Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Competitive Analysis of General Motors Case Study

Competitive Analysis of General Motors - Case Study Example The tools like PESTLE, porter's five force and SWOT analysis are used in this report in order get a better result. The report is designed in such a way that, first there is an introduction followed by PESTLE analysis, porter's five force analysis and SWOT analysisetc. Automobile industry was always a topic of discussion in the field of business and environment. The development of a country by avoiding the automobile industry is impractical or in other words it is ineffective. The main problem the industry is having is that the influence of micro and macro financial environment in the industry. The recession or any other downtrend the economies badly affect the automobile industry, especially car industry. At the same time any boom or overall economic development of an economy creates a positive impact in the automobile industry by way of increased sale of motor vehicles. Different financial and economic tools help in studying the automobile industry in a better way. Tools like PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysisetc. are extensively used in the market study of automobile industry. Here, automobile industry in the United State is studied by focusing on the company General Motors. General Motors held the top position among the car industry of the world for a long period. The great leadership of the company was one of the main success factors. But this was past and now the sales of the company are showing a diminishing trend. By looking at the present position of the company, nobody will believe that this was such a company, which was making a huge profit. Due to different reasons the company is now running into losses. One of the main reasons was the present financial crisis. The crisis not only affected the business of General Motors, but also it affected the business of other automobile companies in /the United States and other parts of the world. As crisis reduced the purchasing power of the people, it caused a drastic reduction in the sale of automobiles. Majority of People will not go for luxurious items and car is considered as the luxurious item. The reduction in sale of the car caused to have a negative impact on the reputation of the company. The pri ce per share of the company declined and the debt of the company increased. Now the company is facing it difficult to run the business in a balanced way due to different factors, especially poor management. The poor management led to ineffective use of funds, increasing of debtetc. The company lost its position in markets where the company is considered as holding top position. Another reason for the failure was that the company's attitude. The company focused on marketing and financing activities instead of focusing on customer requirements. The company forgot the basic of the business activity that is consumers are the king in the market (Ramakrishna, 2006) GM which once controlled about half the US market is now struggling to maintain its leadership position. This is not the case of GM alone. Even Ford Motors (Ford) and Chrysler, the other carmakers from Detroit, have been losing their market shares in recent times. In the late 1990s, the "big three" had a combined market share of more than 70%. Now, their combined market share in the US is 58% and it is declining continuously (Domestic trends, 2008, p. 3). GM

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna *Satgur Singh, **Er. Mandeep kaur Abstract  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  The Demand of Mobile Communication systems is increasing day by day. New concepts and methods are necessary which required the need for new Technologies to satisfy the demand of this world of network. Smart Antenna system is one of those, which reduces the co-channel interference and maximize the user capacity of communication system, By shaping and locating the beam of the antenna on the mobile or the target thus decreasing interference to other users. The Main purpose of smart antenna system is the selection of smart algorithms for adaptive array. By using beam forming algorithms the weight of antenna arrays can be adjusted to form certain amount of adaptive beam to track corresponding users automatically and to minimize interference arising from other users by introducing nulls in their directions. Thus interferences can be suppressed and the desired signals can be extracted. Many algorithms are introduced due to advancement in technology. Every algorithms has different convergence characteristics and complexity of algorithm, according to our need we use particular algorithm in communication system. Keywords — Smart Antenna, LMS (Least mean square), RLS (Recursive least square), NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square), Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI), Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA), VSSNLMS (Variable step size NLMS). I. INTRODUCTION: Conventional base station antennas in existing communication systems are either Omni directional or sectorised. There is waste of resources since the majority of transmitted signal power radiates in directions other than the desired user directions and signal power radiated through the Cell area will be interference by any other user than the desired one. Signal power radiated throughout the cell area will increase interference and reduce SNR. Although sector antenna decreases the interference by dividing entire cell into sector, But some levels of interface still exist. To overcome the above problem of the communication system the Smart antenna introduced. Smart Antenna system combines an antenna array with a digital signal-processing capability to transmit and receive in an adaptive manner. Such a configuration technically enhances the capacity of a wireless link through a combination of diversity gain, array gain and interference reduction. Increased capacity translates to higher data rates for a given number of users or more users for a given data rate per user. In other manner, the system which can automatically change the directionality of its radiation patterns in response to its signal environment. By this manner, increase the performance characteristics (such as capacity) of a wireless system. All elements of the Fig 1: Block Diagram of Smart Antenna System adaptive antenna array have to be combined in order to adapt to the current channel and user. A Smart antenna is therefore a phased or adaptive array that adjusts to the environment that is, for the adaptive array, the beam pattern changes as the desired user and the interference move and for the phased array the beam is steered or different beams is selected as the desired user moves. This weight adaptation is the â€Å"smart† part of the smart antenna system. It is possible to investigate a wide range of beam forming algorithms without the need to modify the system hardware for every algorithm. For this, now we are focusing on improving the performance of the beam forming algorithms rather than on designing new hardware, which is very expensive and time consumption. There are many algorithms for beamforming concept ,Every algorithm has its own merits and demerits ,according to our need we use that algorithm which satisfies our need,which are given below:- II) BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUES:- A) Least Mean Square Algorithm: This algorithm was first developed by Widrow and Hoff in 1960. Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[ ] proposed that LMS is a gradient based technique where in a quadratic performance surface is assumed. The performance surface that is cost function can be established by finding the Mean Square Error (MSE). The cost function is a quadratic function of the weight vector w. The minimum of the performance surface is reached when the MSE tends to its minimum value this is made possible by finding out the gradient of MSE with respect to weight vectors equating it to zero. The Weights of adaptive antenna are adjusted in the negative direction of the gradient to minimize the error. In LMS, the weights are updated using, w(k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k) whereas e(k) =d(k) – wH (k)x(k) ÃŽ ¼=Step size that determines the speed of convergence of LMS algorithm. The weights here will be computed using LMS algorithm based on Minimum Squared Error (MSE). y(n)=wH (n)x(n) e(n) =d(n) −y(n) w (k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k)†¦ step size ÃŽ ¼ is a positive real-valued constant which controls the size of the incremental correction applied to the weight vector as we proceed from one iteration cycle to the next. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed. The LMS algorithm is initiated with an arbitrary value W(0) for the weight vector at n= [1], [6], [23], [25]. For the weight vector is seen to converge and stay stable for 0max Whereas ÃŽ »max is the maximum eigen value of the matrix R. The Response of the LMS algorithm is determined by three principal factors step-size parameter, number of weights, and Eigen value of the correlation matrix of the input data vector. The LMS Algorithm has many drawbacks which are solved by other algorithm. B) Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI) Algorithm: T.B. LAVATE et al.(2010) [5]proposed that LMS algorithm is slow in convergence not suitable for mobile communication this drawback of LMS is eliminated by sample matrix inversion (SMI) method. The sample matrix is a time average estimate of the array co-relation matrix using K time samples. If the random process is ergodic in the co-relation the time average estimate will equal the actual co-relation matrix .If we use a K-length block of data we define the matrix Xk(k) as the kth block of x vectors ranging over K data snapshots, the time average estimate of array co-relation matrix is, R=XK(k) XKH (k)/K And the time average estimate of the co-relation vector is, r= d*(k) XK(k)/K†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The SMI weights for kth block of length K as WSMI = R-1r WSMI = [ XK(k) XKH H (k)]-1 d*(k) XK(k) From equation (4) it is seen that the weights of the antenna array will be updated for each incoming block of data. C) NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square) Algoritm: Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[4] proposed ,the Normalized least-mean-square (NLMS) algorithm, which is also known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Theoretically, LMS method is the most basic method for calculating the weight vectors. However, in practice, an improved LMS method, the Normalized-LMS (NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. The NLMS algorithm can be formulated as a natural modification of the LMS algorithm based on stochastic gradient algorithm Gradient noise amplification problem occurs in the standard form of LMS algorithm. This is because the product vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  e*à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  in Equation (11) at iteration, n applied to the weight vector wà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  is directly proportional to the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©. This can be solved by normalized the product vector at iteration n à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ «1 with the square Euclidean norm of the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  at iteration n. The final weight vector can be updated by, W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||x(n)2.x(n) e*(n) Where the NLMS algorithm reduces the step size ÃŽ ¼ to make the large changes in the update weight vectors.This prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. Equation ( ) represents the normalized version of LMS (NLMS), because step size is divided by the norm of the input signal to avoid gradient noise amplification due to x(n) [ ] Sometimes x(k) which is the Input signal becomes very small which may cause W(K + 1) to be unbounded. However, to avoid this situation; ÏÆ' which is a constant value is added to the denominator which made the NLMS algorithm be described as W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||ÏÆ' + x(n)2||.x(n) e*(n) we can conclude that NLMS has a better performance than LMS algorithm. D) Constant Modulus Algorithm Susmita Das [8]proposed that the configuration of CMA adaptive beamforming is the same as that of the Sample Matrix Inversion system except that it requires no reference signal. It is a gradient-based algorithm that works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus). The minimum shift key (MSK) signal, for example,is a signal that has the property of a constant modulus .The weight is updated by the equation W(n+1)=W(n)+  µx(n)e(n)* where  µ is the step-size parameter(n) is the input vector,and e(n)=y(n)(R2-|Y(n)|2 where R2=E.[X(n)]4/[X(n)]2 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. D) RLS ALGORITHM In Recursive least square (RLS) algorithm, the weights are updated by the following equation. W(n)=W(n −1)+K(n)ÃŽ ¶* (n) n=1,2, Where, K(n) is referred to as the gain vector and ÃŽ ¶ (n) is a priori estimation error which is given by the equation: ÃŽ ¶ (n)=d(n)-w(n-1)x(n)The RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly. It requires reference signal and correlation matrix information. E) VSSNLMS(Variable step size NLMS) Algorithm: Ali Hakam et al.(2014) proposed that the main aim of the developed Variable Step Size (VSS) NLMS algorithm is to replace the fixed step size ÃŽ ¼ that is used in NLMS by a variable one. This is to avoid a trade-off issue between convergence rate and steady-state MSE. In this algorithm a large step size is used in the initial stages to speed the rate of convergence and a smaller step size is used near to the steady state of the Mean Square Error (MSE) to obtain an optimum value. To achieve this, ÃŽ ¼ is multiplied by P(k) which is randomly chosen from the uniform distribution [0 1] and each time of the N iteration times. Then to control the variable step value, it is multiplied by a curve function that is as follows: ÃŽ ¶(k) = (6/N)2[(K-(N/6)]2+0.001 1≠¤k≠¤N/6 .001 N/6 Where N is the input signal number. By Multiplying equation (9) by the random numbers P(k) and the normalized step size parameter  µ, the variable step size develops to:  µ(K) = P(K) ÃŽ ¶(K)  µ Substituting the variable step size (10) to the conventional fixed step size NLMS algorithm (8), the proposed algorithm is shown as: W(k+1)=W(K)+ µ(K)e(K)x(k)/ÏÆ'+ ||x(K)|| TABLE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT ALGORITHMS LMS Easily implemented method for on-line estimation of time-varying system parameters. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed and the variation of the learning curve.The LMS algorithm do not involve any matrix operations. LMS algorithm is least demanding in computational complexity. Simplicity and ease of computation It does not require off-line gradient estimations or repetition of data. The rate of convergence is slow for a small value of ÃŽ ¼ but this gives a good estimation of the gradient vector since a large amount of data is taken into account. The algorithm requires knowledge of the transmitted signal sending periodically some known pilot sequences that is known to the receiver RLS It requires reference signal and correlation matrix Information The RLS algorithm also converges much more quickly than the LMS algorithm RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly the computational complexity hasbeen increased. CMA works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus) usefulness of CMA when channel conditions are rapidly changing. disadvantage of the CMA is slow convergence time. The slow converges limits the usefulness of the algorithm in the dynamic environment NLMS known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Normalized LMS(NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. NLMS algorithm requires a minimum of one additional multiply, divide, and addition over the LMS algorithm to implement for shift input data. IV) APPLICATIONS: Use of adaptive antenna in existing systems will reduce power consumption and interference while enhancing spectral density in wireless system which is the need of wireless communication systems. V) CONCLUSION: Smart Antenna systems are antennas with intelligence and the radiation pattern can be varied without any mechanically changed. The principle reason for the growing interest in smart antenna systems is the capacity increase and low power consumption. Smart antennas will increase the SIR by simultaneously increasing the useful received signal level and lowering the interference level. VI) REFERENCES: [1] Ali Hakam, Raed Shubair, Shihab Jimaa, and Ehab Salahat,Robust Interference Suppression Using a New LMS Based Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm in 17th IEEE Mediterranean ElectrotechnicalConference,Beirut,Lebanon,13-16 April 2014. [2] H. Takekawa,T. Shimamura and S. Jimaa, An efficient and effective variable step size NLMS algorithm, in 42nd Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, October, 2008. [3] Leandro Vieira dos Santos, Jacqueline Silva Pereira,Least Mean Square Algorithm Analysis for a High Capacity Mobile Long Term Evolution Network IEEE 2013. [4] Shahera HOSSAIN, Mohammad Tariqul ISLAM and Seiichi SERIKAWA, Adaptive Beamforming Algorithms for Smart Antenna Systems,International Conference on Control, Automation and Systems 2008,Oct. 14-17, 2008 in COEX, Seoul, Korea. [5] T.B. Lavate, V.K. Kokate, G.S. Mani, Non blind and blind adaptive array smart antenna beam forming algorithams for w-cdma mobile communication systems ,Second International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications,2008. [6] Vishal V Sawant,Mahesh Chavan,Performance of Beamforming for Smart antenna using Traditional LMS algorithm for various parameters,Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Electronics, Signal Processing and Communication Systems. [7] Haitao Liu, Steven Gao, and Tian-Hong Loh,Small Director Array for Low-Profile Smart Antennas Achieving Higher Gain,IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 61, no. 1, January 2013. [8] Susmita Das, IEEE Member,Smart Antenna Design for Wireless Communication using Adaptive Beam-forming Approach [9] Anurag Shivam Prasad, Sandeep Vasudevan , Selvalakshmi R, Analysis of Adaptive Algorithms for Digital Beamforming in Smart AntennasIEEE-International Conference on Recent Trends in Information Technology, ICRTIT MIT, Anna University, Chennai. June 3-5, 2011

