Columbus- hero of villain essays

Columbus- hero of villain essays When a person hears the word prejudice, he or she might think it only refers to the racial prejudice often found between those with light skin and those with dark skin. However, prejudice runs much deeper than a person's color. Prejudice is found between gender, religion, cultural and geographical background, and race. People have discriminated against others based upon these attributes from the beginning of time. Prejudice has become a complex problem in our society today and much of our world's history is based upon such hatred. In the 1600's, white men used Africans as slaves and treated them as if they were not human. Colored people were not even allowed to use the same drinking fountains as white people until the mid-1900's. Hitler and his men killed over five million people because they were Jewish or were not their definition of normal. The Ku Klux Klan exists today and openly professes its hatred towards Jews and colored people. Our society is riddled with such hatred b ased upon peoples' beliefs and origins and it seems millions are fighting each other for no relevant reason at all. It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of prejudice in our world today, yet it will be difficult or even impossible for it to completely go away. Society has seemingly come to except all races, religions, and genders, and has supposedly achieved political correctness, yet there will forever be individuals who discriminate based upon these issues. These individuals often form large groups that recruit new members to enforce their hatred of those with a certain religion or skin tone. Obviously, no one can tell these people that they cannot have their own opinions or beliefs, for they have the right to hate whomever they like. As a method of prevention children need to be raised to accept all people, no matter what god they do or do not believe in or what color skin they may have. If children are raised around people who a ...

Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Facts

Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Facts The satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus), is a mild-mannered reptile that, despite its name, prefers to take peaceful naps in the forests of Madagascar. It has evolved an extreme method of camouflage: becoming a dead leaf. Fast Facts: Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Scientific Name: Uroplatus phantasticusCommon Name: Satanic leaf-tailed geckoBasic Animal Group: ReptileSize: 2.5–3.5 inchesWeight: 0.35–1 ounceLifespan: 3–5 yearsDiet:  CarnivoreHabitat: Mountainous rainforests of eastern MadagascarConservation Status: Least Concern Description The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is one of 13 recognized species belonging to the gekkonid lizard genus Uroplatus, which were discovered on the island of Madagascar in the 17th century. The 13 species are broken into several groups based, in part, on the vegetation they mimic. U. phantasticus belongs in the group named U. ebenaui, which is comprised of three members, including U. malama and U. ebenaui: all three look like dead leaves. All leaf-tailed geckos have long, flat bodies with triangular heads. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is mottled brown, gray, tan, or orange in color, the same shade as the decaying leaves in its natural environment. The geckos body is curved like the edge of a leaf, and its skin is marked with lines that mimic a leafs veins. But the most remarkable accessory in the leaf-tailed geckos disguise is undoubtedly its tail: The gecko has the longest and widest tail of all the U. ebenaui group. The lizards tail is not only shaped and colored like a leaf, but it also bears notches, frills, and imperfections to more closely resemble a dead leaf that has been gnawed on by insects. Like the rest of its group, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko is small in size compared to other Uroplatus groups, measuring between 2.5 to 3.5 inches long including its tail. reptiles4all/Getty Images Habitat and Distribution The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is found only in the mountainous rain forests in the southern two-thirds of eastern Madagascar, a large island nation just off the southeast coast of Africa. It is found at the base of trees disguising itself as leaf litter and up to about 6 feet up the trunk of a tree. Well known for its unique wildlife, Madagascars forests are home to lemurs and fossas and hissing cockroaches, in addition to being the only known habitat of the worlds satanic leaf-tailed geckos. Diet and Behavior The satanic leaf-tailed gecko rests all day, but as soon as the sun sets, its on the prowl for a meal. Its large, lidless eyes are made for spotting prey in the darkness. Like other lizards, this gecko is believed to feed on anything it can catch and fit in its mouth, from crickets to spiders. Little research has been done on satanic leaf-tailed geckos in their native environment, though, so we cant know for sure what else they consume. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko doesnt rely on passive camouflage to protect itself. It also behaves like a leaf when resting. The gecko sleeps with its body flattened against a tree trunk or branch, head down and leafy tail up. If needed, it twists its body to accentuate the leaf-like edges and help it blend in. It has a limited ability to change color, and when camouflage fails, it flicks its tail upwards, rears back its head, opens its mouth exposing a brilliant orange-red interior and sometimes even emits a loud distress call. reptiles4all/Getty Images Reproduction and Offspring In their native Madagascar, the start of the rainy season also marks the beginning of the gecko breeding season. When sexually mature, the male satanic leaf-tailed gecko has a bulge at the base of its tail, while the female does not. The female is oviparous, meaning she lays eggs and the young complete development outside of her body. The mother gecko lays her clutch, two or three spherical eggs, in the leaf litter on the ground or within dead leaves on a plant. This enables the young to remain hidden when they emerge about 95 days later. She may bear two or three clutches a year. Little is known about this secretive animal, but it is believed that the mother leaves the eggs to hatch and make it on their own. Conservation Status and Threats Though currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, this unusual lizard may soon be at risk. Madagascars forests are being degraded at an alarming rate. Exotic pet enthusiasts also create a high demand for collecting and exporting the species, which is currently illegal but may continue in low numbers. Sources Giant leaf-tailed gecko. Smithsonian.  Glaw, Frank, and Miguel Vences. A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar Including Mammals and Freshwater Fish. Cologne, Germany: Verlag, 2007.Madagascar Leaf Tailed Gecko Care Sheet and Information. Western New York Herpetological Society, 2001–2002.Ratsoavina, F., et al. Uroplatus phantasticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T172906A6939382, 2011.Ratsoavina, Fanomezana Mihaja, et al. A New Leaf Tailed Gecko Species from Northern Madagascar with a Preliminary Assessment of Molecular and Morphological Variability in the Uroplatus Ebenaui Group. Zootaxa 3022.1 (2011): 39–57. Print.Spiess, Petra. Natures Dead Leaves and Pez Dispensers: Genus Uroplatus (Flat-tailed geckos). Kingsnake.com.

