Discuss Max Weber's concept of ideal types in political authority, Essay

Discuss Max Weber's concept of ideal types in political authority, with reference to real world examples - Essay Example Blau, P. (p.308) identifies the bases of authority of Weber. Blau said Weber believes that traditional authority is legitimized by the sanctity of religion. As such, it is viewed as something â€Å"sacred, eternal and inviolable†. The position of the leader is achieved through heredity and is believed to be designed to rule over the rest. By this, the people are bound to follow the leader by tradition of loyalty, personal dependence and sacred beliefs on the divine rights of the kings. The work of Henry, K (n.d.) collaborates with Blau in that traditional authority is established as a rule and the right to statute does not change over time. It has been socially accepted and considered as a â€Å"status quo†. As such, change of political authority is impractical. Weber states â€Å"The creation of new law opposite traditional norms is deemed impossible in principle.† In this instance, Weber considers traditional authority as being based on patriotism and feudalism. Weber regards patriarchal structure as â€Å"the servants are completely and personally dependent upon the lord†, while in an estate system (i.e. feudalism), â€Å"the servants are not personal servants of the lord but independent men† (Weber 1958, 4 cited by Henry, K.). Political Dictionary defines a patriarchal structure as a society wherein â€Å"authority was divine, descended from Adam through the kings of Israel to modern kings†. The word is also associated by fem inists who debate on the practice of giving priority to men over women. Henry, K. gathers from Weber, a description of legitimacy of authority in traditional way is based on custom handed down from the past to present, which often times is a dictatorial process. It is accepted by subordinates and is not challenged by the individuals. This type of authority is found in spiritual, sacred religious forms, a well established culture, and family, tribal or clan type structures. Weber

CRTICAL THINKING COURSE REFLECTIONS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

CRTICAL THINKING COURSE REFLECTIONS - Essay Example nderstood the importance of using evidences and got the point of reasonable way of thinking and using language, which made me openminded and practical in communication. The most difficult for me were to start using the principles of critical thinking, because sometimes it’s hard to remind yourself that you should keep a logical line while speaking and argumentation. Probaby, this skills will authomatic after some time of constant using them. All the problems in learning this course I see in myself, because the information I learned requires to continue working on it and practicing all the time while communicating. But at least I started noticing that I’m progressing. The most important thing I learned is how to reason persuasively: a constructions of arguments, logical including them in my use, an adpatation of arguments according to an audience, and how to present evidences. The second important thing is that I learned strategies and roles in communication, which make me more efficient and help me not only influent on people, but also to consider communicative situations more soberly, to analyse. Actually, so far as this course is a kind of compilation of logics, philosophy of language and rhetoric, it is primarily important for general development of thinking, which helps to look differently not only at language or communication, but at the way how both people and yourself consider an incoming information. So I think this the very last thing is even more important than the skills I acquired during the course. So now I can see a key concepts and ideas of both what I want to say and what people tell me, I see how important arguments are, and how convincing they may be, or how to formulate definitions, which is often very useful in explanations and clarifications. And many views like these, which I started to use unconsciously. Anyway, even if I can’t practically use all the skills and information I’ve learned yet, but still it is a great pleasure to feel

Energy Summary Essay Example for Free

Energy Summary Essay There are many energy sources that have been described in the recent past as being clean but the truth is that no energy source is clean as many claim. The variation of the energy sources is in their advantages and disadvantages (Raven, 2010). Whereas the disadvantages of energy source include cost, hazard potential and environmental damage, the advantages include energy safety, availability, versatility and density. Examples of energy sources include fossil fuels, solar energy, nuclear, hydropower and hydrogen fuel among others. Fossil fuels according to Raven (2009, p. 233) which is defined as â€Å"Combustible deposits in the Earth’s crust, composed of the remnants (fossil) of prehistoric organisms that existed millions of years ago†, comprise of natural gas, petroleum (oil) and coal. Of the all the energy sources used in the North America 80% is fossil fuels namely oil natural gas and coal. The energy source is nonrenewable in limited supply which is depleted by use. The natural processes responsible for the formation of fossil fuels are still in progress but it takes million of years to get substantial quantity of the energy which do not keep pace with its use. In addition the fossil fuel is only found in two continents: South America and Africa and it are only a few countries in the continents which have the fossil fuel resources. Due to the fact that most of the fossil fuels are found in developing countries, there is lack of capital to extract the resources. Hence there is need to switch to other forms of energy to provide the needed energy that has been on rise. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel worldwide and it is found mainly in Russia, India, United States, South Africa, Germany, Australia and China which are on the northern hemisphere (Raven, 2010). The mining of coal has serious environmental impact on the environment. Environmental impact associated with the mining of coal include large open trenches and pits; exposed high cliffs of rocks; toxic and acid drainage; pollution of water bodies as well as soil erosion. Such impacts pose serious risk to human and biodiversity lives as they can lead to landslide, intoxication, habitat destruction among others. Burning of coal also affects the water and air quality which leads to sooty fallout, ocean acidification and climate change. Burning of coal which contains mercury releases the substance into the atmosphere and then to water and land thereby harm both man and wildlife. Oil and natural gas which has increasingly become important since 1930s provides about 70% of the world’s energy. It is more preferable than coal because it is cleaner, more versatile and easier to transport than coal. The environmental problems associated with the natural gas and oil is with regard to their combustion, production and transportation. Combustion of the fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which insulates the planet which prevents radiation of the heat back into the space hence global warming. Their transportation has also led to oil spill which affected economies of the many regions. The spill like the recent Gulf coast oil spill also threatens wildlife (Raven, 2010). Nuclear is another source of energy that produces 100000 times more energy per atom in nuclear reaction, than the energy available in a chemical bond between two atoms. The energy is mainly derived from uranium which is a non renewable source. Nuclear energy does not direct impact on the environment as other energy sources do but it generates radioactive waste like spent fuel (Raven, 2010). Other wastes include gases in the reactor and radioactive coolant fluids. The radioactive wastes and the spent fuel are dangerous because they are highly radioactive there by posing serious heal and environmental risks to man and the environment in general. Proper storage and measures of disposal are very fundamental to reduce such dangers. Nuclear energy also contributes to environmental pollution indirectly (Raven, 2010). From the time uranium is mined, processed and disposed, good quantity of both diesel and gasoline is used which contribute pollute the environment directly. Some wastes which result from nuclear reactions like strontium-90, krypton-85 and cesium-137 have half-life of between 30 to 90 years and will take between 300 to 600 years before they decay to a level where they are safe. On the other hand there are high-level radioactive liquid wastes which are unstable and not easy to monitor thereby making them very dangerous. Such wastes are first converted to solid state before being stored (Raven, 2010). Nuclear and utility executives have come up with a plan to promote nuclear energy and to put in place a strategy that will address the economic and safety issues associated with nuclear power. This includes a plan to build nuclear reactors that will be 10 times safer than the ones currently in use. There other energy sources which are renewable and they include solar energy, biomass energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and tidal energy. Solar energy is derived from the sun and is perpetually available as opposed to other energy sources like uranium deposits, oil and coal which are found some particular areas (Raven, 2010). We can only run short of the solar energy when the nuclear fire of the sun burns out. Solar energy is derived when the sun’s energy is absorbed by collection device such as a plate of black metal or a panel. The unique property of the sun light, whereby it passes through transparent objects but once it hits an object it releases invisible waves of heat called infrared radiation which cannot penetrate glass, allows solar energy to heat water bodies, building and other objects. Systems have been developed and used in the industrial and building processes where solar energy is concentrated to heat liquids. Direct solar energy has been used to generate electricity by use of photovoltaic solar cells which produce electricity to the tune of 13000 MW globally. In other places well structured systems are used to generate solar thermal electric generation electricity. Energy is also derived from the sun indirectly for instance, burning of the biomass which includes organic matter like wood releases energy stored in plants during photosynthesis (Raven, 2010). Wind energy got from the wind by the use of wind turbines or windmills to generate electricity or mechanical energy is also a type of renewable energy. Streams and rivers are also dammed in order to generate hydroelectricity. The energy exists in the water because it is the energy from the sun that drives the hydrological cycles. Biomass as a source of energy is very important because it lowers the rate at which we depend on the fossil fuel and since the energy is also derived from wastes it reduces the problem of waste disposal (Raven, 2010). However, when the balance shift from food production to biomass energy production, then the food prices is likely to go up which is disadvantageous. Other sources of renewable energy are tidal energy and geothermal energy derived from changes in water level and naturally occurring heat respectively. In conclusion, the requirement of energy increases day by day therefore effort need to be put in energy conservation and development of technologies of alternative energy sources which requires less energy. It should also be the responsibility of every person and every household to economically use the available energy sources responsible so as to enhance energy savings (Light, 2003). References Light, A. (2003). Environmental Ethics: An Anthology, 1e. Retrieved 19 May 2010 from: https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/DownloadList. aspx? assetMetaId=871324e1-b1c6-4d2d-85d0-de1f7aaf570eassetDataId=d5e53d69-8288-4946-9a9b-69a18044be6a Raven, P. (2010). Environment 7e. Retrieved 19 May 2010 from: https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/DownloadList. aspx? assetMetaId=568808a6-a4f4-4b79-ac9c-845c0188b75aassetDataId=68c16029-cca8-4bdd-8119-68f43458e29e

