Control of Nature Essay Example for Free

Control of Nature Essay The earth, with its vast structure of land masses is expected to experience different forms of worldly phenomena. World-renowned Writer John McPhee saw it all. The massive destruction caused by inevitable earthly chaos made by humanity’s ignorance and intentional or unintentional disregard of natural processes struck him. For the reason that of McPhee’s benevolent concern for nature and earth’s creatures, he came up with a book narrating human struggle against nature and elaborated certain reasons why such unfortunate fate took place. His primary endeavor is to give the world an interest on Geology and Environmental Science, and provide reasons why Nature, cannot be controlled but can be at least be avoided. Control of Nature is a book catering a series of earth’s revenge against man-made discrepancies aimed to make the contemporary society of today realize that any struggle against natural forces must be taken with great responsibility so as to prevent any form of chaos caused by such disregard. He cited one incident which happened in Iceland during the year 1973, tackled in Chapter Two of the book, where an island gashed open without warning and massive volumes of lava from an assumed â€Å"sleeping† Volcano spitted elements colored with red and gold, flaming with fire, began moving in a nearby harbor half a mile away. Worse, the harbor was along the nation’s southern coast, considered as the only harbor along its vicinity, the root of life for them. It had accounted a huge percentage of Iceland’s economy export, took away a large number of lives and horrified each living creature inhabiting the specified vicinity. It made the Icelanders establish nature, as an enemy of the State. Such raging earthly phenomena of hot molten lava flowing from the unpredicted component of the planet came too hard to impede with. It came like a bolt of lightning which suddenly electrified a roof of hope and serenity. Not even the strongest man alive could dare to stop, a superhero was needed, a miracle perhaps. But human rationality and sense of initiative came not out of order. The people of Vestmannaeyjar had to do something. Or else, it shall take what they have sown, the evil attack of nature must die out or it shall take their lives, and the life they long to live in the future. Then one man found a way to help his community, he was then the hero. Analysis Volcanic eruptions are the surface expression of processes that occur deep within the Earth. Many of theses processes take place juts below the Earth’s outer rigid shell, whereas some volcanic eruptions owe their origin to very deep disturbances, even at the boundary between the core and the Earth’s mantle at 2890 km below the surface (Encyclopedia on Volcanoes, p. 39). Certain volcanic activities can endanger a large mass of people and property on the spot where the land mass is situated given the fact that it’s high volume of lava flows, streams of molten rock are emitted by an erupting vent. It’s level of destruction to any form is high since that its temperature falls from 700  °C to 1,200  °C (1,300  °F to 2,200  °F), capable enough to eat anything which shall bar along its way. In the case of the Icelanders, Mt. Lakagigar (Laki) in the year 1973 took a number of 9,340 lives. But the impeccable thing is that the occurrence of the aforementioned chaos in Iceland was not like all the other typical situations experienced by places having such reprisal from nature; take for example the eruptions in Italy and Indonesia, exterminating more or less than 4,000 people in one single incident due to Pyroclastic Flow. Another is the terrifying Lahar in Mt. Nueva del Ruiz in Colombia taking over 23,000 lives. On the other hand, the Icelanders had gone eradicated in their hometown due to Post-eruption starvation. One cause of death which perhaps never yet crossed in their minds during their century making them too confident of their supply of food and water, after having assumed the fact that they already got their salvation from the wickedness of the flaming mountain. The ingenious way of the Icelandic Engineer may have had given great hope to its community, but what they less anticipated was that volcanic eruptions leave an unbeneficial form of dramatic and violent changes in nature leading its people to face the horrors of hunger. It drove many Icelanders leave their homes, look for a better place to live in, earn a job and raise their families in another state. It was not easy for them to leave the place they called home, but they held no choice, or else, they’ll starve and rot to death in the molten rock which once gave them an adrenalin rush. Although the initiative done by the Engineer, being a fan of geology and geophysics at that, if not so much to use, helped in saving quite a number of lives; still has not completely reached what it wanted to fulfill. If the advancement of technology and the level of perseverance could have had been instilled to those living in that point of time, then much could have had enjoyed what the present contemporary masses is enjoying now. Furthermore methods for determining the controls on magma