Bad Credit Cards

Some Americans have been under the impression that credit cards are a valuable financial tool because credit cards give them leverage with their credit scores and also can make it possible to purchase and do things they may not otherwise be able to do. Even though this may be true for some this is not always the case. Credit cards are harmful not only to the American people’s finances but also the economy. Credit cards are the number one reason for personal debt and bankruptcy in America today because of little or no understanding of interest rates and the false sense of security that owning multiple cards gives. Most Americans have the desire for a more convenient lifestyle and credit card companies make it so easy to obtain their cards that it has become a trend in America for most families to have at least five or more credit cards per household. The high importance society has placed on establishing credit has started to open Americans’ eyes on how credit card use has impacted their pockets financially as well as the pockets of the top three major credit bureaus. It is no secret that without credit cards it is almost impossible for Americans to obtain certain items like reserving hotel rooms, renting a car and, purchasing airline tickets. Americans have been sucked into the policies of the credit card companies. The tops three credit bureaus, Transunion, Experian and Equifax all exist because of the requirements society places on developing credit. These bureaus have the power to determine how much credit a person has and if that person is entitled to receive any more credit. Credit bureaus determine whether a person gets a car, home, or business loan making it a necessity for the American consumer to attain credit stature by obtaining credit cards. In today’s society they are a must-have. Studies show that the United States households have received approximately 5. billion new credit card offers in 2009. This push from the credit card companies is pressuring Americans to place such a high importance on using credit cards that many Americans are not stopping to read and understand the contracts that they are signing. The shocking truth is that even if Americans were taking the time to read the contract, some would still not understand what the contract was actually saying. On average the United States credit card agreement is written at a 12 grade level, please note that most Americans who receive a high school diploma read at a ninth grade level even though they received 12 years of education. The toughest card agreement to read is from GTE Federal Credit Union. Their contract is set at 18. 5 reading level, which is the reading level equivalent of someone who has spent more than six years in college. The credit card companies have so many rules and hard to understand terms with their card contracts, that most Americans do not take the time to research and understand the rules; this causes debt and a large amount of it. Once the debt is there the credit bureaus are making money because Americans have to pay to check their credit score. Americans today have a strong desire for the simple lifestyle; credit cards give them the feeling that they are achieving this because of the ease of spending and false ideas of financial security. The sad truth is that credit cards are the leading cause of high debt and bankruptcy in America. Even, if someone does have good credit and are on time with the payment every month they pay high interest if the full balance is not paid in full each month, which most Americans cannot afford. Some Americans pay the minimal amount each month. This is the credit companies’ biggest snafu. The minimum payment is an interest-only payment and does not decrease the loan’s principal. If they would do the math they would see that it would take 180 years or more to pay off their credit card debt. That is an outrageous amount of time. The United States total revolving debt is $852. 6 billion as of March 2010, of which 98% is made up of credit card debt. The average credit card debt per household is $15,788. These statistics are far too high. This makes it easier to understand how debt is the number one reason Americans are suffering financially. The total bankruptcy filings in 2009 reached 1. million, which is up from the 1. 09 million that was recorded in 2008. Americans are so absorbed by the credit cards that a study was done in 2006 by the United States Census Bureau that determined there were nearly 1. 5 billion credit cards in use in America. A stack of all those cards would reach more than 70 miles into space and be almost as tall as 13 Mount Everest as reported by the New York Times on February 23, 2009. An important factor in credit card debt is the penalty fees Americans are receiving from card companies. In 2009 penalty fees added up to be 20. billion dollars according to R. K. Hammer, a consultant to the credit card industry. Aside from the vicious debt cycle, another issue with credit cards is fraud. In today’s culture, people are not finding the honest neighbors and trustworthy merchants, found in past generations. Now Americans have the World Wide Web or Internet, where consumers can buy almost anything they like with a couple clicks, and, of course, a Visa or MasterCard. This high speed Internet has given today’s thieves a high speed means to steal credit card information and turn a 780 credit score into a zero within minutes. In 2009 the number of identification fraud victims in the United States rose 12% to 11. 1 million, which is the highest level sense the Javelin survey began in 2003. All this fraud has Americans choosing their number one fear today not as terrorism, health viruses or personal safety; it is fraud that they fear and stress about the most. All this is taking a toll on Americans and slowly making them aware that not everyone is nice and trusting. Not just that, but it is killing the economy little by little. Americans are purchasing less because the fear of falling into debt or becoming a victim of fraud is becoming a very real scenario. In a recent report done by Consumer Report Magazine in November 2009 surveys showed that 21% of consumers said they were treated unfairly by credit card companies and 32% have paid off and closed their accounts. Half reported the reason for canceling the accounts was the card issuers hiking up their interest rates and imposing high account fees. Also in the report 45% of all consumers said they are using their cards less because they trust the credit card companies less. A Javelin study performed in 2009 showed credit card use has plummeted from 97% in 2007 to 72% in 2008, which is a 25% drop within over a year. All this debt and fraud is taking a toll on Americans and the economy, little by little Americans are purchasing less because the fear of credit card debt or becoming a victim of fraud is a very real life scenario. Americans are starting to slowly remember and realize that what was once borrowed must be paid back and that if they do not have the cash for it then perhaps they do not need it.

