Turners Thesis essays

Turner's Thesis essays The wide open frontier a place of freedom and promise. Fredrick Jackson Turner states that the frontier changed almost every aspect of the pioneer making them distinctly American. Unfortunately, Turner's thesis as it is called is not true in all aspects. Many historians including Carl Degler who wrote the book "Out of Our Past" disagree with the cultural aspect of the thesis. Throughout his book he cites many pieces of evidence that prove Turner's thesis wrong. One of the pieces of evidence that he presents is the many frontier states constitutions. One of Turner's hypothesis that found wide acceptance among historians is that American democracy is a unique product of the struggle with the wilderness. The main way of proving this point has to been to point out the many democratic features of the western states constitutions.(i.e. universal manhood suffrage, and elected officials) Through this comes the argument that democracy actually spread from the west to the east. This is easily proven wrong however by comparing the western and eastern states constitutions. For example the first states over the Appalachian Mountains Tennessee and Kentucky both modeled their constitutions after the Pennsylvania constitution of 1790 a document which was more conservative than the 1776 laws of the state. Another example of this is the state constitutions of the Ohio-Mississippi region. At that time nicknamed the "Valley of Democracy" yet historia n John Barnhart found only eleven original clauses in Ohio's first constitution which had 106 clauses in total. Another piece of evidence that Degler states in his book is economic. As his book states that it takes a year and a half of an average urban workers pay to start a farm in the west or frontier. In essence this means that the poor urban man is going to become a poor frontiersman with no money to change economically or culturally. ...

