International Business Strategy for master degree Assignment

International Business Strategy for master degree - Assignment Example The Group is now concentrating on fewer investments after the crisis. The new investments have been made in industries with which they are familiar – such as TV stations in Indonesia. They now focus on strengthening the existing business such as the food and the telecom business. His strategy is to maintain a majority stake in crucial group companies so that the giants do not swallow him up. He is a small player and his future strategy is limited by capital availability. His earlier strategy was to be involved in large number of small businesses. Now he does not want to limit to one or two core businesses. The key competence of the group is flexibility and he wants to capitalize on this. He does not want to be a product-based company but would like to use their expertise and capital in any business that is lucrative. He believes that continuous transformation has to take place. He places more emphasis on contacts rather than on capital to achieve success. Cultural orientation However, sustainable competitive advantage can be build upon strengths. He wants to produce in Australia and sell in China. He does not want to follow the strategies common to the western MNEs. However, selling goods and services to long-distance customers can be challenging. These include language and culture barriers and hence it is always advisable to use local partners. They see enormous potential in China but the business environment differs in China. In the case of this group using local partners is all the more important because the culture of China differs from that of Indonesia and the Indonesian values. As pointed out by Hofstede, accepted management style varies across nations (Stonehouse et al, 2004). When expanding outside the triad countries it is better to have a country-by-country approach in the management of government relations and customer interface (Birkinshaw et al, 2003). The group’s intention of acquiring a pig farm in Australia and engaging in wheat t rading activities is to bring the superior knowledge of farming to less developed Asian economies. This does not appear to be a practical approach to expansion. The company would have to embrace societal differences in culture, processes and systems. Group is not strong in technology. Communications are poor and the final decision lies with Anthony Salim. However, they feel that they can be successful in diverse fields such as retail, food and media because what matters is to understand the consumer trends. Knowing the sector and industry is unimportant. Knowing the consumer and consumer behavior is what matters. Lack of environmental analysis They are trying to enter the retail sector but Carrefour had failed when they tried to expand into other countries within Europe. Since their early ventures failed, they started focusing on emerging economies with a growing urban middle class population. Thus, in any sector meeting local cultural preferences is paramount to success. The proces s of globalization is not smooth and the uncertainties have to be coped with. Salim group’s contention, that understanding consumer trends in any sector is more important, is valid to some extent. However, knowing the industry is equally important. Salim Group should conduct PESTEL analysis before they consider venturing into any nation. Understanding the macro environment is the first step while understanding consumer trends comes later. Other tools such as Porter’

Effects of Alcohol Essay Example for Free

Effects of Alcohol Essay Alcohol is a depressant that affects your vision, coordination, reaction time, multitasking ability, judgment, and decision-making. How can you drive safely if you can’t see, think, and move around well and react quickly? Alcohol affects your ability to identify dangerous situations and make good decisions when you know danger is ahead, and it slows your reaction time even if you do make a good decision. In addition, having alcohol in the body while you’re driving messes up your distance and speed perception, making you see things farther or closer than they really are, or makes you feel like you’re driving the speed limit when you’re really speeding. You need quick decision-making, reflexes, accurate perception, and multitasking skills to drive well and safely. Even one drink can make you an unsafe driver. And remember, driving with any alcohol in your bloodstream or in your car is illegal if you’re under the age of 21. Overall Effects of Alcohol Short-term effects In low doses, alcohol produces: A relaxing effect Reduced tension Lowered inhibitions Poor concentration Slow reflexes Slow reaction time Reduced coordination Slower brain activity Sensations and perceptions that are less clear In medium doses, alcohol produces: Slurred speech Sleepiness Altered emotions Poor vision Sleepiness and disruption of sleeping patterns Increased urine production More blood flow to skin surface Lower core body temperature In high doses, alcohol produces: Vomiting Uncontrolled urination Uncontrolled defecation Breathing difficulties Passing out Alcohol poisoning Coma Possible death Long-term effects of alcohol Disrupts normal brain development; Liver damage and cirrhosis of the liver; Brain cells die, decreasing brain mass; Stomach and intestinal ulcers and destroyed organs; Blood pressure increases, causing heart disease, heart attack, or stroke; Male sperm production decreases; Lower levels of iron and vitamin B, causing anemia; Alcoholism; Death; and Fetal alcohol syndrome in unborn children.

