Internal Control and Risk Evaluation Essay

In today’s society, internal controls are applied to support an organization’s managers to become more successfully to release the responsibilities by applying and understanding internal control concepts. Internal controls are most frequently saw as â€Å"a lot of red tape†; however, internal controls have different circumstances when confirming high moral and ethical values which should be communicated in an organization. Internal controls are essentially composed of five interrelated components which are communication and information, monitoring, control environment, risk assessment, and control activities. The four areas of concerns are accounts receivable, payroll, accounts payable, and inventory. The identification of risks in the system, how the risk would be merged into the flowcharts, the internal controls that must be used, and an evaluation of the internal control system, and outside controls must be used. The biggest vulnerability area is accounts rece ivable because of an auditing and accounting perspective this is where the point money is received into the organization. In the flowchart, account receivable is recognizable as the point where payments will be posted. Account receivable has a secondary risk area in which the late charges, interest and other fees are added. The area of payroll is where the main risk concern will always be an individual superseding payroll internal controls. An additional internal control that can be applied by use of flowchart designs will be for authorized individuals having access to the authentic payroll processing function that provide access for authorizations of direct deposit/ or the printing of the payroll checks. Authorization is the main internal control area with accounts payable. The nonexistence of authorization is the major weakness, which can be in the form of control overrides in the AIS and physical form. As associated to the flowchart, there is an important weakness that will  exist in the process from the requesting department to other areas. The most critical internal control point is the inventory because of the physical counts corresponding with the AIS records. On the flowchart, inventory is identified as the point where inventory levels are maintained and tracked because of the easy access the area poses the biggest risk. Risks in System The risk with using any accounting software will always have uncertainties. Some of the risks are human error data input, security breaches, and fraud that put increase pressure on management staff in maintaining or achieving financial targets which have intensified the risk of inappropriate accounting or disappointment to disclose associated party transactions. The statement above only means that the organization needs to have security controls that forbid management from manipulating data for investor purposes. Another essential risk would be the establishment of illegal programs which delete or access files, corrupt files by the installation of a virus, changing the programs that cause unacceptable data to process. â€Å"Threats and risks to databases might include unauthorized access that allows altering, deleting, corrupting, destroying, or stealing data† (Beard and Wen, 2007, p. 212). To conserve the loss of important data using backup files are crucial that will be over whelming to an organization. The organization’s good reputation will be at risk if essential information reporting is misused, misdirected, and could cause damage to the competiveness of the organization. Internal Risks and Controls In the society today many hackers is known to have both external and internal risks that can ruin an organization security systems. Therefore, the collection of data is critical to establishing virtuous security controls for external and internal that ensure complete secure transactions, verification of the data is valid, and free from errors. â€Å"Tapping into the organizations telecommunication lines can be an activity that may seriously impact the data collection† (Beard and Wen, 2007, p. 217). Integrating exceptional internal control methods are a requirement to address exposure to major risks in an organization electronic accounting system because the responsibility primarily on the management staff. Creating and maintaining active internal controls includes the assessment, testing, and documentation  of internal controls which includes operations, access, program development, and changes. Internal Controls to Mitigate Risk Eliminating risk of internal controls is by establishing some of the following: Maintenance of records that detail and reflect all transactions Disposition of said transactions including the disposition of the assets Record transactions accurately to permit valid financial statements in accordance with GAAP Implement timely and decisive detection of unauthorized transactions Evaluation of Internal Controls For Kudler Fine Foods to certify appropriate application of internal controls into the organization systems, control activities must exist. The internal controls will include but are not limited to activity or functional management evaluations, transaction assessments, reconciliations, statistics processing and physical controls, and separation of duties. The evaluation of application of internal controls inside an accounting system should be ongoing and frequent. Kudler Fine Foods must make sure the organization maintain acceptable resources, make available financial, operational, and compliance with correlated information. The organization employees’ obligations and control responsibilities should be successfully communicated while ensuring compliance is the number one imperative factor. Kudler Fine Foods channels must exist for every individual to report alleged improprieties and the employee recommendations are petitioned and acknowledged. References Beard, D. and Wen, H.J. (2007). Reducing the Threat Levels for Accounting Information Systems. Challenges for Management, Accountants, Auditors, and Academicians. Retrieved August 12, 2009 from: http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2007/507/essentials/p34.htm University of Pennsylvania, (2009). Internal Controls Self-Assessment: A Guide to Internal Controls. Retrieved August 13, 2009 from: http://www.sru.edu/pages/1511.asp

Barangay Management System Essay

Introduction Barangay Record Management System is an advance and automated process of managing a barangay, to let go the manual process in the usual barangay hall such as, hand written documents, keeping records inside the drawer that tends to lose some records. It is automated in such way that all records and transactions that the barangay is needed will be totally organized, easy to process and fast. Brgy. Sto. Rosario is using a manual process of transaction in their barangay, and they said that sometimes encounter problems like lost of records, unorganized files. This system facilitates barangay management by enabling the client to maintain their resident records as complete and up-to-date as possible and as easily accessible for verification, monitoring and reference purposes based on the available residents’ census data kept by the client barangay. Data provided by this system in the form of comprehensive reports are invaluable for planning, program implementation and related purposes. With the Barangay Records Management System, it will be a great help for them to lessen their work specifically with transactions that the citizen of the said community will might need. Statement of the Problem Often times the barangay officials lose the records of the citizen’s, they didn’t keep it orderly. The barangay is using a manual process of trasaction. The idea of developing the Barangay Record Management System for barangay was helpful to provide an easy process of transactions in a convenient way.

Miranda V Arizona Essay

In the history of the United States, the legislative branch of government has developed systems of laws which the judicial branch of government checks. Because of modernization, the constitutionality of these laws needs to be reevaluated from time to time. There have been many cases that have caused the government to amend certain laws to protect its citizens. One of the most important cases that was brought to the Supreme Court was the case of Ernesto Miranda V the state of Arizona. This case caused the government to add more to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth amendments to the constitution (The Supreme Law of the Land). Miranda V Arizona was a landmark case in the United States Supreme Court because it established the constitutional liberties for individuals suspected of committing crimes. In Phoenix, Arizona, during 1963, Ernesto Miranda was arrested and charged with the rape, kidnapping, and robbery of an eighteen year-old, semi retarded woman (Mount). After his arrest, Ernesto Miranda was interrogated for a session lasting about two hours, where at the end, he confessed to these charges (McBride). The police, who had not reminded Miranda of his rights before his interrogation, recorded the whole session and used his confession as the sole evidence to convict him (McBride). At the end of his trial, he was convicted of rape and kidnapping of the eighteen year-old and was sentenced to twenty to thirty years in jail (McBride). Miranda and his attorney appealed the case and had it brought to the Arizona Supreme Court with the excuse that the police obtained the confession illegally (McBride). The Arizona Supreme Court agreed with the lower court. Miranda then appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court which heard the case in 1966 (Mount). After hearing Miranda’s case the Supreme Court took a vote. The decision was five to four in favor of Miranda (McBride). The reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision was that the police had not properly informed Miranda of his rights before the interrogation (Miranda). â€Å"The current practice of incommunicado interrogation is at odds with one of our Nation’s most cherished principles—that the individual may not be compelled to incriminate himself. Unless adequate protective devices are employed to dispel the compulsion inherent in custodial surroundings, no statement obtained from the defendant can truly be the product of his free choice. † This quote by Chief Justice Earl Warren demonstrates that the practice of interrogation without advising people of their protection under the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution) is unconstitutional and allows people to incriminate themselves. The requirement by the court that law enforcement officers convey these warnings to criminal suspects is taken from the Fourth, Fifth, and sixth amendment. The fourth amendment, protection against illegal search and seizure, states that police are required to have a search warrant in order to search one’s home or personal items. They also must have probable cause to obtain the warrant (Mount). The Fifth Amendment to the constitution, protection from self-incrimination, means that no one is forced to be a witness against themselves in a court of law (Mount). The Sixth amendment, the right to the assistance of an attorney, states that if the suspect charged with a crime wants a lawyer to represent him, he may call his own, or if he cannot afford one, he will be appointed one by the courts (Miranda, 1). Another reason the Supreme Court decided that not reading suspected criminals their rights is unconstitutional is because most of the time the police took advantage of people not knowing their rights (Mount). An example of this is the case Miranda vs. Arizona. The most important reason behind the courts decision in the favor of Miranda was to protect its citizens from the government (McBride). The impact of the Supreme Court’s decision was to increase the rights of citizens suspected of crime using the â€Å"Miranda Rights†. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You also have the right to the presence of an attorney; If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you prior to questioning if you so desire(Miranda). These rights (Miranda rights) must be stated to a suspect prior to interrogation by a law enforcement officer (Larson). If hese rules are not followed and the officer does not read the suspect his rights before interrogation the Exclusionary act goes into effect. The Exclusionary act states that any illegally obtained evidence must not be allowed in a court of law (Miranda). Although this Supreme Court decision supported the rights of criminal defendants, there are a few exceptions to these rules. The Supreme Court ruled that â€Å"Miranda rights are not necessary prior to questioning that is reasonably prompted by a concern for the public safety. † This is called the Public Safety Exception to the Miranda Rights (Miranda). An excellent example of this would be the Supreme Court case of New York Vs. Quarles in the year 1983. In this case, a police officer received a description of Quarles and upon finding him, the officer searched him, and found that he had an empty gun holster. The officer then questioned him about the whereabouts of his gun. When Quarles responded, the officer arrested him, then read him his Miranda Rights. During his trial, the judge ruled that his statements made before his rights were read to him were allowable in court because it was an issue having to do with public safety. The court ruled in favor of New York five to four (New York). The Supreme Court also states in its rulings that the suspect must be in police custody or under police interrogation for him to have his Miranda Rights read to him(Miranda). Another case affected by the Miranda case was Illinois V. Perkins. In this case, Perkins, while incarcerated in an Illinois prison, confessed to two undercover agents that he had committed a murder. Perkins was then tried and convicted of this murder. Perkins argued that this violated his Miranda Rights and because of this he should be acquitted from the charges brought upon him. The court decided that it was perfectly acceptable because the questioning of Perkins was not done in a â€Å"police dominated atmosphere where compulsion to confess is present† (Illinois). The Supreme Court case of Miranda verses Arizona was a landmark case because it gave more rights to suspected criminals. The ruling in favor of Miranda gave criminal defendants more rights and expanded civil liberties for everyone. This case also gave the Bill of Rights more influence and power. Overall, the case of Miranda V. Arizona was very important to the history of the United States and set precedents for future cases in the judicial system.

