Massachusetts and led to the importing of troops. In other colonies it was clear to the leaders that they needed to persuade the lower class to deflect their anger against British and join the revolution. Men like Patrick Henry, an orator, and Tom Paine, author of Common Sense, relieved the tension between classes although some aristocrats were angered by the idea and didnt want the patriot cause to go too far into democracy. However, Paine strongly believed that such a democratic government could represent some great common interest. The Continental Congress was formed in 1774. After the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, a small committee was formed to draw up the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Congress on July 2 and proclaimed July 4, 1776. By now most colonials had already experienced their feelings of independence and welcomed it. The Declaration included a list about the king holding a tyranny over the states. Some people, though, were omitted from the Declaration: Indians, blacks, slaves, women but i n the phrase all men are created equal, they were not deliberately included but included by the definition of men. It also states that a government is formed to promote the life, liberty, and happiness of the people and when so stopped the people may replace it. Some trace this idea back to John Lockes Second treatise on Government. .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .postImageUrl , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:hover , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:visited , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:active { border:0!important; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:active , .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67 .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc305cbb76b62fb589a4d62ec51977f67:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: To Build A Fire: Significance of Words Dying and EssayThe Declaration was introduced and read from the town hall balcony in Boston. Ironically a member of the Loyal Nine, men that opposed militant action against the British, read it. Four days later a military draft occurred and the rich dodged it by paying for substitutes when the poor had to serve. Rioting followed with the shouting of tyranny is tyranny let it come from whom it may.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

The prevalence of breast cancer among black women Essay Example For Students

The prevalence of breast cancer among black women Essay Exploring the Growth of Breast Cancer Among African American Breast cancer develops as an abnormal growth of cells accumulate within the breast. Recent studies have proven that White women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than African American women, yet we as African American women are at a higher risk of dying from the disease. There is however, one possible link to the higher mortality rate in breast cancer among Black women. We as African Americans tend to stray from the healthcare setting. This could be due to insufficient funds, lack of knowledge, and, or desire to receive medical attention. We will write a custom essay on The prevalence of breast cancer among black women specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Many times when a problem such as breast cancer arises, the cancer isnt tactfully presented to the healthcare provider. Breast cancer must be detected early so medical attention could be provided as soon as possible. Delayed treatment and unhealthy dietary habits, such as obesity, and high fat content -noticed in Black women especially, tend to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. An annual mammogram should be performed for women over forty. Every woman however, should perform a monthly self-examination of the breast. Breast cancer strikes one in eight women, and should be taken very seriously. Bibliography: . The Prevalence Of Breast Cancer Among Black Women Essay Example For Students The Prevalence Of Breast Cancer Among Black Women Essay Exploring the Growth of Breast Cancer Among African American Women Breast cancer develops as an abnormal growth of cells accumulate within the breast. Recent studies have proven that White women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than African American women, yet we as African American women are at a higher risk of dying from the disease. There is however, one possible link to the higher mortality rate in breast cancer among Black women. We as African Americans tend to stray from the healthcare setting. This could be due to insufficient funds, lack of knowledge, and, or desire to receive medical attention. We will write a custom essay on The Prevalence Of Breast Cancer Among Black Women specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Many times when a problem such as breast cancer arises, the cancer isnt tactfully presented to the healthcare provider. Breast cancer must be detected early so medical attention could be provided as soon as possible. Delayed treatment and unhealthy dietary habits, such as obesity, and high fat content -noticed in Black women especially, tend to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. An annual mammogram should be performed for women over forty. Every woman however, should perform a monthly self-examination of the breast. Breast cancer strikes one in eight women, and should be taken very seriously. Human Sexuality .

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Best French Grammar Books to Buy

The Best French Grammar Books to Buy A time-tested method to learn a new language is the grammar book. Reading and writing in books is an efficient way to become familiar with a new language. But some books are more efficient than others. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of French grammar books alone available on the market. With many claiming to be the best, the most concise, or the most complete, picking one book over another can be an overwhelming task. There is also the matter of learning preferences and levels to consider. Regardless of a grammar books quality, it if isnt tailored to your level it wont be effective. After a review of dozens of French grammar books, we have identified a range of books as our  favorites. These books do not all have the same approach or format, and they target learners ranging from beginner to advanced. This list includes books that we use every day as well as the ones we keep around because they have been so helpful in the past. Top Grammar Books Le Bon Usage:Originally published in 1936, this is the bible of French grammar- the most thorough French grammar book that exists. It has been republished more than a dozen times and is a must for translators. This is the book that native speakers refer to when they want to understand or explain some aspects of French grammar. (French only)Le Petit Grevisse: Previous editions of this very abridged version of  Le Bon Usage  were called  Prà ©cis de Grammaire Franà §aise. It covers advanced French grammar but is less complicated than its unabridged parent. (French)Intermediate French for Dummies: Laura K. Lawless is the author of this workbook which covers high-beginning to intermediate grammar. It includes lessons and practice exercises. (English explanations and bilingual examples)Collage: Rà ©vision de Grammaire: Although it is nowhere near as thorough as the Grà ©visse books, Collages explanations are clearer than those in the books already mentioned in this list. There a re also lots of examples and practice exercises. (French explanations and examples with bilingual vocabulary lists) Manuel de Composition Franà §aise: As the title indicates, this book focuses on helping you improve your French writing skills, but it also includes excellent grammar explanations, with an emphasis on verbs and vocabulary. (French)Langenscheidt Pocket French Grammar: This tiny book offers very concise yet detailed explanations of beginning-to-intermediate French grammar which are not easily found elsewhere. It also has sections on effective communication, synonyms, idioms, false cognates, and more. A very handy little book. (English)Berlitz French Grammar Handbook: A good reference for upper-beginner level students, this handbook explains basic-to-intermediate French grammar, verbs, and vocabulary. (English)Essential French Grammar: This little book de-emphasizes grammar to concentrate on communication, offering just enough grammar to help you work on speaking and understanding French, without getting bogged down in the details. (English)English Grammar for Students of French: If yo u dont know the difference between pronouns and prepositions- in French or English- this is the book for you. It explains French grammar points alongside their English counterparts, using simple language and examples to compare and contrast the grammar in these two languages.  Its like a mini-grammar class for French students. (English)

