Case Study Analysis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Analysis - Case Study Example By the End of October 2002, the project was terminated. However, from the report of the Auditor General, it was found that as against the expected $ 38.2 million expenditure, the new project estimate was $ 135.1 million, out of which $ 61 million was already spent. Auditor General found serious issues regarding the corporate governance in Sydney Water. First of all, the reporting of the management to the Board on important issues was not detailed and timely. In addition, the Board did not oversee the project as it was supposed to do. Thirdly, the issues were not properly disclosed in the Annual Report 2002. 1. Cultural attitude within Sydney Water It is evident from the report of the Auditor General that the cultural attitude within Sydney Waters was not befitting a well-functioning organization. One of the main factors that become evident is the widespread belief in the Sydney Water that outsourcing of major projects will transfer all the risks to the contractor and that there is no need of the user cooperation in the process (Review of Sydney Water’s Customer Information and Billing System, 2003). The GM-Customer Service was of the opinion that by paying a premium to PwC, the fixed price contract would give a strong legal backup to Sydney Water. The same view was expressed by the Audit Committee and the whole Sydney Water management. So, they were not so keen in updating their risk management process, and were not interested in following up the DMR recommendations. Another issue is poor record keeping. Some important documents that were found missing in the Auditor General’s review were final business case, tendering processes, and net present value calculations for the project (ibid). Another point is the totally lethargic attitude exhibited by the Board of Directors. It is a well-known fact that the Board is directly responsible to the stakeholders, and hence is responsible to act in a manner that protects the interests of stakeholders. Hence, it is for the board to deal with challenges and issues relating to corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and corporate ethics. As a part of this, it is the responsibility of the directors to make sure that proper books of account are kept. However, in the case of Sydney Water, it can be seen that the board failed to control the whole procedure in a proper way. Firstly, it initiated the process without a proper architecture framework in place, and then failed to avail and analyze the progress of the project. When its managing director, steering committee, and other responsible ones failed to function as directed, it failed to take necessary actions to ensure compliance with the company strategies. In addition, one can observe that officers ranging from the project manager, the steering committee, and general managers of customer service acted in a lethargic and careless way. They failed to provide adequate reports and to follow the usual procedures of communication i n the group. On the one hand, there was lack of common consensus about the responsibilities of each stakeholder, and on the other, they did not care about the interest of the company and its stakeholders. In the words of Schwalbe (2008, p.6), a successful project should meet its scope goal, cost goal, and time goal. It is very evident that the CIBS project failed to meet all the three goals. To meet these ends, the management should show good human resource

Political Realism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Political Realism - Essay Example It supposedly achieves certain results (e.g. status quo, dà ©tente) that are pivotal in the stability of international relations. These principles expound on detailed explanations and illustrations that underscored the realist perspectives in international politics - that nations must advance their own self-interest because: a) it is more effective in achieving political objectives; b) it balances international powers; c) it is better than the idealist/moralistic approach in pursuing not just effective foreign policy, but social and other domestic objectives as well; and, d) it is crucial in a state’s very survival. Morgenthau’s arguments cited the experience of the Second World War and international relations in a post-war period to drive home his point. He criticized the political idealism that preceded the First World War, the political theory, which he believed paved the way for the outbreak of the Second World War. He used the British experience as an example: Neville Chamberlain’s politics of appeasement were†¦ inspired by good motives; he was†¦ less motivated by considerations of personal power than were many other British prime ministers and he sought to preserve peace and to assure the happiness of all concerned. Yet his policies helped to make the Second World War inevitable.1 Morgenthau cited Churchill’s policy which apparently ran counter to Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement. He noted that Churchill was able to successfully navigate international politics than his predecessor because of the former’s strategy of advancing Britain’s power in the world stage. Interestingly, the seemingly selfish policy of self-advancement for states becomes an important tool for achieving and maintaining peace as well. As power becomes the principal theme of international politics, states wittingly an unwittingly strive to maintain an equilibrium or balance of it by attaining, preserving and/or increasing their

Moores Theory of Democracy Analysis

Moores Theory of Democracy Analysis Book Review: Barrington Moore, Jr. Social Origins of Democracy and Dictatorship: Lord and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World. Beacon Press; Reprint edition, 1993 Moores work is an enlightening discussion of the class structures and social origins of democracy and dictatorship, examining the social change process that transformed states and societies from agrarian societies to industrial ones. The book demonstrates the social origins of democracy and dictatorship mediated through class structures (landlords, peasants, and urban bourgeois) and economic arrangements. Moores investigation of the quest for modernization and freedom reveals the history and sociology of political resistance and violent social revolutions against domination, mediated through political and economic interests that provided the impetus to occasions of revolution and also produced counter revolutionary forces that impacted societies political paths. He makes a pointed argument, comparatively explaining how relationships between classes change with increasing commercialization of agriculture and this lays the groundwork for the process of change in the social structures.[ 1] Moore elaborates on the political and economic power of class structures and the process of social change, and he analyzes their relationship and how this impacts political outcomes.[2] The convergence or divergence of interests (political and economic) among these class structures and their influence on political development provides an adequate explanation of the sociology of modernization and the history of revolutions and social change.[3] Moore uses the theoretical lens of Marxist class analysis to explain these dynamics and their role among class structures that in turn have impacted the political path of societies-and how that influenced or shaped the nature of the state and society. Moores work is an important scholarly contribution to the theoretical discussion of the process of modernization and the role of class structures and economic arrangements in comparative case studies. He introduces three categories to explain the process of modernization and the outcomes. The first, bourgeois revolution, features England, France, and the US, all countries that abolished traditional landed elite domination and became capitalist democracies.[4] The second category focuses on the revolutions in Germany and Japan that resulted in fascism-what Moore calls revolution from above, a process which produced the defeat of popular revolution by the traditional landed elite and preserved their dominant position during industrialization. The third category, peasant revolution, features Russia and China, where revolutionary peasantry abolished the traditional elite. Moore makes the radical and intriguing argument that violent social revolution was necessary, that liberal democracy succeeded and constitutional democracy was established in these countries because of the violent social revolutions against traditional agrarian elites.ÂÂ   [5] Moores social class perspective enhances our understanding of the history and sociology of the process of modernization. I found his work to be eye-opening, as it provides an insightful explanation of the social roots of modernization and what has followed. His work may be a major contribution in understanding the social process and social roots of democracy and dictatorship, focusing attention on social change factors and the class relationship rather than the more conventional institutional and state-centered explanation. However, his work overlooks or undermines the role and significance of the relative strength or weakness of the states in the comparative case studies as factors that influenced the states political paths. This comparative study of the importance of class analysis and social change and how they impact outcomes and influence political and economic change helps to explain authoritarianism and democratization in the contemporary world. This book may draw researchers attention away from positivist and institutional analysis, helping to understand and explain the nature of political regimes (democratic and dictatorial). Moores analysis of class and social change provides tools to understand the genealogy of the nature of the state and the processes of social change that have impacted the political outcomes of contemporary regimes. His work is clearly relevant to authoritarianism and dictatorship in Africa, with regard to dictatorship. His theoretical insight may be useful in understanding the social origins, social bases, class structures and social change processes in that continent, to explain the socio-economic and political context of dictatorship and the process of democratization. Thi s, however, does not mean that his case studies or historical analysis should be superimposed, but rather that his insight and analytical methods may be an important input. The utility of Moores approach in studying contemporary African states and political regimes will likely be found in the tools it provides for understanding the emergence of class and inter-class coalitions and capturing the story of resistance/coalition among the various class structures. Methodologically, this book demonstrates the importance of including insights from case studies within the comparative framework in order to raise questions that can help us understand relationships, interests, processes and outcomes. Methodologically, Moores comparative approach is important because specific insights from specific cases can be used to appreciate variations and distinct processes specific to other contexts using analysis of change in class structures. Because of this methodological approach, the historical conditions that have created the conditions for the emergence of western parliamentarian democracy, dictatorships, fascism and communist regimes, have been adequately illustrated. Moores work is a comparative study of modernization through the transition from the pre-modern to the modern industrial era. His main contention is that class and social change explain why some governments developed into dictatorial forms while other developed into democracies. His book central theme revolves around how the political path of modern states (liberal democracy, fascist dictatorship and communist dictatorship) had its origins from the revolutionary past mediated through class structures and process of social change in illustrated through multiple case studies. The political outcome of the class structures, their relationship and contention, is the central theme, supporting his argument that the class struggle between the peasants and the landlord with commercial agricultural interests, and the role of the urban elite, has huge significance. Moores main engagement is with the role of class structure in shaping or influencing political forms of governance in modern industrialized societies. He explicates the relationship between class structure and history and the political outcome of this. Moore states repeatedly that commercialization of agriculture and urban classes are inevitable factorsthatinfluence and shape political outcomes and the transition to the industrialized modern world order. Moore illustrates that it was important to destroy the power of the landed agrarian elite in order to allow the rise of democratic political regimes. [1] Moore, B. (1993). Social origins of dictatorship and democracy: Lord and peasant in the making of the modern world (Vol. 268). Beacon Press. p 418-419 [2] Ibid Page 422-424 [3] Ibid p 486 [4] Ibid 428-478 [5] Ibid xxiii , page 10-22,52-57, 115-150

A Kantian Interpretation of Demonstrative Reference :: Philosophy Philosophical Kant Essays

A Kantian Interpretation of Demonstrative Reference ABSTRACT: According to Kant, we refer to what is out there in the world by performing a demonstrative act, like pointing at an object with a finger. A Kantian mode of demonstrative reference is characterized by the existence of a real, 2-placed affective relation between an intuiting subject and the referent. Parsons suggests that Kantian intuition is both singular and immediate, and immediacy demands an object of intuition to be present, a condition clearly satisfied by objects within our immediate perceptual field. But since we do not have an immediate relation with remote objects, the scope of our demonstrative reference is severely restricted by intuitional immediacy. I wish to develop a global Kantian intuition in order to extend the scope of demonstrative reference. Kant's ontology of space entails that the global representability of space be given to an intuiting subject as a form of intuition. According to Melnick, Kantian intuition is a kinematic operation which involves dir ecting attention and moving about. To make contact with the world, the subject must move away from its locale: although a spatially remote object (W) is not immediately present, we can shift our location by taking a path such that W will become so. Once we are close enough to be affected by W, we will be able to point at W and say "This." Thus, the intuitive scope of demonstrative reference is globalized as we shift our location. I A. The Semantic Content of "This" It has been suggested that Kantian intuition is analogous to the demonstrative term "This." According to Sellars, "to intuit is to represent a this." The demonstrative "This" provides a semantic model for Kantian intuition, but with some restriction. We can certainly apply the demonstrative "This" to individual items which are not proper objects of intuition, e.g., "This theory," "This thought," or "This proposition." The singularity of "This" is insufficient to characterize Kantian intuition. Since space and time are the forms of intuition, an intuitable object must have a spatio-temporal location. Hence, the demonstrative "This" is a semantic model for Kantian intuition only if it is "spatio-temporized." We can spatio-temporize "This" by performing a demonstrative act. The type of a demonstrative act can be characterized by a "2-placed de re ostension" as suggested by Howell. The function of a de re ostension is to indicate the presence of an object in our perceptual field. Pointing at an object with a finger is an example of a 2-placed de re ostension par excellence.

Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express

There was a definite end-of-the-holidays gloom in the air when Harry awoke next morning. Heavy rain was still splattering against the window as he got dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt; they would change into their school robes on the Hogwarts Express. He, Ron, Fred, and George had just reached the first-floor landing on their way down to breakfast, when Mrs. Weasley appeared at the foot of the stairs, looking harassed. â€Å"Arthur!† she called up the staircase. â€Å"Arthur! Urgent message from the Ministry!† Harry flattened himself against the wall as Mr. Weasley came clattering past with his robes on back-to-front and hurtled out of sight. When Harry and the others entered the kitchen, they saw Mrs. Weasley rummaging anxiously in the drawers – â€Å"I've got a quill here somewhere!† – and Mr. Weasley bending over the fire, talking to – Harry shut his eyes hard and opened them again to make sure that they were working properly. Amos Diggory's head was sitting in the middle of the flames like a large, bearded egg. It was talking very fast, completely unperturbed by the sparks flying around it and the flames licking its ears. â€Å"†¦Muggle neighbors heard bangs and shouting, so they went and called those what-d'you-call-'ems – please-men. Arthur, you've got to get over there -â€Å" â€Å"Here!† said Mrs. Weasley breathlessly, pushing a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a crumpled quill into Mr. Weasley's hands. â€Å"- it's a real stroke of luck I heard about it,† said Mr. Diggory's head. â€Å"I had to come into the office early to send a couple of owls, and I found the Improper Use of Magic lot all setting off – if Rita Skeeter gets hold of this one, Arthur -â€Å" â€Å"What does Mad-Eye say happened?† asked Mr. Weasley, unscrewing the ink bottle, loading up his quill, and preparing to take notes. Mr. Diggory's head rolled its eyes. â€Å"Says he heard an intruder in his yard. Says he was creeping toward the house, but was ambushed by his dustbins.† â€Å"What did the dustbins do?† asked Mr. Weasley, scribbling frantically. â€Å"Made one hell of a noise and fired rubbish everywhere, as far as I can tell,† said Mr. Diggory. â€Å"Apparently one of them was still rocketing around when the please-men turned up -â€Å" Mr. Weasley groaned. â€Å"And what about the intruder?† â€Å"Arthur, you know Mad-Eye,† said Mr. Diggory's head, rolling its eyes again. â€Å"Someone creeping into his yard in the dead of night? More likely there's a very shell-shocked cat wandering around somewhere, covered in potato peelings. But if the Improper Use of Magic lot get their hands on Mad-Eye, he's had it – think of his record – we've got to get him off on a minor charge, something in your department – what are exploding dustbins worth?† â€Å"Might be a caution,† said Mr. Weasley, still writing very fast, his brow furrowed. â€Å"Mad-Eye didn't use his wand? He didn't actually attack anyone?† â€Å"I'll bet he leapt out of bed and started jinxing everything he could reach through the window,† said Mr. Diggory, â€Å"but they'll have a job proving it, there aren't any casualties.† â€Å"All right, I'm off,† Mr. Weasley said, and he stuffed the parchment with his notes on it into his pocket and dashed out of the kitchen again. Mr. Diggory's head looked around at Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Sorry about this, Molly,† it said, more calmly, â€Å"bothering you so early and everything†¦but Arthur's the only one who can get Mad-Eye off, and Mad-Eye's supposed to be starting his new job today. Why he had to choose last night†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Never mind, Amos,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Sure you won't have a bit of toast or anything before you go?† â€Å"Oh go on, then,† said Mr. Diggory. Mrs. Weasley took a piece of buttered toast from a stack on the kitchen table, put it into the fire tongs, and transferred it into Mr. Diggory's mouth. â€Å"Fanks,† he said in a muffled voice, and then, with a small pop, vanished. Harry could hear Mr. Weasley calling hurried good-byes to Bill, Charlie, Percy, and the girls. Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen, his robes on the right way now, dragging a comb through his hair. â€Å"I'd better hurry – you have a good term, boys, said Mr. Weasley to Harry, Ron, and the twins, fastening a cloak over his shoulders and preparing to Disapparate. â€Å"Molly, are you going to be all right taking the kids to King's Cross?† â€Å"Of course I will,† she said. â€Å"You just look after Mad-Eye, we'll be fine.† As Mr. Weasley vanished, Bill and Charlie entered the kitchen. â€Å"Did someone say Mad-Eye?† Bill asked. â€Å"What's he been up to now.† â€Å"He says someone tried to break into his house last night,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Mad-Eye Moody?† said George thoughtfully, spreading marmalade on his toast. â€Å"Isn't he that nutter -â€Å" â€Å"Your father thinks very highly of Mad-Eye Moody,† said Mrs. Weasley sternly. â€Å"Yeah, well, Dad collects plugs, doesn't he?† said Fred quietly as Mrs. Weasley left the room. â€Å"Birds of a feather†¦.† â€Å"Moody was a great wizard in his time,† said Bill. â€Å"He's an old friend of Dumbledore's, isn't he?† said Charlie. â€Å"Dumbledore's not what you'd call normal, though, is he?† said Fred. â€Å"I mean, I know he's a genius and everything†¦.† â€Å"Who is Mad-Eye?† asked Harry. â€Å"He's retired, used to work at the Ministry,† said Charlie. â€Å"I met him once when Dad took me into work with him. He was an Auror – one of the best†¦a Dark wizard catcher,† he added, seeing Harry's blank look. â€Å"Half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him. He made himself loads of enemies, though†¦the families of people he caught, mainly†¦and I heard he's been getting really paranoid in his old age. Doesn't trust anyone anymore. Sees Dark wizards everywhere.† Bill and Charlie decided to come and see everyone off at King's Cross station, but Percy, apologizing most profusely, said that he really needed to get to work. â€Å"I just can't justify taking more time off at the moment,† he told them. â€Å"Mr. Crouch is really starting to rely on me.† â€Å"Yeah, you know what, Percy?† said George seriously. â€Å"I reckon he'll know your name soon.† Mrs. Weasley had braved the telephone in the village post office to order three ordinary Muggle taxis to take them into London. â€Å"Arthur tried to borrow Ministry cars for us,† Mrs. Weasley whispered to Harry as they stood in the rain-washed yard, watching the taxi drivers heaving six heavy Hogwarts trunks into their cars. â€Å"But there weren't any to spare†¦.Oh dear, they don't look happy, do they?† Harry didn't like to tell Mrs. Weasley that Muggle taxi drivers rarely transported overexcited owls, and Pigwidgeon was making an earsplitting racket. Nor did it help that a number of Filibuster's Fabulous No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks went off unexpectedly when Fred's trunk sprang open, causing the driver carrying it to yell with fright and pain as Crookshanks clawed his way up the man's leg. The journey was uncomfortable, owing to the fact that they were jammed in the back of the taxis with their trunks. Crookshanks took quite a while to recover from the fireworks, and by the time they entered London, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all severely scratched. They were very relieved to get out at King's Cross, even though the rain was coming down harder than ever, and they got soaked carrying their trunks across the busy road and into the station. Harry was used to getting onto platform nine and three-quarters by now. It was a simple matter of walking straight through the apparently solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten. The only tricky part was doing this in an unobtrusive way, so as to avoid attracting Muggle attention. They did it in groups today; Harry, Ron, and Hermione (the most conspicuous, since they were accompanied by Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks) went first; they leaned casually against the barrier, chatting unconcernedly, and slid sideways through it†¦and as they did so, platform nine and three-quarters materialized in front of them. The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, was already there, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts. Pigwidgeon became noisier than ever in response to the hooting of many owls through the mist. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off to find seats, and were soon stowing their luggage in a compartment halfway along the train. They then hopped back down onto the platform to say good-bye to Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie. â€Å"I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,† said Charlie, grinning, as he hugged Ginny good-bye. â€Å"Why?† said Fred keenly. â€Å"You'll see,† said Charlie. â€Å"Just don't tell Percy I mentioned it†¦it's ‘classified information, until such time as the Ministry sees fit to release it,' after all.† â€Å"Yeah, I sort of wish I were back at Hogwarts this year,† said Bill, hands in his pockets, looking almost wistfully at the train. â€Å"Why?† said George impatiently. â€Å"You're going to have an interesting year,† said Bill, his eyes twinkling. â€Å"I might even get time off to come and watch a bit of it.† â€Å"A bit of what?† said Ron. But at that moment, the whistle blew, and Mrs. Weasley chivvied them toward the train doors. â€Å"Thanks for having us to stay, Mrs. Weasley,† said Hermione as they climbed on board, closed the door, and leaned out of the window to talk to her. â€Å"Yeah, thanks for everything, Mrs. Weasley,† said Harry. â€Å"Oh it was my pleasure, dears,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"I'd invite you for Christmas, but†¦well, I expect you're all going to want to stay at Hogwarts, what with†¦one thing and another.† â€Å"Mum!† said Ron irritably. â€Å"What d'you three know that we don't?† â€Å"You'll find out this evening, I expect,† said Mrs. Weasley, smiling. â€Å"It's going to be very exciting – mind you, I'm very glad they've changed the rules -â€Å" â€Å"What rules?† said Harry, Ron, Fred, and George together. â€Å"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will tell you†¦.Now, behave, won't you? Won't you, Fred? And you, George?† The pistons hissed loudly and the train began to move. â€Å"Tell us what's happening at Hogwarts!† Fred bellowed out of the window as Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie sped away from them. â€Å"What rules are they changing?† But Mrs. Weasley only smiled and waved. Before the train had rounded the corner, she, Bill, and Charlie had Disapparated. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went back to their compartment. The thick rain splattering the windows made it very difficult to see out of them. Ron undid his trunk, pulled out his maroon dress robes, and flung them over Pigwidgeon's cage to muffle his hooting. â€Å"Bagman wanted to tell us what's happening at Hogwarts,† he said grumpily, sitting down next to Harry. â€Å"At the World Cup, remember? But my own mother won't say. Wonder what -â€Å" â€Å"Shh!† Hermione whispered suddenly, pressing her finger to her lips and pointing toward the compartment next to theirs. Harry and Ron listened, and heard a familiar drawling voice drifting in through the open door. â€Å"†¦Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore – the man's such a Mudblood-lover – and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do†¦.† Hermione got up, tiptoed to the compartment door, and slid it shut, blocking out Malfoy's voice. â€Å"So he thinks Durmstrang would have suited him, does he?† she said angrily. â€Å"I wish he had gone, then we wouldn't have to put up with him.† â€Å"Durmstrang's another wizarding school?† said Harry. â€Å"Yes,† said Hermione sniffily, â€Å"and it's got a horrible reputation. According to An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe, it puts a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts.† â€Å"I think I've heard of it,† said Ron vaguely. â€Å"Where is it? What country?† â€Å"Well, nobody knows, do they?† said Hermione, raising her eyebrows. â€Å"Er – why not?† said Harry. â€Å"There's traditionally been a lot of rivalry between all the magic schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their whereabouts so nobody can steal their secrets,† said Hermione matter-of-factly. â€Å"Come off it,† said Ron, starting to laugh. â€Å"Durmstrang's got to be about the same size as Hogwarts – how are you going to hide a great big castle?† â€Å"But Hogwarts is hidden,† said Hermione, in surprise. â€Å"Everyone knows that†¦well, everyone who's read Hogwarts, A History, anyway.† â€Å"Just you, then,† said Ron. â€Å"So go on – how d'you hide a place like Hogwarts?† â€Å"It's bewitched,† said Hermione. â€Å"If a Muggle looks at it, all they see is a moldering old ruin with a sign over the entrance saying DANGER, DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE.† â€Å"So Durmstrang'll just look like a ruin to an outsider too?† â€Å"Maybe,† said Hermione, shrugging, â€Å"or it might have Muggle-repelling charms on it, like the World Cup stadium. And to keep foreign wizards from finding it, they'll have made it Unplottable -â€Å" â€Å"Come again?† â€Å"Well, you can enchant a building so it's impossible to plot on a map, can't you?† â€Å"Er†¦if you say so,† said Harry. â€Å"But I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north,† said Hermione thoughtfully. â€Å"Somewhere very cold, because they've got fur capes as part of their uniforms.† â€Å"Ah, think of the possibilities,† said Ron dreamily. â€Å"It would've been so easy to push Malfoy off a glacier and make it look like an accident†¦.Shame his mother likes him†¦.† The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The sky was so dark and the windows so steamy that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor, and Harry bought a large stack of Cauldron Cakes for them to share. Several of their friends looked in on them as the afternoon progressed, including Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom, a round-faced, extremely forgetful boy who had been brought up by his formidable witch of a grandmother. Seamus was still wearing his Ireland rosette. Some of its magic seemed to be wearing off now; it was still squeaking â€Å"Troy – Mullet – Moran!† but in a very feeble and exhausted sort of way. After half an hour or so, Hermione, growing tired of the endless Quidditch talk, buried herself once more in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm. Neville listened jealously to the others' conversation as they relived the Cup match. â€Å"Gran didn't want to go,† he said miserably. â€Å"Wouldn't buy tickets. It sounded amazing though.† â€Å"It was,† said Ron. â€Å"Look at this, Neville†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He rummaged in his trunk up in the luggage rack and pulled out the miniature figure of Viktor Krum. â€Å"Oh wow,† said Neville enviously as Ron tipped Krum onto his pudgy hand. â€Å"We saw him right up close, as well,† said Ron. â€Å"We were in the Top Box -â€Å" â€Å"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley.† Draco Malfoy had appeared in the doorway. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, his enormous, thuggish cronies, both of whom appeared to have grown at least a foot during the summer. Evidently they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door, which Dean and Seamus had left ajar. â€Å"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy,† said Harry coolly. â€Å"Weasley†¦what is that?† said Malfoy, pointing at Pigwidgeon's cage. A sleeve of Ron's dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious. Ron made to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him; he seized the sleeve and pulled. â€Å"Look at this!† said Malfoy in ecstasy, holding up Ron's robes and showing Crabbe and Goyle, â€Å"Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean – they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Eat dung, Malfoy!† said Ron, the same color as the dress robes as he snatched them back out of Malfoy's grip. Malfoy howled with derisive laughter; Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly. â€Å"So†¦going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know†¦you'd be able to afford some decent robes if you won†¦.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† snapped Ron. â€Å"Are you going to enter?† Malfoy repeated. â€Å"I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?† â€Å"Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy,† said Hermione testily, over the top of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. A gleeful smile spread across Malfoy's pale face â€Å"Don't tell me you don't know?† he said delightedly. â€Å"You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago†¦heard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry†¦.Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley†¦yes†¦they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him†¦.† Laughing once more, Malfoy beckoned to Crabbe and Goyle, and the three of them disappeared. Ron got to his feet and slammed the sliding compartment door so hard behind them that the glass shattered. â€Å"Ron!† said Hermione reproachfully, and she pulled out her wand, muttered â€Å"Reparo!† and the glass shards flew back into a single pane and back into the door. â€Å"Well†¦making it look like he knows everything and we don't†¦.† Ron snarled. â€Å"‘Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry'†¦Dad could've got a promotion any time†¦he just likes it where he is†¦.† â€Å"Of course he does,† said Hermione quietly. â€Å"Don't let Malfoy get to you, Ron -â€Å" â€Å"Him! Get to me!? As if!† said Ron, picking up one of the remaining Cauldron Cakes and squashing it into a pulp. Ron's bad mood continued for the rest of the journey. He didn't talk much as they changed into their school robes, and was still glowering when the Hogwarts Express slowed down at last and finally stopped in the pitch-darkness of Hogsmeade station. As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead. Hermione bundled up Crookshanks in her cloak and Ron left his dress robes over Pigwidgeon as they left the train, heads bent and eyes narrowed against the downpour. The rain was now coming down so thick and fast that it was as though buckets of ice-cold water were being emptied repeatedly over their heads. â€Å"Hi, Hagrid!† Harry yelled, seeing a gigantic silhouette at the far end of the platform. â€Å"All righ', Harry?† Hagrid bellowed back, waving. â€Å"See yeh at the feast if we don' drown!† First years traditionally reached Hogwarts Castle by sailing across the lake with Hagrid. â€Å"Oooh, I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in this weather,† said Hermione fervently, shivering as they inched slowly along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd. A hundred horseless carriages stood waiting for them outside the station. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville climbed gratefully into one of them, the door shut with a snap, and a few moments later, with a great lurch, the long procession of carriages was rumbling and splashing its way up the track toward Hogwarts Castle.

