A critical analysis of a patient's journey through PICU from a nursing Essay

A critical analysis of a patient's journey through PICU from a nursing perspective - Essay Example Because of the impact of being in an area like the ICU and besides the routine responsibilities, paediatric ICU nurses are required to be â€Å"continually tuned in to the immediate recognition of any disruption in the child’s condition† (Carnevale, 2007, p. 68). They are ought to coordinate with the other members of the medical team who are expected to work together to alleviate the condition of the patient as well as to deal with the family of those who are under their care (Morton, 2002). In this paper, a nurse’s point of view about the journey of a patient Baby X will be assessed while taking into account many aspects of the care. There are a number of patients in the paediatric ICU; each of which with unique cases from the others. The reason why Baby X’s case and care was chosen is mainly to apply critical analysis on how the nursing strategies directed to the patient in coordination with the medical team, its effects on the family’s involvement and the consequences of these put together have led to the improvement of his health. Specifically, the paper would focus on the episode of Baby X’s stay where he had to be tracheostomized. The analysis would consider how the medical team reached the decision; how the nursing care affected the decision and the care before and after the procedure; and the reaction of the family [especially the mother who was doubtful at first] prior to the intervention and after it had been found out that it had helped. Baby X and the rest of the triplets were born expreterm on July 27, 2009. They were only at their 26th week of gestation when they went out. Like him, most of the preterm or premature babies who are born before the 37th week of gestation (Cadwell & Turner-Maffei, 2006) are prone to many complications as they are given birth before full maturation of almost all their body parts. Baby X was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit last December 12, 2009 for suffering an array of

Chinese Labor and Employment Law Essay Example for Free

Chinese Labor and Employment Law Essay In November 2001, China became a fully admitted member of the World Trade Organization and in n in international trade. China has not only become a major export power, but also an attractive investment target for world trade and investment continues to increase, its labor environment will likely attract more ? 2 1980. At least 130 million of these are migrant workers who move from relatively poor rural areas to urban and industrial centers to work. Many of these migrant workers remit portions of their earnings back to family members in their hometown. Until recently, China has typically had an oversupply of unskilled labor and a shortage of skilled and professional workers. However, in the past several years, some companies in the major industrial hubs have begun to complain about labor shortages. As a result, many companies now raise wages 10 percent or more annually to retain workers, while others have closed their doors and moved to poorer inland areas or countries with cheaper labor. Interestingly, salaries for new university graduates have stagnated university system. While university graduates start their careers with wages comparable to a factory worker, their salaries typically rise much more quickly than those factory workers. How have 35 years. Prior to the early 1980s, nearly all jobs were allocated to citizens through an administrative bureau. Employees could not choose their employer or terminate their employment. Further, regulations set an expectation that the employee would work for the same employer for her or his whole working life. Companies in this era could only terminate employees for gross misconduct. This type of labor market and social safety net was called the Iron Rice Bowl because the employer guaranteed job security and benefits to employees In other words, the benefits could not be taken away 3 In 1983, the government introduced a contract system that attempted to address the low productivity of the labor market by replacing the Iron Rice Bowl with short-term labor contracts. At first, state-owned companies resisted this trend and the government succeeded only in minimal reforms. In 1992, the N required all trade unions to be affiliated with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU). This effectively brought labor unions under greater control of the government. The Labor Law of 1994 liberalized the labor market. The labor law, when combined with economic reforms, resulted in more than 40 million lost jobs in government and state-owned enterprises. As a result of the reforms, the government shuttered inefficient businesses and the formerly economically dominant northeast turned into a rustbelt. Meanwhile, Chinese entrepreneurs and Hong Kong investors transformed the formerly weak southeast province of Guangdong into the largest center of manufacturing in the world. In 2008, the government introduced a Labor Contract Law that rolled back some of the laissez-faire approaches to the workforce that the government introduced in the 1990s. This new law abolished the system of at-will employment for most full-time employees and required employers to provide employees with written contracts. Since 2008, the government has also revisited its policy of tight control over the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU). While all unions must still be approved by and affiliated with ACFTU, it appears that the government is allowing the ACFTU greater authority to advocate for the rights of workers than it did just a few years ago. That said, the government continues to imprison workers who advocate for the formation of independent trade unions. W A G ES Does China have a minimum wage? 4 Yes. There are two standards of minimum wage: monthly and hourly. Minimum wages are set at the provincial and municipal level. The government prohibits employers from reaching an agreement with employees for wages that fall below the local minimum wage standard regardless of whether the employee is still in her or his probation period or internship. A probationary period occurs at the beginning of an employment relationship and allows employers to terminate employees without severance pay up to a maximum of six months, but usually just two months. The probation period allows the employer to make sure the employee is a good fit with the employer before being locked into the full term of the employment contract. Provincial and municipal governments frequently adjust statutory minimum wages. For example, many municipalities have raised their minimum wages twice in the past year alone. Ho It depends on the locality. -time employees is RMB 1,120/month, or roughly $165. However, in the poorer inland city of Chongqing, the minimum wage is RMB 870/month, or roughly $130. Of course, purchasing wages. The relative cost of living in China is lower than in many developed countries, but even when wages are adjusted for relative prices they remain much lower than in highly developed countries. How much do factory workers earn? It depends on the locality, industry, skill level, and a host of other factors. However, several sources keep broad indices of costs for general factory labor across many regions. Although the indices are only rough estimates, they are helpful in gauging wage differentials across the country. For example, a skilled manufacturing employee in Beijing can be hired for 5 RMB 3,000/month, or roughly $445. A similar worker in the poorer inland municipality of Chongqing can be hired for RMB 1,900/month, or roughly $280. To illustrate how important geographic location is in determining wage rates, the average employee salary in Beijing is nearly three times higher than in the poor inland province of Jiangxi. Do Chinese workers get overtime? T , an employer must pay overtime compensation to any employee who works more than 40 hours per week. As a general rule, an employer cannot require overtime of more than one hour per day, or three hours per day under special circumstances, and no more than 36 hours per month. As in many other countries, white collar workers like managers and sales staff are often exempt from the overtime pay rules. The following payment schedule illustrates the overtime pay requirements. E xtended Wor king Hours Typical working day Rest day (min. one per week) (i. e. , weekend) National holiday M inimum O vertime Pay (percent of regular wages) 150 percent 200 percent 300 percent Many migrant workers desperate to earn quick money agree with the employer to work beyond the maximum overtime requirements so they can send extra money home to their families. This type of overtime work is frequently found in industrial hubs and is a contributing cause of recent labor strikes because employees who agree to these arrangements place downward price pressure on wages and upward pressure on hours. Employers are also able to maneuver around overtime regulations by applying to the local labor authorities and asking for approval to use an alternative system of working hours. What are the wage levels for workers who are paid piece-rate? 6 Piece-rate is a compensation system where the employer pays the employee for each unit produced or action performed, not on the basis of time. Piece-rate wages are still a feature of to address the exploitation of employees through piece rates. For example, workers were exploited when employers paid workers at piece-rate, but then fined them for quality defects, tardiness, or no reason at all. These penalties effectively left workers with wages far below what the employer promised the workers during the hiring process. The first principle of piece-rate wages is that employers cannot set a work quota so high that it prevents an employee from completing the work within an eight-hour day or an average 40-hour week.

Ernest Hemingways Life and Image :: History

Ernest Hemingway's Life and Image Ernest Hemingway was born on a July morning in 1899. Born at home in Oak Park, he was raised a conservative with strong values. While his father taught him to hunt and fish, his mother taught him music, her former profession. Though his mother’s music lessons helped him throughout his life, he didn’t particularly enjoy the lessons and spent as much time in the woods as he could manage. Nature became Hemingway’s world, the place where he could go and pull from it the essence of his writing. No matter what happened in his life he could always find refuge in a quiet meadow or a lulling forest. Inspired by nature, Hemingway used it to form a force that became both a backing and almost a character in his books, that would speak to a reader and tell them that a story wasn’t over, simply because it never truly ends. People look back at Hemingway’s life as if it was one of his novels. He is not seen as a writer but as a personage of writing. At a young age of 18, in 1917, Hemingway enlisted as an ambulance driver in World War I, after quitting his job at the Kansas City Star. Hemingway didn’t make it three weeks into his service. While in Schio, Italy, he was injured by an exploding mortar, perforating his legs with shrapnel. In spite of this, it is said that he carried a wounded Italian to a first aid station; this earned him an Italian Silver Medal. For the next year, Hemingway used his insurance from the war to avoid work. He would spend his time at the library or speaking about the war. Eventually he met Harriett Connable while speaking, who saw Hemingway’s confidence and control. Connable asked him to tutor her son. He accepted, as her husband introduced Hemingway to the editor of the Toronto Star Weekly, who he wrote for even when he moved to Paris. While in Paris he covered the Geneva Conference, and the Greco-Turkish War. Hemingway and his first wife Hadley moved back to Toronto though, when she became pregnant. In 1925, two years after his son John was born, Hemingway wrote In Our Time, and a year later The Sun Also Rises. These two novels were great successes, and led to his Farewell to Arms, which is considered by many a paramount to all World War I novels.