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Qualities that describe a successful student Essay

Qualities that describe a successful student - Essay Example Two of the most important qualities a student should possess are curiosity and self-motivation. Students who are most successful in college are students who are curious and ready to learn about new things. There are many ways in which curiosity is an essential quality for students. To begin with, curiosity enables students to become interested in subjects they might not have considered before. This quality drives a desire to learn that makes the university process seem less like work and more like an adventure. Curiosity can also help students overcome feelings of resistance against required courses that perhaps don’t fall within their normal interest range. There are always classes that are part of a required curriculum that don’t necessarily appeal to the student, such as math classes for English majors or English classes for scientists. Curiosity can change the focus into discovering ways in which this course material might be applied to the major field of study or the promise of future courses may entice the student to complete the undesired course in order t o reach more desirable units. All the curiosity in the world will not help the student much, though, if they do not also possess the quality of self-motivation. High school classes begin to place responsibility for coursework upon the shoulders of the student as a means of preparing them for college, but this does not mean the work gets finished. High school students also usually have parents to push them to finish their work, but college students are expected to keep up with their work on their own. Self-motivation drives the student to complete their work on time and to keep track of their classes on their own. Also, since college doesn’t include mandatory attendance, it takes a self-motivated individual to ensure they get to class each day instead of sleeping in or hanging out with friends. While there are many qualities that students will need to make a

Monday, February 3, 2020

Cb5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cb5 - Assignment Example Therefore the behavior of the consumer is determined by the motivation he or she gets. need for self-actualization. The most basic and fundamental four levels of the pyramid comprise of deficiency needs as termed by Maslow, they include security, friendship and love, esteem, and physiological needs. If these needs are not met with the exemption of the essential physiological need, there might be no physical sign, but the person will feel tense and anxious. This theory proposes that the most essential needs should be met before the person strongly desires the higher level or secondary needs (Patrick, 2003). Consumer involvement is the degree of data processing or level of significance that a customer accords to a product. The level of involvement has a very important impact on the behavior of the consumer. High involvement purchasing decisions are always the dream of a marketer as in this level consumers as the buying decisions are informed and planned. This is because the buyer purchases the product since it is important to them, therefore he or she concentrates on the features and warranties, and the price is not an issue. However, low involvement buying decisions are those that are formulated without planning, and they come about if one spots a product and they impress them. To increase customer involvement, marketers should select the correct customers, select pilots that fit into the present culture and should be aware of what consumers look for in their products (Michaelidou & Dibb, 2008). The self-image comprises of three dissimilar dimensions, that is the real self, the ideal self, and the self-esteem. The self-esteem refers to the positivity to an individual’s self-concept. Marketing communications may influence the self-esteem of an individual. Low self-esteem is when a person thinks they cannot do a task while high self-esteem is the opposite and individuals may tend to think more of themselves. The

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Is Participation In Development Still A Tyranny

