The Affordable Care Act ( Aca ) - 1349 Words

In 2010 the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed into act to help reform healthcare in the United States. Before and after the act was effective, many people were concerned with how it would affect our country as a whole and on an individual basis. Many people say that the ACA is helping our country and others are not so sure. The goal of the act is to give millions of uninsured Americans access to quality health care and by also making it more affordable. Although there seems to be many positives from this act, not everyone agrees that it was the greatest idea to obtain optimal health status. As many people know, children are now allowed to stay on their parents insurance until they are twenty-six years old.†¦show more content†¦The questions were based off of the idea if they ACA was affecting them personally or not, and if they thought it was a good idea to implement it. The main focus was to see if students were in favor because they were affec ted or because even though they were not personally affect, they thought it was good for everyone else around them. Many students were in favor of the health reform although almost all of the students said the reform would not affect their family much at all. Following the favorable question, students were asked if they had health insurance in which all students answered yes. In result that all students agreed to having health insurance and were not directly affected by the ACA, we can then assume that most students had private insurance provided by their parents. Questions asked after were asked to see if students would be able to obtain healthcare by themselves and awareness of policies. Students were asked if they were aware most people are required by law to be coved by a health insurance policy or they will have to a pay a tax penalty. All students were aware that if they did not have some type of insurance they might be held accountable to pay a penalty. If one can afford hea lth insurance but does not obtain it, monthly fees will be put onto your taxes. Another question students were asked was if they needed to sign up for health insurance or information they would

Problem Solution Essay - 1641 Words

NGARUIYA4 Mary Ngaruiya John Zamparelli English comp Problem solution essay Final Draft. GANG VIOLENCE IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS There are approximately 27,900 gangs, with 774,000 members, impacting towns, cities, and communities across the United States. According to a recent bulletin released by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 23 percent of students aged 12 through 18 years reported presence of street gangs in their schools. Almost half (46%) of students in public schools reported street gang presence. In addition, 21 percent of students in suburban schools and 15 percent in rural schools reported presence of street gangs. According to a survey conducted by the National Parents Resource Institute for Drug†¦show more content†¦The elementary curriculum is a precursor to the middle school one and it involves teaching about violence prevention, decision making and people to go by the children that needs help, teaches about good communication skills, anger management and great citizen’s attributes. The middle school program teaches about gangs, drugs, violence studentâ €™s roles in school and community, effective communication skills, empathy towards individuals affected by gangs, refusal to join gang’s tactics, anger control and an explanation of how to stay committed to their school and the community. The summer program provides for recreational activities such as sports, hiking and camping and also provides for educational activities. The family program teaches about great family relationships, effective communication, law abiding and effective discipline skills, and ways to reduce bullying (G.R.E.A.T). Participants in this program have shown significant increase in favorable social behaviors and high reduction in gang related activities. Other programs such as Ventura County’s Recovery Program offering counseling in mental and drug related cases have yielded significant decrease in gang related involvements and violations by the students attending that program. Multi Partner Attendance Center in Sacramento California that dea ls with gang related issues also recorded significant reduction in burglary and destruction related crimes by it attendeesShow MoreRelatedProblem/Solution Essay623 Words   |  3 Pagesbody tremendously. Smoking can damage your lungs, brain, and heart. Smoking is a problem not only for human beings, but for America as a whole. Smoking pollutes the air. Cigarettes are made from 4,000 different chemical compounds and 400 toxic substances. Smoking is also bad for America because of â€Å"second-hand smoke†. We roam around in a universe polluted by smoke. This is why smoking cigarettes is a problem. Smokers need to realize that they are not only damaging themselves, but the others aroundRead MoreProblem Solution Essay1623 Words   |  7 Pagescause health problems. (Credibility Relevancy) Nobody wants to die because of polluted air, and this wish is shared by most human beings. (Thesis Preview) It is not just humans who are adversely affected by air pollution but also plants, living organisms, and the natural environment. Something must be done to decrease and potentially prevent air pollution from harming mankind and the other living organisms on Earth. Body- I. Problem: Air pollution is a significant cause of health problems and eventualRead MoreProblem Solution Essay1636 Words   |  7 Pageshealth problems. (Credibility Relevancy) Nobody wants to die because of polluted air, and this wish is shared by most human beings. (Thesis Preview) It is not just humans who are adversely affected by air pollution but also plants, living organisms, and the natural environment. Something must be done to decrease and potentially prevent air pollution from harming mankind and the other living organisms on Earth. Body- I. Problem: Air pollution is a significant cause of health problems and eventualRead MoreGovernment is the Problem, Not the Solution Essay1011 Words   |  5 PagesRonald Reagan once claimed â€Å"government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. Over time history has been able to back up what Reagan once asserted. In a nation rich in history such as the United States, it is easy to go in either direction with this debate yet the state of the nation usual depicts which direction the people choose. A time such as now, where our great nation has been less fortunate in its last decade yet has found a way to climb out of the dust, it is a perfectRead MoreProblem Solution Essay On Abortion1736 Words   |  7 PagesDejenara Williams Ms. Milliner EES22GQ-04 May, 28 2017 Problem-solution Essay Whenever anyone ever brings up abortion, it s clearly a very opinionated subject. Opinions coming from all. Meaning men and women of a wide age range raised to learn and believe all sorts of religions. Even though this procedure is clearly only done to females, clearly. Everything about this topic is important, because depending on the side he or she is for pro-life or the opposite it s all based off of the personalRead MoreEssay Solutions to the Problem of Deforestation688 Words   |  3 PagesSolutions to the Problem of Deforestation Personal: There are many things that one can do personally to rectify the problem of Deforestation. These include such things as using wood sparingly, planting indigenous trees, purchasing the most ecologically sensitive products, recycling paper, reducing consumption of wood related products, communicating your opinions to the proper authorities, calling on forestry companies to act responsibly, and more. Education, howeverRead MoreManagement Problems and Solutions Essay1498 Words   |  6 Pagesperform total quality management, lean six sigma, or simply downsize. Management may even identify symptoms without actually identifying the problem. Management may misdiagnose the problem by identifying a person or group of people as problems. While correctly recognizing problems, there are more on the verge and it is up to management to mitigate potential problems. Sometimes managers need to realize that the answers they seek are right before they eyes; they only simply need to look in a mirror. Read MoreEssay on System Problem and Solution966 Words   |  4 PagesThe Alameida Video club had some problems and difficulties with their current system. The programmer of the system left to Belgium and they were in need of help. This business needs to be up and running again in 3 days. Description of task The Alameida Video club had some problems and difficulties with their current system. The programmer of the system left to Belgium and they were in need of help. This business needs to be up and running again in 3 days because of the amount of moneyRead MoreAib Problem Solution Essay606 Words   |  3 PagesAib Homework Wk3 Problem 1 The following data were obtained from a project to create a new portable electronic. Activity Duration Predecessors A 5 Days --- B 6 Days --- C 8 Days --- D 4 Days A, B E 3 Days C F 5 Days D G 5 Days E, F H 9 Days D I 12 Days G Step 1: Construct a network diagram for the project. Step 2: Answer the following questions: (15 points total) a) What is the Scheduled Completion of the Project? (2 points) 32 - CORRECT b) What is the Critical Path of the ProjectRead MoreProblem Solution Homelessness Essay1126 Words   |  5 PagesHomelessness the Problems of America Homelessness has always been a problem in major cities across the United States and even the world. This problem also affects out local community and even all of us individually. (Daily) A majority of the American people lives paycheck to paycheck, and according to statistics, we are only one or two paychecks away from becoming homeless. While there are many reasons a person or family can become homeless, a majority of those problems come from a lack of

Principles and Practice of Marketing Segmentation

Question: Discuss about the Principles and Practice of Marketing Segmentation. Answer: Market segmentation is a process that divides a broader market into a number of subsets (called segments) that demonstrate various types of shared features. Therefore, market segmentation can be of various types depending on the purpose. In case of an individual who want to stand for an election in a constituency, the segmentation of the market can be of four types. These are demographic segmentation, psychographic segmentation, geographic segmentation and behavioral segmentation (Hollensen 2015). It can be said that with the help of the demographic segmentation, the candidate can separately focus on the population depending on their religion, occupation and race. On the other hand, with the help of the psychographic segmentation, the candidate can discretely focus on the population on the basis of the various activities of the population and their interests. Moreover, geographic segmentation helps to differentiate the population on the basis of various geographical locations. Addit ionally, the behavioral segmentation divides the population on the basis of the behavior of the population and their decision making pattern. Therefore, it can be said that all these market segments of the market segmentation will help an individual (who want to stand for an election in a constituency) to differentiate the present market into various segments. Positioning Strategy The particular individual can implement the positioning strategy on the basis of the population benefits, cultural symbols and competitors in the present market (Jobber and Ellis-Chadwick 2012). The specified individual should look after the benefits of the common people, cultural variance in the nation and should also focus on the other competitors who have also stand for an election. References Hollensen, S., 2015.Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Jobber, D. and Ellis-Chadwick, F., 2012.Principles and practice of marketing(No. 7th). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership Essay Example