Causes and Impacts of disruptive Behavior (DB) in Healthcare

Causes and Impacts of disruptive Behavior (DB) in Healthcare Introduction Persons may be fascinated to study and work in the nursing occupation because it is trustworthy and esteemed; though, the reputation of nursing is at risk as nurses are vulnerable to violence at their work more than other professions (Carter 2000 cited in Norris 2003). Indeed, nursing profession is four times more dangerous than most other careers (Gallant, R 2008). Nurses deliver care for displeased patients and families, whether they are mentally or emotionally ill, or they are offenders. They also need to deal with staffs and other healthcare members within the organization who evoke distress and nervousness. Lateral violence (LV) in health organizations has come to be so widespread and troublesome that it has gained the concern of the policy makers, managers and the healthcare organizations. During the past years LV has gained special attention in organization research. According to National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) in 2006, 60% of workplace assaults are presented and intensified in health organizations, social facilities, and personal care employments. Investigators have reported alarming findings about the negative consequences related to disruptive behavior (DB) for the individuals, the health organizations, and the patients. As for the impacts on the organization, DB has been reported to be associated with higher turnover and intent to quit the organization, higher absenteeism, and decreased commitment and productivity (Hoel, Einarsen Cooper 2003). In addition, victim bullying has been reported to experience stress, job dissatisfaction, psychological and physical illness, and possible expulsion from the Job (Hoel Cooper 2000, Keashly Jagatic 2003 cited in Hoel et al. 2003, Vartia 2001) while patient bullying has been reported to result in reduced s afety and quality of care (reference). Although LV is considered a global epidemic (International council of nursing (ICN) (2007) and has long been a concern among healthcare providers, it has frequently gone uninhibited, or even pernicious, accepted as part of the organization. Thus, leaving these behaviors unaddressed, health organization quietly maintained and reinforced them. Fortunately, DB has lately come under better scrutiny. The American Medical Association (AMA) (2002) has commented: Personal conduct, whether verbal or physical, that affects or that potentially may affect patient care negatively constitutes DBs. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) in 2005 has noted that the presence of DB is negatively impacting the collaboration among healthcare workers, which is principal to instituting and supporting a productive work environment. Furthermore, Alspach (2007) stated that LV in nursing is insidious, costly, disgusting and affects patient care. These behaviors urge TJC in 2008 to warrant the healthcare organizations of the safety risk caused by intimidating behaviors and asked them to increase their awareness of the individuals and organizational risk resulting from these behaviors. Those exposed to DB can live through stress, frustration, and psychomatic disorders. Sadly, Griffin (2004) found that 60 % of newly appointed nurses quit their work within six months of service upon exposure to LV, 20% leave the nursing profession forever. While, Veltman (2007) stated that DBs pushed the nurses to leave a particular job, and this drain on resources further affect patient care. In order to address this threat TJC (2009) introduced a leadership standard requiring that facilities looking for accreditation must formulate policies to tackle DBs in healthcare organizations. Now all Healthcare givers should be charged with understanding and addressing this needed culture change within health organizations. In this paper, the causes and impacts of DB for both patients and healthcare workers will be reviewed. Strategies to address and combat DBs among healthcare givers will be discussed. LV, DB and bullying are the terms that I will be using throughout this assignment. Laying the foundation Several terms have been used in nursing research to describe the negative behaviors of nurses in health services. These include LV, bullying, relational aggression, intimidation, horizontal hostility, horizontal violence, sabotage, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, oppression and interactive workplace trauma. (Alspach 2007,Dellasega 2009,Longo Sherman 2007, Lutgen-Sandivk 2007, Rocker 2008,Rowell 2005, Rosenstein ODaniel 2008, Stanley 2007, The Joint Commission(TJC) 2008) . Griffin (2004) identified the most common ten features of DB in the nursing literature (Duffy1995; Farrell1997, 1999, McCall 1996, cited in Stanley 2007): non-verbal innuendo, verbal affront, undermining activities, withholding information, sabotage, infighting, scapegoating, backstabbing, failure to respect privacy, and broken confidences. These kinds of DBs may be perpetuated by healthcare providers, patients or their families. High jobs pressure such as nursing tends to create stresses that are often released when further stressors are added. The discharge of the unbearable stress can result in LV. Irrespective of the initiating stress, no one merits to be abused. When LV erupts, everyone is influenced (Rowel 2010).Some researchers argued that nurses are an oppressed group who intern contributes to the oppressive behaviors indicative of LV (Stanley et al. 2007). Moreover, oppression, vulgarity, and sexual harassment are key elements of LV (Lutgen-Sandivk 2006). But these issues are not the only means that DB may manifest itself in personal communications. Norris (2010) added that hostility may take the form of apparent detesting, patronizing language, annoyance with questions from neophyte nurses or unlicensed employees, disparaging, impoliteness, concealing information, and even temper tantrums. DB is used to depict the workplace negative behaviors that may affect the health status of patient (TJC 2008). Dellasega (2009) refers LV to the act of intimidating, degrading that result in physical, psychological or emotional injury on a colleague or group while Rosenstein and QDaniel (2008) described LV as any unsuitable conduct, conflict, or confrontation ranging from verbal abuse to bodily or sexual harassment. According to Piper (2003) DB is any aggressive behavior that may endanger the stability of patient, unit, and the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. The ICN (2007) defined bullying as a behavior that dishonors, demeans, or otherwise shows disrespect for the dignity and value of an individual. Habitually, the fundamental cause of DP turns around communication mishaps (Ratner 2006, cited in Rowel 2010) or intentional obnoxious behaviors. Sheridan-Leos (2008) stated that the term LV has been used for more than 25 years in the nursing literature and described it as an act of antagonism that occurs between nursing colleagues within an organizational hierarchy. DB may be obvious or subtle. Farrell (2001, cited by Leiper 2005) uses the terms active or passive to categorize DP while the TJC uses the terms overt or covert. Active or overt actions range from intimidating body language designed to discomfort another or others to overtly criticizing a colleague in the presence of others, shouting at others and even physical attack (Leiper 2005, Longo Sherman 2007). Passive, covert aggression may take the form of gossiping, cover-up information needed to perform the job, or demonstrating unhelpful approaches during routine doings. Griffin (2004) found that many experienced nurses are not acquainted with the term LV and thought new nurses were making up the term. Likewise, many forms of DB may be so delicate that certain actions are considered nothing more than a personality conflict between two persons. Jackson (2002) contends that DB is an axiomatic phenomenon in health organizations and is recognized by many organizational cultures as a part of doing business. However, when asked precisely about personal experiences with DB, most healthcare providers confess that they know it when they see it, and many acknowledge exposure to some sort of experience with it during their professional life (Alspach, 2007). Owing to the seriousness and continuity of the side effects of LV on patient outcomes, a great attention has been paid to this topic in the literature. Here are some examples of reported cases: In a study conducted by the joint program and reported by the international council of nurses (ICN) (2007).Researchers found that the most common forms of LV are Verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment where verbal abuse ranks the highest among them. Verbal abuse had been experienced by 39.5% in Brazil, 32.2% in Bulgaria, in Portugal, 52% in the health center complex and 27.4%in the hospitals, 40.9% in Lebanon, and up to 67% in Australia. Additionally, bullying has been suffered by 30.9% in Bulgaria, 20.6% in South Africa, 10.7% in Thailand, in Portugal ,23% in the health center complex and 16.5% in the hospital, 22.1% in Lebanon, 10.5% in Australia and 15.2% in Brazil. Furthermore, sexual harassment impacted 64% in India, 90% in Israel and 56% in Japan, 69% for the UK, 48% in Ireland and 76% in the US. The Institute of Safe Medication Practice (ISMP) surveyed over 2000 healthcare providers in 2004 including nurses (1565), pharmacists (354), and others (176) and reported that 88% of the surveyed staff suffered bullying by other workers in the form of haughty language or voice intonation. 87% felt impatience when questioned and 79% were unwilling or refuse to respond to questions or telephone calls. The Nursing journal website (2006) asked guests in the last 6 months have you observed any nurse dealing inappropriately with others? 55% of all visitors claimed yes. This was demonstrated by a survey administered in 2007 to 663 nurses; 46% informed that LV was very serious or somewhat serious issue in their healthcare area and 65% reported witnessing DB repeatedly (Stanley 2007). Ulrich (2006) surveyed 4000 nurses; 18% reported verbal abuse from another nurse, while 25% of all participants rated the quality of teamwork and communication with other nurses as fair or poor. A minor study in Boston (2001) involving 26 new graduate nurses reported that 96% of respondents had seen LV during their first year of work, 46% stated that the act was against them. Acts of LV included being set them up to fail with an unreasonable assignment, sabotage, undermining, or not being available (Griffin 2004). According to a survey written by the Workplace Bullying Institute in 2010 and commissioned by Zogby International survey (2010), an estimated 35% of the U.S. workforce has been bullied at workplace; 62% of bullies are men; 58% of targets are women,68%of bullying is same-gender harassment; an additional 15% witness it. Half of all Americans have directly experienced it. Simultaneously, 50% of targets and witnesses never report the incident (silent epidemic). Leymanns (1993, cited in Einarsen1999) asserts that four elements are noticeable in prompting bullying at workplace: (1) lacks of work design, (2) deficits in leadership performance, (3) a socially visible status of the victim, and (4) reduced ethical standards in the working department. Einarsen et al. (2003) designed a workplace bullying framework; which gives an overview of how factors on different levels may interact at different stages in the multifaceted bullying process. This framework calls the attention not only to individual factors (in victims and perpetrators) but also to contextual, organizational and social factors. Salin (2003b) adapted this framework (Fig. 2), which builds and argues a planned adjustment of the framework by constructing on organizational factors of intimidation and its tolerance/intolerance by using terms such as enabling/disabling factors (Fig. 3). The Problem A survey conducted by TJC (2008) involving 4350 healthcare providers revealed that 77% witnessed DP by doctors and 65% by nurses. These behaviors are frequently demonstrated by professionals in positions of power and include unwillingness or rejection to answer questions; return telephone calls or pagers; patronizing language or voice intonation, and impatience with questions. In response to these events, TJC (2008) issued a patient safety alert affirming that the existence of threatening and unapproachable behaviors weakens the effectiveness of teamwork, erodes professional behaviors, and creates an unhealthy work environment. This sort of toxic environment can lead to malpractice risk (Rosenstein and ODaniel 2005, Morrissey 2003, ISMP 2008), patient dissatisfaction and to preventable adverse outcomes, (Rosenstein and ODaniel 2005, Gerardi 2008, Ransom and Neff et al 2000), increase cost of care, (Gerardi 2008, Ransom and Neff et al 2000) and causes competent clinicians, administrators and managers to look for new workplaces in more professional settings. Lutgen-Sandvik (2009) stated that nurses employed in a toxic, threatening environment often dread going to work and many face the day with feelings of impending doom. Recurrent exposure to bullying headed some nurses to retreat into silence, which led to disruption in communication and teamwork. Furtherm ore, continuous bullying may alter nurses self-confidence, initiativity and innovation resulting in psychological and occupational impairment (WBI 2003). All of these factors combine their effects to disrupt the stability of employees, the organization, and the patients safety. Unfortunately, there is no research study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) handling the issues of LV except for a minor one conducted in Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah. The executive director stated that DB by physicians, including Sexual harassment and verbal abuse is a major cause of nurses stress and dissatisfaction at the hospital. Such abuse pushes the nurses to turnover (Zain 2010). Moreover, unhealthy nurses-physicians rapport and authority abuse by the doctors have contributed to nurse turnover in the UAE (khaleej, T 2009).The absence of studies involving the whole emirates does not mean that the problem does not exist. Based on my observation as part of the healthcare system, many nurses especially Asians suffer from different kinds of hostility from physicians, superiors, peers, patients and their families in their work. This hostility take the form of shouting, oral degrading expressions, oral ironic remarks, raised eyebrow, unflattering face gestures, apparent detesting , and sexual harassment. Literature Review History The notion of LV is not a new phenomenon. Horty (1985, cited by Piper 2003) defined the disruptive doctor as as a very clinically competent to the extent of considering himself as the most experienced in the healthcare organization. The troublesome physician is naturally very tough to contact and hence argumentative and antagonistic. In the 1990s, DBs by doctors began to be labeled in the literature as a form of physician impairment (Piper 2003). Gawande (2000) revealed in his article When Good Doctors Go Bad how the medical community was not set to suitably address physicians DB. Rosenstein et al. (2002) found out that lack of physician awareness, appreciation, value, and respect for nurses were serving to fuel the countrywide nursing shortage, profoundly impacting job satisfaction and morale for nurses. So what motivates TJC to ask the medical community to act against violence after two decades? Researchers agree that two milestone matters brought the dispute of LV to the front (Lu tgen-Sandivk 2007, Rocker 2008, Rosenstein ODaniel 2008, Seidel, 2006). The Institute of Medicine (lOM) published in 1999, To Err is Human. The report determined that medical errors cause between 44,000-98000 deaths yearly- more than result from vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS (Baker 2009). The report emphasized the necessity to consider organizational resources and human factors that harmfully influenced patient care (Rosenstein ODaniel 2008). The risk of a nursing shortage. Aiken et al. (2001) found in his global study in a sample of 43,329 nurses that job dissatisfaction was highest in the USA (41%) followed by Scotland (38%), England (36%), Canada (33%) and Germany (17%). More striking, however, was that 27-54% of nurses less than 30 years of age intended to quit within 12 months of data collection in all countries. The U.S.A had a shortage of 150,000 nurses and that number is expected to reach 800,000 by the year 2020 (Childers 2005). Consequently, the nurses will be incapable to meet the forthcoming patients needs if this continues. One reason of turnover is the frustration caused by DBs. Rosenstein et al. (2002) noted that nurse-physician relationship is the key element for retaining nurses. Rosenstein surveyed 2562 from 142 hospitals from 11 Voluntary Hospital Association regions. The sample included 389 physicians, 1615 nurses and 104 senior level executives. More than 90% informed witnessing DB by physician and over 33% of nurses tend to turnover. Using a scale of 1-10 to identify the level of nurses satisfaction and moral; LV ranks pretty high (8.01) Figure 4 Theoretical Framework Rowell (2010) suggested five theories about LV. (See Appendix I). Causes of LV Physicians related Several researchers stated that the physicians training at the hospitals make them vulnerable to DB (Kuhn 2006, Rosenstein ODaniel, 2008). During their training; doctors learned to think individualistically and to become accountable for their activities. This mentality promotes self-reliance, self-sufficiency and an autocratic, bullying conduct which is the antithesis of teamwork (Rosenstein et aI. 2002). According to Kuhn (2006), the absence of quality control starting in university and it is nearly difficult to be fired from internship. This leads the physicians to see themselves as the so-called captain of the ship but possibly do not have the necessary skills to keep it right. This also produces a hierarchal model of healthcare which builds passive roles for nurses and other subordinates (Rosenstein ODaniel 2008) Piper (2003) found that DB is usually demonstrated by excellent clinicians who are accepted by their patients and the society. As they habitually have a notable record of accomplishments; victims may be unwilling to intervene considering the behavior as an exceptional one. Moreover, Piper stated that hospital managers who are supposed to implement the policies are confronted with the challenge of whether to ignore the behavior, or take a difficult decision of firing a great physician who shows too much enthusiasm. According to Rosenstein ODaniel (2008) some hospital directors are disinclined from averting the aggressive attitudes of the physicians because they are not hospital employees and willingly admit their patients to the hospital and thus considered a source of organizational income. Growing external forces such as governmental supervision, pressures for more productivity, managed care restrictions, lower payment, and increasing liability risk cause disruptive physician behavior (Rosenstein et al. 2002). Practicing physicians are overwhelmed with paperwork. As a result, demoralization, and anger will develop leading to oppressive conducts. Another likely cause is the stress inherent in todays medical environment such as mental exhaustion and environmental stressors experienced by physicians lead them to commit medical errors (Kuhn 2006). Staff related The oppression theory will be applied to understand the nurse-to-nurse aggression. Healthcare institutions are controlled by the administrators and physicians who use their authority to rule subordinates. It is obvious that when any oppressed group recognizes that it is not possible to direct its power upward, the group then places their powerlessness and frustration on one another. These peer-to-peer hostilities, which reduce self-esteem, are called LV (Sheriden-Leos2008, Griffin 2004, Leiper 2005). Dunn (2003) confirmed in a study involving 500 nurses in the operating theater that the great numbers of nurses were verbally attacked by the surgeons. This sort of offensive abuse led the oppressed group to develop personal characteristic such as disunity and inability to oppose the physicians because of their positions, authority and ability to revenge from the nurses. Rowell (2005) estimated that 81% of oppressors are bosses, 14% peers, and 5% lower rank staff. Referring to Griffin (2 004) this form of oppression causes the nurses to feel helpless, disrespected and self-loathing. Stanley and Martin (2007) have suggested an applied model of oppressed group behavior to demonstrate how LV seems to manifest itself in the workstation (Fig. 4).It also useful in predicting nurses retention and satisfaction. Gender is another factor. Many studies revealed that females are more susceptible to LV than males. Dunn (2003) rationalized that women tend to suppress their feelings of bitterness. In addition, women are habitually considered inferior to men within society in general and healthcare organization in specific. Accordingly, it is not astonishing to see recurrent acts of sabotage in the nursing as 90% of nurses are females. Leiper (2005) has a parallel opinion and said that females generally underestimate their efforts and have lesser self-esteem than males so they can be irritated more easily and have a predisposition to yell at others. Dellasega (2009) concluded that males express their anger more frequent with bodily violence and this is usually accepted and women exhibited it through character insult, mortification, disloyalty and rejection. ISMP (2004) surveyed 2095 nurses (86% female and 14 % male) and found that DB was nearly equal. Thomas (2003) agrees with this finding. Not all Researchers support the oppression theory as the mechanism for DBs. Ratner (2006) view the oppression theory as condescending to nurses, making them appear as the powerless victim. Another standpoint suggests that organizational cultures, sustained struggles for authority, inconsistent work standards and management styles results in LV (Hallberg 2007). Further organizational causes include shortage, work overload, lack of administrative support, relations among groups, and organizational reform (Rocker 2008). Patient/Family related Patient or family members with a history of DB should be considered at high risk for becoming violent. Violence results from those who are frustrated, rampant, mentally ill, and substance abuser. Finally, LV is not frequently reported by victims and therefore run unaddressed. Fear of revenge, the stigma related to blowing the whistle on a peer, a wide-ranging averseness to oppose an oppressor (TJC 2008), the status quo, lack of confidentiality, lack of administrative support, and lack of awareness or reluctance among doctors to change inhibit the reporting (Rosenstein et aI. 2002). Similar to other kinds of mistreatment, staff violence is repeatedly viewed as an isolated matter and individuals are occasionally unwilling to talk about it (Gammons 2006). On several occasions, LV is not informed because it isnt identified. Some practitioners doubt that bullying has happened except when somebody shouts or uses attacking language (Beyea 2004). Forms and Manifestations OF LV: (see Appendix II) Effects of LV on: Nursing workforce, Organization and Patient The Nursing workforce Defamation of professional dignity, stress, anxiety, frustration, and anger (Rosenstein ODaniel 2008), sleeping disorders, reduced self-esteem, low morale, disconnectedness from their colleagues, depression, apathy, and excessive sick leave (Alspach 2007, Longo Sherman 2007), Suicide attempt (Griffin, 2004). According to the WBI, 45% of respondents had stress-related health problems which include debilitating anxiety, panic attacks, clinical depression (39%), and even post-traumatic stress. Not astonishingly, the adverse effects of LV are not only restricted to the targets. Co-workers witnessing LV report stress and job dissatisfaction. Witnesses who never report are confused how to stop assailant. Unluckily, their silence often leads them to despair and turnover (Lutgen-Sandvik 2007). Healthcare Organization Manifestations include: increased patient illnesses, increased healthcare costs, unplanned absences, law suits (Rowell 2005), malpractice risks (TJC 2008) and turnover (Rosenstein QDaniel 2008, Griffin 2004). Rocker (2008) states that between one third and one half of all work related absences and illnesses are a result of office bullying. According Yamada (2009) some victims pursue compensation or disability benefits as they are no more able to endure work stress and intimidation. Along with Stanley (2010) the overall increase in nurses turnover induced by LV from 2002 to 2007 is 32%. Turnover costs the organization per RN for 2007 $82,000 88,000. Additional costs are decreased productivity and loss of experienced and knowledgeable nurses. Malpractice of physicians and other healthcare providers, which is estimated at 4-6%, has a vast impact on organizational costs. Patients and families detect aggressive work environments (TJC 2008) and are ready to sue when they are faced with arrogant or insensitive behavior from healthcare workers (Aleccia 2008 as cited by TJC 2008). The Patient Rosenstein (2008) surveyed 4530 participants from 102 USA organizations from 2004-2007. The survey questions were intended to assess the respondents perception of the link between DB and patient care. The links were as follow: 66% adverse events, 71% medical errors, 53% compromises in safety, 72% detrimental impacts on quality of care, 25% patient mortality,18% were aware of a specific adverse event, 75% of them believe that the adverse event could have been prevented. According to Dunn (2003) some nurses may control patients by putting off their response to the patients needs- pain medicines, etc. Displeased nurses can also keep patients family uninformed about the patients health status or not support them when needed. Stanley (2010) reported that 1.5 million patients are harmed by medication errors yearly. DISCUSSION In todays sophisticated healthcare setting, each system brings particular skills to patients care. Whether the clinician is a nurse, or any other healthcare workers; each has a unique set of expertise and acquaintance that enable them to view the patient from a particular standpoint. Each field is taking care of the patient at distinctive times and intervals of the day. The doctor visits the patient one or two times a day for 15-20 minutes whereas the nurse employs several successive hours bedside his patient. Therefore, the nurse is the first one who detects and attends the alteration in patients status, not the physician. The patient and the efficacy of the healthcare team are dependent on each other to thoroughly and assertively communicate the changes in the health status of the patient. Unhappily; DB hinders this communication process which affects patients outcomes. It is of merit to mention that the international picture of LV is no difference from UAE.I have been working in the clinical setting for 16 years in different hospitals as a nurse and in a health institution as a teacher and clinical instructor. I have been exposed to and witnessed many episodes of Dbs. For example, I remember a situation when the head nurse asked the Surgeon whether he wants to start the patient on diet or continue keeping him nothing by mouth. The doctor replied in an offensive manner; give him Shoes. The head nurse asked him to write this in the order sheet. Sadly but true, the doctor did it without giving consideration to anything. The nurses felt that they were disrespected and were frustrated because of the recurrent response from the administration when DB is reported as status quo. That instance happened before 9 years but this troublesome situation impacted my psychological status that I recall it as if it occurred yesterday. Another incident, Though I do no t like to recall it, but its profound effect keeps it all the time in my imagination when the nurse came to the nursing counter crying once an aged patient got the money from his pocket and asked her to satiate his sexual desire. Furthermore, nurse on nurse aggression is also clear and take different forms ranging from verbal and non-verbal attack such as intentional rolling of eyes, folding arms, gazing into space when communication is being attempted, backbiting, withholding informationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦etc. to physical assault such as pushing each other. These DB extended also to the patient particularly the dependent and the unconscious patients who were insulted either by bad words or inappropriate care. The negative effect of these DBs was manifested by medical errors, reduced patient safety and care, decreased performance and productivity, frustration, dissatisfaction, turnover, and poor hospital reputation. Although these are merely anecdotal notes, there are comparable events recognized in the research. Rosenstein ODaniel (2006) presented selected comments acquired from a survey of 4530 healthcare providers. They include terms such as RN did not call doctor about change in patients health status because the doctor had a history of abusive behavior and particular surgeons give the impression that they have the right to be impolite and verbally offensive. It is hard to maintain a high level of performance when repetitively scared of being yelled at (Rosenstein ODaniel2006). Unhappily, DB is not solely restricted to doctors. Rosensteins survey data supports the issue that DB spread to other non-physicians employees. Remarks include; DB from nurses is much more upsetting. I expect it from the surgeons but not from my peers and please realize that most stress is from RN managers, not MDs. According to Rosenstein ODaniel (2008), the most common situation that triggered DP by doctors, as conveyed by nurses, was calling physicians to report a decline in the patients condition. This shows a failure in communication that ought to bring dreadful results on the patient. For instance, if the physicians order is inaccurate or not clear. The nurse many not carry out the order until clarified by doctor. If the nurse is anxious about making a telephone to the doctor due to fear of an annoyed eruption, she might postpone the call or make another work around by evading the doctor entirely and including another party. If there is inaccurate order of medicine, this situa tion can be revealed in various ways, all with awful outcomes for the patient. Primarily, the issue will not be verbalized as the practitioner did not desire to confront the stellar reputation of the doctor or because they were demoralized by previous behavior (ISMP 2008). Consequently, the incorrect medicine will be given. If the nurse calls the doctor and feels that the physician is irritated, the incorrect medicine can still be given and secondary repercussions such as being unable to correct the order in the future can result. Unfortunately, several nursing staff has to live with the guilt of a serious error because they did not follow up on a questioned situation (ISMP 2008). The negative outcomes of such an error can result in stress and frustration for all involved and thus can bring about DB. Limitations Workplace LV is a complicated issue. A diversity of expressions is used to reveal similar behaviors .Although they possess distinctive meanings, the terms are frequently used interchangeably in the nursing literature. There are also a many workplace abuse that might be categorized as DB. First, the paper has focus merely on psychological and/or verbal abuse and not physical or sexual harassment. Second, the majority of literature focuses on LV in nursing profession in particular and to a certain degree