Management of Quality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management of Quality - Essay Example This compelled the organization to reinforce the quality of the process that every step. A consultant was hired who recommended the use of bespoke quality management in the organization that will facilitate in incorporating major quality improvement programs (Nobel 2011; Kuballa 2007; Kanji 1995). This was a top down approach in which the significant projects were identified and were controlled by trained team. It is quite significant for the senior management to implement bespoke quality management system with instructive and constructive quality management that allows the employees to contribute towards the improvement of the organizational functions. Quality management should not be procedural like for instance the ideas that are brought by the employees should be turned down by the managers. In the top down approach of quality management, the effort made towards the quality development is cascaded down to other levels of the organization. In the top down approach of quality manag ement the senior level managers are only involved. The top down approach has certain advantages that are discussed below: In the top down approach the senior management is involved, which signifies quality management is a time taking process and senior management will be aware of it. This will make the availability of time and financial resources for the process. Any changes in the organization require proper mentoring from the senior officials. In this method the employees will get proper monitoring from the higher officials. Figure 1: Top down Approach Sources: (Author’s Creation) However, this method is not free from limitations. The primary limitation in this method is: Unnecessary delay is caused if the senior officials are not fully operational related to the changes in the quality management required. Enhancing the quality process requires use of different techniques and tools. It also requires interaction of the top management with the middle management on an everyday basis, which is unrealistic, and counterproductive (Schiller, Kovach and Miller 1994). The employees who are directly dealing with the process are seen to possess better knowledge as compared to the members of the top management. Thus, they can implement the quality changes better. Quality management system was implemented by the organization in the second stage. It is the system in which both the quality objectives and policies required to achieve those objectives are decided (Williams and Buswell 2003). The main advantage of this system is that it involves the officials of the top management and the employees from every level. This signifies the involvement of all the people from different levels of the organization. The problems in this system is that it requires a high amount of effort and documentation, often focuses on third party certification rather than business improvement and hinders business if it is self-fulfilling (OECD 2001). Figure 2: Quality Management system Sourc e: (Author’s Creation) Answer 2: A Quality management system (QMS) is a management technique that is used to communicate with the employees regarding how they can produce the desired quality of services and products. Along with this, it also looks at influencing the employee action related to the quality specification in completion of the task. There are two types of quality managemen

The Main Contemporary Issues in Catholic Schools Essay

The Main Contemporary Issues in Catholic Schools - Essay Example Birth Control and Contraception Everybody around the world has had of the teaching that lay emphasis on birth control and the use of contraceptives. The teachings in catholic schools are different as people are expected to shun the use of birth controls. The move against contraception did not start recently as in 1968, the catholic community was warned against contraception through the letter of Pope Paul IV titled Humanae Vitae, which is the Latin expression of Human life. The letter implied that the Christians should follow the teachings of the church that constantly denounce contraceptives as it is intrinsically wrong since it is a tool which prevents a new human life from coming to existence. The letter clearly terms contraception to be "Any action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act [sexual intercourse], or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" (Humanae Vitae 14) (D'Orsa, 2008). When it talks of contraception, nothing is left out, as all the methods are included. They include condoms and other barrier methods, sterilization, spermicides, pills and coitus interruptus which is referred to as withdrawal method. In other cases, the Protestants conjured with the Catholics in the fight against contraceptives. However, they changed their belief after 1930 Lambeth Conference where they indicated that at some point the use of contraceptives was necessary. This was after the social pressure, which was growing amongst its members and the public, swayed them. It was not long before they decided to consent to the use of contraceptive in form of birth control all over... This report approves that this approach has usually been implemented with the intention of having results at the end of the studies. This is because there are certain students who have a catholic background and is interested in being at the school while there are those that are just interested in being in the school. This approach is used during the selection of students joining the school, as the administration will look at the students who would be productive to the catholic school. This essay makes a conclusion that the concept perpetrated by the catholic curriculum shows that it is an importance it has in the community as it is sometimes used in referring to the truth the people arte expected to adhere to. However, this is an ideology, which is propagated to individual communities so that they would interpret it in their own way then practices it as they prefer. This is an application which is rendered to different people with regard to their ages and culture. It is for this reason that some of the practices initiated by Catholics are sometimes given room for negotiation so that it would suit individuals. This is the phrase used in contextualization of rules expected to be followed but some aspects are ignored. In layman’s language, this is the term used when making sense of truth in accordance to the changing times, cultural evolvement and changing of messages to suit the people. This means that in this modern time, the curriculum has been changed to s uit that the people in this era. This is something that is not new to the catholic community, as it has always been done in order to favor the individuals at that particular moment.

Career planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Career planning - Essay Example I am majoring in accounting with my previous major being computer science, which means that I am endowed with strong and extensive computer skills and problem solving abilities. Upon graduation at the end of this year, I intend to seek employment with a public accounting firm within a period of one year. This will help boost and advance my accounting knowledge and skills. Now, I want to develop a formidable base with regard to my experience through exposure to a comprehensive range of business fields. I want to acquire focused expertise in accounting, but at the same time maintain career flexibility so that I am not inclined to pursue only a single career line. Attaining these short-term objectives will act as a stepping stone and will guide me towards attaining my long-term ambitions. Work location and remuneration will not be an impediment to my quest to gain skill and experience. In the short-term, I would like to continue working for the public accounting firm. I will attend a graduate school as a pert time student while working. As I work and concurrently attend school, I hope that my skills and experience will greatly be enhanced, and the achievement of my short-term goals will then propel me to the next level of my career. I intend to sit for and pass CPA exams in five years. Furthering my education and experience will give me a competitive advantage. In the long-term, I intend to keep on climbing the corporate ladder, and later work for the company as an accountant. It is my desire to conclude my professional career by retiring on a peak note. I also intend to sit for and pass the CFA exams. This will provide me with a wide choice of career options. I would like to a long, comfortable and illustrious career life, and thereafter a simple post employment retirement life. I will obtain immense satisfaction from knowing that I touched people’s lives and

Bottled Water Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bottled Water - Essay Example This observation is realized from a number of variables that differentiate bottled water from tap water. On the same note, these differentiating variables allows bottled water to obtain price premiums, a scenario that lacks in cases of tap water. The sale of bottled water is undertaken by firms that are in business. They therefore have business aspects to account for in their operations. In this regard, value creation becomes a critical differentiating variable. This is done through processing and packaging water in ways that appeal to the customers (Shiv, 2007). Value creation differentiates tap water and bottled water, with the primary activity being packaging. This process costs the various firms that engage in it, and the price of the bottled water must account for the costs as well as business profits. The providing firms themselves act as a differentiating variable. Tap water is provided to the masses as an aspect of human right by local governments or the state at large. Water treatment processes are undertaken at a central point before supply is done. For this reason, water tap is regarded a necessity and a right to the population. On the other hand, bottled water is associated with luxury, a complement to tap water. Therefore, obtaining the water attracts a luxury price premium. Quality is another aspect that differentiates bottled water from tap water. If is often held that bottled water is of high quality than tap water. While this claim may or may not be true, a high quality product is likely to attract a high price. The quality aspect has given rise to numerous bottled water brands, and the higher the quality attached to a specific bottled water brand, the higher the price premium that brand obtains. Marketing activities significantly differentiates tap water from bottled water. Firms that sell bottled water are actually business enterprises. Companies that supply tap water are either state operated

