Sirius XM Satellite Radio

For this particular assignment, I was to choose an existing, publically owned company to research and do a background report on. I decided to view the public companies link, provided on the module 1, Assignment 3 page, and I noticed that Sirius XM Satellite Radio, Inc. was rated #1 in top stocks by trade volume. I found it impressive that it was ranked higher than Facebook and Microsoft Corp. alone. This is what originally caught my attention about the company, but I felt it was a great corporation to do my paper on because I have been a customer of XM satellite radio way before they merged with Sirius and I have no complaints.I am a huge fan of Sirius XM radio and if I lost my account with this company, I would be lost, myself. I thought it would be interesting to learn more about this company, so Sirius XM Satellite Radio, Inc. is the company I have decided to do my background report on. What is Sirius XM Satellite Radio? Sirius XM Satellite Radio is the largest radio broadcaster m easured by income and has 25. 6 million subscribers. It offers commercial-free music, premier sports, live events, news, comedy, exclusive talk, entertainment, and the most complete line up of Latin commercial-free music, sports, and talk programming in radio.Sirius XM is one of the world’s largest pure-play audio entertainment companies and is among the largest subscription media companies in the USA offering a collection of exclusive content that covers all genres and interests. (www. siriusxm. com) What Sirius XM Has to Offer its Customers: Sirius XM Satellite Radio is available via satellite, through the Sirius XM Radio apps for smart phones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm. com. You can have their service installed in your home or office and Sirius XM has arrangements with every major automaker for installation of satellite radio in their vehicles.Listeners can personalize Sirius XM music channels using MSXM and listen to thousands of hours of p rogramming using Sirius XM on demand. The service provides premium traffic, weather data, and information services in cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and aircraft through Sirius XM Traffic ®, Naveatherâ„ ¢, Sirius XM Aviation, Sirius Marineâ„ ¢, Sirius Marine Weather, and XMWX Marineâ„ ¢. How Did it All Begin? In 1988, the American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) was formed and was an association of several organizations who were originally dedicated to satellite broadcasting of telephone, fax and data signals.In 1992, AMSC established a unit called the American Mobile Radio Corporation dedicated to developing a satellite-based digital radio service; this was spun off as XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc. in 1999. The satellite service was officially launched on September 25, 2001. On July 29, 2008, XM and their competitor Sirius Satellite Radio decided to merge once the U. S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved, Sirius XM Radio, Inc. was formed and on November 12, 2008, Sirius and XM began broadcasting with their new, combined channel lineups.The proposed merger was opposed by those who felt a merger would create a monopoly. Sirius and XM argued that a merger was the only way that satellite radio would survive. The two companies supposedly weren’t ever a loud to own each other’s license. CEO, Mel Karmazin ignored this rule, proceeding and gambling that the FCC would consider other audio entertainment to be competitors and allow their merger to proceed by waiving the rule.17 months after the companies merger they had a total of more than 18.5 million subscribers. As of quarter 2 of 2013, Sirius XM had over 25 million subscribers. (www. siriusxm. com) Finance Through my research, I came across a letter written by former Chief Executer Officer, Mel Karmazin, to the stockholders and it was dated April 2012. Mr. Karmazin began the letter by saying â€Å"We closed on the merger of Sirius and XM just over three years ago and are p roud of our achievements since then. The merger has delivered extraordinary benefits to the company and its stockholders.Our execution delivered the benefits we promised when we announced the merger in early 2007 and consummated the transaction in the late summer of 2008. Today, we are the largest radio company in the world ranked by revenue. www. siriusxmradio. weebly. com† The letter goes on to disgust how their subscribers grew to an all-time high, totaling almost 21. 9 million by the end of 2011. Year-over-year free cash flow more or less doubled to $416 million.The letter describes how in 2011, they saw their highest subscriber growth since their merger, adding 1.7 million new subscribers. The last thing the letter detailed was the importance of their employees. â€Å"Everything we accomplish and all the value we create is built on the dedication of our outstanding team of employees, who are focused on increasing revenue, managing costs, and delivering profits. www. siri usxmradio. weebly. com† In 2011, Sirius XM Radio’s revenue per employee averaged about $2 million. The greatest financial move for Sirius XM was the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio in July 2008.The expense on Sirius XM’s behalf is pretty low. On average, an XM satellite will cost around $30,000 to get licensed and launched which will last for 10 years. They pay around $45,000 to artists in royalties which will last about 9 years, so the output cost is extremely low compared to the annual income of $1. 63 billion. There was a close threat of bankruptcy for the company in Feb. of 2009 when their stock price dropped to an all-time low of $0. 05 per share, but, media mogul, John Malone came to their rescue with emergency funding of $5,000,000,000.(www. siriusxm. weebly. com)What’s the Future for Sirius XM Satellite Radio, Inc: The future of Sirius XM Radio is unpredictable with competition growing in the internet radio market threa tening to steal over half of Sirius XM’s business. Sirius XM offers services over the internet and mobile devices, the programming being far from that of other competitors. As long as radios are installed in cars, and if Sirius XM can become the standard alongside AM/FM radio with becoming more involved at a local level, satellite radio  could be the ruler of all radio broadcasting. Sirius XM’s Mission Statement & My Interpretation:â€Å"With Sirius XM, listeners will enjoy the clearest, hottest, hippest, and most provocative radio entertainment, seamlessly across the country. Wherever they live, whenever they want, in any style they can imagine, blues, classical, Tejano, rock, oldies, jazz, R&B, country, gospel, rap, news, talk; Sirius XM Satellite Radio will provide the quality programming, choice and convenience that today’s consumers demand.† (www. siriusxmradio. weebly. com)I think that they are conveying the message that you will be satisfied with an array and variety of music, no matter where you are at and that it will be high quality. Location, Location, Location: Sirius XM Radio is an American broadcasting company that provides satellite radio services operating in the U. S. The company also has a Canadian subsidiary called Sirius XM Canada, an affiliate company that provides Sirius XM service in Canada. (www. wikipedia. org)

