Vietnam and Iraq Comparison essays

Vietnam and Iraq Comparison essays It would be easy to enumerate the differences between Lyndon Johnson and George W. bush on the basis of well-known fact. Bush came from money and, while Johnson was hardly a pauper, his family had not been Eastern/Texas establishment power brokers for decades as Bush's family has. But perhaps the most significant difference between the two is that while Johnson inherited his war from his assassinated predecessor, Bush created It would also be easy to draw comparisons between George W. Bush and Lyndon Johnson to support the theory, expressed by Sen. Edward Kennedy, that "Iraq is George Bush's Vietnam. Iraq has developed into a quagmire." [i] The comparison could be drawn on the grounds that both Bush and Johnson are from Texas, and both have two daughters. Both men had a taste for alcohol, although while Johnson got himself through the Vietnam debacle on Cutty Sark, [ii] Bush apparently stopped drinking after the drunk driving incidents reported during his first campaign for the presidency, but now apparently all but forgotten by the media and the public. Despite Sen. Kennedy's statement, however, it doesn't look as if the war in Iraq will be another Vietnam. At the present, it appears that it could be far worse in many significant ways. First of these ways is, arguably, the way the two presidents feel about their respective wars. While Johnson worried about the effect dissent about the war was having on his country, often asking himself before he went to sleep at night whether he had done everything he could to unite the country,[iii] Bush seems infinitely more concerned with getting re-elected, no matter what happens to the country to do it. When reporters asked him if he had acted correctly concerning the Iraq problem even if it cost him his job, he did not respond, exactly, to the question. He said, instead, "I don't intend to lose my job. Because I'm g...

Saluer - to greet, salute - French Verb Conjugation

Saluer - to greet, salute - French Verb Conjugation The  French verb  saluer means to greet or salute  but can also mean  to take ones leave. Find simple conjugations for this regular -er verb in the tables below. Conjugations of Saluer Present Future Imperfect Present participle je salue saluerai saluais saluant tu salues salueras saluais il salue saluera saluait nous saluons saluerons saluions vous saluez saluerez saluiez ils saluent salueront saluaient Pass compos Auxiliary verb avoir Past participle salu Subjunctive Conditional Pass simple Imperfect subjunctive je salue saluerais saluai saluasse tu salues saluerais saluas saluasses il salue saluerait salua salut nous saluions saluerions salumes saluassions vous saluiez salueriez salutes saluassiez ils saluent salueraient salurent saluassent Imperative tu salue nous saluons vous saluez Verb conjugation patternSaluer  is a  regular -ER verb

Collective Bargaining Process in P-12 Education Research Paper

Collective Bargaining Process in P-12 Education - Research Paper Example Significant Changes in Education Law Section 3012-c The revamp of the old law carried with it major changes in the evaluation process of teachers and principals, known as the new and improved Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) system for teachers and principals. â€Å"The new APPR system applies only to evaluations of teachers in the common branch subjects or English Language Arts, and Math in grades four through eight, as well as building principals for the school year 2011-2012. The new APPR system will apply to all teachers and principals effective in the 2012-2013 school years. The APPR system requires teacher and principal evaluations to result in a single composite score made up of the several components† (New York Labor and Employment). The composite score shall be the basis for the teacher’s promotion, retention, tenure, termination, and will entitle the teacher to additional compensation. The composite score shall be divided into the following criter ia: The first 40% percent shall be based on the student’s achievement and the other 60% shall comprise of the teacher’s overall effectiveness. Modification of the Existing Provisions of Collective Bargaining Agreement Based on the labor relations standpoint, the requirement of a negotiated appeals process is one of the more contentious aspects of the new law. The appeals process by the way, is developed locally, wherein the teacher or principal shall have the right to question the basis of the evaluation. The factors taken in deriving at such result must be compliant to specific standards and guidelines for reviews and implementation of a â€Å"Teacher Improvement Plans† (TIP) and the â€Å"Principal Improvement Plans† (PIP). This method will be used for those teachers and... It aims to discuss the direct relationship of the new law to the concurrent provisions contained in the previous collective bargaining agreements. Due to the enactment of the new law, it mandated that all collective bargaining agreements entered by teachers and building principals after July 1, 2010 must be harmonize and complement with provisions of the new law. This report stresses that the new law does not require the school district, BOCES, parents’ and teachers’ representative union to indicate the references used in the newly incorporated provisions in the successor collective bargaining agreements. Strict observance must be complied as regard to the consistencies with the provisions of the new Education Law. This paper makes a conclusion that the enactment of the new law redounds to the benefit of the school district, BOCES, teachers and principals because they are given equal opportunities to improve their existing conditions and opens doors for more better opportunities which they can enjoy in the future. In the case of the students, they will be ensured of quality education as their teachers are required to attain a high level of effectiveness among their students. According to Tom Loveless, â€Å"what is certain however is that the scope of bargaining, although previously restricted in many states with regard to issues of wages, hours and working conditions, has in practice greatly expanded beyond those formal limits†.