Tv Advertising and Consumer Buying Behavior

ABSTRACT Children are important in the family, they make a family complete and they influence a number of decisions made in the family. Children have occupied a big segment in the marketplace, there are more products produced and directed at them. The importance of children in purchase decision making has grown over the years. They not only make purchase decisions for personal consumption but they also influence family purchase decision-making (Kaur and Singh, 2006). However, nearly all studies are based in the western context, like US and Europe.There are few studies focused on the African context, especially in Nigeria. As a result of this, it is important to examine how they influence the decision to purchase products for family consumption. The typology of family communication patterns and social power theory will be used for this study. The study will employ qualitative research using questionnaire to elicit detailed explanation of children’s influence in family purchase decision. Children between the ages 8-13 years are the focus of this research.Key words: family decision-making, children’s role in family decision making, typology of family communication patterns, social power theory. 1. 0 INTRODUCTION Children are important in the family, they make a family complete and they influence a number of decisions made in the family. Today children are not only passive observers but they have taken a considerable place in the families and have a significant influence on parental buying decisions and they have occupied a big segment in the marketplace. Children are consumers in their own right; there are more products produced and directed at them.Because of a growing awareness of the role children play in family decision making on family purchases other than toys and cereals, as well as a realisation that the influence of children in family decision making appears to have grown significantly over the past two decades (Sellers, 1989 as cited by Eka sasi, 2005), increasing attention is being given to children and their role in family decision making (Foxman and Patriya, 1989). There is no doubt that children establish a significant marketing zone and today they have a more important place in the society than their parents ever had.They are not only consumers but have emotional involvement direct or indirect on parents buying decisions. This trend of increased influence appears to emanate from a number of factors, including the greater affluence enjoyed by many households, higher consumer socialisation of children, product type, and the increasing independence given to children due to dual income families and higher divorce rates. Several researchers have also demonstrated how children have been â€Å"socialised to act as consumers† (Kaur and Singh, 2006).Family (parents and siblings), peers, and media are main socialising agents for children wherein family type, parental style and patterns of communication play important roles. However, most of the studies are based on the western context and there are very few studies focusing on Africa, particularly Nigeria due to which this research will be undertaken. As a result of this, it is important to examine how children influence the decision to purchase products in the family in Nigeria. 1. 2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMFamily as a consuming and decision making unit is a central phenomenon in marketing and consumer behaviour. Earlier, research had only focused on the husband and wife’s role where children’s role was ignored (Commuri and Gentry, 2000 as cited by Kaur and Singh, 2006). The importance of children in purchase decision making has grown over the years. It is seen that children not only influence family purchase decision but they also insist their parents purchase the products they desire (Kaur and Singh, 2006). Children’s influence differs depending on the product category and decision-making stage.Age and gender of the chil dren also have a major impact on decision stage and the product category. The role that children play in family decision- making has directed the researchers to study the influence of children. Several researchers have also demonstrated how children have been â€Å"socialised to act as consumers† (Kaur and Singh, 2006). However, most of the studies are based on the western context and there are very few studies focusing on Africa, particularly Nigeria due to which this research will be undertaken.Since Nigerian society vastly differs from the west in terms of family composition, family type and structure, norms, values, and behaviour, it is important to understand children’s influence in the purchase decision making in families in the Nigerian context. The buying power of children in Nigeria will be different compared to the western countries, but still they play the key role in Nigerian families. Children influence family as well as individual purchase decisions. For this reason, detailed study will be done on children’s influence in family purchase decision in Nigeria. . 3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. Does parent-child communication affect the way a child contributes in family decision making process? 2. What strategies do children use in influencing family product purchase? 3. At what decision making process stage do children have more influence in the family? 4. How do parents respond to children’s attempt to influence decisions on products for family consumption? 5. How frequently do children attempt to influence purchasing decisions on products for family consumption? 4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDYThe primary objective of this study is to examine the roles performed by children in family purchase decisions with regard to children and family related products and to explore children’s influence in family decision making process in the Nigerian context. However, the specific objectives are: to understand the family communication stru cture and its influence on a child as a consumer; to examine the decision making process and the stage children have the most influence; and to examine parents’ perception of the role children play in family purchase decision-making. . 5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY This study will focus on children’s influence on decision making process in the family as it relates to the purchase of products to be used by the family, family communication structure and patterns and parents perception of children’s influence in family purchase decision making. 1. 6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Family is the basic unit where most individuals learn about product categories and how to consume it. So, understanding family buying behavior is very important.It used to be that husband and wife hold dominant influence in family decision-making process. However, now, their role is changing. Today, children’s role in family decision-making process is also significant. As children are an integral part of the marketplace, this study would help manufacturers of family products, marketers and advertisers to understand the place of a child in the family. Their influence relates to a wide variety of products needed by their family and not just to the items that directly relate to their need.This means that, to market successfully to the family, advertisers must understand children’s role in the decision making process in the family. The result of this research will aid advertisers to better position products to win the hearts of children who will eventually influence their parents buying decision. 2. 0 LITERATURE REVIEW This section is to review what past studies has found on the influence children have on purchase decision in the family. 2. 1 FAMILY DECISION MAKING The family is a major influence in the consumer behavior process.As the basic group, which an individual belongs, the family provides early childhood learning about products and product categories, provides th e opportunity for product exposure and repetition, and sets the consumption unit, the family members. As a major consumption unit the family is a prime target for most products and product categories (Schiffman & Kanuk, 1983). Loudon & Della (1993) as cited by Ekasasi (2005) define the family as a group of two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption and residing together as a household.A number of different types of family exist. The nuclear family consists of a husband, a wife, and their offspring. The extended family consists of the nuclear family plus other relatives, such as parents of the husband or wife. There is also the detached nuclear family structure which has characteristics as follows: free choice of mates, higher levels of divorce, increased residential mobility, entry of large numbers of women into the labour force, and lower responsibility of children to care for their parents in their old age (Mowen, 1995 in Ekasasi, 2005).During the course of everyd ay living, thousands of decisions are made by family members. The husband and wife are clearly the dominant influences in family decision-making. Most studies have focused on their role in decision-making and the dominance on their role in decision-making and the dominance of one or the other. The relative influence of the husband and the wife is likely to vary according to the type of product considered, the stage in decision making, the nature of purchase influence, and family characteristics (Assael 1992).In the process of family decision-making, there are three stages: initiation, make choice and final decision. Initiation is the process whereby a family member proposes a suggestion and ideas. Making choice is the second stage. Family members search and compare different alternatives. The final stage is the buying decision process. The child has been regarded as an initiator in family decision-making. When a particular product has been chosen as a candidate in the second stage, the product has greater chance to be sold. 2. 2 CHILDREN’S INFLUENCE IN FAMILY DECISION MAKINGFamily decision- making research was initially directed to spouses, however the role of children on decision making and negotiation strategies had become an important issue of study (Kaur and Singh, 2006). Children not only enjoy making regular consumption decisions with their parents but they also insist their parents to buy the products they desire. The family as a purchasing unit is a central phenomenon in consumer behavior. Researchers have studied how a family makes a purchase decision for many years but most of the ‘families’ studied only comprised the husband and wife (Davis, 1976 in Kaur and Singh, 2006).However, family decisions are influenced by every member of the family, which means how a family makes decisions will not be well examined unless every member’s influence is taken into account; children inclusive. Children’s influence in family purc hase decisions and the spending power of children have increased over the last 40 years (Shoham and Dalakas, 2005). After Berey and Polly (1968) as cited by Kaur & Singh (2006) detected child’s influence in family decision making, there was an increasing recognition of children’s important role with the increasing influence of children in family decision making.Usually, children influence parental purchases in the shopping environment, at home, in the car, at the movies, during television viewing, on vacation, at mealtime, even in church. The influence that children have on parental purchases is extensive and principally embraces the following areas (McNeal 1999): 1. Items for the children, including snacks, toys, consumer electronics, clothing, and hobbies equipment and supplies. 2. Items for the home, including furnishings, television sets, stereo systems, and foods and beverages for meals. 3.Non-household items for family members, including vacations, automobiles, c lothing, restaurant meals, and recreation. In addition to these three groups, there are others that are more difficult to classify. They include family gifts to the children’s grandparents and family donations to charities. Also, children often influence the parent’s choice of stores and shopping centers. According to Ramzy, T. Ogden, R. Ogden and Zakaria (2012) children’s purchasing power can be direct, money controlled by the child, or indirect, relating to parental purchases that the child initiates or influences.Children influence family buying decisions in four different ways. First, children influence their parents to buy products for their individual preferences. Second, older children have their own pocket money and buy the products directly. Third, children influence their parents’ choice for family products for shared consumption. Lastly, children influence their parents’ own preferences. Children exert a certain influence on the overall decision process (Wut and Chou 2009). Geuens, Mast and Pelsmacker (2002) discovered that children can have active or passive influence on purchase decision.Active influence means that the child wants to influence purchase decisions in a direct way by recommending, hinting and/or asking for things (McNeal, 1999). Passive dictation, on the other hand, means that parents are influenced by what they experience their children prefer or need (Wells, 1965). A mother experiencing that her toddler enjoys a specific meal will be more increased to buy or cook this particular food again (Mehrotra and Torges, 1977 as cited by Wut and Chou, 2009).Passive influence is mostly unconscious and as a consequence difficult to observe and measure. Various researchers have revealed that a number of factors play a substantial role on children’s influence on parents buying decisions across different product categories. Berey & Pollay (1968, as cited by Kaur & Singh 2006) studied mother-child dyads in purchase of break- fast cereals and found that in most of the products parents are intermediary purchasing agents for children.In such situations children’s influence on parent’s purchase decisions is governed by two factors as children’s assertiveness and parent’s child centeredness. The study showed that more assertive the child or more children cantered the mother is, more probable the mother will buy the child desired brands. The research also revealed that mother’s act as gatekeepers and bought products that weighed high in nutrition. In general children exert more influence on products for which they are primary consumers (Lee and Beauty 2002).In recent years, family structures have changed considerably. We have single parents, two parents with one source of income, dual income families and higher divorce rates. Geuens, Mast and Pelsmacker (2002) examined the impact of new family structures (single versus one parent, two versus one income, h igh versus low working hours, small versus large size) on children’s influence on family purchase decision-making. The increase of children’s influence on parents buying decisions in most of the developed countries can be attributed to various reasons.First; increase in number of working couple resulting in to cash rich and time poor society and hence increasing the influence of children on parents; second, the shift in the family setup from joint families to nuclear families, allowing the influence of children on parents buying decisions; third, lesser number of children per family, resulting in increase in the buying power of each; fourth, the repeated exposure to media resulting in socialization of children which in turn result in to children influence on parents buying decisions etc. Wimalasiry (2004).Williams and Burns (2000) explained that changing social trends such as working mothers, decreased and delayed childbearing, increased divorce rates, and rapid matura tion have given way to a formidable market force for children. They developed a scale based on social power theory to measure children’s direct influence attempts. The seven dimensions derived to represent direct influence attempt were ask nicely, bargain, show affection, just ask, beg and plead, show anger, and con. In this study, these dimensions will be utilized to measure the direct influence of children. . 