Is Participation In Development Still A Tyranny Over the past thirty years Participation has become development orthodoxy in both theory and practice (Cornwall 2003: 1325). The basic aim of participatory development (PD) is to increase the involvement of socially and economically marginalized peoples in decision-making over their own lives (Guijt, 1998: 1). PD approaches claim to empower local communities and recognizes rural poor themselves as the primary agents of change with the capacity to transform their lives (ESCAP, 2009). In recent years, however, there have been an increasing number of criticisms from policy makers, practitioners and academics regarding the widely applied participatory approaches to development. Many elements of this approach have been challenged on the basis that participatory approaches often failed to achieve meaningful social change, due to its inability to engage with problems of power relations and underlying politics (Hickey and Mohan, 2005: 237). Questions have been raised regarding the methods of participatory development and the impact of policies on various aspects of development, such as community relations, power structures, social conditions, rights of the poor, the role of grassroots civil society organisations in rural development, and the nature of knowledge (ESCAP, 2009). In this context, important publications have emerged representing different views and critiques of the participation approach, one against: Participation: The New Tyranny? (Cooke, and Kothari, 2001), and another more positive assessment: Participation: From Tyranny To Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development (Hickey, and Mohan, 2004), which scrutinizes the various arguments. These works have generated heated debates about the concept of participation which some argue carries within it an inherent tyrannical potential for marginalising those who are already less vocal, but whom it seeks to empower (Cooke and Kothari, 2001). Later, more optimistic publications discuss, what can be done around participatory development and social change (Chambers, 2005b: 718). In order to address the question at hand, this paper examines the current debates on participation in development. The essay will consider a case study that uses participatory approaches in their project. This intervention has been implemented with varying degrees of success. The case chosen focuses on a project entitled the Rural Water Supply Management Programme in Rajasthan, India, in order to illustrate some of the different effects of applying this approach. The paper is divided into four sections: The first section begins by discussing the emergence of participation in development from both the historical and conceptual perspectives. It then proceeds to the second section which analyses participatory development in practice. The length of the paper does not allow for a detailed discussion on the methods of participatory approaches, such as participatory poverty assessment, rapid rural appraisal and participatory rural appraisal (PPA/RRA/PRA). Therefore, this section will only provide a brief overview of these approaches and their use in development projects. In the third section follows a discussion on what is meant by the tyranny of participatory development. The fourth, concluding section seeks to draw some lessons from the discussion and analysis of the case study and provides a hint of what the literature suggests may be in store for participatory development in the future. 1. Emergence of Participation in Development: First let us consider how participation in development has emerged and what are some of the contentious interpretations of this concept. The emergence of the participatory development is tied into critiques of both theory and practice (Mohan, 2002: 50). In the late 1950s, the term participation or participatory was coined for the first time in the field of development (Rahnema, 1992: 117). The inception of participatory development is linked to colonial times and the mission to bring modernity from the west to the then developing countries. Thus, there was an increasing trend to equate development with modern western knowledge and practices by means of a top-down approach to countries in the south (Schuurman, 1993: 187-191). Critiquing this trend, social activists and field workers observed that non-inclusion of the people concerned in a development project from its inception to the implementation stage led to limited benefits of the development venture (Rahnema, 1992:117). This top-down approach carried Eurocentric and positivists ideas which disempowered beneficiaries (Escobar, 1995; Peet and Watts, 1996: 20-25; Chambers, 1997; cited in Mohan, 2002: 50). This concern was raised in the 1970s, by Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator, who argued that development should not be the privilege of some few persons, but the right of everyone (Freire, 2003: 88). He promoted participatory development approaches, in contrast to top-down practices, by arguing I cannot think for others or without others, nor others can think for me (Freire, 2003: 108). In his Pedagogy of Oppressed Freire emphasized knowledge creation of the marginalized by increasing their awareness about their rights and establishing networks of soli darity to encourage dialogue which would enable people to express their needs and give them a sense of ownership of the projects. A similar view was echoed by Robert Chambers who challenged the various biases of development polices and interventions that make the poor invisible by distinguishing between uppers, i.e. the powerful practitioners and lowers, i.e. the powerless beneficiaries (Chambers, 1983; 1997: 2005a; Williams, 2004: 560). He argued that this [top-down approach] implies uppers empowering lowers between all levels. To do this, they must individually relinquish degrees of control themselves (Chambers, 2005a: 72). Thus, for Chambers, participatory development is a new paradigm, which will lead to empowerment of the beneficiaries, and a shift from hierarchical top-down development projects. He advocates open power structures which will bring personal and institutional change (Williams, 2004: 560). Hence, participation of local communities was stressed to end the top-down approach in development projects and participation became widely practiced. 1.1 Participatory Approaches: There are a myriad of methods for conducting participatory development in practice. However, the most extensively used methodology is Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The other approaches include Participatory poverty assessments (PPA) and Rapid rural appraisal (RRA). The PRA approach is based on achieving change and a reversal of roles, behaviours and relationships. Though, this may be carried out by external development practitioners, their role is limited to facilitating the focus group, by listening to them and sharing methods with the local people to help them reflect on their on own knowledge. The outsiders do not transfer technology. The strength of the PRA method lies in understanding the local needs; providing local ideas; extracting, developing and investing local resources; and generating development ideas (Chambers, 1997: 103, 2005a:87, also cited in Mohan, 2003: 52). PRA collects and records data on local customs and practices for a predefined development issue, wher eas the RRA approach is used by outside practitioners to plan, and target the improvement of a given intervention. Finally, PPA, influences policies at the macro level in relation to poverty reduction development projects (cited in ESCAP, 2009: 13; for original see Norton et al., 2001). Thus, PRA is considered to be the more important approach to promote empowerment. The participatory development method involves all stakeholders who are affected, by the policies, decisions, and actions of the system. This may include individuals, groups, communities, local government institutions, local and international institutions, self-help groups (Chambers, 2005a:87). This approach is used by the World Bank, non-governmental organisations, aid agencies and academicians, which for instance have applied PRA for climate change adaptation projects. 