I am a Filipino Through the Eyes of an American Citizen Essay -- Histo

I am a Filipino Through the Eyes of an American Citizen In Webster’s New Dictionary, history is defined as a study of past events; course of life or existence. Without history, we wouldn’t know our cultures, where we came from, and the major events that changed the world. This is true for many people, because some of them don’t know their culture or their families’ history. People of color, especially many minorities who are born in America (second generation) tend to not learn their histories, for they have to adapt to the American lifestyle which make them lose a part of their identity. Another reason why many second generations don’t know their history is that many are learning the American history or many of them are not asking or willing to question the teacher about their history. As for myself, I fit in to that category, because I am one of the many people who don’t know their ethnicity’s history, which is Filipino. Now in the year 2001, I’m in college and wanting to learn and question my people’s history. â€Å"College is one of the best sources to learn your history† (DeGuia). In learning my history, I questioned my friend Rex DeGuia (who is also Filipino) about his life experience and compared his life with my life experience, in which we both have some similarities and differences. Rex DeGuia, a man who identifies himself as a â€Å"Filipino† man, was born in December 4, 1971. He has four family members, whom he loves dearly, and was born in the United States of America, which makes him a second-generation citizen. He lives in a predominately white city of San Fernando Valley. This is one of the reasons why he is Americanized. Growing up was hard for him, for he felt like an outcast. As for me, I too was born in America, ... ...Supervisors. We want to learn more about our identity because it’s an adventure to find your history about your people and about yourself. Overall, DeGuia and I are similar in some things and different in other things. The reason why I chose him was because he played a big part in my life in finding my identity. In high school, he was pushing me to join the club so that I can understand the FOBs’ (Filipino-born) experience. In Balboa High, there is segregation between the Filipino Americans and the Filipino-born. The reason I wanted to join was because I wanted to unite the Filipino Community, and I found it as a challenge for me to do before I leave high school, and be remembered as one of the founder of the Club Mabuhay. Work Citied DeGuia, Rex. Interview by Xander, 30 April 2004, San Francisco, CA, Tape Recording. Chomp On This! Vol. One, San Francisco.

History of Paintball :: essays research papers

>>>>>>>>>>>>Some Parts are made up Paintball is quite a new sport and is becoming more and more popular. It has been around since 1982, but professional paintball teams have just recently come together in 2002. The rules of paintball are not very complicated and are very concise. The game is very entertaining to play. There are also plenty of different types of products used to play the game. It is the one of the only sports that I am interested in and I hope that someday it could become a more popular sport.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first known paintball gun or â€Å"marker† was made by John Barker in 1982. At the time he had a job designing air guns for Daisy Inc. The gun that he made was a single shot pump gun; he called it the â€Å"splatmatic†. Daisy did not want to market his gun so he started a small company with some of his friends and called it Splat Markers. The company was soon a success and in 1986 he changed the name to JT Products. Now JT Products is one of the largest paintball companies in the world, producing practically everything needed and used in the game of paintball. They have also made the NPA (National Paintball Association). This was created in 2002 and has many different teams that are sponsored by a variety of companies. Paintball has come a long way since the creation of the splatmatic and is now a very popular and sport.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Paintball is not just a group of people shooting each other with paintball markers; the sport involves a few simple rules. These rules are from the NPA and are the most commonly used. All paintballs that break on the body count as an elimination and that player is out. Any player within ten feet has the option of surrender and has 3 seconds to do so, any movement from that player and his â€Å"chance† is over. All markers must be chronographed at fewer than 300 fps. A hit from a teammate does not count as an elimination. The paintball must pop on a player to count as an elimination. Any player hit with a ball must call out â€Å"HIT† and raise his or her gun in the air and walk off of the playing field. All players must stay in the designated boundaries or they will be counted as out. Barrel plugs must be used at all times when not on the playing field.

Illusion And Disillusion In He :: essays research papers

The Journey from Illusion to Disillusion in Hemingway’s Old Man and The Sea   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In our world today we are constantly bombarded with messages of illusion and falsity, however the states in which people travel through their lives differ. Some people are suspended in a state of illusion for all their lives, only realizing their potential on their deathbed. Others have their illusions stolen from them as a child and are brought up in a world without magic and fanciful ideas. For most, we discover this passage from illusion to disillusion at a time in our lives when we need it most. Quite simply, one cannot lead a happy and productive adult life when one is oblivious to the truths of this world. This does not mean, however, that the perfect life is one free from illusions, hopes and dreams. Ideally through the process of disillusionment one will learn the importance of their dreams and hold on to the ones that make them most productive. In Hemingway’s novel, The Old Man and The Sea, the main character Santiago needs this rite of passage to d efine and seal his destiny, and to truly understand and believe in himself. It is through this journey that he establishes limits and boundaries on the illusions he holds onto ritualistically, and yet opens himself up to the larger possibilities of life at the same time. He goes through very obvious and specific stages in his struggle, in a world of illusion, through the sacrifice and pain of the journey and into disillusionment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Santiago is a proud man, and the world of illusion which captivates him is the only thing that keeps him going, day after day. Sadly, Santiago does not truly have confidence in himself. He attributes much of his success and failure to luck: “‘Eighty-five is a lucky number,’ the old man said. ‘How would you like to see me bring one in that dressed out over a thousand pounds?’';(Hemingway, 13). Santiago is so preoccupied by the idea of luck, and it seems to him that all his experiences are based on powers greater than his own. This seems to parallel Hemingway’s, own illusions, as Young explains, “... both [Santiago and Hemingway] were given to remarking ‘I am a strange old man.’ And both men were preoccupied with their ‘luck’ - a kind of magic which people have in them, or do not.'; Santiago must believe that he is unlucky, as this illusion allows him to continue fishing, continue failing.

