Public transport Essay

The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport. You should write at least 250 words. In a world of increasing environmental awareness improved public transport represents the way of the future. Although people do enjoy the convenience and privacy of traveling in their own private vehicles, in my opinion they may choose public transport if it fulfills certain conditions. These conditions fall into three broad categories: attitudinal, financial and logistical. From an attitudinal perspective, people must first be convinced of the benefits of public transportation. An educational or public relations campaign must be launched to sensitize those who might have disregarded this possibility before. People should be familiarized with the environmental, social and personal benefits for present and future generations. This is one step. From a financial perspective, public transportation must be a clear and viable benefit to consumers. In other words, it must be more affordable than driving to work every day. For example, if people know that by using bus and subway, they can save enough money to take a free holiday each year, many more individuals would be persuaded to travel in this way. This is another critical step. From a logistical perspective, public transportation should be convenient for commuters. City planners and transport officials must ensure that frequent and reliable public transportation is available for each citizen. For people to make the habit of traveling by bus or subway, they must know that they will be able to get to various places on time. Transport vehicles must be well maintained, subway and bus drivers should be customer-oriented and service must be punctual and efficient. This is an additional important step. In conclusion, through a multi-pronged approach, it is possible to increase the use of public transportation. City officials and politicians can lead the way by utilizing these forms of transport themselves and bringing about change through personal example. Then, more citizens will follow suit and we may all hope to live in a cleaner, less polluted environment.

The Trial and Death of Socrates: Linking the Symposium and the Apology

Philosophy, as it is conceived in its classical sense, means love or friendship for wisdom. Although the aforementioned conception is the most widely accepted, there is also another important conception of philosophy which springs from the Socratic-Platonic Dialogues itself; that philosophy is a certain kind of therapeia; that is, the care of one’s soul.Socrates himself believes that the care of one’s soul should be our utmost concern as human beings. Thereby, declaring that â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living. †Socrates’ trial and death as it is recorded by Plato in the Apology is one of the manifestations of Socrates’ commitment to philosophy as the care of the soul and the kind of life which is most appropriate for human beings to live. It is important to note that Socrates’ death could have been avoided if, after hearing the charges against him by his accusers Anytus and Meletus, have opted to admit that his teachings are wrong and go on a voluntary exile; but to do so would mean damaging his own soul and turning his back away from the truth; two things that Socrates is deeply committed to.This paper seeks to explore how the Symposium parallels the charges against Socrates in the Apology. In the Apology, Plato seeks to provide an account of Socrates’ trial and death; the emphasis of which is Socrates’ defense before the Athenian jurors. It is of utmost importance that we bear in mind that the Greek word apologia means defense if we are to arrive at a fuller understanding of the dialogue. The Symposium, on the other hand, deals with two very important topics: the nature of love and of knowledge.In the Apology, there are three main reasons as to why Socrates was put on trial. These may be called as the formal charges against Socrates. In Paul Millet’s book, it is clearly stated: Meletos†¦ has brought this charge and lodged this affidavit against Socrates†¦ Socrates has broken t he law by not acknowledging the gods whom the state acknowledges and introducing new daimonic things. He has also broken the law by subverting the young. The penalty should be death.(34) The foregoing passage lays down the formal charges against Socrates. Although scholars are divided in many issues concerning the supposedly historical account provided by Plato, I think it is unfair based upon the available data that there is no underlying political agenda behind Socrates’ trial and death. There are a number of reasons as to why Socrates may have many enemies. First of all, there is Socrates’ intellectual activities and reputation.Being the philosopher that he is, speculating, asking questions and probing into other people’s beliefs, it is not difficult to see that these activities offended a lot of his interlocutors especially people who are considered as knowledgeable and learned during his time. Second, Socrates’ associations are very much dangerous du ring that time. One may be reminded of Socrates’ uncle Charmides, and Critias; both members of the Thirty Tyrants.Socrates is also associated with Alcibiades, another infamous figure and also one of the key persons in the Symposium. In point of fact, such personal association with these figures is dangerous because of the political climate of the time. This is because during that time, the seat of power in Athens is very much unstable (Brickhouse and Smith 19). Such being the case, Socrates may be said to be in a very difficult situation.This is because Athens (at least, those who were in power during that time) is very critical of those personalities who can influence another upheaval and shift in the balance of power. Socrates’ intellectual activities made the youth of Athens ask questions. All of a sudden, things that are not questioned in the past are now being questioned. For some, such activities are considered dangerous and qualify as corrupting the youth of Ath ens. Socrates then, is considered as a threat to Athens and democracy.In the Symposium, we can identify an instance where Socrates questions the gods. As they were discussing love, Socrates presents a view which may be said to run against the Athenian law (and this may be related to the first formal charge against Socrates, that is, of not worshipping the gods). As Socrates makes mention of Diotima’s view about love and his agreement to her, one may say that Socrates is open to talking about and even questioning the sacred and profane.It is important to note that in the past, these things are not the type of things that is openly discussed especially in terms of questioning the gods. In the same dialogue, Symposium that is, one may notice that Alcibiades is very much attracted to Socrates and is always making ways to be alone with him. If Plato’s account is accurate, however, Socrates was able to make manifest his exceptional self-control and discipline not only in tho ught but also in bodily pleasures.In the final analysis, two important aspects offer us a tenable position as to why Socrates was put to trial and death. First, it is plausible to maintain that it is primarily because of his intellectual activities and philosophical teachings/convictions as the gadfly of Athens. Second, it is also plausible to maintain that those in the seat of power became very much in doubt of Socrates because of his personal associations with the infamous political figures of the time associated with or members of the Thirty Tyrants and traitors.The first and the second reasons may be sum up in one idea; that Socrates’ pursuit of the truth and his openness to talk about and question even the sacred and the profane poses a threat to Athens and democracy. Works Cited Brickhouse, Thomas and Nicholas Smith. Socrates on Trial. US: Oxford University Press, 1990. Millet, Paul. â€Å"The Trial of Socrates Revisited. † European Review of History 12 (2005): 2 3-62 Reeve, C. D. C. Socrates in the Apology: An Essay on Plato’s Apology of Socrates. US: Hackett Publishing, 1990.

Competitive Bids vs Sealed Proposals Essay

The government often uses contracts to acquire needed products or services. Every government purchase uses public funds. Contracting officials are tasked with ensuring that government purchases use public funds responsibly. When awarding contracts, contracting officials must be sure to use the best method possible to acquire goods and service at the best price possible. Two ways in which contracting officials do this is by using sealed bids and competitive proposals. Each form of awarding contracts has its own specific benefits and pitfalls while sharing some characteristics with the other. Sealed bids are a form of awarding contracts that uses competitive bids and public opening of the sealed bids which leads to the final award of the contract. In order to award a contract through sealed bids, a few things must occur. First a solicitation for bids must be drafted. The solicitation must include the government’s requirements in a detailed enough fashion to avoid misunderstandings from potential bidders. Sealed bidding and competitive proposals are both approved methods for awarding contracts according to federal regulation. When deciding whether or not to use sealed bidding, contracting officers should consider the time that will be required for bids to be solicited, submitted, and evaluated. The evaluation process for sealed bids may be lengthy especially if bidders are not prescreened to reduce the pool to only qualified firms. When all bids are received from qualified firms, sealed bidding can make an award decision quite simple. The lowest bidder is awarded the contract.. Unfortunately, sealed bidding depends on competitive pricing. Competitive pricing cannot be insured unless more than one bid is received. Competitive proposals are best used when a contracting officer determines that the nature of the contract makes it difficult to establish exact specifications or methods of performance. Often, the means of contract performance cannot be easily defined and the offeror’s proposal may need to include an explanation of how the contract will be performed. Unlike sealed bid contracts, competitive bids do not have to be awarded to the firm with the lowest price. Other considerations may be considered to determine the best firm. This determination may be made based on a firm’s performance of previous contracts, the proposed method of performance for the existing contract, or a firm’s specific capabilities in relation to other firms. While sealed bidding results in a fixed price or one with economic adjustments, competitive proposals allow for various kinds of contract types. http://www. governmentbids. com/cgi/en/bidding. advice. articles/Article/federal-contract-opportunities-for-your-business

LAN and LAN to WAN Infrastructure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

LAN and LAN to WAN Infrastructure - Essay Example Adequate internet security is one of the major challenges faced by businesses in today’s economy and the world at large. Vital information transferred over internet applications and networks on which governments and businesses depend on is usually facing unauthorized access. The process of organizing, gathering, finding, analyzing and managing of vital business information is crucial to the survival and success of a business. In 2003, computer viruses caused 55 billion in losses to businesses worldwide. In 2011, a solitary instance of unauthorized access cost Sony more than $170 million. On the other hand, Google suffered a $500,000 loss in 2005 as a result of hacking. According to King, single hacking instances can cost a firm or organization as much as $7 million a day. However, this also depends on the company’s revenue. In addition to the financial cost, hacking leads to time wastage. This is because employees remain idle while the systems are down.King implied that while big organizations have the financial capacity to absorb the costs emanating from such events /attack and revenue can be quite detrimental to operations of small firms. In this regard, a firm or business is often faced with a lot of vulnerabilities. Design flaws, incorrect implementation, poor security management, social engineering, and IT vulnerability are among the major sources of security weakness in an organization.

CCI - Business Plannin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CCI - Business Plannin - Essay Example â€Å"Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing strategy that seeks to produce a high level of throughput with a minimum of inventory† (Blacharski, 2012). This way, both the direct and the overhead costs of the business are reduced since the products are manufactured and delivered only when they are required and in as much quantity as is required. This not only reduces the wastage of materials but also saves the company the cost of waste disposal. In addition to that, the reduced amount of waste has a positive impact on the company’s image in the eyes of the stakeholders and the public at large. Uncertainty is definite to come with innovation because wherever there is innovation, something not done before is being done. It might take some time for the business to derive the benefits of innovation, but the long term effects are definitely favorable and provide the companies with different kinds of competitive

3. Biomaterials for bone tissue-engineering Essay

3. Biomaterials for bone tissue-engineering - Essay Example Osseointegration means the ability to integrate into surrounding bones. The ideal condition is that the tissue should be reabsorbed and may be even replaced by the body’s own regenerated biological tissues. Bioactive inorganic materials like tricalcium phosphate, HA, bioactive glasses have a large capacity to be re-absorbed. This is definitely one of the positive points of inorganic materials. But the main problem is their brittle nature. This brittle nature means that the fracture toughness of the bones cannot b matched by these materials and thus is not ideal for picking heavy loads. Polymers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid are polymers which are interesting options for the use (Seeherman H, 2008).However they have weak mechanical properties and provide a possible risk of diseases if there is poor handling. Hydrogels are the kind of polymers which are creating great buzz about their use. They have many advantages including the one that chemical biofunctionalisation and cell encapsulation and delivery are very straightforward. In order for the biomaterial to be like a real bone the toughness of a polymer needs to be combined with the compressive strength of an inorganic material (Hollinger, 2004). This improves their mechanical properties and degradation profiles. Once the adequate biodegradable polymer has been selected the next step is to find a suitable processing technique. The processing methodology must not adversely affect the biocompatibility or the chemical properties of the chosen materials. Through the years a variety of processing techniques have been developed. Some of them will be discussed here by us. Solvent casting /Particulate Leaching – This method consists of dispersing calibrated materials such as sodium chloride or organic materials like saccharine particles in a polymer solution. The dispersion is processed after this either by casting or by using the method of freeze drying which results in

