10 Extinct or Nearly Extinct Amphibians to Know About

Deforestation Essay - 1175 Words

Shireen Sayareh Professor Bystrom EngWr 300 12 October 2014 Detriment of Deforestation Image a planet without trees. This is a scary planet where the temperature is very hot and the air is very difficult to breathe. This planet will have nothing to protect people from the sun, nothing to slowdown the forces of the wind, and nothing to anchor topsoil from eroding in the rain. The conditions at this imaginary planet can become our reality on earth if we do not stop deforestation. There are many negative effects of deforestation. However, for the scope of this paper, I will discuss three primary issues on how deforestation harms our environment. I will begin this paper with a brief look at some arguments that support deforestation, followed†¦show more content†¦In Amazonia, recent research has confirmed that more than half of the total uncertainty stems from the carbon stocks created in deforested regions (Baccini). Carbon is not necessarily the problem; the problem arises when this greenhouse gas gets trapped in the atmosphere causing abnormal temperature condit ions around the world. It was not until recently that areas of the world became unsuitable for living because of the lack of natural regulation of these gases. CO2 currently accounts for over 80% of the greenhouse gases caused by human activity (Baccini). The number of species, including plant life and other animals, threatened by deforestation continues to rise. The desolation of these forests is equivalent to the destruction of one’s home and way of life. The hunting grounds of animals disappear, which decreases self-sufficiency while also altering their overall state of mind. Most animals, such as elephants, need a large area to roam; when this cannot be accomplished, mating habits are transformed for the worse. This is mainly due to their heightened shift of focus to survival, when facing desperate circumstances. The lack of forest causes animals to be vulnerable victims against surrounding predators. Because CO2 causes a global transition in way of life and forests hold cleansing aspects beneficial to the environment, animals are always making unnecessary adjustments. Polar bears have been struggling, due to melting ice caps in their native region.Show MoreRelatedEssay Deforestation1463 Words   |  6 Pages Deforestation Table of Contents Introductionnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;1 Important Facts 1 Historical Background 1-2 Background Law 2 Causes of Deforestation nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;2 The GreenRead MoreDeforestation Essay877 Words   |  4 PagesDeforestation Thesis: Deforestation is one of the most significant issues of our time; considerable measures must be taken to prevent further pillaging of our unique forest resource. Ninety percent of the earth’s trees between three and four hundred years old have been cut down. The remaining ten percent is all we will ever have (Gallant, 97). The definition of deforestation by the Random House Dictionary of the English Language is to divest or clear of forests or trees.† DeforestationRead MoreDeforestation Essay1071 Words   |  5 PagesIs Deforestation Worth It? One of the most prevalent issues in our world today is the issue of deforestation. Deforestation can be described as â€Å"the practice of clearing the natural forests for agriculture, logging, etc.† (Deforestation Statistics). After hearing the definition of deforestation, most people would not find this to be a very significant issue in the world, but after hearing the alarming statistics associated with deforestation, most would change their mind. For example, arguably theRead More The Controversy of Deforestation Essay1347 Words   |  6 Pages The affect of environmental issues occur everyday and in particular deforestation is becoming a highly ranked subject. From animals to the human race, the alacrity of trees that are cut down affects every individual in a variety of ways. Not only do people need to help the planet but they need to help themselves and further generations to come, such as children and grandchildren because these natural resources that are being take n away from society are as well shaping the future. For comprehensibleRead MoreDeforestation of The Rainforests Essay989 Words   |  4 PagesRainforest Deforestation The intensity of the beauty of the rainforest is indescribable and timeless, and cannot be simply captured by a photograph. It’s one of nature’s most mystical biological treasures, created over millions of years. However, the rainforest is far from just being a beautiful refuge for exotic animals because also rainforests have a profound effect on the lives of humans around the world. Most people are simply not educated about deforestation and the distinct characteristicsRead MoreCauses of Deforestation Essay889 Words   |  4 Pages areas that have been selectively logged are eight times more likely to be settled and cleared by shifting cultivators than untouched rainforests because of access granted by logging roads. Logging is the second largest cause of deforestation. Mining Many of the planets rainforests lie over rich mineral deposits. The mining process releases harmful toxins, like mercury and cyanide which are often used in the gold extraction process, into local streams and riverRead MoreEssay on Tragedy of Deforestation866 Words   |  4 Pageswaste are just some examples of how humans can worsen their own environment. One environment damaging human activity in particular is deforestation. It is a significant problem in many parts of the world, with over four fifths of the worlds forest wiped out according to the World Resources Institute. So what are the main consequences which are caused by deforestation, and why does it happen? A major result on the environment is the habitat destruction and endangerment of animals. Rainforests containRead MoreEssay on Effects of Deforestation781 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Deforestation The subject of deforestation and the effects that it has on the environment have been heavily debated for a long time; particularly over the last few years. Governments and large lumber companies see large profits in the mass deforestation of forests and state that their actions are having few, if any, harmful effects on the environment. Most people disagree with this and think that the environmental effects are devastating and will become irreversibly disastrous in theRead MoreCauses of Deforestation Essay579 Words   |  3 PagesCauses for Deforestation The Rainforests are being destroyed, daily at alarming rates. The deforestation is caused by three main factors: Commercial Logging, Non-commercial Farming Operations and Commercial Agricultural Development, there are also many minor factors, but the biggest of these is Cocaine production. Many sources pinpoint commercial logging as the primary culprit in tropical rainforest destruction. Logging damages the rainforest directly through the removal of commerciallyRead MoreEssay on Amazon Deforestation1462 Words   |  6 Pages Dr. Katy Koch Writing 101: Research Paper 11 March 2010 Amazon Deforestation The Amazon rainforest the largest tropical area in the world, a vast and humid area where thousands of species of mammals, fish and insects have been unidentified by human; thus being the largest rainforest in the world, it is also the largest area of deforestation where football fields after fields are taken down a minute. The Amazon Deforestation being a growing issue amongst society in this generation can be prominently

Water Contamination free essay sample

This paper deals with the E.P.A. violations regarding water contamination. The paper reviews the work A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr as a basis for exploring violation of E.P.A. regarding water contamination. It uses the incident of water contamination that took place at Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1960s and 70s as one that serves as a lesson in the prevention of water contamination. It lists the deficiencies responsible for the contamination, such as the lack of laboratory checks, lack of inspections of the land and water, lack of compliance evaluation and inhibited civil action. A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr is a book that brings awareness to communities that might be unaware of the EPA standards against water contamination, and the neglect of concerned authorities allowing industries to carry out their illegal dumping of chemicals in certain areas. The incident of water contamination that took place at Woburn, Massachusetts is one that serves as a lesson in history that should not be repeated. We will write a custom essay sample on Water Contamination or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This case of water contamination was believed to be responsible for claiming many lives through leukemia because of a chemical substance (Trichloroethylene) present in the water.

The Jungle Essays (1390 words) - Meat Packing Industry, The Jungle

The Jungle The Jungle By Upton Sinclair The Jungle portrays the lower ranks of the industrial world as the scene of a naked struggle for survival. Where workers not only are forced to compete with each other but, if they falter, are hard pressed to keep starvation from their door and a roof over their heads. With unions weak and cheap labor plentiful, a social Darwinist state of the survival of the fittest exists. The real story revolves around the integration and eventual disintegration of Jurgis Rudkis and his family, Lithuanian immigrants who move to the Chicago stockyards in hopes of a better life. Unfortunately, their hopes quickly disintegrate; like thousands of other unskilled immigrants at the turn of the century, financial necessity forces them into virtual slave labor in order to survive. For Jurgis and his family, the slave master is the ruthless and greedy meat packing industry, whose leaders value their workers no more than the animals they slaughter. The Jungle shows the relationship between the animals that were being slaughtered and the workers who were slaughtering them, from very early in the novel. It compares the workers to the animals who are penned up and killed every day in the stockyards, which are moved along on conveyer belts by machinery that cares nothing for their individual desires. In the monotonous killing of each of the hogs, They had done nothing to deserve it; and it was adding insult to injury, as the thing was done here, swinging them up in this cold blooded, impersonal way, without a pretense of apology without the homage of a tear.(Pg. 35) The key comparison is the condition of the workingmen; as cold, efficient machinery assimilates them, a blind fate swallows them up. A few of the men are even swallowed up literally when they would fall into huge vats and emerges as Durham's Pure Leaf Lard. (Pg. 99) The Jungle also shows precisely how wounded, diseased, and pregnant animals are turned into food under ju st the same unhealthy conditions that soon leave healthy men wounded and diseased; There was no heat upon the killing beds; the men might as well have worked out of doors all winter?. On the killing beds you were apt to be covered with blood, and it would freeze solid; if you leaned against a pillar, you would freeze to that, and if you put your hand upon the blade of your knife, you would run a chance of leaving your skin on it. (Pg. 79 & 80) Grotesque injuries were inevitable, injuries for which the company would rarely take responsibility. While a man was laid up his family could starve or freeze to death, and after a series of such injuries, if he survived, he would be too crippled to go on doing the work. When Jurgis is healthy and overflowing with life, he gets a job immediately. When he becomes an empty husk of his former self he is reduced to beggary. Even among beggars he finds a jungle of savage competition, in which the truly needy are often at a disadvantage. And each of them had an individuality of his own, a will of his own, a hope and a heart's desire; each was full of self-confidence, of self-importance, and a sense of dignity. (Pg. 35) Here is another part of the story that shows the relationship between the animals and the people of packing town. Immigrants with peasant backgrounds, and even migrants from America's own rural regions, are especially ill equipped to survive the urban jungle because of their stubborn individualism. Jurgis relies on his own strong back to carry his family, to cope with inhuman work, but he simply becomes a screw in the industrial machine, to be discarded as soon as he shows the signs of being broken. Jurgis and his family are desperate to own something, to be on their own, to make them feel more apart of their new country. To try to make their American dreams come true. And trusting and strong in faith he had gone about his business, the while a black shadow hung over him and a horrid fate waited in his pathway. (Pg. 35) Jurgis and his family tried as much

The Wisdom I Believe to Be an Example of the Topic Personal Essays by

The Wisdom I Believe to Be Wisdom is too broad a term to be defined in a specifically objective manner. Similar to terms such as love and happiness, it is much of a concept than a word to be identified. Due to many experiences of critical thinking, I have come up with the most personal definition of wisdom as the concept knowing how to act in the best way possible despite the conflicts brought about by personal and rational reasons. Wisdom is all about control. Being wise is having the ability to control ones personal desire and interests to perform the best solutions possible. Need essay sample on "The Wisdom I Believe to Be" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed I believe the most comparable definition of this is the view of Martin Luther Kings. In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, he talks about the concept of justice and how people must act nonviolently to achieve it. He discourages people to resort to violence in terms of fighting for justice. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored (King, 2000, p. 64). His speech tells about how nonviolence can force the opposition to finally negotiate with the issue rather than fight it. Violence involves personal interests because most of the time it is ones emotions that drives them to commit such acts. On the other hand, nonviolence is a form of controlling oneself; therefore, the performance of it shows the ability of that person to think in peace and negotiate without causing any more harm to others by means of physical battle. Undergraduates Very Often Tell EssayLab specialists: How much do I have to pay someone to write my assignment online? Essay writer professionals advise: Winning Academic Essay Writing Delivered On Time Like love and happiness, wisdom is better explained subjectively than explicated by means of technical denotations from books. Together with Martin Luther Kings concept of wisdom and intelligence, we can come to a conclusion that wisdom requires patience. One must learn how to wait and how to assess a situation because impulsiveness would merely lead to more harm and failure. Reference King, M.L. (2000). Letter from Birmingham jail. Why we can't wait. Ed. Jesse Jackson. Signet Classic. pp. 64-84.