An analysis of why economic sanctions are good Essay

â€Å"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.† John Mills OR Senator John Kerry once said â€Å"We must retool our nation to prepare for the challenge we already face to maintain our position in the global economy. And this much is certain: America will not have national security without economic security.† Therefore, I negate the resolution that: Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not to be used to achieve foreign policy objectives Definitions: Economic Sanctions- Economic penalties, such as stoppage of trade and financial transactions, imposed upon a country to force compliance with another country’s or UN’s or WTO’s demands. (businessdictionary.com) Ought- used to express obligation. Foreign Policy- the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states. Objectives- : an aim, goal, or end of action. (In case of argumentation relating to resolve not confined to U.S.A) Sovereign- one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere. All unspecified definitions are from Merriam Webster Core Value: Societal Welfare- What is best for most of society Value Criterion- The neg shall prevail if I can prove that economic sanctions are a worthwhile method to achieve foreign policy objectives. But the aff shall prevail if, and only if he can prove otherwise†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ C1: Smart economic sanctions are needed to compel foreign leaders. The resolution calls for a general ban on economic sanctions in dealing with foreign policy objectives. One of the foremost arguments against sanctions is the harm they may potentially bring. But these potential harms are mostly caused the imposition of broad, wide-ranging sanctions. But not all sanctions are harmful- there are good sanctions. The sanctions in the 21st century are targeted and narrow, not general. One of the common criticisms of economic sanctions is that they have injured civilian populations in the past. The problem with this line of reasoning is that it assumes that there is only one type of sanction to use, and that this type of sanctioning must necessarily hurt civilians. Most countries now understand that wide, indiscriminate sanction use may be counterproductive, so they take a smarter, tailored approach to economic sanctions that make sanctions more likely to achieve their policy objectives. Many countries now tailor their sanctions to specific goods. For exa mple, many countries place specific sanctions on narcotics related items or on materials that could be used to make weapons. These tailored sanctions still allow civilians to meet their basic needs, but also make it so that rogue states are unable to use their material resources to cause further harm. Additionally, economic sanctions are now being used to freeze assets and limit the travel of high ranking state officials, which puts pressure only on them to change their country’s policies. These â€Å"smart sanctions† create an opportunity for change without the harms that occurred from past sanctions. Another line of argument for the Neg is the â€Å"toolbox† argument: that the Affirmative would remove critical tools, including targeted sanctions, from the government’s disposal. This would lead to a second dilemma, this time for the Affirmative: without the carrot and stick of economic sanctions, the government is left with a feather of non-economic sanctions and the bloody spike of war. C2: Economic sanctions are necessary foreign policy tools So what are the alternatives to sanctions? More diplomacy and military action. These have the problem of being two extremes meaning that there needs to be something in the middle. Diplomacy is the most obvious alternative. It would be lovely if all foreign policy objectives could be met simply by diplomacy but with contradictory interests, this is never going to happen in all cases. Many countries, particularly dictatorships but quite often also democracies such as the US, feel they can just ignore diplomacy if it is not backed up by anything more than a verbal lashing. Diplomacy needs something backing it up. At the moment this is the threat of some form of sanction (be it direct economic sanctions or more indirect be reducing the opportunities for that countries firms to operate in your market) or military action of some kind. Using military action as a threat can be extreme. How do you move between diplomacy and on to military action without something in the middle to show how serious your country is? If a country does not believe your threats, and you don’t really want to attack him you have to be the one to back down. Providing economic sanctions creates a way of hurting him without having to go to the worse stage†¦ which is military action. Military action is the obvious ‘hard’ alternative to sanctions. However it is not always possible. This could be because of domestic politics or because there is other significant actors in the international system who would react unfavorably to you engaging in military action, or else the consequences might be too severe. There are quite a few problems with military action apart from that it cant always be used due to politics. The most obvious is that it is an immense step up from diplomacy. The country you are going to attack needs to have done something serious to be able to justify an attack. Even if it is justifiable there are problems. Military action relies upon your country being powerful and being able to engage in military action – whereas anyone can implement some form of sanctions – and it is very costly. This is not only of course in terms of monetary cost to your country but also in lives lost and destroyed. There can also me many unintended consequences. You can intend the action to be a small police action but there is no guarantee that your opponent will see it that way so he may well strike back escalating towards full scale war. At the other extreme your actions my push a country towards falling apart and becoming a failed state. Yes it provides a very powerful tool for changing a state’s behavior- but most people would believe that it is not worth keeping the possibility of military action while getting rid of sanctions. Get rid of both and you essentially have no stick at all. States do not always respond to carrots – you need to provide a big enough carrot that they can forgo a national interest after all. In the case of two interests being diametrically opposed then this cost could be immense. C3: Violation of Human Rights Natural rights of citizens are selfishly violated by corrupt leaders of governments. This impacts not only the natural rights of citizens from other countries; it also affects the natural rights of their own citizens. a. Citizens of countries oppressed by economic sanctions suffer when intended relief efforts are suppressed by their own government intercepting supplies. The citizens are never the target, but rather the behaviors of corrupt leaders. Natural rights of citizens are denied when a corrupt leader interrupts the harmonious relations and it becomes necessary to impose sanctions. Further, I extend my VPC in that when the naturals rights of other nations are infringed upon by these corrupt leaders, political justification demands punishment in the least destructive manner after diplomacy has failed. b. Citizens are justified to demand their natural rights which are being denied to them by the very government which is supposed to protect them. When corrupt leaders give in to decency and cooperate, the sanctions go away. Sanctions are nothing more than a legitimate form of punishment to achieve a defined and acceptable code of behavior. Natural rights of citizens are denied when a corrupt leader interrupts the harmonious relations and it becomes necessary to impose sanctions. Further, I extend my VPC in that when the naturals rights of other nations are infringed upon by these corrupt leaders, political justification demands punishment in the least destructive manner after diplomacy has failed. Possible Rebuttal: Although careful studies of economic sanctions have cast doubt on their effectiveness, 1 anecdote can be powerful rhetorical tools. A single important case that demonstrates sanctions’ potential allows advocates to argue that their cause is more akin to the success than to the failures. Frequently, advocates point to the case of sanctions applied in the mid-1980s against the apartheid regime in South Africa as just such a case. On the face of it, South African sanctions appear to have been successful. In response to the outrages of apartheid, many countries adopted trade and financial sanctions and a significant amount of foreign investment was withdrawn from South Africa. After the adoption of sanctions, South Africa experienced economic difficulty and numerous domestic actors commented on how the economic situation was untenable and required political change. By 1994, Nelson Mandela had been elected President of South Africa. He and other black leaders attributed to economic sanctions a significant role in bringing about the democratic transition.

Newsreel subject area †Newfoundland

The third place among the developed countries means responsibility for peace, support to needed and burden that is laid by global unions and associations to Canada. It is a front line, without any place to step back. But, all these duties and obligations may weaken Canadian ‘body’ if there is no inner support and strength. Destruction always follows up division and the core factor to avoid it is to submit provincial powers to single governmental authority. Disregarding the Conservatives’ opposition, Canadian government took actions to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. On October, 2006, Liberals made the first attempt to meet Kyoto goals and introduced the Tory bill that would regulate auto industry and oil and gas sector, and apply fines and jail terms in cases of industrial over-pollution. It was supposed that smog levels and emissions would be cut by 45 to 64 percent from 2010 to 2050 and next four years were aimed at short- and long-term schedules for industries to cut emissions. Still, ‘if production increases, the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants could grow’ (CBC News, October 19, 2006). Thus, the bill was called ‘economy-devastating’ and declared invalid (CBC, February 14, 2007). Today Baird said â€Å"the government will explore emission credit trading with the U.S. and Mexico† (CBC, CBC, April 25, 2007), along with domestic trading, technological investments and cleaning development. The details and expenses to cover were not revealed, but, the nearest future will disclose a standstill or headway of the government. As a democratic country, Canada turned to be among those countries, which compose the International Assistance Force and, since 2001, were involved in democratic process in Afghanistan. Canada’s military mission included post-war assistance, heavy weapons cantonment, demining, training, along with loans to individuals (CBC, November 1, 2006). In 2006, Canadian soldiers were elected to operate two more years. This fatal vote engraved 46 military and one diplomat, comparing to total 55 soldiers, in nation’s memory (CBC, April  20, 2007). Eight of them were killed in one week: â€Å"six were killed on Easter Sunday, while two were killed three days later (CBC, April 25, 2007). According to â€Å"The Telegram†, all soldiers, who died of roadside bomb explosions, were from Atlantic Canada, ‘including Newfoundlanders Donald Lucas and Kevin Kennedy (April 25, 2007). These soldiers will be honored by 5,000 people in New Brunswick on Wednesday. The facts show that democracy, as any other good, is paved with thorns, rather than roses. Fishery Products International was formed in 1984 in Newfoundland; therefore, rural province was given a chance to raise inner economy. Nevertheless, workers, who were standing for the company, were left without a contract since March 31, 2005 (CBC, April 22, 2007). Overseas competition resulted in labor costs’ $2 cut and a strike. The Fish, Food and Allied Workers union agreed on a $1.06 reduction, yet workers voted against the agreement and were ready to ‘starve to death on the picket line’ (CBC, April 23, 2007), rather than work. Their devotion passes unnoticed on top; thus, current wages $13.66/hour remains open till the strike deadline on April 30 (CBC, April 25, 2007). Residents of Newfoundland’s Daniels’ Harbor run the risk of slides, when the cliff based in clay become eroded at the bottom (CBC, April 19, 2007); while twelve of them were evacuated. Five buildings, one business and a highway were affected by the series of slides and were waiting for the officials, who faced this kind of emergency for the first time. Victims of the disaster are expecting financial aid from Emergency Measures Office to rebuild new homes (CBC, April 20, 2007); but public is also welcomed to contribute its share to the Daniel’s Harbor Disaster Fund. The outcome of a possible destruction of other structures was another evacuation, ordered by Newfoundland’s officials (CBC April 25, 2007). The planned girls’ ball hockey championship finally starts on April 27 in Bonavista. School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador sponsors provincial girls and awaits the  championship banner and medals that will be gained through the series of games on Friday and Saturday. Moreover, sponsors have nominated individual players, who will ‘receive an individual sportsmanship medal’ (â€Å"The Telegram†, April 25, 2007). Surfing forums of the National Magazine, I took the one that exactly fits the articles, mentioned above. I’ve marked four subdivisions in the National News forum that will be listed in descending order: politics (8 threads), society (5 threads), and both economy and environment hold three threads. The top issue of the day for Canadians is decentralization of Canada. Quebec that is looking for the ‘freedom from external authority’ (Halonen, March 30, 2007), along with British Columbia and Ontario seems to stay aside from the needed regions and equal payments. Posts ‘for’ the split are united by the idea of self-government and all-sufficient autonomy, turning the blind eye towards the inner competition and ashes that will follow the years of separation. Lack of a domestic freer trade does not mean that Canada has ‘screwed itself’ (Newgold8, April 16, 2007), because of the positive trade balance, comparing to the U.S.’ and EU’s negative ones, and surplus that covers national debt (DennisP, April 12, 2007). Posts ‘against’ modernization and smaller chunks prove that Canada will stay in its leading position only if the play will go on collectively, not separately. ‘Decentralize †¦ and you lose one of the incentives for the provinces to play nice with each other’ (ThinkOrThwim, April 7, 2007). Canada is a country of democrats, who wish they would veto seal hunt and destruction of fisheries, separatism, anti-Semitism, along with global warming, military issues and capitalism, if only they could be united, which is the greatest contrast with the U.S. Yet, they are the patriots, like we are; but, inter-provincial separation makes them inwardly focused more that outwardly. My life in Canada seems to be more stable, aside of terrorism, hurricanes and taxes that are spend on weapons and national defense. Works Cited: The Canadian Press. Thousands Expected to Attend Memorial Service For Fallen Canadian Soldiers. Online. The Telegram. Internet. April 25, 2007. Available: http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=25091&sc=79

