Critical Thinking Reflection Essay

Select one of the following questions and answer it in 200 to 300 words using the principles of critical thinking you learned in this course. How can we reduce poverty in the United States?  Will receiving a college degree improve your career opportunities? Has the United States peaked as a world power? Will receiving a college degree improve your career opportunities? Once I choice this question immediately my enculturation barrier surfaced, because as soon as I read the question I said to myself well yes it does, and I believe I said that to myself because that what we have all been taught by our parents, teachers, and media, so that’s what I know to be true. After realizing that I allowed my barrier to surface I stopped and started to ask myself questions that might help me figure out what the answer really is on my own. I asked myself things like, where is there proof of this? Are there facts that will support what I currently believe? After going through the series of question in my head I started doing some research. After I completed my research I found information that did support my original thought, but there was also information that I found to be informative but didn’t really go with my thought process. I found things like, â€Å"College grads also tend to make more, which many view as a benefit. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, over a lifetime of work, the typical college graduate earns $650,000 more than the typical high school graduate. (The study also found that college graduates have more stable employment.† (â€Å"Finding the Value in a College Degree,† 2014, para.). Which shows that having a college degree can benefit you. The other information I found that was informative was that â€Å"A college degree doesn’t guarantee high earnings. This benefit will depend on your intended major and school.† (â€Å"Finding the Value in a College Degree,† 2014, para.). This tells me that just because someone has a degree it doesn’t mean that they will make more money, they have to have a degree that applies to that job. After asking myself questions and doing some research I am going to say that having a college degree will improve career opportunities. Citation Finding the Value in a College Degree. (2014, September). The Student Loan  Ranger, (), . Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2012/09/12/finding-the-value-in-a-college-degree Write, once you have answered the above question, a reflection of the process of critical thinking you used in forming your response. Include the following in your reflection: How does the process of critical thinking you used relate to or differ from the process you used to find content for your answer? How can you use critical thinking in other areas? What steps can you take to ensure that you continue to use critical thinking in the future? Reflection The process of critical thinking that I used to answer my question relates because in critical thinking you have to be willing to think differently and not just go with what you think you already know. You also have to ask yourself question and be able to understand the answers. I believe that I can use critical thinking in other areas by making sure that I am always open minded and be willing to listen and learn form others. The steps that I can take to ensure that I continue to use critical thinking in the future are to be able to acknowledge when I’m letting barriers get in the way, and make sure that I try to avoid them in the future. Other steps that I can take are to make sure that I question almost everything, don’t always go with what someone wants me to believe. I will always ask questions and try my hardest to make sure that I understand the answer. I will also continue practicing and learning about critical thinking as much as a can so I can strive to become an advanced critical thinker.

Exam stress

Exam stress managements Notes for slide one Excessive worry about upcoming exams, fear of being evaluated, and apprehension about the consequences are some of the factors that cause anxiety and exam stress. Exams are pretty much always stressful but it's completely possible to manage some of the stress that's brought on by exams if you manage your time properly and meet all the information needs without burning yourself out. Certain techniques that you may use for exam stress management are : Notes for slide two â€Å"improving learning skills† Use review cardsAlways keep some review cards with you to read over when you are waiting for something else to happen. This could include when you are traveling or waiting in line at the bus stop, bank, supermarket, cafeteria and so on. You could also place review cards in common locations which you pass frequently in your house, such as on the fridge door, bathroom mirror, etc. Frequent repetition and review is one of the keys to remem bering information easily and effectively. Activity for students during the workshop: ask them to prepare revision notes in form of review cards on one of their topics.Slide three: Create a road map for studying Make your books, notes and essays user-friendly. Use headings and highlighting to prepare your learning Journey beforehand. Use various color of high lighters to categorize the notes in order of their importance. For example things that you still have to learn can be highlighted in bold shades like pink or yellow while for the things you have already memorized in past can be marked green. The road map to studying can be created using stick on in heap of different colors.Place read stick on in shape of a book mark on all the activities that are urgent and are related to the opics that your teacher has guided you will carry most marks in the exam, topics that you have already revised can be put under a green stick on while attach yellow stick on to the pages that you have alre ady memorized and you plan to revise those topics on the last night. In this way the landmarks are clear in your mind before you try to commit information to them mitigating your stress levels.Activity for students during the workshop: provide them with stick ons of red, yellow and green and ask them to create a road map for one of their subject. Slide four: The Link and Story Methods The Link Method is one of the easiest mnemonic techniques available. You can used it to remember long lists or acronyms by making simple associations between items/ words in the acronyms and linking them with a vivid image/ story/ rhyme containing the words. Taking the first image, create a connection between it and the next item and so on.Activity for students during the workshop: ask them for most common abbreviations they use or have difficulty in remembering and make a story on one of them. Slide five â€Å"Time management† Slide five: Use a calendar In addition to your weekly planner, inves t in a large monthly wall calendar. Jot down all the important due dates, deadlines, exams, etc so they are in front of you as a visual reminder. This will make you more aware of important dates and allow you to adjust or rearrange plans if you are behind schedule.Slide Six: Make a schedule After establishing your priorities, set up a schedule which respects your priorities. A wide variety of student organizers, diaries, planners, electronic tools and time management systems are available on the market. Choose or create whatever seems best for you. Many students select weekly planners that enable them to see the big picture more easily. Make sure your system is something you are very comfortable with as you will be referring to it often. Then, set up your schedule in this order: Mark in all your fixed commitments such as classes, seminars and tutorials.These are the givens, which you cannot change. Add in study time. Block off large sections of your day, reserved for studying alone, as well as shorter review periods. Organize your peak study times to coincide with the times of day when you are most awake and alert. Mark in other non-study activities. These are the important but lower priority items, such as exercise, recreational classes, or socializing, which you will fit in when possible. Slide seven: to do lists To-Do Lists are prioritized lists of all the tasks that you need to carry out.They list everything that you have to do, with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom. By keeping a To-Do List, you make sure that your tasks are written down all in one place so you don't forget anything important. And by prioritizing tasks, you plan the order in which you'll do them, so hat you can tell what needs your immediate attention, and what you can leave until later. To-Do Lists are essential if you're going to beat work overload. How to prepare to do lists-Step 1: Write down all of the tasks that you need to complete.If they're large tasks, break out the first action step, and write this down with the larger task. Step 2 Run through these tasks allocating priorities from A (very important, or very urgent) to F (unimportant, or not at all urgent). List tasks in order of importance and start working upon them. Activity for students: ask them to prepare a to do list for the ctivities relating to their current week. Slide eight: managing time given in exam Allow sufficient time at the beginning to – read through the paper – decide which questions you're going to answer, and – how you're going to approach them.Allocate time for each question based on the number of marks it's worth. allow time at the end to check your work and fill in the gaps Never forget to allocate 5 minute reading period in which you must read all questions carefully, underline important factors in that questions, circle the questions that you hope to attempt in case of a hoice, once you have read the entire question paper carefully, now start attempting the questions and start marking the questions that you have solved. At the end of the exam, reserve at least 15 minutes revision time at the end for checking.Slide nine: physical stress busters Get plenty of Sleep – your body needs time to process all the information you are taking in and re-energise, so that it is ready tor the day ahead. Eat Healthy – avoid processed and fast food as much as possible. Try eating foods high in omega 3 as this is great brain food. Avoid Caffeine (e. g. offee, caffeine tablets, Red Bull) and high sugared snacks, as these give you a short lift before making you crash and burn. They can make you feel sick and can interfere with your sleep and therefore your ability to concentrate.You actually study better with regular breaks, getting lots of sleep and from exercising. Avoid Cramming the night before an exam, make sure you get a good night sleep and wake up earlier if you want to read over your notes rather than staying up late Slide ten: creativity skills Brainstorming is commonly used to generate ideas, and to come up with creative solutions to problems. Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem solving with lateral thinking. It encourages people to come up with thoughts and ideas that can, at first, seem a bit crazy.Some of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to a problem, while others can spark even more ideas. This helps to get people unstuck by â€Å"Jolting† them out of their normal ways of thinking. Decision trees can be used as a tool while brainstorming on a specific tasks for example your English essays or while planning an experiment in your biology. You start a Decision Tree with a decision that you need to make. Draw a small square to represent this towards the left of a large piece of paper.From this box draw out lines towards the right for each possible solution, and write that solution along th e line. Keep the lines apart as far as possible so that you can expand your thoughts. After you have written the solutions, elaborate each solution further till you have a flow chart. Basically you will be combining action choices with different possible events or the results of action Activity ask students to draw a decision making tree on _( topic to be discussed with sir abad tomorrow)

