All Souls: A Family Story From Southie Essay

A national bestseller, All Souls: A Family Story From Southie (Beacon Press, September 1999), won an American Book Award and a New England Literary Lights Award, as well as the Myers Outstanding Book Award administered by the Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights in North America. With All Souls MacDonald writes a gripping memoir about his life growing up in the Old Colony housing projects in South Boston, a predominantly white Irish Catholic neighborhood. He writes about the crime, drugs and violence in his neighborhood in the years following Boston’s busing riots, and of his brothers and sisters, many of whom fell prey to drugs, crime, and suicide. The book introduces his mother, Helen King (Ma), a feisty woman who raised her ten children while living in the projects. (An eleventh child died in infancy.) Additionally, the book often mentions Whitey Bulger, a gangster and FBI informant in Southie, who brought the drug trade into the neighborhood, contributing to the deaths of hundreds of young people due to suicides, murders, and overdoses. Despite all that is bad, MacDonald writes about how proud and loyal the residents were to be from Southie, excluding MacDonald himself who admits in the book he told those he met that he was from Dorchester and how some of the best elements of the neighborhood have been wiped out along with the worst due to gentrification. Michael Patrick MacDonald (born March 9, 1966) is an Irish-American[1] activist against crime and violence and author of his memoir, All Souls: A Family Story From Southie. Since being involved in activism, he helped to start Boston’s gun-buyback program, founded the South Boston Vigil Group, which works with survivor families and young people in Boston’s anti-violence movement. MacDonald was the recipient of the 1999 Daily Points of Light Award,which honors those who connect Americans through community service. Michael had been awarded an Anne Cox Chambers Fellowship at the MacDowell Colony, a Bellagio Center Fellowship through the Rockefeller Foundation, and residencies at Blue Mountain Center and Djerassi Artist Residency Program. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and devotes all of his time to writing and public speaking on topics ranging from â€Å"Race and Class in America† to â€Å"Trauma, Healing, and Social Change.† MacDonald is Writer in Residence at Northeastern University in Boston.

The Red Wheelbarrow Analysis

The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. The Red Wheelbarrow Summary Our speaker reflects on how important a certain red wheelbarrow is. This wheelbarrow is wet from a recent rain, and there happen to be white chickens hanging out with the wheelbarrow. The End. The Red Wheelbarrow Summary Line 1 so much depends * Our speaker doesn't say â€Å"much depends† or â€Å"things depend† or â€Å"I depend,† he says â€Å"so much depends. † That â€Å"so† makes us feel the gravity of the situation. It's as though our speaker really wants and needs to drive the point home. The verb â€Å"depends† is a strong one too, and one that suggest a that whatever is being depended upon is a pretty big deal. Line 2 upon * â€Å"Upon† – what a pretty preposition. And an important one too. So important, in fact, that it gets its very own line. * Visually (o n the page) the first line of the poem (which is way longer than this line) actually looks like it's resting upon the â€Å"upon† of line two. The first line  depends  upon this second line. Hehe. Line 3 a red wheel * A brand new couplet. We're dying to know what â€Å"so much† depends upon – drum roll, please. So much depends upon â€Å"a red wheel. † * A red wheel?We haven't seen too many red wheels in our days. * The use of the word â€Å"red† really gets our imaginations going, for some reason. We hear the word â€Å"red† all the time, but for some reason, this color really sticks out in this poem. Why do you think that is? Line 4 barrow * Oh! It's a red â€Å"wheelbarrow,† not a red wheel. Our speaker just chose to split the word â€Å"wheel† and â€Å"barrow† up and didn't put a dash between them. * By splitting up the two pieces of this word, our speaker makes us think about the fact that a wheelbarrow is comp osed of two distinct parts: the wheel and the barrow (the part you load stuff into).In some ways, we feel like this couplet looks like a wheelbarrow. * OK, now that we've figured out what â€Å"so much† depends upon, we're dying to know what kinds of things depend upon a red wheelbarrow. Um, dirt could depend upon a wheelbarrow. Six-year-olds who like to be pushed around in wheelbarrows could depend upon a wheelbarrow. A person who likes to do heavy gardening could depend upon a wheelbarrow. * What else could depend upon a wheelbarrow? It might help to do some research on wheelbarrows. Apparently, they've been around for almost 2,500 years and were invented in Ancient Greece. Why is it important that this particular wheelbarrow is â€Å"red†? The redness factor seems to play a huge part in just how cool this wheelbarrow is. Line 5 glazed with rain * A new couplet! * The word â€Å"glazed† makes us think of a shiny, glossy, glassy surface. Our wheelbarrow is spar kly from the rain. * Who left this VIP wheelbarrow out in the rain? Talk about neglect. If we owned a red wheelbarrow upon which much depended, we would take better care of it. * But the idea that it is â€Å"glazed with rain† makes us think that it looks pretty snappy. Line 6 water Again, we have a one-word line, making it seem like the first line of this couplet (line 5)  depends  upon this section line. * Again, our speaker decides to split up the word â€Å"rainwater† into its equal parts: â€Å"rain† and â€Å"water. † Why would he do this? Perhaps to remind us that rain is composed of water? Line 7 beside the white * A new couplet! Here, we're introduced to yet another snappy preposition: â€Å"beside. † * We're given some more information about where our red wheelbarrow is and about the things around it. Apparently, our red wheelbarrow is standing beside something white. Talk about one colorful poem. We see the color â€Å"white† all the time in our daily lives, but there's something special about this â€Å"white,† just as there is something special about the wheelbarrow's â€Å"red. † These colors are sticking out in our minds. Line 8 chickens * The wheelbarrow is not alone! Thank heavens. There are chickens to hang out with. * We think it is interesting that the speaker refers to these chickens as â€Å"the white chickens† and not as â€Å"some white chickens† or â€Å"the chickens. † He wants to describe them very carefully and very precisely. These are some special chickens. Again, the second line of this couplet looks (visually) as though it were holding up or supporting the first line, emphasizing the idea that so much depends upon the wheelbarrow. * Are these chickens part of the â€Å"so much† that depends upon the red wheelbarrow? What kind of relationship do you think these chickens have with said wheelbarrow? In a Station of the Metro|   | by  Ezra Po und| | The apparition of these faces in the crowd;Petals on a wet, black bough. | | | | | In a Station of the Metro Summary A man sees a bunch of faces in the subway and thinks they look like flowers on a tree branch. In a Station of the Metro† Summary Line 1 The apparition of these faces in the crowd; * The poet is watching faces appear in a crowded metro (subway) station. * You wouldn’t know it only from reading the poem, but we’re in Paris, which means that everyone looks really nice. * The poet is trying to get us to see things from his perspective, and the word â€Å"apparition† suggests that the faces are becoming visible to him very suddenly and probably disappearing just as fast. They almost look like ghosts. If you’ve ever been in a crowded subway, then you’re probably familiar with this phenomenon. By calling them â€Å"these faces,† he puts us right there in the metro station, as if he were pointing his finger and saying, â €Å"Look! † * The station must be pretty full, because there is a â€Å"crowd. † Line 2 Petals on a wet, black bough. * Although he doesn’t say so, the words â€Å"looks like† are implicit at the start of this line. The faces in the crowd â€Å"look like† flower petals on a â€Å"wet, black bough. † * A â€Å"bough† is a big tree branch, and the word, in case you’re wondering, is pronounced â€Å"bow,† as in â€Å"take a bow. † * When is a tree branch wet and black?Probably at night, after the rain. A Paris subway, on the other hand, is always wet and black. * Now, we’re going out on a limb here (pun! ), but he may be seeing the faces reflected in a puddle over black asphalt. Or it could just be a more general sense of wetness. At any rate, the faces in the subway are being compared to flowers on a tree branch. * Another fact to keep in mind is that Japan is famous for its beautiful flowering trees, and con sidering that this poem is written in Japanese  haiku  style . . . well, heck, he might just be thinking of a Japanese tree. HelenBY  H. D. All Greece hates the still eyes in the white face, the lustre as of olives where she stands, and the white hands. All Greece reviles the wan face when she smiles, hating it deeper still when it grows wan and white, remembering past enchantments and past ills. Greece sees unmoved, God’s daughter, born of love, the beauty of cool feet and slenderest knees, could love indeed the maid, only if she were laid, white ash amid funereal cypresses. Summary: The narrator praises  Helen  for her beauty, which he compares to a ship bringing a â€Å"weary, wayworn wanderer† to his home.Her classic beauty has reminded him of ancient times, and he watches her stand like a statue while holding a stone lamp. Analysis: In â€Å"To Helen,† first published in 1831 and revised in later years, Poe displays an early interest in the theme of female beauty to which his later works often return. He wrote this poem in honor of Jane Stith Stanard, the mother of his childhood friend Rob, although he later wrote a different, longer poem of the same name to Sarah Helen Whitman. Jane Stanard had recently died, and, through his writing, Poe sought to thank her for acting as a second mother to him.The Helen of the 1831 poem embodies a classic beauty and poise, and by using Jane Stanard as the inspiration, Poe celebrated the latter woman as one of his earliest loves. Although Poe never explained why he changed Jane Stanard's name to Helen in the poem, one possible interpretation is that he intended to connect her to the famed Helen of Troy, who sparked the Trojan War of Homer's  Iliad  because of her beauty. The remainder of the poem shows a definite classical influence, with Poe's elevated diction and his direct references to â€Å"the glory that was Greece† and â€Å"the grandeur that was Rome. He also praises Hel en's beauty by describing her â€Å"hyacinth hair† and â€Å"classic face,† details that are associated with ancient standards of the female ideal. If Poe indeed intended for the name â€Å"Helen† to refer to Helen of Troy, then he has given his character high praise indeed. Along with the ambiguity of Helen's name, the identity of the narrator is also in question, as he does not have a name or much of a physical presence. He refers to himself as the alliterative â€Å"weary, wayworn wanderer† who has returned home, drawn to Helen's alluring and comforting hearth.Poe may have intended the narrator to be a direct reflection of himself, who as a boy felt more welcome in Jane Stanard's house than in other environments. At the same time, he may have sought to depict the narrator as an archetypal man, who like all other men found a nurturing source in a woman's home. Otherwise, the narrator might be akin to a victorious Greek warrior who, like Homer's Odysseus , has returned from some struggle overseas. The role of the female in â€Å"To Helen† is multifaceted.In one sense, Helen guards the home hearth in the traditional domestic role of caregiver while displaying a faithful attachment that recalls the idealized love of  Annabel Lee  in Poe's eponymous 1849 poem. Simultaneously, Helen is the protagonist's guide and inspiration who brings him back from the lonely seas, and her depiction as â€Å"statue-like† with an â€Å"agate lamp† characterizes her as steadfast and dependable. Finally, there are mentions of Naiads, or ancient Greek water nymphs, and Psyche, the mythological woman who represents the soul and who marries Eros, the god of love.These twin allusions emphasize the concordance between Helen's outer and inner beauty. As is typical with many of Poe's poems, the rhythm and rhyme scheme of â€Å"To Helen† is irregular but musical in sound. The poem consists of three stanzas of five lines each, where the end rhyme of the first stanza is ABABB, that of the second is ABABA, and that of the third is ABBAB. Poe uses soothing, positive words and rhythms to create a fitting tone and atmosphere for the poem. His concluding image is that of light, with a â€Å"brilliant window niche† and the agate lamp suggesting the glowing of the â€Å"Holy Land,† for which Helen is the beacon.

