Comparing the Hero in Fall of the House of Usher, Rip Van Winkle, and M

The Romantic Hero in Fall of the House of Usher, Rip Van Winkle, and May-Pole of Merry Mount Hero n. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Though this is the definition of hero according to Random House Webster’s Dictionary, the Romantic interpretation of hero is quite different. A Romantic hero is usually somewhat innocent and carefree, separate from the masses, and is almost always on some type of journey. This hero is idealistic, non-conforming, and rarely lives in the â€Å"here and now,† but, on the contrary, is well rounded, skilled in some fashion, and able to communicate with all walks of life. Romantic heroes are found in the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allen Poe, and Washington Irving. Edith and Edgar are the hero and heroine of â€Å"The May-Pole of Merry Mount† by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Though the people of Merry Mount are themselves romantic, these two characters typify authentic Romantic qualities. In this short story, May is a time for renewal, merriment, and celebration. This season is full of color, laughter, and animal-like costumes. â€Å"Within the ring of the monsters, appeared the two airiest forms†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (624). Edith and Edgar, the focus of the festivities, are getting married and are adorned with vibrant garments; therefore, are the most beautiful and admired of the Merry Mount group. They are both young and innocent, which is also an attribute of Romantic heroes. While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Edgar glances at Edith and is surprised by her disposition. He questions her â€Å"pensive† look and explains to her â€Å"that nothing of futurity will be brighter than the mere remembrance of what is now passingâ⠂¬ (625). Edith then acknow... ... In conclusion, not all definitions of hero can be found in the dictionary. Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe offer three contrasting portraits of a Romantic hero. Rip, Edith and Edgar, and Roderick may not fill Webster’s shoes of criteria, but their wardrobe is truly Romantic.    Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. â€Å"The May-Pole of Merry Mount.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayn. New York: Norton & Company, 1999. 623-630. Irving, Washington. â€Å"Rip Van Winkle.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayn. New York: Norton & Company, 1999. 429-439. Poe, Edgar Allen. â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayn. New York: Norton & Company, 1999. 717-730.

Political economic social technological environmental and legal analysis

The state of Pakistan is one which is really volatile in footings of political stableness. The current authorities is a democracy which was elected into parliament in February 2008, after its prima political individual Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007. The last authorities was headed by Mr. Pervez Musharraf who resigned as head of army staff and president of Pakistan, thereby stoping the military regulation in Pakistan which lasted about 8 old ages. The current authorities has been in power for 3 old ages now and is expected to stay until the 2013 elections. Historically, the administrative bureaus of the authorities have been noted to be extremely corrupt and uneffective which has non changed with the new democratic authorities. One of the major political factors in Pakistan is the go oning war on panic. Ever since the September 11 onslaughts on the World trade centre in New York, Pakistan has been confronting terrorist act issues. Between 2002 and 2010, Pakistan has incurred a entire cost of 43 billion dollars. The figure of terrorist onslaughts since 2002 entire 8,141 incidents incurring entire casualties of 8,875 with more than 20,000 injured. This has caused negative promotion of Pakistan to the planetary universe and has affected Pakistan in many ways. These include: Damage to substructure, such as roads and railroads Loss of Foreign investings Diversion of budgets to fund this war on panic Loss of the already deteriorating touristry industry Loss of lives of the people of Pakistan every bit good as aliens ( Economic Survey of Pakistan 2009-2010 ) Any single or organisation sing puting in Pakistan will hold to weigh the benefits versus the hazards of puting in such an insecure political environment. Unilever and a figure of transnational companies have to cover with the hazards of such a hostile environment. The higher hazard leads to hesitant attack on carry oning major investings on bettering concern chances or developing new concern chances. Smuggling of tea through Afghan Transit Trade Agreement The ATTA ( Afghan Transit Trade Agreement ) was signed in 1965. This understanding was for the promotion of Afghanistan but this provided chances to smuggle points under it, such as Surs and black tea. ( Tea intelligence direct: Kenya seeks reductionaˆÂ ¦.. , Tribune: Govt. ignores tea smugglingaˆÂ ¦.. ) Afghan people ( 25 million ) are largely green tea drinkers ( day-to-day times: proposal to exemptaˆÂ ¦.. ) But it imports black tea more than its one-year ingestion and this tea is so sold in Pakistani market before it reaches Afghanistan. This malpractice is non merely doing harm to national treasury, through lost income, but besides to the legal importers of tea, of which 1 is Unilever Pakistan. In 2007-08: legal imports were 103,230,355kg while illegal imports were 68,001,625kg In 2008-09: legal imports were 102,021,150kg while illegal imports were 90,991,848kg In 2009-10: legal imports were 88,627,724kg while illegal imports were 93,089,436kg ( day-to-day times: proposal to exemptaˆÂ ¦.. ) Over the three financial old ages, legal tea imports are diminishing whereas smuggled tea is increasing. In 2009-2010, it is seen that the degree of bootleg tea has surpassed the legal imports. The state of affairs has worsened because the authorities, alternatively of taking any bold stairss to halt this maltreatment of understanding, it has farther increased its revenue enhancements and responsibilities on imports. Depreciation of rupee against dollar and increasing input costs has farther intensified the job for legal importers like Unilever. Legal importers have to pay 33.7 % revenue enhancement ( 10 % imposts responsibility, 17 % gross revenues revenue enhancement, 5 % beforehand income revenue enhancement and 1 % Particular Excise Duty ) while cost to runners is approx. 