Dance as a Form of Cultural Expression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Dance as a Form of Cultural Expression - Essay Example Over the years, there have been different forms of dance and choreographers who have steered the American culture.   Non-academic modern dance in America was first introduced by St. Denis and Shawn, collectively referred to as Denishawn, who coached their students to use their talents so as to express themselves through movement (Thomas 85). This dance group was created against the backdrop of the First World War when America had developed a high sense of nationalism and the federal government took control of almost of sectors of the society. The Denishwan dance was characterized by ballets and exoticisms, adopted from Greek movements. According to Thomas, any person who was suspected of engaging in activities that could undermine national security was arrested and imprisoned (87). After the war, though, political goals posts changed and the then government minimized federal interference in business and other sectors. According to Thomas, progressive education during this era champ ioned for change. The modern dance was characterized by different experiments with bodily movements, which did not rely on Greek methods of dancing. In short, the new age dancers were in search of dance methods that reflected the American culture, as opposed to oriental culture. The Americanized dance involved more profound body movements as a way of expressing art. In addition, the modern dances sought to establish the independence of dance from music, considering that Denishawn had always viewed dance as secondary to music (Thomas 89). Martha Graham, a former dancer in Denishawn became one of the modern age dancers and produced numerous choreographic works in her career. Graham, for example, fused humor and dance as a form artistic expression relevant to the American culture. Graham’s choreography was characterized by increased torso movements, to go along with the breathing partners of the dancers (Thomas 89). The exaggerated contractions and expansions represented the inn er conflicts within the inner self of a human being. Additionally, there was the inclusion of emotional intensity and expression of inner feelings in the modern dance as compared to the formal ballet dances that were more narrative. Humphrey’s choreography involved isolating music from dance, in such a way that dancers sometimes performed in complete silence or a spoken word (Thomas 89). The relationship between balance and imbalance, depicted by falls and the rises of the dancers from the floor characterized much of Humphrey’s choreography. In addition, Humphrey preferred individual work as opposed to group dances in her choreography. Dancing with the Stars Dancing with the stars as a ballroom dancing reality show is designed to exemplify the American dream that encourages personal growth. The dream that everyone in America is accorded the chance to showcase their talents regardless of race, religion, background and other factors that make individuals different is wha t dancing with the stars is all about. The reality show serves to encourage people to pursue their dreams and believe that they can be successful regardless of any limiting factors.  Ã‚  

The Carol Web Portal (CWP) Project Planning Coursework

The Carol Web Portal (CWP) Project Planning - Coursework Example This project report will give an overview of the system as it is perceived and will discuss various milestones of the CWP.   The software is destined to be a web-based system with several independent modules to be implemented as and when required.   These modules include Concert Management Module, Fan Club Module, Inventory Module, Order Management Module and Payroll System.  As the system is designed to be a complete web portal, therefore, it has to have following important system components and servers. The CWP will use visual studio 2005 platform, the frontend will be developed in ASP dotNet, business logic will be implemented using C Sharp and SQL Server 2005 will be used as backend database system for the portal. The CWP will be developed to sustain many unforeseen circumstances in various steps to respond to contingency include the availability of Uninterruptable Power Supply system, standby servers, system maintenance equipment and staff etc. The CWP will be the complete solution for Carol the singer and it will fully digitize the environment, orders will be placed online, system generated invoices, fully integrated email system, staff payroll system is some of the important segments of the portal. These systems along with other functionalities will provide value to the system users and will help to establish a paperless environment. Moreover, the backups and disaster recovery strategies will ensure prompt system and data recovery. The CWP is required to support all activities of the Carol Concerts, staff management, fan club management, email management, order and invoice management and other activities related to duo Val and Tyne Card. The success of the system depends on its availability around the clock, functional support for all requisite operations highlighted in the requirement analysis of the system.

Utilitariansim and Dickens Hard Times Essay Example for Free

Utilitariansim and Dickens Hard Times Essay Hard Times offers a critique of the Utilitarian ideology from a romantic perspective. Hard Times demonstrates that one cannot reason oneself to happiness, but that relying solely on the faculties of the mind will not fulfill the complexities of the human being. John Stuart Mills, in his paper Utilitarianism proposed the philosophy is not something to be contradistinguished from pleasure, but pleasure itself, together with exemption from pain; and instead of opposing the useful to the agreeable or the ornamental However, Dickens did not find this harmony to be a possible outcome of the rigidity of logic, but found the imagination to be a more fertile ground for producing happiness. Dickens wrote of utilitarianism as it was applied during British industrialization. In the economic climate of the Industrial Revolution capitalism prevailed and social equality was more rhetoric than practice. Capitalism combined with the philosophy to put an emphasis on the individual achieving his or her own goals, rather than focus on the greater good. Mills did believe in the greater good, but Dickens believed a very logical approach to life would pervert this ideal. Rationalization could overcome virtue by creating mechanical sensibility devoid of caring, which plays an important part in maintaining morals. Throughout Hard Times Louisa expresses apathy towards life when she asks why she should care about important events, even being married. Rather than suspect something is wrong, the other characters believe she is being logical. Such a response is acceptable to them, even though it is an expression of her unhappiness. Through this example Dickens makes the point reason alone is not enough guidance for a human beings happiness. None of the characters that follow the utilitarian lifestyle are truly happy. Only Sissy, who fails to be taught to be so logical, is actually happy. Dickens wrote his characters to express emotion or care after realizing how flawed logic can be when applied to human nature. After Mr. Gradgrind realized how unhappy his fortress of numbers and logic made everyone he was able to save his son from prosecution by the law and support his daughter in leaving an unhappy marriage. The collapse of the marriage he had proposed in  very logical terms for his daughter, Louisa, was what made him realize how rational decisions may not be the best ones. Although Louisas response to the marriage proposal was: Since Mr. Bounderby likes to take me thus, let it be so (p 112). Though Louisa clearly lacked any sentiment commonly enjoyed in marriage, Mr. Gradgrind accepted her response as proper. He later learned the logical response was less correct to such a proposal than an emotional response, which would have lead to a better outcome. After having experienced the affections of someone other than her husband, Louisa realized she could not remain in her marriage. She went to her father and explained to him the error of his beliefs (utilitarianism). How could you give me life, and take from me all the inappreciable things that raise it from the state of conscious death? Where are the graces of my soul? Where are the sentiments of my heart? (p 236). After exposing her unhappiness, Louisa fell to the floor. Dickens used her fall to capitalize the inevitable inapplicability of utilitarianism. (Mr. Gradgrind) saw the pride of his heart and triumph of his system, lying, an insensible heap, at his feet (p 239). Besides the risk of placing what is reasonable above what is human, and thus creating unhappiness, there are other ways in which utilitarianism may go astray. Dickens character Mr. Bounderby exemplifies how striving for happiness can easily be perverted to striving for personal gain. Although he promotes himself as an example of a self-made man who achieved success through industry, he is eventually exposed as having come from a well-to-do family rather than the street. The discovery makes his self-serving airs all the more deplorable. Mr. Bounderby seems to derive all his satisfaction from being a capitalist, which is economically logical, but socially crippling. He is ultimately left by his wife, Louisa, and fires the only woman who ever tolerated him, Mrs. Sparsit, for offending his reputation. Although Mr. Bounderby has many opportunities to do good things and create happiness due to his powerful position, he values only fiscal achievement. He is cold and friendless. Therefore he is a good example of utilitarian principle at its most humanitarianly corrupt. Although Mr. Bounderby claims he is a self-made man, it isnt the truth. Contrary to his claims, Josiah Bounderby was raised in a well-to-do house by a caring mother. In Hard Times it is apparent that despite rhetoric about egalitarianism, the people are governed by very different rules according to class. When a working stiff, Stephen Blackpool asks his employer, Mr. Bounderby for advice on how to obtain a divorce from his alcoholic wife, he is chastised. However, in the same scene it becomes apparent Mrs. Sparsit herself was divorced, but only thanks to her social status and wealth. Bounderby is angered Blackpool should even think of himself as having such liberties. The scene represents the disempowered situation of the lower class. Blackpools employer reminds him he has no rights and immediately expresses concern he will next want more workers rights. At points like this Dickens makes turn of the 19th century Britain seem almost feudal. Charles Dickens uses Hard Times to criticize the newly industrial Britain for losing touch with humanity by suppressing imagination and emotion and allowing social inequality to persist, despite the technologically modernizing society. Hard Times does a beautiful job of embodying exactly what Dickens is afraid utilitarianism will destroy, an imaginative, rich invention. The book contrasts an enjoyable piece of literature against the severity of the politics discussed within the story. Citations Dickens, Charles. Hard Times. Modern Library. 2001. Mills, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. http://www.utilitarianism.com/mill2.htm.