Should monetary policy be made by rule rather than by Essay

Should monetary policy be made by rule rather than by discreation(macroeconomic) - Essay Example Both the rules and discretion need to be analysed in terms of the stability in economy and the inflation targets. While rules determine the inflation sequence, discretion determines the full employment that is lacks in rules. Rules, however maintains the inflation in a statistical fashion, and helps in operating the economy in a definite and expected way. Economists supporting rules argue that the Central Bank will work independently without the political influences, where as those who raise hands for discretion argues that the increasing rate of interest and unemployment will be monitored can controlled by discretion. As a result, the Federal will meet a circumstance to work freely within the given allocations. The central banks consider rules as inflexible but at the same time rules will eliminate the mistakes, by demanding the Central Bank to work within the policy requirements. Where as the discretion based policy will enable the Federal Reserve Bank to act will full freedom within the given limit. In the case of rule, based monetary policies the rate of unemployment and the inflation remains linked in a statistical proportion and the rules will lead to high inflation rates that in turn will result in increase in unemployment. Though some supporters favour employment productivity, their main target seems to be fixed towards increasing production and distribution to continue with a economic growth rather than improving the labour market. Milton Friedman supports a rules based policy, because he stresses on the point that rules will have a constant growth of money. Friedman [1968] argues that a discretion based monetary policy will put efforts to bring out less inflation rates and full em ployment, but this will consequently result in increase in inflation rates and unemployment as well. The rules advocated by Friedman [1968, 1972, 1992] was aimed at balancing the stability in accordance with the production level. The

The importance of Ethics to Sustainable Growth in Engineering Essay

The importance of Ethics to Sustainable Growth in Engineering Enterprise - Essay Example In the instances where security measures are inadequate, the consequences are usually catastrophic. Although the threats are becoming more sophisticated, some organizations have managed to mitigate the impact by regularly reviewing their security capabilities and capacities so as to identify areas of vulnerability. In coming up with the cyber security measures to protect the information and the IT resources, organizations and individuals are required to understand the risks they face so that the right interventions can be put in place. This has therefore necessitated research on various malware programs like Trojan horse, spyware and worms from a scientific perspective. Empirical studies have also been carried out to help identify the relevant strategies that can be used to alleviate and eventually eradicate the threats originating from the cyber space. Based on the previous research, it had been anticipated that the future attacks and threats would be characterized by a combination malware with strong cartography. In the last couple of years, there has been the emergence of a new form of malware in the cyber spaces and it has put organizations at increased risk of suffering attacks. Ransomware has emerged to be a source of threat both to individuals and organizations. It has drawn the attenti on of almost all the IT system security specialists, practitioners and researchers. Empirical and evidence based studies continue to be carried to help understand the new emergent threats to allow organizations be prepared to mitigate its impacts. Teer, Kruck & Kruck (2007) notes that ransomware perpetrators are able to victimize the internet users and organizations by hijacking the files stored, encrypting them before demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key. The threat functions by exploring the system vulnerabilities and seizing control over the victim’s file and computer systems until the demanded payment is made. In the last two years alone, several

Starbucks in India Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Starbucks in India - Coursework Example India is said to have big land and therefore it is not a surprise that its major products are from the agricultural sector. Most of its exports are agricultural with the textile and leather industries the leading ones. In fact, the agricultural sector in India is said to contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. Textile industry employs a lot of people both directly and indirectly. The other major industry in India is the chemical industry which is known to be among the oldest industries in India. The industry is known to produce about 70 000 commercial products. Food industry is also a common one in India. Starbucks is a company that deals with agricultural products it has a high probability of succeeding in India. It will add to the agricultural sector and this could have influenced it (Paunikar, 2004). Indian economy has grown significantly over the last one decade. The economy is actually showing promising trends that are attracting more and more investors to India. The economy of India has developed courtesy of agriculture and the decision of the state to eliminate socialism as well as the centralized bureaucracies which were high ineffective. Liberalization was a key factor to the growth of Indian economy since it opened the way for foreign investors and this is a factor that could have influenced Starbucks (Paunikar, 2004). India has improved in terms of infrastructure. The roads have opened to the rural areas and it is easy for farmers to transport their agricultural goods to the markets. Mumbai and New Delhi are two towns that have an efficient railway system that can also be used for transportation purposes (Paunikar, 2004). The accessibility of these towns might be one of the factors that Starbucks considered before opening operations there. Starbucks is planning to continue expanding its presence in India and Asia in general. By the end this

Divorce Problem Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Divorce Problem Question - Essay Example 105). Also, individualism, increased work pressures, and career aspirations have been cited as contributing factors to increasing rates of divorce. Numerous studies have shown that divorce can be very stressful and difficult as it not only affects the status of marriage but also have far-reaching implications on children and finances. Constitutions and legislations have made provisions for dissolution of marriage if there are sufficient grounds for that. In the United Kingdom (UK), the law on family, marriage, and divorce is covered under the Family Law Act 1996 (The National Archives). Based on this legislation and cases relevant to divorce, this essay will address a divorce problem facing Alsa in a bid to advise her on whether she would be successful in obtaining a divorce. Facts Bob and Alsa have been married for 10 years but have both been unhappy for the past four years. Bob works full time as an engineer and Alsa is a full time housewife. Alsa is becoming tired with Bob’ s lack of assistance in the house; he constantly begins projects and does not finish them. His last project was to fit a new bathroom suite but after removing the old suite, he did not find time to fit the new one. Alsa feels that she cannot cope with his unfinished projects any longer and has moved into the spare room. Although Bob and Alsa continue to eat meals together, they rarely communicate but Alsa has continued to do all of Bob’s washing. More recently Alsa has started to engage in an extra-marital relationship with Ted. Issue Whether Alsa would be successful in obtaining a divorce? Rules Under Family Law Act 1996, divorce and separation is provided for. There is one ground to initiate divorce proceedings: irretrievable breakdown of marriage. The law has provided for five grounds for divorce which the court can rely upon as evidence that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and thus should grant divorce. The five grounds are: desertion; five years’ separa tion without consent; unreasonable behaviour; adultery; and two years’ separation with consent. In addition, the law has set threshold that has to be met before a husband or wife file for divorce: meet specific rules regarding how long one has lived in the country; prove that the marriage has irretrievably broken down; have a marriage that is recognised, legally, in the UK; and have been married for a minimum of one year. Analysis Considering the increasing rates of divorce and how they occur after a very short duration after marriage, Bob and Alsa can be considered to be have sustained their marriage for a relatively longer period (10years). However, both of them have been unhappy in the marriage for the past four years; an indication that the marriage has been experiencing some problems within that period. From the facts gathered, it seems Bob and Alsa marriage does not experience â€Å"serious† problems compared to other marriages whose partners are seeking divorce. Alsa’s main concern is that Bob does not provide assistance in the house as he constantly begins projects and does not finish them. Comparatively, this issue can be considered â€Å"lesser† in marriage and that which can be solved using other avenues rather than the legal avenue. Since this issue does not touch entirely on the fundamentals of marriage, services of a counsellor, church priest, or a family friend can be sought to resolve it (Probert, 2007, p. 65). Besides,

Discuss the development of Eddie Carbones character Essay Example for Free

Discuss the development of Eddie Carbones character Essay ‘’A View From The Bridge’’ is a play written by Arthur Miller in the mid-1950’s. Set during the Great Depression in around 1940, the play sees main character Eddie Carbone lead a stable life with his wife and niece in a tightly-woven community in Brooklyn, New York. Due to his sincerity, he is respected by the local community and he has his destiny plotted out for him. However, as the tragic play unfolds, Eddie makes a series of mistakes which affect his relationship with others and ultimately result in a catastrophe. Eddie Carbone is a traditional Italian-American, who earns his living as a longshoreman. He leads an ordinary life with his wife (Beatrice) and his niece (Catherine). Beatrice loves Eddie, this is shown when Beatrice says ‘’You’re an angel! God’ll bless you.’’. The word ‘’angel’’ suggests that Beatrice loves Eddie as she is comparing him to an angel. Furthermore, this shows the audience that Beatrice is a traditional woman as she is praising (therefore supporting) her husband. In the era they lived in, men and women were expected to follow the traditional values of their communities. Men were authoritative in the house and usually the breadwinners whilst women were housewives; women were expected to support and obey their husbands. Another member of Eddie’s family includes his niece, Catherine; whom Eddie is protective over. This is shown when Eddie says to Catherine ‘’Listen, you been givin’ me the willies the way you walk down the street’’. The word ‘’willies’’ suggests that Eddie feels uncomfortable with the way Catherine walks down the street. He feels this way because he has a close relationship with Catherine who looks up to him as a father-like figure. An important aspect of Eddie’s character that is presented to the audience is his attitude towards snitching. He feels strongly against snitching, this is shown when he insults snitchers by calling them ‘’stool pigeons’’, using this word suggests that Eddie thinks lowly of people committing such acts. Furthermore, Eddie warns Catherine of snitches when he asks Beatrice to tell Catherine the story of Vinny Bolzano (a teenager who snitched on his uncle to the Immigration Bureau). When Rodolfo and Marco arrive; troubles start to brew up and Eddie’s behaviour changes significantly. Eddie becomes more aggravated, this is shown when in the stage directions it says ‘’He is sizing up Rodolfo’’. This shows that Eddie is trying to taunt Rodolfo by comparing their heights (height is a symbol of power). In addition, when Eddie says to Beatrice ‘’he sings’’ (referring to Rodolfo), Eddie is suggesting that it’s not normal for a man to sing, he is attempting to suggest Rodolfo is gay. Eddie is in a way trying to put him down because he is jealous of Rodolfo’s relationship with Catherine. Another example of his sudden metamorphosis is that he has become more obsessed with Catherine. For instance, when Catherine and Rodolfo return from the Brooklyn Paramount, Eddie says to Catherine ‘’I don’t see you no more’’. This quote suggests that Eddie is obsessed with Catherine because he claims that he doesn’t see Catherine. Beatrice’s relationship with Eddie also deteriorates. This is shown to the audience when Beatrice says ‘’Everything ain’t great with me. When am I gonna be a wife again, Eddie?’’. This quote shows that the physical side of their marriage is falling apart because Beatrice is feeling ignored (due to Eddie’s obsession with Catherine). Initially, Eddie considers Marco to be a real man. This is shown when he says ‘’Marco goes around like a man; nobody kids Marco.’’. However, as the play gradually progresses; so does Eddie’s relationship with Marco. For example, in the scene with Marco and the chair, in the stage directions it says ‘’Marco is face to face with Eddie, a strained tension gripping his eyes and jawthe chair raised like a weapon over Eddie’s headEddie’s grin vanishes as he absorbs his look’’. The word ‘’vanishes’’ suggests that the situation is threatening, as the tension is so large that Eddie’s grin vanishes. This event symbolises that the relationship between Marco and Eddie has broken, more importantly it symbolises the start of Eddie’s downfall. By the end of the play, Eddie has changed drastically; he has become a completely different man. He has become a snitch even though he despised snitching at the start of the play. His close relationship with Catherine has ended as Catherine does not look up to Eddie as a father-like figure anymore; in fact she loathes Eddie, this is proven when Catherine says ‘’He’s a rat! He belongs in the sewer!’’. Also, Eddie’s relationship with Marco has deteriorated to such an extent that Marco accuses him of murder and spits in Eddie’s face. We know this because Marco says ‘’He killed my children’’! When Marco spits in Eddie’s face the community become aware of Eddie snitching and they are disgusted. His friend Louis ignores Eddie, this is shown in the stage directions which says ‘’Louis barely turns’’. Therefore Eddie’s main concern now is to get his reputation back, this is proven when Eddie says ‘’I want my name’’. He wants his reputation back because he has been humiliated when Marco spat in his face. In the end, Eddie refuses to listen to Rodolfo’s pleas and demands an apology from Marco. When Marco refuses Eddie takes out a knife but he gets injured himself and dies in the arms of Beatrice. From a highly-respected member of the community, Eddie manages to relegate himself to a disgraced member. Even his most loyal friends ignore him; all because of one error. Eddie is a hero in a Greek Tragedy, he made an error of judgement and he has to suffer immensely for it. Ultimately, he loses the love and respect of his niece Catherine; which is what he was fighting for.

