Shah News Essay Example for Free

Shah News Essay Identification of Problem A small newsagent named Shah News has decided to diversify, and begun to rent digital media to the public. It began as a small experiment, to see if it would work out in his current local area. To his advantage, it has become very popular because of two main reasons; because his newsagent is situated on a main road with most property being residential, and the fact that he has a highly respected reputation with the local area (mainly because of his competitive pricing of groceries, confectionary and cosmetics). He has already built a sizeable customer database, and currently he is just using a larger alternative to a notebook to store information on members and his media. He is already expending his media collection, as his member base gets larger too. He has discovered that it is possible to store information in database format on a computer, from seeing such set-ups in similar rental stores e.g. Video Box and Red Rose (incidentally, there is a Video Box branch 15 minutes walk down his main road, and a Red Rose branch another 10 minutes walk further on). He has a computer system at home, however seeing the low prices of such computers adequate for the job, he is confident to buy a new computer system purely for his computerised database. A computerised database system would be a perfect fit for his situation. It would certainly be better than the method he is currently using. Problems with his current system are too many to list, mainly because it is such an old fashioned way. Such main problems are: * Although he hasnt realised, he is not conforming to the Data Protection Act because his data is not secure i.e. it is all in a large tabulated notebook. This could be serious for him if his member database grows, and in future time, he is checked up by authorities. * It is long winded to create a member, because he has to write out details by hand, and also write a membership card by hand. Currently, he is just assigning consecutive numbers to members, as their Member IDs. This shouldnt have a big problem with implementation of the new system, as he can still keep his current member database intact without reissuing of new cards (eliminating cost of more cards and most importantly, eliminating unneeded hassle). * His media database is also in a separate tabulated notebook, where he is simply assigning numbers to all media to create media IDs (and media multiples). Again, this can be eliminated by means of creating a digital database. Also, the chances are that there will be more media than members. Therefore, if he did keep the notebook, he would have large problems finding media (as it isnt in alphabetical order because he is randomly and constantly adding new media in a top-down fashion). Again, this is unneeded hassle. Time is more valuable than money, because if he has a queue, he can process customers more quickly (meaning less aggravation for customers, as they want to be in and out of the shop in as smallest time possible, thus meaning longer lasting customers, leading to more rentals in future). It would be a worthwhile investment for him to have a digital system created. Identification of Prospective Users The primary user for the system will most probably be Mr. Shah himself, as he works in the shop full-time. Other possible users are family members who occasionally help out (as it is a family-run newsagent) be. Secondary Users of the system could possibly be of the following type of people: Administrators can administrate and debug the system, to keep it in operational order. Also, they can perform tasks such as installing software upgrades for the system, or recovery if the system fails. However, since this is no large store or national name, itd be appropriate to train a member of the family (possibly Mr. Shah himself) to be an administrator. Staff working in the newsagent (if Mr. Shah has to hire anyone for temp/permanent work because reliability of family help drops). The system isnt permitted for usage by members of the public because it must comply with the Data Protection Act; meaning that the data must be secure. Only permitted peoples of the newsagent will have access to the system. Now, although nobody else will have access to the system because it is a smallish shop, a password-entry system must still be implemented because the software has to comply with the Data Protection Act. Identification of User Needs and Acceptable Limitations The primary users will be the Staff working at that particular branch. As they will be working full days (maybe part time staff too), they will want a system that: Is extremely efficient and smooth-running. Tasks that need to be performed can be completed without hassle and in as less time and operation as possible. Has a very simple user interface, and is not heavy on the eye. The user will not have to operate different devices simultaneously i.e. keyboard and mouse. The system will be functional from keyboard usage solely. (similar to a till or an EPOS outlet). The media database will have to change to a digital database. This will simplify the whole rental process to, as each media will have a unique ID. Even multiple films will have different IDs, for example; there are 4 copies of the DVD-Video The Matrix, each one having IDs of MATRIX01, MATRIX02, MATRIX03 and so on. When a rental process takes place, the ID of the media that is to be rented, is assigned to the members account. As an integral task, that particular media ID is deleted from the database of media available for rent. When the rental period is over and the media is returned, the ID is unassigned from the members account, and also is put back onto the list of available media for rent. The system has to be able to accomplish tasks such as: The ability to add new members to the user database. The ability to view/edit/delete member details with ease. All members will have a unique ID, although itll be impractical to have members remember their ID. Therefore, maybe a membership card system should be implemented. This can truly authenticate a member from a non-member as an added advantage to the company. The ability to add new media to the database, and assign to it a unique ID. The ability to create rentals by assigning media IDs to member accounts. Also, the attached ability to mark that media ID as rented out. The ability to delete rentals from a member account. Also, the attached ability to mark the media ID as available for rent. The ability to view available/rented media in summarised form, and also to delete media that is not available for rental anymore. If media is rented, then the ability to view the details of the member whom it is rented to. The ability to notify automatically when a members rental period is expired i.e. overdue. The ability to create weekly reports for aid in analysis of the business. However, only managers will be able to view this information. (password required). In considering this system, there are limitations: The system will have to be made within a certain budget, and a certain time period. It must meet the required objectives, and at the very least, the essential objectives. It must also comply with the Data Protection