The Middle Eastern relations with world powers Essay

The Middle Eastern relations with world powers - Essay Example The relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America begun nearly a century ago. This relationship is based on mutual respect and common interests – economic, political, technological and social. The Saudi-US friendship has been through numerous conflicts and crises, but, has grown from strength to strength. The origins of this relationship go back to the personal admiration King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud the Kingdom’s founder, held for President Woodrow Wilson. Oil has always been the major element of the Saudi-US relationship. The Kingdom supplies crude oil to the United States averaging 1.52 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia received quite a number of US companies, which at first came to provide products and services for the oil industry but later entered into other ventures. When Saudi Arabia embarked on an ambitious development program in the industry, healthcare, education, and agriculture, it sought assistance from th e United States. U.S. experts and companies were closely involved in building up the Kingdom’s modern infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, roads, airports, seaports, industrial cities and telecommunications facilities. From that time, United States has partnered with Saudi Arabia in trade for more than fifty years. At present, America exports goods and services worth billions of dollars to the Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia in return exports a sizable portion of crude oil to the United States.... Oil has always been the major element of the Saudi-US relationship. The Kingdom supplies crude oil to the United States averaging 1.52 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia received quite a number of US companies, which at first came to provide products and services for the oil industry but later entered into other ventures. When Saudi Arabia embarked on an ambitious development program in industry, health care, education and agriculture, it sought assistance from the United States. U.S. experts and companies were closely involved in building up the Kingdom’s modern infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, roads, airports, seaports, industrial cities and telecommunications facilities. From that time, United States has partnered with Saudi Arabia in trade for more than fifty years. At present, America exports goods and services worth billions of dollars to the Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia in return exports a sizable portion of crude oil to the United States. This commercial a nd economic association has resulted in rapid growth, in two way trade. It has increased from $56.2 million in 1950 to over $34 billion in 2005. Joint ventures between American and Saudi companies in fields such as energy, petrochemicals, manufacturing, finance and telecommunications have been formed. An example is Motiva, which is a joint venture involving Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining Inc. It is one of the major refining and marketing companies in the United States. The US-Saudi relationship extends beyond oil, business and international politics to the people. Thousands of Americans live and work in Saudi Arabia. In turn, hundreds of

Citizenship in America Essay Example for Free

Citizenship in America Essay U.S. citizens are lucky. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and many more rights. Citizenship can mean different things to different people. Who a country defines as its citizens may differ in different times and different places. In general, we know that citizenship belongs to a person who lives in a certain country and has certain rights. Yet, I believe that the true essence of citizenship lies in the duty to help solve problems.   In the United States, the idea of citizenship has evolved over time. For instance, in 1776, most blacks, Indians and white women had no right to vote. They had to struggle to become full citizens. The right and responsibility to vote came after a long and hard fight. Studying history is a key part of effective citizenship because from people in the past, we learn examples of good citizenship. One very good example of good citizenship was that shown by Jane Addams. Even at age six in 1866, she was an initiator and she wanted to change her world. During that time, she got this remark from Theodore Roosevelt, president from 1901 to 1909, that Addams became â€Å"the most useful citizen.† When she was 29 years old, Addams bought a large, old house called the Hull House in a poor immigrant area of Chicago. They soon learned that Addams wanted to help poor people solve the problems they faced. At Hull House, immigrants could learn English. Working parents could even leave their babies there during the day and the children were encouraged to take art classes. She also made the house available for family gatherings, weddings and other events. Addams raised money herself to pay for these programs. She also tried to change the government and often she worked in campaigns for people running for office whom she believed had honest intentions. She also wrote letters to members of Congress. She went to meetings to support giving women the right to vote. She lead marches to support laws ending the use of child labor in factories. She also tried to influence the government. In fact, people today can still petition, or try to influence the policies of government. Petitioning is one of the basic rights of all citizens protected by the United States Constitution. When garbage filled up the alleys near Hull House, she was worried that the piles of trash may cause disease and death among the children in the neighborhood. So, she did something none of us would ever think of—she applied a job as a garbage inspector. Thus, she was able to follow those garbage wagons all the way to the dumping site just to be sure that garbage is properly disposed. Addams was good citizenship personified. In my own way, I want to do the same thing as Addams did. Starting from my own home, I can begin helping my parents in cleaning our surroundings. I can also do some volunteer work in our community during weekends when there are no exams in school. Volunteer work can be fun especially when I mobilize my other friends to join in. I am sure they will be open to make themselves useful, in our own small way, in making a difference to the world out there. In my own small way, I can learn from people of the past how it is to exercise good citizenship. Making the community look good is a part of good citizenship. In fact, the community is a setting that provides much potential for helping and learning at the same time. Libraries, museums, and many places are rich sources of exercising good citizenship. For afterall, citizenship requires initiative, courage and sacrifice. As Jane Addams said, â€Å"Progress is not automatic; the world grows better because people wish that it should and take the right steps to make it better.† REFERENCES Jane Addams 1860-1935. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2006 at: http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/janeadams.html#childhood Wikipedia. Jane Addams. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2006 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Addams Women Working. Jane   Addams. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2006 at: http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/ww/people_addams.html

Catcher in the Rye Essay: Holden’s Metamorphosis -- Catcher Rye Essays

Holden's Metamorphosis in The Catcher in the Rye      Ã‚  Ã‚   J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is the chronicle of a young man's metamorphosis from immaturity to unsure manhood. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is a sixteen-year old boy who leaves the prep school he has been expelled from to escape the frightening reality of dealing with his parents. However, during his visit to New York City he is faced with the harsh reality that he cannot continue to hold onto his childhood. Holden is an extremely complex character and it is only by examining each layer of him that the reader is able to understand his painful metamorphosis.    There have been many debates over the morality of Holden. At the time of publication many critics saw Holden as a poor specimen of the youth of America. As the story opens he has flunked out of prep school for the third time and decides to run away to New York unbeknownst to his parents or the school authorities. Holden uses obscenities and blasphemes multiple times within sentences; he attempts to solicit a prostitute, and even calls himself a coward. True, Holden does not fair well when held up to the conventional moral codes of a young man of the fifties. Nevertheless, the reader must keep in mind that however complex Holden is, he is still just a boy trying to understand and be accepted by the world around him. Holden hides behind the profanities he uses. He does not use them referring to a person, but rather as a vague intensifier for his thoughts. Holden uses them to appear tough and to hide his insecurities as a teenager. He also bargains for the services of a prostitute his f irst night in the city. However, Holden does not have sex with her after he becomes sad talking to her. He do... ...says on Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Joel Salzberg. Boston, Massachusetts: G.K. Hall & Co., 1990. 23-24. 3. Jacobs, Robert G. "The Catcher in the Rye: Holden Caulfield's Goddamn Autobiography." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 55-62. 4. Kaplan, Charles. "Holden and Huck: The Odysseys of Youth." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 127-130. 5. Lettis, Richard. The Catcher in the Rye. Great Neck, New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1964. 1-18. 6. Maclean, Hugh. "Conservatism in Modern American Fiction." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 14-15 7. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston, Massachusettes: Little, Brown and Company, 1951. 1-277.    Catcher in the Rye Essay: Holden’s Metamorphosis -- Catcher Rye Essays Holden's Metamorphosis in The Catcher in the Rye      Ã‚  Ã‚   J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is the chronicle of a young man's metamorphosis from immaturity to unsure manhood. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is a sixteen-year old boy who leaves the prep school he has been expelled from to escape the frightening reality of dealing with his parents. However, during his visit to New York City he is faced with the harsh reality that he cannot continue to hold onto his childhood. Holden is an extremely complex character and it is only by examining each layer of him that the reader is able to understand his painful metamorphosis.    There have been many debates over the morality of Holden. At the time of publication many critics saw Holden as a poor specimen of the youth of America. As the story opens he has flunked out of prep school for the third time and decides to run away to New York unbeknownst to his parents or the school authorities. Holden uses obscenities and blasphemes multiple times within sentences; he attempts to solicit a prostitute, and even calls himself a coward. True, Holden does not fair well when held up to the conventional moral codes of a young man of the fifties. Nevertheless, the reader must keep in mind that however complex Holden is, he is still just a boy trying to understand and be accepted by the world around him. Holden hides behind the profanities he uses. He does not use them referring to a person, but rather as a vague intensifier for his thoughts. Holden uses them to appear tough and to hide his insecurities as a teenager. He also bargains for the services of a prostitute his f irst night in the city. However, Holden does not have sex with her after he becomes sad talking to her. He do... ...says on Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Joel Salzberg. Boston, Massachusetts: G.K. Hall & Co., 1990. 23-24. 3. Jacobs, Robert G. "The Catcher in the Rye: Holden Caulfield's Goddamn Autobiography." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 55-62. 4. Kaplan, Charles. "Holden and Huck: The Odysseys of Youth." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 127-130. 5. Lettis, Richard. The Catcher in the Rye. Great Neck, New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1964. 1-18. 6. Maclean, Hugh. "Conservatism in Modern American Fiction." If You Wanted to Know. Marsden, Malcolm M. Chicago, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1963. 14-15 7. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston, Massachusettes: Little, Brown and Company, 1951. 1-277.   