The Conservation Of Tropical Rainforests Environmental Sciences Essay

A practical grasp of some tropical rain forest preservation issues was gained through the scrutiny of the Mossman Gorge recreational site, the next Aboriginal community, and the Cow Bay part. These sites were examined utilizing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ‘s ( OECD ) Pressure-State-Response describing theoretical account in which observations were recorded in proformas and visually captured utilizing picture taking. There are a figure of force per unit areas on tropical rain forest systems, which are both natural and human induced and impact the province of the environment. Responses to these force per unit areas can be in the signifier of long and short term steps, nevertheless, there are many factors which need to be considered before implementing such steps, for illustration force per unit areas that may ensue from the response action. Management and preservation of tropical rain forests is disputing, with legion stakeholders involved. However, to go on to protect these extremely diverse countries, they need to be managed efficaciously, monitored on a regular basis, and the response mechanisms re-evaluated often.Mossman GorgeRecreational Activity in Tropical Rainforest and Indigenous ConcernsIntroductionGeneral OverviewNature-based touristry is a quickly turning touristry section within the planetary touristry industry, and is of peculiar significance within Tropical North Queensland ( Hill & A ; Gale, 2009 ) . The bulk of this touristry occurs within fragile, sensitive and protected environments, which raises concerns about the impacts that touristry has on these environments ( Hill & A ; Gale, 2009 ) . Negative impacts from these activities occur and need to be addressed ( Kimmel, 1999 ) . There is a demand to be after and modulate recreational activities within rain forests to forestall such possible negative impacts ( Kimmel, 1999 ) . The direct and indirect negative impacts of diversion and touristry can include: gla de of flora for substructure, harm from treading, the spread of alien weeds along walking paths and roads, the spread of diseases, such as Phytopthora cinnamomi and many other impacts ( Pickering & A ; Hill, 2007 ) . However, recreational activities associated with touristry can besides let people to larn and be educated about environmental rules which can rise their consciousness of and committedness to environmental protection ( Kimmel, 1999 ) . There are a figure of Autochthonal cultural and direction concerns related to recreational activity in tropical rain forests. Autochthonal people are traditional keepers of the land, and therefore have a right to be included in the direction of recreational sites within their country ( Hill, Baird, & A ; Buchanan, 1999 ) . Their countries are of great cultural and heritage significance and merit regard that is non normally introduced or present with development and touristry ( Bentrupperbaumer, & A ; Reser, 2000 ) . Autochthonal communities located near tourer sites can endure from a deficiency of privateness and regard, cultural commodification, trespass, supplanting and a whole host of other issues ( Bentrupperbaumer, & A ; Reser, 2000 ) . Concerns besides encompass: negative environmental impacts as a consequence of touristry and tourers on the land, devastation or change of narrative topographic points and sacred sites, and issues sing stealing/touching and defacing of nature and artifacts ( Hill, Baird, & A ; Buchanan, 1999 ) .Site Location and DescriptionThe Mossman Gorge recreational site and next Aboriginal community were the site locations for this survey country. The Aboriginal Community of the Kuku Yalanji people, Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku, is located next to the Mossman Gorge recreational site, West of Mossman ( Bentrupperbaumer, & A ; Reser, 2000 ) . Access to the recreational site is by agencies of a route through the Aboriginal community ( Bentrupperbaumer, & A ; Reser, 2000 ) . The community, which started in the 1960 ‘s when the Daintree Mission closed, has about 170 occupants. Tourism is utilized as a beginning of income for the community. The Mossman Gorge recreational site is located in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area ( WTWHA ) within the Daintree National Park ( Murphy, & A ; Harding, 2008 ) . It has been designed for twenty-four hours usage. There is a auto park and picnic country, along with a lavatory block and bike rack. Fires, bivouacing and fishing are prohibited activities. No rubbish bins or barbecues are provided. There are a sum of 25 designated parking infinites, with parking happening elsewhere every bit good, and 7 picnic tabular arraies are provided. Mossman River flows beside the site, and the site itself is surrounded by lowland tropical rain forest ( Murphy, & A ; Harding, 2008 ) . Figure 1 shows a map of this country. This country has about 500,000 visitants on an one-year footing ( Bentrupperbaumer, & A ; Reser, 2000 ) .Data PresentationMethodsThe OECD Pressure State Response theoretical account and its accompanying model are tools used to pass on information sing the province of the environme nt, force per unit areas moving upon it and response steps that can be taken ( Figure 2 ) ( OECD, 2000 ) . This theoretical account was used to develop proformas in which informations could so be collected consistently. Behavioral observations of wildlife and worlds were undertaken every bit good as systematic experimental recordings of the built and natural environments to measure the site ; these were recorded in the proformas. Cardinal indexs were developed and used for entering the province of the natural, built and human environments. Pressures that degraded the province of these environments were so identified and recorded in the proformas. Response steps already in topographic point were so identified and extra responses considered and recorded in the proformas. Additional cardinal note pickings was besides used to roll up informations, along with picture taking to enter site conditions. Data was collected at the Mossman Gorge recreational site and at the Indigenous Community on the 27th of April 2010. The conditions was overcast with rain. Mossman Gorge recreational site was visited from 9:30-10:00am and from 11:30-1:00pm. The Indigenous Community was visited from 10:00-11:30am.ConsequencesThe consequences are summarised in the undermentioned figures, exposures and tabular arraies.DiscussionState/ConditionIn general, the natural environment was in good status. Bing within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and Daintree National Park, the site has been handled by environmental direction bureaus. There was non a big diverseness of wildlife witnessed at the site. This absence of wildlife was most likely due to the conditions conditions and clip restraints of when the survey was conducted. The wildlife that did look was chiefly in the signifier of insects and bush Meleagris gallopavos. The bush Meleagris gallopavos were habituated to worlds, were aggressive towards eac h other when scavenging, and one had an injured leg. The flora seemed to hold been chiefly in the signifier of healthy primary low land rain forest. There was some invasion of alien weed species at the border of the route, borders of the recreational country, and within the garden. The yellowing of foliages on a little figure of trees indicated their possible unhealthy province. The dirt appeared to be slightly degraded in the chief country of the recreational site and peculiarly around the border boundaries. Erosion and compression of dirt were happening. The H2O seemed to be in good status, with first-class flow, and the H2O was clear, nevertheless there did look to be some signifier of algae/moss/fungi on the partially and to the full submerged stones. The air was non in peculiarly good status as there was odourand noise pollution nowadays. Areas within this site most at hazard to degradation include the border boundaries between the natural environment and the built, that is: on the border of the route, the country environing the picnic/grass country and environing the lavatory block. The built environment could be separated into three distinguishable ‘state ‘ countries. The route and auto park country were non in good status. The picnic tabular arraies, marks and waies were in reasonably good status. The staying reinforced environment was in satisfactory status, such as the coffin nail bins which needed cleansing and voidance, and the garden, which suffered from dirt and mulch loss, every bit good as some weeds, and wood rot/mould. By and large, the human environment was non in good status. Historical and traditional utilizations of the country were non looking to be undertaken, there was herding of people, big Numberss of vehicles and perceptible noise and odour pollution. The Traditional Owners besides felt displaced, a loss of sense and belonging, and uncomfortable in the recreational country.PressuresThere are legion direction and preservation force per unit areas at the Mossman Gorge diversion site. The chief environmental force per unit areas include pollution, human activities and glade and atomization. Pollution from vehicles and people caused the debasement of the natural environment and lowered visitant satisfaction. Human activities such as chasing and eating animate beings, compression of dirt and the touching or mutilation of flora topographic point force per unit area on the natural environment. Clearing can do loss of primary rain forest, secondary regrowth, affects dirt and cause atomization. At omization consequences in additive barriers and border effects, impacting flora and wildlife. Climate alteration is a long term force per unit area to the natural environment which may besides bring forth societal and cultural issues. The chief built force per unit areas include hapless design and layout of the country, non plenty of some installations, every bit good as inordinate usage of some installations. Poor design and layout of the country includes the lavatories isolated from the walking paths but near to Mossman River and the picnic tabular arraies really near to primary rain forest. This could do force per unit area through increased contact of visitants with the natural environment ( eroding, compression, chasing of wildlife and handling of flora ) , possible pollution from the lavatory block into the river, and decreased visitant satisfaction. There are deficient installations such as auto Parkss, marks, tabular arraies and seats, every bit good as lavatories which can do force per unit area on the substructure and lessening visitant satisfaction. Excessive usage of installations includes the route and auto Parkss which cause harm to the substructure and environment, peculiarly through eroding. The chief human force per unit areas include inordinate visitant Numberss, distribution and hapless usage forms and behaviors. Excessive visitant Numberss and clumped distribution of visitants, such as on walking paths, causes harm to the natural environment through compression of dirt, more human handling of flora, decrease in visitant satisfaction and an addition in the likeliness of substructure harm. Poor usage forms of visitants besides can do harm to the environment, substructure and a lessening in visitant satisfaction. Visitor behavior force per unit areas can do cultural issues sing discourtesy, opprobrious linguistic communication and racism towards the Autochthonal people. All of these force per unit areas affect the natural environment, the subs tructure, and produce societal and cultural issues.ResponsesShort Term Management Strategies Education through the installing of more effectual marks with pictural diagrams and warnings of forbidden activities in different linguistic communications could be utilized. Cusps in different linguistic communications or perchance even presenting a Ranger on site during peak visitant times/seasons may besides win in educating the visitants about negative impacts on the environment and may besides cut down discourtesy and bad behavior towards the Autochthonal people. Decreasing the force per unit areas from uncluttering and atomization could be accomplished through presenting buffer zones and wildlife corridors, well linking tree canopies across the route and walking paths and perchance even constructing elevated board walks. Engagement of Traditional Indigenous Owners in the direction of the recreational