Business Policy and Strategic Management Research Paper

Business Policy and Strategic Management - Research Paper Example The author of the paper states that growth is the way of life. Almost all organizations plan to expand. This is why expansion strategies are the most popular corporate strategies. Companies aim for sustainable growth. A growing economy, burgeoning markets, customers seeking new ways of need satisfaction, and emerging technologies offer ample opportunities for companies to seek expansion. Apart from competitive strategies, competition could coexist with cooperation. Corporate strategies could take into account the possibility of mutual cooperation with competitors while competing with them at the same time so that the market potential could expand. Cooperative strategies could be of the following types: 1. Mergers 2. Takeovers (or Acquisitions). 3. Joint Ventures & 4. Strategic Alliances.  Merger and takeover (or acquisition) strategies essentially involve the external approach to expansion. Basically two, or occasionally more than two, entities are involved. There is not much diffe rence in the three terms used for such types of strategies and they are frequently used synonymously. But a subtle distinction can be made. While mergers take place when the objectives of the buyer firm and the seller firm are matched to a large extent, takeover or acquisitions usually are based on the strong motivation of the buyer firm to acquire. The takeover is a common way for acquisition and maybe defining as "the attempt (often spring as a surprise) of one firm to acquire ownership or control over another firm against the wishes of the later management (and perhaps some of its stockholders). Joint ventures occur when an independent firm is created by at least two firms. In an era of globalization, joint ventures have proved to be invaluable strategies for companies looking for expansion opportunities globally. Strategic alliances are partnerships between firms' whereby their resources, capabilities, and core competencies are combined to pursue mutual interests to develop, man ufacture or distribute goods or services. Organizations follow the growth paths can be pursued via external expansion and mergers are the most popular measures. In this case (Merger) the business does not create the productive facilities itself, but purchases existing production. A merger is a situation in which, as a result of the mutual agreement two firms decide to bring together their business operations. A merger is distinct from a take over in so far as a takeover involves one firm bidding for another's shares. One firm thereby acquires another. A merger implies that managers through negotiation have reached an agreement acceptable to both sides. Mergers provide a much quicker means to growth than internal expansion. Not only does the firm acquire new capacity, but also it acquires additional consumer demand. Building up this level of consumer demand by internal expansion might have taken a considerable length of time.  