Amazons Business Model: A Case Study

Amazons Business Model: A Case Study Discussion of Amazon’s business model, and the impact of information technology for the internal organisation of work. What is their business model? Many academics believe that Amazon’s outstanding success as an Internet retailer compared with many of its rivals has been due largely to its ideal business model and swift response to the changing market since its inception. (Global Market Information Database, 2003) To begin with, Amazon chose the perfect product lines for e-commerce, with products that consumers did not need to handle in person before making a purchase: initially books, but then spreading to DVDs, music and other media. Furthermore, consumers in the book and music categories tend to desire information when they shop online, which Amazon was able to provide on its sites through reviews and recommendations. Amazon consumers appeared willing to pay a little extra for this convenience, although the recent competitiveness of the market has forced the company to cut prices or use other promotional techniques, and shift the focus of its business model from pure quality driven back towards price driven. Amazon then turned to diversification, and extending its product offer in order to widen its customer base and improve margins, with the result being that the company has focused strongly on building up its product portfolio to offer customers more choice. In 2001, Amazon increased its range of electronics and tripled its kitchen selection, as well as launching computer and magazine subscriptions stores, and set up strategic partnerships with retailers such as Target and Circuit City. In November 2002 Amazon.com announced the launch of a new online apparel store with items from retailers including The Gap, Old Navy, Lands End, Nordstroms, Cole Hahn, Osh Kosh, Spiegel, Eddie Bauer, and Foot Locker, amongst others. This diverse business model has enabled Amazon to grow both its market capitalisation and profitability, and become largely accepted as the world’s leading online retailer (Global Market Information Database, 2003) The company also concentrates on improving convenience with new features, such as the recently launched ‘Instant Order Update’, which warns customers if they are about to buy the same item twice. Marketing itself as offering Earth’s Biggest Selection, the company aims to be the world’s â€Å"most customer-centric company†, operating through its three basic businesses: Online Retail; Marketplace and Other; and Third-party Sellers. Amazon also recently began to target the institutional market as well as consumers expanding its business model in order to drive a new source of revenue: renting out its site-building services to other companies. It owes much of its relative financial well-being, compared with other pure Internet retailers to the site-building and hosting services it has sold to clients such as Borders and Toys â€Å"R† Us. (Global Market Information Database, 2003) Indeed, a recent article by Sutton (2005) focuses on Sears Canada Inc., which has recently stated that it will turn over the technology component of its online retail presence to Amazon to capitalize on Amazon’s years of expertise in customer-facing Web sites. â€Å"Sears.ca will remain very much a Sears brand,† according to spokesperson Vincent Power, (Sutton, 2005) with little to indicate Amazons involvement from a customers perspective, and Sears will continue to host the site, using the same internal fulfilment house that handles customer orders from the site and from the Sears catalogues. Amazon Services Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., will handle the arrangement which is only the latest in a series that Amazon has struck with other retailers recently. The idea of retailers, both huge and small, outsourcing their Web sites has gathered momentum in recent years, said retail analyst Jim Okamura with Chicago-based J.C. Williams Group (Sutton, 2005), and Amazonà ¢â‚¬â„¢s business model is now aligning itself to take full advantage of this fact. Strategic alliances are another integral part of Amazon’s business model, and the company has entered into a number of agreements to expand its range of products and services by allowing selected strategic partners to sell products and services under co-branded sections on the Amazon.com website. These alliances have generally consisted of Amazon making, or having the future right to make, a minority investment in the companies, and the entry into commercial agreements, which vary in scope, from customer advertising activities and links, to recently announced deals involving the sale of products and services on co-branded sections of the Amazon.com website. These alliances have developed from the successful alliances the company forged in 2001, with such companies as America Online and Target in the US, and Virgin Wines in the UK. Amazon also expanded its product offering under its Toysrus.com strategic alliance to include Babiesrus.com and Imaginarium.com co-branded stores at www.amazon.com. In addition, the company entered into strategic alliances with Expedia, Hotwire and National Leisure Group to create its travel store, further fulfilling its diversification aims. Amazon’s marketing strategy is one of the most typical parts of its business model, being focused on strengthening and broadening the Amazon brand name, increasing customer traffic to its websites, building customer loyalty, encouraging repeat purchases and developing incremental product and service revenue opportunities. However, the unique part of this section of its business is that in order to accomplish this, the company employs tactics such as delivering personalised pages and services and using a variety of other media, business development activities and promotional methods. Amazon also relies on public relations activities, as well as online and traditional advertising, including radio, television and print media, and direct marketing, however one of the primary ways the company directs customers to its websites is through its â€Å"Associates Program†. This enables associated websites to make products available to their customers with fulfilment performed by A mazon, and is remarkably successful: by 2001, more than 700,000 websites had enrolled in the Associates Program. (Global Market Information Database, 2003) What many consider to be the defining characteristic of Amazon’s business model is that the firm has no physical retailing activities, operating only via the Internet. However, its virtual operation is very much underpinned by administrative and service facilities, and in 2001, these consisted of US fulfilment facilities in New Castle, Delaware; Coffeyville, Kansas; Campbellsville and Lexington, Kentucky; Fernley, Nevada; and Grand Forks, North Dakota; as well as a seasonal fulfilment centre, used as necessary, in Seattle, Washington. The company also leases and operates three European fulfilment centres located in the UK, France and Germany and, in Japan, the courier company Nippon Express provides fulfilment services for orders from www.amazon.co.jp. These fulfilment centres comprise in total around four million sq ft of warehouse space, and in addition, Amazon leases four off-site facilities that fluctuate from 340,000 to 710,000 sq ft of space, which support the storage an d fulfilment functions of the US centres. (Global Market Information Database, 2003) What are the technologies used by the organisation in pursuit of competitive advantage? In Hamid’s (2005) article, he focuses strongly on the fact that Amazon offers many interesting variations on the strategic applications of Internet technology, in order to enhance customer relationship and acquire customer loyalty. Obviously, Amazon’s offerings of personalised services, confirmation of orders in real time and other value added activities substantiated the ability of the Internet as a competitive tool. As the number of internet users is growing rapidly around the world, retailers are under great pressure to take advantage of this huge online market potential. However the challenge is whether online retailers can match up with other, â€Å"bricks and mortar† competitors worldwide in terms of services rendered on the Internet. Hamid investigated the level of Internet technology applied by web sites in view of global electronic marketplace competition, finding that many Internet retailers are still lagging behind in fully utilizing the strategic pote ntial of the Internet particularly in enhancing customer relations. However, Amazon is already way ahead of this, using some of the technologies described above, and plans to cement its lead further in the next five to ten years and, in doing so, revolutionise the book business yet again. Curtis (2005) analyse Amazon’s recent acquisitions of on-demand book printer ‘BookSurge’ and e-book company ‘MobiPocket’, claiming that they may signal a coming transformation of the publishing business, one that includes an end to the industrys biggest problem: that of returns. Since practical ‘print on demand’ (POD) technology became available in 1998, it offered retailers the vision of a book business driven by demand-and-supply, rather than the current consignment model, and Amazon is ideally placed to turn that vision into reality (Curtis, 2005) Given that the retailer owns or leases well over four million square feet of warehouse space, no small portion of which is devoted to books, and employs 9,000 people to process orders, it would benefit immensely if it could forward orders to a printer to drop-ship books directly to customers. Not only would this benefit Amazon itself, but also potentially the publishers, helping Amazon develop strong relationships with yet another stakeholder group. One strategy might be for Amazon to print pre-sold books in its own plant which, aside from shifting printing and shipping costs from publishers to the retailer, would also sharply reduce the guesswork for publishers setting print runs. Given current economies of scale for large print runs of big books, its likely publishers would, at least for the foreseeable future, continue to print books the traditional way for brick-and-mortar accounts. However, Curtis (2005) claims that even a mix of POD and traditional printing makes more sense than the current reasoning that you can make more money by printing a million copies and selling half of them than you can by printing half a million and selling all of them. Though POD manufacturing costs are currently far higher than those of traditional long print runs, longer POD print runs, and lower unit costs, will become more common if the number of pre orders on the site continues to rise, and as the technology continues to improve, especially given Amazon’s access to detailed customer data which it can use to predict future retail trends. Equally, Amazons acquisition of the e-book retailer, ‘MobiPocket’, enables the company to contemplate developing virtual publishing in its purest form: eliminating hard copies and delivering virtual books electronically to customers at a fraction of the current cost. As Amazon masters these technologies and delivery systems in the coming years, perhaps even becoming a publisher in its own right, it will be harder and harder for traditional publishers to support the outdated consignment model, and potentially giving Amazon its highest ever level of competitive advantage. Indeed, trade publish ers may find themselves shifting to a system in which most books are pre-sold, regardless of the channel, further increasing Amazon’s advantage over the traditional stores. Curtis, R. (2005) What are the implications of this technology on the internal organisation of work? One of the key implications of the importance of technology to Amazon is that the company has to maintain its edge in technology: an edge that is more critical than ever as Amazon increasingly squares off against sophisticated e-commerce survivors like eBay, whilst controlling the potentially massive costs of said technology. Just two and a half years ago, Amazon spent 11 cents on tech for every $1 in sales, but now the company spends only about 6 cents. All told, Amazons tech spending has fallen 25 percent from its September 2000 peak, even as the company added nine new categories to its retail lineup and signed on dozens of new corporate partners. However, despite the need to slash unnecessary costs, at other times, its much better to invest your way to efficiency and, as Amazon’s head of technological development claims: â€Å"You cant be cheap for the wrong reasons.† (Thomas, 2003) As such, Amazon’s internal staff have embraced open-source coding, replacing Sun servers with Linux boxes from Hewlett-Packard, and necessitating a whole new organisational structure for the technological development staff. For every $1 spent on the new hardware, the company saved $10 in license fees, maintenance, and expected hardware upgrades, but also has to learn and adapt to the new processes and systems. The company has also been willing to spend to save, maintaining its own warehouse-management software, which has to be built and maintained by internal staff, even though ready-made alternatives like Logility might cost as little as $375,000. However, with its own software, Amazon can tweak inventory algorithms whenever it wants so that, for example, a book isnt shipped to New York from a Nevada warehouse when it could be sent faster and cheaper from Delaware, and managers can have greater control over their own warehouse staff. (Thomas, 2003) Equally, although Amazon’s partners are primarily intended to generate revenue, they are also used to help control internal costs: the company has recently began to invest in Web services and tools that make it easy for partners to hook into applications Amazon had developed for its own use. Now retailers like Nordstrom and Gap can feed their inventory into Amazons new apparel store without a lot of custom coding, and freelance programmers can build their own online stores using Amazons payment, fulfilment, and customer services, meaning that Amazon’s internal staff only need track these stores and ensure they are using the services correctly, rather than have to handle all the marketing and coding themselves. For example, a Romanian coder created www.simplest-shop.com, which uses Amazons Web services tools to extract product data from Amazon and then fashions side by side comparison tables, which is a feature not available on Amazon.com, essentially doing Amazonâ€℠¢s marketing and retailing for it. (Thomas, 2003) Amazon’s recent shift towards cutting costs has also has an effect on its internal organisation of work: in 2001, Amazon embarked on a restructuring plan which would lead to a reduction in its personnel numbers by some 1,300, or 15% of its workforce. This also involved: the consolidation of Amazon’s corporate office locations in Seattle; the closure of its fulfilment centre in McDonough, Georgia; the operation of its Seattle fulfilment centre on a seasonal basis; the closure of its customer service centres in Seattle, Washington and the Netherlands; and the migration of a large portion of its technology infrastructure to a new hardware and software platform. The company estimated that the restructuring would result in costs during the first half of 2001 exceeding US$150 million relating primarily to severance, fixed asset impairments, continuing lease obligations and other exit costs related to the restructuring. The restructuring has also lead to fundamental changes in the roles of its staff, and the organisational structures within which they work, with many staff taking over greater responsibilities and a greater scope of work. (Global Market Information Database, 2003) References: Curtis, R. (2005) Gone Today, Gone Tomorrow? Publishers Weekly; Vol. 252, Issue 30, p. 74. Global Market Information Database (2003) Amazon.Com, Inc. Euromonitor International. Hamid, N. R. A. (2005) E-CRM: Are we there yet? Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge; Vol. 6, Issue 1, p. 51. Sutton, N. (2005) Sears Canada turns over Web management to Amazon. Computing Canada; Vol. 31, Issue 7, p. 11. Thomas, O. (2003) Amazon’s Tightwad of Tech. Business 2.0; Vol. 4, Issue 1, p. 104.

Absinthe: The Price of Creativity :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Absinthe: The Price of Creativity The practice of serious art, whether it be painting, music or literature, requires originalities of perception. At a level of neurobiology what this usually means is that the nervous system must respond in new ways to old inputs. How can in individual induce these responses that are needed for creativity? If creativity is a behavior, can it be influenced by things that occur in the brain? Some artists seem to be naturally endowed with the gift of creativity and the creation of these new responses to old information. Some artists seek to place themselves in ambient conditions in order to induce these new responses of the nervous system. And other artists seek out the help of drugs. Drugs can have a wide variety of effects, from mild physical effects to huge effects on personality and behavior. At the end of the 19th century there was an era of great creativity in Europe. Particularly in France, the Belle Epoch era brought with it a generation of artists that produced an enormous output of creativity. These artists survived in artistic circles which brought with them the notorious alcoholic drink called "absinthe". In 1910 to 1915 absinthe was recognized as a neurological poison throughout Europe, and it was also banned in the US. However, amongst the fans of absinthe we find some of the most creative minds of the era. These include; De Musset, Baudelaire, Verlaine, Zola, Oscar Wilde, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gough, Hemmingway and Picasso. (5) Oscar Wilde said of absinthe: "After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see them as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, which is the most horrible thing in the world." Although absinthe had become the national drink of France by the end of the 19th century, absinthe had a reputation for inducing "insane and criminal acts" as well as convulsions and other effects of toxicity (1) Though absinthe contains a high volume of alcohol (usually 70%), it is not the ethyl alcohol that is the important neuro-active ingredient, but the terpenoid alpha-thujone. Thujone is derived from the oil of the plants, Artemisia absinthium (common names: bitter wormwood, wormseed, Wermutkraut, Asscnizio, Losna, Pelin) and Artemisia pontica (Roman Wormwood), both of the daisy family. The plant is described as a fragrant perennial herb about 1-4 feet tall with silver-green leaves, silky hairs on both sides of the leaves, and small yellowish-green flowers present during July-September (4).