Four Allied Leaders Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Four Allied Leaders - Essay Example Only the strongest survived in the war, and for that reason most countries formed military units in used both their scientific, economic and industrial capability to rally behind their soldiers for support and defence. The principal antagonist were the Axis powers- Germany, Italy, and Japan- and the Allies- France, great Britain, the united states, the soviet union, and to a lesser extent china. A German dictator Adolf Hitler wanted to invade and occupy Poland. But Poland had been assured military support from French and British should it be attacked by Germany. Hitler therefore needed to neutralize the possibility of resistance from the Soviet Union (Laver & Matthews, 2008). They engaged in negotiations that led to the signing a treaty to divide Poland between them, with the western third of the country going to Germany and the two- thirds being taken by the U.S.S.R. he become sure to invade Poland without interference from soviet or British. Hitler ignored the diplomatic efforts th at were put to stop him, instead he ordered invasion. As a result, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany respectively. That marked the beginning of World War II that proclaimed lives, destruction and lose of property. Different Allies of World War II were formed by countries that were against to the Axis powers. Their main aim was to advance alliances as seeking to stop wars of aggression being waged by the Western and Eastern powers associated with the Axis (Laver & Matthews, 2008). The first one was anti-Germany coalition (France, Poland, United Kingdom, and British Commonwealth), â€Å"the big three â€Å"(Britain, the Soviet Union and United States) and the United Nations. These alliances had different leaders who contributed greatly to the World War II in a number of ways. In August 1940, Reinhardt Heydrich was appointed and served as president of Interpol. He was the one who was in charge of the Wannsee Conference, where all plans they come up with the idea of dep orting and excommunicating all Jews in Germany occupied territory therefore he was seen as the father of holocaust, and organized co-ordinate a number of attacks against the Jews (Ramen, 2001). He is regarded as the darkest figure within the Nazi elite; Adolf Hitler is remembered to have referred to him as ‘The man with the iron heart† because of his evil acts that only was aimed at loosing lives of innocent citizens. Heydrich is remembered to be the founding head of intelligence organization that was charged with the responsibility of seeking out and neutralizing resistance to the Nazi Party via arrests, detentions as well as killing. Heydrich acted as the protector of the industrial workers and farmers, whose productive capacity was necessary to the German war effort. This not only helped in the bid to win in an event of war, but also it ensured the Germany economy was boosted. Since the war, he was the man who felt it was his duty â€Å"to save the world from intelle ctual and moral decay†. After his assassination, his monument was erected in his owner. Another key personality in the World War II is Hideki Tojo. He was Japanese Prime Minister during the World War II; he led Japan through the war and was later executed as a war criminal. He was an esteemed administrator and skillful field commander and become noted as a stern disciplinarian. Hideki fought in the Sino-Japanese war, leading

Discussion Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 11

Discussion Questions - Assignment Example This is the reason why you find that almost every business has to utilize the services of marketing professionals in one way or another. It is a known fact that the success of any business is directly related with the impact made by its marketers, and this includes analyses of consumers and markets, to the real adverts and sale of products. Successful businesses which are industry leaders in their own right have been found to have all of them dynamic and successful marketing teams. Another reason for studying marketing is that it aids transactions to take place. Products as we know, do not sell themselves. This means that good marketing informs and educates consumers so as to enable them look for the products they require, make better decisions about the same and get the most value out of these products. In so doing, marketing assists in exchanges between sellers and buyers, creating mutual benefit for both parties. Thus apart from basically understanding the role of marketing, in business, there is more to it such as the tremendous impact it has on society. Delivering of value is another very important reason for studying marketing. Marketing does not only deliver value to the customers, but also translates this value into the value of the organization as it creates a customer base that is reliable and leads to an increase in a firm’s sales leading to more profitability. Thus marketing delivers value to both the firm and the customer. 2. Management in marketing involves formulation of an organizational marketing strategy. Thus together with the support of the marketing and sales team, a marketing professional can estimate product demand and identify markets for the firm’s services and products. Thus management in marketing as a discipline involves practical application of techniques of marketing together with the management of an organization’s activities and resources. Management in marketing therefore involves influencing the

Critique of Public Administration Research Paper

Critique of Public Administration - Research Paper Example Rubin’s article narrows down on the effect that these bureaucrats have on the budgeting process. Overall, the three articles deal with how these unelected officials have more effect on public administration and policy than the elected officials do. Summary In his article, the Critical Role of Street-level Bureaucrats, Lipsky undertakes an examination of the functions and roles, which bureaucrats perform at what he refers to as â€Å"street level†, have in the process of policy formulation, as well as the process of its implementation. While the public policy theory model traditionally assumes that choices on policy are done by the political executives elected by the electorate, with the implementation of the policy choices left to bureaucrat jurisdiction, Lipsky challenges this model. He bases his argument on his belief that since the bureaucrats at the street level possess a wider room for discretion during the performance of their work, they are actually the ones who make these policy choices (Lipsky, 2010: p4). On top of implementing them, they also create them. JQ Wilson, in his article the Rise of the Bureaucratic State, raises pertinent issues concerning the power wielded by bureaucratic agencies, as well as their lack of accountability towards the legislature and the public that formed them. He also covers the discretion that these agencies possess in carrying out government affairs. The author goes further to talk about the agencies as self-perpetuating. These self-perpetuating agencies are created by the separated powers regime, which acts to protect them from the change that is unwelcome since the major change is new legislation, which, in effect, must maneuver similar hurdles to those faced by the original law (Wilson, 1975: p9). This time, however, one hurdle they must clear is the wish of the particular agency, as well as its clients, which is raised higher. The agency, therefore, once created, becomes almost impossible to disband. Th e author concludes that this process of public power delegation to private interests that go unchallenged, as well as various factional interests, is able to set a public agenda sans modification of competing interests or scrutiny. Irene Rubin, in her article the Politics of Public Budgeting, shows how political interests beset public budgeting. She argues that this allows short-term goals to trump long-term goals interests of the public, the erosion of public and institutional capacity to deal with collective issues, and erosion of the democratic process. When Rubin presents a local, state, and federal budgeting in a framework that is competitive, he gives attention to federal issues that are reactive to power struggles between various levels and branches of government (Rubin, 1997: p190). She addresses issues such as how much autonomy is present at each government level, as well as what influence elected officials have on priorities of the government. Through an analysis of each p rocess of decision-making, she shows the coordination that is involved when passing a budget and achieving some accountability. One of her conclusions is that the public budgeting process must be divorced from politics.  Ã‚  

Strategic Analysis and Choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Strategic Analysis and Choice - Essay Example Thus, the need arises to have a blue print that tells how to go about it Companies need to diverse, differentiate, integrate backward or forwards, and manage business portfolio balanced. And hence they need to plan - develop a vision, set the mission, develop long term plans and further break them into objectives to achieve the desired goal. But it is important that the strategy is to be consistent with the organizational goals and policies, it should be flexible enough to respond to the faster changing environment in which it is operating, and it should add value to the organization and become a source of advantage over its competitors, and lastly, it should be feasible and practical enough to get through. Strategic management can be defined as the art and science of formulating, implementing, ad evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objectives (David F.R., Strategic Management). The process of strategic management involves three stages, viz. formulation of a strategy, implementing a strategy and lastly, evaluating the strategy. Since, organizations have limited resources thus they need to choose from amongst the alternatives available. Setting a strategy starts with developing a strategic vision so as to provide long term direction, and provide a purpose to the organization. The strategic vision is then converted into specific performance objectives for the company to achieve. And then forming strategies to achieve the desired outcomes that have been developed in the form of objectives. This all was the planning portion of the process; no strategy is useful until it is implemented and executed effectively and efficiently. In the end, evaluat ion stage begins which requires comparing actual i.e. the reality with the planned. But as companies prosper and grow they need to diversify into new areas. Companies have to balance their portfolios well enough with cash cows, stars, dogs and question marks so that cash needs growth needs all are being fulfilled by the company. Strategy analysis requires companies to understand their markets, their cost structure, and also the capabilities underlying the firm i.e. any of the core competencies or the distinctive competencies that the company possesses. Companies need creativity and new ideas to identify any potential gaps in the strategy, the markets etc. which will lead them to make and implement a solid strategic plan to serve the new and existing markets. Source: http://www.netmba.com/strategy/matrix/bcg/ Huge businesses are normally divided into the strategic business units. These strategic business units are the individual planning units contained within one large and diversified business serving either the external or the internal market. They make independent decisions for themselves and have a control over their own destiny. They have competitors and are profit centers for the company but still independent. Companies already have so many products and services have many other growth initiatives because of the factors such as globalization, services, quality and the emerging e-businesses. Globalization is not only letting companies to enhance their revenue

Busniess in China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Busniess in China - Research Paper Example By 2009 it was holding the largest foreign currency reserves amounting to $2 trillion and was also the largest holder of US treasury bonds (Tse, 2009). It has also become a world leader in international trade with import export forming 60% of its GDP (Tse, 2009). 1.3 billion Population of the country represents a huge market potential which no company can afford to ignore. Economy Based on the development level, the country is divided into three economic regions which are eastern, middle and western regions (Ma and Li, 2004). Eastern region is most advanced with good infrastructure, advanced cities, good management and administration (Ma and Li, 2004). Special economic zones have been setup by the government in this region to provide better development opportunities. The middle region is not as well developed as the Eastern. However, it has well developed industry and is the main region which produces grain, edible oils and cotton (Ma and Li, 2004). The Western region is still underd eveloped but has huge development potential for trade because it is the passage to other countries (Ma and Li 2004). Industry forms 46.8% of the GDP and industrial production growth rate stood at 11% as per 2010 estimates (cia.gov, 2011). Culture Because of the country’s socialist background, its culture is highly influenced by this ideology. The Chinese put a great emphasis on relationships than transactions and power distance in an organization (secureonlineorder.net, n. d). The Confucian philosophy which they follow focuses on collectivism rather than individualism. They believe in what they call â€Å"Guanxi† that refers to a â€Å"network of relationships among groups that cooperate and support one another† (secureonlineorder.net, n. d). This is considered as legally valid and not bribery and is indicative of personal closeness through exchanging of gifts and frequent contacts with retailers, suppliers, local government officials and banks. Chinese are not too keen to focus on detail and technical expertise with their leader’s autocratic behavior being accepted in return for security and harmony. Their communication is also less verbal and more through body language. They are never direct at saying â€Å"no† to things and rather express it through facial expressions and other roundabout ways (legacee.com, n. d). They feel that business relationships are the foundation of businesses and not any written agreements. Language problem is a barrier to exchange of ideas with the western organizations. Analysis of findings Facility location After having analyzed the economy and culture of China we need to first look at the location of the new facility. As seen earlier, Eastern China is the most developed area hence; there would be stiff competition for resources there. The Western area is now the new focus area for the government hence the new facility should be located there. The region accounts for 71% of China’s total land area and 29% of China’s total population with ready availability of labor force (Tan, 2010). Facility cost here is 50% less than the Eastern region while warehousing, construction and office lease is as low as one third to three quarter of the cost (Reinhardt, 2005). Thus providing facilities to the employees like housing will not be a major issue with respect to cost or availability in any of the Western towns or cities. There will be some problems as infrastructure and communications network are not as well developed

