Thursday, November 28, 2019

Golicinski Essay Example

Golicinski Essay Robert Gordons new book tells the history of Stax Records, the famous Memphis label responsible for some of Southern souls definitive recordings. Stax began in a Memphis garage in 1957 as Satellite Records, a project of Jim Stewart, soon Joined by his sister Estelle Axton, both white. From these humble beginnings, it enjoyed a fairy-tale rise, becoming a revered name, the home of the great Otis Redding, of Soul Man and In the Midnight Hour. Gordon tracks this glorious ascent?†and a vertiginous fall?†as the label eventually collapsed under its own weight. He delivers a compelling tale with maximum effect, drawing on interviews with singers, musicians, songwriters, producers, secretaries, label heads?†everyone he could get his hands on. We know at least two other excellent histories of Stax. The noted chronicler of Southern music, Peter Guralnick, devotes a portion of his book Sweet Soul Music to the label, while also exploring the music of Muscle Shoals, Ala. , and Macon, Ga. In addition, Rob Bowmans Soulsville, U. S. A. devotes itself entirely to the history of Stax. (Bowman earned a Grammy for the liner notes he wrote to accompany The Complete StaxNolt Soul Singles compilation. ) Gordon holds his own. He doesnt appreciate Isaac Hayess album Black Moses, and he makes the occasional cheesy Joke?†Dance? The horizontal dance?†but such minutiae dont obscure the point. The story of Stax is undeniable. In the beginning, you really loved me After a couple of years in the garage, Jim and Estelle moved the operation to an old movie theater and renamed it Stax (Stewart/Axton). They set up a studio in back and a record shop in front. Jim initially felt lukewarm about RB, but Ray Charless Whatd I Say earned his loyalty. We will write a custom essay sample on Golicinski specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Golicinski specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Golicinski specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Stewart and Axton established an open-door policy, and Memphiss musicians seeped into the studio in talented, curious clumps. Rufus Thomas, a local performer and D], came by to give recording a shot. He brought his daughter, Carla Thomas. William Bell?†who penned mfou Dont Miss Your Water?† sometimes sang backup for Carla. Booker T. Jones, a talented high school student, skipped class to play horns on a Rufus Thomas session. A1 Jackson, an older, talented drummer who would play with two of souls greatest singers, Otis Redding and A1 Green, knew Booker through club gigs, so he occasionally played at the studio. Jackson provided an injection of punctuality and discipline, a firm rhythmic anchor for the high school kids?†another group of whom busily bonded with Estelle Axtons Cropper, whose guitar playing would help define Stax recordings, drawing the admiration of famous musicians from the Beatles to Lou Reed. Jackson taught Cropper to play his guitar like a drum, emphasizing the instruments rhythmic properties. Jackson also wanted him to pay attention to the beat. l never worked with anyone who thought keeping time was so important, said Booker about Jackson. He would hit you over the head with a drumstick if one eighth ote or a sixteenth note was off. Stays first phase came to a close with national success. Carla Thomas landed Gee Whiz on the charts in 1961, and Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records swooped in, agreeing to handle distribution for 1 5 cents on the dollar. (Some of Carlas releases also came out on Atlantic rather than Stax. ) The same year, those high school smokers?†now the Mar-Keys?†recorded Last Night, which sold more than a million copies. Here the cruel outside world butts an ugly head into Stays fairy tale. First was the issue of authorship and its rewards The money from a hit goes to the songwriters. Just three people got their names on that record as writers. (Estelle sneaked on her sons name. ) No one cared too much at the time, but it foreshadowed future events. I was too blind, I could not see Stax ascended with dizzying speed. The addition of Donald Duck Dunn on bass cemented and settled the house band, now under the name Booker T. the M. G. s. The integrated group?†hit-making long before the Family Stone or the Jimi Hendrix Experience?†laid down a heavy groove, and they soon had a big song of their own with Green Onions (like Last Night, another instrumental number). More people came to the record store?†or tried their hands in the studio. A guitarist named Johnny Jenkins showed up, high on style, low on substance. (In fairy tales, not everyone turns out to be what he seems. ) But Jenkins had this driver by the name of Otis Redding who kept insisting he could sing The MGS improved steadily. Isaac Hayes stepped in for Booker T when he took a break to attend Indiana University, and Hayes quickly learned how to write popular tunes, with the help of an insurance man named David Porter. Hayes and Porter connected with another duo by the name of Sam Dave, collaborating on a series of racing soul hits. Enter promo-man extraordinaire, A1 Bell, six-feet-four bundle of Joy, two hundred and twelve pounds of Miss Bells baby boy. Soft as medicated cotton and rich as double-X cream. The womens pet, the mens threat and the playboys pride and Joy. enhance the administrations credibility among the [mostly black] employees. We werent a professional company before A1, says Booker T. Jones. We didnt have big business going on. We had big music going on. They did have that. Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Sam Dave now consistently landed hits and all recorded classic albums. Bell put the musicians on salary?†it meant they didnt have to work day Jobs and play club gigs and do reco rding sessions to make a decent living. It also led, though, to new proprietary concerns. Suddenly, making music became a livelihood, not a fun outlet on the side. (Gordon terms this new responsibility and its new set of problems weeds in the garden. ) Stax started doing well enough to be choosy. The label decided not to work with Wilson Pickett after his album In the Midnight Hour. (He proved to be royal pain in the studio. ) Stax passed on chances to play with Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin. Bell even turned the music in a new direction, noting an increased price margin on albums. Stax only released eight albums in 65 and 11 in 66. That would begin to change. You dont miss your water till The end of 1967 and 1968 brought Stays third phase. In December of 1967, Otis Redding and several members of the Bar-Kays died tragically in a plane crash. Its hard to imagine any label coming back from the loss of such an international star. Unfortunately for Stax, that disaster turned out to be Just the beginning. The year 1968 exploded, upheaval everywhere. A sniper shot and killed Martin Luther King in Memphis at a hotel Stax musicians and songwriters frequented. Riots took place across the country. About this time, Jim Stewart realized he had somehow managed to give Atlantic the rights to all Stays master recordings. Atlantics Jerry Wexler claims that it all happened accidentally, that no one read the contract. It turned out that there was a clause whereby we owned the masters, a clause stuck almost exactly halfway through the thirteen-page contract. Atlantic, writes Gordon, owned everything that it distributed for Stax?