Drug Abuse in Iran Essays

Drug Abuse in Iran Essays Drug Abuse in Iran Essay Drug Abuse in Iran Essay Abstract : purpose of this paper is to inform my classmates the rate of substance abuse for Iranian high school students. High school students who are either experienced being prison or awaiting a trial for a crime that they made, either with HIV or without it. This research has been done by me, Dr. Arash and Kamiar Alaei 5 years ago in Iran. Dr. Kamiar Alaei spent over 3 years in prison and his brother Dr. Arash is still in prison for their phenomenon research on AIDS in Iran. I will discuss about the risk factors and social background of 3 Islamic countries, Iran, Kuwait and Iraq. The rate of HIV, and variety of drugs. Just from one high school in Tehran, we had this result, (300 boys) 40. 5 % abused substances at some time in their lives. Among the substance users, the use of cigarette ranked first (36. 9%), followed by alcohol (24. 2%), opium (12. 7%), hashish (8. 7%), Marijuana (8. 2%), heroin (2. 5%), cocaine (2. 5%), hallucinogens (1. 7%), morphine (1. 4%). Only 22. 5 % of the students were still using substances: cigarette 18%, alcohol 13. 5%, opium 2. 3 %, marijuana 2%, hashish 1. 7%, heroin 0. 8%, cocaine 0. 5%, morphine 0. 3% and hallucinogens 0. 3% (Some were using more than one substance). Pleasurable purposes, habit and release of tension were the most common motivations reported for using substances. Introduction I am writing about substance abuse in adolescence in Iran and also how it effects youth when they enter to their early adulthood. A number of research studies of substance use among adolescents, especially students have been carried out in different countries and different levels of educations. Substance use among the youth of Iran especially students is a major concern among researchers and policy makers. In Iran there is a centuries – old tradition of substance use and abuse. For instance opium was known to ancient Persians and has traditionally been used for treating physical and mental stress as well as for pleasurable and social purposes. Use of alcohol is both religiously and legally prohibited in Iran, but use of other substances are legally prohibited, except cigarette, which is not prohibited. the three most common reasons of opiate use among Iranian opiate addicts were enjoyment , physical pain and sedation . Causes, history and background After the narcotics shipments cross the Iranian border they usually are broken up into smaller units so they are more difficult to intercept. 60 percent of the drugs that enter Iran pass on into Turkey, the Caucasus, and the Persian Gulf. The remaining 40 percent stays in the country. The number of people using drugs- from addicts to casual users- is estimated to be around 8 million, ( about a quarter of them are under 19) although the head of the Drug Control Headquarters believes that the real figure could be much higher because most drug abusers want to avoid the stigma of being identified as addicts. 25 The average age of users is falling. A government official says the average addiction age has fallen to 10-19, whereas it used to be 25-29, and the head of the Drug Control Headquarters ascribed the increase in young drug abusers to the country’s population explosion. Drug abuse has led to a growing prison population. Forty percent of all crimes in Iran are drug-related felonies. The head of the Prisons, Security, and Correction Organization said in July 2005 that out of the 3 main juveniles prisons in Iran, Kuwait and Iraq 32,000 were imprisoned for drug addiction. The economy, and especially the high rate of joblessness, tops the list of reasons given by Iranians for drug abuse. Unemployment stands at 14 percent officially and is estimated by outside experts to be in the 25 percent range. This grievance combines with general boredom and a lack of options. A young People always say, â€Å"We’re all jobless. We have nothing to do. We try to do a little bit of business here and there and we get arrested as troublemakers. That’s why there are so many drug addicts here. It’st he despair. †3Another addict said that he had been in combat for forty months during the Iran-Iraq War since he was 14, but when he returned the regime abandoned him. He supported his drug habit with odd jobs and charity, and he warned, â€Å"The youth are becoming drug addicts. hey have no freedom, no jobs, nowhere to go and have fun. So we are all addicts. †National and community leaders are aware of the relationship between jobs and drug abuse. Young people turn to drugs because of â€Å"unemployment, depression, and neglect,† a parliamentary representative said, adding that â€Å"no hope for the future or social joy† are contributory factors7 A Frid ay prayer leader said that unemployment and poverty are among the root causes of drug abuse, and he urged the government to create job opportunities. The availability of drugs also makes an impact. In the words of an individual who deals with addiction treatment and prevention at the Welfare Organization, â€Å"the purchase of heroin has become easier than the purchase of a bottle of milk. To buy bread, we are forced to wait in a line for a long time, but to purchase drugs, no problem exists. †When a war veteran who was describing the lack of alternatives to taking or dealing drugs complained that the local park only has four trees, an opium addict chimed in, â€Å"Instead of trees in our parks, all you find are drug dealers. † There are also other factors contributing to drug abuse in Iran. A member of parliament who also happens to be secretary of the Antidrugs Society attributed drug abuse to the way individuals are treated in society: â€Å"In our society, human beings are not looked upon with dignity and respect, otherwise people who are socially accepted would not turn to drugs. †41 Another parliamentarian explained that culture is behind the demand for drugs: â€Å"Today, the youth are bored with what they have and wish for things they haven’t got. This is rooted in Western culture and should be confronted with the use of cultural tools. †4A supervisor at Shiraz University’s Cultural Center said that culture- not enough sports, depressing and overcrowded dormitories- is a significant reason for the prevalence of drug abuse. 4There also are the kinds of reasons one expects to hear from Iranian officials. One cleric said that weak religious faith is the main reason why people are attracted to drugs. 44 Another cleric said that Iran’s enemies are encouraging the youth to consume drugs. Islamic countries increasingly confront a set of social problems affecting their youth, such as teenage runaways, violence in the family, drug addiction, high risk behavior, crime, prostitution, alcohol abuse phenomena associated with modernity, urbanization, population growth and economic strain. Some Middle Eastern countries initially find it difficult to acknowledge, let alone address, such problems. On the level of values, there appear to be three principle obstacles preventing an open acknowledgement of the kinds of social problems listed above: The belief that these are problems an Islamic society should not have. The posture that if they do occur, they should be dealt with privately by the family/clan, neighborhood or community. The fear is that by helping the affected person, you are validating their conduct and thereby encouraging others to imitate them. This is changing, of necessity. Families and communities are not able to absorb and manage problems as they did in the pa st, in part because traditional structures are no longer intact, and in part because the traditional solutions are increasingly overlaid by new beliefs about what is legal, ethical and appropriate. At the same time, the scope of the problems does not allow them to continue to be swept under the rug. Concepts of human rights, combined with legal reforms and exposure to international debate of the relevant issues, are impacting regional perceptions of these problems. The increased willingness to acknowledge and address sensitive social problems is reflected both in official government reporting, which includes the recognition that these problems exist and are significant, and in public discussion of formerly taboo issues in popular media. See examples at right on teen runaways and family violence from Zanan, an Iranian Womens magazine. ) The Islamic Republic of Iran has become relatively open in its discussion of youth drug addiction, teenage runaways and underage prostitution. Speaking openly about such problems is a first step to recognise the problem. . Fortunately, now we see a greater degree of realism. 1 Theory If I want to describe a theory to explore this problem, I woul d want to go by Erik Erickson theory. The core concept of Eriksons theory is the acquisition of an ego-identity, and the identity crisis is the most essential characteristic of adolescence. Although a persons identity is established in ways that differ from culture to culture, the accomplishment of this developmental task has a common element in all cultures. In order to acquire a strong and healthy ego-identity the child must receive consistent and meaningful recognition of his achievements and accomplishments(Muuss, 1975, p. 55). Adolescence is described by Erikson as the period during which the individual must establish a sense of personal identity and avoid the dangers of role diffusion and identity confusion (Erikson, 1950). The implication is that the individual has to make an assessment of his or her assets and liabilities and how they want to use them. Adolescents must answer questions for themselves about where they came from, who they are, and what they will become. Identity, or a sense of sameness and continuity, must be searched for. Identity is not given to the individual by society, nor does it appear as a maturational phenomenon; it must be acquired through sustained individual efforts. Unwillingness to work on ones own identity formation carries with it the danger of role diffusion, which may result in alienation and a lasting sense of isolation and confusion. The virtue to be developed is fidelity. Adhering to ones values contributes to a stable identity. Based on this theory, identities are lost in Iran, youth are looking to find themselves in their life. They have no hope and future from their perspective is very dark. They hate religion, blame their parents for 1979 revolution, they can adjust between their two worlds, one is the one they see over satellite, western life and one is the one they watch on daily bases. They are lost. So either they study very hard to get an admission from respected universities in other countries and run away from middle east or lose themselves in drug, prostitution, AIDS and unawareness. Establishment of the Triangular Clinic After reporting a huge number of HIV/AIDS youth patient in drug abusers, the estimated age of patients are between 15-19 all males, Medical University and Health Department decided to give an appropriate response to prevent this problem. Initially a large HIV center affiliated to the University hospital was planned. However, fearing that such a move would stigmatize Iran as the epicentre of HIV in the country, this suggestion was at first opposed. However in October 2000 the Triangular Clinic was established. This center is very accessible for patients. The concept of the Triangular Clinic is to tackle three important issues: addressing injecting drug abuse through a harm reduction approach; the treatment of STDs; and care and support for patients. The problems of drug dependence, STDs and HIV are all behavioral in nature and hence, the clinic is a center for the treatment of behavioral disease. By grouping the three together, it is possible to organize a comprehensive and integrated service to the patients. Moreover, avoiding direct reference to HIV alone minimizes any associated stigmatization. This center has provided the patients with, medical services, nursing services and a lot more. The basic diagnosis and recommendation would be how to reduce HIV/AIDS in community and how other people can use the Triangle outside of Iran. Drug abuse treatment In my opinion the first thing which should be considered as the most important strategy would be treating the drug abusing itself and then we can concentrate on HIV/AIDS. tudies have consistently shown that participation in drug abuse treatment is associated with lower rates of drug injection. Treatment for drug addiction has been shown to be effective as an HIV prevention strategy, especially when it is available to the drug user at the time when he or she seeks help. Therefore a comprehensive approach toward IDUs should includ e flexible, accessible and caring treatment systems. Within these systems, drug substitution programs are the most commonly used for IDUs who are addicted to opiates, and within the developed world, methadone is the preferred prescription. It may be used for gradual withdrawal of various age groups or for long term maintenance in populations of older chronic users. Substitute programs do not cure the addiction, but by removing IDUs from lifestyles in the criminal world and attracting them to socially acceptable clinical surroundings, there are better opportunities to decrease injecting and needle sharing behaviors, thereby contributing to a decrease of HIV transmission. This service could be distributed to all population, such as women, children, people who cannot afford because all treatments are for free of cost. Fortunately equitable distribution of health service is accessible to all, but most of the people in community do not will to participate in the program or treatment sessions. HIV primary prevention Primary prevention activities include the training of student when they are still in elementary school. volunteers to raise HIV warned among their families, friends, neighbors and the general public. The volunteers make referrals to individuals seeking help. Seminars and workshops are held for targeted groups such as soldiers, health workers and teachers. Clinic staffs are also involved in raising HIV awareness through mass media campaigns on radio, television and in the local press. In addition, peer education programs and some limited outreach is conducted. Harm reduction and sterile syringe access programs and nursing roles The Clinic (individual and community volunteers) provides risk reduction materials free of charge- condoms, bleach, needles and syringes. Thousand of these materials have been distributed. Serodiscordant couples are provided with condoms on a regular basis from the time of registration at the Clinic and none have seroconverted as yet. Counselling sessions have also been provided to serodiscordant couples to help keep families together and prevent divorce. Unfortunately average age of marriage in lower class family is very low, by the time they are 15, they may even have kids. When implemented as part of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention strategy, sterile syringe access programs play a unique role in engaging hard-to-reach populations at high risk for HIV infection in meaningful prevention interventions and treatment opportunities. Evaluations of these programs indicate that they are an effective part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the injection drug use-related spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections. In addition, they do not encourage the use of illicit drugs. For example, one study in juvenile prison showed 80 percent decrease in HIV incidence attributed to sterile syringe access programs. The cumulative research shows that sterile syringe access programs are effective in reducing the further spread of HIV among drug abusers, their sexual partners, and their children. Furthermore, these programs help to:  ·increase the number of drug users who enter and remain in detoxification and drug treatment programs if they are available to them;  ·disseminate HIV risk reduction information, materials for behavioural change, and referrals for HIV testing and counselling and drug treatment services;  ·reduce injection frequency and needle-sharing behaviors;  ·reduce the number of contaminated syringes in circulation in a community; and  ·Increase the availability of sterile injection equipment, thereby reducing the risk that new infections will spread. Spouse Issue ( Gender) Consider some of the ways in which young women may be implicated in drug use. Women are centrally involved as sexual partners of male IDUs, as careers of people with HIV/AIDS and as people who may be vulnerable, in their own right, to the risk of HIV through drug injecting. The links between drug use, HIV and gender in developing regions are not yet well understood and need further exploration. It is clear however that the problems surrounding HIV and gender are greatly compounded when drug use is an added factor. The relationships between sexual behavior and IDU are quite complex. Women IDUs, who are dependent on men, may fear rejection by their partners if they do not inject drugs. Some people use drugs because they believe the drugs will increase pleasure during sex. Others engage in sex in order to obtain drugs or money to purchase them. Factors placing women