site and the instruction of visitants could cut down cultural and societal force per unit areas as the tourers may derive cultural penetration and regard for the Autochthonal peopl e. The execution of drainage may cut down dirt eroding which, in bend, may alleviate some force per unit area on flora. Redesigning the country by traveling the picnic tabular arraies off from the immediate rain forest and into the chief subdivision of the grassed country every bit good as switching the lavatory block back off from the river could besides be effectual responses to pollution and human impacts. More effectual enforcement of regulations and ordinances through better monitoring and increased mulcts in relation to, ‘no trailing or upseting wildlife ‘ , ‘no littering ‘ , ‘no manus feeding ‘ , and ‘no speeding/dangerous driving ‘ could besides significantly cut down force per unit areas from human activities. Long Term Management Strategies Possibly presenting a little entry fee and steadily increasing it over clip could cut down vehicle traffic and the figure of visitants, and may diminish force per unit areas on the natural, built and human environments. The Mossman Gorge Gateway Project is a response to force per unit areas on the natural, built and human environments. It will affect the Indigenous community which may cut down societal and cultural force per unit areas. The undertaking should besides efficaciously cut down vehicle traffic into the site, be able to curtail, or expeditiously clip the entry of visitants so as to cut down crowding, and do the local Autochthonal people more comfy when sing the site.DecisionRecreational activity at the Mossman Gorge site affects the province of the World Heritage tropical rain forest in the country. The debut of big Numberss of visitants and traffic, every bit good as edifice substructure to back up these visitants had placed force per unit areas on the natural environment . To conserve this sensitive country response steps are required to cut down force per unit areas non merely on the natural environ, but besides the built and human environments. The associated concerns of the Indigenous community, that is next to this recreational site, besides need to be addressed. The Autochthonal people are frequently faced with discourtesy and bad behavior from visitants which has displaced these Traditional Owners, lowered their ego regard, made them uncomfortable, and created a loss of sense of topographic point and belonging. Through response mechanisms, there may be a lessening in societal and cultural force per unit areas and the concerns of the Indigenous could be addressed by affecting them more in the direction of the site.MentionsBentrupperbaumer, JM, & A ; Reser, JP 2000, Impacts of Visitation and Use: Psychosocial and Biophysical Windows on Visitation and Use in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management, Cairns. Hill, J. , & A ; Gale, T. ( explosive detection systems ) 2009, Ecotourism and Environmental Sustainability: Principles and Practices, Ashgate Publishing Limited, Surrey. Hill R, Baird, A, & A ; Buchanan, D 1999, Aborigines and Fire in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia: Ecosystem Management Across Cultures, Society & A ; Natural Resources, 12, pp. 205 – 223. Kimmel, JR 1999, Ecotourism as Environmental Learning, The Journal of Environmental Education, 30, 2, pp. 40 – 44. Murphy, A, & A ; Harding, P 2008, Queensland & A ; the Great Barrier Reef, 5th edn, Alone Planet Publishing Pty Ltd, Victoria. OECD, 2000, OECD Proceedings Frameworks to Measure Sustainable Development: An OECD Expert Workshop, OECD, Paris. Pickering, CM, & A ; Hill, W 2007, Impacts of diversion and touristry on works biodiversity and flora in protected countries in Australia, The Journal of Environmental Management, 85, pp. 791 – 800.Cow Bay RegionUrban Development within Tropical Rain forestsIntroductionGeneral OverviewHuman activity in a tropical rain forest can take to woods devastation or debasement ( Maloney, 1998 ) . Urban development in this scene can hold a figure of negative drawbacks, peculiarly the clearance of land for development ( Maloney, 1998 ) . This development that occurs in these pristine and by and large delicate environments can interrupt the dirt system, do extended irreversible harm and ease more urban development ( Maloney, 1998 ) . Linear barriers and border effects can ensue from urban development and do the change or devastation of home grounds, alter wildlife and flora populations, cause perturbations of visible radiation, dust, fumes exhausts, enable the invasion of alien species, f ragment home grounds and populations and consequence in increased mortality of animate beings from vehicle traffic ( Laurance, & A ; Bierregaard, 1997 ; Rico, Kindlmann, & A ; Sedlacek, 2007 ) . Over the past 150 old ages at that place have been dramatic alterations to the rain forest in the Wet Tropics part ( Bermingham, Dick, Moritz, 2005 ) . The Daintree country is one of the most biologically diverse and important parts within the WHWTA ( Bermingham, Dick, Moritz, 2005 ) . Urban growing and substructure in this country have impacted the natural environment and will go on to make so, such as by break uping home grounds ( Bermingham, Dick, Moritz, 2005 ; Rico, Kindlmann, & A ; Sedlacek, 2007 ) . There is a struggle between development and preservation in this country ( Bermingham, Dick, Moritz, 2005 ) . Rain forests provide cardinal ecosystem services and therefore keep important value, therefore developing sustainable direction patterns in these countries is indispensable ( Bermi ngham, Dick, Moritz, 2005 ) .Site Location and DescriptionThe Cow Bay part is a combination of a complex mosaic of flora types, including low land tropical rain forest, and urban development ( Figure 5 & A ; 6 ) . The part is one of high biodiversity, located within the WTWHA ( Rainforest CRC, 2000 ) . Approximately, there are 287 belongingss in the country numbering 514 hectares ; 80 belongingss of which are settled, 12 of which have been given to conservation intent and the staying are unsettled ( Rainforest CRC, 2000 ) . Within the settled belongingss, development scopes from full glade of private lands to merely minimal uncluttering with rainforest residential homes ( Rainforest CRC, 2000 ) . The development of urban substructure has allowed entree to what would hold been a distant country.Data PresentationMethodsThe OECD Pressure State Response theoretical account was used to develop proformas in which informations could so be collected consistently ( OECD, 2000 ) . Systematic experimental recordings of the natural environ were used to measure the part and the information was recorded in the proformas. Cardinal indexs were developed and used to find force per unit areas that degraded the province of the natural environment due to urban development. Response steps already in topographic point were so identified and extra responses were considered and recorded in the proformas. Additional cardinal note pickings was besides used to roll up informations, along with picture taking to record force per unit areas or responses. Data was collected in the Cow Bay Region on the 27th of April 2010 from 3:00-4:30/5:00pm. The conditions was overcast with minimum rain.ConsequencesThe consequences are summarised in the undermentioned figures, exposures and tabular arraies.DiscussionPressuresThere are legion preservation issues associated with the urbanization of the Cow Bay Region within a lowland tropical rain forest scene. The chief environmental force per unit areas include pollution, human activities, glade, atomization, border effects and additive barriers. Pollution from vehicles and from people, in the signifier of rubbish and sewerage, can do the debasement of the natural environment. Human activities, such as glade and developing private belongings, presenting alien fruit, weed species and domestic animate beings, changing the flow and quality of H2O, touristry, utilizing generators and farming topographic point force per unit area on the natural environment. Clearing can do loss of primary rain forest, se condary regrowth, dirt debasement, H2O quality issues and can do atomization. Atomization consequences in additive barriers and border effects, impacting flora and wildlife every bit good as the biophysical environment. Climate alteration is besides a long term force per unit area to the natural environment which may bring forth societal and cultural issues.ResponseShort Term Management Strategies Education of the regional population, every bit good as visitants to the part, could be accomplished through the installing of more effectual marks and warnings of forbidden activities so as to convey the negative impacts of urban development within tropical rain forests. Decreasing the force per unit areas from uncluttering and atomization could be accomplished through presenting buffer zones, wildlife corridors, well linking tree canopies across roads and other additive barriers and perchance even constructing elevated roads to let the transition of wildlife and cut down wildlife deceases. More effectual ordinances, such as censoring the building of fencings and the glade of flora, curtailing H2O usage, curtailing the figure of domestic animate beings per family and compulsory fixing of these animate beings, censoring of sewerage systems and execution of bio-recycling, and the mandatory installing of solar power could be implemented to cut down force per unit areas on the rain fore st. The replanting of native flora along river and creeks Bankss every bit good as along waysides could besides cut down force per unit areas, peculiarly eroding. Long Term Management Strategies To cut down the impacts of generators, such as noise and leaking fuel pollution, the debut of environmentally appropriate electricity, such as carefully constructed powerlines, and low-impact hydro-power or air current power, over clip may be a feasible solution. To cut down the sum of waste produced that may potentially do injury to the environment, a new trash disposal system could be implemented. This system should supply inducements for recycling and the minimisation of waste, for illustration, through taking the waste charge from local authorities rates and implementing a system in which occupants pay 10 cents per kg of general waste, while reimbursing occupants 5 cents per kg of separated recycled waste. Residents should be provided with four little bins in which waste could easy be separated into paper, plastic, glass and general waste. Increasing local authorities rates on belongingss within this WTWHA could function to deter any farther urban development or promote more belo ngings proprietors to come in into authorities buy-back strategies. Implementing the decrease or limitation of visitants over clip to the country in the moisture season may besides alleviate some force per unit areas on the natural environment and occupants who do non trust on touristry may be happy to hold a respite.Problems That May Arise From Response ActionsPromoting roads to let the transition of wildlife may do devastation or increased impact during the building stage and may non be cost effectual. Residents may non accept the stricter execution of ordinances or the rise in rates which may take to drawn-out legal statements appealing the ordinances across different degrees of authorities. Political recoil may besides originate from the debut of such steps, and some of the ordinances may necessitate to be examined under province or federal statute law. Implementing electricity within this sensitive country may do more injury than the pollution from the generators, such as makin g additive barriers and increased wildlife deceases if powerlines were used. The debut of new recycling steps may non do a positive reaction ; alternatively occupants may take to illicitly dump their waste, which will do more environmental injury. Additionally, cut downing touristry for periods of clip in the part may take to a big economic loss for the part.DecisionUrban development in the Cow Bay Region affects the province of the World Heritage tropical rain forest in the country. The debut of substructure, a lasting population and big Numberss of visitants and traffic have placed force per unit area on this sensitive natural environment. To conserve this country, response steps to these force per unit areas are required so as to diminish the jobs of additive barriers and border effects that result from glade and atomization.