Research Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Research Assignment - Essay Example This paper will look at the two pieces of art, the two murals, found in a knight library of the University of Oregon in the United States of America and their significance in the art industry. The two murals found in the knight library of the University of Oregon bear a lot of significance to the university as well as to the people who sees the murals. A lot can be learnt from the murals concerning the historical development of the human society as thinking and creative and expressive organisms. As is argued by Teague the murals are drawn in an ascending manner depending on their levels of complication and sophistic look that can be interpreted at two distinct but related levels in human development and advancement in capability, that is, the two murals can be viewed as the developmental advancement at the university of Oregon since its inception as well as the entire human race as a creative and communicative of being (Teague, 2006). As has been mentioned earlier in this paper, art works are sources of information that portray the message they bear in a very secretive and hidden manner that only those who makes them understand better. One cannot be able to understand wha t information art works always communicate to the other people unless a second thought is given to these with regard to the interpretation capability of the persons involved. The interpretations of the kind of information passed around by these two murals can be differently interpreted in different ways other than the two levels mentioned above depending the persons doing the interpretation as well as the perspectives taken by the interpreter (RiverFront Research Park, 2006). Apart from the two murals being designs that meant for increasing the aesthetic values of the university library, they also communicate with various people who visit the university library at different levels. The murals fitted in the knight library have been very instrumental in

Economic of a Security System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economic of a Security System - Essay Example airline and airport security. It provides trained federal employees for passenger and baggage screening and it supplies sky marshals (air marshals) for unnamed commercial flights (Salant, 2002). With all the increased taxes because of additional airport security undertaken by our government, is it still viable for airports to further add their own measures in security Will these measures not affect passenger's willingness to travel by air, given an additional $ 5 to their tickets and more minutes waiting in line The federalization of commercial aviation resulted in the removal of contract private security personnel from passenger- and baggage-screening points. They were replaced with twice as many federal TSA employees, who earn almost two times the salary of their private-sector counterparts. The impact of this transition has yet to be measured. Some have argued that federalized passenger screening has not delivered a noticeable improvement in air passenger safety (Dalton, 2003). Also, wages of airport security personnel have been increased and are now comparable to police and fire protection jobs. Entry-level pay starts at around $20 an hour plus U.S. federal employee benefits (GAO, 13 June 2003). As airline security is now a national concern, it is the standard operating procedu

