Organisation Strategies of Sportsgirl free essay sample

First and foremost we wish to welcome you into the auditorium of modern fashion. For those of you, who may not know me, my name is XXXX , the national supervisor for Sportsgirl, and to my left is my partner Mr XXXX. We have gathered here today to present to you a SWOT analysis, organizational strategies, and the vision and mission statement of Sports girl. We live in the generation of fashion and technology. Our wants fashionably override our needs in life. The Australian fashion industry has come to expect a huge splash from Sportsgirl at the Melbourne L’Oreal Fashion Festival, and 2005 set a new benchmark. Ideally, the business will come to the customer by promoting their brand through the launches of the Exclusives for Sportsgirl range, offering the latest in the hottest trends and must-have looks in to-die-for limited edition pieces released each month. Sportsgirl was founded in the year of 1948 in Melbourne. We will write a custom essay sample on Organisation Strategies of Sportsgirl or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sportsgirl has emerged as a leader in the Australian fashion industry by successfully developing a brand image and a store identity that moved fashion retail away from the concept of established department stores to the concept of the lifestyle fashion boutique. This has been reflected in much of their marketing compaigns by advertising â€Å"real, everyday† women weraing their clothing rather than models. Sportsgirl has used interior design, visual merchandising, graphic design, and advertising to build its fashion brand into one that appealed to the emerging youth market The clothes imported in Australian Sportsgirl outlets are designed by foreigners; however, Sportsgirl has created a large and detrimental fashion line from young and creative fashion designers with fresh ideas. On top this; Sportsgirl has designed a range advertising to be heavily printed throughout the world. This advertising helps to display the merchandising creativity of Sportsgirl’s identity, which has linked its clothing lines to a set of lifestyle values and accessories. From the very beginning Sportsgirl’s mission statement is: Specializing in providing the latest fashion trends from overseas. It offers younger women a livelier option than its more conservative sibling label Sports craft. † Theoretically this also is considered to be part of their company vision. The strengths in which Sportsgril possesses are; †¢It Is a easily recognizable store †¢Wide known brand †¢Aimed at young to middle age women (those who spend the most money on fashi on) †¢Offer a wide range of products (shoes, bags, belts, clothing, accessories etc. ) †¢Good quality Excellent locations (in big shopping centers and town centers etc) †¢Big reputation †¢Advertised in women’s and girl magazines †¢They also have a charity organization running oIn 2006, Sportsgirl staff from across the country nominated negative body image and eating disorders as the issue that is most important to them and their friends. oSportsgirl is proud to announce a partnership with non profit organisation, The Butterfly Foundation, to promote and address prevention and early intervention of eating disorders and issues related to body image. Sportsgirl continues the cool new connection campaign, featuring girls from the street, rather than models, in all creative, in a mix of transit, outdoor and magazine advertising. †¢Stores are opened in New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. Expansion continues despite difficult retailing conditions. Labels Sportscraft, Sportsgirl and David Lawrence are split into separate stores, and new store fit-outs are implemented across Australia. †¢Sportsgirl uses special events, in-store parades and promotions to pump excitement into fashion. Sportsgirl advertising campaigns and its own in-store magazines combine attention grabbing photography with memorable slogans and lifestyle concepts †¢Sportsgirl adopts the developing methods of mass marketing. It capitalises on the power of linking fashion with exciting images. †¢Sportsgirl exploded into 2006 winning five Shop Til You Drop Awards in February, including Australia’s Best Retail Chain, Most Impressive Retailer Revamp, Best Customer Service and Best Merchandising/Window Display and Store of the Year. With a growing concern, Sportsgirl faces a lot competition. The main issue that is being discussed for the weaknesses, are whether or not Sportsgirl can keep up with the ever growing demands the customer and keeping up to date with fashion. As with strengths in a business comes a variety of weakness, which include; †¢A lot of competition. Such fashion stores as Dotti, Tempt, Valleygirl, Wish etc are proving to be very competitive as they offer similar clothes and market at the exact target audience. †¢Competition that offers similar products †¢Prices with fashion †¢Keeping up with fashion †¢Providing what customers want Limited range of clothing †¢Suitable for limited age group †¢No establishment in America (Major clothing country) †¢Limited to only a few 1st and 2nd World Countries †¢Unable to fully understand what their customers look for †¢Differentiating between wants and needs With a booming business like Sportsgirl, it has all the opportunities to expand outside the reaches of Australasi a to their friendly cohort in the United States of America and Europe. The US and Europe alike have a strong and positive reputation to be some of best fashion capitals in the world. There is a lot of money being made in both the fashion and beauty markets, majorly for women. Perhaps, Sportsgirl could branch similar brands into their neighbouring market, men’s fashion. With a surprisingly success from creation, Cotton On, another well known Australian brand name, create and produce and large majority of their products sold in their outlets. If Sportsgirl could create and can produce their own range of sporting and glamour clothes, they could become one step ahead of the competition in the market. Furthermore, this is a great pportunity to become a more unique and original clothing brand. This build a stronger reputation by promoting that Sportsgirl is not just like all the other clothing outlets in the market. On the upside, Sportsgirl have the possibility to; †¢Introduce a new products into the market for fashion (make-up) †¢To prepare for seasons ahead of schedule (expanding factories) †¢Establish relationships with other companies †¢ Recruit fresh and young ideas – holiday promotions †¢Could expand into a hair care range †¢Chance to expand into a different product market Opportunity to sponsor sporting heroes (attracting fans) †¢Fundraise for special charities (i. e. breast cancer, poverty, homelessness, disabled) †¢Opportunity to give back to the community – community service, eco-friendly products †¢Expand franchises into more 1st world locations (Europe, America) o (American’s love Australian fashion think Sass and Bide) On the downside in the clothing market, Sportsgirl is unfortunately among the many similar clothing outlets for woman in Australasia. With a lot of outlets in the market for clothing comes a lot of competition for the same target audience. Apart from the obvious threat from opposing clothing company is the oblivious menace, the misuse of company resources by customers and staff. †¢Large market for clothing (lots of competition) †¢Large competition for same age bracket †¢Too many similar stores †¢Misuse of company resources oTheft oLoss of stock = loss of money †¢Unable to compete with the higher quality clothing brands Sportsgirl is one the biggest woman’s clothing brand in Australia and has definitely has a large comparative advantage over their competitors in the market, which is demonstrated in the annual Melbourne fashion show. Sportsgirl tends to display are large number of the hottest trends and must-have looks in to-die-for clothing which takes home a variety of awards at the end of the night. The most recent awards from 2006 include; Australia’s best Retail Chain, Most Impressive Retailer Revamp, Best Customer Service and Best Merchandising/Window Display and Store of the Year. Sportsgirl therefore proves that despite its threats and weaknesses from competitors in the market it displays numerous excellent qualities. Sportsgirl is indeed a extremely popular, well known brand that is aimed at the specific market which spends the most money. However always with an extreme success of a business there is a weakness which is that Limited range of clothing Suitable for limited age group, and as there are so many ages and types of clothing out there Sportsgirl is missing out on money making opportunities. However on the upside Sportsgirl have the possibility to expand into a hair care range and to expand franchises into more 1st world locations (Europe, America) as it is evident that American’s love Australian fashion thinks Sass and Bide.

