Friday, November 29, 2019

Henry Ford, Engineer Essays - Antisemitism In The United States

Henry Ford, Engineer Henry Ford, Engineer Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863 to William and Mary Ford. He was the first of six children. He grew up in a rich farming household in Dearborn, Michigan. He enjoyed a typical childhood, spending his days in a one-room schoolhouse and doing farm chores. Ever since he was young, he showed an interest for the mechanical aspect of things, and how they worked and functioned. He used to take things apart and put them back together to get an idea of the inner workings of basic mechanical tools. In 1879, at a young age of 16, he left his home to travel to the near by city of Detroit to work as an apprentice for a machinist. He occasionally returned home to work on the farm. He remained an apprentice for three years and then returned to Dearborn. During the next few years, Henry divided his time between operating and repairing steam engines, finding occasional work in Detroit factories, and working on his fathers broken down farm equipment, as well as lending an unwilling hand with other farm work. Henry got married to Clara Bryant in 1888 Henry supported himself and his wife by running a sawmill. In 1891, Henry became an engineer with the Edison Illumination Company. This was an important event in his life because it signified that he had made a conscious career move into industrial pursuits. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1893. This gave him enough time and money to devote attention to his personal experiments on internal combustion engines (Lacey 13 - 14). In 1891, Henry became an engineer with the Edison Illumination Company. This was an important event in his life because it signified that he had made a conscious career move into industrial pursuits. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1893. This gave him enough time and money to devote attention to his personal experiments on internal combustion engines (Lacey 13 - 14). The high point of this research came with the completion of his own self-propelled vehicle, the Quadricycle. This bike had four wire wheels and was steered with a tiller, like a boat. It had two forward speeds, and no reverse. Although this was not the first self-propelled vehicle, it set Henry Ford as one of the major pioneers whom helped this nation become one of motorists. Ford decided that he wanted to become an automobile manufacturer. After two unsuccessful tries, Ford motor company was finally incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as the Vice President and Chief Engineer. When the company first started it was only producing a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. A group of two or three men would work on one car from components made to order by other companies. Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonable priced, reliable and efficient with the introduction of the Model T in 1908. This vehicle initiated a new era in personal transportation. It was easy to operate, maintain, and could handle rough roads. It was also very reasonably priced at 850 dollars. The cars sold fast and for the first time, the middle class could afford a car. By 1920, about 4 million Model T's were sold. The model T revolutionized America in many different ways. For example, while the Model T was in production, the assembly line was used on a large scale. The assembly line was a powered chain that brought the chassis of the car to each of its parts. The parts were then attached to the chassis of the car and moved on to the next station. It usually took fourteen hours to build one Model T, and with the assembly line it only took six. Henry built a huge factory based on the assembly line. The assembly line added more jobs and significantly lowered the cost of production. Since the assembly line, Ford was able to produce many more cars than usual, therefore increasing profits. Since the profits were increased, Henry was able to raise the workers' salaries from $2.50 an hour to $5.00 an hour. He also cut the workday to only eight hours a day, making the workers very happy.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Cuban Trade Embargo essays

Cuban Trade Embargo essays Time for a Change: Forty-Two Years of Isolation and Deprivation Since the day when President Kennedy issued the US-Cuban Trade Embargo which prevented any trade being done with Cuba either directly or indirectly it has left the island of Cuba isolated and deprived of the wealth of tourism. "The United States never remembers and Latin America never forgets," is a well-known Latin American cliche which illustrates the depth of Cuban distrust about the United States and the everlasting revelation of Americans manifesting about Cuban dictatorship. Americans today ponder upon the question in which haunts politicians of the past and present, How the United States could have let a small island nation only ninety miles from its shores produce a communist regime that has outlasted the USSR? (Paterson 263). On the contrary, Cuba continues to be outraged at the way the United States still undermines and ignores Cuban dominion. The issue at hand is as we (the United States) have embarked on th e twenty- first century we still remain entangled in an economic war of slow destruction with an island market begging for U.S. dollars . After forty-two years of isolation, deprivation and failed objectives against the island of Cuba, its time for a change, a revision, the lifting of a failed trade embargo. Can we ever move on and change the embargo when flamboyant leaders continue to wave the bloody flag and open decade-old wounds. A European diplomat asked a Clinton official, "Why should the U.S. maintain economic sanctions against Castro if it is willing to trade with Hanoi and Beijing?" a senior Clinton official could only reply, "History matters" (Fedarko 54). History matters to the United States, but the history of prosperity of the Cuban people also matters as they remember history before the trade embargo. It is difficult for a generation of Americans to forget events such as the failed military blockade of the Bay of Pigs and t...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Writer's choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Writer's choice - Essay Example The draft ensured that these young men were enlisted in the military force. It was compulsory the young men to be in the military as the few in the military and the volunteers could not sum up to a number that would ensure the country’s safety. Refusal of anyone to be inducted to the military, would lead to severe consequences, like lack of jobs and funds for college. This way, most young people joined the military, trained and when wars came up, they went out to fight for their nation. Thus, the government ensured that they had a strong enough military for wars like the world war. The military draft today should not be upheld. It is a draft that was used a long time ago for reasons that were important to the state. However, today, retaining the military draft would lead to more negative effects than positive ones. The government has discussed the draft a few times in congress. Coming back to the draft would lead to losses like jeopardizing the futures of most young people; wars are less today and more funds would be used to ensure that the ones, who enrolled, were maintained. These are but a few reasons that would make the draft a heavy task. First, it is important to note that the military draft was helpful back then due to the reoccurrence of wars and because the military had few people. However, the military today has had quite a success. So many people have volunteered to join the military as an occupation. The number of people in the military force is not little. This is one of the reasons why upholding the draft would not be necessary (Scherer 2). The military has enough people who are experienced and well trained and are ready to fight for the country in case of anything. The force already fully represents the nation well, thus retrying the draft would not be important. Secondly, the draft would require the government to spend so much, which is unnecessary. As said earlier, the draft required so many people to enroll to the military.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Sontag, In Platos Cave from On Photography Essay

