Monday, September 30, 2019

Proposal Sample Essay

Childhood obesity is a prevalent problem in the United States today. As of 2008, 20% of children aged 6-11 are considered obese. This is due to lack of fresh and healthy food alternatives, lack of education on nutrition and disease and the decrease in physical activity in today’s youth are the defining factors that contributed to this now nationwide epidemic. H.Y.F.R, with the help of local community grocers, is geared to defeat the issue of obesity in youths of low-income families. Families at or below poverty level have little to no access to healthy foods to feed their children. H.Y.F.R knows the battle with obesity will be a long and hard one, but with the support of our allies, community members and parents, we can stop our children from getting bigger and bigger, sicker and sicker. Research Findings As per the research conducted in this proposal, there are many health risks associated with obesity in children. There are chronic diseases known to plague adults such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, joint pain or pressure, various types of cancers and high cholesterol are starting to be diagnosed in our youth. Lack of involvement on the parts of parents is the most influential factor as to why we are seeing obesity in children. Parents who lack education on what’s nutritious are a detriment to the health of their children. Factors like socioeconomic status and cultural issues also play a role. First lady Michelle Obama has taken a firm stand in opposition to childhood obesity. Visiting grammar schools in the capital have made a resounding impact on the importance of a healthy diet. Project Description The goal of H.Y.F.R is to decrease obesity and promote healthy youth’s for the future. H.Y.F.R has created four objectives that focus on achieving the goal of the organization. The first of these objectives is to set the foundation for health in today’s youth. Fostering a positive attitude, and reinforcing new healthy behaviors and alternatives will make the chance of permanent change more likely. Second, H.Y.F.R knows that healthy choices and behaviors must be continued in the household. Educating parents is paramount. Providing literature and information for parents to continue the healthy lifestyle for their child will also increase the likelihood for permanent change. The third objective would be to involve the community in our efforts to reduce obesity in our youth. Organizing fitness events and utilizing farmers markets will increase the odds that children will respond to these initiatives. Our last objective is to have a recreational center to call our own. Havin g open green space and an enclosed gymnasium will allow a safe haven for these inner city youths to exercise and get healthy in a clean and safe environment. Methodology There is a list of activities that we will implement to help achieve our goal. Sports like volleyball, tennis, baseball and softball are just a few of the activities the youths will engage in to help shed their excess weight and jump start their healthy lifestyles. Interactive classes like dance and Zumba will make losing weight fun for children who are heavily distracted otherwise. Separating the youths by age will allow for a comfortable environment in which to exercise and interact which promotes comfort. Staff/Administration Properly trained and credentialed staffing is crucial to any organization. H.Y.F.R knows this and has listed the necessary personnel that will help keep the organization running at its maximum potential. Project manager, project administrator, program coordinator, nurse, health educator, nutritionist, counselor, lifeguard (volunteer/intern), dance instructor (volunteer/intern) and maintenance personnel are essential to the smooth operation of the various projects. Budget H.Y.F.R is a not for profit organization. With this in mind, the budget total is estimated to be 957,740.00 dollars including the salaries and other expenses. Sustainability H.Y.F.R can only continue operating with the contributions of local philanthropists and other charities. Hosting bake sales (organic and healthy items) and other types of fundraisers will generate funds to keep this program moving forward. Michelle Obama also as headed an initiative towards this goal and if this organization could utilize that, there could be other funds to be gained. Evaluation Quarterly evaluation of the success of H.Y.F. R is vital. Knowing where the organization stands is essential. The program would benefit form a constant learning processes. Evaluating strengths and weaknesses can help determine what improvements can be made to improve its efficacy. Evaluating also generates knew knowledge. Things not known before can come about and inspire new aspects of the program. Parts such as the budget and the allotment of the granted funds will also be evaluated in the expectation to reduce costs and put the money back into the program where it is needed. H.Y.F.R’s partners, methodological ordinations and feedback from the community will all help to evaluate. The opinions of all are important. Evaluations from external sources do cost a sizable amount of money. Conducting a standard evaluation would account for 5% to 10% of the total budget. Evaluations would be done via surveys, database reports and minutes taken from the meetings. The length of time it takes the targeted population to lose weight and start their healthier lifestyles will determine the success or failure of the organization. Variables like culture and ethnicity will be considered. Statement of Need The prevalence of Childhood Obesity is a rising issue in America. Moreover, in order for us to control this issue it is imperative for us to implement a program designed to prevent, reduce and eliminate obesity in the New York City area. Lately, youths dealing with obesity have developed diseases that are prevalent in older adults such as; high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, and joint problems. Other diseases include sleep apnea and various types of cancers. Obese children often get teased and bullied by schoolmates because of their weight, which can result in social and psychological problems. Also, stigmatization and poor self-esteem can occur after dealing with bullying and teasing (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The population targeted for H.Y.F.R (Healthy Youths For Real) includes boys, girls, young men, and young women in New York City. We would also like to target all five boroughs by uniting them together to overcome obesity in our young people. Obese children that stem from low-income families often reside in the most impoverished communities in NYC. These communities lack adequate facilities designed for physical recreation. The availability of healthier food choices in the neighborhood is an ongoing issue, especially with the high prevalence of fast food restaurants in the area. Some of the under privileged areas also have high-crime rates, making whatever nearby parks available a safety issue. It is proven that the most effective way to defeat obesity is through a healthy diet and exercise. In addition, there are other factors used to help facilitate this change of behavior in our youths, such as the involvement of the parents. At H.Y.F.R we believe, if the parents are involved in their children’s lifestyle they will be very influential on their child’s healthier eating habits. If H.Y.F.R were not able to implement a non-profit program in the community, youths of low-income families would not have access to a recreation center designed to educate, prevent, and reduce childhood obesity. It is essential that H.Y.F.R. create a recreation center for today’s youths because of the rising costs of gyms, parks and recreation centers in our communities today. Research Findings Childhood obesity is becoming an issue in our communities instantaneously and long term. â€Å"Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Whereas for the long term effect of childhood obesity lead to: â€Å"Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.† â€Å"Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). These statistics speaks volumes and provide valuable information of what is occurring and will occur with our youths of the future and yet the childhood obesity rates continue to rise. Childhood obesity is categorized by age groups 10-17 & 18-24: â€Å"adolescents† as individuals in the 10-19 years of age group and â€Å"youth† as the 15-24 year age group. These two overlapping age groups are combined in the group â€Å"young people† covering the age range 10-24 years (World Health Organization). Body Mass Index The following are Body Mass Index Charts (BMI) one for girls and the other for boys, these BMI charts are used as an assessment to identify any potential weight problems such as obesity, overweight, underweight, or simply determine if the child has a healthy weight. The child’s weight and height are calculated in order to determine the BMI. â€Å"Children are not considered obese until their weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type (American Academy Child& Adolescent Psychiarty). Weight ranges goes the following: Underweight- Less than the 5th percentile, Healthy Weight-5th percentile to less than 85th percentile, Overweight-85th to less than the 95th percentile, Obese- equal to or greater than the 95th percentile.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Early history of Islam Essay

Islam is a religion base upon the surrender to God who is one. The very name of the religion, al-islam in Arabic, means at once submission and peace, for it is in submitting to God’s Will that human beings achieve peace in their lives in this world and in the hereafter. The message of Islam concerns God, who in Arabic is called Allah, and it addresses itself to humanity’s most deep nature. It concerns men and women as they were created by God–not as fallen beings. Islam for that reason considers itself to be not an innovation but a reassertion of the universal truth of all revelation which is God’s Oneness. Moreover, beginning as the faith of a small community of believers in Arabia in the seventh century, Islam quickly becomes one of the main world religions. The core of this faith is the faith that Muhammad (c. 570-632), a respected businessman in Mecca, a commercial and religious center in western Arabia, received revelations from God that have been conserved in the Koran. The heart of this revealed message is the confirmation that â€Å"there is no god but Allah (The God), and Muhammad is the messenger of God. † The term Islam comes from the Arabic word-root s-l-m, which has a common reference to peace and submission. Particularly, Islam means submission to the will of God, and a Muslim is one who makes that submission. This submission or act of Islam means living a life of devotion and practice as defined in the Koran and participating in the life of the community of believers. The core of this Islamic life is typically said to be the Five Pillars of Islam: openly bearing witness to the basic affirmation of faith; saying prescribed prayers five times a day; fasting during the month of Ramadan; giving a tithe or alms for support of the poor; and making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once throughout the believer’s lifetime, if this is possible. In addition, Muslims believe that Islam is the essential monotheistic faith proclaimed by prophets throughout history. The Koran is not seen as presenting a new revelation but rather as providing a complete, precise, and therefore final record of the message that had previously been given to Abraham, Jesus, and other earlier prophets. As the basis for a historical community and tradition of faith, nevertheless, Islam begins in Mecca with the life and work of Muhammad in the early seventh century. Islam possesses a religious law called al-Shari’ah in Arabic which govern the life of Muslims and which Muslims regard as to be the incarnation of the Will of God. The Shari’ah is contained in principle in the Koran as elaborated and complemented by the Sunnah. On the basis of these principles the schools of law which are followed by all Muslims to this day were developed early in Islamic history. This Law, while being rooted in the sources of the Islamic revelation, is a living body of law which caters to the desires of Islamic society. Islamic laws are fundamentally preventive and are not based on unkind punishment except as a last measure. The faith of the Muslim causes him to have respect for the rights of others and Islamic Law is such that it prevents misbehavior from taking place in most instances. That is why what people consider to be unforgiving punishments are so seldom in need of being applied. Furthermore, the spread of Islam was not restricted to its amazing early expansion outside of Arabia. During later centuries the Turks embraced Islam serenely as did a large number of the people of the Indian subcontinent and the Malay-speaking world. In Africa as well, Islam has spread during the past two centuries even under the strong power of European colonial rulers. Nowadays Islam continues to grow not only in Africa but as well in Europe and America where Muslims now comprise a prominent minority. References: Exploring the Ancient world Cultures, Retrieved on November 29, 2006 at http://eawc. evansville. edu/ispage. htm Historiography of early Islam, Retrieved on November 29, 2006 at http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Historiography_of_early_Islam