composition had been closely studied nowadays. Earth scientists have developed several techniques for understanding and interpreting the compositional variation so as to alert the individuals inhabiting such volcano-close place are now being studied, which is good news. Volcanologists continuously observe and investigate the rise and expansion of an initially bubbly mixture in a conduit (signs of decompression of a bubbly magma), an important fact to be taken consideration to name the level warning they are to send the residents. International Agencies at present seek to slay aftermath predicaments assassinating entities which rise after phenomenal destructions, volcanic eruptions specifically; such as Starvation (caused by molten magma covering the entire agricultural region), displacement of residence (which most likely will cause emotional crisis) and unanticipated Volcanic Eruptions. Conceivably, the only beneficial point of the incident as narrated in John McPhee’s case study and the heroic act done by the outstanding engineer is the actuality that nature, unconsciously takes what it wants to take. Pressuring people to constantly seek for answers, ways and means, to save what must be saved. Conclusion At present, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers considered building a dam high up the crease between the huge volcanoes, which serves as a barrier of the immediate flow of volcanic emission from the land mass. The awfulness sought by the Icelanders is now taken like a cold magma to the families which were left orphaned. The nightmare is now three thousand feet below the present level of the ocean. All of that and then some is Iceland. It gave them a crack in the head trying to restore what they have lost. Still carrying the burden of nature’s tragedy, eating them up whole, but then, as John McPhee has heard their sentiments and has written an inspirational book narrating their stories; it shall give them hope that not all that kills them will forever torment them in an agony of despair. Their stories helped people, not only in their place but all over the globe. It was a signal to the Government to cooperate with them in building back their Nation. They never wanted to leave their home. They never wanted to experience such. Nobody wanted it. But natural phenomenon is but unstoppable. It just comes. But then, modern science tells the world that the 21st Century can avoid such. With the use of facilities and technology to detect a visiting retribution of nature, rationality shall save one. Reading the book and internalizing the Icelander’s unfortunate fate shall at least awaken the sleeping sense of sympathy and munificence of a person. There are people seeking for help. Seeking for a family. Seeking for a hand. It was Nature who held Control. It was a story of real people, of real hopes. Reference: McPhee J. 1990. The Control of Nature Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Simkin T, Siebert L. 1999. Earths Volcanoes and Eruptions: An Overview. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. San Diego: Academic Press. p 39.

Passage Essay Example for Free

Passage Essay Passage: â€Å"As I have endeavored to show you how Europeans become Americans; it may not be disagreeable to show you likewise how the various Christian sects introduced, wear out, and how religious indifference becomes prevalent. When any considerable number of a particular sect happens to dwell contiguous to each other, they immediately erect a temple, and there worship the Divinity agreeably to their own peculiar ideas. Nobody disturbs them. If any new sect springs up in Europe it may happen that many of its professors will come and settle in America. As they bring their zeal with them, they are at liberty to make proselytes if they can, and to build a meeting and to follow the dictates of their consciences; for neither the government nor any other power interferes. If they are peaceable subjects, and are industrious, what is it to their neighbors how and in what manner they think fit to address their prayers to the Supreme Being? But if the sectaries are not settled close together, if they are mixed with other denominations, their zeal will cool for want of fuel, and will be extinguished in a little time. Then the Americans become as to religion, what they are as to country, allied to all. In them the name of Englishman, Frenchman, and European is lost, and in like manner, the strict modes of Christianity as practiced in Europe are lost also. This effect will extend itself still farther hereafter, and though this may appear to you as a strange idea, yet it is a very true one. I shall be able perhaps hereafter to explain myself better; in the meanwhile, let the following example serve as my first justification†. Paraphrase:  In an attempt to explain you how Europeans became Americans, it is also visible that how the different Christian factions established, wear down and then finally they submerged into each other. When a significant number of people, belonging to different groups inhabit contiguous to each other, they live and worship in the way that satisfies their own religious thoughts. If a new cluster of people