Pericles Funeral Oratory essays

Pericles' Funeral Oratory essays Pericless funeral oration reveals a great deal of information about the Athens, one of the greatest Ancient Greek city-states/empire. It reflects upon the values, culture and traditions that were typical of its social structure as one of the most advanced communities of its times. The speech touches on several important issues and principles governing the life of people in the ancient empire, respect and gratitude for ancestors, men in public service, responsibilities for others, loyalty, equality and fairness in treating of its citizens and neighbors as well as position of women in the society. But most of all, the speech reflects upon great respect, appreciation and honor with which the whole community perceived the role of men protecting the values and heritage of their own city, that is Athens. In the very beginning of the oration, Pericless talks about the tradition and appropriateness of such tradition in honoring the acts of brave men who died in the battle, defending their ground against adversaries. In his eyes and believes, such an honor is especially appropriate whenever men go boldly into the battle with the notion of danger of losing the most valuable thing they have, that is their live; and fight not just for the sake saving themselves but for the sake of their whole community. Then he went on honoring the ancestors who set the foundations of the great empire and then their fathers, who all contributed to its further growth and advancement into a superior community with respect to its wealth as well as its social principles, thus making it stand above its contemporaries whether in peace or war; because it is not only the wealth that shows the greatness of a community but equally the acts and general conduct of its citizens. Later on, he elaborates on the democratic system of Athens based on the principles of equality and just treatment of its citizens which at the same time does not fail to recognize indivi ...

The National Energy Program Revisited Research Paper

The National Energy Program Revisited - Research Paper Example The program also aimed at finding new sources of the Canadian gas and oil (Franà §ois 2006). Lastly, the program was aimed at increasing federal share on oil and gas revenues. This meant that the program was economic minded. To achieve these objectives, the program then introduced several rules, tax rates and several regulations including the petroleum compensation charge, which was imposed on the country’s domestic refiners (Robert, 2011). The Western provinces especially Alberta were not impressed by the program making the federal-provincial relations reach one of their lowest points. In other words, it meant that the program was not popular in the Western province thus Alberta which also produces most of the oil in Canada (Franà §ois 2006). With indications that the natural resources in the nation would fall constitutionally within the provincial jurisdiction domain, most of the Albertans felt that the program was a detrimental incursion by the federal government especially where province affairs are involved. To the Albertans, the program was perceived to be only benefiting the eastern provinces. Economically, the Western province felt that the program was sidelining it and instead favor other parts of the country. Furthermore, there were bankruptcies in the Western province as a result of the program. Businesses such as real estate performed poorly in not only Alberta but also other parts of the country and other petroleum exporting economies including the United States and Norway (Franà §ois 2006). This prospect weakened Alberta in terms of its economic dominance hence faulting the National Energy Program. Generally, the National Energy Program cultivated to federal deficits due to the substantial revenues increase from the gas and the oil sectors. At the same time, Western province GDP fell due to the

Substance Dualism Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Substance Dualism - Term Paper Example Such versions are comprised of substance dualism; psycho-physical parallelism; occasionalism; idealism; double-aspect theory; and epiphenomenalism. I wish to stress on the fact that such examinations will be done to further establish the arguments that will be set on the logicality of duality. Dualism, in its basic sense, emphasizes on the radical difference between mind and matter (Calef). In this reasoning, the mind is not the same as the brain or any other body part. Thus, there exist two independent substances in a person—one material (comprised mainly of bodily parts) and one non-material (human mind) (Philosophy of Mind). The term ‘substance’ is the most essential concept in this statement as it strongly posits the need to treat the mind as an independent object. Formally defined, a substance is a thing or an entity that does not depend on other thing or entity in order to exist (Lacewing). Moreover, a substance may or may not be composed of other substances, may or may not enter into relationships with other substances, but will always have specific attributes (Blutner). Through this definition, the ‘dualist perspective’ argues that there are two fundamentally different objects in a person—the mind and the body—and they do not necessarily need the presence of each one to exist. Thus, while the mind and the body may or may not be in a ‘relationship’ (as to be explored in greater detail in the second part of this paper), they will always possess specific attributes that will make them be as they are (Everitt). Because of this, the human body and the human mind can be discriminated according to attributes of spatial extension (for body) and of thought (for mind). Such attributes are further ‘specified’ by certain states or modes—modes of extension such as form, location texture and weight for the body, while modes of thought such as images, emotions, beliefs,

Is brain dead really dead Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Is brain dead really dead - Essay Example The brain involves a mutual interaction with all the other parts, but the coordination and functioning specific body organ is integrative and independent unit. Therefore, a tenable rationale that equates brain death to a complete halt in the functioning of the whole body is physiologically and ethically mal-practiced in many brain examination, diagnosis, and treatment fields of medicine (David, 2009). (Key words: brain death, medical ethics, integrated organs, rationale, death). Introduction Brain death is a condition in which the role and functioning of the brain halts, and it is in a state of complete destruction. Therefore, the functioning of other organs directly or indirectly related to the brain enters into a state of limited performance or inevitable and imminent cessation. Brain death may result to total malfunctioning of the respiratory system, cardiac performance among other functions of the organs in the body. As a result, the direct control of these organs by the brain le d medical physicians to argue that failure of the brain results to failure of all other parts of the body. This persuasive argument concluded that when a human brain dies, then the rest of the organs come to a complete death too. Irreversible cessation of the brain results to pronouncement of death for all functions of the brain, and thus, the victim is said to be dead (David, 2009). This has brought controversial arguments among medical practitioners based on whether pronouncement of death is really, because of the brain malfunctioning. Other medical practitioners argue that statutory recognition of death in the basis of brain death is ethically undesirable especially in the field of medicine. Technical Aspects Ethical consideration of death on neurologic criteria lays a certainty on death of a person who meets clinical diagnosis test that shows total destruction of the brain, really, resulted to his or her death. The examination of a human body that shows un-receptiveness, missing spontaneous movements and unresponsiveness as well as poor and disorderly breathing functions with reflexes and dilated pupils are not evidence that a person died from brain cessation. Autopsy reports have showed that widespread destruction of the brain results to anticipated failure and destruction of other organs, including heartbeats and cardiac disorders, as well as, cellular destruction detected during morphology tests do not conclude that a brain failure resulted to the death of a human being. Intracranial blood flow is another technical aspect by which medical practitioners base their evidence (David, 2009). This isotopic technique shows how subsequent flow of blood in a necrosis and liquefaction manner in the brain leads to total failure of the brain. The technique shows how the brain is affected, but organs that fully depend on the control by the brain remain unaffected. Spinal reflexes and cerebral unresponsiveness in apneic patients showed that when appropriate diagnosti c procedures were met, as well as proper therapeutic techniques used to exclude the reversible condition, would have affected the brain to total destruction. The Collaborative technique shows that chances of the brain to affect spinal related organs had little or no effect at all (David, 2009). The various organ disorders found in the apneic patients did not necessarily result from the etiological factor