The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership Paper Land is elemental: it is where life begins and it is where life ends. Land provides the physical substratum for all human activity; it is the essential base of all social and commercial interaction. The significance of land in human affairs is therefore incalculable, although it is only in an era of global environmental threat that we slowly begin to realise how fragile and irreplaceable is the rich resource on which we so utterly depend. As one English law lord recognised, [in] the case of real property, there is a defined and limited supply of the commodity. Gray Gray, Elements of Land Law (3rd Edition, 2000) Butterworths Before the 1925 property legislation, the mechanics of conveyancing were mired by formalism and plagued with danger even for the most conscientious purchaser. On one hand, purchasers of land were faced with numerous difficulties when trying to ascertain whether any other person has rights or interests in that land. The reliance on title deeds to prove ownership of land was both cumbersome and, for the purchaser, an expensive way to prove title, especially given the multitude of legal and equitable estates that could exist. On the other hand, an owner of equitable interest in that land might find that the interest was destroyed by a simple sale to a purchaser who was unaware of its existence. To meet both of those problems, a decision was made to move towards full title registration wherein all titles and the diverse interests in land would be recorded and guaranteed by the state. It was recognised, however, that this mammoth task had to proceed in stages and that a set of transitional provisions was needed. We will write a custom essay sample on The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Therefore, the Land Registration Act 1925 (LRA 1925)1 inaugurated a fundamental change in the law in England and Wales. In conjunction with the Law of Property Act 1925 (LPA 1925)2 and the Settled Land Act 19253, the LRA 1925 sought to simplify and codify. It aimed to bring certainty where there was obscurity and to bring equity where there was often inequality. The Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002)4, which has replaced the 1925 Act completely, seeks to reinforce these goals and make the system fit for the twenty-first century and the electronic age. Firstly, there is a need to clarify that land in the England and Wales today is divided into two distinct types, that of registered land and unregistered land. There is a need for this as the law governing them are separate and different. Therefore, there is a need to describe what is meant by registered land. If a plot of land is described as registered, this means that title to it (that is, an estate of freehold, or leasehold) is recorded and guaranteed by the Land Registry. 5 In contrast, unregistered land is land to which title is not registered but is established by the title deeds of the particular property6. Unregistered land is now governed by the Land Charges Act 1972 (LCA 1972)7, while registered land is governed by the Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002). As full title registration has yet to be achieved in England and Wales, therefore, a certain amount of unregistered conveyancing still remains. The LPA 1925 applies in full to unregistered land in the same manner as registered land. What is different is that the enforceability or rights and interests in unregistered land being those rights and interests capable of existing under the provisions of the LPA 1925 is governed by its own sets of rules and procedures. Unregistered land can be said to present a whole different problem in itself and therefore, for the purpose of this assignment, we shall focus on the law relating to registered land. The basic principle of the LRA 1925, and now the LRA 2002 which governs registered land, is that title to land should be recorded in a register and guaranteed by the state through title registration and interests in land should either be apparent on physical inspection of the land itself or noted on the Register. Registration of title replaces what were previously deeds of title and the Register should aspire to record the totality of land ownership throughout the entire country. Essentially, this encourages and effects a shift from unregistered to registered land. The original 1925 timetable called for full registration of all land by 31 December 1955, but regrettably, only on 1 December 1990 did all of England and Wales become subject to compulsory registration of title8. It will be a while longer before near universal registration of title is achieved, but currently, over 85 per cent of all potentially registrable titles are in fact registered9 and the LRA 2002 does much to encourage voluntary first registration by owners of unregistered land by way of extending the situations which trigger compulsory registration, low fees for voluntary registration and the introduction of incentives10. It cannot be stressed enough that the advantages of registering land are obvious and aplenty. Purchasers could buy land in the certainty that they were purchasing land suitable for their requirements because the existence of hidden burdens were minimised, and owners of interests in land, such as easements11 and covenants12, had a relatively easy and inexpensive method of ensuring that their rights survived a conveyance of the land to a third party. However, this begs the question, is this really so? How certain can a purchaser be that the land about to be purchased by him is free from any burden and encumbrances whatsoever by just inspecting the Register? Martin Dixon, in his book, Modern Land Law, 6th Edition at page 38, said that The inspection of the register should reveal the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership, any limitations on his ownership and any rights enjoyed by other persons over the land that are adverse to the owner13. This is what has come to be known as the mirror principle. The mirror principle is one of the three fundamental principles of land registration which was laid down by Theodore Ruoff in 1963, after he was appointed as Chief Land Registrar14. This can be said to be akin to the concept of a personal identification card it is supposed to provide certain information of a particular individual such as ones home address, gender and nationality, and this information should indeed reflect that individual precisely. The mirror principle suggests that the Register should be a mirror for all the proprietary rights both estates and interests that exist in any given piece of land. Thus, the Register should amount to a comprehensive picture of the land for any prospective purchaser. Sad to say, however, that the register of title is not a perfect mirror of the title to a registered property. It is not possible to rely on entries on the Register as the complete record of everything that affects the title (per Peter Gibson LJ, Overseas Investment Ltd. v Simcobuild Construction Ltd)15. Unfortunately, the 1925 Act failed to eradicate all cracks in the mirror, instead preserving the relevance of certain interests which may override registration. These overriding interests burden registered land by operating on a superior plane to other registrable interests, binding purchasers outright and disproportionately empowering the overriding interest-holder. Under the former law, the class of overriding interests which caused the most litigation was contained under Section 70(1)(g) of the LRA 1925. This subsection protected the rights of persons in actual occupation of the land or in receipt of rent save where enquiry had been made of them and their interest had not been disclosed. The justification for having such a category of interests which exists outside the Register is that they will be discoverable on inspection. The balance between the interest of the purchaser and the objective of the 1925 legislation should therefore be struck. The difficulty with this theory is that it assumes that overriding interests are all discoverable by inspection. Before the LRA 2002, this was not necessarily true. For example, the rights of an adverse possessor were protected under Section 70(1)(f) of the LRA 1925, but there was no requirement that he should be in actual occupation. His rights might not, therefore, have been discoverable on inspection; indeed, they might not even have been known to the vendor, as in Red House Farms (Thorndon) Ltd. v Catchpole16 where the owner was unaware that the defendant was shooting fowl on its land, and Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. v Waterloo Real Estate Inc. 17, where a neighbour took over a party wall without the owners knowledge. Moreover, when an overriding interest will take effect becomes a question to be answered. A purchaser would have inspected the property before the completion of the disposition to him, but in registered land, this disposition does not itself transfer the legal estate to him and only happens when the registration is subsequently registered at the Land Registry. This then begs the question, should overriding interests be allowed to arise during the time between completion and registration? The majority of the House of Lords in Abbey National Building Society v Cann18 decided that the critical time was the date of registration except for interests arising under Section 70(1)(g) LRA 1925 which were a special case. Their Lordships decided that the date when actual occupation should be relevant is the date of the completion of the registration. This means that all other types of overriding interests can be created, without the purchasers knowledge, between completion and registration. This situation clearly shows that the Register is not the mirror it is supposed to be. It was for this reason that Lord Bridge in the Abbey National case dissented on this point, preferring the date of disposition as the relevant date for all overriding interests (except for local land charges). The concept of overriding interests within the system of conveyancing contrasts remarkably with the effect of the LCA 1972 in unregistered conveyancing. Any registrable interest left unprotected under that Act is void against specified categories of purchasers (Midland Bank Trust Co. v Green)19 to reflect the intention of the legislature in keeping the process of conveyancing simple and in protecting the purchaser. Overriding interests protected under Section 70(1)(g) of the LRA 1925 prove to be the most difficult. This was apparent in the case of Williams Glyns Bank v Boland20 where the equitable interest of Mrs Boland was held to prevail as an overriding interest against the legal mortgagee. There was nothing to prevent Mrs Boland registering protecting her interest as a minor interest on the register. For this reason, the legislature deemed that they should be protected regardless of their appearance on the Register. Paragraph 2, Schedule 3 of the LRA 2002 requires that inquiries are made of the occupier himself and not of his solicitor or the vendors solicitor. At this point, it should be noted that interests which override on a first registration of title are contained in Schedule 1 to the LRA 2002, while interests which override on a registered disposition are contained in Schedule 3. They are both basically the same, except for the rights of a squatter, but it is slightly larger in scope for Schedule 1. Additionally, there is no restriction on the types of legal easements which will be overriding as there is in Schedule 3. The concept of actual occupation is not further defined in Schedule 3 of the LRA 2002. Case law decided on the meaning of actual occupation and gave the term a wide meaning. It could include, for example, occupation through an agent as in Lloyds Bank Plc. v Rosset21. Although the occupation must in general be continuous, a temporary absence from the property will not cause the interest to be lost, as in Chhokar v Chhokar22. A further problem with Section 70(1)(g) LRA 1925 was brought about by the case of Ferrishurst Ltd. v Wallcite Ltd. 23, where it was held that where a person who is in occupation of part only of property over which he has rights may assert those rights as regards the remainder of the property in the title of which he is not in occupation. It must be accepted that overriding interests in general represent a considerable departure from the fundamental principle that the Register is a mirror of the title. The Law Commission therefore made perfect reflection a priority, and it remained the fundamental objectives of the land registration system. The Law Commission had been working on this task for some time, but the publication of the Law Commission report No 271, Land Registration for the 21st Century a Conveyancing Revolution24 including a Draft Bill brought the process to fruition. In this report, the Law Commission strived to close the cavernous crack in the mirror. The Land Registration Bill 200125 eventually became the Land Registration Act 2002 and this statute came into force on 13 October 2003, completely replacing the LRA 1925. Consequently, the 2002 legislation attempts to reduce the effect of overriding interests, both by eliminating certain categories and by inaugurating a change in the way that we think about these important rights. The LRA 2002 can be said to achieve a reduction in the categories of overriding interests by making some of these interests registrable (leases over seven years and express easements), and by restrictions on the actual occupation provision. Rights of adverse possession have disappeared altogether as overriding interests, and an entirely new regime has been introduced for adverse possession. It must be noted, however, that overriding interests were not an accident in the 1925 legislation, and although redefined and narrowed in the 2002 Act, they remain crucial to the proper functioning of the system. They were deliberately created by the legislature and given automatic effect precisely because they should be obvious to any prospective purchaser or their enforcement is too important to depend on registration. However, here is the problem: social and judicial developments have enlarged the opportunity for the existence of overriding interests with the result that it is conceivable that a purchaser might not be able to determine whether such interests exists by inspection of the land. The most obvious example is the right of equitable ownership, stemming from Pettitt v Pettitt26, whose effect under the old Section 70(1)(g) of the LRA 1925 on an unwary purchaser was first fully appreciated in Williams and Glyns Bank v Boland27. Therefore, this difficulty concerning overriding interests was a major reason why the Law Commission recommended a reduction in their scope and effect and this has now been implemented in Schedule 3 of the LRA 2002, as explained above. It can be said that the 2002 legislation tackled much that was inaccurate, unwieldy, incomprehensible, inconvenient and downright wrong in the 1925 system. Many of its provisions deal with technical matters that, while important, establish no new principle. These are the tidying up aspects of the legislation. However, there is much that is groundbreaking or truly significant, not least the claim that the 2002 Act replaces registration of title with title by registration. More disappointingly is the existence of overriding interests which remain, and therefore continue to deny the mirror principle. The register today is not yet a perfect reflection of reality. It is clear that the mirror principle is still not fully entrenched in the England and Wales system primarily because of the existence of overriding interests. Although the LRA 2002 seeked to ensure that interests override only when they are (or should be) obvious to a purchaser conducting a reasonable inspection of the land, however, the point is this: even with overriding interests, the sensible purchaser should not be unaware of binding overriding interests. Therefore, it can be said that the 2002 Act only does so much to ensure it is not clear-cut and apparent at first inspection of the Register, and this means that it leaves no space for a purchaser to be careless or flippant when inspecting the land. For that reason, there is a need to ask the question: how then, can the mirror principle be truly effected in totality in the system of registered land in England and Wales in this present day and age? We look at the role of e-conveyancing and ask ourselves its role, and the direction it is heading towards. The mirror will only be a perfect reflection when all proprietary rights both estates and interests that exist in any given piece of land are registered on the Register. Consolation lies at the advent of compulsory e-conveyancing, promoted heavily by the 2002 Act, which envisages synchronicity of disposition and registration in land transfers. This development will render many equitable interests unprotected unless registered, despite being currently overriding upon actual occupation. Schedule 3, paragraph 2 of the LRA 2002 will then be restricted only to the protection of those occupiers interests which arise informally, through resulting or constructive trusts or through estoppel, effectively narrowing an occupiers ability to override registration. The underlying and pervading expectation that overriding interests will eventually be drawn onto the Land Register through positive registration will ultimately abolish the subsistence of occupiers unregistered and overriding interests upon a transfer of registered land which so adversely affects purchasers. Section 71 of the LRA 2002 provides for a general duty of disclosure whereby an applicant for registration of a title must disclose a range or overriding interests that affect his land so that they may be protected by registration28. E-conveyancing depends on the register being as up to date as possible and the duty of disclosure is one method by which the Register becomes more mirror-like. Therefore, it seems that that is the best way forward for the future of conveyancing and thus, it is lucid that the mirror principle does not reflect English land law today. Although the LRA 2002 is a good step forward, the mirror principle as it stands today is merely in theory, and it is flawed. However, it is hoped that with the development of the law and the future of e-conveyancing, the mirror principle will entrench itself as one of the hallmarks of English land law.