Friday, October 25, 2019

Music Essay -- essays research papers

The beauty of music is found in every soul† were the words of my grandmother. She always managed to bring music into every aspect of her life; whether it was ordinary housework or religious functions, she was ready to sing at any time. Her music was not the only part of her life; she was also the mother of six children and the wife of a prominent farmer. Although her life was complicated and, at many times, unbearable, music was never forsaken; it was one of her treasures. Through her and her treasure I realized what life and death really are. Her perseverance through her problems and her patience with her children and grandchildren has always amazed me.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During elementary school, I remember a period of time when my grandmother stayed over our apartment. Although it was uncomfortable for a few weeks, I loved to hear her stories, especially the ones that were songs. It was fascinating because her songs would reflect her experiences, and goals in life; for example, one of her stories was about village women washing their clothes at the river in India. All through my childhood, I listened to her exciting stories, and, even confronted her with questions that made her laugh throughout the night. At that moment her laughter and smile were captured in my heart forever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As I grew older, my relationship with my grandmother became less of a priority. Instead I began to forget about my family and became more concerned with fr...

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Demonstration and Narrator States Essay

The story of Ligeia describes a man who meets a women in which the circumstances of are filled with hallucinations and mystery. The existence of Ligeia starts to come develop as the narrator starts fixating on her erratic learning, rare beauty, and the care for language. The narrator describes the first encounter with Ligeia in Germany, in which he states,† Yet I know that I met her most frequently in some large, old, decaying city near the Rhine. † (Belasco, Johnson pg. 1021). The narrator states he think he meets her in Germany, in which he states he doesn’t remember much. The narrator demonstrates hallucinations and an altered state of mind with his visions of Ligeia. For example, the narrator explains that he met Ligeia’s family, but he can’t recall their name. The narrator describes Ligeia as a tall and thin women, whose days were emaciated. (1021). The narrator describes her voice as a sweet and low and face like an â€Å"opium dream†. (1021). Ligeia’s hair was described as looking like a raven and her skin as white as ivory. The visions of Ligeia comes from light and darkness that the narrator uses to conflict the two metaphysical traditions. The narrator describes Ligeia’s features with â€Å"strangeness†, in which her most distinguishing feature was her curly hair, in which her eyes matched. Ligeia’s image is described in a mysterious way in which the narrator blisses his memory of her exquisiteness. The narrator also describes Ligeia’s language and learning skills, in which helped him understand the world of theoretical studies during the first years of their marriage. The visions of Ligeia grow stronger as she gets ill and the narrator reads a poem which describes the natural disaster of life. The poem describes a theater where angels have come to see mysterious movements which are controlled by outside manifestations. The presences of the outside presences during the poem demonstrate mystery and darkness. After the death of Ligeia, the narrator gets remarried to Lady Rowena in which he gets a Gothic art piece in which his wife is frightened of. The narrator’s second wife begins to get sick like Ligeia and the narrator begins to think that death is forthcoming. The death of Lady Rowena brings flashback memories of Ligeia to the narrator and how obsessed he was for the love they once had. The gothic bridal chamber that Lady Rowena is in has Ligeia’s sensuality in the creation of the chamber so the narrator can remember her. The visions of Ligeia demonstrate irrational beliefs as where she returns alive in the bridal chamber in which the narrator scared of the rebirth of the corpse. Although Ligeia died, the memory of her stayed in the mind of the narrator. The return of Ligeia demonstrated that the narrator lost his sense of reality and the manifestation of her signifies that the vision of Ligeia is more physical than just a memory.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Red Scare