†even though t said Stay on the label, even though Stax has paid all the money associated with those records and Atlantic had paid none and was at risk for not a single penny. Bottom line: Wexler, one of the shrewdest and cruelest men in the record business, had easily duped the inexperienced Jim. (Wexler insists in the book that he knew nothing about it and tried to give the masters back, but was prevented by the head of It was corporate homicide?†polite, sterile and deadly, writes Gordon. To add insult to crippling injury, Sam Dave Jumped to Atla ntic. We find Stays last stage riddled with great music, violence and greed. The studio engineered the Soul Explosion, releasing 27 albums and even more singles in 1969 to make up for the loss of their masters. A1 Bell looked actively to cross over from R to pop?†he brought in Don Davis, who arranged strings for Motown. Isaac Hayes leapt from behind-the-scenes songwriter to massive solo star, releasing popular albums that influenced the course of R. Big hits brought big money. Whatever remained of the family illusion at Stax, Gordon writes, fell away, exposing a hierarchy of individuals, a business. The hierarchy forced out Estelle Axton, who once mortgaged her house for the label. Bell eventually bought out Jim Stewart in 1972. Musicians and singers also began to spend extravagantly, attracting sharks on the prowl for a cut. The studio hired security; these men too often turned out to be sharks who simply switched sides. Hayes reveled in his new power?†on one occasion, he had bodyguards beat one of his touring musicians nearly to death for ordering too much room service. People began to carry guns?†guns in a recording studio. They worried about being robbed for ostentatious displays of wealth, but also for more troubling reasons?†after he assassination of Martin Luther King, the semblance of racial unity that existed at Stax, and in Memphis, faded. Resentment, hostility and fear were roiling among Memphis business elite They [Stax management] were afraid someone would hide drugs in Stax, then try to bust them. A1 Bell felt that guns were an American institution used mainly by the white majority to maintain and consolidate power. He relates that he felt trapped, and forced to defend himself and his employees. On top of these problems, new considerations suddenly influenced creative decisions. Bell told Gordon, Were talking about major Wall Street corporations and how their decisions and their thinking impacted with us and interfered, and in some instances, prohibited us from producing certain music. Key musicians, including Steve Cropper and Booker T. Jones, couldnt take the situation. They left town for L. A. Meanwhile, the wildly ornate compositions of Hayes didnt necessarily bode well for the studios old standby?†tight, stripped down R. Worst of all? No one could rein in the spending. Stax stayed friendly?†maybe too one asked questions, they Just kept asking for more. Stax grew to have the fifth- ighest revenue of any black-owned business in the nation in 1973. Despite this, the company didnt have a real, structured management system, writes Gordon. Just two years later, deep in debt and out of hits, the whole thing imploded. The white-owned bank used Stax as a scapegoat for fraud charges. The predominantly black record company never had a chance. (Corporate homicide, part two. ) A1 Bell went to trial. Jurors eventually acquitted him on all charges. The story of Stax captures the essence of the American dream. A tight-knit, talented group of working-class men and women, black and white, start out in a garage and go n to make national hits and earn screaming adulation on international tours. They work hard, they get better, they do something unique. They do it without the benefit of silver spoons or friends in high places. They get so big that the Beatles want to Jam with Otis Redding and record Revolver at Stax. Stax also captures the essence of the American nightmare, the one people dont necessarily talk about. In a market economy, success leads to money, and money must be divided somehow. This creates winners and losers, haves and have-nots. Resentment shows up, sits down, festers. Money-making has a way of perpetuating itself. Its an addictive drug. It shifts priorities, so growth becomes the name of the game. People get left behind, or phased out in the name of consolidation. Then guns and violence make a cameo as Americas way of protecting earnings and ensuring loyalty when market-driven expansion tears apart ties of family and friendship. Thats the thing about American fairy tales. All too often, they dont have a happy ending. Elias Leights writing about books and music has appeared in Paste, The Atlantic, Splice Today, and Popmatters. He comes from Northampton, Massachusetts, and can be found at signothetimesblog.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Inventions and Inventors of the 18th Century

Inventions and Inventors of the 18th Century The 18th century, also referred to as the 1700s, marked the beginning of the first Industrial Revolution. Modern manufacturing began with steam engines replacing animal labor. The 18th century also saw the widespread replacement of manual labor by new inventions and machinery. The 18th century was also part of the The Age of Enlightenment,  a  historical period characterized by a shift away from traditional religious forms of authority  and a move towards science and rational thought. The effects of 18th-century enlightenment led to the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution. The 18th century also saw the spread of capitalism  and the increased availability of printed materials. Here is a timeline of the major inventions of the 18th century.   1701 Jethro Tull invents the seed drill. 1709 Bartolomeo Cristofori invents the piano. 1711 Englishmen John Shore invents the tuning fork. 1712 Thomas Newcomen patents the atmospheric steam engine. 1717 Edmond Halley invents the diving bell. 1722 French C. Hopffer patents the fire extinguisher. 1724 Gabriel Fahrenheit invents the first mercury thermometer. 1733 John Kay invents the flying shuttle. 1745 E.G. von Kleist invents the Leyden jar, the first electrical capacitor. 1752 Benjamin Franklin invents the  lightning rod. 1755 Samuel Johnson publishes the first English language dictionary on April 15th after nine years of writing.   1757 John Campbell invents the  sextant. 1758 Dolland invents a chromatic lens. 1761 Englishmen John Harrison invents the navigational clock, or  marine chronometer,  for measuring longitude. 1764 James Hargreaves invents the  spinning jenny. 1767 Joseph Priestley  invents carbonated water, or  soda water. 1768 Richard Arkwright patents the  spinning frame. 1769 James Watt  invents an improved steam engine. 1774 Georges Louis Lesage patents the electric telegraph. 1775 Alexander Cummings invents the  flush toilet.Jacques Perrier invents a steamship. 1776 David Bushnell  invents a submarine. 1779 Samuel Crompton  invents the  spinning mule. 1780 Benjamin Franklin invents  bifocal eyeglasses.Gervinus of Germany invents the circular saw. 1783 Louis Sebastien  demonstrates the first parachute.Benjamin Hanks patents the self-winding clock.The  Montgolfier brothers  invent the hot-air balloon.Englishmen  Henry Cort invents the steel roller for steel production. 