2. Participatory Development in Practice: This section will examine (the) participatory development in practice through case study. The aim of this example is to illustrate different aspect of participation in development and how it can lead to potential tyranny. Case Study: Rural Water Supply Organisation in Rajasthan, India: This case study, which looks at the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF) situated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, demonstrates how Gender is dynamic and gender norms can be altered when matters as significant as social participation are negotiated and water management is put into practice (Berry, 2010:48). Social participation is associated with gender in the conduct of this non-governmental organization in water supply management. India is the one of the largest consumer of water today. Water is considered to be a womens resource in large parts of rural India, as women have the responsibility to fetch water for domestic purposes 86 per cent of the time (Bhatia, 2004; cited in Berry, 2010:49). Women seeking water often have to travel long distances, and sometimes are confronted with reduced water supply availability. This means that women having to spend more time in storing and preventing contamination of water. This predicament applies to rural women in many regions. For example, women in Nepalese villages are house bound with domestic responsibilities in juxtaposition with men engaged in economic activity, which may put women in a situation where they are excluded from participating in water management decision making. Moreover, a lack of electricity hinders women from collecting water from the water pumps (Shah, 2006; Berry and Mollard, 2010: 49). The household shapes gender relations, as well as playing key role in the use of water. Domestic water use connects women with women of other households (Cleaver, 1998). These household dynamics and local customs reinforce gender inequities (Cleaver, 2001; cited in Berry, 2010: 50). Thus, because of their low social status, women are perceived as being uneducated and unable to take official decisions, which constrains their participation in water user associations. Barriers to institutions and political engagement make women dependent on informal forms of participation'(Mohan and Hickey, 2004; and Berry, 2010: 51). Thus, when women go to fetch water, they meet other women socially and engage in informal discussions about their lives and information sharing. In South Asia, and specifically in India and Nepal, caste, race, religion, age and family play a significant role in defining how gender affects and is reflected in water management practices. Thus high caste women are likely to be involved in decision making due to their interest in the quality of water, whereas, lower caste women may be more supportive of having easy access to the water supply. It is also important to note that since most of the rural women are poor and are likely to lead the kind of life mentioned above, they will be less interested in participating in water supply management due to their already busy schedules. Given these types of social scenarios, JBF a non-governmental, has taken initiatives to empower women in water management decision making and provide public space for their participation, as women are the real stake holders. In addressing the above issue, JBF is required to develop relations with governments, aid donors and work within the customary practices of the local communities. UNDP has been actively involved with JBF to promote womens participatory water initiatives and make governance more participatory. A UNDP sponsored evaluation in 2008 acknowledged the progress made by JBF by building wells and tanks closer to houses, resulted in a reduction of the four kilometer average walking distance in the targeted regions and decreased the time spent by women for collecting water (Berry, 2010: 54). JBF also helped these rural women by establishing self help groups and linking them with banks for small house loans. Even though the JBF project resulted in varying degrees of success, criticisms were raised, regarding the lack of convergence between water initiatives undertaken by mainstream village institutions dominated by men and womens self help group (ibid.). JBF recognizes that womens role is central to the community water management practices. Communities may also manifest themselves as sites of conflict and shifting alliances influenced by power and social structures, both exclusionary as well as inclusive (Berry, 2010: 58). JBF faced the following problems in the case of Rajasthani women, such as their having low autonomy even in their own households and often being unable to work out of the house, due to cultural norms. The women often did not attend meetings, as they were illiterate, and therefore it was difficult to get them involved in village water practices, as they also felt shy to talk in front of men. These rural women are facing two contradictory problems. Firstly, patriarchal society and traditional customs exert pressures geared to maintaining privileges associated with the prevailing social and gender hierarchy, and, secondly, they have been faced with the introduction of modernity which is transforming rural economies. H ence, traditional understandings of gender, and local power structures have come into conflict with the externally disseminated strategies. As a result of this conflict, JBF projects have provided little benefit to rural women although they were meant to promote gender equity and participation on one hand and reifying traditional cultural practices on the other (McCusker and Oberhauser, 2006; cited in Berry, 2010: 63). 3. Tyranny of Participation in Development: Much of the discourse on participation in development has been challenged over the past two decades. Criticisms have been raised about the participatory approaches and demand at best their rethinking, if not their abandonment (Cooke, and Kothari, 2001:2). The critiques mainly emerge from within the field of development itself (ibid. :5) after the failure of current forms of participatory development to engage with the issues of power and politics raised by its language of empowerment' (Hickey, and Mohan, 2005: 241). These criticisms are viewed by Cooke, and Kothari (2001) as tyranny in development practice. Tyranny here means, Illegitimate exercise of power in participation. The authors have identified three types of tyrannies; first, the Tyranny of decision making and control; second, tyranny of the group and third, tyranny of method. However, there are other points of criticism raised by academics and practitioners which will be referred to in relevant parts of the following discus sion. 3.1 The knowledge claims of Participatory Development: Participatory development is designed to uncover the local realities of the poor and ensure their involvement in decision making (Cleaver, 1999: 599-600). This claim to understanding the local knowledge and particularly PRA approach has been highly criticised by field practitioners. Chambers (1994) makes claims in support of the reliability and accuracy of the knowledge obtained through PRA approach. However, Campbell (2001) rejects these claims, and argues that whilst approaches, such as RRA and PRA, were aimed to generate more or less accurate information, practitioners have been using them as the only model for undertaking research. Hence, Campbell proposes an integration of PRA approach with qualitative and quantitative methods to generate in-depth understanding which would not be possible to achieve through techniques of observation (ESCAP, 2009: 22-23). 