3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Two theories are proposed to guide this study. They are the typology of family communication patterns and social power theory. 2. 3. 1 TYPOLOGY OF FAMILY COMMUNICATION PATTERNS The typology of parent-child communication structures and patterns was developed by McLeod and Chaffee (1972) and this typology utilizes Newcomb's (1953) co-orientation model. Together, the two dimensions of family communication structure yielded a four-fold typology of family communication patterns: laissez-faire, protective, pluralistic, and consensual.McLeod and Chaffe e (1972) identified two dimensions of parent-child communications dimensions. These dimensions are the degree of social orientation and degree of concept orientation. Social Orientation: The communications in families with a high social orientation are designed to produce obedience from the child and foster family harmony. Concept Orientation: The communications in families with a high concept orientation are designed to encourage openness and foster an independent outlook. Laissez-faire families emphasize neither of the two dimensions and there is little communication between parents and children.Protective families emphasize the socio-orientation dimension, stressing obedience and social harmony, and are not concerned with conceptual matters. Conversely, Pluralistic families tend to stress the concept-orientation dimension, with an emphasis being placed on mutuality of respects and interest. Children are encouraged to explore new ideas and to express them openly without fear of re prisal. Finally, consensual families stress both the socio- and concept orientation dimensions, and children are encouraged to explore the world about them but to do so without disrupting the family's established internal social harmony.A parent with a high socio-orientation believes that children should respect him/her, should suppress opinions on areas not pertaining to them, that children should avoid disagreements with parents and be obedient (Moschis & Moore 1978). Parents with this type of communication orientation tend to control their child’s consumption-related learning (Moschis & Moore 1979). A high concept-orientation means that parents encourage children to evaluate different alternatives when making decisions. Children in this orientation are allowed to discuss disagreements with parents and to develop their own consumer skills.They are also asked by their parents about purchase decisions even if the product is not directly for the child. According to Moschis and Mitchell (1986), children from families with a high social orientation are less likely to be involved in family decisions and less likely to make consumption-related decisions for themselves. Conversely, children from families with a high concept orientation are likely to have higher product knowledge, better able to manage a family budget and have a higher regard for their parents’ opinions. 2. 3. 2 SOCIAL POWER THEORYSocial power theory examines power bases in social interactions. The concept of social power was initially introduced by Lewin (1951) and later developed theoretically by French and Raven (1959). Social power theory is an appropriate theoretical framework from which to study children’s direct influence attempts for several reasons. First, social power theory identifies the bases of power which are present in social interactions. These sources of power may include expertise, reward power, referent power, legitimate power, and coercion.These five bases ar e considered by French and Raven (1959) to be the most important resources utilized by a person, but not an all-inclusive list of potential resources. Further, social power theory suggests that a person will make an assessment of his or her resources and choose an influence attempt that is consistent with his or her sources of social power. In addition, the theory suggests that these power bases may be utilized in two ways: active (i. e. , direct) or passive (i. e. , indirect). When the utilization of power to influence is active, or the result of an intentional act, a direct influence attempt is exerted.In relation to influence and power evidence exists that children exert varying degrees of influence on the family decision-making process. This influence varies by product, decision stage, child, parental and family characteristics but are not properly researched. Social power theory is useful in explaining differences in children’s influence on purchases and distinguishes be tween influence derived from active and passive power, compatible with direct and indirect influence. Power bases pertinent to exercising influence include: expert (e. g. children possess detailed knowledge about toys, games etc. ; legitimate (e. g. children and products they consume including food, toys and clothing); referent (identifying with peers); reward (children exhibiting good behaviour) and coercive power (e. g. children threatening negative or bothersome behaviour, complaining or even pestering) (Flurry and Burns, 2005). Furthermore, social power theory further suggests the five power bases may be utilised in two ways: actively and passively. Power used to influence is an active and intentional action; passive, when the mere presence of power is influential.Both contribute to a person’s potential to direct a preferential outcome. 3. 0 METHODOLOGY This section comprises of the research design, population, sample size, sampling technique, research instrument to be em ployed, method of data collection and analysis to be employed. 3. 1 RESEARCH DESIGN This study will employ descriptive survey because the role children play in influencing family purchase decision will be described. It will also be a cross-sectional study as children’s influence will be examined from the children as well as the parents’ point of view.Since the research aims at understanding children’s influence in family purchase decision, the views of the children will be essential for this study and to get a balanced view, the views of the parents will also be important, especially mothers. This study will employ questionnaire and in-depth interview as methods of collecting primary data. 3. 2 POPULATION The study will be located in Ibadan metropolis in Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Ibadan is majorly populated by the Yoruba people, but its population has always been ethnically mixed and is becoming increasingly so.Ibadan houses one of Africa’s premier u niversities, the University of Ibadan, which lends its economy a significant intellectual, professional and artistic profile. There are 11 Local Governments in Ibadan metropolitan area consisting of 5 urban local governments in the city and 6 semi-urban local governments. This study will be limited to one urban and one semi-urban local government which are Ibadan North-West and Ido local government respectively. One government-owned secondary school; one private secondary school will be randomly selected from the list of Secondary Schools in the two local government areas for this study. . 3 SAMPLE SIZE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE A multi – stage sampling procedure will be used for this study. At first six schools will be randomly selected from a list of public and private secondary schools in Ibadan North West as well as in Ido Local Government Areas of Oyo State respectively. Then, the balloting system will be used to choose one school for the public secondary school and for the private secondary school in the two local government areas respectively. Going by the assumption that 25 pupils are meant to be in a class, a class of J. S. S 1, 2 and 3 students of a school will be the respondents for this study.This will be 75 respondents per school, making the number of respondents to be 150 altogether. The J. S. S 1, 2 and J. S. S 3 students will be used because they fall within the age range that this study would be focusing on, which is between the ages of 8 and 13 and also because they should be more matured than those in the primary school that also falls within this age range.. 3. 4 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT Questionnaire and in-depth interview will be used for this study. The questionnaire will be in two sections; the first section will be addressed to the children while the second section will be filled by the parents, specifically mothers.This section is specifically to ask the mother to indicate demographic characteristics of the child; including his/her bir thday and sex of the child and to find out how they perceive the role their children play in family purchase decision. This information will be used to match the parent's responses to responses given by the child. The questionnaire will be given to respondents to take home to their parents. The interview will be for the teachers of the respective schools to be used to ascertain the schools’ demography. 3. 5 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION This will involve qualitative method.The headteachers or class teachers of these four schools will be requested to distribute the questionnaires to a class of J. S. S 1, 2 and J. S. S 3 students at the schools. 3. 6 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS The method of data analysis will involve quantitative and qualitative methods. For quantitative method, univariate and bivariate tabulation methods will be used for the analysis. REFERENCES Ali A. and Batra D. K. (2011) Children influence on parents buying decisions in Delhi (India) European Journal of Business and Management (Online) Vol. 3 (11), 19-28 Davis, H. L. 1976), Decision making within the household, Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 2, March, 241-60. Ekasasi S. R. (2005) The Role of Children in Family Decision Making: A Theoretical Review, Edisi Khusus Jsb on Marketing, Volume 3, 25 – 41 Foxman E and Patriya S. T. (1989) Adolescents and Mothers Perceptions of Relative Influence in Family Decisions: Patterns of Agreement and Disagreement Advances in Consumer Research, 449-453. Geuens M. , Mast G. and Pelsmacker P. (2002) Children’s Influence on Family Purchase Behavior: The Role of Family Structure, Asia Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 5, 130-135Hall J, Shaw M, Johnson M. and Oppenheim P. (1995) Influence of Children on Family Consumer Decision-Making, European Advances in Consumer Research Volume 2, 45-53 Kaur, P and Singh, R (2006) „Children In Family Purchase Decision Making In India and the West: A Review. Academy of Marketing Science Review Vol. 2006 (8), 1-30 Lee, C. K. C. and Beatty, S. E (2002) Family Structure and Influence in Family Decision Making Journal of Consumer Marketing Vol. 19 (1), 4-41 McNeal, J. ; Ji, M. (1999) Chinese children as consumers: an analysis of their new product information sources Journal of Consumer Marketing Vol. 6(4), 345-364 Mikkelsen M. R. and Norgaard M. K (2012) Children’s Influence on Family Decision-Making in Food Buying and Consumption International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 2 (5), 1-23 Moschis G. P, Prahasto A. E and Mitchell L. G (1986) Family Communication Influences on the Development of Consumer Behavior: Some Additional Findings Advances in Consumer Research Volume 13, 365-369 Moschis G. P and Mitchell L. G (1986) Television Advertising and Interpersonal Influences on Teenagers' Participation in Family Consumer Decisions Advances in Consumer Research Volume 13, 181-186Nash C. (2009) The Parent Child Purchase Relationship Academy of Marketing Science R eview Volume 8, 1-30 North E. J. and Kotze T. (2001) Parents and television advertisements as consumer socialisation agents for adolescents: An exploratory study Journal of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences, Vol. 29, 92-99 Ramzy O. , Ogden D. T. , Ogden J. R. and Zakaria M. Y. (2012) Perceptions of Children’s Influence on Purchase Decisions – Empirical Investigation for the U. S. and Egyptian Families World Journal of Management Vol. 4 (1) March, 30 – 50 Ward, S. and Wackman, D.B (1972) Children’s Purchase Influence Attempts and Parental Influence Attempts and Parental Yielding, Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 9, 316-319. Williams L. A. and Burns A. C. (2000) Exploring the Dimensionality of Children’s Direct Influence Attempts Advances in Consumer Research Volume 27, 64-71 Wut T. M. and Chou T. J. (2009) Children’s influences on family decision making in Hong Kong Young Consumers Vol. 10 (2), 146-156 Wut T. M. and Chou T. J. (2009) Fa mily Communication Patterns and Children’s influence on Family Decision Making ANZMAC, 1-7