Flying vs. Driving Essay Example for Free

Flying vs. Driving Essay Flying vs. Driving Countless times a year, people wander from state to state and/or country to country for various reasons such as working, visiting loved ones, or maybe even searching for an escape from the norm. As obvious as this may sound, the complexity of traveling today has become quite the sight to behold. With the worlds revolutionary technology, commuting has been taken to a whole new level. Although there are many different forms of travel, the most popular are by boat, by train, by a plane thousands of feet in the air, and even the most common type, by automobile. These ypical methods all provide their own unique experiences for the traveler, and they all come with an ever Increasing label. Each of these travel methods has its own distinctive characteristics. Particularly, considering the two most common types, plane or automobile, people should consider their differences to have better travel experiences. Even though soaring through the air is less common than driving, flying is arguably the most effective means of getting from place to place. While travelers might run Into a couple familiar faces while flying, most likely they will be crowded nto small seats next to complete strangers. In some situations, they may end up securing a strong companionship with the person or people sitting next to them on the plane. This usually leads to having casual conversation for the duration of the flight. unfortunately, in other situations, a traveler may get stuck sitting next to the guy in a trench coat who he or she thought was a terrorist upon first glance at the airport! On the other hand, although driving may be a more time consuming process, this type of traveling provides time for more Interaction, as well as extra sights to see

The Organisational Challenges Faced By Debenhams Commerce Essay

The Organisational Challenges Faced By Debenhams Commerce Essay The following report looks at an organisation (Debenhams) the authors employer, its profile, culture and how the current economic climate has affected its profile and culture What is an organisation? Organisations are social arrangements for achieving controlled performance in pursuit of collective goals, Buchanan and Huczynski (1997). The collective goals at Debenhams are aimed at, identifying, creating and maintaining satisfying relationships with customers resulting in value for both the customer and the organisation. Profile Debenhams Plc is a public limited company. Founded in 1778 as Flint Clark, Debenhams operated as an independent company until its hostile takeover by the Burton Group in the late 1980s. In 1998 Debenhams regained its independence when it was demerged from the Burton Group, which subsequently changed its name to Arcadia Group plc. The Groups principal activity is selling of fashion clothing and accessories, cosmetics and products for use in the home. It retails womenswear, menswear, homewares, health and beauty, accessories, lingerie and childrenswear. The Group trades from department stores and small store formats .Brands include Designers and Debenhams, including third-party brands. The Group has 161 department stores including 10 Desire by Debenhams stores, across the United Kingdom and Ireland with approximately 11 million square feet of trading space and around 27,000 employees. The Group has a portfolio of more than 55 own brands such as Debut, Maine New England, Red Herring and Thomas Nash including 25 Designers of Debenhams brands. Company brands account for about 70% of sales. Debenhams also offers a wedding gift service, in-store restaurants and cafes. The company has 51-plus international franchise stores in 19 countries including, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and will soon be opening 8 in Denmark. Debenhams also extends its customer reach by making direct sales through its website. Debenhams is company that is registered and trades its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Its registered office is at: 1 Welbeck St London W1G 0AA United Kingdom The companys key people are the Chairman: John D. Lovering, CEO: Rob Templeman and Deputy CEO and Director: Michael Sharp. Structure An organisation structure according to Mintzberg (1979) is the sum total of the ways in which it divides its labour into distinct tasks and then achieves coordination between them An organisation structure determines task allocation, reporting lines, and formal coordination mechanisms and interaction patterns. According to Basset and Carr (1996) an organisations structure should emphasise flexibility of response to market and environmental forces, this is accomplished by appropriate variability in the leadership role to fit the circumstances. As a retail organisation, Debenhams emphasises its structure in response to market and environmental forces by identifying and developing new talents to suit whats happening in the market and the retail and business environment in general. Wright and Burns (1998) state that, organisation structures largely depend on what kind of business the organisation is e.g. primary (e.g. extraction of raw materials, secondary, (e.g. conversion of raw materials to finished goods) and tertiary (e.g. services). The structure of an organisation is also affected by ownership and number of employees in the business. Debenhams is a public owned company. Its functional organisation based on product/brand but has a flat organisational structure headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and organises employees into different departments selling different products The functional structure groups employees together based upon the functions of specific jobs within the organization. Melissa Bushman (2007). The author belongs to the Home department where they deal in home wares including wedding gifts. Other departments include Mens wear and Womens wear. The dividing of employees according to departments in Debenhams allows managers to exert con trol on a smaller number of employees, making it easier to manage, be more efficient and allows for easy communication between employees and management. Culture The culture of an organisation refers to the unique configuration of norms, values, beliefs, ways of behaving and so on that characterize the manner in which groups and individuals combine to get things done, Eldridge Crombie (1974). At Debenhams they have a unique configuration of norms, values and beliefs that characterize the manner in which they work as a group to get things done. They have a way which sets them apart from others. Drennan (1992) defines culture as, how things are done around here. It is how things are done at Debenhams that makes them who they are. Its about their brand, their people and how they market themselves. Schein (1990) suggests a view of organisational culture based on distinguished three levels of culture, from the shallowest to the deepest artefacts and creations, values and basic assumptions. The Debenhams culture is about excellence, its about design and innovation. The culture at Debenhams goes with the times but its traditions remain intact and h ave been so for two centuries. Debenhams culture is based on being a premium department store retailer. A family friendly store who supply designer labels at affordable prices. The best statement to Debenhams culture is its people. Retail is a fast-moving, exciting business where teamwork really makes an impact. At Debenhams they think everyone can have an impact on their success. Wherever you go in Debenhams you will meet friendly, welcoming people who will care about your well being and support your development but also expect you to be a valuable member of the team. If you want to push your boundaries and take the initiative, they help you do it. Whether you are a sales advisor or merchandiser, Debenhams growth and breadth of opportunity and focus on personal development makes it the ideal place to develop your career. From the sales floor where people can influence customers to behind the scenes roles, every person can influence the performance of Debenhams. Our senior management team listens and acts on feedback. At Debenhams they want people who have a real passion for what they do, people who are self-motivated. People who will use their initiative to act on the freedom they are given and will drive their own development. Sutherland Canwell (1997) say if employees share the cultural values of the organisation then they will be more likely to be committed to it. At Debenhams employees are committed to the organisation as they believe and share in its culture and values. Certain organisations stress the importance of personal initiative and achievement; indeed they reward employees for personal performance. On the other hand, other organisations positively encourage competition between departments or sub-division of the organisation, Sutherland et al (1997). The Debenhams culture stresses personal initiative and achievement and at the same time positively encourages competition between departments of the organisation. Both individual and team initiative and growth are encouraged. The culture in Debenhams is one that is caring, daring, enabling and encourages sharing. According to Blanchard and Bowles (1998) and their Gung Ho culture, an organisation should aim to create a culture of committed employees who love what they do by adhering to the following three principles: Worthwhile work driven by goals and values- An organisation should focus on worthwhile work, use of case studies, review goal standards for individuals and team members. Putting workers in control of achieving the goal. Cheering each other on- the power of feedback, rewards and recognition and action planning. The Gung Ho process aims to address the following: Improve morale and productivity Reduce employee turnover Develop a sense of purpose Improve creativity and innovation Improve service to internal and external customers Empower individuals and teams The author feels Debenhams their employer, fulfils principles as described in the Gung Ho process by Blanchard et al (1998). This is so because the work is driven by goals and values. Good standards are maintained through regular training and review of individuals and team members. By setting reasonable and realistic targets workers are put in control and are able to achieve set goals and even outdo themselves by going beyond. The organisation recognises the power of feedback by holding regular meetings where everyone participates. It also recognises the importance of rewards and action planning. Rewards help boost morale and productivity while action planning and develop a sense of purpose. Current Economic Climate and how it might affect profile and Culture The past eighteen months has seen the economy of the UK and the rest of the world badly hit and seriously bruised by the credit crunch. The current economic climate could have great impact on the profile and culture of Debenhams as an organisation. These impacts could be Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal, shortened to PESTEL. PESTEL Analysis of Debenhams Political changes-E.g. a change in government or a change in government policy. Government plans to implement the scheduled VAT increase (back to 17.5 per cent) on New Years Day. To change every price in all of its 161 stores at that time would take 250,000 man hours. Debenhams has been encouraged by governments decision on Local Employment Partnership Scheme (LEP) to create employment and will create 1200 jobs between 2010 and 2011and receive government assistance in meeting its training needs. Economic changes-Relate to changes in the wider economy such as rises in living standards or the general level of demand, rises or falls in interest rates, etc. UK markets have been affected by economic concerns through the credit crunch. Lower available income will impact and strategic focus may need to change to lower priced basic products with less focus on higher priced brands suggesting a switch in price architecture. The economy is predicted to grow out of recession in the coming year. As the US economy, the worlds biggest has started growing the growth of exports to that country will create more jobs in the UK economy and as a consequence more consumers will buy the Debenhams brand. The continuous fall in the value of the Pound Sterling against the Euro is likely to bring in more tourists from the EU and beyond who will purchase Debenhams products at a competitive price. As most of the world recovers from the current economic crisis. Debenhams are likely to spearhead their expansion into the international market, introducing new customers to new brands in an exciting retail environment. Social changes-Relate to changes in wider society such as changes in lifestyles e.g. more women going out to work, changes in tastes and buying patterns. Debenhams has added customer ratings and reviews to its online shop to enhance its customers online shopping experience and drive sales. Debenhams customers dont just have to rely on a brands professional opinion they will also now be able to hear what fellow shoppers think. The group is also improving its web site, adding features such as social networking capability, video and catwalk/outfit projection, an online outlet that leads to current offers and promotions, a facility that allows customers to shop by size, as well as product reviews and surveys. The call for fair trade is also another thing that Debenhams has to observe. For example Debenhams restaurants now stock only Douwe Egberts Good Original Coffee. Every cup of Good Original Coffee can be traced back to the farm where it was grown and has been certified by Utz Kapeh, a global non-governmental organisation. This is ensuring we are helping farmers look after their workers, their families and the environment in which they live and work. Technological changes-Relate to the application of new inventions and ideas such as the development of the Internet and websites as business tools. New internet and television technology which use special effects in advertising will make Debenhams products known and attractive to more customers as more people are now making use of the internet. Debenhams has opened online stores due to advancement in technology of the internet and can now sell its products without using shop space. This will allow it to compete favourably in this harsh environment. Positive performance online is helping lift yearly profit at Debenhams, this is despite the harsh economic turmoil in the domestic and international market Environmental changes-Relates to what is happening with respect to the ecological and environmental aspects. Debenhams have also joined calls to reduce impact on global warming by driving a Store energy saving plan, reviewing timings for lights, escalators and air conditioning. Overnight shifts have been reduced with light focussed only in the areas its needed. As a result of these efforts the organisation has achieved the Energy Efficiency Accreditation awarded by the energy Institute. Debenhams is now contributing to a national fund which will help to develop specific WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) collection centres to ensure that more WEEE gets recycled. Debenhams offer a collection service on a like for like basis, for example if you buy a washing machine we can take away your old one. All the appliances we collect are then sent to be recycled. More eco friendly measures have to be implemented, for instance Debenhams have developed a more eco-friendly packaging for the bra collars on Lingerie, by using a new type of board and are now able to maintain the print quality, whilst introducing 20% recycled content. Legal changes-Relate to changes in legislation. This may impact employment, access to materials, quotas, resources, imports/exports, taxation etc. Debenhams has been affected by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive from the government and is doing its bit to help care for the environment. The directive states that as a retailer we are responsible for increasing the amount of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic equipment) that is recycled in the UK. Debenhams reactions to the current economic climate Trigger events like the credit crunch affect organisations in many different ways. Towards the end of 2008, Debenhams struggled as customers were no longer buying much of their products as the economy slid into recession. The current economic climate is likely to impact on Debenhams profile and culture. The report by Graeme Wearden, in the Guardian of (21st October, 2008) gives a clear example of how the current economic climate has affected Debenhams. Debenhams has slashed its dividends after a sharp fall in sales during the past few weeks as the economy deteriorates, Debenhams is planning cost-cutting measures to reduce debt of  £994m, which it admitted was causing uncertainty over its future. It also plans to strip out  £15m of costs, and is cutting almost  £40m from its capital expenditure. The profile of the organisation might change as it could be more difficult to raise funds for new ventures or expansions and also might reduce the current size of the company as there could be downsizing. The negative trends in the economy also might affect the culture of Debenhams as its employees will be operating in a culture of uncertainty. However, the negative trends in the economy have had some positive effects on Debenhams as reported in the Waterford Today (6th January, 2009). On the day (6th January 2009) Debenhams released its interim management statement for the 18 weeks to the 3 January 2009, it also reported that sales of designer gear normally associated with boom times rather than bust, are back in vogue thanks to a new type of shopper, the recessionista. Spring/Summer 09 at Debenhams draws the latest influences from catwalks around the globe with a strong focus on wearability all with famous name designer influences but with high street price tags. ClickPress (14th January 2009)The retailer reported double digit sales growth across its Designer at Debenhams offer in the run up to Christmas, as well as seeing sales and profits increase and market share gains in all major clothing categories, while reducing its debt. The current economic climate has shaken Debenhams, but the Debenhams culture that encourages initiative has seen them shake off the initial fall in sales which shrunk the organisations profile and brought a culture of uncertainty as Debenhams struggled to survive. Whilst Debenhams is a premium department store retailer the external factors of banks going bust, rising unemployment adversely affected their operations. The public could no longer afford their products. The organisation strategized and came up with the idea of selling designer labels with famous name influences but sold at high street prices. Despite the credit crunch Debenhams has been able to maintain its culture of hard work and excellence through its people. The outgoing Chairmans words sum up the Debenhams culture. John Lovering said: I am proud of what Debenhams has achieved over the last six years whilst I have served as chairman.  We have set direction for a sound future. Debenhams is a well managed, properly financed company with a clear and successful strategy and a number of exciting development opportunities. I hope my successor enjoys the role as much as I have. Debenhams has taken advantage of the recession; its combination of quality, price and design in its products has continued to attract customers. Sky News (17 March, 2009). The companys profile will expand as in 2010 theyll open eight new stores bringing the total number to 161 stores across the UK and will employee 1200 new people. The culture of the organisation has altered slightly as the perceived credit crunch crisis initially shook the organisation and drastic measures had to be implemented, the crisis brought a culture of uncertainty across Debenhams. The measures implemented have seen the UKs second biggest department store chain continue to take market share from its competitors in all major product categories. Sky News (March, 2009). The culture change which has taken place at Debenhams is what Brown (1998) terms, specific evolution, which is the adaptation of particular organisational functions (such as research and development, data processing and marketing), to fit the environment. People at Debenhams had to adapt to the credit crunch and found working ways to rise above the crisis. The Debenhams culture has been sustained through new pattern- maintenance symbols, beliefs and structures. Debenhams has been able to weather the storms of the credit crunch because of proper planning and effectively managing todays business risks. Reuvid (2005) points out that organisations should spend time researching the possibility of a risk occurring and the probability of that risk occurring and interrupting businesss flow, then find ways to reduce and mitigate these risks. The organisation should continuously be evaluating the overall risk management infrastructure and investments necessary to look beyond financial statement, risk to enterprise and external risks should not be undervalued and cannot be underscored enough. The organisation needs to protect itself from excessive risk. This should be top priority for management and the audit team. They should understand the extent to which the company is exposed to financial, operational or strategic risks. Because of its preparedness and strategic use both of its financial, creative talent and its human capital Debenhams has survive d the worst recession in decades and remains standing strong.

