U.S. Presidents of the 1990s and 2000s (41 to 44)

You probably remember the first Gulf War, Dianas death and maybe even the Tonya Harding scandal, but can you recall exactly who was president in the 1990s? How about the 2000s? Presidents 42 through 44 were all two-term presidents, collectively spanning nearly two and a half decades. Just think of whats happened in that time. Taking just a quick look at the terms of Presidents 41 through 44 brings back a lot of significant memories of what already might seem like not-so-recent history.   George H. W. Bush:  The senior Bush was president during the first Persian Gulf War, the Savings and Loan Bailout and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He was also in the White House for Operation Just Cause, also known as the Invasion of Panama (and the deposing of Manuel Noriega). The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed during his tenure, and he joined all of us in witnessing the fall of the Soviet Union.   Bill Clinton:  Clinton served as president during most of the 1990s. He was the second president to be impeached, though he was not removed from office (Congress voted to impeach him, but the Senate voted not to remove him as President). He was the first Democratic president to serve two terms since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Few can forget the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but what about NAFTA, the failed health care plan and Dont Ask, Dont Tell? All of these, along with a period of significant economic growth, are marks of Clintons time in office.   George W. Bush:  Bush was the son of the 41st president and grandson of a US Senator. The September 11th terrorist attacks occurred early in his presidency, and the rest of his two terms in office were marked by wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Neither conflict was resolved by the time  he left office. Domestically, Bush may be remembered for the No Child Left Behind Act and the most contentious presidential election in history, which had to be decided by a manual vote count, and ultimately the Supreme Court.   Barack Obama: Obama was the first African-American to be elected as president, and even the first to be nominated for President by a major party. During his eight years in office, the Iraq War came to an end and Osama Bin Laden was killed by US forces. Less than a year later came the rise of ISIL, and in the following year ISIL merged with ISIS to form the Islamic State. Domestically, the Supreme Court decided to guarantee the right to marriage equality, and Obama signed the highly controversial Affordable Care Act in an attempt, among other goals, to provide health care to uninsured citizens. In 2009, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize  for, in the words of the Noble Foundation, ...his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

Hamlet, By William Shakespeare - 912 Words

What is the ultimate form of betrayal within a family? Are there possibilities of forgiveness in mending the damaged relationship? This issue is present in Hamlet, as Shakespeare conveys the dramatic yet broken relationship between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude, after the death of his father. Gertrude’s rash decision to remarry sparks the beginning of Hamlet’s dissatisfaction with her and his own inability to accept the situation at hand. Hamlet’s need to justify his father’s death causes him to seek revenge on his step-father, Claudius, while Hamlet, himself, experiences a major character shift that results in a loss of humanity towards the end of the story. Through the formalist approach, the author achieves his purpose by utilizing pithy dialogue and fervent diction to depict that the characters’ actions will always have consequences regardless of the reasoning behind it. At the beginning of the story, Hamlet feels much pain and sorrow because of his father’s death whereas his mother shows a lack of respect and sympathy towards to the entire situation. For all this time, he believed that when Gertrude was with his father, King Hamlet, â€Å"she would hang on him† (I.ii.140-143) and â€Å"he was so loving to [her]† (I.ii.138) showing others how seemingly perfect their relationship was; Hamlet, however, quickly realizes that it was all a lie and his mother’s decision to remarry causes him to start building up his abhorrence towards his so-called â€Å"family.† This only the beginningShow MoreRelatedHamlet, By William Shakespeare880 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare is praised as the pioneering English poet and playwright whose collection of theatrical works is regarded as the greatest artistic value throughout the history of English literature. Shakespeare delved into the spiritual and mental component of human ity and the consequences that arise from this human spirit when it is disputed. The most famous revenge tragedy play, Hamlet, is an excellent illustration of Shakespeare’s philosophical study of human nature. In Hamlet, the arguableRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare899 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare, author of Hamlet, was a well-known author in the 1500s and is still popular today. He was born on April 24, 1564 in London, England. Although there were no birth records at that time, it shows he was baptized one year prior to that, which leads us to believe his birthday was in 1564 because children were normally baptized a year after their birth. Shakespeare’s writing style was very different than others at that time. He used many metaphors and rhetorical phrases, and most ofRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare996 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet, written by William Shakespeare, with out a doubt holds the most famous soliloquy in English history spoken by H amlet in Act III, scene i, lines 57-90. This soliloquy holds much importance to the play as a whole because it ties together the reoccurring themes of suicide and Hamlet’s inaction portrayed by Shakespeare. Hamlet poses a problem, which is the driving force of the play: â€Å"To be or not to be?†(III.i.57). Shakespeare uses this logical question asked by Hamlet to drive out his underlyingRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1178 Words   |  5 Pages In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the protagonist suffers from struggles with major characters, especially with the women in his life. While reading the play Hamlet, Hamlet appears to be a disillusioned man. Throughout the play, Shakespeare has only casted two females: Gertrude and Ophelia. Gertrude is defined to be incestuous, naà ¯ve and cold-hearted. On the other side, Ophelia is characterized to be ignorant, innocent and fearful. After the quick marriage of his mother and evil uncle, Hamlet’sRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1308 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet is arguably one of the greatest tragedies in all of literature and when most people think of tragic plays, they think of none other than the one who wrote it, William Shakespeare. This classic story of revenge excites it’s readers with its main character, Prince Hamlet, who goes through the unique human-like process of revenge that is often overlooked. Many other stories rely heavily on the logi c of good people doing good things and bad people doing bad things just for the sake of their natureRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare Essay1453 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet by William Shakespeare explores many aspects of mankind--death, betrayal, love, and mourning. Out of these, the most prominent theme in this play is death in the form of suicide. The main character, Hamlet, finds himself questioning the quality of life and the uncertainty of the afterlife once he discovers news of his father s death and the corruption in the kingdom that follows. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, is found dead later in the plot and is presumed to have committed suicide. In Hamlet’sRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1146 Words   |  5 PagesA character so complex, enticing and fascinating, his name is Hamlet. We are all Hamlet, and that, is the argument. Hamlet is an enigmatic character with many flaws. These flaws are the ones that prove similarities between us and him. A play so popular and significant is due to its huge relevance to us as a society. In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare uses Hamlet’s character and metaphor to demonstrate that when one is left alone to their thoughts, these thoughts overtake reason. ConsequentlyRead MoreHamlet by William Shakespeare1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, takes place in a time where the impossible was a part of the lives of everyday people. Occurrences that people in the modern time would believe unbelievable. Yet, with just a quill and parchment Shakespeare’s is able to connect the past and present by weaving a plot with skill that is still unparalleled to this day. The play Hamlet this exceeds this expectation by revealing depth of Hamlets, the protagonists, character personality through the useRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1920 Words   |  8 PagesIn the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the character Hamlet must deal with both external and internal conflict. Hamlet encounters many struggles and has trouble finding a way to deal with them. With so many corrupt people in his life, Hamlet feels as if there is no one that he can trust and begins to isolate himself from others. A result from this isolation leads Hamlet to become melancholy. Hamlet struggles with suicidal thoughts, wants to kill King Claudius, and is distraught over his mother’sRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare900 Words   |  4 PagesIn this story Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, there was an excessive deal of questions surrounding Hamlet’s mental state. Claudius’s nephew hadn’t been the same since his father passed away. It’s been up for discussion as if he’s actually senseless surrounding the death, or the wedding between his mom and uncle. Gertrude and the King married approximately a month or two after the funeral. At this point it’s not actually established what the cause of his actions is. Was Hamlet at fault for Polonius’s

Proposal For Having A HIM Professional On The CPOE Project Team

Question: Discuss about the Proposal for having a HIM professional on the CPOE Project team. Answer: It is a pleasant news that the facility has undertaken an overall Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementation strategy and has implemented a computerized ADT system. The successive phase would be the implementation of a CPOE (Computerized Provider Order Entry) system. It has been observed that the team members for the CPOE project have no representative from the Health Information Management (HIM) department. Against this context, I would like to explain all the benefits of having a HIM professional on the CPOE Project team. The most important rationale for including a member of the HIM department is to ensure that a professional can manage the CPOE system for ensuring that legal, ethical and medical standards are maintained. Collection and analysis of patient data will be made easier if these professionals are present. The key job roles of such experts include maintaining the accuracy of patient records, establishing privacy of patient records, maintaining health databases and analysing records. Cost-efficient EHR practices can only be achieved if collaboration is established with HIM experts. The quality of CPOE implemented might be ineffective and disorganised in their absence. Fragmented delivery systems and information system restrictions are some of the major issues faced in EHR systems if experienced and skilled professionals are not handling them. HIM professionals have the exclusive knowledge and proficiency that when combined with executive teams of other professionals lead to advanced and safe care delivery (McWay, 2013). As pointed out by Abdekhoda et al., (2014) extraction of data from EHR gives the opportunity to gather information by which needs of quality improvement can be indicated. If successful HIM practices are upheld, there would be a facilitation of data from a wide range of sources. This enables data capture that can be repurposed in several instances. EHR comprises of data used for several purposes by healthcare professionals at different stages of patient care. Such data, therefore, needs to be overseen by professionals who make no mistakes in analysing them. HIM practices help in the process of maintaining data transparency through the promotion of a practice of adopting guidelines in place for data admittance, exercise, and control. The HIM professional would not be solely an outright information technologist but also help in increasing volumes of electronic heath data. The Canadian Health Information Management Association propagates the importance of the including a HIM professional in all healthcare systems. An increasing health care needs of the population together with aging population and a focus on efficiency, accountability and effectiveness of health care services delivery, compunds to be the reason for a skills shortage. Only a HIM professional would have marketable skills in the health information management sector and thus needs to be included in the team (echima.ca, 2017). It is thereby proposed that the CPOE project must have at least two representatives from the HIM department. Selection can be done after conducting personal interviews and scrutiny of past experiences and credentials. A meeting can be conducted in following days that would discuss the details of the selection procedure for the appropriate candidate. Feedback from the concerned stakeholders would be important in this regard. Candidates can be selected on a temporary basis which can be renewed based on individual performances. Looking forward to necessary actions taken in this regard. It is hoped that the Happytown General Hospital would benefit immensely from this approach. References Abdekhoda, M., Ahmadi, M., Dehnad, A., Hosseini, A. F. (2014). Information technology acceptance in health information management.Methods Inf Med,53(1), 14-20. McWay, D. C. (2013).Today's health information management: An integrated approach. Cengage Learning. The Canadian Health Information Management Association. (2017).echima.ca. Retrieved 5 September 2017, from https://www.echima.ca/home