Continuation of Design principles 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Continuation of Design principles 3 - Essay Example The detailed architectural model is used to achieve the level of security in the system, the performance of the system as well as the effectiveness and efficiency (Coulouris, Dooimore, and Kindberg, 2001). There are three (3) forms of the system architecture include: the client based, server based and the client-server architecture. As the proposed system for ‘Electronic Credit Checking and Mortgage Approval’ is online, therefore, I have chosen the client server architecture. Architecture Design The client-server architecture for the proposed system that presents the client has to place a request to the web server by utilizing the web browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, etc.). The web browser takes the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request, Files Transfer Protocol (FTP), data, etc. to the web server of the Mortgage Company; the web server would interact with the database server for the relevant information. The database server would send a SQL query to the da tabase and the database returns the information against the query. The database server would reply to the web server with the information received from the database. The web server would display the information on the web browser of the client. The web application would be deployed on the web server or application server; the database server would contain the database as shown in the following diagram (Kambalyal, n.d). The system architecture that has been used for deploying the web application is 3-tier architecture that provides higher flexibility; high security can be implemented at each level of the service, and high performance due to sharing of tasks between servers, moreover, it can be extended (scalable) with the requirements of the Mortgage Company (Kioskea, 2012). Design Notes The client has to use the web browser to access the web application over the internet, in order to provide security the client’s request has to be passed through the firewall deployed in the c omputer network. The firewalls not only filter the outbound traffic (the clients outside of the Mortgage Company) but also filter the inbound traffic (the clients / employees of the company) (Vicomsoft, 2012). The servers would process the request of the client and returns the required information in the form of HTML, JavaScript, PHP / ASP.Net etc. The same process would be followed whenever the client requests the information from the servers. USER INTERFACE DESIGN Process In order to design the user interface, I have chosen the first use case (process) – the online application for registration with the bank (Mortgage Company). This selected process would be initiated by the client when he / she want to register him / her with the company by providing the requisite information. Upon successful completion of the registration process, an acknowledgement would be issued by the company containing user name and password of the client. The client has to provide information / data, the system / web application would perform the validations to check whether the format of the entered data is correct for the respective field. If the format of the

Making Connections Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Making Connections - Coursework Example Therefore, all these systems have to work harmoniously to improve survival of the human being since if one fails, one is likely to lose his or her life. For instance, in case the heart failed, the other two systems will be affected tremendously. The human body will sense the inadequacy in blood supply to other parts of the body and try to compensate. This, in the long run, will lead to an increased rate of breathing and clogging of blood in the vessels and other body organs. This is so because the human body entirely depends on oxygen for respiration. Hence the lack of oxygen which has been cut off due to inadequate blood supply, affects the normal metabolism rate. As a result, there is increased rate of breathing which is a corrective measure trying to restore oxygen availability in the human body. Furthermore, in case there are severe cases, that can be the status of the blood in other parts of the body leading to the formation of thrombus that dislodge and affect the healthy blood supply or respiration

Jackson Pollock’s Essay Example for Free

Jackson Pollock’s Essay â€Å"Lavender Mist† is a masterpiece by Jackson Pollock, dated in 1950. This particular painting is considered art because of the subsequent factors. But before we distinguish the art behind his work, let us first come across the life of this magnificent artist. Background information about the artist Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956) was a prominent American artist and a main vigor in the intangible expressionist association. The youngest of five children, he was born in 1912 in Cody, Wyoming, and grew up in Arizona and California, and his schoolwork was done at Los Angeles Manual Arts High School (Pioch). He then later learned under Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students League in New York City. In 1945 Jackson wedded Lee Krasner and they resided to what is recently renowned as the â€Å"Pollock-Krasner House and Studio in Springs on Long Island†, where he refined the skill of controlling of own volition with fluid paint. After moving to Springs in New York according to Pioch, he embarked on painting and formed what was shortly termed his â€Å"drip technique†, even though spilling out is a more precise depiction of his technique. The artist’s method of decanting and dribbling paint is considered to be one of the derivations of the label â€Å"action painting†. Nevertheless at the acme of his eminence, he unexpectedly discarded the drip method. Then, Pollocks creations after 1951 were gloomier in shade, frequently just black, and prompted to bring about metaphorical fundamentals, shifting to a more marketable colonnade and there was vast requests from collectors for contemporary canvasses. However, due to this stress, his alcoholism intensified. After besieged with alcoholism his entire existence, Pollocks profession was stopped in mid-sentence when he passed away in an alcohol-linked, particular automobile accident less than a mile from his home on August 11, 1956, at the early age of 44. In the twenty years between his influx in New York City to make an incredible legacy concerning art and his hasty decease, Jackson Pollock had became apparent as the most ground-breaking visual artist in America, who is celebrated for his exceptional corporeal commitment with the achievement of painting (National Gallery of Art). Background information about this particular piece What prompted Jackson Pollock to make such a remarkable artwork are a lot of great people, marvelous places, and things. Strolling over the pastures and coppices near the place called Accabonac Creek which is located at the rear of their land, Pollock brought into being a connection with the environment which inspired him to do his illustrious timeless piece. Lavender Mist aggregates up his most distinctive and full of character painting and presents Pollocks authenticity as an artist. He used the outlines triggered by the severance and marbling of one enamel dampness in an alternative, the minute â€Å"black striations† in the filthy pink, to fabricate a perpetuity of ambiance. (Karmel) As a painting of altercations and catharsis with the inner mayhem that compelled him to paint, it evidently illustrates the effect of Picassos craft, which guided ancient forces into completely fresh creative appearance. The scrawled details and calligraphic features in â€Å"Stenographic Figure† have a flow of awareness superiority that appears to join together the techniques of Picasso and the â€Å"Spanish surrealist Joan Miro†, whom Pollock above all well-liked as stated by Karmel. Pollock momentously appreciated a Miro display at the â€Å"Museum of Modern Art in 1941† and was greatly inspired by the artist. Furthermore, wonderfully coordinated mesh of â€Å"Gothic†, entrenched in strapping dark cambers, demonstrates Bentons lifelong impact on the manner Pollock structured his works of art. It resonates with development and the manipulated incident that Pollock had experienced in practicum classes with Siqueiros, and at this instant used to his specific extremities. He even acquired his special inventive style expanded from Mexican muralists. The muralists’ idea of the original range between archaic and modern backgrounds stimulated Pollocks fervor in creating his craft. Iridescent substance shines with the luminous beam of noontime sun on a deep field in Pollock’s work is similar to what he sees everyday on their meadow. Vibrant with curves and spheres of warm-drenched tints, the painting is an indication to the value of the Long Island scenery as a stirring drive of Pollocks piece in the late 1940s. The composition is demarcated by all-encompassing strokes of trickled and spattered paint; a fine mesh that brushes across and stuffs the whole picture. Pollocks traceries affix the painting with their meandering, assuaged streaks and hurdling black and white components sets up rhythmic harmony. Conceivably the most undeniable substantiation of Pollocks primeval and vibrant attachment in the handiwork of his Lavender Mist is the smudge of his hands in the piece. These