Act, and to ensure members that their data is secure. Realistic Appraisal of the Feasibility of Potential Solutions The Original System: Advantages * Currently, everyone who works in the media-lending department are familiar with this system. This eliminates extra costs and time for training, which would be needed for a new system. * Can be expanded to cater for a larger member/media database easily with no hassle. Disadvantages * The system is slow and sluggish because media/member information needs to be found using a manual approach. * With the paper database for the media and members, there is a bigger chance of files and records getting mixed up, or even lost. * If there is a disaster e.g. a fire, then the paper database will be destroyed. This will be disastrous to the business because there is no back-up of the member/media databases. Also, insurance claims for the media (if destroyed also) could be unsuccessful because Mr. Shah will possibly have no other evidence of what media he possessed. * Theoretically, the member data isnt fully secure (to comply with the Data Protection Act) because it isnt being stored in a safe; the data-book is left under the counter. A new, revised, fully digital system through a programming language approach, using Delphi: Advantages * The program can be very precise to the required specification and objectives. * Can do the required tasks with great efficiency and speed. * Some small tasks are automatically completed by aid of the system. For example, when media is rented, it automatically gets put under a rented media group to avoid it being rented twice by the software. * All files are digitally stored, therefore consuming less paper resources. * Multiple copies of the databases can be kept easily for backup purposes. The backup must be securely stored in order to comply with the Data Protection Act. Disadvantages * It can prove costly to have the system made, as it will be a bespoke system, and not an off-the-shelf software program. * It can prove even more costly if it needs to be modified or upgraded, as only the programmers can modify it (they have the source code), and they can charge a large fee for this. * It could take a long time to develop, and one of the limitations is the that it takes to develop the system. * It will be non-compatible with other software, and could require some training for the prospective users, therefore inflicting more cost on the business. * It can be prone to bugs, because it wont have been fully 100% checked (not like software that is on the market i.e. off-the-shelf software). A New System In A Database Approach Advantages * It will be much easier and user friendly to operate the database (and the application), as users will hopefully be more familiar with database applications. * It can be made to a much smaller budget, as less time and programmers are needed on the job. * Complicated searches can be carried out (queries), and reports can be made with ease and speed, as these functions are specialities of a database application. * Can still do the required task very efficiently, with speed and accuracy. Possibly more speed, as the database application will be specially optimised for this. * Files are again, digitally stored, therefore consuming less paper resources. * Easier to modify the database application, for creating add-ons and making more features, as there is no source code, and advanced programmers arent needed. This is a job that Administrators could do. * The system will have no bugs (if any), compared to possible bugs of a programming approach. This will be because of the fact that the database program will be an off-the-shelf piece of software. * Multiple copies of the patient/equipment database can be kept for backup purposes. Also, these backups will most likely be compatible in other database applications (making consideration for upgrading the database application in the future). Disadvantages * The system can take more memory (hard disk space, as well as RAM), as the database application has high demands for these memories. * The application might not be as precise to the specification as it could have been with the programming approach. * Although the branches will have a PC and peripherals, database applications are demanding on RAM and hard drive space, therefore it is possible that the PCs will require upgrading if the specification isnt up to the job. Thus meaning, more cost for the company. * The company will have to buy a version of a database program for every PC. This could be expensive, because as well as paying for the bespoke database, they have to pay for the program that runs it. Justification of Chosen Solution It seems clear that the manual system is out of the question. Too many disadvantages eliminate this possibility. A fully digital system has many more advantages and possibilities. The second issue, is of how the system will be made; either through a database approach or a programming language approach. It appears that the Delphi approach and the database approach seem to be on the same level as each other, in terms of advantages and disadvantages.

Non-Conventional Energy Resources

Non-Conventional Energy Resources India is a country rich in natural resources as well as in population. In order to cater to the needs of ever increasing population, we have to conserve our natural resources by utilizing them carefully. Energy resources are considered to be the most needed resources for the existence of mankind. The conventional energy resources like gas, oil and coal are used everywhere starting from the household chores to industrial activities. As the conventional resources are subject to depletion nature and cannot be regenerated immediately, there is a rummage around for alternative sources of energy. The government of India has recognized the need for the development and promotion of non-conventional energy resources like solar energy, wind-energy, bio-mass energy etc to conserve conventional resources. Establishment of Non conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (NEDCAP) is a milestone in this endeavor. The article highlights the importance of non-conventional en ergy resources and the role of NEDCAP in promoting these sources and discusses the various sources of non-conventional energy and highlighted the efforts of NEDCAP in conservation of conventional sources of energy. *Associate Professor Head, Dept. of Management, Auroras PG College, Hyderabad and can be reached @ [emailprotected] **Assistant Professor, Dept of Business Administration, PVP Siddartha Institute of Technology, Vijayawada and can be reached @ [emailprotected] Introduction The conventional energy resources are continuously registering a diminishing balance with the population explosion and industrialization-taking place all around the world. India is the second largest in the world in the statistics of population and considered to be sixth in the consumption of energy as per the study conducted by the Government of A.P. In view of the existence of a large gap between the requirements of the population and the availability of the conventional sources of energy there is a need for the development of a sustainable resource based alternative