Shadow Kiss Chapter 11

Eleven WE STEPPED OFF THE plane and were immediately hit with wet, blustery weather. Sleet cracked into us, far worse than the flaky white stuff falling back in Montana. We were on the East Coast now, or well, close to it. The queen's court was in Pennsylvania, near the Pocono Mountains, a range I had only a vague idea about. I knew we weren't too close to any major cities, like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, which were the only ones I knew in the state. The runway we'd landed on was part of the Court's property, so we were already behind wards. It was just like the Academy's small landing strip. In fact, in many ways, the Royal Court was laid out exactly like the school. It was what they told humans the compound was, actually. The Court was a collection of buildings, beautiful and ornate, spreading across well-tended grounds adorned with trees and flowers. At least, the land would be adorned with them when spring came. Just like in Montana, the vegetation was bleak and leafless. We were met by a group of five guardians, all dressed in black pants and matching coats, with white shirts underneath. They weren't uniforms exactly, but custom usually dictated that for formal occasions, guardians wear some sort of nice ensemble. By comparison, in our jeans and T-shirts, our group looked like somebody's poor relations. Yet I couldn't help but think we'd be a lot more comfortable if it came to a fight with Strigoi. The guardians knew Alberta and Dimitri – honestly, those two knew everybody – and after some formalities, everyone relaxed and became friendly. We were all eager to get in out of the cold, and our escorts led us toward the buildings. I knew enough about the Court to know that the largest and most elaborate of the buildings was where all official Moroi business was conducted. It resembled some sort of gothic palace on the outside, but inside, I suspected it probably looked like any set of modern government offices you'd find among humans. We weren't taken there, however. We were led to an adjacent building, just as exquisite on the outside, but half the size. One of the guardians explained that this was where all guests and dignitaries traveling in and out of the Court stayed. To my surprise, we each got our own room. Eddie started to protest this, adamantly saying he needed to stay with Lissa. Dimitri smiled and told him it wasn't necessary. In a place like this, guardians didn't need to stay as close to their Moroi. In fact, they often separated to do their own things. The Court was as heavily warded as the Academy. And really, Moroi visitors at the Academy were rarely trailed so closely by their guardians either. It was only for the sake of the field experience that it was being done with us. Eddie agreed with some reluctance, and again, I was amazed at his dedication. Alberta spoke briefly and then turned to the rest of us. â€Å"Decompress for a bit and be ready for dinner in four hours. Lissa, the queen wants to see you in an hour.† A jolt of surprise ran through Lissa, and she and I exchanged brief, puzzled looks. The last time Lissa had seen the queen, Tatiana had snubbed her and embarrassed her in front of the school for having running away with me. Both of us wondered what she'd want to see Lissa about now. â€Å"Sure,† said Lissa. â€Å"Rose and I'll be ready.† Alberta shook her head. â€Å"Rose isn't going. The queen specifically asked for you alone.† Of course she had. What interest would the queen have in Vasilisa Dragomir's shadow? A nasty voice whispered in my head, Expendable, expendable†¦. The dark sentiment startled me, and I shoved it aside. I went to my room, relieved to see it had a TV. The thought of vegging for the next four hours sounded fantastic. The rest of the room was pretty fancy, very modern looking, with sleek black tables and white leather furniture. I was kind of afraid to sit on it. Ironically, despite how nice it all was, the place wasn't as decked out as the ski resort that we'd stay in over the holidays. I guessed when you came to the Royal Court, you came for business, not a vacation. I had just sprawled on the leather couch and turned on the TV when I felt Lissa in my mind. Come talk, she said. I sat up, surprised by the message itself and the content. Usually our bond was all about feelings and impressions. Specific requests like this were rare. I got up and left the room, going to the one next door. Lissa opened the door. â€Å"What, you couldn't have come to me?† I asked. â€Å"Sorry,† she said, looking like she genuinely meant it. It was hard to be grouchy around someone so nice. â€Å"I just didn't have the time. I'm trying to decide what to wear.† Her suitcase was already open on the bed, with things hung up in the closet. Unlike me, she'd come prepared for every occasion, formal and casual alike. I lay down on the couch. Hers was plush velvet, not leather. â€Å"Wear the print blouse with the black slacks,† I told her. â€Å"Not a dress.† â€Å"Why not a dress?† â€Å"Because you don't want to look like you're groveling.† â€Å"This is the queen, Rose. Dressing up is showing respect, not groveling.† â€Å"If you say so.† But Lissa wore the outfit I suggested anyway. She talked to me as she finished getting ready, and I watched with envy as she applied makeup. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed cosmetics myself. When she and I had lived with humans, I'd been pretty diligent about primping every day. Now, there never seemed to be enough time – or any reason. I was always in some kind of scuffle that made makeup pointless and ruined it anyway. The most I could do was to slather my face with moisturizer. It seemed excessive in the mornings – like I was putting on a mask – yet by the time I faced the cold weather and other harsh conditions, I was always surprised to see my skin had sucked all the moisture up. The smallest pang of regret shot through me that I'd rarely have any opportunities to do this for the rest of my life. Lissa would spend most of her days dressed up, out at royal functions. No one would notice me. It was weird, considering that until this last year, I'd always been the one who was always noticed. â€Å"Why do you think she wants to see me?† Lissa asked. â€Å"Maybe to explain why we're here.† â€Å"Maybe.† Unease filled Lissa, despite her calm exterior. She still hadn't entirely recovered from the queen's brutal humiliation last fall. My own petty jealousy and moping suddenly seemed stupid when compared with what she had to go through. I mentally slapped myself, reminding myself that I wasn't just her unseen guardian. I was also her best friend, and we hadn't talked very much lately. â€Å"You have nothing to be afraid of, Liss. You haven't done anything wrong. And really, you've been doing everything right. Your grades are perfect. Your behavior's perfect. Remember all those people you impressed on the ski trip? That bitch has nothing to get on you about.† â€Å"You shouldn't say that,† said Lissa automatically. She applied mascara to her eyelashes, studied them, and then added another coat. â€Å"Just call 'em like I see 'em. If she gives you any grief, then it's just going to be because she's afraid of you.† Lissa laughed. â€Å"Why would she be afraid of me?† â€Å"Because people are drawn to you, and people like her don't like it when others steal all the attention.† I was a bit astonished at how wise I sounded. â€Å"Plus, you're the last Dragomir. You're always going to be in the spotlight. Who's she? Just another Ivashkov. There are a ton of them. Probably because all the guys are like Adrian and have all sorts of illegitimate children.† â€Å"Adrian doesn't have any children.† â€Å"That we know of,† I said mysteriously. She snickered and stepped back from the mirror, pleased with her face. â€Å"Why are you always so mean to Adrian?† I gave her a look of mock astonishment. â€Å"You're standing up for Adrian now? Whatever happened to you warning me to stay away from him? You practically bit my head off the first time I hung out with him – and that wasn't even by my choice.† She took a thin golden chain out of her suitcase and tried to fasten it around her neck. â€Å"Well, yeah †¦ I didn't really know him then. He's not so bad. And it's true I mean, he's not a great role model or anything, but I also think some of those stories about him and other girls are exaggerated.† â€Å"I don't,† I said, jumping up. She still hadn't managed to fasten the chain, so I took it and put the clasp together for her. â€Å"Thanks,† she said, running her hands over the necklace. â€Å"I think Adrian really likes you. Like, in a wanting-to-be-serious way.† I shook my head and stepped back. â€Å"Nope. He likes me in a wanting-to-get-the-clothes-off-the-cute-dhampir way.† â€Å"I don't believe that.† â€Å"That's because you believe the best about everyone.† She looked skeptical as she began brushing her hair smooth over her shoulders. â€Å"I don't know about that either. But I do think he's not as bad as you think. I know it hasn't been that long since Mason, but you should think about going out with someone else†¦.† â€Å"Wear your hair up.† I handed her a barrette from her suitcase. â€Å"Mason and I were never really going out. You know that.† â€Å"Yeah. Well, I guess that's more reason to start thinking about dating someone. High school's not over yet. Seems like you should be doing something fun.† Fun. It was ironic. Months ago, I'd argued with Dimitri about how it wasn't fair that, as a guardian-in-training, I had to watch my reputation and not act too crazy. He'd agreed it wasn't fair that I couldn't do the kinds of things other girls my age could, but that that was the price I paid for my future. I'd been upset, but after Victor's meddling, I started to see Dimitri's point – to such an extent that he'd actually hinted I shouldn't try to limit myself that much. Now, after Spokane, I felt like a completely different girl from the one who'd talked to Dimitri last fall about having fun. I was only a couple months from graduation. High school things†¦dances†¦boyfriends†¦what did they matter in the grand scheme of things? Everything at the Academy seemed so trivial – unless it was making me a better guardian. â€Å"I don't really think I need a boyfriend to complete my high school experience,† I told her. â€Å"I don't think you do either,† she agreed, tugging her ponytail straight. â€Å"But you used to flirt and go out sometimes. I feel like it'd just be nice for you to do a little of that. It's not like you'd have to have anything serious with Adrian.† â€Å"Well, you won't get any arguments from him on that. I think the last thing he wants is anything serious, that's the problem.† â€Å"Well, according to some of the stories, he's very serious. I heard the other day that you were engaged. Someone else said that he'd been disowned because he told his dad he'd never love anyone else.† â€Å"Ahhhh.† There was really no other adequate response to all these silly rumors. â€Å"The creepy thing is that the same stories are all over the place at the elementary campus too.† I stared at the ceiling. â€Å"Why does this stuff keep happening to me?† She walked over to the couch and looked down at me. â€Å"Because you're awesome, and everyone loves you.† â€Å"Nah. You're the one everyone loves.† â€Å"Well, then, I guess we're both awesome and loveable. And one of these days† – a mischievous sparkle danced in her eyes – â€Å"we'll find a guy you love back.† â€Å"Don't hold your breath. None of that matters. Not right now. You're the one I've got to worry about. We're going to graduate, and you'll go off to college, and it'll be great. No more rules, just us on our own.† â€Å"It's a little scary,† she mused. â€Å"Thinking about being on my own. But you'll be with me. And Dimitri too.† She sighed. â€Å"I can't imagine not having you around. I can't even really remember when you weren't around.† I sat up and gave her a light punch in her arm. â€Å"Hey, be careful. You're going to make Christian jealous. Oh crap. I suppose he's going to be around too, huh? No matter where we end up going?† â€Å"Probably. You, me, him, Dimitri, and any guardians Christian gets. One big happy family.† I scoffed, but inside of me, there was a warm fuzzy feeling building. Things were crazy in our world right now, but I had all these great people in my life. As long as we were all together, everything would be okay. She looked at the clock, and her fear returned. â€Å"I've gotta go. Will you †¦ will you go with me?† â€Å"You know I can't.† â€Å"I know†¦ not in body†¦ but like, will you do that thing? Where you're watching in my head? It'll make me feel like I'm not alone.† It was the first time Lissa had ever asked me to purposely do that. Normally, she hated the thought of me seeing through her eyes. It was a sign of how nervous she really was. â€Å"Sure,† I said. â€Å"It's probably better than anything on TV anyway.† I returned to my own room, taking up an identical position on the couch. Clearing my thoughts, I opened myself up to Lissa's mind, going beyond simply knowing her feelings. It was something the shadow-kissed bond allowed me to do and was the most intense part of our connection. It wasn't just feeling her thoughts – it was actually being inside of her, looking through her eyes and sharing her experiences. I'd learned to control it only recently. I used to slip in without wanting to, much as I sometimes couldn't keep her feelings out. I could control my out-of-body experiences now and even summon up the phenomenon at will – just like I was about to do. Lissa had just reached the parlor the queen was waiting in. Moroi might use terms like â€Å"royal† and even kneel sometimes, but there were no thrones or anything like that here. Tatiana sat in an ordinary armchair, dressed in a navy blue skirt and blazer, looking more like a corporate businesswoman than any sort of monarch. She wasn't alone, either. A tall, stately Moroi whose blond hair was laced with silver sat near her. I recognized her: Priscilla Voda, the queen's friend and adviser. We'd met her on the ski trip, and she'd been impressed with Lissa. I took her presence as a good sign. Silent guardians, dressed in black and white, stood along the wall. To my astonishment, Adrian was there too. He reclined on a small love seat, seeming completely oblivious to the fact that he was hanging out with the Moroi's ultimate leader. The guardian with Lissa announced her. â€Å"Princess Vasilisa Dragomir.† Tatiana nodded in acknowledgment. â€Å"Welcome, Vasilisa. Please sit down.† Lissa sat down near Adrian, her apprehension growing by leaps and bounds. A Moroi servant came by and offered tea or coffee, but Lissa declined. Tatiana meanwhile sipped from a teacup and scrutinized Lissa from head to toe. Priscilla Voda broke the awkward silence. â€Å"Remember what I said about her?† Priscilla asked cheerfully. â€Å"She was very impressive at our state dinner in Idaho. Settled a huge spat over Moroi fighting with guardians. She even managed to calm Adrian's father down.† A frosty smile crossed Tatiana's cold features. â€Å"That is impressive. Half the time, I still feel like Nathan is twelve years old.† â€Å"Me too,† said Adrian, drinking from a wine glass. Tatiana ignored him and again focused on Lissa. â€Å"Everyone seems impressed with you, really. I hear nothing but good things about you, in spite of your past transgressions †¦ which I'm given to understand weren't entirely without their reasons.† Lissa's look of surprise actually made the queen laugh. There wasn't much warmth or humor in the laugh, though. â€Å"Yes, yes †¦ I know all about your powers, and of course I know what happened with Victor. Adrian's been filling me in about spirit as well. It's so strange. Tell me †¦ can you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She glanced to a nearby table. A flowerpot sat on it, dark green shoots sticking through the soil. It was some kind of bulb-based plant that someone was growing indoors. Like its outside counterparts, it was waiting for spring. Lissa hesitated. Using her powers in front of others was a strange thing for her. But, Tatiana was watching expectantly. After only a few moments more, Lissa leaned over and touched the shoots. The stems shot up through the dirt, growing taller – almost a foot high. Huge pods formed along the sides as it grew, bursting open to reveal fragrant white flowers. Easter lilies. Lissa withdrew her hand. Wonder showed on Tatiana's face, and she muttered something in a language I didn't understand. She hadn't been born in the United States but had chosen to hold her Court here. She spoke with no accent, but, as they did for Dimitri, moments of surprise apparently brought out her native tongue. Within seconds, she put her stately mask back on. â€Å"Hmm. Interesting,† she said. Talk about an understatement. â€Å"It could be very useful,† said Priscilla. â€Å"Vasilisa and Adrian can't be the only two out there with it. If we could find others, so much could be learned. The healing itself is a gift, let alone anything else they can conjure. Just think what we could do with it.† Lissa turned optimistic. For a while, she'd been going out of her way to find others like her. Adrian had been the only one she'd discovered, and that had been through sheer luck. If the queen and Moroi council put their resources into it, there was no telling what they might find. Yet something about Priscilla's words troubled Lissa. â€Å"Begging your pardon, Princess Voda†¦I'm not sure we should be so eager to use my – or others' – healing powers as much as you might want to.† â€Å"Why not?† asked Tatiana. â€Å"From what I understand, you can heal almost anything.† â€Å"I can†¦Ã¢â‚¬  said Lissa slowly. â€Å"And I want to. I wish I could help everybody, but I can't. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'll definitely help some people. But I know we'd run into other people like Victor, who want to abuse it. And after a while †¦ I mean, how do you choose? Who gets to live? Part of life is that†¦well, some people have to die. My powers aren't a prescription you can get filled as needed, and honestly, I'm afraid they would only be used for, uh, certain kinds of people. Just like the guardians are.† A slight tension built in the room. What Lissa had insinuated was rarely ever mentioned in public. â€Å"What are you talking about?† asked Tatiana with narrowed eyes. I could tell she already knew. Lissa was scared to say her next words, but she did it anyway. â€Å"Everyone knows that there's a certain, um, method to how guardians are distributed. Only the elite get them. Royals. Rich people. People in power.† A chill fell over the room. Tatiana's mouth settled into a straight line. She didn't speak for several moments, and I had a feeling everyone else was holding their breath. I certainly was. â€Å"You don't think our royals deserve special protection?† she asked finally. â€Å"You don't think you do – the last of the Dragomirs?† â€Å"I think keeping our leaders safe is important, yeah. But I also think we need to stop sometimes and look at what we're doing. It could be time to reconsider the way we've always done things.† Lissa sounded so wise and so self-assured. I was proud of her. Watching Priscilla Voda, I could see that she was proud too. She'd liked Lissa from the beginning. But I could also tell that Priscilla was nervous. She answered to the queen and knew that Lissa was swimming in dangerous waters. Tatiana sipped her tea. I think it was an excuse to gather her thoughts. â€Å"I understand,† she said, â€Å"that you're also in favor of Moroi fighting with the guardians and attacking Strigoi?† Another dangerous topic, one Lissa pushed forward into. â€Å"I think if there are Moroi who want to, they shouldn't be denied the chance.† Jill suddenly popped into my head. â€Å"Moroi lives are precious,† said the queen. â€Å"They shouldn't be risked.† â€Å"Dhampir lives are precious too,† Lissa countered. â€Å"If they fight with Moroi, it could save everybody. And again, if Moroi are willing, why deny them? They deserve to know how to defend themselves. And people like Tasha Ozera have developed ways of fighting with magic.† The mention of Christian's aunt brought a frown to the queen's face. Tasha had been attacked by Strigoi when younger and had spent the rest of her life learning to fight back. â€Å"Tasha Ozera †¦ she's a troublemaker. She's starting to gather a lot of other troublemakers.† â€Å"She's trying to introduce new ideas.† I noticed then that Lissa wasn't afraid any longer. She was confident in her beliefs and wanted them expressed. â€Å"Throughout history, people with new ideas – who think differently and try to change things – have always been called troublemakers. But seriously? Do you want the truth?† A wry look crossed Tatiana's face, almost a smile. â€Å"Always.† â€Å"We need change. I mean, our traditions are important. We shouldn't give up on those. But sometimes, I think we're misguided.† â€Å"Misguided?† â€Å"As time's gone on, we've gone along with other changes. We've evolved. Computers. Electricity. Technology in general. We all agree those make our lives better. Why can't we be the same in the way we act? Why are we still clinging to the past when there are better ways to do things?† Lissa was breathless, worked up and excited. Her cheeks felt warm, and her heart raced. All of us were watching Tatiana, searching for any clue in that stony face. â€Å"You're very interesting to talk to,† she finally said. She made interesting sound like a dirty word. â€Å"But I have things I must do now.† She stood up, and everyone hastily followed suit, even Adrian. â€Å"I won't be joining you for dinner, but you and your companions will have everything you need. I'll see you tomorrow at the trial. No matter how radical and naively idealistic your ideas are, I'm glad you'll be there to complete his sentencing. His imprisonment, at least, is something we can all agree on.† Tatiana swept out, two guardians immediately following. Priscilla followed too, leaving Lissa and Adrian alone. â€Å"Well done, cousin. Aren't many people who can throw the old lady off-balance like that.† â€Å"She didn't seem very off-balance.† â€Å"Oh, she was. Believe me. Most of the people she deals with every day wouldn't talk to her like that, let alone someone your age.† He stood up and extended a hand to Lissa. â€Å"Come on. I'll show you around this place. Take your mind off things.† â€Å"I've been here before,† she said. â€Å"When I was younger.† â€Å"Yeah, well, the things we get to see when we're young are different than the things we get to see when we're older. Did you know there's a twenty-four-hour bar in here? We'll get you a drink.† â€Å"I don't want a drink.† â€Å"You will before this trip's over.† I left Lissa's head and returned to my room. The meeting with the queen was over, and Lissa didn't need my unseen support. Besides, I really didn't want to hang out with Adrian right now. Sitting up, I discovered I felt surprisingly alert. Being in her head had kind of been like taking a nap. I decided to do a little exploring of my own. I'd never been to the Royal Court. It really was supposed to be like a mini-town, and I wondered what other things there were to see, aside from the bar that Adrian probably lived in while visiting. I headed downstairs, figuring I'd have to go outside. As far as I knew, this building only held guestrooms. It was kind of like the palace's hotel. When I got to the entryway, however, I saw Christian and Eddie standing and talking with someone I couldn't see. Eddie, ever vigilant, saw me and grinned. â€Å"Hey, Rose. Look who we found.† As I approached, Christian stepped aside, revealing the mystery person. I came to a halt, and she grinned at me. â€Å"Hi, Rose.† A moment later, I felt a smile slowly creep over my face. â€Å"Hello, Mia.†