Theology essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Theology - Essay Example But God surely kept His promise and showed to Abraham that his ancestors would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. In fact, God made a binding promise through a blood covenant. And indeed, that is what happened, thus God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Abraham had a son, Isaac who then had a son, Jacob and their bloodline led to Jesus Christ. The second promise that God made to Abraham was of a spiritual nature. He promised to bless all nations in his Seed (Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament: The Complete Old Testament in One Volume 83). Through these promises it is clear that Israel was to be blessed and become an important country of the world. The Old Testament very often refers to Israel while the rest of the countries are referred to just when they have any involvement with Israel. Moses had faith in God at the most difficult of times. He defied Egypt and was not ready to take the position of the son of Pharaoh’s daughter although that would have been in his favor. Moses defied Egypt because he had faith in God and looked forward to spiritual rewards rather than the materialism that Egypt had to offer him (Wiersbe, Be Strong 46). There were times when it can be said that Moses’ faith dwindled (Copan 44). For instance, at the time he escaped when Israelites refused to acknowledge him. It is somewhat questionable that how Moses doubted himself though God had promised to be beside his side. Still, however, Moses was a great figure and very inspirational. His faithfulness is one to speak of. God made some promises to Moses one of which was that Pharaoh will let him go. He promised that Pharaoh will let the Israelites go and drive them out. God confirmed the promise and told Moses that He has control over everything and that Moses must remember Him. The third promise God made to Moses was that He will let them out, He will get them rescued, He will make sure about their redemption, He will consider them as His people,

Domain Names as Internet Properties Essay Example for Free

Domain Names as Internet Properties Essay What are your long term plans for your domain name? Do you expect to convey the name and the goodwill associated with it to an interested buyer or bequeath it your heirs? Perhaps you intend to use the domain name to secure a loan for a business expansion or for your childs college tuition. You may be in for a surprise. The intellectual property community asserts that domain names, as source indicators, are akin to trademarks. However, trademark law cannot be effectively grafted on to domain names because of the discrepancies over geographical boundaries and context-sensitive use. In order for a trademark registration to issue, the mark must be used in interstate commerce to identify the source of a class of goods or services. Identical trademarks can co-exist so long as they are associated with non-competing types of goods or services or are used in different geographic areas. Domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. The first individual or company to complete the registration template for an available name gets the sole right to be associated with it. For a reasonable fee, currently hovering at $10 a year, the registrant can brand and propagate the name in a worldwide marketplace. The registrant receives the exclusive right to use that name for a website presence, global e-mail, and network file transfers. But every domain name must be unique, and it is this technical requirement that makes domain names potentially valuable resources which are substantively different from trademarks. Compaq Computer Corp paid $3. 35 million in July 1998 for rights to ALTAVISTA. COM, purchased from a California start-up called Alta Vista Technology. The transaction included existing traffic of a half million visitors a day who were already expecting to find the Alta Vista search engine at that domain name. As the price bar for domain names rises, NSIs customers may resist being subject to the vagaries of the registrars feudal regime. Simple and unencumbered ownership endows the registrant with a type of predictable, if limited, sovereignty. Through legislation and judicial acknowledgment, registrants who meet certain individual responsibilities should be allowed a perpetually renewable and assignable right to enjoy this new source of wealth. Many domain names have become the cornerstone of multimillion-dollar business plans. In the fall of 1999, VirtualVineyard of Palo Alto, California, acquired Wine. Com of Napa, primarily for its domain name. While the $3. 3M-plus acquisition included an operating business, the CEO of Wine. Com estimated that about 70 percent of his companys value was its name. The current controversies over domain names highlight the interplay of technology, law, economics and politics. Court opinions trail societys changes and conundrums resulting from technology of recent vintage. Yet, nearly everyone agrees on one point: domain names are caught in a legal thicket. If domain names are property, then existing contracts such as NSIs harsh Service Agreement must be rewritten. Although the implications of the Umbro decision are yet to be fully assessed, and NSIs appeal remains to be heard, the magistrate recognized that each knotty domain name dispute before the court may be breaking new legal ground. References Unknown (1999). Mortgages for domain names. BBC Sci/Tech News. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/science/nature/533455. stm Oppedahl, C. (1997). Remedies in Domain Name Lawsuits: How is a domain name like a cow? Patents. com. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from http://www. patents. com/pubs/jmls. htm

Feminine Sexuality in The Storm Essay -- Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin's short story 'The Storm'; describes an encounter of infidelity between two lovers during a brief thunderstorm. The story alludes to the controversial topic of women's sexuality and passion, which during Chopin's time no one spoke about much less wrote about. So controversial was 'The Storm,'; that it was not published until after her death in eighteen ninety-nine. The story is broken up into five sections, each filled with small clues and hints that reflect her message. In short, Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'; is about a confirmation of feminine sexuality and passion and a rejection of the suppression of it by society. The title of 'The Storm'; gives the reader a peek into the underlying meaning of the story. It obviously portrays feelings of sexual energy, passion, and explosiveness, but the storm refers to nature, which historically has a feminine association. The storm takes on the personification of a deep, rumbling cloud of feminine sexuality and passion waiting to explode. Throughout the story, the intensity of the storm is symbolic of the intensity of Calixta's passion. At the onset of the story, Chopin subtly exposes the idea that women of the time are expected to repress their feelings of sexuality and passion. The scene is set as Calixta is attending to household chores unaware that a storm is imminent. Chopin writes, 'She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm. She u...