16.7 % ( day-to-day times: proposal to exemptaˆÂ ¦ . ) In 2009, The Pakistan Tea Association ( PTA ) and the Federation of the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FPCCI ) suggested that tea should be removed from ATT list. Later, in 2010, PTA has recommended cut downing general gross revenues revenue enhancement to 7.5 % and relieving usage responsibility to eliminate the inducement for smuggling. Unilever shaper of two of the most celebrated tea trade names of Pakistan i-e Lipton and Brook Bond. It has closed its Lipton works at Karachi in 2008 because of the crisp diminution in drinks section. Other issues to see Another issue is the forgery merchandises available in the market. This is doing jobs for bonafide participants like Unilever. When the CEO of Unilever Global, Paul Polman, visited the Pakistan market, he had similar comments. Harmonizing to South Asiatic intelligence bureau, 2010, â€Å" On the topic of forgery merchandises found in the state he said he would wish the authorities to make much more to control this really unsafe pattern. Unilever merchandises like Supreme Tea, Rafhan custard, Fair and Lovely pick and Sunsilk shampoo are amongst the most to endure from this pattern. â€Å" Counterfeit in Food merchandises can be really unsafe, † said Polman. † The authorities of Pakistan is non taking any strict stairss to deter this pattern. The Pakistan energy crisis has been in being for a long clip now, but due to the of all time increasing population and demand for more energy, the Pakistan authorities has yet to bridge the spread between energy supply and demand. This state of affairs has worsened in the latest old ages taking to monolithic power cuts to industries taking to downtime. Unilever Pakistan ‘s trade name Walls Ice pick has besides been affected by this state of affairs at its ice pick mill. Other industries have reverted to self-electrical coevals to run into their energy demands ; Unilever Pakistan may necessitate to see this option every bit good. In add-on to normal import responsibility, 25 % regulative responsibility was imposed in 2008 on many points, including laundry detergent, to promote local investing and fabrication. However, this regulative responsibility on detergent was removed in the budget of 2009-10 which negatively impacted the grosss of local industries as a consequence of increased imports. The laundry detergent sector is turning at a rate of 10 % per twelvemonth and competition in this sector is intense. Unilever is taking in value through its trade name SURF after deriving market portion from P & A ; G ‘s ARIEL. While Colgate Palmolive is taking it in volume through its trade name BONUS. ( day-to-day times: detergent pulverization industry demands.. )ECONOMICLocal investing creates occupations contributes to economic system FDI above issue can be relatedWealth creative activity, poorness decreaseThe economic system of Pakistan, although confronting many challenges, is steadily turning. Gross domestic Product ( GDP ) has been turning steadily, although in 2008-2009, it saw the lowest slack in history due to many factors described below. The consumer monetary value index, i.e. rising prices has reached dual figures in the last 3 financial old ages due to the planetary consequence of trade good monetary values, among other things. Income per capita has been increasing at an mean rate of 16 % in rupee footings and at an mean rate of 9 % in USD footings. The economic system of Pakistan in the twelvemonth 2007-2008 faced legion challenges, non merely from domestic issues, but besides the international influences caused by the planetary fiscal crisis. Due to the planetary economic downswing faced by the USA and Europe states, Pakistan ‘s exports were affected with lower demand for its chief prized export: fabrics, in the USA. Besides, the billowing costs of nutrient and oil monetary values and other trade goods in the in planetary market caused the high degrees of rising prices that hit the economic system in 2008. Coupled with the domestic issues of political instability, utmost power deficits and disgusting security environment, the Pakistan economic system faced several challenges. In 2008-2009, Pakistan saw its lowest GDP growing, with merely a 1.2 % addition in GDP for the twelvemonth. This twelvemonth was rattled by political uncertainness, due to the new democratic authorities, after 8 old ages of military regulation by the old president. However, the deterioration planetary fiscal crisis besides caused a big diminution in the exports of Pakistan. Pakistani Rupee is deteriorating in value, in 2008-2009 exchange rates jumped from 60 PKR/USD to 78 PKR/USD. This along with the deficit of electricity and high rising prices in Pakistan were the high spots of lower GDP. Another major factor is the go oning war on panic in the northwest tribal parts of Pakistan. The cumulative impact on Pakistan, of this war on panic, has been $ 43 billion for the old ages 2005-2010. This war causes terrible complications to the economic system of Pakistan, including lower GDP growing, reduced foreign direct investings, loss of occupations, and non to advert, the recreation of resources to fund the war on panic. In 2009-2010, the economic system of Pakistan stabilized with a GDP growing of 4.1 % Although Pakistan still faces legion issues such as the offense of the war on panic, energy and H2O deficits, and the internal security state of affairs ; it still has recovered due to turning exports and lower rising prices as compared with anterior old ages. Pakistan besides received a loan from the IMF which it has used to construct up its foreign militias and acquire its economic system back on path. Another concern is some policies adopted by the authorities do non back up local fabrication and development activities. As celebrated above, the authorities of Pakistan had imposed a high import responsibility on laundry detergent pulverization ( LDP ) in its Budget of 2008, but revoked this responsibility in 2009-2010 budget. Doing so, importing is now the cheaper beginning for LDP, alternatively of fabricating it locally. This has had effects on the local makers. A sum of 3 fabricating units exist in Pakistan, using approx. 1,000 workers. The local makers were be aftering on increasing production capacity by puting in farther workss and supplying extra occupations. With the higher responsibilities being revoked, programs have been delayed by makers, thereby damaging the economic system of Pakistan. ( day-to-day times: detergent pulverization industry demands.. ) Unilever Global and Unilever Pakistan usage Palm oil as a major input into many of their merchandises. It is straight used in ice pick and soap bars, whereas its byproduct is used in laundry detergent and besides the personal attention section. The planetary fiscal crisis paired with lifting rising prices saw unprecedented high degrees of monetary values of Palm oil. These high natural stuff input costs affect the operations of Unilever Pakistan. Below is a graph demoing the fluctuations of Palm oil monetary values: The monetary value of thenar oil has ne'er surged every bit much as it has in the last twosome old ages. The higher monetary value in early 2008 was due to high ingestion and demand, nevertheless, this fell suddenly in late 2008 due to frights of recession. A similar