Three things I learned from Wong Filmore article Assignment

Three things I learned from Wong Filmore article - Assignment Example The modern community is very multivarious. The most part of all conflicting points in our education is the result of such many-sidedness. Young children, who go to school, have different habits, beliefs, languages, because they belong to different countries with different conditions. If disparate students are in one classroom and have the same lesson, the teacher may tangle in this many-sidedness (Fillmore & Show, 2000). The article is very informative the following conclusions can be made: (1) our community wants teachers to prepare students to all difficulties they can face in their lives, to university education, to job challenges; (2) teachers need many different skills to get through this problem; (3) today it is not enough to have usual classical plans for classes. Other ways of teaching and learning are needed in order to satisfy the needs of the students, which appeared after the globalization brought the corresponding changes. Only novelties can help resolve the controversial issues connected with teaching and learning

Course work Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Course work - Coursework Example Josies firm practices ________ marketing. 24) Some fast-food restaurants offer tasty and convenient food at affordable prices, but in doing so they contribute to the national obesity epidemic and environmental problems. These fast-food restaurants overlook the ________ concept. 25) ________ marketing is socially and environmentally responsible marketing that meets the present needs of consumers and businesses while also preserving or enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. 28) Nickson released a new range of watches that were titled after the famous mountaineer Adam Wills. These new watches were promoted through claims that the design is a favorite of Adam Wills who used a similar watch designed by Nickson for its high durability and quality on his expeditions. Such a measure to entice customers to buy ones products aims at creating ________. 30) Ryan attempts to deliver customer satisfaction every day in his installation business, Audio Expressions. The key to achieving this goal is to match the customer-perceived performance of his product with ________ Marketing is more of a social and managerial process through which either individuals or groups of people get what they want or need by producing and exchanging products and value with others; than just â€Å"telling and selling. It is a technique of combining products produced or services offered with value, satisfaction, quality, availability, price and needs, wants and demands from customers while pursuing the firm’s objectives (Kotler and Gray, 2009, p. 281). Consequently, marketing can be defined as management of markets in such a way that brings about exchanges whose aim is satisfying both customers’ needs and wants. Therefore, it is not just the act of telling and selling of products or services, but, a way of making people understand the product will give them solutions to their utility level, promoting as a way of creating