Construction in Dubai Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Construction in Dubai - Assignment Example This paper illustrates that regardless of the dangers that await the working sector, the construction business is considered to be the backbone of Dubai's flourishing economy. Dubai has gathered much attention in recent years with their fascinating and innovative building ideas and architectural wonders, like the Dubai Skyline and the Burj al Arab, among others. Real estate and construction( 22.6%) are the largest contributors to Dubai's economy, and are considered amongst one of the key sources of employment, income and growth. Before jumping into attempting this building survey, we first need to understand and familiarize ourselves with the construction world, who are the people involved, what are their key roles, what are the challenges they face etc. Coordinating one aspect of a construction is a difficult task. But coordinating the entire process, from initial planning and foundation work, through the final coat of paint, takes someone with a lot of managerial skills. Being a co nstruction manager demands organization, attention to detail, an ability to see the â€Å"big picture,† and an understanding of all facets of the construction process, usually acquired through experience. A construction manager is the intermediary between his clients and his workers, between the architect and his subcontractors, and between the project and any regulatory personnel. A construction manager's foremost functions include planning, directing, coordinating, supervising etc. Their construction projects include, but are not limited to, buildings, residential areas, commercial, industrial structures, roads, bridges, schools and hospitals. A construction manager(CM) may take on an entire project or part of a project depending on contract. They are either salaried or self-employed people, who oversee construction projects. They supervise the construction process from its abstract stage till its completion, making sure that the job is completed within the allotted time fr ame and budget. General responsibilities of a construction manager include helping in the acquisition of land(they know what type of land is necessary and what size), to obtain permits, to hire workers and speciality contractors. A CM must review the project thoroughly before undertaking it, so he has an understanding of what will be needed along the way, and what needs to be done prior to beginning the project. Many constructions managers are given the duty to come up with a budget for the construction project. They will then come up with a detailed cost analysis to get an estimate of the cost to be incurred. This is of fundamental importance as any delays in the project may cause a considerable amount of money. A CM should be an excellent multi-tasker. He should be able to jiggle multiple things at the same time, work under stress and pressure, and have the ability to meet deadlines. It is also the construction manager's job to provide a worker friendly environment, and to come up with a health and safety plan. Safety should be of utmost importance during the architectural plan of the building. The managing contractor should be able to design out unnecessary hazards and come up with a plan to minimize, if not completely eliminate them. He needs to prepare the pre-tender stage plan, which is a collection of information about the significant health and safety risks of the construction project which he will then have to manage during the construction phase. A construction contract

THE RITE OF SPRING by Igor Stravinsky Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

THE RITE OF SPRING by Igor Stravinsky - Essay Example So on 23rd February at 7:30 pm a huge crowd gathered in Kent Concert Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Centre to watch the performance. Moreover 130 student musicians also participated from Utah State and the University of Utah. There was a joint performance of Utah Philharmonic and USU symphony Orchestra of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of spring. Stravinsky is the most influential figure in the musical history and people admire him a lot. His compositions were quite rhythmic and clearly depicted links with Russia.Stravinsky’s ‘Rite of Spring’ was composed in 1913 which greatly inspired the people and grew popular among the people and in 20th century it turned to be the most influential piece of music. In the end one of the young maiden was chosen by her luck to dance herself to death. After listening to his compositions, one can easily link the past and present of musical history. So the orchestral concert was held in the memory of this great composer welcoming the upcoming spring with open arms. People from distant places travelled to attend this festival. The audience were given 3D glasses while entering the hall. On stage there was a performance of full orchestra and a dancer who was surrounded by invisible 3D stereoscopic cameras. This stunned the whole crowd for a while. The first half of the concert presented a multimedia examination of Igor Stravinsky’s two-part ballet; later his images were also projected. His biography and life history was also presented to make the people know about the background of this popular man and how he began composing in 1913. His life history influenced the listeners. After an intermission, the concert transpired. This was a perfect way to celebrate spring season. The groundbreaking nature of his music, electrified the listeners following the Russia’s folk and classical traditions. The music had depth and was entirely unique and soothing for the listeners. The music captured the attention of crowd which ended in

Botnets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Botnets - Essay Example Botnets come under the category of such inventions and become a source of much distress for the computer user. Botnets pose different kinds of threats like denial of service, spamming, click fraud etc. Several techniques and mechanisms have been adapted to enhance the security measures of networks and avoid any damage by botnets. ‘Bot’ is defined as a single computer that possesses the malicious program to make it a part of a wider network of similar computer systems, which is known as ‘Botnet’. Botnets are defined as an autonomous set of programs that perform functions without the aid of any user. They are either controlled by one system or multiple systems, which are known as the botmaster. A distributed nature of botnets involves a set of distributed computers that communicate with each other over the internet and perform some tasks together (Banday et al, 2009). The communication between the bots and the botmaster can be a direct link but such communication can make the botmaster identifiable in the network. Therefore, such direct links are not used. On the contrary, command languages and control protocols (C&C) are used to manage the bots remotely (Banday et al, 2009). These set of programs were initially developed to automate tasks on a set of machines to minimize the need of the presence of a person and to enhance communication and resource sharing. But the concept of their usage changed drastically when they started being used for malicious purposes. Botnets started being developed for the purpose of financial gains and recognition. The hacker’s scale of goodness of a botnet is the degree of damage that it is able to cause. Intruders and spammers can install the software (required for intrusion) in a number of ways. The user might not even be aware of the vulnerability of his system and may become a bot in the network of similarly compromised computers. The first step in this unpleasant activity is the identification of a computer on the

External Marketing Audit of Sara Lee Corporation Statistics Project

External Marketing Audit of Sara Lee Corporation - Statistics Project Example This paper tells that in frozen food, the company is at the top in the U.S with fair market positions in Europe and Brazil, while it is one of the largest producers of tea and coffee. In the body care section, the company holds the top position in the European bath and shower market, in the households side, they are having one of the world famous shoe polishes named Kiwi. The company is trying to settle the market of branded apparel, which includes men’s and boy’s wear, also sportswear. The thing that should be kept in mind at this stage is that the Sara Lee is making most of those products in which brand switching is common, and there are relatively very few differences between the competitor’s products and the company’s products, for example the shoe polish Kiwi is having competition with Cherry Blossom, if a consumer would go to buy Kiwi and would not find it in a shop, he would buy cherry blossom rather than going to the other shop and look for Kiwi, t he company is thus having everyone as there target audience, but it also depends on the different products they are selling, such as in foods and beverages the real market segment is those individuals who are having no family and are working and living alone, it is a big segment in the U.K and fair in U.S, in the body care section the target audience is originally women but keeping in view the prevailing demands they have also started catering men in the society, in the house hold products, the main product is shoe polish, KIWI and they were initially catering men but due to increased usage of leather shoes by women they are also targeting them, especially after the introduction of sponges, another product the company is offering is the Ambi Pur air fresheners and body sprays which they are catering men and women both, also Sanex is a product used as body care product, they are again having women as their target audience, In the apparel section their target audience is again women o f the society as they require more of comfort than men, but they have also introduced sports wear which both men and women use. So the entire target audience consists of people who are young and energetic in life. Of course every company’s mission is the profitability while providing something that sounds good to the customer, the company’s mission for customer is the product innovation and also the new product development, as their slogan suggests,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Our mission is to simply delight you†¦every day†