George orwell Essay

There are about 400,000 known Jews in Britain, and in addition some thousands or, at most, scores of thousands of Jewish refugees who have entered the country from 1934 onwards. The Jewish population is almost entirely concentrated in half a dozen big towns and is mostly employed in the food, clothing and furniture trades. A few of the big monopolies, such as the ICI, one or two leading newspapers and at least one big chain of department stores are Jewish-owned or partly Jewish-owned, but it would be very far from the truth to say that British business life is dominated by Jews. The Jews seem, on the contrary, to have failed to keep up with the modern tendency towards big amalgamations and to have remained fixed in those trades which are necessarily carried out on a small scale and by old-fashioned methods. I start off with these background facts, which are already known to any well-informed person, in order to emphasise that there is no real Jewish â€Å"problem† in England. The Jews are not numerous or powerful enough, and it is only in what are loosely called â€Å"intellectual circles† that they have any noticeable influence. Yet it is generally admitted that antisemitism is on the increase, that it has been greatly exacerbated by the war, and that humane and enlightened people are not immune to it. It does not take violent forms (English people are almost invariably gentle and law-abiding), but it is ill-natured enough, and in favourable circumstances it could have political results. Here are some samples of antisemitic remarks that have been made to me during the past year or two: MIDDLE-AGED OFFICE EMPLOYEE: â€Å"I GENERALLY COME TO WORK BY BUS. IT TAKES LONGER, BUT I DON’T CARE ABOUT USING THE UNDERGROUND FROM GOLDERS GREEN NOWADAYS. THERE’S TOO MANY OF THE CHOSEN RACE TRAVELLING ON THAT LINE. † TOBACCONIST (WOMAN): â€Å"NO, I’VE GOT NO MATCHES FOR YOU. I SHOULD TRY THE LADY DOWN THE STREET. SHE’S ALWAYS GOT MATCHES. ONE OF THE CHOSEN RACE, YOU SEE. † YOUNG INTELLECTUAL, COMMUNIST OR NEAR-COMMUNIST: â€Å"NO, I DO NOT LIKE JEWS. I’VE NEVER MADE ANY SECRET OF THAT. I CAN’T STICK THEM. MIND YOU, I’M NOT ANTISEMITIC, OF COURSE. † MIDDLE-CLASS WOMAN: â€Å"WELL, NO ONE COULD CALL ME ANTISEMITIC, BUT I DO THINK THE WAY THESE JEWS BEHAVE IS TOO ABSOLUTELY STINKING. THE WAY THEY PUSH THEIR WAY TO THE HEAD OF QUEUES, AND SO ON. THEY’RE SO ABOMINABLY SELFISH. I THINK THEY’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOT OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM. † MILK ROUNDSMAN: â€Å"A JEW DON’T DO NO WORK, NOT THE SAME AS WHAT AN ENGLISHMAN DOES. ’E’S TOO CLEVER. WE WORK WITH THIS ‘ERE† (FLEXES HIS BICEPS). â€Å"THEY WORK WITH THAT THERE† (TAPS HIS FOREHEAD).

History of DNA

This paper explains that Francis Crick and James Watson are the only names associated with the discovery of the DNA molecule; however, many scientists were involved. DNA sciences have led to a wide variety of advances in livestock development, forensic sciences. DNA is also being used in Law enforcement, paternity testing and limitless therapeutic medical uses. How did the new knowledge of DNA challenge traditional beliefs? DNA is a term that’s used in science as well as parts of daily life. People know that DNA is part of our body.The new knowledge of DNA challenges traditional beliefs in many ways. DNA has come along way in the past 50 years. Not only has it brought justice to cases left unsolved but has made a large impact in convicting criminals especially in rape and murder cases. Not only did they establish new knowledge about the universe, scientist also use DNA for cloning, establish paternity beyond reasonable doubt, to confirm the pedigrees of pets, dogs and cats, ra cehorses and livestock, also predicting and curing inherited diseases.Although are making breakthrough everyday, scientist are having difficult time locating the specific genes that causes diseases. How might it have led to the realization of multiple truths through controversy? The latest and most controversial DNA based research is stem cell science. The controversy surrounding stem cell research has both positive and negative consequences, making it an intense debate. The serious concern about the stem cell research is the human abortion that is needed to get proper material to study. The opposition to stem cell research is from religious beliefs.Another controversial research is cloning. Should cloning be allowed is the question. Most religions groups can argue that God did not intend cloning to be done. From creation to natural death Cloning is â€Å"playing God† man creating a duplicate of life from a life that already exist. Native Americans are opposed to such testing because they feel it violates their beliefs. Due to scientist digging up ancestry artifacts and profiling for scientific reasons. The plus side to scientist profiling would be tracking our ancestry knowing the truth of Native American history. History of DNA This paper explains that Francis Crick and James Watson are the only names associated with the discovery of the DNA molecule; however, many scientists were involved. DNA sciences have led to a wide variety of advances in livestock development, forensic sciences. DNA is also being used in Law enforcement, paternity testing and limitless therapeutic medical uses. How did the new knowledge of DNA challenge traditional beliefs? DNA is a term that’s used in science as well as parts of daily life. People know that DNA is part of our body.The new knowledge of DNA challenges traditional beliefs in many ways. DNA has come along way in the past 50 years. Not only has it brought justice to cases left unsolved but has made a large impact in convicting criminals especially in rape and murder cases. Not only did they establish new knowledge about the universe, scientist also use DNA for cloning, establish paternity beyond reasonable doubt, to confirm the pedigrees of pets, dogs and cats, ra cehorses and livestock, also predicting and curing inherited diseases.Although are making breakthrough everyday, scientist are having difficult time locating the specific genes that causes diseases. How might it have led to the realization of multiple truths through controversy? The latest and most controversial DNA based research is stem cell science. The controversy surrounding stem cell research has both positive and negative consequences, making it an intense debate. The serious concern about the stem cell research is the human abortion that is needed to get proper material to study. The opposition to stem cell research is from religious beliefs.Another controversial research is cloning. Should cloning be allowed is the question. Most religions groups can argue that God did not intend cloning to be done. From creation to natural death Cloning is â€Å"playing God† man creating a duplicate of life from a life that already exist. Native Americans are opposed to such testing because they feel it violates their beliefs. Due to scientist digging up ancestry artifacts and profiling for scientific reasons. The plus side to scientist profiling would be tracking our ancestry knowing the truth of Native American history.

Biotechnology and genetic engineering Essays

Biotechnology and genetic engineering Essays Biotechnology and genetic engineering Paper Biotechnology and genetic engineering Paper 1 Biotechnology and genetic engineering of both plants and animals raise a lot of issues from concerned groups such as the Green Peace and Friends of the Earth environmental activists. Biotechnology is â€Å"defined as the application of scientific and engineering principles to manipulate life forms to provide desirable products for human use (Lewis 70) This definition is applicable to the proponents but to those who oppose, they consider this process as the cause of the destruction of nature. 2. aBiotechnology involves processes of manipulating and modifying the genes of an organism to suit the desired structure of the genes such as greater yield quality, tastier character, immune resistance to pests and weeds and a lot of other qualities that may be useful for humans. This is not entirely different from selective breeding that improves the breeds of an organism but the latter is more of a natural process and does not involve very advance modification processs. Another difference is the time needed in completing the process. Selctiive breeding involves programs to choose the traits to be improved while the genetically modified or genetically engineered organisms are, as the names suggest, forcedly modified and engineered in their genes. â€Å"Scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, created a boar by injecting cattle genes into fertilized embryos of a pig and implanting the embryos in the womb of a surrogate cow(Krimsky, 1991, p. 55) is an example of modifying the genes. This is not possible in selective breeding because a cow cannot actually give birth to a pig naturally. 2. b The good side and potential advantages of biotechnology is that it causes the genetically engineered food crops to yield more which is beneficial to farmers and to the world that needs food. It also makes the food to taste better and fortified with induced vitamins and nutrients in it, while causing the crops to have resistance to pests and weeds reducing the use of expensive and environmentally harsh chemicals. 2c On the side of those environment activists and ethically concerned groups, they argue that biotechnology causes a lot of troubles in the long-run and even in the present. The case of seed patenting letting farmers suffer is one among these many issues. Another is on the possibility of causing immunities to weeds and pests in the long run and they would not be able to be eliminated due to these immunities caused by chemicals that are paired with genetically engineered crops. Another issue is on the loss of diversity in the environment, genetic erosion, environment problems that may be caused by genetic engineered cropping in the future such as soil erosion and many more. Reference Krimsky, S. (1991). Biotechnics Society: The Rise of Industrial Genetics. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. Lewis, N. (2006) Pursuing Biotechnology: Opportunities Abound for Innovative Entrepreneurs in This Multibillion-Dollar Industry. Black Enterprise. Questia. 31 May 2008 questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5016671750.

Ancient Law Codes essays

Ancient Law Codes essays Laws have been around for many centuries. A law is known to be a set of official rules and regulations, which are generally found in constitutions, legislation, judicial opinions and that is applied and enforced amongst all members of society. The nature and functions of law have varied throughout history. Laws develop as society evolves. Historically, the simplest societies were tribal. The members of the tribe were bonded together originally by the understanding and worship of the same gods. Even in the absence of courts and legislature there was lawa combination of custom, morality, religion and magic. There are three predominant Ancient law codes that are known by many people. These codes are: The Code of Hammurabi, The 10 Commandments and the Old Testament and The Book of the Dead. The earliest known codification of law is the Code of Hammurabi. It has been around for about 4000 years. The Code of Hammurabi was known to be the mist earliest record of codification. This code was known as an Eye for an Eye. This meant that the more severe the crime was the harsher the punishment was. The Code of Hammurabi was an attempt to bring order to Babylonian society. The laws and punishment were very direct and plain. The punishments seem harsh to us today, but they were no better or worse to other societies. Our modern laws are more open to interpretation and the punishments seem to be less harsh and fairer. The Code of Hammurabi contained no laws that had to do with religion. The law offered protection to all classes of Babylonian society. It seeked to protect the weak and the poor, including women, children and slaves against the injustice at the hands of the rich and poor. The code was particularly humane for the time in which it was announced. The 10 Commandments or the Law of Moses were written about 300 years after Hammurabi. Many people figured that since these were laws given by God down to ...