for the conventional energy resources. The conventional energy resources are the natural resources like coal, oil and gas. With the rapid developments taking place in the industrial sector the need for energy is also increasing constantly. It has become inevitable to supplement the exhaustible resources with renewable resources to cater to the needs of the future generations effectively. Fortunately, India is gifted wi th large amount of sustainable non-conventional energy resources like solar power, wind and biomass along with small hydro power and industrial and domestic wastes. These resources are natural, cost free, available abundantly and readily usable for the generation of energy in different forms. Moreover these are pollution free and hence can be used to produce clean form of energy without any wastage apart from being renewable. So there is a need for the development of non-conventional energy resources in the country. Non-Conventional Energy Resources As the demand for power and energy is increasing rapidly and depletion of natural resources is taking place with the same pace, the emergence of environmental friendly and pollution free non-conventional energy resources has become a viable alternative. The non-conventional energy resources like solar energy through thermal as well as photovoltaic systems, wind energy, bio mass, hydal energy and industrial and household wastes will help the economy to a great extent in enhancing the power generation capacity and energy needs of different sectors. The following is a brief presentation of the renewable sources of energy. Solar Energy: India has a locational advantage in receiving abundant radiant energy form the sun as it is located in the equatorial sun belt of the earth. Majority of the Indian continent is bestowed with clear sunny weather in all most 280-300 days of a year. Daily solar energy incident over India varies from 4-7 KWH per square meter depending on the region. Solar energy can be used in two ways: Solar Thermal Conversion: Conversion of solar energy into heat using devices of steel, copper, aluminum is called solar-thermal conversion. A solar thermal device captures and transfers the heat energy available in the solar radiation. The energy generated can be used for varied applications in the household and industrial sectors like water heating systems, air heating systems, cooking and other household utilities. Solar Photovoltaic Conversion: This is the conversion of solar energy into electricity using semi conductors and their hybrids to convert the solar energy into Direct Current form of electricity for the application of DC and AC. The electricity thus generated can be used to needs of home lighting, street lighting and running motor pumps etc. The direct current form of solar energy is a major technical consideration for SPV application. Wind Energy: The evolution of windmills to convert wind power into energy, using wind turbines dates back to the beginning of the century. Denmark was the first country to install the first windmill for the generation of electricity. Later many countries entered into the field of wind energy. India started operations during 1983-84. The technology involves generation of electricity using turbines, which converts mechanical energy from the wind mills and is mainly used for pumping water from bore wells, open wells etc .However, average wind speed is major technical consideration to harness wind energy depending upon the climatic conditions and geographical locations of the project. Bio mass and other Bio energy systems: Bio mass is yet another renewable source of energy with potential to generate power to the extent of more than 50% of the requirements our country. Indian economy is predominantly an agricultural based economy with the availability of huge quantities of biomass available in the form of husk, straw, shells of coconuts and of wild bushes etc. Bio mass resources include large quantities cattle dung and other organic wastes. The biomass resources can be used for production of thermal energy or electricity. It can also be used to produce gas that may be used for combustion and to run gas engines. Small Hydro Power Hydropower is tapped from running waterfalls, canals and other water streams containing relatively small quantities of water but with some force of falling. The force of falling and flowing water can be converted into electricity by using turbines. This is a cheaper and abundant source on energy in our country. It is estimated that nearly 15,000 MW of power can be generated with the potential of the small hydro projects in the country. This power can be used to meet the requirements of the vicinity areas of the water streams like agro processing and milling. Industrial and other Wastes: These projects utilize the municipal and industrial wastes which has a problem for their disposal. The cleanliness of urban and industrial areas are achieved by utilizing these wastes as raw material to generate power. Wastes from the household, agricultural and industrial sectors are utilized to produce electricity. Industrial wastes from sago manufacturing units; sugar manufacturing units, poultries and others can be effectively used to produce power. This is a source of cheaper and renewable energy source available in India. Production of gases can also be undertaken using the wastes. Government Initiatives in Conservation of Energy Realizing the potential for energy from renewable sources, the government set up the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in 1992, which is now called MNRE. The Prime Minister directly controls the activities of the ministry. MNRE activities include promotion of renewable energy technologies, creating an environment conducive to promote renewable energy technologies and assessment of renewable energy resources. Various sources of renewable energy are identified and policies are developed to supplement the conventional energy resources under the auspices of the ministry. Nodal agencies with different names have been established in different states to achieve the primary objective of supplementing the energy needs of the states. Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limiited (NEDCAP) The nodal agency of Andhra pradesh is popularly called NEDCAP. Initially the name is Agro Pumpsets Implements Ltd., (APIL) for implementing non-conventional energy programmes sponsored by both the State and Central Governments. The corporation was incorporated on 21.10.1969 and was renamed as NEDCAP on 10-5-1986. The primary objectives of the Corporation are To survey, develop and implement renewable energy programmes of the State and Central Governments. To generate electricity through renewable sources like wind and solar energy on a decentralised manner. To conserve the sources of energy in rural areas. To import and adopt viable technology and machinery in the areas of Non-Conventional energy sources and ensures post installation service. To impart training and to promote research and development in the field of Non-conventional energy sources. To provide technical consultancy services in implementation of power projects through renewable energy sources. To achieve the above objectives NEDCAP has initiated many programmes in different areas of non-conventional energy sources. The programmes are continuously monitored and necessary support is extended to individuals, non-profit making organizations, commercial and industrial organizations working in various projects associated with renewable energy resources. The following are some highlights of the promotion measures initiated by NEDCAP. Promotion of solar energy Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued GOs under reference Nos. G.O.Ms.No.302 M.A. dated : 03.08.2004 and G.O.Ms.No.506 MA dated: 03-12.2004 of Municipal Administration Urban Development (M) Department making mandatory for installation of Solar Water Heating Systems at proposed construction of hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, guest houses, lodges and multi-storied buildings of stilt + 5 floors or 15 meters and above height provision shall be made in their plans. NEDCAP is taking all necessary initiatives in the implementation of the programme. It is providing subsidized loans with banks with concessional rates of interests. Type of Users Rate of interest applicable Domestic users 2% Institutional users not availing accelerated depreciation 3% Industrial and commercial users availing depreciation 5% Source: www.nedcap.gov.in Along with the provision of loans at concessional rates of interest, NEDCAP is also providing capital subsides for the organizations which are not availing the facility of soft loans depending on the type of the organization and the area used for collecting the solar energy. The subsidies are Rs. 1100 per square meter of the collector area for registered non-profit making organisations and Rs.825 per square meter of the collector area for registered commercial establishments. Further it is providing and incentive of Rs. 100 per square meter for motivators and agents working in the field of attracting potential buyers of the solar water heaters. Promotion of Wind energy Based on the studies conducted through wind monitoring exercise, it is found that the southern part of Andhra Pradesh has got wind potential for setting up of wind farms. The areas in Anantapur, Cuddapah, Kurnool and parts of Nellore and Chittoor district have been identified with relatively better potential sites to set up wind power projects. In the master plan to assess the potentiality in southern part of A.P. it is estimated that there is a potential of about 2100 MW capacity. NEDCAP has established 2.25 MW wind farm project at Kondamedapally, Kurnool dist. and 2.50 MW wind farm at Narasimhakonda, Nellore district under demonstration scheme of MNRE. To encourage investment and to promote wind power projects in Andhra Pradesh, the Govt.of Andhra Pradesh has announced a comprehensive policy and incentives to set up wind power projects in private sector. NEDCAP is the single window clearance agency to sanction projects up to 20 MW capacity in the State and so far 100.12 MW capacity of projects by 30 developers at Ramagiri, Kadavakallu, Tallimadugula in Anantapur District and on Tirumala Hills, Chittoor district, was commissioned. The total installed capacity is 107.37 MWs as on March, 2008. NEDCAP extends the following services to the wind farm developers to set up projects in private sector. Clearance of projects Selection of suitable sites for the proposed projects Providing data related to the speed of the wind and related parameters Guidance on suitable equipment needed , its erection and commissioning of the project Guidance on inter-facing of the project Co-ordination with the revenue department on the land allotment to the proposed projects Necessary technical assistance to the projects sanctioned and to the ones commissioned. A total of 0.25% of the project cost subject to a minimum Rs.1.50 lakhs / MW is payable to NEDCAP towards sanction fee of the project. Promotion of Biomass utilization After identifying the abundant availability of bio mass in the state of Andhra Pradesh NEDCAP has started implementing the Biogas programme since 1982-83. The initial stages of implementing the programme, 4 cum 6 cum capacity KVIC model biogas plants were erected. It has been observed that KVIC models of biogas plants are comparatively associated with high initial costs along with periodical maintenance. Since, 1990-91, the Corporation is promoting the Deenabandhu model as it is less expensive and more efficient. The programme gained momentum and the same model is continued. The Corporation till now has installed around 2.50 lakhs biogas plants in the state so far. Under the biomass programme rural energy programmes are designed and implemented. Rural Energy Programmes Sl.No. Description Nos. Installed 1 Family Size Biogas Plants for cooking 2.8 Lakhs 2 Improved Chulhas 27.28 lakhs Source: www.nedcap.gov.in National Project on Biogas Development Basing on the studies conducted and on the success of the plants already installed in Andhra Pradesh, there is huge demand/potential for the establishment of Biogas Plants in Andhra Pradesh. The estimated potential of family size biogas plants is 10.90 lakhs. So far 2.84 lakh family-size biogas plants have been installed in the state. Improved Chulhas The estimated potential in Andhra pradesh is 95 lakhs. Since 1984-85 the achievement is 27.03 lakhs. Presently, the programme is being undertaken with State Govt. assistance. Promotion of Industrial waste based Projects NEDCAP is authorized by the A.P. State Government vide. G.O. Ms. No. 253, E F (RES) Department, dated 15-11-94 to sanction the Municipal Solid Waste/Industrial Waste based Power projects of capacity up to 20 MW. Andhra Pradesh is having a number of Industries which generate effluents. These effluents are to be treated to have value added products. The waste generated from Industries like sago, starch, palm oil, distilleries, dairy, vegetable wastes and poultry etc can be treated to generate Electricity. The following table presents the total capacity of the power generation projects undertaken in the industrial waste management area. i) Municipal Solid Waste Projects 107 MW ii) Municipal Liquid Waste 16 MW Total 123 MW iii) Industrial Waste Projects 135.0 MW Source: www.aponlineltd.org It is estimated that there is a huge potential of 40 MW from municipal solid wastes in the cities of Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur. Two projects aggregating to a capacity of 12.6 MW are under implementation at Hyderabad and Vijayawada cities. It is estimated that there is still an untapped potential of 135 MW from industrial wastes including poultry, distilleries and others industries operating in the state. Out of this potential projects with a capacity of 1.50 MW have been commissioned. Small Hydro Power The activity of power generation from small hydro power has been transferred from AP TRANSCO wing which was previously known as APSEB to NEDCAP vide G.O.Ms.No.37 dated 01-02-1999 of Energy (Power I) Department, Government of AP. The assessed Hydro Power potential is 1000 MW (approx). The status report on Small Hydro Power projects is shown in the table given below. Status of small hydro power projects as on 31-03-2008 S.No. Description No. of projects Capacity in MW 1 No. of projects