Project Management Trends Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Project Management Trends - Research Paper Example Having an understanding of the trend provides better understanding and lays the ground for success in the field. Agile in project management is the main trend that is evident and has been taken up in managing projects owing to its cost effectiveness and allows for human needs such as purpose, mastery, and autonomy to be reflected in the project. Agile requires the project team to receive constant feedback and the consistent use of Scrum methodology in agile has increased. Organizations that were reluctant in implementing agile have implemented and showed a high commitment ensuring success. In my view, agile is set to stay and will be the main approach for management of projects in a few years owing to the many disadvantages it derives to organizations, project managers, employees, and other stakeholders. Project management has also seen the trend of distributed leadership among team members with each member having to step up to ensure achievement of self-organizing teams. The implementation of agile has resulted in the increased importance of teamwork and collaboration and shared responsibility among project team members in the process distributing leadership responsibilities. The importance of leadership understanding the needs of the team, development of lasting relationships among the team members, and connecting with the people has been emphasized in recent years in project management. Distributed leadership responsibilities among the team members allow for high responsibility for the success of the project and high motivation by the members augmenting the success of projects and accelerating decision-making in teams. The other trend in project management that has emerged in recent years is global project operation and development. Online project management through cloud-based applications and software has enabled project management to operate globally through proving information on scheduling, communications,

Abuse of power by political leaders in africa Essay

Abuse of power by political leaders in africa - Essay Example In a military coup, he removed the president from power and took over the rule of the country. He abused the power and used it solely to his advantage (McDonnell, 2007). His rule witnessed horrendous brutality in which more than two hundred thousand people were killed just because they opposed his political leadership. The only motive behind these killings was to prolong his rule and the only way to do this was to kill anyone who would raise any voice against him. Not only the common people but judges, lawyers, people from the press, students or anyone who tried to question his power were killed (Melady & Melady, 1977). Only Uganda has not been such a state where political leadership has abused the power. The uprisings and increasing state violence in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya indicate that the people are not happy with their rulers (Herbst, 2000). The common citizen is denied justice, women are not given their respective rights and freedom of expression is not appreciated by these ru lers. During the recent uprising in Egypt, even the internet was banned for five days making the citizens devoid of any means of communication (Moe, 2011). Citizens cannot engage in productive work if they are denied such basic rights. A common man spends more time worrying about the security of his home and family than on his work. The nationals of these countries try to flee from their own homelands. As a result, the society and the economy both suffer simultaneously.

Raped and Pregnant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Raped and Pregnant - Essay Example The story that was shared by my friend made me realized that being raped is something you feel as self-degrading, since the person who was raped feels like her right for being respected was taken away. One of my friends told me a story about a girl she knew who was once having a normal life, but then she became a victim. She was raped. This girl just graduated from law school. She had a perfect job, as well as a perfect family, who supports her all the way. She is also a Christian who regularly attends mass. She is a person who has a good foundation with what she believes in. Since she was raised by her parents with Christian faith and practices, she planned to wait until she gets married to do things that only married couples do. This girl has been very successful and even has high hopes for her future which includes having a family of her own. While she was doing a great job on her career, she decided to be a volunteer for a pro-life program at her place. She listens to different s tories with relation to Women’s Policy. She often hears stories from women who got abused and raped. However, she insisted and made a stand on her own that abortion as an answer from any violence should not be considered as an option. With her stand, she met new friends and few enemies. While having a vacation for a few months on her cousin’s place. ... One thing she noticed though, every time she drinks the mixture, she often loses her focus and just got tired all the time. However, she trusted the guy so she never questioned him. According to my friend, the girl eventually became close with the guy, and that is the time that her beliefs were tested. There were times when she allowed the guy to stay at her apartment. This was when she realized that there is something wrong every time she fell asleep. She woke up the next morning having a bad feeling. The doctor did confirm to her that she was drugged for months by her boyfriend. On the other hand, the doctor also explained that she was pregnant. Now, she realized that she was raped. The doctor informed her that she does not need to keep the baby and promoted abortion as an option. When the girl knew that she was pregnant, she went directly to her family and informed what happened. Some of her friends and colleagues who attend mass regularly with her advised that she needs to have a n abortion because she does not want the child in the first place. When she seeks for an advise from her parents, her parents just assured her that no matter what her decisions may be, they will be there to support her. Hence, giving her the confusion and total freedom to make the decision of aborting the baby or having the baby. Abortion was an easy answer for many people since she was raped. After hearing advices, she could not believe what other people were saying because those people are the ones who consider themselves as pro-life. While the girl is suffering and got physically sick because of body changes due to being pregnant, she decided to continue the pregnancy. She could not imagine herself killing her own child. She accepted the fact that she will be a

Daoism and Confucnaism Notes Essay Example for Free

Daoism and Confucnaism Notes Essay Daoism is the Pinyin transliteration Taoism was the earlier Wade-Giles transcription of the same word. The sacred rituals are called li. They are essential because the ancestors will help their descendents, if treated with proper respect, or cause trouble if ignored. They beleive in nature spirits such as plants, animals, rivers, stones, mountains, stars, all parts of the natural world are vitalized by cosmic energy personified and honored as deities. Shangdi (Shang Ti) is the Lord-on-High, ruler of the universe, the supreme ancestor of the Chinese. He was a spiritual being. Deities governing aspects of the cosmos and the local enviroment are subordinate to him. This deity is conceived as masculine and closely involved in human affairs, but not a creator God. qi (chi) is a belief that the cosmos is a manifestation of an impersonal sel generating energy which is called qi. This force has two aspects whose interplay causes the ever changing phenomena of the Universe. Yin is the dark, receptive, female aspect: Yang is the bright, assertive, male aspect. Wisdon lies in recognizing their ever shifting but regular and balanced, patterns and moving with them. This creative rhtym of the universe is called the Dao (Tao) or way. Yijing ( I Ching) or the Book pf Changes it is a common source for both Daoism and Confucianism and is regarded as a classic text in both traditions. The more mystically religious ways, which are collectively called Daoism, and the more political and moral ways, which are known as Confucianism. Like yin and yang, they interpenetrate and complement each other, and are themselves evolving dynamically.

CSR IN KENYA: FACTORS THAT DRIVE and AFFECT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