form can be observed with other trade goods such as gum elastic and oil. The monetary value of palm oil remained above the $ 600 grade in 2009 and has now surged one time once more in Q4 of 2010 due to increased planetary demand. Bing one of the key inputs to its sections, Unilever Pakistan needs to see other surrogate schemes to fudge this hazard of volatile thenar oil monetary values.SOCIO-CULTURALGlobal trade names are customized harmonizing to the needs/culture of Pakistani peopleBusiness Partner Code includes 10 rules which relates to the duty towards the employees, environment and the environment. ( providers are required to raise their criterions to Business Partner Code )Health/nutritionPakistan is one of the out standing developing states of South Asia. Originally its population was concentrated in the rural countries, but recent tendencies have shown turning urbanisation. Pakistan ‘s entire population is 173.51 million, out of with 63.05 million represent urban populations and 110.46 million unrecorded in rural countries. Population pyramids show that Pakistan ‘s population is chiefly increasing in the lower age groups of age 15-29 old ages old. This class has well increased over the old ages. With higher population and higher income per individual, consumer life styles are altering and people have higher disposable income to pass on merchandises available in the market. Still, Unilever does non aim merely one category of consumers. Its merchandise packaging and costs are designed in a manner to appeal to all the people of society. For high priced merchandises, Unilever Pakistan has introduced mini sachet packaging with lower volume of the merchandise, so that even the lower ca tegory consumers can buy and utilize them. Economic study of Pakistan Social and environmental Report of Unilever Pakistan ‘s bulk population are Muslims, due to this all merchandises need to be halal, in conformity with Islamic instructions. Halal means allowed or permitted, in conformity with Islamic instructions. Any companies runing in Pakistan, specifically those who have any nexus with consumers need to guarantee that all their operations, ingredients, and methods are in conformity with Islam ; otherwise, their merchandises will be labeled as un-Islamic and will non last in the market. Unilever faced negative promotion from non merely the local populace, but besides from the International populace and International Union of Food ( IUF ) due to its pattern of engaging a monolithic labour force for production of its merchandises, on a impermanent footing, without supplying any employee benefits. In 2007, Unilever is acclaimed to hold merely 509 lasting employees out of some 8,000 entire employees. The run for employee rights lasted for a period of 2 old ages from 2007 to 2009, after which Unilever reached an understanding with the IUF presenting pecuniary hard currency payments to employees every bit good as the promise of supplying extra permanent occupations. Numerous Tea Articles Unilever besides hosted a world show through its trade name of â€Å" Clear shampoo † in which contestants were given legion challenges to get the better of to win a major award. However, due to miss of proper safety steps, a contestant, Saad Khan, drowned in a swimming challenge on the show. This incident proved to be really detrimental to the reputation Unilever for non holding proper safety agreements which led to this tragic incident. Unilever Pakistan denied all liability for the incident, which farther aggravated this issue. Media ITE – World show kills contestant Timess online UK – Pakistan world Television contestant, Saad Khan, drowns executing challenge Corporate Social Responsibility Unilever Pakistan actively engages itself in its Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) activities. It focuses on the undermentioned societal factors: wellness, wellbeing, hygiene, nutrition, health care, instruction, and authorization. Alternatively of utilizing its ain corporate name Unilever, it focuses on a procedure called ‘Brand Imprinting ‘ whereas it advertises its chief trade names through its CSR enterprises. Its CSR activities and trade names are: Surf Excel – Laundry detergent Powder Unilever has related this trade name to its enterprise of act uponing â€Å" healthy & amp ; physical growing every bit good as rational development in kids. † Unilever Pakistan, in concurrence with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi ( ITA ) , helps convey consciousness to parents about the importance of physical activity to advance mental and physical growing among kids. The partnership besides worked towards developing legion instructors and supplying course of studies to advance activity based acquisition. Unilever Pakistan besides organized an Art competition back uping this subject and built legion resort areas for kids in rural countries. Lifebuoy – Soap and shampoo This trade name relates to the demand for a healthy and hygiene environment in any place. Unilever spouses with United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) and Pakistan Poverty Relief Fundss ( PPAF ) in raising consciousness among different territories across Pakistan about the importance of basic hygiene. It besides helps patronize the Global manus rinsing twenty-four hours in Pakistan. Blue band – Margarine spread Blue set promotes the consciousness and demand of healthy nutrition. Unilever helps advance nutrition by developing its merchandise in such ways that they become healthy. Whether it be cutting trans-fat from its oleos or adding Ca to its ice pick, Unilever aims to be a healthy merchandise maker. Unilever besides helps supply free repasts by lending to them itself, every bit good as operate an employee plan whereas each employee has a pick of feeding a kid for a really nominal sum of Rs. 375 per month. In 2009, more than 500 employees opted for this and helped cut down kid hungriness in Pakistan. Other enterprises Unilever Pakistan provides support and grants to legion establishments in Pakistan. These include: Supporting oculus attention, kidney, and general infirmaries and patients. Supporting a scope of Educational establishments such as humanistic disciplines, concern, manner, scientific discipline, and technology pupils. Supporting different organisations and establishments every twelvemonth by offering grants after they satisfy the demands. Social and Environmental study – Unilever Unilever Pakistan besides contributes to natural catastrophes and other unanticipated events in Pakistan. The most recent part of this nature was of 1 million Euros every bit good many necessity points of soap, toothpaste, and shampoo in August 2010 after the inundation had destroyed places of 1000s of people. Daily times – Unilever to assist inundation affectees Unilever Pakistan besides supports its employees in many ways. It introduced a plan of ‘flexi-hours ‘ in which eligible employees could take the