The Importance Of Lincolns Cooper Union Address

The Importance Of Lincoln's Cooper Union Address In late February 1860, in the midst of a cold and snowy winter, New York City received a visitor from Illinois who had, some thought, a remote chance of running for president on the ticket of the young Republican Party. By the time Abraham Lincoln left the city a few days later, he was well on his way to the White House. One speech given to a crowd of 1,500 politically astute New Yorkers had changed everything and had positioned Lincoln to be a candidate in the election of 1860. Lincoln, while not famous in New York, was not entirely unknown in the political realm. Less than two years before, he had challenged Stephen Douglas for the seat in the U.S. Senate Douglas had held for two terms. The two men faced each other in a series of seven debates across Illinois in 1858, and the well-publicized encounters established Lincoln as a political force in his home state. Lincoln carried the popular vote in that Senate election, but at that time Senators were selected by state legislators. And Lincoln ultimately lost the Senate seat thanks to backroom political maneuvers. Lincoln Recovered From 1858 Loss Lincoln spent 1859 reassessing his political future. And he obviously decided to keep his options open. He made an effort to take time off from his busy law practice to give speeches outside of Illinois, traveling to Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa. And he also spoke in Kansas, which had become known as Bleeding Kansas thanks to the bitter violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in the 1850s. The speeches Lincoln gave throughout 1859 focused on the issue of slavery. He denounced it as an evil institution and spoke out forcefully against it spreading into any new U.S. territories. And he also criticized his perennial foe Stephen Douglas, who had been promoting the concept of â€Å"popular sovereignty,† in which citizens of new states could vote on whether or not to accept slavery. Lincoln denounced popular sovereignty as a â€Å"stupendous humbug.† Lincoln Received an Invitation to Speak in New York City In October 1859, Lincoln was at home in Springfield, Illinois when he received, by telegram, another invitation to speak. It was from a Republican Party group in New York City. Sensing a great opportunity, Lincoln accepted the invitation. After several exchanges of letters, it was decided that his address in New York would be on the evening of February 27, 1860. The location was to be Plymouth Church, the Brooklyn church of the famed minister Henry Ward Beecher, who was aligned with the Republican Party. Lincoln Did Considerable Research for His Cooper Union Address Lincoln put considerable time and effort into crafting the address he would deliver in New York. An idea advanced by pro-slavery advocates at the time was that Congress had no right to regulate slavery in new territories. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney of the U.S. Supreme Court had actually advanced that idea in his notorious 1857 decision in the Dred Scott case, contending that the framers of the Constitution did not see such a role for Congress. Lincoln believed Taney’s decision was flawed. And to prove it, he set about conducting research into how the framers of the Constitution who later served in Congress voted in such matters. He spent time poring over historical documents, often visiting the law library in the Illinois state house. Lincoln was writing during tumultuous times. During the months he was researching and writing in Illinois, the abolitionist John Brown led his infamous raid on the US armory at Harpers Ferry, and was captured, tried, and hanged. Brady Took Lincoln's Portrait in New York In February, Lincoln had to take five separate trains over the course of three days to reach New York City. When he arrived, he checked into the Astor House hotel on Broadway. After he arrived in New York Lincoln learned the venue of his speech had changed, from Beecher’s church in Brooklyn to the Cooper Union (then called Cooper Institute), in Manhattan. On the day of the speech, February 27, 1860, Lincoln took a stroll on Broadway with some men from the Republican group hosting his speech. At the corner of Bleecker Street Lincoln visited the studio of the famed photographer Mathew Brady, and had his portrait taken. In the full-length photograph, Lincoln, who was not yet wearing his beard, is standing next to a table, resting his hand on some books. The Brady photograph became iconic as it was the model for engravings which were widely distributed, and the image would be the basis for campaign posters in the 1860 election. The Brady photograph has become known as the â€Å"Cooper Union Portrait. The Cooper Union Address Propelled Lincoln to the Presidency As Lincoln took the stage that evening at Cooper Union, he faced an audience of 1,500. Most of those attending were active in the Republican Party. Among Lincolns listeners: the influential editor of the New York Tribune, Horace Greeley, New York Times editor Henry J. Raymond, and New York Post editor William Cullen Bryant. The audience was eager to listen to the man from Illinois. And Lincoln’s address surpassed all expectations. Lincoln’s Cooper Union speech was one of his longest, at more than 7,000 words. And it is not one of his speeches with passages that are often quoted. Yet, due to the careful research and Lincolns forceful argument, it was stunningly effective. Lincoln was able to show that the founding fathers had intended Congress to regulate slavery. He named the men who had signed the Constitution and who had later voted, while in Congress, to regulate slavery. He also demonstrated that George Washington himself, as President, had signed a bill into law that regulated slavery. Lincoln spoke for more than an hour. He was interrupted often by enthusiastic cheering. The New York City newspapers carried the text of his speech the next day, with the New York Times running the speech across most of the front page. The favorable publicity was astounding, and Lincoln went on to speak in several other cities in the East before returning to Illinois. That summer the Republican Party held its nominating convention in Chicago. Abraham Lincoln, beating out better-known candidates, received his partys nomination. And historians tend to agree that it would never have happened if not for the address delivered months earlier on a cold winter night in New York City.