Book Review Of “The Devil In The Shape Of A Woman: Witchcraft In Colonial New England”

The book, â€Å"The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England,† is a must read considering the huge amount of recent work on early witch lore that is being published. This book takes a critical look at the history in New England between 1620 and 1725 during the Puritan period. It is a feminist perspective and the insight into early New England society during a very troubling period in American history.It differs from many history books including our text on the standard accounts by showing that many of those persecuted were women who for many different types of reasons, threatened the male-dominant social order. The author goes into details with evidence that shows that persecuted and accused witches were usually older married women who had violated the religious or economic Puritan social hierarchy.Many of these women that were called witches were past their childbearing years and sometimes they were the recipients of inheritances, these women threaten ed the male-dominance social order that got resentment from their middle-aged accusers. Karlsen shows that the accused witches were women whose family lives were touched in many ways financially by claiming that most, â€Å"stood to inherit, did inherit or were denied their apparent right to inherit† larger portions than women of families with male heirs (Karlsen, p.101). This was definitely problematic for males of the time and caused problems in families and with relatives within the communities especially if these women were openly demanding or defending their rights. These inheritance conflicts are what Karlsen sees as symptomatic of the larger social and ideological problems, â€Å"for they expose the fear of independent women that lay at the heart of New England’s nightmare† (Karlsen, p. 213).There were also two really good points that give this book very good insight into what happened during that time period in New England. It was that they showed first an analysis of women’s culture in New England during those colonial times. Puritan women were to be good wives, good mothers and helpers to their mates. It showed the popular hatred and discrimination of women as a very common and accepted condition and tradition of that time. This was shown through thoughts and conduct of the settlers.This view shows just how complex relationships between Puritanism and traditional English popular culture really were. These kinds of attitudes when looked at as a whole, show how it was used to suppress the individualistic action among women, and that suppression could have taken the form of witchcraft accusation. The other point made that should be noted is that â€Å"the possessed and their ministers were engaged in a fierce negotiation, initiated by the possessed, about the legitimacy of female discontent, resentment and anger† (Karlsen, p.246). This kind of thought for this statement, I found rather weak, because it’s only so urce of the information came from one extremely well documented case but most was based on hearsay. Overall, I found the book to be very well documented with excellent sources. In my opinion the book was an excellent example on how modern theory can be applied in a useful way to show the character of Puritan thought, changes in the role of women through the ages, and the ultimate end of witchcraft persecution in New England.The description and analyses the author uses help to give the reader an understanding of witch lore and status women had in Early New England. It would be a good book for undergraduate study as well as the general reader of history. It induces the reader to see a different perspective of their views and what was commonly taught on the New England witch hunts. The textbook, â€Å"America Past and Present Volume I, 7th Ed. † By Robert A. Divine (et al. ), really only talked of the standard historical context of what took place during this turbulent time.Accu sations of witchcraft were not uncommon in seventeenth century New England. Puritans believed that many individuals would make a compact with the devil, but during the first decades of settlement, authorities executed only about fifteen alleged witches. Sometimes villagers simply left suspected witches alone. Karlsen would argue that the only women who would fight for their rights were accused and probably there weren’t very many women at that time that would stand up against the standards that were set for women or norms for women of that society.Witchcraft was believed to originate in a bargain between man or woman and the Devil by which they agreed to sell their soul to the Devil. The terror in Salem Village began in late 1691, when several young girls began behaving strangely such as crying out for no reason and falling to the ground twitching. When asked what the problem was, they replied that they were victims of witches that were living in the community. Even with the arrest of several women accused and prayer did not give relief to these girls.It was even reported that one of the accused confessed, no doubt after interrogation that was sometimes very brutal. The textbook notes that â€Å"No one knows exactly what sparked the terror in Salem Village† (Divine, p. 85). But with Karlsen book it helps in giving a possible reason. The text gave the reason to the end of this persecution to a group of Congregational ministers that urged leniency and restraint and something that was especially troubling to the clergymen was the court’s decision to accept dreams and visions in which the accused appeared as the devil’s agent.They worried those individuals that were being convicted on this type of testimony and they stated, â€Å"It were better than ten suspected witches should escape, than that one innocent person should be condemned† (Divine, p. 85). The colonial government accepted the minister’s advice and convened a n ew court, which promptly acquitted, pardoned, or released the remaining suspects. From this point, witchcraft ceased to be a capital offense. The book cites that the terror of the witchcraft scare was probably due to angry factions over the choice of a minister.Another possible reason suggested is that socio-economic conflict, the colony had recently experienced, and a lack of enlightenment contributed to the hysteria. This would follow closely to what Carol F. Karlsen expressed in her book. In my opinion, history textbooks tend to give us just one view, and usually the commonly accepted view of what took place historically. There is so much history to be analyzed and studied that textbooks can only include the fundamentals of all these events.It is up to the authors of books such as Carol F. Karlsen, to help give the true detective of history a broader look at how historical events shaped and created the society of then and today. If we don’t know where we came from, then ho w do we know where we should go? The book gave a very excellent twist to the sociological perspective to witchcraft in the New England Colonies and to me gave a more plausible reason as to just why these witch hunts might have happened.