Saturday, September 28, 2019

The production and the sales of cigarettes should be made illegal Research Paper

The production and the sales of cigarettes should be made illegal - Research Paper Example It is harmful is many different ways. There is nothing positive and healthy about smoking cigarettes. A lot of people around the world are now strongly addicted to smoking and considering the side-effects and long term impacts of cigarette smoking, many people want to quit their habit. Everybody has learned from the very early stage of their life that smoking is injurious to health but not everyone knows the gravity of its effects. People who smoke are not even well-aware of the damage they are causing to their health. According to Casey Holley, â€Å"Smoking cigarettes affects almost every aspect of a smoker's life. Every internal organ is affected by smoking. Many of the effects of smoking are at least partially reversible if the smoker quits smoking†. According to a report published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has been estimated that 443,000 each year are caused due to the side effects of smoking. According to the report, â€Å"Smoking causes an estim ated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.† As a result, it should be understood by the smokers that how much loss they are causing to their health. Still we cannot impose a ban on the production and sales of cigarettes because the choice of smoking is solely an individual’s choice for his own health. ... On the other hand, comparing the adverse effects of smoking with alcohol addiction, it can be analyzed that alcohol has been found with more grave and intense side-effects. It not only affects the health but it also causes threat to the lives of many innocent people around. A cigarette smoker may cause harm to its environment, his own health and also, he may effects the health of the other person but at the same time, while smoking in an open environment may restrict him from causing damage to the other person’s health. But alcohol can directly affect the lives of many people. For example, individuals who drink and drive are risking the lives of other people than those who smoke and drive. Alcohol consumers have an unstable family life than those who are intensely addicted to smoking. Similarly, no cigarette smoker can sexually abuse or harass and even, kill a person under the influence of cigarette; however, many cases have been observed where the person has killed, raped or physically abused a person under the influence of alcohol. According to Chris Hawkey (2009), thousands of people die annually due to alcohol-related diseases as compared to cigarettes. Alcohol not only destroys an individual’s health but it also dismantles his self-esteem and dignity. If restricting or banning advertising of cigarettes can be banned then a same rule should be applied on the advertising of alcohol. In some parts of the world including France, a strict ban has been imposed on alcohol advertising. However, in other parts of the world, advertising of cigarettes is considered as an impending threat which can influence the young teenagers and other people to smoke but no one, considers the compelling ads of

Friday, September 27, 2019

War Propaganda Produced by Democracies and Totalitarian Regimes Essay

War Propaganda Produced by Democracies and Totalitarian Regimes - Essay Example In this respect, democracies and totalitarian regimes have emerged to serve diverse and dynamic purposes across the globe. War involving states or countries within and across national borders has been a common concept since time immemorial. Countries and continents have engaged other countries and continents in war. The first and second world wars serve as critical examples in this respect. Both democracies and totalitarian regimes have been involved in wars, the only difference being the way they conduct their business in every aspect of the war they engage in (Sondrol, 2009, p.157). War propaganda has and still is specifically notable in both democracies and totalitarian regimes. However, differences emerge in respect to the war propaganda produced by democracies and that produced by totalitarian regimes. To understand the principles of war propaganda in both democracies and totalitarian regimes, it is vital to consider the basis upon which democracies and totalitarian regimes oper ate and function within power and authority of governance and leadership. Governing the people entails critical decision making on behalf of the people (Clark, 1997, p.259). To aid this process, different political systems are adopted, with each system depicting aspects of democracy or totalitarianism. For example, different countries around the world exhibit aspects of socialism, capitalism, or communism. Democracy in governance and leadership embraces the difference between all persons involved. The power and authority of governance rests in the people. In other words, the people are treated as equals by the law, and their fundamental rights and freedoms that pertain to voicing their opinions in legislative processes are observed. In democracies, constitutions are vital in ensuring a smooth flow of governance and leadership without oppression by the tyranny of the majority players in the political system (Welch, 2001, p.105). Britain, for example, is governed under monarchism, wit h its constitution being unwritten. However, the country is a democracy, just like the United States among others. The constitution is the supreme law that guides leadership and governance in democracies. Any decisions that intend to affect people’s lives must significantly involve the people before they are upheld. People practice their freedom of speech within the provisions of their democratic rights. Democracy also encompasses press freedom by allowing press autonomy. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press provides for support or critique of the current regime in democracies, allowing the people to have a given level of control over their lives (Kershaw, 2004, p.14). On the other hand, totalitarian regimes are the complete opposite of democracies. The United Kingdom today cannot compare to the Hitler regime that oppressed the people. The power and authority of a totalitarian regime is not limited, and the personal and private life of the people is controlled by the to talitarian regime in every aspect. People governed within totalitarian regimes have little or no say to any decisions made regarding their lives. Propaganda in totalitarian regimes is a critical concept due to the fact that the popularity and the public favour those totalitarian regimes seek rests in propaganda. This is the primary basis of retaining power and authority in totalitarian regimes. In order to critically capture the difference be

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Dubai Ports World (DP World) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Dubai Ports World (DP World) - Assignment Example Like most companies, DP World seeks growth and profitability through strategic initiatives, judicious financial management, and conducting routine internal assessments of its strength and weakness and understanding the industry threats and opportunities. In addition, positioning itself where it can take advantage of new market opportunities and grow is one thing. Coming up with new ways to conduct current operations is another. Modernizing its information technology infrastructure, sustaining a commitment to community projects in which it operates, understanding the political, social, economic and technological factors that influence its business and providing a work environment that DP world supports through training and development will position DP World to take advantage of opportunities to grow and expand into new markets. Core Industry Dubai Ports World (DP World) operates in the international marine terminal business (port operations) providing development and logistics services (DP World, 2010). Specifically, the majority of DP World management is in container handling services as part of an overall strategy of managing container, bulk and terminal cargo. In addition to containers, DP World also operates general cargo, bulk cargo, Ro-Ro vessel (such as car handling), and passenger terminals. DP World also operates P&O Maritime Services, DP World Cargo Services and DP World Intermodal. According to the DP World website, P&O Maritime Services is a ``specialist provider of maritime services to industry and government`` (DP World, 2010). DP World Cargo provides stevedoring (loading and unloading) services. These services include containers, bulk, general cargo, project cargoes, car carriers, reefer vessels and passenger vessel stores and baggage handling. DP World Intermodal operates what it refers to as ``outside th e gate`` (DP World Intermodal, n.d.) services to help clients streamline their supply chains, specifically in the railway services industry. This service is more formally called Container Rail Road Services Private Limited, or CRRS for short (DP World Intermodal, n.d.). Its P&O operations are diverse and include government shipping services, cargo services, port services (including skilled crews, shore support staff and vessel maintenance), offshore specialized marine services to the offshore oil and gas industry, defence, chartering (including ship brokering and chartering for mining and bulk minerals) and agency services (including ship agency, chandlery and manning services) (P&O Maritime, n.d.). Chandlery services cover supplies and equipment. Key Substitute Products / Services According to an OAS overview (Rossignol, 2007, p. 7), companies in this strategic assessment include (with number of ports in operation, millions of TEU throughput): 1. HPH - Hutchinson Port Holdings (45, 33.2). 2. PSA – Singapore Port Authority (25, 32.4). 3. APMT - APM Terminals (40, 24.1). 4. P&O Ports (acquired by DP World). 5. DP World (42, 35.2 – when combined with P&O Ports). 6. Evergreen Marine Corp (240, 11.5). 7. Eurogate (10, 11.4). 8. COSC - China Ocean Shipping Company (34, 8.1). 9. SSA Marine (150, 6.7). 10. MSH - Mediterranean Shipping Company (215, 5.7). Global growth is a key vision for DP World and this variable could be used as one of the key strategic measures. Growth can be measured in terms of TEU units. TEU is short for twenty-foot equivalent units as this is the majority of the industry

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Effect of Recession on International trade of UK Essay

Effect of Recession on International trade of UK - Essay Example ession has been characterized with variables such as unemployment, jobs creation and availability, the incomes of the affected population as well as aspects of housing and demography. This paper even so narrows its scope to take the gross domestic product to represent the aforementioned variables. Recession can be argued by this paper to affect the social life in terms of increase in crime, This, loosely speaking, can be said to result from the cases of lack of jobs, unemployment, and the effect of recession on higher education or education in general. Due to the recent cases of recession, there have been reports of sharp increases in unemployment rates, evident in between the years, 2008 and 2009 (Trading Economics, 2014). This happened concurrently with drastic declines in employment rates in a given span of years. The number of available jobs fell and this impacted negatively on production. This paper notes that, during the recession period, most of the lively hoods in the UK were negatively impacted. This is what prompted the analysis. As much as there exists domestic negative impacts, this paper seeks to find out if the same impact has a relationship with the international trade. This paper developed a model, Y = -73460693 -0.596*balance of trade, to relate and predict the effects of the recession on international trade. The daily activities in the world derived from quantitative techniques. Practical phenomena and decisions need to be addressed more accurately and effectively. Practically the everyday numerous decisions that must be made are assisted by analyzing datasets quantitatively. The importance of this statistical technique is the fact that unlike in the academia, the real business world is rich in information to base on in making critical decisions correctly. The development of statistics and more specifically quantitative analysis methods is majorly due to the inability to identify the characteristics of interest in most instances of business