Barack Obama - Oval Office Speech to the Nation on BP Oil Spill Disaster

Barack Obama Oval Office Address to the Nation on BP Oil Spill Disaster delivered 15 June 2010, Washington, D.C. Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges. At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to al Qaeda wherever it exists. And tonight, I’ve returned from a trip to the Gulf Coast to speak with you about the battle we’re waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens. On April 20th, an explosion ripped through BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven workers lost their lives. Seventeen others were injured. And soon, nearly a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, oil began spewing into the water. Because there has never been a leak this size at this depth, stopping it has tested the limits of human technology. That’s why just after the rig sank, I assembled a team of our nation’s best scientists and engineers to tackle this challenge a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation’s Secretary of Energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice. As a result of these efforts, we’ve directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. And in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should capture up to 90 percent of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well later in the summer that’s expected to stop the leak completely. Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced. And unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, it’s not a single event that does its damage in a matter of minutes or days. The millions of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years. But make no mistake: We will fight this spill with everything we’ve got for as long as it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever’s necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy. Tonight I’d like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we’re doing to clean up the oil, what we’re doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we’re doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again. First, the cleanup. From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental cleanup effort in our nation’s history an effort led by Admiral Thad Allen, who has almost 40 years of experience responding to disasters. We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four states to contain and clean up the oil. Thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the Gulf. And I’ve authorized the deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. These servicemen and women are ready to help stop the oil from coming ashore, they’re ready to help clean the beaches, train response workers, or even help with processing claims and I urge the governors in the affected states to activate these troops as soon as possible. Because of our efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. Over five and a half million feet of boom has been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We’ve approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore, and we’re working with Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines. As the cleanup continues, we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance our coastal states may need. Now, a mobilization of this speed and magnitude will never be perfect, and new challenges will always arise. I saw and heard evidence of that during this trip. So if something isn’t working, we want to hear about it. If there are problems in the operation, we will fix them. But we have to recognize that despite our best efforts, oil has already caused damage to our coastline and its wildlife. And sadly, no matter how effective our response is, there will be more oil and more damage before this siege is done. That’s why the second thing we’re focused on is the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast. You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I’ve talked to shrimpers and fishermen who don’t know how they’re going to support their families this year. I’ve seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected. I’ve talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back. The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they’ve lost. It’s about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost. I refuse to let that happen. Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company’s recklessness. And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party. Beyond compensating the people of the Gulf in the short term, it’s also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that’s already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and habitats. And the region still hasn’t recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. That’s why we must make a commitment to the Gulf Coast that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment. I make that commitment tonight. Earlier, I asked Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy, who is also a former governor of Mississippi and a son of the Gulf Coast, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan as soon as possible. The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists and other Gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region. The third part of our response plan is the steps we’re taking to ensure that a disaster like this does not happen again. A few months ago, I approved a proposal to consider new, limited offshore drilling under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe that the proper technology would be in place and the necessary precautions would be taken. That obviously was not the case in the Deepwater Horizon rig, and I want to know why. The American people deserve to know why. The families I met with last week who lost their loved ones in the explosion these families deserve to know why. And so I’ve established a National Commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards we need to put in place. Already, I’ve issued a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. I know this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, but for the sake of their safety, and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. And while I urge the Commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, I expect them to do that work thoroughly and impartially. One place we’ve already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service. Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations. When Ken Salazar became my Secretary of the Interior, one of his very first acts was to clean up the worst of the corruption at this agency. But it’s now clear that the problem there ran much deeper, and the pace of reform was just too slow. And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and Inspector General. And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry’s watchdog not its partner. So one of the lessons we’ve learned from this spill is that we need better regulations, better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. But a larger lesson is that no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk. After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world’s oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. And that’s part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water. For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we’ve talked and talked about the need to end America’s century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor. The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude. We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America’s innovation and seize control of our own destiny. This is not some distant vision for America. The transition away from fossil fuels is going to take some time, but over the last year and a half, we’ve already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry. As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels. Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that someday will lead to entire new industries. Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors. When I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America’s businesses. Now, there are costs associated with this transition. And there are some who believe that we can’t afford those costs right now. I say we can’t afford not to change how we produce and use energy because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security, and our environment are far greater. So I’m happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development. All of these approaches have merit, and deserve a fair hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet. You know, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II. The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon. And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom. Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is the capacity to shape our destiny our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how we’re going to get there. We know we’ll get there. It’s a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now. Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called â€Å"The Blessing of the Fleet,† and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea some for weeks at a time. The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced. And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, â€Å"The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,† a blessing that’s granted â€Å"even in the midst of the storm.† The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through what has always seen us through is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it. Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. Source: WhiteHouse.gov