Truth, Jacobs or Tubman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Truth, Jacobs or Tubman - Essay Example Her firm faith in God is the major force that helped her reach spiritual heights winning many friends and admirers among the noblest and the best of the dominant race. Her mother’s teaching had a profound effect on her. It sowed the seeds of tolerance, strong ethical attitude and a deep faith in God. As a child she was told that God lives in the sky and whenever she was beaten, or cruelly treated, she was guided to seek the help of Him1, who will always hear and help her. Her mother taught her children to kneel and say the Lord’s Prayer. They were entreated to refrain from lying and stealing, and were trained to obey their masters. She had a revelation that there was no place where God was not. She considered it a sin to forget her Almighty friend who is ever present to help her in times of trouble. She plainly saw there was no place, not even in hell, where he was not. She was awe struck at his bigness and it frightened her. At the same time she became aware of her and wanted to talk with God. But she was terrified by that idea as He may extinguish her with his look. She felt she badly needed a spokesperson to represent her case to God. But who would plead for her without letting God know that it had come from her? She saw a bright vision getting into a distinct form beaming with the beauty of holiness and radiant love. She was confused. The figure in vision was intimate to her, yet it was not so familiar. Her mind was restless like the agitated waters in the sea. Her heart was haunted with the question who he is. The vision got more and more distinct. She realized it was Jesus. Jesus appeared to her in the form of vision. In the beginning, Jesus appeared as a savior and like any other eminent man who is very loving and good. She says she believes Jesus is the same spirit that was in our first parents, Adam and Eve, in the beginning, when they came from the hand of their Creator. According to Painter, Truth refashioned

Assisted suicide Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Assisted suicide - Research Paper Example In physician-assisted suicide, the physician prescribes the lethal dose, knowing the patient intends to end their life. The argument in favor of euthanasia usually justifies itself by citing compassion for the pain and suffering of terminally ill or respect for â€Å"patient autonomy.† (Hendin, 2004). The online Medical Dictionary defines â€Å"patient autonomy† as: â€Å"Patient Autonomy: The right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their health care provider trying to influence the decision. Patient autonomy does allow for health care providers to educate the patient but does not allow the health care provider to make the decision for the patient.† These two bases are often made ineffective. The physician may have the best intentions in their heart for the patient and yet harm the patient unknowingly. And on the other side, patient autonomy is useless if the patients are not made aware of the options available to them by a physician who is trained to do so. Although it might be true that the concerned physician is indeed compassionate to his or her patient’s needs, it is also possible that the physician does not know best. It has often been seen that due to lack of experience or skill, the physician has misdiagnosed the patient’s illness and perhaps sent someone who could have been cured to his or her death. This argument is meant to be an assertion of the patient’s right to choose death over life. But can any member of society, one who is inextricably connected to other members of the society, really be allowed to exercise their freedom of choice in any manner they choose? If that was true, it would be completely acceptable for us to say, murder our neighbor just because we chose to. In its favor, Peter Rogatz in â€Å"The Positive Virtues of Physician-Assisted Suicide† states that human dignity is often at stake for patients. Even if they are not terminally ill or are not suffering from

Interview Summary with Xiaochu of BenMo PR Essay

Interview Summary with Xiaochu of BenMo PR - Essay Example She denied the college life keeping her eye on the future needs which demanded her to â€Å"get her life started and going as soon as possible†. Her finance needs led her to the modeling area and bartending but soon her creativity persuaded her on starting her own blogs on the internet and she captured the attention of huge followings quickly. Xiaoxhu maintained her double identity i.e. her real-life identity and her virtual identity in all this time period. However, she was quite successful in maintaining her reputation under both identities. In the virtual world, she was named as the best blogger in four of the prevailing web networks, Sina, Sohu, Xici, and Tianya. She was voted as the Beauty Blogger in both Tianya and Sohu and was elected to be the â€Å"basketball babe† for the 2008 Beijing Olympics website. On the other hand, her real life activities involved her service as an editor for a local Shanghai magazine and she was also on the organizing committee for the 57th World Beauty Pagent. This illuminates her ambition of not accepting the life and circumstances as they are but to develop her career and achieve her ultimate aim of being a successful person. The goal of such hardworking and ambitious people is sometimes to achieve comforts of life, wealth or some other kind of financial benefit. However, Xiaoxhu â€Å"never saw money as the main goal.† She further illuminates this idea by asserting that â€Å"even at the beginning money was just something to put food in my mouth and a roof over my head.† This clearly shows that her aims were not limited to grabbing money and leaving this world without being seen or noticed by others. Her aim was to capture the general public and make her name known to them in good words. Her success was accompanied by the achievement of her goals in her own distinct way of attracting public, specifically general public. In support of her

Multiculturalism in America and Its Impact on the American Identity Essay - 2

Multiculturalism in America and Its Impact on the American Identity - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that America is a multicultural society, where different cultures coexist alongside each other. Multiculturalism started as a movement at the end of the 19th century in the United States and Europe. The mass immigration of southern and eastern Europeans and Latin Americans were the driving forces behind it. The genesis of multiculturalism was the concept of cultural pluralism. The different features of different cultures often combine and incorporate. In this way, a cultural blend is formed which creates an environment of tolerance and respect for each other. In a multicultural society, individuals have the freedom to practice their own religion, follow their own dressing code, to eat what they want and participate in cultural practices despite its variance from the mainstream cultural norms. Since the first half of the 19th century, United States has witnessed a constant mass immigration. These immigrants have played a pivotal role in shapin g the cultural landscape of America. The immigrants having their own values, beliefs and attitudes, created their own perception of the adopted home. The passing of these beliefs and attitudes to their children, made them experience not only the cultural practices of their parents but also those followed by the wider society. The effect that it creates, is a more tolerant and open-minded society. In a globalized world, ideas such as isolation and discrimination are not acknowledged anymore. Multiculturalism fosters the idea of inclusiveness, where the society is vibrant and open to change. The different individuals bring their own experiences, tastes, and flavors thus making the society diverse and rich. Cultural tends to conflict create conflict, which creates divisions within a nation. Multiculturalism, on the other hand, strengthens the nation due to its cohesive nature.