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Using The Communist Manifesto, explain how this argument could be true Essay

Using The Communist Manifesto, explain how this argument could be true - Essay Example It was in such a scenario that the Communist Manifesto evolved and took shape. The Communist Manifesto (1848) is one of the most read and debated piece of writing of the 20th century that portrays the struggle of the weaker classes against the backdrop of a sagging economy. Marx’ ideals are echoed in the Communist Manifesto encouraging realism to take the place of idealism preached by earlier socialists. Karl Marx greatly believed that ‘Capitalism’ in the right sense was absolutely necessary and would serve to bring about a revolutionary transformation of the world by providing a strong foundation for Communism. Marx believed that idealism that condoned various class structures was an illusion that had to be got rid of by society. Marx and Engels fully well understood that industrialization was the answer for the positive development of the country. Competition was an accepted fact among the individuals of a capitalistic society and Marx contributed towards these influential concepts that paved the way for an Industrial revolution. The chief goals that lay behind Marx’ concept of capitalism were that all citizens should enjoy equality, private production and ownership should be abolished and a changed market economy where people could get whatever they needed in exchange for their labor. Marx was of the opinion that if states and governments were done away with, then wars would come to an end. According to Marx, the world markets were a potent and important tool to remove the differences between nations and as they incorporated capitalism into their lives, they would not only improve international trade but also pave a new path where the world could be united in communism. Marx believed that that an Industrial Revolution was both necessary and inevitable if a capitalistic nation had to be achieved because without it, it was not possible. He was sure that differences between countries and nations

Monday, September 23, 2019

The War on Drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The War on Drugs - Essay Example In response to this, the initiative on war on drugs is significant in many countries, and many are working so diligently to ensure they fight illegal drugs. For instance, Canada has worked hard to issue policies on war on drugs. In 2001, Canadian Court of appeal issued a drug law disapproving the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Furthermore, it was realized that, the use of marijuana could lead to health problems, hence it was vital to fight its use. The war on drugs continues to be a contentious issue. There are those opposing, and others proposing. In this context, most states are working diligently to ensure that they fight the use of illegal drugs. In facts, the United States has the highest number of drug dealers. Most people are jailed for drugs correlated crimes. As a result, this has been a waking call for the American government to impose laws for the war on drugs. The major focus of war on drugs is to keep off most people particularly young people from using illegal drugs. As discussed previously, the war on drugs has been a controversial and ongoing debate globally. Nevertheless, most countries have implemented laws to prevent drug abuse. Categorically, this paper has discussed the subject; the war on drugs. In great insight, the essay has outlined how various countries have implemented polices that prohibit illegal drugs usage. Often, the war on drugs has been to prevent health effects, crime, and corruption. When prohibition of illegal drug is in effect, it prevents many from abusing drugs. With this in mind, implementing drug laws is exceptional in the War on

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Music Appreciation (concert report) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Music Appreciation (concert report) - Essay Example 3. The composers of the pieces include; Philip Sawyers, Edward Elgar, and Felix Mendelssohn respectively. Philip Sawyer composed this concert in the year 2008. He derives the idea from a poem by A. E. Housman. It acts as a constant life force during the British history which motivates Sawyers’ venture into the field of a musical work. The piece has three movements, which comprise of, the first, second, and third symphony which enable the orchestras to announce the main ideas. The design and art of performing the piece is excellent as it elaborates the meaning intended. The piece is a symphony since it is a musical composition consists of three movements. It attains a sense of unity since several small units lead to development of a theme in the work. The different small units also lead to the development of a sense of a variety since they communicate many ideas. Repetition of small units develops the main theme in the piece. Different tones meant to bring about the same theme manifests contrast in the piece. The texture is homophonic since the movements are in the same rhythm as melody. The notes were musically satisfying due to the harmonized performance of both movements and the rhythm of the piece. The composer harmonizes the melody by developing the music by smaller units. The harmony of the note is Consonant and minor since the breath is least obstructed producing a pleasing effect. The pitch modulates frequently during the performance. Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses, Flutes, Oboe, English horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and piano is the instruments that the orchestra use to make sound in the piece. The featuring of different instruments in a different section made the presentation dramatic. The combination of both male and female enhance the quality of the voice delivered. This makes the presentation immensely involving and I like it. The composer of this concert is Edward Elgar.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The New Deal and Its Triumph Essay Example for Free

The New Deal and Its Triumph Essay The New Deal and it’s Triumph The 1930’s were a time of despair, poverty and distress and those who lived during this time believed it would be better to die, than to continue to live this way. When Franklin D. Roosevelt came into office in 1932, the United States was in the most disconsolate moments of the Great Depression. However, he brought with him a promise, a promise to make things better through a series of reforms he was planning on implementing known as the New Deal. In the first one hundred days following his inauguration as president, FDR, had already put into place a variety of programs, all with the goal to briskly improve the lives of those that had been most affected by the Great Depression and boost the economy. Through these programs FDR hoped to create jobs, lower the amount of people living on the streets, and most of all, uplift the spirits of the American people which had taken the biggest hit of all. The New Deal was a success because even though many minorities were overlooked, the overall population was influenced in a significant positive manner through job creation and governmental aid despite having negative effects in other areas of the country. Although the New Deal was an overall success in the United States, a significant amount of the minorities, especially the African Americans and Native Americans were neglected as opposed to the rest of the population. During the Great Depression, 50% of the African American citizens became unemployed, due to the fact that they were the first to be fired, and the last to be hired. Furthermore, many of the programs put into place by the New Deal, by improving the lives of other Americans, would damage and harm those of the African Americans. For example, as the excerpt from the Gilder Lehman Institute of American History online textbook , when the AAA was put into place between 1933-1934, more than 100,000 black workers who made their living as sharecroppers and tenant farmers were forced off the land (document B). When African Americans had a job, such as in the WPA, their working conditions would be incredibly harsh and unmerciful. These men were forced to work under harsh circumstances and if they didn’t they would lose  their job. A WPA foreman in the South being interviewed by a questioner from the Federal Writer’s Project claimed that, â€Å"As a matter of fact they cannot be sick for more than five days in succession. If they are†¦ they are automatically dropped from the rolls† (document H) demonstrating that these workers cannot afford to be sick if they want to be able to maintain their jobs. Additionally, even though the Black Cabinet was formed during these years, no civil rights reforms became law during the 1930 since the New Deal had no intention of working towards the civil rights movement. Another minority that was significantly overlooked and even negatively impacted was the Native Americans. As Document G mentions, â€Å"Many Indian problems remain unresolved, but every one has been addressed†. Sometimes, by addressing these problems, the government would actually hurt the Native Americans. For example, the Navajo Reduction Program forced hundreds of Indians to kill or sell thousands of their sheep and other forms of livestock; therefore raising the tension between the Native Americans and the government. The New Deal, even though it helped and lessened the economic problems throughout the country, actually weakened the situation of many minorities such as the African Americans and the Native Americans. The overall population of the United States was significantly enhanced by a number of the programs put into place by FDR through the New Deal. Roosevelt made the purpose of these programs and what he intended to do with them clear through he Fire Side Chats. For example, in one of these many chats, he claims, that â€Å"First, we are giving opportunity of employment to one-quarter of a million of the unemployed, especially the young men, to go into forestry and flood prevention work (document B) † He planned to do this through programs he implemented a short time after such as the CCC and WPA, which gave jobs to young men all over the country, whether they were skilled or not. Slowly, the effect became clear not only in the amount of young men with jobs, but also in the overall attitudes of those in America, which had begun to lose hope. As George Dobbin, he declares that â€Å"It’s the first time in my recollection that a President ever got up and said, ‘Iâ€⠄¢m interested in and aim to do somethin’ for the workin’ man (Document C)† Norman Thomas would have agreed with this whole heartedly since one of this main  objectives was to try and support the industrial worker and to improve their conditions. The results of these programs being put into place were obvious, as unemployment statistics were brought to light. In only two years, the unemployment rate had gone down from 20.6 % to a 14.2% (document E). These percentages strongly supported the idea that the New Deal programs were helping boost the country’s economy once more. Finally, many of these programs brought assistance to other areas of living. For example, the WPA brought hot lunches to schoolchildren and would serve 500,000 meals a day (document D). This made it possible for many children, living in detrimental conditions, to eat at least one nutritional meal a day. Huey Long, a past governor of Louisiana, would have agreed with this hot-lunch program due to the fact that he believed in the re-distribution of wealth from the rich to the poor, and in this case the money is being targeted to those of more humble background. Many programs put into place by FDR such as the CCC and the WPA significantly improved the wa y of life of hundreds of Americans. Eventually, even though the New Deal brought with it a lot of progress and improved life conditions, there were some areas of every day life it was not able to amend completely. One of these was the spirit of the American people. Songs such as â€Å"No Depression in Heaven† performed by the Carter Family showed the true feelings of those that were still struggling to survive. Lyrics such as â€Å"out here the hearts of men are failing† or â€Å"no orphan children crying for bread, no weeping widows toil or struggle, no shrouds, no coffins, and no dead (document E)† demonstrated how desperate and disconsolate many of the people are still and how they feel that it would be better to die, than to continue to live this way. Other negative impacts of the New Deal on the United States was the continuous discrimination towards woman and the fact that they were paid lower wages by many of the programs put into place such as the WPA or the PWA. Additionally Alden Stevens mentions that, â€Å"the New Deal Indian administration is neither as successful as its publicity says it is,† (document G) showing how improvements were not made in all areas of life in the United States. Furthermore, programs such as the TVA destroyed the environment by flooding hundreds of acres of land in order to build dams and reservoirs. The New Deal did not bring with it only positive effects towards the country. It had  negative connotations as well, those which could be observed in different, minor aspects of every day life. When FDR put into place the New Deal, he had three goals in mind. These were reform, recovery and reconstruction. He pretended to do this through various programs he implemented right away, which included the CCC, the WPA, the SSA, and much more. Slowly the effects of these programs began to be seen all over the country and the overall response was that yes, this program was working. People stopped living on the streets and began working, those who had lost everything now had insurance, and unskilled workers were now learning skills they needed in order to get a job. Even though many minorities were overlooked, and not all aspects of life in America were improved, the general impact of the New Deal was a positive one. Therefore, the New Deal was a success, because through this Roosevelt was able to create jobs and provide governmental aid, despite having slight negative effects in other areas of the country.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Cultural Imperialism Is A Very Old Phenomenon Media Essay