Factors that considered when chosing a cladding system for a building Coursework

Factors that considered when chosing a cladding system for a building - Coursework Example Additionally, correct assembly of the components is necessary for a satisfactory performance of the system. The choice of the roof and wall cladding significantly influences the appearance of the building. Profile shape, fasteners and colour are particularly important. The profile shape influences the building’s appearance because of its effect on the perceived texture and colour of the cladding (Kassem, Dawood & Mitchell, 2012 p. 1042). The choice fasteners also influence the overall appearance of the building. For this reason, designers must careful consider the location, shape, size and colour of the washers and fasteners. Cladding system usually has a significant contribution to the overall wall insulation values. A number of complex cladding products encompass insulation. For instance, those with higher R-values, which relates to the capability of the material to resist heat flow, can limit bulk insulation between frame members in varied climatic conditions. Cladding fixed to frames, which are lightweight does not contribute to thermal performance irrespective of its mass, since it is on the outside of the building and uninsulated (Pan, Dainty & Gibb, 2012 p. 1244). Using cladding of higher mass in lightweight framing systems can greatly reduce thermal performance. Vermin resistance is usually dependent on the design details of the construction. Compound cladding systems that have EPS foam backing are likely to harbour birds and rats. In addition, termites do not attack reconstituted timber as well as non-timber systems. The minimum performance requirements for the aforementioned factors are entirely established by legislation (Kassem et al., 2012 p. 1048). Therefore, it is essential to consider the already laid policy when selecting a cladding system for a building. Cost of an insulated cladding in a normal industrial or commercial building is of a

Lao-Tzu viewpoints on Taoist Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Lao-Tzu viewpoints on Taoist Philosophy - Essay Example Life and death form a part of the transformation processes, which constitute the Taoist world. Death, as much as life, belongs to the realm of "naturalness," that which is "so of itself". Tao means literally possessing spiritual essences in one's body. So long as they remain in the body, death simply cannot happen which repositions the commentary from cosmology and religion to focus on Taoist practical philosophy. In what sense can "naturalness" be said to complement "long life" Two separate claims need to be distinguished here. On the one hand, if the concept of naturalness is taken seriously, any attempt to prolong life by artificial means is doomed to failure and must be rejected. On the other hand, if careful steps are not taken to preserve life, the natural flow of things is also interrupted. The natural life span of an individual, given the cosmological underpinning of the commentary, is evidently determined by one's energy endowment. Individual differences notwithstanding, human beings have been given a proper "mandate" to prosper and live long while the energy could be in any form. There are, however, obstacles, which may jeopardize one's natural longevity. If the body is destroyed, the "five spirits" disperse; if the body is harmed, the spirits hasten their departure. For this reason, the body must be well taken care of, and the conditions, under which the vital essence may be adversely influenced, must be clearly identified. Actual longevity, in other words, reflects not only a richly endowed body but also a well-maintained abode of the spirits. In attempting to explain to you the complex relationship between Tao, being, and nonbeing, I defers some words: "Since the Tao is unnamable, it therefore cannot be comprised in words. But since we wish to speak about it, we are forced to give it some kind of designation. We therefore call it Tao, which is really not a name at all. That is to say, to call the Tao Tao, is not the same as to call a table table . . Tao is not itself a thing." Tao cannot be compared to any cosmological supreme being. Tao is not a being but lies beyond shapes and features. In the context of the transition from a religion based on divination and sacrifice, centered on the ruling nobility, to recognition of the moral autonomy of the individual. The Tao-te-ching represents the voice of those who recognize the power of desirelessness, humility, passivity, lowliness, imperfection, stillness, and intuition. I have linked mysticism with the cultivation of the human potential for good, not with union with an Absolute. Unlike Western philosophy, I have insisted to accept Chinese philosophy as a lived philosophy; its purpose is not simply to "acquire . . . knowledge," but to "develop . . . character". I have debated several times with Girardot as his argument echoes the earlier issue concerning the relationship between Tao and concepts of God; he suggests that the distinction between the Tao-te-ching and later Taoism rests on false assumptions about the nature of religion. He further argues that the Tao-te-ching is a religious text

Obama care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Obama care - Essay Example The Affordable Act does not provide people opportunity to get equal health care because it organizes insurance in levels based on the public condition. If a person is poor they will pay less for the insurance and get unqualified doctors compared to middle and high income earning people who pay more and get better health treatment. The Supreme Court even wrongfully supported the Act by making it mandatory for individuals to purchase healthcare insurance under 2010 Affordable Health Care Bill. Obama Care places huge pressure on young adults affecting their priority and health by forcing them to buy insurance when they do not have enough income to afford it. Obama Care is also harming businesses and this can also lead to worsening of the economic conditions of the USA. The Obama Care affects and destroys young adult’s priority. Healthy young adults are forced to buy insurance and this prevents them to save their income in order to secure their future. Due to this young adults may not be able to meet the expenses required to address any unexpected health condition in future. Obama Healthcare Act rather makes the young generation dependant on governmental health care programs. Elders in the United States gets more support from the government in shape of Medicare when it comes to their health condition because some cannot work and others do not have enough money to take care of themselves. Studies by the U.S department of health and human service reported that elder people represent the highest percentage of the Americans who signed for the Obama Care, while young adults represent the lowest percentage. Young adults strongly disagree with Obama Care because it forces them to buy health insurance even when they are healthy enough. Due to this t he money invested by young adults does not benefit them and rather benefits other populations such as the elderly who have signed for Obama Care. According to the

Edward Burtynsky & Banksy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Edward Burtynsky & Banksy - Essay Example Thus, while Burtynsky tries to instill an artificial sense of beauty and comfort by taking his viewers away from reality, Banksy tries to make people aware about the social issues by portraying realities satirically. This article intends to compare and contrast both the artists. The early years Burtynsky was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. He was brought to the world of photographs by his father when he purchased a darkroom along with camera and instruction manuals. After gaining some knowledge in the field, he started a small business of taking portraits. Later on, he enrolled at the Ryerson Polytechnical Institute for better understanding of photography. Thus, he obtained a BAA in Media Studies Program. It seems that Burtynsky was influenced by a number of other artists. Some of them are Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Eadweard Muybridge, and Carleton Watkins (Edward Burtynsky: biography). Banksy was born in 1974 and brought up in Bristol. Though he was the son of a photocopier techni cian, he was destined to get training in butchery. However, the genius got himself involved in graffiti as it was the time of aerosol boom. Thus, his work shows similarity to the works of Blek le Rat, and Massive Attack (Brian Sewell Art Directory). Burtynsky concentrated mainly on landscapes which are altered by the advancement of industry; including mines, piles of scrap and quarries. However, the mere fact is that his photographs of industrial wilderness are often more beautiful than the landscapes it altered. Thus, one wonders if he is a fan of industrialization in a world where art and science do not cohabit. As Ballamingie points out, in order to cover the grand beauty of industrial landscapes, he even visited countries like China. On the other hand, Banksy’s works mainly deal with political and social themes. They cover messages including anti-war, anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, anarchism, nihilism, and existentialism. In additi on, he exhibits mastery in exhibiting human conditions like poverty, despair, alienation, greed and hypocrisy. Technique Burtynsky is fond of large format field camera and his photographs are taken on 4x5 sheet film. They are then developed into high-resolution, large-dimension prints of nearly 50x60 inches. The photographs are often taken from higher platforms (â€Å"Artist analysis..†). Banksy is a street artist. So, his weapon was stencils. However, one has to assume that he even used computers to develop images because of the photocopy nature of his some works. According to Banksy, as he was too slow doing graffiti with stencils, he developed some intricate stencils which minimize time. His art work took every form and every place as he only considered efficacy as the prime aim. To illustrate, he painted his Gorilla in a pink mask on the exterior wall of a social club in Eastville. As Danny writes, as Banksy’s graffiti appeared in public places, at times, governmen t officials considered his graffiti as a form of vandalism. Important works Burtynsky’s one photographic series was named ‘Mines’. It was photographed in Bingham Valley, Utah; Sudbury, Ontario; Butte, Montana; Highland Valley, British Columbia and Revelstoke, British Columbia. Another series ‘

BMWs Launch of its Mini Brand in US Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