Cell Phones in Schools Essay

Who can work while listening to the incessant ringing of a cell phone? This does not creat an inviting classroom environment for students. Although cell phones would be useful in the event of an emergency, they should not be allowed in schools because of the increased amount of disruptive and social problems. Despite the interruptions, cell phones do provide on advantage. They allow quick communications during times of an emergency; they also enable students to contact their parents at any time for any reason. One example might be: if a student forgot that they have an after school affair to attend for that day, such as a sports practice or tutoring, they could easily notify their parents of the newly needed pick-up time. However, this convenience does not outwiegh the problems cell phones can cause. Disturbances during the school daycan cause students a great distraction. They could ring during class, and students’ attention would divert from the lesson to the phone. Students could want to chat in between classes, causing many tardies. They would also cause a riot if lost or stolen. Besides these factors, allowing cell phones in school could cause an influx of social problems. Kids are already picked on over a number of issues, such as appearances, financial status, etc. If a student is not fortunate enough to afford a cell phone, this would give cause for the other students to tease them. Overall, cell phone use in school might be slightly advantageous in an emergency sitituation, but they should not be allowed because the problems outweigh the benefits by far.

Morality Play Pattern in Pride and Prejudice

Austen is particularly unusual among virtue ethicists past and present in according amiability so much importance, even though it is so obviously central to most people's lives working, if not living, in close confinement with others with whom one must and should get along. Austen presents these virtues as not merely a necessary accommodation to difficult circumstances, but as superior to the invidious vanity and pride of the rich and titled, which she often mocks.So, in  Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet rejects Darcy's haughty condescension out of hand; the happy ending must wait until Darcy comes to see beyond her lowly connections and unaristocratic manners and fully recognise her true (bourgeois) virtue. That is a moral happy ending even more than it is a romantic one. Like any good virtue ethicist, Austen proceeds by giving illustrative examples. This is why her characters are moral rather than psychological constructs.Austen's purpose is not to explore their inner lives, but to expose particular moral pathologies to the attention of the reader. Don't act like this: Don't cut off your relatives without a penny after promising your father you would look after them and justify it with self-serving casuistic rationalisations (as John Dashwood does in  Sense and Sensibility). Don't be like this: Morally incontinent like Mrs Bennet; or struck through with a single huge flaw, like Mr Bennet's selfish wish to live a private life while being the head of a family (Pride and Prejudice).But as well as excoriating such obvious though conventional moral failings of human nature, Austen attends carefully, and with a fine brush, to illustrating the fine detail, and fine-tuning, that true virtue requires. To show us what true amiability should be, she shows us what it isn't quite. Fanny Price, the heroine of  Mansfield Park, is so excessively amiable as to put her own dignity and interests at risk, so self-effacing that her true love almost doesn't notice her ( until events intervene).Mr Bingley's amiability inPride and Prejudice  is pitch perfect, but fails to discriminate between the deserving and undeserving. Emma, meanwhile, is very discriminating, but she is a snob about it: she is rather too conscious of her social status and does not actually respect others as she should (which, of course, gets her into trouble). Then there are the illustrations of what virtuous conduct looks like. Here one sees why the plot is so firmly in the author's hands, not the characters'.Austen is primarily concerned with setting up particular scenes – moral trials – in which we can see how virtuous characters behave in testing circumstances. These moral lessons to the reader are the parts she gave the most exacting attention to; where her words are perfectly chosen and sparkling with intelligence and deep moral insight. These are the parts that she actually cared about; the rest – the rituals of the romantic comedy genre and â€Å"s ocial realism† – is just background.We see Austen's characters navigating the unpleasant attentions and comments of boors, fools and cads with decorum and dignity: â€Å"Indeed, brother, your anxiety for our welfare and prosperity carries you too far,† Elinor chastises John Dashwood, ever so politely in  Sense and Sensibility. In every novel we see Austen's central characters working through moral problems of all kinds, weighing up and considering what propriety requires by talking it through to themselves or trusted friends.We see them learning from their mistakes, as Elizabeth and Darcy both learn from their early mistakes about his character (Pride and Prejudice). We even see them engaging in explicit, almost technical, moral philosophy analysis, such as debating to what extent Frank Churchill should be considered morally responsible for his failure to visit Highbury (Emma), to the evident boredom of the less morally developed characters stuck in the same ro om as them.Austen carries out her mission of moral education with flair and brilliance, while charitably respecting the interests and capacities of her readers (which is why she is so much more readable than most moral theorists who, like Kant, seem often to write as if understanding is the reader's problem). Yet there is one further striking feature that sets Austen's novels apart: her  moral gaze. The omniscient author of her books sees right through people to their moral character and exposes and dissects their follies, flaws and self-deceptions.I cannot read one of her novels without thinking – with a shiver – about what that penetrating moral gaze would reveal if directed at myself. This is virtue ethics at a different level – about moral vision, not just moral content. Austen shows us how to look at ourselves and analyse and identify our own moral character, to meet Socrates's challenge to â€Å"Know thyself. † We have all the information we need to look at ourselves this way, to see ourselves as we really are – we have an author's omniscient access to the details of our own lives – but we generally prefer not to open that box.Indeed, academic moral philosophers since the enlightenment have collaborated with this natural aversion by collectively turning their attention away from uncomfortable self-examination and towards elaborating coherent systems of rules that any agent should follow. Yet reading Austen shows the ultimate ineffectiveness of this strategy. I do not believe that all the sophisticated Kantian and utilitarian theory in the world could shield you for long from Austen's moral gaze.We should read Austen today because she is wise as well as clever, and because she teaches us how to live well not just how to love well. We should read beyond the  delicious rituals  of her romantic comedy plots to her deeper interests and purposes in creating her morally complex characters and setting them on displ ay for us. We should read beyond her undisputed literary genius, and her place in the history of literary innovations and influences, to her unrecognised philosophical genius in elaborating and advancing a moral philosophy for our bourgeois times.