3.2 Tokenism Reference to participatory models have become an attractive slogan and strategy for governments to acquire political advantages and foreign aid. These slogans generate the impression that governments are sensitive to all the local needs (Rahnema, 1992:118). Participatory methods in development process are increasingly viewed as an important tool to effectively avoid the past mistakes by undertaking projects which require awareness of the local knowledge of the field; access to networks which help to succeed the ongoing project and provides avenues for future investments in rural areas; and cooperation of the local organisations to carry out development initiatives. In this view, grassroots organisations play significant role in providing technical and human resource assistance in the field, and by acquiring investments for the projects (Rahnema, 1992:119). The foreign assistance agreements with recipient countries show the willingness of the latter to participate in the global efforts of their developed associates. This collaboration has helped developing countries governments with sophisticated systems of control over their populations (Rahnema, 1992:117), as this approach allows governments to be present everywhere to manage democratic participation. Thus, this approach to participation results in exploitative practices contrary to the wishes of the majority of the population, whereas development polices have a tendency to influence the minds of the people to become dependent on modern services. In this manner, their participation in policymaking and decisions is sought to confirm the support for the same needs. Thus, development projects which benefit only a few obtain majority support due to misperception that these advantages will soon be accessible to them as well (Rahnema, 1992:118). 3.3 Tyranny of the Group and Tyranny of Method: The participatory development approach is critiqued for considering communities as socially homogeneous rather then distinguishing the heterogeneous groups of people in a society or community. This view does not take into account the embedded inequalities within the communities, and ends up reinforcing the existing marginalization and power conflicts between uppers and lowers (Cleaver, 2001: 44; Kothari, 2001: 140; Mohan, 2002: 53). Others, Mosse (1994, 2001) and Guijt (1998), have raised concerns about the nature of knowledge and reliability of the information. Although, this approach may have empowered a given local community to some extent, the literature suggests that support for community has meant that funding and authority is transferred to the already privileged whilst the oppressed are further excluded (Mohan, 2002: 53). However, in this context, gender differences and community need to be distinguished as separate groups in applying PRA and other approaches, as conflating t hese conceptually could be problematic. Mosse argues that local knowledge is generated in a social context which is influenced by power, authority and gender inequality (ESCAP, 2009: 23). Mosse further highlights that the problem of knowledge generation via PRA approach is likely to be influenced by the predefined agenda of the outsider and their interaction with insider community members. This space of interaction is where each group repeatedly tries to anticipate the others wishes and intentions (ESCAP, 2009: 23). This supposition is a matter of concern to Mosse and he discusses how the process of acquiring the local knowledge shapes the relationship between beneficiary communities and development institutions. Thus, this makes local knowledge, compatible with bureaucratic planning (Mosse, 1994; ESCAP, 2009: 23). The case study discussed on gender equity in this paper shows that local village men do not share the same, nor are they willing to cooperate. They are caught up in local politics. Often decentalisation and participation cause the more vocal in the already advantaged group to remain in their position, which defeats the very purpose of participatory development by preventing the flow of contextualized knowledge, and diminishing the effectiveness of interventions (Perret, and Wilson, 2010:196). Criticisms have also been levied against the methods of Participatory Development. Stirrat (1996) raised concerns about the idea of dual forms of knowledge local and scientific knowledge. He argues that in the age of globalization, knowledge cannot exist in isolation but is mutually dependent on interrelationships. 3.4 The Myth of Community: According to Cleaver (2001: 603) the community in participatory approaches to development is often viewed as natural social entity characterized by shared values. It is believed that these values can be manifested in simple organizational form. This view is refuted by many. The assumption that the community as a natural entity and is identifiable in any location with defined boundaries and rights to membership appears to be simplistic. This imaginary view of a community or myth can have wider implications and lead to generalizations about all communities as having similar characteristics. As Stirrat (1996) notes, communities are physical spaces where people interact socially. 3.5 The Tyranny of Decision Making And Control: This view of Participatory approaches which emphasizes consensus building -and shared values is rather illusiory. Stirrat (1996) argues that these approaches with their supposed cooperation and solidarity is a new form of Orientalism, which ties in with ideas of domination and power relations. It is evident that in practice the power of decision making ultimately lies with the development agencies (Mosse, 2001). Therefore the participatory approach is criticised for not recognizing the social diversity and conflicts which pave the way for social exclusion (Cleaver, 2001; ESCAP, 2009: 24-25). It is argued that the approach is used in the name of empowering people and represents external interests as local needs, [and] dominant interests as community concerns (Mosse, 2001:22). This perception of participation has the potential of oppressing the beneficiaries and leading them to challenge the social hierarchies in the society (Kothari, 2001: 143). 3.6 The Bureaucratic organizations: When the organizational interests clash with the ideals of empowerment this leads to bureaucratisation of participation (Richards, 1995: Mohan, 2002). This conflict can lead to withdrawal of the project (Mosse, 2001). The civil society organisations can create competition with local organizations, as large amounts of aid money are chanelled through such organisations. This competition can sideline the weaker organisations, which will further undermine their development projects. In order to seek better funding, these organisations develop alliances with the donor organisations in the North. This perspective shows how the local governments authority is by-passed and that these grass roots agencies focus on increasing their capacity. Many such partnerships between northern countries organisations and those of southern countries come with a price. The delivery of aid money comes with an agenda (Mohan, 2002: 53). Thus, in effect, the development project of such organisations subjugates t hose who are supposed to be empowered. As these civil society organisations are accountable to their donor originations, they are also time bound and have certain targets and objectives to achieve in order to continue the source of their funding, which may affect the development of the projects (Stirrat ,1996; ESCAP, 2009). 