Placement report Essay Example for Free

Placement report Essay N.V. Elmar (Naamloze Vennootschap Electriciteit-Maatschappij Aruba) is in charge of providing electricity in Aruba. Formerly, the company’s name is N.V. ELECTRA founded by Mr. John G. Eman in 1950. After his death, his wife Mrs. F. van der Biest-Eman took over his place and continued the company’s operation. In November 9, 1950, N.V. ELECTRA discusses with Parliament the dealings of providing electricity in Aruba at the public’s interest. Under this discourse, the company had experienced several issues. ELECTRA then becomes a government property after the approving the proposal. Within the proposal, the company specifies itself to be under the control of OGEM N.V. located at the city of Rotterdam, Holland. Its first operation in November 15, 1950, N.V. Elmar has the capacity of 3000 KW with three diesel engines and eventually increased in 1958 buying a power station with a capacity of 15,000 KW. However, in 1982, OGEM experienced bankruptcy and decided to sell its shares of N.V. Elmar to Utilities Aruba N.V. owned by the government. Now, the company proudly states of its financial stability and management under the limits of concession (elmar.aw, 2004). Now, Elmar has a number of 163 employees and approximately 33,000 consumers on the island of Aruba. Island of Aruba   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Serviced by the N.V. Elmar, Aruba is a Carribean island 24 km west coast of Venezuela. Of the three Dutch Islands, Aruba is the smallest having an area of 194 km2 with eight regions, namely, Noord / Tanki Leendert, Oranjestad (West), Oranjestad (East), Paradera, Santa Cruz, Savaneta, Sint Nicolas (North) and Sint Nicolas (South). The official language used is Dutch, particularly in education, mass media and civil service. Another language, is Papiamento, second to English as the main language in the island. The population also speaks of Spanish, a prevalent language in upper grades of primary schools (Elmar, 2006). Role in the Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because I hold a position in the Human Resources Department, most of my concerns are on employee benefits, recruitment and other employee related issue. Six months in N.V. Elmar has undoubtedly reached my capacity as an employee in the Human Resources Department. Two of their projects for employees, health and wellness program and monetary rewards will be discussed as the main concept of this report. Methodology Research Design   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elmar, like any other company, has major concerns on their employees. To address, this, the company initiated a corporate Health and Wellness program. In this program, the awareness of employees on health related issues and quality of life are substantially relayed. The company has outlined the procedures by giving employees education and promotion on health programs, and orientation and coordination of health assistance. Primarily, it is important to know what the general health status in the island is. Some of the researches made convey of obesity as the primary contributor to life-limiting illnesses in Aruba. The reasons for a high rate in the island are the decreased deprivation of food and a sedentary lifestyle. Aruba is a developed country and in most studies, countries in this state have high incidences of obesity especially on families with lower household income. Often, the quality of food is overlooked wherein buying foods high in calorie and fat is rampant. In a survey conducted in 1991-1992, 67% of the Aruba population is overweight. Moreover, this finding affects both sexes. Next study was conducted in 1995 to 1996 showing the nutritional state of first up to fifth grade overweight. Approximately, 13.4 to 14% of the first graders are overweight and 26.1 to 29.4% of the fifth graders experience obesity. A more recent study in 2004 by Dr. Richard Visser stated that of the 367 children studied, 133 were obese, the number of underweight children is 18, and the remaining 216 were healthy. Significantly, Visser found out that one factor of the growing population concerning obesity in oner population is the unawareness and disregard as a public concern. Hence, attention such treatment and proper education about being obese is insufficient.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Monetary and Non-Monetary rewards are essential for performance improvement of employees. Though we may see that vision, mission, and goals would be enough motivating entities in employee performance, still, these direct costs will provide a meaningful and prosperous stay in the company. In the monetary rewards, as the name implies, more of salary additions are being worked upon while the non-monetary rewards focus on recognizing the employee capability on work and other areas. Elmar Company has an incentives and rewards system, wherein it compensates, reinforces, and encourage enhancement of employee duties. In these types, providing incentives and rewards may focus on team or individual distribution. Moreover, the essentiality of these programs for employee performance, will direct work efforts in advantage to the mission, vision and goals of the company. Incentives and rewards are given to teams, organizations, or individuals in the company that exceed the company’s expectations. Procedures   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elmar company has outlined its goals and objectives in preparing the health and wellness programs. In this way, the company will properly monitor how the program is advancing towards the organization’s benefits. The company’s concern for its employees marks the unity of the two in a system of social relations. Upon noting the principles held by the company in this program, the statement now implies that there is the importance for maintenance, prevention, and promotion of health status of employees.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The vision of the company in pursuing this project is to develop an advanced and efficient program for the health and wellness of the company. Conceptual perceptions about this vision are: Corporate health and wellness means work with the employees of Elmar. Corporate health and wellness underlines the positive dimensions of health. Corporate health and wellness has to involve different groups, organizations and institutions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Subsequently, the company has marked the strategic and operational objectives for this program. Strategic objectives cover the expected results upon reinforcement of the program while the operational objective sees how the actual procedure must perform on the employees. The following are the strategic objectives: To reduce medical costs and disability costs: many companies have found that they can significantly reduce the cost of employee health care benefits by proactively promoting health, safety and wellness. To reduce absenteeism: numerous studies have found that employee wellness programs can significantly reduce employee absenteeism. To enhance productivity: many studies have linked health risks with reduced employee productivity and have found that healthier workers are more productive. To improve general health and well being. (Corporate Health and Wellness Program, 2006: 12) While these are the operational objectives: Structure and develop corporate health and wellness programs and activities according to priorities established. These programs c.q. activities are directed to the individual employee, Elmar as an organization and the community of Aruba. Establish and reinforce collaborative relations with organizations in the community, government, and NGO’s, related to the development of specific projects in corporate health and wellness. Generate an employee data bank related to the risk factors in health and wellness that can be used to generate assistance, prevention and education programs. Develop educational activities for the employees that can reinforce the actions of promotion in corporate health and wellness. (Corporate Health and Wellness Program, 2006: 12).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To start the program, first, the company must identify which are the employee needs prior to implementing operational objectives. In order to have an appropriate amount of data, the company will have to conduct as survey amongst its employees, invite an organization that will manage the physical examination among employees and facilitate education about eating healthy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The monetary and non-monetary programs will take effect on employee’s performance level. Generally, it enhances the performance to satisfy or exceed the objectives. Examples of Monetary incentives are: Performance awards – monetary incentives that reward employees upon performance that exceeds the expectation of the company. Observation of giving this award is through formal performance ratings of record on the appraisal period. Special act or service awards – one-time awards like lump sum for employees that had done a specific task from performance. Judgment in this kind of award comes from the first line supervisors. Quality Step increases – gives employees faster than normal progression by facilitating stepped rates and a permanent increase in basic pay. Time Off awards – granting employees leave without charging their annual leave. Gain Sharing – a system, wherein both the company and the employee gain improved productivity. In this system, the company measures the productivity of employees, which in turn gives additional income to the company, then, the employees and involved organization will benefit through associated earnings of the company.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Non-monetary incentives may be tangible or incentives that have more bases on rewards like trophies, medals, certificates, and plaques. Moreover, this kind of incentive may take an intangible position, for example, if an employee has exceeded the expectation of the company, the organization may include training opportunities and assignment of employees to a more meaningful, challenging, and prestigious kind of work. Even though these incentives may not have much value directly on budget, some studies have shown that this becomes more important as motivating factors for employee performance. The Report SWOT Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SWOT (which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) is a type of management observation on the overall performance of an organization. This method is often used on businesses because results can be easily transformed in other business philosophy like Porter’s five forces. Generally, the SWOT analysis has effect on overall evaluation when one factor has a cited defect or disadvantage. The strengths and weaknesses are the internal factors while the external factors are the opportunities and threats (marketingteacher.com, 2007). Strengths The strengths of the health and wellness program are in aspects of giving educational awareness to employees considering health problems, disease prevention, and health status. Hence, employee performance may increase. Moreover, productivity may increase because of reduced absenteeism, medical insurance policies, and cost effective strategies. The strengths of monetary and non-monetary incentives take effect on employee and company relationship. Employees regard much of their work because of these rewards, which in turn will not only increase productivity but also enhance the quality of products and services as well. In addition, if properly examined, is the preservation and maintenance of employees with exceptional skills and abilities. Weaknesses Apparently, the weaknesses of health and wellness programs are the appropriate participation of employees particularly in health awareness programs. The individual may listen to these lectures but do not apply them in real life. One weakness of incentives is on the monetary rewards. Generally, monetary rewards have the â€Å"amounts† in order to make employee performance more successful and productive. However, some employees may look at incentive as the central mark of their performance rather than cling on the vision and mission of the organization. In addition, not all employees may non-monetary rewards as a moral perspective, because some employees may develop envy among their co-workers if abundantly present in most of the incentive policies. Opportunities A big opportunity for health and wellness program is to widen the controlled areas in health provisions such as insurance policies and discounts on medical services. The company may also generate proper motivation of these programs when medical specialists are very much involved with the program. There should always be continuity with this kind of program because health is a very essential to an individual. In monetary incentives and non-monetary incentives, monitoring units for choosing which of the employees will gain the award should have a regard. In this way, proper evaluation of the programs will provide trust to employees that the awardees deserve. Hence, envy will not have its place in the organization. Threats The health and wellness program should look unto costs prevalently diverse in most health programs like medicines, fees of professionals and other related issues on economic changes in effect to medical facilities. One threat in monetary programs is that there may be possibilities of lost on the best employees if monitoring is not properly achieved. Hence, the probability of giving good services and products may have hindrances. Reflection   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As part of this project, I have noticed the essentiality of the company and employee relationship. Seeing how Elmar valued this social interaction, the severity to serve the company is overwhelming yet incomparable to what I have seen on other organizations. Both the company and its employees are very much interested on the productivity and quality of service. Furthermore, I have seen the social impact of the health and wellness project, as it projects how the society has evolved from a simple unit to a larger unit of the company because it affects the employee performance. Monetary and non-monetary incentives are appropriate sources of motivating employees on the vision and mission of the company but proper attention on the monitoring and evaluation of awardees should be considered, as this could affect trust amongst employees. I think these are apparent objectives after the actual placement: Enhance productivity due to reduced absenteeism and proper well-being. Reduced medical costs because of subsequent education of employees on health related issues. Educational activities for employees in areas like Roll in â€Å"Wit Gele Kruis† for yearly check ups and mini health fair. Monetary Rewards has succeeded in increasing productivity. Non-monetary rewards have increased company commitment among employees. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Questionnaire results were positive, looking at the overall performance of corporate health and wellness programs. This survey will generally help the family to be aware in eating the right food and proper diet to reduce the medical costs. The mini survey has given positive results and future benefits to most employees. On the other hand, monetary and non-monetary incentives will help in motivating employees of their performance level and commitment to the company. There is also a great probability of preserving and acquiring employees with exceptional talents and skills. Bibliography N.V. Elmar. â€Å"About Us.† 2004 29 January 2008 http://www.elmar.aw/info/content/wp_aboutus.jsp SWOT Analysis. 29 January 2008 http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_swot.htm

Puerto Rico Essay Example for Free

Puerto Rico Essay The most magnificent place I’ve ever been is Puerto Rico. With its breath taking landscapes and the calm serenity of the ocean; Puerto Rico is one of the most relaxing and gorgeous places I’ve ever been. The mixes of several different Latin styles play a huge role in not only the music and dancing of Puerto Rico but, also the style of the wardrobe. The best part of Puerto Rico though is the amazing experience and adventures I’ve been on. Puerto Rico has some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. In San Juan P.  R, there are many under water caves. The cave are hidden by the green plants and leaves that stretch from the grown to the top of mountains and, surrounded in brown and green furry moss. The fresh water sparkles in the spots of light from the top of the cave. The water gives the clearest reflection like a mirror. When you look above all you can see are scattered rays of light and snake like veins hung like icicles along the cave roof. There are an array of fresh water fish that dance along the bottom of the river. The caves are almost as beautiful as the beaches in Isabella P. R. The only thing you can hear along the beach is the sound of the waves crashing toward the shore. The waves merge to the shore line as the ocean water flows back and forth, rocking along the shore. The water fades from a clear blue to a heart of the ocean sapphire blue. Billions upon billions of black and brown grains and minerals are spread throughout the beach. The view is something you have to see to believe. The sounds of bongos and brass instruments echo throughout the night. Puerto Ricos unique mix of Caribbean and south American sound turn into Puerto Rico Own music and dance called salsa. The sound hits the heart of people everywhere with its smooth jazzy sound and its upbeat dance. Salsa dancers and there partners dance the night away in the streets of Puerto Rico. The women dress in stunning traditional dresses. Wearing all white floor length dresses with hand sewn beats across the bodice and, hand sewn designs along the train of the dress. There hair is neatly tucked into a ballet bun with a red rose on the side. The men are dressed in all black. As they begin to dance throughout the Streets they bow to there partners with grace and elegance. There feet move at 1,000 steps a minute as there face remains the same. You can see the pure passion and enjoyment in there faces as they glide down the streets never looking down once. They are as graceful as gazelles but as energetic as a child. Never breaking a sweat they dance until the sun comes up. The only thing thats better than the gorgeous scenery and the amazing and unique sound of Puerto Rico is the exciting activities. In Puerto Rico Ive went deep sea diving, para sailing, and hiking. When I went deep sea diving all I saw was clear blue water and gorgeous yellow and blue striped fish. There was sponge like coral. The sea went on for miles but looked like it was only a few feet deep. Para sailing was both frightening and exciting. I felt like a bird flying through the sky. The wind flew through my face as my feet glided across the water making huge ripples in the water. Hiking and sight seeing was the most fun of all. Hiking in the forest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico was an amazing experience. The forrest was covered in green leaves reaching the sky, there were stunning white and red flowers. There was no cell phone service and all I heard in the forrest was the sound of coquis singing at night. Puerto Rico is the most magnificent place Ive ever been. The caves and beaches created a calm place to gather your thoughts and be close to nature. The music and dancing were an amazing way to view the culture of Puerto Rico and the activities are as exciting as can be.