Cultural Imperialism Is A Very Old Phenomenon Media Essay During the past five hundred years, European countries colonized southern countries in the name of spreading Christian civilization to the primitive people in other parts of the world, as well as securing resources and workers for economic production. As cultural imperialism occurs, it is said to be for the own good of the other, conquered civilization, to spread universal values, rights and standards of development. The United States are currently not the only cultural imperialists, but the spread of American values in the entire world is at the leading edge of a wave of spread of Western goods and consumerist culture. Today, the phenomenon might take a different form, as it is a lot more subtle and less brutal than the European colonization: it is being done in the name of freedom of the market and freedom of expression. There are two sides and two major views on the ongoing process. Some consider the propagation of the American culture as unavoidable and beneficial to the world, for some American cultural imperialism is a threat to other cultures. I will try to review both of them to make a better and more reasonable assumption. People who do not see the hegemony of American culture as a threat, state that through the media, the United States is spreading some universal values and human rights. To some authoritarian countries, it spreads ideas of freedom of expression, democracy, equality, and rights concepts that should be, in some peoples opinion, universal. Universality of some values may be possible human nature is not that different from one culture to another, and many values are shared across cultures. However, the majority of the worlds cultures undervalue women and children in practice if not in ethos. Finally, the majority of the worlds people, regardless of the names given to governmental regimes by those with authority, continue to live without real participatory democracy. American ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy now available in the world may give more freedom to women, children, and to minorities in all cultures, and will promote anti-racist, anti-sexist or anti-authoritarian mess ages and regimes.   Irving Kristol, in The emerging American Imperialism, presents imperialism as an unintended consequence of market expansion rather than a conscious goal: one of these days, the American people are going to awaken to the fact that we have become an imperial nation. But he later argues that it is not something unintentional, but that in fact many nations have facilitated and welcomed American cultural values along with American products and ways of life: it happened because the world wanted it to happen. To him, the American missionaries live in Hollywood, which is different from the Old European imperialism, which was based on bureaucratic colonial governments and resource extraction.   Christopher Dunkley, in American Cultural Imperialism: No Bad Thing says that America provides some of the best available anywhere in the world. One of the reasons that American series are so successful in the world is that thanks to its immigration policies, the US has a population with a mixture of Anglo Saxons, Scandinavians, Asians and so on that provides American broadcasters with a domestic audience which is, to all intents and purposes, international. Please the American audience and you can guarantee you will please the world. Some theories of globalization see, instead of cultural imperialism, the movement of products and ideas from across national and cultural borders in ways that produce real changes in cultures like that of the United States. In 1994, MacQuail wrote in his book Mass Communication Theory that not only was United States influencing other cultures, but other cultures were also influencing the US: While one-way flow may be evident in terms of information flows on an information theory quantitative estimate, the reality is that as media technology and economies become more intertwined, this seemingly one-way flow reverses itself into a two-way flow in which what sells abroad influences what Americans see at home. In that perspective, we can talk about an interpenetration of cultures instead of the invasion of American culture in the world. Language is another consideration when speaking about cultural imperialism. English is indeed the language of business, higher education, diplomacy, the Internet, science, popular music, entertainment and international travel. The importance of learning English is not just a political or economic issue4. Logically and arguably, the world needs to have one kind of universal language at a basic level. Economically, having a central language could prove as a great advantage when companies can use the same computer programs in one language. As of 2006, an estimated 1 billion people speak English  5. There has been a greater desire to learn English since the Internet has made such a big impact on the world. The reality is that language and cultural barriers and misunderstandings can get in the way of effective communication and create complications in the work world. With the aid of having a universal language, work can be done more efficiently, safer, and with fewer complications than when there is the factor of a language barrier. For international companies, which have branches all over the world in hundreds of different countries with different languages, this universal language could mean a whole new level of production and growth, and in essence, raise the standard of living for many. Richard Pells states that the effectiveness of the English language as a mass communicator has been essential to the acceptance of the American culture. Unlike other languages, the simpler structure, grammar, and use of more concise sentences in the English language, are all advantageous for the composers of ad slogans, cartoon captions, newspaper headlines, and movie and TV dialogue. English, Pells says, is thus a language exceptionally well suited to the demands and spread of American mass culture10.   The American cultural imperialism as a threat to other cultures We should not forget that the differences in cultures make the world a rich and diverse place. Every individual of each country should have the right to express his or her own culture. A cultural uniformity would lead to the extinction of cultures and it would definitely represent a great loss.   However, the American culture is intruding on most cultures in the world, in many cases threatening their existence. Superman, Spider-man, and Batman replace local heroes; Pepsi and Coke replace local fruit drinks; and trick or treat begin to replace Dia de los Muertos. Perhaps more insidious, to compete with American cultural imports, local varieties and products begin to mimic American products. All the exportation of goods and information from the United States to the entire planet contributes to the exportation of the American culture.   We know that the United States is the leader in exporting its information. One problem is that the United States sells its information and media products so cheaply that it is impossible for the whole world to compete. The American producers budget to cover their costs within the US market and can consequently sell at unbeatable prices internationally. A consequence is that it is much cheaper to buy, for example, a blockbuster Hollywood movie made in the United States than to make a less expensive local production in another country. As a famous movie director George Lucas says, the United States is a provincial country with a culture that has invaded the world via Hollywood. As long as there has been a talking Hollywood, Hollywood has had a huge impact on the rest of the world. Lucas points out that people in other countries are troubled by what they see as US culture squashing local art and cinema. The motivations behind American cultural imperialism parallel the justifications for U.S. imperialism throughout history: the desire for access to foreign markets and the belief in the superiority of American culture. Though the United States does boast the worlds largest, most powerful economy, no business is completely satisfied with controlling only the American market; American corporations want to control the other 95 percent of the worlds consumers as well. Many industries are incredibly successful in that venture. According to the Guardian, American films accounted for approximately 80 percent of global box office revenue in January 2003. And who can forget good old Micky Ds? With over 30,000 restaurants in over one hundred countries, the ubiquitous golden arches of McDonalds are now, according to Eric Schlossers Fast Food Nation, more widely recognized than the Christian cross. Such American domination inevitably hurts local markets, as the majority of foreign industries are unable to compete with the economic strength of U.S. industry. Because it serves American economic interests, corporations conveniently ignore the detrimental impact of American control of foreign markets. It is easy enough to convince Americans of the superiority of their culture, but how does one convince the rest of the world of the superiority of American culture? The answer is simple: marketing. Whether attempting to sell an item, a brand, or an entire culture, marketers have always been able to successfully associate American products with modernity in the minds of consumers worldwide. While corporations seem to simply sell Nike shoes or Gap jeans (both, ironically, manufactured outside of the United States), they are also selling the image of America as the land of cool. This indissoluble association causes consumers all over the globe to clamor ceaselessly for the same American products. In recent years, American corporations have developed an even more successful global strategy: instead of advertising American conformity with blonde-haired, blue-eyed, stereotypical Americans, they pitch diversity. These campaigns-such as McDonalds new international Im lovin it campaign-work by drawing on the United States history as an ethnically integrated nation composed of essentially every culture in the world. An early example of this global marketing tactic was found in a Coca Cola commercial from 1971 featuring children from many different countries innocently singing, Id like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony/Id like to buy the world a Coke to keep it company. This commercial illustrates an attempt to portray a U.S. goods as a product capable of transcending political, ethnic, religious, social, and economic differences to unite the world (according to the Coca-Cola Company, we can achieve world peace through consumerism). Today, the spread of American culture goes through every communication medium: 90% of the information available on the Internet is in English, CNN is seen in 120 countries, Stephen King is the number one best seller in the world. Obviously, there is already a process of cultural uniformity going on, and this can be seen as a great loss.   More recently, Viacoms MTV has successfully adapted this strategy by integrating many different Americanized cultures into one unbelievably influential American network (with over 280 million subscribers worldwide). According to a 1996 New World Teen Study conducted by DMBBs BrainWaves division, of the 26,700 middle-class teens in forty-five countries surveyed, 85 percent watch MTV every day. These teens absorb what MTV intends to show as a diverse mix of cultural influences but is really nothing more than manufactured stars singing in English to appeal to American popular taste. If the strength of these diverse American images is not powerful enough to move products, American corporations also appropriate local cultures into their advertising abroad. Unlike Levitts weak multinationals, these corporations dont bend to local tastes; they merely insert indigenous celebrities or trends to present the facade of a customized advertisement. MTV has spawned over twenty networks specific to certain geographical areas such as Brazil and Japan. These specialized networks further spread the association between American and modernity under the pretense of catering to local taste. Similarly, commercials in India in 2000 featured Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan promoting Coke and Shahrukh Khan promoting Pepsi (Sanjeev Srivastava, Cola Row in India. BBC News Online). By using popular local icons in their advertisements, U.S. corporations successfully associate what is fashionable in local cultures with what is fashionable in America. America essentially samples the worlds cu ltures, repackages them with the American trademark of materialism, and resells them to the world. Compounding the influence of commercial images are the media and information industries, which present both explicit and implicit messages about the very real military and economic hegemony of the United States. Ironically, the industry that claims to be the source for fair and balanced information plays a large role in the propagation of American influence around the world. The concentration of media ownership during the 1990s enabled both American and British media organizations to gain control of the majority of the worlds news services. Satellites allow over 150 million households in approximately 212 countries and territories worldwide to subscribe to CNN, a member of Time Warner, the worlds largest media conglomerate. In the words of British sociologist Jeremy Tunstall, When a government allows news importation, it is in effect importing a piece of another countrys politics-which is true of no other import. In addition to politics and commercials, networks like CNN also present foreign countries with unabashed accounts of the military and economic superiority of the United States. The internationalization of television news, while unquestionably a crucial aspect of the processes generally lumped together as globalization, seems paradoxically to be the least well examined, yet most alluded to, aspect of the globalization phenomena. (Paterson, C. Global television news services, Media in Global Context: A Reader, Oxford University Press:1997, p.145). As Paterson points out in his article, few people actually seem to know that most television broadcasters buy international news from transnational news agencies like Rauters, Worldwide Television News and Associated Press Television. Or as Paterson puts it: since television is the major force in shaping how Europe and America see the world, and is becoming so in the rest of the industrialised world and much of the developing world, then the images selected by these few television journalists of similar training and background, are absolutely crucial determinants of how people world-wide perceiver other nations and global issues.  Some of these major news corporations are more closely allied with Rupert Murdoch, and Rupert Murdoch is widely believed to have used his print and broadcast news holding in Britain to bolster Thatcher and Thatcherism (Bagdikian:1989, found in Paterson, C. Global television news services, Media in Global Context: A Reader, Oxford University Press:1997 p.154). Commercialisation gives further reason for concern about international news. The tabloidization regarding printed media, and overflow of clichà ©s in television, as Paterson points out, is principally a process of dumbening down news, and putting emphases on news concerning sports and stars etc. which may perhaps have further impact on peoples political perception (or maybe lack of it). This trend rises questions about consumerism in the west, and what impact this may have on a global scale. But why is it happening and with such success?  cultural imperialism is understood in the terms of the imposition of one national culture upon another and the media are seen as central to this process as carriers of cultural meanings which penetrate and dominate the culture of the subordinate nation. (Barker, C. Global television, Blackwell Publishers: 1997 p.183)  . In conclusion media have speeded up the connection between cultures and thereby started to erase the boundaries of space, and even more profound boundaries of nations and government ensuring free flow of information and influence. The fact that America arguably is in the centre of this development rises concerns about which influences and the voice of whom we are hearing. The homogenisation thesis involved, as posed by many theorists, is both seen as an advantage and a reason for concern. This concern perhaps mainly because of the threat of American cultural imperialism and a consequent loss of diversity, and the possible immense power of position for whom leads this trend because of what seems to be an ability to override governments. The capitalistic nature of media prevents any revolt against the almost monopolistic position the western world has on globalisation via media, and there seem to be no authority that can intervene in this process preventing a monopoly. So however roman tic the idea of cultures being brought closer together is, there are also power struggles and the possibility to exploit this development, which American officials openly admit to be attempting.   The rise of English as an international language of trade and politics has been one of the strongest vehicles for the transmission of American culture. The place of English in the world has crystallized in the past decades you can read signs in English in every capital, and fluency in English has become a taken-for-granted prerequisite for upper-level positions in international trade and politics. While the forces leading to the rise of an international language differ greatly from cultural imperialism, it would be difficult to separate the two. As English becomes a global language, it becomes clear that language and culture cannot be separated. The AP National Writer journalist Anthony Ted says every one from the French to the Indonesians worry that where English goes, America will follow. Scholars Nye and Owen admitted that it is the goal of the United States to have English as the international language: It is in the economic and political interests of the United States to ensure that, if the world is moving to a common language, it be English; that if the world is becoming linked by television, radio and music, the programming be American; and that, if common values are being developed, they be values with which Americans are comfortable. According to them, not only it is intentional, but also it is a developing reality. If this spread of values, language, and information is purely because of economic and political interest for the United States, the well-being of other cultures and their freedom of expression are not taken into consideration except instrumentally can they be bought and sold for a profit, or can they be used to political advantage to the profit and advantage of the US.   Not all social critics see the Americanization of the world as a negative phenomenon. Proponents of cultural imperialism, such as David Rothkopf, a former senior official in Clintons Department of Commerce, argue that American cultural imperialism is in the interest not only of the United States but also of the world at large. Rothkopf cites Samuel Huntingtons theory from The Clash of Civilizations and the Beginning of the World Order that, the greater the cultural disparities in the world, the more likely it is that conflict will occur. Rothkopf argues that the removal of cultural barriers through U.S. cultural imperialism will promote a more stable world, one in which American culture reigns supreme as the most just, the most tolerant, the most willing to constantly reassess and improve itself, and the best model for the future. Rothkopf is correct in one sense: Americans are on the way to establishing a global society with minimal cultural barriers. However, one must question whet her this projected society is truly beneficial for all involved. Is it worth sacrificing countless indigenous cultures for the unlikely promise of a world without conflict? Around the world, the answer is an overwhelming No! Disregarding the fact that a world of homogenized culture would not necessarily guarantee a world without conflict, the complex fabric of diverse cultures around the world is a fundamental and indispensable basis of humanity. Throughout the course of human existence, millions have died to preserve their indigenous culture. It is a fundamental right of humanity to be allowed to preserve the mental, physical, intellectual, and creative aspects of ones society. A single global culture would be nothing more than a shallow, artificial culture of materialism reliant on technology. The attempt by UNESCO to regulate a more equal flow of communication between the North and the South, to protect cultural diversity and to protect countries from cultural imperialism unfortunately resulted in the withdrawal of the United States because it did not correspond to its financial interests. Since 1984, which is the date of the American withdrawal, UNESCO keeps trying to influence and give recommendations to governments, but it has no power over the main country that owns most of the communication flow in the world: the United States of America.  