Margaret Sanger and the Fight for Birth Control Essay -- Contraceptives

Margaret's quest began long before she was known by the public. It started when she was just a young girl. As with most children, her parents were a large influence on her life, but in a way different than perhaps many others. Margaret's father provided her with all the mental tools she would need to succeed. A free thinker and outspoken radical, her father, Michael Higgins, influenced his young daughter to act the same way; to question everything and to stand up for what she believed in. Though Margaret loved her mother, she conceded that definetly her father was the major influence in her early life. Her mother however also had a large influence, yet not in quite the same way. Anna Sanger bore ten children other than Margaret, causing her to be both constantly pregnant and constantly sick, leaving little time for her children. Thus Margaret and her siblings were constantly forced to care for themselves. Anna died at an early age to TB which Margaret attributed to her multiple pregn ancies. It was then that she decided to become a nurse and start helping pregnant women. Working as a nurse in the ghettos of New York, Sanger became all too familiar with some horrible sights. She saw many women die of very preventable deaths due to child labor, and horrible methods of self-induced abortion. After seeing one woman die from a horrific attempt to give herself an abortion Sanger had decided that she had seen enough. It was too late for her to help these women when they came to her as a nurse. She felt she must attack the source of the problem, birth control. She stated, "I went to bed, knowing that no matter what it might cost, I was finished with palliatives and superficial cures; I was resolved to seek out the root of evil, to do s... ...re apt to accept the concept of birth control, if not completely embracing the idea. Her actions challenged the traditional way of thought and introduced concepts that shifted the course of American society. Works Cited 1. Coigney, Virginia. Margaret Sanger New York: Doubleday, 1969. 2. Gray, Madeline. Margaret Sanger: A Biography Of The Champion of Birth Control. New York: Richard Marek Publishers, 1979. 3. Kennedy, David. Birth Control in America : The Career of Margaret Sanger Boston: Yale Universtiy Press, 1970. 4. Marshall, John M.D. Catholics, Marriage and Contraceptions New York: Heligon Press 1965. 5. Parrish, Michael. Anxious Decades. W. W. Norton: New York, 1992. 6. Sanger, Margaret. Margaret Sanger, An Auto-Biography New York: Dover Publications, 1971. 7. Sanger, Margaret. My Fight For Birth Control. Farrar & RineHart: New York, 1931.

Rosa Parks :: essays research papers

Rosa Parks   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many women who have changed the world in the fields of math, science, sports, music, writing and leadership. Rosa Parks was a leader to help the blacks become equal to whites. Eleanor Roosevelt was also a leader because she helped the poor. Harriet Tubman was also a leader which helped free black slaves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am going to tell what Rosa Parks did to help the world be a better place. Parks, Rosa Louise (1913- ), civil rights leader, born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She attended Alabama State College, worked as a seamstress and housekeeper, and was active in the Montgomery Voters League and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Youth Council. In 1943 she was elected secretary of the Montgomery branch of the NAACP. In a celebrated incident in 1955 she was arrested for violating segregation laws when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. This resulted in a boycott of the bus system by blacks, with Martin Luther King, Jr. leading the movement. In spite of harassment the boycott continued, and in 1956 segregated seating was challenged in a federal lawsuit. Within a few months bus segregation was ruled unconstitutional, and the buses were officially desegregated in December 1956. Parks, who had lost her job because of the boycott, moved to Detroit, Michigan, the following year, and again took in sewing. She also worked as a fundraiser for the NAACP. In 1965 she was hired by Congressman John Conyers, Jr., also a civil rights leader, to manage his Detroit office. She remained active in the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In 1987 she founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development,

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: essays research papers

Scout Finch lives with her brother, Jem, and their widowed father, Atticus, in the sleepy Alabama town of Maycomb. Maycomb is suffering through the Great Depression, but Atticus is a prominent lawyer and the Finch family is reasonably well off in comparison to the rest of society. One summer, Jem and Scout befriend a boy named Dill, who has come to live in their neighborhood for the summer, and the trio acts out stories together. Eventually, Dill becomes fascinated with the spooky house on their street called the Radley Place. The house is owned by Mr. Nathan Radley, whose brother, Arthur (nicknamed Boo), has lived there for years without venturing outside. Scout goes to school for the first time that fall and detests it. She and Jem find gifts apparently left for them in a knothole of a tree on the Radley property. Dill returns the following summer, and he, Scout, and Jem begin to act out the story of Boo Radley. Atticus puts a stop to their antics, urging the children to try to see life from another person's perspective before making judgments. But, on the last day of summer, the three sneak onto the Radley property, where Nathan Radley shoots at them. Jem loses his pants in the ensuing escape. When he returns for them, he finds them mended and hung over the fence. The next winter, Jem and Scout find more presents in the tree, presumably left by the mysterious Boo. Nathan Radley eventually plugs the knothole with cement. Shortly thereafter, a fire breaks out in another neighbor's house, and during the fire someone slips a blanket on Scout's shoulders as she watches the blaze. Convinced that Boo did it, Jem tells Atticus about the mend ed pants and the presents. To the consternation of Maycomb's racist white community, Atticus agrees to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white woman. Because of Atticus's decision, Jem and Scout are subjected to abuse from other children, even when they celebrate Christmas at the family compound on Finch's Landing. Calpurnia, the Finches' black cook, takes them to the local black church, where the warm and close-knit community largely embraces the children. Atticus's sister, Alexandra, comes to live with the Finches the next summer. Dill, who is supposed to live with his new stepfather in another town, runs away and comes to Maycomb. Tom Robinson's trial begins, and when the accused man is placed in the local jail, a mob gathers to lynch him.