Video Analysis Of Billionaire By Travis Mccoy Film Studies Essay

Video Analysis Of Billionaire By Travis Mccoy Film Studies Essay Dreams of waking up as a billionaire have circled around the consciousness of many, especially through periods when life knocks you down and mostly to those who belong to an ethnic group that is looked upon as a threat to the society. The 29 year old Travis Travie Lazurus McCoy, in his twice Platinum (RIAA Gold Platinum, 2010), #4 Billboard Hot 100 debut single, Billionaire ft. Bruno Mars (Summer 2010), imagines what would happen if he became a billionaire. He references all the desires on his wish list and also mentions the good he would do to others with the money, along with his desire to be on the cover of Forbes Magazine and smiling next to Oprah and The Queen. An analysis is run through the artists desire of turning rich to make a change for the less fortunate African Americans who are mistreated daily. The Hip Hop/Rap single from the solo album Lazarus with a simple title Billionaire was co-written by the 7 Grammy Award nominee and producer Peter Hernandez of the Puerto Rican origin. His stage name in the music industry is Bruno Mars from the production trio of The Smeezingtons. Bruno has co-written many international smashing hits along with many famous artists like Flo Rida. On the other hand, Travie himself, who is of Haitian origin and who heads from Geneva, New York, wrote the other part. Travie has a legendary music background, tracing back to his career as the lead vocalist of the alternative hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes (Travie McCoy Music News Info, 2010). The producer is The Smeezingtons and the record label is the New York based Fueled By Ramen (Billionaire by Travie McCoy, 2010). The single has been released as a music video, which seems to be a trend for any new single to showcase its message visually and to reach a wider audience range, mainly through the Internet. The Billionaire is targeted towards pretty much the same audience as any hip hop/rap title, the teens and young adults, aged 15-35. It is targeted towards a specific ethnic group, as in the most cases of this genre, the mass population of the whites, who in terms spend a lot on music. The music video was filmed in the sunny California and it has been first debuted on MTV. It shows Travie driving a Mini Cooper, and helping four people and a group. The first is giving a guy a new skateboard, the second was buying an unknown, aspiring artists CD, the third was a teenager trying to hitchhike to Geneva, New York and when Travie got out of the car, he gave away the keys of the Mini. Finally giving a graffiti artist some spray-paint, for that to express the young talent within. The second location was a beach party of partygoers who ran dry on beer, and in come Travie and Bruno, handing out beers to restore life to the party. It is important to notice that there is a hidden commercial ad of the popular Tuborg beer at the 2:34 length of the video. It is latent due to the fact that the bottles and the beer box are taken from an angle that blurs the brand name. However Tuborgs green label bottles are widely known. Hence the message that is originally meant as entertainment contains latent information about youngs and their interests. The song has an opening line by Bruno Mars, whos ancestry is linked with black slaves, declares that I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad. The status of billionaire is recognized as the minority of elites who have a billion in the countrys currency. This triggers an interest in ones consciousness; an interest of being rich along with its privileges and how would your life change. Next Bruno reinstates on that being rich means that you could have all the goodies of the universe. At this moment, some might think of happiness, others about drugs, sex or even power. For Bruno, its being on the cover of the worlds famous and most elite magazine for the rich barons called Forbes, where only a couple of lucky famous international figures show off their smiles, being on the worlds yearly rich list. This brings upon an important aspect of the media message, a historical and cultural reference. Forbes has been the ultimate publication of the rich high-ranking executives from all over the w orld; on the other hand, its a dream for the less fortunate. Furthermore, he touches upon the popular figures, an easy way to engage with the mind of the listener, by simultaneously pointing out people of similar interest and global fame; he desires to smile next to one of the worlds few black billionaires and TV host Oprah Winfrey and the Queen (most probably Queen Elizabeth II). Once again, here comes more of a historical linkage, a hidden from the logic connection between black Bruno and billionaire Oprah. Most of the American population knows Oprah and her sad story of being rape-pregnant at the age of 9, and later her tough life as a black in the neighborhoods of Mississippi. For a black African American and equally to the whites, hearing such words, not only triggers the deepest feelings and emotions of ones own past and present, but also a hope, a light at the end of the tunnel; to believe in one another and your own, in the way Oprah did it. Next comes a chorus. This time its more of an inception, a dream within a dream that Bruno already started by putting one self onto Forbes cover. Here he dreams, with every time that he closes his eyes, he visualizes his name in shinny lines, where shinny references to bold and elegant banners and titles on magazines and street billboards. Not surprisingly, Bruno tries to showcase himself as man with power and recognition, once he gains the billionaire status: I swear the world better prepare for when Im a billionaire. Furthermore, Travie, while driving around town offers agreement and support to Brunos words. Being a host of a show like Oprah means big money, here is where Travie takes more of a philanthropic billionaires position by accepting a wish list from all the people and making everyday a Christmas, a time of giving that is. Soon Travie pulls up intertextuality and points onto Brad and Angelina and their scandals that made them famous. Mainly, intertextuality is seen most in the idea of adopting kids and giving them everything what they never had before, this refers to the generosity and trend of Angelina Jolie who is known for her numerous adoptions and support for children from the gods forgotten nations. This pulls up an important point and going away from the famous clichà © of the rich being greedy, he and Angelina will go hand in hand and save the worlds little kids. The rest of the lyrics go very similar to the main plot of simply becoming a billionaire, to help the poor, to give a way goodies that gained elite status in the society, the Mercedes for ladies enjoyment for instance, here once again a cultural reference is latent as Mercedes is a status of wealth. Next Travie puts up money for the victims of the Hurricane Katrina. Here Travie touches a very important fact, mostly a political decision, again by a group of powerful and elites. He talks about the irresponsibility towards Katrinas relief by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and that he could do lots more than them. Critical to understand, why Travie talks about Katrina and not any other hurricane, when it is known that there were many more before his debut release in 2010. Mostly to trigger solidarity and emotion towards the mass population of African Americans who were victims in the city of New Orleans. All the lyrics still circle around the same idea, of the blacks being mistreated and left out. This is a very strong historical and in a way cultural reference too. Since title debuted in s ummer, a time of pleasure and party, but is linked with the unfortunate happenings of 2005 Katrina. Its a latent tribute to the less fortunate. In the final words, Travie mainly points the audiences attention to the social status and trend of being rich. At this point, different audiences depending on their social level would reason differently. Mainly what would you and your friends be once you have a billion in your bank. Here Travie does a very critical move, instead of converting the lyrics into a political propaganda, he takes it easy. He talks about playing basketball with the President. Once again there is a cultural reference, basketball mainly refers to the neighborhood game of African American teenagers. Therefore playing with the president would mean steering the presidents attention towards the difficulties of the blacks. Furthermore, he indirectly touches upon the tax law; mainly being rich means that you will pay different taxes, a social inequality. At the end, he returns to his philanthropic position and will spend the money on his family and friends, and give them the main necessities of life. This conveys a message that would be interpreted differently, but the source is the same, help the less fortunate blacks. Moving deeper into song structure, the hit uses the standard versus-chorus style. The verse and chorus are considered the primary elements. Each verse in the Billionaire has the same melody with some slight modifications towards the end, but the lyrics change for most verses. The chorus (refrain) by Bruno Mars has a melodic phrase and a key lyrical line, which is repeated: Oh every time I close my eyes. Next, the songs chord sequence is sampled directly from Sublimes 1996 track, Santeria. This was written about a guy envisioning using black magic or Santeria anything he can to get back his girl (Santeria by Sublime Song facts, 2010). Using sampled tracks in rap songs has become a wide spread trend, to bring upon a hidden context, more often this is done for the purpose of linking two similar messages. However in the case of Billionaire this is false and no intertextuality is seen. The artist has simply lent the guitar chord sequence. Furthermore, the song itself is recorded professi onally under supervision from the The Smeezingtons (producer). The music itself is high quality stereo. On top of this, the music video is shot in high definition (HD) format, a standard these days. Most of the times, the angle is equal and focus set at the people and their activities, in color, both during day and night. Finally, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which is responsible for the promoting of the creative vitality of the major music companies, certified Billionaire as 2 times Platinum, which signifies over 2,000,000 shipments. The Billionaire single has earned both Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars significant international recognition and fame. Its a relaxing song, that not only reminds us of the various life inequalities that are faced daily by the different ethnic groups, but also it gives hope and supports a dream of each of us. Travie McCoy Billionaire Lyrics featuring Bruno Mars [Bruno Mars] I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad buy all of the things I never had uh, I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine smiling next to Oprah and the Queen [Chorus] Oh every time I close my eyes I see my name in shining lights A different city every night oh I swear the world better prepare for when Im a billionaire [Travis Travie McCoy] Yeah I would have a show like Oprah I would be the host of, everyday Christmas give Travie a wish list Id probably pull an Angelina and Brad Pitt and adopt a bunch of babies that aint never had sh-t give away a few Mercedes like here lady have this and last but not least grant somebody their last wish its been a couple months since Ive single so you can call me Travie Claus minus the Ho Ho get it, hehe, Id probably visit where Katrina hit and damn sure do a lot more than FEMA did yeah cant forget about me stupid everywhere I go Imma have my own theme music [Chorus] Oh every time I close my eyes I see my name in shining lights A different city every night oh I swear the world better prepare for when Im a billionaire oh oooh oh oooh for when Im a Billionaire oh oooh oh oooh for when Im a Billionaire [Travis Travie McCoy] Ill be playing basketball with the President dunking on his delegates then Ill compliment him on his political etiquette toss a couple milli in the air just for the heck of it but keep the fives, twentys (?) completely separate and yeah Ill be in a whole new tax bracket we in recession but let me take a crack at it Ill probably take whatevers left and just split it up so everybody that I love can have a couple bucks and not a single tummy around me would know what hungry was eating good sleeping soundly I know we all have a similar dream go in your pocket pull out your wallet and put it in the air and sing [Bruno Mars] I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad buy all of the things I never had uh, I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine smiling next to Oprah and the Queen [Chorus] I wanna be a billionaire so frickin bad! Reference Page Billionaire by Travie Mccoy. (2010). Retrieved December 14th, 2010 from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=18841 RIAA Gold and Platinum. (2010, June 18). Retrieved December 18th, 2010 from http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1table=SEARCH_RESULTStitle=Billionaire%20%28FEAT.%20BRUNO%20MARS%29perPage=50 Santeria by Sublime Song facts. (2010). Retrieved December 14th, 2010 from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3798 Travie McCoy Music News Info | Billboard.com. (2010). Retrieved December 12th, 2010 from http://www.billboard.com/artist/travie-mccoy-featuring-bruno-mars/1318433#/song/travie-mccoy-featuring-bruno-mars/billionaire/18418635