BMWs Launch of its Mini Brand in US - Case Study Example The company hosts three important brands as part of its production, they being BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Since the inception of its brands in the global market the company has always focused on one most important thing i.e. none other than providing sheer driving pleasure to its customers. BMW's MINI - The MINI brand of the BMW is a wonderful creation of the company which wins many hearts and turns many heads. This brand of the company is something extraordinary and also refreshingly different. The brand was basically targeted at the younger generation and the brand undoubtedly became a cult brand in the market within very few days of its launch in the market. Since its launch in the market, the brand has lost none of its youthful charm. MINI is part of a lifestyle that is cosmopolitan and confident, ready for everythingiii. The global automobile industry is the industry and area of commerce in which automobile models are planned, designed, manufactured, and marketed. The automobile industry is concerned with profits and competition; with consumer demands for styling, safety, and efficiency; and with labor relations and manufacturing efficiency. From the 1970s the automotive industry has been dominated by the United States, Western Europe and Japan, three geographical areas known collectively as the Triad. Such domination served to intensify the degree of competition that already existed as firms sought to achieve a global presence in markets that were becoming increasingly fragmented as consumer tastes diversified. From its inception until 1978, the U.S. automotive industry showed a steady expansion, with the exception of the years during World War II when its plants were converted to the production of war materials. In 1978, motor vehicle production reached an all-time high of 12.9 million units, including about 9.2 million cars; since then production has fluctuated. In the early 1980s the industry was in a recession, producing fewer cars in 1982 than in any year since 1958. From 1990 to 1992 the industry experienced another recession. In 1996, U.S. motor vehicle production totaled 11.8 million, including 6.1 million cars and 5.7 million trucks; North American motor vehicle production, including all vehicles made by domestic and foreign companies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, reached more than 15.4 million-8.2 million cars and 7.3 million trucks. In the mid-1990s, the U.S. auto industry showed signs of recoveryiv. To try to improve their global positions in terms of output and market share almost all of the major firms in the industry embarked on a period of consolidation in the 1980s and continued this in the 1990s. Ford acquired Aston Martin, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. Volkswagen gained Skoda and Seat. General Motors took major interests Saab, Suzuki, Isuzu and Daewoo. Finally, Renault merged with Nissan, Dacia and Samsung. The most salient point arising for the purposes of this paper is the firms which bought firms in economies where they had little previous presence as part of their strategy of going global. Essentially then DaimlerChrysler was

Introduction to mass communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to mass communication - Essay Example The editor is another gatekeeper who decided which parts of the original report were to be retained and which parts were to be changed or removed from the report. B) This report is targeted towards the world in general. This is a news item about politics, and it cannot be denied that everybody who is even slightly conscious of the world around him must have at least some interest in politics, for, as Aristotle said, "Man is a political animal." This report is about one of the greatest incidents in world politics in the year 2009, and is targeted towards anybody who has an interest in politics, anybody who is literate and aware of the political situations in the world. CNN is one of the world's leading journalism media, and their reports are generally believed to be authentic and trustworthy; a lot of people depend on CNN for comprehensive reporting of different events. It is not possible for everybody to be present everywhere every time; and although television has made communication easier, the utility of print journalism remains. This report is targeted to all those people who were interested in Obama's swearing-in and wanted a first-hand account of the proceedings at the inauguration of USA's 44th President and the first Black President in the history of the country. C) This report describes the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of t... The United States is considered the most powerful country in the world. This greatness that America has achieved was not a given; according to Obama, "it must be earned". America has earned its greatness, and although it faces serious economic and international challenges, it has not ceased to be great. Obama showed his countrymen a ray of hope in saying that the challenges faced by USA will be met, although that may not be easy or quick. Joe Biden was sworn in as Vice-President before Barack Obama took his oath of office with his hand on the same Bible that was used in Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration. Obama took note of the fact that he was Black, and thanked those who sacrificed so much so that "a man whose father, less than 60 years ago, might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath." He promised to end petty squabbles on Capitol Hill, bring "old friends and former enemies" into the fold. He also vowed to leave Iraq to its people and to finish forging "a hard-earned peace" in Afghanistan. To Muslims, he promised "a new way forward, based on mutual interest," and to terrorists, he said, "You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." The report also shows what the reaction of people across America and the world were. While spectators at the National Mall were overwhelmed by Obama's speech, across the country, people gathered together to watch Obama deliver words of hope on television. Even the reactions of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey are documented in this report. It also mentions that world leaders like Nicholas Sarkozy, the French President, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd congratulated the new President on

Students should be allowed to pray in schools Research Paper

Students should be allowed to pray in schools - Research Paper Example This void in emotional satisfaction is filled in by the prayers. â€Å"Students have the right to engage in voluntary individual prayer that is not coercive and does not substantially disrupt the schools educational mission and activities† (Anti-Defamation League, 2013). In many families, parents teach their children to regularly pray. They describe the physical, psychological, emotional, and sociological benefits of praying to their children in their attempt to make the experience of praying all the more enlightening and emotionally fulfilling for the children. Children build a very positive image of praying using the lessons taught to them by their parents. â€Å"Ninety percent of Americas youngsters attend public schools. These students come from homes that espouse a variety of religious and philosophical beliefs† (Americans United, 2014). In such circumstances, when they see prayers being banned in school, they are bound to think negatively about at least their parents, prayers, and/or school. They cannot think positively about prayers and school and yet see the latter denying access to the former. â€Å"Students in school as well as out of school are ‘persons’ under our Constitution† (ACLJ, n.d.) and so they must be g ranted the right to pray in school. Critics might say that prayers should be banned in schools because they take a lot of time. However, this is not reality. Prayers in most religions hardly take five to ten minutes at the maximum to be made. This time can be allowed either in the lunch break, or in the ten to fifteen minutes of break between consecutive periods. In fact, it takes no more than two minutes for many children to pray. Critics might also say that prayers should be disallowed in schools because they impact other students. If that is so, there is no harm in that. The purpose of schools is education. If students see their peers and class-fellows belonging to different

The Consequences of Colonization Essay Example for Free

The Consequences of Colonization Essay Dr Clionadh Raleigh Human Geography. GG1023. Name: Louise Schriek Student ID: 11759835 Extension Granted for ad misericordiam reasons (Due on the 18/04/2012, Handed 26/04/2012). Word count: 1500 (excluding bibliography). Title : The consequences of colonization: an interpretation regarding the nature and causes of the ongoing issues around nationalism, ethnicity and stately power in sub-Saharan Africa since decolonization. Colonial occupation and the manner in which independence was gained and free states were organized may be a possible explanation for the matters of contention revolving around ethnicity, nationalism, and states in Sub-Saharan Africa to this day. A first part will expose the reasons for multiple ethnicities being situated in the same territory, and contrast it with the mainly mono-ethnic governments. A second part will deal with the consequences of this colonial inherited and induced system, holding that the nature of most sub-Saharan African states and their relations to the nations encompassed within their territories does not necessarily lead to secession, violence or power-contestations, but may partly account for the problems faced by these countries. Many of the territorial boundaries in Africa today have not changed since their definition by colonizers at the Berlin Conference (1884-1885); native societal systems were barely taken into account, the emphasis having been on the maximization of territory and resources (p93, Cole 2007). The individual colonial institutions and territories formed the inescapable frame that African nationalists had to confront and operate within to effectively challenge colonial occupation (p11, Young 2004). Mobilizations against the colonial states thus had to identify to and mobilize through the territory and populations imprisoned by this state, and thus colonial boundaries were kept as models for the new rising civic nationstates. The hyphenation of nation and state embodied ideological requirements to be impersonated to legitimize a discourse of independence in the eyes of European powers (p164, Hutchinson 2004). All groups encompassed in one delimited colonial territory thus needed to be presented as one nation claiming its rights to selfdetermination and due national territory, through a demotic form of  nationalism (Preface, E. K. Francis 1968) with respect to the specific colonial power occupying it. As Robert Stock explains, much of the weakness in African political institutions can be traced back to the colonial period, especially to the transition of political powers with the gain of independence (p136, Stock 2004). The governments put into place were composed by an African elite highly influenced by western values and ideologies, having benefited of colonial education (p70, Potter 2008). Elections were impacted and controlled by the colonial powers efforts to set up governments (p7, Saha 2010) that would not seriously challenge the interests of the metropole (p136, Stock 2004), hereby staying implicitly imperialist to keep economical advantages, to not be challenged politically, to impose their political ideologies on these rising free states, and to keep an upper hand on the exploitation and trade of resources in the globalizing economy. The new African governments were thus closely correlated with the previous colonizing powers, and were not necessarily a reflection of the people and nations within these states, of their desires and interests, but rather of that of a designated elite monopolizing the power in its own interest. Autonomy itself came from a popular strive of Africans, and vast independence movements fighting for political and economical freedom, encompassed in the continent-wide Pan-Africa ethnic phenomenon as a unitary reaction to colonization (p106, Cole 2007). But the consequent autonomous states set up did thus not rise from  a common will of the people, but of westernized decisions and a certain disguised continuation of the society model set up during the colonial era; The struggle for African autonomy and the creation of the independent states lacked substantial connection, as it seems that the first did not give birth to the second. It is thus not surprising that in general Sub-Saharan African States do not identify to the nations they were attributed or feel a strong duty of promoting the entirety of their citizens interests, and vice versa. Moreover, it seems that the elite holding political power will have a stronger connection to their own ethnic-nation than to the whole of the population in their territory (p235, Saha 2010). The importance of the  ethnic-factor in the process of nation-building is argued by such figures as Anthony Smith or Walker Connor to be of fundamental importance (p5, Young 2004). Ethnic belonging seems to be a fundament of the current African societal model. This may be traced back to the fact that the civic form of nationalism bringing all ethnic nations of one state together had by no means been pursued by colonial rulers, hereby facilitating control of populations and minimizing the amplitude of possible nationalistic protest. Most African Governments are constituted by one political party that will promote the interests of this one ethnicity, and be supported by it. These Uni-party governments are an inherent part of the system installed by the colonizing powers. A possible interpretation is as that of a vicious circle. The first governments of the new states at independence were mainly representative of only one of the ethnicities comprised in the state. Valuing this fraction of their states population that they shared ethno-national belonging with induced the growing loss of identification and trust of other ethnicities and of their sense of citizenship and belonging to the state as an inherent part of its nation. Support thus declined, the state responded by growingly disregarding these often numerous nations peripheral to their system, whom in turn in this opposition may aspire to overthrow the group in power, to defend their interests and gain recognition . Complications seem to derive from the probl ematic mono-ethnic governmental institutions holding stately power. This, amongst other factors, may be a cause for corruption and violence in SubSaharan Countries. It seems that The peripheral ethnicities subjugate themselves to the state, not by motive of civic nationalism and positive support, but by lack of means of contestation and politicization, by bribery as they are payed off or compensated (the least possible) for their passivity, through repression by violence, or elimination by mass murder. Various ethnic nations being encompassed in the same state thus usually seems to not lead to the secession of African states. Instead it leads to the fight over the monopoly of state-power between the various ethnic groups concerned (p240 Saha 2010). The state, due to its mono-party and mono-ethnic  constitution, only represents a fraction of the citizens that the officially homogenizing civic nation-state, indeed exhibiting national symbols, hymns, history etc (p443, Dirlik 2002) is supposed to take into account. Substantial civic-nationalism and equal treatment of the whole population on its territory, through the distribution of power and wealth, is not reflected. In fact, very few ethno-nationalist socio-political movements in Sub-Saharan Africa have made intractable demands to form their own ethnic states (p5, Saha 2010). Many movements, such as the Sudans Peoples Liberation Movement or the Oromo Liberation Front in Ethiopia do not consider secessions as the solution to their ethnic issues (p5, Saha 2010). These movements are rather looking for better recognition from the political elite, and for a better politico-economic position. It seems thus that ignored ethnicities, or the peoples nations on the social margins (p6, Young 2004), aspire more to a civic type of nationalism in the states that encomprise them, rather than to the creation of their own ethno-nationalist state, the latter, due to past and present situations, appearing to not be the key to development and stability. Ethnicity is thus an issue in state-politics. Ethnic divisions are very much observable in economic and political hierarchies, and this poses a problem for democratization and civic-nationalism which should be the prominent form of nationalism manifestations in most African countries south of the Sahara due to their multi-ethnic nature. Monopoly of the state by one ethnicity also holds as consequence the latters ample control of natural resources, which are of major importance in the developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, whose economies depend largely on the exploitation of primary resources. Contemporary nationalism advocates the fragmentation of  the states resources monopoly amongst its citizens (p22, Guiberneau 1999), which is rarely the case in Sub-Saharan Africa. It may be suggested that internal contestations of power and overthrowal- attempts of one ethnic group by another happen to gain access to the resources and wealth that the large national territories that each state rules over comprise. Added to  this is the large amount of development aid that governments gain access to, but that seems to mostly disappear amongst the elite and be used to secure its power-monopoly through bribery, financing violent repressions, and corruption of the populations that are not of the system supporting the party in power(p62, Orijako 2001). The access to this wealth may thus also be an incentive for intra-state tensions. Ethnic differences within nations do not seem to be the reason for intra-state conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa. But they still make the situation of these states problematic. One possible interpretation is thus that it is the mono-ethnic nature of most subSaharan African governments causes intra-state tensions. The cause of this may be traced back to the political, economic, social and territorial structuring imposed by colonial powers during colonial occupation, and generated by the way independence was gained, that is, through the colonial system, and influenced by colonial interests. Bibliography: . Montserrat Guibernau and John Hutchinson (2001), Understanding Nationalism, Polity Press, Great Britain. (Library 320.54 ). . Robert B. Potter, Tony Binns, Jennifer A. Elliot, David Smith (2008- Third Edition), Geographies of Development- An Introduction to Development Studies, Pearson Education Limited, UK. . M. Crawford Young (12/07/2004), Revisiting Nationalism and Ethnicity in Africa, James S. Coleman African Studies Center, UCLA, (Academic article, http://escholarship.org/uc/item/28h0r4sr ). . Arif Dirlik (2002), Rethinking Colonialism- Globalizatio, Postcolonialism, and the Nation, University of Oregon,The International of Postcolonial Studies, RoutledgeTaylor and Francis Group, USA. (Academic Article) . Robert Stock (2004), Africa South of the Sahara- A Geographical Interpretation (Second Edition), The Guilford Press, USA. . Santosh C. Saha (Mar 01, 2010), Sub-Saharan Ethnic Attachment And Civil Conflict: A Methodological Approach To State-Building And Ethnicity. Journal of Third World Studies; Vol. 27, No. 1, p. 235-251 (Academic Article). tcd library- EBSCO. . Roy Cole and H.J. De Blij (2007), Survey of Subsaharan Africa- a Regional Geography, Oxford University Press, USA. . E. K. Francis (1968), The Ethnic Factor in Nation-Building, University of North Carolina Press, USA. (Oxford Journals, Academic Article, http://sf.oxfordjournals.org/ content/46/3/338.short ). . Humphrey Orijako (2001), Killing Sub-Saharan Africa with Aid, Nova Science Publishers, USA.