1784 Andrew Meikle invents the threshing machine.Joseph Bramah  invents the safety lock. 1785 Edmund Cartwright invents the  power loom.Claude Berthollet invents chemical bleaching.Charles Augustus Coulomb invents the torsion balance.Jean Pierre Blanchard  invents a working parachute. 1786 John Fitch  invents the  steamboat. 1789 The  guillotine  is invented. 1790 The United States issued its first patent to William Pollard of Philadelphia for a machine that roves and spins cotton. 1791 John Barber invents the gas turbine.Early bicycles are invented in Scotland. 1792 William Murdoch invents  gas lighting.The first  ambulance  arrives. 1794 Eli Whitney  patents the cotton gin.Welshmen  Philip Vaughan invents ball bearings. 1795 Francois Appert invents the preserving jar of food. 1796 Edward Jenner develops the  vaccination  for smallpox. 1797 Amos Whittemore patents a carding machine.A British inventor named Henry Maudslay invents the first metal or precision lathe. 1798 The first soft drink is invented.Aloys Senefelder invents lithography. 1799 Alessandro Volta  invents the battery.Louis Robert invents the Fourdrinier Machine for sheet papermaking.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Sexually Transmitted Disease Brochure Assignment

Sexually Transmitted Disease Brochure - Assignment Example Syphilis cannot be transmitted through physical contact with eating utensils, shared clothing, bathtubs, swimming pools or toilet seats. Primary stage: This is the first stage of the disease may be characterized by single or multiple sores that are painless, round and firm in nature. The sores resemble the point of entry of the disease. Secondary stage: One may have oral, anal or vaginal sores and skin rashes at the same time. This stage begins with with one or many rashes on the body. These rashes may appear several weeks after the primary sore is healed. The rash may appear as rough, red spots on the bottom of the feet or the palm of the hands. This does not necessarily itch and thus may go unnoticed. This may present together with other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, patchy hair loss, weight loss, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. Symptoms may disappear regardless of treatment or not. The infection will proceed to the latent stage without the right treatment. Latent stages: The latent stage starts when the early signs and symptoms disappear. Without the right treatment one may continue to harbor the syphilis bacterium in their body for years without showing any signs and symptoms. Most individuals with untreated syphilis do not go to the late stage of the disease. However, when they proceed to the late stage, the disease is very serious. Late stages: This may present after 10 to 30 years from the initial day of infection. The symptoms are severe and include paralysis, numbness, blindness, dementia and difficulty coordinating muscle movements. The disease may damage internal organs and may result in death. Pathology of syphilis: The bacterium responsible for syphilis is called Treponema pallidum. For the transmission to take place there almost needs to be direct contact with the infectious sore. The bacterium quickly penetrates the

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Investment Strategy Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Investment Strategy Business - Research Paper Example Graham’s investment strategy, as established in his now seminal text the ‘Intelligent Investor’, encourages a steady and conservative approach referred to as ‘defensive investing’. This strategy is contrasted with ‘speculative investing,’ an approach more closely linked to gambling. Graham’s strategy has lasted the test of time and drawn positive attention from billionaire investor Warren Buffet who claims it is the best investing text ever written. This essay examines Graham’s strategy in this text through an analysis of investment objectives, asset allocation, security selection process, and whether I would implement this strategy. Objectives The strategies articulated in the ‘Intelligent Investor’ are such that any sort of investor including an individual, hedge fund, or pension plan can adopt them. This is due to Graham’s deep understanding of market vicissitudes that make this strategy not simply a s trategic angle on the market, but virtually the only safe approach to investment. In these regards, the only investors that this approach is not targeted for are what Graham terms ‘speculative investors’. Graham states, â€Å"every nonprofessional who operates on margin should recognize ipso facto that he is speculating†¦everyone who buys a so-called â€Å"hot† common-stock issue†¦is either speculating or gambling† (Graham, pg. 21). ... Instead Graham’s encourages a steady and conservative approach, the returns of which will be determined by the specific market conditions of the era. Graham indicates that strategic approaches that guarantee a specific return may be successful for a period, but in the long run have consistently proved ineffective. In terms of risk, Graham indicates that risk should be determined by the investor’s specific goals. For Graham risk is largely measured in the allocation of common stocks vs. bonds. Rather than implementing a time limit, Graham instead considers that risk and return are most concentrated in common stocks and as such they necessitate longer time horizons. One such example Graham gives is that a couple that are saving to buy a home would be better served consolidating their portfolio in bonds as this are safe and easily accessible; conversely, an individual with a longer time horizon should have a higher percentage of common stock. Asset Allocation Grahamâ€℠¢s strategy as articulated in the ‘Intelligent Investor’ functions as a comprehensive approach to portfolio management. Indeed, intrinsic to Graham’s strategy is the mitigation of risk through the successful allocation of bonds and common stocks. There are a number of considerations within this mode of understanding. In regards to precious metals, Graham recommends a relatively small allocation of such securities, indicating 2-3% of a portfolio should be dedicated to them. In terms of determining the percentage of bonds vs. stocks in the portfolio Graham provides a variety of options. Graham begins in considering a base percentage differential of 50% bonds and 50% stocks.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Business Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business - Case Study Example This is a point of concern because AIG was in the past, ranked among the world’s best performing insurance companies. Its closure in 2008, before the government bailed it out, happened in a period when the United States and other world regions were experiencing financial heat, because of the financial crisis that had rocked the world. However, the company had itself it blame for its downfall, since the management did not practise caution in running the company, neither did they develop effective business strategies that would see the company withstand any financial storm (Ferrell, Fraedrich &Ferrell, 2013). This case study therefore, raises different issues concerning AIG, its business practices, and its downfall. From its history, AIG was considered a competitive company, having a market value of approximately $200 billion in 2007. However, this changed in 2009 when the market value of this company sharply declined to only $3.5 billion. The government in 2008 came in to rescu e the company from facing total bankruptcy. This was an important move by the government, as it saved other companies, which depended on AIG, from facing equal bankruptcy. The AIG was a big player in the financial market; therefore, total bankruptcy would have worsened the 2008-2009 economic turmoil (Ferrell, Fraedrich &Ferrell, 2013). The factors that led to the decline of the AIG are analysed, and these mostly include internal factors in the company.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Freedom of Speech and Media