Trade off theory and pecking order theory

Trade off theory and pecking order theory The way we think about capital structure in the modern day is based around the Modigliani and Miller(MM) theorem. It states that a market absent of tax, bankruptcy costs and asymmetric information, and in an efficient market, a companys overall market value will not be affected depending on how it is financed. This then forms the basis of the trade off theory and the pecking order theory. As there is no perfect market conditions each aspect will have an effect based on the way the capital is structured. There are two theories behind the way the structure should be controlled, the pecking order theory, which was created by Stewart C. Myers and Nicolas Majluf in 1984[1], and the trade off theory, which was considered to be pioneered by back to Kraus and Litzenberger but many including Modilgliani himself are understood to have developed the theory. The way that a companys finances are structured is particularly important in light of the latest world recession. As seen in the Asian crisis in 1997 where all share markets became very volatile. It is not that capital structure has a large affect on a causing financial crisis, but rather that it will decide the impact on a firm during the financial crisis. This is relevant especially in the banking industry where assets are put under severe strain during a crisis [2]. I have chosen to approach the issue by setting out the basics of the theorys and their respective advantages and disadvantages, along with the premise behind why they are valid in capital structure. It will be backed by empirical evidence conducted from studies to back up my proposals. Pecking order theory suggests that companies should prioritise the way in which they raise finance. The pecking order relates to the hierarchy that the company follows, from the most appropriate to the least. The pecking order claims that the least preferred method is through equity financing. Rather to initially use internal sources and then issue debt until it is no longer suitable. The basic idea was developed around the original the Modigliani and Miller theorem. In contrast though a true market does not poses the same attributes as the MM theory. From the original paper by Myers and Majluf (1984) [4] developed a model that showed that capital structure was designed to limit the inefficiencies of caused by informational asymmetries. The informational asymmetries states that a manager will know more about the assets of a firm and their future growth prospects than the average outside investor, causing inequality in the market. From Murray Z. Frank Vidhan K. Goyal (2002) [6] I have established that though debt on the other hand is subject to minor adverse problems, equity causes a major adverse selection problem. For an outside investor, equity is construed to be riskier than debt. Equity finance premiums have the higher negative consequence on the firm, and as it is virtually impossible to finance fully from Therefore, an outside investor will demand a higher rate of return on equity than on debt. Thus leading to the pecking order of finance structure. To confirm the theory on asymmetric information, Viet Anh Dang [5] put forward that this model leads to a potential unfavourable selection problem due to the risk of the method of finance. Resulting in the fact that, investors will predict a decision not to issue securities to signal good news and vice versa. This problem leads to a pooling market equilibrium in which new shares can only be offered at a marked-down price. The empirical specification for the test takes the following form: it PO it it  Ã¢â‚¬Å¾D â‚ ¬Ã‚ ½Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ Ã‚ ¡Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ «Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ Ã‚ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  DEF â‚ ¬Ã‚ «Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (III-9) where it  Ã¢â‚¬Å¾D denotes net debt issued, it DEF cash flow deficit in year t (all variables in levels) and it  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  the well-behaved error term. In equation (III-9), the strict version of the pecking order theory holds if  Ã‚ ¡Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ½Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  0 and â‚ ¬Ã‚ ½Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  1 PO  Ã‚ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  , i.e., when the deficit in cash flow is entirely offset by the change in debt. The financing choice should be in favour of the financing instruments that are less risk and less sensitive to mis-pricing and valuation errors. Where again we find that equity is the most prone to inaccuracy followed by debt and finally internal sources which are absent of mistakes in valuation. The earliest accredited study that found empirical evidence supporting all these theories was conducted by Baskin. J (1989)[6], this then led to further studies, though these have resulted in conflicting evidence as to the legitimacy of the theory. In the original Myers Majluf (1984)[4] study the table below lists how firms were financially structured It shows that firms had adopted the pecking order method to a degree by selecting to finance internally first followed by debt then last resort equity finance, but as this is a summary of countries each individual firm will differ. This is the exact problem with the pecking order theory, it isnt individually tailored to best suit each business. This was proved by the table below Ziad Zurigats (March 2009) study of the differing effect pecking order theory had on small and large firms. His findings showed, the estimated coefficients are lower for PDEF (0.421 and 0.592) for small and large firms respectively) than for NDEF (0.569 and 0.648), implying that small and large Jordanian firms are less sensitive in increasing debt for financing than in reducing debt for soaking up surplus. However, as cleared, small Jordanian firms are less sensitive than large ones in increasing debt to finance their positive financial deficit and retiring debt to soak up surplus. The Trade-Off Theory of Capital Structure employs to the concept that a firm is able to manipulate the levels of debt and equity finance by balancing the costs and benefits to be most advantageously structured. As mentioned in the introduction it goes back to Kraus and Litzenberger who considered a balance between the dead-weight costs of bankruptcy and the tax saving benefits of debt. To ensure that the debt is balanced the firm will consider the marginal benefits and the marginal costs, as the more debt is taken on the marginal benefit will decrease while the marginal cost will increase. When the marginal benefit is equal to the marginal and the firms value is optimised, there will be a trade off as to the point that debt becomes more detrimental than equity which will form the d/e ratio for the firm. As stated before under a perfect market condition with no tax the finance structure is irrelevant, but as tax comes into play equity is again favoured in the trade off theory, this is because interest on debt reduces the tax liability of a firm in turn increasing the profits, this is called a tax shield. The cost of financial distress should equal the tax shield at the point of equilibrium. The custom economic model used when interpreting the trade-off theory is the partial adjustment model (Jalilvand and Harris, 1984; Shyam-Sunder and Myers, 1999; Ozkan, 2001 and Fama and French, 2002), which is made up of two parts; a static part to describe how the ideal amount is determined and the dynamic partial adjustment process: Where, yt = a firms financial ratio in period t, yt-l = a firms financial ratio in period t-1, yt*= the target level of a particular ratio ÃŽÂ » = the speed of adjustment coefficient i.e. how fast the firm returns to its target debt ratio3 Empirical Evidence supporting the trade off theory Here we can see that from the research done in the paper the table is drawn from, it has been found that there are some explanatory variables which do not act as expected. Although this may be interpreted as the trade off model being inaccurate, there are still factors which do affect the businesses total debt as expected. The most important factors drawn from the table above are the business size, total debt ratio, effective tax rate and the non-debt tax shields. The reason why explanatory variables such as growth opportunities do not act as expected may be due to the differing size of businesses examined; splitting the data in to business size may be advantageous here. The benefit of the trade off theory is that it is unique to each companys situation, for example a company with safe, tangible assets that also generate high levels of income would likely seek a high debt target ratio as to fully Companies with safe, tangible assets and plenty of taxable income to shield ought to have high target ratio to fully utilise the tax shield. In the opposite direct a company that is Unprofitable with risky, intangible assets will usually rely on equity finance as it becomes the less risky option. As the uncertainty surround its income could make the tax shield non existent One key flaw that was not in the original Modigliani and Miller (1963) study is that of the effect on personal income tax. Miller (1977) took this into account in his study and proved that in fact the total tax saving at the point of equilibrium was zero when income tax increase was applied to the tax shield. The following equations shows that the tax shield can even be detrimental for example if the tax rate on stock is less than the tax rate on bonds the result will be a negative impact on profits. The author further suggests that there should be no optimal debt ratio for any individual firms. Where G ­L is the leverage gain for the shareholder Tc is the corporate tax rate Tps is the personal income tax for common stock TPB is the personal income tax for bonds BL is the market value of the levered firms debt There have been questions to the mutual exclusivity of the two theories, Carmen Cotei and Joseph Farhat (2009) studied this theory, and their conclusion was that The empirical results of the factors affecting the proportion of debt financing (reduction) and factors affecting the rate of adjustment imply that the pecking order theory and the trade-off theory are not mutually exclusive. Firms may strive for a target debt ratio range and within this range, the pecking order behavior may describe incremental decisions or, over time, firms may switch between target adjustment and pecking order behavior. Conclusion reflection on theories which is best suited? Does it differ between businesses, are they both legitimate ways of structuring capital? In reflection it is clear that both theories offer a potential theory of dealing with capital structure, but the empirical evidence seems to suggest that the trade off theory is the more well rounded option. As it holds well in the custom economic model, outperforming the pecking order model in the key areas. There has been also some convincing proof in favour of the relationships between gearing and the conventional determining factors (except profitability), as predicted by trade-off structure. Non-debt tax shields and growth opportunities have been argued to be inversely related to debt ratio, while collateral value of assets and size are found to have positive effects upon gearing. I do believe that to some degree the theories are simply a base to capital structure, and that each individual company must do its own assessment on the best way to structure capital in order to produce the best results.

How Do Trend in the Marketing Industry

1. How do trend in the marketing industry, such as integrated marketing, affect advertising? Nowadays, there are too many trends in the marketing industry which we can see all over the places. These trends do not only give implication to the industry itself, it also affects the advertising field as well. Internet Marketing is an all-inclusive term for marketing products and/or services online – and like many all-inclusive terms, Internet marketing means different things to different people. Essentially, though, Internet marketing refers to the strategies that are used to market a product or service online, marketing strategies that include search engine optimization and search engine submission, copywriting that encourages site visitors to take action, web site design strategies, online promotions, reciprocal linking, and email marketing – and that’s just hitting the highlights. This is one of the trends in the marketing industry. These trends affect the advertising field by allowing them to promote a product or services widely through the internet. Many firms are embracing a paradigm that is shifting the focus of advertising methodology from traditional text and image to the JavaScript and Adobe Flash, which is known as the online advertising. The potential customer can access information concerning the service or product to help in deciding the need or use of products through online. Another that are often used by the marketers is applying local cultures in a global product. In this trend they usually brings in a global product into a country and applies a local culture to it, such as the country’s national language, costumes, local celebrities and much more just to attract their local customer to buy the product. Understanding a country’s culture is a key to global success. Food, food retail, beverages, household cleaning and personal care products are highly subject to the influence of culture because they are rooted in local taste, traditions, and needs. While it is very difficult for marketers to overcome these differences, there is no real imperative to do so. It doesn't matter if a food brand has different incarnations in different countries; the vast majority of consumers will be completely oblivious. For an instance, Coke has taken in adapting both its product and its communication. As a standard practice, Coca-Cola modifies its product to meet local tastes and invests heavily in locally inspired communication to complement its global positioning. The longer a brand has been in market, the more likely people are to have grown up with it and accept it as part of the local scene. This trend in marketing industry gives more implication to the advertising field. Firstly, for this kind of trend, global companies have to come up with more advertisements just for one product. Because, they are selling their products all over the world, which to be said in different countries. Whenever they adopt a local culture in selling their product, advertising plays an important role by showing the criteria of local culture to the audience, such as using the local language, local celebrity, local customs, and etc. For an example, in the Pizza Hut advertisement in Malaysia, they use the local language, such as â€Å"sensasi† and the tag â€Å"halal† in their advertising strategy just attracts the local consumers. In conclusion, advertising field is always getting affected if there are any changes or new trends in the marketing industry. This is because, advertising is the tool that helps the audience to get information about a product or services and also it attracts them to purchase it. 2. Can advertising be a factor in relationship marketing? In what way? Discuss. Advertising plays an important role in relationship marketing. Advertising is a form of communication intended to persuade an audience (viewers, readers or listeners) to purchase or take some action upon products, ideas, or services. Relationship Marketing were defined first as a form of marketing that developed from a direct response marketing campaigns which emphasize the customer retention and satisfaction, rather than a dominant focus on sales transactions. In others words, it recognizes the long term value of customer relationships and extends communication beyond intrusive advertising. And also, Relationship marketing attempts to involve and integrate customers, suppliers and other infrastructural partners into a firm's developmental and marketing activities. In the most basic sense, advertising can help in promoting the sale of a particular product or service. Advertising in the olden times, was just spreading simply through word of mouth. It was to promote the sale of a product, good or service. As time advanced through the 17th Century, advertisements began to appear in newspapers, and later, in other forms of mass media, such as radio, television and cinema. Moreover, advertising in recent years, has maneuvered its way through the other forms of advertising, such as advertisements being displayed on fruit products, ads being displayed on vehicles such as buses and taxies, and even in public and social places, like the shopping malls and streets. Besides that, advertising in the recent years has been escalated through the airing of TV commercials, and the phenomenon of the World Wide Web, or simply the Internet. Banner ads and newsletters have been included in company websites, to encourage the number of customers logging on to a particular website. Advertisements have been helping to motivate the demand for particular goods and services. Advertising through the implementation, and setting up of billboards on the sides of streets and major shopping areas, is yet another growing tactic among marketing professionals, and advertising agencies. This has skyrocketed the product sales. Through this advertising, the images of particular products and services have enhanced, and resulted in a significant increase of sales over the recent years. In conclusion, advertising has created a sense of public awareness among the people about the products they use in their daily routine. On the other hand it is yet another means thorough getting a message across to a wider audience of people about a particular product. Advertising through television and billboards ensures that the sale of a particular product or service is amplified. Looking at it from a different perspective, advertising could be considered as an effective marketing strategy towards increasing the publicity of a product and in turn reaching out to a wider customer audience. Thus, it is an important factor of relationship marketing.