3.7 From tyranny to transformation: This section briefly examines the present state of participatory approaches from the works of Hickey and Mohan (2004) and other literature produced in the aftermath of criticisms about the shortcomings and tyranny of participatory approaches. They argue that participation has expanded its role in development, with new methods appearing in theory and practice, and note that, in recent times, developing countries are engaged in formulating creative strategies to express their needs and are better aware of their rights. They stress the transformative approach to development by means of gaining an understanding of the power structures and politics of participation in development. Hickey and Mohan propose the creation of synergies between local projects and political action and governance at the state level. They claim that this synergy will help to overcome the potential tyranny of localized projects and promote social justice and rights based approaches through radical political action. This view proposes changes at the institutional and hierarchal level in order to provide oppressed citizens with an opportunity to take charge of the decisions which affect their lives and advocates promoting the agency of active citizenship by relocating participation within the wider realm of sociopolitical practices. It is assumed that this model of participation in development discourse will provide increased opportunities to the poor to exercise their rights as active members of the society and give them better control over socioeconomic resources (ESCAP, 2009: 25). 4. Conclusion: Participation has become a popular approach in contemporary development discourse. To draw some tentative conclusions from the above analysis, it is evident that empowerment through development has not been fully achieved. Although participatory development has benefited some local communities, the literature suggests that the participatory approach has a patronizing relationship to development. It has been abused by different stakeholders for various ideological and self-serving purposes (Stokke, Mohan, 2000: 263), and provided little or no gain to those whom it seeks to empower. As the evidence from the case shows, in the struggle for power observed in the rural water management programme in Rajahstan India, the unequal status of women meant that they had little access to participation in the water management incentives. It seems reasonable to conclude that many theorists and practitioners may be justified in their claims that participation is disempowering those who are already oppressed because of its inherently tyrannical nature. It can undermine the role of state and powerful transnational development organisations. However, it is important to note that studies on the subject, such as Participation: The New Tyranny?, and similar work, does not discourage the use of participation in development per se. The debates on participation rather suggest that issues of inequality and social structure must be addressed to overcome current problems and improve the participatory process. Although the tensions discussed in this paper continue to hinder development, they also present opportunities for the effective use of participatory approaches. Continuing efforts to challenge and transform local power relations by participatory practitioners and agencies with similar interests can bring them on the same platform to work together for effective local participation to the benefit of development. In recent times, many development agencies have changed their focus to incorporate the broader questions of citizenship and sovereignty. Many of these organisations are now seeking avenues for building institutional and state capacity (Mohan, 2002:53-54). Thus, as Cornwell argues: participatory approaches have much to offer, but will only make a difference if they are used with sensitivity to issues of difference and diverse social realities (Cornwall, 2003: 1338). Bibliography Cited: Berry, K. (2010). Gender and social Participation in a Rural Water Supply Organisation in Rajashtan, India, In Berry, K. and Mollard, E. (eds). Social Participation in Water Governance and Management: Critical and Global Perspectives. Earthscan, London. Bhatia, R. (2004). NGOs in womens economic development in India: an evaluation, in S. Hassan and M. Lyons (eds) Social Capital in Asian Sustainable Development Management, Nova Science Pub, New York. Campbell, J.R. (2001) Participatory rural appraisal as qualitative research: Distinguishing methodological issues from participatory claims. Human Organization. Chambers, R. (1983). Rural Development: Putting the last first. Longman, Harlow. Chambers, R. (1997). Whose Reality Counts? Putting the first last, Intermediate Technology Publications, London. Chambers, R. (2005a). Ideas for Development. Earthsacn, London. Chambers, R. (2005b). Review: Participation: From Tyranny To Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development, Development in Practice, 15, (5): 717-718. Taylor Francis, Ltd. on behalf of Oxfam GB. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4030152, [Accessed March 1, 2011] Cornwall, A. (2003). Whose Voices? Whose Choices? Reflections on Gender and Participatory Development, World Development, 31(8): 1325-1342. Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). (2001). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. Cleaver, F. (1999). Paradoxes of Participation: Questioning Participatory Approaches to Development, Journal of International Development, 11: 597-612. Cleaver, F. (2001). Institutions, Agency and the Limitations of Participatory Approaches to development in Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. ESCAP. (2009). Regional trends, issues and practices in rural poverty reduction: Case Studies on Community Participation. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Publications Office. ST/ESCAP/2571. Available at: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/poverty_and_development/trends_rural.pdf [Accessed March 1, 2011] Escobar, A. (1995). Encountering Development: the making and unmaking of the Third World, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Freire, P. (2003). The Pedagogy of the Oppressed. 30th anniversary edition, New York. Guijt, I. and Shah, K. M. (eds). (1998). The myth of Community: Gender Issues in Participatory development. IT Publications, London. Hickey, S. and Mohan, G. (eds). (2004). Participation: From Tyranny to Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development. London: Zed Books. Hickey, S. and Mohan, G. (2005). Relocating Participation within a Radical Politics of Development. Development and Change, 36 (2): 237-262. Kothari, U. (2001). Power, Knowledge and Social Control in Participatory Development in Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. Mayo, M. and Craig, G. (1995). Community Participation and Empowerment: The Human face of Structural Adjustment or Tools for Democratic Transformation?, in Craig, G. and Mayo, M. (eds) Community Empowerment: A Reader in Participation and Development, Zed Books, London. McCusker, B. and Oberhauser, A. M. (2006). An assessment of womens access to natural resources through communal projects in South Africa, GeoJournal, vol. 66, pp. 325-339. Mosse, D. (1994). Authority, Gender and Knowledge: Theoretical Reflections on the Practice of Participatory Rural Appraisal. Development and Change, Vol. 25, pp. 497- 526. Mohan, G. (2002). Participatory development. In: Desai, V and Potter, R (eds). The Companion to Development Studies. Arnold London, UK: Hodder. Mohan, G. and Hickey, S. (2004) Relocating participations within a radical politics of development: critical modernism and citizenship, in S. Hickey and G. Mohan (eds). Participation: From Tyranny to Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development. London: Zed Books. Norton, A. and B. Bird, K. Brock, M. Kakande, C. Turk (2001). A Rough Guide to PPAs. Participatory Poverty Assessment: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. London: Overseas Development Institute. Peet, R. and