Carrie Chapter Fourteen

‘They will,' she said. ‘I set it up.' it won't even be close. Why do they keep applauding? What's going on in there?' ‘Don't ask me, babe. The school song suddenly roared out, full and strong on the soft May air, and Chris jumped as if stung. A soft gasp of surprise escaped her All rise for Thomas Ewen Hiiiiyyygh. . . ‘Go on,' he said. ‘They're there.' His eyes glowed softly in the dark. The odd half-grin had touched his features. She licked her lips. They both stared at the length of jute cord. We will raise your banners to the skyyyyy ‘Shut up,' she whispered. She was trembling, and he thought that her body had never looked so lush or exciting. When this was over he was going to have her until every other time she'd been had was like two pumps with a fags little finger. He was going on her like a raw cob through butter. ‘No guts, babe?' He leaned forward. ‘I won't pull it for you, babe. It can sit there till bell freezes.' With pride we wear the red and whiiyyyte A sudden smothered sound that might have been a scream came from her mouth, and she leaned forward and pulled violently on the cord with both hands. It came loose with slack for a moment, making her think that Billy had been having her on all this time, that the rope was attached to nothing but thin air. Then it snubbed tight, held for a second, and then came through her palm harshly, leaving a thin burn. she began. The music inside came to a jangling, discordant halt For a moment ragged You continued oblivious, and then they stopped. Then was a beat of silence, and then someone screamed. Silence again. They stared at each other in the dark, frozen by the actual act as thought never could have done. Her very breath turned to glass in her throat. Then, inside, the laughter began. It was ten twenty-five, and the feeling had been getting worse and worse. Sue stood in front of the gas range on one foot, waiting for the milk to begin steaming so she could dump in the Nestle's. Twice she had begun to go upstairs and put on a nightgown and twice she had stopped, drawn for no reason at all to the kitchen window that looked down Brickyard Hill and the spiral of Route 6 that led into town. Now, as the whistle mounted atop the town hall on Main Street suddenly began to shriek into the night, and falling in cycles of panic, she did not evert immediately to the window, but only tamed the heat oft under the milk so it would not burn. The town hall whistle went off every day at twelve noon and that was all, except to call the volunteer fire department during grass-fire season in August and September. It was strictly for major disasters and its sound was dreamy and terrifying in the empty house. She went to the window, but slowly. The shrieking of the whistle rose and fell, rose and fell. Somewhere, horns were beginning to blast, as if for a wedding. She could see her reflection in the darkened glass, lips parted, eyes wide, and then the condensation of her breath obscured it. A memory, half-forgotten, came to her. As children in grammar school, they had practised air-raid drills. When the teacher clapped her hands and said, ‘The town whistle is blowing,' you were supposed to crawl under your desk and put your hands over your head and wait, either for the all-clear or for enemy missiles to blow you to powder. Now, in her mind, as clearly as a leaf pressed in plastic, (the town whistle is blowing) she heard the words clang in her mind Far below, to the left, where the high school parking lot was – the ring of sodium are lamps made it a sure landmark, although the school building itself was invisible in the dark -a spark glowed as if God has struck a flint-and-steel. (that's whew the oil tanks are) The spark hesitated, then bloomed orange. Now you could see the school, and it was on fire. She was already on her way to the closet to get her coat when the first dull, booming explosion shook the floor under her feet and made her mother's china rattle in the cupboards. From We Survived the Black Prom, by Norma Watson (Published in the August, 1980, issue of The Reader's Digest as a ‘Drama in Real Life' article): †¦ and it happened so quickly that no one really knew what was happening. We were all standing and applauding and singing the school song. Then – I was at the usher's table just inside the main doors, looking at the stage – there was a sparkle as the big lights over the stage apron reflected on something metallic. I was standing with Tina Blake and Stella Horan, and I think they saw it, too. All at once there was a huge red splash in the air. Some of it hit the mural and ran in long drips. I knew right away, even before it hit them, that it was blood. Stella Horan thought it was paint, but I had a premonition, just like the time my brother got hit by a hay truck. They were drenched. Carrie got it the worst. She looked exactly like she had been dipped in a bucket of red paint. She just sat there. She never moved. The band that was closest to the stage, Josie and the moonglows, got splattered. The lead guitarist had a white instrument, and it splattered all over it. I say: ‘My God, that's blood!' When I said that, Tina screamed. It was very loud, and it rang out clearly in the auditorium. People had stopped singing and everything was completely quiet. I couldn't move. I was rooted to the spot. I looked up and there were two buckets dangling high over the thrones, swinging and banging together. They were still dripping. All of a sudden they fell, with a lot of loose string paying out behind them. One of them hit Tommy Ross on the head. It made a very loud noise, like a gong. That made someone laugh. I don't know who it was, but it wasn't the way a person laughs when they we something funny and gay. It was raw and hysterical and awful. At the same instant, Carrie opened her eyes wide. That was when they all started laughing. I did too. God help me. It was so †¦ weird. When I was a little girl I had a Walt Disney storybook called Song of the South, and it had that Uncle Remus story about the tarbaby in it. There was a picture of the tarbaby sitting in the middle of the road, looking like one of those old-time Negro minstrels with the blackface and great white eyes. When Carrie opened her eyes it was like that. They were the only part of her that wasn't completely red. And the light had gotten in them and made them glassy. God help me, but she looked for all the world like Eddie Cantor doing that pop-eyed act of his. That was what made people laugh. We couldn't help it. It was one of those things where you laugh or go crazy. Carrie had been the butt of every joke for so long, and we all felt that we were part of something special that night It was as if we were watching a person rejoin the human race, and I for one thanked the Lord for it. And that happened. That horror. And so there was nothing else to do. It was either laugh or cry, and who could bring himself to cry over Carrie after all those years? She just sat there, staring out at them, and the laughter kept swelling, getting louder and louder. People were holding their bellies and doubling up and pointing at her. Tommy was the only one who wasn't looking at her. He was sort of slumped over in his seat as if lied gone to sleep. You couldn't tell he was hurt, though: he was splashed, too bad. And then her face †¦ broke, I don't know how else to describe it. She put her hands up to her face and halfstaggered to her feet. She almost got tangled in her own feet and fell over, and that made people laugh even more. Then she sort of †¦ hopped off the stage. It was like watching a big red frog hopping off a lily pad. She almost fell again, but kept on her feet. Miss Desjardin came running over to her, and she wasn't laughing any more. She was holding out her arms to her. But then she veered off and hit the wall beside the stage – It was the strangest thing. She didn't stumble or anything. It was as if someone had pushed her, but there was no one there. Carrie ran through the crowd with her hands clutching her face, and somebody put his foot out. I don't know who it was, but she went sprawling on her face. leaving a long red streak on the floor. And she said, ‘Ooof!' I remember that. It made me laugh even harder, hearing Carrie say Oof like that. She started to crawl along the floor and then she got up and ran out. She ran right past me. You could smell the blood. It smelled like something sick and rotted. She went down the stairs two at a time and then out the doors. And was gone. The laughter just sort of faded off, a little at a time. Some people were still hitching and snorting. Lennie Brock had taken out a big white handkerchief and was wiping his eyes. Sally McManus looked all white, like she was going to throw up, but she was still giggling and she couldn't seem to stop. Billy Bosnan was just standing there with his little conductor's stick in his hand and shaking his head. Mr Lublin was sitting by Miss Desjardin and calling for a Kleenex. She had a bloody nose. You have to understand that all this happened in no more than two minutes. Nobody could put it all together. We were stunned. Some of them were wandering around, talking a little, but not much. Helen Shyres burst into tears, and that made some of the others start up. Then someone yelled: ‘Call a doctor! Hey, call a doctor quick!' It was Josie Vreck. He was up on the stage, kneeling by Tommy Ross, and his face was white as paper. He tried to pick him up, and the throne fell over and Tommy rolled on to the floor. Nobody moved. They were all just staring. I felt like I was frozen in ice. My God, was all I could think. My God, my God, my God. And then this other thought crept in, and it was as if it wasn't my own at all. I was thinking about Carrie. And about God. It was all twisted up together, and it was awful. Stella looked over at me and said: ‘Carrie's back.' And I said: ‘Yea, that's right.' The lobby doors all slammed