sanctioned 47 146.603 2 No. of projects commissioned 31 92.353 3 No. of projects under progress 05 7.150 4 No. of projects Financial closure not completed 11 47.100 5 Detailed project reports referred to Irrigation Dept. for issuance of No Objection Certificate 125 305.500 Source: www.nedcap.gov.in The total no of projects sanctioned are 47in number with a capacity of 146.603MW. The capacity utilized so far is 92.353 MW through 31 projects commissioned under private sector participation. The number if Projects, which are in progress, is 16 with a capacity of 54.250 MW. The proposals and detailed project reports referred to Irrigation Department for issuance of No Objection Certificate are aggregating to a total capacity of 305.500 MW. Andhra Pradesh is one of the pioneering states in the country in encouraging the non-conventional energy based power projects. The State Government has authorized the nodal agency NEDCAP to sanction NCES based power projects of capacity up to 20 MW in private sector also along with the public sector participation. The cumulative installed capacity as on 31.10.2003 is 473.09 MW which is about 4.6 % of the total installed capacity in the state. During the year 2002-03, 1287.55 Mega Units of power was fed into the State grid which is 3.65 % of the total volume of power generated in the state. The Non Conventional Energy based power projects have the following advantages Environmental friendly and produce green power with less costs and free rawmaterial. Every KWH of power generated from NCES will eliminate 1 KG of Carbon emission into the atmosphere which is relatively very less when compared with conventional sources like coal, oil and natural gas. Non Conventional Energy Sources are abundantly available and are renewable with in no period of time. Low gestation period of the projects commissioned under the utilization of non-conventional sources. Also helpful in conserving the rapidly depleting reserves of fossil fuels. Helpful in creating rural employment and self employment opportunities Helps in improving the economic and living conditions of the rural population. Conclusion The importance of non-conventional energy resources is gaining momentum in the country as well as in the state. India is now one of the countries implementing various programmes on the utilization and promotion of non-conventional energy resources. Rightly identifying the need of the hour for the conservation of energy resources the Planning Commission of India in its Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) has highlighted the need to develop domestic supply options and diversify energy sources. The projections of the report state that non-conventional sources may account for 5 to 6 per cent of Indias total energy mix by 2031-32. As the Nodal agency of the state of Andhra Pradesh, NEDCAP is taking all necessary initiatives to promote the usage of the renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biomass, industrial wastes etc, as evident from the above discussion on various areas of non-conventional areas of energy. Private participation is also solicited in some of the areas like pow er generation and solar heating systems. To become more effective in the promotion, NEDCAP can also undertake promotional and publicity campaigns for individuals, NGOs, commercial and non-commercial institutions elaborating the importance of the conservation of the conventional sources of energy and the need for supplementing them with non-conventional sources. Finally it is aptly said that Save Nature and Enjoy the Future

Leadership in Thoughts from the Tao-te-Ching and The Qualities of a Pri

Leadership in Thoughts from the Tao-te-Ching and The Qualities of a Prince Lao-Tzu’s â€Å"Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching† and Machiavelli’s â€Å"The Qualities of a Prince† both have the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Today’s American government would benefit from a combination of the two extreme ideas. Lao-Tzu’s laissez-faire attitude towards the economy, as well as his small scale, home defense military is appealing to a liberal person. Machiavelli’s attitude towards miserliness and lower taxes, while being always prepared for war, would appeal to a conservative person. The writers are in agreement on some issues, such as taxes, but other ideas, such as government involvement in the everyday lives of citizens are completely opposed to one another. Lao-Tzu believes in moderation and small government. He states that a leader should stay within his country and govern his people only. He stresses that when the maser governs, the people should hardly be aware that he exists. A leader who is loved is better than one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised (22). Lao-Tzu also believes that war is not necessary when all follow the Tao. He states that â€Å"violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon itself;† therefore, if you have a neutral position, you will not be harmed (24). He believes that people are inherently good and not greedy. Man’s greed...

Summer of My German Soldier :: Essays Papers

Summer of My German Soldier The novel, Summer of My German Soldier, written by Bette Greene is about a young Jewish girl, Patty, who befriends a Nazi soldier. She confides in him because of the lack of parental love in her life. The Nazi soldier shows Patty that she is a person of value and is important in the world. This is something that her parents have never told her. Michael Tuchner, director of the cinematic version of, Summer of My German Soldier, does a fair job of portraying the action in the novel, however some key scenes are not shown thus taking away important facts that the viewer would see. There are many scenes in the movie that are not in the book. There are a few key additions, one of which is, Anton asking Patty for accessories. The accessories are a toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, comb, etc. When he is asking for these things he seems really demanding. In the book he does not appear to be this way. Another addition is, towards the end of the movie, Patty’s father comes into her room and tells her that she is a bad person and is dead to him. He also tells her that she has always hated him, and in a way this compares to the scene in the book where he goes into the garage and yells â€Å"nobody loves me, nobody loves me!†. The scene in which Ruth walks through the town with Patty is another key addition. It shows that she is confident in herself and that she is not afraid of the prejudice of the white people. This scene closely compares to the scene in the book where Ruth orders the white guards in the juvenile detention center to fetch Pattyâ⠂¬â„¢s Christmas bag. There are many scenes in the book that do not take place in the movie. The most apparent deletion is of the scenes dealing with the grandparents. In the movie Patty’s grandparents are never mentioned; in the book they play a major role in her life. In the beginning of the book, before Patty meets Anton, her grandparents are all she has. Unlike her parents, they treat her like a person. Also at the end of the book they keep her before she has to go to the juvenile detention center.