recoils in Europe then it is a possibility that many its lecturers come and live in America. With them, they bring new zest. They are free to follow their own principles because neither the administration nor anyone else will get in the way. If these people are prolific and nonviolent, no one cares about their way of worship. On the other hand, if these two different groups are intermingled and mixed together, then their zest and enthusiasm will wear out and will be extinguished with the passage of time. Then the unanimity arises and they become allied to every aspect of life; in religion as well as to their country. This impact will expand itself still beyond in future, and though this may appear to you as an eccentric suggestion, yet it is a very true one. Summary: In the passage, the writer shows how in America, the religious indifference becomes common. Like when two different religious groups happen to settle adjacent to each other, they raise there temples right away and start their own spiritual worship. They are free to follow their own persona because no one interfere them. If they live peacefully, and are productive, nobody bothers to think in what manner they address their prayers to the Supreme Being. But if two different sects mix up with each other, their spiritual values merge with each other. Consequently, they lose their own distinction and amalgamate together in religion just as they show unison for their country. The writer is of the view that this impact will still extend itself in the future. This may appear odd but it is true. Analysis: In the passage narrated above, the writer has shown his/her immense treasure of research and vocabulary. The passage demonstrates the logical approach of the writer. In the passage, the writer has put in the picture of how the Englishmen of Europe are changed into Americans. Here the writer has essentially emphasized on the religious fusion of the people belonging to different groups. But the writer has ignored the issue of moral violence produced by this merger and its impact in the passage. The writer has used the words â€Å"peaceable† and â€Å"industrious† in describing different groups of people that shows positive approach of the writer. Similarly, â€Å"Supreme Being† has been used instead of God which reflects His highness and supreme power. On another place, word â€Å"denomination† has been used to describe different casts and factions of people. I chose this passage because this paragraph is quite thought provoking and an example of simplicity of diction and elevation of thoughts. Besides, the topic under discussion in this part of article is fairly interesting. I fairly like this passage because in this part the writer has influenced me to imagine how the modern culture of America has flourished till today. The writer has shown his/her positive attitude by describing the constructive out comes of this unification of people belonging to different cultures, traditions and even religion. From this passage, I have discovered that how rich and how much mature our culture and our traditions are.

The Influence Of Interest Groups In America Politics Essay

The Influence Of Interest Groups In America Politics Essay As we look the history of America we all can see big influence of the interest groups, the interest groups has effected in policy making design in almost every law changing process. The interest group has highly effect of our lives by affecting their views on American government. The interest groups have been complexes dependent upon interaction among individual persons common interest in policy making. The interest group creates formalized only to look after their interest, other word they only function because they to influence policy making movement. The interest group cans lobbying for any cause or reason in any form of law or any regulation. Interest group has access to many types of extra push to make sure they can influence law making process. I think interest groups are one type of the chain which makes influence in policy making .Today, I am going to form interest group and lobbying ageist the local state of Georgia calls the blue law, which is prohibiting any sell of the al cohol on Sunday and also supporting new policy that state government of Georgia should allow to sell alcohol in gas stations and liquor stores. I have lived in Georgia for the last twenty years and I have got several businesses which does sell alcohol. I have work in convince store more than eleven years and almost every Sunday I have to say to my costumers No, sorry I cannot sell beer. As business owner I hate to say that I cannot sell you but I am losing my alcohol sell on every Sunday. People in Georgia have been suffering for really long time that they could not buy beer on Sunday because the governor of Georgia does not sign the bill that was approved by state legislator. The bill went on his desk for two times but he never sine for it just keep saying that he totally believes that Sunday is religious day and people should not buy alcohol. The question of the whether state of the Georgia should allow to sell alcohol on Sunday is very importation issue, allowing alcohol sell on