Communication Problems Between Teenagers And Adults Essay

From the beginning of time teenagers and adults have always had conflicts with each other. These conflicts occur most of the time because of the lack of communication between the teenager and the adult. The generation gap between the teenager and the adult can play a role in the problems they have communicating. The superior adult has the instinct that whatever the inferior teenager does can lead to bad things, and lectures the teenager about it. Most of the time teenagers have many other sources of advice they can listen to, and it seems that the adult can become the last resort or not a resort at all. The generation gap, the feeling of being inferior and superior, and the other sources of advice can play a big part in the problems teenagers and adults have communicating. Both parties have an equal role in communicating with each other. But the choice comes down to the two willing to take that particular role. The generation gap between teenagers and adults plays a huge part in why they have problems communicating with each other. The adult who had a very different lifestyle and childhood then that of a teenager may have a different view on life. Things unheard of years ago to the adults can now have rational reasoning through the advance of technology. For a teenager to talk to an adult, on a subject that the adult has no idea on can almost become impossible. Still living in the last decade, adults may not correspond with the thinking of today’s youthful teenagers. The age difference between the teenager and the adult plays a huge role in the game of communicating between the two. The superior adult has always had the impulse to contradict the ideas of the inferior teenager, and lecture the teenager on the teenager’s wrongful ways. The more mature adult thinks that he or she has more knowledge than the younger teenager and sees that the teenager may benefit from the lecture. This gives a feeling of uneasiness in the teenager and makes them very irritable. Many verbal conflicts have aroused after the adult has given his or her point of view in the lecture. The adult often times makes the teenager feel inferior to him or her in the lectures. The teenager feeling inferior, who has a lot on his mind, may not express what he or she really  feels to the adult. This state of feeling inferior and superior between the teenager and adult does not help solve the problems they have communicating. Teenagers talk to so many friends about things they have in common with, it makes talking to an adult like taking to a person on the other side of the planet. Teenagers have so many other options on expressing what they think, that it seems very difficult talking to an adult. The teenager could always first go to a close friend of theirs if they had something on their mind. Teenagers going to adults for help can lead to more problems because the two may not agree on the same thing. This example goes the same way with an adult. If an adult has something on his or her mind and has to express it some way, he or she will go to another adult who would have the same ideas on it. The lack of respect they have for one another can explain the problems they have in communication. Problems and conflicts occur all the time among teenagers and adults. The hurdle of communication can sometimes become the hardest obstacle teenagers and adults have to overcome. The trouble of the two communicating can lead to a very tough relationship or lead to no relationship at all between the two. The two must try to have better communication with one another if they want to improve the relationship between them. The leading responsibility for this problem can have something to do with the generation gap of the two, the feeling of inferior and superior, and the abundant sources of advice. One person cannot fight the communication battle alone. With the help of both sides this war on communication can lead to a victory for both teenagers and adults.