A comparison between Annie Barrows Potato Peel Pie Society and Mary Ann Shaffers Awakenings in The Guernsey Literary

A comparison between Annie Barrows' Potato Peel Pie Society and Mary Ann Shaffer's Awakenings in The Guernsey Literary Awakenings in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society In the novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, writer Juliet Ashton falls in love with Guernsey, an island in the English Channel occupied by Germany during World War II. One day, she receives a letter from stranger Dawsey Adams about a book he acquired that once belonged to her. They exchange more letters and Juliet gathers more information of the island’s book club: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. As several other members of the society begin to write to her, Juliet becomes drawn to the world of these islands and believes she has found a new topic for her next book. Throughout the story, characters experience awakenings and changes in attitude that play a part in making life changing decisions. While still living in London, Juliet begins dating Mark Reynolds, a publisher visiting from America. Mark treats her to lavish dinners and various other extravagant dates, which Juliet enjoys since she would not be able to provide these things for herself in these trying times. After two months of dating, Mark asks Juliet to marry him. She then discovers it is not Mark she is attracted to but his wealth. She finds that their personalities are not at all compatible and she cannot possibly have a future with this man, no matter how handsome or rich he may be. About two weeks after giving Juliet time to think, Mark’s patience runs out and refuses to take no for answer no matter how long it may take to get a yes, telling her, â€Å"We’re right together – you make me happy, you never bore me, you’re interested in the things I’m interested in, and I hope I’m not deluded when I say I think the same is true is for you. We belong together. I know yo u loathe it when I tell you I know what’s best for you, but in this case, I do.† (153) The next day, Juliet leaves for Guernsey much to the dismay of Mark and proudly leaves behind the thought of a life of fame and fortune, although she still may not be aware of what she really wants for her future. Shortly after receiving her first letter from Dawsey, Juliet becomes fascinated with the interesting story of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and begins exchanging letters with its other members. She soon discovers that the most compelling member of the society is their founder Elizabeth. Every person who writes to Juliet adds to story of Elizabeth’s extraordinary life. As punishment for helping a polish slave worker, she was been deported from Guernsey and the islanders later hear that she was killed later at a concentration camp trying to save someone else’s life. So captivated by the stories that the letters deliver, Juliet decides to travel to Guernsey herself. After leaving London for Guernsey, Juliet experiences something new to her, the feeling of belonging. Although the death of Elizabeth proves to be devastating for them, in the end they all grow closer because of it. Wanting more of this rare feeling for her, Juliet agrees to become the care taker of Elizabeth’s daughter, Kit. She treats her as she would with her own child and quickly falls in love with her. She develops her relationship with Dawsey and very often hangs around the society members and is able to converse with them as if she has known them for years. Despite only living in Guernsey two months, Juliet now sees it as a real home, saying she â€Å"would never marry [Mark] or anyone else who didn’t love Kit and Guernsey†¦Ã¢â‚¬  After deciding that this is the life she wants, she makes the decision to stay in Guernsey and without hesitation asks Dawsey to marry her. In The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, characters make life-changing decisions after experiencing awakenings and changes in attitude due to changes in environment and the actions of others. Before first writing to Dawsey, Juliet was very dissatisfied with her life. She did not have many friends to talk with and was struggling to find a new topic for her book. After leaving Mark behind, Juliet decides that the glamorous idea of life that she once had is not what she really desires. Being welcomed to Guernsey with open arms from the society members showed her what she really needs in order to be happy with her life: the feeling of family. Juliet’s relationship with Dawsey and the islanders shows us that love is sometimes where we least expect it.

Debate the thoeries of Accounting for stock options Research Paper

Debate the thoeries of Accounting for stock options - Research Paper Example Fair value model, lattice model and finally minimum value method which is based upon the someone’s willingness to purchase a call option on a share of stock at the current fair value of the stock with the right to postpone payment of the exercise until the end of the options period, ignoring the volatility of the underlying stock in valuation calculation. This has necessitated the emergence of alternative incentive methods to premium cash thus employee stock options. Any stock option with exercise price higher than the price of the underlying stocks at the exercise date are exchanged for new ones with lower exercise price because companies have to account for the stock issued to their employees. But the companies have to account for them although they do not incur any costs to grant the options. Guides and standards on how such transactions are accounted for in the books of the company have to be provided. Stock option compensation that needs to be looked at is the backdating of employee stock option and how it affects the company. Agency theory argues that compensation policy should provide management with incentives to select and implement actions that add shareholder wealth. Discussion Pertaining the use of the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock options, a company is to value stock options based on their intrinsic value at that juncture they were granted. Intrinsic value refers to the difference between the stock’s market price on the grant date and also including the exercise price at which the employees can use the option to purchase stock. Incase the stock’s market price is slightly higher than the option exercise price, therefore, the stock option’s value is the difference between the two. Realizing the shortcomings of the method there is need to look for a more comprehensive and efficient method of stock options .By using this method it will result in no compensation expense since we grant employees options with e xercise prices same as the fair market value of the underlying stock at the time of the grant. Fair value was encouraged to be used but it was not a mandatory requirement to be used by the companies as stipulated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The fair value accounting approach valued stock options basing on various factors that establish the underlying value. This is because the companies are to outlay for option grants based on the fair value of the options that were expected to vest on the date it granted them. In December 2004, FASB issued a Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (Statement) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Statement 123(R) replaced Statement 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and was consequently effective for public companies as of July 1, 2005. It was effective for non-public companies as of January 1, 2006. The company had an option of either using Black-Schole option pricing model or the binomial option so as to come up with the options fair value. However, if the company continues with the intrinsic value of the approach they required to avail additional closure in the footnotes to their financial on what the expenses would have been with fair value approach. Under Statement 123, the company is only allowed to disclose information on the effects

How Alternative Medicine Has An Impact On Mainstream Medicine Essay

How Alternative Medicine Has An Impact On Mainstream Medicine - Essay Example The mainstream treatment processes in these diseases do not cure fully and produce numerous side effects, which no patient would like to live with. It will not be out of place to examine the things in above perspectives. â€Å"Alt Medicine† speaks about the numerous alternative medicines that have its origins in many ancient treatment systems such as Ayurved from India or Herbal Treatment System originated from the China. Over the years, several other treatment processes came into existence and went on influencing the masses depending upon the complexities about the illness. At times, the cost and personal belief system also plays a crucial role in moving the patient toward alternative medicine. (Alt Medicine) Mainstream medicines have side effects. To cure arthritis and gout, physicians prescribe the drugs, which are mostly NSAIDs that usually provide relief from pain. Although, they are highly effective yet they have severe side effects too. â€Å"NSAIDs Side Effects† distinctly mentions that NSAIDs instill stomach cramps, drowsiness, diarrhea, heartburn, edema (swelling of the feet), nausea and much of the discomfort. NSAIDs carry a risk of causing heart attacks, stroke, clotting, which could be fatal. The risk is proportionate to the dosages. (NSAIDs Side Effects) Thus, it is well established fact that mainstream medicines have numerous side effects. It will be most appropriate to examine some of the alternative medicines in above context In the â€Å"Alternative Treatment for Arthritis?† mangosteen is described as an alternative medicine to cure arthritis. Mangosteen is a tropical fruit naturally grown in East Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, and Sri Lanka. Its extraordinary ability to cure lies in a compound called xanthones, which is abundantly available in the rind of this fruit. Alternative medicines derived from the mangosteen are largely used by patients suffering from Arthritis. (Alternative Treatment for Arthrit is) â€Å"Properties of Xanthones† argues that xanthones are the most powerful antioxidants provided by nature in mangosteen. Being a natural product, it has no side effects even the patient continues to take it for a long period of time. Xanthones are known to have antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial effect and thus found to be curing numerous diseases. It is not surprising that people turn to such alternative form of medicines to cure their chronic ailments which are troubling them for a long time. Xanthones are known to destroy bacterias such as salmonella typhi (causing typhoid fever) and tuberculosis bacteria. (Properties of Xanthones) Benefit of xanthones or for that matter mangosteen concentrates is scientifically an established fact. Furthering the argument, another alternative medicine is worth exploring. â€Å"Pure Acai Berry Capsules† categorically describes about the similar medicinal properties of Acai Berry, a kind of fruit found in South and Central Ame rica. Acai Berry is being used in preparation of many alternative medicines to cure various illnesses. Acai Concentrate in form of powder and liquid is available as an alternative medicine to cure various diseases. (Pure Acai Berry Ca

Brand personality Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Brand personality - Literature review Example Brands may be also said as business organization; at the same time, it helps in generating revenue, thus brands can be regarded as investment. In return, brands need to payback certain amount of revenue to their owner. Brand Personality is a collection of human features connected with a specific brand (Aaker & Biel, 1993). A brand can easily come across the notice of the customer if the advertisement is done with known celebrities or with the help of certain well known figures of historic moment. Brand personality is often questionable in terms of scale and at times is answerable in theoretical conception based on nature. Once brands are developed, they shelter the company under the umbrella with numerous numbers of products, which can provide it incredible strategic advantage and financial gains. In the present market scenario, a major role is played by brand. Over a long period of time, brands have significantly controlled the performances of the marketers and have influenced the p romises and the benefits provided by the brand to their consumers for that particular product (Hanasali & et. al., 2005). The paper intends to discuss branding and Aaker's brand personality with its explanation along with its criticism. Meaning of Branding A brand is fundamental by nature or is represented by its offerings and what it delivers. Brand motivates its consumers by the offerings provided by a particular company. Brands establish themselves in the market over a period of time by the means of conveying a company’s message to their customers through consistent advertisements and by following suggestions provided by friends, colleagues, by family members along with ensuring communication between its representatives and its company members. The brands are often protected from others by securing service maker or trademark by a certified agency, generally by government agency (Herford & et. al., 2007). The public knowledge about the companies brand is often set as a fact or of companies’ evaluations. At times, corporations undergo market research to become aware about the public brand recognition, at the same time to know about the behaviour of the customers towards the brand. When the companies are building a brand or working upon a brand, at times they take the help of search engine and WebPages having the outline of the work details before establishing the successful brand. Organising the fields name and the brand name is an extremely vital part of searching and keeping in touch with the clients and the visitors consequently branding the new company (Asperin, 2007). Brand name helps in the identification of the image and idea of that particular service or product, which in return results in the clients to be drawn towards the new brand in the market. Branding is a procedure of building companies’ asset, which helps to build goodwill in the market. If a company is able to establish a stellar reputation among the competitors then bran ding procedure can help in creating an image in the market. It motivates a company to meet its expectations by bringing in more innovative service or product and to surpass its expectations in the competitive market scenario. In today’s dynamic marketplace, brands have large marketing landscape, where the ground of spreading the message and introducing the product is largely performed through the use