Freedom of Speech and Media The freedom of speech is defined as the right of a person to express thoughts, ideas, and personal opinions through a desired media without any restrictions unless restriction is necessary such as where exercising the right infringes upon the rights of others or where national security is at threat. Advocacy for freedom of speech has taken centuries of soldiering on in the background of repression by authoritarian regimes, culminating in the UN General Assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Hesiod writes a theological work challenging some religious matters in 700 BC. Cleisthenes introduces the Isegoria in the Greek political chambers in 508 BC. Socrates is tried and sentenced to death by an Athenian jury in 399 BC. John Milton writes the Areopagitica in 1644, which strongly talked against restrictions of freedom of the press in England. The UN General Assembly adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Freedom of Speech and the Mass Media are inseparable. International human rights documents outline Freedom of Speech as including: the freedom of thought, and freedom to seek, acquire, and give ideas and information through any chosen media. The mass media, having the role of covering events, gathering and spreading information, and controlling state authority activities needs to exercise responsibility in carrying out its duties. Media bias is a problem affecting freedom to information which is a component part of freedom of speech. The western mainstream media has been accused of giving biased reports on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Censorship of Media is necessary. The ICCPR identifies two key areas where restrictions must be enforced on the freedom of speech as: respect to the rights of others and protection of national security or public order or morals. The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is an example of unrestricted media. Freedom of speech in Kenya has gradually evolved through spirited advocacy from extreme repression in the first about three decades since its independence to acceptable standards as contained in international human rights documents. Foreign and local press particularly in the Moi regime, periodically went through censorship in the form of expulsion from the country, detention of journalists and confiscation of publication. Parliamentary debates were restricted with certain topics such as voting procedures almost being banned by the executive after the coup attempt of August 1982. Ford-Kenya Chairman Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1992, challenged in the High Court, the unfair advantage that the incumbent was receiving over the other parties in the state owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The media act was enacted in 2007, which placed more restrictions on the media. The Waki report which highlights key issues to be implemented in order to avoid a repetition of the post election violence, gives no special address to the media. Advocacy for freedom of speech has been a long historical struggle in the world involving torture and bloodshed and should be upheld and defended at all costs. Mass Media and the Freedom of Speech Freedom of speech is one of the basic human rights commonly contained in international human rights documents. Also referred to as freedom of expression, it is an important element of a democratic society. Precisely, the other side to freedom of expression is freedom to information, which makes it possible for people to make informed decisions about their lives. The Freedom of Speech as a human right carries with it responsibility and is therefore exercised within certain restrictions enforceable through Mass Media. The freedom of speech can be defined as the right of a person to express thoughts, ideas, and personal opinions through a desired media without any restrictions unless restriction is necessary such as where exercising the right infringes upon the rights of others or where national security is at threat. Throughout history, man has sought to exercise freedom of speech within his social habitation. The earliest concept dates back to around 700 BC in Ancient Greece, where matters of speech freedom then, were close to the heart than any other place on earth. Hesiod, a non-cleric, wrote a theological work challenging some religious matters. This was in defiance of the norm because such matters were only addressed by those in high status (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech). A historical landmark in the fight for freedom of speech is the 508 BC introduction of the Isegoria, meaning Free Speech, by Cleisthenes in the Greek political chambers. (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech) This probably laid the foundation for Freedom of Speech in Athens and also the whole world because it was the first time laws on free speech were formally recognized by a democracy. Socrates trial and death in 399 BC effectively marked the death of the isegoria because for the next about 2000 years freedom of speech declined. Socrates may as well be regarded as the martyr and father of freedom of speech because he defiantly stood for what he believed even with the option of freedom if he changed his stand (Owens). For years after his death, his teachings and ideals remained in the hearts of proponents of free speech after him. The rebirth of free speech 1500 after Socrates in England had so much to reflect on Socrates ideology. John Miltons famous pamph let written in 1644, Areopagitica, which talked extensively against restrictions of freedom of the press had Greek influence, even its naming was after a hill in Athens the site of courts in ancient Greece. (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech). The fight for speech freedom culminated in the UN general assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Article 19 of the UDHR is clear that freedom of speech and opinion is a human right, which includes freedom of thought, freedom to seek, acquire and give ideas and information through any chosen media. (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society) Other international documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also express similar precepts. To be able to transmit and receive information, people need to access mass media. In any given state, the role of mass media is so important that it is many times considered as the fourth arm of government. The mass media covers events, gathers and spreads information and controls activities of state authorities (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society). Being an independent sector, the mass media has the power to influence society either favorably or destructively. It therefore has to be responsible and accurate in its dissemination of information. The