America Foreign Policy

The trade embargo placed by the United States on Cuba involves financial, economic and commercial restrictions that were first placed on Fidel Castro’s government in 1962. It was as a result of the government expropriation of assets and properties of US nationals and corporations. The embargo was first suggested and implemented by president Kennedy’s government on the charge that there was lack of democracy in Cuba not only in respect to the Cuban nationals but also to other nationals.In essence, the embargo restricted certain economic and financial transactions between the nationals of the two countries whether directly or indirectly in regard to the use of a third country or national of such a country. The embargo started with the introduction of an import quota on sugar imported from Cuba by several millions. This was met by an agreement by the Soviet Union to by the rest of the sugar from Cuba. Still, the Cuban government under the leadership of Fidel Castro continu ed to take further actions on businesses owned by American national, confiscating most of it.The US government retaliated by expanding the trade restrictions even further especially because of the alignment of Cuba with the Soviet Union in the cold war which caused the Cuban missile crisis. Later, the US government imposed travel restrictions to its nationals restricting them from traveling to Cuba. Further down the line, the US government charged the Cuban government of hosting Soviet Union nuclear weapons and since the union was an enemy in the cold war, regulations were put in place to freeze any Cuban assets in the states and to further consolidate the restrictions put on the country.Various restrictions has since been put in place which include restriction on the amount of money spent by a US national on the Cuban island, restrictions on the forms and amount of gifts that a US national can give to a relative in Cuba or a Cuban national among others. Furthermore, the US governme nt restricted any company that is involved in trade activities in Cuba from entering the US economy on the argument that such a company would be trafficking assets from US to Cuba. To date, most of the trade restrictions placed on Cuba and expenditure restrictions placed on US nationals and corporations still stand.Despite efforts by some of the activists and United Nations has been meeting a dead end with previous and current presidents of the US suspending bills and efforts aimed at lifting the embargo. Despite the fact that some valid reasons were used in basing the embargo and the fact that the US government and its nationals are not affected much by the Embargo, the effects of it are not only affecting the unintended but also affecting the US economy in ways which were unintended. Efforts by activists and the UN are still unsuccessful despite the dire consequences that the embargo has had.In essence, while today the embargo is much founded on democracy issues in Cuba, it goes a step further to restrain the achievement of democracy in the country, punishing Cuban citizens as opposed to the Administration. The purpose of the paper is to expound on the benefits that can be achieved by lifting the embargo not only to Cuba but also to the US and its citizens in general. Why the Embargo should be lifted As observed earlier, various efforts to lift the restrictions on Cuba and American travelers have continuously been rejected both by the President and the congress.On the contrary, the US government has eased a little following pressure from some of the activists. For example, agribusiness organizations and American farmers put the government under pressure to lift some of the restrictions which saw the allowance of sale of medicine and agricultural goods only for humanitarian reasons. Still, many of the restrictions still are in place and there exist no evidence that these restrictions will be lifted any time soon. In light with the embargo, Cubans and scholars have argued that the embargo has and still is affecting negatively the resources of the Cuban nationals as opposed to those of the government.This raises many humanitarian issues in regard to the US government especially considering that the embargo was as a result of democracy issues in Cuba. It has been argued and it is true to a greater extent that the economic damage that arises as a result of the embargo is to some extent responsible for the problems associated with transportation and food shortage in Cuba. As argued by some governments and activist, the embargo has had dire effects on medicine supplies, food and other economic needs of Cubans.This by extension has resulted in vulnerability in infectious diseases and epidemics including malnutrition. The restrictions also have negatively affected the flow of medical information in the country thus resulting to diseases that would otherwise be easily dealt with. The rationing system that results as a result of food shortage hav e greatly affected men and the elderly since designed to give preference to women and children. On another view, the embargo has greatly influenced the capacity of US investors in Cuba but more so have affected non American investors in Cuba.In this context, investors who have interests in the US economy have been reluctant or have been restricted by the law from investing in Cuba. As such, the embargo is not only affecting the Cuban and the American nationals but also the nationals of other countries as well. Moreover, it has continuously threatened diplomatic relationship of US and other countries in regard to the dealings and transactions of these countries and Cuba. In any case, while the embargo gives the Cuban government a scapegoat for problems not directly associated with the embargo, it gives a head start for non US businesses in Cuba should it be lifted.In this regard, these businesses have already established firm foundations to be shaken by the competition that would ari se from the lifting of the trade embargo. In general, while the embargo is aimed at improving the democracy and the compliance with human rights, it has continuously affected these rights negatively making it non humanitarian itself. It is worth noting that it an inadequate reason for the US government to argue that it is involved in charity work aimed at giving medical and food supplies to Cubans.On the other hand, the bureaucracy involved in this charity work has greatly affected its effectiveness in Cuba. Charity organizations and other non governmental organizations have faced delays as a result of the licensing process involved and transportation problems. It also represent a violation of international law as provided for by the United Nations Charter. In this context, the fact that the embargo directly condemns the sale of certain food products and medical products abuses the human right of accessing life saving medical supplies.Further Arguments As it stands out, the trade em bargo imposed by US government hinders free trade between the two countries. While the US government is highly dependent on home production, it does not mean that it has a comparative advantage on all it consumables thus it is forced to import some of it consumables from other countries. This implies that there is an existence of free trade between US and these other countries. One of the major advantages of free trade is that it promotes liberalization of the economies involved.As such, by maintaining the trade embargo on Cuba, the US is denying the Cuban economy better grounds for liberalization. In essence, the Cuban economy can not be open to American investors nor is it open to non US investors who have interests in both countries. In this context, the US economy is and continues to lose the advantages that are associated with the liberalization of the Cuban economy just like any other economy. In fact, it would be irrational to argue that the economy of Cuba has little to offe r to that of US.On the other hand, Cuba has been famous of having a comparative advantage on sugar production. It is imperative that the US economy can obtain such goods from other economies but the question remain, how cheap would it attain them from the Cuban economy. A good example is the tourist potential of Cuba. Travel restrictions have greatly affected the realization of benefits in Cuban tourist industry as the US government restricts its nationals in visiting the island and in the maximum amount of dollars that can be spent on the island on any given day.Moreover, free trade allows the manifestation and improvement of diplomatic relationship between the countries involved. While the problem in Cuba is a political one, trade embargo does not help in solving other problems in the country especially social and humanitarian’s one. It has over and over been argued that as opposed to a trade embargo, the problems in Cuba can only be solved by changing the communist politic al organization in the country. In light with these, the US government should first lift the embargo then embark on measures that are aimed at filling the loopholes in the Cuban political system.In any case, the embargo like others placed on other countries such as Iraq will only give the Cuban administration a reason to cling further to it political system. While, the US government restrict the provision of certain services to Cubans as was evident in the situation where the US government stressed Starwood hotels to chase away Cuban delegate who had attended the US- Cuba Trade Association, the Cuban government is also justified to retaliate in any way they think will bring equality. Such retaliation will only worsen further the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.Still, free trade helps in increasing the amount of foreign currency held by a given economy. With the reduction of economic aid by the soviet, Cuba has been experiencing may economic problems most of which i s as a result of lack of foreign currency to service debts secured from Asian countries. As a result, the living standards of Cuban nationals have greatly depreciated. In this context, it is a fallacy for the US government to argue that all the humanitarian problems in Cuba are as a result of bad governance.In essence, the US governments and it allies whether countries, corporations or individuals have greatly contributed to the decline in humanitarian welfare in Cuba. By placing sanctions on allies dealing with Cuba and by closing it economy from Cuba, the US government denies Cuba a chance to earn foreign currency and by extension impacts heavily on the livelihood of Cubans. Perhaps the most obvious advantage of free trade is that it increases the living standard of the nationals of the two respective economies.In this regard, free trade increases the availability of a variety of goods and services to the populations of the two countries. For one, the population has a variety of q uality products to choose from and secondly, these products are available at a cheaper price keeping in mind the concept of comparative advantage. Buying these products a cheaper price will increase the real purchasing power of the constituents of the population giving them the capability to save and invest in other areas of the economy.It would therefore be worthy to the Cuban nationals if the US government lifts the embargo as this will help in not only reducing their dependence on other economies through charity works but it would also improve their living standards. Since the US government and economy is highly involved in charity work to help Cubans, the lifting of the ban would also go a long way in helping the economy to develop given the nature and the cost of the resources used for charity work. Another advantage of free trade is that it helps in improving the infrastructure of both countries and this is inclusive of both transport and communication.While the US trade embar go on Cuba can be seen as restricting the movements of goods and services, restrictions have been put in place which restricts the docking of Cuban ships on American docks. Similarly, there have been travel restrictions especially in regard to US citizens. In light with the restrictions and with the poor diplomatic relationship between the two countries, the infrastructures of the two countries have suffered though not in direct terms. For example, flights operating between the two countries have been rerouted as no of the country want the other to intrude in her air space.Situations as these have increased the cost of transport between the two countries and have even hindered the movement of goods and services especially for Cuba since it has to use long routes to import goods thus a high cost of importation. Such a poor infrastructure has also been accused of harboring poor flow of medical information into Cuba and by extension increasing the persistency of epidemics and diseases in the country. Free trade encourages the increase in the level of investment opportunities between the respective countries while at the same time increasing foreign direct investments.This on the other hand helps in raising the living standards of the population of the two countries. Should the government lift the trade embargo, investment opportunities will sprout in the two countries. As a result, even if the US does not directly participate in investing in the Cuban economy, other multinational companies will seek investment opportunities in the country. In essence, those allies of US who have been reluctant to invest in the country will reconsider their stand. Moreover, the multinational companies in Cuba will also seek investment opportunities not only in the American economy but also in the economies of its allies.This will earn foreign currency for all the participating countries but more so will help in raising the living standards of Cuban nationals. As evidence has shown , the confiscation of Cuban assets including money held in banks, the government is only further aggregating the problem as the Cuban government is bound to take equal measures of counter attack and this can only add up to a web of tit for tat game. In addition to the above, free trade is also important in that it helps in increasing employment opportunities in the respective countries.As is the case with the living standards, creation of employment opportunities is integrated with other factors such investment and specialization. As stated earlier, free trade creates investment opportunities which by extension create employment opportunities while at the same time improving the living standards of the nationals. In addition, free trade increases the economies of scale which means more investment and earnings from the existing investments. This will also help in creating employment opportunities for the citizens of the two countries.In this light, it would be more advantages if the US government considers the probability of lifting the embargo as this would benefit not only the economy of Cuba but also its own economy. It would help in raising the living standards of Cubans thus reducing the level of poverty and dependence in the country. Finally, free trade helps in the harmonization of labor policies between the two countries thus offering cheap and affordable labor term. On top of this, free trade allows increased mobility of factors of production.As stated earlier, the fact that the US economy is capable in producing most of its consumables does not necessarily mean that it has a comparative advantage in production of all of them. If the embargo is lifted, the US economy will be able to expand its base in relation to factors of production thus improving on the productivity of its economy. With the advantage arising from the geographical positions of the two countries, the US economy is capable of importing factors of production from Cuba at a lower cost an d in time thus increasing productivity in its industries.Goods can also be exported to Cuba not just for charity work but also for earning foreign currency. Conclusion As is evident following the above discussion, it is evident that the US by placing the embargo on Cuba, the US government has denied the Cuban economy to grow and by extension, it has denied Cubans the opportunity of enjoying a high standard of living. While the argument still remains that the embargo is aimed at improving the democracy in Cuba, it should be known to the US government that this has only resulted to more humanitarian problems than there was before the embargo.It is therefore important for the US government to accept the fact that what is needed in Cuba as opposed to trade embargos is to change the whole political system. As such, the US government should lift the ban and look for other economic and political ways of influencing Cuba. Reference: Arnson Cynthia, 1993. Crossroads: Congress, the President and Central America, 1976-1993. Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University Press, pp. 17 Bhaqwati Jaqdish, 2002. Free Trade Today. United States, Princeton University Press, pp.34 Fawn Rick, 2003. Ideology and National Identity in Post Communist Foreign Policies. London, Frank Cass, pp. 32 Gianaris Nicholas, 1998. The Northern American Free Trade Agreement and the European Union. Westport CT: Praeger Publishers, pp. 23 Louis A. 1995. Essays on Cuban History: Historiography and Research. Florida, University Presses of Florida, pp. 45 McGillion Chris, 2002. Unfinished Business: America and Cuba after the Cold War, 1989-2001. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp. 19 Pierce Anne, 2004.The American Foreign Policy Tradition: Inspiration for Troubled Times. World and I, Vol. 19, pp. 56 Showalter D. 2007. Debating Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Foreign Policies, 1933- 1945. The Historian, Vol. 69, pp. 87 Ted Hopf, 2002. Social Construction of International Politics: Identities and For eign Policies, Moscow, 1955 and 1999. Cornell University Press, pp. 90 William M. 1998. Our Own Backyard: The United States in Central America, 1977-1992. United States, University of North Carolina Press, pp. 41