Transgenic Organisms Essay

Transgenic Organisms Essay Transgenic Organisms Essay Because genes are so universally similar, it is possible to transfer genes from one organism to another. Organisms produced by such a process are called genetically modified organisms or transgenic organisms. The term genetically modified organisms refer to not only plants and animals, but also bacteria. Transgenic organisms are created by gene insertion, gene deletion, or gene replication. In a normal gene, gene replacement results in only the implanted gene being active. Gene insertion results in no active gene being present. And gene insertion results in both the normal and transplanted gene being active. A foreign or modified gene is called a transgene. In making transgenic plants, scientists usually use modified Agrobacterium to insert the transgene, or inject DNA directly into a plant cell. In the making of transgenic animals, scientists often insert the transgene directly into the animal’s egg cell, due to animal cells being relatively large. Once the transgenes enter a n organism, enzymes that normally repair DNA, helps insert the new DNA fragment into the organism’s genes. One example of a transgenic organism is the C5 plum. The C5 has been engineered to have resistance to a specific virus known as Plum Pox or Sharka. The virus affects the entire plant and causes it to produce a decreased amount of fruit, and most of the fruit produced are deformed. To create a plant that was resistant to Sharka, scientists collected the genes for the virus protein coat, which

Police wasting time - Emphasis

Police wasting time Police wasting time The police often have a hand in giving out long sentences. Now theyre writing them. A potentially record-breaking 102-word single sentence appears in the Association of Chief Police Officers comeback to a government report on policing. Heres the offending passage (note do not attempt to read this before operating heavy machinery): The promise of reform which the Green Paper heralds holds much for the public and Service alike; local policing, customized to local need with authentic answerability, strengthened accountabilities at force level through reforms to police authorities and HMIC, performance management at the service of localities with targets and plans tailored to local needs, the end of centrally engineered one size fits all initiatives, an intelligent approach to cutting red tape through redesign of processes and cultures, a renewed emphasis on strategic development so as to better equip our service to meet the amorphous challenges of managing cross force harms, risks and opportunities. If you made it to the end: well done. This kind of meandering, jargon-heavy sentence would almost certainly lose most readers a quarter of the way through: 35 words should be the maximum length in such a document. Although a spokeswoman did hold her hands up on behalf of the police chiefs verbosity, she also posed the defence that the piece was written primarily to persuade civil servants. She claimed it was therefore written in a language familiar to them. The civil servants weve worked with certainly deserve a lot better. But if shes right about ACPOs audience, its little wonder that were all prisoners to paperwork.

Donald Trump Promises - List and Details

Donald Trump Promises - List and Details President-elect Donald Trump made a lot of promises while he was running for office in the 2016 election. Some political observers counted hundreds of Trump promises. Trump promised major action on everything from illegal immigration to coal mining to bringing jobs back from overseas to building a wall along the Mexican border to launching an investigation of his opponent in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton. Which promises has Trump kept in the days since he  took office on Jan. 20, 2017? Heres a look at six of the biggest, and probably the most difficult to keep, Trump promises. Repeal Obamacare This was a biggie for Trump and his supporters. Trump repeatedly called the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, a disaster.   One thing we have to do: Repeal and replace the disaster known as Obamacare. Its destroying our country. Its destroying our businesses. You take a look at the kind of numbers that that will cost us in the year 17, it is a disaster. Its probably going to die of its own weight. But Obamacare has to go. The premiums are going up 60, 70, 80 percent. Bad health care at the most expensive price. We have to repeal and replace Obamacare. Trump has promised a full repeal of Obamacare. He has also promised to replace the program by expanding the use of Health Savings Accounts;  allowing policyholders to  deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns; and permit shopping for plans across state lines.   Build a Wall Trump promised to construct a wall along the entire length of the United States border with Mexico and then force Mexico to reimburse taxpayers for the cost. The president of Mexico, Enrique Peà ±a Nieto, has openly stated his country will not pay for the wall.  Ã‚  At the beginning of the conversation with Donald Trump, he said in August 2016, I made clear that Mexico would not pay for the wall. Clintons position on immigration was much different; she mocked the wall and supported a path to citizenship. Bring Jobs Back   Trump promised to bring thousands of job back to the United States that had been shipped overseas by American companies. He also promised to stop American companies from shifting positions overseas through the use of tariffs. I will bring jobs back from China. I will bring jobs back from Japan. I will bring jobs back from Mexico. Im going to bring jobs back and Ill start bringing them back very fast, Trump said. Cut Taxes On the Middle Class Trump has promised to drastically cut taxes on the middle class. A middle-class family with 2 children will get a 35 percent tax cut, Trump said. He promised the relief as part of a Middle Class Tax Relief And Simplification Act. Isn’t that nice? Trump said. It’s about time. The middle class in our country has been devastated. End Political Corruption in Washington His battle cry: Drain the swamp! Trump promised to work to end corruption in Washington, D.C. To do that, he said he would seek a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. He also said he would ban White House and congressional staffers from lobbying within five years of leaving their government positions, and place lifetime bans on White House officials lobbying for foreign governments. He wants to also prohibit foreign lobbyists from raising money for American elections. The proposals were outlined in his Contract With the American Voter. Investigate Hillary Clinton In one of the most startling moments in the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton and the many controversies surrounding her. If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because there’s never been so many lies, so much deception,† Trump said during the second presidential debate. Trump later backed down, saying: â€Å"I don’t want to hurt the Clintons, I really don’t. She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways, and I am not looking to hurt them at all. The campaign was vicious.†

Michael Jordan's Reign In Basketball Research Paper

Michael Jordan's Reign In Basketball - Research Paper Example In 1982 Michael Jordan made the winning shot in NCAA Championship game making his North Carolina Tarheals champions and beginning a legacy that would turn him into a living legend. It wasn’t long after that Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and in his first season became a fan favorite, and went on to claim the rookie of the year award. It wasn’t long before Michael Jordan became a star in the league. In the 1987 season he averaged 37.2 points per game and scored over 3,000 points; both numbers only matched by Wilt Chamberlain. The next season he again won the league in scoring and won his first league Most Valuable Player Award. Despite Jordan’s unheralded individual success, at this point he had still failed to achieve the allusive NBA Championship victory. In the 1990 season, finally after years of disappointment, Jordan and his Chicago Bulls achieved their first championship. Jordan and the Chicago Bulls would go on to claim the next two championship vi ctories as well. While Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped greatly popularize the game, it was during this period that Michael Jordan took it to new heights. His heroic style of play brought a widespread audience to the game of basketball, bringing it and himself international acclaim. Still at the height of his accomplishments Jordan announced that he would retire to pursue a career in baseball. Three years later, by the influence and criticism of others, Michael returned to the game. Many people believed Michael would not get back in his groove yet defied odds and created a new atmosphere. As Michael was a true committed person he relied very much so on his self creating independence for himself and influenced the way he live and played. This was displayed by the way he operated, how he portrayed himself, how media coverage portrayed him etc. His motivation

Labour Law in Canada Final EXAM Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Labour Law in Canada Final EXAM - Assignment Example Closed shops: The position or status of closed shops varies in the provinces of Canada. A closed shop can be a type of union safety contract where the employer confirms to hire union associates simply, and employees ought to stay associates of the union continually. Union security measures, as well as specially the closed along with union shop, allow unions higher bargaining strength than they'd have experienced under an openshop set up. Statutory Freeze: Labour statutes within every single province as well as in the federal legal system offer a freeze in a couple of specific circumstances: in negotiating for any renewed collective settlement and in bargaining to get a very first collective contract. From the very first agreement scenario, many statutes give 2 distinct freezes, the one that starts once the union applies pertaining to certification, then one that takes place as soon as the union is licensed. In negotiating for a restoration contract, usually the older collective agree ment may expire prior to the latest agreement is agreed upon. Positive Obligation of the state: Positive obligations grant states not to avoid particular steps, but to take action. Similarly with the individuals experiencing human rights requirements, states ought to stop third parties from messing up the standard of living. The labor law will be important in implementing the action plans from government that brings prosperity in society. Part B short Answers: Answer 1. Explain the Legal status of Unions†¦ The status of Unions has been changing during the period of 1920 and 1960s. Both countries almost had similar workplaces for the workers. During that period there was a rise in the popularity of memberships for labor unions. However, after 1965 in USA there was a marginal decline in the popularity of labor unions but in Canada this concept was on a steady way. The reason behind this fluctuation was the impact of globalization. In Canada there has been a tough competition rega rding the manufacturing industry. It was made very easy to join unions simply by signing a special card. This process is also called card check. There are four points under this: the legal status of unions in Canada has encouraged the democratic culture practices, they have made the employment and social objectives wide spread for their members. While reviewing the Canadian labor law Federal Force stated that the trade union of Canada has a high level of internal democracy and they truly have feeling and show keen interest for their members. Then the next point is that, unlike American and British unions Canadian unions do not have any stain like corruption and uncontrollable militancy. However, there were quite a few incidents of corruption but, they were not the main part of labor union, many of them were expelled to make sure that the true leadership is widespread. Thirdly, the political continuation has never been there; in other words, the demand for prolonged union affairs int ernally had positive aspects for the effectiveness of organizations. Those who wanted â€Å"union democracy† never acquired that influence they had in America and Britain. Then the last thing, self-government has a deep influence on Canadian legislator and courts, the way the British common law concept of union was. The membership concept was taken completely personal and contractual, and this is why they do not view it internally the union matters. Membership had been there without a political or group pressure.