It was November 18, 1918, the day WWI had officially ended. The last cry of help had been heard and peace was supposedly coming to the United States or it had seemed. An ideological war which prompted mass paranoia had caused, among many other things, what would be known as the Red Scare (****). The Red Scare was the label given to the actions of legislation, the race riots, and the hatred and persecution of â€Å"subversives† and conscientious objectors during that period of time.The purpose of this research is to explore the threat that plagued the United States in its’ time of great panic and anxiety, during the â€Å"first† Red Scare which lasted between 1919 to 1921. This powerful threat turned out to be Communism and it was greatly feared by almost every U. S. citizen. Communism is â€Å"system of social and economic organization in which property is owned by the state group, to be shared in common or to be disturbed among members of the community equally or in proportion to their respective needs.In 1919, no more than one-tenth of the adult American population belonged to the newly formed communist movement, and even this small percentage were greatly persecuted. After the real war ended in 1918, the ideological war, turned against conscientious objectors and other radical minorities such as Wobblies, who were members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), and also Socialists. It was thought that the Wobblies and the Socialists were trying to overthrow the United States government. Wobblies, were persecuted against for speaking out against the capitalist system.Most of what they said, was only to attract attention, but it was taken seriously by the government. From the very beginning of the Red Scare, the Wobblies were attacked by the government because they were a symbol of radicalism. The government placed legislation not only against the Wobblies but also against Socialists and Communists. In 1917, the US government made a law which gave the Secretary of Labor the power to arrest or deport any alien advocating or teaching destruction of property or the overthrow of government by force. The government used deportation as a cure for the antigovernment views of its enemies.The unfair legislation passed by the government, everything was soon to become a disaster. All that everyone needed was for someone to take advantage of the anti-radical legislation and that is what Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer did in the years 1919-1920. Palmer deported members of the IWW. His Palmer raids had two main targets, which were the Communist Party and the Communist Labor Party. These two groups grew out of the IWW and the largest of the three, the Socialist Party of America, had split because of a dilemma over World War I.The Palmer Raids were attempts by the United States Department of Justice to arrest and deport radical leftists, especially anarchists, from the United States. The raids and arrests occurred in Nov ember 1919 and January 1920 under the leadership of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Though more than 500 foreign citizens were deported, including a number of prominent leftist leaders, Palmer's efforts were largely frustrated by officials at the U. S. Department of Labor who had responsibility for deportations and who objected to Palmer's methods.Once Europe entered the war, the split occurred; this break up hurt the Socialist party and many who were not Socialists opposed the draft, but the party was the point of opposition. These people became targets for attack by American nationalists and the American government; members were lynched and important Socialist documents were burned. One Friday, January 2, 1920 to be exact, agents from the Department of Justice raided a Communist hideout and began arresting thousands of people in major American cities throughout the nation. They raided people who stayed in private homes, clubs, pool halls and coffee shops.The raiding got so he ctic that in many places that they started arresting citizens and aliens, Communists and non-Communists. Destruction of meeting halls and property began as well and along with putting their victims in prison, agents held them without an attorney and interrogated them. Prisoners were released a few days later unless they were members of the Communist Party or the Communist Labor Party. These two groups were formed from the American Communist movement and in only two days nearly five thousand people were arrested. Nearly five thousand were seized in the cleaning up that followed during the next two weeks.The arrests were carried out with total disregard for the rights of the prisoners. At this point and time Americans during this time were continuously on the verge of attacking anyone who wasn’t â€Å"American†. These people were extremely patriotic and ready to rid their nation of any intruder that seemed to threaten them, mainly the minorities whom they were very hosti le with. Palmer wasn't the cruelest or the most extreme of these anti-radicals. Senator Kenneth McKellen of Tennessee went so far as to propose sending all native-born radicals to a special penal colony on the island of Guam.Liberal journalist tried to mock Palmer in many different ways. In some occasions they would compare his actions to the shaving of a dogs hair and how by this it would promote growth in the society. Palmer ignored the journalist, and frankly he didn't care what they said about him and his actions. He still went on with all his raids. On December 27, around 250 deportees sailed for Russia from New York ion the U. S. S. Buford. On Friday, January 2, 1920, agents of the Justice department raided a Communist headquarters and began to arrest thousands of people all throughout the cities.In a period of two days, 5000 people were arrested and 1000 jailed. There was no reason for this doing and the treatment the prisoners got was unacceptable. The peace and security of the American nation was now being destroyed by the Wobblies and Socialists. The attacks were now focused on them, not anymore on the objectors. They were targeted by the use of the Espionage Act of 1918. â€Å"This act penalized anyone who obstructed the operation of the armed forces, or displayed disloyalty within the forces. The Justice Department convicted more than 1000 people.Surely among this number were a large number of Socialists and Wobblies. The Espionage Act was not the only law that was made by legislators to discriminate against antiwar groups. In October 1918, Congress passed the Alien Act, which gave the Secretary of Labor the power to deport any alien who, at any time after entering the United States, is found to have been at the time of entry, or to have become thereafter a member of any anarchist organization. This gave Palmer the authority to conduct his raids, during which thousands of people were arrested and detained without actually having been charged.Many tries to repeal the legislation, many Socialists became prominent figures due to their attempts to gain release for their imprisoned friends. The government had formulated and put into effect their plan to rid the country of unwanted foreign radicals, but the problem remained as what to do with those radicals were citizens of the United States. This was not to go unanswered for long, however. America was now in a state of disturbed peace and could not calm down until it rids its country of its disruptions.In the Fall of 1918, The Russian Revolution occurred and may also contribute to America's unrest. Out of nowhere in an extremely violent manner, the Communists citizens took control of the Russian government and murdered the Tsar and his entire family along with thousands of â€Å"nonconforming† Russians. Communism was established on the political philosophy of Karl Marx and was dedicated to establishing a society where there is no private ownership of property and where the government would control the making and distribution of all goods.Karl Heinrich Marx (German pronunciation: [ka l ? ha? n c ? ma ks], 5 May 1818 – 14 March 1883) was aPrussian-German philosopher and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the establishment of the social sciences and the development of the socialist movement. Marx's work in economics laid the basis for our understanding of labor and its relation to capital, and has influenced much of subsequent economic thought. [4][5][6][7] He published numerous books during his lifetime, the most notable being The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Capital (1867–1894).Due to the horrible misconduct and the overthrow of government, Americans began to panic. If it could happen in Russia, why couldn't it happen here? No plot to overthrow the government was ever uncovered. Yet, it was the paranoid fear of Communists that drove many Americans to violence. Another reason for the Red Scare was the strike held by mine workers. They were thought to be making threats against the Capitalist system through subversive Socialist organizations. These strikes were part of a series of events which took place in 1919.This strike, which occurred in February, was of 60,000 coal mine workers. In that September, steel workers attacked. Of course the blame was put upon the American Communists, although many communists tried to oppose this strike. Nationalist Americans called for the stop of the Bolshevik Revolution that was taking place in America. This panic traveling through the United States, made a series of bombs occur. Immediately the Socialist were accused. Attorney General Palmer took advantage of the panic of the public and asked Congress for fund appropriations to help avoid further danger.Congress not only supplied funds, but made sure that all foreign radicals were deported. This plan went very well, but then the government didn't know what to do when the radicals were US citizens. Dur ing my research of this this topic, I have learned a number of things. First of all, America was caught in a web of fear and conspiracy. No one could trust his neighbor or his father for fear that he was involved in the Communist movement. Americans were not happy with their government at this time, but this didn't mean that they wanted Communism as an option.Hyphenated Americans were particularly suspected. I have also learned that although Communism might have caused a lot of panic, no plot of Communism was ever found to be true. However, just because nothing was found doesn't mean that there wasn't anything to be found. America was extremely prejudiced toward anyone who wasn't a â€Å"pure American†. The Red Scare provided Americans with a scapegoat, now that we were no longer fighting the Germans. People really believed that Communists were everywhere and were plotting to overthrow the government.Citizens were now being treated like the women who were accused of being wit ches in the Salem Witch Trials. It didn't matter if you were or we’re not a Communist if someone accused you of being one. You were branded for most of your life. The biggest fear on people's minds was a communism takeover. People thought that Russia was going to cause an internal revolution within the US that would eventually end up removing the democratic government and replacing it with a dictator and communist government. The thought of Russia even attempting to do an attack was foolish from the beginning.America was also happy with its democratic government and was sure that they would have defeated the revolution. This is why America never had any true reason to fear a communist takeover occurring in the United States. The entire Red Scare was meant to keep communism out, and the main reason they wanted to do that is so they could remain free. â€Å"On the evening of Monday, December 29,1919, members of the Central Executive Committee of Buffalo's Communist party gathe red for a meeting in party headquarters in the second floor of the Teck Theater on Main Street.At about 9:30 p. m. , thirty police officers climbed the building's front and rear staircases, and the fire escape, forced open the doors of the meeting hall and burst in. As the party members stood quietly and watched, the police confiscated party records, including a membership list, communist pamphlets, hundreds of copies of the manifesto of the Communist party of America, a small printing press, a mimeograph machine and two typewriters. Then the police arrested twenty-two party members and locked most of them up in the third precinct police station on Pearl Street. Working through the night, police raided the homes of other party leaders, picking up George Till at 1:00 a. m. , and Christopher Keegan at 2:00 a. m. Raiders aroused Franklin Brill from sleep at his Williamsville home and brought him before District Attorney Guy Moore at 3:00 a. m. † The Committee commonly known as th e Lusk Committee, after its chairman State Senator Clayton R. Lusk of Cortland—had been established in March 1919 to investigate individuals and organizations suspected or promoting the overthrow of the United States government.The raids in November, December, and early January were the culmination of months of activity that had left the country in general, and Buffalo in particular, in a state of panic. On April 28, there was a bomb found in the mail of Seattle's outspoken mayor, Ole Hanson. Another bomb was found, exploded and blew the hands off a Georgia senator's maid. One time a New York postal clerk found sixteen more bombs that had not been sent due to a plethora of insufficient postage. Not even a month later after the April 28th bomb scare, another bomb destroyed the front of the home of Attorney General A.Mitchell Palmer in Washington. May Day riots occurred in several major U. S. cities, summer race riots in others and even rhe the Boston Police strike in September , followed by the nationwide steel strike and coal strike heightened animosity against socialists and radicals who were already held to be pariahs because of their pacifist stance during World War I. In June 1919, New York state officials raided the Rand School of Social Science in New York, as well as the headquarters of the I. W. W. along with the Socialists.This raids were created by the New York legislature action that created the Lusk Committee. The idea behind this committee was anit-radical, and it's tactics spread nationwide very quickly. Even with the legislation in place, Attorney General Palmer complained that not enough was being done to deportees. Even though after the Red Scare, he argued for the release of a Socialist that was imprisoned during the Scare and during it he helped convict many. In August of 1919, Palmer created an intelligence department to deal with problems that originated with anarchists.He appointed J. Edgar Hoover to lead the new agency. One of the first assignments of this agency was to raid The Union of Russian Workers in New York. The Red Scare finally came to an end after a series of actions by high government officials. Assistant Secretary of Labor Louis F. Post began to reject most of the immigrant related cases that were brought to him. Even the Secretary of Labor himself, William B. Wilson turned against Palmer. Out of 6,000 warrants issued during the raids, less than 1,000 resulted in deportations.Even though everyone opposed his actions, he still had the dream of running for president. But He was never nominated. By 1920, the Red Scare, was disappearing and by 1921 it was virtually gone. The hysterical anti-radical outbreak in 1919 and 1920 was relatively short-lived but that it left its mark on immigration policy, labor relations, and Constitutional liberties that lasted for generations. Higham argues that the Scare grew out of a fear that a huge part of the American population during World War I derived from enemy territory