Sontag, In Platos Cave from On Photography - Essay Example n individual may perceive a story that consists of different objects and or people, the story will remain in a particular form in the mind of absence of a photograph. When the individual observes a photograph on the scenario later, then the notion that was formed in the mind originally changes automatically. The impact of the photo would depict a sense of superiority of the event or an individual. Again, the photograph have targeted objects during their time of creation or presentation. A photograph may consist of several objects but only the focal point matters amongst the observers. In most scenarios, the observers prioritize the central objects on which the photographs emphasize. As per the descriptions provided in the previous paragraphs, a rational evaluation of a photograph demands transparency. In a practical scenario, consider the photograph of a presidential candidate and analyze the main attributes. In 2008vpresidential elections in the United States, the contents of Obama’s photographs and especially the posters were stunning. Moreover, Obama’s polished picture with his name at the top and the slogan, â€Å"Yes We Can† at the bottom had the main impact on the voters. Indeed, photographs have a broad command in influencing notions, imaginations, and the viewing right. Impression is the most important aspect in the sense of sight (Sontag,

Monday, November 18, 2019

Childhood Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Childhood Experience - Essay Example The paper tells that during the author’s first day in the new school, his mother dropped him off and he was led by the Principal into his first class. The researcher was very nervous and also excited. When he was introduced by the teacher as a new student, he noticed that all the students looked at him strangely – like he looked different or he was growing horns or something. This made him feel very shy and even more nervous. A chair was pointed out to the author and when he took his seat, he felt them all staring at him, particularly one girl sitting two seats in front of the author. When he braved a look at her, he saw that her eyes were squinted at him, like she was angry at him. He felt threatened by her intimidating stare. The researcher tried his best to ignore her and just listen to his teacher. During their recess, he was too nervous to go out with the other children to play, so he opened his lunchbox and just took out the sandwich his mother prepared for him. A s the author laid it out on his table, it was suddenly snatched from behind. The researchers looked at him and it was the girl who was staring at him during our class. She thanked him for the sandwich and then took a bite out of it. She then went on to spit out what she bit, saying it was disgusting. The researcher was too shocked and surprised to react to what she was doing. He did not know what to do, and when he tried to get his sandwich back, she pushed him back to his chair. At that point, their teacher came in and asked what was happening.... In the playground, I ran straight for the farthest part of the grounds, looking behind me to check if Annabelle was following me. Fortunately, I was not followed. I found a big bush with a bench behind it and I could not help but cry. I felt so miserable and lonely. Then I heard the rustling of the bush and suddenly a red-headed girl emerged. She asked me why I was crying and I told her about Annabelle. She told me that Annabelle was the class bully and she was always mean to the other children in the class. She said her name was Kathleen. She confessed that she was also bullied by Annabelle when they were in their first grade and it looks like she found a new girl to bully, namely me. She told me that whenever Annabelle is coming near, I should go close to any of the teachers and Annabelle would eventually back off. I felt better after having met Kathleen. For the next few weeks, I did what she taught me and Annabelle could not get close to bully me anymore. One time though, she cau ght me alone in class again and was trying to grab my bag. It was a good thing that Kathleen saw me being bullied and she ran to get our teacher who immediately came to reprimand Annabelle. Annabelle was sent to the Principal’s office. She never tried to bully me after that, especially as Kathleen and I grew to be best friends, keeping each other company and protecting each other when we could. Annabelle’s parents were later called and they told of their daughter’s bullying habits. The following year, Annabelle was transferred to another school by her parents. Kathleen and I have remained good friends throughout the years. And although I had a difficult time that year, I gained a friend in

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Child Trafficking In Nigeria Social Work Essay