Land law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Land law - Essay Example ld in relation to different cases wherein various individuals residing in her accommodation considered themselves as tenants and e refused to pay rents among others. In relation to the case scenario, Hild has provided an unoccupied flat to Albert who is the son of an old school friend. She provided the flat to Albert as Albert was not having any place of accommodation after the broke up of his marriage. There was no written agreement regarding the accommodation provided to Albert by Hild. Additionally, Hild accepted no payments from him but occasionally she used to accept the payments in relation to bills of Council Tax. It can be viewed that Albert has been residing in the flat of Hild for a prolonged period of one year and now he claims that he is a tenant of the flat and shows no sign of moving on. According to the case scenario depicted above, it can be apparently observed that there was no agreement made between Hild and Albert in relation to the flat that has been provided to Albert by Hild for accommodation. Conceptually, tenancy agreement provides adequate information regarding the rules along with the conditions in relation to any property rented. Additionally, tenancy agreement provides important information including deposit, rent, renewing as well as termination of tenancy, discrimination, homelessness and services1. It can be affirmed in this regard that with the absence of written agreement amid Albert and Hild, the obligatory rights offered to the parties are not affected as both the parties are observed to be protected under statutory law of tenant rights. Due to the absence of written agreement, Albert might consider himself as a tenant of the flat possessing certain rights like illegal eviction, claiming housing benefits and appropriate notice to quit in accorda nce with tenant rights. However, owing to the lack of written agreement, Albert will not be facilitated with the opportunity of residing in the flat for a fixed period of tenancy, rather

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Journal - Essay Example I did not particularly like the essay in terms of proving its point with scientific evidence, but I do agree with its basic argument that rational punishment, even and particularly in the form of the occasional spanking, is beneficial for a child’s well-being as its replaces the parent in the role of authority. I have been interested in the creation of alternative power for a long time and wind generators are one of my major areas of interest. I have my own concerns regarding them, such as what will happen to wind patterns like the jetstream if enough of these towers are erected. I base this opinion on the effects that have taken place at Niagara Falls as a result of the construction of large buildings that prevent the wind from doing its job. The author uses logos combined with authority to argue his three main points against wind power, indicating that these are not exclusive of any other concern but merely some of the more pressing issues that must be addressed. I liked the article because I thought it was very straightforward in its presentation of facts and concerns while not getting too detailed for the amount of space available. This essay was of interest to my life because I am at least as affected by the capitalistic world I live in as the author of this story. The difference is that he is able to get away to a silent retreat when he wants to and I am usually pretty much trapped within the noise and bustle of the city. I don’t have a cabin to go to but I can certainly appreciate the value he places on his. The author uses pathos and metaphor to create a mood of quiet celebration of something that we usually take for granted. By appealing to the emotions of his readers and associating the falling rain and the sounds it makes to a festival, the author is able to foster a sense of appreciation for the free rain that still