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Developmental Physical Education Essay -- Child Development

When we think of developmental education, we think about the young children of our world today. They develop into individuals, men and women, which our world relies on to continue to teach their children about the important things in life. Physical Education is one of them and we have failed to realize the impact it’s having on our world today. Developing the child at the preschool level will enforce them to want to be engaged in physical activity. This is what we need to continue to do to be able for us, as a whole population, move into a more positive direction towards being physically active. Developmental Education is physical education that emphasizes the acquisition of movement skills and increased physical competence based on the unique developmental level of the individual. Within the skills, there are three domains that are required; psychomotor, cognitive and affective domains. Psychomotor is defined as the â€Å"domain [that] includes content knowledge and the development of intellectual skills† as we grow (SERC). This is also defined, in simpler words, as the association of movement and motor skills. As for cognitive, this means that we using the brain to gain knowledge about the rules of a given game, how to improve coordination and enforce how keeping an active lifestyle for the rest our lives is important. As we develop, the importance of this one domain is critical. Keeping a healthy lifestyle can improve self-esteem, keep from being a part of the obesity statistics and can keep off deadly diseases. Lastly, there is the affective domain and this means that this area includes the attitudes and values that are associated with physical activity. In developmental education, there are different levels that a teacher ca... ...y needs to improve as well. Parents and guardians are the foundation in a child’s life and if there is a sedentary lifestyle involved, the kids will act just like their parents. We need to encourage them, while they’re still developing, to be active. In physical education, active students and happy kids are what we like to see come out of our future generation to teach to others in their later years. . Science Education Resource Center (SERC). "Domains of Learning." SERC of Carleton College. N.p., 28 Mar. 2012. Web. 30 Mar. 2012. . 2. Kalakain, Leonard H., and Carl B. Eichstaedt. Developmental/Adapted Physical Education. Minneapolis: Burgess, 1982. Print. 3. Pica, Rae. Physical Education for Young Children: Movement ABCs for the Little Ones. N.p.: Human Kinetics, 2008. Print.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Ernest Hemongway His Life in his Works Essay -- Essays Papers