CSR IN KENYA: FACTORS THAT DRIVE and AFFECT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY This paper seeks to address the concept of CSR within the Kenyan context and in particular the factors that affect its effective practice and the benefits to the local stakeholder community. The growth and implementation of CSR-related activities throughout the years in developing countries and in particular Kenya will also be dealt with. The research questions posed will be tackled using the mixed methods cross-sectional design as focus will be on all the sectors of the economy so as to have a better understanding of the different contributions by these businesses and organisations. Through this research, I hope to identify the precise ways in which CSR is practised in Kenya while establishing the various businesses that are committed to this cause. This paper will also highlight the major characteristics of the practice of CSR in Kenya and thus, give businesses insight into which areas need improvement and how they can do so while still turning a profit. 4. INTRODUCTION a) Area Topic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an ever evolving concept that comprises of any strategic tool that creates new opportunities for businesses while mitigating and managing the risks to the businesses. The focus of this study is on the area of CSR and in particular its practice in Kenya. The topic of choice is whether there have been any factors that have driven and affected the local businesses contributions to the stakeholder community. b) Statement of purpose The purpose of the study is to examine what key CSR drivers are present in Kenya whether there have been any factors that have prevented the business organisations in Kenya from substantially contributing to the local community through the practice of CSR. Additionally, the study will also look into spheres of possible improvement by the government and the business community. 5. LITERATURE REVIEW CSR means many things to different people institutions and as Frankenthal (2001) clearly states, CSR is a vague and intangible term which can mean anything to anybody, and therefore is effectively without meaning. These CSR interpretations have evolved over the last 30 years from being relatively focused on compliance with environmental regulations a search for eco-efficiency to a broader concept that combines and balances economic, social and environmental commitments as part of the drive towards sustainable development. Therefore, different companies have adopted slightly different interpretations as to what CSR means to them but the underlying message is always the same. Welford (2004 and 2005) has noted that CSR has been adopted in different ways in the different parts of the world. CSR concerns how organisations interact with their stakeholders, and is linked to improving sustainable development, health and wellbeing for people, as well as enhancing organisational profits (Price, 2009). This is because over the years, business organisations have come under immense pressure from their stakeholders to act in a responsible manner. Scandals such as Enron and Parmalat (Ruggie 2003: OHiggins 2005), Nikes employment practices and the very recent BP/Shell oil spill have provoked increased scrutiny into business policies and practices. Mullerat and Brennan (2005) deduced from a study carried out by the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Craft and Agriculture in cooperation with Instituto per i Valore dImpresa that the adoption of CSR-related activities by companies depends on 2 factors: The size of the business enterprise/ organisation there is a difference on CSR performance between the smaller companies and the large ones due to financial personnel differences; and The particular sector of the economy in which the business operates for example, businesses within the agro-industrial, building construction, manufacturing ICT sectors are more concerned with environmental issues arising from their production processes and product lifespan. Globally, companies that have engaged in CSR have come to the realization that their environmental and social impacts need to be managed in line with their economic or commercial performance (Little, 2003). In Africa, CSR is still in its infancy stage due to socioeconomic realities such as poverty, HIV/AIDS and ineffective public administration service delivery which have had a significant impact on the drivers, role and function of CSR for companies operating in Africa (Klins, Niekerk Smit, 2010). Thus, CSR activities and projects aspire to resolve challenges faced by communities, which governments cannot fully address. Therefore, issues such as the environment, workplace, product quality and health safety get much lower priority. CSR in Africa is most often associated with multinationals or large foreign investors e.g. Coca Cola. Visser, Matten, Pohl Tolhurst (2010) have identified some of the drivers for CSR in developing countries as: Cultural tradition where CSR draws deeply from indigenous beliefs of philanthropy, business ethics and community togetherness; Reforms in politics; Socio-economic priorities e.g. alleviation of poverty, eradication of HIV/AIDS; Governance gaps; Response to crisis such as accidents, catastrophes; Market access; International standardisation through the adoption of global CSR codes; Investment incentives; Stakeholder activism; and Business supply chains. CSR is therefore seldom related to the companies core business but rather tends to be positive payback philanthropy, with public relations benefits (Klins et al, 2010). Some priority issues covered by CSR activities in Africa are poverty reduction, health HIV/AIDS, skills development education, youth development and socioeconomic development. In Kenya, the cultural context is an important factor in defining CSR and this communal culture is captured in the indigenous concept of Harambee which embodies and reflects the strong ancient value of mutual assistance, joint effort, social responsibility and community self-reliance (Winston and Ryan, 2008). This concept simply means that collective good outweighs individual gain. According to Gathii (2008), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has been involved in drafting guidelines on CSR. These guidelines, in addition to those voluntarily adopted by companies and the current ISO standards, form a backdrop against which to measure CSR in Kenya. In Kenya, CSR is often seen as an add-on, peripheral to the core business (Imani Development, 2009). CSR departments are rare and many operate from within marketing, communications, corporate affairs, training or human resources departments (Klins et al, 2010). Furthermore, where CSR policies are established, more often than not, they refer to philanthropic approaches. CSR policy adherence is not typically evaluated in Kenya and corporate leadership involvement tends to be focused on launching community projects, supporting CSR policies and ensuring resources for these projects, rather than embedding CSR in business processes. Regulations that have an impact on CSR are often based on the ratification and subsequent domestication of international conventions which mainly focus on workplace issues and the physical environment. Examples of specific national CSR-related legislation in Kenya are: Vision 2030; Kenya National Environment Action Plan; and Draft guidelines (recently developed) by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Ponnu and Okoth (2009) in a study done on CSR disclosure in Kenya found that Kenyan companies are relatively small if compared in the international standards. These companies participation in social activities may not be pegged on their financial capability rather, their willingness and desire for strategic positioning within the society for future economic advantages. Some organisations business committed to practising CSR in Kenya are: The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) which fights against HIV/AIDS is a signatory of the Global Compact and is also involved in Kenyas Vision 2030; The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has established the Centre for Energy Efficiency Conservation (CEEC) and has been the focal point of the Global Compact Local Network in Kenya since September 2009; The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is promoting the UN Global Compact and is active in the field of anti-corruption; East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) founded the EABL Foundation in 2005 which deals with the supply of water, environment, health, education training and other special projects, aimed at improving the lives of the people in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; Safaricom Ltd a leading mobile service provider that has greatly contributed to the Kenya community since 2007 through its sponsorship of various projects under the spheres of community, environment, health, sports and education; Intex Construction Ltd. a Kenyan company that deals in construction, civil engineering and real estate development and is committed to CSR, environmental impact management and Corporate Social Investment (CSI); Unilever Tea Kenya Ltd. as part of its CSR agenda is involved in health care, employee welfare (housing), community participation (educational scholarships, training of farmers) and environmental care (is a corporate member of WWF and encourages sustainable agriculture); and Equity Bank the Equity Group Foundation focuses on eradication of poverty, hunger and the provision of humanitarian aid, education, gender equality and women empowerment, health, environment sustainability and voluntary service to society by the banks leadership. Kivuitu, Yambayamba Fox (2005), argue that the CSR agenda needs to be locally owned if its to make a significant contribution to the local development priorities and it must be relevant to local enterprises, whether large or small. Many scholars agree that in order for CSR and its policies to produce substantial gains within the Kenyan local community, it needs to be tailored to suit the business practices of the organisations that operate in Kenya. 6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS i) General Questions Has the practice of CSR in Kenya been successful overall? What are issues that have benefited from the practice of CSR? How much more can be done by the relevant authorities and businesses? ii) Specific Questions What are main drivers of CSR in Kenya? How many companies in Kenya practice CSR? How many of these companies are listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE)? Does the Kenyan Government participate in CSR-related activities? Are there any state policies or laws that regulate or steer CSR in Kenya? What are the various ways in which CSR is practised in Kenya? What are the critical success factors that have led to implementation of successful CSR projects in Kenya? How have local issues benefited from CSR-related activities? Are the gains substantial and/or should more be done? 7. RESEARCH METHODS i) Design (Strategy Framework) The research questions will be answered using the mixed methods cross-sectional design with a pragmatic worldview which consists of collection of both quantitative and qualitative data sequentially. This approach is based on the assumption that the collection of diverse types of data best provides a deeper understanding of the research problem posed. The study will commence with a broad survey in order to generalize the results from a sample of the businesses to the population. Then qualitative open-ended interviews will be used to collect detailed views from the participants. The strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research will provide the best understanding of this particular study. ii) Sample Sampling is an important part of the research study and this is because its cheaper, faster, practical, and more confidential in nature and lastly it has more in-depth analysis of the research problem. The research will be located in Kenya as this is the topic of the area under study. The population from which the samples will be selected will be the companies operating in Kenya (both national and foreign internationals). This is because these companies CSR practices are the major focus point of the research study. Sampling will be done through the sequential mixed methods sampling procedure, whereby the results from the QUAN strand will influence the methodology subsequently employed in the QUAL strand. The first sample will be generated through stratified random sampling where businesses will be surveyed and from these results then simple random sampling will be applied so as to investigate the issues that have benefited from CSR-related activities in Kenya. The first sample will consist of 30 companies randomly selected from: The Nairobi Stock Exchange; Foreign internationals companies operating in Kenya; and Medium-sized companies not listed on the NSE. The second sample will comprise of 20 issues that have benefited from CSR-related activities and the size of this sample will be inclusive of institutions, individuals or group of individuals, the environment and other local causes. iii) Data Collection This will be done in 2 stages as the quantitative data collection will build on the qualitative one. Quantitative data on the factors that drive and affect CSR performance by businesses will be through a cross-sectional survey using: Close-ended Online Questionnaires Advantages are: There is greater flexibility when displaying the questions in mind e.g. through check boxes, pull down menus; It allows a quicker response from the participants; Its cheaper to administer due to the absence of costs of purchasing paper, printing and postage; There is no prior arrangement to be done; They avoid any embarrassment to the respondents; There is no bias from the researcher; Reduction in the time needed for analysis as the data is collected in a central database; and Its easier to correct any errors made on the questionnaire thus no need for reprinting. Disadvantages are: There is a limited response rate because some people may not have access to the internet; They assume that the respondents are literate; There are people who are not receptive to completing questionnaires online; and There is a bias as the demographic that generally responds to online questionnaire invitations are usually younger people. Structured Telephone Interviews Advantages include: Relatively cheaper and speedier than personal interviews; There is a high response rate which is also spontaneous ; Interviews can be aided where necessary; The researcher can tape the interviews; Has accessibility to a wide geographical area; and Has more anonymity than personal interviews. Disadvantages include: The participants can terminate the interview at any time they want; Questionnaire will be required so as to guide the researcher on what to ask; There is the inevitability