Our School Exhibition

Our school held a very interesting exhibition of students' art and craft work last year. Itwas surprising to see the various pieces of handwork of such high standards. Theseexhibits were attractive and colourful for they had been prepared and designed well bythe students with guidance from the Art teachers. The students were obviouslyenthusiastic about their work; for each item was rendered carefully and lovingly withoutthe slightest trace of sloppinessThere were many sections to interest parents and friends who came to see the work of their children. The painting of nature, Malaysian scenes, flowers and fruits was of anexceptionally high standard. Other items such as puppets, dolls and articles of embroidery  were admired, too.In the geography section, there were clay models of physical features like hills, mountains and plateaus set in a natural environment of greenlandscape with rivers meandering  through the land.Some articles like flowers made from silk were for sale and lad ies readily bought theseitems. Our school exhibition was appreciated by all. Cameron Highlands – a Malaysian Hill ResortAfter living in the busy city of Kuala Lumpur with its noise and bustling traffic, it is a pleasure to go up to Cameron Highlands, a cool mountain resort, for relaxation.Enroute  you will enjoy the scenic countryside as you drive up hilly roads amidst jungletrees, waterfalls and small villages. Then, you feast your eyes each time you pass a flower nursery or a vegetable farm. The cool, crisp air at Tanah Rata makes you feel invigorated.At the same time, you are able to admire the quaint-looking English-style cottages alongthe way. Roses creeping up and clinging to the walls of the cottages remind you of England and the scenery is enchanting  if you happen to be a nature-lover. Usually, avisitor gets quite hungry as he  goes up the highlands and he is able to enjoy the piping hotmeals served in the restaurants.As the sun goes down, temperature drops and it becomes quite chilly. You can then sit bythe fireside with your favourite story book and laze around in a sweater or a jacket as it isquite a contrast to the warm and sunny weather on the plains in your hometown.A visit to the famous Boh Tea plantation is interesting and worthwhile for have you ever wondered how you get you cup of tea? It comes mainly from the tea plantations onCameron Highlands. Jungle walks are also a good way of spending your time while youare there. Cameron is indeed an ideal holiday resort.

Tricky Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement

Tricky Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement In the present tense, a verb must agree in number with its subject. Thats the basic principle of subject-verb agreement. Its a simple enough rule, but on certain occasions even experienced writers can slip up on it. Lets have a look at three of the trickier cases of subject-verb agreement: Making subject and verb agree when words come between themReaching agreement when the subject is an indefinite pronounMaking the verbs have, do, and be agree with their subjects CASE #1: Making Subject and Verb Agree When Words Come Between Them In determining subject-verb agreement, dont let yourself be confused by words that come between the subject and the verb. Lets compare these two sentences: This box belongs in the attic.This box of ornaments belongs in the attic. In both sentences, the verb belongs agrees with its subject, box. Dont let the prepositional phrase in the second sentence fool you into thinking that ornaments is the subject. Its  simply the object of the preposition of and does not affect the agreement of subject and verb. Prepositional phrases (as well as adjective clauses, appositives, and participle phrases) often come between a subject and a verb. So to make sure that a verb agrees with its subject and not with a word in the phrase or clause, mentally cross out the interrupting group of words: One (of my sisters friends) is a pilot.The people (who survived the explosion) are in a shelter.A man (chasing unicorns) is on the terrace. Remember, then, that the subject is not always the noun closest to the verb. Rather, the subject is the noun (or pronoun) that names what the sentence is about, and it may be separated by several words from the verb. CASE #2: Reaching Agreement When the Subject Is an Indefinite Pronoun Remember to add an -s to the end of the verb in the present tense if the subject is one of the indefinite pronouns listed below: one (anyone, everyone, no one, someone)anybody (everybody, somebody, nobody)anything (everything, something, nothing)each, either, neither As a general rule, treat these words as third-person singular pronouns (he, she, it). In the following sentences, each subject is an indefinite pronoun and each verb ends in -s: Nobody claims to be perfect.Everybody plays the fool sometimes.Each of the divers has an oxygen tank. In that last sentence, note that has agrees with the subject each, not with divers (the object of the preposition). CASE #3: Making Have, Do, and Be Agree With Their Subjects Although all verbs follow the same principle of agreement, certain verbs seem to be a little more troublesome than others. In particular, many agreement errors result from the misuse of the common verbs have, do, and be. We need to remember that the verb have appears as has if the subject is a singular noun or a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it): Dana Barrett has ghosts in her bedroom. If the subject is a plural noun or the pronoun I, you, we, or they, use have: The Ghostbusters have a new client. In a nutshell, She has, but They have. Similarly, the verb do appears as does if the subject is a singular noun or, once again, a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it): Gus does the housework. If the subject is a plural noun or the pronoun I, you, we, or they, use do: Gus and Martha  do the chores together. Are you beginning to see a pattern here? Then lets mix it up just a little bit. The verb be has three forms in the present tense: is, am, are. Use is if the subject is a singular noun or a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it): Dr. Venkman is unhappy. Use am if the subject is the first-person singular pronoun (I): I am not the person you think I am. Finally, if the subject is a plural noun or the pronoun you, we, or they, use are: The fans are in the stands, and we are ready to play. Now, lets take one more look at these three verbs- -but from a different angle. Sometimes a subject may follow (rather than precede) a form of the verb have, do, and be. As shown in the sentences below, this reversal of the usual order occurs in questions that require a helping verb: Where has Egon parked the car?What do you do in your free time?Are we having a test today? In all of these sentences, the present forms of have, do, and be serve as helping verbs  and appear in front of their subjects. Another case in which a form of the verb be comes before the subject is in sentences beginning with the words there or here: There is a unicorn in the garden.Here are the photocopies. Just keep in mind that no matter where a verb appears in a sentence, it must still agree with its subject.

Gulf War re-cap essays

Gulf War re-cap essays Why Did the US Army stop short of Baghdad in Operation Desert Storm and leave Iraqi Shiites and Kurds more or less alone to face the wrath of Saddam Hussein? Why did a coalition of over 30 nations find it was necessary to go to war to help Kuwait after it was invaded by Iraq? How did the Coalition defeat the Iraqis? And why did they leave thousands of Kurds and Iraqi Shiites to face Saddam Hussein? The Gulf War was sparked by Saddams violent tendencies, the dispute over borders, and finally most importantly oil. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990 the world had seen enough, the NATO nations formed a coalition with other countries and declared war on Iraq. One key piece of this collation was Iraqi Shiites and Kurds who had been fighting Saddams oppressive reign for years, however when the war ended they were left to face Saddam alone without the promised US help. Together these groups fought in the Middle East until 1991 trying to liberate the nation of Kuwait and rid the region of Saddams terror. Since the invasion of Kuwait caught the world by surprise, the question in everybodys mind was What were the reasons for the invasion? The first reason was Saddam Hussein, Saddam had two distinct characteristics: one, the determination to be remembered in history, two, a certain vision of the future, Saddam wanted to have a unified Arab world with Baghdad as its center. Hussein also felt that after the fall of the Ottoman Empire there was an uneven distribution of wealth from oil reserves to the allied nations (Bin, Hill, Jones 1998). Iraqs only hope of survival was clearly oil revenues from its neighbor, Kuwait. Iraqs economy was also hurt with the consequences of the 8-year Iran-Iraq War, a war in which the Americans provided weapons and training for Iraqi troops (Grossman 1995). When Iraqs leaders claimed victory there were three-quarters of a million ...

How may one account for the significance that contemporary societies Essay

How may one account for the significance that contemporary societies attach to the problem of terrorism - Essay Example Terrorism is commonly used as a term to describe violent acts against civilian targets based on nationalistic, political or religious motivations. It is an unconventional form of war which is often used to weaken or subvert a government and the effects of a terrorist attack may be seen as a threat to international order (Baylis, 2002). However, the nature of the causes can be debated since some terrorist activities have been given support while others have been considered atrocities against humanity. For example, as described by Martin & Martin (2003), even the Boston Tea Party can be seen as a terrorist act in a technical sense but that event has been connected with a justified cause while recent acts of terrorism against the United Kingdom such as the London underground attacks are considered unjustified. If not by all concerned individuals, at least by the western world and many other civilised nations who joined the British in mourning for the loss of life and the tragedies which unfolded in the aftermath. The aftermath comes with the public asking the most important question i.e. why? They want to know how and why such an event happened and what the government is willing to do to stop these acts from occurring again. Since there is no single or easy answer to the question and different opinions can be given by different writers coming from various backgrounds, society becomes more involved in answering these questions and thus becomes more focused on the idea of terrorism. In essence, it is a drama which is unfolding live before the people and this certainly fascinates society as it has done for the past hundreds of years (Orr and Klai, 1990). Undoubtedly, terrorism certainly affects those individuals who are targets or those who have lost something due to terrorist activity (NCT, 2006). Their lives have certainly changed and they have had to deal with the aftermath in ways that others can not imagine. However, even after the most

Memorandum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Memorandum - Essay Example ... Many of these kinds of procedures can be done in ambulatory facilities entirely separate from the surgical department†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pp. 160). Many of the procedures that are done with the help of the adjoining outpatient procedures facility are minor procedures—and surgeries can range anywhere from patients having pacemaker batteries replaced to removal of skin cancers and other minor surgeries. Usually, the outpatient procedures facility is much like an office, where family members can wait while their loved one is getting a medical procedure performed. The policy change itself would involve updating the computer systems in our particular hospital so that patient records are no longer kept on an MS-DOS system. DOS is a computer operating system that is very outdated, and the hospital would like to incorporate a Windows operating system into the current manner of functioning with regard to how it is going to continue on in the future. Because the outpatient procedures fac ility is so overwhelmed with work on a daily basis—and since computers are used daily—it is hoped that the switchover to the new computer system could be done sometime overnight when there are no patients scheduled to come in.