EBusiness Opportunity for HK Logistics Ltd. Essay

Company Service and Product: Excellence Logistics Ltd (ELL) is a privately owned logistics company specialising in the delivery of Business-to-business items within throughout Europe. The company was founded in 1992 to provide an efficient logistics service specially targeted to manufacturing firms from their network of suppliers. The emphasis for the company at this initial stage was speed and efficient service as a result of regional efficiency. At start up, the company’s headquarters was in Hong Kong with a regional distribution centre in Shanghai, China. Presently the company has 5 major distribution centres all over the world, however our strategy to be a strong player in the Asian market is still core to our operations.. Our warehouses provided storage and logistics support for our clients which at inception were mostly Chinese companies but have extended throughout the world. Our Warehouse services have continued to be a vital aspect of our business as we support clients who do not wish to own their facilities, a trend which had become popular in the late 1980s. This aspect of the business still represents a significant part of ELL’s revenue. Apart from our warehousing services, ELL is involved in contract logistics services, freight management, and logistics consulting. However, the company extended to the offering logistics support for end products and distribution to our clients’ retail and wholesale outlets which increased our freight handling requiring new skills and expertise. Size and Scope of Influence: The Company’s new goal is to be the premier logistics company serving manufacturing companies globally with a strong base in Asia. ELL’s new goal was to take the company from being seen as a logistics company primarily in the Asian region to being a global player leveraging on the use of technology to do this. The company’s employee figures have also increased from 2,300 to over 4000 within the last 2 years due to our efforts in expansion. Revenue, Ambition, Strengths and Weaknesses: HK’s profit last year was $5.7M after tax as the year marked the beginning of huge investments in technology as a result of the need for the company to be more responsive and to implement major e-commerce and parcel tracking initiatives. The company’s strength in Europe offered it huge benefits and market growth in the region despite stiff challenge from global operators. It however became obvious that the company needs to expand globally in order to benefits its corporate clientele most of whose operations required freights to other continents. This need was very important also as we extended our business to the shipment of end products form our clients to various distributors creating a new challenge. Company’s attitude and goals regarding e-commerce: Last year the company transformed its website into a portal as first steps towards new integrated e-commerce initiatives. The company is now fully aware that this is the way to go to ensure that it benefits its growing customers and stay competitive. The major challenge for ELL is to coordinate its operations and ensure the integration of its services throughout the business from collection to delivery stages. To do this, it was essential to provide real-time visibility of our operations and parcel progress to our clients to ensure efficient management. Section 2: Internet Business Scope The e-commerce Project: As previously explained Excellence Logistics Ltd has evolved a new strategy to position it as a global player through the potential opportunities that e-commerce can provide. This is important because we believe that it will also enhance our ability to collaborate effectively with other global players who will wish to tap into the Asian market. In line with this our warehousing solutions have been enhanced with four new distribution centres to give our growing client base flexibility and wider range of locations closer to their manufacturing plants. This is guaranteed to optimise cost savings, lower liabilities, increased speed-to-market and enhanced freighting and shipment services. Our fulfilment services are aimed at providing specialised services including postponement, inspection, returns and salvage to our clients who require these value-adding services. The increasing importance of Asian companies in global manufacturing supply chain has put ELL in a strategic position and we aim to optimise our advantage. Our Present Position: Our use of technology before this project was not spectacular as with most Asian companies. Like every standard company, we maintained a central database of our operations without the ability to track goods in real time. Information was shared with customers on stock levels on a weekly basis and updating of data was done manually from information received from our customers. Standard EDI transactions included advance ship notice and notice of shipment and payments by our customers was done through electronic funds transfer. This was not good enough and it became obvious that we were loosing customers who wanted to know the condition of their shipments in real time which we presently could not do. It was therefore clear that we would be limited in providing good customer service and could loose most of our valued clients. So this e-commerce project was essentially important to move EEL to the next level in terms of our global strategy Goal Setting and Corporate Communication: The importance of the internet project was clear to management as it was important in the growth of the company and new global initiatives for expansion. However, the huge financial commitments required meant that it had to be effectively explained to shareholders for approval. To do this, an internal team headed by the CIO was set up to articulate the goals and cost of the project. They were also given the responsibility for communicating this to all the stakeholders and drawing up an implementation plan. New Opportunities/Necessary Changes: It was clear that to move forward, e-business was crucial to helping us get real time information necessary for our operational efficiency. The implementation of e-business was mainly driven by the growing demands on our business. This process started with the company streamlining its operations with the intention of transforming itself from a traditional bricks and mortar logistics company to a company using e-commerce and technology strategically to enhance service quality and delivery. It also had become necessary to extend beyond Hong Kong to serve companies in Europe and United States and these regions were increasingly sourcing for products from Asia which was our primary market. Secondly, technological development in the logistics sector had advanced with the possibility of clients being able to ascertain real time locations and condition of their shipment. New software applications implementation meant that we had to expand our IT section and employ more staff. It also meant that we had to downsize in some areas of the company that increasingly became irrelevant. In terms of strategy, the e-commerce project aimed at extending our frontiers giving us the ability to compete on a global scale hence our new positioning to be a global player. The project’s twin focus was: Enhanced Value through Channel Integration: We required the integration of our distribution network with our warehousing and transportation management systems to drive overall freight costs down by consolidating orders for multiple customers.   This integration of systems also provides customers with immediate access to information with reduced order cycle times and transit times insuring that materials are in the right place at the right time. Automated Services through Integrated Technology: Our transportation management service was developed to reduce freight costs and increase on time deliveries. Transportation management services include carrier selection, pricing negotiations, real-time shipment status (via website) and automated communication.   Automated communication includes: exceptions performance management and exception reporting claims resolution reporting Section 3: Knowing the Enemy (3) One critical factor for our internet project as already expressed is the need to catch up with global competition and ensure that we offer our customers what they require. It is clear that our biggest inspiration in terms of competition is Exel, a global company originating from the United States. Exel is a global leader in supply chain management with significant interests in the Middle East and China. The company’s reputable has attracted global companies like Sun Microsystems, Ericsson, Motorola, Hitachi, and Nokia as some of the companies that it services. In a way, our service offerings are similar as we target manufacturing companies as our client base which is similar to what Exel does. Just over three years ago, the company faced a similar situation as what Excellent Logistics now faces; there was need to provide an integrated global supply chain management systems as the company had clients in every continent and serviced their clients from delivering components for manufacture to the distribution of end products. In order to achieve this, the company hired the service of Agilisys to design a web-based supply chain integrator system that aimed at offering their corporate clients an integrated view of inventory and delivery status of goods at every point in time. In the project for Exel, the company listed the deliverables expected from Agilisys as follows: Intelligent interface design to enable re-use of purchase order and inventory data Integration of disparate systems for clients and third-party logistics suppliers Ability to track stock through the entire supply chain In-depth methodology to work on the look and feel of the site Multi-tier messaging architecture, extraction and middleware technologies to enable integration with incompatible systems No doubt, the result of this project was that Exel became more able to respond to their challenges of expansion globally. This project no doubt portrayed Exel as a technologically driven company responsive to providing great services to its customers and increased its market share all over the world. We can surely say, its recent partnership with global giants DHL is a statement of the status Exel has gained over the years as a result of its e-business adoption. Our focus has been explained in section 2 is similar to that of Exel while we desire to ensure that we continue to play a strong role in Asia. The figure below shows the critical areas the e-business project was meant to address: Figure 1: E-business project concepts identified as crucial by collaboration team. Excellence Logistics Ltd. is clearly interested in using this as a relevant pattern in our quest to implement our own e-business initiative. We are conscious of this and have extended our scope with our e-business consultants to include the following: Investigation of the use of RFD technology in logistics as we intend to be one of the first companies to implement this. Integration with third party suppliers like DHL and UPS for extended services and direct deliveries to our clients’ customers. This is very essential in the delivery of end products from our warehouses. It is clear that we are essentially a Business-to-Business logistics company with particular interest in manufacturing firms particularly in the technology sector. Our target customers are likely to have the following characteristics: Be Manufacturing Companies usually in the Technology sector. With significant partnerships and interest in Asian market. Companies requiring specialised logistics services including warehouse facilities. We shall be extremely focused to concentrate on our target sector and to be the best in our sector and will look for opportunities to better understand our customers and their needs. The approach is to ensure full empowerment and information sharing with our customers and partners with constant feedback on possible areas of improvement. Section Four: eBusiness Strategy Project Procedure: To achieve our goals as a company, it is essential to articulate clearly our e-business strategy as a company. Initiation Phase: A cross-functional team headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO) looks at our needs and in conjunction with our consultants, produce a framework for the project. Planning Phase: This involved communication with management and evolution of a time-table with which the project will be guided and also explaining the process to our partners, staff and clients to understand our aims with the project. An extended collaboration team including representatives from operations, finance, IT, customer service, and human resources department was inaugurated at this stage to help with the process to ensure company-wide participation. Execution Phase: This involves the stage by stage implementation of the project including necessary skills training and workshops. Control Phase: The objective during the control phase is to closely monitor the performance measures agreed to by the collaboration team. Any service exceptions or performance measures not met will be reviewed with the CIO who was the head of the project and reported to management on a monthly basis. Process Improvement Phase: This involved the analysis of the project and improvements on initial design based on any shortcomings found. The objective of this phase is to meet the required service levels as originally agreed for the project. These initiatives will enable us to capitalize on past successes and allow us to take our supply chain to the next level of innovation, to effectively monitor operational capabilities, improve performance levels, measure cost accurately, and develop world-class processes. Supply Chain Strategy: Our Supply Chain Management Strategy is to develop and manage a preferred supply base that enhances the success of our customers and their long term competitiveness. It is now clear that efficient supply chain management clearly impacts on the profitability of our clients. We shall therefore employ the following: Just-in-time supply management. Developing and maintaining long-term client relationships. Strong organizational and process integration to leverage on technology. Reduction in cycle times and reduction of total costs. Global Collaboration and outsourcing to reduce overhead costs. Legal Framework: Legal issues with the e-business project include the following Privacy concerns for individual customers who want to ensure that their data, communication and information is secure. Global trade issues and legislations affecting the industry. Intellectual Property protection. Security of payment transactions. Marketing Strategy: We aim to maximise our new e-business strategy and initiative be deploying online promotions, search engine strategies, co-marketing branding with customers and partners, new media advertisements and global brand development. Section Five: Public Image Organisational Goal: Our primary goal is to be a global logistics provider and the premier logistics company providing specialized services to manufacturing firms with a strong base in Asia. We have however clearly defined four essential areas that this project is focused on with supporting performance measures:  §Ã‚   Improve management efficiency  §Ã‚   Virtual meetings and collaborations.  §Ã‚   Reduced logistics cost  §Ã‚   Increased Time Deliveries  §Ã‚   Reports and event management  §Ã‚   Security and trust issues  §Ã‚   Provide secure login for partners, customers and employees.  §Ã‚   Controlling access levels.  §Ã‚   Better Customer Service  §Ã‚   Provide Online Enquiry  §Ã‚   Online viewing and real-time tracking of parcels.  §Ã‚     Provide remote consultation services  §Ã‚   Online registration and bill payment  §Ã‚   Bigger Participation and Future Opportunities  §Ã‚   For other logistics companies and potential Partners.  §Ã‚   Identifying consolidation opportunities or possible global mergers.  §Ã‚   Supports RFID technology. Our foundation as an efficient and reliable logistics provider is built on the hard work and integrity in our operations which we have emphasized from the inception of the company.   We would continue to utilize this while we aim at being responsive to new technology needs in order to improve our efficiency and keep the trust of our clients. With regards to software capability, it was important that it was customized to meet our specific needs with our focus on a paperless system based on flexibility and reduction in freight costs and increased delivery times. Security and Privacy Issues: The following issues form the framework for our policy on security and privacy issues: Data Protection: This is an important law gaining global attention with regional legislations particularly in the US and European commission. Our goal will be to ensure that all private information is obtained by obtained by fair and lawful means; relevant to the purposes for which they are to be used; should be protected with reasonable security measures to prevent unauthorized access, destruction or modification. Financial Transactions: It is essential that all payments and transfer of money is done securely and that is in line with the company’s goal of transparency and fairness. Intellectual Property: Trademark and intellectual property of our customers will be adequately protected. E-mail and communication: We would use secured e-mail communication and create effective firewalls to protect both incoming and outgoing e-mail. It is essential that communication is sent to the right department and our collaboration software ensures this with the encryption of sensitive communication. Risk Assessment: Clearly the major risk issues is Security and Technical faults . Our desire however is to turn this to a strategic marketing tool by ensuring emphasis on secure transactions. To mitigate these risks, we have done the following We have engaged IBM, a global player and foremost e-business consulting company. Ensuring that Technology used is relevant, secure and flexible to support future business changes. We have put offline software capabilities and procedures to deal with possible downtimes and internet failures. We are aware of lose of revenues by companies due to technical faults and will preempt this. Developed efficient service levels and procedures for timely intervention. Communication Strategy: We would effectively communicate and educate our customers, suppliers and partners as to the effective use of our systems for maximum benefit and ensure that responsibility is taken for our technology. We would emphasise the convenience, efficiency and the interactive experience that our e-commerce initiative provides. Section Six: Information Strategy (2) Information Gathering: As important as technology is, information is the basis and information is essential to make the business successful. As part of the initial process, the company has looked at what information is necessary to ensure we operate efficiently and provide the quality of service that we desire. It is therefore essential that information is carefully designed and assess should be monitored to ensure that it is used only for official purposes. Privacy is very important to also protect confidential information as some of our clients are competitors to each other to ensure that we operate ethically. It is also necessary to ensure proper reporting and performance measurement to enhance the future direction of this project. The figure below shows the major enterprise units and some sample information needs. Figure 2: Our Value Chain As a result of our position in the supply chain business, it is important that we ensure efficient use of information between the interacting organisations and units as shown in the figure above. A typical situation is to get an order from our customers’ manufacturing locations to our central warehouse where the order is confirmed based on inventory availability. Inventory is also automatically connected to our supplier chains who supply components once the set reorder level is reached. This same process occurs with the product retailers and individual customers who order our customer products. The essence is to maintain a just-in-time supply chain that maximises the efficiency of the value chain and reduces cost associated with poor forecast. Whenever a product or component is shipped based on an order, an invoice is automatically issued which is settled through online transactions and transfers. On the other hand, the supply chain system links with the company’s relevant departments particularly the accounts and logistics supports units.    Problems with Information Flow Dealing with different companies in the chain presents bottlenecks that hinder communication. Privacy Constraints and Data Protection differences across countries.    Strategy to enhance Information flow efficiency Work with companies, suppliers and partners who understand the value of efficient Technology and accept our strategy. Build a Customer Service Team to handle Information Keep communications from management to front office staff open at all stages of the project and with implementation. Make Excellence Customer Service the basis of our e-business project. Give ownership to everyone so that all employees can be part of improving the project and contributing to future changes. Section Seven: Future Operation and Development RFID Integration: In the long term, our business strategy is to maximize the opportunities that are available for global partnerships with other logistics providers in areas where we are not too strong, while we provide similar support in our primary area. One major benefit of the project is its suitability and implementation of RFID which is gaining global attention particularly for the logistics sector. We are conscious that this is a trend that will be the standard for the future and with this project have positioned ourselves for its implementation in a year’s time. What makes the RFID technology interesting and important?   Whereas barcodes only identify the product, RFID tags can tell what the product is, where it has been, it’s expiry date and any other information required for the product. This makes information retrieval and access automatic and complete on its own. It’ will produce adequate information about when and where merchandise is manufactured, picked, packed and shipped so that data can be stored, transmitted in real-time and shared with warehouse management, inventory management, financial and other enterprise systems. Another benefit of RFIDs is that, unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read automatically by electronic readers. Imagine a truck carrying a container full of widgets entering a shipping terminal in China. If the container is equipped with an RFID tag, and the terminal has an RFID sensor network, that container’s whereabouts can be automatically sent to Prime Technologies without the truck ever slowing down. It has the potential to add a substantial amount of visibility into the extended supply chain. The only issue in its implementation is the cost and the fact that it will still take a couple of years before it becomes a global standard. This project has increased the potential of possible collaboration through the use of web services through which data is shared and transmitted to enhance communication between companies. Our positioning to enhance our future strategic goals will be in line with the following: Our initial strategy aimed at expanding globally will result in the implementation of our e-business project that is aimed at ensuring that we can track goods in transit and provide our customers with real-time information. The implementation of RFID to help efficient tracking of parcels and increase our efficiency at warehouses. The four major groups that our company has include: Customers that we provide complete logistics solutions for including shipping, transportation to and from factory. Customers that we provide warehousing services alone. Customers that we provide warehousing and shipping of components and materials to their factories but who handle their own distribution. Customers who handle their own warehousing but leave transportation and logistics to us. It is clear that our e-business project is essential to all these groups but will be more critical to the companies that use our operations completely. We are certain that this will enhance our ability to effectively increase our customer base in all these sectors. Strategy to Enhance Future Value While e-business benefits may be difficult to measure, we will keep working on performance measurement of the project to ensure that value is generated and sustained. That we utilise simple technology that will be easily scalable and flexible to enhance future possible changes using open-source technology as much as possible. Sensitive to cultural and language barriers in the use of technology. Employee participation, training and motivation to make everyone involved in project development. The project must continue to improve convenience, efficiency and security for all users and stakeholders. References Kendra Bonnett, An IBM guide to doing business on the internet. Mcgraw Hill. 2000. Charles Trepper, E-commerce Strategies. Microsoft Press. 2000. Charles Trepper (2000) E-Commerce Strategies. Published by Microsoft Press. 10 – 11, http://www.cio.com/research/scm/edit/012202_scm.html#scm_emerging (assessed February 18) http://www.forfas.ie/publications/ebus_ict_leg02/021029_ebusiness_ict_leg_pressrelease_s.pdf (assessed February 21) http://www.usherproject.org.uk/support/scenarios/legal.pdf