Examining The Easy Jet Airline Company Operation Strategy Tourism Essays

Examining The Easy Jet Airline Company Operation Strategy Tourism Essays Examining The Easy Jet Airline Company Operation Strategy Tourism Essay Examining The Easy Jet Airline Company Operation Strategy Tourism Essay Operation Management, Plagrave Macmillan NewYork. 2: Waller, L.D. ( 2003 ) , Operation Management, Gray Publishing Kent. 3: Information available on www.easyjet.com, accessed on 10th December 2010. 4: Information available on www.datamonitor.com, accessed on 25th November 2010. 5: Information available on www.crm2day.com, accessed on 15th November 2010. 6: Afuah, A. and Tucci, C. 2002, Internet Business Models and Schemes: Text and instances, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill 7: Information available on www.businessteacher.org.com, accessed on 15th December 2010.

Amino Acids Characteristics and Structures

Amino Acids Characteristics and Structures Amino acids are a type of organic acid that contains both a carboxyl group (COOH) and an amino group (NH2). The general formula for an amino acid is given below. Although the neutrally-charged structure is commonly written, it is inaccurate because the acidic COOH and basic NH2 groups react with one another to form an internal salt called a zwitterion. The zwitterion has no net charge; there is one negative (COO-) and one positive (NH3) charge. There are 20 amino acids derived from proteins. While there are several methods of categorizing them, one of the most common is to group them according to the nature of their side chains. Nonpolar Side Chains There are eight amino acids with nonpolar side chains. Glycine, alanine, and proline have small, nonpolar side chains and are all weakly hydrophobic. Phenylalanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and methionine have larger side chains and are more strongly hydrophobic. Polar, Uncharged Side Chains There are also eight amino acids with polar, uncharged side chains. Serine and threonine have hydroxyl groups. Asparagine and glutamine have amide groups. Histidine and tryptophan have heterocyclic aromatic amine side chains. Cysteine has a sulfhydryl group. Tyrosine has a phenolic side chain. The sulfhydryl group of cysteine, phenolic hydroxyl group of tyrosine, and imidazole group of histidine all show some degree of pH-dependent ionization. Charged Side Chains There are four amino acids with charged side chains. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid have carboxyl groups on their side chains. Each acid is fully ionized at pH 7.4. Arginine and lysine have side chains with amino groups. Their side chains are fully protonated at pH 7.4.