media is sometimes not accurate. The western mainstream media, for example, has been accused of giving biased reports on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, where the reporters use language that influences the readers to favor Israeli attacks and de-taste Palestinian aggression (Walsh). The fact that a reporter is likely to take sides when covering particularly emotive matter begs the question whether we can get purely un-biased reporting from them. Such kind of bias is difficult to control and people may just have to live with it. Open and obvious bias, on the other hand, may develop its own control by the mare fact that the reader has recognized it, thereby avoiding being influenced by it. Censorship of Media is necessary. The society needs to be protected from information which is morally wrong, an infringement on the rights of others, or a threat to national security. The ICCPR identifies two key areas where restrictions must be enforced on the freedom of speech. These are respect to the rights of others, and protection of national security or public order or morals (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society). The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is an example of unrestricted radio use. Thompson (43) puts it clearly that radio played a central role in the build-up, during and after the genocide. Kenyas media enjoys freedom under the new constitution promulgated in 2010, Chapter 4 of the constitution contains an extensive bill of rights built around the standards of the UDHR and other international documents (Lwanga). Low moments in Kenyas democratic rights were from the countrys indepence in 1963 to the mid-Moi regime about three decades ago. As Cited by Gathu(7), Widner says that foreign and local press particularly in the Moi regime, periodically went through censorship in the form of expulsion from the country, detention of journalists and confiscation of publication. Parliamentary debates were restricted as certain topics such as voting procedures were almost banned by the executive after the coup attempt of August 1982. Such repressions were carried on until the beginning of multi-party politics in December 1991 where new opposition forces were legalized and they pressed for more freedom of expression. The weekly review, for example, points out that the then Ford-Kenya Chairman Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1992, challenged in the High Court, the unfair advantage that the incumbent was receiving over the other parties in the state owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (qtd. In Gathu 7). The new-found speech freedom in Kenya later began exhibiting incitement problems. For instance, the run-up to the 2005 referendum on the constitution was marred with political incitement. This led to the enactment of the media act in 2007, which placed more restrictions on the media (Lwanga). Even though Certain broadcasters were accused of using the media to incite people prior to the 2008 post election violence in Kenya, the Waki report which highlights key issues to be implemented in order to avoid a repetition of the post election violence, gives no special address to the media. The Mass media in Kenya has exercised responsible reporting since 2007 especially taking into account the recently concluded peaceful general elections on March 4, 2013; which were the first to be held under the new constitution. The desire for free speech has been deeply entrenched in the heart of man as an unwritten law since time immemorial, even before formal recognition by any authority. It has soldiered through history in the background of strong and sometimes brutal repression to be one of the key elements of human rights today. As freedom of speech is enjoyed today, the contributions of its great early crusaders such as Hesiod in the 700s BC, Socrates in 430 BC, and John Milton in 1644, cannot go unnoticed. Countless other brave advocates have endured persecution for what they strongly believed in. Now recognized worldwide and entrenched in international documents such as the UDHR and ICCPR this basic human right needs to be upheld and defended at all costs.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Significance of Mr. Norton and Fate in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellis

The Significance of Mr. Norton and Fate in Invisible Man      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his novel Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison has developed the invisible man by using the actions of other characters. Through his prophecy, Mr. Norton has secured the destiny of the narrator, himself, and all persons in the novel. Mr. Norton forebodes that the narrator will determine his fate, but Mr. Norton doesn't realize that the fate determined is universal: that every being is invisible and without this knowledge, people are blinded by their own invisibility. The narrator is able to come to terms with this self-realization at the end of the end of the novel, and by doing so, he has become an individual and a free man of society, which in essence, is what Mr. Norton had first symbolized in the narrator's mind. At the end though, Mr. Norton will symbolize a blind, shameful society that the narrator becomes invisible to. The narrator was only able to become invisible by Mr. Norton's foreshadowing; for it was he who helped drive the narrator to the North and accompany his fate.    Mr. Norton, a rich, Southern, white trustee, claims that the narrator and the black people "were some how closely connected" with his destiny. This man contributed funds to the college as a tribute for his deceased daughter, which startled the narrator, for this white man poured his heart out to him.    "That was something I never did; it was dangerous. First, it was dangerous if you felt like that about anything, because then you'd never get it or something or someone would take it away from you; then it was dangerous because nobody would understand you and they'd only laugh and think you were crazy", (Ellison 43).    The narrator is afraid to open himself up for a... ...www.english.upeen.edu/~afilreis /50s/bellow-on-ellison.html Ellison Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: The Modern Library, 1994. Fabre, Michel. "In Ralph Ellison's Precious Words." Unpublished Manuscript. 1996. 30 November. <http://www.igc.org/dissent/archive/ Ellison/early.html Howe, Irving. "Review of: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man" Pub. The Nation. 10 May 1952. 30 November 1999. <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-on-ellison.html. Kelly, Robin D.G. "Communist Party of the United States." Encyclopaedia of African-American   Culture and History. 1996 ed. Lawler, Mary. Marcus Garvey. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. O'Meally, Robert. The Craft of Ralph Ellison. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1980. O'Meally, Robert, ed. New Essays on Invisible Man. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

European Management