What I learned and what i think about the things ive watched Essay

What I learned and what i think about the things ive watched - Essay Example They bring back to life all abandoned neighborhoods, something that gives them enough wages as they await their graduation. Ritz mission is bringing hope and awareness in neighborhoods that have been devalued. He explodes with energy during the presentation hence engaging the audience in the conversation without swaying them from the message. The second video of Majora Carter features three crucial stories. The first story is that of Brenda, who was hired to assist ex-convicts in re-entering the society and preventing them from reconviction. Her solution, in turn, was to establish a business that could manufacture skin products using honey. The program employed seemingly unemployable men converted them, and made them productive citizens. Secondly, Andy Lipkis works to help Los Angeles reduce infrastructure costs that come with urban heat island and water management – linking technology, people and trees to establish a livable city. Trees normally absorb water hence helping to cool the city. Finally, Judy Bonds the coal miner’s daughter saw potential wind energy on a mountain of reduced elevation of over 2,000 feet. She was against removals of mountaintops for mining. This would guarantee clean energy and stimulate development of technical skills and local knowledge on harnessing wind energy. The third video is part of an interdisciplinary seminar series that examines the necessary changes within the system of free market. The tough questions that were tabled include whether capitalism can truly be just and sustainable. This comes at a time when there is global climate change, depletion of resources, inequality and social unrest. The seminar noted that current political and economic models are proving unsustainable. Some of the suggestions put forward for changes include law and public policy, science and technology, consumer behavior, the

MHE514 Module 4 Case - War and Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MHE514 Module 4 Case - War and Terrorism - Essay Example Furthermore, people may not always show the effects physically. A large percentage of the veterans carry emotional, mental or social scarring. Beginning right after the war in 1991, previously healthy veterans began claiming that they suffered from illnesses and symptoms of other diseases because of the conditions they had suffered through in the war. These reports initially came from American veterans, and was soon followed by British and Canadian veterans. The media quickly took up this story and this phenomenon was given the term Gulf War Syndrome, which was said to be an illness unique to Gulf war veterans. American and British researchers began conducting studies about the claims of the war veterans. However, they discovered no unusual patterns of illnesses among the hundreds of thousands of war veterans they studied. Their diagnoses only showed â€Å"medically unexplained symptoms and syndromes† such as dizziness, affective problems, fatigue, joint and muscle aches, cognitive problems, headaches, respiratory complaints, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, skin problems, musculoskeletal disorders, re spiratory conditions, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Coker, Bhatt, Blatchley, & Graham, 1999; Coker, 1996; Joseph, 1997). However, news of the Gulf War Syndrome continued to spread with the media reporting cases of veterans having children with deformities and an increase of the death rates of Gulf War veterans, mainly due to cancer (Arneta, Schlangen, Edmonds, Destiche, Merz, Hobbs, et al, 2003). Again, these news reports were refuted by studies done by American and British researchers. Research findings showed that war veterans’ deaths were mainly caused by accidents or suicides (mostly in US veterans) rather than from any illness caused by side effects of the war (MacFarlane, Thomas & Cherry, 2000) Another

Brand personality Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Brand personality - Literature review Example Brands may be also said as business organization; at the same time, it helps in generating revenue, thus brands can be regarded as investment. In return, brands need to payback certain amount of revenue to their owner. Brand Personality is a collection of human features connected with a specific brand (Aaker & Biel, 1993). A brand can easily come across the notice of the customer if the advertisement is done with known celebrities or with the help of certain well known figures of historic moment. Brand personality is often questionable in terms of scale and at times is answerable in theoretical conception based on nature. Once brands are developed, they shelter the company under the umbrella with numerous numbers of products, which can provide it incredible strategic advantage and financial gains. In the present market scenario, a major role is played by brand. Over a long period of time, brands have significantly controlled the performances of the marketers and have influenced the p romises and the benefits provided by the brand to their consumers for that particular product (Hanasali & et. al., 2005). The paper intends to discuss branding and Aaker's brand personality with its explanation along with its criticism. Meaning of Branding A brand is fundamental by nature or is represented by its offerings and what it delivers. Brand motivates its consumers by the offerings provided by a particular company. Brands establish themselves in the market over a period of time by the means of conveying a company’s message to their customers through consistent advertisements and by following suggestions provided by friends, colleagues, by family members along with ensuring communication between its representatives and its company members. The brands are often protected from others by securing service maker or trademark by a certified agency, generally by government agency (Herford & et. al., 2007). The public knowledge about the companies brand is often set as a fact or of companies’ evaluations. At times, corporations undergo market research to become aware about the public brand recognition, at the same time to know about the behaviour of the customers towards the brand. When the companies are building a brand or working upon a brand, at times they take the help of search engine and WebPages having the outline of the work details before establishing the successful brand. Organising the fields name and the brand name is an extremely vital part of searching and keeping in touch with the clients and the visitors consequently branding the new company (Asperin, 2007). Brand name helps in the identification of the image and idea of that particular service or product, which in return results in the clients to be drawn towards the new brand in the market. Branding is a procedure of building companies’ asset, which helps to build goodwill in the market. If a company is able to establish a stellar reputation among the competitors then bran ding procedure can help in creating an image in the market. It motivates a company to meet its expectations by bringing in more innovative service or product and to surpass its expectations in the competitive market scenario. In today’s dynamic marketplace, brands have large marketing landscape, where the ground of spreading the message and introducing the product is largely performed through the use

MHE514 Module 4 Case - War and Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MHE514 Module 4 Case - War and Terrorism - Essay Example Furthermore, people may not always show the effects physically. A large percentage of the veterans carry emotional, mental or social scarring. Beginning right after the war in 1991, previously healthy veterans began claiming that they suffered from illnesses and symptoms of other diseases because of the conditions they had suffered through in the war. These reports initially came from American veterans, and was soon followed by British and Canadian veterans. The media quickly took up this story and this phenomenon was given the term Gulf War Syndrome, which was said to be an illness unique to Gulf war veterans. American and British researchers began conducting studies about the claims of the war veterans. However, they discovered no unusual patterns of illnesses among the hundreds of thousands of war veterans they studied. Their diagnoses only showed â€Å"medically unexplained symptoms and syndromes† such as dizziness, affective problems, fatigue, joint and muscle aches, cognitive problems, headaches, respiratory complaints, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, skin problems, musculoskeletal disorders, re spiratory conditions, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Coker, Bhatt, Blatchley, & Graham, 1999; Coker, 1996; Joseph, 1997). However, news of the Gulf War Syndrome continued to spread with the media reporting cases of veterans having children with deformities and an increase of the death rates of Gulf War veterans, mainly due to cancer (Arneta, Schlangen, Edmonds, Destiche, Merz, Hobbs, et al, 2003). Again, these news reports were refuted by studies done by American and British researchers. Research findings showed that war veterans’ deaths were mainly caused by accidents or suicides (mostly in US veterans) rather than from any illness caused by side effects of the war (MacFarlane, Thomas & Cherry, 2000) Another

Indian girl Essay Example for Free

Indian girl Essay He was a good husband. No one could deny it. He let her have her own way, indulged her, even. When the kitchen was remodelled, for example, and she wanted pink and grey tiles even though he preferred white. White. A clean colour. A colour he believed to be innocent, just like his wife.  He was traditional as an Indian man could get. He had expectations from his wife. Demands that had to be fulfilled.  She would dress as he would tell her too, sleep with him when he wanted her to.   Not only that, she would provide him with a son and a daughter. The duty of every Indian wife was to give their husband a child, regardless of whether they wanted to or not. He would be the provider in this relationship. She would cook and clean at home while he worked.  It was tradition after all and he was very traditional.  However, when he did put his foot down he would often soften his nos with kind remarks. There had been two occasions that he strongly remembered in which he had to be firm. Like when she wanted to get a job and go back to school or buy English clothes.  Nobody in his family had ever worn English clothes, except for the men that is.  His mother, his mothers mother and sisters had always dressed in Indian clothesno matter what the occasion. He preferred Indian clothes on his wife too. After all they hid her body. The loose blouses didnt reveal her breasts like some English tops or show an unnecessary amount of cleavage. The endless mounds of fabric concealed his wifes legs and waistline.  He believed his wifes body was just for him to look at. Why tempt other men to look at his wifes curvaceous hips or low cut neckline?  The soft remarks that often accommodated his nos were mostly, What for? Im here to take care of you or You look so much prettier in your Indian clothes, so much more feminine. He would pull her to his lap and give her a kiss and cuddle, which usually ended with him taking her to the bedroom. That was another area where he had to be firm. Sex. His wife was constantly pleading with him, Please, not tonight. He didnt mind that. She was, after all, a well-bred Indian girl.  She had good Indian values that he felt all Indian women should have. Her dreams in life were those of his mothers. She wanted to marry, have children and live a contented life in a glorious home. She was conservative and an introvert. Not a woman who would cause him embarrassment in front of friends and family. Timidsomeone who needed support and he believed that he was indeed the support she needed. But her reluctance went beyond womanly modesty.  After dinner for instance, she would start on the most convoluted household projects, soaping down the floors, changing the liners in the cabinets. The night before she had disappeared shed started cleaning the windows, taking out the Window cleaner and rags as soon as shed put the boy to bed, even though he had mumbled, Lets go.  Surely he couldnt be blamed for raising his voice at those times (though never so much to wake his son) or for grabbing her by the elbow and pulling her to the bed, like he did the night before she disappeared. He was always careful not to hurt her, he prided himself on that. Not even a little slap. And he always told himself hed stop if she really begged him, if she cried, After some time, though, she would quit struggling and let him do what he wanted. But that was nothing new. That could have nothing to do with the disappearanceafter all that was his right.  His grandfather had done the same with his wife, his father had treated his mother the same way too and she had turned out fine hadnt she?  So, why should he have treated his wife differently? She too was an Indian woman and for generations Indian women had been afflicted upon. So what made her so special? Why couldnt he behave the same way with his wife as his male ancestors had with theirs? Two weeks passed and there was no news of Zeneve, even though the husband had put a notice in the local newspaper as well as a half-page ad in India West, which hed photocopied and taped to all the neighbourhood lampposts. The ad had a photo of her, a close up taken in too bright sunlight where she gazed gravely at something beyond the camera.  How on earth will you come up with that kind of money? asked his friends. The husband confessed it would be difficult, but hed manage somehow. His wife was more important to him, after all, than all the money in the world. And to prove it he went to the bank the very same day and brought home a sheaf of forms to fill in so that he could take out a second mortgage on the house. He kept calling the police station, too, but the police werent much help. (They were working on it apparently.) Theyd checked the local hospitals and morgues, the sheltersbut there were no leads. It didnt look very hopeful.  So finally he called India over a faulty long-distance connection that made his voice echo eerily in his ear. He told his mother what had happened.  My poor boy! she wailed. Left all alone (the word flickered unpleasantly across his brain, left, left.)  How can you possibly cope with the household and a child as well? she added. And when he admitted that yes, it was very difficult, could she perhaps come and help out for a while if wasnt too much trouble, she replied Of course! Ill come right away and stay as long as you need me too and what was all this English nonsense about too much trouble? Youre my only son arent you? She even said that she would contact the wifes family too so he wouldnt have to deal with that awkwardness. He was relieved at his mothers kind gesture. How could he possibly face his in-laws at a time like this? How would he tell them that there one and only daughter may never come back?  Within a week his mother had closed up the little flat she had lived in since her husbands death, got hold of a special family emergency visa and was on her way. Almost as though shed been waiting for something like this to happen, said some of the women spitefully. These were his wifes friends, though in his opinion, acquitances would be a more accurate word. His wife had liked to keep to herself, which had been just fine with him. He was glad, hed told her several times, that she didnt spend hours chattering on the phone like the other Indian wives.  He was livid when this gossip reached him (perhaps because he had the same insidious thought for a moment, when at the airport, he noticed just how happy his mother looked.) Really he asserted to his friends, some people see only what they want to see. Dont you think it is a good thing she has come over?