handprints not only provide a primal mark of possession and ingenuity, but they also highlights the smoothness of the image, hence pointing out the non-illusionist character of Pollocks painting. Formal elements within the piece The fundamentals of recognized elements are basic units that are shared in the design of Pollock’s Lavender Mist. The formal essentials within his piece are the following. First are lines which are the most vital building block of his work. Pollock used lines to form more intricate shapes and to direct the viewers from a part in the artwork to another. The first look at the picture will mislead an onlooker to see nothing more than a bewildering display of muddled lines and blots. But as one starts to set his eyes deeply in the masterpiece, one will perceive that there is more on the painting than mere lines and specks. Secondly, shapes are formed when these lines are combined to form different kinds of entities. The artist used shapes that are natural, uneven asymmetrical shapes observable in the natural world, and geometric shapes with tough lines and inclinations. The existence of â€Å"tic-tac-toe† grids, suspended figures, and ostensibly arbitrary sketches can be seen in the artwork, which stem from Pollocks declared appeal in being unfastened to the psyche as a spring of originality. Third are forms which are three-dimensional figures with thickness and extent. He included ancient and makeshift forms like orbs, rolls, boxes and pyramids in his piece. Even sections of a imaginary yet indistinct interpretation of the human outline associate Pollocks work with Miros images. Forth are spaces which are regions between and around things, and it can also be seen in Pollock’s Lavender Mist. Diminishing the quantity of gap around the items in Pollock’s artwork affects the way addressees perceive it. Then fifth are colors which distinguish and classify lines, shapes, forms, and space. The black and white streaks in his work have numerous dissimilar tinges of gray. The canvas has also texture in it which is the facade attribute that can be seen and felt. As displayed in the painting, rough, smooth, soft and hard textures blend into one. These textures are often ambiguous with its atmospheric appearance. Though there is no lavender on the painting, encrusted traces of paint engender exquisiteness and sort out of deceptively casual signs. Aside from the abovementioned elements, the following principles of formal analysis are also presented which build on one another. Balance is fashioned in the work of art when textures, colors, forms, or shapes are united pleasantly (Glatstein). In this image, it can be seen how the artist accomplish an impression of balance by spread out the entire streaks in the canvas. Contrast is also used as the quite a few elements of design hold the interest of the audience and steer the watcher’s eyes through the masterpiece. Movement, on another view, is shown as the movement of the work is directed by lines, contrasting shapes and colors. Furthermore, pattern is also brought about by the recurrence of shapes, forms, and textures across the canvas. Together with this, proportion is formed when the dimensions of elements in the painting are pooled cordially. In this work of art, all of the proportions come out unerringly as one would anticipate. And lastly is the assimilation of unity which is created when the principles of analysis are present in an artwork and in synchronization. Some imagery has a absolute sense of unanimity, while some visual painters intentionally keep away from reserved unity to generate a manner of tension and fretfulness. In this painting, the outsized regions of complementary textures, arrangements and tints craft a sense of unity. In any composition, all of these elements and principles are at hand, though some are more palpable than others. When slotting in formal study of art, artists decides on the fundamentals they sense are most stalwartly corresponding to the work they are making. Pollocks audacious intangible Lavender Mist legitimized the union and mastery of opportunity, perception, and control. Role or roles which the artist used when creating this piece Jackson Pollock perceives himself as one with nature. He claims that he belongs to the natural world that is why he has this extensive love of creating his masterpiece. In our day, one has to stride only into the countryside behind Pollocks home to comprehend the irresistible existence of nature in the impenetrable and intertwined surfaces of his painting. Pollock once protected the basis of his craft pronouncing, I am nature. The role of the artist is to produce something that, when looked over by a viewer, calls to mind instinctive way of thinking and emotions. Conclusion Jackson Pollock’s Lavender Mist is considered as an art because of the following reasons. First, the actual artwork is large, nearly 10 feet long and it seems to grab and get hold of a person viewing it, and pull him towards it. Second, what you see in the imagery is nothing like the genuine object. One and all discern that looking at an actual artwork is a lot different from staring at pictures of paintings with no sense. However, there is another rationale why people were so enthused by Lavender Mist, and it has to do with the very idea of art. There are a number of upfront explanations why people construct art. It may possibly be to craft an adornment, to convey a story, to portray or uphold a picture, or to exemplify a thought. Then again, there is another, more insinuating, but far more notable grounds why art is essential to people. The necessity to get into an individual’s self and influence the oblivious feelings is universal. People all complete it to some scale, even if more often than not people are blind to what artists do. That is where art draws closer in. As it is said previously, one of the points of art is to let people to have implicit approach to the inner consciousness. Immense art allows a way to get in touch with the unaware fraction of people’s subsistence, even if people do not grasp what we they are doing. In this meaning, the role of the artist is to produce something that, when looked over by a viewer, calls to mind instinctive way of thinking and emotions. Despite the fact that an Italian playwright disapproves of Pollocks painting as a bedlam, with total need of concord, absolute deficiency of structural orderliness, overall lack of skill, and undeveloped, afresh, paintings such as Lavender Mist collapsed the limitations of art as people are acquainted with it at mid-century. Pollock, in his most excellent work, has indeed the formal elements of art. He had an practically preternatural power over the whole outcome of those retreating pits of paint. In them, the brightness of colors is always right. Nor are they utterly natural; he would time and again touch up the dribble with his brush. The term â€Å"action painting† was made up to depict the system used by Pollock. He often used normal house paint, for the reason that he favored the manner it flowed. When one views the Lavender Mist, one is not agitated by consequential similes, so in effect all of one’s intellectual control is dedicated to feeling. One can open one’s self and absorb in the power and liveliness of the artwork. Needless to say, this merely works if one collaborates with the painter. His occupation is to construct a canvas that is delivered so dexterously that when one views it, what one sees in fact modifies what one feels at an oblivious situation. One’s work is to empty the aware intellect of thoughts and fixed ideas in order to let one’s self to be inclined by what one is viewing. This denotes that, if one is to really recognize the value of a work of art, one must be eager to let one’s self go, to put one’s self in the hands of the painter, so to verbalize, and let him take a person anywhere he desires. Most of the time, this relationship do not succeed, occasionally because the painter is basically not dexterous enough and frequently because the person viewing the artwork does not recognize how to really value it. Now it can be seen why the arrival of Abstract Expressionism was so significant. For the first time in account, painters were crafting intangible art so competently that it was able to go through swiftly and strongly into peoples unconscious. As a result, it is probable to view the record of painting as a lengthy evolutionary procedure, beginning with the sluggish, arduous progress of means and methods. Finally, after centuries of representationalism, the impressionists started to shake off the lengthy boundaries, which led to the advancement of a variety of schools of theoretical art in the 1940s, with Abstract Expressionism, the commencement of a new age of conception and human accomplishment (Hahn), and this must be somehow attributed to the remarkable artist, Paul Jackson Pollock. Works Cited: Glatstein, Jeremy. Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements Principles of Composition. May 31 2007. http://artsedge. kennedy-center. org/content/3902/. Hahn, Harley. Understanding Abstract Art . 2007. May 31 2007. http://www. harley. com/art/abstract-art/. Karmel, Pepe. Jackson Pollock: Interviews, Articles, and Reviews. (1999). National Gallery of Art. 2007. Washington DC. May 31 2007. http://www. nga. gov/feature/pollock/process1. shtm. Pioch, Nicolas. Pollock, Jackson. 2002. May 31 2007. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/pollock/