The Nature And Characteristics Of Australian Smes Business Essay

The Nature And Characteristics Of Australian Smes Business Essay The term Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is used to collectively group micro, small and medium-sized business (Schaper Volery 2007). In order to be classed as an SME, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) requires that the business be independently owned and managed by an individual or small number of persons as wells as employ less than 199 staff (ABS 2001). In addition to this, typical SMEs share other similar characteristics such as start-up finance is generally provided by the owner, they hold a limited market share and have a limited life span, they earn low levels of net profit and they a most often a family business (Schaper Volery 2007). SMEs play a vital role in the Australian economy as they account for more than 95% of business and provide a significant proportion of national employment (OECD 2000). SMEs also play an important role as market makers. They increase the level of competition within the market, encourage innovation and development of goods and services as well as provide specialised products and services for niche markets (Schaper Volery 2007).Without SMEs there would be limited competition and high prices for consumers. As at June 2007 there were 2,011,770 actively trading businesses in Australia (ABS 2007), of which 98% were SMEs. A key trend in the Australian business environment has been the increasing number of non-employing-single operators, with now 58% of businesses not employing any staff (ABS 2004, 2007). Home based businesses make up a very large proportion of these businesses. The remained of the SMEs is made up of 26% micro businesses, those with less than 4 employees, 12% small businesses and medium businesses hold a share of 4%. 2 Factors influencing SMEs success and failure The nature of SME operations in Australia is that every year there are many start-ups and almost as many failures. During the 2006-07 financial year the rate of entry for new businesses into the market was 17% while the exit rate was at 14.6% (ABS 2007). Of the businesses that remain in the market, ABS (2007) data shows that only four in 10 businesses were remain in operation after 4 years. Recent studies on SMEs have identified five main factors influencing SME success and failure are financing, marketing, production, personnel and personal (Schaper Volery 2007). Yusaf (1995) places high importance on the personal factor, and states that the success and failure of an SME can often be attributed to the owner, depending on the level of their management skills. Owners with strong skills are able to develop and affect business plans, employ appropriate staff for the business, as well as accurately maintain records and control finances (Yusaf 1995). Personal qualities and traits such as self-confidence, perseverance and the ability to cope with stress and maintain a work-life balance are also considered very important (Schaper Volery 200). Finance is a significant issue for SMEs because insufficient capital combined with poor cash flows makes it difficult to establish, maintain and expand a business. Effective marketing is also an essential element of business success or failure because it strongly impacts on the firms ability to attract clientele (Cromie 1991; Yusaf 1995.Production refers the physical premises, quality of the products and services produced the ability to obtain supplies. It is essential when establishing a business that extensive market research is undertaken when selecting location and time and effort are given in order to develop business relationships. Quality personnel are essential for successful businesses however, as previously mentioned, this requires the owner to have sufficient management skills is order to recruit and retain qualified staff. A recent study conducted by the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development (2005) also found that the use of business plans increased the rate of business success. This is because the development of a business plan provides clarity of direction, encourages goal setting, provides a holistic perspective on the firm and encourages entrepreneurs to fully research their ideas before making significant investments into the business (Schaper Volery 2007). However, despite this, research shows that the majority of Australian businesses do not undertake this type of planning (Schaper Volery 2007) 3 Leadership/Entrepreneurs 3.1 Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship is the process brought about by individuals, of identifying new opportunities and converting them into marketable products or services (Schaper Volery 2007, p. 4). While there are many entrepreneurs in the market place, only a handful of them are successful in their pursuits. According to Schaper and Volery (2007) there is an endless list of characteristics and traits that are often attributed to successful entrepreneurs, however research has shown that of these, only three have shown a high level of validity. These three characteristics include the need for achievement; an internal locus of control; and a risk-taking propensity (Gartner 1985). The need for achievement is important because it means that the entrepreneur has an overarching desire to excel or succeed in their undertakings (Schaper Volery 2007). Entrepreneurs also need a strong internal locus of control in order to remain positive and continue working, even in adverse situations. A risk-taking propensity is essential characteristic because without it, they may not be willing to pursue and undertake opportunities when they arise. 3.2 Janine Allis Janine Allis is the founder and managing director of the Australian company, Boost Juice. From what started as single store in Adelaide, Boost Juice has grown to 180 outlets within Australia and a further 50 in Singapore, South Africa and Britain (Boost Juice 2010). This year, the company is expected to post revenue in excess of $130 million and a net profit of around $10 million (Thomson 2010). Janine Allis, through her desire to establish her own business has become one of Australias leading entrepreneurs. The process Janine took in developing the Boost Juice concept mirrors the aforementioned definition of entrepreneurship. Prior to developing her product she reviewed the retail market to identify an unfulfilled consumer need, which she found to be a lack of healthy fast foods (Boost Juice 2010). It wasnt until after investigating several other products and a trip to America, where she was exposed to the fresh juice and smoothie concept, she developed a product the Boost juice concept for the Australian market (Ovations 2008). From the outset Janine demonstrated a strong need for achievement. According to an interview in the Australian Business Review (2010), Janine Allis is quoted as saying, I never had intention of opening just 1 store, hence why we opened the first one in Adelaide. We always had bigger plans to have world domination. Her unyielding commitment and perseverance as well as her strong internal locus of control have contributed to the success of the business. Prior to establishing Boost Juice, Janine had not previously run her own company but was confident in herself and her concept that she was willing to invest her familys financial future in her business (Elder 2004). However Janine also understood the need to transfer the risk of operating a business to other parties, and in 2010 sold a 70% stake in the company for to a US private equity firm (Thomson 2010). Based on these demonstrated characteristics and traits, Janine Allis should be considered a successful Australian entrepreneur. 4. Analysing opportunities and developing a framework for business 4.1 Nature of the fitness industry Demand for health and fitness services has, for the past five years, increased annually with approximately 1.6 million Australians (8%) now using or holding a membership to a gym (ABS 2008). Research into health and fitness trends attributes the increased membership rates to improved awareness of the health risks associated with modern lifestyle choices as well as reductions in leisure time and the availability of private recreation areas (Diabetes NSW 2010; Sydney Morning Herald 2003). The Australian fitness industry is currently undergoing significant change is response to changing consumer needs. Kirby-Brown and Hall (2010) identified three major trends that are now redefining gym standards and practices. The first trend, referred to as nowism, is a reference to values and attitudes displayed by Generation Y. The main impact of this societal attitude has on health and fitness centres is on membership structure. Patrons do not want to be locked into but instead prefer pay-as-you-go or no minimum term contracts. The second key trend is personalisation, which proposes a major step away from traditional large gym models towards more boutique structures. This is the market that the Breeze Fitness Studio is attempting to capture. The boutique gym caters to time poor professionals who require flexibility and not predetermined schedules; patrons who would prefer alternative exercise forms; and those who do not feel comfortable in the traditional gym environment (The Age, 2003). The boutique gym model also provides a more flexible structure because when workouts become unfashionable they are no holding large quantities of expensive equipment, purpose-built rooms or an inflexible class schedule (Kirby-Brown Hall 2010; The Age 2003). These factors all positively indicate towards the viability of establishing a boutique fitness centre. 4.2 Viability of Breeze Legal Structure There are four main types of legal structures used in SMEs, Sole trader, Partnerships, Companies and Trusts. The most commonly used form is Sole trader. In this type of structure the business is not considered a separate legal entity, which means business profits are taxed at the marginal tax rate of the owner and that owner is personally responsible for all of the liabilities of the business (Schaper Volery 2007). However this structure is simple and inexpensive to establish. A partnership is an arrangement between two or more people to start a business and legally share the profits, risks and losses according to the terms set out in the partnership contracts (DEEDI 2009). The main disadvantages of this form are the loss of control and that, like sole traders, there is unlimited liability. The company structure is a legal entity separate from the owner, which provides for limited liability and separate taxation of business earnings (Schaper Volery 2009). Compared to the other two structures, it is more costly to establish a company. A trust is a structure where the business is transferre d to a third party who has legal control and has a duty to run that business to benefit someone else (DEEDI 2009). This structure, while providing tax minimisation, is complex and costly by nature (DEEDI 2009. Of these four structures, a Proprietary Limited Company is most suitable for Breeze Health and Fitness. While this structure requires higher costs to maintain due periodic reporting to ASIC, the benefits received outweigh this. With a high level of expected profit forecast for the business, it is not economically feasible to have this taxed at the marginal tax rate of 45%, when the company tax rate is considerably lower at 30%. The other key reason for the use of the company structure is the access to limited liability. The owner does not wish to have their personal financial assets placed unnecessarily at risk, as would be in the case in a sole trader and partnership arrangement. 4.2.2 Market Size It is proposed that Breeze Fitness Studio be established in Toowoomba, Queensland. Recent economic reports put together by the Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) show that there is strong market for health and fitness to support the establishment of the Breeze Fitness Studio. The 2010 Economic Report compiled by the TRC shows that demand for arts and recreation services has grown 14.8% in the past financial year, compared to the negative average growth of 3% for the state. In 2007 recreation services had a combined annual turnover $60.7 million, with the average annual business turnover being $243,800p.a (TRC 2010). The current female population in Toowoomba and surrounding local areas, aged between 20 and 55 is 33,267 (ABS 2006). With approximately 8% of the population holding or using gym memberships, the market size is expect to be around 2660. The characteristics of the market support the establishment of Breeze Fitness Studio. 4.2.3 Target Market According to Cooper (1993) the target market needs to be an attractive market where the competition is weak, there is potential growth, there are only few players and the customer base has an unsatisfied need for a particular product. After an evaluation of the current market in Toowoomba revealed two distinct and complimentary markets which will both be targeted by Breeze Fitness Studio. Currently there are no female-only fitness centres located in the Toowoomba Central Business District. This is a very profitable market because, if the product is tailored correctly, there is a large population of professional women who work in the vicinity. With the current health focus for professionals, there is an established need for Breeze Fitness Studio. The profile for this market is shown in the table below. Table 1: Characteristics of Target Market 1 Base Descriptor Justification Geographic Region or area   Toowoomba CBD Demographic Gender Female Psychographic Lifestyle Busy lifestyle, want to maintain health is a convenient manner The other potential market that was identified was that there are only a small number of gyms offering alternative fitness programs aimed at young females who are not content with standard gym offerings. Their profile is outlined below. Table 2: Characteristics of Target Market 2 Base Descriptor Justification Demographic Gender Female Income High Disposable Income Age 18-30 Psychographic Lifestyle Interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle but are not contempt with standard exercises offered at gyms. 4.2.4 Nature of Product Kotlers three levels of product are used to understand how a customer views a product and service. The most basic level of a product is its core, which is what is the customer buying? Breeze Fitness Studio offers it members womens-only health and fitness. This can be seen as a transformational product because women who join are not just purchasing a gym membership they are purchasing a new lease on life, self-esteem and a release from the stresses of everyday life. The second level of product is referred to as the actual product, and these are the things that need to be provided in order to achieve the core benefit. For Breeze Fitness Studio the actual product is characterised by high levels of customer service, a wide and varying array of programs, qualified staff, appearance of the staff and quality equipment. The final level of product, the augmented product, is the additional benefits the customer receives from purchasing this product. Augmented product for Breeze includes flexible membership options and the packaging as well as personalised service. For a visual representation of the three levels of the Breeze Fitness Studio Product, please see Appendix 1. 4.2.5 Competitive Edge/Unique Selling Proposition Due to the use of multi-segmented targeting, Breeze Fitness Studio will use two different Unique Selling Propositions. For the first target market Breeze will focus on differentiating themselves from competitors by convenience of location and high levels of personal attention not offered at large fitness centres. As the gym is aimed at professional women, who are often under considerable time constraints, workouts will be structured on achieving maximum benefits in minimum time. To attract the younger market, Breeze will market the uniqueness of its alternative fitness programs. Breeze will be the only fitness centre offering Juakri and Silks, in addition to Bikram Yoga and Pole Fitness. 4.2.6 Finance Breeze Fitness Studio will be financed through personal savings of the owner, a loan from family as well as a loan from business angel, Lee Gend. It is estimated that the initial costs involved in establishing the business will amount to $102,500. These costs are funding are broken down in detail in Appendix 2. The expected start up costs take into account the cost of fit out of the premises, the costs associated with establishing and registering a company with ASIC, the cost of equipment for the studio, the initial marketing of the centre and a margin for incidental costs. Working capital of $15,000 is required to pay bills and wages that occur before the centre is opened. The loans from Lee Gend and the owners parents will be repaid over a period of 2 years at a fixed interest rate of 7%. The breakdown of loan repayments is shown below. Table 3: Loan Repayment Schedule Terms 2 years, 7% Total Cost Monthly Repayment Loan from Parents 22898 954 Loan from Lee Gend 37210 1550 Total Monthly Repayment 2505 Total Annual Repayment 30054 Membership levels for Breeze Fitness Studio has been based on an initial membership base of 100, which is to be achieved in the membership presale, with a growth rate of 7% per month for the first year, which is in line with industry standards. It is expected by the end of the first year the membership base will level out. Wages for the year have been calculated on the basis of one full-time staff member, 2 part-time staff and 2 casuals, using the industry award. It is estimated that wages in the first year will be $82,500. Breeze Fitness Studio will be located in the Toowoomba CBD and the lease costs for this property are $66,000 per year (Ray White 2010). This rate is consistent with other comparable CBD locations. Insurance costs for the studio have been estimated at $5500 p.a. An allowance of $10,000 has been set aside to cover phone and internet bells, equipment replacement costs, accountant and solicitor fees and other incidentals. Using this data, it is projected that Breeze Fitness Studio will earn a net profit of $16,403 in its first year of operation. A breakdown of this is shown in the profit and loss statement below. Breeze Fitness Studio Profit and Loss Statement For Year Ended 31 December 2011 Revenue Membership Fees 210457 Less Expenses Loan Repayments 30054 Property Lease 66000 Wages 82500 Insurance 5500 Other Expenses 10000 194054 Net Profit 16403 6. List of References ABC 2010, Female Fitness Centres, viewed on 20 August 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2001, 1321.0 Small Business in Australia, viewed on 1 August 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2004, 8127.0 Characteristics of Small Business, viewed on 22 August 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006, Census, viewed on 15 August 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2007, 8165.0 Counts of Australian Businesses, Including Entries and Exits, viewed on 12 August 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2008, 2007-08 National Health Survey, viewed on 21 August 2010, Australian Business Review 2010, Business Legend Janine Allis, Boost Juice, viewed on 22 August 2010, Boost Juice 2010, Janines Success Story, viewed on 12 August 2010, Cromie, S 1996, The problems experienced by young firms, International Small Business Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 43-61 Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation  2009, Smart Skills Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovations, viewed on 20 August 2010, Diabetes NSW 2010, Australias Obesity Problem Continues to Growà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, viewed on 21 July 2010, Elder, J 2004, Allis charms judges of national business award, viewed on 2 August 2010, Gartner, WB 1985, A conceptual framework for describing the phenomenon of new venture creation, Academy of Management Review, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 696-706 Kirby-Brown, C Hall, S 2010, The Top 10 Consumer Trends Impacting the Fitness industry in 2010, viewed 2 August 2010, Kotler, P, Adam, S, Brown, L Armstrong, G 2006, Principles of Marketing, Prentice Hall, Sydney Ministry of Economic Development 2005, SMEs in New Zealand: Structure and Dynamics, Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington OECD 2000. OECD Small and Medium Enterprise Outlook 2000 Edition. Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Ovations 2008, Janine Allis Speaker, viewed 4 August 2010, Ray White 2010, Commercial Real Estate, viewed on 23 August 2010, Schaper, M Volery, T 2007, Entrepreneurship an Small Business, John Wiley Sons, Milton Sydney Morning Herald 2003, A Pointless Exercise, viewed on 12 August 2010, The Age 2003, Tight Fit, viewed on 3 August 2010, Thomson, J 2010, Boost Juice founder Janine Allis sells 70% stake, viewed on 8 August 2010, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) 2010, Toowoomba Regional Council Economic Profile 2010, viewed on 8 August 2010, Yusaf, A 1995, Critical success factors for small business, Journal of Small Business Management, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 68-73