Analysis of Persimmon PLC

Analysis of Persimmon PLC Executive Summary Persimmon PLC is a UK based house building company. It has been in operation since 1972. The company provides housing under three brand names, Westbury Partnerships, Charles Church and Persimmon Homes. The UK housing industry consists of a few dominant firms and many small companies serving small segments of the market.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Analysis of Persimmon PLC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Persimmon Homes is lucky to be one of the largest dominant firms of this housing industry. For example, according to the last year rates, the company sold close to 10,000 homes; such a result is definitely a huge progress and an immense success. The external factors, which affect the UK housing industry, have a direct impact on Persimmon PLC. These factors include the economic downturn, lack of financing, sustainability and environmental concerns and government intervention. This paper will di scuss those factors in detail. Persimmon PLC has three major competitors, which are Barratt Developments PLC, Anvil Homes and Bellway Limited. We will compare their performance during 2011 in terms of operations, revenue generation, EPS and several other factors. The outcome shows that the strongest competitor of Persimmon PLC is Barratt Developments PLC. However, Persimmon PLC still has the competitive advantage of the large land banks. The company draws its competitive advantage from five major sources. They are the land banks, the government partnerships, the brand equity, the scale of operations and a capable management team. This paper will discuss these sources in detail. The investors have several options open to them if they execute a successful takeover. Michael Porter proposed that companies build competitive advantage using three methods. These are a cost leadership, differentiation and focus. Introduction Persimmon PLC is a UK based house building company. It has been in operation since 1972. The company provides housing using three brand names, Westbury Partnerships, Charles Church and Persimmon Homes. Each of these three subsidiary companies focuses on different market segments.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Persimmon Homes main occupation which plays a central role in its business is traditional stand-alone houses; Charles Church provides premium housing, while Westbury Partnerships engages in building low-end affordable houses. This paper will seek to explore the strategic position of Persimmon PLC as well as the options available to a potential investor trying to find the answer to the question if they should be successful in a takeover (De Wit Meyer, 2004). The Industry Status and Competition The UK housing industry consists of a few dominant firms and many small firms serving small segments of the market. Persimmon PLC is lucky one of the largest dominant firms at the market. Such a high position increases its competitive power. The company sold close to 10,000 homes last year. This is quite a high and impressive result in comparison to other market players. As a matter of fact, Persimmon PLC has three major competitors at the market currently, Barratt Developments PLC, Anvil Homes and Bellway PLC. These three competitive firms hold slightly smaller market shares than Persimmon PLC does. They also compete directly with each of the three Persimmon Brands (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Bellway PLC focuses on recycling and reclaiming British land. It competes directly with the Westbury Partnerships. However, Bellway PLC has a competitive advantage of its brand name because it is associated with creating sustainability. It sells approximately 5000 homes in a year. This places it in fourth position in the industry. Anvil Homes pays more attention to rural constructions building their houses. The company is inv olved in converting barns and other farm structures into family homes. This makes it a direct competitor of Persimmon Homes. However, Anvil Homes has already cut a niche for itself in the country. Moreover, the company also focuses on building cottages. Barratt Developments PLC builds family houses and apartments. Like Persimmon PLC, the company collaborates with the government to provide affordable housing for citizens. This company is the biggest competitor of Persimmon PLC. Their leadership in innovation has earned them several awards in the industry.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Analysis of Persimmon PLC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company is slightly older than Persimmon PLC. It was established in 1958. Barratt Developments PLC also provides a luxury homes collection to rival Persimmons’ Charles Church homes. To spread its risks, Barratt Developments PLC has diversified into the US (Persimmo n PLC, 2011). Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis Threat of New Entrants The threat of new entrants in an industry is determined by the economies of scale current players are experiencing, the level of product differentiation and the capital required to begin operations in the industry. The UK housing industry has relatively high barriers of entry. The large firms such as Barratt and Persimmon already experience huge economies of scale due to widespread operations. They also have the advantage of experience. House building requires specialized machinery. An established firm spreads the use of such machinery over many projects and hence benefits more than a small entrant with only few projects. Current industry players have employed differentiation to keep out prospective competitors. For example, Persimmon operates under three different brand names, Persimmon homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships. Barratt Plc on the other hand operates under the brand names of Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Ward Homes. Each industry player has differentiated his or her products. This raises the barriers of entry further. There is a high capital requirement for this industry. Thus, the threat of new entrants is made weak by the entry barriers that keep them out. Threat of Substitute Products Substitute products serve almost a similar purpose as the industry product but may not be in the same product line. There are few substitutes for housing in the UK. The major alternative for owning homes is renting apartments. With the economic downturn, consumers have been unable to purchase as many houses as they used to. People are now turning to renting upmarket apartments instead. The industry has recognized this trend and diversified into building these apartments. However, the major customer for such is not the lone homeowner. Usually, large real-estate developers purchase such buildings and rent out units.