Sunday will bring many positive effects in state of the Georgia. All over in America each state has their own different method of local laws that allow controlling the government. In State of the Georgia we have law of that prohibits sell of any kind of alcohol and beer on Sunday since it is religious day. In this day and time we should not put religious views on our business. The government should not interfere to any types of regulation in business. As I am current owner of the several businesses in Georgia, I have from interest groups which will lobbying ageist the law that prohibits the sell of alcohol and beer on Sunday. The interest group will called Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association and I am going to be president of this group. In short form we can say that GADA which is short name of Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association. As president I will bring all the wholesalers, retailers and people who make the beer and alcohol on one group and we will to fight against this ridicules law that prohibits sell of alcohol in Georgia. Moreover that I wil l bring all the people who will support this group and try to gain local support in state of Georgia. The issue of the not selling alcohol on Sunday is related to public so I will make sure I will try to join everyone who is willing to support my interest group. If I can make it public issue by saying it is totally wrong to people who want to have alcohol drinks. This is going to very strong word because when people here, that this law effects on personal freedom of people they will surely join my group. I will get more people on my side because I will them it is for the public interest, I am sure by doing this I will make my interest group more organized and more stronger. I will also appoint different people different positions like secretary, chief members and board of directors, which will handle different types of task. Talking about how to make interest group I will never forget the words that I read in the book written by Bentley it is called The Process of Government, It is first, last and always activity, action, something doing the shunting by some men of other mens conduct along changed lines, the gathering of forces to overcome resistance to such alterations, or the dispersal of one grouping of forces by another grouping.'(Bentley, 176). In this quote he is trying to show the value of the interest groups. Bentley is trying to say that when you form a group it will make much bigger impact than individual. He is believe in power of the interest group got in system, this is the best example for me and now I will flow his theory and make sure that I will have very strong interest group so I will success in lobbying against the law in Georgia that prohibit the sale of alcohol. In my interest group I will make sure that every individual who is part of the group will band with each other really good and they will help each other out and find the solution of how to change the blue laws in Georgia, by doing this I am sure we will have one effective interest group. Which will make impact on Georgias Governor Sonny Perdue and I will make sure we will reach our goal. I am very confident that my interest group will find large amount of member with same the same cause that I believe in. My main goal is to target the Georgias governor because he is the one who did not sign the bill which he gets on his desk couple times in last three years to allowing sale of alcohol in Georgia. My interest group will prove that a democracy is a system which is rule by the people because the most people in Georgia are against this blue law of state. Sonny Prude will sign this law which will allow selling alcohol in Georgia on Sunday when he see majority of Georgian wants to able to buy alcohol in Georgia. He is public official elected by public and he must acts as name of public on other words he should consider public opinion. Since my interest group is pro business I will get money from all retail business owners who join my interest group. When people or any corporation will contribute any money I will make sure that I will establish a personal relationship and make sure what they want out my interest group. Most likely first I will go to Budweiser and Miller group who got most sell of alcohol in Georgia after that I will get more support of local distributers who will provide alcohol to retailers and last not the least I will go retailers for money to operate and bring all of them together so we will get more outcome of my interest group. If still I need more money I will have couple events where we will try to fundraiser to support all our expenses. I believe that money does not buy power so we have to make ourselves herd we need to get signed by people who support us. I am very sure that more people will support this pro- business policy. Once I make the group I will make them aware of what is wrong with current law and how we need to change it. First, I would let my group know that the current law is effecting on peoples personal freedom who like to buy and drink alcohol on Sunday. This law is because it harms our personal freedom and that