Child Trafficking In Nigeria Social Work Essay Human trafficking in Nigeria has been one of the greatest problem in Nigerian history. Human trafficking can be traced to the period colonialism when human beings are been traded for mere commodities to the Europeans, to help them in their plantations in their own country. Due to the abolishment of slave trade in Nigeria by 1885-1950, the act of human trafficking was reduced and some few years later they started child trafficking since the children are more vulnerable. Child trafficking is a form of human trafficking that involves the transportation, harbouring, receiving ,recruitment of children in the purpose of exploitation. The issue of child domestic labour is very complex and problematic. Domestic child labourers are among the most invisible child labourers. The number of children exploited in private households is unknown because of the hidden nature of the work. Many of these children are girls and in many countries domestic service is seen as the only employment option a girl might have. Children exploited in domestic service are paid little or nothing, are malnourished, are very vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation, and do not go to school. However, because child domestic workers are employed within an informal family environment, they cannot be integrated as a professional group within conventional working systems because such integration would presuppose an acceptance of the idea of child domestic labour. At the same time, without legal initiatives, it is difficult to combat child domestic labour. Furthermore, the terms, norms and standards to regulate the employment of children are lack ing because children work in a largely invisible domain outside law and the public sphere and their domestic labour cannot be integrated under normal labour laws. Although the final goal of all laws should be the prevention and elimination of child domestic labour, it is acknowledged right at the outset that this is a long term goal. In the interim, there is a need to accept that children do, and will continue, to work until effective alternatives make it unnecessary for them to work. In the meantime, the best interest of the child principle together with the notion of the child as a rights holder should guide any lawmaking on child domestic work. Law and policy reform can play a powerful constitutive and transformative role in improving and changing the lives of both the girl child and male child domestic worker; however, in envisioning workplace and domestic arrangements it is important to see that sex stereotypes are not reinforced. Just as much as law has the profound power to p revent and regulate domestic labour, it has the power to reinforce it by creating loopholes through which employers can continue to hire child domestic workers. Laws can often spark social change only if they are translated into action. In drafting new laws or revising existing laws, child domestic labour should be seen in the context of historic sex discrimination. There is an apparent tension when laws and policies are blind to the differences between the girl child domestic worker and the male child domestic worker such as the girl childs weak bargaining position and low status, which increases her vulnerability to coercion by her family and employer. Child trafficking in Nigeria is something the government has not really put enough effort to ensure that child trafficking is reduced or eradicated this is due to the lapse (corruption) of the whole government system because most of the child traffickers are top government officials and this makes it very difficult to investigate any problem that has to do with child trafficking. According to a research carried out by United nation children fund (unicef) say the average age of children been trafficked in Nigeria is around 15years but the age varies, especially with girls and also it says 60-80% of girls in the sex trade outside the country are in Italy (over 700 in Italy while Belgium and Holland is experiencing an upsurge in the number of Nigerian girls. On the average About 10 children pass Nigerian borders daily originating from fostering and extended family system. Children that are been trafficked has so many reasons which include domestic help, prostitution these are especially for girls while boys are used as scavengers, car washing, bus conducting, drug peddling and farming. Child trafficking has so many effects on both the child and the country. Trafficking of migrant children has unquestionably affected individual children and their communities in various immediate and long term ways. It sometimes endangers the childrens lives. The obvious impacts of child trafficking often mentioned is on deteriorating their education, physical and mental development. Moreover, the trafficked migrant children are disempowered in many ways. They are in the foreign country with foreign customs and foreign language. They are transported and sold or deceived as bonded labour, treated like property, and work under slavery-like conditions. Whenever they feel depressed, or suffering, or face difficulties, or are tortured, commonly they have no one they can turn to as they tend to live in isolated areas. Even if they have a chance to seek help, they often do not know where to go or what to do or whom to ask because they are illegal migrants and are afraid of police. In some c ircumstances, they may encounter racism from the police, authorities, and general people among whom may be their own employers. A major result of child trafficking can be loss of lives, increasing prevalence of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) including HIV/AIDS, increase in violence and crime rate, increased school drop-out, impaired child development, poor national image and massive deportation of Nigerians especially girls. And also, There are diverse reasons why many Nigerian children are vulnerable to trafficking, including widespread poverty, large family size, rapid urbanization with deteriorating public services, low literacy levels and high school-drop out rates The demand for cheap commercial sex workers in countries of destination strongly contributes to the growth of this phenomenon and the success of this criminal network. Parents with a large family, often overburdened with the care of too many children, are prone to the traffickers deceit in giving away some of their children to city residents or even strangers promising a better life for them. Traffickers exploit the trust of people rooted in a widespread, culturally accepted common practice in West Africa of placement and fostering as part of the extended family safety net. In some instances, desperately poor and uninformed parents willingly co-operate with the traffickers, giving away their children in exchange for a small fee. In the hands of unscrupulous guardians, these children are increasingly trafficked and exploited for money. But All hope is not lost as every problem has a solution. The government can still curb this evil practice in order to save children and the good name of the country. Firstly, government should provide free education in every government owned school in the country from the nursery to the secondary level so that parents will have no excuse of giving out their children to strangers in the pretext of taking them to learn new sill in new environment. Secondly, government should pay workers salaries at the end of each month because they have personal bills to foot; children to cater for and they depend solely on their salaries. Thirdly, the parliamentary arm of the government should make and amend law that all Nigerian families should not have more than 3 children and any found to go against the law would be punished because one of the causes of child trafficking in Nigeria is the inability of parents to cater for so many children. Also, government should make laws for children against child abuse and intimidation which should be strictly adhered to. Last but not the least, government should come to an agreement with leaders of other countries that any Nigerian child suspected to be abused or trafficked should be rescued and the trafficker, punished. In an effort   aimed at battling child trafficking within Nigeria and the sub-region, Nigeria and the government of Benin Republic have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate in the   area of prevention of child trafficking as well as the repatriation of offenders to countries of origin for prosecution. Executive Secretary of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters(NAPTIP), Mrs. Carol Ndaguba disclosed this at a one-day workshop on Anti Child Trafficking Network Project in Nigeria held at the UN House Abuja. According to her, Nigeria and the government of Italy, United Kingdom and Spain also have understandings on joint initiative on modalities for prevention of child trafficking and slavery, adding that the Italian government as well as UNICEF have been providing huge financial and capacity building support to the agency in carrying out its task. On the issue of house-help or domestic servants in the country, NAPTIP Executive Secretary regretted that the phenomenon had been exploited by traffickers to batter, sexually or emotionally traumatize victims, adding that the so called syndrome must now come to an end. She identified the challenges faced by the network project to include   expansion of the network from 22 states to 36, sustaining awareness campaign at the state and community levels, and capacity building of the state working groups. In her remark, Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF, Barbara Reynold said that although the anti-trafficking agency was already doing a lot to put an end to the menace of human trafficking, more needs to be done in the area of conscientisation and increased awareness by   a broader section of society.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Happiness and Misery of Monsieur Lantin in The Jewels Essay