Workplace Health Safety (WHS) Guidelines

Workplace Health Safety (WHS) Guidelines Lachlan Donnet-Jones Introduction To provide effective patient care at a high standard it is necessary to use a clinical and systematic approach. The primary and secondary surveys are the centre of patient assessment. Primary assessment is a systematic approach to identifying critical and life threatening conditions and treating in order of severity. This includes complying with state clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for workplace health and safety (WHS), infection control, airway management, manual handling and vital signs (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0101, p. 1). Subsequent to management of life-threatening conditions the secondary survey is conducted. Secondary survey involves a thorough physical examination enacting a ‘head to toe’ approach including inspecting, palpation and auscultation using various tools at paramedic’s disposal (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0101, p. 2). The clinical approach is applied to all patients as a basic level of care (AT Clinical Pr actice Guidelines, Protocol A0101, p. 3). Workplace Health Safety (WHS) The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, implemented by Safe Work Australia (2012), is a framework that aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers in their workplace. This includes both physical and psychological health. In Australia, the highest rate of serious injury claims is from muscular stress while lifting objects, a major component of the paramedic profession (Safe Work Australia, 2012). Paramedics are often in situations that can be demanding and potentially damaging of physical and mental health, this is why it is necessary to follow the WHS guidelines to avoid and minimise any negative outcome (Mistovich, 2010). Twedell and Pfrimmers’ (2009) article provides insight into the effectiveness of teamwork and communication specific to patient care. It states that ‘effective teamwork and communication can help prevent mistakes and decrease patient risk’ (p. 294 – 295). Other WHS considerations include; lifting and weight restrictions, biolo gical hazards, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), bystanders and family members and environmental factors such as weather conditions (Mistovich, 2010). Infection Control Infection control is defined as ‘the process by which a disease is transmitted via micro-organisms from one person to another’ (Black, 2010). The Ambulance Service of New South Wales (ASNSW) infection control policy (2011) uses a two tier system. The first tier is called ‘standard precautions’. This is applied to all patients no matter the diagnosis, it is a blanket level of precautions used with every patient. The second tier is ‘additional precautions’, which is applied to specific patients who are suspected of having infectious disease communicable via droplet, airborne or skin contact. Multi resistant organisms (MROs) are bacteria and organisms that have developed a resistance to antimicrobial drugs. MROs, such as Multiple Drug Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) or Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), can cause serious illness in infected persons and can potentially lead to death (ASNSW Skills Manual, p. 114). Infectious diseases can be avoided and infections such as MROs are preventable with proper infection control procedures and precautions (NSW Infection Control Policy, 2007). It is the responsibility of paramedics and health professionals alike to take the necessary precautions to prevent infectious disease from spreading in the best interest of the health and safety of patients, clinicians and the general public (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2010). In compliance with the AT clinical practice guidelines (2012), paramedics responding in the scenario are required to wear PPE in accordance with the standard precautions, which includes gloves and safety glasses with mask, vest and helmet when required (Skill A0101). With the presence of emesis and without appropriate infection control, potential illness maybe communicable by airborne transmission, such as gastroenteritis (Mandell et al, 2000). Manual Handling Manual handling is defined in the New South Wales (NSW) Health Policy Directive (2011) as ‘any activity requiring the force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object, animal or person’. Manual handling injuries are considered a large and unnecessary burden on workplace health, as most incidents are preventable (NSW Health Policy Directive, 2011). The purpose of manual handling policies and regulations is to prevent or minimise the occurrence of manual handling incidents (NSW Health and Community Services Industry Reference Group, 2005). This is accomplished with the combined effort of employees and employers in identifying, assessing and controlling workplace risks and hazards, such as those of manual handling (NSW Health Policy Directive, 2011). The safe manual handling techniques and skills required in the scenario include planning, two person log roll and team lifting with safe lifting techniques (Ambulance Vi ctoria Clinical Work Instructions, 2001, Skill 5.1.1). The patient in the scenario presents as unconscious with emesis present, thus requiring to be placed in the lateral position using a two person log roll (Ambulance Tasmania Clinical Work Instructions, 2004, Skill 2.2.1). Subsequent to the initial treatment the patient is required to be lifted onto a stretcher to be placed into the ambulance for transport to the emergency department (ED). Ambulance Tasmania does not specify a safe lifting load other than the recommended load bearing provided by the equipment manufacturer e.g. Ferno (Ambulance Tasmania Clinical Work Instructions, 2007, p. 5.1.22). However, according to the National Code of Practice for Manual Handling (2005) anything heavier than 55 kilograms (kg) is considered too heavy for an individual to lift and would require mechanical assistance or a team lift. The patient in the scenario weighs approximately 120 kg, therefore requiring a four person lift (National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 2005). Airway Management Upon arrival the patient is found in a supine position, appears to be hypoventilating (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0103) and is unresponsive to all stimuli with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of three (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0104). AT Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) state that the patients respiratory rate of seven is considered dyspnoeic, and therefore inadequate. This requires the patient to be moved into a lateral position via log roll as this is the best position to manage the airway in an unconscious patient (AT Clinical Work Instructions, Skill 2.2.1; Jevon, 2008). The patient presents with emesis on his face and shirt suggesting that his airway may be compromised. Jevon (2008) explains that the most effective way to further examine an airway obstruction is the ‘Look, Listen and Feel’ approach, where the paramedic examines visible chest movements, audible breath sounds, abnormal noises, and palpable air flow from the nose and mouth. During the ‘Look, Listen and Feel’ airway examination it will become clear whether the obstruction is potential or actual, and partial or complete (Jevon, 2008). Additionally, the cyanosed lips and cool skin temperature of the patient would be noted. AT Clinical Work Instructions (CWI) states that paramedics are required to clear a patient’s airway with the removal of foreign bodies. It instructs the health professional to perform a triple airway manoeuvre, which consists of a head tilt, chin lift and jaw thrust, accompanied by the insertion of an artificial airway (AT Clinical Work Instructions, Skill 2.2.1). The scenario requires an artificial airway to maintain the patients’ airway, specifically an oropharyngeal airway adjunct would be used to suppress the tongue and any other upper airway obstructions (AT Clinical Work Instructions, Skill 2.2.3). The oropharyngeal adjunct (OPA) is a good initial adjunct to use, as it is simple to insert and does not cause bacteraemia (bacteria in blood) (Patel, 2012). The inherent disadvantages of using an OPA include using the wrong size, which can contribute to airway obstruction, rather than airway patency (Khan, Sharma and Kaul, 2011). OPA’s have the potential to provoke emesis that may further obstruct the patent airway. It may also cause damage to soft tissue in the patients’ mouth and lips during insertion (Ostermayer and Gausche-Hill, 2014). The OPA may potentially be inadequate in maintaining a patent airway, requiring paramedics to consider the use of an alternative airway adjunct to establish sufficient airway patency. Other airway adjuncts paramedics may consider include; a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) applied via the nasal canals, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) that is orally inserted to cover the laryngeal inlet, or a endotracheal tube (ETT), inserted into the trachea, which is an intensive care paramedic (ICP) skill only and considered the gold standard of airway management (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocols A0301, A0302). The patient has gurgling respirations and may require manual airway clearance to remove obstructing substances, such as emesis. Using a yankaeur sucker, paramedics are able to suction the unwanted substances from in and around the OPA, therefore clearing the patients’ airway and eliminating the gurgling respirations (AV Clinical Work Instructions, Skill 2.2.6; ASNSW Clinical Protocol Guidelines, p. 101.7). Once a patent airway has been achieved it is necessary to provide manual ventilation as the patient respiratory rate is currently seven per minute, an insufficient level of oxygenation to sustain the cells in the body (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0103). AT clinical practice guidelines indicate the use of a bag-valve-mask (BVM) to provide additional oxygen to the hypoventilating patient (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0103). The BVM resuscitation following intubation is one of the most important steps for effective airway management (Gabbott and Baskett, 1997). Despite its effectiveness, using a BVM has disadvantages including; gastric distension, regurgitation, aspiration, barotrauma and hypotension (Gabbott and Baskett, 1997; ASNSW Skills Manual, p. 102.1.1). Gabbott and Baskett (1997) emphasise the dangers of gastric distension resuscitation as they found 28% of failed resuscitations presented with pulmonary aspiration as a result of gastric distension. Other patient care considerations Additional precautions include accounting for accidental hypothermia. The patient has been outside on the ground for an unknown amount of time during May, which has an average temperature of 10 degrees celcius but can drop to below zero degrees celcius (Weatherzone.com.au, 2014). Ulrich and Rathlev (2004) state that hypothermia is when a person’s body temperature drops below 35 degrees celcius. Contributing factors to hypothermia include drugs and alcohol, environmental factors (e.g. wind or rain), length of exposure and time of day (Ulrich and Rathlev, 2004). Hypothermia management includes; sheltering patient from the environment, removal of damp and wet clothing, drying with towels and wrapping patient in space blanket. If hypothermia is severe, warming fluid at a temperature of 37 – 42 degrees celcius should be given to patient (AT Clinical Practice Guidelines, Protocol A0901). Conclusion To ensure comprehensive patient care is delivered at a high standard of clinical skill and safety paramedics must adhere to certain principles and guidelines. The WHS, infection control and manual handling guidelines and protocols are the initial point of notice for patient and paramedic safety. The systematic patient management framework ensures paramedics thoroughly assess patients’ conditions in order of severity, identifying life threatening conditions first and responding with appropriate treatment.

Yoga Essay -- essays research papers

The term Yoga has a few meanings. It's both a school of thought in the Hindu religion, and a system of mental and physical exercise developed by this school. All forms of yoga originated in India. People who follow this school, and practice any form of yoga are called yogis, or yogins. Students study under prolonged and careful guidance of the teacher, known as the guru. The first syllable 'gu,'; in Sanskrit means light; the second syllable, 'ru'; means light. A guru is a spiritual teacher who leads the pupil from darkness to light. Literally, yoga means 'the union of mind and body.'; In Sanskrit, the language of India, yoga means discipline. Many people in western countries practice some form of yoga exercise in hope of improving their health, and achieving peace of mind. Various forms of yoga have become popular in Europe and the United States. Transcendental Meditation is a simplified version of the yoga of Hinduism. Bhakti-Yoga involves the dedication of all actions and thoughts to a chosen God. Hatha-Yoga, stresses difficult bodily postures and breathing techniques. It has become very popular as a method of gaining and improving health. Certain people also study this form of yoga because of the control they develop over certain bodily functions. A new concept in fitness combines gentle stretching with techniques from Hatha Yoga to perform the most effective, relaxing ways of exercising. It is called Yogacise. There are other forms of yoga that are practiced in India. T...

D-day :: essays research papers fc

D-day One of the most important days during World War II was D-day, it became a â€Å"day† so important it changed a continent. Don't be mistaken by the word D-day it did not all happens in just one day but many days. D-day was just a code name for the day that Operation Overload started. D-day is very well known for the beginning of the end of the war in Europe and Hitler's rule over most of the ruined continent of Europe. Many say that if it were not for D-day Europe would have definitely fell to Hitler.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are a few terms used when people talk about D-day. One of them is D-day, which is a military term used telling the unknown date in the future when an attack will be launched. It is most commonly used for the invasion of Normandy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The second term not often herd but, still is used is H-hour. H-hour is the hour that D-day is supposed to start. H-hour for the three Normandy invasion sites were varied, because of weather, as much as eighty-five minutes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The third term used is Overload. Which was the code name for the entire Allied plot to invade and free France and Western Europe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fourth term used when talking about D-day is Neptune. Neptune stood for the first phase of Operation Overload. Which was the planning of the Normandy assault, the movement of the armada across the English Channel, and the battle for the beaches.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fifth term sometimes used when talking about D-day is The Atlantic Wall. The Atlantis Wall was the German’s first line of defense in the west, which was along the English Channel coast of France. The wall was only partly completed by June of 1944. It had many guns placed on it, beach obstacles, and mine fields. The part of the wall directly across from England and manned by Field Marshal Rammel's seventeenth and eighteenth armies containing thirty-seven divisions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another word people use when they talk about D-day is landing craft. There are six different types of landing craft used on D-day. The first type is LCVP, which stands for Landing Craft Vechile and Personal; it took thirty-two men ashore. The second type is LCA, which stands for Landing Craft Assault; it was and armored wooden craft, which delivered troops. The third type is LCI, which stands for Landing Craft Infantry; it carried one hundred fifty-eight small landing craft, which individually delivered two hundred troops.

Washington Square :: Essays Papers

Washington Square I’m depressed. Well, how could I not be? I just finished reading Washington Square. I’m happy it’s over, but I’m not happy I finished it. No, that doesn’t make sense does it? Lets just say, I had a feeling how it was going to end up; I just hoped that I would be wrong. Unfortunately the one time I didn’t want to be right I was. Isn’t that the way it always works? I guess so. Catherine, dear plain old, Catherine. Poor girl, father thinks she’s plain, she thinks she’s plain, her aunt thinks she’s plain, even the man who she thinks loves her thinks she’s plain. Although James erases this thought in the beginning of the book I still believe it, â€Å"plain† equals â€Å"ugly†. I feel so bad for her but I guess you had to have what happened to her happen, or else we wouldn’t have such a depressing story. I tell you though, I’m glad my daddy isn’t rich or I would swear off guys as well. I felt so horrible when I knew before her what Morris was like. Which brings me to Morris Townsend. He’s a rat, I smelt a rat from the beginning but I figured it was just because for me guys for the most part are always rats. But of course he was after her money, she was â€Å"plain† and her father was â€Å"rich† no her father wasn’t â€Å"rich†. By god he was rich. So Catherine’s got a big dowry, lots of money, but she’s â€Å"plain†. Oh, well the money will compensate. This shows you the kind of man he is. Well at least it erases the theory that women are gold diggers. James makes the reader dislike Catherine’s father. He makes him seem like an insensitive uncaring prick, but I really don’t think he is. Yes I know parents are supposed to think that their child is the most beautiful thing in the world but hey, that theory’s over rated. It’s not that he didn’t love his daughter; he just knew the truth. He was realistic about the entire idea of this strikingly handsome man falling head over heals in love with his daughter who isn’t the greatest looking chick in the world. Something doesn’t quite fit.