Post September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the twin towers in the United States of America really grieved the Muslim community in America with the effects being felt up to date.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Post September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Despite the fact that there were several Muslims in America who were victims of the attacks, Muslims in America are still being discriminated as a result of that incidence. To start with, Muslims in the United States of America comprise of over seven million people. However, the September 11, 2001 incidence led to their great discriminated by the U.S. discriminative policies as well as laws that were enacted following the post September 11, 2001 incidence. As a matter of fact, it has been observed that many Americans have become less friendly to Muslims to the degree of displacing the previous leading discriminated groups of Hispani c, Afro-American as well as Native Americans. Several American Muslims experience various forms of discriminations that range from physical attacks, casual comments, burning of Quran and Mosques as well as employment discriminations. From the outcomes of a study carried out on August 30, 2011, approximately 43 percent of Muslims in the United States of America had experienced harassment in 2010. Over 52 percent of American Muslims lamented that the Muslim community in America were being subjected to government surveillance. It is clear that the September 11, 2001terrorist greatly destroyed the mutual relationship that existed between the American Muslims and other Americans in the United States of America. Consequently, this has influenced the American Muslims who are living in the United States of America as they experience negative remarks as well as stereotypes. The greatest pain for American Muslims is associated to their special method of dressing and their unique names that ea sily disclose their religious affiliations for of stereotyping. Furthermore, Arab Muslims are currently being gravely discriminated upon by the media through negative portrayal (Robert, 2005).Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More After over ten years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the discrimination of American Muslims still persists with the extent of their discrimination continuing to rise and particularly in year 2010 and 2011 with the introduction of the Anti-Sharia bills in approximately 20 States. The bills were introduced by a 56 years old Jew referred to as David Yerushalmi with an objective of banishing Islam from the U.S. The Anti-Sharia bill introduced in about 20 States proposed a law that would make adherence to Islam a felony that should be punishable by 20 years imprisonment. To support this bill, two aimed at making it unlawful the Islamic moral co de that included religious practices such as prayers and feet-washing. The Anti-Sharia bill passed with a mass vote of 70-30 percent win. However, the bill was considered as being very discriminative to American Muslims and it was blocked by an injunction that was issued a few weeks later by the federal judge who felt that the banning of Sharia was undemocratic as it was prejudiced against the Muslims. Consequently, the Anti-Sharia campaigns are biased as they regard Muslims as second-class citizens in America. This is very harmful to the status of the American Muslims as these debates hasten the suitability of stereotyping of Muslims and expression of unconstructive analysis by public as well as government agencies such as the police. The results released by Gallop polls in January 2010 showed that 53 percent of Americans had negative perceptions towards Islam while 43 percent felt prejudice towards Muslims. Similarly, the results were in line with another poll results released by the same organization that indicated that 4 out of 10 leaders in every major religion in the United States of America supported the claim that Americans were prejudiced towards Muslim Americans with 66 percent of the Jews supporting this claim.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Post September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Islamic law is regarded as being a debatable topic amongst the presidential contenders. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there has been a steady increase in the Islamophobia (Robert, 2005). On the other hand, during the mid-term election crusade, there was an increase of anti-Muslim discrimination and Anti-Islam. Many Religious Right leaders and speculator politicians argued that Islam was not a religion but a political sect. They claimed that Muslims cannot be royal Americans and mosques are fronts for extremist jihads. This was noted by an increa sed number of politicians who advocated for Islamophobia in order to lure Americans to vote for them. Consequently, many Muslims did not vote for the Republic Party during the 2008 and 2010 polls. It was only 2.2 percent of the American Muslims that voted for the Republic Party according to the poll results released by American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights Elections (Marable, 2009). Nowadays, Muslims are more worried about losing their security clearances as the one witnessed by Jewish scientist in 1950s. During 1940s and 1950s, Jewish scientists were stripped their security clearances that made them lose their jobs or be downgraded to lower security projects. Thus, the scenario presented in America is not different. For instance, a nuclear physicist named Moniem El- Ganayni who is an Egyptian immigrant was naturalized as an American citizen and his security clearance canceled in 2007 by the energy department. This was unfair ruling because judges are never fair in such hearings as it is the government that decides who to give clearances and those to deny. In addition, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has noted an increased discrimination of Muslim employment since 2001 terrorist attacks. It was noted that complaints alleging anti-Muslims in the United States of America were over 800 in 2010. This was a 60% increase since 2005. It is startlingly that in spite of Muslims comprising for less than 1% of the American populace, Muslims experience more than 21 percent of religious discriminations in the workplace. This is despite the burning of discrimination of people on basis of their religion inclination as early as 1964 by the Civil Rights Act.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A study conducted by non-profit Discrimination Research Center indicated that Muslims names have turned to become liabilities for Muslim job seekers. The study indicated that it is very difficult for a Muslim to get a white color job in the United States of America. This has resulted in too many Muslims changing their names to adopt Christian sounding names in order to enable them get employment opportunities in America (Kidd, 2008). Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, America changed a lot. The Americans were enjoying a cordial relationship with Muslim American before the attack, but the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that happened resulted in great hatred between Americans and Muslim Americans. The terrorist attacks that occurred escalated hate crimes that were committed against American Muslim who were considered to be Muslims. Those people who were highly targeted were those who were believed to Muslims from South Asia as well as Middle East. Notably, the consequent anti-Muslim attacks in America rose from 355 to 1,501. The Arab American Institute protested of a high increase in the number of anti-Muslim abhorrence crimes that consisted of cruel threats, demolition of properties as well as attacks that some translated to deaths. The extent of discrimination continued to increase and in 2007, 53% of American Muslims complained that it was very difficult for them to be Muslim. Most of American Muslims 19% complained that discrimination was the major problem that they were facing because of their Islamic religious affiliations. Being perceived as terrorist was another problem that was cited to affect American Muslims after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with about 15% of American Muslims complaining about it. 13% of American Muslim complained that ignorance was also a problem that they were experiencing while stereotyping accounted for 12%. 54% of American Muslim complained that the United States of America government was biased to them and the anti-terrorism activities that were implemented to prevent further terrorists attacks in America were mainly directed towards American Muslims. It was observed that some Muslim women in the United States of America who were distinctive hijab were occasionally harassed which resulted in them opting to stay at home or abandoning the practice. In 2009, a Muslim woman who was practicing hijab was her hijab pulled down following an argument with an American citizen. Another incidence of harassment of Muslim women is the shooting of a Californian woman when she was taking her child to school because she was wearing a headscarf (Gomez, 1994). Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there was worry about potential radicalization of American Muslims. A poll that was conducted in 2007 revealed that approximately 16% of American Muslims aged 30 years and below support suicidal bombings against the locals such as those executed in 9/11. 11% of American Muslims claimed that s uch an attack was justified while those American Muslims who were over 30 years old is only 6% who supported such attacks. 9% over 30 and 5% under 30 years old opted to keep silent. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks contributed to the current high number of American Muslims who are playing high-level operations in al-Qaeda as well as other affiliate terrorism organizations. Similarly, there has been noted a high number of American Muslims who are collaborating with terrorism organizations as a way of resentment because of their discriminations by their counterparts Americans because of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It has been observed that more than 80% of all convictions who have were tied to global terrorist as well as local bombing after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks encompassed of defendants aggravated by fundamental Islamist agenda. By 2009, the department of Justice revealed that about 47 episodes of local radicalizations and enrollment to jihadi st terrorism consisted of approximately 125 individuals. Before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there were less than 6 such incidences, but such cases increased to 13 after the terrorists attacks (Curtis, 2009). Despite the high number of American Muslims who have been radicalized and recruited into jihadist terrorism, there has been noted a decline in the number of total indictments of terrorists from 47 in 2009,26 in 2010 and 20 in 2011. Similarly, the number of American Muslims who were indicted for supporting terrorism also decreased from 27 persons in 2010 to 8 in 2011. Moreover, the number of terrorists’ incidents has also declined considerably. For instance, out of the 20 suspected cases of terrorism, it is only one person who has been charged with terrorism. There has been a great decrease in the number of individuals who have been charged with carrying out terrorist acts because in 2010, it is only 6 people who were charged with terrorism. This decrease is contrary to believe of many people because it was universally anticipated that the number of terrorists attacks would escalate after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The perception of an increase in the number of domestic terrorist attacks could have been resulted from the high increase of American Muslims who were radicalized as well as recruited to jihadists following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The American Muslims constitutes of approximately 50% of all the terrorists defendants in the United States of America. Despite American Muslims accounting for only about 1% of the total U.S. population, it has been noted that American Muslims represent the majority of those Americans who tip authorities to alleged terrorist plots. It is noted that American Muslim have been accused of tipping the authorities on 52 accounts for the 140 tipping incidents that have been documented after the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks (Williamson, 2005). In summary, the September 11, 20 01 terrorist attacks in the United States of America had greatly damaged the good relationship that previously existed between Americans and their counterparts American Muslims. Nowadays, American Muslims are highly discriminated in all the spheres of their lives ranging from employment as well as been suspected as potential terrorists. Reference List Curtis, E. (2009). Muslims in America: A Short History. New York: Prentice Hall. Gomez, M. (1994). Muslims in Early America. The Journal of Southern History, 60 (4): 682-683. Kidd, T. (2008). American Christians and Islam. Princeton: Princeton University press Marable, D. (2009). Black Routes to Islam. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Patricia, S. (2007). Islam in America. New York: Prentice Hall. Robert, J. (2005). The Crescent Obscured: The United States and the Muslim World.  New York: Prentice Hall. Williamson, J. (2005). The effects of Terrorist Attacks on American Muslims. Cambridge: Cambridge University Pres. This essay on Post September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks was written and submitted by user Danny Best to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Separate Schools for Females