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Kandinsky essays

Kandinsky essays Analyze Kandinskys sources for his abstract works. In order to fully understand the art of Kandinsky, it is important to start with a definition of the word Abstract (for it is not really a concept that we have come across, before in this course). Abstract art does not depict recognizable scenes or objects, but instead is made up of forms and colours that exist for their own expressive sake. In short it abandons the European tradition, the idea of art as the imitation of nature. Kandinsky, in a work known as the First Abstract watercolour dated 1910 is often cited as the first person to paint an abstract picture. His work, his achievement in the search for a new form of expression in painting and a new conception of art in general, may look as though it has no precursors, however, in his case as with all other artists there are there were many influences which he encountered throughout his career, which had a profound effect on his road to the abstract. We can start with his childhood. Kandinsky lived in Russia until he was 30 and his experiences were crucial to his development as an artist. The general impression of his early life in Russia (as with most middle class Russians) must be one of backwardness. He was drawn to a particular class of people, whose main aim was to bring their country up to speed with the rest of Europe. As a result he was made to feel that art was an uncalled for luxury. To try and help his country he decided to study law and political economics at university, however his interest in economics waned after his first real introduction to the arts. He once said I love painting more than anything. It is clear that Kandinskys growth as an artist and intellectual were marked by a rejection of materialism, and a leaning towards spiritualism. Certainly his move towards abstraction was motivated by his avoidance of the material world, brought on...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Thurgood Marshal essays

Thurgood Marshal essays I chose Thurgood Marshall for my research project because I really didn't know much about him and what I did know about him sounded very interesting. This man was a real hero because he fought for the rights of other people. He fought against segregation. Because of him blacks and whites can go to the same public schools. In my report you will learn about his life and how he fought for other peoples rights. Thurgood Marshall was born on July 2, 1908. He was named after his grandfather Thoroughgood. His real name was Thoroughgood but in the second grade he changed it to Thurgood. He and his family moved to Harlem, NY in 1909. They lived there for five years then moved back to Baltimore in 1914. He lived with his mother Norma, father William, and his brother Aurbey. Thurgood came from a family of fighters. His great-grandfather was a slave, his grandfather joined the Union Army, and his father fought with words. When Thurgood got in trouble at school he had to go into the basement and learn a part of the constitution. He learned many parts. His father once told him '' son if anyone calls you a nigger you have my permission to fight him-you have my orders. When he was thirteen he once got arrested when he hit a white man who called him a nigger. Thurgood went to Fredrick Douglas High. He played football, and led a group of small teens. They pulled pranks and occasionally cut classes. He was very popular with girls. Thurgood graduated from Fredrick Douglas High in 1925. His mother wanted him to be a dentist. He studied pre-dentistry at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He also joined the debating team. Thanks to his father he was good at fighting with words. His nick-name was Wrathful Marshall because he could out debate his opponents so well they felt like they had been whipped. During this time he worked part time as a grocery clerk and a baker. During his senior year he marr ...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Biography of Aristotle Onassis

Biography of Aristotle Onassis Aristotle Onassis was a Greek shipping magnate and a wealthy international celebrity. His fame increased enormously in October 1968 when he married Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The marriage sent shockwaves through American culture. Onassis and his new wife, dubbed Jackie O by the tabloid press, became familiar figures in the news. Fast Facts: Aristotle Onassis Nickname: The Golden GreekOccupation: Shipping magnateKnown For: His marriage to former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and his ownership of the largest privately-owned shipping fleet in the world (which made him one of the richest men in the world).Born: January 15, 1906 in Smyrna (present day Izmir), TurkeyDied: March 15, 1975 in Paris, France.Parents: Socrates Onassis, Penelope DologouEducation: Evangelical School of Smyrna (high school); no college educationSpouse(s): Athina Livanos, Jacqueline KennedyChildren: Alexander Onassis, Christina Onassis Early Life Aristotle Onassis was born January 15, 1906 in Smyrna, a port in Turkey that had a substantial Greek population. His father, Socrates Onassis, was a prosperous tobacco merchant. Young Aristotle was not a good student, and in his early teens he left school and began working in his fathers office. In 1919, Greek forces invaded and occupied Smyrna. The Onassis family fortunes suffered greatly when Turkish forces invaded in 1922, taking back the town and persecuting Greek residents. Onassiss father was jailed, accused of conspiring with the Greeks who had occupied the region. Aristotle managed to help other family members to escape to Greece, smuggling the familys funds by taping money to his body. His father was released from prison and rejoined the family in Greece. Tensions in the family drove Aristotle away, and he sailed to Argentina. Early Career in Argentina With savings equivalent to $250, Onassis arrived in Buenos Aires and began working at a series of menial jobs. At one point, he landed a job as a telephone operator, and he spent his night shifts improving his English by listening in on calls to New York and London. According to legend, he also overheard information about business deals which enabled him to make timely investments. He began to appreciate that information obtained at the right time could have enormous value. After repairing his relationship with his father, Onassis partnered with him to import tobacco into Argentina. He was soon very successful, and by the early 1930s he was prominent in the Greek expatriate business community in Buenos Aires. The Golden Greek Becomes a Shipping Magnate Seeking to move beyond being an importer, Onassis began to learn about the shipping business. While on a visit to London during the Great Depression, he obtained potentially valuable information: rumors that Canadian freighters were being sold by a troubled shipping company. Onassis bought six of the ships for $20,000 each. His new company, Olympic Maritime, began moving goods across the Atlantic and prospered in the late 1930s. The outbreak of World War II threatened to destroy Onassis growing business. Some of his ships were seized in ports in Europe. Yet Onassis, after safely sailing from London to New York, managed to negotiate to get his fleet back under his control. For most of the war, Onassis leased ships to the U.S. government, which used them to transport vast quantities of war supplies around the globe. When the war ended, Onassis was set up for success. He purchased more ships cheaply as war surplus, and his shipping business grew quickly. At the end of 1946, Onassis married Athina Tina Livanos, with whom he had two children. Tina Livanos was the daughter of Stavors Livanos, another wealthy Greek shipping magnate. Onassis marriage into the Livanos family increased his influence in the business at a critical time. In the postwar era, Onassis assembled one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. He built massive oil tankers which roamed the oceans. He encountered legal problems with the U.S. government over the registration of his vessels, as well as over a controversy about his visa paperwork (which was rooted in conflicting information about his declared birthplace when he had first emigrated to Argentina). Onassis eventually settled his legal problems (at one point paying a $7 million settlement) and by the mid-1950s his business success had earned him the nickname The Golden Greek. Marriage to Jackie Kennedy Onassis marriage to Tina Livano came apart in the 1950s when Onassis began an affair with opera star Maria Callas. They divorced in 1960. Soon after, Onassis became friendly with Jacqueline Kennedy, whom he met through her socialite sister Lee Radziwill. In 1963, Onassis invited Mrs. Kennedy and her sister for a cruise in the Aegean Sea aboard his lavish yacht, the Christina. Onassis remained friends with Jacqueline Kennedy following the death of her husband, and began courting her at some point. Rumors swirled about their relationship, yet it was startling when, on October 18, 1968, the New York Times published the front-page headline, Mrs. John F. Kennedy to Wed Onassis. Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a limousine. Getty Images Mrs. Kennedy and her two children flew to Greece and she and Onassis were married on his private island, Skorpios, on Sunday, October 20, 1968. The marriage became something of a scandal in the American press because Mrs. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, was marrying a divorced man. The controversy faded a bit within days when the Catholic archbishop of Boston defended the marriage on the front page of the New York Times. The Onassis marriage was an object of enormous fascination. Paparazzi trailed them wherever they traveled, and speculation about their marriage was standard fare in gossip columns. The Onassis marriage helped define an era of jet-setting celebrity lifestyle, complete with yachts, private islands, and travel between New York, Paris, and the isle of Skorpios. Later Years and Death In 1973, Onassis son Alexander died tragically in a plane crash. The loss devastated Onassis. He had anticipated his son taking over his business empire. After his sons death, he seemed to lose interest in his work, and his health began to fail. In 1974, he was diagnosed with a debilitating muscular disease. He died on March 15, 1975, after being hospitalized in Paris. When Onassis died in 1975, at the age of 69, the press estimated his wealth at $500 million. He was one of the richest men in the world. Legacy Onassis rise to the pinnacle of fame and wealth was unlikely. He was born to a merchant family that lost everything in the aftermath of World War I. After relocating from Greece to Argentina as a virtual refugee, Onassis managed to enter the tobacco importing business and by the age of 25 had become a millionaire. Onassis eventually branched out into owning ships, and his business sense led him to revolutionize the shipping business. As his wealth increased, he also became known for dating beautiful women, ranging from Hollywood actresses in the 1940s to the famed opera soprano Maria Callas in the late 1950s. Today, he is perhaps most well-known for his marriage to Jackie Kennedy. Sources Onassis, Aristotle. Encyclopedia of World Biography, edited by Andrea Henderson, 2nd ed., vol. 24, Gale, 2005, pp. 286-288. Gale Virtual Reference Library.Passty, Benjamin. Onassis, Aristotle 1906–1975. History of World Trade Since 1450, edited by John J. McCusker, vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006, p. 543. Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The Rock and Roll Music Era Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Rock and Roll Music Era - Essay Example This "The Rock and Roll Music Era" essay outlines the origin of this genre and how it became popular. Early rock and roll was a fusion of three leading music genres of the time, and these are pop music, western-country music and Rn’Bs; rock and roll grew to phenomenal heights as songs by rock and roll artists such as Little Richard Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley became instant chart hits throughout the world (Welch, n.d). Socially, the rock and roll era was characterized by widespread racial segregation and high racial intolerance between the blacks and the whites in the American society; race mixing was a huge problem due to the racial hostilities that characterized the American society at the time. Economically, America was still recovering from the pangs of both the civil war and the world wars that had caused massive havoc to its economy; even though the situation was slowly getting better and trade was picking up, the American society was still wary over the potential of a n economic relapse. Politically, the rock and roll era was a period in the American history when there were high political anxieties and fears over the possibility and threat of foreign conspirators even though the world wars had just been concluded and calm had returned in the global society. Culturally, rock and roll was an era defined by a fusion of music cultures i.e. rock and roll is regarded as one of the most influential and phenomenal eras of music especially because it was a fusion of the three most popular forms of music. Rock and roll was also popular all over the world because it emerged along with the rise of television and the highly expressive popular youth culture. Until then, people had listened to music through the radio i.e. WLS 890, a radio station that played the most popular songs of the time, about young love and cars in particular; this station was common among the youth of the time. The youth of this era were very expressive and experimental and their teenage angst coupled with their free spiritedness lifestyle was a perennial source of worry to their parents who were wary of the potential ramifications of teenage rebellion in the hostile American society. These teenagers were fast at picking up the rock and roll mannerisms and influences especiall y fashion by watching TV and imitating the rock and roll superstars in their manner of dressing and their tastes in things