drug users at high HIV risk  ·Being drug users themselves  ·Sexual relations with drug using partners  ·Engaging in commercial sex to support drug use  ·Being (girl) children of injecting drug users Lack of education and vocational skills. Women have increasingly become involved in all forms of drug-related problems and are likely to suffer more severe consequences than men as a result of this involvement. Women IDUs are at increased risk of HIV infection over male IDUs for several reasons, but principally because of their generally subordinate status in society. When drug-using women are also involved in sex work, the risk of acquiring HIV infection through unprotected sex, compounds the existing risk of transmission through the reuse of needles and syringes. Women may also be introduced to drug use by sexual partners who inject their drugs for them. If the sexual partner becomes ill or is imprisoned, these women are at risk for overdose if they are unaware of the dosage they have been injecting, and at risk for HIV, if they must rely on others to inject them. There is less documentation about women drug users than their male counterparts. In most literature specific attention is not devoted to female drug users as a distinct group; consequently in the perception of the general public, female drug users are mostly invisible. As a result of these gender-specific perceptions of drug users, female and male users may differ with regard to their backgrounds, reasons for using drugs, psycho-social problems and resulting needs. Although the ratio of female to male drug users is still low, it has been steadily increasing. This phenomenon coincides with the rise of population mobility, broken families, and collapsing communities. While society in general does not look kindly on drug users, it is even harsher in viewing women who use drugs. A woman who uses drugs for whatever reason and who is infected by HIV seldom receives the sympathy and support that she needs. Also from traditional expectations of women as wife, mother and nurturer. Most of provinces, for example, do not have drug-treatment facilities for pregnant or HIV positive women, nor do they make provisions for child care, even though many women who use drugs are single, separated or divorced. Women who use drugs are often hidden from public view. However, women who are partners of drug users and girls who are daughters of drug users are even less visible and accessible. Non-using women with drug-using partners have different problems, especially if their partners are so heavily addicted as to be unable to function normally. Women often endure verbal, physical and sexual abuse, poverty and deprivation of material comfort and facilities, lack of emotional and social security, concern about the future not only for themselves but also for their children. Some women eventually turn to using drugs as a way of escaping from the harsh realities of their lives. Many women are forced into egging or prostitution to earn money to buy drugs for their partners. Of course, through these activities their risk of HIV infection may rise still further. . Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) prophylaxis is provided for pregnant mother, although so far few women have received it. Health workers occupationally exposed to HIV and wives who have had unprotected sexual contact with their H IV infected husbands have also been given HAART prophylaxis. Due to lack of access to appropriate technology in poor provinces in Iran, sometimes the proper treatment cannot be done for them, and they have to be sent to bigger cities to which have access to technology. Young People Young people are particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by drugs and HIV. Children aged 10 and younger are using illicit drugs in many cities and communities around the world. These young people may live on the streets where risks to health are high and welfare support critically low or in households where information about HIV and illicit drugs is taboo. Young people may be initiated into injecting by more experienced drug users in a greater position of power or trust. This is the main issue which needs to be thought of seriously. The children of drug users are often forced to share the burden of the impact of parental (particularly paternal) drug use, and both boys and girls may be forced into child labour or prostitution in order to support parental drug use. The needs of such children are seldom taken into consideration in program planning or policy formulation exposed to HIV. Access to Treatment and Rehabilitation People with drug abuse problems have different needs. Women, the young, the poor, refugees and religious minorities need easier access to early intervention and services. Once in treatment, drug abusers may need job training and referral, assistance in finding housing and reintegrating into society. Drug abusers who commit crimes require alternative treatment in order to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime. Supportive therapist for PLWHA and the families and nursing roles Psychosocial support (psychotherapist and nurse) for is provided for PLWHA, including support for PLWHA group. Affected family members of PLWHA are offered counselling support to enhance their coping abilities and they are wiling to receive this help. They are counselled to provide support to PLWHA, with an emphasis on improving communication, disclosure and relationship. Recreational activities for PLWHA and their families and friends are also organized. Community- based outreach workers in Kermanshah Triangular Clinic and nursing roles Community-based outreach workers are on the front line in the local community, and they know where, when, and how to contact even the most difficult-to-reach drug users in their neighborhoods. As a trusted and recognized source of information, an outreach worker can help drug users understand their personal risks for HIV and other blood-borne diseases and identify the preventive steps they need to take. As a peer, the indigenous outreach worker can encourage drug users to stop or reduce using and injecting drugs and enter drug abuse treatment. They can provide referrals to drug users for drug-abuse treatment, for testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and for sterile syringe access programs. Outreach workers (nurses) are a vital link to:  ·educational and risk-reduction information on HIV/AIDS, HBV, HCV, and other STDs;  ·information and materials for behavioral change, including the HIV/AIDS risk-reduction hierarchy, bleach kits to disinfect injection equipment, condoms for safer sex, and instructions for proper condom use and disposal; and  ·Services for testing and counseling for HIV, HBV, HCV, and other STDs; drug abuse treatment; and other community health, prevention, and social programs. Team work As it is concluded from the above paragraphs, none of these strategies and planning can be done without having a good team work. Some of can be achieved by health care professionals, some by community workers, some by supporting their feelings. Coordination of services between the sectors One of the significant aspects of Triangular Clinic is that various services in sectors are coordinated. The Clinic has been taken enormous pains to establish this mechanism, which has ensured that the infected, affected and members of high-risk groups receive the maximum benefits. Key sectors coordinated other than ministry of health (government, which is main system) with include the Red Crescent Society, Imam Welfare Committee and the State Welfare Organization. How drug use and HIV are viewed may also depend on the sector of government concerned with the issue:  ·Health departments may see HIV and drug overdose as the fundamental problems posed by injecting drug use  ·The Police may be more concerned with crime associated with illicit drugs  ·Home Ministries or Patrols may be primarily concerned with suppressing the supply of drugs  ·Chief Ministers may be concerned with the overall impact of drug problems on the community Whatever approaches governments and other policy making agencies take towards illicit drug use, it is important that they carefully consider the full implications of their decisions. Declaring stringent bans on drug use, or advocating imprisonment for all offenders may sound like strong leadership, but in isolation from other public health measures, may simply result in more harm. Red Crescent Society The international organization provides several services in middle east related to the above strategies: financial and material support to PLWHA, HIV counselling for those engaged in high-risk behaviour and a volunteer training program in primary prevention. The Triangular Clinic supports this by facilitating the training and providing information. Volunteers attend the Clinic to help with referrals. . State Welfare Organization The state Welfare Organization provides inpatient and outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers. The Triangular Clinic regularly makes referrals to their abstinence-oriented treatment program. Government The second component of the Comprehensive Drug Control Program of the Islamic Republic of Iran focuses on drug demand reduction (DDR). In this area, the program will develop and enhance the national capacity for preventing drug abuse, as well as for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. In line with the guidelines of the National Five-Year Drug Demand Reduction Strategy, the project focuses on the consolidation of the Prevention Department of the State Welfare Organization and the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Training, and on the decentralization of drug abuse control initiatives by strengthening local monitoring and control plans of action. The project will contribute to the development of national specialized technical skills and capabilities at central and local levels by providing training to specialists, NGOs and other voluntary organizations. Subsequently, the project will provide financial support and technical guidance for the first steps of drug demand reduction initiatives launched at local levels. A special emphasis will be placed on initiatives of NGOs that promote children s and women s rights. The problem of drug abuse in the penitentiary system will be addressed through ad-hoc activities introducing drug treatment and rehabilitation to the system. Finally, with regard to drug consumption prevention, the project will focus on raising public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse, and it will foster civil society s involvement in the need for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. Indicators a) Achievement of the sectoral objectives of the National Five-Year Strategy; ) Capability of the project to respond to new drug abuse trends and unpredicted related phenomena. constraints and policy issue The lack of a supportive policy environment is perhaps the greatest obstacle and challenge for controlling HIV among injecting drug users. Despite the fact that drug use drives the HIV epidemic in the country, the relationship between HIV and drug use is particularly neglected in terms of national policies on both HIV and drugs. Policy dialogue and policy reform are generally lacking with respect to injecting drug use and HIV. This lack of supportive policies makes it extremely difficult for programs to implement the activities necessary to reduce drug-related harm, especially HIV. While some progress is being made, national responses are generally inadequate and are not integrated into national development strategies, poverty reduction strategies and other key areas of development policy and planning. This has particular relevance to government looking to integrate concepts of sustainable human development into policy making processes, thus building the institutional capacity of governments for policy development and implementation. Drugs and HIV policy frameworks often develop at different times through different processes, so it is no surprise that they have often evolved with different goals and approaches. Drug policies in the country do not focus on public health issues such as HIV. Conversely, HIV policies often do not address injecting drug use. Instead, governments and development agencies place priority on finding long-term solutions to problem, rather than addressing the more immediate harm caused by drug use, most notably, HIV. In the absence of effective a correct and effective policies and programs to prevent HIV among IDU, community-based organizations are often the only agencies to implement responses. However the development of effective programs is often inhibited by government policies which prevent the implementation of interventions that have been proven successful elsewhere, such as needle exchange programs and drug substitution. This situation is changing, but often not until HIV has already begun to spread among IDUs. The challenge therefore is to identify ways of engaging governments, local programs and policy makers to develop policies that will support prompt implementation of effective responses to the epidemic among IDUs. To do this, governments and development agencies need better understanding of the nature and extent of the HIV epidemic among IDUs, exposure to different strategies, and examples of programmatic and policy responses for consideration West Kuwait Health Centre Triangular Clinic The Triangular Clinic in West Kuwait Health Center formerly operated as a hepatitis prevention and treatment clinic, but now offers HIV care, STD care and harm reduction services for drug abusers. Patients at the Clinic are largely referred from drug abuse treatment centers and are primarily referred for HIV counseling and care. there was just very minor report ( less than 10 males) from Kuwaiti, but their government was very cooperative with the new idea of opening a free clinic to help their youth, so the third triangular was in Kuwait. unfortunately, they did not provide us with the correct number of IDU North Basra (Iraq) Health Centre Triangular Clinic In July 2000, Iraq was among the countries having reported the large number of AIDS in its IDU adolescence in its prison, 8847 males. So The Clinic was established recently in an existing health center in North Basra. The centre provides family planning, mother and child care, and vaccination services during the mornings and services for drug abusers and their families in the afternoon. The Clinic was established at the health centre to provide better access for patients seeking services and to address the stigma attached to HIV and drug abuse. The Clinic primarily offers voluntary counseling and testing, and provides care and support services for HIV positive injecting drug abusers and their partners. Conclusion The HIV epidemic inIdrug abuser teenager is very complex and involves a mix of social, political, economic and ethical factors that are specific to each location In Iran injecting is a relatively new way of transmitting infectious disease. It is also behavior about which relatively little is known. HIV infection among injecting drug users is a new phenomenon in many places and current policies and programs may be insufficiently relevant to the specific challenges posed by contemporary drug use. We need to understand there are reasons for people to go after drugs. Partially reasons for increasing the Population of adolescence are:  ·Widespread stigma and marginalization in the community  ·Poor health status  ·Unemployment and poverty  ·Lack of access to health and community services  ·Lack of commitment from policy makers  ·Lack of information about risks of drug injecting Which is without government support and committed sectors is not achievable. Although individual groups and private organizations are trying to reduce the problem. References Ahmed R (1998) UNDP Co-Administrator, UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, New York, 9 June 1998 Anderson, E, McFarlane,E. (1996)Community as partner, theory and practice in nursing Ahmadi J, Fakkor A, Malekpour A. Current substance use among psychiatric patient. Archives of Iranian Medicine 2002;8 (5): 223-286. Drug Control Bureau. Annual report of drug control. Tehran: 2001. May Gott, M. , O’Brien-Peterson,L. , (1990). The roles of nurse in health promotion. HIV/AIDS in Iran. Health Deputy of Ministry of Health. Iran. Jan 2001. Imam Khomeini Organization, HIV/AIDS prisoners, Tehran 2003 King’s psychology network Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Five-year program on drug demand reduction. Tehran: 1999. Prison Monthly Journal, Dr. Maghani, Tehran July, 2004 Ministry of Health and Medical Education. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Tehran. 2002 Razzhgi EM. HIV/AIDS in association with injecting drug abuse in Iran. Geneva: State Welfare Organization 1999. Tilak P. Pokharel, World Press Review correspondent, Kathmandu, Nepal, June 9, 2003 Unsigned editorial, Yas-e No (reformist), Tehran, Iran, Jan. 12, 2004 UN Agencies. Women on the move. The UN Inter-Agency Gender and Development Group. October 2000 WHO. Men and AIDS, Background document. Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean. 2000. .