Health and safety management

Health and safety management 1) Introduction: The main objective of Health and Safety Management at work place is to fulfil Legal responsibility, Moral responsibility and Economical responsibility which are reasonably practicable for the company and its employees. Every Construction company has to follow the legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of the employees and other people involved in the business. The right approach is not only about taking the minimum measures required to fulfil the legal requirements. If appropriate measures are been taken it can even be beneficiary to the company. Improper practise of health and safety may lead to illness, accidents and loss of time which will cause substantial costs to the company. Such type of unplanned activities doesnt just harm the working environment it will even adversely affect the profit. Good health and safety practices will also help in improving the companys reputation with the clients and with its own employees. This enhances the companys reputation in the market as well. The responsibility of following good health and safety standards doesnt only implies for the employer it is also the duty of the employees to follow the standards set by the company, If the company fails to set good standards of health and safety as per legislation then the company can be prosecuted under Health and Safety act 1974, Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulation etc. Thus every construction company and employee has to have proactive approach towards following good Health and Safety practises. 2) Case Study: This report focuses on the Health and Safety practices followed by BAA during Construction of London Heathrow Terminal 5B Project. In order to achieve safe construction and to complete the project in time and budget, the BAA management team recognised that it has to have a very efficient system in place to manage Health and Safety and to set high industrial standards. The second building (i.e.T5B) of Heathrow T5 is constructed by 5B project team; the team became the first team to achieve one million safe working hours without reporting a single accident. Here are some of the Health and Safety initiatives taken by the team. A fulltime Safety leader was appointed; High standards of Workforce consultation and engagement in Health and Safety; Daily activity briefing; Circulation of safety alerts; Incident and Injury free campaign. If the company had failed to take the above mentioned initiatives there would have been a possibility were the company could have been prosecuted under the following legislation: HSWA 1974 -Section 2(1) (Employer must protect the HSW at work of all their employees) HSWA 1974 -Section 2(2) c (Provide information, supervision training to ensure the HS of employees) HSWA 1974 -Section 2(4), (6) (7) (Consult union safety reps establish safety committee when requested by 2 reps Section 9 Do not levy charge for anything provided in pursuance of the statutory provision) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 7 Appointment of competent persons Regulation 9 Information for employees As the site manager in charge for maintaining Health and Safety I would like to suggest few more initiatives which may be useful in enhancing the Health and Safety Standards of the site. Provision of welfare facilities at fixed construction site. Dust control in site during construction. On-site Health Screening. 1) Provision of welfare facilities at fixed construction site: Workers working in a construction site need adequate washing facilities and toilets, they need a dedicated place where they can relax and eat their food and a place to store the cloths. Most often these basic requirements are neglected. Good facilities will help in creating a good working atmosphere and will have a positive benefit on Health and well being of the employees and will help prevent Dermatitis. This can be easily achieved by: Addressing the welfare arrangements clearly in Health and Safety plan; Considering welfare facilities, allocating a designated location onsite, maintenance facilities during the planning and preparation stage of the project; The facilities provided should be suitable for the size of the site and nature of the work carried out in site (e.g. pouring concrete route cause for dermatitis will need more no of washing facilities, it may even require showers etc); The toilets and washing facilities should be properly connected with the drainage facilities so that cleanliness and hygiene can be maintained; The resting facilities should provide shelter from wind, rain and should have proper heating facilities. It should even include facilities such as tables, chairs and a means for warming up food etc. Barriers for adopting the above mentioned initiative in site are: Lack of importance given to welfare facilities during planning stage; Financial constrains; Possibility of negative opinion by management; More the number of workers involved difficult in providing adequate welfare facilities; Maintenances problem. Legislation covering the above mentioned initiative HSWA 1974 Section 2(1) (Employer must protect the HSW at work of all their employees) HSWA 1974 Section 2(2)e (Provide adequate welfare facilities and arrangements) The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1996 CDM Regulations 1994 2) Dust control in site during construction: Dust generated during different construction activity is one of the major issues causing serious breathing problems to the workers. Some of the construction activities generating dust are concrete slab cutting or shaping, stones kerbing etc. Concrete cutting Saws are generally used to perform these functions. During this action large amount of respirable dust is generated which usually contains crystalline silica contents, working in such place may lead to respiratory problems due to scarring of lung tissues. This problem can be minimized by using dust control systems on concrete cutting saws. Some of the modern dust control methods are as follows: In this method water is sprayed on to the rotating cutting disk of the saw which in turn reduces dust emission. This type of system can be used on saws powered by compressed air. Local Exhaust ventilation: In this method saw guards are used which act as high velocity hood which is in turn connected with industrial vacuum cleaner which serves as an exhaust to the dust. Barriers which may hamper the adoption of the initiative are: Skill in selecting the suitable method; Cost involved in replacing the old equipment; Employee training. Key legislation related to the above mentioned initiative is as follow HSWA 1974 Section 2(2)a (Provide maintain plant systems of work that are safe without risk to health) HSWA 1974 Section 2(2)c (Provide information, supervision training to ensure the HS of employees) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 14 Employees responsibilities to use tools and equipment etc safely) Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Regulation 4 Equipment to be suitable) 3) On-site Health Screening: The objective of the proposal to introduce on-site health screening is to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst construction workers. These also helps in gathering the data about the health conditions of the workers which helps the management to take the decisions about the health and safety practises to be followed. These can be achieved by doing the following on-site tests Blood test; General check up; Skin tests; Ear testing; Eye tests etc. Barriers for adopting these initiatives are Cost involved for medical tests; Management opinion; Workers co-operation; Reliability on the medical data obtained; Creating facilities for medical tests on site. Key legislation related to the above mentioned initiative is as follows: HSWA- Section 2(1) (Employer must protect the HSW at work of all their employees) HSWA Section 2(2)e (Provide adequate welfare facilities and arrangements) HSWA Section 7(a) (Exercise reasonable care for the HS of themselves and others who their actions may affect) HSWA Section 7(b) ( Co-operate with the employer) HSWA Section 8 (Not to interfere with anything provided in the interests of HSW) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 6: Health surveillance (where appropriate) Regulation 13: Employers to take into account employees capabilities 3) Conclusion: BAA has achieved the best in securing safe working environment to the employees but money makes men guilty, as the progress with the project people forget unknowingly their health and its value, so initiatives given should be taken into consideration to protect employees and to have a safe and healthy working environment forever. 4) Bibliography Information about health and safety at work etc 1974, Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.pdf Information about case study, Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/engagement/casestudies.htm Information about management of health and safety at work 1999, Available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1999/19993242.htm Information about onsite health screening, Available at; http://www.enwhp.org/fileadmin/downloads/models/SME-Project/Ireland/Work%20and%20Health%20in%20the%20Irish%20Construction%20Sector.pdf Information about dust control methods, Available at; http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis54.pdf Information about the work place regulation 1992, Available at; http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1992/UKsi_19923004_en_1.htm Information about welfare facilities at fixed construction site, Available at; http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis18.pdf Information about Construction Design Management, Available at; http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm

Role of the US President

Role of the US President Who Wants This Job? Government 2305: Professor: John Sutter Student: Cathy Lynch Date: March 18, 2015 Who Wants This Job? Would you want to be President of the United States of America, Why? We hear and read political news from the television, radio, internet, special interest blogs, news papers and magazines, for those who still read hard copy printed material, and of course Barbra-shop gossip. After listening to what sounded like tongue and cheek, total organized chaos, back-biting, mudslinging, political undermining pitting party against party issues against issues, dealing with millions of other people’s lives in totality for generations to come †¦etc, the proverbial question seem fitting to ponder, Who wants this job and why? This essay sets out to investigate by reviewing articles, books, video commentaries and documentaries of individuals who may consider being president of the United States of America. First let’s look into the prerequisites in order to become president of the United States. According to our Constitution, Article II, Section 1, which place minimal requirements seem like the best place to start. The U.S.Constitutionâ€Å"Article II Section 1 Clause 5 expresses â€Å"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of thisConstitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. (Roland 2008) A little fun fact, on who was the youngest and eldest president to service USA: Theodore Roosevelt (42 years, 10 months, 18 days) Ronald Reagan (69 years, 11 months, 14 days) (Rosenberg n.d.) Only native-born U.S. citizens (or those born abroad, but only to parents at least one of whom was a U.S. citizen at the time) may serve president of the United States. Of course, like many things there are from time to time requirements are called into question, such as most recent current event the potential 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R – Texas).† (Trethan n.d.) One of his parents is from another country Cuba, the other is a native-born U. S. Citizen, and yet they resided in Canada where Ted Cruz was born making him to posses multiple citizenships [Canadian, American and Cuban].Would this be a hindrance or an asset to American if he were to be elected as President? Actually the reality is our Constitution indicates native born. However, Ted Cruz, isn’t the first, nor the last to have their citizenship questioned. For an example Obama, Kenya or Hawaii? Term limit amendment according to US Constitution, Amendment XXII, Section 1 ratified February 27, 1951 states, No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. (Hickok n.d.) But there are much more for a potential president nominee to be considered. We Americans are very demanding. We want what we want, and we want it NOW; if we don’t get it, we won’t stand behind the leader of the band, [the President]. A good example is when Ben laud in was captured; all praise was given, but then a few months down the road, we turned our backs on the President because we didn’t like what he did on another issue. After all, the President is a mouth piece for our country, the leader of the executive branch of the federal government of our grand country, the head of state, head of government, the commander-in-chief of our military armed forces. He makes laws, has the power to veto them, a leader of a vast economy and nuclear arsenal responsibilities to know when to hold and when to fold, as they sing in the country and western song the Gambler. He sometimes has to gamble with people’s lives too. Would you consider the position of presidency as the most powerful held position a person could hold in the world? This job requires one in power to execute of federal law, appoint other political executive, and judicial officers. The president comprises therein treaties with foreign powers with the help of the Senate, which may or may not be of his own party. He’s also the person that takes the heat when separate powers don’t want to play ball due to special interest group contributions, and other enticements. He must be well connected in order for fundraising for campaigning, to get elected, re-elected and other expenditures. He must possess the power of persuasion, have thick skin. Hey the political arena can be brutal and strip one to the bone and hang them out to dry without a blink of an eye. Who would and why would someone put them self and family through such torture? For the good of the nation or is there more too it? What does the President get in return for four year term of service? From the very beginning of our great nation’s first constitution to now most leaders are already wealthy and set well in life and business. So becoming a federal leader for the pay isn’t much of a motivator being the president currently collects the amount of $200.000 $500.000 annually for services rendered, depending on the president, of course. Thanks to Clinton who signed legislature to provide the presidency their first pay-raise since 1969 from $100.000 to $200.000. (Howstuffworks 2000). That seems like a lot to us average income earners doesn’t it? But if you think about their expenses, and all they are required to do, even with an expense account of $50,000.00, that amount doesn’t go very far. Actually they make more than that in their private lives of business. So what’s the motivation to become President? There’s free housing in the grandest best well kept house in the nation, the white house; unlimited access to Camp David, Travel and meet with very important, influential people and other nation leaders. But also keep in mind, they are putting their lives on the line every time, in spite of body guards around the clock and everywhere they go. They live under a microscope too; also one can never please everyone. There is always something brewing, scheming and always a problem to fix and improvements to be made if they can get the opposing party to comprise. They have the weight of the World, Our Nation, Congress, Constituents, not to mention their own personal family upon their shoulders. When the president decides to retire they receive some lifetime and some time restricted benefits. However, they do have an option to relinquish these benefits and services. Post presidency, what is it like? Life after being a president has its reward system well in place. The United States have had eight presidents meet their demise while in office. Four of those were assassinated, (Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John Kennedy). One president resigned (Richard Nixon), and two presidents were impeached, (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton), though not convicted. (2000Josh Clark). As a rule most presidents serve one to two – four year terms; then either get re-elected, defeated or retire. Living in such intensity under a microscope some retire out of the public lime light. Other’s profit from their published and distributed memoirs, some get involved in speech circuit, and some utilize their distinction toward business improvement, as Jimmy Carter is known for being the most successful post president. However, not all post presidents get out from public eye, instead they may continue to move forward by being nominated into the House of Representatives or Supreme Courts. As in the early times, the departing presidents would merely pat upon the back, given an Atta boy; when the Former President Act (federal law) was expedited by Congress back in 1958 this act was to provide an annual pension of $25,000. Of recent, according to an article posted on the About News website post president’s pay and compensation consist of the receipt of several lifetime benefits which entitle them to: Annual pension An annual pension of $400,000 which is equal to the executive head level I. In addition to their spouse who also receives an annual pension of $20,000., providing they do not accept additional benefits. This benefit start immediately upon the vacating their presidential position. Staff and office expenses – Transitional fund, are labeled for expenditures of vacating the office available up to seven months (It covers office space, staff compensation, communications services, and printing and postage associated with the transition). However in addition to the transitional fund, there is also revenue provided for the departing president’s private staff and office thanks to the Administrator of General Services Administration. Medical care or health insurance Post presidential is entitled to medical treatment in Veteran’s hospitals thanks to Management and Budget Office charges are discounted by interagency rates. Two-term presidents have an option to purchase medical insurance provided by the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program Secret Service protection—Post presidential and their family members use to be entitled to a lifetime of secret service protection. Then when Clinton was post president the SSP were only for ten years. However, current president Obama signed legislation reinstating lifetime protectionin 2013 for him and other post presidential. (Longley 2014) We have covered a lot about why anyone would want to be president, but we hadn’t mentioned anything about their political aspects, admirations and goals to further our country into all its glory, an improved nation. Nor have we mentioned anything about We the people being considered or being the main focus. Though, we are certain being these men and women of today’s political world have many fires to start and to put out being the great successful leaders that they are have us in mind, have our country in mind. After all, it’s their country too and they live in it too. They are not above the law even though they may receive extra perks here and there†¦ It merely proves these intelligent leaders, know what they want earlier on in their life, because politics is a lifelong commitment; as simple as step 1, 2 3; to get your foot in the door, to follow, to rule, to lead, and to succeed as an individual as well as a country. Would you want this job? Why or Why not is something amazing to ponder? It’s not the kind of job a lazy person, that is uneducated, lack morals, and integrity to embark upon. It is a position of distinction, reverence and money, keen communication skills, the ability to persuade and work well with others, know the law, and how to select their supporters to help manage the Oval Office and foreign affairs, an innovative thinking and producer of excellence. This is why everyone should vote in all elections local, state as well as governmental levels. Obama stated this morning on telecast news on channel 8, if Everyone would vote the results would outnumber the money. It is crucial to arm one’s knowledge banks regarding worldwide politics, voice ones opinion by voting. It is our right, and a privilege we may not have in the future, if not exercised now and every time there is an election. References Hickok, Eugene. Amendment XXII . http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution/the-amendments/amendment-22-presidential-term-limits (accessed March 13, 2015). Howstuffworks. August 21, 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. http://money.howstuffworks.com/question449.htm> (accessed March 17, 2015). Longley, Robert. Presidential pay and Compensation. April 22, 2014. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/presidentialpay.htm?utm_term=Benefits of Being Presidentutm_content=p1-main-4-titleutm_medium=sem-relutm_source=msnutm_campaign=adid-928de88a-d94c-40b9-b35c-49ea4f7fca65-0-ab_msb_ocode-28810 (accessed March 15, 2015). Roland, Jon. Presidential Eligibility. April 13, 2008. http://www.constitution.org/abus/pres_elig.htm (accessed March 17, 2015). Rosenberg, Jemmofer. About Education 20th Century History Expert. http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldleaders/a/youngpresidents.htm (accessed March 17, 2015). Trethan, Phaedra. Requirements to Service as President of the United States Now accepting Applications. Edited by Phaedra Trethan. Camden Courier-Post. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/presrequire.htm (accessed March 14, 2015).

Hunger in Richard Wrights Black Boy :: Wright Black Boy Essays

Hunger in Black Boy Have you ever experienced real hunger? The kinds of hungers that Richard experiences in Black Boy are not evident in the society where you and I reside. The present middle class citizens cannot really relate to true physical hunger. Hunger for most of us is when there is nothing that we desire to eat around the house and therefore skip one meal. This cannot even compare to the days that Richard endures without food. Physical hunger, however, is not the only hunger apparent in Richard's life. Richard suffers from emotional and educational hungers as well. He yearns for such things as mere association with others and simple books to read. Both of which are things that most people take for granted. This efficacious autobiography, Black Boy, by Richard Wright manifests what it is like to desire such simple paraphernalia. From a very early age and for much of his life thereafter, Richard experiences chronic physical hunger. "Hunger stole upon me slowly that at first I was not aware of what hunger really meant. Hunger had always been more or less at my elbow when I played, but now I began to wake up at night to find hunger standing at my bedside, staring at me gauntly" (16). Soon after the disappearance of Richard's father, he begins to notice constant starvation. This often reappears in his ensuing life. The type of hunger that Richard describes is worse than one who has not experienced chronic hunger can even imagine. "Once again I knew hunger, biting hunger, hunger that made my body aimlessly restless, hunger that kept me on edge, that made my temper flare, that made my temper flare, hunger that made hate leap out of my heart like the dart of a serpent's tongue, hunger that created in me odd cravings" (119). Because hunger has always been a part of Richard's lifestyle, he cannot even imagine eating meat every day. This simple privilege would be a miracle to him, yet to most it is nothing. These weakening and piercing hungers are frequently evident where poverty dwells in the Jim Crow South. Furthermore, emotional hunger also represses much of Richard's life. Richard desires attention from people. However, since he does not

Privacy In Turkey :: Research Private Essays

Privacy In Turkey Introduction What is privacy? Who decides what is private and what is not? Is it acceptable if someone interferes or discloses personal information? These are some of the questions that we face everyday in our lives. It is mostly up to the individual to keep some information private but what happens when the flow of information occurs based on the trust to the underlying infrastructure, such as phone lines? Should we, as individuals, expect that every phone conversation is being monitored or as confidential? It is known that knowledge of information is vital, especially in the 21st century where the timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality of information mean everything. In 1988, United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights Article 17 states that integrity and confidentiality of messages should be guaranteed; despite this fact, many countries, primarily the US, have involved in an effort to limit individual privacy and improve the ability of governmental agencies to listen in personal conversations.1 As an example of such activities, this paper will provide information regarding an actual case that took place in capital city of Turkey, Ankara in 1999. The case will be followed by some facts that will be relevant; then an analysis from different ethical perspectives on this issue will take place. This paper will conclude by depicting my personal ideas and reasoning on the ethical aspects of this particular privacy case. Privacy Case In 1999, Ankara police was sued because of listening in personal telephone conversations of Prime Minister.2 It was later discovered that, Prime Minister was not the only person whose phone lines were tapped, an additional 962 people’s private conversations were interfered with also.3 Among the victims there were governors, businessmen, attorneys at law, and journalists. This was a much publicized incident due to its scope and effect on the privacy and notion of privacy for individuals. As a result, Interior Ministry of Turkey was sued for invading privacy of individuals but Interior Ministry declined these allegations and stated that nothing really bad happened at the end.2 None of the information that was gathered during the eavesdropping sessions was disclosed. In addition to suing of Interior Ministry, some of the officers from Ankara Police Department were sued and some of them were convicted.3 Facts In Turkey, there are laws that are similar to the US Fourth Amendment. Individuals have expectation of privacy. Article 20 of Turkish Constitute states that the privacy of individual and family life is protected under the law.

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall's research with chimpanzees and gorillas is an example of Naturalistic observation. Here is a list of the key findings if Goodall’s life * 1960: Chimpanzees as meat eaters * First recorded instance of toolmaking by nonhumans * 1964: Planning-Figan showed deliberate planning when he kidnapped baby Flint in order to get his mother Flo and the rest of the group to follow him. * Using man-made objects- Mike used empty kerosene cans to intimidate larger males, and become the alpha male. 1966: Polio invaded Gombe and devastated both humans and chimps alike. Chimpanzees can also get AIDS. * 1970: Awe-the chimps spontaneously danced at the sight of a waterfall Jane believes that expression of awe in chimps resembles the emotions that led early humans to religion. * 1974: Warfare-a war broke out between the Kasakela males and seven males of a splinter group. This lasted four years; the rival group was eradicated, except for a few females. This type of violence had not been recorded in chimpanzees. 1975: Cannibalism-Passion killed and ate Gilka's infant, and shared the meat with her daughter, Pom. Together they continued eating infants for two years. * Coalitions-Figan's status as alpha male was somewhat challenged when his brother Faben disappeared. * Transfer of a female to a different group * 1987: Adoption-Spindle, an adolescent female, â€Å"adopted† baby Mel, after his mother died of pneumonia. * 1994: Consortship-researchers at Gombe have observed males leading females away from the community and establish short-term monogamous relationships. This is believed to be so the male can ensure that the offspring are theirs. * Technology transfer-Chimps from one community â€Å"modeled† the toolmaking behavior of chimps in another community. * 1995: Twins-Rafiki gave birth to only second set twins recorded at Gombe, Roots and Shoots. * Medicinal plants-chimps have been seen chewing the plant Aspilia, a medicinal plant believed to relieve stomach pains or reduce internal parasites.