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The threat of substitute products is low. Apartments may be cheaper than traditional family homes, but those who can afford still prefer to build homes. People have to live somewhere and housing is an essential commodity. Low threat of substitutes increases the industry’s profit potential. Bargaining Power of Buyers The power of buyers is low. There are very many buyers and the market is fragmented. House buyers seldom make collective purchase decisions in order to minimize costs. Usually, individual families decide what house to buy and which firm to purchase from. Commercial buyers have slightly higher power but they are rare. Housing is a critical commodity. This gives the supplier an upper hand and reduces the buyer’s bargaining power. The recent problems with financing have driven housing industry firms to create innovative financing options for prospective buyers. This factor has also contributed to low buyer bargaining power. Bargaining Power of Suppliers The ba rgaining power of suppliers is high if there are few suppliers and many buyers and if the product supplied is critical to the buyer’s business. In the UK construction industry, there are many independent suppliers. Raw materials can be sourced from within or outside the country. Suppliers often have to submit tenders or bids. The lowest and most convenient bid is chosen. Skilled construction labourers have high bargaining power. They usually work on contract and seek to maximize their benefit from each contract. Their bargaining power is high because of their specialized knowledge. Non-skilled workers have low bargaining power. The company can always lay them off and hire other workers. They try to increase their bargaining power by forming unions. Overall, the bargaining power of suppliers in this industry is low. Competitive Rivalry within the Industry This is the strongest force in operation within the UK housing industry. There are few dominant firms fighting to maintain their market shares. The smaller firms are competing in market growth. Companies have employed extensive product differentiation to crowd out competition. They have also invested heavily in research and development. They compete on first mover advantage and innovation. Those who manage to innovate charge competitive prices on their houses. The green housing initiatives are the best example of innovation within the industry. High competitive rivalry reduces an industry’s profit potential. External Factors and Trends Affecting the UK Housing Industry Economic Downturn The global economy suffered a massive downturn in 2008. Recovery has been painfully slow. The European credit crisis has also greatly affected economic conditions in the UK. Consumers are spending less. Unemployment is on the rise. This has a definite impact on the housing sector. Reduced disposable income means people have less money to spend on housing. This in effect contracts the housing market (Bartlett, Ghos hal Beamish, 2008). Government Schemes The government has tried to encourage home acquisition despite the poor economic conditions. There are several schemes, which have been put in place to facilitate this. They include New Build Home Buy, Open Market Home Buy, Social Home Buy and Cash Incentive Schemes. The government has forged partnerships with home building companies such as Persimmon PLC and Barratt Developments PLC in order to execute these schemes. These partnerships are opportunities for growth that did not previously exist (Bellway PLC, 2011). There has also been a tax holiday for stamp duty on new investments. This enabled investors to save between 1250 and 2500 pounds. This scheme is now ending but it has created increased demand for homes. There are still some buyers rushing to take advantage before it closes in March. Though the housing industry has faced difficult times, it has also received government support to aid its survival and prosperity (Barratt Developments P LC 2011). Environmental and Sustainability Concerns There is a shift in all industries towards environmental friendly operations. The housing industry has also been affected by this trend. People want houses that have the minimum possible negative influence on the environment. Global warming and the resultant climate change have caused consumers to be more conscious in their purchasing (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Companies are now forced to invest heavily in Research and Development to create innovative green housing solutions. Such innovations could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, increase recycling, create energy efficient homes and create renewable energy. The current industry leaders are also leaders in innovation and environmental consciousness. There are various certifications and awards issued annually to encourage this trend. Companies literally compete for these since it proves to consumers that they are doing something about the situation. The Code for Sustainable Homes serves this purpose in the UK. Many industry players have adopted this principles based approach (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Financing The Global Financial Crisis in 2008 resulted in the collapse of major banks such as The Lehman Brothers. The banks that survived put a tighter leash on lending to avoid similar pitfalls. This means that consumers today find it harder to obtain mortgages. Very few people can afford to pay cash upfront for investment in housing. Thus, reduction in the availability of mortgages also results in a smaller housing market (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Increased rates of unemployment prevent people from having a constant source of income. Without a payslip or any collateral, it is difficult to obtain a mortgage and thus own a home. The housing industry has to come up with creative solutions to assist their customers purchase houses (Johnson, Whittington Scholes, 2011). Performance of Persimmon PLC Compared to Competitors This section of the essay will compare Per simmon’s performance to two of its major competitors: Bellway PLC and Barratt Developments PLC. The third major competitor, Anvil Homes is a private company. This company’s financial information is not publicly available. The figures all relate to the 2011 financial year. Different aspects of performance will be measured. The Persimmon PLC figures are double the half-year results issued in November 201. These are the most current figures. The assumption is that all revenues and expenses accrue evenly over the year. Performance Measure Persimmon PLC Barratt Developments PLC Bellway PLC Revenue 14,240 M 20,354 M 886.09 M Dividend 8p 5p 12.5p Operating Profit 119.4M 127.3 M 50.144 M Houses completed 8,878 11,171 4,922 Land Bank 62,364 plots 60,083 plots 18,086 plots Earnings Per Share (EPS) 31p 83.47p 41.07p Revenue Revenue measures the amount of income a company is generating, especially from operations. In this measure, Barratt Developments PLC perform ed better than both Persimmon PLC and Bellway. Barratt Developments PLC sold almost 30% more than Persimmon PLC (Persimmon PLC, 2011). This is a huge margin. Barratt Developments PLC has the advantage of innovation and strong brand recognition. It has also diversified greatly. Persimmon PLC should come up with strategies to close this gap (Barratt Developments PLC, 2011). Dividend The dividend indicates the return shareholders receive for their investment during that period. For shareholders, the higher the dividend, the better. Bellway PLC paid out the highest dividend at 12.5p, followed by Persimmon PLC at 8p, and finally, by Barratt Developments PLC at 5p (Persimmon PLC, 2011). However, some shareholders view non-payment of high dividend as a sign that the company is investing the profits for long-term share price growth. This could be the strategy adopted by both Persimmon PLC and Barratt Developments PLC (Barratt Developments PLC, 2011). Operating Profit This is a clear indicat or of how much the company is profiting from its operations. It is the difference between the revenue and operating costs. Barratt Developments PLC posted the highest operating profit at 127.3 Million Pounds. It was closely followed by Persimmon PLC with 119.4M. Bellway’s operating profit of 50.144M was barely half of Persimmon’s (Persimmon PLC, 2011). The difference in the Persimmons and Barratt Developments PLC operating profit is 8%. The difference in their revenues was 30%. This means that either Barratt Developments PLC has very high operating expenses or Persimmon PLC is more efficient in managing its costs. If the latter is true, then Persimmon PLC has some competitive advantage over Barratt Developments PLC. Houses Legally Completed The number of houses legally completed is a measure of the operational efficiency and productivity of the company. These companies compete based on houses sold. The more houses a company can complete, the more it can sell. The resul t is higher revenues and thus profits (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Barratt Developments PLC is leading with 11,171 houses legally completed. Persimmon PLC is in second place having completed 8,878 houses. This is 80% of the work done by Barratt Developments PLC. This difference could explain the 30% difference in revenue. Persimmon PLC should expand its capacity to enable it complete the same number of houses as Barratt Developments PLC. Technology can be used to speed up the cost of construction (Anvil Homes, 2012). Land Bank The land bank refers to the amount of land a company has that is available for construction. It represents capacity to expand. Land is also an asset, which appreciates. The more land in the land bank, the higher the value of this asset. Persimmon PLC is leading in this department by a very small margin. The company should keep acquiring more land in prime areas to widen the gap between them and their competitors. Bellway PLC is trailing with 18,086 plots. Earnings P er Share The EPS indicates how productive the investment by shareholders has been during the year. It depends on how management has employed such resources. A high EPS indicates more productive the resources. EPS is obtained by dividing the net profit by the total number of shares (Persimmon PLC, 2011). Barratt Developments PLC is leading with a huge margin. All factors constant, this means that it is earning the highest return for its shareholders. Bellway is the second, with an EPS that is almost 50% of Barratt’s EPS. Finally, Persimmon PLC is trailing with an EPS of 31p. A low EPS could be attributed to a high number of shares. If this is the cause, then Persimmon PLC should reduce its use of equity financing and use more debt instead. This will help reduce shareholder dissatisfaction over low EPS. Competitive Advantage Persimmon PLC has several sources of competitive advantage. The first is the large land banks, which the company controls. Currently, Persimmon PLC has the largest land banks among its competitors. These land banks represent expansion capacity. This means that given the right conditions, the company can grow to be much larger than its competitors are. The gap between the competitors and Persimmon PLC in terms of land banks is not very significant. The company should purchase more plots to widen the gap and thereby strengthening their competitive advantage (Bartlett, Ghoshal Beamish, 2008). Secondly, Persimmon PLC has an established brand name. The Charles Church brand is associated with up-market luxury homes. Prospective homeowners seeking luxury homes are likely to hire this company due to its brand name. This name can be enhanced by advertising in exclusive places. The major threat to this brand is the rival Barratt brand. Westbury Partnerships and Persimmon Homes are also well known in the country. They have cut out niches for themselves in the property market. Their major competition is the small industry players. The company sh ould seek to personalize these brands to the consumers in order to increase brand equity (Mintzberg, Lampel Ghoshal, 2003). Thirdly, the company has excellent sustainability policies. If properly implemented, these policies could lead the company to greater heights. They respond to operational, environmental and stakeholder needs. In the operational sector, the company seeks to minimize its operational wastes and recycle where possible (Haberberg Rieple, 2007). This will reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Persimmon PLC also seeks to build sustainable communities. This goal recognizes the