Recycling Speech free essay sample

Everyone today has heard of how important it is to recycle and most cities offer a recycling program, but what exactly is recycling and how beneficial is it really to us and the environment? Recycling is the process of turning one products useful parts into a new product; this is done to conserve on the consumption of resources, energy, and space used in landfills. Despite the education and awareness of global warming and the need to conserve Earths precious resources people worldwide continue to live as if there is no limit to our space and to our resources. Even the most conscious minded person who fills their recycle bins each week may not realize the amount of recyclable material that is commonly thrown away in small ways. The United States is the world’s largest trash producing country at 1,609 pounds of trash per person per year. That’s just about 5% of the world’s population producing about 40% of the world’s waste. We will write a custom essay sample on Recycling Speech or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In 2006, the United States reached a landmark in its paper recycling efforts with 53. 4% of the paper consumed being recovered for recycling. Recycling paper is not enough however; and although the most common recyclable items including glass, plastic, paper and aluminum are largely being sent to recycling centers, the recycling efforts as a whole throughout the world need to increase if we want to see a marked difference in our landfills, resources and global warming. As of today, Americans use 2. 5 million plastic bottles every hour, of which less than 1% are recycled. By recycling just one bottle you’re saving enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours. And for every ton of plastic that is recycled we save the equivalent of 2 people’s energy use for a year, the amount of water used by 1 person in 2 month’s time and almost 2000 pounds of oil. Odd as it seems there are many people who do not realize that the plastic bottles our water comes in are made using oil. This is the same oil that is used to make gasoline. Its the same oil that is in such high demand and is not an unlimited resource. Millions of barrels of this oil could be saved if we increase our efforts to recycle aluminum cans. Although they are among the most popular recycled materials and account for less than 1% of the total U. S. waste stream, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every three months, and the energy required to replace just the aluminum cans wasted in 2001 was equivalent to 16 million barrels of crude oil, enough to meet the electricity needs of all homes in Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco and Seattle. Perhaps where we need to focus a great deal more attention is paper waste. The average American uses 650 pounds of paper each year, and only about half of all paper products are being recycled. It’s as easy as putting your newspaper in the recycle bin instead of the garbage one. In fact, if everyone recycled their newspapers, we could save about 250 million trees each year. Recycling one ton (about 2,000 pounds) of paper saves 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles), 4,100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for six months), 7,000 gallons of water, 3. cubic yards of landfill space, and 60 pounds of pollution. The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years, save 100 million tons of wood, and absorb hundreds of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year. Most people don’t realize the harm they’re causing just by throwing last semesters notes in the garbage. The average person throws away about 1. 5 tons of soli d waste per year. The EPA estimates that 75 percent of it is recyclable, only about 30 percent is actually recycled. Because people haven’t recycled enough in the past, landfills are overflowing. Mount Rumpke is the highest point in Ohio. It is literally a mountain of trash piled 1000 feet high and in a landfill. Ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Its twice the size of Texas and is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii. It’s just like a giant garbage island. Its 80 percent plastic, and weighs in at 3. 5 million tons. And the sad thing is that plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean like this kills as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures a year! The rate of the Rain Forests’ being cut down, is a staggering 100 acres per minute! So in the time it takes me to give this speech, 400 maybe 500 acres gone. Most of which could be spared if people would recycle their paper products. In fact if all paper products were recycled it would save over 100 million tons of wood per year. It’s amazing how many resources we can save, and how much pollution we can prevent by recycling. But people haven’t educated themselves as to how much energy is wasted by just throwing things in the trash, and so don’t think twice about it. A survey was done and 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they would recycle more if it was easier. The truth of the matter is, it’s ridiculously easy. Just putting your empty soda bottle in the garbage can with the triangle on it, and it protects the Earth and its resources, and us from harmful pollution. Taking just a moment to put your newspaper, soda can and glass spaghetti jar in the recycling bin will save everyone years of environmental harm from production of new materials, over crowded landfills and the depletion of our natural resources. We all live on this Earth, we need to protect it.

Analysis of the Hounds of Tindalos essays

Analysis of the Hounds of Tindalos essays The Hounds of Tindalos is a short science fiction story containing many and varied elements that have been long associated with the genre of science fiction. This essay will identify these elements, examining their placement within this short text and also the interchange of these elements with the characteristics of other genres, more specifically, horror. Belknap Long, the author, was clearly intent of incorporating the elements of horror within the genre of science fiction and this amalgamation of these two genres was a popular combination employed by future horror and SF writers. Perhaps the inclusion of horror within the SF genre is a comment in itself about perceptions of SF held by writers, the elements of horror being a cautionary warning to those in the science world. Longs main character is Halpin Chalmers, a self proclaimed rebel and champion of originality and lost causes. From the start it is clear there are present within this text some elements of the SF genre that seem to be in just about every SF story, beginning with the main character. Many writers have as their main characters people who are non-conformists, who wish to boldly go where no one has gone before and who are willing to take seemingly illogical and irrational risks in the hope of furthering makinds scientific discoveries. Chalmers is no exception in this as he willingly partakes in an ancient Chinese drug that is a known powerful hallucinogen in a bid to go back in time. There is of course the proverbial wet blanket in the shape of the narrator, known only as Frank, who believes his friend Chalmers to be quite mad, but who never-the-less agrees to aid his friend in his bizarre experiment despite the risks he is taking. Frank represents all those characters in SF stories who are the skeptics, the non believers, who have a solid faith in the science of the present, and who consider characters like Chalmers to be eccentr...