Critical analysis of Qualitative paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical analysis of Qualitative paper - Essay Example Topics and introductions of the articles In Both articles, titles are good title particularly because they are both informatory and refer to the key phenomenon of the study. However, Dietrich et al’s title is goes further to expounds on the key variables.Though they have failed to include the study population,both researches the problems of the research are stated unequivocally and build coherent and credible arguments which have significance for nursing profession.Both Olrich et al (2012) and Deitrick et al (2012) studies have also failed to stipulate the research questions or a hypothesis of the studies and this is also considered as a flaw in the studies. Methods and designs of the studies There is debate regarding whether the standards used for quantitative studies should be used for qualitative research has existed for a long time and will probably continue with the trend (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The research approach used in the qualitative was the ethnography approac h, which means that there was a conscious effort by the researchers in examining and exploring a cultural phenomenon (Bernardo, 2007). The ethnographic approach was used to outline the major challenges faced by nurses in two inpatient units in the implementation of hourly rounding. On the part of thequantitative evidences that were selected, they made use of the quasi-experimental approaches. In fact much of the quasi-experimental method has had elements of a real experimentation just that there is lack of the use of random assignment (Bravo, Earls and Johnson, 2011). To this end, a 506-bed teaching hospital was acquired where the effect of hourly round was determined on fall rates, call light usage and the general satisfaction of patients on the service they received from nurses. A big debate has existed about what should be incorporated as quality criteria in quantitative designs. For example, Ryan et al, (2001) stipulated that the degree to which the methods are satisfactory to p articipants ought to be also applied as a decisive factor for assessing the methodological eminence of quantitative studies This design’s flaw was that it did not take into account the patients’ attitudes feelings and perceptions which are very important in nursing but rather just went for the figures.However the execution of design was top notch thenumber of data collection points was appropriate.The design also curtailed biases and threats to the interior and exteriorsoundness of the study. As far as validity is concerned, there are two major aspects of measurement that the researchers could be looking at to ensure validity. These are internal and external validity. Generally internal validity on measurement tools can be achieved if researchers shall pay particular attention to selection bias and ensure that the tool is impartial in its selection. Again, history, differential attrition and regression towards the mean are all significant such that researchers must ens ure that they conform to stipulated standards of scoring. With external validity, attention must be paid to the population to ensure that there is a generalization between the study’s inferences and the general population used (Castledine, Grainger,

The risk of cultural issues in written communications Essay

The risk of cultural issues in written communications - Essay Example A good example is given by Tannen & Saville-Troika (1982, p. 41), about an Egyptian pilot called a traffic controller of Greek origin, asking if it was safe for the plane to land in Cyprus. The controller responded with a silence to mean refusal but the Egyptian interpreted that as acceptance and proceeded with the trip to Cyprus, only to be fired at by the Greeks in Cyprus while approaching the run way. Another cause is the complete language barrier between non related languages such as Russian and English, unlike the case between French and English whereby many words and closely related in spelling and pronunciation. Most of the Russians do not understand or speak English at all (Gudykunst 2003, p. 62). Likewise, Many English speakers do not understand Russian. In such a scenario, if a speech is presented in Russian, an English man will lose some important points. As mentioned before, in a miscommunication and misunderstanding in cross-cultural interaction, people lose the exact meaning of the communication and may respond in undesired ways. In cross cultural conversation, participants may decide to deliberately mislead the hearers, and convince them with false information. For example, Reynolds (2004, p. 38) argues that a participant may masquerade as being of greater social status than his or her true position in the society is. In a written communication, this can be more misleading because apart from just hearing wrongly, the reading itself may be wrong from the onset. Once a misunderstanding has occurred from cross-cultural communication, there should be a quick way to resolve and clarify on the specific errors. For example, it is a good practice to apologize and make possible clarification as suggested by Pride (1985, p. 62). With apology, the hearer’s may not be able to take offence. Where possible, the communication between different cultures ought to

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Assignment 2 - Essay Example (Smith and Preston 2000) Alliance Decision Support: This a strategic decision support system that reports healthcare providers’ cash flow and operating margin from existing operations. It can also be considered as an integrated system since it combines financial, clinical and administrative information and other key indicators for decision making. (Enrado 2007) Microsoft Electronic Medical Record and Clinical Information System Solutions for Healthcare Providers: This a clinical information system developed as an electronic record storage that integrates data from a wide range of systems aimed at improving productivity and quality of service. (Microsoft 2008) Ascentis HR: As a human resource management system, it aids in the administrative work of a healthcare organization by integrating and centralizing HR system that promotes connectivity, communication and control. (Ascentis 2008) EMIT Primary Care: This combines both strategic decision support and patient care systems by using Internet technology to its online patient management structure. â€Å"It aims to change the current concept of silos of information to a model of interoperability.† (NZ MOH) Enterprise Performance System: A strategic decision-making system that integrates Internet technology in the delivery of critical information for financial planning. (Enrado) It features web-based decision support applications such as those that concern productivity, contract modeling and enterprise-wide reporting. The Seimens Syngo Suite: This is a clinical management system that offers a complete imaging management workflow that increases the efficiency of diagnostic and therapeutic cycles. The system that seamlessly features information in images allows a role-based access to information. (Seimens 2008) Two of these management systems, EMIT Primary Care and Enterprise

Discuss The Role Of Procedure In Managing Both Individual And Essay

Discuss The Role Of Procedure In Managing Both Individual And Collective Conflict In Organisations - Essay Example The word discipline is ingrained in the word disciple and is consequently best understood as a procedure free of threats, mortification, and embarrassment. The objective of the employee discipline is twofold: A review of the literature on discipline procedure discloses an abundance of different discipline procedures, some advising that immediate, consistent consequences for "misbehaviour" are warranted, some recommending the importance of positive discipline, some warning against punishments and praise, and still others recommending the importance of making employees aware of the consequences for rule violations. (Tobin, 2000) Most of the discipline procedures can be grouped into two categories: systems-centred and principle-centred. In the systems discipline procedure, the organisation has a preset list of rules, and senior officials of management are expected to take action when the rules are violated. Consequences are prescribed and are to be administered in the same manner to all violators, without regard to the situation or the person or whether they produce a change in behaviour. An example of this discipline procedure is the zero tolerance discipline procedure enforced in many conflict systems across the nation. Organizations using this discipline procedure to operate on a set of principles or values, which are disseminated to members of management, and rules based on these principles, are developed. Senior officials of management are expected to respond when any of the rules are violated. Discipline, on the other hand, is individualized and supported by the situation and the individual(s) involved. Advantages and Disadvantages of Disciplinary Procedures There are number of advantages and disadvantages of disciplinary procedures. Some of them are disciplinary procedure takes employees away from 1) solemn dishonesty, such as burglary of property, deliberate misrepresentation of salary or expenses claims for pecuniary advantage, misrepresentation of any in sequence given in applying for a post and failure to disclose criminal convictions where required to do so; 2) thought-out refusal to carry out a reasonable, lawful and safe instruction; 3) Wilfully pay no attention to responsibilities or instruction thereby placing other members of staff in danger; 4) Gross carelessness in failing to attend or carry out the duties of the post; thereby causing intolerable loss, damage or injury; 5) Being out of shape to carry out duties associated with the post as a result of taking alcohol or other drugs; 6) Acts of violent behaviour or vandalism in the itinerary of employment; g) Sexual misbehaviour at work. Advantages and Disadvantages of Bargaining and Negotiating Procedures The effective-negotiation system complements the management process in other ways, which suggest that it could be the operational vehicle for intraorganisational bargaining. For instance, organizational staffing and

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Assignment 2 - Essay Example (Smith and Preston 2000) Alliance Decision Support: This a strategic decision support system that reports healthcare providers’ cash flow and operating margin from existing operations. It can also be considered as an integrated system since it combines financial, clinical and administrative information and other key indicators for decision making. (Enrado 2007) Microsoft Electronic Medical Record and Clinical Information System Solutions for Healthcare Providers: This a clinical information system developed as an electronic record storage that integrates data from a wide range of systems aimed at improving productivity and quality of service. (Microsoft 2008) Ascentis HR: As a human resource management system, it aids in the administrative work of a healthcare organization by integrating and centralizing HR system that promotes connectivity, communication and control. (Ascentis 2008) EMIT Primary Care: This combines both strategic decision support and patient care systems by using Internet technology to its online patient management structure. â€Å"It aims to change the current concept of silos of information to a model of interoperability.† (NZ MOH) Enterprise Performance System: A strategic decision-making system that integrates Internet technology in the delivery of critical information for financial planning. (Enrado) It features web-based decision support applications such as those that concern productivity, contract modeling and enterprise-wide reporting. The Seimens Syngo Suite: This is a clinical management system that offers a complete imaging management workflow that increases the efficiency of diagnostic and therapeutic cycles. The system that seamlessly features information in images allows a role-based access to information. (Seimens 2008) Two of these management systems, EMIT Primary Care and Enterprise

Online Resort Reservation and Billing System Essay Example for Free

Online Resort Reservation and Billing System Essay 1. Pelagianism is a theological theory named after Pelagius (AD 354 – AD 420/440), although he denied, at least at some point in his life, many of the doctrines associated with his name. It is the belief that original sin did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special Divine aid. This is still sometimes called Limited Depravity. Thus, Adams sin was to set a bad example for his progeny, but his actions did not have the other consequences imputed to original sin. Pelagianism views the role of Jesus as setting a good example for the rest of humanity (thus counteracting Adams bad example) as well as providing an atonement for our sins. In short, humanity has full control, and thus full responsibility, for obeying the Gospel in addition to full responsibility for every sin (the latter insisted upon by both proponents and opponents of Pelagianism). According to Pelagian doctrine, because humans are sinners by choice, they are therefore criminals who need the atonement of Jesus Christ. Sinners are not victims; they are criminals who need pardon. 2. Arianism was a Christian heresy first proposed early in the 4th century by the Alexandrian presbyter Arius. It affirmed that Christ is not truly divine but a created being. The fundamental premise of Arius was the uniqueness of God, who is alone self-existent and immutable. The Son, who is not self-existent, cannot be God. 3. Donatism was a Christian sect within the Roman province of Africa that flourished in the fourth and fifth centuries. It had its roots in the social pressures among the long-established Christian community of Roman North Africa (present-day) Algeria and Tunisia, during the persecutions of Christians under Diocletian. The Donatists (named for the Berber Christian bishop Donatus Magnus) were members of a schismatic church not in communion with the churches of the Catholic tradition in Late Antiquity.