Friday, October 18, 2019

Critical Issues in Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Critical Issues in Design - Essay Example In ancient societies only a few stratums of society could afford consumerism while after the Industrial Revolution nearly everyone in affluent societies could afford to buy in excess of their needs. These changes in consumption are a direct result of technological progress as well as changes in human attitudes over the years. The focus of this text will be directed to the human factors responsible for consumption and the nature of those factors. While referring to either consumption or consumerism it must be kept in mind that the more affluent stratums of society define the standards of consumption. The trends and consumption patterns displayed by these groups tend to trickle down into the rest of society. For example, fashion in clothes and foot wear is defined by the affluent sections of society such as celebrities, designers, socialites etc. but all stratums of society tend to follow these patterns. The real issue to consider here is why these trends are followed and whether the c ausations are active or passive in nature. It is pertinent here to define active and passive so that their use in this text is clarified. Active engagement refers to the participation of members of society in a manner such that they define their own identities and the conglomeration of these identities forms social structures. In contrast passive engagement refers to the participation of members of society in a manner such that their choices and will are dictated by certain individuals and groups. The formed identities are a reflection of the affluent individuals’ and groups’ desires and the resulting social structure reflects this strongly. Consumption is also affected by active and passive engagement of the society’s members. The resulting consumption patterns can be taken as independent consumption decisions for active engagement and influenced consumption decisions for passive consumption. The state of consumption in contemporary society is important in deci phering if consumption is actually an active or a passive phenomenon. The start of the nineties signaled a new era of consumerism. More and more people began attending colleges to make more money rather than to become experts in their relevant fields or to help others out. This change can be related closely to the overbearing influence of materialism on people’s everyday lives. The advent of the digital age brought an array of new products as well as the reduction in cost to purchase them. This influence was also helped out by the expansion of communication that brought these new products into the focus of nearly all stratums of society. These changes in turn affected prevalent culture directly and Madeline Levine criticizes this change in cultural values by remarking that this was â€Å"a shift away from values of community, spirituality, and integrity, and towards competition, materialism and disconnection.†1 Sensing this change businesses have also realized that the best targets of marketing are wealthy and affluent consumers. The choices and preferences of the more affluent consumers tend to trickle down and become standards for other consumers. The less affluent consumers tend to purchase new commodities and services to provide instant gratification and to create symbols that speak of their affluence in respect to society. This also indicates that both active and passive

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Business Ethics - Essay Example Thus, it is expected that the modern business will work for achieving growth and success for both the individual company and their communities (Business Ethics). The social and environmental thinking of business not only encompass a legal duty but also the long-term success of the business. Argument Businesses are operated within the society using the resources from and depending on the society for the proper functioning of the business operations. Therefore attending to the welfare of the society is an obligation or a responsibility on the part of the business organizations. Thus, the social responsibility of business forbids businesspersons in adopting unfair policies that may maximize the profit of the business but harm the interest of the society. Welfare activities on the part of the business organization gain benevolence and reputation. Business carrying out their duties properly can avoid government regulations. The employees are more satisfied if a good working environment is provided with some additional facilities. This in turn increases their productivity and hence facilitates the business. Last but not the least, providing quality products to the consumers at competitive prices is also necessary in the days of increasing consumer awareness about their rights. The integral development of human being is related with the obligations that may arise because of the relationship of man with the environment. Business or the material environment has been taking its toll on the environment and questioning the sustainability of future generations with the increasing pollution, new illnesses and its destructive capacity. If these are not immediately controlled then it may create immense problem for the entire human class. The problems of the ecological and environmental crisis cannot be looked upon distinctly from the notions of development. The obligations of the business towards the environment include consideration of the environment in the decision-making p rocesses and thereafter supervise the activities. There are obligations including monitoring of proper discharge of water. Proper insurance should be done against environmental damage. The environmental taxes and the charges should be paid properly. The land that is being used for the construction purpose should follow proper planning norms and the environmental legislation unit of the country should approve the product. According to the definition of sustainable development, a development is said to be sustainable if the present generation can provide the future generations with at least the same benefits that it inherited from the past generation if not more. However, if the environmental degradation continues then the future generation will not be left also with their basic requirements for a proper living. Since the natural resources are scarce, the use of those resources by the business organizations in their production should be limited and handed in a proper manner to reduce misutilization. Negligence or refusal on the part of a few people in handling the stewardship of the environment in a responsible manner may invite the larger population to experience ‘increased hardship’. The creation of the God is for all human beings and generations and hence needed to be shared equally by the humanity as a whole. The supplies of certain natural resources

Movie the Italian Job (2003) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Movie the Italian Job (2003) - Essay Example The job was always successful without a drawback until one of the group member Steve (Edward Norton) gets greedy. He blows Bridger away, leaving the others for al fresco fish chow beneath an alpine lake. Only one person is more marked than Croker and that's the Bridger's daughter, safecracking specialist Stella (Charlize Theron). Still soggy, Croker and the lads return to LA where they enlist her services to take back the gold, and more importantly, stick it to Steve. According to Hamblin (2009), Charlie Crocker (Mark Wahlberg), and his group of thieves pulled off the crime of a lifetime by stealing a safe which was filled with gold bricks of thirty-five million dollars. But in this event, the thing that did not go according to his plan was the possibility of double cross by his own group members. And being cheated by his own group members his main aim was to take revenge of his mentor’s (Donald Sutherland) death. According to his review there are lots of similarities between the movies of 1969 and 2003. Both the characters Charlie Crocker and John Bridger are from the original movie of 1969. In a few cases the action scenes of this movie with three minis are same as the old one. There are similarities were in the moves used in the fights, such as traffic jams as well as in case of chases in a drain. (Hamblin, 2009, 290). The movie The Italian Job of 2003 is a smart funny movie with full of entertainment. Between the action scenes featuring wild boat rides through the canals of Venice, chase scenes involving the coolest little cars on wheels, and an intricately planned act of revenge lies a film filled with some great dialogue and smart acting by all the actors. According to Murray (nd), the movie starts off with a good and highly educated group of thieves pulling off the perfect heist, stealing huge amounts of gold from a strict guarded place in Venice. Till that point, everything was according to the plan, but one group pulls a double cross and therefo re taking out John Bridger (Donald Sutherland), and brains behind the entire group, forced to split up the group vows revenge on traitor Steve (Edward Norton). According to him the movie, takes off on a riotous ride over and under Downtown Los Angeles. The most important point associated with this film that stand out from the standard heist film of 1969, is mainly the attractive choice of casting of the movie, to match the character with actor for even the most minor player. â€Å"The Italian Job† works because all of the actors are totally believable. According to the report published in BBC by Stella Papmichael, the main difference with this movie and the original movie is adds wallop lacking in the original version. In the new movie the revenge adds wallop which is occasionally destabilized by Mark Wahlberg's cosmic anti-presence. In this new version of the movie, Charlize Theron is the key behind driving this movie forward , taking the wheel with quiet confidence. Accordi ng to Papmichael, It's just a shame the flirty cat-and-mouse game between Stella and Steve heads up a cul-de-sac to give way for Croker..The culminating 'big job', with a trio of Mini Coopers incongruously zipping through LA gridlock, has all the audacious mischief of its progenitor. The difference is you don't have to endure an hour of dull cockney banter