Generally, there are two types of customers in the wedding band business. One of them is a couple who is getting engaged or getting married and therefore needs a wedding band to wear it life-long; the second type of customers is a couple who decides to change their wedding bands and buy a new one. 1. 1 Description of Values, Strategy, Mission & Vision, and Actual Business & In this part of our work we give you the description of the company in the general meaning, as well as its values, vision and mission. Moreover, we analyze its actual usiness and management model.Every company in the world should have its own values. It means that companies are guided by some principles and internal conducts. Moreover, all of the companies are connected to their customers, partners, shareholders, and etc. In order to attract or influence those stakeholders companies usually state their vision and mission (BusinessDictionary, n. d. ). The values of the company Rubin Alyans are gold wedding bands an d solitaire rings. Those products are very important for the company and also for the buyers as they are the customers of the companys customers, the so- called end-users.Traditionally in many countries married couples wear wedding bands to show or announce to the world that they are married. The fact that the company value is also a multicultural sign decides any action and strategy. Another value of the company is there special packages as including nice presents for the couples. The strategy of this company is highly sensitive on the quality of the products because its products are mostly worn during the day and night, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no other product that a person wears on him or her such a long time. The vision of the company is much more competitive.They are lucky to be in a competition in which other companies compete with their price and not many of them have a strange and unpredictable vision. So the company would like to stay with their competitiv e advantages, increase them in the future. Their future vision is also to grow, therefore first become a mid-sized and then a big-sized company in order to expand also more into foreign countries; to increase the possibility of targeting new countries more easily due to financial terms. The company mission is to produce and sell wedding bands to the couples that they can wear lifelong without any complaints.The way to success in their business is to make the high quality wedding band with the elegance and simple design. The simplicity of the ring is important because for many people it is difficult to choose the wedding ring which they would admire forever. Those who decide and buy the product know very well that the choice is very important. Besides all of the strategies and marketing plans, the most important function in Jewellery business is that the product has a change value as it is operating in the gold business. The accuracy that you mark inside the ring should be correct wi th the ring's.Better to explain by an example: When you mark 14K in the ring the accuracy should be 585 which is the gram percentage of the gold in 1 kg. If it is less than the marked one, it has a serious penalty and besides everything mentioned, whatever we do we always have to be sure of the gold accuracy of ring. 1. 1. 2 Actual Business Model This company fills rather the criteria of an actual business model than of a traditional business model due to the following reasons. 2 The process of creating golden rings is based on market needs, so to say on the actual demands of customers.The customers demand for the rings and therefore, edding bands are developed, created, and at least produced. Hence, the demand for brand capital is high. We can see a customer-focus because they are those who decide how their final wedding ring will look like. The wedding rings are created according to the customers. To be aware of the need of customization in this business is a very important factor to be successful in the gold industry. It is also possible to imply that there is a high demand for human capital.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Ibn Battuta and Mali Essay Example

Ibn Battuta and Mali Essay Example Ibn Battuta and Mali Essay Ibn Battuta and Mali Essay Mali tradition was full with ceremonials that highlighted gracious gift-giving. particular respect to their leaders and changeless congratulations of God that were indispensable and important parts of their political relations and civilization. Upon reaching in Mali. Ibn Battuta was met by his host along with prominent residents which included the qadi and a tribunal translator. Dugha. They brought with them hospitality gifts. Battuta felt most welcomed and by manner of thanks asked for God to honor them for their kindness. Their best dish was served Battuta. He was to run into the grand Turk. following. who gave a munificent banquet to honour Battuta’s late grand Turk of Morocco. After the supplications he was presented to the grand Turk who greeted him with Give thanks to God and his answer was Praise be to God. He received a cordial reception gift from the grand Turk which included robes of award. money. 3 bars of staff of life. a piece of beef fried in native oil. and a calabash of rancid curds. There was gaudery and pageantry when the sultan held audience at the courtyard. The people obeyed his every word and gave him their full attending when he spoke. Dugha was given his bend to demo his art with the blades. The grand Turk gifted him with a bag incorporating 200 withqals of gold dust. The commanding officers took their bends of gift-giving to Dugha. After his exhibition. it was the sultan’s bend to be exalted in verse forms. The people began with The pompi which you occupy †¦ followed by a recitation of his baronial workss. which they said memories [ of ] will outlast you. Once the grand Turk was visited by negro man-eaters in the company of one of their emirs. The grand Turk by usage received them with honor along with a negress retainer as cordial reception gift. They devoured the retainer and left after they gave thanks to the grand Turk. At the terminal of his travels. Battuta came to see the Commander of the Faithful which he wished that May God strengthen him when Battuta kissed his manus in salutation. Reference Battuta. I. ( 1929 ) . Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354. tr. and ed. H. A. R. Gibb. London: Broadway House.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Leadership theory and practice

Leadership theory and practice Leadership is a social influence process in which a person supports and aids a group of people to accomplish or achieve a common task and goal (Northouse, 2004). Effective leadership is essential in every organization for any task or goal to be successfully achieved.