Separate Schools for Females Single-sex education is a type of learning where male and female students are separated by classes, schools, and buildings. It is also called same gender education. It was practiced as from 20th century and is still practiced today. This paper focuses on why females or girls must go to separate schools and colleges.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Separate Schools for Females specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In United States, single-sex schools started in early 1970s to weigh the girl student performance. Girls were separated from the boys and were put into different classes. This was done to determine whether girls could perform well in subjects like mathematic and sciences (Graeme Moore 1). Today, although some schools separate girls and boys through classes, there are many single-sex schools that aim to support students, especially girls who have had low performance in sciences. Females tend to perform well in si ngle-sex schools because they have total concentration without distractions from boys. They drop shyness and turn out to be more competitive. Girls perform better in subjects like mathematics and sciences, especially when teachers understand how to teach them. According to studies from National Institute of Mental Health, female and male brains learn at different rates. When female students are left on their own, they become curious and enthusiastic. Leonard, Suvilla, and Joshi concurs that in a survey carried out by the South Carolina education departments, where students, parents and teachers were involved, the results showed that there was a positive impact on female schools (15). The survey reviewed student’s participation in class, school work, and self confidence, where 65 percent of students said that the single-sex class improved their attitude towards learning with academic success. 75% indicated that these classes increased their self-confidence and 80% of parents a dmitted that the classes contributed to class performance improvements.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A teacher feels free when teaching adolescents on matters relating to sex education. The students do not suffer the academic competition which occurs between sexes, which is unhealthy and can make weaker students to have lower grades. In girls’ schools or colleges, the teachers use the latest learning techniques while adapting to female teaching style. In class discussions, they are able to participate more with the absence of boys and they become more confident while developing good leadership skills. A study done by Professor Robin Robertson showed that college girls who came from mixed schools were quiet and passive in class as compared to those who were from single-sex schools. He says that these girls were active in class and they shot their hands in the air to answer questions, or even volunteered to read a passage. He was able to identify those who came from single-sex schools with those from same-sex schools. On the other hand, female students from mixed-sex schools are distracted by boys, especially in adolescent stage when their emotional and sexual feelings are high, and they spend time trying to impress each other, while the single-sex schools are more focused on their studies. In colleges, female students are more focused on education rather than dating. This saves them from being side tracked by men who may divert their attention in class. They are comfortable in expressing their opinions in groups or in class because they will not seek to impress men (Sullivan Joshi 40). Women’s colleges and universities are likely to give undergraduate degrees to women, even in the most male dominated field as compared to other co-educational institutions. They have direct and positive impacts on women who are satisfied with their colle ge or university experience. In high schools, girls take all the positions of leaderships such as games, drama, and debate clubs as compared to mixed schools where males are favored, especially when it comes to other activities apart from learning as women are seen as a weaker sex.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Separate Schools for Females specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marsh and Rowe affirm that in some schools or colleges, teachers are biased towards one gender; normally, boys are favored. They give less attention to girls hence giving them fewer chances of learning and problem solving skills (155). The students in turn deteriorate in performance. In this regard, female students in both colleges and schools learn better in single sex schools, especially those who are pursuing university degrees have a chance of achieving their career goals without being overshadowed by men. Some of them may be mothers, and the ir teaching pace and time schedules are adjusted to their favor if they have other domestic chores. Same-sex schools provide opportunity for young women and girls to learn issues of gender identity and other roles that they are supposed to take in the society. Similarly, young adolescent girls are able to deal with changes of puberty in the absence of boys. Girls mature early from boys and they are taught about development changes in adolescence. Boys have been known to laugh and joke about girls, especially when they are undergoing body changes such as breast development and monthly periods, which makes the girls fear and this affects their studies. The only remedy in such cases is single-sex schools or colleges. In conclusion, single-sex schools boost performance in girls and young women who are pursuing their careers. This can break gender stereotype, especially when teachers or lecturers have good professional development skills where young women and girls in single settings exc els in maths and sciences. College and university students are able to choose careers, particularly those related to medicine and engineering. Therefore, women are encouraged to go to single-sex institutions because it enables them to have great expectations and extreme satisfaction with their education.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Graeme, Paton and Mathew Moore. â€Å"Girls do better in single-sex schools.† The Daily Telegraph (London). 2009. Web. Leonard Diana, Allice Sullivan, and Heather Joshi. â€Å"Single-Sex Schooling and Academic Attainment at school through the Lifecourse.† American Educational Research Journal, 47.1 (2010): 6-36. Print. Marsh H. W. and Rowe K. J. (2005) â€Å"The Effects of Single Sex and Mixed Sex Mathematics Classes within a Coeducational School: A Reanalysis and Comment. Australian Journal of Education, 40.2 (2005): 147-162. Print. Sullivan, Alice and Heather Joshi (2011) Single-Sex Schooling and Labor Market Outcomes. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.

The Assassination of Leon Trotsky

The Assassination of Leon Trotsky Leon Trotsky, a leader of the 1917 Russian Revolution, had been one of the possible successors to V. I. Lenin. When Joseph Stalin won the power struggle for Soviet leadership, Trotsky was exiled from the Soviet Union. Exile wasnt enough for Stalin, however, and he sent assassins to kill Trotsky. Trotsky was attacked  on August 20, 1940, by an ice pick; he died a day later. The Assassination of Leon Trotsky Around 5:30 p.m. on August 20, 1940, Leon Trotsky was sitting at his desk in his study, helping Ramon Mercader (known to him as Frank Jackson) edit an article. Mercader waited until Trotsky started to read the article, then snuck up behind Trotsky and slammed a mountaineering ice pick into Trotskys skull. Trotsky fought back and even remained standing long enough to say his murderers name to those coming to his aid. When Trotskys bodyguards found Mercader, they began beating him and only stopped when Trotsky himself said, Dont kill him. He must talk! Trotsky was taken to a local hospital, where the doctors tried to save him by twice operating on his brain. Unfortunately, the damage was too severe. Trotsky died at the hospital on August 21, 1940, just over 25 hours after being attacked. Trotsky was 60 years old. The Assassin Mercader was handed over to the Mexican police and claimed his name was Jacques Mornard (his real identity wasnt discovered until 1953). Mercader was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years in jail. He was released from jail in 1960.

Oedipus Rex Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Oedipus Rex - Assignment Example At the opening of the play, while the proximate event in the prophecy that Oedipus will murder his father being made known to Laius proceeds to the king’s action of casting out his son, the occurrence of the plague in Thebes makes the long-term event. Because of the plague itself, Oedipus necessitates to carry out a thorough investigation in determining the principal cause of the plague. The plague which the Thebes is stricken by is due to the unresolved case of the murdered Laius, king of Thebes and Creon figures out through the oracle that the plague’s precipitating dramatic event will dissolve the moment that the murderer is exiled from Thebes. Jocasta’s brother Creon expresses abnegation of kingship after the death of Laius for the sole reason that he finds no interest in ruling and the responsibility of freeing the city from the Sphinx. He feels less able to drive the plague away from Thebes so he proposes to offer the crown as well as his sister to anyone who bears the potential of answering the Sphinx’s riddle for he appears short of competence in this area. In the end, however, Creon becomes king on the ground that the sons of Oedipus Eteocles and Polynices contending for the throne die of slaying each