human need for social interactions. It also bears in mind that these communities are Persimmon’s customers and therefore revenue sources. Persimmon PLC also tries to build the capacity of its workers. This policy recognizes the fact that people make a company (Hitt, Ireland Hoslisson, 2008). The government is the biggest consumer in any economy. Persimmon PLC has partnershi ps with the government to promote home ownership. In the NewBuy scheme, the Government backs 95% of the mortgage to enable new homeowners acquire houses. This has increased the customer base for the Westbury partnerships division. Such associations with the government help to create a positive image for the company and enhance its brand equity (Barney, 2002). Persimmon PLC has a large scale of operations. This is a source of competitive advantage since it allows the company to benefit from economies of scale (Kay, 1993). Persimmon PLC can achieve great efficiencies in construction due to learning curve effect. They can also negotiate for bulk discounts from suppliers. Economies of scale help to reduce costs hence increase operating margin Finally, the company has a capable and experienced management team. The company management is divided into the Northern, Central and Southern Divisions. They each have a regional Chairman, financial Director and Chief Executive. This team meets reg ularly to strategize and plan. The workers on the ground are also well trained. This is one of Persimmon’s sustainability policies. The capability built in these people offers great competitive advantage as noted by Barney (2002). Persimmon Swot Analysis A swot analysis examines both internal and external factors that are critical to a firm’s success. This analysis will aid in making strategic choices. Strengths Persimmon has large land banks that are available for development. It can use this resource to increase market share in the industry. Their brand is also recognized countrywide. This brand equity is an important intangible asset. Persimmon has a highly skilled management team and Board of Directors. They provide leadership to the company. Weaknesses Weaknesses are factors under the company’s control, which can prevent it from achieving corporate goals. Persimmon is underutilizing its land banks. The company may lose market share by failing to develop it s land. The company also constructs houses at a slower rate than its competitor Barratt does. This could be due to internal inefficiencies. Opportunities Persimmon can take advantage of globalization to enter foreign markets. The company can use its experience in UK as leverage. The demand for luxury housing is also increasing. Persimmon has an opportunity to expand its Charles Church division. Threats The macro-economic environment is the greatest threat to Persimmon. Rising interest rates will make it difficult for prospective customers to obtain mortgages. The company may also have trouble accessing credit. Inflation may force consumers to spend less and reduce persimmon’s revenue. Strategic Options The investors have several options open to them if they execute a successful takeover. Michael Porter proposed that companies build competitive advantage using three methods. These are cost leadership, differentiation and focus. Differentiation This is the most appropriate opti on for Persimmon PLC. The company has already started operating along these lines. The investors would seek to create brand loyalty by providing special features in their housing products. This brand loyalty will create repeat purchases and referrals. This will increase Persimmon’s sales and profitability. This strategy is appropriate because the company already has three different established brands. The investors can create other brand s to compete with their current brands. The purpose of such a move will be to crowd out competition. A differentiation strategy also provides options for the company. In case one product line is failing, the company can still profit from the others. Focus The investors can adopt a focus strategy. This means they work to meet the needs of only one specific segment of the market. In Persimmon’s case, they would need to divest in two divisions and retain one, preferably the Charles Church line. This line serves the high-end market, which is less prone to market fluctuations. A focus strategy requires high specialization. The company would have to invest in Research and Development to meet the needs of the chosen target market. Cost Leadership This strategy requires Persimmon PLC to maximize construction and operational efficiency in order to minimize costs. The company will end up selling products at a lower price than competitors sell. Such a strategy will appeal only to low-end consumers and the government. If the investors adopt this strategy, they cannot sell to the high-end homeowners. This may result in reduced revenues. Reference List Anvil Homes 2012, anvilhomes.com/. Barney, J 2002, Gaining and Sustaining Competitive Advantage. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Barratt Developments PLC 2011, Annual Report 2011, Barratttdevelopments.co.uk/Barrattt/uploads/results/AR_2011.pdf. Barratt Developments PLC 2011, Sustainability Report 2011, Barratttdevelopments.co.uk/Barrattt/en/csr/csrreports. Bartlett, CA, Ghoshal , S Beamish, P 2008, Trans-national Management: Text, Cases, and Readings in Cross-Border Management, McGraw-Hill, London. Bellway 2011, Annual Report 2011, bellway.co.uk/. De Wit, B Meyer, R 2004, Strategy: Process, Content, Context, Thomson International Business Press, London. Haberberg, A Rieple, A 2007, Strategic Management: Theory and Application, Oxford University Press (SMTA), London. Hitt, MA, Ireland, RD Hoslisson, RE 2008, Strategic Management Competitiveness and Globalization, Thomson, London. Johnson, G, Whittington, R Scholes, K 2011, Exploring Strategy Text Cases, FT Prentice Hall, New York. Kay, J 1993, Foundations Of Corporate Success How Business Strategies Add Value, Oxford University Press, London. Mintzberg, H, Lampel, J Ghoshal, S 2003, The Strategy Process, Concepts Contexts Cases, Oxford University Press, London. Persimmon PLC 2011, Annual Report 2010, http://corporate.persimmonhomes.com/psn/investor/reports/. Persimmon PLC 2011, Annual Report 2011, http://corporate.persimmonhomes.com/psn/investor/presentations/2011/hy2011/hy2011.pdf. Persimmon PLC 2011, Sustainability Report 2010, investis.com/persimmon/csr/sustainability-report2010.pdf.