Essay on Administrative Reforms in the Philippiens Essay Example for Free

Essay on Administrative Reforms in the Philippiens Essay A study was made by the World Bank about the extent of corruption in the Philippines. The study reveals the existence of a consensus in the government, nongovernmental and international circles that corruption in the public and private sectors in the Philippines is pervasive and deep-rooted, touching even the judiciary and mass media (Chay Florentino-Holifena, 1998). This is collaborated by the data collected in September 1998 by Social Weather Station (SWS). The survey says that nearly two thirds of the respondent thought that corruption exists in the government with 38% saying â€Å"a great deal† while 34% saying â€Å"some. † Also, according to Transparency International which calculated that Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) n the Philippines, on a scale of1 (higher perception of corruption) to 10 (negligible perception), the CPI for the Philippines was 3. 6 in 1999. Out of the 99 countries rated, the Philippines was perceived as the Fifty-fifth least corrupt. As a result of the problem of prevalence of corruption in the Philippines, then President Joseph Estrada asked the World Bank to make recommendations to help the Philippine government strengthen its fight against corruption. For its part, the Philippines thought that the need for a stronger anti-corruption program is imperative considering that it is being cited with increasing frequency by international business surveys and anticorruption agencies as a country where corruption inhibit foreign and domestic investment. The need for stronger anti-corruption program by the Philippines is also brought about by the effects of corruption which drains away limited and scarce resources of the Philippine government for development, distorts access to government services by poor communities and undermines the public confidence in the governments determination to help alleviate poverty and fight corruption. In addition, the need for stronger anti-corruption program is made imperative in view of the importance of attracting international aid which is severely hampered by the international image of the Philippines as one of he haven of corruption in Asia. It must also be stressed that the move towards improvement in the public administration is a global trend that has affected even Southeast Asian countries which desire to improve public administration (M. Shamshul Haque, p. 1297). The World Bank then proposed a Nine-Point Approach in fighting corruption in the Philippines as its recommendation for creating a national strategy for fighting corruption in the Philippines. The principle behind the Nine-Point approach is focusing on reducing opportunities and motivation for corruption and making corruption a high-risk and low-reward activity. World Bank therefore recommended nine key elements for the national anticorruption program: a) reducing opportunities for corruption by policy reforms and deregulation; b) reforming campaign finance; c) increasing public oversight; d) reforming budget processes; e) improving meritocracy in the civil service; f) targeting selected departments and agencies; g) enhancing sanctions for corruption; h) developing partnerships with the private sector; and i) supporting judicial reform (â€Å"Combatting Corruption in the Philippines†, 2000, viii). In the light of the necessity of implementing reforms in the Philippines, this paper seeks to discuss the three areas of governance that may help in the attainment of the national goals of the Philippines which is to eradicate corruption, minimize the bureaucracy, minimize overlaps in program implementation by government agencies and check the expansion of government activities. These areas are: (1) decentralization and local governance, (2) economic deregulation and privatization and (3) human resource management. Reforms in local Governance and Decentralization The Philippines follows a Unitary form of government in which there is a concentration of political powers and authority in the national government. Legislative power, or the power to make, amend, repeal or alter them is vested in Congress which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Executive power, or the power to administer and enforce laws, is vested in the President. Judicial power, or the power to settle actual controversies involving rights, is vested in the Supreme Court and ther lower courts. This is unlike the United States which adopts the Federal system of government in which political powers and authority are shared between the national government and the individual states. However, the 1987 Constitution in recognition of the existence of territorial and political subdivisions of the Philippines which are provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, has given these territorial subdivisions local autonomy for the purpose of making them effective and efficient partners in national building. Thus Article X Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution provides that: â€Å"The Congress shall enact a local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities and resources and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of local units. (Art X, Sec 3, 1987 Constitution) The constitution also gives the local government fiscal autonomy for them to be able to provide basic services to their constituents, to wit: â€Å"Each local government unit shall have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges subject to such guidelines and limitations as the Congress ma provide consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy. Such taxes, fees and charges shall accrue exclusively to the local governments. † (Art X, Section 5, 1987 Constitution) As a result of the delegation of some powers and authority by the national government, the local government has been important and vital machineries in the attainment of national goals of the Philippines. The national government has learned that delegating some of its powers will enable it to focus on more pressing national concerns. It has also learned that giving communities local and fiscal autonomy will help make them proactive partners by the national government in the fight for corruption and advancement of he country. As a result, the local communities have been able to transform themselves to mini-governments that can to a certain extent sustain the needs of their constituents. The local government units have been able to propose innovations on how to help the national government. These are: a) Taking Care of People and Environment in Negros Oriental which is a project geared towards developing and improving the quality of life in Negros Oriental, a province in the South of P hilippines. The project involves the construction of community hospital that seeks to provide basic health services and information dissemination campaign to inform the people on how to take care of their environment; b) Saving the Mangroves of Kalibo, Aklan is a project geared towards the reforestation of a fifty hectare swampland; c) Saving the Marikina River is a project whose primary goal is to restore the Marikina River for the purpose of making it one of the major tourist destination of the city; d) The Mandaluyong Public Market is a partnership between the private sector and the city for the private sector to built and operate a market on a land owned by the city. This project is now the source of the revenues of the city which it now uses to support its provision of basic services to its constituents; e) Transforming Malalag into a Provincial Agro-Industrial Centre in Davao Del is another example of the effect of empowering local government units as partners with other government agencies in local administration and management, human resource development; f) Acquiring a Complete Equipment Pool in Munoz, Nueva Ecija is a project of the local government unit in acquiring under-utilized equipment from national government and making good use of them in rebuilding the local government unit; g) Floating Bonds for Low Cost Housing in Victorias, Negros Occidental is a project of the local government unit which involve floating of bonds to finance housing projects of its constituents; h) Improving the Productivity in Naga City is a local government unit’s project that focuses on providing services to the constituents, getting optimum outputs wi th minimum expenditures, producing quality results as desired and planned and making services accessible and acceptable based on the principle of greater good for the greatest number; i) Number Code Scheme in Makati City is a project geared towards easing the traffic in the business district of the  Philippines; j) Medical, Dental and Legal Mission in Caloocan City which is a project that seeks to deliver medical, dental and even legal advises to poor residents in Caloocan City; j) Solid Waste Management Program in Bulacan is a project designed to ensure that the people learn to segregate and properly dispose of their garbage. Privatization Program Privatization is essentially the sale or lease of assets of the government. It is done either because the country realizes how efficient the private sector is in business management or because the government seeks to earn additional revenues and that privatizing its assets will be instrumental in the government’s economic development program. Privatization of government assets started in 1986 during an era of political turmoil as the country has overthrown the dictatorial rule of the former President Marcos. Th is is the first wave of privatization. At the time the government wanted to dispose the assets which have been sequestered from the friends and relatives of President Marcos (Lauro A. Ortile p. 130). Other properties were also included in the privatization such as those that were foreclosed and taken over by banks. The second wave started in 1990 with the disposition of government properties in the utilities and infrastructure sectors which were formerly state-subsidized (Lauro A. Ortile p. 130). The third wave consists in opening of a wide range of public services such as housing health, postal services and pension funds (Lauro A. Ortile p. 130). According to the Department of Finance, privatization has yielded positive results for the government. It has not only generated additional revenues, but it has also broaden the base of ownership and fostered favorable climate for investors (Privatization Monitor, 2004, p. 1). Since 1987, the revenue generated from the privatization program has reached more than P200 billion for the Philippines. According to United Nation Public Administration Network (UNPAN) (1997), the Philippine Civil Service more than doubled from 430,000 in 1971 to 840,000 in 1980 to almost 1 million in 1985 (Mirshariff Tillah, 2005, p. 27 ) By itself, there is essentially nothing wrong in having a large workforce. It may be argued that having a large workforce aids in the delivery of public services and gives employment opportunities to a large number of people. However, if despite having a large workforce delivery of public service is still slow and the amount allocated given to these civil servants eats away a large percentage of the national budget, then having a large workforce is a serious cause of concern. It must be stressed for a country like the Philippines, cutting down the size of its civil servants is imperative in the sense that money used to pay for the salaries of non-performing employees may be utilized for infrastructure and delivery of public services. As a result, then President Fidel Ramos implemented one of the legislative measures designed to downsize the government and ensure that its existing employees will be more effectively utilized. This is the Republic Act 7430 â€Å"An Act Providing for Optimum Utilization of Personnel in Government Service through a System of Attrition† which is otherwise known as the Attrition Law. The objective was attained simply by means of freeze hiring and preventing the filling of positions that become vacant due to resignation, retirements or death (Mirshariff Tillah, p. 27). The Attrition Law is still being currently implemented until now. It has been so effective that it has arrested the upward trend in government employment. Though it has not completely stopped the upward trend of the government employment, the same however has caused the increase to slow down. Research shows that the start of the implementation of the Attrition Law in June 1992, the total number of filled positions was 1,237,435. This number was reduced in 1993 and 1994 but increased from 1995 to 1996. The present figure of 1,213,602, however, still remains lower than the 1992 level (â€Å"Administrative Reforms: Country Profiles of Five Asian Countries† p. 117). It is also estimated that the five-year implementation of the Attrition Law, has resulted in savings for the Philippine government in the amount of more than six billion pesos (US$ 240 million) (â€Å"Administrative Reforms: Country Profiles of Five Asian Countries†p. 117). Conclusion The Philippines has undertaken dramatic changes in the last few decades. These policy changes are manifested in the legislative measures that have been passed which are designed to eradicate corruption, minimize the bureaucracy, and minimize overlaps in program implementation by government agencies. Though there are a lot more changes to be done, the future is bright for the Philippines as these measures are initial steps that have been taken towards national development. This is a sample essay from smartessaywriters. com – the leading provider of reliable and affordable essay writing services and research paper writing services in the United States and the United Kingdom.