Is there a 'universal human right to health' Assignment

Is there a 'universal human right to health' - Assignment Example Right to health refers to the economic, cultural and social right to the highest achievable standard of health. Right to health is under recognition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on Rights of people with disabilities, and the social and cultural rights.1 Universality of Human Rights Universality principle of human rights acts as the foundation for the law on international human rights. This principle was emphasized for the first time in 1948 in Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and it has been reiterated during various conventions, resolutions and declarations on human rights. For instance, during the Vienna conference in 1993, there were highlights on the duty of the state in promoting and protecting all the fundamental freedoms and human rights regardless of the differences in cultural, economic and political systems.1 Every state has ratified multiple treaties on human rights reflecting the consent of the states that create the legal obligations as well as giving some concrete expression to the universality. Some norms of the fundamental human rights enjoy the universal protection by international customary law across all civilizations and boundaries. Universality of human rights entails any right2 applicable to all people, and it is influenced by other characteristics of human rights. The rights tend to be categorical, egalitarian, individual, fundamental and indivisible. Human Right to Health Good health is considered as the most essential and basic asset of every human being. Right to health is a fundamental part of the human rights. Internationally, the constitution on World Health Organization has articulated the right to health. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 mentioned that health is fundamental towards adequate living. In 1966, the international Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights recognized right to health as a human right. Since then, various international treaties on human rights have recognized right to health. Right to health is fundamental in every state. States should be committed in protecting the right to health through domestic policies and legislation, and international declarations and conferences.2 There has been  an emphasis on the highest attainable health standards through treaty monitoring bodies and human rights commission. Normally, right to health is an exclusive right. It is associated with access to and building of health facilities. Right to health has freedom like freedom from non-consensual medical treatment. Also, right to health contains entitlements like provision of equal opportunity for every person to enjoy right to health, and the right to treatment, control and prevention of diseases.2 Human rights are interrelated, indivisible and interdependent. A violation of the right to health impairs enjoyment of the other rights. Right to Health in International Law on Human Rights Right to the highest standard of health is a component of hu man right recognised in the international law on human right. International covenant on social, economic and cultural rights acts as a major instrument in protection of right to health by recognising the right to the enjoyment of mental and physical health. Right to health is recognized in various regional instruments such as African Charter on

Absoulutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian Struggles of Arnold Spirit Essay Example for Free

Absoulutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian Struggles of Arnold Spirit Essay In the book â€Å"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian† by Sherman Alexie, Arnold Spirit the main character struggles with being an Indian and going to Reardan, the all-white school where he wants to find hope. He struggles with acceptance because of his disability and he is an Indian. He also struggle with losing his best friend Rowdy as a friend, and he also struggles with losing loved ones. Though he has many, he copes with them and fixes them in the end. Throughout the story Arnold struggles with his disability. He is a very smart person but because of his disability his appearance makes him look like he is stupid. To top this all off he is also an Indian attending an all-white school. This causes the white people to make fun of him as well as the Indians and he feels different and unwanted by everyone. â€Å"And once I arrived at Reardan, I became something less than less than less than Indian. Those white kids did not talk to me. They barely looked at me†(83). This shows that he was not accepted on the reservation as an Indian or at Reardan because of what he was. He had no friends at Reardan, not even a friend on the rez anymore. When Arnold decided that he wanted to go to Reardan he wanted his only and best friend, Rowdy to go with him. When he told Rowdy about going to Reardan he felt like Arnold was abandoning him. He got really upset and angry and made it clear they were no longer friends. â€Å"I stayed on the ground for a long time after Rowdy walked awayBut I had to stand eventually, and when I did, I knew my best friend had become my worst enemy†(53). This shows that Rowdy resented Arnold so much for going to Reardan he didn’t want to be friends with Arnold anymore. In addition to losing his best friend he lost many other people, only in a different way. One final struggle Arnold faced was losing many loved ones. He lost his dog, grandmother, Eugene (His dads best friend) and his sister. He not only blamed himself for the deaths but also many others blamed him because he left the rez and betrayed them in a way by going to Reardan and making friends with white people. â€Å"‘Your sister is dead because you left us. You killed her.’Rowdy was right. I had killed my sisterIt was all my fault†(211). This shows that Arnold felt like in a way it was his fault and some of the Indians on the rez felt the same. He blamed himself for every bad thing that had happened all his life. Arnold had a tough life, he struggled to fit in, to keep his best friend and with losing many loved ones. Arnold slowly made friends at Reardan by just being himself. In the end he and Rowdy made up. They put the past behind them. Arnold also forgave himself for all the loved ones he lost; he also hoped that everyone else forgave him too. Losing loved ones is a normal part of life. No one should take the blame when it was never their fault. Making friends is also hard Especially when you are in a completely new environment or you are shy. Sometimes best friends will fight. It can last for a short time or a long time. Its important to remember we can not judge someone because of who they are or where they come from. Put yourself in their shoes; how would you feel?

Eco-feminism :: essays research papers

"No political movement on the contemporary scene has achieved the astonishing range of feminism . . . the movement has generously grown to embrace issues of race, poverty, sexual preference, child abuse, war, the Third World, religion, endangered cultures, endangered species, the global environment." (Theodore Roszak, The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology, p. 238.) The term "ecofeminisme" was first used in 1974 by a French literary [critic] who encouraged women to develop their potential at preserving the ecological balance of the earth. Francoise d'Eaubonne considered this potential to be realized in an ecological revolution. As such, present ecofeminism is considered a social movement on the leading edge, and includes peace, feminist, and ecological concerns, as well as drawing content from ancient traditions. Ecofeminism identifies patriarchal dominations: sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, plus naturism. It is the union of radical or cultural feminism with radical ecology. Ecofeminism's approach further develops feminism in relation to the natural environment. Its tenets include diversity through relationship, mutuality rather than use, and rejection of the either/or approach that encourages exclusion. The idea is to identify patriarchal culture in its forms of domination: industrial, mechanistic, militaristic and hierarchica l. "The domination of nature originates in society and therefore must be resolved in society . . . it is the embodied woman as social historical agent, rather than as a product of natural law, who is the subject of ecofeminism . . . . In ecofeminism, nature is the central category of analysis. An analysis of the interrelated dominations of nature - psyche and sexuality, human oppression, and nonhuman nature - and the historic position of women in relation to those forms of domination, is the starting point of ecofeminist theory." (Ynestra King, "Healing the Wounds" in Reweaving the World: The Emergence of Ecofeminism, p. 117.) Other compatible movements are deep ecology, Green Politics, bioregionalism, creation-centered spirituality and animal rights. To open any gate one's brain must first receive the message. The physical action through body follows. Direct experience of our environment is required to perceive the "nature of the wild." Nature is a whole system. Earth's circulatory system is complex and alive. Water is a common thread for life's continuance. The weather is another indicator of the health of the planet. "By changing the weather we make every spot on earth manmade [sic] and artificial. We have deprived nature of its independence, and that is fatal to its meaning. Eco-feminism :: essays research papers "No political movement on the contemporary scene has achieved the astonishing range of feminism . . . the movement has generously grown to embrace issues of race, poverty, sexual preference, child abuse, war, the Third World, religion, endangered cultures, endangered species, the global environment." (Theodore Roszak, The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology, p. 238.) The term "ecofeminisme" was first used in 1974 by a French literary [critic] who encouraged women to develop their potential at preserving the ecological balance of the earth. Francoise d'Eaubonne considered this potential to be realized in an ecological revolution. As such, present ecofeminism is considered a social movement on the leading edge, and includes peace, feminist, and ecological concerns, as well as drawing content from ancient traditions. Ecofeminism identifies patriarchal dominations: sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, plus naturism. It is the union of radical or cultural feminism with radical ecology. Ecofeminism's approach further develops feminism in relation to the natural environment. Its tenets include diversity through relationship, mutuality rather than use, and rejection of the either/or approach that encourages exclusion. The idea is to identify patriarchal culture in its forms of domination: industrial, mechanistic, militaristic and hierarchica l. "The domination of nature originates in society and therefore must be resolved in society . . . it is the embodied woman as social historical agent, rather than as a product of natural law, who is the subject of ecofeminism . . . . In ecofeminism, nature is the central category of analysis. An analysis of the interrelated dominations of nature - psyche and sexuality, human oppression, and nonhuman nature - and the historic position of women in relation to those forms of domination, is the starting point of ecofeminist theory." (Ynestra King, "Healing the Wounds" in Reweaving the World: The Emergence of Ecofeminism, p. 117.) Other compatible movements are deep ecology, Green Politics, bioregionalism, creation-centered spirituality and animal rights. To open any gate one's brain must first receive the message. The physical action through body follows. Direct experience of our environment is required to perceive the "nature of the wild." Nature is a whole system. Earth's circulatory system is complex and alive. Water is a common thread for life's continuance. The weather is another indicator of the health of the planet. "By changing the weather we make every spot on earth manmade [sic] and artificial. We have deprived nature of its independence, and that is fatal to its meaning.