Chick Fil a

Ryan Simpson Marketing 476 Final Project Chick-Fil-A| GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #1 In this paper I will be giving a thorough analysis of the Chick-Fil-A company by discussing the history of the company as well as how the company was founded, the operations of the company, how the company gives back to the community, and how the company markets itself to the consumers. The reason I chose Chick-Fil-A to do my paper on is ever since I was a little boy Chick-Fil-A has always been my favorite fast food. I can remember when I was little the closest Chick-Fil-A to our home was the one on Cox Creek Parkway in front of the mall in Florence.Anytime we were in Florence I would beg my parents to take me thru the drive thru because I loved the Chick-Fil-A kids meal as well as the toy that came with it. Chick-Fil-A restaurants have been appealing to me ever since I was little so since then I have been a loyal customer of Chick-Fil-A. I have also always been interested in knowing how Chick-Fil-A alway s has had a huge customer base and every time I went to eat at a Chick-Fil-A, it seemed to always be crowded so that tells me that their marketing department is definitely doing something right because their restaurants are doing great business.In this paper I will be going over the history of the Chick- Fil-A company, how the company operates, how the company markets itself, and how close out the paper with a conclusion and summary. In the first part of my paper, I want to go over the history of the Chick-Fil-A company. The Chick-Fil-A company was first founded in 1946 by a man named Truett Cathy. Truett Cathy is considered to be one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the history of the United States. GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #2Truett Cathy who grew up in Atlanta opened his first restaurant in his home town called the â€Å"Dwarf Grill†. However over time the name changed to the â€Å"Dwarf House† (www. chick-fil-a. com). In the year of 1964, Truett Cathy created his vers ion of a chicken sandwich that is today referred to as the original chicken sandwich. Truett Cathy’s invention of the chicken sandwich was the first step to his vision of developing a successful restaurant chain. In 1967, Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-Fil-A restaurant in the Greenbrier Mall in |Atlanta, Georgia.In 1973 years after the first Chick-Fil-A opened, Truett Cathy wanted all his employees, regardless of age, to have an advanced education so he decided to develop a Team Scholarship Program which included $1,000 scholarships. Chick-Fil-A took a big step in the right direction when they first introduced freshly squeezed lemonade on their menu in 1977. In 1982, all Chick-Fil-A started selling chicken nuggets in all their restaurants and because of this Chick-Fil-A became the first restaurant chain to offer chicken nuggets nationwide. 984 was a big year for the Chick-Fil-A Company because Truett Cathy established the WinShape Foundation to help â€Å"shape winnersà ¢â‚¬ . The reason Truett Cathy founded this foundation was simply because young people receiving a proper education was very important to him (www. chick-fil-a. com). Some milestones of the Chick-Fil-A Franchise; In 1985 all the Chick-Fil-A restaurants added their original waffle fries to their menus. In 1986 Chick-Fil-A expanded their operation by constructing the company’s first free-standing restaurant building on North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta. 987 saw the franchises offer their first kid’s meal package. Also in 1987 Chick-Fil-A expanded their operation by opening their first restaurants on GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #3 college campuses with Clemson University and Georgia Tech being chosen as their pilot campuses. In my opinion these colleges were chosen due to their proximity to the area of Atlanta from which the Chick-Fil-A franchise was originated. 1993 was a huge milestone for the Chick-Fil-A franchise, this was the year their 500th restaurant was opened and th eir first drive through only restaurant was created.Also in this year their first hospital based restaurant was opened. Arguably one of the greatest marketing campaigns in the world was the â€Å"cows† which began in 1995 introducing their first billboard which consisted of their cows attempting to paint their catch phrase â€Å"eat mor chikin† (www. chick-fil-a. com). With this campaign the Chick-Fil-A Franchise was catapulted into the category with McDonald and Burger King as one of the most popular fast food chain restaurants in the United States. Also in 1995 the Chick-Fil-A Franchise hit the mark of one billion dollars in sales nationwide.In 2001, Chick-Fil-A continued to expand their operation by opening their 1,000 restaurant. In the same year Chick-Fil-A continued to progress their popularity by being voted the â€Å"best drive thru in America† by QSR Magazine (www. chick-fil-a. com). In my opinion, this solidified their superior position in the fast foo d restaurant industry. Chick-Fil-A expanded their business in 2003 by opening their restaurants in Utah, Arizona and Southern California. By introducing their operation to the west Chick-Fil-A expanded their target market by not only marketing to the eastern United States, but to the GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #4 estern United States as well. This move made the Chick-Fil-A Company more popular nationwide In 2004 Chick-Fil-A expanded their menu even further by adding breakfast. By adding breakfast and opening earlier this also brought new business to Chick-Fil-A from business people on their way to work. In the same year Chick-Fil-A was voted â€Å"America’s best drive thru† for the third straight year (www. chick-fil-a. com). In my opinion Chick-Fil-A accomplished this prestigious honor by focusing on customer service and marketing their product.Truett Cathy wanted to increase the Chick-Fil-A Foundation’s scholarship program so in 2005 the Chick-Fil-A Bowl was devel oped to provide more money for scholarships (www. chick-fil-a. com). The Chick-Fil-A Bowl is played in Atlanta, Georgia in the Georgia Dome (www. chick-fil-abowl. com). In 2005, Chick-Fil-A awarded their 20,000th Leadership Scholarship. By doing so, this showed Truett Cathy’s dedication and commitment to encouraging young people to go to college and further their education. Chick-Fil-A expanded their menu again by adding â€Å"hand-Spun† milk shakes in 006. Also in the same year Chick-Fil-A surpassed two billion dollars in sales nationwide and as a coincidence it happened in the same year that the Cathy family celebrated 60 years in the restaurant business (www. chick-fil-a/com). This information shows me how great of an entrepreneur Truett Cathy was that he could start up a restaurant and in just 60 years it has become one of the most popular fast food chain restaurants in the United States as well as grossed over two billion dollars worth of sales. GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #5On December 1, 2010 I conducted a phone interview with Mike Albretson who is the operations manager at the Chick-Fil-A drive thru in Florence, Alabama on Cox Creek Boulevard in front of Regency Square Mall. In the phone interview with Mike Albretson I learned many things that I didn’t originally know about Chick-Fil-A. The first thing that I learned was according to Mr. Albretson the one major factor that plays a role in the Chick-Fil-A franchises success is their efforts to make emotional connections with all the customers that eat at their restaurants.The main question I asked Mike Albretson is what three ways to do feel the Chick-Fil-A franchise markets their products to their customers and how they make their franchise appealing to the general public? Mr. Albretson’s response was the first way he believes they market their products to customers is by focusing on community and consumer relations. Mike Albretson also mentioned that one of the Chick-Fil-A franc hises main goals is to do everything they can to provide a clean family atmosphere in all their restaurants.The second way Mike Albretson believes the Chick-Fil-A franchise markets their products to the general public is by bringing the food to the people. I found this technique very interesting and what this means is Chick-Fil-A brings the foods to the people by simply taking sample treys with items from their menu or even foods that they haven’t put on their menu but are seriously considering it and taking them to public areas such as a park or anywhere that is a general public area and letting the people that come by ry free samples of their food and tell them what they think about it (Mike Albretson, operations manager). GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #6 I personally thought this is a great idea because you are advertising the Chick-Fil-A name out to the public, you are showing the community that Chick-Fil-A values and cares about their image, and also they can find out valuable information such as what the majority of the people like or prefer.So in a way Chick-Fil-A is taking a survey on what the majority of the people like so that they can consider putting that item on their menu if it is not already on there. The third way Mike Albretson believes that the Chick-Fil-A franchise markets their products and service to the consumers is by the experience the customers receive when they come and eat in their restaurants. Mr.Albretson stated that the ways Chick-Fil-A attempts to make the customers experience as pleasant as possible are by assisting people to their tables, by going around and asking if there is anything the customers need such as a refill on their drink or more ketchup. Mr. Albretson also stated that the Chick-Fil-A restaurants have employees help the customers clean their tables as well as throw their trash away (Mike Albretson, operations manager). In my opinion I believe these are excellent ways for Chick-Fil-A to set their selves apart from their competition such as McDonalds or Burger King.I understand that most fast food restaurants are pretty much the same when it comes to the service and atmosphere of the restaurant but if you have assistants help the customers clean up and throw away their garbage that definitely would give them the advantage over their competitors in the service aspect of their restaurants. GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #7 I found a very interesting article that came from www. fastcompany. com, the article discussed how the Chick-Fil-A franchise was based customer centered.An example the article shared that supported this statement was during the opening of the Chick-Fil-A restaurant that is located in Evansville, Indiana, Truett Cathy himself showed up at the opening to meet and greet all the people who had been camping out the night before the opening to be new restaurants first customers (www. fastcompany. com). This tells me how down to earth Mr. Cathy is that he would take the time to go to Evansvi lle, Indiana to greet the customers on the opening day of one of his thousands of restaurants.Another fascinating article I found about Truett Cathy came from www. michaelleestallard. com, in this article, Mr. Stallard talks about a speech that he heard Truett Cathy give at a conference and how much it moved him on how inspirational and selfless Mr. Cathy was. I thought it was very interesting that here is Truett Cathy a multi millionaire that could be anywhere in the world, but here he is spending over half his time traveling to different Chick-Fil-|A restaurants and meeting and talking with tons of his employees (www. michaelleestallard. com).This example tells me how much Truett Cathy cares about his employees and about the service the Chick-Fil-A franchise brings to all their customers. One major advantage Chick-Fil-A has over most of their competition is most of their chicken sandwiches have a lot less calories and fat then most chicken sandwiches at fast food restaurants do. G arnerR MK-476 FP Page #8 According to www. livestrong. com, the original chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A only has 430 calories which is right about what McDonald’s chicken sandwich is, but what sets Chick-Fil-A apart from its competition is the chargrilled chicken sandwich.The Chick-Fil-A chargrilled chicken sandwich only has 300 calories and also has 29 grams of protein in it which is a very nutritious meal for anybody. The McDonalds chicken sandwich has 420 calories in it so this tells me that Chick-Fil-A is the healthier choice (www. livestrong. com). While researching about Chick-Fil-A coupons, I found a hilarious story about Chick-Fil-A coming up with a very unusual, but effective marketing idea. It was called the â€Å"cow promo†. What this meant was during a certain time period nyone could dress up like a cow and go into any Chick-Fil-A and all they had to do was moo and stop their foot or â€Å"hoof† and get a free chicken sandwich and according to the a rticle I read there were a few people who actually participated in this event (http://fastfoodcoupon. com). In conclusion, I learned so much about how a very successful business operates as well as several very effective marketing schemes and ideas. I personally thought the story about how Chick-Fil-A was started and how quick it became so popular and successful.In researching this paper I also learned how great of a man Truett Cathy is and I read many examples that taught me how far good customer service can take you. Overall, I really enjoyed researching Chick-Fil-A and learning about the franchise. The summary of this paper was the history of Chick-Fil-A and how it was started by Truett Cathy. The second part of the paper was marketing strategies of the Chick-Fil-A GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #9 Franchise. The third was how Chick-Fil-A sets their selves apart from their competitors.The last part of my paper was the conclusion and summary. GarnerR MK-476 FP Page #10 References Page 1. www. chick-fil-a. com 2. http://www. chick-fil-abowl. com 3. Interview with Chick-Fil-A operations manager Mike Albretson 4. http://wwwmichaelleestallard. com/chick-fil/as-competitive-edge-of-relationships 5. http://www. fastcompany. com/magazine/87/customer-chickfila. html 6. www. livestrong. com/thedailyplate/search/chick-fil-a 7. http://fastfoodcoupon. com/chick-fil-a-coupons. html