Ernest Hemongway His Life in his Works F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote in a letter to Maxwell Perkins, ‘This is to tell you about a young man named Ernest Hemingway, who lives in Paris (an American)... I’d look him up right away. He’s the real thing.’ This is perhaps the most prophetic statement Fitzgerald ever made in his lifetime, because Ernest Hemingway was indeed ‘the real thing’. Only months after that letter was written, Hemingway’s first book of short stories, In Our Time, was published, and so began the career of one of America’s greatest literary heroes. The works that followed stunned audiences around the world with the clear, concise language that was used, and the elaborate details that allowed millions of people an in depth look into the life of an amazingly interesting man. However, the perfection achieved in his literature was always out of reach to the man himself. But Hemingway was able to use his real life tragedies and make them into timeless masterpieces. That is why to this day it can be said that Ernest Hemingway is the most influential American writer of all time (Turnbull, 167). Born in Oak Park, Illinois on July 21, 1899, Hemingway was raised to appreciate the beauty of nature and the importance of spending time in the wilderness. This love of the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, becomes quite apparent in his later pieces of literature. At the age of eighteen, Hemingway was stationed in Italy, during World War I, as a Red Cross ambulance driver. It was there that he first fell in love with Europe. He was immediately attracted to the beauty of the countryside and the elegance of the cultures there, and would later spend many years of his life on the continent. Herman Melville called the sea his â€Å"Harvard and Yale†, to Ernest Hemingway, the continent of Europe was his (Baker, 17). Not long after his arrival, Hemingway was wounded by an Austrian shell as it exploded nearby killing an Italian soldier, and blowing the legs off of another. The details that followed have been disputed, but one source states that Hemingway, with shrapnel embedded in his leg, carried two wounded soldiers to safety as machine gun fire ripped through his already bloodied limb. It was at the hospital in Milan, while having his leg tended to, where Hemingway first fell in love. She was a Red Cross nurse more... ...ce slept, and to fish where he found the peace and serenity to write the perfect book. Hemingway has been imitated, but never equaled, and it will probably be a very long time before we see another American with his talent, intelligence, and lust for life, emerge with a piece of writing that can thrill us like Hemingway can. Though biographical information has been disputed (much due to the fact that Ernest was known for his tremendous exaggerations), it has been said that â€Å"to find the truth (about Hemingway), you must first look at his fiction†. Hemingway’s life is in his books, and we all have the opportunity to read it (Miller, 181). Works Cited Baker, Carlos Heard. Ernest Hemingway; A Life Story. New York, NY. Scribner. 1969. Loscalzo, Jim. â€Å"Hemingway’s Cuba†. U.S. News and World Report. 26 May 1997. Vol. 122, P. 62. Miller, Louis M. Hemingway: The Writer as Artist. Columbus, Ohio. 1983. Nelson, Gerald B. Hemingway, Life and Works. New York, NY. Facts on File. 1984. Sands, Garret. The Life and Times of Ernest Hemingway. San Francisco, CA. Eliot Publishing. 1981. Turnbull, Andrew. Letters of F. Scott Fitzgerald. New York. 1963. Ernest Hemongway His Life in his Works Essay -- Essays Papers Ernest Hemongway His Life in his Works F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote in a letter to Maxwell Perkins, ‘This is to tell you about a young man named Ernest Hemingway, who lives in Paris (an American)... I’d look him up right away. He’s the real thing.’ This is perhaps the most prophetic statement Fitzgerald ever made in his lifetime, because Ernest Hemingway was indeed ‘the real thing’. Only months after that letter was written, Hemingway’s first book of short stories, In Our Time, was published, and so began the career of one of America’s greatest literary heroes. The works that followed stunned audiences around the world with the clear, concise language that was used, and the elaborate details that allowed millions of people an in depth look into the life of an amazingly interesting man. However, the perfection achieved in his literature was always out of reach to the man himself. But Hemingway was able to use his real life tragedies and make them into timeless masterpieces. That is why to this day it can be said that Ernest Hemingway is the most influential American writer of all time (Turnbull, 167). Born in Oak Park, Illinois on July 21, 1899, Hemingway was raised to appreciate the beauty of nature and the importance of spending time in the wilderness. This love of the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, becomes quite apparent in his later pieces of literature. At the age of eighteen, Hemingway was stationed in Italy, during World War I, as a Red Cross ambulance driver. It was there that he first fell in love with Europe. He was immediately attracted to the beauty of the countryside and the elegance of the cultures there, and would later spend many years of his life on the continent. Herman Melville called the sea his â€Å"Harvard and Yale†, to Ernest Hemingway, the continent of Europe was his (Baker, 17). Not long after his arrival, Hemingway was wounded by an Austrian shell as it exploded nearby killing an Italian soldier, and blowing the legs off of another. The details that followed have been disputed, but one source states that Hemingway, with shrapnel embedded in his leg, carried two wounded soldiers to safety as machine gun fire ripped through his already bloodied limb. It was at the hospital in Milan, while having his leg tended to, where Hemingway first fell in love. She was a Red Cross nurse more... ...ce slept, and to fish where he found the peace and serenity to write the perfect book. Hemingway has been imitated, but never equaled, and it will probably be a very long time before we see another American with his talent, intelligence, and lust for life, emerge with a piece of writing that can thrill us like Hemingway can. Though biographical information has been disputed (much due to the fact that Ernest was known for his tremendous exaggerations), it has been said that â€Å"to find the truth (about Hemingway), you must first look at his fiction†. Hemingway’s life is in his books, and we all have the opportunity to read it (Miller, 181). Works Cited Baker, Carlos Heard. Ernest Hemingway; A Life Story. New York, NY. Scribner. 1969. Loscalzo, Jim. â€Å"Hemingway’s Cuba†. U.S. News and World Report. 26 May 1997. Vol. 122, P. 62. Miller, Louis M. Hemingway: The Writer as Artist. Columbus, Ohio. 1983. Nelson, Gerald B. Hemingway, Life and Works. New York, NY. Facts on File. 1984. Sands, Garret. The Life and Times of Ernest Hemingway. San Francisco, CA. Eliot Publishing. 1981. Turnbull, Andrew. Letters of F. Scott Fitzgerald. New York. 1963.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Tender is the Night Essay -- Fitzgerald Literature Essays

Tender is the Night â€Å"Servant trouble†¦political worries†¦almost neurosis†¦drinking increased†¦arguments with Scottie†¦quarrel with Hemingway†¦quarrel with Bunny Wilson†¦quarrel with Gerald Murphy†¦breakdown of car†¦tight at Eddie Poe’s†¦sick again†¦first borrowing from mother†¦sick†¦ ‘The Fire’†¦Zelda weakens and goes to Hopkins†¦one servant and eating out.† (Mayfield 207) A short excerpt from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Ledger provides a small sample of the many hurdles Fitzgerald struggled to overcome while slaving away nine years with Tender is the Night. The labor which accompanied Fitzgerald’s fourth novel was not anticipated by the author. He had first envisioned Tender is the Night to be â€Å"something really new in form, idea, and structure—the model for the age that Joyce and Stein are searching for, that Conrad didn’t find†(Scribner 1). But disease, relative poverty, and heartbreak plagued Fitzgerald and repeatedly interrupted his work on the novel. Tender is the Night finally appeared on April 12, 1934. But despite Fitzgerald’s high expectations of hot reviews, the reception was, at best, luke warm. The novel sold only thirteen thousand copies and left Fitzgerald’s ego bruised and his hopes of its estimable success unfulfilled. Ernest Hemingway offered little praise. The characters, he believed, were â€Å"beautifully faked case histories rather than people† (Mayfield 209). Similarly unimpressed, Hal Borland of the Philadelphia Ledger remarked on April 13, 1934, â€Å"Most of the themes [of Tender is the Night] seem better fitted for clinical studies than for fiction. Fitzgerald’s novel is admirably done, and its dozens of cross-currents are well handled. But it is not the important nov... ...the critics’ reception of Tender is the Night. Though short in length, Scribner reveals several excerpts from Fitzgerald’s letters and personal writings which present for the readers a more personal view of Fitzgerald, the author. http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/fitzgeraldbio.html This website lists Fitzgerald’s published works and offers a detailed biography of the author himself. The highlighted texts serve to differentiate different eras in Fitzgerald’s life. The site also offers several links wherein additional information regarding influential people and events can be researched. http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald.com This website summarizes Fitzgerald’s life as well as the general reception of his novels. It also touches on the many hurdles Fitzgerald came across during his nine years of struggling with his fourth novel, Tender is the Night.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Consumer Culture Theory (CCT): Twenty Years of Research Essay