of repeat calls; Respondents have very little time to think; The researcher must have phone etiquette; The questions presented must be straightforward; Non-verbal cues cannot be read (visual aids cannot be used); The interviews have to be short so as to avoid irritation; and There is the danger of contacting obsolete telephone numbers while omitting unlisted ones. While qualitative data on the contributions to the local issues will be collected through: Document Review The advantages include: The information contained the documents can be verified independently; The review process can be done independently without relying on other sources extensively; and Its cheaper than other data collection methods. The disadvantages include: The information uncovered may not be in line with the requirements of the research study; The documents may be difficult to locate obtain; The information may not be available for public viewing; The documents may be located in a distant archive thus requiring the researcher to travel; It can be a time-sensitive process; and The researcher does not have control over the quality of data unearthed and thus relies on the information provided in the documents so as to assess the reliability of the sources. Open-ended/in-depth interviews Advantages are: They provide more detailed information than the other methods; and Information is collected in a more relaxed atmosphere thus interviewees are more open. Disadvantages of this method are: The respondents may be biased in order to prove a point; These interviews are time-sensitive due to transcription and analysis of this data; and They produce results that are not easily generalized due to the small samples chosen. Audiovisual materials Some advantages of this type of data collection are: Its easier for people to relate to images; They provide a gateway for participants to share their perceptions; and They provide extensive data on real-life situations. Disadvantages include: Due to the amount of extensive data collected, they are difficult to analyse; and Data collected could be easily influenced by the researched thus theres bias. iv) Data Analysis Research Question Data Source Analysis Plan What are the main drivers of CSR in Kenya? Books, dissertations, periodicals, journals research reports Content/ document analysis of the identified paper-based sources. How many companies in Kenya practice CSR? Company websites, annual reports, periodicals journals Web content analysis of the relevant company websites. Document analysis of the relevant company-related documents. How many of these companies are listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange? Nairobi Stock Exchange website Web content analysis of the NSE website. Does the Kenyan government participate in CSR-related activities? Government reports publications Content/ document analysis the accessible and relevant government sources. Are there any state policies or laws that regulate or steer CSR in Kenya? Government statutes Document analysis of government statutes dealing with CSR in Kenya. What are the various ways in CSR is practised in Kenya? Questionnaires, books, journals, research reports conference reports. Use of constant comparison (grounded theory) to analyse questions. Document analysis of the obtained documents. Use of SPSS to collate responses to the questionnaires issued. What are the critical success factors that have led to implementation of successful CSR projects in Kenya? Periodicals, dissertations, journals, books, research papers Document analysis of the books, journals, periodicals, dissertations and research papers unearthed during the research. How have local issues benefited from CSR-related activities? Interviews, company websites, questionnaires, journals, periodicals Document analysis of journals, periodicals. SPSS analysis of the interviews questionnaires issued. Web content analysis of the various companies identified. Are the gains substantial and/or should more be done? Interviews, questionnaires, research papers conference reports. Document analysis SPSS analysis Therefore, due to the mixed methods research design formulated, the research will undergo the following 5 stages in order to fully answer the research questions posed: Data Reduction It will involve the use of memoing, descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. Data Display This will be done through charts, graphs and tables. Data Consolidation Both sets of data will be combined to create new ones. Data Comparison Comparison of data from the quantitative the qualitative data sources will then be done. Data Integration Lastly, integration of both types of data into one whole will reveal the final picture. v) Assumptions The following will be made in relation to this study: That respondents will answer the questionnaires truthfully; That the samples represent the population; and The instruments used have validity and are measuring the desired constructs. 8. SIGNIFICANCE This research study is important as it will examine deeper an area that has not been fully explored by previous scholars while paying homage to them. This is due to the fact that CSR is an ever-growing phenomenon that Kenya as a developing country needs to improve on so as to catch up to its developed counterparts. This study is important to the businesses operating in Kenya as it will enable them to gauge themselves and identify areas of improvement at the same time. 9. LIMITATIONS DELIMITATIONS Limitations The study will be limited by time constraints because of the length of time provided for completing the research. It will also be limited by the number of businesses, institutions willing to participate in the study. Delimitations This study will be delimited to companies, institutions operating in Kenya that have participated in CSR-related activities in the last 10 years. 10. ETHICAL ISSUES The following ethical issues will be taken into consideration during this study: Informed consent and the participants understanding of their rights. These consents will be both written and oral in nature; Confidentiality of any information collected from the participants; and Anonymity of the interviewees before, during and after the interviews. 11. REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY ALKathiri, N.S. (2010) Collecting Qualitative Data [Online] http://www.slideshare.net/highness85/collecting-qualitative-data [Accessed on 22nd November 2010] Amaratunga, D.; Baldry, D.; Sarshar, M.; and Newton, R. (2002) Quantitative and Qualitative research in the built environment, Work Study, Vol. 51(1), pp.17-31 Baker, M. (2010) The Business in Society, Corporate Social Responsibility What Does It Mean? [Online] http://www.businessrespect.net/definition.php [Accessed on 21st November 2010] Boyce, C.; and Neale, P. (2006) Conducting In-depth Interviews: A Guide for Designing and Conducting In-depth Interviews for Evaluation Input in Monitoring and Evaluation 2, Watertown, MA: Pathfinder International, pp. 1-12 Business in the Community (2010) The CR Academy [Online] http://www.bitc.org.uk/cr_academy/index.html [Accessed on 22nd November] Chanimal (2004) Quantitative Research Considerations [Online] http://www.chanimal.com/html/quantitative_research.html [Accessed on 19th November 2010] Clarke, R.J. (2005) Research Models and Methodologies, HDR Seminar Series, Faculty of Commerce (Spring Session) Crane, A. (2008) Corporate Social Responsibility in developing countries in The Oxford handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility, Oxford University Press, pp.480-484 Creswell, J. (2009) The Selection of a Research Design in Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (ed.), Newbury Park, Cal.: Sage Publications, pp. 3-21 Creswell, J. (2009) Research Questions and Hypotheses in Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (ed.), Newbury Park, Cal.: Sage Publications, pp. 129-143 Creswell, J. (2009) Collecting Data in Mixed Methods Research in Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (ed.), Newbury Park, Cal.: Sage Publications, pp. 110-127 Dobers, P.; and Halme, M. (2009) Editorial Corporate Social Responsibility and developing countries, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Vol. 16, Wiley InterScience, pp. 237-249 Driscoll, D.; Yeboah, A.A; Salib, P.; and Rupert, D. (2007) Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Mixed Methods Research: How to and Why not, Journal of Ecological and Environmental Anthropology, Vol. 3 (1), pp. 19-28 East African Breweries Ltd. [Online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_African_Breweries [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Equity Bank [Online] http://www.equitybank.co.ke/about.php?subcat=9 [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Fairbrass, J.; ORiordan, L. and Mirza, H (2005) Corporate Social Responsibility: Differing Definitions and Practices?'[Online] http://www.crrconference.org/downloads/fairbrass.pdf [accessed 25th November 2010] Family Health International (nd.), Qualitative Research Methods: A Data Collectors Field Guide Federation of Kenya Employers [Online] http://fke-kenya.org/download/hivaidsworkplace.pdf [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Frankenthal, P. (2001) Corporate Social Responsibility- a PR invention? in Corporate Communication, An International Journal, Vol. 6(1) PP.18-23 Gathii, J.T. (2008) Kenya: What does CSR really mean?, Business Daily Nairobi, 6 May 2008; http://allafrica.com/stories/200805061150.html [Accessed 25th November 2010] Imani Development (2009) Corporate Social Responsibility in Sub-Saharan Africa Built In or Bolted On? A Survey on Promoting and Hindering Factors (Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft fà ¼r Technische Zusammenarbeit [GTZ] GmbH/BMZ/British High Commission SouthAfrica) Intex Construction Ltd. [Online] http://www.intexafrica.com/howwedobusiness.htm [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Kenya Association of Manufacturers [Online] http://www.kam.co.ke/?itemId=17newsId=265 [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Kenya Private Sector Alliance [Online] http://aquaya.org/wp-content/uploads/Kevit_Desai.pdf [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Kivuitu, M.; Yambayamba, K.; and Fox, T. (2005)How can Corporate Responsibility Deliver in Africa? Insights from Kenya and Zambia, Perspectives on Corporate Responsibility for Environment and Development, Issue 3, pp.1-5 Klins, U,; Niekerk, J. and Smit, A. (2010) Africa in The World Guide to CSR: A Country-by- Country Analysis of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, Sheffield, Greenleaf Publishing Limited Little, A. (2003) The Business Case for Corporate Responsibility [Online] http://www.bitc.org.uk/resources/publications/cr_business_case.html [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Mullerat, R. And Brennan, D. (2005) Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Policy in Corporate Social Responsibility: the Corporate Governance of the 21st century, Kluwer Law International pp.79-80 Muthuri, J.; and Gilbert, V. (2010) An Institutional Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility in Kenya, Journal of Business Ethics, Springer (August) Neill, J. (2007) Qualitative versus Quantitative Research: Key Points in a Classic Debate [Online] http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html [Accessed on 19th November 2010] OHiggin, E. (2005) Ireland: Bridging the Atlantic in Habisch, A and Jonker,J. (ed.) Corporate Social Responsibility, Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag Onwuegbuzie, A.; and Leech, N. (2006) Linking Research Questions to Mixed Methods Data Analysis Procedures, The Qualitative Report, Vol. 11 (3), pp. 474-498 Ponnu, C.H.; and Okoth, M.O.A. (2009) Corporate Social Responsibility disclosure in Kenya: The Nairobi Stock Exchange, African Journal of Business Management, Vol.3 (10), pp.601-608 Price, T. (2009) Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholders in Sustainable Risk Management, Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan Ruggie, J. (2003) The New World of Corporate Social Responsibility [Online] http://www.hks.harvard.edu/m-rcbg/CSRI/publications/workingpaper_10_kytle_ruggie.pdf [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Safaricom Ltd. [Online] http://www.safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=388 [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Teddlie, C.; and Yu, F. (2007) Mixed Methods Sampling: A Typology with Examples, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, Vol. 1(1), Newbury Park, Cal.: Sage Publications, pp.77-100 Ufadhili Trust (2004) Corporate Social Responsibility and Development in Kenya, Ufadhili; Nairobi Unilever Tea Kenya Ltd. [Online] http://www.eastafricancsrawards.com/downloads/shortlisted/SC_Unilever%20Kenya%20HIVAid.pdf [Accessed on 20th November 2010] Visser, W.; Matten, D.; Pohl, M.; and Tolhurst, N. (2010) Corporate Social Responsibility in developing countries in The A to Z of Corporate Social Responsibility Visser, W.; McIntosh, M,; and Middleton, C. (2006) Lessons from the past: Paths to the future in Corporate Citizenship in Africa, Sheffield, Greenleaf Publishing Limited Welford, R. (2004) Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe and Asia: Critical Elements and Best Practice, Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Issue 13 Welford, R. (2005) Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe, North America and Asia, Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Issue 17 Winston, B., and Ryan, B. (2008) Servant Leadership as a Humane Orientation: Using the GLOBE Study Construct of Humane Orientation to Show that Servant Leadership is More Global than Western, International Journal of Leadership Studies 3.2: 212-222. World Bank Institute Education Group (2007) Document Review in Needs Assessment Knowledge Base, World Bank Organisation [Online] http://siteresources.worldbank.org/WBI/Resources/213798-1194538727144/11Final-Document_Review.pdf [Accessed on 21st November 2010] World Bank Institute (2003) CSR Launch in Kenya in CSR Update, Vol.1 (2), pp.1-8 12. APPENDICES C:UsersLynResearch Methodsbusiness in society diag..gif Appendix 1 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE QUESTION YES NO N/A COMMENTS Does your organisation have a CSR structure? Have targets been set? Who has overall responsibility for CSR in your organisation? Does your organisation report on CSR? Has your organisation undertaken any type of activity that has aided the community or protected the environment? Has management received training on CSR issues? Has your organisation tried to reduce its environmental impact in terms of: a) Pollution Prevention? b) Waste minimisation recycling? c) Protection of the natural environment? Does your organisation supply clear accurate environmental information on its activities to the local community? Does your organisation have open dialogue with