Can renewable energy be seen as sufficient and sustainable as nuclear Literature review

Can renewable energy be seen as sufficient and sustainable as nuclear energy - Literature review Example Apart from the environmental degradation, there are other adverse health effects that are caused by the gases that are emitted to the environment. The destruction of habitat for the different lives has resulted not only to the elimination of the indigenous species but has also resulted into the reduction in the production of quality and quantity foods which has resulted into the food supply in major nations of the world (Sandalow, 2009). It is however important to note that all these issues are related to the pressure that is exerted on the limited available energy sources especially for the automobiles. Research has also shown that the increase in the pollutant gases that are emitted in the atmosphere results to the twenty five percent of the health complications of the major organ and organ system of the body such as the lungs, heart, kidney, digestive, respiration and some cases have resulted into death. In the view of the above, it is undisputable that the world needs alternative sources of energy to supply energy to the automobiles. Most nations are responding to this problem by passing strict laws on the activities that result into the pollution of the environment. This is because there is increasing dependency on the petroleum as the major source of energy for the automobile and industrial and many other engines that do not use electricity. The increase in the availability of the renewable sources of energy for automobile is therefore the only solution to reduce the menace of the global problems of pollution, enhance human health, protect the environment, increase the capacity for food production and protect the natural habitat. Hybrid cars, electric engines as well as other engines that use alternative and renewable sources of sources of energy are therefore important technology towards the realization of this goal. The current increase in the development of the automobile and other manufacturing industries has resulted into the ease of transportation p roblems and changed our lifestyles but is turning to be more dangerous to the environment and our health. For a long time in the history of the world, automobiles have been run mainly by the fuel that is mainly made from the hydrocarbons which is responsible for the environmental pollution. Due to the increasing population of the environment, there increased pressure on the use of the hydrocarbon fuels as the sources of energy for the automobile. It therefore follows that the rate of environmental pollution is expected to rise proportionally. Research has also shown that the amount of fuel used for manufacturing and the service industry constitutes up to forty nine percent of all the fuels that are used (Anderson, 2010). It is also projected that the uses of fuel within our roads is also expected to increase tremendously with the figure expected to be approximately 2.5 billion users (Barthelmie, 2011). In this context therefore the available petroleum faces depletion together with t he increases in the environmental impacts mentioned earlier in this study. The following will be research findings on the importance of the hybrid cars in reducing the pollution and protecting the environment a

Why Education is the most important factor in a developing country Essay Example for Free

Why Education is the most important factor in a developing country Essay Education is often considered the greatest opportunity you can give a child, purely from what the child can do with that Education, will they become a Doctor and save 100 lives? Or become a Scientist and cure Malaria? They will also learn to be civilized, moral and then spread that to their children whom will possibly do the same until you have a lot of civilized people in one country working together and making trying their best to be the best people they can be, great countries rise, perhaps that may be why countries that see Education as â€Å"optional† are some of the most disorderly regions. Those regions include, The Middle East, Africa, and some of Latin America. According to Islamic beliefs, everyone is entitled to an Education; in fact, getting an education is described as â€Å"A Moral duty to yourself and Society† in the Quran but as the reader may know, Women are not allowed into Middle Eastern Universities and the Woman’s Father must approve of her Daughter even going to, what we know as, Middle school in The Middle East. Because Women are not allowed to study anything, including Politics, there is only a Male based government, and as we know by now, Men and Women are not as equal as we would like to admit, for instance, in countries where Women can hold political office (Europe, North America and Asia) are generally more peaceful areas of the world and that is because Men are likely to take a more stern and aggressive approach to threats while Women are more likely to want to avoid serious conflict and instead find alternatives. The point is that a bunch of governments, with only Men, are more likely to conflict with other countries because they don’t have something to bring them to sense when Violence seems like the best option, in The Middle East at least. In Africa, instead of religious reasons for people lacking education, the problem is Money. There are not enough good schools in Africa for all the children of the continent (obviously) and this leads to the kids having to work for whoever is hiring, which is usually one of the many warlords of Africa. Of course, this is not true for all of Africa, for instance, South Africa and Egypt are in the top 30 for richest countries in the World and in South Africa, 81% of their population has received an education comparable to High school level. Egypt has a lower percentage (73%) but this is still much higher than most African countries. The greatest reason as to why  Africa is in such a bad spot is because of European Imperialism, in the 18th Century, Africa was farmed by Europeans leaving them with less than half of the original natural resources they had before the Europeans came along, then they just left. Leaving the people with a freedom they hadn’t had in years, thus raised Warlords and corrupt political figures. The majority of African countries have not organized themselves from this time and because of that, most of the children in Africa have suffered and not gotten an education which will undoubtedly lead Africa to some bad times. Unlike the Middle East and Africa, Latin American countries have OK educational systems that are widely accessible and that is encouraged by most parents, but why is this area some of the most violent? Because of the growing Drug Empire(s) that has taken over almost all of South America and 2/3 of North America and still growing, that promises a lot of very fast which is what everyone wants, especially the poor. This is seen as a good alternative because school takes a lot of hard work that will cost a lot of money later on and even then, the job market is horrible unless you went to Harvard and got a 4.0 GPA all four years in undergrad, then exceled in Graduate school. However, if school was seen as the best option to the kids of Latin America, the kids have a great support system in their family to keep them motivated. Drugs are what are keeping most kids in Latin America from going to school and exceling in however they want to help Society. The world needs education because education teaches us the mistakes of the past, how to solve problems quickly and efficiently and basic civility. The greatest countries in the World currently all spend monstrous amounts of money on Education and investing in their children’s futures because that’s what their parents did for them and it worked and this has been proven time after time. So, to summarize, the Middle East must end their Misogynic beliefs and allow everyone education, Africa must establish a better and much larger educational system in their respective countries and Latin America must destroy the Drug Empires that have almost been allowed to grow and fester in order for these countries/regions to prosper to their full potential.

How to Share the Gospel With an Atheist Essay -- How to Persuade an At

After moving back home, I enrolled in State University. After settling into my dorm, I began to build a relationship with my new roommate. To protect his privacy, I will refer to my roommate as "X". X was raised in the suburbs of Richmond, VA. He claims to be an atheist and is very knowledgeable about Christian-Atheist debate topics. As I have built a relationship with him, I learned that he was raised in a family where his father was never around. He was a successful athlete, student, and musician, and he brought many of his trophies and awards to college with him. He openly speaks about himself and his accomplishments. He recently opened up to me about an emptiness that has always been in his life. He said that he has always felt like he has had to perform for attention and affection from his mother, and deep down, he always dreamed that he would be so successful that his father would come back. Unfortunately, his father never did come back. Up to this point, I have been deliberate about how I communicate with him. There are many mistakes that can be made while communicating that can ruin a relationship or turn people from God. Communication is not merely made up of spoken and written words; there are many elements that are involved in communication. The elements of communication can be categorized into three main types. These types are verbal, nonverbal, and speech acts. As the name implies, verbal communication consists of word choice, and tone. In every culture, there are words that have positive or negative connotations associated with them. By choosing words carefully, a positive and healthy relationship can be built and maintained. In the case of X, who has had troubles with his father, I have been careful to ... ...he choice to accept or deny the gift of Christ. I will read Romans 10:9-10 and make sure that he understands how special he is. I will emphasize how God is a loving father and has always loved him. I will talk about how God will never leave him (Deuteronomy 31:6). Since X was raised in a competitive culture, I will make sure that he understands that he cannot earn his salvation, but it is only attained through the gift of Christ. Then, I would give him some time to think over it and make sure that he understands it fully. I would pray for him silently, and if he wanted to make a decision for Christ, I would pray with him and help him to voice his feelings to God. The rest of the work would be up to the Holy Spirit.  BIBLIOGRAPHY Livermore, David A. 2010. Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The New Secret to Success. New York: American Management Association.

Compare and Contrast Lennie and Crooks Essay

Don’t judge a book for its cover. In the book â€Å"Of Mice and Men†, the people in the bunkhouse had their differences and similarities. Crooks and Lennie had their own differences and similarities, Crooks suffered from racism while Lennie didn’t, Crooks was a lonely man while Lennie had George, and both of them were outside of society. Crooks suffer from racism. He lives alone in his own bunkhouse. Curley’s wife treats him like if he was her slave, one time she entered his room and started denigrating him because of his color. He also doesn’t goes to the â€Å"saloon† to play cards or hang out with the other guys. Lennie has George; they have someone to count on. Tough George sometimes makes fun of Lennie they still know someone is there. On the other hand, Crooks has nobody to rely on. Also, they don’t go further their relationship. They both remain outside of society. Crooks started being a hostile; he wanted to be alone and didn’t let anyone get into his room. Lennie is mentally retarded; this is what makes other people make fun of him or he’s unable to do things. At last, they both rest in Crooks room because they don’t fit in the group of men. As they weren’t the same they still had their own differences and similarities, which made them, get together. Lennie had George but Lennie didn’t fit in the group that made him lonely and that’s one part that brings them together, by loneliness. People are not meant to be alone, everyone is meant to have someone in their lives.