Past 20 years: Flurry of Research and studies abot aspects of consumption. CCT presents a non-exhaustive overview about consumption and marketplace behavior: A family of theoretical perspectives that address the dynamic relationships between consumer actions, the marketplace, and cultural meanings. Culture is not seen as a homogenous system of collective meanings, way of life and unified values ( eg. Americans / Asians). CCT explores cultural meanings as being numerous and fragmented – A heterogenous distribution of meanings. Culture therefore is an aglomeration of heterogeneous meanings and different cultural groupings, which are overlapping within a sociohistoric frame and mediated by markets. Consumer culture is viewed as â€Å"social arrangement in which the relations between lived culture and social resources, between meaningful ways of life and the symbolic and material resources on which they depend, are mediated through markets† and consumers as part of an interconnected system of commercially produced products and images which they use to construct their identity and orient their relationships with others. CCT conceptualizes culture as the very fabric of experience, meaning and action It frames consumers’horizons of conceivable action, feeling, and thought, making certain patterns of behavior and sense-making interpretations more likely than others. Demythologizing CCT (3 major misunderstandings in CCT) CCT does NOT particularly study consumption contexts. Theorists study in consumption contexts to gather theory and insight. Investigation of cultural dimensions of consumption IN context. The primary differences between CCT and other traditions of consumer Research are NOT only methodological. Qualitative data and an array of related data collection and analysis techniques have been quite central to CCT, however this methodological predilection follows from the aims that drive CCT rather than from a passion for qualitative data or vivid description per se. CCT focuses on the experiential and sociocultural dimensions of consumption that are not plainly accessible through experiments. (product symbolism, ritual practices, the consumer tories). CCT researchers do not only rely on qualitative methodologies but actually embrace methodological pluralism. CCT research is misperceived in some disciplinary quarters as a sphere of creative expression and managerial irrelevance. However, subsequent developments, such as customer relation management, lifestyle and multicultural marketing, and the proliferation of so-called identity brands, have brought consumer meanings to the center of managerial concerns, and consequently ethnographic methods have become commonplace in applied market research. An understanding of consumer symbolism and lifestyle orientations is essential to successful marketing strategies Illuminating CCT Investigation of the contextual, symbolic, and experiential aspects of consumption as they unfold across a consumption cycle that includes acquisition, consumption and possession, and disposition processes and analysis of these phenomena from macro-, meso-, and micro-theoretical perspectives ? symbolic, embodied, and experiential aspects of acquisition behavior. Consumption and possession practices, particularly their hedonic, aesthetic, and ritualistic dimensions have perhaps been the most widely studied constellation of phenomena identi? ed with the CCT tradition Consumer culture theory explores how consumers actively rework and transform symbolic meanings encoded in advertisements, brands, retail settings, or material goods to manifest their particular personal and social circumstances and further their identity and lifestyle goals. Research programs CCT Research cut across the process-oriented categories of acquisition, consumption, and disposition in way that the theoretical scope of marketing research transcends the 4Ps framework. It has advanced consumer behavior with knowledge of sociocultural processes and structures of: Consumer identity projects: Marketplace is seen as a source of symbolic values and consumers as Identity seekers and – makers. It includes several studies on ways in which consumers pursue personally edifying goals and create a coherent self-identity through consumption and the marketplace in general. Marketplace culture: features of the marketplace-culture intersection. Consumers are seen as culture producers (Traditionally Anthropological: people as culture bearers). How does the emergence of consumption as a dominant human practice reconfigure cultural blueprints for action and interpretation? â€Å"creation of consumption worlds or microcultures through the pursuit of consumption† Sociohistoric patterning of consumption: s the institutional and social structures that systematically influence consumption (class, community, ethnicity, gender). Consumers = enactors of social roles and positions. Study of â€Å"Consumer society† (influence of gender, ethnicity, social class hierarchy, families) Mass-mediated marketplace ideologies and consumers’ interpretive strategies: Normative message s about consumption transmitted by media and consumers’ response. Consumers are perceived as interpretive agents, that either tacitly embracing the dominant representation of consumer identity and lifestyle ideals portrayed in the media or consciously deviating from these ideological instructions Consumer ideology as a systems of meaning that tend to channel and reproduce consumers’ thoughts and actions in such a way as to defend dominate interests in society. It is increasingly influenced by economic and cultural globalization. Cultural production systems (e. g. marketing communications) orient consumers toward certain ideologies or identity projects. (raising criticisms of identity play, capitalism and marketing) Basically, CCT is concerned with Cultural Meanings, Sociohistoric Influences and Social Dynamics that shape consumer experiences and identities. Consumption is seen as a historically shaped mode of sociocultural practice within the structures and ideological imperatives of dynamic marketplaces.