My Personal Code Of Ethics Philosophy Essay

My Personal Code Of Ethics Philosophy Essay After taking this class I sit here and wonder. Am I the only one who has never realized how much ethics plays such a large part of the world today? I have always known that most businesses that I have worked in have a code of ethics but I did not realize why they have it. Until now after being in this class I have been looking at how ethics not only needs to be a part of a business but how it is such a large part of society in itself. For me I did not know how many different parts of ethics there are but how they play make me look at whats going on in the world today in an ethical way. Society today is full of chaos because it seems those that are younger than me have a whole different outlook on the world or is it that they dont know about how ethics plays a part in their lives. For example: During this quarter when at dinner I would sit with my teenage son and ask what does he knows about ethics and he looked at me like I was crazy. So I said to him do you think that you follow a code of ethics at school and he said yes. What do you think they are I ask? Well we have to follow rules, and have to respect the teachers by listening to them and doing the work they give us. By having this conversation with him at dinner we would talk about how there are ethical meanings that relate to his answers. I proceed to tell him how he basically has a social contract. David Gauthier contract theory is to show self- interested individuals should favor a minimally cooperative moral system (Waller, 2005, p. 68). He still did not understand so I used an example that I think I remem bered from school and that was Audi does not through his book bag at Mr. Lucabaugh and Mr. Lucabaugh listens completely to his response. Then I said basically the code of ethics at your school uses a contract theory because you agree to respect and listen to your teacher and your teacher agrees to respect and listen to you. He finally got it. With what is going on in the world today from the economy, the war, and what is happening in Libya if we as a society did not have any ethical beliefs there would be so much chaos that society would self destruct. A perfect example of this would be Libya and their leader Omar Gaddafi. This is similar to the second reflection paper that I wrote for this class. When I wrote that paper Egypt was in chaos and now it is Libya who is in a war of all against all (Waller, 2005, p. 64). In Libya the people are not only protesting against their leader Moammar Gaddafi and want him to step down. Gaddafi to me is defiantly using Dostoyevskys challenge which is using the utilitarian calculation by getting much pleasure at the cost of his people (Waller, 2005, p. 55). Could it be that Gaddafi needs to have a social contract with himself and that according to Thomas Hobbes our natural tendencies are toward murder and mayhem (Waller, 2005, p. 66) and he is out for himself. Gaddafi is an individual an d universal egoist. On one hand he wants for his country what will benefit him. He has been quoted as saying I will die a martyr (Metro, 2011) and on the other hand he says that he does not need help from any other countries and that they should stay out of Libya and the happenings with his country and people. Many countries have different outlook on this issue and most of it is because of cultural relativism this is how one culture has different value from another. This could be an example of America and Libya. For American culture we value people and the fact that we have free speech and that everyone should be free compared to Libya where the people their do not have the same rights of free speech and really are not free because if they go against their government they could die. Having ethical beliefs or morals in society is a positive thing because it helps control the chaos that would be if there were none. Ethical beliefs should also fall into individuals as well. If the individual person does not have ethics then how would they be able to socialize in an acceptable manner? Everyone has different ethical beliefs whether it is based upon religion or their culture or it could be based upon gender. Many people follow the Ten Commandments and that is their moral and ethical belief system and believes they were created to help control chaos and keep some order of peace in the world or within themselves. As a society we also have the Constitution of America which many people follow that as their code of ethics. And then many people will tell you that ethics and morals are passed down from generation to generation within the family. It does not matter what you believe or were they came from but that we may not be aware of the importance of them and how they rela te to our lives. In the Bible one of the Ten Commandments is You shall not steal now imagine if no one in the world has any morals or ethical beliefs. Everyone would be stealing from one another and no one would have anything that they could call their own. But by people having some type of ethical beliefs a majority of people do not steal because it would be against their code of ethics or moral beliefs. Immanuel Kant basic principle of ethics is Categorical Imperatitive says always act in such a way that you could and will act (Waller, 2005, p. 22) which is basically saying do unto others as you would have them do to you . So if you want to be treated well then you should treat others well. If people did not have this ethical belief to follow then there would be more people in the world that only look out for them and have no consideration for others. This could also be related to virtue ethicist Aristotle who says that virtuous person is not one that does the right act but one who consistently does the right act and for the right reason (Waller, 2005, p. 98). You might ask what does this have to do with individual ethical belief well if you think about it. Because people who do not steal have made it a habit not too and for that they consistently do the right thing. Another example could be as babies most of us were taught not to hit someone because that is not right and it could be against the morals of your family not too. So we eventually grow up that the right reason not to hit someone is because you would not like that to happen to you. When it comes to ethics many people do not relate it to critical thinking. Critical thinking can play a large role when it comes to ethics because when people start having conversations about anything that can be ethical it can turn into a heated argument or if they do not like what they are hearing they will use the red herring fallacy. Red herring fallacy is what they call a common argument trick (Waller, 2005, p. 2). For example: You and I are having a discussion about the war and I do not agree or like what you are saying so I change the conversation by saying I see, did you know that the Red Sox won the game yesterday. If more people take on the charity fallacy which is to be charitable or generous toward the positions and argument we oppose (Waller, 2005, p. 4). The perfect example of would be you are having a conversation about the war and how they agree with it and you listen to them and calmly respond yes but. As people get older and our minds get more developed we realize that men and women are not only physically different but emotionally different as well. Women become more act utilitarian because we want to increase pleasure and decrease suffering for everyone compared to men who become more rule utilitarians look at the act. It is known that women are more emotional and think differently from men. For many women care ethics plays a large role in morals. Care ethics emphasizes on the importance of affection, friendships and relationships (Waller, 2005, p. 119) which is for most women the core of their feelings. A good example of this could be a couple goes out to dinner and while walking to the restaurant the wife wants the husband to hold her hand and the husband does not want too. This is the women wants to feel some type of affection and the guy does not. Another example would be a guy usually does not care if he doesnt talk to some of his friends were it would really bother a women because her friendships are important in her life. I decided to go into this class with an open mind and by doing so I can actually say that I look at ethics in a much different perspective. I dont think I have ever really thought about ethics other than my own beliefs or corporate ethics. I realized how I never really looked at my ethical beliefs and how they may not be the way I think that I live my life. By this I mean the teacher used a scenario about a little girl and someone was going to kill her if I did not lie. For me I do not believe in telling a lie or getting lied to. As the teacher continued with the different scenarios and I kept saying I would not lie, he finally said over the brake really look at yourself and what you say or respond to things even the smallest of things and see if you lie. So I did just that and low and behold he was right. . I am finding that it is hard to live 100 percent ethically on my beliefs. As I was writing this I am trying to think about myself and what how the different parts of ethics fit into my life and can say that I am an act utilitarian because I do go through life wanting to not only have maximize pleasure but the people involved in my life and try to minimize the suffering of people involved in my life which is a hard thing to do. For someone whom I may be in a relationship whether a friend or on a more intimate level I can understand the social contracts that we share that we try to be as honest as possible to each other agree to not to cheat on each other even though tendencies may take us elsewhere. I also believe that we all must do what is in the best interest for each so that could make me follow the universal ethical egoism theory. When I think of virtue ethics, I think about myself and what or how I think of individual character. Many people say that I am kind, caring and very considerate person. That always think about other people and how I can help them. This would be because my moral belief is that I treat others as I like to be treated. So if you want respect then you have to give respect. But I also think about how I feel when I help someone which would be the care ethics part of my beliefs. . I myself know that I am consistently kind to people and care very much for people in my life but also for the elderly, kids and pets and I do this for the right reasons and that would be because it makes me feel good about myself. Without ethics whether personal or for society in a whole the world would not be able to function in order and there would be chaos beyond control. Everyone has ethics whether they are taught them in the home, from the bible or from government itself makes everyone a better person or country. For me taking this class has defiantly made me look at myself and what I honestly think and how I much of an ethical individual person I am. I also know that as we get older me ethical beliefs can change. I have also learned that even though we may not agree with other peoples beliefs we should be open about them and are able to have conversations with bringing anger or disagreements in them. Reference Page Metro. (2011, February 22). Gaddafi: I will die a martyr. Retrieved March 3, 2011, from Metro: http://www.metro.us/newyork/international/article/781278gaddafi-i-will-die-a-martyr Waller, B. N. (2005). Consider Ethics Theory, Readings and Contemporary Issues. New York: Longman.