First Union: An Office Without Walls Essay

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Integrative Case 5.0, â€Å"First Union: An Office Without Walls,† found on page 589 of the text book Organization Theory & Design, by Richard L. Daft, and to respond to the questions relating to the case study. Problem Statement First Union Federal is a large savings and loan banking organization at which Meg Rabb has been employed with since she was 18. Meg has been recently promoted to Vice President of her division after serving the last five years as assistant V.P. At the time Meg was hired as an assistant V.P. there had not been a single female in the position of V.P. After a week in her new position, Meg was notified by her boss Dan Cummings that she would be moving into a new office. After three weeks of construction, Meg’s office was complete; however, only a day after settling in, Meg was summoned to her boss’ office yet again. She was informed that the First Union president had performed a walkthrough of the building and ruled that Meg’s office was too large and would have to be torn down and rebuild from the current 12 feet by 12 feet specifications down to the new 10 feet by 10 feet specifications outlined in the new regulations. Meg was angry and questioned herself how this would effect and damage her department’s morale, and how she could possibly lose the respect from her peers she worked so hard to earn. Meg also wondered if this had to do with her being a woman in a position of power – especially when her promotion came after an intervention from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC discovered that First Union did not have any female executives at or above the level of V.P. prior to Meg’s promotion and encouraged First Union to seek out qualified female candidates for promotion to executive status. This paper will identify the main issue at First Union, discuss the forces for cultural change, explain the use of power, and finally determine what political tactics Meg should use to resolver her office situation at First Union. Questions What is the main issue in this case? The main issue in this case is First Union’s corporate culture, the accompanying ethical values and how these are motivated by organization managers. According to Daft (2013), organizational culture exists at two levels – on the surface are the visible characteristics and observable behaviors and below the surface are the underlying values, assumptions, and beliefs that make up the second level (p. 393). At First Union, the issue with corporate culture touches on both levels of organizational culture. The observable behaviors include office layouts, the type of control systems and power structures used by the company and the ceremonies organizations share (Daft, 2013, p. 393). The office layout in Meg’s department was split up into sections and partitioned off for each of her 12 staff. Depending on their level in the organizational hierarchy, employees had variable office furniture for their individual section. The lowest-level employees received minimal second-rate quality furniture and often had to share the space with other employees. Robertson argues with the right approach, a company can become forward-thinking by creating a workspace with flow and function that motivates and inspires people and their business (2006, p. 35). Today, forward-thinking companies are turning to egalitarianism to get the job done. Rather than acting like the office space is symbol of status, all office spaces should be equal, cutting down on costs of space, equipment and furniture (Robertson, 2006, p. 34). Secondly, Meg’s boss, Dan Cummings, is senior V.P. of human resources. With his position, he organized the first annual â€Å"Dan Cummings Golf Invitational† now in its fourth year setup. Invitations to this prestigious event indicated status in the organization – only those V.P.s and assistant V.P.s close to senior management received invitations; yet no female employee had ever been invited to the golf tournament. Disregard to ethics threats substantial harm to reputation and to other significant intangible corporate assets – including employee morale and productivity. The outcomes of unethical behavior can affect an organization’s ability to survive (Doorley & Garcia, 2007, p. 30). In addition to these contributing factors, Meg was the first person to fall victim to stri ct adherence to the miscalculation of  her office size. Not only that, but shortly before her promotion, the EEOC put pressure on First Union to hire female executives since none had been put in place. Meg was the first of her kind. The EEOC was trying to encourage diversity management. Diversity management is defined by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) as a practice intended to produce and maintain a positive work environment that recognizes the value of individuals’ similarities and differences, so that everyone can reach their potential and make the most of their contributions to an organization’s strategic goals and objectives (GAO, 2013, p. 5). What are the forces for cultural change at First Union? Cultural changes will need to start from the top down. According to Daft (2013), culture changes refer to changes in the values, attitudes, expectations, beliefs, abilities, and behavior of employees such as the mindset of the organization (p. 435). Miller and Tucker (2013) suggest the senior leadership must set the tone at the top for integrity and ethics including diversity (p. 56). Consulting with First Union’s outside auditors, internal and outside legal counsel may be helpful in laying the groundwork for an updated diversity plan and Code of Ethics (Miller & Tucker, 2013, p. 56). Miller and Tucker go on to state top management should work with legal counsel to identify possible events that could impact the company’s diversity program, such as the annual golf tournament (2013, p. 56). Discuss the use of power at First Union. The use of power at First Union is interesting as it has many facets. For one, the mortgage division was considered the most powerful as it was the department that made that brought in a substantial amount of revenues. Because of the mortgage division’s contribution to the bottom line, the mortgages offices had been remodeled so beautifully, that they stood out from the rest of the bank. This is an example of reward power (Jing, 2010, p. 220). The president was not happy with the cost of the renovations but kept his displeasure to himself due to the significant profits generated by the mortgage division. Just as stated above, First Union had not employed any female executives until the EEOC intervened encouraging them to do so. And just as there had not been any women executives in a VP status, none had been invited to play in the annual golf invitational either. This is a prime example of referent power, which refers to the ability to provide others with feelings of personal acceptance, approval, usefulness, or worth (Jing, 2010, p. 220). The artwork around First Union was also suggestive of the values perceived by top management as one particular art piece displayed a member of the female body and was hung in the president’s conference room. This is another example of referent power. An example of legitimate and possible coercive power is the president’s influence on the building manager in deciding to downsize Meg’s office. As stated in the text, Meg was the first person to come under scrutiny with the current regulations. This is considered legitimate because of the president’s position to impose a sense of obligation on the building manager to follow the guidelines even though they were casually held in compliance with other executives. It is also coercive as the president has the power to grant and take away rewards and privileges (Jing, 2010, p. 220). What political tactics should Meg use? Political behavior is an important factor of power progressions in organizations and has been found to enhance leader-member relations, career mentoring, and customer satisfaction (Gupta, Singh, & Singh, 2008, p. 16). Meg should only employ sanctioned political tactics that are perceived as acceptable in the workplace as a way to progress positive relationships. She should try to cultivate positive relationships throughout the First Union by learning about their views and developing mutually advantageous coalitions and alliances (Daft, 2013, p. 548). Meg should also use the political tactic of reciprocity which works hand in hand in building coalitions and alliances. Being in a V.P. position, Meg has the prime opportunity to be a mentor to  other females since she is the first woman V.P. at First Union; not only would she be educating females, but educating males on acceptable behavior changing the culture of First Union and its perception of women in the workplace (Gupta et. al, 2008, p. 23). Other political tactics include: promoting self-interests (such as her golf lessons) through creating and maintaining a favorable image with the â€Å"power holders† to help foster a change in culture. Meg can draw the attention to the success her department has in establishing positive staff morale and by developing a reputation as formidable as the mortgage division. Doing so would make her as a V.P. and the department more desirable to the influential members of First Union (Gupta et. al, 2008, p. 24). And lastly, Meg can become a â€Å"mentoree† by looking up to the more senior members of the organization for advice and support. Conclusion In conclusion, First Union’s main issue is the corporate culture and the need for change in the organization. In order to foster this need, top management will need to change their way of thinking and educate the staff from their level on down. With Meg being the first woman hired as a female V.P., she is in a prime position to help pave the way towards this new cultural change. References Daft, R. L. (2013). Organization Theory & Design (11th ed.) Mason, OH: South-Western. Doorley, J., & Garcia, H. (2007). Reputation Management: The Key to Successful Public Relations and Corporate Communication. New York: Routledge. Government Accountability Office. (2013). Diversity management. (GAO-13-238). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Jing, Z. (2010). Cross-cultural study on French and Chinese managers’ use of power sources. International Journal of Business & Management, 5(5), 219-225. Miller, S.K., & Tucker III, J. J. (2013). Diversity trends, practices, and challenges in the financial services industry. Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 67(6), 46-57. Robertson, D. (2006). Does your office work for you?. J@Pan Inc, (66), 32-35. Gupta, B., Singh, S., & Singh, N. (2008) Self-monitoring and perceived job security and use of sanctioned and non-sanctioned political tactics. Vilakshan: The XIMB Journal of Management, 5(2), 15-32.