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Leadership theory and practice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main function of a leader in every organization is to work towards cohesiveness and unity to see that all the members of the organisation go through an experience that is satisfactory. According to Killan, leadership involves making decisions, achieving results, rendering services, willingness to be different and finally lead others by providing sufficient motivation and understanding which will lead to accomplishment of set tasks and goals (Killan 1952). Personality traits and managerial skills are necessary for any leader to be equipped with for him/her to be able to achieve successful performance in all the tasks he undertakes. A good leader should possess technical skills which he can use to refer to understanding and proficiency of certain kind of activities which involve processing, techniques and procedure. Technical skills enable leaders to be more concerned with how to deal with things and situations. Human skills which include the potentials possessed by the leader which involve his ability to cooperate and work with other people, those whom he manages. Conceptual skill is the ability of the leader to visualize the entire organization (Northouse, 2004). This skill normally enables the leader to recognize and perceive interrelationships of different factors which involve operations carried out within the entire organization. It also involves ability to solve problems of an organization. John Buford who was the Commander of Union Calvary possessed technical skills which enabled him to save the union. He managed to hold back American’s enemy for a long period which saved the favoured union position on the first day. Buford managed to involve his ability and skills to cooperate and work with the military to save Union Calvary from the enemy’s hands.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Leadership concepts strongly relate to power. Socialist such as Weber classified power into three different forms which include tradition, charisma and legal power (Weber 1947). Power can also be categorized into personal power and position power. However, the most widely recognized bases of power in many organizations include coercive, reward, referent and legitimate power. Position power is usually regarded as power that dwells on position regardless of the person holding it. Coercive, reward, referent and legitimate power normally result in position power (Phillips1996). One can say that posi tion power resembles authority. A leader who possesses position power has control over all the activities that take place within the organization; he directs and controls all the activities that take place within the organization. This kind of leader also has a strong say in disciplining and punishing the workers. However, leaders with position power are also limited in some ways. They cannot control or give order on those activities that are not within the organization. On the other hand, personal power is that power that is within an individual regardless of the position he/she holds in the company. Personal power can be related to coerciveness, reward, charisma and expert. A person who possesses personal power has the ability to inspire greater dedication and loyalty among the followers. This strong influence usually comes from the fact that there is a necessity which the followers have to respond to more readily than appeals and requests (Yukl 2009). However, one of the limitati ons of personal power is that the followers can either choose to freely accept or decline the orders of the leader. There are various leadership theories that have been developed, some of which include trait approach theory, behavioural theories, situational theories and transformational theories. Trait theory is set to find characters that are shared by most leaders (Northhouse 2004). This theory tends to find out what makes certain leaders great. It mainly identifies the innate characters and traits possessed by great political, military and social leaders. There are some traits that differentiate leaders from their followers. Such traits include sense of direction and purpose, friendliness, enthusiasm, integrity, decisiveness, faith, intelligence and action (Tead1938).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Leadership theory and practice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More General Robert E. Lee possessed trait theory and that is why he is considered to be a true legend in America. He had a sense of direction and purpose; he was faithful, intelligent and friendly. Behavioural theory on the other hand concentrates more on the observed behaviours of leaders. This approach mainly considers the manners and the way in which most leaders behave based on subordinates view on the task and relationship the two have. Task behaviours mainly involve goal accomplishment; the ability that leaders have to achieve the set objectives; the leader’s ability to influence the subordinates. Situational theory concentrates on the impact that leadership and followers roles, behaviour and skills have on satisfaction and performance. It mainly emphasizes on environment and behaviour; the leaders are responsible for training subordinates to adopt leadership styles and behaviours in various situations. Organizations such as governmental, business, educational and military greatly demand different types of leadership. Lea ders should adopt the styles of leadership he possesses to solve different situations that demands his attention. Lastly, transformational leadership emphasizes on change and transformation of individuals. General Lee had great confidence in his commanders and left them in the field with orders to follow. Situational theory entails ability of a leader to use his ability to implement and develop a clear vision for the organization. It also involves the ability of workers to perform as self-leaders what is termed as super leadership- â€Å"leading other people to lead themselves. These kinds of leaders are described as heroic or charismatic (Phillips1996). Transformational leadership is also concerned with ethical standards, long term goals and organizational goals. Transformational leaders do have a dynamic vision and personal attraction which normally brings total change in the organization. Leaders are able to motivate, satisfy the needs of the employees and treat them fairly as h umans. General James Longstreet did not manage to perform as self-leader and that means that he did not possess any strong personality as a leader. Longstreet failed to follow Lee’s orders instead he chose to follow his own commands and that made them fail.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Gettysburg is an American film on war which tells of how the Union and Confederate armies tried to fight back to take control of America. Gettysburg was the largest Civil War that involved casualties and combatants. It represented Americans Confederacy best in winning their independence back. However, the full details of Gettysburg war are only known by few historians. This movie achieved good balance in filmmaking and also provision of historical knowledge. The film also captured handful of key concepts not only in battle but also leadership concepts as depicted by three characters: General Robert Lee, General James Longstreet and Lt. Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain. General Robert E. Lee who was the Commander of Army of Northern Virginia was the best and most loved military leader America has ever had; he is considered as a true legend. Lee had unrealistic infallibility and this was seen after the war when some southern historians decided to adopt Lee’s theory which was known as lost cause (Maxwell 2006). This failure was either due to subordinates failure or impossible circumstances. General James Longstreet who was Lee’s favourite and valued Corp Commander was highly blamed for the failure. The story depicts the tension that the two had and which probably led to Gettysburg. Longstreet did not agree with Lee’s strategy during the war at Gettysburg; he failed to execute Lee’s orders in time and in effective manner. He is described in the movie as futile. However, the movie overplayed futility in Longstreet which means that they supported his detractors. Nevertheless, other subordinates were also to blame for the failure since they made lots of mistakes. Lee however took the responsibility for all the failures of the war which brought out the greatness in him. He decided to become accountable for all the loses which made him a great leader. Lt. Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain the commander of Union’s 20th Maine Volunteer Infantr y Regiment used his position power and personal power to defend against the hazards of the war. He fought to death to ensure that the regiment became the flank of the whole Union Army by rushing it to the top and on time. When Chamberlain and his troop reached the battle field, they discovered that the left side of their union line had made a mistake by moving forward leaving space (Maxwell 2006). This position was crucial and tactical which left some parts unoccupied putting them at a great risk of losing the war. However, he used his technical skills to rearrange the team. The militants also followed Chamberlain’s orders and made everything become possible by giving their all even if it meant dying for the sake of gaining freedom for America. This depicted transformational leadership in the story which emphasized on change and transformation of individuals. It entails ability of a leader to use his ability to implement and develop a clear vision for the organization. Chambe rlain employed the tactics known as refusing flank. He refused to bend the line back to form a right angle to prevent outflank. Despite the fact that Chamberlain was overcome by fatigue, he ordered pinwheel pivot bayonet counter to be charged since there was no other option, the ammunition had to be kept running. He had dynamic vision and personal attraction which enabled him to win. Chamberlain is depicted in the movie as a charismatic leader and a real hero as he led his troop into extraordinary actions. In conclusion, Gettysburg not only provides historical knowledge and filmmaking, it also presents leadership concepts and theories which are well evident in some of the great leaders such as Lee and Chamberlain in the movie. Gettysburg leaves the viewer’s think about their own teamwork, leadership and decision making since the three great leaders in the movie presented heroism in leadership. References Killan, M. (1952). The Leadership Challenge. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Northouse, G. (2004). Leadership theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, Inc. Maxwell, F. (2006). Gettsburg. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Routledge. Phillips, D. (1996). Lincoln on Leadership; Executive Strategies for Tough Times. New York: Warner Books, Inc. Tead, K. (1938).Organization Behaviour: Human Behaviour at Work. New York: McGraw-Hill. Yukl, G. (2009). Leadership in organizations 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Weber, M. (1947).Organizational Behaviour and Management. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Business Process Reengineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Process Reengineering - Essay Example Failure of the traditional approaches to effectively address the new conditions led to emergence of innovative perspectives on organizational performance and change with BPR being perhaps the most popular among them. Another distinct feature of the business environment in the early 1990s was the dramatic rise in amounts spent by businesses on information technology (IT), and the linkage between IT and BPR soon became the most popular object of research. Some studies published throughout the first half of 1990s estimated "over half of all reengineering efforts are initiated because of a perceived information technology opportunity" (Caldwell, 1994: 50), and pronounced IT to be the key enabler of effective BRP (Weicher et al, 1995). Although the linkage between IT and BPR has been confirmed repeatedly, there is no clarity as to the aspects of this linkage. The variety of opinions and views expressed in the literature is astonishing ranging from denial of the enabling role of IT in BPR to claims that IT is, in fact, the only enabler of BPR. The below overview seeks to summarise the existing conceptions about the relationship between IT and BPR in order to understand the merit of Information Technology as an enabler to Business Process Re-engineering Main Body In 1990, Michael Hammer published an article in the Harvard Business Review, in which he claimed that the major challenge for managers is to obliterate non-value adding work, rather than using technology for automating it (Hammer 1990). The article was perhaps the first attempt to draw attention of the scholarly community to the problem of information technology (IT) role in BPR. Hammer implicitly accused the management of contemporary businesses of the wrong application of IT which has been used mostly for automating existing practices than rather than revising the obsolete non-value adding ones. Hammer (1990) claims that the potential of IT makes it the most essential enabler of BPR in modern environment, but in order to fulfil the enabling function it must be used as a tool to challenge the traditional conceptions of the business processes that had emerged in the past before the advent and expansion the computer and communications technology. This will result in recognition and breaking away "from the outdated rules and fundamental assumptions underlying operations... These rules of work design are based on assumptions about technology, people, and organizational goals that no longer hold" (p.105). The elements of redesign models described in the early BRP literature illustrate why modern IT plays an important role in the reengineering concept. Hammer (1990) identifies the following basic principles of reengineering: (a) Organization around process outcomes, not tasks; (b) Those who use the output of the process must perform the process; (c) Subsume information processing work into the real work that produces the information; (d) Treat geographically dispersed resources as though they were centralized; (e) Link parallel activities instead of integrating their results; (f) Put the decision

Friday, November 1, 2019

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

Personal Statement - Essay Example I have enjoyed archaeology since I was a small child, pouring through a substantial volume of books and published articles about general archaeology and Egyptology. Reputable and well-known historians and experts in antiquity have given me the fundamental self-taught education in the field that only served to inspire even more zealous interest in this area of study and career. Currently, I am studying at Kaplan International College in areas of generalized education. However, I was recently accepted at Westminster University to study law on the advice of my caregivers. Upon careful examination and assessment of their influence, I realize that my true passion is archaeology and aspire to reject their intentions to pursue an area of interest of which I am dedicated and highly motivated. Archaeology gives us a framework to identify with ourselves in the modern world by comparing historical record and lifestyle with contemporary culture. My enthusiasm for this area of study is unparallel ed and I can think of no more appropriate field that is perfectly constructed for my ambitions and level of interest.