How the Lack of Education During the Great Depression Affected Southern Society :: essays research papers fc

During the Great Depression receiving an education was becoming more and more difficult for southerners. From not being able to afford the required supplies needed, to not being able to pay the tutions, many people found it nearly impossible to attend school. The novel, To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee shows how the lack of education in society during the Great Depression affected Southerners lives, not allowing them to change their futures for the better.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The public school system changed drastically during the Great Depression. Society started to notice the changes during the years of 1930 and 1931, when conditions were at their worst. Many students did not have the right clothing, supplies, and textbooks because parents could not afford the costs. The price of school supplies ran from $1.00 for a pen to $3.85 for a pair of shoes (Editors of Time-Life 29). In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout’s teacher, Miss Caroline, asked one of her students where his lunch was. He then explained that he did not have a lunch because his parents could not afford it. â€Å"He didn’t forget his lunch, he didn’t have any. He had none today nor would he have any tomorrow or the next day. He had probably never seen three quarters together at the same time in his life† (Lee 20).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In addition, student’s schoolwork and progress began to decline due to undernourishment. Many children were not able to stay in school because there was not enough money to keep the schools open. A third of a million children were out of school during the Great Depression (Farrell 14). Also, children of poor families dropped out of school because they felt obligated to help support their family financially. In To Kill A Mockingbird Scout describes the Ewell family, who only attends school the first day of every year because their family is poor: They come the first day every year and then leave. The truant lady gets’em here ‘cause she threatens ‘em with the sheriff, but she’s give up tryin’ to hold ‘em. She reckons she’s carried out the law just getting’ their names on the roll and runnin’ ‘em here the first day. You’re supposed to mark ‘em absent the rest of the year (Lee 27). In cases like these, the purpose for leaving school was to help out the family with chores like tending to the farm and crops.