The Personality of Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

The Personality of Macbeth Macbeth is first presented as a mature man of definitely established character, successful in certain fields of activity, and enjoying an enviable reputation. One must not conclude that all Macbeth's actions are predictable. Macbeth's character is made out of potentialities and the environment, and no one, not even Macbeth, can know all of his inordinate self-love. Macbeth is determined by a desire for temporal and mutable good. Macbeth is driven in his conduct by an inordinate desire for worldly honors; his self emulation lies in buying golden opinions from all sorts of people. One must not deny Macbeth a human complexity of motives. For example, his fighting in Duncan's service is magnificent and courageous. Macbeth also rejoices in the success that crown his efforts in battle. Macbeth's services are also for his own glory. Macbeth says, "The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself." While Macbeth destroys Duncan's enemies, such motive work but are obscured in his consciousness by more vigorous urges. Macbeth by nature violently demands rewards. Macbeth fights courageously so he may be reported as a "valor's minion" and "Bellona's bridegroom." Macbeth values success because it brings fame, new titles, and royal favor. As long as these mutable goods fulfill his desires, which is the case until he covets the kingship, Macbeth is an honorable gentleman. Once Macbeth's self-love demands a satis faction that cannot be honorably obtained, he employs dishonorable tactics to gain his selfish desires. As Macbeth returns victoriously from battle, his self-love demands recognition of his greatness. The demonic forces of evil that drive Macbeth, symbolized by the witches, suggest to him to obtain the greatest mutable good he has ever desired, the kingdom. The witches observe Macbeth's expressions to understand the passions that are driving his dark desires he is so valiantly attempting to suppress. The witches predict Macbeth will be king. The witches can not compel Macbeth to do evil deeds, but they can use Macbeth's desire to become king to pervert his judgment of reason to corral him to choose temporal good. Macbeth's imagination and passions are so vivid under these evil impulses that "nothing is but what is not." Macbeth's reason becomes so impede that he judges, "These soliciting cannot be evil, cannot be good." Still Macbeth is provided with so much natural good that he is able to control his imagination and decide not to attempt any act that involves criminal actions.

Anne Hutchinson a Woman with a Voice Essay --

In the book â€Å"Anne Hutchinson Puritan Prophet† Timothy D. Hall not only writes a biography of Anne but the whole state of Christianity in the late 16th and early 17th century. The story is about woman who was not afraid to speak out and voice her views. The author gives an in-depth story of all the events that were happening and how they influenced Anne to become such an important figure in history of protestant Christianity. Anne Hutchinson was influenced by a number of people in her life. The first influence must have been her father. Her father Rev. Marbury spoke out against many ministers in the Church of England because of their lack of qualification or corruption. He was sentenced for a year in prison. Anne read many of her father’s books which shaped her into a woman that wasn’t afraid to speak out. Anne was born July 17th 1591 in Alford England. She married William Hutchinson and they had 15 children. In 1634 she and her family moved to Boston. One of the driving factors of her move to Boston was the fact that her most admired preacher John Cotton had moved to Boston. She felt it was God’s will to move to Boston as well. Upon arrival to Boston she worked as a midwife and healer. She was a member of the church where John Cotton preached. She started her own bible study group with women, which later becomes one of the reasons she would be tried in court for. Anne then gets accused of heresies in the Puritan church. She is accused Antinomianism and Familism. She then is found guilty and gets banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the short seven chapters, the author paints a picture of a major dilemma that was between different religious individuals. Within the dilemma the story unfolds the influence of Anne in the... ... the Puritans and their development as a denomination. I would say that this book is written for specific audience. This book would suite someone who is interested in studying early 17th century Christian history. This book would also suite someone who wants to know the in-depth version of the biography of Anne Hutchinson. I think those specific audience would enjoy this book and could probably use it as a great resource. For someone who just wants an overall biography of Anne Hutchinson, this book would be overwhelming do to the level of detail that is involved. This biography not only tells Anne’s story, but really goes into the where she got her ideas and why she became who she was. The author explains the Puritan beliefs and the 17th century church in Boston well and puts it in understanding terms. This makes it a well-written book that you can enjoy reading.

Henry Hudson School vs. Rowley Essay

Every student has the right to have an individual education plan (IEP). Although all students with disabilities are entitled to an IEP that does not necessarily mean they are eligible for every form of technology available to them. IEP are designed to keep children with disabilities as current as those students without disabilities. Amy Rowley did in fact have an individualized education plan, but her parents believed she was entitled to more. Hendrick Hudson vs. Rowley was the first U. S. Supreme Court’s trial under the Education for All Handicapped Children which is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, (IDEA). Hendrick Hudson School vs. Rowley Amy Rowley was a student at Furnace Woods School in the Hendrick Hudson Central School District; Peekskill, N. Y. Amy had very little if any residual hearing but, she was an excellent lip reader. A year before Amy was to attend school a meeting was set up for Amy and her parents to meet with the school administrator. It was a reciprocal decision to place Amy in a regular kindergarten class on a trial basis. Many administrators of the school were to take a course in sign language to help in the communications with Amy. The principal’s office was equipped with a teletype machine as both of Amy’s parents were also deaf. At the end of the trial basis it was decided by the administrators as well as Amy’s parents that she should stay in a regular classroom. Amy was provided an FM transmitter, which amplified the voice of he teacher and the students in her class. Amy’s first year of kindergarten was a success and she was to continue on to the first grade. As the law states an IEP was prepared for Amy after her completion of her first year. The Individualized Education Plan that was customized to meet Amy’s needs stated that she was to utilize the FM transmitter; she was also to have a tutor for the deaf meet with her daily for an hour to get directions and was also to meet with a speech therapist three times a week. Amy’s parents agreed with parts of her IEP but also felt that Amy needed a sign language instructor in every one of her classes. Amy did receive a therapist for a two week trial while attending kindergarten but it was decided she did not need this service in order to do her studies. The Hendrick Hudson school district’s â€Å"Committee on the Handicapped,† had heard Amy’s parents’ expert evidence that stated Amy needed the interpreter, the â€Å"Committee on the Handicapped also spoke with Amy’s teachers, and visited a class for the deaf. The committee denied their request for a sign interpreter. When Amy’s parents received news that their request for an interpreter had been denied they demanded and received an administrative hearing. (Weber, M. C. , 2012). The hearing officer agreed with the administrators upon completion of the evidence presented by both sides. The hearing officer stated that once reviewing the evidence it was clear that Amy did not need an interpreter. The reasoning of the hearing officer was that Amy was achieving educationally, academically, and socially without any need of such assistance. The examiner’s decision was acknowledged on appeal by the New York Commissioner of Education. Amy Rowley’s’ parents then petitioned the United State District Court for the Southern District of New York, they stated that the denial of the sign language interpreter was denying Amy of the free appropriate public education that is guaranteed by the Act. (Excerpt from the court’s own description at The examiner’s decision was affirmed on appeal by the New York Commissioner of Education. Then the parents of Amy Rowley petitioned the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York with the claim that Amy was being denied a free appropriate public education guaranteed by the act. On June twenty-eighth nineteen hundred and eighty-two the court finds that Amy is an excellent student that gets along well with her peers and the staff. They also state that she performs better than the average students in her class and has had no problems advancing from one grade to the next. With all this being said they still note that she still misses out on a lot of things that she would not normally miss on if she were not deaf. So stating she is not doing as well as she could be doing if she were without her handicap. The differences between her achievements and what she would be capable of without a disability was the deciding factor in that Amy was not getting a free appropriate public education that is defined as: Having the opportunity to achieve her full potential equal with the opportunities that are given to other students. I believe that the court ruling for the Hendrick Hudson vs. Rowley emphasized individualization on school programs and parental involvement in the decisions that are made where their children’s educational matters are concerned. By having no cost limit on required services the areas of learning for disabled children have become bountiful. Since, the U. S. court upheld the decision, the decision to support parental rights, and the decision concerning the children’s rights. I believe the Hendrick Hudson vs. Rowley court case definitely made an impression on the judicial system according to education. The court case of Hendrick Hudson vs. Rowley established the enforcement of entitlement to individualized educational programs to our students with disabilities and gives the parents a say in what is best for their child. (Macfarlane, M. A. , 2012) When a parent is given the right to help with the decision process of their child, the child will feel more adequate and so much more secure. The best way for a child to learn is to give them a safe and secure learning environment. The best way for a child to feel safe and secure is for them to have the security they feel at home. There could be no better way than to invite their parents to participate in their schooling. By paving the way for parental rights and involvement it is allowing a greater sense of stability to the child which in turn will broaden their sense of confidence and allow them to learn at a greater pace. I feel assured if the decision had not been made by the courts in the Hendrick Hudson School District vs. Rowley our educational system would have many hurdles to cross, but since then our educational system is advancing with a rapid pace for the achievements of the disabled children in our society.