Plastic Cups Industry

{draw:frame} December 8, 2009 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 2 Industry/Product Category Overview 2 Market Size 2 Growth of Product Category 3 Recent Product Innovations 3 Market Sub-Segments 4 MARKET SECTOR RESEARCH 4 Differentiation 5 Value to Consumers 5 Fit in the Market 5 Pricing Strategies within Market 6 NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION 7 PRICING STRATEGY, TACTICS, AND THEORY 8 CONCLUSIONS 9 BIBLIOGRAPHY 11 Introduction Industry/Product Category Overview The Foodservice Packaging industry deals with plastic products such as plastic bowls, cups, plates and cutlery. The industry encompasses packaging for the home, commercial use and government institutions, such as schools and correctional facilities. Specifically, the product being developed belongs to the reusable cup category, in which the primary national competitor is Solo Cup Company. Although the Foodservice Packaging Industry was impacted by the economic situation, the challenges proved beneficial for the industry as they led to increase in product innovation. More notable, the â€Å"greening† of products, making them less harmful to the environment, has become a signal of the changing times. Additionally, the reason for the resiliency in some product categories in the industry, is the result of consumers downgrading their, spending on dining out and increasing their spending on home cooked meals. As consumers continue to downscale they will be looking for more disposable items to use in their homes. The foodservices packaging industry contains already established firms, such as Solo Cup Company, however, our product will service a niche in the market not effectively reached by other vendors. Market Size Recycled, reusable plastic wear finds its place in the disposable sector of the industry under the segment, â€Å"Cups and Lids. This market accounts for several segments of plastic ware: Cups and Lids, Containers, Dinnerware and others. In addition, the market includes several â€Å"end-use† markets such as restaurants, retail stores, and various institutions. With respect to the â€Å"cup and lid† market the U. S. is predicting increases over the course o f a four-year layout. It has been speculated that between now and 2012, demand for this respective segment will continue to grow by approximately 4. 3 percent to a figure of $7. 8 billion. Looking further ahead, we see predictions that this industry is expected to eventually reach $16. 52 billion by year 2015. This growth has been associated with increasing away-from-home expenditure, and dual-income families with reduced time for making elaborate home cooked meals, finds immense applications in restaurants, institutions, and retail stores among others. Increase in the number of working women and changing trends in ethnicity have also led to greater indulgence in foodservice disposables. While these aren’t figures directed at the cup market in its entirety, research has noticed a close correlation between purchasing plastic dinnerware (i. e. plastic plates and eating utensils) and the significant increase in plastic drink ware. It’s been noted, however, that of the foodservice market, cups and lids are anticipated to produce the quickest growth in profit from now until 2015. This is expected to be fueled by the increasing demand in environmentally friendly cups, such as compostable cups or recycled content cups, will add value gains as these cups tend to be higher in price than conventional cups, thus generating a respectable profit. Growth of Product Category The Solo cup company was founded in 1936. Solo was and still is one of the biggest companies in the plastic disposable cup industry. In 2006, the company posted sales of over 2. billion dollars. Since the founding of the consumer packaging industry, growth has been exponential. The industry is multi-billion dollar commerce and one that most consumers contribute to at one point or another. Plastic cups are now an everyday item in many people’s lives and have literally countless uses. With the modern, fast-paced lifestyle, convenient, disp osable plastic cups are practical. There are also niche products that are still plastic disposable cups but they have a bit of flare to them. Some of these products include insulated plastic cups and cups that have hand grips added to them. The first Solo red, basic cup that most people know was introduced in late 1972. Since then, the popularity has grown exponentially. What used to be just a family consumer product has now morphed into a product that is used by some of the biggest corporations in the world. 80% of Solo’s sales come from these large corporations such as Starbucks and fast food restaurants who use other, smaller containers as condiment holders. What started out as just simple cups has evolved into something much more broad and diverse. The aforementioned condiment containers are an example. Another example would be the lines of complete tableware that some companies now offer. They are entirely plastic and disposable, just like the cups. The industry has grown from just a simple singular product into completely separate lines and product trees. The expansion from the beginning is enormous. Recent Product Innovations In the plastic tableware industry, lines have blurred between â€Å"disposable† and â€Å"reusable. † With many disposable cups now being marketed as dishwasher safe, low-grade dinnerware has become single-use for some market segments, but multiple-use for others. The â€Å"Green† movement has also influenced this industry. Increasingly, consumers are willing to spend more on products made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Several companies have taken advantage of this new market segment by promoting â€Å"green† product lines. MicroGreen Polymers, for example, is a Seattle-based company that manufactures disposable coffee cups produced from recycled pop bottles. The company uses a thermoformed plastic technique that infuses tiny bubbles into the plastic, resulting in a â€Å"more bang for your buck† product. In addition to resisting temperatures up to 400 degrees, the product also costs fifteen to twenty percent less than competing products. Another eco-friendly tableware producer is EcoProducts, which makes plastic-looking cups that are made from compostable corn. The cups require less energy than a traditional plastic cup to produce, resist heat up to 145 degrees, and compost in only 45 days. Solo Cup Company, the market share leader in plastic cup manufacturing, has also come out with a line of â€Å"green† products called â€Å"Bare. † It is the first nationally available full line of food service and consumer products made of recyclable or renewable materials, and because Solo has the brand recognition that emerging companies don’t, it has a unique advantage over the competition. Another recent product innovation is the beveled cup design that allows for a slip-free grip of the beverage. Solo has released products with this feature called â€Å"Grip Cups†, while Hefty released a similar product called the â€Å"Easy Grip Cup. † Advancement in the industry is the development of color-changing plastics which are being used in the production of low-grade cups. The company MoodCups uses this technology to produce customizable cups for large-scale customers that change color in response to contact with cold temperatures. MoodCups is one of a variety of companies which currently utilize this technology, but thus far the products are only available in mass orders of 250 or more rather than in family-size quantities. Market Sub-Segments There are two main market sub-segments for this product: college students and home users. College students (24 and under) are often price sensitive, with less sensitivity to quality. Additionally, this segment already uses this type of cup for playing drinking games, keg parties, and everyday cup use. Kooler cups will be a draw to this segment because of their unique color-changing technology, low price, and versatility. Home users, generally classified as those consumers 25 and older, are interested in value rather than price alone. The ability to use the product we have created, Kooler Cups, at dinner parties or in everyday settings will add value to the product for this segment. As with college students, these cups will draw in home users looking for that little extra bit of flare to throw in at a home party or with the kids. Market Sector Research The presence of myriad â€Å"off-brands† offering substitute products to the classic Solo cup creates a unique challenge in this product category. While Solo remains the number one competitor in this product category, almost identical products are available to consumers at a lower cost that are packaged under generic and store brands. Throughout our in-the-field pricing research, we found that the store brand alternatives to Solo cups were consistently priced much lower than comparable name-brand products. Differentiation Our product will compete with existing products in the market sector through characteristic differentiation rather than low cost. Kooler Cups will be considered somewhat of a novelty item by offering consumers the ability to own a disposable cup that is more fun and different that other items they see by major competitors. Kooler Cups are temperature activated cups that change colors which add excitement and allows for the consumers to see that the beverage is the perfect temperature. This feature is currently not part of the market our product is entering and this is a main reason it will be successful. Additionally, Kooler Cups are made of a harder plastic that is both inexpensive and manufactured of a higher quality material than competing products. By producing Kooler Cups with a higher quality material, we can ensure that the product is dishwasher safe. Value to consumers These unique features bring a whole new set of desirable and valuable traits of disposable cups to the consumer. The higher quality material establishes a large part of the value of the product as consumer will pay less for a reusable cup that is able to be disposed at the consumer’s discretion. This feature allows for a range of uses at an affordable price which leads to a decrease in consumer disappointment with the accidental destruction or loss of the product. Additionally, the products material provides value by being dishwasher safe which will decrease the spread of germs or residue that may occur with hand wash only cups offered by major competitors. The new material will also add to the ease of cleaning the product, saving the consumer time as well as money because they will need to purchase the cups as frequently. The color change features adds value by bringing an element of surprise and excitement to whatever event the product is used at. For the inexpensive nature of the product, this feature will be a major selling point and will lead to a higher perceived value by consumers. Fit in the market Kooler Cups will participate in the disposable food service products market with products manufactured by major companies like Solo Cup Inc. Kooler Cups will be available at a comparable price to other products in the market because they can be considered disposable even though they are not necessarily one-time use cups. We will package and sell Kooler Cups in comparable quantities to its competitors in the market to encourage the selection of this product for gatherings where many cups are required. Pricing Strategies within Market With several outside factors affecting the profitability and bottom line of a firm, pricing plays a crucial role in reaching that yield. Understanding the costs associated with the product (cost of goods sold and operating expense) is the first step before determining an appropriate pricing strategy. The cost of goods sold accounts for the various costs that go into production of the good as well as shipping and handling expenses. In addition, operating expense takes into consideration the costs associated with overhead, marketing, payroll, and office supplies. The pricing strategy used should more than cover these expenses to result in a respectable profit. With respect to the Palouse region, it appears that our main competitor, Solo Cups is employing a promotional pricing strategy. This strategy is best used as new products are introduced into the market, or in our case, to stimulate demand for an already-established product. The demand for this well established product comes with respect to seasonal changes, given the â€Å"special events† occurring during those seasons. During the fall and winter months, Solo cups are found on sale because of the influence of the two most common sports in our area, football and basketball. With the multitude of residents who tailgate as well as attend or host pre-game parties, breakeven on sales of cups are surely met and exceeded with the use of effective