Emirates Airlines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Emirates Airlines - Essay Example This essay discusses that  Emirates Airlines growth spectrum has about changed the airlines industry. Its ambitious, well calculated and stable leadership team has offered it a highly successful performance approach. The ground-breaking ideas as well as positively aligned creativity have distinctly ensured that the business growth of Emirates airlines rises above board. However, its business ethics illustrate a changing fountain in both management and development. Equally, employee care and support appear to be an utmost mission, and this is drawn from its vast knowledge in business advancement.This paper highlights that the focus of the compensation policy is to shift the focus to employee support considerations. The relevant service offerings as explained by Chang and Yeh, are composed of a complex mix of performance management models. Ideally, the experienced approach is relatively transformed by analytical support and a keen service-based performance. The study demonstrated tha t 50% of the respondents agreed with the interview analysis that compensation policies were ideally positively felt in an organization.  The effectiveness of a compensation process was used by Emirates Airlines as an indicator for measuring its performance against the performance outcomes and growth perspectives.  The best practices within which specific work motivational devices were fully embraced indicate that the principles of management are arguably best defined by the qualitative nature of performance management.... An analysis by Boetsch et al, (2011) showed that Emirates Business Model provides core performance premises which are leveled against the performance metrics. Labour cost economies, (Babbar and Koufteros, 2008) provides a competitive profile that is based on a lean workforce. Equally, the traditional employee performance interface provides an allowable point of reference for Emirates organizational structure. To sum up, Emirates Airlines vision and mission are: â€Å"We exist to deliver the world's best in-flight experience†. The prospect of designing a performance management model provides a key step for invoking and enacting relevant mechanisms needed to accomplish practical participatory practices. Equally, studies conducted by Bennett, (1997) indicate that defined procedures and trainings are the necessary tools for identifying and meeting organizational goals and objectives. 1.2 Methodology Two major issues are fundamental in carrying out the relevant methodologies: the n ature of compensation, competitiveness, contributors and management. The revolution aiding the changing variations of the business models are established through Emirates fundamental employee-employer link. Survey Questionnaire design interface The questionnaires below are designed to gather for the 4-model alignments in compensation and performance management. The inclusiveness of compensation policies has equally enhanced the levels of developing and managing employee needs and expectations. 1.1 Compensation Efficiency Table 1: Compensation Policies Compensation policies are ideal for Emirates operations Frequency Percentage Strongly Disagree 2 5.0% Disagree 3 7.5% Neither Agree/Disagree 5 12.5% Agree 20 50.0% Strongly Agree 10 25.0% Total 40 100.0% Table 1 constitutes compensation

MARKETING ASSINGMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MARKETING ASSINGMENT - Essay Example Generally, most of the people blindly rush after various fashion brands only because of their influential names and the profound elite type aura of the different products that is mostly only superficial. Apparently, consumers find out the reality of such products only after they personally experience them and learn that whatever shines is not always gold. According to Kyle (2010), classic and sophisticated, Dior products will never go out of fashion since it adapts to changing styles. In my opinion, the case with Dior is completely different when it comes to matching class and quality of work with the fame of the brand name. I have never been disappointed by any of its products, be it fragrances or clothes or beauty products. The way almost every single product is perfectly manufactured and then superiorly advertised in the market after completion, is way too remarkable and obvious to ignore. The hallmark of Dior is that one is simply captivated by the mesmerizing spell of the many perfumes and clothing lines one can easily find in the market. Summing up, I would like to say that appropriately and flawlessly matching class with fame can never be classified as a trifle job and this is what Dior is all

Business Communication Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Communication - Coursework Example Brian does not give any solid reason why the employees should sign the company policy manual electronically. Erika, on the other hand, pinpoints that having the employees sign the policy on a paper form would help the company keep better records. Therefore, employees should sign the paper form policy so that the company can keep a better record unless Brian proves that the company will still keep better records when the employees sign the manual electronically. The management should recommend the use of the new uniforms because they are preferred by the majority of the employees. Employees in favor of the old uniform are only two while all the others are in favor of the new uniforms. Moreover, the new uniform is said to offer a wide range of options, unlike the traditional uniform. The best solution to the disagreement between the two management team members can be solved by introducing a policy that blocks websites such as online game, pornography, and shopping sites. The management needs to consult IT experts who would help in blocking such websites. However, banning personal e-mail totally would be a primitive action.The assistant manager should understand that there is no way an assistant manager can represent the senior manager not unless the senior manager is committed elsewhere. The assistant manager should give the presentation to the senior manager and help him or she understands it in an effective way. Assistant managers are meant to be representing the senior managers.