Hazara people Essay

1. Friendship, guilt, redemption â€Å"He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. ‘Come. There is a way to be good again,’ Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost as an afterthought. † (Chapter 14, pg 202). This quote symbolizes how Amir strived to do everything to forget, all he needed to do was to fly to Pakistan and see what Rahim Khan wanted him to do. So that’s exactly what Amir did. Rahim Khan tells Amir that â€Å"there is a way to be good again†. Amir knew straightaway what he was talking about. He realizes, that all of those years, Rahim Khan had known about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. Rahim Khan had knew about Hassan getting raped. He needs to go to Afghanistan and talk about the ‘unspoken secret’ they both knew about. After the phone conversation, Amir keeps remembering Hassan saying ‘for you, a thousand times over! ’ Thinking of this, he knows he has to go to Afghanistan, see Rahim Khan, uncover the secrets and do whatever he asks to ‘be good again’. By this he means that Amir has the opportunity to make up for his betrayal of Hassan by saving his son, Sohrab. Rahim Khan knows what really happened to Hassan and also knows that this has been bothering Amir for years so he is basically implying that Amir can still redeem himself if he goes back to Afghanistan. When Amir ran, he ran from jealousy and fear; fear of Assef and fear of his own reputation as a Pashtun standing up for a Hazara. The negativity of the social setting influenced Amir’s rash decision on betraying Hassan. The prevailing theme of guilt and redemption is weaved through the journey of Amir’s life, influenced by the society, where Hazaras are betrayed. 2. Parental relationships â€Å"Here is another cliche my creative writing teacher would have scoffed at; like father like son. But, it was true, wasn’t it? As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I’d ever known. We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us. And with that came this realization: that Rahim Khan had summoned me there to atone not just for my sins but for Baba’s too. † (Chapter 18, pg 238) I chose this quote because not only is it ironic in and of itself, but it also ironically characterizes all the characters in the novel. Amir felt his â€Å"sin†Ã¢â‚¬â€betraying Hassan—made him so different from his father. He has spent much of his life trying to please Baba and mimic his father’s life. It is ironic that now, all these years later, when he discovers he and had father were so similar, it sickens him rather than bringing him joy. In the novel, he continually states that he would’ve never would have dreamed that Baba’s greatest sin would be theft on so many different levels (stealing wife, purity, truth) and gone against the nang and namoos, he so adamantly preached to his son. Amir and Baba’s relationship changes throughout the novel. The novel starts out with Amir doing whatever he could to win his father’s attention, which includes betraying his best friend, Hassan. He betrayed Hassan for his father’s full attention. He then earns it when Hassan and Ali move out and Baba and Amir move to America. This quote shows that Amir and Baba are very alike. They both betrayed their best friends. Baba betrayed Ali by sleeping with his wife, and Amir betrayed Hassan by not standing up for him while getting assaulted. Then they both try to redeem themselves with doing other good deeds. Baba, running an orphanage, and Amir going back to Kabul to save Sohrab, Hassan’s son. 3. Maturing â€Å"Earlier in the morning, when I was certain no one was looking, I did something I had done twenty-six years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress† (Chapter 19, pg 254) This quote shows how Amir had changed and grew more mature than before. In Kabul, before he had done the same thing to kick out Ali and Hassan. â€Å"I lifted Hassan’s mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it. I waited another thirty minutes. Then I knocked on Baba’s door and told what I hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies. † (pg. 110) Before, when he put the money under Hassan’s mattress, it was a coward move. He did it so Baba would get rid of both Hassan and Ali. Amir kept trying to cover up his past and get rid of it by setting Hassan up. He thought if Hassan left, then everything would go back to normal, but it didn’t. Now, Amir had a heart. Rahim Khan told Amir to come back to Afghanistan to rescue Hassan’s son Sohrab. Amir stayed with Wahid’s family. They didn’t have much at all. They served Amir all their food they had. Amir felt guilty for all the riches he had. Living in America, without war, having sanitary living conditions and enough food for meals three times a day. So, when it was time for Amir to leave, he snuck a fistful of money under the mattress. This time, it wasn’t a coward who had done it, it had been a loving, but guilty man. Amir was slowly paying back his dues and hardships he had created in the past. 4. Strength of the human spirit â€Å"Then I told him I was going to Kabul. Told him to call the Caldwells in the morning. ‘I’ll pray for you, Amir jan,’ he said. †(Chapter 18 pg 239) Not only did Amir not stand up for himself, he did not stand up for others either (like Hassan when he got raped). Amir didn’t dare to say his opinion, to the public, or to Assef that he and Hassan are friends because Hassan is Hazara and always was going to be. Later that changes. He fights for Sohrab, in fact what he really is doing is fighting back for all the times he didn’t fight for Hassan, against Assef. In the fight he gets hare lipped just like Hassan, I think that’s a symbol. A symbol that says that he has become as brave as Hassan. Another thing that indicates this change is that in the dreams he used to have where he couldn’t part his father from the bear he later dreams of himself as the bear. He always admired his father, and his father was very brave. Bears are significant as brave and fearless. Back in Kabul, it seemed like Amir was finally doing something good in his life. After some misgivings, Amir agrees to rescue Hassan’s son, Sohrab, from an orphanage in Kabul. Amir even fights against a Taliban official who turns out to be Assef in order to save Sohrab. This reminds Amir and the readers that this time it wasn’t Hassan who was in Assef’s fist, it was his son and Amir had to save Sohrab because he couldn’t save Hassan last time. This is action instead of inaction; bravery instead of cowardice; selflessness instead of self-absorption. Perhaps this streak of good deeds will make up for his betrayal of Hassan. It’s almost as if the confident Amir combines with the helpless and coward childhood Amir. While saving Sohrab, Amir makes a huge mistake and goes back on a promise to Sohrab. As a result, Sohrab tries to commit suicide. We’re watching Amir repeat mistakes from the past even as he attempts to put the past to rest. This is Amir at his best and worst and perhaps this is the real Amir that really combines all the previous versions of him. He’s weak and blind, but also essentially kind. He’s jealous, but in the end only wants to be loved. Even though sometimes during the book, we would want to scream at Amir, but as we know that he’s an utterly human character, and can’t blame him for anything. 5. ‘Discrimination and prejudice â€Å"True, I hadn’t made Ali step on that land mine, and I hadn’t brought the Taliban to the house to shoot Hassan. But I had driven Hassan and Ali out of the house. Was it too far-fetched to think things might have turned out differently if I hadn’t? Maybe Baba would have brought them to America. Maybe Hassan would have a home of his own now, a job, a family, a life in a country where no one cared that he was a Hazara, where most people didn’t even know what a Hazara was. Maybe not. But maybe so. † (Chapter 18, pg 238) The Kite Runner tackles the issue of discrimination in Afghanistan with an example of the relationship between Pashtuns and Hazaras. Baba’s father sets an example for Amir of being kind to Hazara people, even though they are historically not appreciated and persecuted. Baba could have easily sent Ali to an orphanage after his parents’ death, but he chose not to and picked the decision of raising him in his household. Baba does the same with Hassan, although this is because of the fact that Hassan is actually his son after all. Even in Baba’s house, the house of best intentions, the class barrier between the Pashtuns and Hazaras endures. Ali is as dear to Baba as a brother. Baba calls him â€Å"family. † But Ali still lives in a hut and sleeps on a mattress on the floor. He tends the garden, cooks, and cleans up after Baba, and raises Hassan to do the same. So strong is Hassan’s identity as a servant that even as an adult, when Baba is gone, he has no sense of entitlement. He insists on staying in the hut and doing housework. When Hassan dies defending Baba’s house, he does so not because he feels it belongs to him, but because he is being loyal to Baba and Amir. Discrimination is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Assef tells Amir, â€Å"Afghanistan is like a beautiful mansion littered with garbage, and someone has to take out the garbage. † Like his idol, Hitler, he feels entitled to killing those he deems unworthy of living in his land. He even relishes the term â€Å"ethnic cleansing† because it goes so well with his garbage metaphor. Like Baba, many people do not mention the Hazaras’ history of persecution. The author shows that the persecution of the Hazaras is not new, but a greatly intensified outgrowth of long-held discrimination. 6. Man’s inhumanity to man â€Å"How could he have lied to me all those years? To Hassan? He had sat me on his lap when I was little, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, There is only one sin. And that is theft†¦ When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. Hadn’t he said those words to me? And now, fifteen years after I’d buried him, I was learning that Baba had been a thief. And a thief of the worst kind, because the things he’d stolen had been sacred: from me the right to know I had a brother, from Hassan his identity, and from Ali his honor. His nang. His namoos. † (Chapter 18, pg 237) Until Rahim Khan reveals Baba’s secret, Amir thinks he is the only sinner among his family and friends. The biggest shocker to Amir was that Hassan was really his half brother. After Amir’s mother died, Baba had slept with Hassan’s mother and got her pregnant. All along Baba knew that Hassan was his son and Ali covered as his father and the two of them were servants in Baba’s house. Amir thought about the reason why Baba was so worked up over Amir’s mentioning of getting new servants was because he would be losing his son that way. There were so many signs he realizes like the plastic surgery and always inviting Hassan to events. Amir was filled with anger and he felt betrayed by Rahim and especially Baba. The regret is even greater in his life that he had driven out his own half brother and did not even know it, and now there is no way to make things right because Hassan is dead. Amir is shocked, taken back, and deeply hurt. Even before Amir betrays him, Hassan makes him feel guilty simply by being such a righteous person. Amir is constantly trying to measure up to Baba, because he does not realize that Baba is so hard on him because of his guilt over his own sin. Amir feels as though his entire life has been a cycle of betrayal, even before he betrayed Hassan. But having a taste of betrayal himself does little towards redeeming Amir. In Ghazi Stadium, the Taliban skews the words of Muhammad in order to justify murdering the alleged adulterers. The mullah announces that every person should have a punishment befitting his sin. Although he would not want to compare himself to the Taliban, Amir believes this in regards to his own sin. When he tried to get Hassan to pelt him with pomegranates, he was expressing his feeling that in order to be forgiven for hurting Hassan, Hassan must hurt him. When Assef almost kills Amir, he felt â€Å"healed,† as though now that Assef has hurt him, it is fair. He even tells Farid that in the room with Assef, he â€Å"got what he deserved. † In the end, Amir finds out that punishment is not what will redeem him from his sin. It is not even saving Sohrab. In order to make up for his sin and Baba’s before him, Amir must erase the lines of discrimination he has lived with all his life by giving Sohrab an equal chance at success and happiness.