Microserfs

In Microserfs Douglas Coupland attempts to analyze the lives of people whose work is closely associated with most advanced machines that have yet been made: computers. The title of the novel Microserfs introduces the two main ideas of the novel: it is a play on the dominant force within the computer industry (Microsoft) and the word serfs, which refers to the semi-slave groups who existed within feudal societies in medieval times. Coupland suggests that the people who work for companies like Microsoft are essentially a king of voluntary serf. The characters within this novel want to be machine-like for a number of reasons. First, that seems to be the characteristic which has enabled Bill Gates (the founder and CEO of Microsoft) to rise to the top of the industry. While they apparently hate their jobs at Microsoft, leading to their leaving them and attempting to set up their own company, they also greatly admire the machine-like quality that Gates brings to his work.   Secondly, a machine is totally involved with what it is doing – it has no distractions that will take it away from the task at hand. Third, there is the beautiful logic of software code which contrasts with the often chaotic nature of their personal and professional lives. In Microserfs the great spur for activity is the search to be â€Å"One-Point-Oh†, that is â€Å"to be the first to do the first version of something†(Coupland, 1995). Computer software is normally identified according to which version of the program it is, so to be â€Å"one-point-oh† (1.0) is to be the best. There is a machine like logic to this idea which is of course not really based upon reality: normally the first version of any program is crude and ineffective compared to later versions which are more sophisticated and have been adapted according to the real-world experience of the software being used. In many ways the main characters of the novel such as Daniel, Susan and Todd are removed from the real world to the extent that they need to employ someone from that world to be their â€Å"reality-check†, that person being Daniel’s mother. The characters are obviously satirical in nature, and are taken to such an extreme that they almost seem like people who inhabit a video game. Take for example Michael, who is a brilliant but awkward programmer who leaves Microsoft to start his own company, and decides to adopt a â€Å"Flatlander diet† (Coupland, 1995). This involves only eating â€Å"two-dimensional food† (Coupland, 1995) which means food that can be slid under his door, He has a screen name of â€Å"Kraft Singles† (Coupland, 1995), an ironic comment upon his peculiar diet. Michael is just one example of the tendency to take matters to an extreme among the characters. Todd is not just a body-builder, but an obsessive body-builder. Bug is not only experienced, older and a little more cynical than his younger fellow workers, he calls himself â€Å"the World’s Bitterest Man† (Coupland, 1995). All of these characterizations make the people who inhabit the novel seem essentially machine-like: they are one/two dimensional, relentless in their pursuit of an end and often limited in outlook.   A software program is designed to do one thing extremely well, but nothing else. In the same way the characters attempt to do one thing, or be one thing, extremely well. The constant conflict between the need for a pure existence as a designer, body-builder, bitterest man etc. comes up against the natural human tendency to diversify and to be multi-faceted. While Microserfs was written before the massive explosion in Internet usage, the manner in which people are now essentially locked to their computers:- constantly checking e-mail even in the most remote locations – is a natural development of the kind of process that Coupland sees in this novel. The ongoing discussion between machine and human being, something which is reflected within Coupland’s novels, continues unabated. In conclusion, the characters of Microserfs seek to be machine like because they see this as a route to success. Their â€Å"king†, Bill Gates, who they leave, is nevertheless an icon to be aimed at. He seems more like a machine than a human being according to Coupland, and has all the strengths and weaknesses that are associated with this identity. The characters of this novel, wonderfully funny, but often very sad at the same time, reflect this search to be the perfect human machine.   The fact is that they seem to lose their humanity along the way. Works Cited Coupland, Doug

The Cost of Education

Joey Goodstudent English 101, Section Causal Argument Essay February 16, 2009 The Real Cost of Education It was David Henry Thoreau who said, â€Å"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. † He graduated from Harvard in 1837, but not with a diploma. He explains, â€Å"they have been foolish enough to put at the end of all this earnest the old joke of a diploma. † Thoreau understood that the piece of parchment handed out at commencement means nothing more than the hard work, studying, and education that came before it. Today, those values are lost, and only 59% of Arizonan high school students graduate. This number reflects changes in society, problems in schools, and student’s personal reasoning. Society today demands a degree, not to get ahead, but just to keep up. An article published in the July 17, 2008 Wall Street Journal titled â€Å"The Declining Value of your College Degree† states that â€Å"College-educated workers are more plentiful, more commoditized and more subject to the downsizings that used to be the  purview of blue-collar workers only. What employers want from workers nowadays is more narrow, more abstract and less easily learned in college. † A phrase like this is very discouraging to a high schooler. When the prospect of a brighter future is taken from the table, the immediate response is â€Å"why try? † This attitude gives way to a sense of hopelessness and discouragement. A study by Civic Enterprises shows that 69% of dropouts said that they were not motivated to work hard. The growing cost of living coupled with the independence of today’s youth creates a need to work, and earn money. In society today, children are growing up much faster. A report by the Guttmacher Institute placed Arizona as the state having the second most pregnancies in women aged 15-19. We fell just 9 teen pregnancies shy of first, at 104. With the average annual cost of raising a child at $17,151, it’s practically impossible to support a family and remain in school. This causes both parents of the child to drop out; with both either working all the time or taking turns watching the child as the other works. Problems with the schools are also large contributing factors in the decision to drop out. High Schools often have stark attendance policies that step on the toes of students otherwise willing and able to complete high school. When a student misses a set number of class periods they’re simply audited. The student is not given a chance to catch up, or to learn what they’ve missed, but are assumed to be unable to finish the course. This notion runs contradictory to Arizona’s standardized testing, which suggests that if a child can pass a test, they’ve learned what’s necessary. The audited students are not given the chance to be tested, and show that they’ve learned the necessary material despite absences. A study by Civic Enterprises shows that 47% of students gave the reason â€Å"classes are uninteresting† as one of their motivations for dropping out. Uninteresting classes comes as a result of a strict curriculum to support standardized testing, and placing high value on practical subjects such as math and language, while stigmatizing creative subjects like art, drama, and dance, which would hold the attention of students otherwise bored. Teachers today are forced to stick to strict curriculums to ensure that students can pass a test at the end of the class. This often limits learning techniques considered to be more interesting than others, such as working in a group on a project, or having a class-wide discussion. These actions are replaced with long, prepared lectures and quizzes. Knowledge is lost on students, who sit in class bored. Education is increasingly geared towards practicality, and academic ability. Schools will teach daily mathematics and languages classes, and only offer art or music classes a fraction of that time. Students become bored with the subjects and have no motivation to continue attending school. If schools were to offer more fine arts students would soon gain fascination, and in turn be more interested and motivated to go to school. Class sizes in schools are also a problem, as a large class size will limit the one-on-one time student’s need with their instructor to fully understand what being taught. Often when a class is too large students are unable to ask questions because the instructor is busy help other students, or grading hundreds of assignments. When the class size is smaller, an instructor can get to know particular students weaknesses and help them develop those areas. In this way, a small class size fosters a stronger education, and in turn, happier students who enjoy learning. Students coming to high school from junior high are faced with a completely different social situation. Cliques and groups form to exclude people, and this causes self-esteem issues. Finding friends in this new situation can be tough for students, and feeling like an outcast at school will cause students to not want to be there. Belonging to a group will increase the chances of that students attending school. Conversely, some students get so caught up in the social aspect of high school and being a ‘teen’ that they let their attendance slip, preferring to go out to lunch or hang out with friends over going to school. Eventually, school takes the back seat to their sociability and they drop out. Peer pressure also limits those who earnestly want to succeed, but are not strong academically. Super-seniors will come back to school for another year instead of giving up, only to be ridiculed and called stupid by other students. They soon believe the ridicule and drop out. The true cost of education is the life we exchange for it. It could be at work, struggling to support ourselves and go to school. It could be at home studying for an upcoming exam, It could be in the classroom trying to pay attention, or with fellow students, trying to make friends. With time will come the consequence of these high drop out rates. Perhaps then we’ll take action and try to stop it.

Three Quantitive Forecasting

Identify three qualitative forecasting methods and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. 1. Jury of Executive Panel: Executive panel forecasting uses the expertise of experienced upper managers from various aspects of the business to predict forecast. Executives from areas such as sales, financial, operations and production get together to predict trends, sales, and demand estimates for their particular area of expertise. Advantages of Jury of executive include: a. Seasoned professional provides their opinion b.The responses provided are quick since executives are apart of the organization c. Vested interest in the company Disadvantages include: a. Group think (individual managers may go with the group instead of their own opinion) b. Tendency to go along with the #1 man/woman c. 2. Consumer Survey: This forecasting is focused directly to the consumer. A series of questions are presented to the consumer about a particular product or service. I have been asked to participate in numerous consumer surveys about a product or service that I have used.The survey may used to decide if a product should be created, changed or discontinued. It consist of a sampling consumer to determine demand/spending trends. Advantages of Consumer Survey include: a. Information comes directly from the source (the customer) b. Asks the customer their intention. c. Interviews done in person, although they can be time consuming, allows the interviewer to see the respondents body languages. Can probe for deeper questions Disadvantages of consumer survey include: a.Consumers may not be entirely truthful b. Interviews that are done in person can be time consuming. c. Mailing and telephone, although they take less time and money, do not allow for probing questions 3. Delphi Method: Delphi method of forecasting was developed by RAND in 1950 with the original intent to focus on how technology affected warfare. The Delphi method is made up of a panel of experts who answers a series of care fully designed questions. In addition to experts, Delphi method also uses staff and respondents.Delphi method requires anonymity, iteration, controlled feedback and statistical aggregation of respondents (Rowe and Wright, 1999). Because of anonymity, individuals are free to express their opinions without judgment or peer-pressure. Iteration gives them the opportunity to rethink their response after further consideration. Controlled feedback provides respondents with the opinion of the other members of the panel. Advantages of Delphi include: a. Anonymity: It allows respondents to freely give their opinion without fear of the other participants knowing who they are. b.It is conducted in writing so it allows the participants to respond at their convenience within a prescribed period of time. c. Is focused on the current issue only. Disadvantages of Delphi include: a. Anonymity is also a disadvantage. Because the other participants do not know who makes the opinion, there is no ownersh ip for the opinion given. Experts may not be fully committed as they will not receive credit for their opinion. b. Can be time consuming as it requires iterations. c. Requires participants’ time and commitment so some participants may back out before the study is completed.