El Dorado

El Dorado: The Legend and the Myth Your Name Here School Name Professor John Doe Whether it is just a place of legend that once existed and has disappeared into history or a myth fabricated by European explorers looking for riches, El Dorado has always been a source of mystery to historians and explorers from around the globe. In the search for their â€Å"El Dorado†, the European explorers of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries would stop at nothing to obtain the untold wealth and notoriety that would come with a successful expedition. Along with the wealth that few found, European explorers were able to successfully rape, pillage and destroy an entire continents native population’s way of live in just a few decades. El Dorado, whether is actually exists, or not, has contributed to mans madness in the search for wealth, conquest and paradise in the new world. El Dorado is defined as being a place of legend, a place thought to be found somewhere within the South American continent. It is a place that is believed to be rich in gold and precious stones (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1988). The term â€Å"El dorado† was originally derived from the Spanish â€Å"el dorado† which means â€Å"golden one. † Many legends surround this story and the origin of El Dorado. â€Å"The Gilded Man† (Bandelier, 1893) – el hombre dorado – which through the generations has been shortened to the current version of El Dorado, is the story of a South American Indian tribe that once lived and flourished in what is now the mountainous table lands of Bogota. Legend has it that this was the name of the chief of the Musica (Wikipedia, 2011) tribe in South America. The story states that the members of this chief’s tribe, during tribal ceremonies, would sprinkle his body with gold dust, which, after the ceremony, would be removed by the king diving into Lake Guatavita. In the years prior to the arrival of the Spanish explorers the Guatativa Indians had been defeated and subjugated in tribal warfare by a neighboring tribe around 1490-1500, and the new chief of this region had put an end to the ceremony of El Dorado. With the arrival of the Spaniards to this region of South America around 1525, the gilded man had already become a myth to the local native tribes. In the Cibao mountains of South America, in the year 1501, while panning for gold in a small stream, a native woman found a single gold nugget that was described as being as large as a â€Å"loaf of bread† or the size of a â€Å"suckling pig† (Bacci, 2007). The weight of this nugget was estimated at 16 kilograms or 35. 2 pounds. In today’s market, with today’s price of gold at $1,475. 00 per ounce, the weight of this single nugget would be worth approximately $662,000. 00. This nugget was so valuable in proving the mass of wealth available in the new world that it was placed on display for the colonists and guarded until it could be shown to the king and queen of Spain. While the native girl that originally found this great nugget was probably given nothing for her find, the two Spaniards in charge of the local expedition were rewarded with devotional objects, dishes and urns that were taken, or stolen, from temples and palaces from throughout the country. The total amount of this reward was measured to the â€Å"height that a man stands with his hand outstretched† (Bacci, 2007). In July of 1529, the new Governor of Venezuela, a German, Ambrosius Dalfinger became the first European to follow-up on and actually search for the origin of â€Å"the gilded man. † Dalfinger and approximately 300 men set forth on a campaign of conquest in search of two items – gold and slaves. His exploits of devastation and plunder would become an object of revulsion to even the Spaniards of his day. In 1530, in the Ambrosia valley, the local natives handed Dalfinger his second defeat in battle. With his forces severely depleted, he finally retreated back to Coro, Venezuela. With all of the effort that Dalfinger put forth to bring death and destruction to the tribal areas in his search for riches and conquest, he only found 70,000 pesos (approx. 6,000 dollars) worth of riches, of which 30,000 along with its escort, never made it out of the forests (Bandelier, 1893). In the 1530s, during the later days of the Dalfinger expedition, another Spaniard, Diego Ordaz and his crew also experienced failure (Winsor, 1886). However, Ordaz and his expeditionary crew did not fail for its inability to find riches; it failed because of internal strife that resulted in a mutiny. During this mutiny one of Ordaz’s lieutenants, Martinez, was also expelled from the expedition for misconduct. After his return to Porto Rico eight months later, he told a tale of becoming lost and wandering in the forest until being captured by natives that blind folded him and escorted him for a considerable distance to a great city called Manoa. He described the city, and taking a day and a night to traverse to reach the palace where he became the guest of the emperor Inga. Lieutenant Martinez according to the author was the first to apply the name El Dorado to the city of Manoa. This story though later proved to be fictional, is the one that would 60 years later be shown to Sir Walter Raleigh, on a manuscript, by the Governor of Trinidad. One of the more famous and historically documented stories about the search for El Dorado is the expedition undertaken by the Spanish explorers Francisco Orellana and Gonzalo Pizarro in 1541. Their expedition, while it did include the search for wealth, also had the task of searching for land suitable colonization by European immigrants. The immigrants faced many hardships, almost from the beginning. The party endured torrential rain, cold, earthquakes and even a volcano. This expedition was another of many launched by European explorers in search of gold and riches that was doomed to fail. What Pizarro did find was another item that was highly sought after by few explorers: cinnamon, a spice derived from the bark of a tree. By the time of this discovery Pizzaro’s company, which started out with 500 Spaniards, 100 mounted on horses, and close to 4,000 natives, had been reduced to a small portion of their original size. Many of the original party had died from disease, starvation, drowning and violent conflicts with many of the native tribes that they had encountered. The majority of the natives they had originally started with, because of the brutality of the masters, had quietly slipped away while in the jungles or during the night while the Spaniards slept. They were close to starvation, and the expedition’s horses, dogs and other domesticated animals they had started out with had already been eaten. The remaining expedition members were reduced to eating whatever they could find in the surrounding forest; this diet consisted of roots, leaves, grasses, frog, toads, snakes lizards and whatever scarce wildlife they could find. Pizarro decided it was time to cut his losses and return to the native kingdom of Quito. He then challenged his men to build a â€Å"brigantine,† a small two masted ship, to be used to navigate the many rivers and waterways for the return trip home. The task of this ship building was something his party was ill equipped for. For iron they had to use the shoes of their dead horses, to seal the crevices between the planks they used glue derived from the local trees and for rope material they used the clothing of the native helpers and their own shirts. After journeying for 16 months, Zarate, a historian on the expedition, wrote â€Å"The whole party from general to private, was almost entirely naked, as, from almost continual rain storms which they had been exposed and the other hardships of the journey, their clothes were all rotten and torn to rags, and they were reduced to covering themselves with the skins of beasts. Their swords were all without scabbards and almost destroyed with rust. † (Zahm, 1917). According to Bacci, (2007) the conquest of the new world and the speed in which it was explored and settled was a surprise to the entire world, to include the conquistadors. The exploration of the continent, subjugation of the local populace and the beginning of colonization by tens of thousands of Europeans took around 50 years to complete. Author M. B. Synge (2007) wrote of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was the next European explorer of any note and his attempt to try and locate El Dorado. Raleigh, an Englishman, had recently failed in an attempt to establish a colony on the North American continent, in what is now Virginia. With Raleigh looking to get back into the good graces of his queen, his thoughts were of gold and fame, he had heard the rumors of the Golden city of Manoa, what the Spanish referred to as El Dorado, a mythical city of golden temples filled with furniture and adornments of gold. In 1595, he left England with five ships bound for South America. Upon reaching the mouth of the Orinoco River, in what is now Guiana, he discovered that he could not effectively navigate the river with his deep-hulled ocean going ships. His only option was to hire a local guide, Ferdinand, and set out with one hundred of his men, rowing against the current in small boats. During this expedition, Raleigh described the way the natives along the river lived, (they were cannibals), the abundance of fruits on the Guiana shores and the terrible strain that he and his crew were under both physically and mentally as they strove to succeed in their quest. After weeks of battling scorching heat and unrelenting river currents, Raleigh decided it was time to turn back. He never did find the city of Manoa but instead returned to England, to his Queen, telling tales of a country unspoiled, yet to be torn apart by others in search of gold and yet to be conquered by the Christian faith. The Queen was not impressed. The tales of his expedition and further conquest into South America were received coldly by the Queen. In 1617, twenty-two years after his first attempt, Raleigh was again granted permission by the Queen to attempt a second expedition into Guiana. Over the centuries, the term El Dorado has come to represent many things: A legend of a lost city and the mythology of a place that probably never existed. But to the people of today, it has come to represent two things: A place where wealth can be rapidly obtained and a fool’s errand, out of reach and unobtainable. In 1848, Edgar Allan Poe wrote his poem El Dorado (Poe, 1849). He writes of a gallant knight’s quest to find El Dorado. I found the last two stanzas to be the most meaningful. And, as his strength Failed him at length, He met a pilgrim shadow — â€Å"Shadow,† said he, â€Å"Where can it be — This land of El Dorado? † â€Å"Over the Mountains Of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly rides,† The shade replied — â€Å"If you seek for El Dorado. â€Å" As the knight lie dying, he see’s a spirit, probably a hallucination, that tells him El Dorado, will be over the next mountain and down into the next valley. It will always be over the mountain and into the next valley. It is a mythical place that is unobtainable; you will never find El Dorado. Heart of Darkness (Conrad, 1893), is another fictional tale of another group of explorers searching for riches in a land that has yet to be conquered. This time the story does not take place in South America, but in Africa. In his novel, Conrad tells a story of an ill-fated expedition into the unexplored territories of the African continent. It is basically the same tale of the trials and trouble that faced explorers three centuries earlier in South America. They went into unknown lands seeking riches and fame only to be faced with their own reality and deaths. The author tells a story of men that are bored with the ordinary life and seek adventure where they have no business being. He talks about the riches found and lost, along with other illegitimate profits that men can gain at the cost of another’s way of life. Marlow, one of the characters in Conrad’s story, says something that I believe to be a statement that shows the state of mind of the explorers and people of this era. Marlow said â€Å"The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves; it is not a pretty thing when you look into it to much†. This story continues to show that the European and North American explorers of the 19th century have changed very little from their predecessors of the 15th thru the 18th centuries. They continue to go, usually where they do not belong, at great cost of life and property, and usually very little profit. Although these explorers have opened many doors for civilization, they have also, in their greed, destroyed another’s way of life during their search for glory. The Oak Island Treasure News, BlogSpot on the internet operated by Keith Ranville (2010) has another spin on the legend of El Dorado. Ranville who is thought of as a modern day treasure hunter and researcher from Vancouver, British Columbia, has many credits for deciphering ancient symbols and artifacts that has led him to several historical finds. What I found most interesting about Ranville was his own theory of what really happened to El Dorado. Ranville's theory about the lost city of gold, is that the native populations of the Incan Empire believed that they had, in their greed, been cursed by their gods and that the European explorers had been sent to destroy anyone that possessed gold of the gods. In their fear, the natives, directed by their holy men or shamans, stripped their cities of gold and returned it to the rivers and mines were it had been found. My belief is that El Dorado, whether it ever actually existed, or not, it has open many doors for modern civilization to exist. With out the explorers of the past 500 years, we would never have reached the levels of modernization that we currently have. While much good has come from all of this exploration, much unnecessary death and destruction of many people and their way of life were just brushed aside and destroyed. Many of the great tribes of both the North and South American continents have been lost forever. Those that still exist are just remnants of their ancestors, living on mostly government mandated lands and their ancient way of life forever gone. I feel that mankind has lost much more han it has gained in his search for wealth, conquest and paradise in the new world – as in his search for El Dorado. Bacci, L. B. (2007). El Dorado in the marshes. Massachusetts: Polity Press. Bandelier, A. F. (1893). The gilded man. New York: D. Appleton and Company. Conrad, J. (1893). Heart of darkness. New York: Columbia University Press. Poe, E. A. (1849). El Dorado: Poetry and tales. New York: Literary Classics of the United States. Ranville, K. (March 11, 2010). Oak Island treasure News. Retrieved March 26, 2011 from http://oakislandtreasurenewsarchives. logspot. com/2010/03/inca-treasure-thesis Synge, M. B. (2007). Explorers in South America, A book of discovery. North Carolina: Yesterday’s Classics. Webster’s new world dictionary. (3rd ed. ). (1988). New York: Simon and Schuster. W. Winsor, J. (1886). Narrative and critical history of America: Spanish explorations in America. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. Wikipedia. ( November 2011). Retrieved March 27, 2011, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/El_Dorado Zahm, J. A. (1917). The quest for el Dorado. New York: D. Appleton and Company.