Saturday, January 18, 2020

National Issues in Election 2008

The five most important issues of Election 2008 (in no particular order) are:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The economy: How will the United States correct the recession and what can be done to protect Americans from a recession in the future?2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The war in Iraq: How will America extract itself from Iraq? Can America extract itself from Iraq?3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Immigration: Immigrants, primarily in the form of unskilled workers from Mexico, are arriving in the United States in unprecedented numbers. There are now over 10 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States (Passel, 2005, pp.   4-5).   How will America address the problem of illegal immigration and the need for guest workers?4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Education: American high school students ranked 25th out of 30 nations in recent comparisons of math and science skills (Glod, 2007). Many American students graduate from high school without being able to read, and many others drop out of school alto gether. How can America fix its broken educational system?5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Energy policy: Rising oil prices have underscored America's dependency on foreign oil, raising economic concerns and concerns about security. Energy is also closely related to the environment. Can the United States find sustainable and affordable sources of environmentally friendly energy?What should be the government's role in solving these problems? The answer depends on your political perspective.The economy Political Left: America's economic problems are the result of the natural tendency of corporations to put their own interests ahead of what is best for the country. This problem can be solved if the government did a better job of regulating businesses and financial institutions.Political Right: Recessions are part of a natural cycle of economic activity, as the economy makes necessary corrections. Economic problems can be solved by encouraging investment through lower tax rates, less government i ntrusion, and the creation of new markets for goods and services. In a capitalistic economy, jobs are created by businesses, not by governments.Political Center: Some government regulation of business practices is necessary to protect American jobs and incomes. Government and private business must work together to create jobs for American workers.The War Political Left: Can't we all just get along? International disputes are best handled through diplomatic means. America should withdraw as quickly as possible from Iraq and should avoid similar conflicts with other nations in the future.Political Right: The Homeland must be defended! Backing down sends the wrong message to terrorists and to our allies. America must be strong if we are to be respected.Political Center: War is a necessary evil, but should not be a first response. America should conclude its business in Iraq as quickly as possible, and then leave. Other nations should know that America has the capacity and will to prote ct itself, but will do so only if necessary.Immigration Political Left: America is a nation of immigrants. Rejecting immigrants now is hypocritical and racist. Immigrants should have the same rights as anyone else in the country and should not live in fear of being deported.   Government should make it easier for immigrants to be documented.Political Right: The Right seems to be divided on this issue. On one hand, conservatives want the cheap labor that is provided by undocumented workers. On the other hand, conservatives fear that immigration is changing the culture and – let's be honest – the complexion of the United States. The Right argues that immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans, yet they continue to employ undocumented immigrants to do jobs that Americans will not do. These conflicts probably explain why the Right has such a hard time articulating any type of coherent policy on immigration and cannot seem to decide what the role of government should be on this issue.Political Center: Immigrants, a.k.a., guest workers, are an important part of the American economy; however, once they come to the United States, immigrants need to learn English and make show proper respect for American culture. This is the United States, not the Estados Unidos. It is the responsibility of government to help assimilate immigrates and to ensure that no terrorists cross the border masquerading as a guest worker.Education The Right: Government should not have a monopoly on education. American students are failing because schools have no motivation to improve. Privatizing education would create competition and improve the quality of schools.The Left: Schools are failing because they are underfunded. It is the role of government to invest in the future of this country, which includes investing in schools.The Center: Public schools deserve public support. The role of government is to provide funding for public education. In cases where schools are failin g to teach, it is the role of government to ensure that every child has opportunity to learn, which may mean sending some children to private schools.Energy policy The Left: Green is good! It is the role of government to regulate and, if necessary, control energy production and distribution. Extreme Left would probably advocate for public ownership of all energy companies.The Right: Energy production reflects consumer demands. When people want greener fuels, companies will provide them. Government should support research on energy sources, but it is not the place of government to control prices or distribution of gasoline and other energy sources.The Center: Government should allow free markets for gasoline and other energy sources, but should intervene when profits reach extortion levels and people cannot afford to buy gasoline. Government should support research on alternative fuels.ReferenceGlod, M. (2007). U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around World on Math-Science Test. Washington Post (December 5, 2007), p. A07. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120400730.htmlPassel, J.   (2005).   Unauthorized Migrants: Numbers and Characteristics.   Background Briefing Prepared for Task Force on Immigration and America's Future.   Washington, D.C.: Pew Hispanic Center.   Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Hispanics_in_America/PHC_immigrants_0605.pdf