Does Internet Help Spread Democracy Essay Example for Free

Does Internet Help Spread Democracy Essay How invention of the Internet changed the world? How it contributes to the spread of democracy? Does it have any impact on it? These questions are under debate till nowadays. In this paper, I will try to express my viewpoint on this dispute. To begin with, let briefly look at the Egyptian revolution which was held in 2011. It was the first revolution where social media and Internet played the crucial role. † After 30 years of living in a â€Å"fake democratic system† under Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian people had had enough† (Pritamkabe, 2011). After fake election in 2010, people, especially young generation, decided to make a protest in order to create a real democratic system. â€Å"There was no freedom of assembly in Egypt, and protests or political activism was banned† (Pritamkabe, 2011), but social media helped people to band together . Using Twitter and Facebook, people were discussing and organizing protests against the government. Government was not happy about this and later it shut down access to the Internet for 5 days. It made situation even worse and people started to show their disappointment on the streets. A lot of videos were posted on the Youtube and the whole world could be aware about the following circumstances. All in all, the new elections were held and citizens had an opportunity to elect the new president. From this revolution, we can see how much power Internet has nowadays and that this type of media can provide actual and not fake information for other countries. One of the key elements of democracy is the good governance that means that government should focus on public interest and act in behalf of its citizens. Everybody would agree that due to the Internet, it is easier to access information you need. It enables governments, political parties and other political organizations to interface with citizens and present their ideas that lead to an increase in political participation and stimulate democracy. In addition, it allows you as the citizen to meet and exchange the views all the parties concerned. Moreover, Internet and other media help people to be aware what is going on around the world and to be up-to-date about global events. It makes people more educated and helps to make rational decisions. The other element of democracy is a freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media. Internet is a place, where all these things became possible. Due to the Internet, people can speak their mind, share their own opinions and the most importantly – they would be heard. Now people have an opportunity to come together online and discuss on worldwide problems, provide advices and try to find solutions. Here even long distance does not play a role and it is a huge advantage of the Internet. Government accountability, and have checks and balances in a constitutional system, are crucial elements required for the functioning of a real democracy† (Pritamkabe, 2011). In order to build a good relationship between state government and its citizens, there must be transparency of governmental actions. As the result, it builds trustworthy relationship between people and government that leads to better political participation and fair elections, better observation of election results and reduction of corruption. In fact, Internet and e-governance helps to create it. Certainly, Internet has its negative side. It can be used to promote violence in the world, such as terrorist attacks. For instance, â€Å"terrorist groups like Al Qaeda have been using internet for spreading extremist and anti-American view† (Pritamkabe, 2011). There are still a lot of gang-related videos in such sites as a Youtube, which promote violent actions and incorporates more and more people. Moreover, from the Egypt example, we can see that government have a power to turn off Internet connection with respect to its own interests. It seems to be a violation of democratic system, there freedom of speech, press and mass media have to exist. To conclude, even that Internet have a negative effects on the spread of democracy, generally its positive factors overweight the negative side. I estimate that Internet possibilities, such as we know them today, are not available in non-democratic states. The development of the Internet is a result of joint actions among governments, commercials companies and individuals. It is the result of free movements of ideas and international cooperation on a global scale. In fact, these actions are heavily restricted in non-democratic countries. In authoritarian countries, Internet is used as a tool for the democratic opposition. It is used by the people who are fighting for human rights, free elections and political freedom. Therefore, Internet is a tool for spreading democracy and rooting out authoritarian rule.