work displacements that they want to come to the office in, whether forenoon, midday, or dark. The latest add-on is the pilot programme of ‘Agile working ‘ . In this, certain eligible employees may take to work from their places alternatively of coming to the office every twenty-four hours. The chief focal point is to do ‘work – an activity, non a topographic point ‘ Due to this and many other benefits, Unilever Pakistan has won the Pakistan Society for Human Resource Management ‘s ( PSHRM ) â€Å" Most Preferable Graduate Employer Award 2008 † and is at the top of the list of many MBA, technology, and IT pupils pick of the topographic point to work after graduation. Unilever ‘s success illustrates the promiseaˆÂ ¦ Unilever website hypertext transfer protocol: //www.unilever.pk/aboutus/newsandmedia/news/unileverpakistanwinstwoawards.aspx The Express Tribune – Unilever tries out ‘Agile working ‘TECHNOLOGICALDue to the nature of operations of the FMCG industry, it is non runing in a fact paced technological environment, such as nomadic phones or laptops. Rather, its chief technological factors come into position in its fabrication capableness utilizing province of the art fabrication methods and besides, its supply and distribution methods. Unilever Pakistan is a subordinate of Unilever Global. Unilever Global has over 6,000 Research and development staff employed worldwide, and merely in 2009, it spent 891 million Euros on Research and Development outgo. Unilever Pakistan, with its ultimate planetary parent, can take advantage of the advanced potency of Unilever planetary and utilize its competencies utilizing province of the art engineering to derive a competitory advantage in its local Pakistan market. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.unilever.pk/innovation/ Unilever Pakistan uses the cyberspace to entree Unilever Global on-line E-learning faculty to develop its employees and maintain them up to day of the month on new occurrences in Unilever. This technological betterment has helped Unilever conduct preparations of many of its employees without holding to incur monolithic costs for going and lodging. Use of this faculty ensures that all preparations given to employees globally are indistinguishable. Social and Environmental study UnileverENVIRONMENTALBusiness Partner Code includes 10 rules which relates to the duty towards the employees, environment and the environment. ( providers are required to raise their criterions to Business Partner Code )Climate alteration H2O scarceness

Brief History of the State of the Union Address

Brief History of the State of the Union Address The State of the Union address is a speech delivered annually by the President the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress. The State of the Union Address is not, however, delivered during the first year of a new president’s first term in office. In the address, the president typically reports on the general condition of the nation in the areas of domestic and foreign policy issues and outlines his or her legislative platform and national priorities. Delivery of the State of the Union address fulfills Article II, Sec. 3, of the U.S. Constitution requiring that â€Å"The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.†Ã‚   As a policy of the doctrine of separation of powers, the Speaker of the House must invite the president to present the State of the Union Address in person. In lieu of an invitation, the address can be delivered to Congress in written form. Since January 8, 1790, when George Washington personally delivered the first annual message to Congress, presidents have from time to time, been doing just that in what has become known as the State of the Union Address. The speech was shared with the public only through newspapers until 1923 when President Calvin Coolidges annual message was broadcast on radio. Franklin D. Roosevelt first used the phrase State of the Union in 1935, and in 1947, Roosevelts successor Harry S. Truman became the first president to deliver a televised address. Extreme Security Required As the largest annual political event in Washington, D.C., the State of the Union Address requires extraordinary security measures, as the president, vice president, Cabinet members, Congress, Supreme Court, military leaders and diplomatic corps are all together at the same time. Declared a â€Å"National Special Security Event,† thousands of federal security personnel- including a number of military troops- are brought in to guard the area. The Great State of the Union Controversy of 2019 The question of when, where, and how the 2019 State of the Union Address would be delivered became a hot political mess on January 16, when during the longest federal government shutdown in history, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) asked President Trump to either delay his 2019 address or deliver it to Congress in writing. In doing so, Speaker Pelosi cited security concerns caused by the shutdown. â€Å"Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29,† wrote Pelosi in a letter to the White House. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen stated that the Secret Service- then working without pay due to the shutdown- was fully prepared and willing to provide security during the address. â€Å"The Department of Homeland Security and the US Secret Service are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union,† she wrote in a tweet. The White House suggested that Pelosi’s action was actually a form of political retaliation for President Trump’s reluctance to negotiate with the House on the its refusal to authorize $5.7 billion in funding requested by Trump  for construction of the controversial Mexican border wall- the dispute that had triggered the government shutdown.   On January 17, President Trump responded telling Pelosi via a letter that her congressional delegation’s planned secret seven-day, secret â€Å"excursion† to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan â€Å"has been postponed† until the shutdown ended, unless she chose to travel using commercial aviation. Since the non-publicized trip included Afghanistan- an active war zone- travel had been arranged aboard a U.S. Air Force plane. Trump had earlier canceled his own upcoming trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, due to the shutdown. On January 23, President Trump turned down Speaker Pelosi’s request to delay his State of the Union Address. In a letter to Pelosi, Trump asserted his intention to deliver the address on Tuesday, January 29 in the House chamber as originally scheduled. â€Å"I will be honoring your invitation, and fulfilling my Constitutional duty, to deliver important information to the people and Congress of the United States of America regarding the State of our Union,† Trump wrote. â€Å"I look forward to seeing you on the evening on January 29th in the Chamber of the House of Representatives,† he continued, adding, â€Å"It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!