Tough Love in Mel Gibsons Hamlet and Branaghs Hamlet Essay -- Essays

Tough Love in Mel Gibson's Hamlet and Branagh's Hamlet      Ã‚   One of the most emotional and moving scenes in William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet is in Act III, Scene I lines 90-155 in which the title character becomes somewhat abusive toward his once loved girlfriend Ophelia. It is interesting to examine the possible motives behind Hamlet's blatant harshness in this "Get the to a nunnery" scene toward the easily manipulated and mild mannered girl. While watching Kenneth Branagh and Mel Gibson's film adaptations of the play, the audience may recognize two possibilities of the many that may exist which may explain the Prince's contemptible behavior; Kenneth Branaugh seems to suggest that this display of animosity will help the troubled man convince his enemies that he is in fact demented, whereas the Mel Gibson work may infer that Hamlet's repressed anger toward his mother causes him to "vent" his frustrations upon Ophelia, the other female of importance in his life.    Though the reader realizes Hamlet's extreme anger and brooding throughout the entire play, he has no actual confrontation with another character until the aforementioned lines in Act III Scene I. One may notice the Prince's biting tone aimed at Claudius, Polonius or even Gertrude, but until his "Get the to a nunnery!" speech, no outbursts of pure rage in the presence of others can be found. This harshness in relation to Ophelia may be one of Hamlet's first moments of "action." The Prince seems reluctant to act upon any of his emotions toward anyone, though he often does give off an aura of discontentment and sorrow over his father's death. However, in these specific lines the audience sees Hamlet take an active stance in purging this young lady's once p... ...he primary cause of the violent reaction to Ophelia.    Living in an environment of deception and hostility, the reader can easily identify with Hamlet's anger. Most all compassionate audiences will be sympathetic to his plight. However, the origins of Hamlet's vehement actions toward his once beloved Ophelia can be debated from several different points of view. Whatever his reasoning may be, it is probably correct to assume that he regrets deeply every harsh world spoken toward Ophelia. He only realizes again what a beautiful and kind person she was- after her death.    Works Cited Hamlet. Dir. Franco Zeffirelli. Perf. Mel Gibson and Glenn Close. Videocassette. Warner Home Video, 1990. William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. Perf. Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, and Kate Winslet. Videocassette. Castle Rock Entertainment, 1996.   

Privacy in the Workplace Essay -- Employee Privacy Monitoring Workplac

"Privacy. There seems to be no legal issue today that cuts so wide a swath through conflicts confronting American society: from AIDS tests to wiretaps, polygraph test to computerized data bases, the common denominator has been whether the right to privacy outweighs other concerns of society†¦" This quote from Robert Ellis Smith explains, in one sentence, the absolute need to ensure privacy in the workplace. One of the most interesting, yet controversial, areas concerning public personnel is employee privacy. What limits are there to employers’ intrusions into, and control over, employees’ behaviors and personal properties? There are five major areas which trigger privacy matters in the area of public sector employment: background checks, cognizance of off duty conduct and lifestyles, drug testing, workplace searches, and monitoring of workplace activity. Of these five, the fifth area of privacy, monitoring of workplace activity, is the most controversial. The reason for this is the advance of technology. These conflicts open anew the basic questions as to what is private, what is propriety, what legal rights an employee possesses, and what an employee’s obligations and responsibilities are within the sphere of public employment. Privacy has been defined as "the claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about them is communicated to others". The privacy claims of employees can vary in terms of the privacy interest involved and the conception of a need for privacy. In terms of background checks, the issue of autonomy is presented. Autonomy involves ones own personal and individual liberties. Autonomy embraces areas of central life choice and lifestyle that are important in terms of individual expression, but irrelevant to an employer and of no public concern. It has been associated with marital and other intimate relationships, home and family life, and association and reproductive choices. Employees have raised issues of employer intrusion into this area where the employer makes employment decisions on the basis of something in an employee’s personal history, or conditions employment on appropriate responses to inquires about per sonal activities which are not job-related. An employer may have interests which permit some limited intrusion into this area, if the behavior involves m... ...duals from fear, abuse and annoyance when it upheld the constitutionality of 47 U.S.C. 233, which makes the communication of obscene or harassive phone calls a federal crime. Employers have no less a responsibility. The responsibility is reinforced through anti-discrimination statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which has been interpreted to prohibit direct harassment and creation of hostile environments in the workplace. The U.S. Constitution gives substantial protection to privacy in the home, but not where Americans make a living. To make up for federal inadequacy, some states have enacted their own privacy statues. Federal law takes precedence, but where state laws provide greater protection, employers are usually subject to both. Several states have banned various activities, including the paper-and-pencil honesty test, which have not been scientifically validated. No state gives strong privacy protection to workers using e-mail, voice mail or telephone, nor does any state prohibit intrusive psychological testing. Unless or until national workplace laws can be passed, state laws will continue tp provide only spotty overall support for worker privacy.

Dna Structure

Associate Program Material DNA Worksheet Answer the following in at least 100 words: 1. Describe the structure of DNA. DNA molecules are composed of two strands that form a helical ascending spiral. They fit together like the opposing teeth of a zipper and are held together by weak interactions called hydrogen bonds. These two strands is a long string of subunits called nucleotides, each attached to the one immediately about it and the one immediately below it to form a long chain. Each nucleotide contains a five-carbon sugar.The five-carbon sugar contains a five-membered ring with an oxygen atom as one of the vertices. Each nucleotide also features a phosphate group and a nitrogen-containing base; these bases are typically represented by adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine. The base is attached to carbon 1 of the sugar, biologist denote each of the carbons in the sugar using a number from 1 through 5, where 1 represents the carbon to which the base is attached. 2. How does an or ganism’s genotype determine its phenotype? The genotype of an organism is the sum total of all the genes that it inherits.It is sort of like a blue print that is designed to serve as a guide in the development of the organism, so that it will become the same kind of creature as the parent or parents that it came from. The phenotype, the organism’s physical trait arises from the actions of a wide variety of proteins. For example structural proteins help make up the body of an organism, and enzymes catalyze its metabolic activity. A gene does not build a protein directly, but rather dispatched instructions in the form of RNA, which in turn programs protein synthesis.The molecular chain of command is from DNA in the nucleus to RNA to protein in the cytoplasm. 3. Describe each stage of the flow of information starting with DNA and ending with a trait. DNA and RNA are long linear polymers, called nucleic acids that carry information in a form that can be passed from one gen eration to the next. These macromolecules consist of one large number of linked nucleotides, each composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and a base. Sugar is linked by phosphates from a common backbone, whereas the bases vary among four kinds.Genetic information is stored in the sequence of bases along a nucleic acid chain. The bases from a specific pair with one another that are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The base pairing results I the formation of a double helix a helix structure consisting of two strands. Genetic information in DNA is transcribed into RNA and then translated into polypeptides. These processes occur through transcription and translation when a segment of DNA is transcribed, the results is an RNA molecule.Transcription is taken placed because the nucleic acid language of DNA has simply been rewritten as a sequence of bases of RNA; the language is still that of nucleic acids. The nucleotide bases of the RNA molecules are complementary to those on the DNA strand. Trans lation is the conversion of the nucleic acids language to the polypeptide language. Like nucleic acids polypeptides are polymers, but the monomers that make them up are the 20 amino acids common to all organisms. The genetic instructions for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide chain are written in DNA and RNA as a series of three-base word codons.Codons are the DNA is transcribed in the RNA, and then the RNA codons are translated into amino acids that form polypeptides. Codons in mRNA are read sequentially by tRNA molecules, which serve as adaptors in protein synthesis. References: Berg J. M, Tymoczko, J. L, Stryer, L Bio Chemistry. 5th edition. New York: W. H Freeman; 2002 Chapter 5, DNA, RNA, and the Flow of Genetic Information retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. gov/books/NBK21171 2012 Miller, C. Forms of Genotypes retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/info_8678611_forms-genetics