The Happiness and Misery of Monsieur Lantin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the beginning of â€Å"The Jewels†, Lantin meets the woman of his dreams (and of every other man’s) and immediately falls in love with and marries her. Their lives go on in perfect harmony and happiness, and every day Lantin falls more deeply in love with his adorable wife. Lantin has only two complaints about the character of his wife: her love of the theater and her love of fake jewelry. Eventually Lantin stops going to the theater, and his wife goes alone. After returning from the theater one night, his wife develops a cough and dies eight days later. This point marks the beginning of Lantin’s misery as he uncovers more about his wife than he might have wanted to know.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lantin is very happily married to his wife, and the reader gets the impression that everyone else in the community feels she is a fine woman to have as a wife. â€Å"Happy the man who wins her love! He could not find a better wife† (Maupassant 105). The reader learns just how devoted he is to his wife when he confesses that after six years of marriage, he loves his wife even more than he did at first. Lantin’s life seems a perfect picture of what a happy marriage should be, but then it changes suddenly and drastically.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Lantin’s wife comes home one night with a chill and dies eight days later, Lantin is devastated. His life is filled with sorrow and despair and even â€Å"time, the...

Monday, November 11, 2019

Digital Fortress Chapter 50-54

Chapter 50 Only yards from TRANSLTR's hull, Phil Chartrukian stood over a patch of white lettering on the Crypto floor. CRYPTO SUBLEVELS AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY He knew he was definitely not authorized personnel. He shot a quick glance up at Strathmore's office. The curtains were still pulled. Chartrukian had seen Susan Fletcher go into the bathrooms, so he knew she wasn't a problem. The only other question was Hale. He glanced toward Node 3, wondering if the cryptographer were watching. â€Å"Fuck it,† he grumbled. Below his feet the outline of a recessed trapdoor was barely visible in the floor. Chartrukian palmed the key he'd just taken from the Sys-Sec lab. He knelt down, inserted the key in the floor, and turned. The bolt beneath clicked. Then he unscrewed the large external butterfly latch and freed the door. Checking once again over his shoulder, he squatted down and pulled. The panel was small, only three feet by three feet, but it was heavy. When it finally opened, the Sys-Sec stumbled back. A blast of hot air hit him in the face. It carried with it the sharp bite of freon gas. Billows of steam swirled out of the opening, illuminated by the red utility lighting below. The distant hum of the generators became a rumble. Chartrukian stood up and peered into the opening. It looked more like the gateway to hell than a service entrance for a computer. A narrow ladder led to a platform under the floor. Beyond that, there were stairs, but all he could see was swirling red mist. Greg Hale stood behind the one-way glass of Node 3. He watched as Phil Chartrukian eased himself down the ladder toward the sublevels. From where Hale was standing, the Sys-Sec's head appeared to have been severed from his body and left out on the Crypto floor. Then, slowly, it sank into the swirling mist. â€Å"Gutsy move,† Hale muttered. He knew where Chartrukian was headed. An emergency manual abort of TRANSLTR was a logical action if he thought the computer had a virus. Unfortunately, it was also a sure way to have Crypto crawling with Sys-Secs in about ten minutes. Emergency actions raised alert flags at the main switchboard. A Sys-Sec investigation of Crypto was something Hale could not afford. Hale left Node 3 and headed for the trapdoor. Chartrukian had to be stopped. Chapter 51 Jabba resembled a giant tadpole. Like the cinematic creature for whom he was nicknamed, the man was a hairless spheroid. As resident guardian angel of all NSA computer systems, Jabba marched from department to department, tweaking, soldering, and reaffirming his credo that prevention was the best medicine. No NSA computer had ever been infected under Jabba's reign; he intended to keep it that way. Jabba's home base was a raised workstation overlooking the NSA's underground, ultra-secret databank. It was there that a virus would do the most damage and there that he spent the majority of his time. At the moment, however, Jabba was taking a break and enjoying pepperoni calzones in the NSA's all-night commissary. He was about to dig into his third when his cellular phone rang. â€Å"Go,† he said, coughing as he swallowed a mouthful. â€Å"Jabba,† a woman's voice cooed. â€Å"It's Midge.† â€Å"Data Queen!† the huge man gushed. He'd always had a soft spot for Midge Milken. She was sharp, and she was also the only woman Jabba had ever met who flirted with him. â€Å"How the hell are you?† â€Å"No complaints.† Jabba wiped his mouth. â€Å"You on site?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"Care to join me for a calzone?† â€Å"Love to Jabba, but I'm watching these hips.† â€Å"Really?† He snickered. â€Å"Mind if I join you?† â€Å"You're bad.† â€Å"You have no idea†¦.† â€Å"Glad I caught you in,† she said. â€Å"I need some advice.† He took a long swallow of Dr Pepper. â€Å"Shoot.† â€Å"It might be nothing,† Midge said, â€Å"but my Crypto stats turned up something odd. I was hoping you could shed some light.† â€Å"What ya got?† He took another sip. â€Å"I've got a report saying TRANSLTR's been running the same file for eighteen hours and hasn't cracked it.† Jabba sprayed Dr Pepper all over his calzone. â€Å"You what?† â€Å"Any ideas?† He dabbed at his calzone with a napkin. â€Å"What report is this?† â€Å"Production report. Basic cost analysis stuff.† Midge quickly explained what she and Brinkerhoff had found. â€Å"Have you called Strathmore?† â€Å"Yes. He said everything's fine in Crypto. Said TRANSLTR's running full speed ahead. Said our data's wrong.† Jabba furrowed his bulbous forehead. â€Å"So what's the problem? Your report glitched.† Midge did not respond. Jabba caught her drift. He frowned. â€Å"You don't think your report glitched?† â€Å"Correct.† â€Å"So you think Strathmore's lying?† â€Å"It's not that,† Midge said diplomatically, knowing she was on fragile ground. â€Å"It's just that my stats have never been wrong in the past. I thought I'd get a second opinion.† â€Å"Well,† Jabba said, â€Å"I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your data's fried.† â€Å"You think so?† â€Å"I'd bet my job on it.† Jabba took a big bite of soggy calzone and spoke with his mouth full. â€Å"Longest a file has ever lasted inside TRANSLTR is three hours. That includes diagnostics, boundary probes, everything. Only thing that could lock it down for eighteen hours would have to be viral. Nothing else could do it.† â€Å"Viral?† â€Å"Yeah, some kind of redundant cycle. Something that got into the processors, created a loop, and basically gummed up the works.† â€Å"Well,† she ventured, â€Å"Strathmore's been in Crypto for about thirty-six hours straight. Any chance he's fighting a virus?† Jabba laughed. â€Å"Strathmore's been in there for thirty-six hours? Poor bastard. His wife probably said he can't come home. I hear she's bagging his ass.† Midge thought a moment. She'd heard that too. She wondered if maybe she was being paranoid. â€Å"Midge.† Jabba wheezed and took another long drink. â€Å"If Strathmore's toy had a virus, he would have called me. Strathmore's sharp, but he doesn't know shit about viruses. TRANSLTR's all he's got. First sign of trouble, he would have pressed the panic button-and around here, that means me.† Jabba sucked in a long strand of mozzarella. â€Å"Besides, there's no way in hell TRANSLTR has a virus. Gauntlet's the best set of package filters I've ever written. Nothing gets through.