shut. The sound was like hands clapping. Somebody in the back screamed, and that started the stampede. They ran for the doors in a rush. I just stood there, not believing it. And when I looked, just before the first of them got there and started to push, I saw Carrie looking in, her face all smeared, like an Indian with war paint on. She was smiling. They were pushing at the doors, hammering on them, but they wouldn't budge. As more of them crowded up to them, I could see the first ones to get there being battered against. them, grunting and wheezing. They wouldn't open, and those doors are never locked. It's a state law. Mr Stephens and Mr Lublin waded in, and began to pull them away, grabbing jackets, shorts, anything. They were all screaming and burrowing like cattle. Mr Stephens slapped a couple of girls and punched Vic Mooney in the eye. They were yelling for them to go out the back fire doors. Some did. Those were the ones who lived. That's when it started to rain †¦ at least, that's what I thought it was at first. There was water falling all over the place. I looked up and all the sprinklers were on, all over the gym. Water was hitting the basketball court and splashing. Josie Vreck was yelling for the guys in his band to turn off the electric amps and mikes quick, but they were all gone. He jumped down from the stage. The panic at the doors stopped. People backed away, looking up at the ceiling. I heard somebody – Don Farnham, I think-say: ‘This is gonna wreck the basketball court.' A few other people started to go over and look at Tommy Ross. All at once I knew I wanted to get out of there. I took Tina Blake's hand and said, ‘Let's run. Quick.' To get to the fire doors, you had to go down a short corridor to the left of the stage. There were sprinklers there too, but they weren't on. And the doors were open – I could see a few people running out. But most of them were just standing around in little groups, blinking at each other. Some of them were looking at the smear of blood where Carrie fell down, the water was washing it away. I took Tina's hand and started to pull her toward the EXIT sign. At that same instant there was a huge flash of fight, a scream, and a horrible feedback whine. I looked around and saw Josie Vreck holding on to one of the mike stands. He couldn't let go. His eyes were bugging out and his hair was on end and it looked like he was dancing. His feet were sliding around in the water and smoke started to come out of his shirt. He fell over on one of the amps – they were big ones, five or six feet high – and it fell into the water. The feedback went up to a scream that was head-splitting, and then there was another sizzling flash and it stopped. Josie's shirt was on fire. ‘Run!' Tina yelled at me. ‘Come on, Norma, Please!' We ran out into the hallway, and something exploded backstage – the main power switches, I guess. For just a second I looked back. You could see right out on to the stage, where Tommy's body was, because the curtain was up. All the heavy light cables were in the air, flowing and jerking and writhing like snakes out of an Indian fakir's basket. Then one of them pulled in two. There was a violent flash when it hit the water, and then everybody was screaming at once. Then we were out the door and running across the parking lot. I think I was screaming. I don't remember very well. I don't remember anything very well after they started screaming. After those high-voltage cables hit that water-covered floor †¦ For Tommy Ross, age eighteen, the end came swiftly and mercifully and almost without pain. He was never even aware that something of importance was happening. There was a clanging, clashing noise that he associated momentarily with (there go the milk buckets) a childhood memory of his Uncle Galen's farm and then with (somebody dropped something) the band below him. He caught a glimpse of Josie Vreck looking over his head (what have i got a halo or something) and then the quarter-full bucket of blood struck him. The raised lip along the bottom of the rim struck him on top of the head and (hey that hurt) he went swiftly down into unconsciousness. He was still sprawled on the stage when the fire originating in the electrical equipment of Josie and the Moonglows spread to the mural of the Venetian boatman, and then to the rat warren of old uniforms, books, and papers backstage and overhead. He was dead when the oil tank exploded a half hour later. From the New England AP ticker, 10:46 P.M.: CHAMBERLAIN, MAINE (AP) A FIRE IS RAGING OUT OF CONTROL AT EWEN (U-WIN) CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL AT THIS TIME. A SCHOOL DANCE WAS IN PROGRESS AT THE TIME OF THE OUTBREAK WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEENELECTRICAL IN ORIGIN. WITNESSES SAY THAT THE SCHOOL'S SPRINKLER SYSTEM WENT ON WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THE EQUIPMENT OF A ROCK BAND. SOME WITNESSES ALSO REPORT BREAKS IN MAIN POWER CABLES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT AS MANY AS ONE HUNDRED AND TEN PERSONS MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE BLAZING SCHOOL GYMNASIUM. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FROM THE NEIGHBOURING TOWNS OF WESTOVER, MOTTON, AND LEWISTON HAVE REPORTEDLY RECEIVED REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ARE NOW OR SHORTLY WILL BE EN ROUTE. AS YET, NO CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. ENDS. 10:46 Pm MAY 27 6904D AP From the New England AP ticker, 11:22 P.M. URGENT CHAMBERLAIN, MAINE (AP) A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION HAS ROCKED THOMAS EWIN (U-WIN) CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SMALL MAINE TOWN OF CHAMBERLAIN. THREE CHAMBERLAIN FIRE TRUCKS, DISPATCHED EARLIER TO FIGHT A BLAZE AT THE GYMNASIUM WHERE A SCHOOL PROM WAS TAKING PLACE, HAVE ARRIVED TO NO AVAIL. ALL FIRE HYDRANTS IN THE AREA HAVE BEEN VANDALIZED, AND WATER PRESSURE FROM CITY MAINS IN THE AREA FROM SPRING STREET TO GRASS PLAZA IS REPORTED TO BE NIL. ONE FIRE OFFICIAL SAID. ‘THE DAMN THINGS WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR NOZZLES, THEY MUST HAVE SPOUTED LIKE GUSHERS WHILE THOSE KIDS WERE BURNING.' THREE BODIES HAVE BEEN RECOVERED SO FAR. ONE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THOMAS B. MEARS, A CHAMBERLAIN FIREMAN. THE TWO OTHERS WERE APPARENT PROM GOERS. THREE MORE CHAMBERLAIN FIREMEN HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO MOTTON RECEIVING HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM MINOR BURNS AND SMOKE INHALATION. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED WHEN THE FIRE REACHED THE SCHOOL'S FUEL-OIL TANKS, WHICH ARE SITUATED NEAR THE GYMNASIUM. THE FIRE ITSELF IS BE LIEVED TO HAVE STARTED IN POORLY INSULATED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOLLOWING A SPRINKLER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. ENDS. 11:22 PM MAY 27 70119E AP Sue had only a driver's permit, but she took the keys to her mother's car from the pegboard beside the refrigerator and ran to the garage. The kitchen clock read exactly 11:00. She flooded the car on her first try, and forced herself to wait before trying again. This time the motor coughed and caught, and she roared out of the garage heedlessly, dinging one fender. She turned around, and the rear wheels splurted gravel. Her mother's '77 Plymouth swerved on to the road, almost fishtailing on to the shoulder and making her feel sick to her stomach. It was only at this point that she realized she was moaning deep in her throat, like an animal in a trap. She did not pause at the stop sign that marked the intersection of Route 6 and the Back Chamberlain Road. Fire sirens filled the night in the cast, where Chamberlain bordered Westover, and from the south behind herMotton. She was almost at the base of the hill when the school exploded. She jammed on the power brakes with both feet and was thrown into the steering wheel like a rag doll. The tyres wailed on the pavement. Somehow she fumbled the door open and was out, shading her eyes against the glare. A gout of flame had ripped skyward, trailing a nimbus of fluttering steel roof panels, wood, and paper. The smell was thick and oily. Main Street was lit as if by a flashgun. In that terrible hallway between seconds, she saw that the entire gymnasium wing of Ewen High was a gutted, flaming ruin. Concussion struck a moment later, knocking her backwards. Road litter blew past her on a sudden and tremendous rush, along with a blast of warm air that reminded her fleetingly of (the smell of subways) a trip she had taken to Boston the year before. The windows of Bill's Home Drugstore and the Kelly Fruit Company jingled and fell inward. She had fallen on her side, and the fire lit the street with hellish noonday. What happened next happened in slow motion as her mind ran steadily onward (dead are they all dead carrie why think carrie) at its own clip. Cars were rushing toward the scene, and some people were running in robes, nightshorts, pyjamas. She saw a man come out of the front door of Chamberlain's combined police station and courthouse. He was moving slowly. The cars were moving slowly. Even the people running were moving slowly. She saw the man on the police-station steps cup his hands around his mouth and scream something; unclear' over the shrieking town whistle, the fire sirens, the monster-mouth of fire. Sounded like: ‘Heyret! Don't hey that ass!' The street was all wet down there. The light danced on the water' Down by Teddy's Amoco station. ‘-hey, that's-‘ And then the world exploded. From the sworn testimony of Thomas K. Quillan, taken before The State Investigatory Board of Maine in connection with the events of May 27-28 in Chamberlain, Maine (abridged version which follows is from Black Prom: The White Commission Report, Signet Books: New York, 1980): Q. Mr Quillan, are you a resident of Chamberlain? A. Yes.