Positive Learning Essay

Introduction Student behaviours in schools have been perceived by researchers for years. Over the past twenty-five years, Sugai, (2009) states that Gallup Polls have specified, behavioural complications are on the top trials schools face. To establish and scan these behaviours, checklists of behaviours are available that included the most usual behaviours observed by te schools teachers (Algozzine, 2003). Such behaviours includes anxiety, disobedience, isolation, destructiveness and disruptiveness. Safran, Safran, & Barcikowski, (1985) states, such behaviours occupy teachers for an undue amount of time. Safran & Safran, (1984) reports that teachers normally spend sixty- ninety precent more time with misbehaving students than with the rest of the students. Johnson & Fullwood, (2006) states that teachers spend up to ninety precent more time with problematic students. Many new teachers have trouble dealing with persistent misbehaviour. They become exasperated because their previous responses had little impact. They spend substantial time distressing about the problem and often feel as if their authority and power is being challenged. A common way of consolidating behaviours is the division of internalising against externalising behaviours. Internalising behaviours such as anxiety, shyness, or inattentiveness mainly affect the student demonstrating the behaviour. Externalising behaviours such as fighting, aggression, and disobedience are outer-directed behaviours. It is essential to understand student behaviour from an eco-systemic viewpoint. This principle highlights the composite, unified and co-dependent type of relationships between a variety of relational, intra-personal and environmental factors that impact the everyday behaviours of teachers and students. The behavioural change in social systems does not take place in the direct approach of the positivistic custom. Instead, behaviours should be observed as cycles of communication. In other words, the students’ behaviour is assumed to be affected and dependent on the behaviours of other people around them. (De Jong. 2005). To learn the approaches and opinions of different people regarding student misbehaviour, a research was commenced through conducting informal interview of six people belonging to different groups in the society. The purpose was to get different views and perceptions on why students misbehave; interviewees included people from different groups such as practicing teachers, retired school teacher, parents, pre service teacher and a non-teaching professional. The interview consisted of several informal and open-ended questions in order to grasp the in-depth knowledge about various reasons of student misbehaviour and their solutions. The approach uses a series of questions intended to offer perspective on the student’s misbehaviour and assistance in creating responses. 2. 0 Participants: Following interviewees were selected for interview. Names have been kept confidential to maintain privacy. 1. Interviewee 1 (Female): is a full time teacher is her early 30’s. 2. Interviewee 2 (Female): is a pre-service teacher in her 20’s. 3. Interviewee 3 (Male): is a pensioned off school teacher in his late 50’s. 4. Interviewee 4 (Female): is a 38 years old mother of three children. 5. Interviewee 5 (Male): is a father of three children in his early 40’s. 6. Interviewee 6 (Male): is a non-teaching professional and postgraduate student in his early 30’s. During the interviews, many common themes regarding student misbehaviour, their reasons and impacts were discussed. Various researches and theories were also linked with the answers in order to analyse the root cause of such behaviours and the suitable responses. 3. 0 Understanding the Reasons for Difficult Behaviour: Understanding multiple causes of student misbehaviour can aid you to select the most applicable solution. Questions on physical, emotional and environmental factors were asked which helped in understanding the main grounds of problematic misbehaviours: 3. 1 Question – What are the physical causes of misbehaviour? Interviewee 1 suggested that the consumption of illegal Medication and Drugs by school students modify their behaviour in numerous ways. She once took students on an excursion, and one student arrived drunk showing extreme behaviours (drowsy, overly active). Students usually recall information when they are in the same state (drunk) as when they learned it (Eich, 1989). Interviewee 2 answered that students don’t take good care of their health and feeling unpleasant can make them irritable, although misperception and distraction may be more usual reactions. She also pondered that Fatigue is common in academic life and increases, when exams dates are near. When the pressure of exams increases, politeness is usually absent in students. Hearing and vision problems also result in student misbehaviour. A student with such debility may appear troublesome. Interviewee 3 answered that vision/hearing difficulty of student or even the teacher raises the risk of confusion thus leading to miscommunication and the possibility that student or teacher might get offended. 3. 2 Question – What are the major Emotional Challenges? Teachers have to choose if to get personally involved when emotional challenges are the reason for rude behaviour. Talking privately with associates or the counselling centre can benefit the teacher to choose when a student requires referral for professional assistance. Interviewee 6 specified that when school students reach an adults’ age, they’re usually given charge for their major decisions in life thus they might feel lonely once confronted with loss. Grief may be uttered as anger or guilt, depression and denial. Interviewee 3 believed that a small incident in the class (like forgetting the textbook) may activate a strangely big response and usually the teacher is merely an aim for the expression of the student’s sentiment. 3. 3 Question – What are the major Environmental Factors? Interviewee 1 discussed that class size and culture contribute to varying student’s behaviours. Big classes can buoy up a student or students to behave as if they were in a cinema or even a tv lounge. Interviewee further commented that supportive educational activities might aid in reducing the blockades that a big class creates among the teachers and the students. Every culture has a different standard regarding student’s unpunctuality to class or when it is suitable for a student to talk. If all every student is going to experience a specific cultural atmosphere after graduation, it may be easier to have classroom environment that matches with the work environment. Routine and Stimulation are other environmental factors identified by Interviewee 2 commented that excessive routine result in boredom, however too little creates confusion. A lot of motivation generates difficulties for the students who normally have trouble handling their activity level, and too little motivation results in disruption in the class. Interviewee 1 opined the importance of an unconventional learning environment. Some students require alternate flexible atmosphere but taking away students from the regular schoolroom should be the last alternative, and is grounded upon the belief that not all effective educational experiences happen in the classroom and thinking broadly about education is critical. 4. 0 Importance of behaviour management: 4. 1 Question – How important is behaviour management in effective teaching and learning? For many teacher and school front-runners in the past, a silent and disciplined classroom was the symbol of effective teaching. There is no doubt that regimented classrooms and schools enable effective teaching and the decent behaviour management skills are essential for teachers to perform the primary task of improving students’ performance and learning outcomes. Interviewee 3 stated that behaviour management is a key skill for both experienced and beginning teachers. Interviewee 6 specified specifies that it is brilliance in teachers that makes the utmost difference. Hattie’s research about the key impacts on the variance in student success examined the differences between experts, proficient and experienced teachers (Hattie, 2003). Interviewee 1 suggested that the student behaviour is indissolubly associated to the quality of the learning capability and teaching skills. Active pedagogics is acute to student engagement. She advised that good quality of teaching increases the student engagement and reduces behaviour matters. She further recommended that optimistic relationships between students and teachers are significant to encourage correct behaviours and attaining learning objectives. 5. 0 Role of parents: 5. 1 Question – How can parents contribute in improving the behaviour is students? Successful parent participation develops not only good student behaviour and attendance but also significantly affects student accomplishments. Parents can exhibit involvement at home by reading with their kids, assisting with homework, discussing school events and by attending functions or volunteering in classrooms. Being an experienced father, Interviewee 5 advised that parents are occasionally hesitant to get involved in school because they don’t have spare time or because they don’t speak smooth English. He said however â€Å"the biggest issue is the disconnection between the school and the parents†. Interviewee 4 on the other hand answered, â€Å"Parents consider that they are not welcomed. They often have had a lesser adequate experience with their own schooling†. However she firmly believed that parents should remain open and supportive with teachers and other school staff when dealing with issues of student misbehaviour. Retired school teacher Interviewee 3 recommended that school staff should mediate with parents while dealing with behaviour and misconduct issues. He also suggested that parents should back the school’s Student Behaviour Management Policy and should work with their children to assist them to understand their responsibility and obligations towards others. 6. 0 Effects of Teacher Gender: 6. 1 Question – How teacher gender affect the student behaviour? Interviewees were asked about the possible differences for teachers’ patience founded upon the gender of the teacher. Since both male and female teachers are present in the classrooms and the students are engaged in the classrooms with both genders, it is significant to recognise the characteristic differences. Teachers’ gender, teachers’ attitude, and the reporting of behaviour problem are found to have a connection (Ritter, 1989, Stake & Katz, 1982). Interviewee 3 believed that teacher tolerance and student behaviour have a give-and-take relationship, in that students’ behaviour influences the teachers’ patience levels for behaviours, teachers’ approach and opinion of the student, and the contagion influence of behaviour on the rest of the students in the class, resulting in academic achievement of the students. He also considered that students are more involved, behave more properly, and perform at a greater level when taught by teachers who shares their gender. On the other hand, Interviewee 6 suggested that the male teachers used more clarifications and general instructions than the female teachers. They also ask more questions and call for more student answers than female teachers. 7. 0 Conclusion: The interview with diverse group of people of both genders helped in identifying the main causes of student misbehaviours and efficient ways of addressing such behaviours. There are always students in classrooms who tend to meet their desires and wants through inappropriate behaviour. Having a range of alternatives (that are consistent with the needs and values of the teacher) can be exceptionally valuable when reacting to incidents of misconduct in complex classrooms. Both verbal and nonverbal communications are important when answering to persistent disobedience. Teachers should develop an â€Å"I mean it† demeanour by using firmness and clarity. Many student misconduct problems can be resolved by reorganising the environment. This might be done to ease proximity control, isolate students who cannot workout self-control, or eliminate students from an area where there are disruptions. Teaching students to adjust their own behaviour benefits students recognise their feelings and their wants and aiding them learn how to search for substitutes to unproductive behaviour. Teachers and parents need to be working together rather than being adversaries.