† After a long silence, Midge sighed. â€Å"Any other thoughts?† â€Å"Yup. Your data's fried.† â€Å"You already said that.† â€Å"Exactly.† She frowned. â€Å"You haven't caught wind of anything? Anything at all?† Jabba laughed harshly. â€Å"Midge†¦ listen up. Skipjack sucked. Strathmore blew it. But move on-it's over.† There was a long silence on the line, and Jabba realized he'd gone too far. â€Å"Sorry, Midge. I know you took heat over that whole mess. Strathmore was wrong. I know how you feel about him.† â€Å"This has nothing to do with Skipjack,† she said firmly. Yeah, sure, Jabba thought. â€Å"Listen, Midge, I don't have feelings for Strathmore one way or another. I mean, the guy's a cryptographer. They're basically all self-centered assholes. They need their data yesterday. Every damn file is the one that could save the world.† â€Å"So what are you saying?† Jabba sighed. â€Å"I'm saying Strathmore's a psycho like the rest of them. But I'm also saying he loves TRANSLTR more than his own goddamn wife. If there were a problem, he would have called me.† Midge was quiet a long time. Finally she let out a reluctant sigh. â€Å"So you're saying my data's fried?† Jabba chuckled. â€Å"Is there an echo in here?† She laughed. â€Å"Look, Midge. Drop me a work order. I'll be up on Monday to double-check your machine. In the meantime, get the hell out of here. It's Saturday night. Go get yourself laid or something.† She sighed. â€Å"I'm trying, Jabba. Believe me, I'm trying.† Chapter 52 Club Embrujo-â€Å"Warlock† in English-was situated in the suburbs at the end of the number 27 bus line. Looking more like a fortification than a dance club, it was surrounded on all sides by high stucco walls into which were embedded shards of shattered beer bottles-a crude security system preventing anyone from entering illegally without leaving behind a good portion of flesh. During the ride, Becker had resolved himself to the fact that he'd failed. It was time to call Strathmore with the bad news-the search was hopeless. He had done the best he could; now it was time to go home. But now, gazing out at the mob of patrons pushing their way through the club's entrance, Becker was not so sure his conscience would allow him to give up the search. He was staring at the biggest crowd of punks he'd ever seen; there were coiffures of red, white, and blue everywhere. Becker sighed, weighing his options. He scanned the crowd and shrugged. Where else would she be on a Saturday night? Cursing his good fortune, Becker climbed off the bus. The access to Club Embrujo was a narrow stone corridor. As Becker entered he immediately felt himself caught up in the inward surge of eager patrons. â€Å"Outta my way, faggot!† A human pincushion pawed past him, giving Becker an elbow in the side. â€Å"Nice tie.† Someone gave Becker's necktie a hard yank. â€Å"Wanna fuck?† A teenage girl stared up at him looking like something out of Dawn of the Dead. The darkness of the corridor spilled out into a huge cement chamber that reeked of alcohol and body odor. The scene was surreal-a deep mountain grotto in which hundreds of bodies moved as one. They surged up and down, hands pressed firmly to their sides, heads bobbing like lifeless bulbs on top of rigid spines. Crazed souls took running dives off a stage and landed on a sea of human limbs. Bodies were passed back and forth like human beach balls. Overhead, the pulsating strobes gave the whole thing the look of an old, silent movie. On the far wall, speakers the size of minivans shook so deeply that not even the most dedicated dancers could get closer than thirty feet from the pounding woofers. Becker plugged his ears and searched the crowd. Everywhere he looked was another red, white, and blue head. The bodies were packed so closely together that he couldn't see what they were wearing. He saw no hint of a British flag anywhere. It was obvious he'd never be able to enter the crowd without getting trampled. Someone nearby started vomiting. Lovely. Becker groaned. He moved off down a spray-painted hallway. The hall turned into a narrow mirrored tunnel, which opened to an outdoor patio scattered with tables and chairs. The patio was crowded with punk rockers, but to Becker it was like the gateway to Shangri-La-the summer sky opened up above him and the music faded away. Ignoring the curious stares, Becker walked out into the crowd. He loosened his tie and collapsed into a chair at the nearest unoccupied table. It seemed like a lifetime since Strathmore's early-morning call. After clearing the empty beer bottles from his table, Becker laid his head in his hands. Just for a few minutes, he thought. Five miles away, the man in wire-rim glasses sat in the back of a Fiat taxi as it raced headlong down a country road. â€Å"Embrujo,† he grunted, reminding the driver of their destination. The driver nodded, eyeing his curious new fare in the rearview mirror. â€Å"Embrujo,† he grumbled to himself. â€Å"Weirder crowd every night.† Chapter 53 Tokugen Numataka lay naked on the massage table in his penthouse office. His personal masseuse worked out the kinks in his neck. She ground her palms into the fleshy pockets surrounding his shoulder blades, slowly working her way down to the towel covering his backside. Her hands slipped lower†¦ beneath his towel. Numataka barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere. He had been waiting for his private line to ring. It had not. There was a knock at the door. â€Å"Enter,† Numataka grunted. The masseuse quickly pulled her hands from beneath the towel. The switchboard operator entered and bowed. â€Å"Honored chairman?† â€Å"Speak.† The operator bowed a second time. â€Å"I spoke to the phone exchange. The call originated from country code 1-the United States.† Numataka nodded. This was good news. The call came from the States. He smiled. It was genuine. â€Å"Where in the U.S.?† he demanded. â€Å"They're working on it, sir.† â€Å"Very well. Tell me when you have more.† The operator bowed again and left. Numataka felt his muscles relax. Country code 1. Good news indeed. Chapter 54 Susan Fletcher paced impatiently in the Crypto bathroom and counted slowly to fifty. Her head was throbbing. Just a little longer, she told herself. Hale is North Dakota! Susan wondered what Hale's plans were. Would he announce the pass-key? Would he be greedy and try to sell the algorithm? Susan couldn't bear to wait any longer. It was time. She had to get to Strathmore. Cautiously she cracked the door and peered out at the reflective wall on the far side of Crypto. There was no way to know if Hale was still watching. She'd have to move quickly to Strathmore's office. Not too quickly, of course-she could not let Hale suspect she was on to him. She reached for the door and was about to pull it open when she heard something. Voices. Men's voices. The voices were coming through the ventilation shaft near the floor. She released the door and moved toward the vent. The words were muffled by the dull hum of the generators below. The conversation sounded like it was coming up from the sublevel catwalks. One voice was shrill, angry. It sounded like Phil Chartrukian. â€Å"You don't believe me?† The sound of more arguing rose. â€Å"We have a virus!† Then the sound of harsh yelling. â€Å"We need to call Jabba!† Then there were sounds of a struggle. â€Å"Let me go!† The noise that followed was barely human. It was a long wailing cry of horror, like a tortured animal about to die. Susan froze beside the vent. The noise ended as abruptly as it had begun. Then there was a silence. An instant later, as if choreographed for some cheap horror matinee, the lights in the bathroom slowly dimmed. Then they flickered and went out. Susan Fletcher found herself standing in total blackness.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Are People Using Too Much Electronics Professor Ramos Blog