Time Management: Putting Time On Your Side Essay -- essays research pa

Time Management: Putting Time on Your Side   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste one’s time is to waste one’s life, but mastery of time usage is mastery of life and making the most of it. Einstein once said, â€Å"There is no absolute relation in time between two events, but there is an absolute relation between space and time† (Sharp 1). Time is a mystery. It cannot be tied down by definition or confined inside a formula. Like gravity, it is a phenomenon that we can experience but cannot understand. We are aware of the ageing of our bodies, of the effects of the movements of our planet, and of the ticking of the clock. We learn a little about what we call the past and we know that change is built into our lives. But neither philosophers nor scientists have been able to analyze and explain all of the meaning of time. Not only have they failed to provide easy explanations, but their efforts sometimes seem to have made mystery more mysterious and to have shown us t hat our lack of understanding was even greater than we supposed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some philosophers argue that the passage of time is an important metaphysical fact, but one that can only be grasped by non-rational intuition. Others tell us that the flow of time is an illusion and that the future can no more be changed than the past. Some believe that future events come into existence as the present; the future becomes the actual â€Å"moment-in-being.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When spending money, one presumably tries to balance their expenditures in such a way as to obtain the best possible yield. This means that one will probably refrain from spending all of their assets on a single commodity. Instead, one will distribute their expenditure over a variety of different goods and services. The optimum situation will have been reached when it is impossible to increase satisfaction by reducing expenditure in one field and making a corresponding increase in another. A more technical description of this condition of equilibrium would be to say that the marginal utility of one dollar must be the same in all different sectors of expenditures.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the same manner, one tries to economize with their time resources. They must be so distributed as to give an equal yield in all sects of use. Otherwise, it would pay t... ...able units using periods of available time. Focus on the task at hand by mentally establishing successful outcomes and working back to identify the steps that lead there. Make a daily, prioritized schedule of tasks and events. Write things down for memory’s sake and to keep a clutter free mind. Time management is a skill that needs to be practiced, and once perfected, it will make light of any busy schedule for any busy person. Works Cited Sharp, Clifford. The Economics of Time. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1981 Lakien, Alan. How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York: David McKay Co., 1973 Schofield, Deniece. Confessions of an Organized Housewife.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books, 1984 Linder, Staffan Burenstam. The Harried Leisure Class.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York: Columbia University Press, 1970 Kozoll, Charles E. Coaches Guide to Time Management.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 1985 Mackenzie, Alec. The Time Trap. New York: Amacom, 1990 Winston, Stephanie. Getting Organized. New York: Warner Books, 1978 Time Management: Putting Time On Your Side Essay -- essays research pa Time Management: Putting Time on Your Side   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste one’s time is to waste one’s life, but mastery of time usage is mastery of life and making the most of it. Einstein once said, â€Å"There is no absolute relation in time between two events, but there is an absolute relation between space and time† (Sharp 1). Time is a mystery. It cannot be tied down by definition or confined inside a formula. Like gravity, it is a phenomenon that we can experience but cannot understand. We are aware of the ageing of our bodies, of the effects of the movements of our planet, and of the ticking of the clock. We learn a little about what we call the past and we know that change is built into our lives. But neither philosophers nor scientists have been able to analyze and explain all of the meaning of time. Not only have they failed to provide easy explanations, but their efforts sometimes seem to have made mystery more mysterious and to have shown us t hat our lack of understanding was even greater than we supposed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some philosophers argue that the passage of time is an important metaphysical fact, but one that can only be grasped by non-rational intuition. Others tell us that the flow of time is an illusion and that the future can no more be changed than the past. Some believe that future events come into existence as the present; the future becomes the actual â€Å"moment-in-being.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When spending money, one presumably tries to balance their expenditures in such a way as to obtain the best possible yield. This means that one will probably refrain from spending all of their assets on a single commodity. Instead, one will distribute their expenditure over a variety of different goods and services. The optimum situation will have been reached when it is impossible to increase satisfaction by reducing expenditure in one field and making a corresponding increase in another. A more technical description of this condition of equilibrium would be to say that the marginal utility of one dollar must be the same in all different sectors of expenditures.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the same manner, one tries to economize with their time resources. They must be so distributed as to give an equal yield in all sects of use. Otherwise, it would pay t... ...able units using periods of available time. Focus on the task at hand by mentally establishing successful outcomes and working back to identify the steps that lead there. Make a daily, prioritized schedule of tasks and events. Write things down for memory’s sake and to keep a clutter free mind. Time management is a skill that needs to be practiced, and once perfected, it will make light of any busy schedule for any busy person. Works Cited Sharp, Clifford. The Economics of Time. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1981 Lakien, Alan. How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York: David McKay Co., 1973 Schofield, Deniece. Confessions of an Organized Housewife.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books, 1984 Linder, Staffan Burenstam. The Harried Leisure Class.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York: Columbia University Press, 1970 Kozoll, Charles E. Coaches Guide to Time Management.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 1985 Mackenzie, Alec. The Time Trap. New York: Amacom, 1990 Winston, Stephanie. Getting Organized. New York: Warner Books, 1978

Effects of Atmospheric Instability on the Anthrosphere :: Geology

EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC INSTABILITY ON THE ANTHROSPHERE INTRODUCTION The atmosphere rises to 500 km above Earth's surface. The atmosphere is divided into four parts based on temperature change in relation to change in altitude. The four parts are the: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere. This paper will be discussing instability in the Troposphere, the lowest level, since it is where the Earth's weather takes place. Tropospheric instability often times yields severe weather, such as tornadoes. A Tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and pendent from a cumulonimbus cloud. A tornado's fierce winds have the ability to severely impact the lives of humans by: turning innocent stationary objects into flying missiles, collapsing buildings, and even throwing people hundreds of yards. One researcher summarized tornadoes well when he said "Tornadoes are one of the World's strongest forces, and they will not stop at anything that will get in their way!"(Elias Demakes). FORMATION OF SEVERE WEATHER HOW: Atmospheric instability is the result of air rising in a cloud that is warmer than its surroundings. The heat released by the condensation within the cloud allows the rising air to maintain its relative warmth in comparison to its surroundings. This is characteristic of a supercell, the strongest type of thunderstorm (Supercell). Supercells occur when the warm updraft moves through an overlying stable layer and continues upward into a zone of cool dry air. This process produces fierce vortex motions, a pre-requisite for tornadoes. WHERE: Tornadoes can occur anywhere as long as the conditions are favorable. However, the United States is host to more tornadoes than any other country. And within the United States, geographically, the western plains has the highest frequency of tornado occurences. The western plains has so many that it has become known as "Tornado Valley". One reason that this area receives so much tornadic activity is because here, the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico converges with the cool dry air from the north. This creates the unstable atmosphere necessary for the formation of a tornado. WHEN: Tornadoes can occur on any day of the year at any hour. However, tornadoes occur most frequently in the spring.

Life-cycle :: essays research papers

Amidst the â€Å"hot pies and potato-chips†, â€Å"innocent monsters† and â€Å"resurgent lions†, Dawe effectively illustrates Victorian popular culture in the poem â€Å"Life-cycle†. Generally speaking, the subject matter is associated with Victorian lifestyle, notwithstanding the prevalent reference specifically to AFL football. Humour and good intentions counterbalance sentiments of condescending ridicule. Dawe flippantly suggests that â€Å"the tides of life will be the tides of the home-team’s fortunes†. Whilst some may be inclined to assume that Dawe is merely mocking a preoccupied Victorian society, it is worth mentioning that his criticisms are far from hostile. In fact, it would be fair to say that they are detailed with an affectionate and benevolent disposition. Whimsically, Dawe depicts a solitary culture conditioned by an overwhelming fascination with AFL football. The insinuation that Victorians are born into football loyalty, similar to that of religion, suggests that Dawe possesses the unique ability to detect similarities in events that are generally opaque to the standard eye. Biblical references throughout the poem cast an additional dimension in the audience’s minds. The mention of the â€Å"empyrean† and the booming of the commentator from the stands could arguably be hypothesised as having a religious underpinning. In a biblical sense, â€Å"empyrean† means the highest heaven and the booming commentator could likewise be compared with a religious God – an Almighty all-seeing onlooker. Dawe further develops comparisons in the form of non-religious similes. For example, the comparison between â€Å"rippling minds† and â€Å"streamers†, and for descriptive purposes, children are defined as â €Å"little monsters who have been years swimming towards the daylight’s roaring empyrean†. The relationship fabricated between Dawe and his audience is far more personal than that achieved by similar poets. The language is seemingly colloquial, vernacular and familiar to everyday Australians, despite the occasional rise of cerebral biblical dialect. Dawe utilises are variety of poetic devices to convey a powerful sense of imagery. The deliberate exaggeration for dramatic effect (otherwise known as a hyperbole) is used in the phrase â€Å"the pure flood of sound†. In this instance, the obvious exaggeration encourages a greater sense of aural imagery. In terms of visual imagery, descriptions of â€Å"club-colours†, â€Å"beribboned cots† and hoisting children shoulder-high, enables the reader to gain a perceptive appreciation of what football loyalty entails. The symbolic application of the â€Å"litter Tiger†, â€Å"resurgent lions†, Demons and Saints, highlight the obvious significance of football mascots. Alliteration such as â€Å"passion persisting† emphasises the strong emotional attachment that football followers rightfully possess.