Police Operations Essay

There are many types of Police operations. Policing in general has a wide range of different kinds of strategies and areas. To begin with one of the most important, in my opinion in police operations is the dangers of policing. The main principle that contributes to policing in general is the danger that comes with this sort of job. As police officers they are putting their lives at risk each and every single day. They are never certain of what will happen. The minute they start their duty they can encounter all sorts of problems with all sorts of people. They deal with some of the most violent people and not to mention dangerous people as well. There have been numerous occasions in when officers have lost their lives after responding to a crime call. It happens very often, these officers are never guaranteed that they will be safe when the respond to a crime call. The dangerous of policing can start as simply as pulling someone over for running a stop sign or simply for a light they have off, or a suspended license registration. Over all, the reason for an individual getting pulled over in unbearable. Bottom line is that if an individual gets pulled over for any of the above mentioned reasons does not mean that the person is not capable of having a criminal background, a warrant, or violent past. When officers pullover an individual they really have no clue what kind of person they are about to encounter. As officers it is very important that they are cautious and alert at all times. There have been stories when officers respond to calls and the individual retaliates on the officer, this issue has cost officers life in the past. It is a very unfortunate situation but that is the job as a police officer. The dangers that cause over half of all police deaths are traffic incidents. In 2009, 56 officers died in the line of duty by traffic incidents. According to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers  Memorial Fund reported traffic remains the largest cause of death for 12 years running. In 2009, 47 officers died by intentional gunfire up 24% from the previous year and gunf ire claimed the lives of 38 officers. These are the two major cause of death in policing and an increasing concern for different tactics which require more effective means, such as body armor for example. (Keating, M.2012). Police operations are extremely demanding activities that challenge policemen by strict load, working memory, and fast rational thinking. Such activities should never be underestimated as human life is in jeopardy every time police operations take place. Police operations task demands are to great extent dependable on task complexity due to the fact that the performance becomes better when the task is less complicated and may get worse during difficult tasks Although the latter challenges human factor in terms of intellectual intensity, time pressure, and enormous responsibility, it does develop profound professional skills if only thorough training aimed at self-discipline and self-organization is carried out. Dangers of policing Each day an officer awakes to go to work his or her life is in danger. The dangers can range from getting into a car wreck on the way to work, while responding to a call, poor nutrition, assaulted on the scene of a call, and from handling of apprehend suspects. Driving is part on an officer’s daily duty; however, that does not make him or her immune to a car crash. Physical harm is one of the greatest dangers to any and all police officers. An officer could be assaulted or attacked by an armed criminal at any time or place. A lack of adequate back up is another prime example of a dangerous situation for a police officer. Although a police officer should not pursue any situation in which he or she is widely outnumbered, and without back up, this is always a possibility. (Copblock.org 2010). Police officers never know when a person will attack, so transporting a person to a jail or prison can be a very dangerous position to be in. Not only do police officers have to pay attentio n to what they are doing but also must be aware of the other hundreds of vehicles to who they are sharing the roadway. When an officer gets into a police chase, the likelihood of a wreck increases significantly. Therefore, an officer must have a valid reason to initiate a car chase.  Another danger to an officer is the issue of his or her health. Police officers normally work rotating shifts and eat large amounts of fast food. The rotating shift alone can make someone’s health fail, let alone adding the fast food to it. Shift work can have terrible effects on one’s circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms, also known as the body’s internal clock, are a 24-hour cycle. The rise of the sun and nightfall affects the rhythms (Copblock.org 2010). When the rhythm is interrupted by rotating shifts, this can cause sleep disorders and very unhealthy eating patterns. Another danger would be that both police workers and officers experience various tasks, interpersonal and physical demands during police operations that the majority of ordinary people never come across at their work or in their families. These requirements and stressors negatively influence a physical and psychological condition that may lead to more serious physical or mental damage or interruption. Role and physical demands for policemen can develop a condition of constant overload called hyper stress. Typically, the number of queries concerns and emergency calls exceeds the time assigned to a particular police worker. Therefore, not only is the quality of the time given to each separate case and that’s why each case at risk, the mental and physical condition of the police worker is in constant jeopardy. Regarding investigators, they experience heavy caseloads for which they are expected to follow prescribed case management criteria. Also, they find themselves within very limited time framework set by prosecutors who may keep them under the pressure to finish the process as fast as they possibly can, so that the case can reach the trial. Insomnia or permanent tiredness is often caused by hyper stress, as well as weight loss /gain and different degrees of impairment of mental processes. On the contrary, hypo stress may emerge from input under loads for police workers who work a 3rd shift and accept few or calls during night hours. One of the most influential task demands is resistance to stress and ability to cope with sudden interruptions. Experts say that highly indicated factors may have negative effect on police operations outcome as they develop more frequent forgetting on the planned action. Also the activity of working memory is very vulnerable to all external factors accepted by the human body through sight, hearing, smell, etc. Less than Lethal weapons Less-Lethal weapons defined as weapons or any devices that are intended to be less likely to kill a living target than are traditional weapons. Such weapons are also termed as non-lethal weapons, less-than-lethal weapons, non-deadly weapons, compliance weapons, or pain-inducing weapons. Non-lethal weapons may be used in circumstances where conventional weapons are restricted or lethal force is prohibited or undesirable. (USLegal.com 2012). They are also used in combat situations to limit the escalation of conflict. According to California standards, these weapon includes the frame or receiver of any weapon described as but does not include any of the following unless the part or weapon has been converted as described in subdivision as any device that is designed to or that has been converted to expel or propel less lethal ammunition by any action, mechanism, or process for the purpose of incapacitating, immobilizing, or stunning a human being through the infliction of any less than l ethal impairment of physical condition, function, or senses, including physical pain or discomfort. For example, non-lethal weapons may be a destructive devise, tear gas, a bow or cross bow, or something as simple as a slingshot. Technology used in policing The rate of technological change in recent years is so fast that one could reasonably suggest that the top 10 jobs 10 years from now, those jobs might not even exist today. (Schultz, P. D. 2008). Technology is changing the way police departments operate, how criminals are processed, how crimes are investigated, and how trials follow through. Technologies funded today were not even common knowledge just a few years ago. Some technology that police use to assist them with crime investigations start with the very car or vehicle they drive. From crime lights to in-car camera systems, to having an on-board computer right at the disposal of the officer has changed the way the police follow through with crimes. When a crime has been process the evidence goes to the forensic labs where technology of today and the future shows its face. The technology that the labs use today and possible will enhance as the years go by are anything from Photo enhancement systems, graffiti cameras, thermal imaging, and the ability to search for individuals using finger prints and DNA samples. On the other hand, the use of thermal imagers can assist police officers with drug and marijuana arrests. Sometimes even the use of a K9 unit is sometimes used to  assist in drug arrests. The next other forms of technology that are used to process and assist police officers is the CIRS Criminal Investigations Records Systems) which are used to search, match and identify any suspect that the police seem fit. Radios are almost always used with any officer both on the streets and in the car. The radio allows the officer to stay in contact with other officers, call for back up, signal for help, and request a transfer of a suspect. Some other technology that are sometimes used are lasers, mainly used for terroristic threats and attacks, language translators, that are used for the many citizens who speak other languages, Cameras for K9 Units, an automatic license plate recognition, and finally a global positioning devise.( Schultz, P. D. 2008) Issues of Homeland Security and law enforcement relationships Many people in all levels of the government are now taking a hard look at how best to protect their communities from terrorism and crime. (Cooke, L. G., & Hahn, L. R. 2006). Following the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, a revolution has been underway in the relationships of federal, state, and local homeland security, law enforcement, and intelligence organizations. At the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been created, the â€Å"wall† between law enforcement and intelligence has been nearly obliterated, some law enforcement organizations are being directed to become more like intelligence agencies, and the foreign intelligence community is being fundamentally reformed. Right now public law enforcement is facing a major crisis, with the activation of military reservists, which hurt police staffing, jurisdictions lack resources to hire additional officers, and local communities, cities, countries, and states face tight budgets. (Cooke, L. G., & Hahn, L. R. 2006) Although there are many problems in the homeland security, the police officers still manage to keep a solid relationship with the community. By keeping those safe from crime, and keeping crime off the streets, and developing relationship with the citizens of the community, our society will once again be able to battle the war of crime. The Future of Policing Some police forces believe that 20 years from now they will operate much as they do today, but advances in technology and operating concepts are driving  significant changes in day-to-day police operations. The potential visions of the future of policing, based on the concept of jurisdiction, technology, and threat, and include concrete steps for implementation. This idea is based on a review of policing methods and theories from the 19th century to the present day. Recommendations include educating personnel and leaders to build internal support for change, transitioning to share technical platforms, and leveraging winning technologies. Because criminals will also use new technology that becomes available, the key to the future of policing will not be the technology itself; it will be the ways in which police forces adapt the technology to their needs. Conclusion There are many types of Police operations. Policing in general has a wide range of different kinds of strategies and areas. All of which are used today to keep our streets and community safe from crime and terrorism. There are many different kinds of relationships in which police officers have with the community to this day, in order for the community to assist the police in any way they can. The use of technology that is used with in the many different branches of police, military and government are all sign that paint the way to the future of what the police force and military and government will become as the years go by into the future. References Cooke, L. G., & Hahn, L. R. (2006, November). The Missing Link in Homeward Security. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1048&issue_id=112006 Keating, M. (2012). Big Drop in Police deaths last year. Retrieved from http://govpro.com/public_safety/law/poice-deaths-low-20100112 Schultz, P. D. (2008, June). Technology in Police Departments. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&article_id=1527&issue_id=62008 USLegal.com. (2012). Less-lethal weapon law & legal definition. Retrieved from http://definitions.unlegal.com/I/less-lethal-weapon/ Copblock.org. (2010, September 13). How dangerous is Police Work? Retrieved from http://www.copblock.org/923/how-dangerous-is-police-work/