why it is un-causational. In America we cannot put churchs law on everyone who lives in state of the Georgia. Moreover that we need to separate the government and church by passing new bill that will allow selling alcohol in Georgia. There is no way this law is making any sense it is just hurting local business. There are also many restaurant owners get in my interest group, they have to pay every year more money just because they have to pay more money to state since they are the only ones who serves alcohol on Sundays. I have talk to many restaurant owners they strongly believe that it is just extra burden on them since they have to pay extra money just to support their sells on alcohol. It is also good when you know what kind of people will argue against your interest group here is one example of one of my customer who strongly believes we should not sell alcohol on Sundays he said that, Many people believe that alcohol consumption is a destabilizing influence in the society harming families and children. Certainly millions of children around the world are negatively impacted by their parents alcoholism. Thousands in the USA are killed every year by drunk drivers. Alcohol sales are not the tax base that funds the city/county infrastructure and community improvements as another poster implied. Rather, they are the beginning point of many burdens on our society. I seriously doubt that the taxes collected on alcohol sales come anywhere near to paying for the negative impacts on our society. This is very true argument but you cannot just stop selling alcohol all over the America or you can not just ban it. I am sure state government is collecting large amount of taxes out of alcohol sell. We should not forget that for those who oppose alcohol sales on Sunday, they too are have a choice just dont buy it. Government of Georgia is dependent on their different tax items to support their state budget. The tax on alcohol is also called sin tax. According to investigation done by MSN money market Georgia is paying highest amount of alcohol tax after Alaska in nation. Normal tax average is around .15 cent on every $ 1 but in Georgia we pay 1.15 cents on every $1 that is more than 100% tax on alcohol. I think it is just not fair who lives in Georgia because they have to pay higher tax on beer and they cannot buy alcohol on Sunday. This law is hurting one of the very key business in Georgia, the club business. One of the biggest clubs of south east is run by my cousin and he said that they could not stay open on Sundays just because they could not serve alcohol. There are more people in Georgia drink in restaurant and drive back home on Sunday just because they do not allow buying alcohol and drinking at their home. These will create unsafe endearment for everyone who is on road on Sunday. There are just more people driving drunk on Sunday than another days of week. If we allow alcohol sale on Sunday most people will drink in their home not in bar and then drive back to home. It will create safe environment for everyone who is on the road. In Georgia we will have less DUI and fewer accidents related to alcohol. It is always win -win situation for the consumers who want to drink on Sunday and local police departments who gets fewer accidents related to alcohol. We live in totally democratic county and we shall not favor any religion over others. The blue law is place based on Christian beliefs. It will show that state of Georgia is supporting Christian religion. I know our country is found on Christian beliefs but our county makes different then rest of others country is that we have allow to follow any religion that we like. Laws like this will create unfairness over other religion. People of the other religion will think that why their belief is not accepted as state law. Thats how our country find it was liberty to all. Just like in Christianity, Hinduism is also prohibit to drink and sell alcohol at all, so people who follow Hinduism will going to ask for the laws that will prohibit and sell on alcohol at all in state of Georgia. I have always wondered why people who have a certain belief feel it necessary to impose their belief on others. As American I always know that we should always look everyone equally and laws like this makes tot ally wrong, and if you Christian and if you do not want to sell or buy alcohol you can do that too. There is no way we can punish entire people of Georgia by not allowing the alcohol sale. I also read in books that people who go in church drinks wine anyways so there is no way they mind over selling or buying alcohol. If state of Georgia allows selling alcohol on Sunday, they get more money as sales tax and it help to cover the Georgias deficit which is around 2 billion dollars according to AJC. Mayor of Atlanta Deke Copenhagen said on one of his interview that if we allow to sell alcohol in Georgia we will have overcome the deficit in budget, which is great thing for state Georgia if we overcome the deficit .We could also boost our tourism because it will be convince for the people who is coming from outside of Georgia who really wants to have fun by drinking beer and wine on Sunday. I know there are