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Formal business memo Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Formal business memo - Article Example When the cost of living surges, the minimum wage should also rise. This is because workers face significant strain while earning figures that do not consider inflation. In the end, the quality of life diminishes as a large number of families are forced into poverty. It is essential for workers to feel that the state takes care of their welfare. Raising the minimum wage is one of the principal ways in which the state intervenes for workers who are majorly defenseless against businesspersons. It is essential to note that the current minimum hour wage of 7.25 per hour does not care of taxes that every employee faces. At the end of the day, most workers probably earn $ 4 per hour after taxes. This act will also favor the business community since higher pay raises the morale of workers. A workforce with increased morale easily manifests higher productivity. Besides, the city should target increased expenditure towards rising out of the consequences of the recession. This is only possible if workers’ purchasing power increases. When the city raises the minimum wage, the action will affect more than 400,000 workers who make a third of Chicago’s workforce (CBS Chicago 1). This figure considers casual workers in areas such as hotels. Hotel workers in Los Angeles recently won a $ 15.37 minimum wage policy. This happened after unions and right groups formed advocacy groups for the same. This is the highest minimum wage figure among all the states. It is crucial to highlight that hotel workers were the originators of the idea. This suggests that the minimum wage issue mostly affects the casual workers. Casual workers are predisposed to exploitation by business owners because such jobs do not require special skills. Consequently, the minimum wage is a serious concern for SME’s and the informal sector such as hotels. A higher minimum wage increases the cost of business. A

The Service Quality in Bunzl Limited from the Customers' Perspective Essay

The Service Quality in Bunzl Limited from the Customers' Perspective - Essay Example It opens up a battle of supremacy between the workers’ union and the management. Watsons also has unnecessarily huge number of managers (actually 40) when the total workforce is just 200. It is impractical to have such a small company having 20 percent of the workforce at the management level. This means there is too much control and pressure towards the ordinary workers. As suggested, Managing Director Gordon Watson operates in a hands-off style where he rarely ventures in the shop-floor. It seems he has added many boxes in the chart so as to be left with little work to do. Organisational design is almost synonymous to organisational architecture. This architecture is designed to enable the company to realise its objectives as outlined in both its mission and vision. It acts as the basic infrastructure that supports all business processes and it should enable the company to take advantage of its core qualities (Triplett 2007). Watsons fails hugely also in this respect owing t o the fact that it operates without a concrete mission or vision. H&M Consulting is depicted as a successful company that has changed with the changing business environment by adopting better organisational structure and design. Considering its large global presence in 120 countries, the company has to have a reliable and practical organisation design and structure. Unlike Watsons, H&M Consulting has more than 13,000 workers meaning that handling all of them is a daunting and tricky task. For this company to be as successful as it is today, it has employed a networked structure with project teams. Most of its operations revolve around managing projects by their engineering experts or... Managing an organisation is not easy especially when operating in an international platform. Nevertheless, this needs not be an excuse for firms’ failure to persistently produce impressive results. There are many international firms that are doing well. However, looking deeply into reasons behind either performance or lack of it, it is clear to see that a great deal lies in the way a firm is managed. Contrary to the popular believe that employees can determine failure or success of a firm, they only do so as secondary participants as they simply act as agents of the management. Therefore, when employees constantly fail to deliver the responsibility should first fall on the management. Issues like organisational design and structure, extent and nature of teamwork, approaches to leadership and management and organisational culture need to be considered and formulated carefully for an organisation to achieve meaningful positive performance on a sustainable basis.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Formal business memo Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Formal business memo - Article Example When the cost of living surges, the minimum wage should also rise. This is because workers face significant strain while earning figures that do not consider inflation. In the end, the quality of life diminishes as a large number of families are forced into poverty. It is essential for workers to feel that the state takes care of their welfare. Raising the minimum wage is one of the principal ways in which the state intervenes for workers who are majorly defenseless against businesspersons. It is essential to note that the current minimum hour wage of 7.25 per hour does not care of taxes that every employee faces. At the end of the day, most workers probably earn $ 4 per hour after taxes. This act will also favor the business community since higher pay raises the morale of workers. A workforce with increased morale easily manifests higher productivity. Besides, the city should target increased expenditure towards rising out of the consequences of the recession. This is only possible if workers’ purchasing power increases. When the city raises the minimum wage, the action will affect more than 400,000 workers who make a third of Chicago’s workforce (CBS Chicago 1). This figure considers casual workers in areas such as hotels. Hotel workers in Los Angeles recently won a $ 15.37 minimum wage policy. This happened after unions and right groups formed advocacy groups for the same. This is the highest minimum wage figure among all the states. It is crucial to highlight that hotel workers were the originators of the idea. This suggests that the minimum wage issue mostly affects the casual workers. Casual workers are predisposed to exploitation by business owners because such jobs do not require special skills. Consequently, the minimum wage is a serious concern for SME’s and the informal sector such as hotels. A higher minimum wage increases the cost of business. A

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Finding Reasons - The Story of an Hour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Finding Reasons - The Story of an Hour - Essay Example As Berkove mentioned, the story was first published in Vogue Magazine in 1894 (158), a time when women were still perceived as â€Å"housekeepers†, associated to the home rather than the modern liberal women who have the freedom to compete for a job with men. This was a time when women who expressed themselves freely, do a man’s job, hold offices or work along with men, were considered taboo. With such information, one would understand that the story reflects the very culture described above and would comprehend more clearly the symbolisms and statements used in the story. In the case of Berkove’s article entitled Fatal Self-assertion in Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The story of an Hour†, the tone of the writer in his analysis seems to be seen through the eyes of one looking at modern times. This could be fatal as there are norms and mores that could really affect the mentality, actions and perceptions of people from different ages, cultures, beliefs and edu cation. For instance, he concludes that the story is not about society or marriage but about Louise Mallard (berkove, 153). Sure, the story is about the protagonist nevertheless, she represents some, if not most of the women during that time. Since men were considered to be the breadwinners, they were expected to go out and work while women stayed in the home to do the household chores and attend to the needs of the men. This was the general concept of men and women’s roles and Brently and Louise Mallard conformed to such norms as a couple. Louise however was a woman who did not agree with such patriarchal practices as expressed in her strongly made up mind that â€Å"There would be no powerful will bending hers in