promotional efforts. Also, it was noticed that during off seasons such as late spring throughout summer, the plastic cup industry aims to target the outdoor enthusiast crowd. This group includes those involved with barbequing, casual camping, outdoor sporting events, as well as general picnicking. With this, Solo can maximize reach of its target audience under various shifts, both seasonally as well as activity-based by providing a recognizable price during these respective months as well as using other products to help promote their cups. Upon visiting local stores such as WinCo, Wal-Mart, Rosauers, and Safeway, we observed that Solo Cup places a significant emphasis on product positioning as they are determined to set an inviting, yet profitable price. In WinCo, Rosauers and Safeway, they take advantage of end-cap displays generally strategically positioned with complementary products such as America’s â€Å"beverage of choice,† Busch Light and Keystone beer. This type of strategy grabs the consumer’s attention through use of effective signage, as they are stocking up on supplies for any given event. Given the availability of wide aisles, such as the bordering aisles at Wal-Mart, Solo can position its cups at conveniently located product islands. These islands are also generally shared with other complimentary items, namely Busch Light and Keystone beer as well as twelve pack cases of soda. This is especially effective because people will pass these islands on their way to satisfy their regular shopping lists, being reminded of their need for cups and beverages, if not already realized. New Product Information Our product is a sixteen ounce plastic cup. The features that distinguish Kooler Cups are that they are reusable, dishwasher safe, and color-changing. We believe that by adding these, our product will have value associated with it that the products we are competing with do not have. These features add extra cost to the production of the cups; however, these will be strong selling points to the consumers and will bring in the volume of sales needed to counter the extra costs. By having Kooler Cups made as reusable and dishwasher safe cups, they are more appealing to a broader market, ranging from the household parent who is purchasing to entertain guests, to the college student who is looking for an affordable option as a party cup, and everyone else in between. If a consumer were to go to the grocery store and purchase a pack of Solo brand cups, they would use them for the evening, and throw them away at the end of the night just like any other trash. However, with Kooler Cups, the consumer is able to use the time after time, making our product a much better value over the life of the cup. Kooler Cups will be the life of the party with the color changing technology. This feature will appeal especially to college students looking something extra to have at their party, as well as being a strong selling feature to mothers who go hopping with their children. It is a feature that is sure to be determining factor in the minds of potential consumers, and will result in Kooler Cups gaining a sizable amount of market share from the product launch. Kooler Cups will be positioned on the shelf where all of the other plastic party supplies are located. They will be at a higher price point than most of the competing products because of the reusability a nd color changing features of the cups. Kooler Cups will be offered in packs of twelve, even though many of the competing plastic cups come in packages of twenty. Our product cost would be too high if we offered packs of twenty, so at packs of twelve, the price will seem closer to the competing cups, even though the price per cup will be much higher. The Kooler Cups will sell in packs of twelve cups, and made so that they are stackable. The design of the cup will have a more modern of a look, with a slight outward curve on the upper half of the cup. It will be constructed out of Polypropylene plastic (No. 5), which is a food safe plastic that is dishwasher safe and more durable than Polystyrene (No. 6) that Solo brand cups are made out of. Polypropylene plastic is also able to be engineered to have thermodynamic qualities. Forecasting the demand of our product has proven to be somewhat of a difficult task. After looking at many different factors, the estimated monthly demand in the first year of Kooler Cups is 155,000 packages of Kooler Cups. This was found by looking at the total amount of college student in the United States which is about 14 million. We estimate that probably about 3/5’s of college students participate in drinking, which would bring the number of college age drinkers to 8,400,000. Assuming that each drinking college student consumes about 3 plastic cups a month that would bring the number of cups used monthly to 25,200,000. We are estimating an initial market share of 5%, which would equal 1,260,000 cups purchased monthly. That is 105,000 packages of cups sold per month, and we added an additional 50,000 cups to be consumed by other markets such as households. This gives us a monthly demand of 155,000 packages of Kooler Cups. Pricing Strategy, Tactics, and Theory Our plan is to implement a price-skimming strategy to establish Kooler Cups as a competitor in the market. By pricing the cups slightly higher than our primary competitor, Solo Cup, we will communicate high product value and capture the price insensitive market first. While the price for a package of thirty sixteen oz. Solo cups ranges from $2. 67 to $5. 49 (depending on the distribution channel), we will package our product in twelve cup packages for approximately $3. 99. Because our production cost per cup is much higher due to the higher-grade plastic used for raw materials and the thermodynamic technology, offering the same package size as Solo would make the price per cup difference obvious. However, packaging the cups in sets of twelve accomplishes two goals: 1) increasing the customers’ propensity to purchase the product because the package price is within an acceptable range of competitors’ prices, and 2) reinforcing the reusable feature of the cups (i. e. , if they’re reusable, why buy thirty of them? ). Once the price insensitive market is saturated, we will lower the price slightly to capture more price sensitive markets. Logistically, this strategy makes sense for a company starting with limited production capacity. As a result of high startup costs and little brand awareness (and, consequently, low initial revenues), we will only have the capital to produce limited quantities of the product in the beginning. Then, as brand awareness increases and we begin to re-coop our startup costs, we will generate enough cash flow to increase production capacity and decrease our cost per cup. With a lower cost per cup, we can lower the price without eroding our margins. Because our product has a differentiating feature (the color changing technology), we won’t be forced to compete on price. Additionally, since there are no comparable substitutes for this product’s differentiating feature, we can be the ones to determine its value. Rather than choosing between a name brand Solo cup and a store brand cup that looks virtually identical, customers are choosing between a commodity (the classic disposable cup) and a whole new product entirely. Firms often times find too much comfort in their pricing strategy, and are too optimistic, that they fail to realize what could go wrong with regards to sales or driven demand. As a business, it’s crucial to analyze these â€Å"what-ifs,† if you will, to determine the next plan of action. It becomes entirely necessary during the initial stages of product development and marketing, to come up with something known as a worst case scenario. So, with this scenario in mind, what if the demand for Kooler Cups plummeted during the first three to six months, creating a significant decrease in our sales figures? Would we just â€Å"call it quits,† and bail before too much of our time, money, and efforts are wasted? Well, the primary strategy behind price-skimming doesn’t say to bail, but instead reduce price if that initial market isn’t purchasing our product. The idea behind this strategy resides in the fact that there are different pricing phases over time to generate profits with respect to various price-sensitive markets. If, in our case, consumers aren’t buying during the initial phase of pricing [first 3-6 months], we will reduce the price to try and capture the next segment, using an effective promotional strategy. For example, we would attach a $. 50 off coupon on the outside of the package, as to not degrade the price or brand of the cups, but increase the value leading to higher sales volume. This will keep broadening the consumer base until, eventually, we have maximum market potential given our product. Looking on the other end, if sales skyrocket given a drastic increase in demand, there are a couple different options to consider: increase capacity while maintaining (or even lowering) price, or implement a slight price-increase to counteract demand. Seeing as the product is rather new into the market and un- established, most would agree that the appropriate strategy to take would be to slightly increase price without coming across to customers as charging an unreasonably high price. A brand new business, such as ours, would not hold the necessary resources needed to expand and increase capacity (i. e. purchasing new equipment or hiring additional people). The next best alternative at hand would be a slight price increase until demand starts to level off again. *Conclusion * The disposable sector of the Foodservice Packaging industry is comprised of single-use products such as plastic bowls, cups, lids and cutlery for the commercial, government and home use sectors. The specific product category that Kooler Cups will be competing in is titled â€Å"Cups & Lids†, and includes disposable beverage products made from various grades of plastic, Styrofoam and molded paper. This category is projected to have the highest revenue growth between now and 2015, due largely to innovations in environmentally friendly products such as compostable cups and cups made from recycled materials. Solo Cup Company, the primary competitor in this product category, has overwhelming market share and posted sales of $2. 4 billion in 2006. Created in 1936, Solo enjoys well-established brand equity and has the advantage of low production costs due to its high volume manufacturing. These factors allow Solo to retail its products at a premium price, resulting in high profit margins. By differentiating our product based on its unique characteristics, we will enter the market as a high-quality alternative to the classic Solo cup. With its color changing technology and durability, Kooler Cups will compete in the market by providing the customer with a uniquely valuable product. Bibliography â€Å"Ammended Annual Report. Solo Cup Co.. N. p. , 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 14 Oct. 2009. . â€Å"Cold Cups & Lids. † EcoProducts. N. p. , n. d. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. . â€Å"Cups & Lids to 2012 – Market Research, Market Share, Market Size, Sales, Demand Forecast, Market Leaders, Company Profiles, Industry Trends and Companies including Solo Cup, Dart Container and Georgia-Pacific. † _ The Freedonia Group – Market Resea rch _. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Nov. 2009. http://www. freedoniagroup. com/Cups-And-Lids. html. â€Å"Cups & Lids. † Market Research Reports – Business Market Research Reports & Industry Analysis. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. http://www. marketresearch. com/product/display. asp? productid=2021950. Dunn, Collin. â€Å"MicroGreen: Recycled Plastic Cups Cut Heat and Waste : TreeHugger. † TreeHugger. N. p. , n. d. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. http://www. treehugger. com/files/2006/02/microgreen_recy. php. â€Å"Our Values, Vision and Mission. † Foodservice Packaging Institute. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Oct. 2009. http://www. fpi. org/EXPAGES/ourvalues. asp. â€Å"Packaging Industry Related News. † IDS-Packaging – Online Information Resource, Exhibition, Conference, Packaging White Papers, Suppliers, Products, and much more. N. p. , n. d. Web. 16 Sept. 2009. http://www. idspackaging. com/packaging/us/newsrelease. html. â€Å"REVOLVER. † ONESHOT CORPORATION. N. p. , n. d. Web. 7 Dec. 2009. http://www. one-shot. com/solocup_r. html. â€Å"Solo Cup Company | Company profile from Hoover's. † _Hoovers | Business solutions from _Hoovers. N. p. , n. d. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. http://www. hoovers. com/company/Solo_Cup_Company/hsxrti-1. html. â€Å"US Census Press Releases. † Census Bureau Home Page. N. p. , n. d. Web. 3 Dec. 2009. http://www. census. gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_