† Speaker Pelosi has the option of blocking Trump by refusing to call a vote on the resolution required to formally invite the president to before a joint session of Congress in the House chamber. Lawmakers have not yet considered such a resolution, an action typically taken for granted.   Speaker Pelosi quickly returned this historic struggle of separation of powers back to where it started on January 16 by informing President Trump that she would not allow him to deliver his speech in the House chamber as long as the government shutdown continued. President Trump responded by indicating that he would announce plans for an alternative State of the Union address at a later date. A White House spokesperson suggested options including a speech from the Oval Office of the White House or at a Trump rally away from Washington. In a late night tweet on January 23, President Trump conceded to Speaker Pelosi, stating that he would delay his State of the Union Address until after the government shutdown had ended. â€Å"As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative- I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over,† Trump tweeted, adding, â€Å"I look forward to giving a great State of the Union Address in the near future!† The President continued that he would not seek an alternative location for the annual speech â€Å"because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber.† In a tweet of her own, Speaker Pelosi said she was hopeful that President Trump’s concession meant that he would back a bill already before the House that would temporarily fund the federal agencies affected by the shutdown. On Friday January 25, President Trump reached an agreement with Democrats on a short-term spending bill that did not include any funding for the border wall but allowed the government to temporarily reopen until February 15. During the delay, negotiations over border wall funding were to continue, with President Trump stressing that unless funding for the wall was included in the final budget bill, he would either allow the government shutdown to resume or declare a national emergency allowing him to reallocate existing fund for the purpose. On Monday, January 28, with the shutdown at least temporarily ended, Speaker Pelosi invited President Trump to give his State of the Union address on February 5 in the House Chamber. â€Å"When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this years State of the Union address,† Pelosi stated in a letter provided by her office. â€Å"Therefore, I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber.† President Trump accepted Pelosi’s invitation a few hours later. The Address At Last President Trump finally delivered his second State of the Union address on February 5th in the House Chamber. In his 90-minute speech, the president sounded a tone of bipartisan unity, calling on Congress to â€Å"reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution - and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good.† Without mentioning the record 35-day government shutdown that had delayed the address, he told lawmakers he was â€Å"ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all Americans† and by working to â€Å"govern not as two parties but as one nation.† In addressing funding for his controversial border security wall that had caused the shutdown, the president came short of declaring a national emergency, but did insist he would â€Å"get it built.† Trump also stressed his administration’s economic success, noting that â€Å"no one has benefited more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 percent of the new jobs created in the last year.† The president added, All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before - and exactly one century after Congress passed the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in Congress than ever before.† The statement brought a standing ovation and chants of â€Å"USA!† from female lawmakers, many of whom had been elected based on their platforms opposing the Trump administration. On foreign policy, Trump touted his efforts to denuclearize North Korea, claiming that â€Å"if I had not been elected president of the United States we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea.† He also revealed that he would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a second summit on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam.   Washington Hit the Essentials Rather than outlining his administrations agenda for the nation, as has become the modern practice, Washington used that first State of the Union Address to focus on the very concept of the union of states that had so recently been created. Indeed, establishing and maintaining the union was the primary goal of Washingtons first administration. While the Constitution specifies no time, date, place, or frequency of the address, presidents have typically delivered the State of the Union Address in late January, soon after Congress has re-convened. Since Washingtons first address to Congress, the date, frequency, method of delivery and content have varied greatly from president to president. Jefferson Puts it in Writing Finding the whole process of a speech to a joint session of Congress a little too kingly, Thomas Jefferson chose to carry out his constitutional duty in 1801 by sending details of his national priorities in separate, written notes to the House and Senate. Finding the written report a great idea, Jeffersons successors in the White House followed suit and it would be 112 years before a president again spoke the State of the Union Address. Wilson Set the Modern Tradition In a controversial move at the time, President Woodrow Wilson revived the practice of spoken delivery of the State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress in 1913. Content of the State of the Union Address In modern times, the State of the Union Address serves as both a conversation between the president and Congress and, thanks to television, an opportunity for the president to promote his partys political agenda for the future. From time to time, the address has actually contained historically important information. In 1823, James Monroe explained what became known as the Monroe Doctrine, calling on powerful European nations to end their practice of western colonization.Abraham Lincoln told the nation he wanted to end slavery in 1862.In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke of the four freedoms.Just four months after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush shared his plans for a war on terror in 2002. Whatever its content, presidents traditionally hope their State of the Union Addresses will heal past political wounds, promote bipartisan unity in Congress and win support for his legislative agenda from both parties and the American people. From time to time... that actually happens.