Assignment 3 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 12

3 - Assignment Example The spot gasoline prices are the prices that have an influence on the wholesale of gasoline. This is the price paid by stations when filling their storage tanks. The current price of commodity is $2.18 per gallon (Roseman n.d). This changes depending with season. For instance, during winter the prices are likely to go down by almost a half. The specifications for the commodity have changed since 1998 (Brand n.d). This is as way of keeping up with the new technologies being invented and especially in the oil production and refinery sectors. Also, the changes in the commodity specification are a method of creating environmental friendly products thereby reducing the products negative impacts on the environment (Roseman n.d). Sulphur levels in the Canadian gasoline are not to average more than 30 parts per million. Similarly, the sale of Benzene has been limited to 1.5% by volume. The current future of gasoline is that the prices are likely to shoot. This is because this is what has been trending from February 2015 until March 9 2015 (Roseman n.d). For example, the price was $2.332 on February 23 2015, $2.473 on March 2 2015 and $2.487 on March 9 2015 (Brand n.d). This explains the trend that the prices are going up every week. I expect the price of gasoline to average $3/bbl. The reason for this projection is that the current futures are suggesting a very high uncertainty in the overall price outlook. For instance, the future contracts for May 2015 averaged $52/bbl. This indicates an average of 52% volatility and 95% upper and lower limits. This confirms that the market expectations will widen over time. In my opinion, I would recommend that the projections for the commodity be set a month before the release of the commodity. The executive committee should avoid long duration’s predictions as this is affecting the price of gasoline. For example, if they predict the price shall go up even when the economy is doing great, the