Importance of Ensuring That Others Are Aware Of Own Whereabouts

Importance of Ensuring That Others Are Aware Of Own Whereabouts 1.1 Identify legislation relating to general health and safety in a health or social care work setting. The Health and Safety at Work act 1974 relates to the general health and safety in a healthcare work setting. This acts as an umbrella for the other legislations which we must follow: MANUAL HANDLING OPERATION REGULATIONS 1992 -Moving Handling Techniques which are used to move people and objects in a manor which will avoid injury CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH 2002 (COSHH) carers should have a full understanding of disposing of and storing of all substance especially with regards Infection control. All carers must understand the importance of infection control whilst caring for individuals REPORTING OF INJURIES DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURENCES 1995 (RIDDOR) The carer should have a good understanding of the requirements of reporting accidents and ill health FOOD SAFETY ACT 1990 Food Hygiene The carer should be able to cook, prepare and store foods which are safe and would avoid food poisoning. Describe the main points of the health and safety policies and procedures agreed with the employer. HEALTH SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974 This was the first act to protect all employees regardless of their work place. It puts the onus on the employer to create a safe working environment for all employees. It says the employer must ensure the health safety of all people on the premise sand to eliminate risks where ever possible. It also states that employers must maintain their safety and that of others with whom they work. The types of things you must do in relation to this act are: Attend all mandatory and any other relevant training eg. Manual Handling, Fire safety, S.O.V.A, Infection Control. Recognise and report signs of potential danger eg worn carpets, trailing cables, blocked fire exits Recognise and report signs of potential violence or abuse Report all accident in the accident book Never work if you are ill with a communicable illness, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs Follow COSHH regulations dispose of contaminated waste correctly. Store Dangerous substances correctly CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH2002 What are hazardous substances? This can include things such as chemicals, fumes, dust, vapours, mist, gases. It is most likely that the main hazardous substances you will encounter will be cleaning chemicals, clinical waste, soiled laundry and body fluids such as urine and blood. You will need to have a full understanding of the correct way to handle and store hazardous substances and also the correct way to dispose of them. Wear apron and gloves wash hands before and after to maintain infection control Store hazardous substances according to the manufacturers instructions Know correct procedure in the event of a spillage Dispose of hazardous waste in the correct manner REPORTING OF INJURIES DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURENCES 1995 The reporting of accidents and ill health at work is a legal requirement. All accidents and dangerous occurrences should be reported to the incident contact centre which was established in April 2001. Reportable diseases include: Certain poisons Some skin diseases such as dermatitis, skin cancer, ulcers Lung disease, including occupational asthma Reportable injuries include: Fractures other than fingers, thumbs or toes Amputation Burns Dislocation of shoulder, hip, knee or spine Carers should always report accidents in the accident book and to their Line Manager FOOD SAFETY ACT 1990 This act makes it an offence to offer a service user contaminated food which may be injurious to health. It is important as a carer that you check the date on food, ensure it has been stored correctly, and it is cooked correctly. Ensure it has not been contaminated by cross infection, therefore always wear appropriate PPE when handling and preparing food. The carer should be able to cook prepare and store foods which are safe and would avoid food poisoning. Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: Self Take reasonable care for your own safety and that of others Co-operate with the employer in respect of health safety matters Not intentionally damage any health safety equipment or materials provided by the employer Using the systems and procedures correctly Reporting flaws or gaps in the systems, equipment or procedures in use the employer or manager Provide a safe workplace Ensure safe access to and from the workplace provide information on health safety provide health safety training undertake risk assessments for al hazards Update systems and procedures others in the work setting Express their needs and preferences in the area of their health and well-being Individuals should be encouraged to understand and take responsibility for promoting their own health care Assess and manage risks to their health and well-being Identify and report any factors that may put themselves or others at risk Visitors to sign in on arrival and wear id badges if appropriate Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should not be carried out without special training Carers should not complete any tasks they do not feel competent to do or which they have not been fully trained to carry out. This could include: Manual handling Medication Health emergencies Explain how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety Any support or advice Ii need with regards Health safety can be obtained from my line manager or from the workplace policies and procedures. Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health and safety Explain why it is important to assess health and safety hazards posed by the work setting or by particular activities It is important to risk assess health and safety hazards at work because they may cause harm or loss of life to members of the workforce. This would then result in the owner of a company being sued and prosecuted that is why risk assessment is needed. Explain how and when to report potential health and safety risks that have been identified I would report health and safety concerns to my line manager, and would report these as soon as they come into direct contact with me. It is my duty as a Care Worker to report any potential health and saftefy risks that have been identified, in conjunction with the GSCC Code of practice, which states; Bringing to the attention of your employer or the appropriate authority resource or operational difficulties that might get in the way of the delivery of safe care. Informing your employer or an appropriate authority where the practice of colleagues may be unsafe or adversely affecting standards of care. The Health Safety at work Act 1974 also states that employers must maintain their safety and that of others with whom they work. Explain how risk assessment can help address dilemmas between rights and health and safety concerns Risk assessment can address dilemmas with rights and health and safety because clients can express their own rights to do what they want even though it can be defined as risky behaviour. If it is documented and a risk management plan is put in place the company can cover their own backs if anything goes wrong whilst a client is participating in risky behaviour. Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness Describe different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur in own work setting The most common types of accidents are: Slipss due to spills/Wet areas (bathrooms) Trips due to trailing wires/Objects left lying around/Frayed carpets, Falls out of bed/down steps/stairs The types of sudden illness could be: Sickness diarrhoea, food poisoning, stroke, heart attack, shingles, influenza, scabies Outline the procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Carers have legal duties under RIDDOR that require us to report and record some work-related accidents by the quickest means possible. Any major injuries must be reported to RIDDOR immediately. This includes fractures other than to fingers, thumbs and toes and loss of sight (Temporarily or permanently) Any injury which occurred at work and causes a person to be off work for over 3 days must be reported. Be able to reduce the spread of infection Demonstrate the recommended method for hand washing Demonstrate ways to ensure that own health and hygience do not pose a risk to others at work Wash hands before and after attending a service user Wear PPE when assisting individuals with personal care Dont attend work if you have a contagious illness Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely Identify legislation that relates to moving and handling Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 The employer must : decide what could harm you in your job and the precautions to stop it. This is part of risk assessment. In a way you can understand, explain how risks will be controlled and tell you version of pocket card who is responsible for this. Consult and work with you and your health and safety representatives in protecting everyone from harm in the workplace. Free of charge, give you the health and safety training you need to do your job Free of charge, provide you with any equipment and protective clothing you need, and ensure it is properly looked after. Carer must: Follow the training they have received when using any work items the employer has provided . Take reasonable care of their own and other peoples health and safety Co-operate with their employer on health and safety. Tell someone if they think the work or inadequate precautions are putting anyones health and safety at serious risk Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable; assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; and reduce the risk of injury so far as reasonably practicable. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 PUWER In general terms, the Regulations require that equipment provided for use at work is: suitable for the intended use safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case; used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training accompanied by suitable safety measures, eg protective devices, markings, warnings. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1992) -LOLER Generally, the Regulations require that lifting equipment provided for use at work is: strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads; positioned and installed to minimise any risks; used safely, ie the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people; and subject to ongoing thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people. 5.2 Explain principles for moving and handling equipment and other objects safely Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable, for example by redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or by automating or mechanising the process. Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided. Reduce the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably practicable. Where possible, you should provide mechanical assistance, for example a sack trolley or hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicable, look at ways of changing the task, the load and working environment Move and handle equipment or other objects safely Ensure you attend manual handling training on a regular basis Check the equipment is in a clean, safe working condition before use Check the environment for obstructions, trip hazards Avoid manual handling operations where reasonably practical Always use equipment that is provided Wear appropriate footwear and clothing Check the individuals care plan risk assessment Communicate with the individual and other staff how the move will take place Report any changes to the individuals mobility for risk assessment reassessment Know how to handle hazardous substances and materials Identify hazardous substances and materials that may be found in the work setting Cleaning chemicals such as bleach clinical waste e.g. Soiled pads, soiled dressings, used sharps soiled laundry body fluids such as urine and blood Describe safe practices for: Storing hazardous substances Every workplace must have a COSHH file. The file lists all the hazardous substances used in the workplace. It should detail: Where they are kept How they are labelled Their effects The maximum amount of time it is safe to be exposed to them How to deal with an emergency involving one of them Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials should be returned to a locked cupboard at all times, and always stored in their original container, then ensured that clearly labelled. This is to avoid service users being able to obtain and accidentally swallow them. Using hazardous substances When using or handling hazardous substances the Carer should wear appropriate PPE, which would include gloves, apron, mask, and eye shield depending on what the substance is. For example, The COSHH Approved code of Practice (ACoP) recommends that exposure be prevented by: Altering work methods so that the task that causes exposure is no longer carried out à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" for example, the Carer should be aware that mixing common household cleaning products such as bleach, chlorine or other similar general home cleaning products can cause serious injuries and respiratory problems: Common cleaning products may be dangerous when mixed. Therefore the Carer must be aware of the following when carrying out tasks within the service users home: Do not mix bleach and ammonia. Do not mix bleach and acids. Do not use two drain cleaners together, or one right after the other. The following are some of the chemicals that may be hazardous if mixed/not used correctly: Ammonia: In addition to ammonia purchased as a cleaning product, ammonia may be found in the following: some glass and window cleaners urine (be careful if you clean cat litter boxes or use a diaper pail) some interior and exterior paints. Acids: Products containing acids include: vinegar some glass and window cleaners some automatic dishwasher detergents and rinses some toilet bowl cleaners some drain cleaners some lime, calcium and rust removal products some brick and concrete cleaners Dangers of mixing these common cleaning products include: Mixing bleach and ammonia: When bleach is mixed with ammonia, toxic gases called chloramines are produced. Exposure to chloramine gases can cause: coughing shortness of breath chest pain wheezing nausea watery eyes irritation to the throat, nose and eyes pneumonia and fluid in the lungs Mixing bleach and acids: When chlorine bleach is mixed with an acid, chlorine gas is given off. Chlorine gas and water combine to make hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids. Chlorine gas exposure, even at low levels, almost always irritates the mucous membranes (eyes, throat, and nose), and causes coughing and breathing problems, burning and watery eyes, and a runny nose. Higher levels of exposure can cause chest pain, more severe breathing difficulties, vomiting, pneumonia, and fluid in the lungs. Very high levels can cause death. Chlorine can be absorbed through the skin, resulting in pain, inflammation, swelling, and blistering. Hydrochloric acid also causes burns to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, mouth and lungs. Mixing bleach and other cleaning products: Bleach also reacts with some oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, and some insecticides. With the above cautions in mind the carer should therefore ensure their own safety and the safety of the Service User by ensuring the following, when deemed appropriate and necessary: modifying the process to remove hazardous substances, including by-products or waste substituting the hazardous substance with a less hazardous type or form of the substance, e.g. using granules instead of powder to reduce dust levels or a less volatile solvent in a process. If exposure cannot be prevented, it must be adequately controlled. The hierarchy of control measures can be summarised as follows. Eliminate Dont use the hazardous substance or avoid the procedure which causes exposure. Substitute Change the material or working practice to one less hazardous. Enclose Enclose the hazardous substances or process in a closed system. Disposing of hazardous substances and materials The Carer should always ensure clinical waste is placed into the yellow bag (if available) or double wrapped in a plastic bag, soiled linen into the correct laundry bag, sharps into the used sharps bin. Other chemicals should be disposed of as indicated on the label. All clinical waste handling and disposal procedures must comply with The controlled Waste Regulations, The environmental Protection Act including Duty of care regulations, The carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations and the Hazardous Waste Regulations. All these regulations come under the umbrella regulation The Environment Protection Regulations (Waste Disposal). Understand how to promote fire safety in the work setting Describe practices that prevent fires from: Starting and spreading No smoking on the premises except in designated areas à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" check workplace polices No candles to be lit in the building à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" check workplace policies Ensure fire doors are kept closed Attend regular fire safety training Know where alarms, extinguishers, fire blankets can be located in the building and how to use them Regular fire drills Ensure empty boxes etc are disposed of outside the building immediately they are empty Dont leave open flames unattended in the kitchen. Dont leave electric irons unattended Dont leave flammable items near heat source Outline emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a fire in the work setting Each workplace will have their own procedures which must be followed in the case of an emergency. All workplaces must display information about what actions to take in case of fire. The procedure is likely to be similar to: Raise the alarm Dial 999 Ensure that everyone is safe and out of danger If it is safe to do so, attack the fire with the correct extinguisher Go to the fire assembly point (This will be stated on the fire procedure notice) Do not return to the building for any reason Explain the importance of maintaining clear evacuation routes at all times The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 requires that all workplaces should be inspected by the fire authority. Part of the regulation states that routes to emergency exits from a workplace and exits themselves are kept clear at all times and that all emergency exits and routes lead as directly as possible to a place of safety. This is important for the safety of yourself, the service users, colleagues and any visitors to the building 8 Implement Security measures in the work setting Use agreed ways of working for checking the identity of anyone requesting access to: Premises: Check workplace procedures. The identity of all visitors to the workplace should be checked. This can be done in a variety of ways Check their id card Check with the person they have the appointment with All visitors should sign in the visitors book. This aids the number count in case of a fire. If someone wanted to gain access to the premises while I was at a service users property, I could phone my line manager to confirm whether I am scheduled any visits from anyone. Open the door on latch and get the person to present some identification to who they are and what they want. If I am still suspicious, phone the police. Implement measures to protect own security and the security of others in the work setting If anyone requests information on a client, I would refer them to my manager if they are claiming to be a fellow healthcare professional. My manager would have a better insight as to who is involved in a persons care and should be able to pass them onto the companys Caldecott Guardian who protects all confidential information within the company. Practicing safely and professionally will protect own security and others in the workplace, such as following policies and procedures, reading my service users personal care plan and risk assessments, and just basically knowing my job inside out and practicing in a safe manner. 8.3 Explain the importance of ensuring that others are aware of own whereabouts The importance of letting others know where you are helps stop staff getting kidnapped or assaulted whilst in a clients house. Also, if there is a fire in a building and you sign in, the fire brigade know exactly how many people are left in that building when it comes to evacuating it. 9 Know how to manage own stress 9.1 Identify common signs and indicators of stress Common signs of stress are depression, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and illness due to lower immune system. 9.2 Identify circumstances that tend to trigger own stress Circumstances that tend to trigger my own stress are over tiredness and dealing with complex traumas. 9.3 Describe ways to manage own stress I manage stress through my days off, exercise, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy sleep pattern à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" these are all vital for my own well-being and therefore enable me to be more professional and proficient in my work role and duties.

George Washington :: essays research papers

Find in this article Print article Send us feedback More Media (11 items) Article Outline Introduction, Early Life, Early Career, General of the Continental Army, Return Home, President of the United States, Second Term as President, Last Years I. IntroductionPrint section Washington, George (1732-1799), first president of the United States (1789-1797) and one of the most important leaders in United States history. His role in gaining independence for the American colonies and later in unifying them under the new U.S. federal government cannot be overestimated. Laboring against great difficulties, he created the Continental Army, which fought and won the American Revolution (1775-1783), out of what was little more than an armed mob. After an eight-year struggle, his design for victory brought final defeat to the British at Yorktown, Virginia, and forced Great Britain to grant independence to its overseas possession. With victory won, Washington was the most revered man in the United States. Advertisement A lesser person might have used this power to establish a military dictatorship or to become king. Washington sternly suppressed all such attempts on his behalf by his officers and continued to obey the weak and divided Continental Congress. However, he never ceased to work for the union of the states under a strong central government. He was a leading influence in persuading the states to participate in the Constitutional Convention, over which he presided, and he used his immense prestige to help gain ratification of its product, the Constitution of the United States. Although worn out by years of service to his country, Washington reluctantly accepted the presidency of the United States. Probably no other man could have succeeded in welding the states into a lasting union. Washington fully understood the significance of his presidency. â€Å"I walk on untrodden ground,† he said. â€Å"There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn in precedent.