Procedural violations as a contribution to high-risk accidents Essays

Procedural violations as a contribution to high-risk accidents Essays Procedural violations as a contribution to high-risk accidents Essay Procedural violations as a contribution to high-risk accidents Essay Mason ( 1997 cited in Lawton, 1998, p. 79 ) studies that procedural misdemeanors have been a important contributory factor to 70 % of the entire accidents in bad industries. This is farther illustrated by Walker, et Al. ( 2012 ) where they analysed 108 fatal accidents reported in 2010 and 2011 within oil and gas industry. The survey revealed that unwilled misdemeanors caused 19 % of the human deaths, and knowing misdemeanors caused 15 % of the human deaths. Researches ( Bowonder, 1987 ; Meshkati, 1991 ; Gupta, 2002 ; Chouhan, 2005 ) show that knowing misdemeanors were a conducive cause of Methyl isocyanate ( MIC ) escape in the Bhopal calamity occurred in 1984. Safety critical equipment such as the infrigidation unit to maintain MIC below 5Â °C, blowhole gas scrubber designed to neutralize the toxic release and flair tower designed to fire out extra MIC bluess were non working on the twenty-four hours of the incident ; nevertheless, the production was allowed to go on. Furthermore, the probe of the Texas City refinery detonation revealed that the operators and supervisors were allowed to change, edit, add or take procedural stairss without any proficient reappraisals, and procedural divergences were an acceptable pattern within the works ( MacKenzie, et al. , 2007 ; CSB, 2007 ) . These informations and incident findings provide affirmatory grounds that mistakes and misdemeanors related to the disobedience of processs are still a repeat ing contributory factor in accidents within oil and gas industry. The probe of Laurence ( 2005 ) on the causes of procedural disobedience in Australian mine workers found that some 19 % of the workers thought that the processs lack existent universe apprehension, 18 % that there are excessively many processs to retrieve, 16 % that the processs are excessively complex, 12 % that the processs are non in a field linguistic communication and 10 % that the processs are hapless in footings of content. The recent research of Dahl, et Al. ( 2013 ) among the employees of Norse offshore service vass were besides statistically proved that the procedural conformity depends on the employees’ apprehension of the content of the processs. The findings of Laurence ( 2005 ) and Dahl, et Al. ( 2013 ) were reinforced by Dahl ( 2013 ) in a survey within the crude oil industry and found that entree to the processs, user-friendliness and preparation have direct influence on the procedural conformity. These in bend agencies that the root cause of operators’ mistake and misdemeanors related to the procedural conformity are non merely the duty of an employee, but direction besides have an of import function to guarantee that processs are designed with the human capablenesss and restrictions in head. Research workers have proposed assorted methods to command procedural disobedience. Procedures must qualify the operating bounds and effects that may ensue when diverting from the operating bounds ( Hughes and Kornowa-Weichel, 2004 ) . Management must apportion a capable affair expert to reexamine the processs to guarantee proficient truth and content of the processs before the undertaking executing ( Inaba, et al. , 2004 ) . Levels, system bounds, set points and diagrams to be included in the complex processs to cut down human mistakes. Procedures must qualify the actions to be taken if the parametric quantities are non complied with or out of scope ( Cullan and Anderson, 2005 ) . An every bit important facet is that it is necessary to affect system end-users in the procedural development to cut down human mistakes. The process design must guarantee that process content, layout and presentation comply with the industry best pattern and can be used and understood by end-users, peculiarly in relation to safety critical operations ( Cullen, 2007 ) . By the same item, Bates and Holroyd ( 2012 ) stipulate that latest version of the processs must be easy accessible to shop-floor workers. Agreements must besides be in topographic point for regular reappraisal and update in line with the alteration of work procedure and for supervising systems to verify conformity with processs. It is every bit of import that processs must be in a simple linguistic communication that the operator will easy understand ( Cullen and Anderson, 2005 ; Bates and Holroyd, 2012 ) . Human factors in preparation and competence direction Bettering the competence of employee is cardinal to advance safety consciousness and cut down human mistakes. Inadequate preparation frequently consequences in the deficiency of proficient accomplishment and safety consciousness. The organizational factors like failure to set up preparation system and staff ain factors like hapless attitude to developing frequently produce unqualified employees and human mistakes ( Shi Wenwen, et al. , 2011 ) . To exemplify, the Longford Royal Commission investigated the Esso Longford detonation pointed out that unequal preparation of workers and supervisors was a cause of the accident ( Dawson and Brooks, 1999 ; Barnett, 2006 ; Hopkins, 2000 ) . Additionally, the probe of the British Petroleum ( BP ) Texas City refinery detonation identified that BP failed to guarantee the procedure safety cognition of refinery forces. The over-reliance on BP’s Computer Based Training ( CBT ) caused unequal competence of employees ( Baker, et al. , 2007 ) . It was identified that there were no equal systems in topographic point to pattern managing unnatural state of affairss ( CSB, 2007 ) and for confirmation of the operator cognition and makings ( MacKenzie, et al. , 2007 ) . The findings from these accidents suggest that administrations must hold vigorous competence direction systems in topographic point to forestall human mistakes. There have been inconclusive arguments about the effectivity of different preparation methods within the bad industries. Burke, et Al. ( 2011 ) in a meta-analysis probe conducted within the excavation industry found that extremely participant prosecuting preparation is well more effectual than less prosecuting preparation when risky exposure badness is high. On the contrary, Brahm and Singer ( 2013 ) did non happen a preparation method superior to any other. On the balance, it is sensible to propose that inactive preparation such as CBT must non replace more piquant schoolroom and practical preparation Sessionss within the bad industries. Such determinations must be based on cost-benefit analysis to forestall similar competence issues identified in the BP Texas City accident. Several human factors surveies have appeared in recent old ages documenting the preparation issues. Hughes and Kornowa-Weichel ( 2004 ) insisted the importance of keeping the competence of trainers. Records must maintain of what has been covered in the preparation and what advancement has been made to maintain the path of employees’ competence. Scholars besides suggest that preparation should include a scope of normal and exigency operation scenarios, and should concentrate on safety critical undertakings, and for which there may be spreads in competence ; peculiarly, for undertakings that are infrequently performed and new undertakings introduced ( Cullen, 2007 ; Cullen and Anderson 2005 ) . Ganguly ( 2011 ) indicates that direction should guarantee so much of information are non given to employees in less clip that will be hard to absorb, and employee may non understand to the full about the new occupation. Administrations should besides guarantee that each critical safety processs are supported with preparation to guarantee employees’ conformity ( Bates and Holroyd ; 2012 ) . Smithers ( 2010 ) and Ganguly ( 2011 ) stipulate that systems must be in topographic point for continued and refresher preparation and post-training rating to keep and better the competency of employees to forestall human mistakes. Human factors in hazard appraisal The safety and unity of any procedure works are dependent on the quality of the design. It is non surprising so that proficient design factors and design failures dominate the Process Hazard Analysis ( PHA ) ensuing in less accent on human-related issues ( Kariuki and Lowe, 2007 ) . The survey of Skogdalen and Vinnem ( 2011 ) is an effort to turn to this issue of how the Human and Organisation Factors ( HOFs ) are included and reflected in the Quantitative Risk Assessment ( QRA ) within the Norse Shelf and UK. Skogdalen and Vinnem ( 2011 ) reviewed 15 QRAs for different installings collected from five runing companies. It has been found that five QRAs were covered the proficient and operational hazard decrease factors and no attending were given to HOFs, eight QRAs explained the importance of HOFs to some extent ; nevertheless, the influence of the assessment theoretical account and computations on the system merely explained to a limited extend, two QRAs analysed the HOFs in a structured manner utilizing a criterion method which identified the causes of mistakes and controls and theoretical accounts were adjusted harmonizing to the findings, and none of the QRAs considered HOFs are merely every bit of import as proficient 1s. This seems to formalize the positio n of Kariuki and Lowe ( 2007 ) that less accent is given to human related issues compared to the design factors in the procedure jeopardy analysis surveies. This is farther illustrated in the probe of BP Texas City refinery detonation that the safety direction system of BP failed to guarantee equal designation, hazard appraisal, tracking and rectification of procedure safety jeopardies ( Baker, et al. , 2007 ) . During the past decennary, the integrating of HOFs into the failure chance and hazard appraisal has been loosely researched. The research of Oien ( 2001 ) , Cacciabue ( 2004b ) , Aven, et Al. ( 2006a, 2006b ) , Vinnem, et Al. ( 2008 ) and Noroozi, et Al. ( 2013 ) show a assortment of attacks such as Organizational Risk Influence Model ( ORIM ) , Human Error Risk Management for Engineering Systems ( HERMES ) , Barrier and Operational Risk Analysis ( BORA ) , Operational Control Safety ( OTS ) and Success Likelihood Index Method ( SLIM ) for the effectual execution of HOFs to put on the line appraisal. The cardinal point to observe is that the nucleus of each method is the consideration and appraisal of organizational and human factors such as processs and preparation, occupation design, human-machine interface, undertaking environment, workplace design and operator features ; hence, administrations should look for the most appropriate tool that tantrum or congratulate their bing hazard direction attacks.

Catherdal essays

Catherdal essays In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral," the narrator's character develops in a way that is hard to believe. At first, the narrator has preconceptions about a man he does not even know. The narrator feels this way because of the lack of knowledge he has about blind people. He feels he can prejudge the blind man because he thinks he knows enough about his "type." The narrator will soon find out how wrong he will be! Throughout the story, the reader has a chance to see how and why the narrator develops into a wiser and more accepting person. This is the beginning of his change. The narrator tells the story from his point of view right after it is happening allowing him to tell it in great detail. In the end, the narrator will have gone through an epiphany. He will change his feelings about this stranger he thought he knew. He will realize the blind man is a person just like himself. As the story unfolds, the narrator complains to his wife about the blind man coming to stay with them: "Now this same blind man is coming to stay at my house" (par. 6). The narrator does not know anything about his wife's friend, but he insists that it is going to be an awful experience. The narrator is very shocked when he first meets the blind man. He assumes he will have a cane, he will be wearing dark glasses, and he will not smoke. He is very wrong! The narrator also does not understand why the blind man would marry someone since he would never see what his wife looked like. The blind man's wife's name was Beulah. She worked for him after the narrator's wife. When the narrator hears that her name was Beulah, he says, "Her name was Beulah. Beulah! That's a name for a colored woman. Was his wife a Negro" (par. 12-14)? He is making another assumption based on what he thinks he knows. After the narrator finds out Beulah had died, he says, "They'd married, lived and w orked together, slept together-had sex, sure- and then the blind man had ...