Critical Review on Mcnair chapter 2 from his An Introduction to Essay

Critical Review on Mcnair chapter 2 from his An Introduction to Political Commun - Essay Example He has considered three elements to be important for the establishment of democracy which include rational choice, constitutionality and participation. The author has also discussed the importance of public opinion by calling it a ‘public sphere’ and considered it the collective thoughts and opinions of people about political leaders. Lastly, the book highlights the role of media in the process of political communication. The chapter two of the book ‘Politics, democracy and media’ vividly explains the three features of politics, media and democracy with respect to political communication process. The author has identified several aspects that make up the democratic process. The first among the three elements of a democratic regime is constitutionality which is known as the set of rules and procedures that explain the election process and the conduct of people participating in the process. The second element is participation which represents the number of peo ple that have been legally permitted to vote. For instance, the segments of people that have been bestowed with the right to vote are considered to be eligible to participate in voting process. It means that the societies that have deprived its majority of people from a giving a right to vote are not democratic in its essence. The third factor explaining the democratic process is rational choice which includes not only having the right of choosing between the two political parties but also exerting the right as well. The chapter two of McNair’s book explains another important aspect with respect to political communication which is public opinion. McNair defines public opinion as the private thoughts and opinions of general public regarding the political processes surrounding their country. It is believed to be an important characteristic of a democratic process that it taken into consideration the public opinion of people as manifested by the vote they cast in a collective ma nner favoring one political party. In other words, a democratic government comes into being as a result of the votes given to them by the majority of people in a country representing their public opinion. The author has used the term public sphere for public opinion also which means the arena of social life that gives rise to the formation of public opinion. The book gives a comprehensive understanding of another significant factor playing its part in the democratic process; media. There are five major characteristics of an effective media that is characteristic of a democratic process. Firstly, the media should be able to truly inform the citizens of a country about what is happening around them. It implies explaining the role of media as the force monitoring the activities of a society. Secondly, the media has an educative role that explains the facts of the society by making the people aware of the meanings of various things occurring around them. Thirdly, the media is said to be playing an important role in forming public opinion by providing them with information about the opinions of general public through the platform of media. Fourthly, the media publicizes the part that governmental and public institutions are playing in the interest of general public. For instance, media has been playing an important role in highlighting scandals of various corporations and political organizations thus enabling the citizens to form an opinion for or against them. It hints on the objectivity of media that does not rely on biases and prejudiced

Wrigley Jr. Company Essay Example for Free

Wrigley Jr. Company Essay 1.0 Introduction In June 2002 Blanka Dobrynin, a managing director of Aurora Borealis hedge fund, considers the possible gains from increasing the debt capitalization of The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Blanka suggests Wrigley raise the amount of $3 billion in debt of the capitalization while Wrigley has been conservatively financed and remained no debt at the end of 2001. This report is aiming to analyze whether Wrigley should use $3 billion debt recapitalization to either pay dividends or to repurchase shares. 2.0 Current Capital Structure Generally, firms can choose among various capital structures in order to maximize overall market value of the company. It is proposed however, that Wrigley issues $3 billion in debt. According to the trade-off theory, the optimal capital structure does exist (Kraus and Litzenberger, 1973). The higher level of debt may increase both bankruptcy and financial cost that lead the firm to go or avoid bankruptcy. However, there are several advantages of raising debt capital. Firstly, tax-deductions which decrease the cost of debt. Secondly, stockholders do not have to share the profit when the firm has excess, as debt holders are limited to their fixed return. Finally, stockholders do have voting right but debt holders do not which means the stockholders are controlling the business. 3.0 The Impacts of Proposed Changes The decision to increase $3 billion debt capitalization of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company by Blanka Dobrynin is to optimize the total value of the company. Firms are often inclined to choose debt over equity in order to use the tax shield. As the increasing of $3 billion debt in Wrigley’s capital structure, its equity value will increase by $1.2 billion due to the tax shield. Also this proposal of recapitalization will help Wrigley’s equity decrease by only $1.8 billion when they payout $3 billion debt, due to the offset by the $1.2 billion tax shield. According to our calculations, through recapitalization Wrigley’s total asset will be $14,459,826, which consists of $3,157,127 debt and $11,302,699 equity. In general, firms prefer to keep a higher level of debt/equity ratio to obtain larger total capital to increase the firm’s total value. But it is obvious that more debt means more risk and more payout. By assessing the spreadsheet, it suggests several reasons for and against the acquisition of debt. If the Wrigley’s debt increases, its credit rating will drop from AAA to BB, which leads to more cost of future financing and value of stocks. However, as debt can increase firm value up to a degree, we recommend that Wrigley’s find an optimal capital structure through further analysis of whether $3 billion of debt provides the smallest possible Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) for the firm. 3.1 Flexibility and Reserves According to Denis (2011), financial flexibility is the ability of a firm to make decisions and handle problems timely. Moreover, the firm should always maximize their firm value on any unexpected changes in investment opportunity and cash flows of the firm. In addition, the firm should prudently raise their capital in the good times to avoid stretching their capabilities too far, and in order to preserve their ability to choose to either borrow or issue equity in future times of need. Therefore, the lower level of firm’s debt, the more financial flexibility a firm has (Investopedia, 2014). Due to that $3 billion new debt existing, the financial flexibility of Wrigley will decline; this financial activity leads to lower ability to borrow money in the future if there are any profitable investment opportunities or any unexpected internal or external shocks. 3.2 The Book and Market Price per Share As is visible from the Appendix One, the decision of how to use the funds raised through debt is an important one as it will impact both the price per share and the book value per share. The price per share will decrease to $48.63 if the debt raised is used to pay out a dividend (decrease in the value of equity), whereas the price per share will increase to $61.53 if it is used to repurchase shares. However, the issuance of debt can have signalling effects for investors. Generally, when firms issue debt it signals to investors that the firm is in a good financial situation as the firm is able to undertake repayments of future interest. Furthermore, the clientele effect can impact the stock price because it assumes that the investors are attracted to the company for its policies and when these change the investors will react and adjust their stock accordingly (Moles Terry, 2005). In addition to this, the issuance of debt and repurchase of stock could signal to investors that managers believe the stock in undervalued. Despite this change in price, the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) will give a more accurate representation of what the change in capital structure implies for the firm, by taking account the costs of debt. 3.3 Weighted Average Cost of Capital Before recapitalisation Wrigley’s WACC was equal to it’s cost of equity (ke), which was calculated at 10.95%. After capitalisation it was found that Wrigley’s WACC decreased to 10.29%. This follows the general pattern of increasing debt resulting in a lower WACC. The cost of debt (kd) rate of 13% was used after we assessed the key industrial financial ratios and compared  them with that of Wrigley’s (See Appendix 2) to conclude that it was in the range between the BB rate of 12.753% and B 14.663% (see Appendices 3 4). Although WACC has decreased, which means that every $1 that Wrigley raises in capital from investors it must pay at least $10.30 in return, it’s Beta has increased from 0.75 to 0.87. This means that Wrigley’s investment is still less volatile than the market, but it has become more in line with the market after recapitalisation. However Beta will not incorporate the risk of financial distress that becomes present once Wrigley have taken out the debt. 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations Therefore, from our analysis we know that an increase in debt can have adverse affects on flexibility and can have costs associated such as bankruptcy, agency and distress costs, however, due to the tax shield affects and the decrease in WACC we believe there should an increase in the level of debt. In addition, the share price change is not consistent with the change in WACC and it could be assumed that the distress costs associated with the increase in debt would mean the price would actually remain relatively steady to reflect the negligible change. We recommend that Wrigley issue $3 billion of debt in the form of share repurchase plan because this scenario has no defining impact upon WACC – slightly decreasing from 10.95% to 10.29%, and as a company’s main goal is to increase its’ shareholders value. Furthermore there are fewer risks in terms of clientele effect and signalling effect, while also allowing the Wrigley family to maintain their control with their high portion of shares. However, we recommend further analysis to determine what is the optimal level of debt by finding the lowest possible WACC, and therefore maximising the company’s value. 5.0 Reference List DeAngelo, H., DeAngelo, L., Whited T.M., (2011) Capital structure dynamics and transitory debt. Journal of Financial Economics, 99, 235–261. Denis, D J. (2011) Financial flexibility and corporate liquidity. Journal of Corporate Finance, 17(3), 667-674. Franco Modigliani; Merton H. Miller . (Jun., 1958) The American Economic Review, Vol. 48, No. 3. , pp. 261-297. Investopedia. (2014). Complete Guide To Corporate Finance. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/walkthrough/corporate-finance/5/capital-structure/capital-structure.aspx Investopedia (2014). Optimal Capital Structure. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/optimal-capital-structure.asp. [Last Accessed 19 Aug 2014]. Kraus, A. and R. Litzenberger (1973). A State-Preference model of optimal financial leverage. Journal of Finance, Vol. 28, pp. 911-922. Moles, P., Terry, N. (2005). Clientele effect. The Handbook of International Finance Terms. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/view/10.1093/acref/9780198294818.001.0001/acref-9780198294818-e-1351 Myers, S.C. (2001). Capital structure. Journal of Economic Perspective, Vol. 15, pp. 81-102. Tsuji, C. (2012) A discussion on the signalling hypothesis of dividend poilcy. The Open Business Journal, 5, 1-7. Retrieved from http://benthamopen.com/tobj/articles/V005/1TOBJ.pdf

Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus :: Dharma Bums Essays

Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus      Ã‚  Ã‚   From its beginning, the literature of the 1960s valued man having a close relationship with nature. Jack Kerouac shows us the ideal form of this relationship in the story of Han Shan, the Chinese poet. At first, these concerns appear to have little relevance to Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth. However, by mentioning Gauguin, Roth gives us a view of man's ideal relationship to nature very similar to the one seen in the story of Han Shan. The stories of Han Shan and Gauguin offer an interesting commentary Neil and Brenda's relationship, as well as insight into its collapse.    From the beginning, 60s literature advocated that man have a close relationship with nature. This is easily seen in Kerouac's The Dharma Bums. In this book, he repeatedly invokes the names of older writers concerned with living a life in harmony with nature. By mentioning such writers as Muir, Thoreau, and Whitman, Kerouac makes a statement about man and nature. The behavior of the characters in the book is in keeping with this environmentalist message. The high points of the book are characterized by a nearness to nature. A good example of this is when Ray and Japhy climb the Matterhorn. The fact that Kerouac peoples his book with characters inspired by people important to the Sixties, such as Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsburg, helps tie these environmental concerns to the decade as a whole.    The most direct example of what Kerouac feels is the ideal relation between man and nature is the story of Han Shan. We are told that Shan is Japhy's hero because he "was a man of solitude who could take off by himself and live purely and true to himself"(Kerouac, The Dharma Bums, 22). By escaping society and living close to nature, he was able to live his life the way the was supposed to. If he had remained in a society in conflict with nature, he would have been twisted and distorted, unable to obtain his true shape. Both Ray and Japhy see reflections of Han Shan in each other.    At first glance, there seems to be little in common between these environmental concerns and Goodbye, Columbus. Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus :: Dharma Bums Essays Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus      Ã‚  Ã‚   From its beginning, the literature of the 1960s valued man having a close relationship with nature. Jack Kerouac shows us the ideal form of this relationship in the story of Han Shan, the Chinese poet. At first, these concerns appear to have little relevance to Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth. However, by mentioning Gauguin, Roth gives us a view of man's ideal relationship to nature very similar to the one seen in the story of Han Shan. The stories of Han Shan and Gauguin offer an interesting commentary Neil and Brenda's relationship, as well as insight into its collapse.    From the beginning, 60s literature advocated that man have a close relationship with nature. This is easily seen in Kerouac's The Dharma Bums. In this book, he repeatedly invokes the names of older writers concerned with living a life in harmony with nature. By mentioning such writers as Muir, Thoreau, and Whitman, Kerouac makes a statement about man and nature. The behavior of the characters in the book is in keeping with this environmentalist message. The high points of the book are characterized by a nearness to nature. A good example of this is when Ray and Japhy climb the Matterhorn. The fact that Kerouac peoples his book with characters inspired by people important to the Sixties, such as Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsburg, helps tie these environmental concerns to the decade as a whole.    The most direct example of what Kerouac feels is the ideal relation between man and nature is the story of Han Shan. We are told that Shan is Japhy's hero because he "was a man of solitude who could take off by himself and live purely and true to himself"(Kerouac, The Dharma Bums, 22). By escaping society and living close to nature, he was able to live his life the way the was supposed to. If he had remained in a society in conflict with nature, he would have been twisted and distorted, unable to obtain his true shape. Both Ray and Japhy see reflections of Han Shan in each other.    At first glance, there seems to be little in common between these environmental concerns and Goodbye, Columbus.