buy custom Alien Zone Company essay

buy custom Alien Zone Company essay The Alien Zone Company is a computer company that sells computers and computer related products. The purpose of this report is to show how the company intends to do the above mentioned duty following some preferred steps. Consequently, the aim of this report is to come out with an indepth analysis of how to set up the company and how to sellproducts that would be offered. This is useful report since it would help the business executives and all the readers who go through it to come with an idea of how a business should be set and run in either the short or the long run. In order to set up a business that is successful, the management structure is something that has to be checkedin a depth manner. The management structure of the company consists of the manager, the divisional heads, the foremen and the employees. That is how the hierarchy of the information would be passed. Therefore, the management is structured in such a way that the manager oversees the divisional heads and in this casethe divisional heads are the ones who will have a direct authority to carry out changes in the stores. However, in this instancethe Alien Zone Company,since it is new, will have only one division and this would mean thatit would be run from a central point and that would be through one divisional head. The foremen are put in place to ensure that the clients are given the right treatment and in addition to thatthey are the ones who will act as a link from the employees to employers and, therefore, they are the last in the hierarchy of the business management. It is imperative a business be set up in a way that the clients have the highest benefits. Therefore, since the company would be dealing with computers and computer products, it is only but logical that it is set up in a modest way so that the clients and the company benefit from the ever changing nature of electrical products. The aforementioned setting is very useful in ensuring that a company stays afloat in the business market in order to come out with higher profits than its opponents. Otherwise, it would not be business if the company does not stand out from its competitors. The main aim of coming up with a business is to ensure that one gains profits and has a long business life and thereforethe way to ensure this in such a company Alien Zone Company is to make sure that customers are always satisfied and guaranteed of better products each time they visit the store. Setting up a business that involves computers and computer related products is diverse and requires an indepth analysis in terms of ideas in order to come out with a business that would be sustained by time. From the foregoing literatureit is evident that there needto be ways and means that a business can be sustained and run in order to give it the simplistic yet complex identity in the business world and that is why there is a need of outsourcing ideas from other key players in the financial market. The paper discusses the Alien Zone Company and some of the ways and means that would be used in setting and running of the computer accessories business in depth analysis manner. Buy custom Alien Zone Company essay

The Great Depression Influence on the World

The Great Depression Influence on the World The Great Depression was a time in history that had a noticeable and largely significant influence on the world. The hardships that people went through have become instilled in time, teaching future generations of the changes that can affect many people. John Garraty looks into the reasons and times that ruled the society during the hardships and limitations that will never be forgotten.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Great Depression’ Influence on the World specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Very specific words are said by Garraty when he identifies the period in history as â€Å"a cataclysmic event and it produced such extraordinary changes in the political, economic, and social structure of the United States†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Garraty 167). The 1900’s were a time when the world was changing, torn by war and many things would define the future at a speed previously unseen. His book looks at the factor s that have caused and prolonged the issues that have deprived many people of jobs and ability to come out of the atrocious conditions. John Garraty also examines how agriculture was impacted, as people were very much dependant on it. The industry was at an all time low which caused a chain reaction of people losing jobs and not being able to support themselves or their families. As the Great Depression happened in other countries as well, it was an international phenomenon that has had a profound effect on several strong and major nations. John Garraty mentions that a lot of people thought the Great Depression happened because of the† Wall Street crash of October 1929† (Garraty 169). It is possible to suppose that one event would start the process but even though it could have been the catalyst, it was not enough to have such an effect all by itself. There were many factors that led to the global fall of economy. The government was taking close look at the budgeting pro blems and several policies were being analyzed. Hoover is mentioned several times as a center figure in the balancing and searching for the right strategy. As the breakdown was commonplace, the volume of production was decreased and the bankruptcy of many firms became inevitable. The radical changes had to be made and Roosevelt became the key person who influenced the nation and directed it in the right way (Garraty 176). He has given people better access to jobs and a chance to rebuild the world. Even though John Garraty takes a detailed look at some important points, the evidence is somewhat unclear to the layperson. The reasons and causes for the Great Depression must be deeply analyzed, so that such future situations can be avoided. The book also gives a lot of examples that come from other historical texts and little explanation is given as to the reasoning and thinking of the writer. A person reading the book must be very knowledgeable of the events and the moment in history w hen the Great Depression took place. Someone who is unaware will miss the points that require attention and the focus will be lost. Another improvement could be related to the taking apart of solutions and outcomes that were developed by the government and how people have influenced the world domestically and internationally.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Overall, the book is educational and has ideas that are very useful in understanding and learning about the past, as well as the difficulties people had to go through. Although, it would not be enough to paint the whole enormous picture, so other sources must be consulted. Garraty, John. The Great Depression. Harpswell, United States: Anchor Publishing, 1987. Print.

13 Theatrical Terms in Popular Usage

13 Theatrical Terms in Popular Usage 13 Theatrical Terms in Popular Usage 13 Theatrical Terms in Popular Usage By Mark Nichol The rich vocabulary of the theatrical world has inspired use of various terms of the art in other realms of human endeavor. Many of them are also employed in (or to refer to) politics which, we note with various emotions, has always been an activity akin to theater. Here’s a list of such words and phrases. 1. Backstage This term for the area behind and to either side of a stage where actors and technicians, unseen, perform tasks or await entrances and make exits now also denotes behind-the-scenes activities, especially ones that are secretive because of their unsavory nature. 2. Break a Leg The origin of this traditional theater slang for â€Å"Good luck† is disputed: The prevailing theory is that theatrical folk, being superstitious, pretend to wish others bad luck before a performance so that doing the opposite will not provoke supernatural retribution. An alternate notion is that it refers to the act of bowing (which previously involved the bending, or â€Å"breaking,† of one’s legs) and is meant to convey a hope that one will be enthusiastically applauded for one’s performance. 3. Bow The genuflection of a performer to acknowledge applause probably stems from when performances were presented to royalty. To take a bow, in common usage, is to figuratively do the same, to respond to positive attention received for some accomplishment. 4. Cue A cue is a signal, as for an actor to go onstage or undertake some audible activity offstage that is part of the script, or for a technician to perform a task, such as activating a light source. In general usage, the word refers to responding to some stimulus or hint. 5. Curtain Call When audience applause persists past the point at which the performance’s cast has taken a bow (or two or three), the principal performer may stride out onto the lip of the stage, in front of the curtain, which has fallen to the stage for the final time, to humbly incline one’s head and upper body in acknowledgment of adulation (or, in the case of a woman, to curtsy that word, by the way, is a corruption of courtesy). The term also refers to any such final gesture in any arena. 6. Dress Rehearsal The final run-through of a performance before presentation in front of a full audience is called a dress rehearsal because it is traditionally the first time that the production is presented in costume. In general usage, it can refer to practice for any presentation or activity. 7. Green Room The green room refers to one or more areas backstage where actors can remain when they are not performing or about to go onstage. Supposedly, the term originated when a green material was attached to the walls of such a chamber to prevent costumes from being soiled by dirty surfaces and/or to muffle sound. It now refers as well to any staging area where one awaits relocation before a performance or activity. 8. House The house, in entertainment parlance, is the auditorium or the audience within it. The word persists in this sense in the phrase â€Å"full house† and the expressions â€Å"brought down the house† (meaning â€Å"to produce an eruption of applause†) and â€Å"there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,† meaning that a performance was so affecting that everyone in the audience was brought to tears. (The word in the phrase â€Å"on the house† is similar but refers to a complimentary offering by an eating or drinking establishment.) 9. Limelight Before the age of electricity, stage lighting was often produced by directing flame at a piece of calcium oxide, or quicklime. The illumination so produced was called limelight. Even though this method is obsolete, the term limelight persists in the phrase â€Å"in the limelight† to refer to one who is a center of attention. 10. Prop A property, also known as a prop, is any handheld item actually used by an actor, as opposed to something that could conceivably be handled (such as a drinking glass or a candleholder) but, because the script does not call for it, is not. A prop is, by extension, also anything so used to obtain a reaction, such as when a public speaker brandishes a photograph of a person or object to evoke an emotional response in the audience. To prop up oneself or another person, or an object, and to give props (meaning â€Å"respect, recognition†), stem from different meanings. 11. Staging This verb was originally used (and still is) to refer the mounting of a theatrical production, or, more specifically, the manner in which it is presented. By extension, when events are planned in such a way to derive a certain effect, we say that they are staged. The stage manager of an entertainment, in contrast to the director, who is responsible for the creative process during preparation for a production, is the coordinator of all backstage activities during the actual performance. From this term has derived the verb phrase â€Å"stage managing† to refer to behind-the-scenes manipulation of events. 12. Upstage In noun form, this word refers to the area toward the back of the stage. The term and downstage are relics of a time when some stages were raked, or tilted, for better audience visibility; later, the audience area was often raked instead. As a verb, upstage refers to an actor moving upstage so that the audience’s attention is on him or her instead of a performer who is supposed to be the focus of the scene. One actor may also upstage another by otherwise calling attention to himself or herself. Either action, when deliberately done counter to the director’s instructions during rehearsal, is considered highly inappropriate and unprofessional. In popular usage, the verb upstage is used in reference to anyone who calls attention to himself or herself at the expense of another person. 13. Wings The wings are the areas to each side of the stage, generally not visible to the audience, where actors stand by before going onstage or where set pieces or props are kept ready to be brought onstage by technicians between scenes or actors during scenes. The phrase â€Å"waiting in the wings,† in general usage, refers to someone prepared to be available, either to take over for someone else or to come to their assistance. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Regarding Re:50 Latin Phrases You Should KnowList of Prefixes and Suffixes and their Meanings