Private Limited Companies Advantages and Disadvantages

Private Limited Companies Advantages and Disadvantages Financial Accounting Is the information to make decisions related to the organizations, it begins with the principles, concepts, and applications of financial accounting. Financial Accounting follows a set of rules and legislation known as accounting concepts, accounting policies, and procedures like the entity and prepayments. Financial Accounting explains for us what are the financial statements, tells us what are the rules of legislation while they are getting prepared, shows us how the financial accounts are prepared, helps us to understand how the various fields of business work together. It also keeps tracks of companys financial business like the cash flow and cash inflow. It provides stakeholders with official information like for Example: balance sheet account, profit and loss account, trading account. Sole Trader: It is owned by only one person, that has no exact legislation and has one or more employees, their main aim is to make profit. Sole Trader Advantages: They can make decisions easily and quickly Owner can control anything. Less legal formalities. It is simple to set up Sole Trader Disadvantages: Lack of capital. They have to work and think hard because For Example: If the owner is sick, they will not be able to work. Unlimited liability. Partnership: is between 2 to 20 partners or shareholders that works together and easy to setup, the owners share with each other the profits or losses of their business, and their main aim is to make profit. Advantages of a Partnership: It is easy to setup by the deed of partnership More capital is available. There are few paper to work on Disadvantages of a Partnership: Lack of goals to be achieved Unlimited liability Profits have to be divided between the partners Private Limited Company: Is known as ( LTD), it must have one or more director, they do not need a trading diploma, and it offers limited liability to its shareholders but it places certain limits on its ownership. Advantages of Private Limited Company: Limited liability. More serious than the status of a sole trader. Disadvantages of Private Limited Company: The corporation tax has to be paid. Cannot sell shares to public. Public Limited Company: Is known as PLC , its a company whose shares may be purchased by the public and whose share capital is not less than a statutory minimum, and must have minimum 2 directors. Advantages of a Public Limited Company: greater borrowing power the shareholders have limited liability shareholders can sell their shares freely to public Disadvantages of A Public Limited Company: The personal touch may be lost Published accounts have to be prepared Difficult to control and manage Too many legal formalities Clubs: It is the business that is connected from two or more people that has the same goal that they want to achieve. Their main objective is to provide services to the community Charities: It is known as the charities that we know for foundation like Dubai cares. Their main objective is to help other peoples or countries that are unable to pay for their needs and wants. The Advantages of being a Charity The Charity task can provide advice and information to assist a charity administration. Charities are not liable to pay Corporation Tax which is charged on clubs, societies and voluntary organisations. The Disadvantages of Being a Charity Limited rules that are carried on by charities. Trustees are not generally allowed to benefit financially from the charity. Companies Act ( 1985 ) Is the act of the congress of the UK, which will help the companies to register and to set responsibilities of the companies, their secretaries and directors. The act was the instance of consolidation of many other pieces of company legislation, and was one constituent part of the rules governing companies, it was governed by its own articles of relationship. The act is applied only to companies that will form into a legal corporation under it, or under older companys acts. In the act limited liability partnerships, sole traders, and partnerships were not governed by it. Companies Act (1989) Is an act to amend the law relating to the accounts of company, to make new provisions, to amend the companies act 1985 with respect of powers to get information, to create new provision with respect to the registration of charges in the company and to modify the law related to companies, to rephrase the fair trading act 1973, to allow provision to be made. Partnership Act (1890) Its the relation which exists between persons holding on a business in common with the view of profit. No interest is to be charged on drawings. Profits and losses are shared equally among partners. The relation between members of any company like: It is not a partnership within the meaning of this act Registered as a company under the companies act 1862 Rules for Determining Existence of Partnership To determine whether a partnership does or does not exist, you should follow the rules: Joint property, Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, common property, or part ownership does not of itself create a partnership, whether the owners do or do not share any profits made by the use The sharing of gross does not create a partnership, whether the persons sharing returns have or have not a common right or interest in any property Accounting Concepts Business Entity Concepts: It is a separated business and completely different from the owner at that business. It also can be applied to limited business like the charities. The owners personal spending is not recorded in the books at the business. The owners personal transaction appear in the book is when the introductions capital or makes drawings. Materiality: It is a rule which applies to the materials that are not always included in accounting rule; its applied to sole traders, partnership, limited companies, clubs and charities. Going Concern Concepts: It is the statement that business will continue operating in the future except if there a strong evidence or if there a weak evidence, the value is not taken from their break-up value which is the amount that they can sell it in a slow way. In final accounts of a business one of them prepares on the basis that there is no intension to close down the business. Accruals (Matching) Concepts: It is the income that will be received in some trading, lost profit and loss accounts. They should be given out from time to time to be paid. It also allows some people to go against other accounts if the amounts were so small that will be misled, in another words its when we have use something in a period of time. E.g.: bill phone, gas bill, and water bill. Prudence Concepts: It states that the inventory and the profits