Deception Point Page 4

Although the job was difficult and required long hours, the position was a badge of honor for her, a way to assert her independence from her father. Senator Sexton had offered many times to support Rachel if she would quit the post, but Rachel had no intention of becoming financially beholden to a man like Sedgewick Sexton. Her mother was testimony to what could happen when a man like that held too many cards. The sound of Rachel's pager echoed in the marble hall. Again? She didn't even bother to check the message. Wondering what the hell was going on, she boarded the elevator, skipped her own floor, and went straight to the top. 4 To call the NRO director a plain man was in itself an overstatement. NRO Director William Pickering was diminutive, with pale skin, a forgettable face, a bald head, and hazel eyes, which despite having gazed upon the country's deepest secrets, appeared as two shallow pools. Nonetheless, to those who worked under him, Pickering towered. His subdued personality and unadorned philosophies were legendary at the NRO. The man's quiet diligence, combined with his wardrobe of plain black suits, had earned him the nickname the â€Å"Quaker.† A brilliant strategist and the model of efficiency, the Quaker ran his world with an unrivaled clarity. His mantra: â€Å"Find the truth. Act on it.† When Rachel arrived in the director's office, he was on the phone. Rachel was always surprised by the sight of him: William Pickering looked nothing like a man who wielded enough power to wake the President at any hour. Pickering hung up and waved her in. â€Å"Agent Sexton, have a seat.† His voice had a lucid rawness to it. â€Å"Thank you, sir.† Rachel sat. Despite most people's discomfort around William Pickering's blunt demeanor, Rachel had always liked the man. He was the exact antithesis of her father†¦ physically unimposing, anything but charismatic, and he did his duty with a selfless patriotism, shunning the spotlight her father loved so much. Pickering removed his glasses and gazed at her. â€Å"Agent Sexton, the President called me about a half hour ago. In direct reference to you.† Rachel shifted in her seat. Pickering was known for getting to the point. One hell of an opening, she thought. â€Å"Not a problem with one of my gists, I hope.† â€Å"On the contrary. He says the White House is impressed with your work.† Rachel exhaled silently. â€Å"So what did he want?† â€Å"A meeting with you. In person. Immediately.† Rachel's unease sharpened. â€Å"A personal meeting? About what?† â€Å"Damn good question. He wouldn't tell me.† Now Rachel was lost. Keeping information from the director of the NRO was like keeping Vatican secrets from the Pope. The standing joke in the intelligence community was that if William Pickering didn't know about it, it hadn't happened. Pickering stood, pacing now in front of his window. â€Å"He asked that I contact you immediately and send you to meet with him.† â€Å"Right now?† â€Å"He sent transportation. It's waiting outside.† Rachel frowned. The President's request was unnerving on its own account, but it was the look of concern on Pickering's face that really worried her. â€Å"You obviously have reservations.† â€Å"I sure as hell do!† Pickering showed a rare flash of emotion. â€Å"The President's timing seems almost callow in its transparency. You are the daughter of the man who is currently challenging him in the polls, and he demands a private meeting with you? I find this highly inappropriate. Your father no doubt would agree.† Rachel knew Pickering was right – not that she gave a damn what her father thought. â€Å"Do you not trust the President's motives?† â€Å"My oath is to provide intel support to the current White House administration, not pass judgment on their politics.† Typical Pickering response, Rachel realized. William Pickering made no bones about his view of politicians as transitory figureheads who passed fleetingly across a chessboard whose real players were men like Pickering himself – seasoned â€Å"lifers† who had been around long enough to understand the game with some perspective. Two full terms in the White House, Pickering often said, was not nearly enough to comprehend the true complexities of the global political landscape. â€Å"Maybe it's an innocent request,† Rachel offered, hoping the President was above trying some sort of cheap campaign stunt. â€Å"Maybe he needs a reduction of some sensitive data.† â€Å"Not to sound belittling, Agent Sexton, but the White House has access to plenty of qualified gisting personnel if they need it. If it's an internal White House job, the President should know better than to contact you. And if not, then he sure as hell should know better than to request an NRO asset and then refuse to tell me what he wants it for.† Pickering always referred to his employees as assets, a manner of speech many found disconcertingly cold. â€Å"Your father is gaining political momentum,† Pickering said. â€Å"A lot of it. The White House has got to be getting nervous.† He sighed. â€Å"Politics is a desperate business. When the President calls a secret meeting with his challenger's daughter, I'd guess there's more on his mind than intelligence gists.† Rachel felt a distant chill. Pickering's hunches had an uncanny tendency to be dead on. â€Å"And you're afraid the White House feels desperate enough to introduce me into the political mix?† Pickering paused a moment. â€Å"You are not exactly silent about your feelings for your father, and I have little doubt the President's campaign staff is aware of the rift. It occurs to me that they may want to use you against him somehow.† â€Å"Where do I sign up?† Rachel said, only half-joking. Pickering looked unimpressed. He gave her a stern stare. â€Å"A word of warning, Agent Sexton. If you feel that your personal issues with your father are going to cloud your judgment in dealing with the President, I strongly advise that you decline the President's request for a meeting.† â€Å"Decline?† Rachel gave a nervous chuckle. â€Å"I obviously can't refuse the President.† â€Å"No,† the director said, â€Å"but I can.† His words rumbled a bit, reminding Rachel of the other reason Pickering was called the â€Å"Quaker.† Despite being a small man, William Pickering could cause political earthquakes if he were crossed. â€Å"My concerns here are simple,† Pickering said. â€Å"I have a responsibility to protect the people who work for me, and I don't appreciate even the vague implication that one of them might be used as a pawn in a political game.† â€Å"What do you recommend I do?† Pickering sighed. â€Å"My suggestion is that you meet with him. Commit to nothing. Once the President tells you what the hell is on his mind, call me. If I think he's playing political hardball with you, trust me, I'll pull you out so fast the man won't know what hit him.† â€Å"Thank you, sir.† Rachel sensed a protective aura from the director that she often longed for in her own father. â€Å"And you said the President already sent a car?† â€Å"Not exactly.† Pickering frowned and pointed out the window. Uncertain, Rachel went over and gazed out in the direction of Pickering's outstretched finger. A snub-nosed MH-60G PaveHawk helicopter sat idling on the lawn. One of the fastest choppers ever made, this PaveHawk was emblazoned with the White House insignia. The pilot stood nearby, checking his watch. Rachel turned to Pickering in disbelief. â€Å"The White House sent a PaveHawk to take me fifteen miles into D.C.?† â€Å"Apparently the President hopes you are either impressed or intimidated.† Pickering eyed her. â€Å"I suggest you are neither.†

Music Industry

The Ever-Changing (I think it's hyphenated)Music Industry The 1980s began with the death of two musical icons: John Lennon and Bob Marley. This set the scene for a momentous decade. A lot of artists in the '80s were inspired politically and that shined through their songs. For example, â€Å"19† by Paul Hardcastle and â€Å"99 Luftballoons† by Nena. The '80s was also the introduction to the CD and revolutionizing the way consumers listen to music, making it more portable. Now MTV has launched the first music video, â€Å"Video Killed the Radio Star† by The Buggles. With visual to accompany artists songs, they have another avenue to captivate consumers with. This led to extravagant production classics like â€Å"Thriller†. A revolution was happening and technological advances have only just begun to shape the way consumers listen to and share music.With revolutionary music comes controversy, and with music artists now having another media to articulate their message, Madonna releases â€Å"Like a Virgin† in 1984. This sent a wave through the decade and the boundaries of what was socially acceptable were pushed to the limits. Some songs were even â€Å"banned† for sexual content despite their immense popularity. The '80s was also a break through in Hip-Hop with groups like Beastie Boys and Sugarhill Gang. This wider representation and growth in diversity in the commercial aspect of music also led to growth in consumers.The birth of Hip-Hop in the '80s became a staple of music in the '90s. Hip-Hop stepped away from the soul and funk themes from the '80s to be dominated by the East Coast-West Coast Gangster Rap feud. The extreme success of N.W.A. followed by releases from Dr. Dre and Tupac established the dominance power and influence of West Coast rap. East Coast Hip-Hop was led by De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest but was incompetent in their attempt to could never quite match the commercial success of the West Coast. That is until the release of albums from Nas, B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan. This feud had everyone loyal listeners buying albums to hear the next low-blow and cultivated an intensely loyal consumer following. Sadly, speculation and business led to the death of Tupac and Biggie and with their death the end of a golden era in Hip-Hop. Again, music was changing and no one could predict the drastic change that was digital. Now at the start of the '00s, iTunes is born and now anyone with a smart device or computer for pennies per song, instead of buying the whole album. It is now evident that songwriters and artists have to focus wholeheartedly on making each and every song as great as the single. CDs were intensely profitable for artists and (especially) record labels, until the Internet, MP3s, piracy, Napster, iTunes, YouTube and Spotify kicked in over the past 10 years. Over the past couple of recent years, YouTube has grown into a lucrative machine for record labels. Popular videos with millions of hits can be adorned with ads, and YouTube shares that revenue with the copyright holders. Some artists like OK Go have even decided to split from their label and end up making more money from YouTube than they do iTunes. We saw the industry adapt to the digital age of music. Spotify is not just streaming anymore, it is now an authoritative  discovery platform, a network of popular  radio stations, and also the primary way people are listening to music. With the multitude of ways that people can listen to music for free today, now artists are concerning themselves with how to get on every platform and how many streams they can get. You can even put your song on a Snapchat filter now! (New paragraph) As a consumer, it's great to be able to discover new artists and groups that I would have never found through CDs or word of mouth. However, as an artist I can understand the frustration in a market that is changing so fast and so quickly.

Betty Botter Tongue Twister to Practice the B Sound

Betty Botter Tongue Twister to Practice the B Sound Tongue twisters are fun words games we use to challenge our pronunciation. As an English learner, you can use tongue twisters to help with pronunciation of certain consonant sounds in combination with a wide variety of vowels. In this tongue twister, Betty Botter, you can work on your bs. Use lots of breath to help you get the plosive b sound strong. Remember that b is voiced  - pronounced using the vocal chords by a strong explosion of air through the lips. Betty Botter Betty Botter had some butter,But, she said, this butters bitter.If I bake this bitter butter,it would make my batter bitter.But a bit of better butterthat would make my batter better. So she bought a bit of butter,better than her bitter butter,and she baked it in her batter,and the batter was not bitter.So twas better Betty Botterbought a bit of better butter. Listen to  Ã‚  Betty Botter  a number of times and then try it for yourself! Improving Your Pronunciation of B Better Botter helps you practice b. The b sound is voiced and is similar to the p sound which is voiceless. The difference between the two sounds is that the b uses the voice. Practice the difference in these sounds with minimal pairs - words that only have a difference between the b and p sound.   bob - popblob - plopbeg - pegpitch - bitchpeck - beck Feel the Sound Difference Place your hand on your throat and say bag and you will feel a vibration for both b and go. Place your hand on your throat and say pop and youll feel no vibration at all. To practice the difference, try the Peter Piper tongue twister below which focuses on the voiceless p.