10 Pros and Cons Arguments For Abstinence

10 Pros and Cons Arguments For Abstinence Approaches to teenage pregnancy prevention split down the middle between two schools of thought: abstinence (waiting until marriage to have sex)sex education (including contraceptive information and HIV prevention) Both sides argue that their approach is effective, especially in light of the continuing decline in teen pregnancy rates and teen birth rates. Whether thats true or not, one fact is clear: the rates in recent years have hit record lows. So is this due to the push in abstinence-only education programs, or in broader and more comprehensive sex education programs that provide teens with information about contraception and HIV prevention? To consider the role of abstinence or sex education in teenage pregnancy prevention, it helps to consider both sides of the argument. Below are links to both sides of the issue 10 arguments for abstinence as the best form of pregnancy prevention for teens and 10 arguments against abstinence a total of 20 arguments representing each perspective on the abstinence/sex education debate. Ten Arguments For Abstinence Abstinence from sex is the only form of pregnancy prevention that is 100% effective. Every method of contraception has a risk of failure, however, small, but a teen who practices abstinence will never become pregnant.Teens who abstain from sexual activity also avoid the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).Teens who practice abstinence are much less likely to experience a physically or emotionally abusive relationship, drop out of high school, engage in substance abuse, or feel pressured into having sex all risk factors for teens who explore and become sexually active at an early age.A teen who practices abstinence and is in a romantic relationship is secure in the knowledge that her/his partner is not interested in them purely for sex a concern of many teens.Some studies indicate that couples enjoy greater relationship satisfaction when they delay having sex until they are seriously dating, engaged or married.Teens are at a stage in life in which theyre already emotionally vulnerable. Getting involved in a sexual relationship increases that vulnerability and the chances of being hurt or used by a partner. By abstaining from sex, its a lot easier to figure out if a relationship or a person is good for you. Studies have revealed a connection between low self-esteem and early sexual activity. A teen who deliberately chooses to wait to have sexual intercourse is less likely to look to a relationship for validation and may be more self-reliant.Some teens use sex as a way to achieve intimacy and closeness with someone, but this is an artificial way of doing so. Teens who practice abstinence build relationships with partners based on mutual likes and dislikes, common approaches to life, and shared interests and develop a more authentic relationship that can better stand the test of time.Abstinence may help students do better in school. According to the American Journal of Health studies, students in abstinence-only education programs demonstrate better GPAs and improved verbal and numerical aptitude skills.... stronger peer relations, positive youth development, and...[greater] aware[ness] of the consequences of risky behavior, such as teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.Abstinen ce costs nothing and there are no side effects as there are with oral contraceptives and many other forms of pregnancy prevention. Sources: Elias, Marilyn. Study pinpoints factors for early sex. USAToday.com. 12 November 2007.Lawrence, S.D. Abstinence Only Sex Ed Has Unexpected Benefit: Math Gains? Educationnews.com. 13 March 2012.McCarthy, Ellen. The Literature: Delaying sex seems to lead to a more satisfying relationship, study finds. Washingtonpost.com. 31 October 2010.Salzman, Brock Alan. An argument for abstinence and commitment: Implications For Sex Education and Counseling. Teen-aid.org. Retrieved 25 May 2012.

Some botanists argue that in some cases the extraction of starch from Essay

Some botanists argue that in some cases the extraction of starch from sago palm is an easier alternative to traditional agricult - Essay Example One conclusion drawn from the research include the idea of using traditional sago palm as a source of starch proves to require more research before it can be implemented at a wider scale. According to Ellen, â€Å"†¦because variability in ecology, management, methods of working, and productivity are intrinsic to all individual sago-harvesting populations, it is, therefore a crucial parameter in understanding its adaptive features as a mode of subsistence and a source of food.† There is therefore a need for further study of the sago palm before it can be used as a substitute to traditional sources of starch. Another conclusion drawn from the research is that the skills and procedure needed in the extraction of starch from sago palm is more like â€Å"deliberately socially transmitted knowledge† (Ellen). This means that in order for one to perfect the extraction process, there must first be a knowledge of the culture that produces it, for sago extraction in the Pacif ic Islands and Southeast Asia is clearly interwoven in the culture of the people involved in it. Is this an interdisciplinary study? Explain your answer.   Ellen’s study is one which is interdisciplinary in nature. The reason is that the process of starch extraction from the traditional sago palm required the author to delve into the culture of the people of South Central Seram in Indonesia, who first developed the process. Without a knowledge of how the people incorporated the starch extraction process in their culture and without enough information on the traditional steps in starch extraction undertaken by the Seram natives, perfect use and further development of the technology would be impossible. Moreover, Ellen mentions a little bit the impact of the utilization of sago palm trees on the environment and the ecological balance of the area. Ellen’s study therefore combines biology, ecology and anthropology. Why is the number of structural components of the extrac tion apparatus not necessarily a gauge of the complexity or efficiency of the process?   The number of structural components of the basic extraction apparatus does not determine the efficiency of the process because the apparatus â€Å"can be modified and elaborated in numerous ways† depending on the overall desired result of the extraction process (Ellen). For example, the troughs can be arranged in many ways or more troughs can be added depending on what the priority of the extraction is, such as maximizing the amount of extracted starch. It is clear that no matter how many variations are done in this part of the process, the principle is still simple. What basic principles had to have been known to develop the technology?   Among the principles that need to have been known before the technology can be developed would include the seven core operations of sago extraction itself: â€Å"cutting, excavating, pounding, pressing or filtering with water, sedimentation and dra ining† (Ellen). Without a knowledge of such basic operations, one would not be able to exactly determine which part of the starch extraction technology needs the most improvement and development in order to maximize yield. Moreover, owing to the fact that sago palm starch extraction requires an interdiscipli