The Mikmaq people of Canada

The Mikmaq people of Canada Introduction The Mi’kmaq people are indigenous to the northeastern part of New England. They occupy the Atlantic province and precisely the Gaspe Peninsula of the great Quà ©bec. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Mi’kmaq people of Canada specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The great nation of Canada has an estimated population of about forty thousand people; eleven thousand of them belong to the Mi’kmaq community. This community has a long history that dates many years back. The territory of this community was believed to have been separated into seven distinct districts; each of them having completely independent governance and boundaries. The administrations of these districts were made up of numerous chiefs who had a council of elders as subordinates. This council of elders comprised of the respectable people in the society, band chiefs and other proclaimed elders (Poliandri, 354). It was the sole duty of the council of elders together with the chiefs to carry out all the administrative functions and maintain law and order in the community. They exercised justice and prepared their warriors in the event that there was war. The seven districts were: Kespukwitk Sikepnà ©katik Eskà ­kewaq Unamkik Piktuk aqq Epekwitk Sikniktewaq Kespà ©kewaq Aside from the council of elders, the community also had a grand council (also called the Sante Mawiomi) which comprised of captains (also called Keptinaq). The captains were given the title of district chiefs. In addition to the district chiefs, the hierarchy of leaders also included the Putus, grand chief and women council. The grand chief was a very important member on the Mi’kmaq community and he was appointed from one of the existing district chiefs (Zimmerman, 241). The sitting chief had to be a representative of the Unamaki district or Cape Breton Island in order to qualify as a grand chief. It is important to note that the title of the grand chief was hereditary according to the laws of the land and was always handed over to the eldest son of the sitting grand chief in the event that he passed away. The council of elders that was charged with the responsibility of restoring order to the community held their meetings in Cape Breton at a small island named Mniku. This was a reserve that has today seized to be called Mniku and has shifted its name to Chapel Island. Others have also called this island Potlotek. It is amazing to note that the council of elders still meets at the same point to this day (Choyce and Rita, 120). It is believed that the human habitation of the Gaspe Peninsula dates back to over 10,000 years ago. This was the period that marked a series of technological development, radical climate change and the immigration of new inhabitants. None of the mentioned events had as much effect as the arrival of European strangers. Advertising Looking for research paper o n canada? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This was because the people from Europe were traders who traded in woolen blankets, copper kettles, knives and sailing vessels. All these played a significant role in developing the Mi’kmaq people and enlightening them of the new products of early Europe. Some historical literature works of the 17th century suggest the Mi’kmaq people were fishermen and hunters. They did this as part of their economic activities. The fishing was done by this community at the southwestern coasts of the Newfoundland. They are believed to have been travelling to and from Cape Breton in search of favorite fishing grounds. Their migration was also instigated by the shifting of the breeding grounds of fish and so they moved as the fishes moved as well (Wicken, 45). The Mi’kmaq people are believed to have lived next to waterways. This was because their prime means of transportation was t heir famous canoes and birch-barks that carried them for long distance. They traveled in search of new homes. Additionally, the community also travelled for long distances for the purposes of trade. All they ever needed in their daily lives was provided by their natural environments. For instance, they were fishermen and sometimes hunted in search of red meat. The Mi’kmaq people used their skills and knowledge for survival. For example, their knowledge of seasons and animals placed them in a favorable position for hunting. This helped them in knowing what animals to hunt for during certain seasons and their specific hideouts. Their knowledge about weather also played an imperative part in their survival (Robertson, 72). This, in addition to the knowledge of seasons, helped the Mi’kmaq people to evade unbearable climatic conditions. It also helped them in knowing where to go in the event that climatic conditions were unfavorable at their current locations. In the year 1610, the Mi’kmaq formed an alliance with the French after the then grand chief, Membertou, converted to catholic. The French were the forerunners of the Catholic religion. After the then grand chief was baptized into Catholicism, his entire community then embraced the religion too. This then brought about the settlement of the French amongst the Mi’kmaq people. This was because they had become friendly after agreeing to embrace the same religion. This close association impacted positively on the lives of the Mi’kmaq people since the French offered some sort of protections against invasion by colonialists and land grabbers.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Mi’kmaq people of Canada specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To this day, the relations the Mi’kmaq people had with the French, Englishmen and the Beothuks is still uncertain. The French, who also carried out fishing a ctivities at the coasts of Newfoundland, are believed to have been at war with the English as from 17th century to 19th century. Quite a number of historical sources indicate that the French allied with the Mi’kmaq people against the English. They perceived the Englishmen as mere land grabbers and colonialists whose interests were on the rich lands of Nova Scotia (Hornborg, 39). On the contrary, other sources also indicate that the Mi’kmaq people moved to the Newfoundland on their own and that they were not brought to the lands by the French. They suggest that the French only sought the assistance of the Mi’kmaq people after they had settled on Newfoundland. It is believed that the Mi’kmaq community agreed to join in the war against the English because they had encountered English settlers before in New England. The relationship of the Mi’kmaq community and the Beothuk people is also full of controversies. Some historical books indicate that the French offered a bounty to the Mi’kmaq people to bring the heads of the Beothuk people. Others, however, suggest that the existence of the Mi’kmaq community on the island increased the population of the Beothuks in the region. This is an implication that the two communities had a peaceful coexistence and that they had no reasons to wage wars against one another. Besides, there is no mention of a bounty offered to the Mi’kmaq by the French in any pieces that contain French records. In this regard, it is also important to note that the history and traditions of the Mi’kmaq people contains a number of instances of peaceful coexistence with the neighboring Beothuks. Some historical documents about the Mi’kmaq community indicate that the Beothuks sought refuge in the island during their early periods of arrival and they were housed by the Mi’kmaq people. The treaties of the Mi’kmaq people The Mi’kmaq peple are known to have signed quite a number of peace treaties with the British. The expansion of the nation by the addition of Great Britain as one of the districts commenced the signing of peace treaties with the British. This was the 1749 treaty that incorporated Britain as one of the districts. Thereafter, another peace treaty was signed in 1752 by Chief Jean-Baptiste Cope on behalf of Shubenacaide. Advertising Looking for research paper on canada? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The signing of these treaties ended a period of war between these two nations that had lasted for over 75 years. Another peace treaty signed in 1760 played an imperative role in securing the trade in commodities like furs. It also strengthened the relationship between the Mi’kmaq and the British. This was because the treaty was an agreement of tolerance to the British settlement on the island. However, the settlement of the British on the island was not accompanied by formal or legal land surrender. Even thought the settlement of the British was supposed to be limited and regulated, the British settlers came in large numbers. Their accommodation on the island needed further appeasing and hence they had to sign fresh treaties. After a series of negotiations, it was agreed that the British had to give regular presents to Mi’kmaq as a way of enhancing the friendly relationship. Despite the agreements reached, the various historical writings that documented the peace agre ement between the Mi’kmaq and the British failed to provide exact territorial limits that were agreed upon during the agreements (Paul, 294). The effects of the treaties signed between the Mi’kmaq and the Britons were felt for quite some time until the invasion of the England Planters. The coming of the United Empire Loyalists on the island also eroded the peaceful coexistence that existed in the community. The coming of these trespassers into the territories of the Mi’kmaq people built a lot of animosity. In response to the animosity created, the Mi’kmaq reacted by threatening the invaders but all was to no avail. Besides, they tried to back the American Revolution with the aim of getting assistance of kicking the invaders out of their lands but all the efforts bore no fruits. As a result, the Mi’kmaq attacked and butchered some Britons in 1779. This then prompted the then British Captain to physically visit the scene and wage war in retaliation. A series of wars followed and as a result the Mi’kmaq people were weakened significantly. They then resorted to appealing with the Britons to honor their reciprocal intent of the various treaties signed in the previous years. They appealed to the Britons to honor their promise to give presents to the Mi’kmaq as a way of appeasing them for the accommodation offered. It took a bit of struggle before the British finally agreed to promote peace. The Britons, who had grown very powerful in the region, accepted to provide relief to the natives. This was, in most occasions, referred to as charity. Despite the fact that the British finally agreed to listen to the pleas of the natives, there were conditions that accompanied these reliefs. The conditions were going to have significant impacts on the Mi’kmaq people but they were left with absolutely no choice but to agree with the proposals of the British (Hornborg, 79). For instance, the Mi’kmaq community was to abandon its cultural way of life and adopt that of the Britons. The people were then compelled to stop their regular migration and settle on their farms. That notwithstanding, the children of the natives were compelled to attend classes and gain the British knowledge. This then gave rise to British schools which were meant to accommodate the children of the natives (Robertson, 358). From then, the Mi’kmaq people lost their command over their land. Their cultural beliefs were eroded and their fertile lands snatched away from them. In addition to that, their children were forced to attend British schools in a bid to gain the British knowledge and adopt their way of life. Even though the treaties signed between the Mi’kmaq and the British were operational, they had not achieved authorized status until 1982 when they were encrypted in the Canadian charter. The Mi’kmaq demographics The population of the Mi’kmaq people during the pre-contact period ranged bet ween 3,000 and 30,000 people. However, this number was believed to have been reduced tremendously by a number of factors; most of which were brought about by the invasion of the British. For instance, European diseases such as smallpox claimed many lives in the community. Other factors such as alcoholism and the endless wars also played a role in reducing the population of the Mi’kmaq people. Despite all these, the population later grew rapidly again before it was stabilized in the 19th century. It is believed that the population grew significantly again later in the 20th century. The average population increase of the people was projected to be roughly 2.5% in the periods between 1965 and 1970 (Davis, 82). The Mi’kmaq celebrations The Canadian provinces of Labrador, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have for a long time upheld the celebrations of the Mi’kmaq people. Octobers is considered by these provinces as the month of celebrating the cultures, successes and pe ace of the community. For instance, October 1st marks the Treaty day. It marks the signing of the peace treaty that was signed in 1752. The treaty is also called the Treaty of 1752. This treaty was signed by Jean-Baptiste Cope who was given the title of the king’s representative in Shubenacadie. In general, October is the month that is celebrated as the History Month of Mi’kmaq. It incorporates a number of celebrations. The celebrations are conducted at central fields in order to favor all the members of the community. This month is celebrated in a number of ways including songs, traditional dances and traditional foods (Davis, 245). The events attract an overwhelming crowd. Most of the fans of these events are tourists from all corners of Canada and other parts of the world. This is because the events have captured international attention as a result of their uniqueness and the fan that come along with them. The Mi’kmaq folklore It was believed in the Mi†™kmaq mythology that evil and wickedness amongst the male in the community make them kill one another. In the event that there was wickedness or evil in the community, the creator would be terrified and he would weep tears of rains in the form of a storm adequate to instigate a deluge. One of the myths of the community tells a story of a deluge that was caused by evil in the region millions of year ago. It indicates that even though members of the community tried to evade the storm, only one man and one woman survived it and that they were the ones responsible for populating the earth once more (Robertson, 294). The Mi’kmaq community has three distinct types of oral traditions. These include folktales, legends and myths. The folklore of this society is used to tell tales of the episodes of the early periods. It is through these that narratives of human conception and the starting point of life are told in Mi’kmaq society. Myths also illustrate the origin of some no rms and taboos in the community. They explain the repercussions of some evil deeds. Most of the myths told in this community are undoubtedly untrue but they play a significant role in safeguarding the norms of the community. Other myths are meant to explain the unchangeable facts. For example, there is a myth in this community that tries to explain the reasons for the physical differences between man and woman. Legends in this community, unlike myths, relate to places. They may either talk about recent occurrences or past events provided they form an intermediary between the people and their land. Folktales also form part of the oral traditions of this community. Virtually all the members of the society take part in them. They were mostly used to pass time especially during long winter nights (Poliandri, 284). Choyce, Lesley, and Rita Joe. The Mikmaq Anthology. Lawrencetown Beach, N. S: Pottersfield Press, 1997. Print. Davis, Stephen A. Mà ­kmaq: Peoples of the Maritimes. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 2007. Print. Hornborg, Anne-Christine. Mikmaq Landscapes: From Animism to Sacred Ecology. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2008. Print. Paul, Daniel N. We Were Not the Savages: A Mà ­kmaq Perspective on the Collision Between European and Native American Civilizations. Hawthorn, Vic: Fernwood Pub, 2000. Print. Poliandri, Simone. First Nations, Identity, and Reserve Life: The Mikmaq of Nova Scotia. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2011. Print. Robertson, Marion. Red Earth: Tales of the Mikmaq ; with an Introduction to the Customs and Beliefs of the Mikmaq. Halifax: Nimbus Pub, 2006. Print. Wicken, William C. Mikmaq Treaties on Trial: History, Land, and Donald Marshall Junior. Toronto [U. A.: Univ. of Toronto Press, 2002. Print. Zimmerman, Karla. Canada. Hawthorn, Vic: Lonely Planet, 2008. Print.