Effectiveness of Sobriety Checkpoints

Briana Purifoy Effectiveness of Sobriety Checkpoints Special Problems in Criminal Justice Dr. Stone December 1, 2010 Abstract A good theoretical basis exists for believing that properly conducted sobriety checkpoints and campaigns, may reduce drunk driving, and data from multiple checkpoint programs support this belief. The courts have upheld the constitutionality of checkpoints, opposing those who believe them to violate the fourth amendment. Each year, more deaths result for alcohol-related automobile accidents than any other cause.Sobriety checkpoints, along with media coverage and cooperation from multiple groups, are a necessity to reduce the amount of drunk driving in America. Introduction For many years, the law enforcement community has attempted to detect impaired drivers through numerous innovative efforts and measures. The problem of driving under the influence (DUI) is well known throughout society, yet, even with all of the strategies used to remove these drivers from U. S. highways, it continues to cause needless and tragic loss of life each year. When will this end? When will society no longer tolerate drunk driving?Until that time, the law enforcement community must attempt to contain the carnage inflicted upon law-abiding citizens by impaired drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatal injury and the second-leading cause of nonfatal injury in the U. S. Young adults 15 to 24 years old are particularly at risk for motor-vehicle-related injury (Miller, Galbraith, Lawrence, 1998). Driving under the influence of alcohol is the dominant risk factor for serious highway crashes. General drunk-driving deterrence can be achieved with programs of frequent, highly visible checkpoints.Checkpoints also offer specific deterrence by apprehending drunk drivers. One study estimates that 87% of the drinking drivers apprehended at sobriety checkpoints would not be apprehended otherwise (Miller et al. , 1998). The consequential deaths of drunk dri ving are not â€Å"accidents. † They are the inevitable results of behavior that can be prevented. Although there is no one solution to this problem, sobriety checkpoints are an important component of programs that have reduced the incidence of drunken driving and the resulting loss of life.The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of sobriety checkpoints on drunk driving. It will review the constitutionality of the checkpoints, along with reviewing several studies on checkpoints administered in certain areas or states and their effectiveness on drunk driving and alcohol related accidents. Literature Review Operationalizing Drunk Driving According to national Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 16,653 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 200, an increase of more than 800 deaths from 1999.This represented the largest percentage increase on record (Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 2002). By some estimates, about two out of every five Amer icans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives (Greene, 2003). An analysis conducted on the effects on crashes of DUI-checkpoints indicated that crashes involving alcohol are reduced by 17 percent at a minimum and that all crashes, independent of alcohol involvement, are reduced by about 10 to 15 percent (Erke, Goldenbeld, Vaa, 2009).Further research has revealed that authorities make 1 arrest for driving under the influence for every 772 episodes of driving within 2 hours of drinking and for every 88 occurrences of driving over the legal limit in the United States (Zador, Krawchuk, Moore, 2000). These tragic statistics dramatically illustrate that driving under the influence is a serious problem. Sobriety checkpoints have the greatest deterrent value of all impaired driving enforcement methods, and the public (87 percent in 2005) supports these measures (Kanable, 2006).Prevalence of Sobriety Checkpoints Sobriety checkpoints have existed for several y ears and have served as a deterrent to drunk driving across many communities. Although not the most aggressive method of removing impaired drivers from America’s roadways, these checkpoints comprise one piece of public awareness and education relevant to the drinking and driving dilemma. Sobriety checkpoint programs are defined as procedures in which law enforcement officers restrict traffic flow in a designated, specific location so they can check drivers for signs of alcohol impairment.If officers detect any type of incapacitation based upon their observations, they can perform additional testing, such as field sobriety or breath analysis tests (Greene, 2003). To this end, agencies using checkpoints must have a written policy as a directive for their officers to follow. Agencies normally choose locations for checkpoints from areas that statistically reveal crashes or offenses (Green, 2003). Officers stop vehicles based on traffic flow, staffing, and overall safety. They mus t stop vehicles in an arbitrary sequence, whether they stop all vehicles or a specified portion of them.Checkpoints offer a visible enforcement method intended to deter potential offenders, as well as to apprehend impaired drivers. Sobriety checkpoints must display warning signs to approaching motorists. Used to deter drinking and driving, sobriety checkpoints are related more directly to educating the public and encouraging designated drivers, rather than actually apprehending impaired drivers. They offer authorities an educational tool. Education and awareness serve as a significant part of deterrence.Frequent use of checkpoints and aggressive media coverage can create a convincing threat in people’s minds that officers will apprehend impaired drivers, a key to general deterrence. In addition, public opinion polls have indicated that 70 to 80 percent of Americans surveyed favored the increased use of sobriety checkpoints as an effective law enforcement tool to combat impair ed driving (MADD, 2002). The average motorist is stopped for a very brief period of time, found to be approximately 30 seconds by the trial court in Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz (Willard, 1990).Only if there is evidence of intoxication is the motorist given traditional sobriety testing. The goal of sobriety checkpoints is to deter drunk driving by increasing the perceived risk that those who drive under the influence of alcohol will be apprehended. The checkpoint serves as a visible warning not only to drivers who are drunk, but also to those who are sober but might contemplate driving in an impaired state on some other occasion. Programs that include checkpoints prevent drunk driving more effectively than those that rely solely on conventional law-enforcement techniques, such as waiting to bserve erratic behavior (Willard, 1990). The National Commission on Drunk Driving and the U. S. Department of Transportation support the use of sobriety checkpoints because of their dem onstrated effectiveness. Critics of sobriety checkpoints have argued that they are unconstitutional because other methods of combating drunk driving are less intrusive and more efficient. Although these assertions are themselves highly debatable, the Supreme Court has held that such considerations do not provide a basis for finding a violation of the Fourth Amendment.Checkpoints do not involve the sort of unconstrained police discretion that the Court found objectionable in Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U. S. 648 (1979). Because every car or a predetermined ratio is subject to the checkpoint, police cannot stop motorists on an arbitrary or discriminatory basis. The validity of the checkpoints also can be sustained under the administrative search doctrine developed by the Supreme Court in such cases as New York v. Burger, 483 U. S. 691. Constitutionality of Sobriety Checkpoints In Michigan Department of State Police v.Sitz, The United States Supreme Court held that a Michigan sobriety chec kpoint program was consistent with the requirements of the fourth amendment. The Court, applying the balancing test announced in Brown v. Texas, held that the state had a legitimate interest in preventing drunk driving, the sobriety checkpoint sufficiently advanced the public interest, and the intrusion on individual motorists was slight (The Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 1991). Moreover, the Court understated the effectiveness of the sobriety checkpoint program by undervaluing its deterrent effect.The checkpoint’s intrusion on individual liberty is slight and indistinguishable from the intrusion upheld in Martinez-Fuerte. The Supreme Court has indicated that an individual in an automobile is not entitled to the same level of privacy as an individual in the home, according to South Dakota v. Opperman. The Court has held that stopping a vehicle and detaining its occupants is a â€Å"seizure† within the meaning of the fourth amendment. Yet, it has also held that a stop and seizure of a moving automobile can be made without a warrant (Almeida-Sanchez v. United States, 1973). However, the Court noted in United States v.Almeida-Sanchez that roving patrol searches of vehicles required consent or probable cause to be â€Å"reasonable† under the fourth amendment. Later, in United States v. Martinez-Fuerte, the Court found permanent checkpoints on major highways near the Mexican border consistent with the fourth amendment, because the permanent checkpoints stopped all vehicles and questioned the occupants in an effort to uncover illegal aliens. Furthermore, when proving the effectiveness of the sobriety checkpoint program, the Michigan Department of State Police did not need to show the checkpoint was the only practical alternative (Michigan Dept. f State Police v. Sitz, 1990). Accordingly, Justice Stevens inappropriately evaluated the effectiveness of the checkpoint program in comparison to other potential police procedures when he ar gued that a higher arrest rate could have been achieved through use of more conventional police techniques. Such an approach â€Å"violates the principle that such less-restrictive-alternative arguments are inapplicable in the search and seizure context† (The Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 1991).In fact, the Supreme Court rejected a less-restrictive-alternative argument in Martinez-Fuerte when it argued that â€Å"the logic of such elaborate less-restrictive-alternative arguments could raise insuperable barriers to the exercise of virtually all search and seizure powers. † The Court’s decision in upholding a sobriety checkpoint program paves the way for law enforcement officials to implement a promising technique for combating drunk driving. Importantly, the court accomplished this task without a radical departure from fourth amendment jurisprudence.Rather, the Court arrived at its decision through a consistent application of the case law on automobi le searches and seizures. The Court correctly applied the balancing test enunciated in Brown and properly held that the equities weighed in favor of upholding the constitutionality of the Michigan sobriety checkpoint program (Blade, 1990). The arrest rate realized in the Michigan program compared favorably with similar â€Å"seizures† upheld by the Court. Finally, the Court properly concluded that the subjective intrusion on individual liberty was slight in ight of the substantial drunken driving problem confronting this country, clearing the path for law enforcement officials to combat drunk driving more effectively. Review of Studies A comparative study implemented by Greene (2003) gives statistics compiled by two agencies, similar in size and area of responsibility. They offer an overview of the scope of the DUI problem. In 200, the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted 58 sobriety checkpoints and arrested 323 drivers for DUI. The Ohio State Highway Patrol carried out 12 sobriety checkpoints and arrested 77 drivers for DUI.In 2001, Missouri effected 67 sobriety checkpoints and arrested 318 drivers for DUI. Ohio implemented 19 sobriety checkpoints and arrested 126 drivers for DUI. Since 1989, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has participated in 156 sobriety checkpoints and arrested 807 drivers for DUI. Also, from 1994 to 1995, Tennessee, in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, implemented a statewide campaign completing nearly 900 sobriety checkpoints. Law enforcement agencies conducted these in all 95 counties in Tennessee in just over 1 year. The checkpoint programs were highly publicized and conducted basically every week.The evaluation of the program revealed it as highly favorable in reducing the number of alcohol-related fatal crashes. Basically, Missouri averaged about 5 DUI arrests per checkpoint. Ohio averaged less than 7 DUI arrests per checkpoint, and Tennessee’s aggressive checkpoint program averaged l ess than 1 arrest per checkpoint. Sobriety checkpoint programs in Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia have led to a reduction in alcohol-related crashes (Greene, 2003). In 1995, North Carolina conducted a statewide enforcement and publicity campaign aimed at impaired drivers.The campaign was deemed a success, indicating â€Å"drivers with blood alcohol levels at or above 0. 08 percent declined from 198 per 10,000 before the program to 90 per 10,000 after the intensive 3-week alcohol-impaired publicity and enforcement campaign† (Delkab County, Georgia Police Dept. , 2002). Another study conducted by Levy, Shea, and Asch (1989) reported the result of some studies of the effectiveness of DWI programs in New Jersey. Effectiveness was defined in terms of traffic crash experience. Their study was devoted to a drunk driving deterrence program named Strike Force, which implemented sobriety heckpoints administered at the county level, with supervision and fund ing from the state and federal government. The Strike Force program provided overtime funding to police departments on a county-wide basis and used a system of random roadside checkpoints to examine drivers for possible intoxication. Police directed traffic onto a single lane, where officers spoke to the driver and provided drunk driving information materials. Drivers who appeared to have been drinking were directed to an area off the roadway for further screening (psychomotor and breath tests).The checkpoint sites and times were determined by police personnel based on prior analysis of accident and arrest data. Operations were usually conducted on weekend nights and were moved to different sites. Although the Strike Force program remained small in terms of resources, their impact on public consciousness was important. The checkpoint programs were publicized on radio and television. The sites were unannounced, but visibility was a prime consideration. Checkpoint trailers with banner s were conspicuously parked in the participating county and driven in major areas when not in use.Surveys conducted for the state found that awareness of them is close to universal among drivers. An important part of the deterrence strategy was the informational and consciousness-raising programs, which not only educate citizens but also inform then of enforcement efforts. The fall in New Jersey’s single-vehicle nighttime rates relative to the state’s all-fatality rate and relative to the US single-vehicle nighttime fatality rate would suggest that New Jersey was effective at deterring alcohol-involved traffic crashes.The coefficient for the Strike Force variable indicated that the program at its peak reduced the single vehicle nighttime crash rate by greater than 20 percent. However, a number of other influences may have contributed, such as other statewide policy changes in New Jersey, including two increases in the minimum legal drinking age and stricter court penal ties for drinking and driving (Levy et al. , 1989). Finally, another study was conducted in an attempt to reduce the amount of drivers driving under the influence on a college campus (Clapp, Johnson, Voas, Lange, Shillington & Russell, 2003).DUI checkpoints were operated by the campus police with assistance from the local city police and the highway patrol. Checkpoints were conducted on three main streets surrounding the campus. These streets were selected because they had a significant amount of student foot traffic and motor vehicle traffic. On average, 730 cars were stopped at each checkpoint. Consistent with Ross (1982), the primary goal of the checkpoints was to increase the perception of risk of arrest for DUI. Arrests were a secondary goal. As such, the checkpoints included 10-15 officers, several police cars with their lights turned on, cones, flares and large spotlights.For each checkpoint, the local media (including the campus paper) were contacted. The checkpoints all received coverage on local television news broadcasts. During the intervention period, the campus newspaper ran six stories related to DUI. One of these stories focused directly on increased enforcement. During the baseline period, the school paper ran 11 DUI-related stories. Additional informational tactics were used, such as telephone interviews and personal interviews. The results revealed a considerable drop in self-reported driving after drinking following the DUI prevention campaign tested at the campus.Also, perceptions of DUI risk increased for students at the university. An important part of the deterrence strategy was the informational and consciousness-raising programs. Conclusion Law enforcement agencies should not accept mediocrity in the area of driving under the influence enforcement. It is not a societal problem. It is everyone’s problem, and no one should take it lightly. More people die or are injured on this nation’s highways due to impaired driving than from all other causes combined (Greene, 2003).It is unacceptable, and all Americans pay a price, whether personal, financial, or professional. Law enforcement agencies must take up the challenge and employ every available weapon to combat this deadly threat. This is a very possible ambition. Through better education, increased awareness, and some strict penalties, the battle can be won. Working in collaboration with one another, the public, the law enforcement community, and the judicial system can help prevent the needless loss of life that results from drunk driving. When people are knocked away one at a time, it doesn’t make the headlines like it should, but we’ve got to make Americans realize the fact that it’s still the number one killer, and it’s 100 percent preventable. This is one thing that we can all work together to do something about† (Webb, 2002).