Use of Brucellosis in Bioterrorism Essay -- Biological Terrorism Terro

Bioterrorism Brucellosis is a very threatening biological weapon in the sense that it does not cause fatality, but incapacitates its victims. Not only this, but it is hard to diagnose since the symptoms it induces are extremely nonspecific. Bioterrorism has existed for countless years, and there is no doubt that it will be used in the future. The only thing we have to worry about now is how it will be put to use. Despite going through the trouble of setting up pacts to prevent the use of biological weapons, its presence continues to cause problems on a worldwide scale. It is often said that what we fear the most is in fact fear itself. Happiness cannot negate it, but simply aids in distracting the mind from it; ignorance, on the other hand, harbors fear and provides it a space to grow and envelop the mind. This feeling of terror and insecurity arises from any situation that is presented to us in which we have no control over and is not within the boundaries of our own comfort zones. This flaw in man’s mental state has set in stone a gateway that has led to man’s greatest achievement. It is indeed a terrifying accomplishment, but none would be wise to deny its genius. The theory of this horrifying weapon has been used for thousands of years, and the world may someday fall at its feet. It would be a fallacy to say that it will not be used for years and years to come. Everything aforementioned can be summed up in one word: bioterrorism. Although a plethora of biological agents exist, one in particular acts as one of the most imp ortant destructors regarding animal disease—Brucellosis (Grey). Whenever the word â€Å"bioterrorism† is mentioned, one of the first agents people naturally think of is Bacillus anthracis, the ... ... It is quite a shame that the executive powers in the world feel the need to have such dangerous chemicals and substances to make them feel safe. There is much at stake with countries harboring deadly weapons, and the future seems bleak for generations to come. Works Cited Alton, G. G. and J.R.L. Forsyth. â€Å"Brucella.† Date unknown. 20 July 2007. . Anderson, Burt. Microorganisms and Bioterrorism. New York: Springer, 2006. â€Å"Bacterial Weapon Acting on Humans and Livestock.† Date unknown. 23 July 2007. . â€Å"Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases: Brucellosis.† 6 Oct. 2005. 20 July 2007. . Grey, Michael and Kenneth Spaeth. The Bioterrorism Sourcebook. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Use of Brucellosis in Bioterrorism Essay -- Biological Terrorism Terro Bioterrorism Brucellosis is a very threatening biological weapon in the sense that it does not cause fatality, but incapacitates its victims. Not only this, but it is hard to diagnose since the symptoms it induces are extremely nonspecific. Bioterrorism has existed for countless years, and there is no doubt that it will be used in the future. The only thing we have to worry about now is how it will be put to use. Despite going through the trouble of setting up pacts to prevent the use of biological weapons, its presence continues to cause problems on a worldwide scale. It is often said that what we fear the most is in fact fear itself. Happiness cannot negate it, but simply aids in distracting the mind from it; ignorance, on the other hand, harbors fear and provides it a space to grow and envelop the mind. This feeling of terror and insecurity arises from any situation that is presented to us in which we have no control over and is not within the boundaries of our own comfort zones. This flaw in man’s mental state has set in stone a gateway that has led to man’s greatest achievement. It is indeed a terrifying accomplishment, but none would be wise to deny its genius. The theory of this horrifying weapon has been used for thousands of years, and the world may someday fall at its feet. It would be a fallacy to say that it will not be used for years and years to come. Everything aforementioned can be summed up in one word: bioterrorism. Although a plethora of biological agents exist, one in particular acts as one of the most imp ortant destructors regarding animal disease—Brucellosis (Grey). Whenever the word â€Å"bioterrorism† is mentioned, one of the first agents people naturally think of is Bacillus anthracis, the ... ... It is quite a shame that the executive powers in the world feel the need to have such dangerous chemicals and substances to make them feel safe. There is much at stake with countries harboring deadly weapons, and the future seems bleak for generations to come. Works Cited Alton, G. G. and J.R.L. Forsyth. â€Å"Brucella.† Date unknown. 20 July 2007. . Anderson, Burt. Microorganisms and Bioterrorism. New York: Springer, 2006. â€Å"Bacterial Weapon Acting on Humans and Livestock.† Date unknown. 23 July 2007. . â€Å"Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases: Brucellosis.† 6 Oct. 2005. 20 July 2007. . Grey, Michael and Kenneth Spaeth. The Bioterrorism Sourcebook. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Julius Caesar Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Life And Death of Gaius Julius Caesar In my opinion, no other man in the history of the world symbolizes military and political strength as much as Julius Caesar does. Caesar was born on July 12, 100 BC in Rome, Italy (Encarta 2000). His father belonged to the prestigious Julian clan (Internet Explorer) His uncle by marriage was Gaius Marius, leader of the Populares which supported agrarian reform and opposed the Optimates (Comptons Encyclopedia). Marius saw to it that Julius Caesar was appointed flamen dialis which is a archaic priesthood with no power. Caesar's marriage in 84 BC to Cornelia, the daughter of Marius's associate was a political Match (Lindsay Salo). When Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Marius's enemy and leader of the Optimates, was made dictator in 82 BC, he issued a list of enemies to be executed. Caesar was not harmed but he was ordered by Sulla to divorce Cornelia. Caesar refused that order and left Rome to join the army (Lindsay Salo) (Comptons Encyclopedia). This wa s the beginning of an astonishing military career. He became second in command of the province Asia (Turkey) (Lindsay Salo). In two years he proved his bravery and superior skills at arms. After these years and Sulla's resignation in 78 BC, Julius decided to return to Rome. There he served as an officer in Crassus's army against Spartacus, Caesar climbed steadily in the government by serving as an official in many provinces (Internet Explorer). After the death of his wife Cornelia, Julius remarried a wealthy wife and allied with Crassus, who was the richest man in Rome at the time (Internet Explorer). Their opponent was Pompeius Magnus (the Great). Caesar wanted to become part of the consulate. The consulate was a governmental position where two consuls, nominated each year, held the power of the state. Caesar was hoping that he and Crassus would become the powerful consuls of the Roman Empire. However, the Senate tried to stop his efforts by pitting Crassus, Pompeius and Caesar aga inst each other. Caesar noticed this and did something believed impossible. Julius created an alliance among himself, Crassus, and Pompeius (Encarta 2000). The alliance made it possible for them all to share power. This three way consulship was called a Triumvirate (Internet Explorer). This agreement dictated the Roman policy for the next decade. They shared all offices between them and their followe... ...y corrupt tax system, extended Roman citizenship, and sponsored colonies of veterans. Also Caesar's reform of the calendar gave Rome a rational means of recording time which was very important (Encarta 2000). However, a number of senatorial families felt that Caesar threatened their position. Thus, on the 6th of March 44 BC, the so called Ides of March, Caesar was murdered by Marcus Brutus, Gaius Cassius, and his two trusted commanders of his old legions Decimus Brutus and Gaius Trebonius (Encarta 2000). Caesar was stabbed twenty-three times. While the blood poured out of his wounded body the great dictator of Rome silently pulled his toga over his head and fell at the foot of a statue of Pompeius (Internet Explorer). In conclusion, Julius Caesar was probably the greatest man of his time and the most successful. It was Caesar who ended the Roman republic and paved the way for the later Roman emperors (Encarta 2000). From his early life to his death no other man accomplished as mu ch as he did. Julius Caesar in my opinion was the greatest soldier and dictator of all time. By Vince Henecker Bibliography 1. Compton's Encyclopedia 2. Encarta 2000 3. Internet Explorer 4. Lindsay Salo

Comparing the Role of the Black in the South in Clotelle and Absalom, A

Role of the Black in the Southern Family as Evidenced in Clotelle and Absalom,   Absalom!  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Southern Literature, more than anything else, is a discussion of the family. And in the family, particularly the Southern family, no question is as pivotal--or causes as many disputes--as "who belongs?" Southern Literature has been, in many ways, a canon of exclusion. From a culture built upon controlling and utilizing an entire race for the express purpose of advancing another, a canon of yearning and despair is left. And in no place is this as clear as within the family, the unit by nature designed to nurture and support--and ultimately overcome. Stereotypically, the family longed for by every Southerner is one of impeccable repute, a white triumph, clean of any African blood, with a heritage predating the Revolution and a lineage reaching beyond the next millennium. Clotelle, by William Wells Brown, is an appeal to the Southern ideal that African-Americans do not and can not fit into the traditional, lily-white aristocratic familial structure which ruled the South during his time--and reigned for many years thereafter. Traditional Southern canon emphasizes the Thomas Sutpens--of William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom! --who ejects African-Americans from his family (as he attempts to create a new one), and men like the Sheriff of Charles W. Chesnutt's "The Sheriff's Children," who sells a pregnant slave--carrying his unborn mulatto child--into slavery. The advancement and protection of one's name is also highlighted by Sutpen and by Clara Hohlfelder in another Chesnutt tale, "Her Virginia Mammy." These are ideals which Brown understands and resists, and tries--ultimately in vain--to defy. Clotelle does not adjust itself to the tr... ...ildren are born as a result--are disposed of as quietly as possible, in order to keep the familial superstructure as maximally pure as possible. A white man does not marry a slave, or make a respectable woman of her. He keeps her and his child in a shed outside of town, he sends them to New Orleans, or sells them to the rice swamps to toil under the whip for the remainder of their lives. Southern literature excludes the African-American from its families, thus robbing her of her identity and forcing her to become a mere brick in the base below the superstructure. Works Cited Brown, William Wells. Clotelle. Miami: Mnemosyne Publishing, 1969. Chesnutt, Charles W. "Her Virginia Mammy" and "The Sheriff's Children." Collected Stories of Charles W. Chesnutt. New York: Penguin, 1992. 114-148. Faulkner, William. Absalom, Absalom! New York: Vintage, 1990.   