people who always go outside of Georgias state borderline like in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee to buy alcohol. This way we are hurting our own business in Georgia because people do go outside of state to get beer and alcohol. It is one of the big drawbacks that businesses are taking in Georgia State. en the state and church. This law effects on peoples personal freedom who like to buy and drink alcohol on Sunday. To push my policy on step further I will make one opinion poll and mail it to everyone in state of Georgia who is related with alcohol business. This way I will also publish my policy to gain more areas that I will not cover and I will get peoples opinion and there is another poll that had been take place before. This is very important key to my interest group because if I get positive poll saying that majority of Georgian people wants to buy alcohol on Sunday. This poll is very important, it will show the strong evidence to prove that people of Georgia is really supporting this policy. In that mailing I will include different question among them I make sure that I will include that if you ever try to buy alcohol on Sunday? And I will also ask that if you go church on every Sunday? Asking question like this makes people think that we do not need to law because it does not have any logic. In this technology era, I will also use computers to also push my policy. I did make a web page where my interest group member can log in and also can blog our achievements. On the web page I will also add petition where you can sign it and it will directly e mail to me and also to governor of the Georgia. I will also make Google group and facebook group to get more support from students from all over the Georgias colleges. This way I can introduce my policy to young people who use computers regularly. Creating groups online will bring more attestations and we get more longtime support, doing this I share my thoughts and other peoples views. I might get some important contacts or important information out of my web page which will help to get succeed in lobbying. I will also have this link that I find where you can go and sine the petition called Sunday Alcohol Sale in Georgia doing this people can put their information on petition and sine it witches will go directly state representative. It will be really effective because when I will have more and more people sine for it so we will have our interest group stronger. Work cited Arthur Bentley, The Process of Government, Page. 176. blog.al.com/breaking/2009/12/limestone_county_church_loses.html. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/best-and-worst-taxes-by-state.aspx

Benjamin Franklin :: essays research papers

Benjamin Franklin: New World Physicist   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston Massachusetts. He was one of seventeen other brothers and sisters. His father, Josiah Franklin, who emigrated from Oxfordshire, England, worked as a soap boiler and tallow chandler. Benjamin’s mother, Abiah Folger, was from Nantucket but her family derived from England as well. Benjamin Franklin’s entire life, which lasted almost the entire eighteenth century, was based upon order and systematic discipline in addition to his dependence on wisdom and intelligence. Franklin was sincere, honest, and was apt to self-examination. He acquired long lasting friends from persons of every age. Franklin found unquestionable delight in living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Benjamin Franklin started attending school at the age of 8 and was at the head of his class by the end of his first year. After only attending his first school for one year he moved on to math and arithmetic school. He failed out of that school by the time he was 10. He then quit school completely in order to assist his father in the soap and candle making business. At age 12 he moved on to be an apprentice to his older brother James, who was a printer. Soon Franklin had ambitions to write and by age 16 he had written a series of letters by an imaginary author. The letters were printed in the New England Courant, which was published by his brother. Still pursuing his writing career, he ran away to Philadelphia and continued working in the printing business. He arrived in 1725 with one Dutch dollar and one copper shilling. By 1729, he had bought and published The Pennsylvania Gazette. He then married his landlady’s daughter, Deborah Reed. In the next seventeen years Franklin had three children, published the first Poor Richards Almanac, and invented the Pennsylvania fireplace, among many other things.