Friday, January 10, 2020

American Express Essay

Bonnie Wittenburg, the plaintiff in this case filed an age discrimination lawsuit against American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. ’s (AEFA). AEFA filed a motion for summary judgment, the district court granted and the United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit affirmed. Wittenburg started working at AEFA Equity Investment Department (EID) in November 1998 at the age of 46 (Walsh, 2011). According to the portfolio managers, Wittenburg provided outstanding service and displayed excellent investment skills and in 2000, she was name Analyst of the Year (Walsh, 2011). In 2001, AEFA hired a new Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and 2002 the CIO initiated a redesign of EID. The project would take approximately two years; add an additional three portfolio managers, a new satellite office and the merger or movement of certain funds to AEFA’s satellite office (Walsh, 2011). During a discussion regarding new hires, the CIO stated he was not averse to hiring younger managers or analysts to grow with the company (Walsh, 2011). The new design plan would include a reduction in force (RIF) which according to the CIO was necessary. The first RIF terminated Al Henderson, age 62. Henderson made a comment that Dan Rivera told him that AEFA fired him because the company wanted to retain the younger employees (Walsh, 2011). The second RIF eliminated three analyst positions but primarily focused on portfolio managers. During the second RIF, a team of managers reviewed about 25 people in the department giving each a rating of keep, maybe keep, maybe, maybe drop or drop (Walsh, 2011). They used the ratings to educate leaders about the individuals in the department and in late 2002 held a meeting to discuss employee ratings. Wittenburg received a low rating because of poor performance and negative input provided by portfolio managers but continued in her current position during the second RIF. Wittenburg along with two other analysts were terminated when the third RIF occurred; Wittenburg was 51 and the other two were 41 and 36. Wittenburg applied for a portfolio manager, she did not get the position and sued AEFA claiming Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (Walsh, 2011). Wittenburg’s defense would rely on statements from co-workers such as â€Å"those that were younger† â€Å"not averse to hiring younger portfolio managers† and notes that indicated the analyst department would maybe add a junior person. In making a decision, the court will consider if the statements were made by decision makers or by someone who may influence the decision to terminate the plaintiff, the gap between statements and the date of termination, and if the statement itself was discriminatory or merely an opinion. The CIO’s comment regarding the company’s willingness to hire younger workers was a general comment. The statement was not discriminatory nor did it establish that age was the basis for Wittenburg’s termination over a year ago. The reference to adding a junior person did not show discriminatory intent and Wittenburg did not prove the employee equated junior person to a younger person or how such a notation related to her termination. Wittenburg admitted that Rivera was not a decision maker in the 2003 RIF and his statement made to Henderson did not relate to her termination. The court decided that these comments did not establish a pretext based on AEFA’s nondiscriminatory purpose given for her termination. A total of 31 analyst were affected by the 2002 and 2003 RIF, 17 of the analyst were 40 years old or older and of the 17, six were terminated, four resigned and seven retained their jobs (Walsh, 2011). In addition, there were four terminated, two resigned, two transferred and six retained their positions of the 14 analysts who were not in the protected class (Walsh, 2011). There were two members, ages 41 and 46, of the protected class who ranked first and second during the 2002 analyst ratings and the two analyst terminated in 2003 were both younger than Wittenburg, one was 41 and the other 36 (Walsh, 2011). Another analyst in the protected class whose age was the same as Wittenburg survived the 2003 RIF. Wittenburg’s accusation that scores were manipulated to retain younger employees during the 2002 RIF by ranking them in the â€Å"keep† category even though their scores were low was actually a moot point as she survived the 2002 RIF even though her score was low putting her in the maybe keep category. AEFA stated they needed only one Technology Sector analyst and then redistributed the workload amongst other employees, Wittenburg argues that pretext was shown however, as stated by the court, â€Å"employers often distribute a discharged employee’s duties to other employees performing related work for legitimate reasons† (Walsh, 2011). As far as the two vacancies, those were among the 10 analysts who had survived the RIF, they were not new positions (Walsh, 2011). The decision to downsize and redesign the Equity Investment Department was for the betterment of the company. Wittenburg’s argument that AEFA only relied on her 2002 performance review in making their decision to terminate does not help her case. The court noted there is nothing discriminatory in an employer choosing to rely on recent performance data in deciding which employees to RIF (Walsh, 2011). American Express had not been doing very well and the CIO explained analyst’s performance evaluations on an annual basis are important because consumers look at one-year performance and make decisions (Walsh, 2011).