Psychology of Terrorism Essay

In his article, Vaisman-Tzachor (2006) discussed the most common misconceptions regarding terrorist profiling in forensic psychology. True, where effective forensic profiling techniques are absent, there is no place for effective counterterrorism strategies. In this context, the profiling criteria described by Vaisman-Tzachor (2006) are particularly interesting and important when applied to psychological profile of Osama Bin Laden. From the viewpoint of forensic psychology, and through the prism of Vaisman-Tzachor’s (2006) psychological criteria, forensic profiling of Osama Bin Laden should begin with the profound analysis of his personal background (age, educational background, ethnicity, socio-economic status, national origin and marital status, religious or social affiliations). Contrary to traditional (and probably, outdated beliefs), the national origin of Osama Bin Laden will play important, but not the primary role in creating the picture of his personality. Of course, â€Å"elements such as Arab ethnic or national background [†¦] are highly important in the list of the determinant variables† (Vaisman-Tzachor, 2006), but psychological profile of Osama Bin Laden seems even more consistent with the fact that he is unmarried, possesses sufficient material background and displays negative disposition to the non-Muslim society. Simultaneously, Osama Bin Laden does not match the criminal profile created by Vaisman-Tzachor (2006), where the likelihood of a terrorist act is inversely related to the age of the potential terrorist; in case of Osama, his age is evidently associated with the growing terrorist experience and the increasing sophistication of his terrorist needs. Objectively, and truly for many generations of terrorists, Osama Bin Laden is fairly regarded a kind of a mythical figure, â€Å"who represents a messianic being to members of those national groups and social entities, who are disenfranchised by political, religious, or ethnic circumstances† (Vaisman-Tzachor, 2006), and this mythical figure works to establish closer ties and strengthen the existing terrorist identifications in his terrorist networks. In this context, Osama Bin Laden is a multifaceted image of the leader, whose criminality and respectability are uniquely combined to shape the new vision of a charismatic terrorist. Historical and sociocultural antecedents of September 11 The escalation of international violence and the growing anti-American moods have generated a set of questions regarding the historical and sociocultural antecedents of September 11. Objectively, a whole set of factors have contributed into the development of violent attitudes toward American nation, of which September 11 was the culmination; in this context, the continuous political commitment to â€Å"low intensity conflicts† and the self-declared pro-American ideology which lacks authoritarian rule and visible religiosity have become the two most important antecedents of the 9/11 attack. In his book, Michaels (2002) refers to the â€Å"low intensity conflict† scenario, to which American presidency adhered over the course of the last decades. The declaration of anti-terrorist ideals and the deceptive need for maintaining low intensity wars in the most problematic international regions was expected to strengthen the military power of the United States, and to ensure that America was able to respond to the most challenging social and military conflicts all over the world. What the United States had obviously overlooked was that the gradual military expansion might not have been favored by other nations (Michaels, 2002). Increased military spending combined with the overt rejection of treaty opportunities have formed the set of historical antecedents which led to the emergence of the new quality relationships between the two worlds – the Muslim and the orthodox. After the fall of socialism in the world, the rhetoric of the American hyperpower has literally doubled, and all visions of authority and power have since then been projected onto the U. S. (Werz, 2004). Given historically relevant anti-American attitudes, the multiplying American superiority has frozen the cultural difference between the two worlds. The social development in America has been colored with obvious secularization of the public opinion and the values, which the American nation has treated as its own (Werz, 2004). Thus, the events of September 11 have come as the culmination in the growing opposition against the militaristic attitudes of the United States towards its political and cultural superiority. Psychology of terrorism In the aftermath of 9/11 attacks researchers and psychology professionals have become increasingly concerned about the origins and the motives of terrorist attacks. The current state of empirical research is pressured by numerous prejudices and misconceptions that have grown as a result of the overt callousness of terrorist attacks. By turning terrorists into a group of abnormally deviant people, however, psychologists have seriously distorted the real image of a true terrorist. Silke (2004) is correct: we cannot be certain that terrorism is a kind of psychological abnormality, unless we are able to avoid bias and to promote objectivity in our judgments. It is difficult not to agree to Silke (2004) in that the differences in the current research of terrorism have become the results of our inability to explore and document primary information, and the impossibility to access primary sources of information about terrorists. â€Å"The risks involved for the potential researcher are considerable. Academic researchers have been threatened, kidnapped, attacked, and shot for attempting to research terrorism† (Silke, 2004). In our quest for better understanding of terrorist psychology, we frequently become the victims of our own psychological misconceptions. We still operate scarce and unclear (as well as unreliable) data concerning the major emotional and psychological issues terrorists face on their way to a violent act. Seeking sensations, we tend to neglect the role which primary data may play in developing and spreading a completely new vision of terrorism. With the scarcity of tools of psychological and sociological research which could be readily applied to terrorism, and bearing in mind an almost complete impossibility to access primary sources of data, it is unlikely that we will be able to produce a single relevant and the most objective psychological profile of a terrorist in the coming decade. References Michaels, C. W. (2002). No greater threat: America after September 11 and the rise of a national security state. Algora Publishing. Silke, A. (2004). Courage in dark places: reflections on terrorist psychology. Social Research, 71 (1): 177-198. Vaisman-Tzachor, R. (2006). Psychological profiles of Terrorists. Forensic Examiner, 15 (2): 6-17. Werz, M. (2004). Anti-Americanism and ambivalence: Remarks on an ideology in historical transformation. Telos, 129: 75-95.