Night World : Huntress Chapter 13

The kiss was warm and sweet. Not frightening. Jez felt herself relax in Morgead's arms before she knew what she was doing. His heart was beating so fast against hers. She felt dizzy, but safe, too; a wonderful feeling. But the approach of his mind was another thing. It was just like the first time: that terrible, irresistible pull trying to suck her soul out and mix it with Morgead's until they were both one person. Until he knew her every secret and she had no place to hide. And the worst thing Was that she knew it wasn't Morgead doing it. It was that outside force doing it to both of them, carrying them along helplessly. Whether we want it or not. And we don't want it, Jez told herself desperately. We both hate it. Neither of us wants to share our souls†¦. But then why was he still holding her, still kissing her? And why was she letting him? At that instant she felt his mind touch hers, reaching through the smoke-screen of protection she'd thrown around herself to brush her thoughts as lightly as a moth's wing. She recognized Morgead's essence in it; she could feel his soul, dark and bright and full of fierce emotion for her. He was opening himself to her; not trying to fight this or even holding back. He was going farther than the pull forced him to, giving himself to her freely†¦. It was a gift that sent her reeling. And she couldn't resist it. Her mind flowed out of its own accord to touch his, tendrils of thought wrapping around his gratefully. The shock of pleasure when she let it happen was frightening-except that she couldn't be frightened anymore, not now. And then she felt him respond, felt his happiness, felt his thoughts enfolding hers, holding her mind as gently as his arms held her body. And white light exploded behind her eyes†¦. Jez! Morgead! What's wrong with you two? The thought was foreign, cold, and unwanted. It broke into Jez's warm little world and rattled around annoyingly. Jez tried to push it away. Hey, look; I'm just trying to help. If you guys are alive, then, like give us a sign, okay? Morgead made a sound like a mental groan. It's Vol. I have to kill him. I'm going to help, Jez told him. Then something occurred to her. Oh-wait. Where are we†¦ ? It was a good question. A weird but necessary question. It took them a moment to untangle their thoughts from each other and rise back to the real world. Where they seemed to be sitting under the ruins of a redbud tree, arms around each other, Jez's head on Morgead's shoulder, Morgead's face pressed into Jez's hair. At least we weren't still kissing, Jez thought abstractedly. She could feel herself flushing scarlet. The rest of the gang was standing around them, looking down with worried expressions. â€Å"What do you guys want?† Morgead said brusquely. â€Å"What do we want?† Raven leaned forward, dark hair swinging. Jez actually saw both her midnight blue eyes underneath. â€Å"You three jumped off the roof just as the fire got out of control. We put it out and came down to see if you were still alive- and then we find you here hanging on to each other and totally out of it. And you want to know what we want? We want to know if you're okay.† â€Å"We're fine,† Morgead said. He didn't say anything more, and Jez understood. Neither of them had any desire to talk about it in front of other people. That could wait until they were alone, until it was the right time. They didn't need to express this to each other. Jez simply knew, and knew that he knew. â€Å"What about her?† Thistle pointed to Iona, still asleep on the sidewalk. Jez was already moving to the child. She checked the little body over, noted the even breathing and the peaceful expression. â€Å"She's fine, too,† she said, settling back. She held Thistle's gaze. â€Å"No thanks to you.† Thistle's cheeks were pink. She looked angry, embarrassed, and defensive. â€Å"She's just a human.† â€Å"She's a kid!† Morgead yelled, shooting up to his feet. He towered over Thistle, who suddenly looked very small. â€Å"Which you're not,† he went on unsym-pathetically. â€Å"You're just a-a sixteen-year-old Shirley Temple-wannabe.† â€Å"All right, both of you!† Jez said sharply. She waited until they shut up and looked at her before continuing. â€Å"You-be quiet and let me take care of things,† she said to Morgead. â€Å"And you-if you ever try to hurt a kid again, I'll knock your head off.† This to Thistle, who opened her mouth, but then shut it again without speaking. Jez nodded. â€Å"Okay, that's settled. Now we've got to get this girl home.† Val stared at her. â€Å"Home?† â€Å"Yeah, Val.† Jez picked the child up. â€Å"In case you missed something, she's not the Wild Power.† â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Val wriggled his broad shoulders uncomfortably and looked at Morgead. â€Å"You mean you were wrong?† â€Å"There's a first time for everything, right?† Morgead glared at him. â€Å"But, then-who is the Wild Power?† Raven put in quietly. â€Å"Who knows?† It was the first time Pierce had spoken, and his voice was low and distantly amused. Jez glanced at him. His blond hair glinted in the red light of the sunset, and his dark eyes were mocking. I really don't think I like you much, she thought. But of course he was right â€Å"If this kid isn't the one-well, I guess it could have been anybody at the scene,† she said slowly. â€Å"Anybody worried enough to want to save her. One of the firefighters, a neighbor-anybody.† â€Å"Assuming the blue flash on the tape really was evidence of a Wild Power,† Pierce said. â€Å"I think it was.† Jez glanced at Morgead. â€Å"It sure looked like blue fire. And it certainly was some kind of Power.† â€Å"And Grandma Harman dreamed about the Wild Power being in San Francisco,† Morgead added. ‘It all fits too well.† He looked at Jez slyly. â€Å"But it couldn't have been anybody at the scene, you know.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because of what you said about that line in the prophecy. ‘Born in the year of the blind Maiden's vision.' That means it has to be somebody born less than eighteen years ago. Before that, Aradia couldn't have visions because she wasn't alive.† Goddess, I'm slow today, Jez thought. I should have thought of that. She gave him a wry nod of respect and he returned it with a grin. Not maliciously. â€Å"It's still not much to go on,† Raven said in her pragmatic way. â€Å"But don't you think we should go back inside to discuss it? Somebody's going to come along eventually and see us with an unconscious kid.† â€Å"Good point,† Jez said. â€Å"But I'm not going up with you. I'm taking the kid home.† â€Å"Me, too,† Morgead said. Jez glanced at him; he had his stubborn expression on. â€Å"Okay, but just us. Two motorcycles are going to be conspicuous enough.† She turned to Raven. â€Å"The rest of you can do what you want tonight; try to figure out who the Wild Power is or whatever. Well meet again tomorrow and see what we've come up with.† â€Å"Why wait?† Val said. â€Å"It's only dusk. We could meet tonight-â€Å" Tm tired,† Jez cut in. ‘It's enough for the day.† And Goddess knows how I'm going to explain being gone this long to Aunt Nan, she thought wearily. Not to mention missing school. Pierce was watching her with an odd expression. â€Å"So you'll have to report to Hunter that we failed,† he said, and there was a probing tone in his voice that Jez didn't like. â€Å"Yeah, I'll tell him you screwed up,† she said heavily. â€Å"But that we still have some options. Unless you'd rather I just tell him that you're all idiots and not worth giving a second chance.† She kept looking at Pierce until he looked away. When she turned to Morgead he was scowling, but he didn't say anything. He silently started toward their bikes. They couldn't talk while they were riding. Jez was too full of her own thoughts anyway. She was finally free to consider those last minutes with Morgead. It had been†¦ amazing. Electrifying. But also enlightening. She knew now what had happened to them, what was happening. He had been right. It was the soul-mate principle. So we're soulmates. Morgead and I. After all our fighting and challenging each other and everything. It's so strange, but in a way it makes sense, too†¦. And it's really a pity that even if we both survive the next week or so, we're never going to see each other again. The thought came from some deep part of her that was utterly heartless and practical and saw everything in the cold light of truth. Because unfortunately the universe had picked the wrong person for Jez to be soulmates with. It had picked one that would hate her and want to kill her once he realized what she really was. Bad mistake, universe, Jez thought, biting down on a laugh. She realized, dimly, that she was verging on being hysterical. It had been such a long day, and she was so tired, and so hurt, and she'd failed in her mission, and now Morgead was in love with her, but there was just no hope. Small wonder she was punchy and an emotional wreck. She was lucky not to be railing off her bike. There really was no hope. Even in that last encounter, even when Morgead had been revealing his soul to her, Jez had managed to keep her own secrets buried. He didn't know. He had no idea that the girl he was in love with was vermin. Was working with Circle Daybreak. Was lying to him to steal the Wild Power out from under his nose and end the hopes of the vampires for a world without humans. He was ambitious, she had always known that. All he'd ever cared about was climbing higher and getting more power. She'd promised him a position in the new world order-while all the time she was working as hard as she could to make sure that the new world order never came. He would never forgive that deception. He would never even be able to understand why she had done it. So you have to forget about him, the cold-and-practical part of her mind said quietly. And there was nothing inside Jez that even tried to argue. It was dark by the time they reached the Marina district. As they approached the housing project, Jez saw flashing lights ahead. Police car lights. Well, that wasn't unexpected. Iona's mother would have notified them by now. Jez just hoped she wasn't too worried†¦. Idiot! her mind said sarcastically. How worried do you expect her to be, with it getting dark and her eight-year-old missing? She turned into an alley and Morgead followed her. â€Å"Well have to do a drive-by,† she said over the thrum of the engines. â€Å"Drop her by the police cars and then shoot out of there. They'll probably chase us. Are you up for it?† He nodded. â€Å"We should go separate ways. That'll make it harder for them to catch us.† â€Å"Right. You go on home once you lose them. So will I.† She couldn't see his features clearly in the dark alley, but she knew he was looking at her. â€Å"So will you? Go home?† â€Å"I mean I'll go to the place where I'm staying.† She expected him to ask about that, try to find out where it was, what she was doing. He didn't Instead he said, â€Å"Do you have to?† She bunked at him, startled. Then she frowned. â€Å"Yes, I have to. I want to. I'm tired, Morgead, and anyway I'm not ready to be spending the night with a guy.† â€Å"I didn't mean that-â€Å" Jez waved a hand. â€Å"I know. I'm sorry. But I'm still tired, and-† And I've got other responsibilities that you don't understand. And if I stick around you any longer, while I'm this tired, I'm afraid that you're going to find out what they are. â€Å"And you're still mad,† he said bleakly. Tm not mad-â€Å" â€Å"Or disgusted or whatever.† What was he talking about? Tm just tired,† she said firmly. â€Å"Now let's drop the kid off, and I'll see you tomorrow.† â€Å"I-† He let out his breath violently. â€Å"All right.† Jez didn't waste any more time. She unzipped her jacket, which had been holding Iona firmly against her. Then she sped out into the street. One block, two blocks. And now she was right beside the dark and deserted playground, and now she was almost level with the police cars. There were several officers standing around talking, and several other bystanders who might be neighbors. Jez targeted one of the neighbors. She swooped in toward the woman, who was on the outside edge of the sidewalk. She came up fast, then hit the brakes. â€Å"Hey,† she said. â€Å"Here.† The woman turned around and her jaw dropped. Jez didn't hesitate, just bundled Iona into her arms. The woman grabbed the child's weight automatically. â€Å"Give her to her mom, okay?† And then Jez was roaring out and away. She could hear Morgead behind her, and shouts from the housing project. Then a police siren. She glanced back. Morgead was just turning on a side street. He waved once at her, and then he was speeding off. Jez could hear more sirens now. She twisted the throttle and headed for the Bay Bridge. At least a pursuit was something she could enjoy. When she finally shook the police cars tailing her, she turned toward Clayton. She would have been worried about what her aunt and uncle were going to say if she hadn't already been too worried about Iona. She'll be all right, she told herself. She shouldn't remember anything, and her mom will take care of her. But Jez couldn't help but feel guilty†¦ and just plain sad. There was some sort of bond between her and the child. She felt-responsible for her, and not just because she'd kidnapped and terrorized her. Nobody should have to grow up in that kind of place. I may have run around on the streets when I was little, but at least I had Uncle Bracken, and a nice home to go to if I wanted. Iona-she doesn't even have a safe playground. I should do something for her, but what can I do that would matter? I don't know; maybe I can visit her sometime. Maybe I can buy her a plant†¦. There weren't any easy answers, and she was drawing up to a neat yellow frame house. Home. Time, Jez thought, to face the music. Uncle Jim and Aunt Nan and nasty little Claire. She just hoped they left enough of her alive so that she could call Hugh afterward. She pulled her motorcycle into the garage, climbed off, and went inside. â€Å"†¦ at all is bad enough, But to do it the day after you make us a promise-well, what are we supposed to think? How are we supposed to trust you again?† Jez was sitting on the blue floral couch in the living room. The Goddard living room didn't get used much, only for very formal occasions. This was one of them. It was a court martial. And there wasn't really a thing that Jez could say to the humans she lived with. She certainly couldn't give them any excuse that would make sense. â€Å"First, ditching Claire even though you swore to us that you'd let her drive you to school.† Aunt Nanami was ticking items off on her fingers. â€Å"Second, ditching school after you swore to us you weren't going to skip again. Third, going off some place you won't even tell us about. Fourth, not even calling to let us know you were still alive. Fifth, getting home at almost ten o'clock at night-â€Å" Uncle Jim cleared his throat. â€Å"Nan, I think we've been over this already.† A couple of times, Jez thought. Oh, well, at least Claire is enjoying it. Her cousin was standing at the entrance to the living room, openly listening. When she happened to catch Jez's eye she smiled brilliantly, her small face actually glowing with smug satisfaction. Aunt Nan was shaking her head. ‘I just want to make sure she understands, Jim. I thought she understood last night, but obviously†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She threw her hands up. â€Å"Well, the thing is-† Uncle Jim cleared his throat again and looked at Jez. He looked uncomfortable; he wasn't very good at discipline, but Jez could see that he'd reached his limit. â€Å"The thing is that we can't just keep yelling at you. We have to do something, Jez. So we've decided to lock up your motorcycle. You can't ride it anymore, not until you learn to be more responsible.† Jez sat stunned. Not her bike. They couldn't take her bike from her. How would she get anywhere? She had to be mobile. She had to get to Morgead tomorrow-she had to get to Hugh sometime. She had to be able to track down the Wild Power. And she couldn't do any of that without transportation. But she could see from Uncle Jim's face that he was serious. He'd finally decided to put his foot down, and Jez had gotten caught underneath it. She let out her breath. Part of her wanted to yell and storm and rage about this, to lose control and make a big noisy fuss. But it wouldn't do any good. Besides, she'd managed to keep her temper for almost a year with these people, to live her double life as a student and vampire hunter and make it all work. To blow that now would be stupid. And another part of her was scared that she was even verging on losing control. That was what even a day with Morgead did to her. It cut through all her careful discipline and changed her back into a raving barbarian. Morgead†¦ she couldn't think about him now. â€Å"Okay, Uncle Jim,† she said out loud. â€Å"I understand. You do what you have to.† â€Å"If you can just show us that you're learning to be responsible, then you can have the bike back. You have to learn to take life more seriously, Jez.† That forced a tired snort out of her. She was laughing before she knew it, and her aunt and uncle were looking shocked and displeased. I'm sorry,† she said. ‘I'll try harder.† And I'll just have to take public transportation tomorrow, she thought when the lecture was over and she was free to go to her room. Even though that's a lot more dangerous. I could get hunted down so easily. . . . â€Å"You messed with the wrong person, you know?† Claire said as Jez reached her door. â€Å"You shouldn't have dumped me like that. You shouldn't make me mad.† â€Å"Yeah, Claire; well, now I know better. I'm terrified.† â€Å"You're still not taking things seriously, are you?† â€Å"Claire-† Jez rounded on the smaller girl. Then she stopped dead. â€Å"I don't have time for this,† she muttered. â€Å"I have to make a call. You just run along and harass somebody else.† She shut the bedroom door in Claire's face. Which, she realized later, was a mistake. At the time, though, she was too tired to think about it. She was too tired to think properly at all. Tired and distraught, with the feeling that everything was closing in and happening too fast. And so when she picked up the phone to dial Hugh she hardly noticed the little click on the line, and she didn't stop for even a second to consider what it meant.