Experiences of Pediatric Cancer Survivors

Experiences of Pediatric Cancer Survivors Exploring the experiences of pediatric cancer survivors in Karachi, Pakistan. Muhammad Tahir Saleem This chapter presents the study design, its setting, the sampling technique, the data collection process and the details of data analysis. In addition, the ethical considerations and study limitations are also discussed in the chapter. Methodology Qualitative methods are utilized to generate knowledge about a new area of interest. Qualitative research methods are mostly descriptive in nature to bring out the subjective meaning of behaviors and attitudes (Polit Beck, 2008). As there is no documented evidence for the issues encountered by cancer survivors in Pakistan, the researcher felt that the question about the experiences of cancer patients and their needs for care could be best upraised by following a naturalistic inquiry using a qualitative methodology. Study Design The descriptive explorative qualitative design was used in this study to explore the experiences of survivors of pediatric malignancies. In the process of developing new knowledge one or more characteristics of a specific population can be examined by utilizing descriptive designs whereas, exploratory designs are used when an in-depth exploration of a single process, variable or concept is required (Wood and Ross-Kerr, 2011). Hence, in order to delineate the characteristics and conduct an in-depth exploration of the phenomenon of survivorship, the descriptive exploratory design was employed for the study. This design offers flexibility to generate knowledge by ensuring less control of the researcher over the variable and allowing the manifestation of subjective experience of the cancer survivors. Study Setting There is substantial amount of evidence that over the past decade the incidence of lymphoma is on the increase in Karachi, (Bhurgri, 2004), and this is equally applicable to all pediatric cancers. Karachi is a metropolitan city with a population, representative of diverse cultural, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds from all over Pakistan. The study site, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) is located in Karachi and it receives patients from diverse financial and geographical backgrounds from all over Pakistan. These characteristics make AKUH suitable as the study setting. Study population The pediatric oncology follow-up clinics of AKUH were identified as suitable places to study a variety of individuals who had survived pediatric cancers. All pediatric patients registered with the department of pediatric oncology AKUH were the study population. The study participants were the follow-up patients in the remission period who survived pediatric cancer and were discharged from the oncology clinic after completion of their anti-cancer treatment. Sampling Technique The purposive sampling technique is used in the present study. Despite the fact that a non-probability sample is less likely to be a representative of each individual of the population, in order to develop a rich and holistic understanding of survivorship, the sampling decision would be based on the informational and theoretical needs of the phenomenon of interest (Polit Beck, 2008). Therefore, based on the researcher’s prior knowledge about the population, participants who were particularly knowledgeable about the issue under study were chosen purposefully. Purposive sampling that deliberately reduces variation and permits a more focused inquiry for typical cases (Polit Beck, 2008), such as previously treated pediatric cancer patients (in remission), would bring qualitative information enriched with their lived experiences about cancer and its treatment. Sample Size Recruitment of the participants continued until theoretical saturation became apparent. Theoretical saturation is a point in time achieved in data collection process when no new relevant concepts are recognized in comparison with the data already produced; and researcher may only find repetition of previously collected data (Burns Grove, 2009; Gerrish Lacey, 2010). Male and female participants were randomly chosen at the pediatric oncology follow up clinics. Eight participants, four male and four female were interviewed after taking informed consent at pediatric oncology follow-up clinics. Ages of the patients ranged between 08-25 years. The length of time since completion of chemotherapy and radiation therapy was one year. The selected patients were in remission after having completed anticancer treatment for at least one year so that research would reveal the rich experience of the individuals who were treated and were disease free after the treatment regimen. Patients were cogni zant about their diagnosis and the treatment and subsequent after the treatment. Inclusion Criteria: Both male and females cancer survivors Children Age 08-16 years Diagnosed as having had Pediatric Cancer Have had completed anti-cancer treatment regimen In remission for at least one year after treatment Exclusion Criteria: Children who are on active treatment or relapsed after completion of treatment Children who did not sign voluntary informed consent Data Collection In-depth interviews are used when the researcher has a list of topics that are needed to be explored. Interview Guides are the list of areas or questions to be covered with each participant. These guides may be pilot tested before embarking upon the actual data collection (Polit Beck, 2008). For the study under discussion, the researcher has prepared a written interview guide with Urdu translations that are attached as Appendix A. While preparing the interview guides a previously developed questionnaire for oncology was referred to (FACIT, 2010). The prepared interview guides were sent to the committee members for their opinion. The interviews allowed the researcher to explore the research topic in a broader way. The venue for the interview was an allocated room at pediatric oncology clinic at AKUH. In addition, the technique of interview permitted the researcher to probe on the issues which needed further exploration and clarification more in detail at the same time of interaction with the participant. Immerging ideas were also incorporated in the future session of data collection to enhance the richness of the data. It allowed the respondents to recall their memories and bring out the rich experiences in detail. The respondents expressed their feelings and perceptions in the context of the topic under discussion. These first hand reports of the participants, probing of the researcher during interview and researchers own reflections for nonverbal clues helped in collecting enriched data from the survivors of pediatric cancers. Each interview took about 30 to 45 minutes. A female moderator conducted the interviews for female pediatric cancer survivors. Interviews were recorded on an audio recorder with pseudo names. The pseudo names were used at transcription process to certify confidentiality. Demographic information e.g. age, gender, native area, history of ailment like diagnosis and treatment, length of treatment and treatment modalities used during the treatment process were also recorded at the beginning of the interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim in Udru Language and translated by the researcher in such a way that no meaning was sacrificed. Data Analysis The audio-taped interviews in Urdu were transcribed word by word and analyzed manually. The interview generated codes, categories and/or sub categories and then themes, which in qualitative research are said to be broad units of information that consist of several codes aggregated to form a common idea (Creswell, 2013).The researcher listened to the recordings several times in order to assimilate the data to generate accurate transcription. To analyze the collected material during data collection, the recorded interviews were transcribed in the form of a formatted document for manual thematic analysis. The researcher then reverberated in the data to take similarities and differences of ideas. By doing this various specific ideas were identified which were labeled as codes. The codes were put under the sub categories and categories. The ideas or codes were marked very carefully in a way that prevented the researchers own frame of mind from affecting the interpretation of the collected data to reduce bias and ensure bracketing (Tufford Newman, 2012). Careful reflections were made to keep researchers own thoughts and understandings from affecting the analysis (internal validity). Various identified ideas were then grouped together by axial coding in order to make tentative categories of themes. As the process of analysis proceeded, these tentative codes or categories were merged to form common themes under the guidance of the research supervisor to avoid gaps in qualitative inference of the data. The valuable input of the research supervisor also shielded the analyses process form the personal reflexivity (biases in analysis due to personal assumptions, values and beliefs) of the novice researcher. To ensure the credibility and consistency of the analysis, constant input from the external supervisors (committee members) were also incorporated. A chronological record of all the activities of the study was made by the investigator in order to ensure the dependabili ty/audibility of the study. To safeguard the transferability of the research, the study settings, context of the study and demographics of the patients with their diagnosis and treatment modalities were noted to enable the future investigators to replicate the study (Polit and Beck, 2008). Ensuring trustworthiness and quality of the study Rigour in the qualitative researches is defined as the means by which the researcher shows integrity and competence (Aroni et al., as cited in Holloway Wheeler, 2010). Trustworthiness to maintain rigour in the study was maintained ensuring credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability (Lincon Guba, 1985). Credibility Credibility is the extent to which the data and interpretation of the research are grounded in the events rather than the inquirers personal construct (Lincoln Guba, as cited in Polit Beck, 2008). In other words credibility of a study is ensured when it presents such faithful interpretations of participants’ experiences that they are able to recognize them as their own (Hall Stevens as cited in Long, Johnson, 2000). A conscious attempt was made by the researcher to maintain credibility during the study. The researcher tried his best to remain involved with the participants during interviews rather than being with them only to ask questions and record the answers. It was done by helping participants to elaborate their lived experiences and allowing them to recall the events that occurred during the diagnosis and treatment. Triangulation was done by taking notes during the interview, recording of the demographics and cross checking of the data by the research supervisor. Dependability Dependability refers to the reliability of the collected data over time and over conditions in which the research is done (Lincoln Guba as cited in Polit Beck, 2008). It determines whether the process of study was consistent and reasonably stable over time. The researcher attained this by working on the research plan with the research supervisors and committee members, by taking approval from the ethical review committee of the institute and by submitting the updates of the research process to the supervisor and the committee members. The researchers’ personal record, notes during the interview and transcription records were kept chronologically so that the process of the study can be traceable. Conformability Conformability refers to objectivity to verify the quality and adequacy of the results and interpretation. The accuracy, relevance and meaning of the data are appraised by two or more independent people for congruence (Polit Beck, 2008). Conformability is achieved by having the input of the supervisor and the committee members at every step of the research. All the interviews and their transcript were cross checked by the supervisor. The thematic analysis by the researcher was cross checked by the supervisor for congruency and objectivity of the outcome. The researcher also maintained the records of unrefined data, transcriptions of the interviews, and also the records for synthesis and analysis of data. Transferability Transferability refers to the generalizability of the data and the results that came out as a result of subsequent analysis ((Polit Beck, 2008). In order to make the result applicable to other settings, the researcher interviewed male and female cancer survivors at the follow up clinic of the pediatric oncology. The demographics of the participants, who had different socio-economic status showed that they were from different backgrounds as they belonged to the provinces of Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa, Sindh, Baluchistan and lower Punjab. To maintain homogeneity, four male and female were interviewed. Therefore, the consumers of this research can use the results at different places in similar context. Ethical Consideration World Medical Association has put forward a statement of ethical principal as Declaration of Helsinki to guide medical research involving human subjects (World Medical Association, 2014). To fulfil the requirement of the article 22 and 23 of recently revised document of Declaration of Helsinki, a research proposal was made and submitted to the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of AKUH. Approval from the Director of Nursing Services (DNS) and also from the Medical Director (MD) of AKUH was taken to conduct the study and was submitted to the ERC with the research proposal. Approvals from the DNS and the MD are attached as Appendix C and Appendix D respectively. The participants’ right of autonomy was maintained by having a consent form signed by the participant and the parent of each participant after giving complete information about the study and its significance. Ascent form with Urdu translations is attached as Appendix B and Appendix D respectively. A confidential ID number fo r further identification was assigned to each participant and to the corresponding data. As research thesis is one of the requirements of MScN program for Aga Khan School of Nursing and Midwifery the fund for the study was already allocated in the Master’s program budget. The thesis budget is attached as Appendix G. A formal approval was granted to conduct the study by ERC of Aga Khan University. Summary of the chapter This chapter presented the methodology for the study, giving a brief description of the study design, study setting, and sampling technique. The chapter also included the data collection and data analysis plan. Ethical considerations for conducting the study are discussed in the end. Reference Bhurgri, Y. (2004). Karachi Cancer Registry Dataimplications for the National Cancer Control Program of Pakistan. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 5(1), 77-82. Burns, N., Grove, S. K. (2010). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. Elsevier Health Sciences Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications, Incorporated. FACIT (2010). Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (constitutes the core of all subscales; the FACT-G can be used with patients of any tumor type), 2007. Retrieved on 11-11-2013Retrieved from http://www.facit.org/FACITOrg/Questionnaires Gerrish, K., Lacey, A. (2010). The research process in nursing. John Wiley Sons Holloway, I. S, Wheeler (2010). Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. Wiley Blackwel. com. Tufford, L., Newman, P. (2012). Bracketing in qualitative research.Qualitative Social Work,11(1), 80-96. Long, T., Johnson, M. (2000). Rigour, reliability and validity in qualitative research.Clinical effectiveness in nursing,4(1), 30-37. Polit, D. F., Beck, C. T. (2008). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer Health World Medical Association (2014). Declaration of Helsinki. Retrieved June 30, 2014, from http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/b3/ Wood, M. J., Ross-Kerr, J. (2010).Basic steps in planning nursing research: From question to proposal. Jones Bartlett Publishers.