Patriotism Is an Outdated Notion

To say that patriotism is outdated is to imply that the concept of nation is outdated. For me patriotism is a word, nothing more nothing less, when I feel patriotic I don't call it patriotism, I call it being human. It is perhaps our disguised patriotism that we fight today in the world, and it will be our disguised patriotism that will lead us into world destruction. Again like I said, patriotism is a word defined differently by diff people. Who define it the better way, I salute you and hats off to you, those who do it the wrong way, well I can't do nothing much about it. Patriotism is not something that should be on display only on the 15th of August and the 26th of January or when the country is facing a war. We need to be patriotic in our everyday life. We can be true patriots by becoming good citizens. Simple things like keeping your streets clean, following the traffic rules, refusing to bribe or be bribed. ll these go towards the construction of a better nation. This is patriotism for me – or at least, this is the patriotism that should be shown by a mature country. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. † So in order for us to be free then patriots must exist because without patriots the tree of liberty will dry up, and wither away. Leaving us bare, alone and as slaves. Perhaps the people who said patriotism is an outdated concept, said it while thinking about a lot of different things, that you and I do not see when we read such stuff. In one sense they may be questioning the definition of patriotism as thought by many patriots. Be the change that you want to see in (India) the World. –MAHATMA GANDHIA man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world. – George Santayana Let me end by saying, as Lord Byron said– He, who loves not his country, can love nothing.

Popular Media Focus On Human Sexuality - 1568 Words

Running Head: Scholarly vs. Popular Media Focus on Human Sexuality – Sexual Orientation Scholarly vs. Popular Media Focus on Human Sexuality Sexual Orientation GRIGOR OGANESYAN American Public University Leslie Griffin – CHFD220 Scholarly vs. Popular Media Focus on Human Sexuality – Sexual Orientation Scholar Article: Studies and research performed by biologists, neurologists, psychologists and geneticists, noted are the researchers who took the opportunity to analyze behavior in all sorts of environments. The studies conducted used a wide array of individuals, brother-sister, brother-brother and twins. Throughout the article, majority of the focus caters to homosexual men in relation and comparison to†¦show more content†¦(3) Interestingly, statistics show that the mothers’ side of the family has a greater influence on gender orientation rather than the fathers. Also noted that over 65% of the candidates who identified as homosexual, their mothers either had none or only one live brother. (4) Comparing myself to this, my mother only has one brother! Media Article: The article dives into the gay gene’; a gene where individuals had hoped that would be the answer to peoples orientation. While scientists have found some new information regarding chromosomes and genetics, there still is no simple answer that reassures anyone that there is a single gay gene that defines their orientation. Scholarly vs. Popular Media Focus on Human Sexuality – Sexual Orientation Instead, Alan Sanders (Director of Behavior Genetics Unit at North Shore University), emphasizes that there is more than just one gene, he believes there to be more than a single gene that determines a persons orientation. 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Profile of Serial Killer Derrick Todd Lee

Derrick Todd Lee, known as the Baton Rouge Serial Killer, prowled communities of south Louisiana for years before his capture and eventual conviction in two of seven cases of the rape and murder of women to which he was linked by DNA. He was suspected in a range of brutality from 1992 to 2003. Lee died of natural causes before he could be executed. Childhood Lee was born on November 5, 1968, in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to Samuel Ruth and Florence Lee. His father left Florence soon after Derrick was born. For her and the children, having Ruth out of the picture was good. He suffered from mental illness and ended up in a mental institution after being charged with the attempted murder of his ex-wife. Florence later married Coleman Barrow, a responsible man who raised Derrick and his sisters as if they were his own children. Together they taught their children the importance of education and of the Bible. Lee grew up like many children in small towns around south Louisiana. His neighbors and play pals were mostly from his extended family. His interest in school was limited to playing in the school band. Lee struggled academically, often being outshone by his younger sister, who was a year younger than he  but advanced in school faster. His IQ, calculated from below 70 to 75, made it challenging for him to maintain his grades. By the time Lee turned 11, he had been caught peeping into the windows of girls in his neighborhood, which he continued to do as an adult. He also liked to torture dogs and cats. Teenager At 13, Lee was arrested for simple burglary. He was known to the local police because of his voyeurism, but it wasnt until he turned 16 that his anger got him into real trouble. He pulled a knife on a boy during a fight and was charged with attempted second-degree murder, Lees rap sheet was beginning to fill up. At 17 Lee was arrested for being a Peeping Tom, but even though he was a high school dropout with multiple complaints and arrests, he avoided a stay in juvenile detention. Marriage In 1988 Lee met and married Jacqueline Denise Sims. They had two children, a boy named after his father, Derrick Todd Lee, Jr., and in 1992 a girl, Dorris Lee. Soon after their marriage, Lee pleaded guilty to unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Over the next few years, he drifted in and out of two worlds: In one he was a responsible father who worked hard at his construction job and took his family on weekend outings. In the other, he cruised local bars dressed in dapper attire, drinking and planning extramarital affairs with women. Jacqueline knew about his infidelity, but she was devoted to Lee. She became used to his being arrested. The times he spent in prison became almost a welcome relief compared to the volatile atmosphere he created when he was at home. In 1996 Jacquelines father was killed in a plant explosion, and she was awarded a quarter of a million dollars. With the financial boost, Lee now could dress better, buy cars, and spend more money on his girlfriend, Casandra Green, but he blew through the money as quickly as it came in. By 1999 Lee was back to living off his earned wages, although now he had another mouth to feed. Casandra gave birth to their son, whom they named