Quality of Living Analysis for Greenpoint, Brooklyn Essay

Greenpoint Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a culturally vibrant neighborhood full of a wide range of retail shops, restaurants, bars & venues, banks, and other services. It is largely occupied by people of Polish descent (43. 6% according to the 2000 Census) and of Hispanic descent (19. 2%. ) The median income is $33,578, significantly lower than the corresponding national average of $41,994. Even with the median income in Greenpoint being almost $10,000 less than the national average, it has many of the same difficult characteristics shared by most New York City neighborhoods – namely igher-than-average housing prices, overcrowded schools, higher utility prices, high local taxes, and lack of high paying Jobs- all of which create a much higher total cost of living than most cities in the United States. A very low proportion of Greenpoint residents own their homes. According to the 2000 census, only 19. 2% of residents owned the homes they were living in, versus the 66. % national average. Rent prices have also consistently been on the rise, despite a few significant hiccups since the November 2008 financial crisis. It could be a great advantage to local residents if a rogram was set up providing local tax breaks for first time home owners in Greenpoint. Also, if the budget would allow, the City could match the Federal government’s pledge of $8000 in assistan ce for first time homebuyers. With $16,000 in assistance, and lowered taxes, many Greenpoint residents who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home might be able to afford that option. A lower percentage of Greenpoint residents graduate high school than the national average (70. 4% vs. 80. 4%), which is also true for those with Bachelors degrees (21. 2% vs. 24. 4%). This lack of higher education hinders peoples’ likelihood of getting high aying Jobs, and in turn, makes it harder for them to move out of poverty into the middle class. A no-cost GED training center should be set up on Greenpoint Avenue to assist high school dropouts (of any age) in getting a diploma. Similarly, a Greenpoint GED College fund should be set up, to provide full CUNY scholarships for the top 10% of the graduates of these GED programs. This not only would incline many people to seek their own education who otherwise wouldn’t, but it would also prevent many of the best students from slipping through the cracks, and ensure that more Greenpoint kids got a chance to go to college. A hot button issue for Greenpoint (and Brookyn as a whole) is land-use and development. In 2005, the City Council passed a plan for the re-zoning and development of much of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront, as well a large block of the upland area. The plan is known as the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Land Use and Waterfront Plan. The plan focuses on changing zoning regulations along the northern Brooklyn waterfront and some of the upland areas, mostly to allow for large residential buildings to be built. Many residents of the community were worried about the waterfront development uildings being built very high, and pushed for regulations limiting the number of condominium ; rental developments being geared only toward those with high incomes, and not toward those with average Greenpoint ; Williamsburg incomes (Williamsburg has an even lower median income than Greenpoint, $23,567. An attempt was made to strike a compromise between the community and the development groups, to solve both of these problems in one fell swoop. The compromise that was eventually passed is called the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Inclusionary Housing Program, which attempts to address concerns about both uilding height and low-income housing. The program stipulates that any development that includes a certain amount of affordable housing is eligible for a â€Å"floor area bonus†, meaning they are allowed to build higher than the base restriction. There are 2 waterfront zones designated, R6 and R8; in R6 the base floor area restriction is up to 23 stories, in R8 it is 33 stories. With 20-25% of space within the development designated for affordable housing, this restriction can be raised 4. 7% to 30 stories and 40 stories respectively. While in theory this idea sounds promising, in practice it will not accomplish the goals it claims to. First of all, if a new development chooses not to go past the floor area restrictions, then there is no requirement that they provide any affordable housing. This leaves little incentive for developers to spend the extra money to build higher, and choose to include the low- income housing, as they only gain 4. 6% in floor area bonus, but have to designate over 20% of the total space of affordable housing. It ends up only inclining them against building past the base floor area restrictions (which many residents believe are already far too lax, allowing for unnecessarily tall buildings that block other uildings’ views, and obstruct sunlight for large areas of the upland waterfront. I believe the plan should be changed to require that any and all new developments include at least 10% affordable housing to begin with. In addition to the affordable housing problem, the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Land Use and Waterfront Plan does not include any provisions for building new schools in the neighborhood. A new high school in Greenpoint is sorely needed, as most high school age students who cannot attend the Automotive Technical School, which is the only public high school in Greenpoint, end up attending schools in Ridgewood, Queens and Williamsburg. The plan also has no provisions for public daycare centers, tutoring or after-school programs, or improved transportation routes from the northwestern waterfront area (which is very difficult to commute from). It would be prudent to adjust the plan to require at least some of these programs to be set up in the area, at the shared cost of the developers’ and the City. It is important to use contractors and building companies from the local area when building new developments in Greenpoint. Too often, contracts for restoration projects, and new developments end up going to companies not from Brooklyn. For instance the old Greenpoint Hospital, which has been gathering dust since 1982, is going to be converted in 240 units of affordable housing, but the contract for this conversion went to TNS Development Group, based in Queens. Two other contracts, from local Greenpoint community groups, were both rejected. A perfect sector to create high paying Jobs in the local community is in skilled construction and building, it seems only right to award the slew of evelopment contracts that are available in the area to local contractors and edited to require that 50% of all building contracts from now on go to companies located in the 11222 area code. Shortly before her death, Jane Jacobs summed up the problems with the waterfront development plans in a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg: â€Å"The community’s plan does not cheat the future by neglecting to provide provisions for schools, daycare, recreational outdoor sports, and pleasant facilities for those things. The community’s plan does not promote new housing at the expense of both xisting housing and imaginative and economical new shelter that residents can afford. The community’s plan does not violate the existing scale of the community, nor does it insult the visual and economic advantages of neighborhoods that are precisely of the kind that demonstrably attract artists and other live-work craftsmen†¦ [but] the proposal put before you by city staff is an ambush containing all those destructive consequences. The roadblocks in the way of changing some of these plans would be great, and in order to make it possible, it would require a tremendous amount of public outcry and rassroots organization, in order to influence some major change of character in the highest levels of local power. If Mayor Bloomberg could be convinced to live up to his many campaign promises of building more public schools (and not Just charter schools), and more affordable housing, then maybe Greenpoint could get the funds and zoning changes needed to build a new High School and provide good housing for its largest demographic, the lower class. In order to fund some of these projects, taxes could be raised on all waterfront property that is not designated to low income ousing- which might provide some more incentive for developers to build more affordable housing in the area, and if it not, it might at least add some tax revenue that could help fund a new local high school. A plan that properly addresses all the issues in a neighborhood like Greenpoint would have to be much more expansive and detailed, and would surely encounter a lot of resistance from some local politicians and big development companies, but some of the ideas presented in this paper could have far-reaching positive consequences if they could gain enough public support, and be implemented.

Project Planning Example

Project Planning Example Project Planning – Coursework Example Topic: Project PlanningName:Course:Date:Critical path in a projectBy using the knowledge of tracking the critical path in a project, the resources are always assigned to the critical tasks which are determined by the tasks that affects the project completion on a timely manner.1. These are the sequences of tasks that has no slack, and hence endorse the successiful finish date of the project. All tasks found here are fully on the critical path and therefore refered to as the project’s critical tasks.2. This is a sequence of tasks that do not drive the project’s finish date. All of this tasks are not critical.3. The total slack is the total ammount of time that this sequence of tasks can slip before affecting the finish day of the entire project.Critical tasksCritical tasks are tasks that cannot be delayed without affecting the successful finish of the project. In a project, the majority of tasks have a slack and therefore, their delay cannot delay the projects finishing date.A task becomes critical when it meets any one of the following conditions:Has got no slack. Has a Must Start on, or Must Finish On, date constraintMust have an as Late as Possible constraint in a project scheduled from a start date. Must have an As Soon As Possible constraint in project scheduling a finish date. Must have a finish date that is the same as or beyond its deadline dates. Critical risksThe project defines critical risks as those tasks that have no slacks. However you can amend when a task changes to a critical state. Slacks are determined by the early finish and the late finishing dates of the scheduled tasks. Early finish date is the most probable earliest date of task completion. ReferencesLockyer, K. G., & Lockyer, K. G. (1991). Critical path analysis and other project network techniques (5th ed.). London: Pitman.

Reconstruction Act essays

Reconstruction Act essays The reconstitution is the process of rebuilding that followed the American Civil War (1861-1865). Since this was the first civil war the United States had experienced, there were a lot of questions dealing with what to do with the South after the defeat of the Confederacy and the overthrow of slavery. The debate of these questions began during the war and continued for decades. This time period was known as the Reconstitution and was from 1865 to 1877. This period began with onset of an intense national struggle over the society and government in the postwar South, and ended with the fall of the last Southern State governments under Republican control. The federal attempt to remake the South was over. Early in the war, the important issue of reconstitution emerged and attracted attention as the northern victory neared. As Union forces gained large areas of the South, both Union commanders and the federal government were forced to make decisions on how these areas should be administered. The federal officials chose to experiment with sending Northern missionaries to set up schools, have former slaves be employed as contract labor, and whites loyal to the Union to organize new state governments under the federal control. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation by January 1, 1863 that freed all slaves that were in rebel held areas. The Norths war aims were now shifted from preserving the Union to remaking the South. Many Northerners felt that the South should be remade into a society that was based on free labor, equal rights, and the republican form of government. Early in 1865, before the war ended, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed by the Congress in January. This amendment expanded on the prior Emancipation Proclamation by abolishing slavery throughout the United States. General William T. Sherman also issued t ...