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1747, Franklin began his electrical experiments and then retired from the printing trade. His book, Experiments and Observations on Electricity, was published soon after that. The Stamp Act was passed in 1765 and Franklin wrote anonymously in London newspapers against the act, which was repealed the next year. In 1771, he wrote the first part of his autobiography, three years before his wife died. In 1776, Franklin, along with Adams, Livingston, Jefferson and Sherman, drafted the Declaration of Independence. It was adopted on July 4, 1776. Later in 1776, Franklin was elected as the Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention and appointed one of the three commissioners to the French Court. Benjamin Franklin :: essays research papers Benjamin Franklin: New World Physicist   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston Massachusetts. He was one of seventeen other brothers and sisters. His father, Josiah Franklin, who emigrated from Oxfordshire, England, worked as a soap boiler and tallow chandler. Benjamin’s mother, Abiah Folger, was from Nantucket but her family derived from England as well. Benjamin Franklin’s entire life, which lasted almost the entire eighteenth century, was based upon order and systematic discipline in addition to his dependence on wisdom and intelligence. Franklin was sincere, honest, and was apt to self-examination. He acquired long lasting friends from persons of every age. Franklin found unquestionable delight in living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Benjamin Franklin started attending school at the age of 8 and was at the head of his class by the end of his first year. After only attending his first school for one year he moved on to math and arithmetic school. He failed out of that school by the time he was 10. He then quit school completely in order to assist his father in the soap and candle making business. At age 12 he moved on to be an apprentice to his older brother James, who was a printer. Soon Franklin had ambitions to write and by age 16 he had written a series of letters by an imaginary author. The letters were printed in the New England Courant, which was published by his brother. Still pursuing his writing career, he ran away to Philadelphia and continued working in the printing business. He arrived in 1725 with one Dutch dollar and one copper shilling. By 1729, he had bought and published The Pennsylvania Gazette. He then married his landlady’s daughter, Deborah Reed. In the next seventeen years Franklin had three children, published the first Poor Richards Almanac, and invented the Pennsylvania fireplace, among many other things.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1747, Franklin began his electrical experiments and then retired from the printing trade. His book, Experiments and Observations on Electricity, was published soon after that. The Stamp Act was passed in 1765 and Franklin wrote anonymously in London newspapers against the act, which was repealed the next year. In 1771, he wrote the first part of his autobiography, three years before his wife died. In 1776, Franklin, along with Adams, Livingston, Jefferson and Sherman, drafted the Declaration of Independence. It was adopted on July 4, 1776. Later in 1776, Franklin was elected as the Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention and appointed one of the three commissioners to the French Court.

Defining Success :: Definition Essays

Success is within the mind of the individual. A large portion of ones life is spent working to become successful. People are told throughout childhood to work hard so they can grow up and make lots of money. But success takes many different forms. Different people have different interpretations of what success means to them. For some, success is measured by social status and wealth; for others success is determined only by the amount of happiness one feels. Money is the main concern for some people. It is a crucial necessity for anyone who is trying to succeed in life. Many believe that the only way to succeed is to have a lot of money. For this type of person, achieving success starts with going to a good college. It is a competitive job market and if one wants a high paying job he needs some college credentials. College is also said to prepare people to take on the world. Once one has graduated and has a well paying job he is on his way to becoming successful. People work their whole lives making money so they can satisfy their desires. The idea of being able to purchase the items one has always dreamt about is an achievement. People dream about owning a home and having beautiful things to fill it with. Many people take pride in what they possess. People want to own nice homes, nice cars, and nice clothes. Some need to look successful in order to feel successful. These people feel successful when they can admire what their hard work has given them. For some, happiness is all that matters. Happiness is achieved in many ways, and it doesn’t always involve money. There are many things that contribute to making a person feel happy and successful. One can feel successful without a lot of money at all. For example, feeling loved is something that makes everyone happy. Many believe that without love life is not thoroughly complete, thus never truly achieving success. Ones line of work can also affect how happy he is. Some feel that it is more important to enjoy work and get less money than it is to hate work and get paid more. Another factor in achieving psychological success is ones ability to enjoy what life gives him. There are many qualities of life that are overlooked. Everyone is dealt family and it is important to value that.