Ethical Dilemma On Accepting An Offer

PART A: The CaseJohn is a two year Graduate Engineering Trainee in an Automobile company in India, on a contract binding him to work for 3 more years after the training period. On completion of his training, John gets admission for a PG Program in Management in a reputed Institute. Because of the good impression he had created during training program, the Company grants him special leave with pay for this education. Further CEO personally informs him that his two year education expenses will also be taken by the company. He also expresses his hopes to have him back for a long tenure with the organization.During the last semester of his program, a Multinational Organization in Automobile business offers John a job in their Indian operations, with 6 months intensive job training in Germany. The compensation offered was almost 10 times of what he would be getting in his present employment. . The new organization would also compensate him for whatever he should pay to the present employe r for returning his leave pay, education expenses or liquidated damages as per his original contract. Should John take up the decision of joining the new company?PART B: John should not leave his present company. All employment is a legal bondage, no doubt. But, the relationship of employer employee goes beyond that. The employer places full trust on the employee for a conscientious work performance. ( Heathfield, S. M, 13-04-2009) The employee delivers goods to the best of his abilities. What he is not able to do because of his deficiency in skill, knowledge or even attitude is acceptable, but knowingly withholding performance of a known skill, or causing a deliberate negligence of duty is not pardonable.Legal enforcement always has limitations. Most of the things go by moral bindings in life. Whether it is a family life or work life the element of trust forms the basic ethics of living. John should not let his present employer down. The present employer had gone out of the way to help John in fulfilling his ambition of completing a PG program in Management. In fact, it is this program opportunity had led the way for the new offer from another company. The present employer had not granted him the privileges with a parental attitude.The CEO had specifically called him, offered him the help and expressed his wish that John returns to the company job with added knowledge for a long tenure. John paying back the salaries he had earned during the special leave period or giving back the expenses which the organization had taken for his education, or for that matter sincerely remitting the liquidated damages as per earlier contract, will all belittle the basic value of human gratitude and acknowledgement. (Hunsinger, D. v. D. , 1995, p. 65) The present employer may not be able to sue him for more than what they had expended on John.Their feeling of hurt with this incident, and based on that, their attitude towards employee motivation programs will all shrink, affecti ng the future incumbents to the organization. So, John should not leave the employment and reject the Offer given to him by the multinational company, with ten fold compensation figures. PART C: John should take up the new offer All employment is a legal arrangement. The employer selects the right candidate, pays him a fair compensation and the employee discharges his performance with his utmost faith on his ability.The employee shall not cheat the employer in any of his work related activities. He should be faithful to his employer and work for him with total commitment. He should trust his employer and feel at liberty to ask him to give whatever he thinks right on his part to ask. He should never hesitate to remind him of a privilege or condition that the employer forgets to extend. Likewise, he shall not demand for something which is not due to him. He can always get things clarified wherever he has doubts about his rights. (Assertive Communication, 13-04-2009)Beyond this relatio nship, no employer has right to expect an employee to continue in employment for ever. Mostly conflict of interest arises only when one accepts another employment while at working with one organization disturbing his independence in working with the original organization. (Faculty Guide, 13-04-2009) John’s opportunity is a very rare occurrence. He can not dream of such an offer in the future. He should take it up. Giving up an opportunity, which will benefit him and his family’s prosperity because of increased income will be wrong.,For that matter he might be depriving the benefits to society by not contributing his competence in a wider area of work. Sometimes we confuse morals with ethics. Morals are stated to be selfish too, elsewhere (BrainMeta. Com, 13-042009) All John is expected to do is to go back to his present employer, explain the CEO the situation and his wish to go for the more prosperous job. He should be transparent enough to express his predicament. His taking up the new job is by all means for a large packet of compensation.It also gives him the opportunity in another country with more scope to improve his competence. From what has been his case all along, he is a person thriving for knowledge and this offer carries with it a good training program. He can always be grateful to his present employer on many future occasions, without damage to any of his personal or social values. For instance, there may be scope for him to be a contact to the new employer for the present employer to enter into collaboration arrangements or business arrangements.

Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin

Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin both knew that success sometimes requires persistence along with compromise. Compromise is defined by The Oxford Dictionary as an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. By using this definition and analyzing these speeches, it is obvious to readers that both politicians were willing to make compromises. There are however many differences as to the extent and what type of concessions these gentlemen were willing to make.The Second Virginia Convention met March 20, 1775 inland at Richmond–in what is now called St. John's Church. This is where Delegate Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise a militia, and to furthermore put Virginia in a posture of defense. Henry Basically says in his speech that the colonists have tried to compromise already and it has had no effect.â€Å"Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.†(Henry102) By reading this statement, Henry’s feelings are fairly obvious. While he believes that other routes should be taken first, the colonists now have no other choice. By analyzing this closer, it is apparent that Henry believes in compromise, but there is a very thin line on where it is time to push forward.â€Å"I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change my opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.† (Franklin105) Benjamin Franklin’s opinion of opinions. What this statement shows, is a form of compromise. A change of opinion on an important subject because of the influence of another, is a form of compromise. Franklin admits in the  very beginning of his Speech that he is very apt to do so.When we compare Henry and Franklin together, a few similarities are shown. There are however a lot of differences. One of the main things that has to be taken into consideration here, is the fact that these politicians are speaking at two different times in America’s history. If Franklin would have been speaking before the revolution occurred, he most likely would have been a lot more persistent and not wanting to compromise nearly as much. On the flip side, if Henry would have been speaking post-American revolution, he most likely would have been quite a bit more lax and not as prominent about the issue.Because of the change of opinions due to different circumstances, it is nearly impossible to compare these to politician’s views based upon these speeches. If they are analyzed closely enough, however, it is seen that they both view compromise as a necessity. The real question is, how far are they willing to take it?