Is Advertising Good for the Economy Essay

Nowadays, in business world, advertising is considered a powerful tool for competition. Consumers can get useful information from advertisements and can choose products which best suits them according to their needs. Advertising play a significant role in the US economy it assists American economy to function smoothly. Furthermore, it keeps prices low and helps the entry of new organizations in domestic and global market depends on the organization’s business. Advertising especially in the US, is considered as an economic work horse which has performed colossal feats with little credit. However, the work horse often pocks his nose in places where he is not supposed to. Unfortunately, according to O’Connor, â€Å"Unless product meanings change in the populations, advertisers continue to associate the same values with the same products†. (O’Connor, 1996) At present, the US market has become a highly mobile consumer-centric society. In this speedy market everyday millions of dollars exchange through internet and by other sources. The American economy has been conquered by retail and service business industry, and in both industries ads play a fundamental role in boosting their products and services demand. In this regard, any retailing or service business industry if desired to get succeed, both must advertise their product for consumers about product quality, cost and some useful information. In this context, outdoor signs have experienced as the most rapid communicative and cost effective tool. In the year 2004, the economy of Missouri generated approximately 108 billions dollars. According to a research conducted by Davidson revealed the facts that in the year 2004, the aggregate economic activity produced by ads, which includes direct expenditure, goods provider spending and inter-organization activity generated approximately twenty percent of the nation’s 548 billion dollar economic activity and also provided around 429,700 jobs, or fifteen percent of the nation’s workforce of 2. 9 million. Interestingly, the study also showed that the total income earned from the advertising industry was about 108 billion dollars that had a direct link with 54 billion dollars sale. In the same year, around 429,654 individuals got jobs through advertising and positively affected Missouri’s economy in a healthy way. Moreover, 94257, jobs were generated in sales department in various organizations which was the outcome of excessive adverting in all sorts of media. Furthermore, the idea of outdoor signs in America gained so much popularity and in this regard both sate and federal state declared signage as a secure, fast and easy way for advertisement. The study also disclosed that the ads simulated additional buys by providing significant and useful information to a wide range of consumers in the household and businesses, which was also a crucial factor in the market economy. (Davidson, 2005) Due to severe business competition among most of the business organizations in the US, an overwhelming growth of adverting agencies has been observed. Advertising agencies list have showed a constant growth over the past few decades, other than agencies contributed the honor in former years, none have offered substantial or handsome national ads or print campaigns. In spite of a collective ten percent growth in billings from 1. 781 billion dollars in 2004 to 1. 963 billion dollars in 2005 a huge number of ads agencies received a decreased in accounts also declined in cash flow and profitability. According to a study conducted by insider’s reporters from Universal Mc Cann showed that, advertising expenses increased by 4. 5 percent in the year 2005 as compare to 2004 figures. Interestingly, during that rising period black ad agencies did not contribute to country’s economy as much amount as predicted. (Advertising agencies, 2006) A study conducted by The Direct Marketing Association showed that, in New York, in the year 2005, different organizations spent around 161 billion dollars on direct marketing. When this investment measured against total New York income this also had a direct relation with the advertising expenses of that period. Entirely, direct marketing share was 10. 3 percent of the total US Gross Domestic Product in 2005. (Growth Trends Continue, 2005) In the past decade, a tremendous growth has been seen in online advertisement In this regard, two different images marked the way of efficient online advertising which included: direct response or brand building. Due to the abundance availability of computers online advertisement has become a yardstick for consumers. Advertising especially in the US, developed in reply to a huge expansion in markets. For example, product manufacturers and service sellers attempts to reach ever growing customers throughout the nation. In this context, many organizations have adopted technological equipment, better management and so on to meet not only the desired quality of the customers but also provide products on time. According to a research conducted by Molinari and Turino in 2006: o Expenses on ads are positively correlated with Gross Domestic Product. o Both consumption and investment has a direct relation with ads expenditures. o The organization’s ads positively impact on family demand of good. As a whole, it connotes that ads positively impacts the aggregate utilization of the economy as if it were an exogenic demand shock. o At state level advertisers contribute a multitude of taxes which normally includes, property tax, state income tax so forth. (Molinari and Turino, 2006) â€Å"The latest e Marketer estimates put total US Internet ad spending at $16. 4 billion this year, a 30. 8% gain over last year’s $12. 5 billion. The prime engine behind such strong growth is Google, whose US online advertising revenues are expected to be more than $4 billion (after subtracting traffic acquisition costs paid to network partners). † (Hallerman, 2006). Outstanding results of advertising will continue to come in the last months of 2007; with aggregate US online ad spending reaches at the end of this year around 19. 5 billion dollars. Nonetheless, this will be because of overall US economic weaknesses, in the United States real Gross Domestic Product growth is likely to down from over 3 percent in the year 2006 to around two percent in 2007. It is interesting to note that, in spite of the fact that the United States economy is considered a soft economy, growth in online advertisement will continue to rise by 17. 5 percent in the next year. Merrill Lynch a media analyst Lauren Rich Fine said on Friday, December 1, as reported by Media Post, 2. 6 percent expenditure on aggregate ads for 2007 is not astonishing, and can be devoted as a more muted economic in the following year. Furthermore, as Steve Fredericks, the president and CEO of TNS Media Intelligence, said e Marketer in early December, â€Å"We see GDP remaining sluggish at least through the first half of 2007†. (Hallerman, 2006) The year 2008, the United States Gross Domestic Product is expected to get closer to three percent. Online advertisements will also bounce with a 22. 1 percent significant increase as compare to 2007. This is also expecting that, due to the fact that political races primarily depended on internet communication, with the 2008 election, ads will share a significant amount on overall country’s economy. Besides, 2008 summer Olympics will also play a tremendous role in advertisement investing. (Hallerman, 2006). A study conducted by Direct Marketing Today (DMA), the study primarily reported the top line outcomes from the DMA insight econometric model of the United States direct marketing activities for the state as a whole, the Business to consumer (B2C), Business to Business (B2B), the most important direct marketing media, and for the economy’s of around 50 organizations group. Some study’s interesting findings are: Continue Growth By the year 2009, it is estimated that the sales driven by direct marketing will grow by 6. 4 percent, which will be 5. 3 percent up if compare to 1999 to 2004 figures. Jobs DM- driven employment is forecasted to grow by two percent per annum throughout 2009. The report also showed that, in the year 2005, direct marketing expenses directly supported 10. 6 million jobs. That was not only included direct marketers but also other employees whose requirement were needed to fulfill increased orders produced by direct marketing. High Return on Investment In 2005, an investment of dollar 1 in direct marketing ad expenses returned, on average 11. 49 incremented incomes across all organizations. Important Part of the Advertising Mix â€Å"Direct marketing advertising expenditures accounted for 47. 9% of total advertising in 2004, up from 46. 9% in 1999†. (Growth Trends Continue, 2005) Conclusion In today’s world of complex business, in order to survive in a severe competition market both domestic and international organizations paying a large amount of their product cost in shape of advertisement. Certainly, virtually all types of business even those not perceived as major marketers rely on advertising for their economic well-being. As discussed above, no body can deny the statement that, in the US ads play a vital role in boosting up the nation’s economy. Thousands of individuals every year get jobs through internet, newspapers, billboards and TV ads, consequently, decreasing unemployment ratio of the country. Throughout it has also been observed that, expenditures on ads have a direct link with the US total sale of each year. In this regard, ads share a fairly large amount in the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Certainly, through advertising almost all consumers come to know about product cost its specific features and most importantly ad gives a consumer an open right to discriminate between two identical products and buy the good one. References Advertising agencies: (June, 2006), A sluggish economy, reduced margins, and institutional racism are delivering severe blows to black ad agencies. Black Enterprise, Davidson Jim, (2005), Davidson & Company for The Advertising Coalition Growth Trends Continue for Direct Marketing, (September 29, 2005) http://www. the-dma.org/cgi/disppressrelease? article=704 Accessed, July 27, 2007 Hallerman David, (DECEMBER 6, 2006)Internet Advertising Will Weather a Sluggish Economy, Growth in Internet ad spending will slow next year before rebounding in 2008. http://www. emarketer. com/Article. aspx? id=1004345 Accessed, July 27, 2007 Molinari Benedetto, Turino Francesco, (May 31, 2006), The role of Advertising in the Aggregate Economy: the Working-Spending Cycle O’Connor Gina Colarelli, (1996), Translating Values into Product Wants, Journal of Advertising Research, Volume: 36. Issue: 6. Page Number: 90+.