Monday, October 14, 2019

Human rights institutions

Human rights institutions Introduction AIDS and HIV affect the lives of every human being, from those who are HIV-positive, those who know someone who is infected and those non-infected people. This is because, once AIDS and HIV hit, it will in directly or directly influences aspects of our life. As a matter of fact, AIDS is the only health concern in the world that has its own United Nations agency, also known as UNAIDS. However, apart from the work of the United Nations and its several organs does, there are several other international organisations that operate in the worldwide fight against AIDS and HIV. Examples of these international organisations are the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the African Union (AU). The United Nations The United Nations does not only contribute to the fight against AIDS and HIV by supply financial, technical and human resources to UNAIDS organisation only, but also coordinate a collaboration of projects and schemes through the majority of the UN agencies. These organisations all have their own particular international responses to reverse the spread of AIDS and HIV virus. Such illustrations are these international organisations: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food expenditure in Sub-Saharan African has dropped by forty per cent in rural villages because of the AIDS and HIV virus. As stated by Marcela Villarreal who is a FAO and AIDS specialist Food is the first medicine for HIV/AIDS and often the only medicine as tragic as it is to be orphaned, it is very different being orphaned at 15 years of age than being orphaned at 7. If parents could live a few more years, they could take their children to the fields and teach them by doing.[1] In brief, parents cannot pass on the agricultural trade to their children, if their children are already orphaned by the age they could learn and understand. For this reason, FAO is working on the issue that everyone should have access to food. Food and agricultural are two vital issues for AIDS and HIV prevention, because malnutrition will increase body infections and spread AIDS-related illnesses in communities where extreme poverty reigns. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Based in Vienna, IAEA is operating to provide the technological expertise and the know-how to underdeveloped countries in regards to health and food nourishment. In 2005 the IAEA and its Director Dr. Mohammed El Baradei won the Nobel Peace Prize for the prevention of nuclear energy being used for military intentions instead for peaceful measures and goals. Therefore, IAEA decided to distribute the Nobel Peace Prize with the whole world by establishing the IAEA Nobel Prize Cancer and Nutrition Fund. This fund sponsor knowledgeable experts and research related to aid infant malnutrition and health in developing countries. Over the years the IAEA has supported numerous activities in infant nutrition where stable isotope techniques have been applied. These include projects to measure human milk intake in breast-fed infants, lean body mass (muscle mass) in lactating mothers, and bioavailability of iron in infants and young children.[2] International Labour Organisation (ILO) As stated by Juan Somavia, Director of ILO HIV/AIDS is a major threat to the world of work: it is affecting the most productive segment of the labour force and reducing earnings, and it is imposing huge costs on enterprises in all sectors through declining productivity, increasing labour costs and loss of skills and experience.[3] Concisely, employment plays a crucial role in AIDS and HIV prevention, because there are several matters that indirectly affect the livelihoods of human beings who are HIV-positive, such as: sexual discrimination, child labour and universal fundamental human rights. Thus, if there are more people who are not infected by AIDS or HIV, they can find a decent job sustain themselves and their family and thus in the end they are economically contributing the society and increasing the economic wealth. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Based in Geneva, UNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations family, bringing together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response to help the world prevent new HIV infections, care for people living with HIV, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic.[4] As a result since 2000, AIDS become an international health concern when the UN Security Council approved Resolution 1308, following this event; a series of achievements became apparent about the importance to reverse the spread of AIDS and HIV for instance the 2000 Millennium Development Goals, the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.[5] UNAIDS is also working in partnership with UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, World Bank, NGOs, MNCs and governments to put to an end AIDS by the year 2015. Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) In 2001, the UN General Assembly ratified the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, as part of the programme to fight AIDS and HIV by promoting universal human rights on a domestic, regional and international level. Annex 1 of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/ AIDS states that [T]he full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all is an essential element in a global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, including in the areas of prevention, care, support and treatment, and [] it reduces vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and prevents stigma and related discrimination against people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS.[6] These universal human rights consist of health, gender equality, basic education and decent employment, which all play a significant role to fight AIDS and HIV epidemic. Therefore, if these human rights are not respected, human beings are vulnerable to be infected by this pandemic disease. United Nation Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) UNIFEMs procedure is targeted to help women and young girls combating AIDS and HIV from sexual relations, have access to reproductive health, by promoting maternal health and preventing mother to child transmissions. This is because gender inequality and violations of womens rights make women and girls particularly susceptible, leaving them with less control than men over their bodies and their lives. Women and girls often have less information about HIV and fewer resources to take preventive measures. They face barriers to the negotiation of safer sex, including economic dependency and unequal power relations.[7] Thus, UNIFEM forefront approach is reducing aggression and discrimination against women, improving women decision-making power and decreasing the household burden women carry on their own, especially when it comes to taking care of HIV-positive relatives while continuing to manage their household and working full-time. United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNCEF) AIDS and HIV has radically altered the perspective of Sub-Saharan African children on how they view the world, especially if they are orphaned at a young age with nowhere to go and no one to feel belong to. As a result, UNICEF launched its response to prevent the transmission of AIDS and HIV particularly among children is by encouraging thefour Ps guide, which are preventing mother-to-child transmission, providing paediatric care, preventing infection among adolescents and protecting children affected by AIDS.[8] The 2005 campaign Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS was aimed to do away with the situation that few children reach beyond their fifth birthday, because of child mortality, inadequate medical care and lack of primary education. UNICEF isnt just seeking to eliminate AIDS among children, but according to Mr. Jimmy Kolker UNICEF Chief of HIV/AIDS and Associate Director of Programmes, UNICEFs goal is to eliminate the need for that treatment by seeing an AIDS-free generation .[9] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) UNDP is undertaking the responsibility to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce its impact. As a trusted development partner, and co-sponsor of UNAIDS, it helps countries put HIV/AIDS at the centre of national development and poverty reduction strategies; build national capacity to mobilize all levels of government and civil society for a coordinated and effective response to the epidemic; and protect the rights of people living with AIDS, women, and vulnerable populations.[10] UNDP is currently concentrating on AIDS in relation to development planning and mainstreaming; governance of AIDS responses; international law, human rights, gender equality such as sexual minorities, public health and development partnerships, basic education and maternal and child morality.[11] United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) UNESCO is working to stop the spread of AIDS and HIV around the world, by eradicating the social and cultural barriers and put forward on its international agenda the issue of universal education. This is because by increasing [the] role of education sectors is also a recognition that a good education is one of the most effective ways of helping young people to avoid HIV/AIDS.[12] Education is the basic foundation of every human being. Without education, human beings are more prone to be vulnerable to AIDS and HIV and that particular individual cannot develop the knowledge of trade so that anyone can economically stable. On the other hand, through its programme The Cultural Approach to HIV and AIDS Prevention and Care UNESCO is continuing to eliminate cultural ignorance of the local citizens to help them combat the stigma and discrimination that surrounds AIDS and HIV. United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) As stated by Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UNEP, UNEP as the principal UN body in the field of the environment, recognizes that human well-being is the focus of environment and sustainable development issues. Tackling poverty, promoting gender equality and combating HIV/AIDS are all linked to environmental sustainability; just as environmental sustainability is an essential component of achieving all the UN Millennium Development Goals.[13] In fact, developing countries were the least countries emitting greenhouse gas emissions, but they were the most affected by climate change due to desertification, lack of rain and drought. The environment erected a barrier towards AIDS and HIV prevention since there was the lack of food storage among African citizens. Thus, this is why, UNEP is contributing its share to compensate African countries which are the most badly affected by the issue of climate change. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Refugees around the world are more prone to be infected by AIDS and HIV because of ethnic conflict, dislocation, food insecurity and extreme poverty.[14] Food insecurity is the major cause for the fleeing of thousands of refugees to neighbouring countries for shelter and a chance to have a better life. However, refugees who leave their homeland, because of racial clashes often take whatever they have in hand to escape. Once they are in another region they are in deeper poverty because they do not have sufficient money to start a new life and thus they end up living in slum areas and relying on begging in order to get something to eat. Therefore, UNHCR is operating on the notion of food insecurity is the result for the spread of AIDS and HIV since human beings especially women against their wish turn to sex work as a means to economically sustain themselves. United Nations Human Settlements Programmes (UN-Habitat) UN-Habitat is working together with local and international policy-makers to improve this lies of people living both in urban and rural areas. These measure which include improved water and sanitation facilities, enhance the lives slum dwellers, eliminate extreme poverty and encourage sustainable development. Dr. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka Executive Director of UN-Habitat, stated that in order to prevent the continuation of the spread of AIDS and HIV, one needs to first focus on the goal to have secure shelter, because without a secure home, and a caring family and community, it was difficult, if not impossible, to provide health care and effective counselling to those afflicted.[15] In other words, UN-Habitat has the responsibility to prevent AIDS and HIV, by first tackling the issue of safe housing particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where there are a lot of homeless people due to extreme poverty. United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) UNODC is in charge on the issue to prevent AIDS and HIV epidemic among injecting drug users and in prison settings around the world especially in the Sub-Saharan region. Therefore, the UNODC is mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into its activities at the national, regional and global levels, and is helping States and civil society organizations to develop and implement comprehensive HIV and AIDS prevention and care programmes for injecting drug users.[16] Also, with the slogan Think AIDS, before you start, before you shoot, before you share, the UNODC is aiming to increase awareness and knowledge on the dangers of illegal substances and their relation to AIDS and HIV viruses especially among adolescents. This is because, it is estimated that there are around 16 million drug users globally and there is the possibility that one in five are HIV-positive.[17] United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) UNPFAs responsibility is to promote prevention of AIDS and HIV among all genders and all generations, because UNPFA considers AIDS and HIV as an international humanitarian crisis that affects every human being around the globe. These are mainly done by distributing contraceptives and knowledge of birth control among women, refugees and young people, advertising universal access to health especially anti-retroviral drugs, gender equality, respect for human rights and eliminate abject poverty. UNPFA view the role of women as a key factor towards the progress of AIDS and HIV prevention. In fact, as stated by Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA Women who have been affected by the epidemic are the real experts in the response to HIV Their experience allows them to give concrete, practical, down-to-earth advice. But their participation must continue beyond an advisory role. Women should also have more say in budgetary decisions.[18] World Food Programme (WFP) Like FAO and UNHCR, WFP is tackling the issue of food security as a root for AIDS and HIV prevention. Famine in Sub-Saharan African countries has forces local citizens to turn into piracy, crime and prostitution to feed themselves and their family. This is why WFP is working to distribute food as food is the forefront means against the battle of AIDS and HIV disease. According to James T. Morris, Executive Director of WFP, he believes that Existing therapies require sound nutrition. Adequate food is essential for prolonging the lives of parents and enabling them to have a few more precious weeks, months or maybe even years to work and spend time with their families. Perhaps we cannot give them hope for a cure, but we can give them time.