Remoción de condiciones de la residencia por matrimonio

Remocià ³n de condiciones de la residencia por matrimonio Los extranjeros que obtienen la tarjeta de residencia por matrimonio  con un ciudadano antes de cumplir los dos aà ±os de casados  deben solicitar la remocià ³n de las condiciones si quieren conservar su estatus de residentes. Hay que hacer la remocià ³n de la condicionalidad 90 dà ­as (3 meses) antes de que expire la tarjeta de residencia condicional. A partir de ahà ­ todas las green card que tenga sern definitivas, pero habr que renovarlas antes de que expiren. Quà © hacer para la remocià ³n de las condiciones de la tarjeta de residencia Rellenar conjuntamente ambos cà ³nyuges la planilla I-751 y enviarla al centro del USCIS que corresponda junto con el pago de la tarifa y la documentacià ³n necesaria. La planilla debe rellenarse utilizando sà ³lo un bolà ­grafo de tinta negra. Escribir N/A para dejar sin contestar las preguntas que no le afectan a su situacià ³n personal y escribir NONE cuando la respuesta deba ser ninguno. Si para contestar a alguna pregunta no llega el espacio proporcionado en el formulario, entonces tomar una hoja en blanco, escribir en la parte superior de la misma el nombre del residente permanente, su Alien Registration Number y la seccià ³n y nà ºmero de pregunta que se va a contestar en esta hoja adicional. Cundo no estn obligados los cà ³nyuges a rellenar conjuntamente la planilla I-751 Cuando el matrimonio haya sido de buena fe pero haya finalizado por viudedad, nulidad o divorcio. En este caso, adjuntar documento que acredite el fin del matrimonio. En los casos de divorcio à ©ste se ha tenido que producir por un caso de violencia o crueldad extrema hacia el cà ³nyuge extranjero. Incluso en los casos en los que el matrimonio no se ha disuelto pero el cà ³nyuge extranjero ha sufrido violencia domà ©stica à ©ste puede presentar en solitario la solicitud de remocià ³n de las condiciones de la tarjeta de residencia. Pero deber adjuntar documentacià ³n que pruebe esta situacià ³n, como son rà ©cords mà ©dicos, policiales, de asistentes sociales o de una corte. Incluso fotografà ­as de lesiones producidas por el abuso o declaraciones de un centro de acogida a và ­ctimas de la violencia domà ©stica. Documentos que se deben adjuntar con la peticià ³n Una fotocopia legible de la tarjeta de residencia por ambos lados. Documentos que sirvan de evidencia de que el matrimonio no es fraudulento y se ha celebrado con el à ºnico propà ³sito de conseguir los papeles. Entre los ejemplos de documentacià ³n que sirve para este propà ³sito destacan: Certificado de nacimiento de hijos en comà ºn.Hipotecas en comà ºn, contrato de arrendamiento, cuentas de banco de ambos cà ³nyuges, prà ©stamos, facturas a nombre de los dos, seguros de vida a favor del otro.Declaraciones juradas de al menos dos personas que conozcan la naturaleza del matrimonio y està ©n dispuestas a testificar que se trata de una relacià ³n de buena fe. En su declaracià ³n deben indicar su nombre completo, fecha de nacimiento, lugar de residencia y cà ³mo es que conocen al matrimonio.Adems, si se ha sido arrestado, demandado, o condenado en corte debe enviarse la documentacià ³n original que debe suministrar la agencia policial que realizà ³ el arresto, o la corte que sentencià ³ condenando o absolviendo. Y si se ha cumplido la condena, documentacià ³n original de ello. En los casos de multas de trfico no hay que notificarlas si no ha habido arresto y sà ³lo se ha impuesto pà ©rdida de puntos de la licencia de manejar y/o una multa inferior a los $500. Pero sà ­ deber hacerse cuando estn relacionadas con haber tomado alcohol o drogas. Si se adjunta algà ºn documento en un idioma distinto del inglà ©s, deber ser traducido por una persona que certifique que tiene un adecuado conocimiento de ambos idiomas. Costo de remover las condiciones de la tarjeta de residencia Este trmite tiene un costo de $590. En realidad hay que pagar $505 por el acto de la remocià ³n las condiciones y $85 por la gestià ³n de los datos biomà ©tricos (toma de huellas digitales, etc.). Adems, si un ciudadano americano hubiese pedido la tarjeta de residencia condicional para sus hijastros, adems de para su cà ³nyuge, deber abonarse $85 por cada nià ±o o muchacho para el que se realice el trmite de quitar las condiciones. Esto aplica sà ³lo en los casos en los que los chicos adquirieron la residencia al mismo tiempo que su padre o su madre o en los 90 dà ­as siguientes. Si tomà ³ ms tiempo, debe entonces rellenarse un I-751 por cada muchacho en esa situacià ³n. A dà ³nde enviar la documentacià ³n Depende del lugar de residencia habitual. Las personas que viven en los estados de Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Dakota del Norte, Dakota del Sur, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin y Wyoming o en los territorios de Guam o la Samoa Americana deben enviar la peticià ³n a: USCIS California Service CenterP.O. Box 10751Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1075 Pero si se vive en: Alabama, Arkansas, Carolina del Norte, Carolina del Sur, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nuevo Hampshire, Nueva Jersey, Nuevo Mexico, Nueva York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, y Virginia Occidental o en las Islas Và ­rgenes Americanas o Puerto Rico, entonces se enviar la documentacià ³n a: USCIS Vermont Service Center75 Lower Welden StreetP.O. Box 200St. Albans, VT 05479-0001 Entrevista Estas 65 preguntas dan una idea de quà © esperar en la entrevista a esposos. La finalidad es intentar diferenciar entre un matrimonio real y otro de mera conveniencia. El caso especial de cà ³nyuge de militares Las personas que desean remover las condiciones de su green card cuando estn en el extranjero acompaà ±ando a su cà ³nyuge que es militar o trabaja para el gobierno de los EEUU debern adjuntar dos fotos tipo pasaporte y una tarjeta con sus huellas digitales tomada en una oficina consular americana. Consejo y advertencia Se recomienda tomar este test sobre  cà ³mo obtener y conservar la tarjeta de residencia.  Sirve para asegurarse conocer informacià ³n esencial. Finalmente, los extranjeros que adquieren la green card por  ser inversionista  tambià ©n obtienen una tarjeta de residencia temporal. Pero para remover las condiciones deben seguir un trmite distinto. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Reaction Paper on David Cole interviews with Dr Franciszek Piper Movie Review

Reaction Paper on David Cole interviews with Dr Franciszek Piper - Movie Review Example We should start worrying about how history can get corrupted like anything and how any extreme act of inhumanity can go unaccounted for as time passes by. It is a truth that holocaust is always understood as a Jewish holocaust but on the fringes of that narrative, we also see Russians, Poles, Ukrainians and communists. Why should communists take up the Jewish propaganda is a question worth probing. Providing trivial aspects like the growth of Auschwitz into a commercial tourism spot to suggest that ‘Auschwitz’ is more hype than truth, is not adding to the serious tone of this video but only diminishing it. Also the mocking tone reflects of some kind of a prejudice. For example, when the presence of shops selling video cameras in Auschwitz is mentioned it is mockingly added that the visitors need not fear about missing a shot of the â€Å"final solution† (â€Å"David Cole Interviews With Dr. Franciszek Piper†). The contradiction in the statement of two ladie s about the holes on the roof of the gas chamber, is there but the second lady is not asked to explain her statement- that is, why the holes were made if they were not original. Also, I wonder whether the deaths (of all those people who have been killed by gassing in Auschwitz) have ever been properly documented or not. This information is lacking in this video. Did the relatives and friends of each ‘victim’ not try to locate the person, and the cause of death? Even the revised figure of the number of deaths in Auschwitz given by Dr. Franciszek Piper is 1.1 million, which is not a small figure. In any instance of mass death, there happens often a controversy about the death toll. And the version of Dr. Franciszek Piper also need not be the authentic version. The truth can be somewhere between these figures but that does not make irrelevant the question, how did people in such great numbers perish. Dr. Piper is readily

If you were advising your government on stemming black market Essay

If you were advising your government on stemming black market economies, what would you propose - Essay Example Also, the term â€Å"underground market† used to also describe a black market is based on the actual activity done secretly, avoiding the knowledge of authorities and the government. Some of the examples of black market would be the trade of food, drugs, weapons, and even people (What is the Black Market, n.d.). Indeed, though people has built the mindset that black market is wrong mainly because it is against the law, it is also imperative to know its effects on one’s economy and its future relations with other states. Now when products such as weapons or drugs are being purchased through the black market, the supply and demand of the specific merchandise would be greatly affected, even towards its indirect substitutes, causing the purchase habit of consumers, pricing, and the market environment and conditions to change. An imminent result to which would be the imminent drop in demand from legal businesses because people would prefer to buy from the black market becaus e of the significantly low prices (The Effects of a Black Market Using Supply and Demand, n.d.). Because of this, the profitability of legal businesses decreases which stunts the growth of economy while a chosen few who are involved in the black market gets a good earning without having to pay taxes which is used to fund projects for its people. Aside from that, the price elasticity of goods in the market will also change based on the supply from the black market while the legal businesses will most likely institute a price hike. However, if this market condition stretches to a longer period of time, businesses would resort to lowering their prices just so they can survive as a business while catering to the needs of consumers. With all these said, the black market truly has effects on state sovereignty, forein policy, international economy, domestic & international security, and human rights. Speaking of its effect on human rights, each government has the responsibility of providin g fair goods to each individual at the same prices. With the black market, only people who have access to the underground market get to benefit a significantly low priced goods (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). The black market also affects international trade/economy as it causes a shortage of goods especially when the chosen few who have access to the black market decide to hoard all the goods to maximize the benefits of its low price, leaving the legal businesses to have a lack in goods to resell. Because of this, the supply of imported goods start, in order to meet the increasing demand of a specific product from people (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). The danger here is when only the rich one’s are able to afford the goods while the poor people are left with nothing they can afford. When it comes to domestic and international security, the black market poses doubt and puts a high risk transaction on any imported goods for domestic security and exported goods for international security. Thus, excessive regulations in foreigh policies will be instigated that would slow down trade activities (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). Also, generally, state sovereignty will now be controlled by those with access to the black market instead of the government. I strongly believe that the sectors of the black market t