Antony and Cleopatra :: William Shakespeare Plays Literature Essays

Antony and Cleopatra The legend of Cleopatra has percolated in the world consciousness for the past 2000 years. By the time Shakespeare wrote the tragedy Antony and Cleopatra the alluring reputation of the queen had existed primarily as a biased representation of a foreign female who insinuated herself into the Roman power structure. Shakespeare’s role in perpetuating the allure of the last of the Ptolemaic rulers was the result of synthesizing the existing biases and distilling the dichotomy between the woman and the queen. Consequently, Shakespeare portrayed her not only as an alluring woman who was thought of as a wanton corrupter of Roman ideals, but as a queen who tried to do what was best for her country, and a woman who tried to do what was best for herself. Shakespeare brought all of these aspects together and molded a character that Joseph Summers describes as the â€Å"transcendent image of beauty and nobility† (135), and firmly entrenched Cleopatra into the collect ive consciousness. As suggested in the introduction to Norton’s Antony and Cleopatra, the play â€Å"presupposes familiarity not only with events dramatized in that play [Julius Caesar] but also with earlier Roman conflicts† (Cohen 847) and, I would add, the reputation of various characters. Interestingly, there is no mention of Cleopatra in Julius Caesar even though she is the mother of Caesar’s son.[1] This relationship obviously infuriated the Roman leaders and as a consequence her role with Caesar is effectively diminished and her reputation is vilified. Cicero, the great Roman orator, described Cleopatra as â€Å"unacceptably regal and arrogant† (Higgs 229), while Octavian refers to her as â€Å"the wanton daughter of the Ptolomies† (Hamer 311). Northrop Frye contends that propaganda was necessary because â€Å"she was one person the Romans were really afraid of† (Frye 123). The propaganda, as Christopher Pelling alludes, was a result of â €Å"Octavian work[ing] seduously on Italian misogyny and xenophobia† (Pelling 294). Octavian’s promulgations evoked suspicion and hostility towards Cleopatra, and their main intent was to mitigate the idea that â€Å"Cleopatra [was becoming] a legend for Romans too† (Pelling 294). There is no way they would have described her as a woman who grieved the loss of Antony so passionately that â€Å"she beat her

Using Love to Justify Sex in A Very Short Story Essay -- Very Short St

Using Love to Justify Sex in A Very Short Story    At first glance unusually normal, at second glance unusually striking, the title "A Very Short Story" reveals Hemingway's perception of a perhaps unforgotten war experience. Man went to war. He met woman. They spent many nights together. They considered marriage. He went home without her. She moved on. He moved on. The end. The story, the relation of events, is indeed short. This is not eternal spiritual love; instead, this is the animalistic, barbaric sexual act- sex and love for the sole purpose and convenience of sex itself. Then it is over.    The story begins on "ONE HOT evening in Padua" (Hemingway, 65), "hot" relating to passionate feelings, and "evening" as the perfect time for an affair. The reader can deduct from the reference to Padua, a city in northeast Italy, that perhaps the character is at war, and in fact, this is confirmed in the fourth paragraph with a reference of an "armistice" (65). The main character himself is referred to as "he", though, knowing the author's biographical history, and presence in the war, "Hemingway" is a presumable substitution. "They" (65), his war buddies, "carried him up onto the roof", they carried him because he was injured, but also, as "the others went down and took the bottles with them", very likely intoxicated. There, he and the female figure, "Luz" meet, she "sat on the bed", and "was cool and fresh in the hot night". Immediately, alcohol, guy and girl, a rather convenient bed, and a "hot" night left alone on the rooftop combine, forming a passionate love affair.    So, who is this Luz? Well, apparently, as she was "on night duty" (65), and she was the one who "prepared him for the operating table", she is a... ...ncoln Park." (66).    Man went to war. He met woman. They spent many nights together. They considered marriage. He went home without her. She moved on. He moved on. The end.    It is a short story, and it is a simple one. Simple attraction of the opposite sexes. Simple sex. Simple break up. Simple recovery. Without the talk of marriage, it resembles any animal mating ritual on the Discovery Channel.    Interesting that the story ends with the onslaught of gonorrhea, as the cycle is continued, and thus, the simple recovery transforms magically to painful consequences. Perhaps, in Hemingway's own life, the simple recovery of losing a mistress after the war transforms and somehow contributes partly to his own suicide many years later.    Works Cited Hemingway, Ernest. "A Very Short Story." In Our Time. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1925.

A Sermon Review

The preacher’s approach in delivering his sermon was rather argumentative than expository. The first two main points were built around sub-points which argued that God never change. First, unlike man and everything on earth that alters changes, the preacher says â€Å"God is perpetually the same.†Although we do not know what substance that is which we call God, the preacher emphasized that his essence never change. Second, Spurgeons Argued that God’s attribute never changes. He meant that God’s moral attributes such as his mighty power, his omnipotence, his wisdom, and all the powers of God during the beginning of the world never ever changes even with the passing of time.God is ever the same and he never grow old, He never becomes weak nor has his power diminished as the time passed. Third, the preacher argues that God’s plan never changed. That is, his plan for the world and for every creations including the human beings and He is set to fulfill h is plan.The fourth sub-point talks about God’s promises in which Spurgeons argued that God never change his promises. That we can count on God’s promise and the best way of living in this world is to trust in God’s promises.Finally, Spurgeons argued that God is unchanging in his threatenings against ungodly and sinners. That is, when God says â€Å"Those who will not believe shall be damned† and when they are thrown to hell, it will forever and will never ever change despite of the passing of million ages.The preacher emphasized that God’s unchanging character is a depiction of God’s perfection and eternity. That is, if God changes, He could not be perfect anymore and he could not also be eternal. Spurgeons also argued that God as infinite being sees to it that all his words in the past are fulfilled despite of times that passed. Citing the towns and cities that God said will fall, and it happened, it means that God promises and the fulfillm ent of his words transcend beyond time and ages.The content and breadth of the sermon  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The content and breadth of the sermon was more of a devotional rather than theological although the sermon also reflects significant theological issues. However, it appears that the content of the sermon was not meant to give a lecture on theology but to emphasize on God’s immutable characteristic so that we can trust God for He is a very reliable God. That is, the sermon was intended to strengthen the faith of the congregation rather that to feed them with theological arguments.The context by which the sermon was given was the period of the great industrialization which means that people during this period were amazed by the introduction of new technologies. This was the time when people look at knowledge as power. In view of this, I could say that the breadth of the sermon was deep and sound with the preacher contending that despite of everything that was coming out of society, God is still the same powerful God and everyone must heed his words and threatening.The depth of his sermonThe depth of his sermon as it appears to me was just fit to the situation and to need of the people during his time. The sermon was neither narrow nor too deep but was more practical and easy to understand even by the least educated listener. Nevertheless the sermon was powerful enough to convince the listeners that God do exist eternally, that He never change, and that we could hold on to his promises.

Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 3

first it looked like a speck, then like an insect on a lightbulb, then like a kite. Gillian watched, too frightened to run, until it got close enough for her to realize what it really was. It was an angel. Her fear drained away as she stared. The figure seemed to shine, as if it were made of the same light as the mist. It was tall, and had the shape of a perfectly formed human. It was walking, but somehow rushing toward her at the same time. An angel, Gillian thought, awed. An angel†¦ And then the mist cleared and the shining faded. The figure was standing on the grass in front of her. Gillian blinked. Uh-not an angel, after all. A young guy. Maybe seventeen, a year older than Gillian. And†¦ drop dead gorgeous. He had a face like some ancient Greek sculpture. Classically beautiful. Hair like unburnished gold. Eyes that weren't blue, but violet. Long golden lashes. And a terrific body. I shouldn't be noticing that Gillian thought, horrified. But it was hard not to. Now that his clothes had stopped shining, she could see that they were ordinary, the kind any guy from earth might wear. Washed and faded jeans and a white T-shirt. And he could easily have done a commercial for those jeans. He was well built without being over-musdy. His only flaw, if it could be called that, was that his expression was a little too uplifted. Almost too sweet for a boy. Gillian stared. The being looked back. After a moment he spoke. â€Å"Hey, kid,† he said, and winked. Gillian was startled-and mad. Normally, she was shy about speaking to guys, but after all, she was dead now, and this person had struck a raw nerve. â€Å"Who're you calling kid?† she said indignantly. He just grinned. â€Å"Sorry. No offense.† Confused, Gillian made herself nod politely. Who was this person? She'd always heard you had friends or relatives come and meet you. But she'd never seen this guy before in her life. Anyway, he's definitely not an angel. â€Å"I've come to help you,† he said. As if he'd heard her thought. â€Å"Help me?† â€Å"You have a choice to make.† That was when Gillian began to notice the door. It was right behind the guy, approximately where the mist had been. And it was a door†¦ but it wasn't. It was like the luminous outline of a door, drawn very faintly on thin air. Fear crept back into Gillian's mind. Somehow, without knowing how she knew, she knew the door was important. More important than anything she'd seen so far. Whatever was behind it was-well, maybe beyond comprehension. A different place. Where all the laws she knew didn't apply. Not necessarily bad. Just so powerful and so different that it was scary. Good can be scary, too. That's the real gateway, she thought. Go through that door and you don't come back. And even though part of her longed desperately to see what was behind it, she was still so frightened that she felt dizzy. â€Å"The thing is, it wasn't actually your time,† the guy with the golden-blond hair said quietly. Oh, yes, I should have known. That's the clich†, Gillian thought. But she thought it weakly. Looking at that door, she didn't have room left inside for cute remarks. She swallowed, blinking to clear her eyes. â€Å"But here you are. A mistake, but one we have to deal with. In these cases, we usually leave the decision up to the individual.† â€Å"You're saying I can choose whether or not I die.† â€Å"To put it sort of loosely.† â€Å"It's just up to me?† â€Å"That's right.† He tilted his head slightly. â€Å"You might want to think your life over at this point.† Gillian blinked. Then she took a few steps away from him and stared across the supernaturally green grass. She tried to think about her life. If you'd asked me this morning if I wanted to stay alive, there would have been no question. But now†¦ Now it felt a little like being rejected. As if she weren't good enough. And besides, seeing that she'd come this far †¦ did she really want to go back? It's not as if I were anybody special there. Not smart like Amy, a straight A student. Not brave. Not talented. Well, what else is there? What would I be going back to? Her mom-drinking every day, asleep by the time Gillian got home. Her dad and the constant arguments. The loneliness she knew she'd be facing now that Amy had a boyfriend. The longing for things she could never have, like David Blackburn with his quizzical smile. Like popularity and love and acceptance. Like having people think she was interesting and-and mature. Come on. There's got to be something good back there. â€Å"Cup Noodles?† the guy's voice said. Gillian turned toward him. â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"You like those. Especially on a cold day when you come inside. Cats. The way babies smell. Cinnamon toast with lots of butter, like your mom used to make it when she still got up in the morning. Bad monster movies.† Gillian choked. She'd never told anyone about most of those things. â€Å"How do you know all that?† He smiled. He really had an extraordinary smile. â€Å"Eh, we see a lot up here.† Then he sobered. â€Å"And don't you want to see more? Of life, I mean. Isn't there anything left for you to do?† Everything was left for her to do. She'd never accomplished anything worthwhile. But I didn't have much time, a small wimpy voice inside her protested. To be quashed immediately by a stern, steady voice. You think that's an excuse? Nobody knows how much time they've got. You had plenty of minutes, and you wasted most of them. â€Å"Then don't you think you'd better go back and try again?† the guy said, hi a gentle, prodding voice. â€Å"See if you can do a better job?† Yes. All at once, Gillian was filled with the same burning she'd felt when she got out of the creek. A sense of revelation and of purpose. She could do that. She could change completely, turn her life in a whole new direction. Besides, there were her parents to consider. No matter how bad things were between them now, it could only make it worse if their daughter suddenly died. They'd blame each other. And Amy would get one of her guilt complexes for not waiting to drive Gillian home from school†¦ The thought brought a little grim satisfaction. Gillian tried to quell it. She had the feeling the guy was listening. But she did have a new perspective on life. A sudden feeling that it was terribly precious, and that the worst thing you could do was waste it. She looked at the guy. â€Å"I want to go back.† He nodded. Gave the smile again. â€Å"I thought maybe you would.† His voice was so warm now. There was a quality in it that was like-what? Pure love? Infinite understanding? A tone that was to sound what perfect light was to vision. He held out a hand. â€Å"Time to go, Gillian,† he said gently. His eyes were the deepest violet imaginable. Gillian hesitated just an instant, then reached toward him. She never actually touched his hand, not in a physical way. Just as her fingers seemed about to meet his, she felt a tingling shock and there was a flash. Then he was gone and Gillian had several odd impressions all at once. The first was of being†¦ unfixed. Detached from her surroundings. A falling feeling. The second was of something coming at her. It was coming very fast from some direction she couldn't point to. A place that wasn't defined by up or down or left or right. And it felt huge and winged, the way a hawk's shadow must feel to a mouse. Gillian had a wild impulse to duck. But it wasn't necessary. She was moving herself, falling away. Rushing backward through the tunnel, leaving the meadow-and whatever was coming at her-behind. The huge thing had only registered for an instant on her senses, and now, whizzing back through the darkness, she forgot about it. Later, she would realize what a mistake this had been. For now, time seemed compressed. She was alone in the tunnel, being pulled down like water down a drain. She tried to look between her feet to see where she was going, and saw something like a deep well beneath her. At the bottom of the well was a circle of light, like the view backwards through a telescope. And in the circle, very tiny, was a girl's body lying on the snow. My body, Gillian thought-and then, before she had time to feel any emotion, the bottom of the well was rushing up toward her. The tiny body was bigger and bigger. She felt a tugging pressure. She was being sucked into it-too fast. Way too fast. She had no control. She fit perfectly in the body, like a hand slipping into a mitten, but the jolt knocked her out. Oooh†¦ something hurts. Gillian opened her eyes-or tried to. It was as hard as doing a chin-up. On the second or third attempt she managed to get them open a crack. Whiteness everywhere. Dazzling. Blinding. Where†¦ ? Is it snow? What am I doing lying down in the snow? Images came to her. The creek. Icy water. Climbing out. Falling. Being so cold†¦ After that†¦ she couldn't remember. But now she knew what hurt. Everything. I can't move. Her muscles were clenched tight as steel. But she knew she couldn't stay here. If she did, she'd†¦ Memory burst through her. I died already. Strangely, the realization gave her strength. She actually managed to sit up. As she did, she heard a cracking sound. Her clothes were glazed with solid ice. Somehow she got to her feet. She shouldn't have been able to do it. Her body had been cold enough to shut down earlier, and since then she'd been lying in the snow. By all the laws of nature, she should be frozen now. But she was standing. She could even shuffle a step forward. Only to realize she had no idea which way to go. She still didn't know where the road was. Worse, it would be getting dark soon. When that happened, she wouldn't even be able to see her own tracks. She could walk in circles in the woods until her body gave out again. â€Å"See that white oak tree? Go around it to the right.† The voice was behind her left ear. Gillian turned that way as sharply as her rigid muscles would allow, even though she knew she wouldn't see anything. She recognized the voice. But it was so much warmer and gentler now. â€Å"You came back with me.† â€Å"Sure.† Once again the voice was filled with that impossible warmth, that perfect love. â€Å"You don't think I'd just leave you to wander around until you froze again, do you? Now head for that tree, kid.† After that came a long time of stumbling and staggering, over branches, around trees, on and on. It seemed to last forever, but always there was the voice in Gillian's ear, guiding her, encouraging her. It kept her moving when she thought she couldn't possibly go another step. And then, at last, the voice said, â€Å"Just up this ridge and you'll find the road.† In a dreamlike state, Gillian climbed the ridge. And there it was. The road. In the last light before darkness, Gillian could see it meandering down a hill. But it was still almost a mile to her house, and she couldn't go any farther. â€Å"You don't have to,† the voice said gently. â€Å"Look up the road.† Gillian saw headlights. â€Å"Now just get in the middle of the road and wave.† Gillian stumbled out and waved like a mechanical doll. The headlights were coming, blinding her. Then she realized that they were slowing. â€Å"We did it,† she gasped, dimly aware that she was speaking out loud. â€Å"They're stopping!† â€Å"Of course they're stopping. You did a great job. You'll be all right now.† There was no mistaking the note of finality. The car was stopped now. The driver's side door was opening. Gillian could see a dark figure beyond the glare of the headlights. But in that instant what she felt was distress. â€Å"Wait, don't leave me. I don't even know who you are-â€Å" For a brief moment, she was once again enfolded by love and understanding. â€Å"Just call me Angel.† Then the voice was gone, and all Gillian could feel was anguish. â€Å"What are you doing out-Hey, are you okay?† The new voice broke through Gillian's emptiness. She had been standing rigidly in the headlights; now she blinked and tried to focus on the figure coming toward her. â€Å"God, of course you're not okay. Look at you. You're Gillian, aren't you? You live on my street.† It was David Blackburn. The knowledge surged through her like a shock, and it drove all the strange hallucinations she'd been having out of her mind. It really was David, as close as he'd ever been to her. Dark hair. A lean face that still had traces of a summer tan. Cheekbones to die for and eyes to drown in. A certain elegance of carriage. And that half-friendly, half-quizzical smile†¦ Except that he wasn't smiling now. He looked shocked and worried. Gillian couldn't get a single word out. She just stared at him from under the icy curtain of her hair. â€Å"What hap-No, never mind. We've got to get you warm.† At school he was thought of as a tough guy, an independent rebel. But, now, without any hesitation, the tough guy scooped her up in his arms. Confusion flashed through Gillian, then embarrassment-but underneath it all was something much stronger. An odd bedrock sense of safety. David was warm and solid and she knew instinctively that she could trust him. She could stop fighting now and relax. â€Å"Put this on †¦ watch your head†¦ here, use this for your hair.† David was somehow getting everything done at once without hurrying. Capable and kind. Gillian found herself inside the car, wrapped in his sheepskin jacket, with an old towel around her shoulders. Heat blasted from the vents as David gunned the engine. It was wonderful to be able to rest without being afraid it would kill her. Bliss not to be surrounded by cold, even if the hot air didn't seem to warm her. The worn beige interior of the Mustang seemed like paradise. And David-well, no, he didn't look like an angel. More like a knight, especially the kind who went out in disguise and rescued people. Gillian was beginning to feel very fuzzy. â€Å"I thought I'd take a dip,† she said, between chattering teeth. She was shivering again. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You asked what happened. I was a little hot, so I jumped in the creek.† He laughed out loud. â€Å"Huh. You're brave.† Then he glanced at her sideways with keen eyes and added, â€Å"What really happened?† He thinks I'm brave! A glow better than the heated air enveloped Gillian. â€Å"I slipped,† she said. â€Å"I went into the woods, and when I got to the creek-† Suddenly, she remembered why she'd gone into the woods. She'd forgotten it since the fall had put her own life in danger, but now she seemed to hear that faint, pathetic cry all over again. â€Å"Oh, my God,† she said, struggling to sit upright. â€Å"Stop the car.†