Youth Homelessness

Youth Homelessness Free Online Research Papers More than 1.3 million children are homeless at some time each year ( Ellen, Bassuk, Friedman, and M.D, 2005). 1 in 8 youth will leave home and become homeless in need of resources (DuRolf, 2004). Throughout the country homeless youth have the same characteristics: exposure to physical violence, mental health problems, substance abuse, sexual, and mental abuse. They are often isolated with no family ties and few friends. Many have been raised in foster homes, have a lack of education and skills, and suffer from poor physical health (CBC, 2009). Homelessness is defined as to be without a place to live. The homeless can be categorized into 3 subgroups(Casavant, 1999): The Chronically Homeless: This group includes people who live on the outskirts of society and who often face problems with substance abuse and mental illness (Casavant, 1999). The Cyclically Homeless: This group include individuals who have lost their homes for various reasons, such as a loss of job, a move, a prison term or a hospital stay (Casavant, 1999). The Temporarily Homeless: This group includes those who are without accommodations for a relatively short period of time. People who have lost their homes due to natural disaster often fall into this category (Casavant, 1999). There are many factors to how one becomes homeless; loss of job, marital failure, natural disaster, substance abuse and mental illness. When it comes to youth homelessness the reasons tend to revolve around the family (CBC, 2009). Runaways are the majority of youth who are homeless. Thousands of children run away from home each year in Canada. In 1995, 75% of the 56,749 children who were reported missing to the police where runaways. These youth tend to leave home due to sexual, emotional, and physical abuse (CBC, 2009). In 2004, 872,000 children were reported to child protective agencies to be victims of child abuse (Meghan’s Law – Information on Registered Sex offenders, 2006). Prior to leaving home, 43% of youth report being beaten by a caretaker, and 1 in 4 have had caretakers request sexual activity (Whitbeck, 2002). Almost half of homeless youth witnessed domestic violence (Homes for homeless and Institute for children and poverty, 1999). Some runaways reported leaving home because of their parents’ drug and alcohol abuse. 44% of homeless youth report that one or both of their parents have received treatment for alcohol, drug, or psychological problems (Goldstein, 1998). A large portion of homeless youth has some involvement with the child welfare system. These youth had once lived in foster homes or youth shelters and have now fled to the streets (CBC, 2009). Nearly 20,000 youth are emancipated from foster care each year. (Department of Health and Human Services, 2005) 65% of emancipated foster youth lack stable housing (Child and Youth Permanency Branch, 2005). A shortage of good jobs and affordable housing are a contributing factor to youth homelessness. Many youth live on the streets because their families became homeless. A study by the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAS) found that in 2000, housing was a factor in 1 in 5 cases where children were taken into care. A lack of housing caused a delay in returning children home to their parents (CBC, 2009). Homeless youth stay in a variety of places; they don’t all end up sleeping on street grates or in doorways. A 1999 Toronto based survey found that (CBC, 2009): 60% of street youth are staying in one of Toronto’s youth shelters (CBC, 2009). 25% of street youth are staying in apartments (92% were staying with friends and ‘couch surfing’) (CBC, 2009). 15% were staying on the streets of which 4% were living in squats, and 9% in parks, alleys, and doorways (CBC, 2009). Experts are calling homeless shelters a band-aid-solution that only offers a hot meal and a place to sleep. Yet some experts argue that there is some shelters that are quite innovative. The occupancy of youth using shelters is about 80%. Many youth would rather live under bridges in squats, or on the streets than indoors(CBC, 2009). Many people raise the question why don’t homeless people just get a job? Homeless people have different ways of getting money. A 1999 Toronto based survey found that (CBC, 2009): 36% of street youth earn money by begging and squeegeeing (CBC, 2009). 19% do break and enters or sell drugs (CBC, 2009). 18% receive social assistance (CBC, 2009). 10% engage in sex trade work (CBC, 2009). Some homeless youth find legitimate jobs in areas such as; general labour, painting, welding, bike carriers, cooks, cashiers, telemarketing, babysitting, and retail sales (CBC, 2009). Most homeless youth have worked in the sex trade. Male and female, 31% reported engaging in street prostitution, phone and Internet sex, or massage/stripping at least once in their lives. On average, sex trade workers had left home at a younger age and had been on the streets the longest. They likely grew up in foster homes, and left home because of problems pertaining to both physical and sexual assault. They were also the least educated (CBC, 2009). When these youth were asked if they would like to have legitimate employment, 83% of males and 87% of females said yes. This indicates that street youth are unhappy about making their money through the sex trade, and would rather paid employment (CBC, 2009). Some factors that are holding homeless youth from paid employment include; no fixed address, lack of skills and experience, no phone, no transportation to and from work or to even find work, unsuitable wardrobe, legal problems, lack of motivation, health problems and literacy problems (CBC, 2009). Homeless youth face many hazards such as: being attacked by predators, teen pregnancies, and physical and mental health problems (CBC, 2009). 45% of street youth reported being attacked in the year of 2006. Only 6.3% of their non-homeless peers reported being attacked. 42% of street youth reported being assaulted or threatened with sexual assault (CBC, 2009). Teen pregnancy is an ongoing issue for street youth. The rate of street women getting pregnant is 2 to 3 times greater than non-homeless women. The younger the women became homeless and the longer they stayed on the streets, the greater the probability they would become pregnant. The average age for street women becoming pregnant is 16 years old (CBC, 2009). A study conducted in 1997-1998, by the Hospital for Sick Children and the Shout Clinic found that among 93 street involved females, an alarming number have had pregnancies. 