Charles Loring Brace Essays

Charles Loring Brace Essays Charles Loring Brace Essay Charles Loring Brace Essay Charles Loring Brace Founder, Children’s Aid Society New York City Beth Boersma University of Georgia SOWK 6011 Fall, 2010 Introduction Charles Loring Brace is recognized as one of the founders of child welfare reform in the United States, particularly in the area of foster care and adoption. His work was conducted in the nineteenth century in New York City, in the midst of one of the most prolific eras of change in U. S. history. This paper will describe and summarize Brace’s background and the influences that led to his work, the impact of his work on the society of his time, the legacy of his work, and its influences on child welfare efforts today. Social Background Charles Loring Brace was born June 19, 1826 in Litchfield, Connecticut, described as a small but prosperous village, wholly lacking in urban luxury or vice, but providing its residents with something approaching urban levels of learning and culture. It was the home of the nation’s first law school†¦.. also the home of one of the first secondary schools for girls in the United States, the Litchfield Female Academy, graduates of which included Harriet Beecher Stowe and her sister Catherine Beecher† (O’Connor, 2001, p7). Charles was the second of four children born to John and Lucy Brace and, in the Puritan tradition of the time, he was primarily educated by his father. John Brace was a teacher at the Litchfield Female Academy, where he displayed a progressive slant on education by reforming the curriculum typically taught to girls to include more challenging subjects â€Å"including science, higher mathematics, logic and Latina curriculum that at the very least equaled that of most boys’ academies† (O’Connor, p. 8). Young Charles often sat in on his father’s classes and was undoubtedly influenced by the senior Brace’s feminist philosophy that female children should be educated on an equal level as males, in order to â€Å"improve woman’s ‘rank in society, placing her s the rational companion of man, not the slave of his pleasures or the victim of tyranny’† (O’Connor, p. 8). John Brace and his wife also believed strongly in the Calvinist traditions of duty, diligence, sacrifice, fortitude, and self-control and passed these values on to Charles. The Braces valued nature and Charles developed a strong connection between the beauty and grandeur of the outdoors and his related feelings of joy and immense satisfaction of being alive. Perhaps the most enduring value that Charles learned from his family was moral philosophy, or â€Å"the attempt to determine the nature of one’s obligation to one’s fellow man- and to God- and the attempt to discipline one’s character so as to fulfill that obligation to perfection†. (O’Connor, p. 18). Another early influences in Charles’ life was Horace Bushnell, a Congregational minister in Hartford, CT, where Charles and his family lived after John Brace took a position at the Hartford Female Seminary (founded by Catherine Beecher). Bushnell is â€Å"regarded by many as the most important American religious thinker of the nineteenth century† (O’Connor, p 18). Rev. Bushnell promoted the ideals of spiritual development throughout the lifespan, which was in direct opposition to Calvinistic beliefs of the innate depravity of humans from birth. This idea would deeply impact Charles’ later work. Charles entered Yale in 1942 at age sixteen and he proved to be an excellent student. At Yale, Charles became close friends with his roommate, John Olmsted, as well as John’s brother, Frederick Law Olmsted, the future architect and urban designer. During his years at Yale, which also included some time at the Yale Divinity School, Charles demonstrated a strong interest in philosophy and he explored a variety of the world’s religions and spent lots of time debating various issues and ideas with his friends and classmates. This led to Charles’ development of a set of beliefs that would guide his life’s work: First, despite the societal attitude that poverty and criminality were synonymous, Brace believed that a truly just system would see that â€Å"lawbreakers might have motives or other qualities that redeemed them, and that God cared less about human law than about romoting happiness† (O’Connor, p. 30). Second, Brace believed that the family was the primary method of shaping humans, as well as the tangible â€Å"image of God’s relationship to humanity: God was a father who loved His children and only wanted only their happiness† (O’Connor, p. 31). Brace went on to view G od’s father figure as trying to mold or improve the character of His children, a value that justified Brace’s efforts to use Christianity and Protestant values as the guiding principles in his work. After the death of his beloved sister, Emma, in 1850, Charles spent a few years travelling across Europe as a foreign correspondent for American newspapers after college and he also used this time to visit schools and other organizations that served the poor in Germany, Hungary, Ireland and England. One result of this time of exploration, observation and study was that Charles came to understand Protestant Christianity as the most advanced, and therefore most superior, guide to moral behavior. He viewed the improved social standing of women and advances in the care and treatment of children as the direct result of the influence of Christianity. Brace stated that â€Å"of all practical changes which Christianity has encouraged or commenced in the history of the world, this respect and value for children is the most important, as it affects the foundation of all society and government, and influences a far distant future† (Bullard, 2005, p. 31). Social Context Throughout Charles’ life thusfar, cities in America had been experiencing tremendous change. The Panic of 1837 had significant impact on levels of unemployment and homelessness, as well as a loss of faith in the idea that religion could be a primary means of change (Nelson, K, 1995, p. 57-58). Events such as the Astor Place riot (1849) and rampant outbreaks of disease caused citizens to believe that â€Å"the foundations of civilization were crumbling at their feet† (O’Connor, p. 42). Movement toward industrialization and urbanization, as well as the swell of immigration during this time contributed to unprecedented levels of population, crime, violence, and other social concerns such as drunkenness, prostitution and domestic violence. The transition from a primarily agricultural society to an industrial one, while beneficial in many aspects, was producing social problems that needed ways of being addressed. After completing his studies at Yale Charles, believing that he heard a call to the ministry, moved to New York City in 1848 to study at Union Theological Seminary. His friend, Frederick Law Olmsted, was already in New York and had written to Charles about his visions for the work they might do to impact the current circumstances of people in the city: â€Å"Throw your light on the paths in Politics and Social Improvement and encourage me to put my foot down and forwards. There’s a great work wants doing in this our generation, Charley- let’s off jacket and go about it† (O’Connor, 2001, p. 26). Upon arriving in New York City, Charles was shocked to see the levels of poverty in the city. Slums overflowed with immigrants and workers who had flocked to the factories that proliferated with the boom of industrialization. Working-class families lived on the edge of poverty; when they slipped over that line, their children were forced to supplement their parents’ income with what they could earn on the streets. Those from the most destitute families- ravaged by disease, alcoholism and violence- often never returned home. (Eviatar, 2001, p. 25). The prevailing response to the increasing numbers of street children was to place them in orphanages, prisons, asylums or indentured servitude. Members of the privileged Victorian upper classes viewed poor children primarily as future criminals and miscreants. Charles Loring Brace, however, saw these children a little differently: Although he thought there were some things that were truly ‘dangerous’ about this class of children (not only as future rioters and robbers but as voters who might elect presidents out of ignorant rage), Brace was one of the first public activists to recognize their authentic virtues and their tremendous potential for good. He truly liked the children he worked with, but more important, he respected them† (O’Connor, p. 78). Brace admired the self-deprecating humor, energy, independence, resolve, moral code, generosity and resourcefulness of the children of the streets. When Charles Darwin’s The Origin of the Species was published in 1859, Brace read it repeatedly and came to view these children, the survivors of â€Å"the struggle for existence† in the fiercest environments, as potentially the most evolutionarily advanced individuals in the nation. â€Å"The problem, as Brace saw it, was that the very environment that bred these robust and most characteristically American of Americans often led them to employ their natural abilities in the worst possible manner, with respect to both their own well-being and society’s† (O’Connor, p. 80). Contribution to Social Work In her textbook, A New History of Social Welfare, sixth edition, Phyllis Day describes Charles Loring Brace thusly: Brace believed that pauper families should be prevented from getting any kind of relief that would keep them together. His solution was to relocate children with families in the West, where they might learn the benefits of hard work in an untouched environment. For twenty years, haphazardly and without follow-up, often simply â€Å"taking† (kidnapping) children they felt were in need, agents loaded children on trains and shipped them to cities in the West, where they were â€Å"picked over† and chosen by families. Unfortunately, many families just wanted the extra help and badly mistreated the children. Many simply disappeared, either running away, getting lost, or dying (Day, 2009, p. 233). Upon further exploration, however, Brace actually had a much deeper desire to help further and deepen the lives of the street children of New York, and he made developing ways of assisting them the primary focus of his work. Brace worked in several settings in New York City (missions, almshouses, tenements, etc. in the early 1850s and honed his focus: â€Å"The way to save the children of the slums, then, and to allow the nation to benefit from their enormous potential, was to find a way to alter their environment so that their best qualities could thrive and become a boon rather than a curse. All of the early projects of the Children’s Aid Society would be attempts to modify the environment of poor children so as to replace the worst influences exerted on them with more â€Å"Christian† one s (O’Connor, p. 80). In January, 1853, Brace met with a group of concerned individuals to discuss these ideas and issues and they founded the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), with a goal of helping the children of the streets by â€Å"plac(ing) them in an environment where their most basic physical needs could be met and their own most healthy and virtuous impulses would make them want to improve themselves, to become the very best men and women they could be† (O’Connor, p. 82). Brace was selected as the leader of the organization, with responsibility for developing plans for the agency’s work as well as the marketing and advertising strategies that would support it. While Brace’s primary intent for the CAS was to follow his belief that Christian men had â€Å"a responsibility to God† to care for the less fortunate children, he also developed a method of appealing to wealthy New Yorkers, the potential financial backers, by showing the advantages of the CAS’ work in attempting to ensure that future society would be protected from the potential negative impact of leaving these children to their own devices on the streets. The CAS borrowed some ideas from existing social service agencies of the time, such as holding â€Å"Sunday meetings† and opening Industrial schools, which were designed to provide an opportunity for the street children to develop basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills, as well as to develop useful job training and trade skills that were of benefit to society. â€Å"Girls learned the ‘needle trades’ (sewing, and dress- and hat-making) and skills they could use as domestics (housecleaning, cooking, serving). Boys were taught such skills as carpentry and shoe- and box-making† (O’Connor, p. 86). Most of the children served were teenagers and the CAS treated them as competent individuals, capable of deciding on their own whether or not they wanted to participate in CAS services. The CAS did employ strong persuasive and evangelical techniques, in an effort to encourage participation, but did not force anyone to participate against their will. Unlike asylums, orphanages, houses of refuge and prisons, which attempted to reform poor children by submitting them to inflexible routines of training, religion and work, the CAS primarily attempted to shape children’s character through the choices it offered and the ‘unconscious influence’ exerted by its ostensibly virtuous staff. Brace believed, in fact, that the offering of choice itself was character-building because it encouraged autonomy and independence† (O’Connor, p. 87-88). The New York newsboys became the face of the children served by the CAS. Popular books by Charles Dickens and Horatio Alger had put the newsboys in the forefront of societal awareness and Charles Loring Brace viewed the newsboys as the personification of the strengths and qualities that he admired most about the children of the streets. The CAS opened the first Newsboys’ Lodging House in 1854, in order to provide reasonably-priced lodging as an option to sleeping on the streets. Residents of the lodging house were expected to pay six cents for a bed and four cents for a meal, in accordance with Brace’s beliefs in self-sufficiency and independence. The lodging house also provided various opportunities for children to engage in reading the Bible and learning about the Golden Rule and the love of God. However, as time passed, Brace saw the benefits of providing practical information and education to the children, such as financial management and educational skills, haircuts, and basic medical treatment. In the lodging houses children were, as Brace described it, â€Å"shaped to be honest and industrious citizens; here taught economy, good order, cleanliness, and morality; here Religion brings its powerful influences to bear upon them; and they are sent forth to begin courses of honest livelihood† (O’Connor, p. 93). As the railroads expanded West, Brace developed another option for assisting homeless children of the city. Expanding on the seeds planted by Rev. Bushnell in his youth, Brace came to believe that, as the moral and spiritual development of children had the potential to be impacted by all they came in contact with, facilitating the move of the street children to more â€Å"decent and properly Christian† environments would be the best way to preserve and enhance their character. By using his contacts with a railroad executive and patron of the CAS, Brace developed an â€Å"Emigration Plan†, in which children who were orphans or from destitute families could sign up for train transport West, towards placement with a new â€Å"family†. Brace strove to maintain the importance of the child’s independence and did not follow the â€Å"indenture† plan of earlier times, in which children were bound to their new family for a period of time in order to pay off debts related to their inclusion in that household. Under Brace’s plan, the CAS or the child’s family maintained guardianship and the relationship between the child and the placement family could be dissolved at any time if either party was dissatisfied. The child was expected to work as a member of the new family, in order to â€Å"pay† his/her way. The new family was expected to provide room and board, make arrangements for education of younger children, provide opportunities for the child to develop work skills and experiences, and provide them some money upon reaching age 21, at which time the child was expected to assume full independence and responsibility for himself. According to CAS archives, CAS moved an estimated â€Å"105,000 children between 1853 and the early 1930s† (O’Connor, p. 49) to the West. While the â€Å"orphan trains†, as they became known, were a massive undertaking, Brace also maintained focus on the local efforts in New York, opening the first Girls’ Lodging House in 1862 and continuing to work with the CAS until his death in 1890, consistently working to enhance the reputation of the CAS, as well as to provide support for children in need. Criticisms Critics of Brace have identified several issues with his work. Throughout the Orphan Train activity, there were consistent complaints that these efforts were, in fact, a move to proselytize Catholic youths (the majority of the street children) and to send them to Protestant families in the West, where they would lose connection with the faith of their ancestors. After Brace’s death, his sons took over the management of CAS and they actually took steps to focus efforts on Protestant children in order to decrease this criticism. Catholic children in need were the focus of Catholic-specific aid agencies. Another complaint was the lack of consistent record-keeping on the children served, especially those sent West. CAS did not take steps to verify the circumstances of children who showed up to take a train trip and there were many who were critical of the fact that some of the children who were sent away were, in fact, from intact functional families. A third issue for critics was that Brace appeared to be somewhat selective in the information that he made public regarding CAS’ work, apparently choosing to idealize the results and minimize the facts related to those whose cases did not end positively. The vast majority of the children who were sent West did not receive any follow-up; neither was there any screening mechanism to determine if placement families were actually upstanding people, or if they might be taking advantage of, or abusing, the children placed with them. In promotional writings, Brace frequently depicted the orphan train efforts as having very high success rates, but in actuality, â€Å"approximately 20 percent of records made under Brace’s stewardship are so incomplete that it is impossible to get any idea of how a child fared in his or her new home, and most of the remaining files are so fragmentary that conclusions based on them can only be educated guesses at best† (O’Connor, p. 49) Clay Gish (1999) identified another criticism that still affects child welfare efforts today: â€Å"One of Brace’s most enduring- and most problematic- legacies to modern social services is that he made it acceptable policy to intervene in the lives of the poor on the grounds of protecting their children† (Gish, p. 137). Summary Charles Loring Brace made many contributions to child welfare reform in the nineteenth century. As described by Howard Husock (2008), â€Å"the scale of what Brace did is stunning, especiall y for those who believe that only government can undertake large-scale efforts to help the poor. Over its first 27 years, the Children’s Aid Society provided temporary assistance and moral instruction to the 170,000 children who passed through its seven Lodging Houses. It also placed 50,000 orphans and other street children in homes in Michigan, Wisconsin and other points west, in order to bring them under the ‘healthy influence of family life’. And it established ’21 day schools’- vocational schools for older kids- ‘and 14 night schools, with an aggregate annual attendance of about 100,000 children† (Husock, p. 4). Husock continued: â€Å"In a manner now familiar, he (Brace) identified and described a social problem: child homelessness and its potential to fuel ‘the dangerous classes’. He established a freestanding organization, not linked, for instance, to any one church; assembled a board; successfully solicited thousands of donors; and brought together volunteers and paid staff† (p. 5). Brace arguably impacted the crime rates in New York City as a result of his work as well. A review of crime records in New York from 1861-1871 (O’Connor, p. 75) shows that, while the city’s population grew consistently, arrest rates for vagrancy and petty larceny (the primary crimes children were arrested for) decreased each year. Brace also positively affected the implementation of truancy laws in the city, through his consistent and vociferous support of compulsory education for all children. As time has passed and Brace’s work has been reviewed, many critiques and p roblems have been identified. However, when viewed in the context of nineteenth-century society, Brace’s work shows a progressive ideal that undoubtedly made a difference. The efforts had decidedly mixed results and certainly did not end in overwhelmingly positive outcomes for every child involved. However, research shows that Brace’s true intent did indeed appear to be to help those in need, in accordance with his personal religious mandate of having an obligation to do so. As a child who was adopted at birth, this writer can appreciate Brace’s efforts to facilitate the movement of children in need to more positive and family-oriented situations. I certainly feel for many of the children and families that were separated, whether as a direct result of Brace’s efforts or by some ther circumstance, as this was surely a heart-wrenching experience to have. Then again, I recognize that I am viewing these situations through a twenty-first century lens, which colors my perspective a bit. In the nineteenth century, children were expected to work and be contributors to the family’s well-being as opposed to current views of children a s â€Å"special† beings primarily in need of love and support in order to grow, develop and become productive and upstanding members of society. Charles Loring Brace lived during the beginnings of the shift in societal views on children and their roles. In review of his work, it appears that he did what he was capable of to make a difference in the lives of those he was called to serve.