Genocide, Colonization and Imperialism Essay Example

Genocide, Colonization and Imperialism Essay Example Genocide, Colonization and Imperialism Essay Genocide, Colonization and Imperialism Essay In her book. Civilising Subjects. Catherine Hall discusses the instance of British imperialism was partially the consequence of the colonisers seeking to animate newly-acquired districts into their image. They tried to transfer civilisation. the manner they understood it. to these new lands and along with that came the attitudes which did non alter. This was what they tried to make when settlers or colonists came non merely to set up roots in these new lands. but besides to seek and civilize the autochthonal people in an attempt to do them shed off their savage image. Missionaries were chiefly involved in these attempts ( Hall. 2002 ) . Harmonizing to Mark Levene in his book. The Rise of the West and the Coming of Genocide. race murder is different from what other writers consider it to be ( as a twentieth century phenomenon ) . Levene says this falls short. Levene states that modernness gave drift to genocide as nation-states began to emerge. As these ( newer ) nation-states grew in power and influence. they developed a different sort of patriotism that extolled pride in their accomplishments and the publicity and saving of their heritage. This sort of patriotism was considered damaging to those who did non portion the same national individuality. viz. the minorities which became the marks of race murder ( Levene. 2005 ) . A. Dirk Moses compiled a series of articles in a book titled Empire. Colony. Genocide. In his ain article. Moses borrows the definition of race murder provided by Raphael Lemkin who really coined the word which meant the devastation or emasculation of a local population by a foreign entity that occupies it. : In the application. race murder did non needfully intend killing people but was besides tied in with subjection as the native population was compelled to accommodate to the foreign residents civilization and even subject to its authorization. It was non simply physical but besides cultural every bit good as the civilization of the native population was bit by bit being eradicated. ensuing in the loss of its local individuality ( Moses. 2008 ) . In Uday Mehta’s article. Broad Strategies of Exclusion. he emphasized the curious feature of provinces that regarded themselves as broad in thought. When one thinks of liberalism. the intensions of freedom and equality come into drama and everyone would believe that the debut of liberalism by the colonisers to their settlements would assist even the playing field and rush up civilisation attempts. But here. Mehta notices that this liberalism is non perfect as those who pattern it tend to hold a double standard characterized by exclusion of certain people. more frequently on history of race. The footing of this is found in the theories of John Locke where Mehta noticed that while adult male ( harmonizing to Locke ) have natural duties as defined by nature. this does non widen to political duties. This explains why favoritism was really prevailing in the settlements and why the indigens were non merely subjugated but besides marginalized. Despite the debut of broad thoughts. the application was limited ( Mehta. 1990 ) . In the age of imperialism. it is frequently characterized by find. followed by conquering which entailed busying the land discovered and repressing the original dwellers at that place. But to a certain extent. this besides led to the deceases of these original dwellers and this could be brought approximately by the diseases imported by the colonisers or through force of weaponries because the autochthonal people were regarded as a menace and had to be brought under control. even if it meant cut downing their figure to a more manageable degree or eliminating them outright. But given the accounts provided by other bookmans. race murder besides means the extinction of one’s civilization and to lose this civilization is to lose one’s societal or cultural individuality and the indigens end up holding a damaged civilization by the clip they are given independency which poses bigger jobs as they try to pull off their ain personal businesss. Reference List Hall. C. ( 2002 ) . Educating Subjects. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Levene. M. ( 2005 ) . Genocide in the Age of the Nation State. The Rise of the West and the Coming of Genocide. New York: I. B. Tauris A ; Company Limited. Mehta. U. ( 1990 ) . Liberal Strategies of Exclusion. Politics and Society. 18 ( 4 ) . 427-454. Moses A. D. ( 2008 ) . Empire. Colony. Genocide. Bergahn Books.

Compare and contrast obama and mc cain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Compare and contrast obama and mc cain - Essay Example President Obama went to high school in Hawaii, and attended college at Columbia University in New York. At Columbia, Barack attained his B.A. in political science with a specialization in International Relations. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) Later on, after being a community organizer for awhile on the South Side of Chicago—helping Blacks, Latinos, and whites in the midst of an economic crisis due to steel mill closures—Barack decided to attend law school. Barack matriculated to Harvard Law School in 1988. He was selected as the first Black student to become the head of the Harvard Law Review. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) For twelve years, Barack was a constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago; for seven years, he was appointed state legislator in the Illinois Senate; and finally, for four years, Barack was a U.S. Senator for Illinois. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is a memoir that the President wrote telling about the time from the beginning of his life in Hawaii up until his entry into Harvard Law School. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) This book told about the challenges he had growing up in a household, where his father was a Kenyan and his white mother from Kansas raised him. In his next book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, Obama based his work on a speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and also was inspired by a sermon of his then-pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) It was at the Convention that Obama first rose to national prominence, where there was talk of him becoming a Presidential contender. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) John McCain, like Obama, had a very solid educational background. McCain, like his father and grandfather, followed his male antecedents into the service of the Navy, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. (Wikipedia 2009, 1) McCain, also a strong writer, having written five books. His book titles are as

Slave Trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Slave Trade - Essay Example This paper discusses that while John Barbot account is from an active participant in slavery Mary Prince account is that of a victim of slavery. John Barbot played an active role in slave trade as he was an employee of the French slave trading company in the 1670s and 1680s, the slavery activities of this company were mainly based in West Africa; a region which by then was one of the major French colonies. His account is based on the experiences during the business encounters in which goods were exchanged for human beings, and he notes most of those sold by blacks were mainly prisoners of war. These were mainly captives during various war encounters or those held hostage when a given community raids its enemy community.  This study declares that  intended objects of were often tricked to transport goods to the slave and without their notice; they were sold and held captive. Barbot recalls a story narrated to him of a father who had supposedly tricked his son to sell him but since the son was able to understand the conversation later on conspired with the slave trader and convinced him his father was his slave and as a result the father was held captive.  John Barbot account underscores the absoluteness nature of kings that any suspicion of threat from his subjects resulted to them being sold out as slaves, whereby a typical example of a priest who was sold to Barbot following a king orders being given. Kings were always above everyone in the society and their word was final.... Barbot recalls a story narrated to him of a father who had supposedly tricked his son to sell him but since the son was able to understand the conversation later on conspired with the slave trader and convinced him his father was his slave and as a result the father was held captive. However, the son was met by black slave traders on his way home, the goods he had received from the sale of his father were taken and he was also sold as a slave. John Barbot account underscores the absoluteness nature of kings that any suspicion of threat from his subjects resulted to them being sold out as slaves, whereby a typical example of a priest who was sold to Barbot following a king orders being given. Kings were always above everyone in the society and their word was final. They even had responsibilities to organising raids in neighbouring communities with intentions of capturing slaves for sale. In the account it is also revealed that young children of both sexes are also sold by their neighb ours (Stearns 181). These children were usually captured and sold at certain times of the year when they would be sent at strategic positions by parents to scare the birds that came to damage crops. In addition, in order to avoid starvation during times of famine people also sold so as to get the necessary maintenance, thus, the business of slave trade business is largely associated with kings, very rich in the society as well as blacks. Mary prince commences her account on slavery by revisiting her childhood familiarities and later on embarks on her slavery involvements in the West Indies. While John Barbot’s slavery account is focused on West African slave trade, Mary