Are People Using Too Much Electronics â€Å"Your Cell Phone Will Ruin Your Vacation† James Butte 11/7/18 English 010 Ramos Are People Using Too Much Electronics? I am convinced that kids and teenagers are using too much electronics. While we should all be outside doing something like I remember we would all do in my childhood, most of my friends stay at home and rather play online with each other. Even if I have nothing to do I’ll stay and hangout like I think we’ll do something cool, they get on their headset and it is if I aren’t even there. That’s when I go home and figure something else out. Even when people are on vacation and doing something fun like parasailing, people have a very hard time just setting the phone down for a couple seconds to listen to instructions so in case of an emergency they know how to help save themselves. Some people never get off their phone the entire trip, they’ll take selfies the majority of the ride and stuff like that. Some people even skip out on the best part of the ride ( dipping their feet in the water ) just because they don’t want their Phones, cameras, Earpieces etc. To get wet. â€Å"According to a 2016 Pew Research survey, 77 percent of Americans own a smartphone, and other recent stats have found that users are on their phones an average of more than five hours per day- almost double the rate in 2013.† (http://mentalfloss.com). â€Å"The gap between Internet users and nonusers is associated with income and age, but no longer with gender and race† (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-5961(03)00068-5). As people used to differentiate with age and race, people are starting to differentiate more with more of what type of content their into on the internet. According to Hotels.com 81% say their smartphone is their number one travel accessory. And on average, travelers spend three hours a day looking at their mobile devices. (FOXBusiness.com).  Vacation is meant to get away from all of our stress, yet people still have a constant addiction to their phones when they probably don’t have internet service. Albers says that â€Å"by relying on our phones daily, it’s hard to disconnect for even a short period of time. Our electronic devices have arguably become extensions of ourselves, and therefore we end up living our lives through them, almost like being at a sporting event and watching a game on the jumbo screen instead†. I am also guilty of always using my phone like when I’m bored, or texting someone. I often find myself staying up till 1 in the morning because I get sucked into different apps like youtube, instagram, snapchat, and it can be hard for me to just turn the phone off and go to bed, I would defin itely say that my phone affects my quality of sleep, and I can feel my eyes trying to adjust to the dark which doesn’t seem all that healthy. Instead of posting pics to show off or not feel left out by seeing what your friends are doing, we should be more connected to our surroundings and live in the moment. I have some friends that will put almost everything they do on Facebook whether it’s going to the bathroom, eating lunch, or their views on something nobody cares about. According to Today.com â€Å"32 percent say they feel unimportant when their parents get distracted by their phones.† (Lowin). Some people have adopted the rule of no phones at the dinner table to get each other interacted and talking to each other to find out what’s going on in each other’s lives. As said by Telegraph.com â€Å"Google Maps is in danger of doing what satnav did for motorists turning them into zombies who blindly follow instructions while taking in nothing from their surroundings.† when we actually get to know our surroundings we have a better understanding of where we are, where to go, and what’s around us. We get to keep our brains exercised, if we rely on our phones forever, when we don’t have our phones we build the feeling of anxiety and we won’t know how to figure out our problems on our own. Those behind the wheel may not be the only ones at risk of a cell phone-related auto accident. So suggests a study published in January in the journal Pediatrics that shows that children are more distracted while crossing the street if they happen to be talking on a cell phone.(ABC News) People that are walking while using a phone are at 43% more risk of being hit by a car crossing the street. Excessive cell phone use can be a risk factor for mental health issues in young adults. With the constant notifications, vibrations, â€Å"In a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, researchers examined if there is a direct link between the psychosocial aspects of cell phone use and mental health symptoms in young adults.† (MedicalDaily.com) People should worry less about their phones and live more in the moment, and be more connected with their friends and family. Sciencedirect Ronald E Rice, James E Katz. Volume 27, Issues 8–9, September–October 2003, Pages 597-623 â€Å"Comparing internet and mobile phone usage: digital divides of usage, adoption, and dropouts† Foxbusiness By Marissa Piazzola. Published July 08, 2016. Lifestyle and Budget. FOX Business. â€Å"Your Cell Phone Will Ruin Your Vacation† Today.com Aug. 6, 2015 / 11:38 AM PDT / Source: TODAY By Rebekah Lowin â€Å"How cell phones are affecting families and what to do about it† Telegraph.com Natalie Paris, travel writer 28 APRIL 2017 4:05PM â€Å"The science behind why you shouldnt take your phone on holiday† Butte 5 ABC News By DAN CHILDS ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT March 9, 2009 â€Å"7 Surprising Ways Cell Phones Affect Your Health† MedicalDaily.com Jul 12, 2013 01:15 PM By Lizette Borreli 5 Reasons Why Cellphones Are Bad For Your Health