A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirtynine

Ned had known their faces as well as he knew his own once, but the years leech at a man’s memories, even those he has vowed never to forget. In the dream they were only shadows, grey wraiths on horses made of mist. They were seven, facing three. In the dream as it had been in life. Yet these were no ordinary three. They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his right shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. Across his white-enameled helm, the black bat of his House spread its wings. Between them stood fierce old Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. â€Å"I looked for you on the Trident,† Ned said to them. â€Å"We were not there,† Ser Gerold answered. â€Å"Woe to the Usurper if we had been,† said Ser Oswell. â€Å"When King’s Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were.† â€Å"Far away,† Ser Gerold said, â€Å"or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.† â€Å"I came down on Storm’s End to lift the siege,† Ned told them, â€Å"and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.† â€Å"Our knees do not bend easily,† said Ser Arthur Dayne. â€Å"Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.† â€Å"Ser Willem is a good man and true,† said Ser Oswell. â€Å"But not of the Kingsguard,† Ser Gerold pointed out. â€Å"The Kingsguard does not flee.† â€Å"Then or now,† said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm. â€Å"We swore a vow,† explained old Ser Gerold. Ned’s wraiths moved up beside him, with shadow swords in hand. They were seven against three. â€Å"And now it begins,† said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass, alive with light. â€Å"No,† Ned said with sadness in his voice. â€Å"Now it ends.† As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. â€Å"Eddard!† she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death. â€Å"Lord Eddard,† Lyanna called again. â€Å"I promise,† he whispered. â€Å"Lya, I promise . . . â€Å" â€Å"Lord Eddard,† a man echoed from the dark. Groaning, Eddard Stark opened his eyes. Moonlight streamed through the tall windows of the Tower of the Hand. â€Å"Lord Eddard?† A shadow stood over the bed. â€Å"How . . . how long?† The sheets were tangled, his leg splinted and plastered. A dull throb of pain shot up his side. â€Å"Six days and seven nights.† The voice was Vayon Poole’s. The steward held a cup to Ned’s lips. â€Å"Drink, my lord.† â€Å"What . . . ?† â€Å"Only water. Maester Pycelle said you would be thirsty.† Ned drank. His lips were parched and cracked. The water tasted sweet as honey. â€Å"The king left orders,† Vayon Poole told him when the cup was empty. â€Å"He would speak with you, my lord.† â€Å"On the morrow,† Ned said. â€Å"When I am stronger.† He could not face Robert now. The dream had left him weak as a kitten. â€Å"My lord,† Poole said, â€Å"he commanded us to send you to him the moment you opened your eyes.† The steward busied himself lighting a bedside candle. Ned cursed softly. Robert was never known for his patience. â€Å"Tell him I’m too weak to come to him. If he wishes to speak with me, I should be pleased to receive him here. I hope you wake him from a sound sleep. And summon . . . † He was about to say Jory when he remembered. â€Å"Summon the captain of my guard.† Alyn stepped into the bedchamber a few moments after the steward had taken his leave. â€Å"My lord.† â€Å"Poole tells me it has been six days,† Ned said. â€Å"I must know how things stand.† â€Å"The Kingslayer is fled the city,† Alyn told him. â€Å"The talk is he’s ridden back to Casterly Rock to join his father. The story of how Lady Catelyn took the Imp is on every lip. I have put on extra guards, if it please you.† â€Å"It does,† Ned assured him. â€Å"My daughters?† â€Å"They have been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, but Arya . . . † He hesitated. â€Å"She has not said a word since they brought you back. She is a fierce little thing, my lord. I have never seen such anger in a girl.† â€Å"Whatever happens,† Ned said, â€Å"I want my daughters kept safe. I fear this is only the beginning.† â€Å"No harm will come to them, Lord Eddard,† Alyn said. â€Å"I stake my life on that.† â€Å"Jory and the others . . . â€Å" â€Å"I gave them over to the silent sisters, to be sent north to Winterfell. Jory would want to lie beside his grandfather.† It would have to be his grandfather, for Jory’s father was buried far to the south. Martyn Cassel had perished with the rest. Ned had pulled the tower down afterward, and used its bloody stones to build eight cairns upon the ridge. It was said that Rhaegar had named that place the tower of joy, but for Ned it was a bitter memory. They had been seven against three, yet only two had lived to ride away; Eddard Stark himself and the little crannogman, Howland Reed. He did not think it omened well that he should dream that dream again after so many years. â€Å"You’ve done well, Alyn,† Ned was saying when Vayon Poole returned. The steward bowed low. â€Å"His Grace is without, my lord, and the queen with him.† Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his leg trembled with pain. He had not expected Cersei to come. It did not bode well that she had. â€Å"Send them in, and leave us. What we have to say should not go beyond these walls.† Poole withdrew quietly. Robert had taken time to dress. He wore a black velvet doublet with the crowned stag of Baratheon worked upon the breast in golden thread, and a golden mantle with a cloak of black and gold squares. A flagon of wine was in his hand, his face already flushed from drink. Cersei Lannister entered behind him, a jeweled tiara in her hair. â€Å"Your Grace,† Ned said. â€Å"Your pardons. I cannot rise.† â€Å"No matter,† the king said gruffly. â€Å"Some wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage.† â€Å"A small cup,† Ned said. â€Å"My head is still heavy from the milk of the poppy.† â€Å"A man in your place should count himself fortunate that his head is still on his shoulders,† the queen declared. â€Å"Quiet, woman,† Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of wine. â€Å"Does the leg still pain you?† â€Å"Some,† Ned said. His head was swimming, but it would not do to admit to weakness in front of the queen. â€Å"Pycelle swears it will heal clean.† Robert frowned. â€Å"I take it you know what Catelyn has done?† â€Å"I do.† Ned took a small swallow of wine. â€Å"My lady wife is blameless, Your Grace. All she did she did at my command.† â€Å"I am not pleased, Ned,† Robert grumbled. â€Å"By what right do you dare lay hands on my blood?† Cersei demanded. â€Å"Who do you think you are?† â€Å"The Hand of the King,† Ned told her with icy courtesy. â€Å"Charged by your own lord husband to keep the king’s peace and enforce the king’s justice.† â€Å"You were the Hand,† Cersei began, â€Å"but now—† â€Å"Silence!† the king roared. â€Å"You asked him a question and he answered it.† Cersei subsided, cold with anger, and Robert turned back to Ned. â€Å"Keep the king’s peace, you say. Is this how you keep my peace, Ned? Seven men are dead . . . â€Å" â€Å"Eight,† the queen corrected. â€Å"Tregar died this morning, of the blow Lord Stark gave him.† â€Å"Abductions on the kingsroad and drunken slaughter in my streets,† the king said. â€Å"I will not have it, Ned.† â€Å"Catelyn had good reason for taking the Imp—† â€Å"I said, I will not have it! To hell with her reasons. You will command her to release the dwarf at once, and you will make your peace with Jaime.† â€Å"Three of my men were butchered before my eyes, because Jaime Lannister wished to chasten me. Am I to forget that?† â€Å"My brother was not the cause of this quarrel,† Cersei told the king. â€Å"Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad.† â€Å"You know me better than that, Robert,† Ned said. â€Å"Ask Lord Baelish if you doubt me. He was there.† â€Å"I’ve talked to Littlefinger,† Robert said. â€Å"He claims he rode off to bring the gold cloaks before the fighting began, but he admits you were returning from some whorehouse.† â€Å"Some whorehouse? Damn your eyes, Robert, I went there to have a look at your daughter! Her mother has named her Barra. She looks like that first girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale.† He watched the queen as he spoke; her face was a mask, still and pale, betraying nothing. Robert flushed. â€Å"Barra,† he grumbled. â€Å"Is that supposed to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more sense.† â€Å"She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you thought she had sense?† Ned said, incredulous. His leg was beginning to pain him sorely. It was hard to keep his temper. â€Å"The fool child is in love with you, Robert.† The king glanced at Cersei. â€Å"This is no fit subject for the queen’s ears.† â€Å"Her Grace will have no liking for anything I have to say,† Ned replied. â€Å"I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice.† The king swirled the wine in his cup, brooding. He took a swallow. â€Å"No,† he said. â€Å"I want no more of this. Jaime slew three of your men, and you five of his. Now it ends.† â€Å"Is that your notion of justice?† Ned flared. â€Å"If so, I am pleased that I am no longer your Hand.† The queen looked to her husband. â€Å"If any man had dared speak to a Targaryen as he has spoken to you—† â€Å"Do you take me for Aerys?† Robert interrupted. â€Å"I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of marriage and the bonds we share. The Starks have driven off the one and seized the other. This man dishonors you with every breath he takes, and yet you stand there meekly, asking if his leg pains him and would he like some wine.† Robert’s face was dark with anger. â€Å"How many times must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?† Cersei’s face was a study in contempt. â€Å"What a jape the gods have made of us two,† she said. â€Å"By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail.† Purple with rage, the king lashed out, a vicious backhand blow to the side of the head. She stumbled against the table and fell hard, yet Cersei Lannister did not cry out. Her slender fingers brushed her cheek, where the pale smooth skin was already reddening. On the morrow the bruise would cover half her face. â€Å"I shall wear this as a badge of honor,† she announced. â€Å"Wear it in silence, or I’ll honor you again,† Robert vowed. He shouted for a guard. Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, tall and somber in his white armor. â€Å"The queen is tired. See her to her bedchamber.† The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word. Robert reached for the flagon and refilled his cup. â€Å"You see what she does to me, Ned.† The king seated himself, cradling his wine cup. â€Å"My loving wife. The mother of my children.† The rage was gone from him now; in his eyes Ned saw something sad and scared. â€Å"I should not have hit her. That was not . . . that was not kingly.† He stared down at his hands, as if he did not quite know what they were. â€Å"I was always strong . . . no one could stand before me, no one. How do you fight someone if you can’t hit them?† Confused, the king shook his head. â€Å"Rhaegar . . . Rhaegar won, damn him. I killed him, Ned, I drove the spike right through that black armor into his black heart, and he died at my feet. They made up songs about it. Yet somehow he still won. He has Lyanna now, and I have her.† The king drained his cup. â€Å"Your Grace,† Ned Stark said, â€Å"we must talk . . . â€Å" Robert pressed his fingertips against his temples. â€Å"I am sick unto death of talk. On the morrow I’m going to the kingswood to hunt. Whatever you have to say can wait until I return.† â€Å"If the gods are good, I shall not be here on your return. You commanded me to return to Winterfell, remember?† Robert stood up, grasping one of the bedposts to steady himself. â€Å"The gods are seldom good, Ned. Here, this is yours.† He pulled the heavy silver hand clasp from a pocket in the lining of his cloak and tossed it on the bed. â€Å"Like it or not, you are my Hand, damn you. I forbid you to leave.† Ned picked up the silver clasp. He was being given no choice, it seemed. His leg throbbed, and he felt as helpless as a child. â€Å"The Targaryen girl—† The king groaned. â€Å"Seven hells, don’t start with her again. That’s done, I’ll hear no more of it.† â€Å"Why would you want me as your Hand, if you refuse to listen to my counsel?† â€Å"Why?† Robert laughed. â€Å"Why not? Someone has to rule this damnable kingdom. Put on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever throw it in my face again, I swear to you, I’ll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister.† A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirtynine Ned had known their faces as well as he knew his own once, but the years leech at a man’s memories, even those he has vowed never to forget. In the dream they were only shadows, grey wraiths on horses made of mist. They were seven, facing three. In the dream as it had been in life. Yet these were no ordinary three. They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his right shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. Across his white-enameled helm, the black bat of his House spread its wings. Between them stood fierce old Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. â€Å"I looked for you on the Trident,† Ned said to them. â€Å"We were not there,† Ser Gerold answered. â€Å"Woe to the Usurper if we had been,† said Ser Oswell. â€Å"When King’s Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were.† â€Å"Far away,† Ser Gerold said, â€Å"or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.† â€Å"I came down on Storm’s End to lift the siege,† Ned told them, â€Å"and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.† â€Å"Our knees do not bend easily,† said Ser Arthur Dayne. â€Å"Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.† â€Å"Ser Willem is a good man and true,† said Ser Oswell. â€Å"But not of the Kingsguard,† Ser Gerold pointed out. â€Å"The Kingsguard does not flee.† â€Å"Then or now,† said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm. â€Å"We swore a vow,† explained old Ser Gerold. Ned’s wraiths moved up beside him, with shadow swords in hand. They were seven against three. â€Å"And now it begins,† said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass, alive with light. â€Å"No,† Ned said with sadness in his voice. â€Å"Now it ends.† As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. â€Å"Eddard!† she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death. â€Å"Lord Eddard,† Lyanna called again. â€Å"I promise,† he whispered. â€Å"Lya, I promise . . . â€Å" â€Å"Lord Eddard,† a man echoed from the dark. Groaning, Eddard Stark opened his eyes. Moonlight streamed through the tall windows of the Tower of the Hand. â€Å"Lord Eddard?† A shadow stood over the bed. â€Å"How . . . how long?† The sheets were tangled, his leg splinted and plastered. A dull throb of pain shot up his side. â€Å"Six days and seven nights.† The voice was Vayon Poole’s. The steward held a cup to Ned’s lips. â€Å"Drink, my lord.† â€Å"What . . . ?† â€Å"Only water. Maester Pycelle said you would be thirsty.† Ned drank. His lips were parched and cracked. The water tasted sweet as honey. â€Å"The king left orders,† Vayon Poole told him when the cup was empty. â€Å"He would speak with you, my lord.† â€Å"On the morrow,† Ned said. â€Å"When I am stronger.† He could not face Robert now. The dream had left him weak as a kitten. â€Å"My lord,† Poole said, â€Å"he commanded us to send you to him the moment you opened your eyes.† The steward busied himself lighting a bedside candle. Ned cursed softly. Robert was never known for his patience. â€Å"Tell him I’m too weak to come to him. If he wishes to speak with me, I should be pleased to receive him here. I hope you wake him from a sound sleep. And summon . . . † He was about to say Jory when he remembered. â€Å"Summon the captain of my guard.† Alyn stepped into the bedchamber a few moments after the steward had taken his leave. â€Å"My lord.† â€Å"Poole tells me it has been six days,† Ned said. â€Å"I must know how things stand.† â€Å"The Kingslayer is fled the city,† Alyn told him. â€Å"The talk is he’s ridden back to Casterly Rock to join his father. The story of how Lady Catelyn took the Imp is on every lip. I have put on extra guards, if it please you.† â€Å"It does,† Ned assured him. â€Å"My daughters?† â€Å"They have been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, but Arya . . . † He hesitated. â€Å"She has not said a word since they brought you back. She is a fierce little thing, my lord. I have never seen such anger in a girl.† â€Å"Whatever happens,† Ned said, â€Å"I want my daughters kept safe. I fear this is only the beginning.† â€Å"No harm will come to them, Lord Eddard,† Alyn said. â€Å"I stake my life on that.† â€Å"Jory and the others . . . â€Å" â€Å"I gave them over to the silent sisters, to be sent north to Winterfell. Jory would want to lie beside his grandfather.† It would have to be his grandfather, for Jory’s father was buried far to the south. Martyn Cassel had perished with the rest. Ned had pulled the tower down afterward, and used its bloody stones to build eight cairns upon the ridge. It was said that Rhaegar had named that place the tower of joy, but for Ned it was a bitter memory. They had been seven against three, yet only two had lived to ride away; Eddard Stark himself and the little crannogman, Howland Reed. He did not think it omened well that he should dream that dream again after so many years. â€Å"You’ve done well, Alyn,† Ned was saying when Vayon Poole returned. The steward bowed low. â€Å"His Grace is without, my lord, and the queen with him.† Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his leg trembled with pain. He had not expected Cersei to come. It did not bode well that she had. â€Å"Send them in, and leave us. What we have to say should not go beyond these walls.† Poole withdrew quietly. Robert had taken time to dress. He wore a black velvet doublet with the crowned stag of Baratheon worked upon the breast in golden thread, and a golden mantle with a cloak of black and gold squares. A flagon of wine was in his hand, his face already flushed from drink. Cersei Lannister entered behind him, a jeweled tiara in her hair. â€Å"Your Grace,† Ned said. â€Å"Your pardons. I cannot rise.† â€Å"No matter,† the king said gruffly. â€Å"Some wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage.† â€Å"A small cup,† Ned said. â€Å"My head is still heavy from the milk of the poppy.† â€Å"A man in your place should count himself fortunate that his head is still on his shoulders,† the queen declared. â€Å"Quiet, woman,† Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of wine. â€Å"Does the leg still pain you?† â€Å"Some,† Ned said. His head was swimming, but it would not do to admit to weakness in front of the queen. â€Å"Pycelle swears it will heal clean.† Robert frowned. â€Å"I take it you know what Catelyn has done?† â€Å"I do.† Ned took a small swallow of wine. â€Å"My lady wife is blameless, Your Grace. All she did she did at my command.† â€Å"I am not pleased, Ned,† Robert grumbled. â€Å"By what right do you dare lay hands on my blood?† Cersei demanded. â€Å"Who do you think you are?† â€Å"The Hand of the King,† Ned told her with icy courtesy. â€Å"Charged by your own lord husband to keep the king’s peace and enforce the king’s justice.† â€Å"You were the Hand,† Cersei began, â€Å"but now—† â€Å"Silence!† the king roared. â€Å"You asked him a question and he answered it.† Cersei subsided, cold with anger, and Robert turned back to Ned. â€Å"Keep the king’s peace, you say. Is this how you keep my peace, Ned? Seven men are dead . . . â€Å" â€Å"Eight,† the queen corrected. â€Å"Tregar died this morning, of the blow Lord Stark gave him.† â€Å"Abductions on the kingsroad and drunken slaughter in my streets,† the king said. â€Å"I will not have it, Ned.† â€Å"Catelyn had good reason for taking the Imp—† â€Å"I said, I will not have it! To hell with her reasons. You will command her to release the dwarf at once, and you will make your peace with Jaime.† â€Å"Three of my men were butchered before my eyes, because Jaime Lannister wished to chasten me. Am I to forget that?† â€Å"My brother was not the cause of this quarrel,† Cersei told the king. â€Å"Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad.† â€Å"You know me better than that, Robert,† Ned said. â€Å"Ask Lord Baelish if you doubt me. He was there.† â€Å"I’ve talked to Littlefinger,† Robert said. â€Å"He claims he rode off to bring the gold cloaks before the fighting began, but he admits you were returning from some whorehouse.† â€Å"Some whorehouse? Damn your eyes, Robert, I went there to have a look at your daughter! Her mother has named her Barra. She looks like that first girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale.† He watched the queen as he spoke; her face was a mask, still and pale, betraying nothing. Robert flushed. â€Å"Barra,† he grumbled. â€Å"Is that supposed to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more sense.† â€Å"She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you thought she had sense?† Ned said, incredulous. His leg was beginning to pain him sorely. It was hard to keep his temper. â€Å"The fool child is in love with you, Robert.† The king glanced at Cersei. â€Å"This is no fit subject for the queen’s ears.† â€Å"Her Grace will have no liking for anything I have to say,† Ned replied. â€Å"I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice.† The king swirled the wine in his cup, brooding. He took a swallow. â€Å"No,† he said. â€Å"I want no more of this. Jaime slew three of your men, and you five of his. Now it ends.† â€Å"Is that your notion of justice?† Ned flared. â€Å"If so, I am pleased that I am no longer your Hand.† The queen looked to her husband. â€Å"If any man had dared speak to a Targaryen as he has spoken to you—† â€Å"Do you take me for Aerys?† Robert interrupted. â€Å"I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of marriage and the bonds we share. The Starks have driven off the one and seized the other. This man dishonors you with every breath he takes, and yet you stand there meekly, asking if his leg pains him and would he like some wine.† Robert’s face was dark with anger. â€Å"How many times must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?† Cersei’s face was a study in contempt. â€Å"What a jape the gods have made of us two,† she said. â€Å"By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail.† Purple with rage, the king lashed out, a vicious backhand blow to the side of the head. She stumbled against the table and fell hard, yet Cersei Lannister did not cry out. Her slender fingers brushed her cheek, where the pale smooth skin was already reddening. On the morrow the bruise would cover half her face. â€Å"I shall wear this as a badge of honor,† she announced. â€Å"Wear it in silence, or I’ll honor you again,† Robert vowed. He shouted for a guard. Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, tall and somber in his white armor. â€Å"The queen is tired. See her to her bedchamber.† The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word. Robert reached for the flagon and refilled his cup. â€Å"You see what she does to me, Ned.† The king seated himself, cradling his wine cup. â€Å"My loving wife. The mother of my children.† The rage was gone from him now; in his eyes Ned saw something sad and scared. â€Å"I should not have hit her. That was not . . . that was not kingly.† He stared down at his hands, as if he did not quite know what they were. â€Å"I was always strong . . . no one could stand before me, no one. How do you fight someone if you can’t hit them?† Confused, the king shook his head. â€Å"Rhaegar . . . Rhaegar won, damn him. I killed him, Ned, I drove the spike right through that black armor into his black heart, and he died at my feet. They made up songs about it. Yet somehow he still won. He has Lyanna now, and I have her.† The king drained his cup. â€Å"Your Grace,† Ned Stark said, â€Å"we must talk . . . â€Å" Robert pressed his fingertips against his temples. â€Å"I am sick unto death of talk. On the morrow I’m going to the kingswood to hunt. Whatever you have to say can wait until I return.† â€Å"If the gods are good, I shall not be here on your return. You commanded me to return to Winterfell, remember?† Robert stood up, grasping one of the bedposts to steady himself. â€Å"The gods are seldom good, Ned. Here, this is yours.† He pulled the heavy silver hand clasp from a pocket in the lining of his cloak and tossed it on the bed. â€Å"Like it or not, you are my Hand, damn you. I forbid you to leave.† Ned picked up the silver clasp. He was being given no choice, it seemed. His leg throbbed, and he felt as helpless as a child. â€Å"The Targaryen girl—† The king groaned. â€Å"Seven hells, don’t start with her again. That’s done, I’ll hear no more of it.† â€Å"Why would you want me as your Hand, if you refuse to listen to my counsel?† â€Å"Why?† Robert laughed. â€Å"Why not? Someone has to rule this damnable kingdom. Put on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever throw it in my face again, I swear to you, I’ll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister.†