should not be expected but also included in the profit and loss account. This concept is known as conservation, If we applied this concept ensures that the account present a practical pictures of the state of the business. This concept is applied for making provisions for reduction of debts and stock valuation. Consistency Concepts: It is a way that accounting method uses it to there business, and the business has to keep on using it from time to another. In some areas of accounting a choice of method is available, and when it will be chosen, then they should apply it consistently from years to years. Money Measurement Concepts: It shows the transactions that can be used in monetary terms and in using measuring unit for financial reports. The account at a business only records the information which can be expressed in monetary terms. The value of a good manager that contains loyal work force, high stall morale, will make great benefits to the business. Historical Cost Concepts: It is the account that asset the price and the balance sheet that is based to an original cost when the company require it. Duality (Double Entry) Concepts: It is only one account that is joined together. For every transaction there is aspect in accounting that is made on the basis. A giving and a receiving is known as Dual Concept of all transaction. This is known as double entry. Principles of Relevance Concepts: It is a fact that is known to be gathered from one point of view and keep it. Reliability: It is a degree of person, measure, or object. It is important that profit is only recorded when it has actually been earned. Profits are not regarded as being earned when a customer places an order for goods. Profit is regarded as being earned at the time of goods or services pars to the customers. Comparability: It is the quality of the things that is used in business. Information in financial statements in a business can be more useful. it is compared with similar information about the same business for some other period of time or with other similar information about other business. Understand ability: Its how you understand the others and be able to talk and communicate to them. Information should not be omitted from the financial statements because it is believed it is too complex for users to understand financial statements must be capable of being understood by the users of those statements. Principles: They have two types in UK and US In US they have a lot of rules but when they prepare for their account they use the rule book and if it doesnt cover the rules, the rule book is approved to be used. In UK there is a general law applied to the accounting practice, but the only difference between US and UK that in UK they have an over riding requirements, the account has to be required it is called true and fair views Conventions: It is rules and procedures which are followed by all the organization it also guides the organization for the preparation of their accounts. Rules and Procedures Which Apply To Financial Statements: Financial statement shows only the business that can be given in a monetary terms. Depreciation: It is a company that has the free choice in choosing the company policies, procedures, and also it will affect on the reduction of the money amount that is used in your normal time in life. The organization has two methods to choose from: the straight line depreciation reducing balances Each method of them will result with a different amount of depreciation being charged against the profits. Bad Debts: The balance sheet reflects the amount of the money that the organizations owing it from sales, there is a lot of debtors that may not be able to pay the full amount. So The organizations need to allow a percentage of bad depts. The organization can choose what percentage they want and when to write the bad debts to make a provision, at the end it will affect the over all profit recorded. Provision for Doubtful Debts: It is a small amount that is set aside for something very expensive or something will happen later in the future (Debtors who may not pay their bills to the company) , they usual state the percentage of the great trade debtors. In future accounting, the profit periods would be twisted if the entity suffered a whole series of bad debts. So it seems cautious to allow for the chance that some debts may become bad. Accruals: It is an amount due for a service provided during a particular accounting period but still not paid for at the end of it. We should include them in our accounting before the year ends to show the true and fair views the organization need to ensure that this accounts is complying with accounting concepts. The addition will be included in the amount charged to the profit and loss account for the period as part of the cost of the service provided. Prepayments: It is an amount paid in cash during an accounting period for a provision that will be provided in a later period. Prepayments made will be deducted from the amount charged to the profit and loss account. Valuation of Stock: It should be valued at the lower cost and to be on the net value to observe with the conservative and caution concept. It has three main methods of valuing stock: FIFO LIFO AVCO Each will lead to different value and will affect the profit level. The Similarities and Differences of Sole Trader and Partnership Sole Traders: It is owned by only one person. One has to keep careful evidence if he is self-employed. If the business falters; his personal assets are likely to be liquidated. They dont need to divide there profit. Its easy to set up. Partnerships: Its owned by two or more people together. Profits are shared either equally or as per the terms given. If profits are to be shared, so are the liabilities too. Partners can profit from limited liability and collect tax advantages. Application of Accounting Conventions and Regulations We have in accounting a concept called true and fair view which help to ensure that accounting information is presented accurately and consistently. The most commonly encountered convention is the historical cost convention This requires transactions to be recorded at the price ruling at the time, and for assets to be valued at their original cost. Under the historical cost convention, therefore, no account is taken of changing prices in the economy. And there are other conventions in accounting we can summarize as follows: Monetary Measurement: Like workforce skill, morale, market leadership, brand recognition, quality of managementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦And the accountants should not account for items unless they can be quantified in monetary terms. An important convention.. The concept of materiality is an important issue for auditors of financial accounts.