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Essay on Fundamentals of Corporate Finance

Essay on Fundamentals of Corporate Finance Essay on Fundamentals of Corporate Finance Essay on Fundamentals of Corporate FinanceThe development of the modern banking industry raises a number of challenges and issues concerning the stable performance of banks and their investment attractiveness. The economic recession and mortgage crisis of 2008 have raised apprehensions of investors and their uncertainty about many banks, which used to be quite reliable and stable, including behemoths of the industry. In this regard, I would conduct the detailed analysis of my bank from the standpoint of an investor rather than a customer. In fact, the analysis of the bank’s position and attractiveness for investors takes into consideration multiple perspectives, which help to determine not only the current position of the bank but also its further performance.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   First of all, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that my bank was operating in both deposit and investment sectors and it has proved to be quite successful in both o f them, although the investment sector became too challenging for the bank, especially in light of new government regulations that stimulated the bank to focus on deposit branch only (Pine Gilmore, 2009). In such a way, the bank focuses on deposit business only and attempts to attract more customers. The past success of the bank and relatively high interest rate make the bank attractive for customers. Therefore, investors should also consider the possibility of the investment into the bank.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, investors, should take into consideration the fact that the bank offers a high interest rate to attract more customers but the increasing number of customers raises the question of the capitalization of the bank and its further ability to pay customers the interest rate it has already promised to them. The failure of the bank to pay off the interest rate to customers will put under a question the further ability of the bank to survive in the m arket, unless the bank reaches the high level of profitability and its projects turn out to be extremely successful. Nevertheless, at the moment, it is obvious that the bank will have to decrease its interest rate to balance its financial performance and to retain its attractiveness for investors. Otherwise, investors will grow concerned about the financial performance of the bank in the future and its ability to keep maintaining its financial performance at the current level.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At the same time, the bank has substantial financial resources, which it has drawn from its investment branch. The bank shifts its financial resources into deposit business to enhance its market performance and to expand its market share. The available financial resources enhance the position of the bank because customers can feel to be secure enough as their deposits are safe and the bank has sufficient financial resources to cover current risks (McDaniel, Martin, Maines, 2002). At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that the bank is not inclined to a risky business behavior. On the contrary, the bank attempts to secure its position in the industry and customers feel being confident in the bank. Therefore, the bank is also attractive for investors.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, after the shift toward deposit baking instead of investment banking, the bank has got rid of the unprofitable part of its business. Therefore, the bank has managed to optimize its organizational structure and financial performance. As the bank refused from its investment branch, its financial losses have dropped, whereas the deposit business was traditionally profitable for the bank (Parrino, 2006). This is why, at the moment, the bank has the possibility to expand its market share at cost of refusing from short-run profits and offering a higher interest rate to customers. In such a way, the bank expands its market share attracting mo re and more customers from its potential rivals in the industry. In such a way, at the moment, the bank demonstrates its readiness to invest into the further growth of the bank that makes it very attractive for investors.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, the focus of the bank on the market expansion is another positive signal for investors because it implies that the bank is concerned with its further growth. The growth of the bank can bring profits to investors. On the other hand, the market growth can also bring negative outcomes, if the market expansion strategy of the bank fails. However, at the moment, there are no signs of the decline or deterioration of the marketing and financial performance of the bank. On the contrary, the positive dynamics of the bank’s business developments is a positive signal for investors that means that the bank is worth investing.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thus, the bank is attractive at the moment, but s till its marketing strategy involving the high interest rate, which are attractive for customers, is risky. In this regard, investors, who are ready to take a risk to obtain higher profits, should invest into the bank, whereas investors, who are ready to take such risks, should not invest into the bank.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Reflection of "Slingshot assignment #1 AET Movie Review