59% of the youth reported that they have been or are currently pregnant. At the time of their first pregnancies 29% of the youth were living on the streets, 27% in shelters, and 43% with friends or family (CBC, 2009). 32% of all pregnancies were miscarried. Miscarriages are 2 to 4 times higher among street youth than the general population. This was due to poor nutrition, substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections. 22% were terminated by choice, 34% delivered, and 12% were still pregnant (CBC, 2009). The reason street pregnancies are so high is connected to socio-economic status and self-esteem: many feel that the responsibility of caring for a child may give them a sense of empowerment. They feel it may bring a traumatic change to bad situations. They are also less likely to use protection, due to a lack of responsibility and understanding (CBC, 2009). The health risks to street babies include: being born premature, babies are stunted in their physical development, fungal infections in their mouth, skin rashes, diaper rashes, feeding problems, other issues like FAS is common with street babies (CBC, 2009). A 1992 survey showed that 92% of Ottawa street youth had attempted suicide. Street youth experience a range of physical, psychological and emotional health problems. These are related to unsanitary and precarious living conditions, inadequate nutrition, violence, alcohol and drug use, risky sexual behaviours, low-self-esteem and ongoing social rejection (Chenier, 1999). Facts about hazards homeless youth face: Homeless youth suffer twice as many ear infections, have four times the rate of asthma, and have 5 times more digestive problems (Bassuk and Friedman,2005). The number of homeless youth diagnosed with learning disabilities is double compared to the rate of non-homeless youth ( Newton, MA, 1999). 75% of homeless youth have dropped out of school (Grayson, 2002). One in 3 homeless youth has a major mental disorder by the time they’re 8 years old (Bertie, 1999). The rate for substance use disorders among homeless youth is 85% (Bertie, 1999). Each year Canadian taxpayers are spending roughly $1 billion to deal with homelessness. The city of Toronto and the Ontario government spend roughly $120-million a year to fund the 65 permanent shelters and Out of the Cold programs (CBC, 2009). In BC it costs the government 33% more to provide health care, criminal justice and social services to a homeless person than a socially housed unemployed person ($24,000 a year, compared to $18,000 a year). The combined service and shelter costs of the homeless people ranged from $30,000 to $40,000 per person for one year (including the costs of staying in a homeless shelter) (CBC, 2009). A BC study showed it costs (CBC, 2009): $155-$250 a night in a provincial correctional facility (CBC, 2009). $380 a night in a psychiatric hospital (CBC, 2009). $60-$85 a night for emergency homeless shelters, which include meals and services (CBC, 2009) $80-$185 a night in a Detoxification Centre (CBC, 2009). It has been estimated that to virtually eliminate the homeless, it would cost all levels of government in Canada $3.5 billion. This would go to pay for affordable housing, income support (like welfare) and some support services (CBC, 2009). There are several programs across the country for homeless youth: Street Reach, St.John’s, NL Street Reach was formed in 2004. Street reach targets youth with multiple issues including addictions, housing, prostitution, poverty, justice, health etc. Their goal is to provide youth with information and referrals to appropriate services, provide food resources, information and support to youth and anyone in need of services. Street Reach primarily serves youth aged 15-29 who are disconnected from support services(Community Youth Network: St.John’s, NL, 2007). Choices for Youth, St.John’s, NL Choices for Youth opened in 2004; they provide moving assistance to low-income families who are relocating residence. Choices for Youth is a community based supported housing program. They focus their attention on youth aged 12-29 (Raising the Roof, 2003). Ndinawe, Winnipeg A culturally based resource that offers community based programs to marginalized youth, including those involved in or at risk sexual exploitation. Activities include employment programs, sports league, drum group, homework club and much more (Raising the Roof, page 1, 2003) Ottawa Inner City Health Project, Ottawa, Ontario Provide health care services to men and women who are chronically homeless and unable to use regular services due to lifestyle or complex health needs (Raising the Roof, page 1, 2003). Research Papers on Youth HomelessnessThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesHip-Hop is ArtRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Effects of Television Violence on Children19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Should Government be responsible for forecasting Tornado Research Paper

Should Government be responsible for forecasting Tornado - Research Paper Example Tornadoes can have a maximum wind speed of about 483km/h and a minimum wind speed of 177km/h (Byars and Doron 23). Tornadoes are too dangerous, and they cause damages and they can lead to death. It is unfortunate that no one except the weather forecasters and other organizations know when a tornado will come. If it comes with people not knowing and not taking the precautions, many people will have to count their losses including property damages and even loss of lives. With this in mind forecasting is necessary for such situations. An organization should forecast and see what is to come like for some few weeks so as to let people know when and where the tornado will appear. This will help citizens take precautions and defend themselves against the tornado (Weems 21). There is no other country that is subjected to tornadoes other than the United States of America. This is because of the clash between arctic winds and tropical winds that happen in the Midwestern states. Due to this man y Americans have lost their lives including loved ones as a result of unpreparedness. There has been an argument as to whether the government should be responsible for forecasting and giving warnings about tornadoes. But there are several facts that counter the possibility of the government taking up the responsibility. There are other organizations such as National Weather Service and National Severe Storm Laboratory that are also able to give predictions on matters about tornadoes and the precautions.