Lab report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Lab Report Example However, severe malfunction of the heart and the nervous system can be caused by significant excess of the elements in the body. Abnormally high or low levels of sodium or potassium can be caused by excess use of diuretic drugs, poor diet or impaired kidney function. These conditions may lead to nausea, seizures, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, coma and even death in severe cases. Although cases of deliberate poisoning using sodium and potassium, they are readily and widely available in a salt form. Potassium chloride solution can be administered through intravenous injection and have been used in euthanasia and political assassinations. Sodium and potassium levels can be monitored using flame photometry. The analytical technique is a simple form of atomic spectroscopy that depends on the atomic emission process. The solution of the sample is drawn into a flame which is sufficiently hot to cause atomization and electronic excitation of certain elements. They emit visible radiation at wavelengths that are specific to that element as the atoms return to their ground state. The radiation is isolated by an appropriate filter and converted to an electrical current that is proportional to the intensity of the emitted radiation therefore determining the concentration of the element. Flame photometers are relatively cheap and portable but can only determine alkaline and alkaline earth metals such as sodium, potassium, lithium barium and lithium (Chawla, 2003). This experiment is aimed to measure the concentrations of sodium and potassium by use of flame photometry in a range of samples in connection to fictitious criminal investigation. An 18 month old infant, Master Nathaniel Carbuncle, was admitted to a hospital intensive care unit suffering from nausea and fatigue, a slow heartbeat and weak pulse. The child was found to have an abnormal blood electrolyte

Public relations campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Public relations campaign - Essay Example The current topic of the report is well-advertised and publicized Government campaign against smoking. Practically all types of the media were used in this PR campaign (ranging from traditional ones -TV, radio and newspapers) to more modern types- such as Internet. In December 1999 the department of health (NHS) of the United Kingdom has been conducing aggressive PR campaign to induce British population to stop smoking. With the effect to persuade British people to give up smoking by the year 20102. New web site managed by NHS- givingupsmoking.co.uk provides population with essential information on the negative consequences of active and passive smoking. The web site provides statistical data on the number of death caused by the smoking in the United Kingdom and also tries to emphasize positive effects that abandoning of smoking might produce. So how potential smokers are encouraged to abandon their harmful habits In order to stop smoking one should understand the reasons of this habit. On the page "Habit" 3 several reasons and explanations of smoking habits are given (ranging from Pavlovian reaction to Freud's observations). In spite of the fact that some scientific observations are necessary, one should understand that smoking is most widespread among young people aged between 20 and 344 and very technical information on this subject might not reach the targeted audience of potential smokers. In my opinion, more simple and straightforward language should be used in explaining potential harm that smoking might cause and effective methods to fight this harmful habit. I guess that current version is more suitable for educated, experienced, older smokers who have decided to quit smoking and need some additional motivation to do it, rather than for group aged between 20 and 34. Apart from mentioning, the reasons of this harmful habit the site also provides detailed information on physical, social, financial and emotional consequences of the smoking. Well known facts such as that smoking might deprive person of sleeping, increase the risk of fire at the apartments of the smokers and increase financial outlays (this is especially true for the students, ones of the most financially vulnerable group of the population) are mentioned on the web site. The web site even provides its visitors with special calculator so they would be able to calculate the sum they could save if they stopped smoking. It is clear that by putting this advertisement the company is trying to induce the persons to stop smoking as this might save them much money. Apart from factual information that encourages potential smokers to quit smoking the company also provides its customers with some useful tips on how to stop smoking. It also describes some actions that should be taken in order not to smoke. In my opinion the content of the message focuses more on psychological impact rather than physical one. In the article Alternatives to smoking 5 the company encourages those who quit smoking to shift to other tasks, more emphasize should be given to physical difficulties of fulfilling this task. However apart from this the company also advertises the negative consequences of the smoking on TV, for instance in June 2005, it cooperated with Public Health Minster Caroline Flint in well publicized advertisement campaign where the damage that smoking migh

Western Civilization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Western Civilization - Essay Example Karl Marx was known for his theories on the following: economic interest; class struggle; industrial capitalism, and; socialist society. According to Marx, it is economic interest which is the universal motivator and dictates political, religious and cultural trends. Everything will eventually end up in a class struggle between the haves and the have-nots. The former dictates how the state is run and what ideas circulate around society. On industrial capitalism, Marx believed that capitalists are locked in competition with one another, and newer and bigger machineries are being built everyday to outdo each other. Eventually, everything will spin out of control and the periodic crises and competition will diminish the bourgeoisie while the working class grows, who would then institute a revolt and take over all machineries of capitalism. This will result into a classless society and the abolition of the state and a totally free society. After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814, conservatism became predominant in France, the German states, Italy, Russia, and Great Britain. In France, the successive rules of Louis XVIII and Charles X saw the predominance of conservative policies; the former imposing a mild militaristic style and the latter favoring the old aristocracy. In the German states, which included Austria and Prussia, conservative policies likewise prevailed.

Public relations campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Public relations campaign - Essay Example The current topic of the report is well-advertised and publicized Government campaign against smoking. Practically all types of the media were used in this PR campaign (ranging from traditional ones -TV, radio and newspapers) to more modern types- such as Internet. In December 1999 the department of health (NHS) of the United Kingdom has been conducing aggressive PR campaign to induce British population to stop smoking. With the effect to persuade British people to give up smoking by the year 20102. New web site managed by NHS- givingupsmoking.co.uk provides population with essential information on the negative consequences of active and passive smoking. The web site provides statistical data on the number of death caused by the smoking in the United Kingdom and also tries to emphasize positive effects that abandoning of smoking might produce. So how potential smokers are encouraged to abandon their harmful habits In order to stop smoking one should understand the reasons of this habit. On the page "Habit" 3 several reasons and explanations of smoking habits are given (ranging from Pavlovian reaction to Freud's observations). In spite of the fact that some scientific observations are necessary, one should understand that smoking is most widespread among young people aged between 20 and 344 and very technical information on this subject might not reach the targeted audience of potential smokers. In my opinion, more simple and straightforward language should be used in explaining potential harm that smoking might cause and effective methods to fight this harmful habit. I guess that current version is more suitable for educated, experienced, older smokers who have decided to quit smoking and need some additional motivation to do it, rather than for group aged between 20 and 34. Apart from mentioning, the reasons of this harmful habit the site also provides detailed information on physical, social, financial and emotional consequences of the smoking. Well known facts such as that smoking might deprive person of sleeping, increase the risk of fire at the apartments of the smokers and increase financial outlays (this is especially true for the students, ones of the most financially vulnerable group of the population) are mentioned on the web site. The web site even provides its visitors with special calculator so they would be able to calculate the sum they could save if they stopped smoking. It is clear that by putting this advertisement the company is trying to induce the persons to stop smoking as this might save them much money. Apart from factual information that encourages potential smokers to quit smoking the company also provides its customers with some useful tips on how to stop smoking. It also describes some actions that should be taken in order not to smoke. In my opinion the content of the message focuses more on psychological impact rather than physical one. In the article Alternatives to smoking 5 the company encourages those who quit smoking to shift to other tasks, more emphasize should be given to physical difficulties of fulfilling this task. However apart from this the company also advertises the negative consequences of the smoking on TV, for instance in June 2005, it cooperated with Public Health Minster Caroline Flint in well publicized advertisement campaign where the damage that smoking migh

I have questions in Marketing that I need to answer. Marketing Assignment

I have questions in Marketing that I need to answer. Marketing - Assignment Example 3. A quality marketing plan focuses on such things as brand recognition or returning customers and focuses strategy on developing and continuing relationships with consumers while also cultivating new relationships. It involves pleasing the customer, using experience and reinforcing relationships with consumers. 4. The primary goal of publicity is to get attention through the use of the media; it is a form or public relations but is not necessary in public relations. Public relations use the media to help shape opinion; companies may use PR as a way to get out a campaign that makes them appear more favorable, such as charity donation or environmental efforts. It is usually carefully crafted so as to enhance appearance. 5. Strategic marketing plans must be aware of what the public would perceive as wrong and right, favorable to their moral standard as a majority or unfavorable due to an ethical reason. Any marketing campaign with the possibility of getting some degree of unfavorable attention due to an ethical issue should plan ahead and try to circumvent and plan for that negativity as much as possible. An example for this might be a new line of fur coats, and planning for complaints and criticism in the media from PETA. 6. Reasons products fail might be a poor marketing campaign, poor timing, and cost vs. quality in a competitive market, introducing a similar product in a category already supersaturated or not living up to initial marketing hype. 7. Three ways to move a product through a life cycle is focusing on a primary demand for the product category with limited models and penetration prices, gaining wider distribution through promotion when profits are at their peak and offering large promotions to consumers once the product has matured. 8. Retailers are also in the business of making money and being successful and are

Government by the People Essay Example for Free

Government by the People Essay The population growth has caused concern for many Americans because of the terms of numbers and poverty that comes with this growth. There is a pattern showing of wealth transferring from poorer nations to the richer nations of the globe and the information technology revolution is speeding this cycle up. With population growth reaching new heights new concerns for increasing urban growth has emerged. Planning for transportation, environment protection, or management of water and other resources are needed. Unregulated markets forces will hurt individuals and â€Å"politics as usual† will not mandate viable growth patterns or protect the air, water and natural beauty of our country. Planning and growth depends on public support and market forces. In order for plans to be effective they must show he same interests and values of major groups within the community. Even with the fear of the government, something that is generally accepted hampers a lot of effective planning. But it is clear that for any planning to work there must a consensus between â€Å"planners, community leaders, and the popularly elected officials who must bear the responsibility for implementing the plans† (Magleby, O’Brien, Light, Peltason Cronin, 2006, p. 649). This planning for our country, communities and societies along with its citizens has given the United States the status of world power. But controversy has erupted from the resent war with Iraq that questions our authority. I’ve heard many individual claims that America is expanding its empire, rather than fighting for freedom. Our rise to a world power has come because of our industry, colleges and universities, multiple government institutions, military strengths. This along with our innovations in science, technology and medicine catapulted us into our status. Development of such things as television and jet airliners gave America the edge it needed to jump to the top of the ladder. They have also helped to spread our ideologies of democracy and westernization. It has created globalization and keeps it going. Our commerce and business growth has only helped with this globalization. Companies, such as IBM and General Motors have given the national government firm grounds in business. Our national government promotes â€Å"a prosperous economy through its monetary and fiscal policies† (Magleby, O’Brien, Light, Peltason, Cronin, 2006, p. 437). The Department of Commerce has been at the center of the government’s efforts to promote economic growth and encourage businesses to do research and new development. These companies are at the heart of this economic growth plan. But more recently new development has been needed to keep these companies afloat as technology and innovation continues to climb new heights. Turning outdated companies into the companies of the future. The introduction of the electronic superhighway mandates companies to use e-commerce and if they can’t they might get left behind. The internet has given us a faster way for just about everything. It has even influenced society, culture and lifestyles. The Progressive Era began in United States during the mid 1890’s and continued through World War I. It was a time when individuals were beginning to have concerns with the state of society. It also brought about a belief in human compassion and how new innovations along with scientific investigation could somehow show what the problem was with ways of solving the problems. This reformation shows even in today’s time. Our social construct has great bearing on our national government. Take for example the debate on same-sex marriages. Our government has made laws that pertain to this issue, but some in society believe government has gone too far. But the core issue at stake, that I believe, has something to do with insurance. I don’t believe that our national government is trying to establish social norms, but rather maintain certain expectations of commerce and business. Reference: Magleby, D. B. , O’Brien, D. , Light, P. , Peltason, J. W. , Cronin, T. E. (2006). Government by the People: National, State, and Local 21st. Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Personal experience of God