Dedrick Lee, in July that year. Collette Walker In June 1999, Collette Walker, 36, of St. Francisville, filed stalking charges against Lee after he muscled his way into her apartment and tried to convince her that they should date. She did not know him, and when she eased him out of her apartment, he left his phone number and suggested that she call him. Days later a friend who lived near Collette asked her about Lee, whom she had seen lurking around her apartment. On another occasion, Collette caught him peeping into her window and called the  police. Even with his history as a Peeping Tom plus various other arrests, Lee did little time for the charges of stalking and unlawful entry. In a plea bargain, Lee pleaded guilty and received probation. Against the directions of the court he again went looking for Collette, but she wisely had moved. Lost Opportunity Life was becoming stressful for Lee. The money was gone and finances were tight. He was arguing a lot with Casandra and in February 2000, the fighting escalated to violence. She started proceedings to get a protective order prohibiting Lee from getting near her. Three days later he caught up with her in a bar parking lot and violently assaulted her. Casandra pressed charges, and his probation was revoked. He spent the following year in prison until his release in February 2001. He was placed under house arrest and required to wear monitoring equipment. In May he was found guilty of violating the terms of his parole by removing the equipment. Instead of having his probation revoked, however, he was given a legal slap on the hand and not returned to prison. Once again the opportunity to remove Lee from society was lost. Lees Third Side When Lee committed his first or last rape and murder of an unsuspecting woman is unknown. What is known is that on April 2, 1993, he allegedly attacked two teens who were necking in a parked car. Equipped with a six-foot harvesting tool, he was accused of hacking the couple, stopping and fleeing only when another car approached. The couple survived and six years later, the girl, Michelle Chapman, picked Lee out of a lineup as her attacker, but the statute of limitations on the potential charges had expired.. Lees brutal spree lasted 10 years after that attack, with DNA evidence eventually linking him to victims who suffered from his viciousness. Victims In addition to Chapman, Lees suspected victims included: Randi Merrier, 28, April 18, 1998Gina Wilson Green, 41, September 24, 2001Geralyn DeSoto, 21, January 14, 2002Charlotte Murray Pace, 21, May 31, 2002Diane Alexander, July 9, 2002 (survived)Pamela Kinamore, 44, July 12, 2002Dene Colomb, 23, November 21, 2002Carrie Lynn Yoder, March 3, 2003 Possible Victims Connie Warner of Zachary, Louisiana, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer on August 23, 1992. Her body was found Sept. 2 near the Capital Lakes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. No evidence has linked Lee to her murder. Eugenie Boisfontaine, who lived near Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, was murdered on June 13, 1997. Her body was discovered nine months later under a tire along the edge of Bayou Manchac. No evidence has linked Lee to that murder. Too Many Serial Killers Investigations into unsolved murder cases of women in Baton Rouge were going nowhere. There are many reasons why Lee, though mentally challenged, managed to avoid capture: Lee stayed on the move. In the 10 years it is suspected that he committed rape and murder, he was constantly changing jobs, moving between south Louisiana cities, and going in and out of prison. It was not until he focused on areas around LSU and left the bodies of two victims at a boat launch at Whiskey Bay that investigators moved from solving murders to looking for a serial killer.Communication among detectives from different cities was rare.From 1991 to 2001 there were 53 unsolved murders of women in Baton Rouge. They came from different backgrounds and ethnicities and the causes of death varied. The city was on high alert and the government was on the hot seat.In August 2002 the Baton Rouge area Multi-Agency Task Force was formed and communications between parish (county) detectives broadened. But instead of catching a serial killer, the task force ended up having more murders to solve. Over the next two years, 18 more women were found dead, and the only evidence led police in the wrong direction. What investigators did not know at the time or did not tell the public was that two, maybe three serial killers were responsible for many of the murders. Profiling When it came to tracking and capturing Lee, traditional serial killer profiling did not work: He was black and most serial killers are white males.Most serial killers pick victims of their own race. Lee killed both black and white women.Most serial killers use the method of killing as a signature, so they receive credit for the kill. Lee used different methods. But Lee did one thing that fit the profile of a serial killer: He kept trinkets from his victims. In 2002 a composite sketch of the suspected serial killer was released to the public. The picture was of a white male with a long nose, long face, and long hair. Once the picture was released, the task force became inundated with phone calls, and the investigation bogged down following up on tips. Search Narrows Then on May 23, 2003, the Multi-Agency Task Force released a sketch of a man wanted for questioning about attacks on a woman in St. Martin Parish. He was described as a clean-cut, light-skinned black male with short brown hair and brown eyes, probably in his late 20s or early 30s. Finally, the investigation was on track. Around the time the new sketch was released, DNA was being collected in parishes where unsolved murders of women had occurred. At the time Lee was living in West Feliciana Parish and was asked to give a swab for DNA testing. Not only did his criminal history interest investigators, but also his appearance resembled the new sketch. Investigators put a rush on Lees DNA, and they had their answer within a few weeks. Lees DNA matched samples taken from Yoder, Green, Pace, Kinamore, and Colomb. Lee and his family fled Louisiana on the day that he provided his DNA. He was caught in Atlanta, Georgia, and returned to Louisiana a day after his arrest warrant was issued. Convictions In August 2004 he was found guilty of the second-degree murder of DeSoto and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. In October 2004 Lee was found guilty of Paces rape and murder and was sentenced to death by lethal injection. In 2008, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld his conviction and death sentence. Lee remained on death row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. On Jan. 16, 2016, Lee, 47, was transferred to  Lane Memorial Hospital in Zachary, Louisiana,  for emergency treatment and died of heart disease on January 21.