Statistic & conclution Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Statistic & conclution - Statistics Project Example An explanation for this may be the quality of health care in these states, which in 2007 all ranked among the bottom in a nationwide survey of healthcare quality (Arnst). American Samoa, which has an average of 94.2 out of 100,000, nearly double of the American national average, supports this conclusion to the extent that it lacks much of the modern medical infrastructure belonging to the continental states. Another statistical point of interest with potential policy implications is the data related to suicide rates relative to states. Nationally, the average is 11.3 per 100,000 people; however, in Alaska, the rate is 22.1 (195%), in New Mexico, the rate is 20.4 (180%), in Wyoming, the rate is 19.7 (174%), and in Montana, the rate is 19.4 (171%). Not coincidentally, in 2010, those states ranked 50th (1.2 inhabitants per square mile), 45th (17.0), 49th (5.8) and 48th (6.8) respectively in population density (U.S. Census Bureau). The significance of that correlation is that smaller population density seems to be directly correlated with a higher than average suicide rate. Although all states generally and understandably active try to prevent suicide, these figures seem to suggest that suicide is a more prevalent threat to individuals living in relative isolation from one another in Western states. In contrast to some data in the literature that suggests suicide rates are paired with high rates of population density, such as in work put forward by Saunderson and Langford, it may be the case that low population density is positively correlated with suicide. Saunderson, Thomas R. and Ian H. Langford. "A study of the geographical distribution of suicide rates in England and Wales 1989-92 using empirical bayes estimates." Social Science & Medicine, 43 (1996):

Sales Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sales Proposal - Essay Example The brochures containing information about the different models of air conditioners are with me. All I need to do is make a concise proposal and hand it to the customer along with the prices and the brochure. The proposal must be made in a letter that is not more than two pages in length. The proposal begins with the reference to the customer’s verbal enquiry, and goes on to thank him for the same. The range of the air conditioners is divided into three categories, as top class, medium level, and the regular air conditioners. I arm myself with all the information and brochures of the top class air conditioners. I also take with me a few brochures of the medium and the regular ranges. The literature containing my proposal and the brochures are packed into my brief case. I neatly place two ball pens at the slots provided inside the brief case. The proposal provides the main features of the air conditioners and requests the customer to refer to the brochures for more details. The proposal is careful to mention the advantages of the company’s air conditioners compared to the other air conditioners available in the market. I take a blank proforma invoice with me so that when the order is placed the customer gets the proforma invoice against which he can make the payment. I will send him the regular bill with the air conditioner. It is 4.00 pm and I am at the customer’s residence. I politely introduce myself and enter the residence. I open my brief case and hand him my proposal and the brochures. The customer goes through the proposal in silence. Then he asks me how much time it would take for the air conditioner to be fitted in his bedroom. I tell him it would take about an hour. He asks me some more routine questions and I answer them politely. I then convince him about the benefits of the air conditioner and the changes he can expect in his residence with the new air conditioner.

Should society recognize animal rights, even to the extent of Essay

Should society recognize animal rights, even to the extent of disallowing the use of animals in scientific and medical experiments - Essay Example The comment on this report concludes that to some extent there may be grounds to support the argument for the use of monkeys in medical research, however no blanket decisions can be made because each case must be evaluated individually to assess the beneficial effect of the medicine as opposed to the harm caused to the animals. Evidence that is provided in this article includes figures on number of animals used in medical experiments, as well as the percentages of animals used in toxicology studies. It also provides information on the development of vaccines, as well as providing evidence of other methods that may be used for the same purpose that does not involve the use of animals. The article also provides evidence on cell and molecular biology, in-silico technology, computer modeling, microdosing and the use of transgenic mice. The author of this report is David Weatherall. Although this author has commented on and explained the contents of a report that was sponsored by the Medical Council, he is himself the Chairman of the working group which actually produced and prepared the report on the use of non human primates in research, which was sponsored by the Medical Council. The author has clarified that the comments he has made are not necessarily those that reflect the view of the report’s sponsors. The Report which is the subject of this article was published by the Wellcome Trust and the Academy of Medical Sciences, however this particular report on the article was published in the Lancet, a reputed newspaper. Therefore, this is a report published by a reputed publisher and sponsored by a reputed body. This report is very timely in the context of the controversies that have been raging over the use of animals for purposes of scientific and medical research. The report has also undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the various methods

Love and Diane Essay Example for Free

Love and Diane Essay Synopsis Love Diane tells the epic story of a family over three generations. At its heart lies the highly charged relationship between a mother and daughter, desperate for love and forgiveness but caught in a devastating cycle. For Love, the world changed forever when she and her siblings were torn from their mother, Diane. Separated from her family and thrust into a terrifying world of institutions and foster homes, the memory of that moment is more vivid to her than her present life. Ten years have passed since that day and Love and her five siblings have been reunited with their mother. But all have been changed by the years of separation. They are almost strangers to each other and Love is tormented by the thought that it was her fault. At 8 years old she was the one who revealed to a teacher that her mother was an drug addict. Now she is 18 and HIV+. And she has just given birth to a son, Donyaeh. For Love Diane this baby represents everything good and hopeful for the future. But that hope is mixed with fear. Donyaeh has been born with the HIV virus and months must pass before his final status is known. As Diane struggles to make her family whole again and to realize some of her own dreams, Love seems to be drifting further and further away from her child. Diane, torn by her own guilt over her childrens fate when she was an addict, tries to help and to care for her grandson. But when Diane confides her fears for her daughter to a therapist, the police suddenly appear at the door. Donyaeh is taken from Loves arms and it seems to the family as if history has repeated itself. Now Love must face the same ordeal her mother had faced years before. She is charged with neglect and must prove to a world of social workers, therapists and prosecutors that she is a fit mother. And Diane must find the courage to turn away from her guilt and grasp a chance to pursue her long-deferred dreams. While the film takes us deep into the life of a single family, it also offers a provocative look at the Byzantine system that aims to help but as often frustrates the familys attempts to improve their situation. The film differs from many documentaries that deal with the problems facing poor communities in that it eschews talking eads and interviews with experts and aims instead to immerse the viewer in the experiences and thoughts of a family trying to survive and retain autonomy in the face of terrible challenges. Love ; Diane: Inner-City Blues: An Interview with Jennifer Dworkin For over eight years Jennifer Dworkin documented the personal struggles of a recovering crack addict and her troubled daughter in Love ; Diane. Fellow long-term filmmak er Steve James talks with Dworkin about her epic work of American vrit filmmaking. I first heard about Jennifer Dworkins Love Diane when it played at the 2002 New York Film Festival. Though I missed seeing it because I live in Chicago, the word was that this was a special film, one in which the filmmaker spent years intimately following the lives of a family. Since thats been my own filmmaking M. O. , I knew this was a documentary I had to see. So in November, when I finally did settle into my seat at Amsterdams International Documentary Festival to watch the film, I had pretty high expectations. Love Diane lived up to them and more. Its a powerful, uncompromising, yet compassionate portrait of a mother and daughter coping with a hard life in Brooklyn and an even more difficult personal history between them. In the best sense of the word, the film is a throwback to the heyday of cinema vrit filmmaking in the 60s and early 70s, When the Maysles were in their prime and young filmmakers like Barbara Kopple were making their mark. Love ; Diane is one of those films where the filmmaker earned such intimate access and the trust of her subjects that it gives viewers a rare and complex glimpse into the lives of people we rarely really see in films. And like most great film subjects, Diane Hazzard and her daughter, Love, continually confound our expectations of what it means to be a ghetto mom or an ex-crack addict or a black teenage mother. Meeting and getting to know the director, Jennifer Dworkin, was one of the pleasures of the Amsterdam festival. My film, Stevie, also played there, and Jennifer and I found unexpected common ground in the stories each of our films tells. Both films deal with troubled family history, struggles between a parent and child, foster care, poverty and the social service and legal systems. Yet, in other ways, Stevie and Love ; Diane, couldnt be more different. Filmmaker gave me a chance to talk further with Jennifer about her impressive first film and compare notes about how we each went about making such demanding and challenging films. Steve James: How long did you spend on this film? Jennifer Dworkin: You know, I never answer that question. James: Really? Dworkin: No, just kidding [laughs]. If you count directions I started but didnt end up using in the film, about eight years, including editing. But not full time. James: Of course not. How could one survive? Dworkin: Exactly.

Drinking Water Sustainability Essay -- Potable Water Scarcity

Introduction The importance of water, in relation to the Earth and its inhabitants, can only be rivaled by the importance of oxygen. Living things depend on water in their habitat. However, the abundance of water is not as important as the usefulness of the water. Much of the Earth is made up of this unique liquid combination of hydrogen and oxygen, but the amount that can be used for human consumption is less than one percent (Boland, 2003). In essence, humans use potable water, water that is suitable for drinking and cooking, to satisfy their basic needs. Drinking (potable) water is free from poisonous substances, contaminants, and disease-causing organisms, which would be unsafe for human consumption (Gulflink). In pre-historic times, inhabitants understood the importance of water sustainability for survival of the population. In ancient civilizations, water sustainability and potable water were both emphasized as ideals for the progress and continuity of the societies. Today, humans continue to progress in their understanding and utilization of technological processes to develop potable water. As a result, water filtration, water management, and water conservation efforts are becoming more effective and commonplace. Thus, as the technology continues to improve the quality of water as a resource, we cannot forget the basis to which past cultures had accepted: the continual existence or sustainability of this limited resource. Abstract A Historical Perspective Man’s existence relies on water, and he cannot survive for more than seven days without it. M.N. Baker, a water quality historian, states, â€Å"In the earliest days of the human race, water was taken as found. It might be pure and abundant, plentiful but mud... ...ment in the twenty-first century: What should we do, not what can we do? The National Academies. . Accessed 11 October 2004. Phippen, Kari. Ancient Egypt – culture: The ancient Egyptian people’s dependence on the Nile. . Accessed 11 October 2004. Potable water through solar energy. The Tribune – India. 18 March 2003. . Accessed 11 October 2004. University of South Florida Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Water resources and environmental systems. Flyer. VOC polluted water remediation technology. Sasakura Engineering Company Ltd. . Accessed 11 October 2004.