Free Essays on Keeping Violence Out of Schools

Factors contributing to school violence are numerous, complex, and mostly community-related. For example, teachers perceive that major factors contributing to student violence are lack of parental supervision at home, lack of family involvement with the school, and exposure to violence in the mass media. Teachers are also believed that certain types of parenting produce children who contribute to school violence. America's children are exposed to a steady diet of verbal and physical violence that begins early and continues throughout their lives. In too many communities, children constantly send signals that they feel isolated from and maligned by society. These feelings know no geographic, social, or economic boundaries. Children often receive mixed messages from parents and other adults about what is right and what is wrong. The use of material goods to persuade children to behave in one way or to dissuade them from behaving in another is an example of mixed messages. These attitudes and actions convey strong lessons about roles, responsibilities, and the right that must be learned in odes to assume positions as citizens good in a democratic society. How children learn theses lessons is as important as what they learn. Victims of violence in schools cover the spectrum. For example, 900 teachers are threatened, and over 2,000 students and nearly 40 teachers are physically attacked on school grounds every hour of each school day each year (Stone, 1994). Younger students (grades 6-10) are much more likely to be victims of violence than are senior high school students (The American Teacher, 1993;U.S. Department of Education). The Department of justice reported that students whose families moved frequently are students from racial or ethnic groups that are minorities within the school are more likely to be physically assaulted. Students, who wear expensive or fashionable clothing or jewelry, or who bring cameras, cassette player... Free Essays on Keeping Violence Out of Schools Free Essays on Keeping Violence Out of Schools Factors contributing to school violence are numerous, complex, and mostly community-related. For example, teachers perceive that major factors contributing to student violence are lack of parental supervision at home, lack of family involvement with the school, and exposure to violence in the mass media. Teachers are also believed that certain types of parenting produce children who contribute to school violence. America's children are exposed to a steady diet of verbal and physical violence that begins early and continues throughout their lives. In too many communities, children constantly send signals that they feel isolated from and maligned by society. These feelings know no geographic, social, or economic boundaries. Children often receive mixed messages from parents and other adults about what is right and what is wrong. The use of material goods to persuade children to behave in one way or to dissuade them from behaving in another is an example of mixed messages. These attitudes and actions convey strong lessons about roles, responsibilities, and the right that must be learned in odes to assume positions as citizens good in a democratic society. How children learn theses lessons is as important as what they learn. Victims of violence in schools cover the spectrum. For example, 900 teachers are threatened, and over 2,000 students and nearly 40 teachers are physically attacked on school grounds every hour of each school day each year (Stone, 1994). Younger students (grades 6-10) are much more likely to be victims of violence than are senior high school students (The American Teacher, 1993;U.S. Department of Education). The Department of justice reported that students whose families moved frequently are students from racial or ethnic groups that are minorities within the school are more likely to be physically assaulted. Students, who wear expensive or fashionable clothing or jewelry, or who bring cameras, cassette player...

Organizational Behavior High School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Organizational Behavior High School - Essay Example According to the essay findings every member of an organization from top manager down to operator needs clearly spelled out-objectives. These objectives should be derived from the goals of the business enterprise. Thus there is a need for every manager to spell out his contribution to the attainment of organizational goals in all areas of the business. The managers must understand that business results depend on balanced efforts and results of a number of business areas. The objectives of all managers at all levels and in all areas should be a key to both short range and long-range considerations. ; As the paper discusses organizations like an organism must adopt themselves to their environment if they are to survive and grow. The pressure for such changes comes from within the organizational leadership or from some external force. A desirable form of change should be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Good managers, therefore, must conceive of an communicate explicitly to their employees the need for a necessary change. Change is virtually the characteristic of an industrial enterprise. The rate of change in industry has increased markedly as the consequences of the scientific and technological revolution that is going on at an increasing rate. Organizational change is the number one problem of modern managers. Change is inevitable. Management of change certainly does not imply random and unplanned responses to a changing environment. An organization consists of inter-related and interacting systems, to perform complicated tasks. Principal among these are: (i) Authority and power system or the system of work flow and process, (ii) Re-organization of the tools and techniques used in the system involving provision of better equipments. (iii) Change in the attitudes and behaviors and inter-personal relationships of people working in the organization through systematic manpower planning. Reasons for Organizational Change There are a number of factors both external and internal, which affect organizational functioning. Any change in these factors necessitates changes in an organization. The more important factors are as follows: Change in Environment. Every organization exists in some context. 'No organization is an island unto itself' Each must continually interact with other organizations and individuals - the consumers, suppliers, unions, shareholders, government - and many more. Each organization has goals and responsibility related to others in its environment.

Middle Class Delinquency to Gangs Research Paper

Middle Class Delinquency to Gangs - Research Paper Example As Lowney (2009: 527-38) observed, in a gang, a youth will find money, friendship and above all to get what they need. The paper will discuss the middle class delinquency relationship to the gangs. In order to understand the relationship between the middle class delinquencies to gang, it is of great importance for five issues to be addressed. To begin, gang must be differentiated from other forms of peer groups. Gao (2002: 8-26) observed that some youths are organized into groups but are not gangs. Secondly, attention must be paid to the relationship strength between being in a gang and the delinquency of the members. Thirdly, the focus should be on the importance of learning from the peers despite being generalized into gangs. The fourth issue involves the peer group solidarity effect in causing delinquency. Because of the importance of giving consideration to the similarity of the peers to a gang, getting involved in delinquency and other activities, and the peers solidarity should be treated as variables. Peer groups that resemble a gang among the middle class stimulate delinquency when the members feel the strong solidarity sense in their group. Furthermore, it may be that the likeness of the gang is related to the delinquency of the individuals when combined with the delinquency of other members. ... According to Myerhoff et al (2001: 328-335), the popularized gang ideas are used by all types of youths in different sorts of communities. Moreover, the disorganized communities act as the delinquency locations, predominantly the male gangs. Greeley et al (2005: 33-41) suggested the strain theory that was introduced by theories such as Albert Cohen as the model that can explain how factors in the middle class such as homelessness, poverty, lack of opportunity and lack of parenting are the major contributors of crime and formation of delinquent sub cultures like the gangs. According to Greeley et al (2005: 33-41), the strain theory forms part of the objectivists perspective that believes that behavior is socially created, assumes consensus of value and is observable. Furthermore, the theory comprises of the two other separate theories, that is, Anomie and Social Disorganization Theories. According to Lowney (2009: 527-38), both theories suggests that the less presence of integration, cohesion and solidarity within a community, group or society, the higher the rate of crime and deviance. Gao (2002: 8-26) indicated that the term Anomie refers to condition of lack of norms, that promotes in most cases higher suicide rates. Using the concept of anomie, The Theory of Anomie and Social Structure was drawn. The Theory of Anomie and Social Structure gives a logical explanation of the reasons why most crime activities are found in middle class and the lower class urban areas. According to Salzinger et al (2006), social structure balance and culture are the necessary components that form an integrated society. Therefore, anomie is the direction that disintegration of the society takes when there is dissociation between legitimate societal means and valued cultural ends