Understanding the Production of Biofuels in the United States

The current situation in the global demand for fuel is definitely becoming a global phenomenon, which develops to be a worldwide problem that directly affects the global society and the lives of people. Thus, for the past years, the global oil industry has experienced shortage and/or a crisis, which has caused the international oil price to increase with more than twice its normal rate. This global oil crisis and the higher rate of oil prices are indeed detrimental and difficult for the people and in the global economy.This problem results to more difficulties in the financial burden of the people and makes the global society suffer from the expensive rate of the crude oil and affects other major industries in its operation. Hence, with the continuous increase in worldwide oil price and the broadening campaign for global crisis, the production of biofuels is now regaining fame and significance amidst all these global issues. In this regard, this research paper concentrates on the top ic about the production and use of biofuels in the United States as an alternative to the ones that is already in the global mainstream oil market.The paper would work on investigating the process of the United States in producing biofuels by utilizing natural materials such as plants that are rich with the needed substances in making such oil product. Thus, this research would also focus on determining the positive and negative implications of producing biofuels, as an answer to the growing oil and energy crisis, among the major industries that would directly affected by such process of manufacturing biofuels. Probable Plants to be utilized for the Production of BiofuelsAs seen to be one of the richest countries in the globe and with the present resources they have, the United States of America is regarded to be one of the leading countries that produces large amount of biofuels, more specifically ethanol fuel and biodiesel, which alternatively supplies the local demand for oil to power vehicles. It is seen that ethanol and biodiesel are the primary biofuels utilized in the United States and as such, the country uses mainly corn kernels and soybeans in producing respective biofuels for local transportation and industry consumption.As of the present time, the United States uses corn kernels in producing bioethanol, which also utilizes a little fraction made from sorghum (Hagens). As such, through the use of corn crops alone, the United States is able to produce 4. 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2006. On the other hand, the production of biodiesel in the United States uses mainly soybean oil and other vegetable oils where in the same year of 2006, the country has produced 100 million gallons biodiesel out of these natural resources (Hagens).Moreover, other major countries that also produces biofuels as an alternative oil to power up their local transportation and industry also uses relatively the same natural resources with the ones that the United States has been using in their own production (Hagens). For instance, Brazil, one of the leading producers of bioethanol, also uses corn kernels being one of the countries which produces large amount of corn crops (Hagens).As for the developing countries such as the Philippines, the productions of biofuels just in their beginnings where the plants to be use for such process depends on the location and available plant resources. In the Philippines, plants like Jathropa Curcas or better known as Physic nut is given more attention as one of the potential primary natural resources in producing biodiesel and cassava perennial plant in processing bioethanol fuels (Varona). How this plants grown and processed to produce biofuelsPlanting and growing these plants in producing biofuels requires typical way plant farming, which only requires a certain demand for fossil fuel consumption for the entire process of producing biofuels. As for the plant that produces bioethanol such as the corn, the process of planting and growing is seen to be tricky that entails possible negative results in the environment (Biodiesel Edges Out Ethanol). Firstly, the corn is often globally regarded as a crop that is not environmentally friendly, which requires enormous quantities of fertilizers and pesticides in growing.Study shows that the impact of large-scale cultivation has negative adverse effects on the environment wherein the soil becomes uncultivable after the harvesting of corns that requires certain amount of time for recovery (Keim). As for the growing of soybean that is being used in producing biodiesel, the planting process is relatively easier but also environmentally unfriendly. To be able to achieve the greatest quality of soy beans for biodiesel production, though soybeans is adaptable to different conditions of soil, seeds must be planted in a top quality soil and in temperate weather.Thus, the impact of soybean large-scale cultivation entails negative adverse effects in the environmen t wherein through this entire process of planting and growing, the healthy and fertile soil and water are being polluted through the use of detrimental chemicals such as pesticide and fertilizer (Soybean Production). Production Process for Corn The process involved in producing ethanol out of corn involves several processes. The first step includes addition of water to grains which have been previously grounded (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†).The mixture of water and grounded grains is subjected to high temperatures under the liquefaction process and alpha-amylase are added (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†). After which, it goes through fermentation where yeast is used in order for the sugars to be fermented, which then produces ethanol and carbon dioxide (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†). The beer produced in the fermentation tanks proceed through a distillation system that separates the ethanol and leaves a â€Å"whole still age† (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†). In the â€Å"whole stillage† the solids are separated from the liquid through the process of centrifugation.Afterwards, an evaporation step is done for the liquid portion to remove any excess water and leaves condensed syrup (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†). This condensed syrup is placed back with the grains of wet distillers and is dried to come up with DDGS or â€Å"distillers’ dried grains with solubles† (â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products†). A diagram for this process is shown below: Production Process for Soybean The main process through which soybean can be turned into soy biodiesel is called transesterification, which makes soybean oil transform into esters (â€Å"How to Make Soy Biodiesel From Scratch†).In the said process, the oil of the soybean is separated and its glycerine sinks at the bottom and the soybean biodesel goes to the surface (â€Å"Ho w to Make Soy Biodiesel From Scratch†). When this happens, the soybean biodiesel is siphoned (â€Å"How to Make Soy Biodiesel From Scratch†). Efficient Producers of Biofuels In a sense, the fully developed countries like the United States and Brazil are regarded as efficient producers of biofuels as compared to the other developing countries that are having a hard time establishing and starting a reliable way of producing biofuels.Unlike any other countries, the United States and Brazil are the top producers of biofuels, more specifically the bioethanol, which made them successful in attending to their local demands for clean fuels for energy consumption. In addition to this, the European countries also are among the top and efficient producers of another biofuel which is that of the biodiesel that normally caters to the demand of clean diesel fuel for their local vehicle and transportation. In these countries, there is a reliable means of producing these biofuels due t o the available resources as compared to other countries.Plants Consumption for Biofuel and its effect in the Global Food Prices With the trend in using some of the major plants for producing biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel, this entire process entails negative impacts in the supply and price of food in the worldwide market, more especially among the developing countries. Thus, there are reports that the consumption of plants, more specifically with corns and soybeans, creates shortage on the supply for human consumption as food. As such? in most of the countries across the globe, the production of biofuels is being blamed to be the number one cause of global food crisis.In addition to this, such consumption of plants for biofuel production generates shortage and difficulties for developing countries with the continuous increase in the price of food in the global market (Lovgren). Conclusion In the end, the production of biofuels as an alternative solution for the ever loo ming energy crisis is indeed a brilliant idea and a positive approach to resolve such global problem. However, the countries which serve as the major producers of biofuels must also ensure the welfare of the people and do this in such a way that is not harmful for the public and the environment.Thus, the major biofuel producers must also continue to do research with the purpose of discovering other ways of producing biofuels aside from consuming plants that are supposed to be allotted for human consumption to be able to avoid the competition between the interest of the public and need for resolving the looming global energy crisis. Work Cited Aoko, Sam. 12 World’s Largest Biofuel Plants. Eco Worldly. 18 November 2009 < http://ecoworldly. com/2008/04/23/12-worlds-largest-biofuel-plants/> Biodiesel Edges Out Ethanol. Last Updated July 18, 2006. RenewableEnergyWorld. com. 18 February 2009 < http://www. renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2006/07/biodiesel-edges-out-ethanol -45457> Hagens, Nate. The Implications of Biofuel Production for United States Water Supplies. The Oil Drum. 18 February 2009 â€Å"How to Make Soy Biodiesel From Scratch. † 2009. All Soy Products. 18 February 2009 . Keim, Brandon. Corn-Based Biofuels Spell Death for Gulf of Mexico. Last Updated March 13, 2008. CondeNet, Inc. 18 February 2009 Lovgre, Stefan. Hardy Plant May Ease Biofuels' Burden on Food Costs.Last Updated April 21, 2008. National Geographic Society. 18 February 2009 Soybean Production. Last Updated February 18, 2009. National Soybean Research Laboratory. 18 February 2009 â€Å"Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-products. † University of Saskatchewan. 18 February 2009 . Varona, Bernice. Power plants: University spearheads biofuel R&D. UP System Information Office. 18 February 2009 < http://www. up. edu. ph/upnewsletter. php? i=321>