Annual Reports with Calculations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Annual Reports with Calculations - Assignment Example Various classes of financial ratios are analysed based on financial statements of the organisation provided in its annual reports of 2012 and 2013. These annual reports cover the financial performance of the organisation for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The classes of financial ratios analysed in this report include liquidity ratios, solvency ratios and profitability ratios. Liquidity ratios are used to measure the ability of the organisation to meet its short term debt obligations as they fall due. One of the liquidity ratios is the Quick ratio. This ratio measures the ability of the firm to pay its current assets using its more liquid current assets (Ryan, 2004). From the financial ratios calculate, the quick ratios of Woolworths Ltd were 0.29, 0.31 and 0.32 in 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. This means that Woolworths could pay for its current liabilities 0.29 times, 0.31 times and 0.32 times in 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively before its more liquid assets are exhausted. Therefore, the company was able to meet its current short term liabilities using its more liquid assets in 2011 and 2012 more than 2013. The ability of the organisation to meet its short term debt obligations using more liquid assets reduced over the three years under analysis. The company needs to manage its more liquid assets more effectively to improve its liquidity so that it can meet its short term financial obligations as they fall due. The second type of liquidity ratio used in this analysis is the current ratio. This ratio measures the ability of the organisation to meet its short term financial obligations using current assets as they fall due. It indicates the number of times current liabilities can be paid using current assets before the current assets are exhausted (Gibson, 2012). In 2013, the current ratio of Woolworths was 0.91 while in 2012 and 2011 the ratio was 0.86 and

Cross-functional teams Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Cross-functional teams - Term Paper Example The sectors most affected by M&A activity have been service and knowledge based industries such as banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and leisure. Although M &A is a popular means of increasing or protecting market share, the strategy does not always deliver what is expected in terms of increased profitability or economies of scale. While the motives for mergers can variously be described as practical, psychological, or opportunist, the objective of all related M&A is to achieve synergy, or what is commonly referred to as the 2 +2 = 5 effect. However, as many organizations learn to their cost, the mere recognition of potential synergy is no guarantee that the combination will actually realize that potential (Cartwright, 1996). Understanding the Problems - Dysfunctional Organizations Most people have difficulty stating their organization’s strategy: what the organization wants to become, how it would like its people to behave, and what it will provide to which customers. In t he future, the reality is that the organization’s business and operating units march to priorities different from, if not contradictory to, those implied by its strategy. The majority of the people in an organization focus on day-to-day operational matters and their individual aspirations. Consequently, the strategy is never realized. Frustrated by the lack of forward progress, executives launch new communication, reorganization, process redesign, or technology initiatives. Everyone is doing more, and yet performance stagnates or even declines (Hammer, et al. 2001). Losing the Value of Mergers and Acquisitions AKPMG report found that, though 82% of respondents believed the deal they had transacted was a success, 83% of the same mergers failed to increase shareholder value. Of these transactions, 30% produced no discernible difference in shareholder value and 53% actually reduced value. Acquiring, merging, and demerging companies need long-term ways of enhancing shareholder va lue once the initial and obvious savings have been taken. But they usually focus on tactical integration, such as, organizational structure, support service or policies rather than on strategic integration in regards to customers, products, people or systems. However, to succeed both are needed (Kaplan, at el., (2001). The burning question remains – why do so many mergers fail to live up to a shareholder expectations? In the short term, many seemingly successful acquisitions look good, but disappointing productivity levels are often masked by onetime cost savings, asset disposals, or astute tax maneuvers that inflate balance-sheet figures during the first few years. Merger gains are notoriously difficult to assess. There are problems in selecting appropriate indices to make any assessment, as well as difficulties in deciding on a suitable measurement period. Typically the criteria selected by analysts are Profit-to-earnings ratios Stock-price fluctuations Managerial assessmen ts Irrespective of the evaluation method selected, the evidence on M&A performance is consistent in suggesting that a high proportion of M&A’