[19] In other words, Sub-Saharan African people, apart from decent supply of medicines and drugs they are in need more of good quality of food. World Health Organisation (WHO) WHO is at the front position in regards to the wellbeing and health of citizens of those who are HIV-positive, are affected by AIDS and HIV or are in danger to be infected by this pandemic disease. Moreover, WHO strategic plan to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS are by facilitate inhabitants to know their HIV status, enlarge the health divisions towards the continuation of AIDS and HIV prevention, increase the development of HIV treatment, support and care, improve and enlarge health procedure, Invest in premeditated knowledge and awareness for better education in regards to AIDS and HIV response.[20] These five important guidelines will help to give a better life to patients suffering from AIDS or HIV. Policies of the African Union African Union is a pan-African and inter-governmental organisation that aims to have a mutual partnership to increase affluence and peaceful relations between all African nation states. This union, which consists of thirty-five member states, is currently chaired by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of the Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. The African Unions purposes in international relations is to point towards to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.[21] Above all, the African Union has various projects to put Africa on the international agenda, among these projects there are specific measures taken to eliminate the burden of malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS and HIV in Africa. These international health concerns are tackled, on an international level, with a collaboration of other international organisations such as the United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals. In order to deal with the problem of AIDS and HIV in Africa, the AU on May 2006 organised a Special Summit themed as the Universal Access to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Services by 2010 in Abuja, Nigeria. This summit included delegations from civil society organizations, the UN and its agencies together with members of the African Union and its thirty-five AU member states. This summit started with a follow-up of the results that came out from the 2000 Declarations and Frameworks for Action on the Abuja Summit on Roll Back Malaria and the 2001 Abuja Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases.[22] However, this special summit set out new goals that were: first is to re-evaluate the accomplishments made since the 2000 and the 2001 Abuja summits to make sure the AU reach the objectives, in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. Second is to recognise the disparities, limitations and confrontations of the aims of the Abuja Summits and Millenni um Development Goals. Third is to ascertain new plan of action that will allow the African Union to keep a record of additional and more pragmatic route with regards to attain the mention targets. Fourth is to get hold of the improved responsibility of the African Leaders for addressing the diseases of AIDS/HIV, malaria and tuberculosis and encouraging health and wellbeing in Africa. Fifth is to intensify the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) within the framework of the New Partnership for Africas development (NEPAD) and for assessing the development towards establishing social development. And, sixth was to plan Africas Common Position to global forums such as the 2006 UNGASS on AIDS and the 2006 World Health Assembly.[23] Recently, between the 4th and the 8th of May 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was launched the 4th Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Health. The subject of this conference was Universal Access to Quality Health Services: Improve Maternal Neonatal and Child Health. The AU Conference of Ministers of Health provided an important forum for Member States, development partners and other stakeholders to, among others: review progress in health sector development, particularly universal access to services and the health-related MDGs in Africa; devise/adopt strategies for accelerated action towards more effective implementation of commitments for promotion of maternal and child health, survival and well-being in Africa; share experiences and learn from each other as concerns ongoing programmes and activities on health and development in Africa.[24] In other words, this conference shows that African states especially Sub-Saharan countries are well aware about problems in their individu al health sector, and the lack of medicine and drugs to combat HIV and other AIDS-related diseases. Therefore, this is why they are working in an alliance to achieve mutual goals. This conference also publicly introduced the AUs Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa. As well as, the African Union is also giving special attention by concentrating on the issue of AIDS and HIV among the armed forces. Furthermore, on July 2009 in Sirte, Libya during the ordinary session of the African Union launched a programme named Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security.'[25] Overall, all of these key procedures are taken to deal with the issue of health and wellbeing especially AIDS and HIV from an African perspective, particularly focused to help fellow Sub-Saharan African states. African policy-makers and leaders are taking considerate interest to fight AIDS and HIV from every viewpoint, because they know at firsthand about the social, cultural and economical difficulties this virus brings among their nation. Thus, this is why they are undertaking the notions of health both maternal and infant wellbeing, the local economy, national security and agricultural and food security as a serious matter. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was founded in 2002, by a mutual partnership between national governments, the civil society, bilateral and multilateral international organizations, the private sector and affected societies stand in for innovative paradigm to global health funding.[26] The Global Fund is an exclusive international public and private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. On June 10th 2009, the Global Fund participated in the 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, together with the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO, World Bank and The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+). This meeting themed Optimizing the Response: Partnerships for Sustainability, attracted more than 1,500 representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions related to AIDS and HIV. The scope of this conference was to implement a strategic plan and new policies for prevention that will help to stop the spread of AIDS and HIV around the world. In fact, recognizing the importance of a sustainable global AIDS response, the focus of this years meeting will be on optimizing the impact of prevention, treatment and care programs; enhancing program quality; promoting coordination among partners; and encouraging innovative responses to the pandemic.[27] Carla Bruni-Sarkozy who is Frances First Lady is currently the ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Ms. Bruni-Sarkosy is advocating the issue of mother-to-child transmission, by giving a voice on an international level for the many women and children suffering from or affected by AIDS and HIV. On September 2009, Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly, to call on all world leaders to guarantee the increase of the amount of anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-positive expecting mothers. During her speech, which also attended by UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy stated that In large parts of the world, the face of AIDS is a womans face, and often the face of a mother, a mother afraid for herself and for her child. Isnt this a major failure of our efforts to promote development, when women under treatment can better care for themselves and their families, and form the solid foundation of an entire community, an enti re economy?[28] Concisely, Bruni-Sarkozys vision is that, if African countries, with the help of Western nation states remove the barriers and start to educate women about maternal and reproductive health. This investment will build on fertile grounds, the basis of loving and supporting families which will be beneficial to the whole society and will results in better economic system that will be valuable to the whole nation. As part of World AIDS Day campaign, on 1st of December 2009, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria together with The U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief introduced another project that will mutually be providing anti-retroviral drugs to more than three million patients, around the world who live in states that have low or middle wages. PEPFAR and the Global Fund enjoy a complementary and supportive relationship in the fight against HIV and AIDS worldwide. In order to exploit synergies, PEPFAR and Global Fund-financed programs coordinate at the country level to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Collaboration and coordination are crucial to the efficient use of money and for making further progress in providing AIDS treatment and care to the millions still in need.[29] In other words, both PEPFAR and the Global Fund aim to eliminate AIDS and HIV around the world by promoting preventive health care as well as anti-retroviral drugs t o patients suffering from AIDS or HIV in developed and underdeveloped countries. This is mainly done, by making the most of their available medicine to reach the vast number of people as possible, and thus change for the better the lives of the citizens. The Global Funds mission is to bring international health concerns like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria on the international agenda so that the general public around the world can educate oneself about prevention and symptoms of such diseases. It also inform the civil society about how it badly effective underdeveloped countries such as Sub-Saharan states because of the lack of education that is available to the public. This is why, the Global Fund had launched a series of schemes and project to donate medicine and drugs in order to cure patients affected by AIDS and HIV or other related illness while educating those people who are not infected on how to prevent being contaminated by this virus. Conclusion AIDS and HIV consumes health, resources and productivity within the national and international; community. Therefore, this is why we are in need of a global response to fight AIDS and HIV illness from every aspect, because every aspect of ones life that is from education to health to housing to the national economy, affects the lives of the inhabitants especially those who are in danger to be infect by HIV or have an AIDS-related infection. Affluence plays a major role in the policy of a nation state, because the wealthier the country is, the more people can have a better standard of living and distant from any deathly disease. This is why the UN, AU and the Global Fund are bringing about the downfall of AIDS and HIV by implementing policies from every outlook. http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2002/11580-en.html [assessed December 2009] Kinley D. III (ed.) (2006) IAEA Nobel Peace Prize Cancer and Nutrition Fund. Austria: International Atomic Energy Agency. Page: 7. Citing Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (2001) An ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work. Geneva: International Labour Office. Page: iii. http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/default.asp [assessed December 2009] http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/Goals/default.asp [assessed December 2009] Citing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS from OHCHR and UNAIDS (2007) Handbook on HIV and Human Rights for National Human Rights Institutions. Geneva: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Page: 3. http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/hiv_aids/ [assessed December 2009] http://www.unicef.org/aids/index.php [assessed December 2009] Citing Mr. Jimmy Kolker UNICEF Chief of HIV/AIDS and Associate Director of Programmes from http://www.unicef.org/aids/index_51958.html [assessed December 2009] http://www.undp.org/hiv/ [assessed December 2009] http://www.undp.org/hiv/docs/UNDP%20response%20to%20AIDS_08.pdf?asset_id=1671970 [assessed December 2009] http://www.ibe.unesco.org/AIDS/doc/WorldBank_Sourcebook.pdf [assessed December 2009] http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=496ArticleID=5445l=en [assessed December 2009] http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=searchdocid=42f31d492query=aids and hiv [assessed December 2009] http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=3011catid=5typeid=6subMenuId=0 [assessed December 2009] http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/hiv-aids/ [assessed December 2009] http://www.unodc.org/docs/thinkaids/Factsheets_2009/factsheet_EN.pdf [assessed December 2009] Citing Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA from http://www.unfpa.org/public/cache/offonce/News/pid/1141 [assessed December 2009] Citing James T. Morris, Executive Director of WFP from http://www.wfp.org/sites/default/files/First%20Line%20of%20Defense%20English.pdf [assessed December 2009] http://www.who.int/hiv/aboutdept/en/index.html [assessed December 2009] http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/AboutAu/au_in_a_nutshell_en.htm [assessed December 2009] http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/conferences/past/2006/may/summit/summit.htm [assessed December 2009] http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/conferences/past/2006/may/summit/summit.htm [assessed December 2009] http://www.africa-union.org/root/UA/newsletter/publication%2040%20may%202009.pdf [assessed December 2009] http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20090702_African_Union.asp [assessed December 2009] http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/partnership/?lang=en [assessed December 2009] http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/pressreleases/?pr=pr_090611 [assessed December 2009] Citing Ms. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Lady of France from http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/pressreleases/?pr=pr_090922 [assessed December 2009] http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/pressreleases/?pr=pr_091201a [assessed December 2009]