Aloha Products

Aloha Products is a United States-based coffee-processor company that has been providing non-specialty and low-priced coffee for over a hundred years. It purchases the raw materials or what buyers and sellers refer to as â€Å"green coffee† from brokers and trade firms then processes the coffee and sells the final product to customers. Large companies such as Nestle and P&G directly import the unprocessed or green coffee beans from coffee plantations in tropical countries such as Brazil and Colombia while companies with smaller levels of business such as such as Aloha buy the green coffee beans from brokers or trade firms.Aloha Products is managed by the owners and its headquarters is located in Ohio, United States. It has three plants located in Midwestern United States, each plant being responsible for its own profit and loss. Each plants performance is measured by each plant managers gross margin generated per plant. The raw materials or green coffee beans are handled by th e company’s purchasing unit that is located in New York City. Each plant receives a production schedule that is determined from the center and receives raw materials as well as pay in accordance with the production requirements of each plant.Aloha’s Top management is regulated by the members of the founding family. Company uses centralized control system where all main decisions regarding purchases, production, sales, marketing and promotion are made on corporate level while plant managers are only responsible for their profit and loss. Also there is centralized preparation of overall financial statement at home offices. This organization has led plant managers to a lack of adequate control over the activities of the managed plant; however, they are still assessed on the performance.This method has been done until in the 1990s, when the plant managers started to speak out on their dissatisfaction on the computation of their bonuses since they do not have authority to d etermine the prices of raw materials, production schedules and output prices from the manufacturer. External factors such as the steady decline in Americans consumption of coffee from 1965 to 1990 affected the sales and profits of coffee processors as well.Because of this, the company president hired a consulting firm to evaluate the current control systems in the three major departments: Plant Operations, Sales and Marketing and the Purchasing groups. 2. Case Question No-1: Evaluate the current control systems for the manufacturing, marketing, and purchasing departments of Aloha Products Answer is: From the case we can see that Aloha products have a centralized control system. What this means is that the main office or headquarters handled the purchasing, marketing and sales activities of each of the three plants.Based on the current control system evaluating three major departments of Aloha Products are described as follows†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Evaluation of Manufacturing Departments: Th ere are three production plants within AP’s manufacturing department; each plant is responsible for their own profits and losses. Unfortunately, the managers have no control over the any of the major activities in their respective production facilities. the vice president of manufacturing oversees all of the roasting, grinding, and packaging processes. Production schedules are provided to each plant manager for the current and following month.The plant managers also have no control over the green beans purchase, production schedule, production mix, or the costs of their inputs, as the purchasing department assigns the costs based on the specific contract for that shipment. If the inputs exceed the plant’s requirements, they are sold at the spot rate in the market, and could very well result in a loss. Evaluation of Purchasing Departments: The purchasing department is responsible for obtaining the required quantities and types of green coffee to be roasted in the produc tion plants.The level of sophistication and expertise needed makes this department a necessity; proper staffing is vital based on the complexity of the green coffee market. This department relies on relationships with growers and brokers; for smaller firms, an important feature of this department is their ability to foresee demand and required inventory and subsequently enter into forward contracts with brokers, anywhere from three to twelvemonths in advance. The costs of each shipment are based on the specific contracts for those green coffee beans, which can vary based on the various price drivers previously mentioned.This can create a diversified and volatile cost of inventory. Required inventory demand is based on communication between marketing (sales) and the purchasing department, any discrepancies at the current date is met by purchases through the spot market, which incurs significantly higher costs. The costs associated with running this purchasing department are charged t o the headquarters of AP. Currently, there is no communication between the purchasing and manufacturing department. Furthermore, purchasing department does not need to report to head office or meet any performance measurement standard.Ultimately, the power resides with upper management of the purchasing unit. Evaluation of Marketing (SALES) Departments: Under the current structure, this department is centralized. The president of AP and vice president of sales are in charge of advertising and promotion of the final products. The marketing department also determines the budgeted sales, which are then passed onto the purchasing department. Case Question No-2: Considering the company’s competitive strategy, what changes, if any, would you make to the control systems of the three departments?Answer is: The changes to the current control systems involve establishing accountability and effective communication among the three departments and providing key measures to evaluate the ma nagers’ performance objectively. Recommendations for the current management control system of Aloha Products are as follows†¦. Recommendation for Manufacturing Departments: The manufacturing department is currently a profit center. However, the plants do not have control over the costs of the green coffee.Thus, the main concern of this department as a whole should be efficiency; how well they can control the costs to roast green coffee. As such, were commend that the manufacturing department’s plants be accountable for the costs incurred to roast and package the green coffee. The performance measure for the manufacturing department at AP should be evaluated based solely on the roasting, grinding, and packaging of AP’s coffees. Conceptually, it’s unfair to evaluate manufacturing as a profit center, when in reality it has little to no control over product costs or sales.Since control over purchasing and selling will not be transferred to the manufactur ing department in this proposal, it is logical to assess based on controllable factors such as cost/pound only. This is in contrast to a measure such as using manufacturing costs as a percentage of net sales. Instead of being assessed for the performance of the purchasing and marketing departments, plant managers will now have an incentive to ensure their costs do not vary from the standard. It would still be possible to evaluate roasting plants based on gross margin as well.However, to ensure that plant managers are not penalized for fluctuations in the cost of green coffee contracts, a standard cost for green coffee would have to be established and used in the computation of gross margin. Recommendation for Purchasing Department: The purchasing department’s costs are being charged to central office. Due to this, the purchasing department is not being held accountable for the contracts it is entering into. The purchasing department’s main concern should be actual cont ract costs.Thus, we recommend that the purchasing department be accountable for the difference between the actual costs per signed contracts and the standard cost of green coffee raw materials. The actual costs should be measured in a similar manner to the current practice. Contract costs related to buying and selling in the spot market should not be included in the computed price per bag. A reasonable standard cost for green coffee contracts will have to be established based on discussions between management and executives in the purchasing department.The standard cost could potentially be based on the average of the spot price over the past 6 months. We recommend that this standard cost be updated every quarter, in order to provide accurate standard costs of green coffee raw materials. Recommendation for Marketing Departments: The marketing department focuses its efforts on advertising and promotion, however, it is not held responsible for the costs it incurs or how accurate their sales forecasts/budgets are. There is a large cost associated with differences between the forecasted requirements and actual requirements.The difference results in purchases or sales at the spot price for green coffee, which tends to cost more than forward contract prices. It is not reasonable for the marketing department to perfectly forecast sales and therefore there should be leniency in developing a method of accountability for this department. We must keep in mind that our goal is not only to hold each group accountable, but also to make sure managers feel they are being evaluated fairly and motivated to improve performance. In keeping with this, actual sales volume should be compared to forecasted sales volume.This will not only help to keep the marketing department accountable for their activities, but will also allow for forecast methodology to be reviewed and continuously improved. Overall, we believe that we also need to establish goal congruence between the three depart ments. This can be achieved through emphasizing communication between departments; this would encourage the forecasts of purchases/sales to be more accurate. In order to increase goal congruence and communication we recommend that the departments also beevaluated based on an overall measure for the firm. This measure would be economic value added (EVA), as when it is applied, managers will not just be focused on their own department profitability, but also that of the company as a whole. The EVA approach promotes the same profit objectives across the different departments. Thus, by keeping the same structural organization and only changing the way each department is evaluated, the incentive plan for each department more accurately reflects what each department can control.