Borjomi in israel

Our project consists of several parts: Company review History of company Market strategies The review of competitors PESTLE analysis Cultural overview Action plan Our product is â€Å"Boredom† and â€Å"Boredom Spring†. Our destination market is Israel. The reason we chose this country is the shortage of water which faces the population. Market Strategies Direct Exporting For â€Å"Boredom† it will be better to enter into Israel's market via Direct Exporting. Direct Exporting is the way to sell your products to your customers without any intermediaries, be in touch with them all the time and get feedback directly from them.Direct Exporting will help â€Å"Boredom† to eliminate fixed costs, such as rent for offices, utility payments, etc. Direct Exporting helps to the firm boost sales and increase market shares. Through direct exporting activities† Boredom† will gain the valuable experience and expertise about working internationally. The disadv antages for direct exporting should be the complexity of logistics and distribution channels. â€Å"Boredom† will need to build up some export organization which solves all these problems on Its behalf. This organization will have to communicate with these parties to thrive sales.Joint Venture the same production lines and have the same aims. In addition, while using this market entry mode there is a possibility to have conflicts with your local partners, agency problems that arise when one party is expected to act in another's best interests. JP provides lack of managerial control; you cannot manage all issues concerning with the ongoing activities. Sometimes JP creates a competitor for the firm. It often happens that foreign investors lose whole product markets to previous joint venture partners.Franchising A management Contract with a particular company will be an advantage for DC Boredom Georgia. A management Contract helps to Georgian company to improve the quality and b ecome more competitive controlled under Israel specialist for both, home and host markets. It is normal when the experienced company sells its management expertise to small developing firm in developing country. A management contract should be a case for cost saving by using its resources more rationally which improves the technical assistance and the employees' skills.The problem with a management contract should be that potential returns are limited by contract. Chosen Strategy The most acceptable strategy for â€Å"Boredom† will be direct exporting because â€Å"boredom† has enough experience to work independently internationally. The company's potential profits will be greater because it is eliminating intermediaries. It will get slightly better protection for its trademarks, patents and copyrights. As the company's business develops in the foreign market, it will have greater flexibility to improve or redirect its marketing efforts.Trademark â€Å"Boredom† is produced by IDS Boredom Georgia, which is a part of IDS Boredom International – the biggest producer of natural mineral water and leader under the notion of natural bottled waters within CICS and Baltic countries. IDS Boredom Georgia is an unchallenged market leader in Georgians bottled water industry, which has already established its best known brand Ames like Boredom, Alkali, Boredom Springs and Baking. Its biggest selling brand Boredom has established its presence in over 30 countries worldwide.IDS Boredom Georgia brings to the market the natural and wholesome drinking water, which gives a drive and a boost of energy. The Company builds its operations on four main principles: expansion of sales geography, market diversification, conduction of aggressive marketing campaigns and introduction of new brands into the portfolio. As producers we are keeping abreast of the latest developments on the market and re always oriented towards responding effectively to the customer n eeds. Product quality is always our top priority.Our product â€Å"Boredom†, which we are going to launch into the market in Israel, has several competitors. Those are: Genesis, Me Eden, Invention†¦ Israel operates under a parliamentary system as a democratic republic with universal suffrage. President is Simon Peres and prime Minister†Benjamin Entertain, who is the head of government and head of the cabinet. Israel is politically stable, but brutal colonization of Palestinian territory. As we mentioned above that Israel is literally stable, the same could be said about Israel's economy.So Israel is considered one of the most advanced countries in Southwest Asia in economic and industrial development; its nominal GAP for 2011 year estimate is $ 242,897 billion, per – 39,2 and it's human development index is very high 0,888 with which Israel is on the 17th place in the world. The country is ranked 3rd in the region on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business I ndex as well as in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report. It has the second-largest number of startup companies in the world (on the first place is U.S) and the largest number of NASDAQ-Sited companies outside North America But it's crucial that Israel's economy has undergone a radical change over the last several decades from an economy based on agriculture and small businesses, which are producing a wide variety of highly demanded products that are marketed worldwide. Also Israel's banking system is advanced and well- developed, with branch connections all over the world, and it provides the business sector all the services it requires. The economy is also strengthening by the legal system which Israel has developed.However, Israel has suffered from a chronic water shortage for years. The causes of water shortage are both natural and man- made. Israel has suffered from four consecutive years of drought. The increase in demand for water for domestic uses, that co mes from the growth of population and the rising standard of living, together with the need to supply water pursuant to sources. The agricultural sector has suffered most because of this water crisis. Due to the shortage, water allocations to the sector had to be reduced drastically causing a reduction in the agricultural productivity.Company includes 4 brands: â€Å"Boredom†, â€Å"Alkali†, â€Å"Boredom Springs† and â€Å"Baking†. The company maintains the harmonic fusion between a good taste and multiple vitamins. History of the Company â€Å"Boredom† is the producer of mineral spring water that was discovered over one thousand years ago in the Boredom Gorge of central Georgia. Trademark â€Å"Boredom† is produced by IDS Boredom Georgia, which is a part of IDS Boredom International – the bottled waters within CICS and Baltic countries. IDS Boredom Georgia brings to the market the natural and wholesome drinking water, which gives a drive and a boost of energy.The use of Georgian mineral waters has been suggested by the Georgian and foreign researchers for complex treatment of several digestive diseases and diabetes mellitus. Traditionally, Georgians consume sparkling mineral waters as an extremely effective antioxidant during food poisoning and especially as a natural hangover remedy. IDS Boredom Georgia is an unchallenged market leader in Georgians bottled water industry, which has already established its best known brand names like† Boredom†, â€Å"Alkali†,† Boredom Springs† and â€Å"Baking†.The mineral water sector in Georgia had an approximately GEL 126 million output in 2010, 40% of which was exported. IDS Boredom Georgia was one of the key players in it. Its biggest selling brand â€Å"Boredom† has established its presence in over 30 countries worldwide The Company builds its operations on four main principles: expansion of sales geography, market diversifica tion, conduction of aggressive marketing campaigns and introduction of new brands into the portfolio. As producers they are keeping abreast of the latest developments on the market and are always oriented towards responding effectively to the customer needs.Product quality is always their top priority. Competitive advantages High Water quality Room for expansion (capacity of existing bottlers can more than double) pride, part of the Georgian culture, tradition Certified curative properties Well protected from forgery Vast export experience National High recognition in former Soviet countries and rising popularity in US, AJAX, EX. Aim The aim of the â€Å"Boredom† is a combination of nature and technologies, delivering natural and healthy products to the consumers and thus creating value both for the establishment and the society.They are focused on creating an environment that benefits both their staff and customers and best suits their needs. Efforts thus concentrated contri bute to the realization of new ideas and facilitate further development. Products Boredom Alkali Boredom springs Baking Assortment Boredom† mineral water is presented in four packing variants: 1 In glass bottle 0,33 1 (expire date – 2 years from production date); 2) in bottle 1 (expire date – 2 years date; 4) in plastic bottle 1 1 (expire date – 1 year from production date).Awards 1907 SPA Grand pan 1909 Kane Grand Golden Medal 1911 Dressed Diploma of Honor 1940 Italian Golden Medal 1975 Budapest Diploma of Honor, World Exhibition 1998 Novosibirsk Golden Medal 1996, 1997, 1998 SST. Petersburg Golden Medal 2005 ISO 22000 REVIEW OF COMPETITORS IN ISRAEL Our product â€Å"Boredom†, which we are going to launch into the market in Israel, has several competitors. Those are: Genesis, Me Eden, Invention. It is very important to keep up with them and even to do better than they do.These companies Genesis Genesis Waters is an import company devoted to suppor ting Israel by introducing bottled water entirely produced in Israel to the American market. Much of the proceeds from Genesis Waters are donated to organizations that help Israel's victims of terror rebuild their lives. Genesis is created to support Israel. Genesis means â€Å"new beginning†, and in response to the devastating attacks upon the citizens of Israel, company donates a significant portion of our profits to organizations hat help Israel's victims of terror rebuild their lives.Also every ounce of excess water resulting from the bottling of the product is recycled to supply local agricultural settlements with water, helping to keep the Land of Israel â€Å"green†. This is a high-end mineral water that is sourced since Biblical times. The natural mineral water originates from an artesian source providing natural mineral water that is pure, mild, naturally balanced and enriched with the most precious constituents offered by nature. This premium water is low in mineral salts, trace elements and carries more nutrients to the body and helps it more easily expel toxins ND excess minerals.Me Eden Me Eden is the brand name of the company Eden Springs Ltd. Which is an Israeli mineral water marketing company. It is a leading mineral water company in Israel. The brand and company were created in 1980 after development of the Salvia wellspring in Katharine, Goals Heights. After additional tests with the wellspring water, Me Eden received permission to market its water in 1983. Me Eden has recently started to product water coolers, water container holders and disposable cups as well. The company is engaged in the production and marketing of natural mineral eater distribution, water is the pioneer companies in Israel.Eden is proud to take credit for the development and delivery of water consumption culture in Israel and also believe that drinking natural mineral water is the basis of a way of life healthy distribution of natural mineral water Jugs at home or office. The company currently serves more than 130 thousand customers in Israel. But it should be noted that bottling was halted after tests showed bacteria levels exceeded limits set by state regulators. The company said it was carrying out tests in coordination with the Ministry of Health and assured consumers that water already on sale was fit to drink.In February 2009, pollution forced Eden and a rival company, Invention, to halt and recall bottled water from stores. Eden said later the incident had caused the company losses of between 22 million and 125 million. Invention Invention is a leading manufacturer and distributor of natural mineral water in Israel. The company's innovative range of products includes both bottled water products and water cooler dispensers for private and office use in a wide range of sizes and styles. In 2006, Invention+ was launched – a product line based on Invention mineral water tit added vitamins and light flavors.In May 2011, Inve ntion began to produce natural mineral water from a mountain aquifer in the Upper Galilee. The advanced drilling technology utilized in this process is similar to that of the leading European mineral water companies. Using this innovative system, Invention is reaching water while it is still pure in the depths of the earth. Invention pledges to provide its customers with natural mineral water of the very highest quality. The Invention factory in Karat Samoan operates the most advanced technologies in the world while maintaining the highest reduce quality.All manufacturing and filling lines are operated without the need for human intervention. Every day, 150 tests are carried out on the filling lines to ensure that the products are of the highest quality. In addition to the checks carried out by the company, it is audited by authorized external organizations to ensure that the highest quality standards are always met. Having said that it is crucial for our market entry to know everyt hing about them and do our best and at least gain a market place near them. All of the competitors stated above have a strong reputation among customers, because they remain on markets for years.Israel water purifying, recycling technology makes world markets take notice, as local companies introduce new development to what will become a $10 billion a year market by 2015. So it's going to be a huge challenge for us to be competitive, but not impossible. PESTLE ANALYSIS OF ISRAEL Political Political Structure representation and universal suffrage. Chief of State is President Simon Peres; the president is the head of state; the office symbolizes the unity of the state and carries high prestige and moral force, above and beyond party politics. The president (head of state) is elected by the Knees for a 5-year term.Head of Government is Prime Minister Benjamin Entertain. Its governmental system is based on several basic laws enacted by its unicameral parliament, the Knees. The prime min ister exercises executive power and has in the past been selected by the president as the party leader most able to form a government. Between May 1996 and March 2001, Israelis voted for the prime minister directly. (The legislation, which required the direct election of the prime minister, was rescinded by the Knees in March 2001 . ) The embers of the cabinet must be collectively approved by the Knees. The Knees serves as Israel's unicameral legislative body.Its 120 members are elected by secret ballot to 4-year terms, although the prime minister may decide to call for new elections before the end of the 4-year term. Voting is for party lists rather than for individual candidates, and the total number of seats assigned each party reflects that party's percentage of the vote. Successful Knees candidates are drawn from the lists in order of party-assigned rank. Under the present electoral system, all members of the Knees are elected at large. Israel is divided into six districts, adm inistration of which is coordinated by the Ministry of Interior.The Ministry of Defense is responsible for the administration of the occupied territories. Major Parties In Parliament Israel's political system is based on proportional representation which allows for a multi-party system with numerous parties. There are currently five parties with more than ten seats in the 120-seat Knees, and a single party usually has no chance of gaining power by itself (only once has a party held an absolute majority in the Knees), forcing the parties to cooperate and form coalition governments. This article lists the political parties in Israel. ACADIA is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel.It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Liked largely to support the issue of Riel's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon Joined by like-minded Labor politicians. With Thud Elmer as party chairman following Sharon stroke, it became the largest party in the Knees after the 2 006 elections, winning 28 of the 120 seats, and led a coalition government. LIKED is the major centre-right conservative political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 in an alliance with several right- ins and liberal parties. In 2009 elections, the party won 27 seats, and now leads the Israeli government under Prime Minister Entertain.A member of the party is often called a Liking WISELY BETTING is a nationalist political party in Israel. The party's base has traditionally been secular, Russian-speaking Israelis. The party describes itself as â€Å"a national movement with the clear vision to follow in the brave path of Cave from the former Soviet Union, it has also expanded its appeal to a more veteran Israeli public. It takes a strong line towards the peace process and the integration f Israeli Arabs, characterized by its 2009 election slogan â€Å"No loyalty, no citizenship†.Its main platform includes recognition of the two-state solution, the creation of a Palestini an state that would include an exchange of some largely Arab- inhabited parts of Israel for largely Jewish-inhabited parts of the West Bank. The party maintains an anti-clerical mantle and encourages socio-economic opportunities for new immigrants, in conjunction with efforts to increase Jewish immigration. In the elections the party won 15 seats, its most to date, making it the third largest party in the Knees. Legal System JUDICIARY: THE COURT SYSTEM The Judiciary is entirely independent.Judges are appointed by the president upon recommendation of a special nine-person committee composed of three Supreme Court Justices, two members of the Israeli Bar and four public figures (I. E. Government ministers, Knees members). Judges receive appointments for life, with retirement at age 70. Although legislative competence is wholly within the Knees, the Supreme Court can and does call attention to the desirability of legislative changes; sitting as the High Court of Justice, it has the aut hority to determine hither a law properly conforms to the Basic Laws of the state.The Court System Israel has a three-tier court system. At the lowest level is Magistrate Court, situated in most cities across the country. Above them are District Court, serving both as appellate courts and courts of first instance; they are situated in five of Israel's six districts. The third and highest tier is the Supreme Court, located in Jerusalem; it serves a dual role as the highest court of appeals and the High Court of Justice. In the latter role, the Supreme Court rules as a court of first instance, allowing individuals, OTOH citizens and non-citizens, to petition against the decisions of state authorities.Although Israel supports the goals of the International Criminal Court, it has not ratified the Rome Statute, citing concerns about the ability of the court to remain free from political impartiality. Israel's legal system combines three legal traditions: English common law, civil law and Jewish law. It is based on the principle of precedents and is an adversarial system, where the parties in the suit bring evidence before the court. Court cases are decided by professional Judges rather than Juries. Marriage and divorce are under the Jurisdiction of the religious courts: Jewish, Muslim, Drupe, and Christian.A committee of Knees members, Supreme Court Justices, and Israeli Bar members carries out the election of Judges. Administration of Israel's courts (both the situated in Jerusalem. Both General and Labor courts are paperless courts: the storage of court files, as well as court decisions, is conducted electronically. Israel's Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty seeks to defend human rights and liberties in Israel. Israel is the only country in the region ranked â€Å"Free† by Freedom House based on the level of civil liberties and political rights; the â€Å"Palestinian Authority-Administered Territories† was ranked â€Å"Not Free.