The Fallacy of Division

The Fallacy of Division In critical thinking, we often come across statements that fall victim to the fallacy of division. This common logical fallacy refers to an attribution placed onto an entire class, assuming that each part has the same property as the whole. These can be physical objects, concepts, or groups of people.   By grouping elements of a whole together and assuming that every piece automatically has a certain attribute, we are often stating a false argument. This falls into the category of a fallacy of grammatical analogy. It can apply to many arguments and statements we make, including the debate over religious beliefs. Explanation The fallacy of division is similar to the fallacy of composition  but in reverse. This fallacy involves someone taking an attribute of a whole or a class and assuming that it must also necessarily be true of each part or member. The fallacy of division takes the form of: X has property P. Therefore, all parts (or members) of X have this property P. Examples and Observations Here are some obvious examples of the Fallacy of Division: The United States is the richest country in the world. Therefore, everyone in the United States must be rich and live well.Because professional sports players are paid outrageous salaries, every professional sports player must be rich.The American judicial system is a fair system. Therefore, the defendant got a fair trial and was not executed unfairly. Just as with the fallacy of composition, it is possible to create similar arguments which are valid. Here are some examples: All dogs are from the canidae family. Therefore, my Doberman is from the canidae family.All men are mortal. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Why are these last examples valid arguments? The difference is between distributive and collective attributes. Attributes which are shared by all members of a class are called distributive because the attribute is distributed among all members by virtue of being a member. Attributes which are created only by bringing together the right parts in the right way are called collective.  This is because it is an attribute of a collection, rather than of the individuals. These examples will illustrate the difference: Stars are large.Stars are numerous. Each statement modifies the word stars with an attribute. In the first, the attribute large is distributive. It is a quality held by each star individually, regardless of whether it is in a group or not. In the second sentence, the attribute numerous is collective. It is an attribute of the entire group of stars and only exists because of the collection. No individual star can have the attribute numerous. This demonstrates a primary reason why so many arguments like this are fallacious. When we bring things together, they can often result in a whole which has new properties unavailable to the parts individually. This is what is often meant by the phrase the whole is more than the sum of the parts. Just because atoms put together in a certain way constitutes a living dog does not mean that all atoms are living - or that the atoms are themselves dogs, either. In Religion Atheists often encounter the fallacy of division when debating religion and science. Sometimes, they may be guilty of using it themselves: Christianity has done many evil things in its history. Therefore, all Christians are evil and nasty. One common way of using the fallacy of division is known as guilt by association. This is clearly illustrated in the example above. Some nasty characteristic is attributed to an entire group of people - political, ethnic, religious, etc. It is then concluded that some particular member of that group (or every member) should be held responsible for whatever nasty things we have come up with. They are, therefore, labeled guilty due to their association with that group. While its uncommon for atheists to state this particular argument in such a direct manner, many atheists have made similar arguments. If not spoken, its not unusual for atheists to behave as if they believed this argument was true. Here is a slightly more complicated example of the fallacy of division which is often used by creationists: Unless each cell in your brain is capable of consciousness and thinking, then the consciousness and thinking in your brain cannot be explained by matter alone. It doesnt look like the other examples, but it is still the fallacy of division - its just been hidden. We can see it better if we more clearly state the hidden premise: If your (material) brain is capable of consciousness, then each cell of your brain must be capable of consciousness. But we know that each cell of your brain does not possess consciousness. Therefore, your (material) brain itself cannot be the source of your consciousness. This argument presumes that if something is true of the whole, then it must be true of the parts. Because it is not true that each cell in your brain is individually capable of consciousness, the argument concludes that there must be something more involved - something other than material cells.   Consciousness, therefore, must come from something other than the material brain. Otherwise, the argument would lead to a true conclusion. Yet, once we realize that the argument contains a fallacy, we no longer have a reason to assume that consciousness is caused by something else. It would be like using this argument: Unless each part of a car is capable of self-propulsion, then self-propulsion in a car cannot be explained by the material car-parts alone. No intelligent person would ever think to use or accept this argument, but its structurally similar to the consciousness example.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - Profile

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - Profile Why Bashar al-Assad Matters: Syrias Hafez al-Assad, in power since June 10, 2000, is one of the Middle Easts most ruthless, autocratic, minority rulers in one of the worlds most closed societies. Assad also maintains Syrias pivotal role on the Middle Easts strategic map: He is an ally of Irans Shiite theocracy, he supports and arms Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon, thus maintaining a level of enmity toward Israel that so far has precluded peace: Israel has occupied Syrias Golan Heights since the 1967 war. Presumed a reformer when he took Power, Bashar al-Assad has proved no less repressive than his father. Bashar al-Assads Early Life: Bashar al-Assad was born on Sept. 11, 1965, in Damascus, the Syrian capital, the second son of Hafez al-Assad (1930-2000), who had tyrannically ruled Syria since 1971, and Anisa Makhlouf Bashar. He had three brothers and a sister. He spent years training as an eye doctor, first at a military hospital in Damascus then in London, at St. Marys Hospital. He was not being groomed for the presidency: his oldest brother Basil was. In January 1994, Basil, who led Syrias presidential guard, died in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was immediately and unexpectedly thrust into the limelightand the succession line. Bashar al-Assads Personality: Bashar al-Assad was not groomed to be a leader. Where his brother Basil was gregarious, outgoing, charismatic, arrogant, Dr. Assad, as he was referred to for a while, was retiring, shy, and appearing to have few of his fathers wiles or will to poweror ruthlessness. Friends admit, The Economist wrote in June 2000, that he cuts a rather meek and awkward figure, unlikely to inspire the same terror and admiration as his handsome, athletic, outgoing and ruthless brother. Basil was the gangster type, says one Syrian. Bashar is much more quiet and thoughtful. Early Years of Power: Bashar al-Assad had been running a private medical practice. But when his brother died, his father summoned him from London, sent him to a military academy north of Damascus, and started preparing him for the reins of power- which he took when Hafez al-Assad died on June 10, 2000. Bashar has gradually turned into a younger version of his father. I have a lot of respect for experience, Bashar al-Assad said just as he was taking power, and I am going to try always to acquire it. Hes lived up to that pledge. He suggested that hd relax Syrias repressive police state, even explore political reforms. He barely did. Toying With the United States and Israel: Almost from the beginning of Bashar al-Assad reign, theres been a yo-yo effect in his relations with the United States and Israelimplying engagement during one phase only to retreat into intransigence and extremism the next. Whether its a strategy or a lack of self-confidence might seem unclear until the approach is seen in the context of how Bashars father maintained power: not by innovating, not by daring, but by keeping the opposition off balance, by undermining expectations rather than living up to them. Theres been a see-saw effect on two fronts since 2000, without as yet producing lasting results. Bashar al-Assads See-Saw: Cooperation With the U.S.: Shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Assad proved to be a relatively reliable ally in the fight against al-Qaeda, cooperating with U.S. intelligence and, in more sinister ways, lending his prisons to the Bush administrations rendition program. It was in Assads prisons that Canadian national Maher Arar was tortured, at the administrations behest, even after Mahar was found to be innocent of any ties to terrorism. Assads cooperation, like Muammar el-Qaddafis,was not out of appreciation for the west but out of fear that al-Qaeda would undermine his regime. Bashar al-Assads See-Saw: Talks With Israel: Assad has similarly see-sawed with Israel over peace talks and the resolution of the Golan Heights occupation. In late 2003, Assad, in an interview with The New York Times, appeared ready to negotiate: Some people say there are Syrian conditions, and my answer is no; we dont have Syrian conditions. What Syria says is this: negotiations should be resumed from the point at which they had stopped simply because we have achieved a great deal in these negotiations. If we dont say this, it means we want to go back to point zero in the peace process. But similar suggestions were made over subsequent years, to no end. Syrias Nuclear Reactor: In September 2007, Israel bombed a remote area of northeast Syria, along the Euphrates River, where, Israel and the United States alleged, North Korea was helping Syria build a plutonium-based nuclear plant that would have been capable of producing nuclear weapons. Syria denied the allegations. Writing in The New Yorker in February 2008, investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said the evidence was circumstantial but seemingly damning. But Hersh raised serious doubt about the certainty that it was a nuclear reactor, even though he conceded that Syria was cooperating with North Korea on something military. Bashar al-Assad and Reform: As with his stance toward Israel and the United States, Bashar al-Assads promises of reform have been many, but his retreats from those promises have been just as frequent. Theres been a few Syrian springs where dissenters and human rights advocates were given a longer leash. But those brief springs never lasted. Assads promises of local elections have not been followed through, though financial restrictions on the economy were lifted early in his reign and helped the Syrian economy grow faster. In 2007, Assad held a sham referendum extending his presidency seven years. Bashar al-Assad and Arab Revolutions: As of early 2011, Bashar al-Assad was firmly planted on Middle Eastern soil as one of the regions most ruthless tyrants. He brought Syrias 29-year occupation of Lebanon to an end in 2005, but only after the likely Syrian- and Hezbollah-backed assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri triggered the Cedar Revolution on Lebanons streets and drove the Syrian army out. Syria has since reasserted its power over Lebanon, re-infiltrating the countrys intelligence services and, ultimately, reasserting Syrian hegemony when Hezbollah brought the government down and brokered its re-institution, with Hezbollah at the helm. Assad is not merely a tyrant. Like Bahrains Al Khalifa ruling family, which is Sunni and ruling, illegitimately, over a majority of Shiites, Assad is an Alawite, a break-away Shiite sect. Barely 6 percent of Syrias population is Alawite. The majority is Sunni, with Kurds, Shiites and Christians forming minorities of their own. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal in January 2011, Assad said downplayed the risks of revolution in his country: I am not talking here on behalf of the Tunisians or the Egyptians. I am talking on behalf of the Syrians, he said. It is something we always adopt. We have more difficult circumstances than most of the Arab countries but in spite of that Syria is stable. Why? Because you have to be very closely linked to the beliefs of the people. This is the core issue. When there is divergence between your policy and the peoples beliefs and interests, you will have this vacuum that creates disturbance. Assads certainties were soon proven wrong as disturbances erupted in various parts of the countryand Assad assaulted them with his police and military, murdering many protesters, arresting hundreds, and silencing Internet communications that have helped organize protests across the Middle East. In short, Assad is a flirt, not a statesman, a tease, not a visionary. Its worked so far. Its not likely to work for ever.