Deception Point Page 29

Rachel noted how careful the President was being not to mention her father. He spoke only in terms of â€Å"the opposition† or â€Å"political opponents.† â€Å"And you think your opposition will cry conspiracy simply for political reasons?† she asked. â€Å"That is the nature of the game. All anyone needs to do is cast a faint doubt, saying that this discovery is some kind of political fraud concocted by NASA and the White House, and all of a sudden, I'm facing an inquiry. The newspapers forget NASA has found proof of extraterrestrial life, and the media starts focusing on uncovering evidence of a conspiracy. Sadly, any innuendo of conspiracy with respect to this discovery will be bad for science, bad for the White House, bad for NASA, and, quite frankly, bad for the country.† â€Å"Which is why you postponed announcing until you had full confirmation and some reputable civilian endorsements.† â€Å"My goal is to present this data in so incontrovertible a way that any cynicism is nipped in the bud. I want this discovery celebrated with the untainted dignity it deserves. NASA merits no less.† Rachel's intuition was tingling now. What does he want from me? â€Å"Obviously,† he continued, â€Å"you're in a unique position to help me. Your experience as an analyst as well as your obvious ties to my opponent give you enormous credibility with respect to this discovery.† Rachel felt a growing disillusionment. He wants to use me†¦ just like Pickering said he would! â€Å"That said,† Herney continued, â€Å"I would like to ask that you endorse this discovery personally, for the record, as my White House intelligence liaison†¦ and as the daughter of my opponent.† There it was. On the table. Herney wants me to endorse. Rachel really had thought Zach Herney was above this kind of spiteful politics. A public endorsement from Rachel would immediately make the meteorite a personal issue for her father, leaving the senator unable to attack the discovery's credibility without attacking the credibility of his own daughter-a death sentence for a â€Å"families first† candidate. â€Å"Frankly, sir,† Rachel said, looking into the monitor, â€Å"I'm stunned you would ask me to do that.† The President looked taken aback. â€Å"I thought you would be excited to help out.† â€Å"Excited? Sir, my differences with my father aside, this request puts me in an impossible position. I have enough problems with my father without going head-to-head with him in some kind of public death match. Despite my admitted dislike of the man, he is my father, and pitting me against him in a public forum frankly seems beneath you.† â€Å"Hold on!† Herney waved his hands in surrender. â€Å"Who said anything about a public forum?† Rachel paused. â€Å"I assume you'd like me to join the administrator of NASA on the podium for the eight o'clock press conference.† Herney's guffaw boomed in the audio speakers. â€Å"Rachel, what kind of man do you think I am? Do you really imagine I'd ask someone to stab her father in the back on national television?† â€Å"But, you said-â€Å" â€Å"And do you think I would make the NASA administrator share the limelight with the daughter of his arch enemy? Not to burst your bubble, Rachel, but this press conference is a scientific presentation. I'm not sure your knowledge of meteorites, fossils, or ice structures would lend the event much credibility.† Rachel felt herself flush. â€Å"But then†¦ what endorsement did you have in mind?† â€Å"One more appropriate to your position.† â€Å"Sir?† â€Å"You are my White House intelligence liaison. You brief my staff on issues of national importance.† â€Å"You want me to endorse this for your staff?† Herney still looked amused by the misunderstanding. â€Å"Yes, I do. The skepticism I'll face outside the White House is nothing compared to what I'm facing from my staff right now. We're in the midst of a full-scale mutiny here. My credibility in-house is shot. My staff has begged me to cut back NASA funding. I've ignored them, and it's been political suicide.† â€Å"Until now.† â€Å"Exactly. As we discussed this morning, this discovery's timing will seem suspect to political cynics, and nobody's as cynical as my staff is at the moment. Therefore, when they hear this information for the first time, I want it to come from-â€Å" â€Å"You haven't told your staff about the meteorite?† â€Å"Only a few top advisers. Keeping this discovery a secret has been a top priority.† Rachel was stunned. No wonder he's facing a mutiny. â€Å"But this is not my usual area. A meteorite could hardly be considered an intelligence-related gist.† â€Å"Not in the traditional sense, but it certainly has all the elements of your usual work-complex data that needs to be distilled, substantial political ramifications-â€Å" â€Å"I am not a meteorite specialist, sir. Shouldn't your staff be briefed by the administrator of NASA?† â€Å"Are you kidding? Everyone here hates him. As far as my staff is concerned, Ekstrom is the snake-oil salesman who has lured me into bad deal after bad deal.† Rachel could see the point. â€Å"How about Corky Marlinson? The National Medal in Astrophysics? He's got far more credibility than I do.† â€Å"My staff is made up of politicians, Rachel, not scientists. You've met Dr. Marlinson. I think he's terrific, but if I let an astrophysicist loose on my team of left-brain, think-inside-the-box intellectuals, I'll end up with a herd of deer in the headlights. I need someone accessible. You're the one, Rachel. My staff knows your work, and considering your family name, you're about as unbiased a spokesperson as my staff could hope to hear from.† Rachel felt herself being pulled in by the President's affable style. â€Å"At least you admit my being the daughter of your opponent has something to do with your request.† The President gave a sheepish chuckle. â€Å"Of course it does. But, as you can imagine, my staff will be briefed one way or another, no matter what you decide. You are not the cake, Rachel, you are simply the icing. You are the individual most qualified to do this briefing, and you also happen to be a close relative of the man who wants to kick my staff out of the White House next term. You've got credibility on two accounts.† â€Å"You should be in sales.† â€Å"As a matter of fact, I am. As is your father. And to be honest, I'd like to close a deal for a change.† The President removed his glasses and looked into Rachel's eyes. She felt a touch of her father's power in him. â€Å"I am asking you as a favor, Rachel, and also because I believe it is part of your job. So which is it? Yes or no? Will you brief my staff on this matter?† Rachel felt trapped inside the tiny PSC trailer. Nothing like the hard sell. Even from three thousand miles away, Rachel could feel the strength of his will pressing through the video screen. She also knew this was a perfectly reasonable request, whether she liked it or not. â€Å"I'd have conditions,† Rachel said. Herney arched his eyebrows. â€Å"Being?† â€Å"I meet your staff in private. No reporters. This is a private briefing, not a public endorsement.† â€Å"You have my word. Your meeting is already slated for a very private location.† Rachel sighed. â€Å"All right then.† The President beamed. â€Å"Excellent.† Rachel checked her watch, surprised to see it was already a little past four o'clock. â€Å"Hold on,† she said, puzzled, â€Å"if you're going live at eight P.M., we don't have time. Even in that vile contraption you sent me up here in, I couldn't get back to the White House for another couple of hours at the very fastest. I'd have to prepare my remarks and-â€Å"