The Same Sex Couples Raising Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Same Sex Couples Raising Children - Essay Example As the essay highlights the issues related to same-sex couple are included in the most controversial and current concerns in the society in the past few years.   From the issues of acceptance of the same-sex couples to the laws related to marriage, every subject matter had been greatly discussed and sensationalized.   To be able to achieve a certain level of awareness on the different dynamics in the social context, the paper is aimed to present the views of various forms of media on one of the important issues related to same-sex relationships, which is the manner they raise children and the processes related in terms of legal, social, ethical and cultural aspects.This research declares that the issues related to same-sex couples are included in the main concerns in the society.   Raising children for same-sex couples is the main focus of the study because one phase considered by these couples in establishing a family is having children and eventually raising and supporting th em.  There are different aspects of the issue on raising children by same-sex couples.   One of the important aspects is adoption of the child for the same-sex couples specifically the gay couples.   Different countries implement different laws regarding the process.   In 2000, the states of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Utah prohibited adoption of children to gay parents.   On the other hand, countries in Europe such as Denmark, Norway and Iceland had been legally open to adoption of children to same-sex couples.

Educational Policies on Undocumented Immigrants Essay

Educational Policies on Undocumented Immigrants - Essay Example During the 107th Congress in 2001, DREAM Act as a bipartisan legislation, was primarily introduced. Each year, there is evidence of a growing support for the DREAM Act. In the past years, it has gained 48 Senate cosponsors and more than 152 Republic and Democratic House Cosponsors. It has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2003-2004 108th Congress, and again in 2006, the DREAM act passed the full Senate as part of a Comprehensive immigration Reform Act of 2006. Under this Act, undocumented students who finished high school will be provided of the opportunity to apply for a conditional status, which can be renewed to a non-conditional green card, granting that they attend college or serve the U.S military for at least 2 years. To be eligible for immigration relief under the DREAM Act, a student must have entered the U.S more than 5 years ago, before the age of 16 or younger and must be able to display good moral reputation. Each year, there are hundreds of thousands of undocumented high school graduates who qualify for the DREAM Act provisions. This population consists of students who were both born and raised in the United States, or students who at an early age were brought and raised by their parents to live in the country. Many of these students excel academically and have displayed unique talents in arts and sports. These are the students hoping to serve the future nation as bankers, educators and health providers. Despite having lived in the U.S for most of their lives, they are confronted with hindrances to obtaining college education, have difficulties finding legal and professional jobs in the U.S, and often have to endure continuous fear of being caught by immigration authorities. While there is currently an increasing support for the DREAM Act, still a number of opposing parties have vetoed. California Governor -Elect Schwarzenegger said he opposed the bill with an emphasis that providing educational benefits to illegal residents posts threats against the General Fund (Cassady).Given this Act, oppositions argue how it does not make logic to use taxpayers' money to educate a work force that is not legal to work in the United States. In contrast, out-of-state students of the country have to pay a full amount for education. This privilege to illegal residents at the expense of the taxpayers is not a good idea at a time when costs of tuition fee are increasing (Kobach). There are also allegations how the DREAM Act defies the federal immigration law. There is a constant concern that this policy might encourage more illegal immigrants to rush into the country and take away the privileges from U.S citizens. In addition, without legal residency, these undocumented im migrants, despite their college degree will find it difficult to obtain quality positions and will end up to lower-paying jobs that they could have acquired without a college degree. On the contrary, the light of the DREAM Act is viewed as an economic progress strategy to lower the increasing rate of undocumented student drop-out. Not helping students attend college will result to much greater costs in the

Anxiety disorders and how the affect peoples lives Research Paper

Anxiety disorders and how the affect peoples lives - Research Paper Example order, (1) generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), (2) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), (3) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (4) social anxiety disorder (SAD). The discussion will concentrate on the symptoms, causes, and effects of these anxiety disorders on people’s lives. Anxiety is the concept used to explain a common feeling individuals experience when stressed or confronted with danger or threat. When individuals experience anxiety, they normally feel troubled, discomfited, and nervous. Anxiousness can be a consequence of life experiences, such as major accident, severe illness, job loss, death of a loved one, or relationship breakdown (Oei & Browne, 2006). Feeling anxious in these circumstances is fitting and normally people experience anxiety for only a specific period of time (Stein & Gorman, 2001). Due to the fact that feelings of anxiety are very widespread, it is crucial to become aware of the difference between anxiousness fitting to a condition and the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are a group of illnesses typified by relentless feelings of intolerable anxiety, and severe tension and uneasiness. Individuals are prone to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder once their anxiety level becomes severe that it considerably affects their daily life and prevents them from doing what they want to accomplish (Mcnally, 2003). Anxiety disorders are the most widespread type of psychological disorder, and impinge on one in 20 individuals at any given time. They normally develop in early adulthood, but can begin in early life or later in life. Anxiety disorders usually become manifest unexpectedly, with no evident cause (Oei & Browne, 2006, 53). They are usually accompanied by extreme physical turmoil, such as tremors and breathlessness. Other signs can include shuddering, sweating, feelings of nausea, choking, dizziness, abdominal tension, feelings of imminent threat or feelings of losing control (Oei & Browne, 2006). This essay

Develop a case study that analyzes the competitive position of an

Develop a that analyzes the competitive position of an actual business organization in a technologically-oriented ind - Case Study Example It is cited that iPhone gets the highest rate of press and the iPod sales in the market is of relatively large quantities. Even though it can be generally said that the company enjoys success courtesy of the products that it offers to the market, Apple Inc. pegs most of its success to Macintosh. According to the report from IDC the worldwide market for the company grew from 2.4% up to 2.9% from the year 2006 to the year 2007 (Miller, 2009). The consumer market on the other hand where Apple does compete effectively accounts for 10% of the worldwide market although the market command in the United States of America is relatively higher at 21%. In the year 2010, Apple continued to face stiff competition from its rivals for the very same market. In terms of the sales from the PCs, Apple ranked fifth in the year 2010. It is estimated that during that particular year, the first quarter was marked by shipment of 1.398 million Macs. The sales levels meant that Apple was only behind the main distributors of PCs which are: Dell, HP, Acer and Toshiba. It is therefore more than convincing that in the year 2010, Apple had its sales in PCs generally surge as negative sales trends were recorded as indicated above (Miller, 2009). In terms of the iPhone production, it is very true that Apple has been one of the most consistent companies in using the iPhone technology to develop very effective and modern mobile phones that are trendy in as far as technology is concerned. It is as a consequence of this that Apple still remains one of the most committed companies in producing the latest technology that can easily be used by virtually all the generations. The high levels of agility and commitment that Apple has towards producing the most competitive products in the market explains to a large extent why the company has continued to record steady rates of growth in the globe today. Strengths and weaknesses Apple Company is considered as one of the strongest companies in as far as inf ormation technology is concerned. The strengths of Apple Company have been very supportive in its market domination as will be seen in the later stages of the paper. Some of the strategic strengths are inclusive of product development that it has already established. Apple Company has already set high standards in the market in as far as the product it offers in the market is concerned. It is because of this strength that Apple has in the market, that it does not spend resources in inventing the market. The second strength about Apple Inc. is that it has established itself as a company that is oriented towards creating not only design but also utility (Miller, 2009). The products that are made by the company are very much easy to use and are also intuitive. The phones by the company are easy to use and also feel very nice in the hands given that they do not have many buttons. The marketing that is done by Apple Inc. is also a plus the company. It has clever marketing which strategic ally addresses the solutions to the problems that people do encounter with the use of other hardware form the main competitors of the company. Finally, the company enjoys a lot of strength in the fact that it trades on a very common and strong brand in the technology market. The brand name in apple has been very effective in promoting the commodities produced and

Job analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Job analysis - Essay Example He or she will be required comprise files, respond to phone calls, process and review forms for alterations, maintain personal files, help the employees and clients, scrutinize payroll items and staff time, execute all personnel administrative functions, manage director’s calendar, type as required, deal with office mail, and any other assigned duties. The recruitment is from all areas because this will help identify the best candidate for the job. The recruitment will last for one month. This short period will only attract applicants who are qualified, competitive, and dedicated (Brannick & Levine, 2002). First, all applicants should be eligible to work in the country. The selection methods will include interviews and presentations. Interviews will provide the company with knowledge and first hand information about the suitability of the applicants. The applicants’ goals, philosophies and ambitions, should match the company’s. Interviews will give accurate and essential information on the applicants. Presentations will provide deep information on the applicants, as opposed to the materials like CVs. Presentations illustrate how the applicant will act in a work situation. It also gives an applicant a chance to display his or her ability (Torrington & Hall, 2005).   Cathy is thorough, competent, neat, and accurate. She ensures that all duties pertaining to the human resource department are accomplished in considerable time and can be accessed. She uses her time well and meets deadlines. She comprises files, responds to phone calls, processes and reviews forms for alterations, maintains personal files, helps the employees and clients, and performs any other assigned duties. Moreover, she understands the job concerns and procedures. Cathy is also cooperative and can work efficiently without supervision (Muchinsky, 2006). It is essential to invest in a job position that matches its own needs. A recruitment plan can be devised from ideas derived from similar