The Princess Bride Movie Review

Savannah Sheets 9th English 24 May 2012 The Princess Bride Movie Review â€Å"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. † This is one of the many humorous lines in the movie, The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride is a romantic, action-comedy film and was directed by Rob Reiner in 1987. The plot of this movie is a fairytale narrated by a grandfather to his grandson full of action in attempt of getting a kidnapped princess back to her childhood love the day before her planned marriage with the prince.The main characters, Buttercup the princess (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes) fall in love when they are just two young teenagers shown at the beginning of the story. Fate separates them for 5 years and soon brings them back together before she gets married to Prince Humperdinck. Westley, her childhood sweetheart, wears a disguise and follows 3 men who have kidnapped Princess Buttercup to get her back. His wits help him team up with the kidnappers and overcome Prince Humperdinck and his ‘army’.Westley is caught but soon escapes with the help of Fezzik the Giant and Inigo Montoya. They all jump out of the window and ride away on horses. Westley and Buttercup marry and live happily ever after. The Princess Bride is often compared to the movies Ella Enchanted, Spy Kids, and Stardust, all of which have different aspects of themes that were similarly incorporated in the movie. It took place in the fictional countries of Florin and Guilder, sometime between the establishment of Europe and after the manufacturing of blue jeans.The story reaches out mostly to the young adult audience, but would easily be satisfactory to people of other audiences as well. The events in the story are highly unlikely, but are well-structured and amusing to the viewers which help it to be easier to understand. The dialogue is meant to sound like the story was based from the medieval times, with a twist of comedy. Finally, the themes portray ed in this movie were that true love conquers all. Westley, even after all of the time spent apart, found his true love and in the end it all worked out with a happily ever after.Good versus evil is also a theme in this movie because Prince Humperdinck tries to marry Princess Buttercup knowing that she is still in love with Westley. Even though it was an arranged marriage, Prince Humperdinck tried to convince her that it would take time for them to fall in love, but they would eventually get used to it. Princess Buttercup has a nightmare which opens her eyes. She dreams about the marriage which is interrupted by who is known as â€Å"The Ancient Boo-er†. She tells Buttercup that she is a disgrace because she has power but isn’t using it to her advantage and is letting down the people of her country.

Deception Point Page 39

â€Å"My source is not your concern. But if you spend some time studying these figures, you will clearly see that Senator Sexton does not have the kind of money he is currently spending. After Katherine died, he squandered the vast majority of her legacy on bad investments, personal comforts, and buying himself what appears to be certain victory in the primaries. As of six months ago, your candidate was broke.† Gabrielle sensed this had to be a bluff. If Sexton were broke, he sure wasn't acting it. He was buying advertising time in bigger and bigger blocks every week. â€Å"Your candidate,† Tench continued, â€Å"is currently outspending the President four to one. And he has no personal money.† â€Å"We get a lot of donations.† â€Å"Yes, some of them legal.† Gabrielle's head shot up. â€Å"I beg your pardon?† Tench leaned across the desk, and Gabrielle could smell her nicotine breath. â€Å"Gabrielle Ashe, I am going to ask you a question, and I suggest you think very carefully before you answer. It could affect whether you spend the next few years in jail or not. Are you aware that Senator Sexton is accepting enormous illegal campaign bribes from aerospace companies who have billions to gain from the privatization of NASA?† Gabrielle stared. â€Å"That's an absurd allegation!† â€Å"Are you saying you are unaware of this activity?† â€Å"I think I would know if the senator were accepting bribes of the magnitude you are suggesting.† Tench smiled coldly. â€Å"Gabrielle, I understand that Senator Sexton has shared a lot of himself with you, but I assure you there is plenty you do not know about the man.† Gabrielle stood up. â€Å"This meeting is over.† â€Å"On the contrary,† Tench said, removing the remaining contents of the folder and spreading it on the desk. â€Å"This meeting is just beginning.† 44 Inside the habisphere's â€Å"staging room,† Rachel Sexton felt like an astronaut as she slid into one of NASA's Mark IX microclimate survival suits. The black, one-piece, hooded jumpsuit resembled an inflatable scuba suit. Its two-ply, memory-foam fabric was fitted with hollow channels through which a dense gel was pumped to help the wearer regulate body temperature in both hot and cold environments. Now, as Rachel pulled the tight-fitting hood over her head, her eyes fell on the NASA administrator. He appeared as a silent sentinel at the door, clearly displeased with the necessity for this little mission. Norah Mangor was muttering obscenities as she got everyone outfitted. â€Å"Here's an extra pudgy,† she said, tossing Corky his suit. Tolland was already half into his. Once Rachel was fully zipped up, Norah found the stopcock on Rachel's side and connected her to an infusion tube that coiled out of a silver canister resembling a large scuba tank. â€Å"Inhale,† Norah said, opening the valve. Rachel heard a hiss and felt gel being injected into the suit. The memory foam expanded, and the suit compressed around her, pressing down on her inner layer of clothing. The sensation reminded her of sticking her hand underwater while wearing a rubber glove. As the hood inflated around her head, it pressed in on her ears, making everything sound muffled. I'm in a cocoon. â€Å"Best thing about the Mark IX,† Norah said, â€Å"is the padding. You can fall on your ass and not feel a thing.† Rachel believed it. She felt like she was trapped inside a mattress. Norah handed Rachel a series of tools-an ice ax, tether snaps, and carabiners, which she affixed to the belt harnessed on Rachel's waist. â€Å"All this?† Rachel asked, eyeing the gear. â€Å"To go two hundred yards?† Norah's eyes narrowed. â€Å"You want to come or not?† Tolland gave Rachel a reassuring nod. â€Å"Norah's just being careful.† Corky connected to the infusion tank and inflated his suit, looking amused. â€Å"I feel like I'm wearing a giant condom.† Norah gave a disgusted groan. â€Å"Like you'd know, virgin boy.† Tolland sat down next to Rachel. He gave her a weak smile as she donned her heavy boots and crampons. â€Å"You sure you want to come?† His eyes had a protective concern that drew her in. Rachel hoped her confident nod belied her growing trepidation. Two hundred yards†¦ not far at all. â€Å"And you thought you could find excitement only on the high seas.† Tolland chuckled, talking as he attached his own crampons. â€Å"I've decided I like liquid water much better than this frozen stuff.† â€Å"I've never been a big fan of either,† Rachel said. â€Å"I fell through the ice as a kid. Water's made me nervous ever since.† Tolland glanced over, his eyes sympathetic. â€Å"Sorry to hear that. When this is over, you'll have to come out and visit me on the Goya. I'll change your mind about water. Promise.† The invitation surprised her. The Goya was Tolland's research ship-well-known both from its role in Amazing Seas as well as its reputation as one of the strangest-looking ships on the ocean. Although a visit to the Goya would be unnerving for Rachel, she knew it would be hard to pass up. â€Å"She's anchored twelve miles off the coast of New Jersey at the moment,† Tolland said, struggling with his crampon latches. â€Å"Sounds like an unlikely spot.† â€Å"Not at all. The Atlantic seaboard is an incredible place. We were gearing up to shoot a new documentary when I was so rudely interrupted by the President.† Rachel laughed. â€Å"Shooting a documentary on what?† â€Å"Sphyrna mokarran and megaplumes.† Rachel frowned. â€Å"Glad I asked.† Tolland finished attaching his crampons and looked up. â€Å"Seriously, I'll be filming out there for a couple weeks. Washington's not that far from the Jersey coast. Come out when you get back home. No reason to spend your life afraid of the water. My crew would roll out the red carpet for you.† Norah Mangor's voice blared. â€Å"Are we going outside, or should I get you two some candles and champagne?† 45 Gabrielle Ashe had no idea what to make of the documents now spread out before her on Marjorie Tench's desk. The pile included photocopied letters, faxes, transcripts of phone conversations, and they all seemed to support the allegation that Senator Sexton was in covert dialogue with private space companies. Tench pushed a couple of grainy black-and-white photographs toward Gabrielle. â€Å"I assume this is news to you?† Gabrielle looked at the photos. The first candid shot showed Senator Sexton getting out of a taxi in some kind of underground garage. Sexton never takes taxis. Gabrielle looked at the second shot-a telephoto of Sexton climbing into a parked white minivan. An old man appeared to be in the van waiting for him. â€Å"Who is that?† Gabrielle said, suspicious the photos might be faked. â€Å"A big shot from the SFF.† Gabrielle was doubtful. â€Å"The Space Frontier Foundation?† The SFF was like a â€Å"union† for private space companies. It represented aerospace contractors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists-any private entity that wanted to go into space. They tended to be critical of NASA, arguing that the U.S. space program employed unfair business practices to prevent private companies from launching missions into space. â€Å"The SFF,† Tench said, â€Å"now represents over a hundred major corporations, some very wealthy enterprises who are waiting eagerly for the Space Commercialization Promotions Act to be ratified.† Gabrielle considered it. For obvious reasons the SFF was a vocal supporter of Sexton's campaign, although the senator had been careful not to get too close to them because of their controversial lobbying tactics. Recently the SFF had published an explosive rant charging that NASA was in fact an â€Å"illegal monopoly† whose ability to operate at a loss and still stay in business represented unfair competition to private firms. According to the SFF, whenever AT T needed a telecomm satellite launched, several private space companies offered to do the job at a reasonable $50 million. Unfortunately, NASA always stepped in and offered to launch AT T's satellites for a mere twenty-five million, even though it cost NASA five times that to do the job! Operating at a loss is one way NASA keeps its grip on space, the SFF lawyers accused. And taxpayers pick up the tab.