Reflection of "Slingshot assignment #1 AET - Movie Review Example Tom, Jim and Tim introduce the video with facts about what used to take place during these historical times where drag racing took the better part of the entertainment. These experiences of people taking pleasure in drag racing, in the backyards during the World War II, gives me a clear insight of the tremendous changes that car racing has undergone. I was taken back by the extent that the spectators took the entire racing as a hobby. I have seen spectators making an event lively but, this one (drag racing) immerses spectators in far much undying feeling of entertaining speed and adrenaline. It is clear that the entire world adored drag racing, which could be a reason for the fast development and change of the sport. In this regard, the sport has seen the light of every new day with tremendous economic changes. These changes have made it even better than before, with many people sparing time to take part in the drag race. Previously, I was worried about the accidents that the drag racers would encounter while attempting to push maximum limits. I thought that this auto racing sport may be a bit unsafe for the racers. I noticed instances where the racers cause accidents. For example, cars exploding, considering that the racer is placed literally on the engine in such a case the results is fatal. Also, the neck breaking speed can easily shatter one into pieces considering the light weight of the machine.There is need for safety measures. If a racing machine can go extremely fast, then it is right to have specific safety measures employed, just in case something bad happens. This may include roll cages, safety clothing and harnessing or an entire modification of the racing machine. This is evident in the modern day racing where significant modifications have been put in place. As a result, safety has improved. From this experience, I learn that, in life, I can push an extra mile, as long as I have prepar ed well for the worst. I also had

Saturday, November 2, 2019

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

Auditing - Essay Example These occurrences are known as subsequent events.1 There are two types of subsequent events which an external auditor must evaluate: Firstly, the auditors must consider those evidences which involved conditions with respect to those that existed at the date of the balance sheet and it would affect the financial statements. All the information that is achieved prior to the issuance of the financial statements should be taken into consideration. The second types of event are those events that did not existed even at the time of balance sheet. Some of these types of events are such that disclosing this information would save the financial statements form being misleading. The effects of the subsequent events can be seen in the assets such as receivables and inventories or in the estimation of liabilities because these kinds of events represent the functionalities which exist over a long period of time.2 After the balance sheet date is over, there is a time period when the auditors are c oncerned about completing their different phase of audits. This time period is known as subsequent period and this period extends till the date of the auditor's report. This period may vary from time to time depending on the situations. In addition to the main duties, it is also the task of the external auditor to conduct other auditing procedures and require adjusting and disclosing the essential financial events and occurrences so as to present a completely transparent report, according to the stated accounting principles.3 Solutions Further Audit Evidences This study is on the Platinum Pokie Club in Western Australia. The evidences in the subsequent period are giving for the external audit firm to analyze their outcomes. Audit evidences are basically the information that auditors use for arriving at a conclusion. Auditors do not examine all the information given because generally many of the information are cumulative in nature that is they occur over a long period of time and ma y sometimes be analyzed after the date of balance sheet during the subsequent period. Audit evidences are more reliable when they are receiving from external sources that are unbiased. The evidences acquired directly by the auditor are more authentic that information received indirectly. Moreover, information available in a documented form is trusted more than verbally transmitted information.4 The financial controller of the club reported on 5th august, before the auditor’s report, that Mr. Tan, the general manager has made fraudulent expenses claims of $ 40000 over 5 years. The profit and loss account for the five years during which Mr. Tan was working in the club should be properly analyzed. All the evidences supporting all the expenditures should be received and then estimate the actual amount of fraud expenditures. Moreover, the account details of Mr. Tan can be collected with the help of police authorities to see his bank balances. In the second evidence we see Ms. Pete rs taking legal action against the company and claiming medication and damage charge from the club. For this kind of even, solicitor's advice can be taken, so as to see the likelihood of the customer winning the case and estimate the costs that they would be incurring. The financial controller informed on 18th of August about some serious fire that occurred during a football celebration. For this the insurance money has already been received. But the problem is that the bistro and bar would remain close