SDL-VALUE & VALUE CO-CREATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 2

SDL-VALUE & VALUE CO-CREATION - Essay Example Shared services, on the other hand is defined by process ownership and partnering as key characteristics. The efficiency and productivity of doing business is entirely reliant on the kind and degree of elements of global business services and global shared services that might be employed within organizations. One fundamental aspect of Global Business Services is the 80/15/5 rule. According to this rule 80 percent of a business process can be standardized in accordance with global basis. The other 15 percent of the process can be standardized in line with regional structures. The remaining 5 of the process is then standardized on a localized scale. This aspect represents the sweeping scope of (GBS). Another defining aspect of GBS is the integrated suite which illustrates the component of inter-connectivity of systems that manifest within the substance of the GBS. The concept of inter-connectivity is, in fact, an important feature that distinguishes GBS from Global Shared Services. Another important feature of GBS is the virtual centers that act as the locale for expertise which aids in the task of the dissemination of the subject matter. What this implies is the fact that the sphere of operation of the GBS might not be physically verifiable but its effects are significant. Subsidiary aspects of GBS are numerous but are commonly centered on the global ownership of the process as the singular aspect of global control. In shared services, goals and accountabilities are distributed among business units and organizations that engage in the services. In this manner there is little chance for the occurrence of loss of control between the parent organizations from where the particular services originated. The concept of shared services is anchored on the giving out of some core functions by some services, which has always led to the misconception that

Job analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Job analysis - Essay Example He or she will be required comprise files, respond to phone calls, process and review forms for alterations, maintain personal files, help the employees and clients, scrutinize payroll items and staff time, execute all personnel administrative functions, manage director’s calendar, type as required, deal with office mail, and any other assigned duties. The recruitment is from all areas because this will help identify the best candidate for the job. The recruitment will last for one month. This short period will only attract applicants who are qualified, competitive, and dedicated (Brannick & Levine, 2002). First, all applicants should be eligible to work in the country. The selection methods will include interviews and presentations. Interviews will provide the company with knowledge and first hand information about the suitability of the applicants. The applicants’ goals, philosophies and ambitions, should match the company’s. Interviews will give accurate and essential information on the applicants. Presentations will provide deep information on the applicants, as opposed to the materials like CVs. Presentations illustrate how the applicant will act in a work situation. It also gives an applicant a chance to display his or her ability (Torrington & Hall, 2005).   Cathy is thorough, competent, neat, and accurate. She ensures that all duties pertaining to the human resource department are accomplished in considerable time and can be accessed. She uses her time well and meets deadlines. She comprises files, responds to phone calls, processes and reviews forms for alterations, maintains personal files, helps the employees and clients, and performs any other assigned duties. Moreover, she understands the job concerns and procedures. Cathy is also cooperative and can work efficiently without supervision (Muchinsky, 2006). It is essential to invest in a job position that matches its own needs. A recruitment plan can be devised from ideas derived from similar

Charles Dickens Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Charles Dickens - Research Paper Example Dickens was a highly influential personality in the social reforms of Victorian England and his thoughts and ideas were infused with a keen sense of observation that clearly reflected the liberalism of the thirties. In all of his literary works he projected a great power over human emotions with an incomparable measure of human fun and frolic. His literary works were intended to bring about a positive change in the society and hence was centered around his experiences from his childhood, adolescence and all through his growing and maturing years. 1 During the 19th century, there were great thinkers like Karl Marx, Carlyle and Ruskin whose strongly formulated ideas laid the foundation for social reform. However, it was men such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy who through their literary work shed light on the abuses of the Industrial Age in Victorian England. Through his writing Dickens enlightened the masses about the abuses of urban life, while Hardy shed light on the devastation on rural life brought about by the Industrial Age. One of Dicken’s most influential novels was ‘Hard Times’ that got published in 1854. The chief premise of this novel was about â€Å"The Preston Lockout of 1853 -54† which highlighted the great labor dispute that took place in the weaving industry. Dickens supported the workers through his writings that surprisingly did not advocate the establishing of trade unions because he felt that such unions were only a symptom of the disease and not the cure. However, in later years trade unions played a major role by improving the lot of the working class. According to (Orwell, citing Macaulay, Dickens pg.6) -‘Hard Times’ has been condemned for its â€Å"sullen Socialism†. These great Victorians denounced the evils of modern society and brought about by the Industrial Revolution and had a vision of a better future and ushered in an era of gradual social change. During the 1760’s England experienced the communal system of agriculture, where the land was divided and cultivated by the Yeomen who worked for them. These Yeomen lived in clustered cottages and pastured their cattle on common pastures. They had wooden implements which were inadequate for their work and their methods of farming 2 were very ancient. Every Yeoman’s house was his factory where all his family members took part in the work. â€Å"Every family spun from its own flock the wool with which it was clothed.† (Wordsworth Guide, p. 60) It was these influences that ushered in a ray of hope in the sky for its citizens. He keenly studied the minds and hearts of the people and knowing what they desired, he reflected his thoughts through his works. He delved deep into the recesses of the minds of the low- bred man by exalting the virtues of chastity, piety and honesty in a way that was strange to them. Charles Dickens is considered to be the conscience of Victorian England. He was quite famous for portraying and exposing the wretchedness of the poor and the downtrodden and was also well known for venting his anger against heartless oppression. It was the reason of these qualities that made him an exceedingly successful author. He was also well known for having burlesqued the Americans by making fun of their airy obscurity of Transcendentalism that is quite evident in his serialized novel titled ‘Martin Chuzzlewit.’ (1842-44) In sharp contrast to the Industrial Age, (Defoe, Tour, pp. 155-156) explains about the idyllic atmosphere that prevailed during that time.

Tetra Packs Essay Example for Free

Tetra Packs Essay Selling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets ,then tetra packs and vending machines indicates how over the years the means of packaging have changed. This is done so as to reduce costs or improve the goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. For instance, tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Similarly, plastic packets involve lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging cost Selling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets ,then tetra packs and vending machines indicates how over the years the means of packaging have changed. This is done so as to reduce costs or improve the goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. For instance, tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Similarly, plastic packets involve lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging cost Selling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets ,then tetra packs and vending machines indicates how over the years the means of packaging have changed. This is done so as to reduce costs or improve the goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. For instance, tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Similarly, plastic packets involve lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging costSelling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets ,then tetra packs and vending machines indicates how over the years the means of packaging have changed. This is done so as to reduce costs or improve the goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. For instance, tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Similarly, plastic packets involve lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging costSelling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets ,then tetra packs and vending machines indicates how over the years the means of packaging have changed. This is done so as to reduce costs or improve the goodwill by innovating the mode of pac kaging. For instance, tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled.

Bush and Hitler - Parallel Lives :: Politics Political

Bush and Hitler - Parallel Lives The 70th anniversary wasn't noticed in the United States, and was barely reported in the corporate media. But the Germans remembered well that fateful day seventy years ago - February 27, 1933. They commemorated the anniversary by joining in demonstrations for peace that mobilized citizens all across the world. It started when the government, in the midst of a worldwide economic crisis, received reports of an imminent terrorist attack. A foreign ideologue had launched feeble attacks on a few famous buildings, but the media largely ignored his relatively small efforts. The intelligence services knew, however, that the odds were he would eventually succeed. (Historians are still arguing whether or not rogue elements in the intelligence service helped the terrorist; the most recent research implies they did not.) But the warnings of investigators were ignored at the highest levels, in part because the government was distracted; the man who claimed to be the nation's leader had not been elected by a majority vote and the majority of citizens claimed he had no right to the powers he coveted. He was a simpleton, some said, a cartoon character of a man who saw things in black-and-white terms and didn't have the intellect to understand the subtleties of running a nation in a complex and internationalist world. His coarse use of language - reflecting his political roots in a southernmost state - and his simplistic and often-inflammatory nationalistic rhetoric offended the aristocrats, foreign leaders, and the well-educated elite in the government and media. And, as a young man, he'd joined a secret society with an occult-sounding name and bizarre initiation rituals that involved skulls and human bones. Nonetheless, he knew the terrorist was going to strike (although he didn't know where or when), and he had already considered his response. When an aide brought him word that the nation's most prestigious building was ablaze, he verified it was the terrorist who had struck and then rushed to the scene and called a press conference. "You are now witnessing the beginning of a great epoch in history," he proclaimed, standing in front of the burned-out building, surrounded by national media. "This fire," he said, his voice trembling with emotion, "is the beginning." He used the occasion - "a sign from God," he called it - to declare an all-out war on terrorism and its ideological sponsors, a people, he said, who traced their origins to the Middle East and found motivation for their evil deeds in their religion.