Battered wives

To determine the amount and types of violence in U. S. homes, sociologists have interviewed nationally representative samples of U. S. couples (Straus, 1992). Although not all sociologists agree, Murray Straus concludes that husbands and wives are about equally likely to attack one another. When it comes to the effects of violence, however, gender equality certainly vanishes. As Straus points out, even though she may throw the coffeepot first, it is generally he who lands the last and most damaging blow.Consequently, many more wives than husbands seek medical attention because of marital violence. A good part of the reason, of course, is that most husbands are bigger and stronger than their wives, putting women at a disadvantage in this literal battle of the sexes. Violence against women is related to the sexist structure of society and to socialization. Growing up with norms that encourage aggression and the use of violence, many men feel it is their right to control women.When frus trated in a relationship or even by causes outside it, many men turn violently on their wives and lovers. The basic question is how to socialize males to handle frustration and disagreements without resorting to violence and this has not been answered yet. This paper will be discussing battered women and battered women syndrome in relationship to crime and deterrence. Battering of Women: The characteristics of assaulting a spouse or love suggest low deterrability. The behavior appears to be irrational, expressive, quite violent and likely to take place in private.It is often pointed out that the act historically has been culturally condoned and arguably continues so to some degree. Given a theoretical framework generally suggesting low deterrability, the outcome of the Minneapolis Domestic Violence experiment (Sherman & Berk, 1984) was quite surprising. The design of this important study provided for random assignment of three police responses to cases of misdemeanor domestic assaul t, the arrest of the offender, separation of the parties and some sort of advice, including mediation.Police officers responding to domestic violence calls were instructed to intervene as dictated by the color of the form appearing at the top of the report pad. Cases were then followed for six months to determine if the assaulter’s recidivated, as measured by additional reports to the police and periodic interviews with the victims. The lowest rate of repeat assaults, 13% was obtained when the offenders had been arrested, a middle level, 18. 2% followed advice or mediation, while the highest incidence of new assaults came after separation.The researchers concluded that â€Å"swift imposition of a sanction of temporary incarceration may deter male offenders in domestic assault cases†¦In short; criminal justice sanctions seem to matter for this offense in this setting with this group of experienced offenders† (Sherman & Berk, 1984, p. 270). Special deterrence was th ought to be operating even for this theoretically unpromising type of crime. The Minneapolis study, in combination with feminist activism and civil suits seeking equal protection of the laws for battered women had an unprecedented impact on police policy.Arrest became the preferred policy for misdemeanor domestic assault cases in most large U. S. police departments and remains the norm. Arrests of men who had committed misdemeanor assaults against their partners moved from a rarity in 1984 when the study was reported to the typical response well before the close of the decade. Ironically the changes in law have also led to dramatic increases in arrests of women, and have created a sense of ambivalence among some feminist criminologists (Chesney-Lind, 2002).While the impact of the Minneapolis experiment, combined with other social forces, was rapid and substantial, a series of six replication studies reflected the complexity of the concept of deterrence. Lively debate was stimulated because the conclusions of the evaluators of these six studies were quite divergent. While some found special deterrent effects of arrest, albeit weaker, others did not. Still others found that arrest increased recidivism among marginal offenders, those who may have felt they had nothing to lose.In Milwaukee, for example, unemployed suspects were more likely to assault their partners again if arrested (Sherman, Schmidt, Rogan, Smith, Gartin, Cohn, Collins & Bacich, 1992). The evidence for deterring the crime of misdemeanor assaults of women in domestic settings is mixed and complex. The consensus seems to be that there is some special deterrent effect, varying by characteristics of the offender. Unfortunately, differences in deterrability by persons, even when clearly understood, complicate the task of policy development.If arrest deters some assaulters, but escalates the violence of others, police policy for responding to these crimes becomes far more difficult to formulate. Policy changes in the area of police responses to woman battering have been one of the most dramatic within criminal justice in recent decades. The policy directive of most U. S. police departments has shifted from one of arrest avoidance for misdemeanor assault of intimate partners, to a presumptive arrest standard. In other words, rather than having to justify an arrest as exceptional, an officer must defend a non-arrest decision when a woman is the victim of a minor assault.The public opinion for these changes is mixed (Brown, 1990). Battered Woman Syndrome: Women who are victims of violence from husbands and live-in male companions increasingly are being brought within the scope of criminological study. Earlier such events were regarded by the male-dominated realm of law enforcement and the equally male-dominated real of social science as private affairs, best left in the shadows. There was a wild myth that women enjoyed being hit, interpreting it as attention, and therefore a sign of caring. Some victims who are beaten may respond with seeming indifference.Women who are beaten, particularly lower-class women may not see themselves as real victims, but merely as suffering the usual lot of a woman. The problem of wife beating did not command the public attention it now receives because of startling increases in such violence, but rather because of a shift in public sentiment. By capitalizing on the expansionist interests in the social work, mental health, and legal professions, and offering a good subject for the media, special interest groups convinced people that there was a problem demanding attention.Hundreds of shelters for battered women that provided an alternative to remaining with abusive males soon were opening (Walker, 2000). Today the battered woman syndrome sometimes is successfully introduced into criminal trials to excuse a woman who killed her husband after being subjected to intense abuse over a considerable period of time. Many men take exceptio n to such acquittals, insisting that the use of lethal force is a disproportionate response; after all assault is not a capital offense. They also may argue that the women could have departed rather than killed.Many women take strong exception to this male position. They insist that the victims of domestic violence lose their self-respect, their judgment, and that they retaliate out of desperation (Chan, 2001). In the past few years, considerable national attention has been given to the issue of how to handle persons who kill spouses or loves, who abuse them. In some states women convicted of killing their husbands after years of abuse have been granted clemency and released from prison. Jurisdictions have differed in their treatment of the battered women syndrome defense.Some courts have refused to admit evidence of the syndrome. Others have admitted it for limited purposes, such as to show the inability of a woman to assist her attorney in her defense (Walker, 2000). Conclusion: I t has been estimated that over 1. 5 million wives in this country are severely beaten by their husbands annually (Strauss, 1992), and such figures may underestimate the number of actual cases. Women in cohabiting relationships are even more likely than wives to be battered, although the reasons for this are not at all clear.Sympathy for battered women may be difficult to come by in light of widespread tendencies to blame the victim for staying with, going back to, or not walking out on an abusive husband or lover. Years of exploration have addressed the question of why abused women stay with abusers. Proposed explanations, none of them entirely satisfactory, have included reference to the victims economic dependency, the victims tendencies to place blame on themselves, not the batterers and a vicious circle of abuse leading to lowered self-esteem on the part of the victim, which in turn leads to greater abuse.But because there is a strong tendency for domestic violence to recur and in some cases to become progressively more severe over time victims must be strongly encouraged to seek professional and or legal assistance at the very first sign that their spouses or lovers are batterers and this is despite any promises, protests, excuses, apologies or vows never to do it again on the part of the batterers. Reference: Brown, S. E. (1990). â€Å"Police responses to wife beating: Five years later†.Journal of Criminal Justice,18, 459-462. Chan, W. (2001). Women, Murder, and Justice. New York: Palgrave. Chesney-Lind, M. (2002). â€Å"Criminalizing victimization: The unintended consequences of pro-arrest polices for girls and women†. Criminology & Public Policy, 1, 81- 90. Sherman , L. W. & Burk, R. A. (1984). â€Å" The specific deterrent effects of arrest for domestic assault†. American Sociological Review, 49, 261-272. Sherman, L. W. , Schmidt, J. D. , Rogan, D.P. , Smith, D. A. , Gartin, P. R. , Cohn, E. G. , Collins, D. J. & Bacich, A. R. (19 92). â€Å"The variable effects of arrest on criminal careers: The Milwaukee Domestic Violence Experiment†. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 83, 170-200. Strauss, M. A. (1992). â€Å"Explaining family violence†. In Marriage and Family in a Changing Society, 4th. Ed. New York: Free Press, 344-356. Walker, L. E. A. (2000). The Battered Women Syndrome, 2nd. Ed. New York: Springer