Alcoholism and Public Health Law Essay

Alcohol consumption poses a threat for many public health harms. Impaired driving is one of the largest contributors to motor vehicle crashes (Burris, Grunwald, Anderson, &ump; Filippoli, 2011). In the United States each year roughly 13,400 people die and an additional 255,500 are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver according to Burris et al., 2011. In 2006, these crashes accounted for almost a third of all U.S. traffic-related deaths (Burris et al., 2011). Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States according to Pandrea, Happel, Amedee, Bagby, &ump; Nelson, 2010, and studies show that reducing alcohol consumption can lead to public health improvements such as decreased incidence of â€Å"liver cirrhosis, delirium tremens, male suicide, criminality, hospitalizations, alcohol-related disease mortality, workplace injuries, STDs, IPV, rape, robbery, and severe violence towards children† (Jernigan). Public heath deals with m any other issues that cause burdens to individuals and society alike such as obesity and gun use. Over the past several months, headlines in the news have been echoing â€Å"Chocolate Milk Removed from School Lunches,† and â€Å"Senate Considers Federal Tax on Soda.† While the removal of chocolate milk from school menus has actually happened in certain school districts across the country, federal tax on sodas has only been a proposal at this point. However, both echoes resounding through the news originated from escalating research that America’s twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity are due to diets high in sugar. The end result is that the actions taken to fight obesity have not been classified as either effective, uncertain, or harmful consistently through studies and research because there are too many variables like genetics, other sugar-loaded beverages and foods on the shelf, lack of exercise, abundance of video games, and the lifestyle one is accustomed that contribute to obesity as well. But even with the slightest inclination eliminating chocolate milk or federal tax on soda will eliminate sugar from obese population’s diet and thereby reduce weight, support groups and supporting research seem to load up the band wagons. Alcohol abuse is certainly an epidemic, and the domino effect of negativity it can cause in one’s life and surroundings creates a dismal forecast into the future of American public health somewhat similar to the obesity epidemic. Obesity and alcohol consumption act as a comparison between two similar, yet contradictory issues, much like public health and  public health law. High-risk drinking results in many consequences for public health and unlike obesity and soda tax, a multitude of systematic literature reviews conducted by highly-regarded scholars and published by credible organizations or peer-reviewed journals prove taxes that increase the price of alcohol effectively reduce overall alcohol consumption. Although ways to reduce alcohol consumption are not made glamorous in the news like many other trending public health epidemics, alcohol abuse is one of the few conflicts public health epidemiologists and economists have derived a bullet proof plan of action to effecti vely reduce its harmful effects. This manuscript serves as an evidence brief summarizing the problem, the law, the evidence, and the bottom line pertaining to the effect of increasing tax levels on alcohol use, and to prove why understanding public health law and policy is essential in bridging the gap between proven studies performed by public health professionals and the legislators and lobbyists who can implement the findings. Using the current state of obesity as an example was merely to cast light on the standstill alcohol abuse is undergoing, which ultimately resides in the poor connection between public health research and public health law. However, it is worth noting that other strategies exist to control alcohol abuse besides trying to impose what some may call a â€Å"sin tax,† such as comprehensive prevention programs: 1) Offer and promote social, recreational, extracurricular, and public service alcohol-free options; 2) Create a social, academic, and residential environment that supports health-p romoting norms; 3) Limit alcohol availability both on and off campus; 4) Restrict marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages both on and off campus; and 5) Develop and enforce policies and laws at the campus, local, state and federal levels (The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005). The elements of a comprehensive prevention program limit some of the damage caused by alcohol abuse but the epidemic flows forward. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that alcohol use disorders (AUDs) such as alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are widespread in the general population of the United States, with approximately 8.5 percent of adults having had an AUD in 2007 (Falk, Yi, &ump; Hiller-Sturmhofel, 2008). Moreover, many people suffering from AUDs also suffer from one or more other psychiatric disorders, including other drug use disorders (DUDs), mood  disorders like major depression, anxiety disorders, or personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder (Falk et al., 2008). Falk et al., 2008, also reported the prevalence of alcohol use and AUDs is much higher among people with drug use and DUDs, respectively, than vice versa. This reflects the fact that alcohol is much more widely used than other drugs may be a gateway to the use of illegal or mo re potent drugs (Falk et al., 2008). Falk et al., 2008, reported that their results showed a dose-response relationship between the two classes of substances, with rates of drug use, weekly drug use, and DUDs increasing â€Å"monotonically with increasing levels of alcohol consumption and the presence of AUDs.† The descriptive study by Falk et al., 2008, not only portrays the grim effects of alcohol abuse but is also just one of the many credible reviews providing prevalence estimates providing health care policymakers and treatment planners with a â€Å"comprehensive assessment of the state of the use, co-use, and co-morbidity of alcohol and other drugs in the United States.† The flow of abuse and effects unfortunately does not have a dam, and floods further along into public health. Justice, Lynn, &ump; Fiellin, 2010, have shown that past and present alcohol consumption directly influences HIV progression and survival by altering timing of, adherence, and response to medication designed to minimize levels of HIV in the body like antiretroviral treatment (ART). Alcohol use also influences patient outcomes by increasing the risk for HIV and antiretroviral associated co morbidities, including liver disease, cardiovascular and cerebral vascular disease, pulmonary disease, bone disease, and cancer (Justice et al., 2010). Those with HIV have a lower tolerance for alcohol, according to Justice et al., 2010, yet preserve intense levels of consumption as they age and the growing effects of past and current alcohol consumption is likely to increase because patients with HIV infection are expected to live 20 to 30 years with ART. Lamentably, alcohol is a terror that looms around society and affects the weak and strong alike. Strong populations mostly include college and university students, who likely do not have HIV or AUDs or DUDs while pursuing a higher education. However, 25 percent of students report academic problems caused by alcohol use according to The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005. Students who practice high-risk drinking are at risk for a host of problems, including: 1) A decline in academic performance  due to poor grades, missed classes, and falling behind that may lead to academic probation or dropping out of school; 2) Engaging in unprotected sex; 3) Increased risk of perpetrating or being a victim of violence, including sexual assault, hazing, vandalism, and fights; 4) Health problems related to alcohol use; and 5) Injury, arrest or death due to drinking and driving, or other alcohol-related causes (The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005). Much like concrete cracking and eventually more and more cracks ensuing, are the secondary effects alcohol abuse has on campuses. Firstly, drinking undermines the goal institutions of higher education set forth, since heavy drinking leads to a decline in academic performance. Furthermore, heavy drinking can affect the campus as a whole through reducing retention rates, increasing expenses due to damage from vandalism, and branding the institution as a party school. The â€Å"party school† image may attract students who choose to be in high-risk settings, increasing the likelihood of alcohol-related incidents on campus (The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005). Students who do not drink may also experience negative consequences of alcohol use by their peers according to The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005. Effects may include study or sleep interruption, taking care of a drunken friend, having an unwanted sexual advance, hav ing property damaged, and being a victim of violence including physical or sexual assault. Over three-quarters of students living on campus have experienced at least one of the negative secondary effects of alcohol use at their school (The Demand for Alcohol: The Differential Response to Price, 2005). Perhaps a creative genius health professional strategizes a prevention program that eliminates alcohol consumption, only a short duration of time will pass and the marketing departments of major breweries will promote their brand in a way to pull the public right back into the flow of intake. Or maybe no successful prevention program forms, but raising the excise taxes on alcohol is being accelerated by legislature efforts in order to reduce alcohol consumption and abuse. In this case, consistent industry political donations and lobbying aimed at keeping alcohol excise taxes from increasing are in place for these companies profiting from their unhealthy product. The primary problem this brief sought out to analyze is alcohol abuse and the extensive list of problems discussed in detail above it  causes. The problem paves the way to the law. And given the circumstances that stricter law enforcement and prevention strategies have only resolved a minute fraction of the problem, the law is the answer as it offers a glass ceiling. No federal tax increases have been implemented since 1991 and many states, although legislative efforts have been accelerating across the country, have failed to increase the tax. However, tax law in the epidemic of alcohol abuse, is the solution with most opportunity for proving effective. Burris et al., 2011, define tax law as a mechanism for reducing consumption of unhealthy products. The same news that reported the removal of chocolate milk from selected school districts has reported increased taxes on cigarettes, so it is simple to understand that both the federal government and the states have used taxes as a means of increasing the cost of products associated with health risks in the past. Taxes can be levied upon the production and or sale of alcohol and are often described as excise taxes Burris et al., 2011, have reported. According to the Federation of Tax Administrators, almost every state taxes the sale or production of beer, liquor and wine (Burris et al., 2011). Nevertheless, increasing alcohol tax is not as straightforward and effortless as simply applying the definiton of tax law to the problem and stepping away. State readiness to act on alco hol tax research findings marks the beginning of constructing the bridge that will essentially connect public health to public health law. Many key factors are subject to broad consensus among members of the Coordinating panel and other participating experts (Tremper &ump; Mosher, 2005). Components that are most important are the budget deficit or other substantial need for the state to raise taxes, the strength of the advocates/coalition that would introduce research findings, and the availability of funds that can be used for legislative advocacy. Items of decreasing importance are existence and efficacy of a lobbyist for the issue, well-positioned champion in both houses of the legislature, and the political strength of the alcohol industry and its allies. Other factors include support of the governor, permissibility of earmarking, high proportion of nondrinkers, high proportion of evangelicals and/or fundamentalists, and support of major media (Tremper &ump; Mosher, 2005). Discussion of the former findings serve as a starting point for analyzing the conclusions of specific literature reviews that increasing alcohol taxes  improves public health and that various factors affect the likelihood that research findings will influence alcohol tax policy. After the preliminary analysis, possibly the most important finding to extract is the consent among alcohol tax advocates, legislative process experts, advocates who have successfully used research findings to influence tobacco tax policy, and other interested parties in regard to state tax policy, and whether a state needs to raise taxes for financial reasons. Tremper &ump; Mosher, 2005, have stated that in practical terms reflecting political realities, if a state is not facing a budget deficit, raising alcohol taxes to achieve public health benefits is highly unlikely. Continuing strain on state budgets has a high likelihood of continuing; therefore, raising taxes is going to be on most states’ legislative agenda for the projected future. Another important finding that bodes well for alcohol tax to appear on legislative agendas is that alcohol taxes are low by several measures and in some states have not been raised for decades, which means that inflation has reduced them t o a fraction of their previous level (Tremper &ump; Mosher, 2005). For example, had the beer tax merely kept up with inflation, it would be more than three times today’s rate of $18 per barrel; the liquor tax would be more than five times its current rate of $13.50 per proof gallon (Alcohol Taxes on the Federal Front, 2005). As prices rise, the relative importance of the taxes falls, unless Congress raises them according to the website Alcohol Taxes on the Federal Front. The website further foes on to state statistics indicating beer and wine taxes have been raised only once in the past 55 years, liquor taxes only twice and as a result, tax revenues that accounted for 12 percent of the sales of alcohol in 1980 now amount to only 7 percent of total sales. The result is a de facto subsidy on drinking and extra profits for alcohol manufacturers at the expense of taxpayers (Alcohol Taxes on the Federal Front, 2005). CONCLUSION: The beer industry has long opposed raising taxes on its products, even maintaining that they should be lowered. However, lower beer taxes would only add to the deficit, cater to a prosperous industry, reward and encourage heavy drinking, and attract more young drinkers, fueling increased alcohol problems and increasing public costs. The best interests of consumers, young people, the U.S. Treasury, and the public health and safety  of America would be better served by raising, not lowering beer taxes. (Alcohol Taxes on the Federal Front, 2005)