Biography of Louis Armstrong, Masterful Trumpeter

Biography of Louis Armstrong, Masterful Trumpeter Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901–July 6, 1971) was born into poverty at the turn of the 20th century but rose above his humble origins to become a masterful trumpet player and beloved entertainer. He played a key role in the development of one of the early 20th centurys most important new styles of music: jazz. Armstrongs inventiveness and improvisational techniques, along with his energetic, dazzling style have influenced generations of musicians. One of the first to perform scat-style singing, he is also well-known for his distinctive, gravelly singing voice. Armstrong wrote two autobiographies and appeared in more than 30 films. Fast Facts: Louis Armstrong Known For: World-famous trumpeter and entertainer; he was influential in the development of jazz and also appeared in more than 30 filmsAlso Known As: Satchmo, Ambassador SatchBorn: August 4, 1901 in New OrleansParents: Mary Ann, William ArmstrongDied: July 6, 1971 in New York CityTop Albums: Ella and Louis, New Orleans Nights, Satchmo Musical Autobiography, Under the Stars, Porgy and Bess, I’ve Got the World on a StringAwards and Honors: 1964 Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance (Hello Dolly), Grammy Hall of Fame (various years), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (inducted 2019)Spouses: Daisy Parker (m.  1918-1923), Lili Hardin Armstrong (m.  1924-1938), Alpha Smith (m.  1938-1942), Lucille Wilson (m.  1942-1971)Notable Quote: If you have to ask what jazz is, youll never know. Early Life Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901, to 16-year-old Mary Ann Albert and her boyfriend Willie Armstrong. Only weeks after Louis birth, Willie left Mary Ann and Louis was placed in the care of his grandmother, Josephine Armstrong. Josephine brought in some money doing laundry for white families but struggled to keep food on the table. Young Louis had no toys, very few clothes, and went barefoot most of the time. Despite their hardships, Josephine made sure her grandson attended school and church. While Louis was living with his grandmother, his mother briefly reunited with Willie Armstrong and gave birth to a second child, Beatrice, in 1903. While Beatrice was still very young, Willie once again left Mary Ann. Four years later, when Armstrong was 6 years old, he moved back in with his mother, who was then living in a tough neighborhood called Storyville. It became Louis’ job to look after his sister. Working on the Streets By the age of 7, Armstrong was looking for work wherever he could find it. He sold newspapers and vegetables and made a little money singing on the street with a group of friends. Each group member had a nickname; Louis was Satchelmouth (later shortened to Satchmo), a reference to his wide grin. Armstrong saved up enough money to buy a used cornet (a brass musical instrument similar to a trumpet), which he taught himself to play. He quit school at age 11 to concentrate on earning money for his family. While performing on the street, Armstrong and his friends came into contact with local musicians, many of whom played in Storyville honky-tonks (bars with working-class patrons, often found in the South). Armstrong was befriended by one of the citys best-known trumpeters, Bunk Johnson, who taught him songs and new techniques and allowed Louis to sit in with him during performances in the honky-tonks. Armstrong managed to stay out of trouble until an incident on New Years Eve 1912 changed the course of his life. The Colored Waifs Home During a New Years Eve street celebration at the end of 1912, 11-year-old Louis fired a pistol into the air. He was hauled off to the police station and spent the night in a cell. The next morning, a judge sentenced him to the Colored Waifs Home for an unspecified period of time. The home, a reformatory for troubled black youths, was run by a former soldier, Captain Jones. Jones provided discipline as well as regular meals and daily classes, all of which had a positive effect on Armstrong. Eager to participate in the homes brass band, Armstrong was disappointed that he was not allowed to join right away. The band director surmised that a boy from Storyville who had fired a gun did not belong in his band. Armstrong proved the director wrong as he worked his way up the ranks. He first sang in the choir and later was assigned to play various instruments, eventually taking over the cornet. Having demonstrated his willingness to work hard and act responsibly, Louis was made the leader of the band. He reveled in this role. In 1914, after 18 months at the Colored Waifs Home, Armstrong returned home to his mother. Becoming a Musician Back home, Armstrong delivered coal during the day and spent his nights in local dance halls listening to music. He became friends with Joe King Oliver, a leading cornet player, and ran errands for him in return for cornet lessons. Armstrong learned quickly and began to develop his own style. He filled in for Oliver at gigs and gained further experience playing in parades and funeral marches. When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Armstrong was too young to participate, but the war did indirectly affect him. When several sailors stationed in New Orleans became victims of violent crime in the Storyville district, the secretary of the Navy shut down the district, including brothels and clubs. While a large number of New Orleans musicians moved north, many relocating to Chicago, Armstrong stayed and soon found himself in demand as a cornet player. By 1918, Armstrong had become well-known on the New Orleans music circuit, playing at numerous venues. That year, he met and married Daisy Parker, a prostitute who worked in one of the clubs he played in. Leaving New Orleans Impressed by Armstrongs natural talent, band conductor Fate Marable hired him to play in his riverboat band on excursions up and down the Mississippi River. Armstrong convinced Daisy that it was a good move for his career and she agreed to let him go. Armstrong played on the riverboats for three years. The discipline and high standards that he was held to made him a better musician; he also learned to read music for the first time. Yet, chafing under Marables strict rules, Armstrong grew restless. He yearned to strike out on his own and find his unique style. Armstrong quit the band in 1921 and returned to New Orleans. He and Daisy divorced that year. Earns a Reputation In 1922, a year after Armstrong quit the riverboats, King Oliver asked him to come to Chicago and join his Creole Jazz Band. Armstrong played the second coronet and was careful not to outshine bandleader Oliver. Through Oliver, Armstrong met the woman who became his second wife, Lil Hardin, who was a classically trained jazz pianist from Memphis. Lil recognized Armstrongs talent and thus urged him to break away from Olivers band. After two years with Oliver, Armstrong quit the band and took a new job with another Chicago band, this time as the first trumpet; however, he only stayed a few months. Armstrong moved to New York City in 1924 at the invitation of bandleader Fletcher Henderson. (Lil did not accompany him, preferring to stay at her job in Chicago.) The band played mostly live gigs but made recordings as well. They played backup for pioneering blues singers such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, furthering Armstrongs growth as a performer. Just 14 months later, Armstrong moved back to Chicago at Lils urging; Lil believed that Henderson held back Armstrongs creativity. The Worlds Greatest Trumpet Player Lil helped to promote Armstrong in Chicago clubs and billing him as the worlds greatest trumpet player. She and Armstrong formed a studio band, called Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. The group recorded several popular records, many of which featured Armstrongs raspy singing. On one of the most popular of the recordings, Heebie Jeebies, Armstrong spontaneously launched into scat-singing, in which the singer replaces the actual lyrics with nonsense syllables that often mimic the sounds made by instruments. Armstrong did not invent the singing style but helped to make it enormously popular. During this time, Armstrong permanently switched from cornet to trumpet, preferring the brighter sound of the trumpet to the more mellow cornet. The records gave Armstrong name recognition outside of Chicago. He returned to New York in 1929, but again, Lil did not want to leave Chicago. (They stayed married but lived apart for many years before divorcing in 1938.) In New York, Armstrong found a new venue for his talents; he was cast in a musical revue that featured the hit song Aint Misbehavin and Armstrongs accompanying trumpet solo. Armstrong displayed showmanship and charisma, gaining a greater following after the show. The Great Depression Because of the Great Depression, Armstrong, like many others, had trouble finding work. He decided to make a new start in Los Angeles, moving there in May 1930. Armstrong found work in clubs and continued to make records. He made his first film, Ex-Flame, appearing as himself in the movie in a small role. Armstrong gained more fans through this widespread exposure. After an arrest for marijuana possession in November 1930, Armstrong received a suspended sentence and returned to Chicago. He stayed afloat during the Depression, touring the U.S. and Europe from 1931 to 1935. Armstrong continued to tour throughout the 1930s and 1940s and appeared in a few more movies. He became well-known not only in the U.S. but in much of Europe as well, even playing a command performance for King George V of England in 1932. Big Changes In the late 1930s, band leaders such as Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman helped to propel jazz into the mainstream, ushering in the swing music era. The swing bands were large, consisting of about 15 musicians. Although Armstrong preferred working with smaller, more intimate ensembles, he formed a large band in order to capitalize on the swing movement. In 1938, Armstrong married longtime girlfriend Alpha Smith, but soon after the wedding he began seeing Lucille Wilson, a dancer from the Cotton Club. Marriage No. 3 ended in divorce in 1942 and Armstrong took Lucille as his fourth (and final) wife the same year. While Armstrong toured, often playing at military bases and army hospitals during World War II, Lucille found them a house in her hometown of Queens, New York. After years of traveling and staying in hotel rooms, Armstrong finally had a permanent home. Louis and the All-Stars In the late 1940s, large bands were falling out of favor, deemed too expensive to maintain. Armstrong formed a six-piece group called Louis Armstrong and the All-Stars. The group debuted at New Yorks Town Hall in 1947, playing New Orleans styled jazz to rave reviews. Not everyone enjoyed Armstrongs somewhat hammy brand of entertainment. Many from the younger generation considered him a relic of the Old South and found his mugging and eye-rolling racially offensive. He was not taken seriously by young up-and-coming jazz musicians. Armstrong, however, saw his role as more than that of a musician: he was an entertainer. Continued Success and Controversy Armstrong made 11 more movies in the 1950s. He toured Japan and Africa with the All-Stars and recorded his first singles. Armstrong faced criticism in 1957 for speaking out against racial discrimination during the episode in Little Rock, Arkansas, in which black students were heckled by whites while attempting to enter a newly integrated school. Some radio stations even refused to play his music. The controversy faded after President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock to facilitate integration. On tour in Italy in 1959, Armstrong suffered a massive heart attack. After a week in the hospital, he flew back home. Despite warnings from physicians, Armstrong returned to a busy schedule of live performances. Later Years and Death After playing five decades without a No. 1 song, Armstrong finally made it to the top of the charts in 1964 with Hello Dolly, the theme song for the Broadway play of the same name. The popular song knocked the Beatles from the top spot they had held for 14 consecutive weeks. By the late 1960s, Armstrong was still able to perform, despite kidney and heart problems. In the spring of 1971, he suffered another heart attack. Unable to recover, Armstrong died July 6, 1971, at age 69. More than 25,000 mourners visited the body of Louis Armstrong as it lay in state and his funeral was televised nationally. Sources ï » ¿Ã¢â‚¬Å"Louis Armstrong - Awards and Honors.†Ã‚  JazzSkool.org.Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. â€Å"Louis Armstrong.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 14 Feb. 2019.â€Å"Bop to the Best of Louis Armstrong | UDiscover Music.†Ã‚  UDiscoverMusic.