Parisian Department Store :: essays research papers

The Parisian Department store in Birmingham, Alabama clearly needs to rethink their sales strategies to maximize profits. The management specifically needs to take a look at whether the new pay program achieves its intended effect of cutting costs while driving sales and how this would affect the company as a whole. The company should look at whether this program would be enough fix the problem, or does Jones need to implement more drastic measures? The first major issue was taking a look at HR issues and other related business issues that Parisian faced before they implemented the pay adjustments. As the case studies mentions, Parisian sold high merchandise, highly personalized service, high commitment to caring for its employees and communities of businesses. Jones?f goal is to raise the performance of the store and restore it to its former reputation as an upscale retailer. ISSUES: 1. Parisians payroll expenses in 2003 were 8.6% which was higher than those at comparable sister business within SDSG. 2. Hourly pay at Parisians was 12.18 and Carson paid an average of 9.54 an hour. 3. Selling costs buildup did not work because it only temporarily fixed the issue at hand. A huge issue with Parisian is that their pay system is extremely complicated when it does not have to be. Currently there are three forms of pay: base pay only, base plus commission, and commission only. The cosmetics selling cost is also an issue because cosmetics only bring in 15% of sales, but they spend 22% on payroll sales because of the expertise needed as well as the need to have a body in the bay at all times when you sign the agreement with the vendor. Taking a look at Chart B should this very theory, Parisian shows a net sales of cosmetics of 100 M which is compared to Carson?fs 250M and there people at Parisian get paid more an hour (14 versus 12). It does not make sense for a store that brings in a lot less to pay their people more. The case further explains that the high volume salespeople are paid at high commission rates and sometimes that rate can exceed selling cost benchmark. The stores with the ?gsacred cows?h were costing them a fortune have- specifically 14% sell ing cost. Table C shows that there were certain stores that were not able to have as many employees cover the floor because they had large payroll expenses.

Kowloon Motor Bus Co. Analysis

The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (KMB) is the largest public bus company in Hong Kong. KMB carries over 2. 8 million passengers per day and operates some 4,000 buses on 400 bus routes cover and across Kowloon, the New Territories and Hong Kong Island. KMB is the only local bus company to hold both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certification and has earned the distinction of being one of the few public bus companies in the world to operate profitably without a government subsidy.Innovation – The Way Forward. As a leader in public bus operations, KMB pioneered the development of super-low-floor easy access buses in 1996 to provide comfortable access for people in need. To extend the company's service network without increasing the number of buses on the road, and to offer passengers the convenience of point-to-point travel, KMB operates 61 Octopus Bus-Bus Interchange fare discount packages comprising about 250 bus routes. Cost advantage: To streamline operations and track cos ts, the company uses a computerised Bus Maintenance Management System and an electronic Traffic Operations Management System.These in-house innovations have won acclaim from the Hong Kong Computer Society. Brand loyalty: Outstanding Customer Communications KMB has developed web-based and face to face communication channels to complement the company's widely used award winning Customer Service Hotline. The 24-hour KMB Customer Service Hotline uses geographic information technology in the form of a digital map Passenger Enquiry (PEQ) System to uphold its pledge of first contact resolution for customer enquiries.The system is equipped with 3-D images of over 100,000 landmarks to provide prompt and personalized bus route information. Since its launch, the digital map has won wide acclaim in local, regional and international awards for technology innovation, and the KMB Customer Service Hotline was recently named as the best contact centre of its class in the world. KMB, the winner of th e CILT A ward 2007 – Passenger Transport Excellence organised a Depot Visit and Presentation Session to share their environmental protection works with CILTHK members on 29th March 2008.At the event, KMB was presented with the logo of CILT Award 2007 for use throughout the year to strengthen their reputation as well as a corporate image for their quality service provided to the community. Competitors: Taxi services We observe that in the past 10 years or so, rail, franchised and non-franchised bus and PLB services have all been extended and improved. Against this background taxi services (the vehicle, passenger facilities and the driver's service and driving skills) have changed little. The earlier competitive advantage taxis had as convenient, air-conditioned services has been substantially eroded.Furthermore, the fare is no longer competitive on longer journeys, leading to fierce competition between taxi drivers through discounted services. A better operating environment fo r taxis, thereby allowing them to provide better service to passengers in accordance with the policy objective of providing a personalized, point to point, public transport service. The flexibility and personal service provided by taxis make them ideal for this purpose, provided a suitable vehicle can be found. Once introduced, subsidies may be made available to facilitate those in wheelchairs using the service.