Personal experience of God 1. Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derived from biblical, theological, and historical sources. Throughout history, people developed the idea of a higher being, who is referred to as god in general. Some people simply deny the existence of god or any other spiritual being. And other people who accepted the existence of god explained the identity of god in various ways. Deism sees the cosmos as a closed system with its maker outside it; so denies Gods direct control of events and his miraculous intrusions into this world. Pantheism recognizes no creator-creature distinction, but sees everything, including good and evil, as a direct form of God. Christianity joins with the Jewish and the Muslim faiths in proclaiming radical monotheism, which states that God is One and that God is the God of all. Distinctive to Christian theism is the belief that the personal creator is as truly three as he is one. God is a single being who exists, simultaneously and eternally, as a communion of three persons: Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three Godhead are eternal which means they coexist from past through future. In Matthews account of Christs baptism, as Jesus the Son went up from the water, the Spirit of God descended upon Him as a dove and the Father testified from the heaven of His beloved Son (Mt 3:16-17). This scene clearly portrays the simultaneous existence of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. The Christian understanding of God is specific in that Christians believe that God has been, and continues to be, historically involved with the people of Israel and has made a new covenant with all people in Jesus Christ.   In other words, we believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments bear witness to Gods active love for creation as revealed in Jesus of Nazareth. God revealed himself through various channels including the Scripture, experiences and nature. Although there are many ways in which God reveals Gods self, the best place to find out about God is through the Scripture that God gave us. In the book of Exodus, I personally found Gods character and the qualities that are ascribed to him. Exodus 3:7-8 says that The LORD said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honeythe home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (NIV) These are the words that God said to Moses from the burning bush. I believe that in this communication with Moses, God revealed who he was. God whom I believe in is the God who has seen the misery of his people, heard them crying out and has been concerned about their suffering. In another translation, it is said that God knew their suffering (NRSV). In the context of this chapter, my people indicate Israel people in Egypt. Israel people at that time in Egypt were slaves under the Pharaoh. They were ignored people in bondage to the Egyptians. There must have been other nations considered much higher and nobler than the Israelites but the bible said that God who is the creator of the whole world saw slaves with his own eyes and heard them crying out. Hebrew word for to know in Exodus 3:8 is yada` {yaw-dah} and it implies to know by experience (Bible Work 7). In other words, God who created the whole world attentively observed and listened to slaves who were disregarded in this world and he knew of their suffering by experience. The God whom I believe in is not one who just sits on a throne in heaven and is not concerned about what happens in this world. But God in Christianity is the God who knows his people and has a close relationship with them. Exodus story indicates that God is purposeful, powerful, and sovereign in relation to this world. He has a plan for the history of the universe, which is to save his people from sins, and in executing it he governs and controls all created world. He is all powerful so he cannot be bound by any of the limitations of space or time that apply to us and he is always present everywhere. Personally, God has been there in many forms for me.   All of these attributes can be found in many parts of my personal experience with God. I have experienced God of Immanuel, who has been with me always. Jesus came to this world as Immanuel (Mt. 1:23) and his last words before he ascended into heaven was also Immanuel, I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mt. 28:20). When I decided to go to seminary in Korea to be a pastor, I rejoiced in confidence because God was there with me. When I went to Korean Army, I endured the difficult time because God was there with me. When I came to America alone for further study, I did not fear to live in a strange land because God was there with me always. Throughout my life, the one thing that I am sure is that God has been always with me and loves me, who am the weakest among all. 2. What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world? First of all, as Augustine said in his article, On the nature of good, I believe that God is good and every creation is good (Augustine, Chapter 34). And every creature came to exist by God without exception. Then how do we explain the origin of evil from the perfect good Creator? In regard to the matter of the origin of evil, I am of the same opinion with Augustine. Evil is lack of some good things. As it throws a shadow over us when we turn against the Sun, evil originate from a lack of goodness of God. I believe that God is the perfect Creator. One of the perfect things God created was man. Adam and Eve who were the perfect creature of God had a choice to follow God or to go against God. Without free will to choose, neither good nor evil could have been chosen. If man is ever to choose good, he must have the freedom to choose evil as well. Therefore, God did not create evil but perfect freedom to choose and human freely chose evil. After Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, evil became a reality in this world. In his Book, the City of God, Augustine recognized that evil in this world and goodness of Gods Kingdom co-exist on the earth throughout its history. However, Augustine believed that God would finally turn evil in this world into goodness of Gods Kingdom (Augustine, Chapter 13.4). By the original sin, I believe, all of us fell down from the image of God and evil came to prevail in us. However God also prepared the way through which we can be restored to Gods Image and be saved from our sins. The only way of salvation is Jesus Christ. 3. What is your understanding of humanity, and the human need for divine grace? On the last day of creation, God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Gen. 1:26). The image of God refers to the immaterial part of man. We were created to be set apart for God (Gen 1:28). He enabled us to commune with God. We were created in likeness mentally, morally, and socially. When we were created in Gods image, we were intended to become Gods agent so that we can take care of the world (Gen. 1:26,28). However, Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. And they became alienated from the Creator. That historic event brought all mankind under divine condemnation. Human nature became corrupt, and therefore, totally unable to please God. Before Adam and Eve sinned, they both had direct contact and fellowship with God. But as a result of transgressing against God, Adam and Eve lost it all. They were both banished out of the garden, God pronounced a curse on them and their descendants and on the earth in general. Death entered into the big picture and all of us are born into this world with sinful nature. In his love and grace, God made a plan to save us. In Ephesians 2:4-7, Apostle Paul tells us that God made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.   We cannot overcome our sinful nature and death but, through Jesus Christ, God had already made provision for us to be saved. By faith through grace, we can be saved (Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus Christ is the grace of God who showed us the way of salvation. By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the full and complete price for our sins so that we do not have to pay for it. The only way of salvation is by faith through Jesus Christ. And even the faith we have comes from God. Thus our salvation is entirely the work of God. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will be saved by the grace of God. 4. How do you interpret the statement Jesus Christ is Lord? Jesus is our Lords human and personal name, meaning savior. Christ is our Lords official title. It is the Greek synonym for the Hebrew Messiah, meaning the Anointed One. The statement Jesus Christ is Lord implies the belief that Jesus who was born of the Virgin Mary is our savior who redeems us from our sins. In other words, to accept Jesus Christ as Lord means to accept two natures in Jesus Christ; the nature of divinity and the nature humanity. Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God at the same time. Existence of these two different natures in Jesus Christ is crucial because that matters to salvation. The doctrine of the virgin birth is very important (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:27, 34). Jesus birth was the result of the Holy Spirit working within Marys body. Mary was a vessel God used to perform the miracle of the Incarnation. Denying a physical connection between Mary and Jesus would imply that Jesus was not truly human. Scripture teaches us that Jesus was fully human with a physical body like ours. Jesus was fully God as well as he is fully human with an eternal and sinless nature (John 1:14, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 2:14-17). Jesus was not born with sinful nature. The virgin birth circumvented the transmission of the sinful nature and allowed the eternal God to become a perfect man. The deity of Christ is the central belief of Christianity as well as Jesus humanity. The bible clearly claimed that Jesus had the right to forgive sins, which is something only God can do (Mark 2:5-7, Acts 5:31, Colossians 3:13). Jesus was also said to be the one who will judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1) as an ultimate judge of this world. Apostle Paul called Jesus great God and Savior (Titus 2:13), and pointed out Jesus existence in the form of God prior to his incarnation (Philippians 2:5-8). In John 1:1, deity of Christ is clarified as the same God with Father, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). John here affirms both the deity of Christ and the Trinity. Jesus is God who incarnated in human flesh, the living Word of God. 5. What is your conception of the activity of the Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?   The Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God. The Holy Spirit is God in the same way that the Father is God and the Son is God. Scripture and the church tradition, including Nicene Creed (We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified), indicates that the Holy Spirit, known also as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus Christ, is of the same essence as the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit worked at the beginning of a church. Apostle Paul indicated an organism of a church as the Spirit baptized body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). And the one who leads us to become a new creation in Christ through worship is the Spirit of God (Eph. 2:18, Phil. 3:3). Each local gathering is a part of this one universal believing community as a body of Christ, and as Christs agent the Holy Spirit leads and guide us to grow into Christlike maturity   and fulfill Gods mission (Eph. 4:11-16).   The Spirit also works in a life of an individual believer. The Holy Spirit convicts lost people with respect to sin, righteousness, and judgment and by Gods power repentant and believing souls are saved. In sanctification, Holy Spirit indwells the Christian as one grows in the likeness of Christ and in his service. Scriptures tells us the Spirit who works throughout our journey of salvation. The Spirit leads us to repent our sins (John 16:7), makes us born again (John 3:3-5). And the Spirit empowers us to bring holiness in our life and helps us to bear fruits in our life (Galatians 5:22-23). 6. What is your understanding of the kingdom of God; the Resurrection; eternal life? As the Psalmist confessed, Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations (Ps. 145:13), I believe that God is the king of his covenant people. And as Apostles Creed (from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead) and the Nicene Creed (He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead) said, I believe that Christ will be our ultimate judge at the last day and God will reign over the whole world. As the Nicene Creed stated coming of Gods Kingdom (his kingdom will have no end), there must be the coming kingdom of God in the future in which Gods reign affects the whole world. However, the Kingdom of God is more than a vision of coming Gods reign in the future. The kingdom of God speaks of a present reality though not in entirety and a future result where the reign of God over all of creation will be perfected and made whole. In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus responds to a Pharisee who asked when the kingdom of God would come, The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say here it is or there it is because the kingdom of God is within you. As well as we experience coming of Gods reign over the world in the future, we will experience the Kingdom of God here and now although it is a foretastes of the fullness of Gods Kingdom. The resurrection of Christ on the third day after his crucifixion and his ascension to be with God until He comes again for the final time of judgment also marks the path of all those who claim faith in Christ. At the time when the Good News of Jesus Christ spreads to the whole nations, he will surely come to the world again (Mt. 24:14) from the heaven in a cloud with power and glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16). At that time people who accepted Jesus Christ as their savior will be risen from the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16). Christs resurrection marked Christs victory over sin and death both physically and spiritually, we too as Christians who bear the marks of Christ gain the right to have the same victory both physically and spiritually. Eternal life is the end product of our resurrected souls. As the Apostles Creed (the life everlasting) and the Nicene Creed (the life of the world to come) insisted, I believe that those who have been saved by Christ will share the joy of eternal fellowship with Christ. Heaven means eternal joy in Christ and those who reject Christ will be judged to the eternal condemnation. 7. Explain the role and significance of baptism in the ministry to which you have been called. Sacraments are acts instituted by Christ and administered by a church having an outward form and conveying Gods grace. Baptism is one of two United Methodist sacraments the other is the Lords Supper. These sacraments are means of grace within the covenant community. They are visible signs and seals of something internal and invisible and the means by which God works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. The scriptural mode of baptism is found in the New Testament. It records that Jesus was baptized by John (Mt. 3:13-17), and he commanded his disciples to teach and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19). Whoever accepts Jesus Christ as their savior is eligible to be baptized. Baptism conveys Gods grace that redeems us from our sins through the atonement of Christ. Therefore, baptizing of a person, whether as an infant or an adult, is a sign of Gods saving grace. In baptism, we witness that Gods grace is poured upon everybody regardless of their condition. Even though baptism is the special channel through which we experience Gods grace of the atonement of Christ, baptism does not guarantee our salvation. As John Wesley insisted in his sermon, Scripture Way of Salvation, salvation is a lifelong process of responding to Gods grace. By being baptized, we become a covenant people of God who have a promise that the Holy Spirit will work in our lives. However, salvation is not automatically obtained by baptism but by accepting Christ as our savior, trust in Christ and grow in holiness to be near unto God. Baptism represents an act of initiation for Christian believers into the Church. By being baptized, we make a covenant of relationship between God and also between congregations in a church. As baptized Christians, we join the universal church and make a promise our loyalty as the body of Christ. 8. Explain the role and significance of the Lords Supper in the ministry to which you have been called. God provides us various ways in which we can grow in Gods grace. The Lords Supper, also known as Communion, or Eucharist, is one of the Christs gifts to the church, in which we experience Gods grace. Following Jesus example and instruction, when the church celebrates the Lords Supper we receive gifts of bread and wine. In this sacrament, we celebrate our fellowship with Christ and with each other. The invitation to the Table comes from the risen and present Christ. In United Methodist, whoever loves him, repents their sins, and seeks to live as a Christian disciple is invited to participate in the Lords Supper. By responding to this invitation we affirm and deepen our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is not easy to understand how bread and wine become Jesus body and blood in the Lords Supper. So it is mystery. Some churches insist that the Lords Supper is merely a memorial of Christs sacrifice and a sign of Christian fellowship. Some churches including historic Reformed churches insist that bread and wine in Communion conveys a unique spiritual power although Christs body ascended into heaven. Lutheran churches insist that Christs actual body is present with the elements of bread and wine. And the Roman Catholic churches insist that even the essence of bread and wine are changed into Christs true body and blood, with maintaining their physical reality persisting (transubstantiation). United Methodist believes that the real presence of Christ is communicated to the believers. To participate in the Lords Supper is not merely to recall the event 2000 years ago. But when we receive bread and wine with faith, it becomes dynamic action within us and we experience the grace of body and blood of Christ which is re-presented to us in the Lords Supper. The past event of our Lords death, resurrection and ascension comes into the present so that its power once again touches us, changes us, and heals us. We gather at the table with joy. Our eating and drinking is a celebration of our risen Lord. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ is present with us at the table and so we give joyful thanks for what God has done and is doing in our lives and in the world. We come to the table in hope. We look forward with joyful anticipation to the coming reign of God.   9. How do you intend to affirm, teach and apply Part II of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) in your work in the ministry to which you have been called? What we believe as Christians matters. What we believe tells us who we are. Part II of the Book of Discipline contains Methodist heritage in faith and theology and heart of Methodist doctrines. In other words, Part II of the Book of Discipline tells us who we are as Christians, particularly Methodists. It is important for Methodists to study this in order for us to have a clear understanding of our heritage, doctrine, and the faith we profess together. Our Christian faith is built on tradition which fathers in faith handed over to us. We will also add our profession of faith upon it and turn it over to the next generation. Therefore, as a pastor, to lead people into right direction to Christian faith by affirming and teaching what we believe and who we are is crucial. In order to fulfill this mission, I will preach the gospel verified in our tradition and theology. A pastor should not preach the gospel according to his or her own theology but we should profess communal faith built upon tradition. Through preaching and small group study, I will teach Methodist heritage. To learn who our fathers of faith were and what they believed will help us to know our identity and to understand the place where I am now. On the basis of our tradition, we should do our best to leave our footmarks so that our children can see and follow faith of their parents and go in the right direction. To leave footmarks of our faith is to teach our children and show them how to live out what we profess in our lives. I will teach our children the Methodist heritage and doctrine in Sunday School at a level they can understand. 10. The United Methodist Church holds that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason. What is your understanding of this theological position of the Church? The scripture is the primary source of Christian faith.   It is clear that the Scripture is the primary vehicle by which we grow in faith. The scripture has great authority in teaching and guiding us in faithful living and right understanding as to the nature of God and humanity. All the scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). When we read the bible, the Holy Spirit guides us to find the truth which illuminates our life.   Church tradition is an important practice for theological reflection and interpretation of the Scripture. Christian faith has built upon our ancestors confessions of faith for a long period of time, and that formed church tradition. Tradition is a source of authority and a lens through which Scripture is interpreted inside it. Experience is an important practice for Christian faith because the scripture and theology must be understood on the basis of our experiences. Communal experience within a faith community helps us to understand Gods word toward us here and now. Reason is used to examine authenticity of theological reflection and an interpretation of the scripture. By reason we ask questions of faith and seek to understand Gods action and will. However, reason as a practice for Christian faith does not mean to have a speculative thought but it indicates to conceive under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Wesleys quadrilateral indicates the importance of checks and balances between four practices. To focus upon one practice brings danger to a church to lose its balance and have a radical view on Christian faith. Thus, to keep the balance between these four practices, with holding primacy of the scripture, is crucial. 11. Describe the nature and mission of the Church.   What are its primary tasks today? In regard to the nature of the church, I agree with the Nicene Creed which describes the church as one holy catholic and apostolic. The church, in this case, meaning universal Christian church, is one in Christ. The church is holy so it is called apart from the secular world.   Although only the part of holiness is seen at the church in the present time, we will see the fullness of holiness at the time of coming of Christ in the end. The Church is universal for all people. As it is written in 1 Cor. 12:27, Church is likened to the Body of Christ whereby the coming together of the various parts form one perfect and organic body with Christ as the head. This analogy means that the church will embrace both the fullness of Christian teaching and the diversity of people who make up the church and function as the each parts of the body. The church is apostolic so it stands in continuity with the apostolic witness. I believe that the mission of the church can be found at the Twenty-five Articles of Religion which indicates three necessary elements of the church: faith(congregation of faithful men), preaching(in which the pure Word of God is preached) and sacrament(and the Sacrament duly administered) (13th Article of Religion, 1784). The church is the gathering of people of faith, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, and administers sacraments. The ultimate goal of the church should be to make people disciples of Jesus Christ. Through preaching, teaching, worship, and nurturing, the Church is Gods ordained vehicle whereby others can be disciplined and experience the grace in which we stand as the body of Christ. The primary task of the Church today is to be a true mission church. As the body of Christ, bound to God and to one another through Christ, church always lives in a community. To lose dynamic organism of a church means to lose its vital power. A part which is not united with the whole is useless. For that reason, a local church should be connected with people and groups around it and be united with the universal church spiritually. If a church is connected and united, it should be transformative. If a church has a vital organic power, it will transform the world in which they live as a living plant bears fruits. God being connected to us came down in the form of flesh to dwell among us. Jesus ministry was to preach the Good News and to live out the message of love with people around him. The church that truly impacts peoples life is the church that knows people around her, shares joys and sorrows of the people, and give them hope in Jesus Christ. 12. Describe your understanding of the primary characteristics of United Methodist polity. First, the system, known as itinerancy, is the most distinguishing feature of Methodism. In many polities ministers are called, but in Methodist polity they are sent. One consequence of this system is that local congregations are generally receptive to whoever minister is sent. This gives ministry an objective quality that is not dependent on the personal characters of individuals or the expectations of parishes. One of the most valuable consequences of this polity is the relative success that United Methodist Church has had in placing women and minorities in parish situation. Second, United Methodist Church determines church policy in conferences, which function as deliberative bodies. There are several levels of such conferences. The annual conference is the basic corporate body of which the primary function is to connect local churches to one another. All ordinations take place at the annual conference. The highest deliberative body in Methodism is the General Conference. The conference legislates general policy for the church as a whole. The annual conferences are grouped geographically into the jurisdictional conference, of which there are presently five in the US. Central conferences are concerned with the work of the church outside the US. Churches within a specific area of an annual conference may assemble in district conferences. Annual meetings among local congregations or groups of contingent congregations, to which a member of an annual conference is assigned, are known as charge conference. Third, one of the unique features of Methodist governance is a structure of official leadership through which the supervisory function takes place. The executive function of the bishop includes a number of powers-particularly associated with the appointment of clergy to charges. The bishop works through district superintendents. They act as liaisons between the local parishes and the bishop. The several district superintendents in a conference are called the bishops cabinet. The district superintendent presides at the charge conferences. Fourth, an involvement of lay people in the deliberative and legislative bodies of the church has been important. Governance in contemporary Methodism is a shared responsibility of clergy and lay people. Lay preachers and lay leaders continue to work in local churches.