Islam and Ramadan Essay

Ramadan in Britain during the early Eighties, when I was growing up, was very different from the way it is now. There was no awareness of the rotating month of fasting in the Islamic calendar, no flexibility to working hours, no facility for prayer in offices and no calls for prayer on television. For one month every year, my family and I would undertake this annual Islamic duty furtively, tip-toeing around for the pre-dawn meal for fear of waking up the neighbours with the kitchen clatter, and reluctant to talk about the practice for fear of censure or mockery. Four decades on, Ramadan is marked far more openly in Britain. Some employers are offering flexi-time to those Muslims who, from this week, will undertake a daily fast for 30 consecutive days that will involve around 19 hours of abstention from all food and drink – from sunrise to sunset. Some firms are allowing Muslims to begin their working day later, so they can catch up on sleep after waking up at 3am to eat, and to end their shifts earlier, so that they are not working when they are physically weakened. The Eid festival that marks the end of Ramadan is also increasingly celebrated in public venues around the country, including Trafalgar Square in London. Channel 4 announced last week that it would broadcast one out of five â€Å"calls for prayer† during the month-long fasting period. The channel called it a deliberately â€Å"provocative† act that would, it hoped, challenge prejudices that link Islam to extremism. It is not just Ramadan that has received a PR boost in recent times but fasting itself. In the early days of fasting – at school and then at university – I was often warned by well-wishers of the danger I might be putting my body under and that abstaining from eating and drinking water for long hours could do me harm. Now, fasting seems to have been reinvented as the ancients saw it – a way of giving the body a rest, cleansing both physically and spiritually, and a way of sharpening our collective sense of self-restraint. These objectives are being resurrected in our obesity-riddled Western world, with its binge culture, its childhood obesity and its addictions to food. Dr Michael Mosley’s Horizon investigation in 2012, which studied the effects of intermittent fasting, and in which he fasted two days out of every week (living on 600 calories during his fasting days) spawned the popularity of the 5:2 diet. Dr Mosley presented medical evidence for the life-extending and life-improving benefits of fasting on the human body, though this is still contentious territory in the scientific and nutritional community. Even grander claims came from American scientists last year who said that fasting for regular periods could help protect the brain against degenerative illness. Researchers at the National Institute on Ageing in Baltimore found evidence that a severe reduction of calorie intake for one or two days a week could protect the brain from the most detrimental effects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Aside from the health benefits, there are ethical reasons for fasting, too, even for the most irreligious amongst us. Steven Poole, in his book, You Aren’t What You Eat: Fed Up With Gastroculture, argues compellingly against the recent explosion of â€Å"foodie culture† in Britain, in which food has become a self-indulgent, status-bound and profligate middle-class pastime. Celebrity chefs are now worshipped, he says, and people post pictures of their meals on Facebook. â€Å"Western civilisation is eating itself stupid,† Poole writes. â€Å"The literary and visual rhetoric of food in our culture has become decoupled from any reasonable concern for nutrition or environment.† It is naà ¯ve to think that a few hours of abstinence will harm the majority of the overweight population in the West, though of course, those with certain ailments such as heart conditions or diabetes should avoid fasting on medical grounds (and are exempt from the obligation of Ramadan). After all, hundreds of thousands of people across the world have access to only one meal at best, and limited water, yet they live on. Mohammed Shafiq, founding member of the Ramadhan Foundation, believes that the persistent hunger and weakness of religious fasting may slow us down but it also increases our compassion for those who have been weakened physically in some way. â€Å"During Ramadan, you understand how someone feels when they live in a place with no food or water.† In this sense, there are gains to be made for the soul and its expanded capacity for empathy. Fasting leads us to think about our bodies, their dependencies and their frailties, as well as those of our fellow men and women. And that’s not a bad thing.

History of Minority Populations in the Child Welfare System of the United States Essay

Article 1 Love, C. (2005). Not in our country? A critique of the United States welfare system through the lens of China’s one child policy. Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, 14(2). 142-174. Retrieved May 21, 2010. The article mainly focuses on the Family Planning Law in China and the laws in the United States regarding society welfare. Both the countries aim to eliminate poverty from the societies and encourage development and growth. The author of the article believes that some child laws have been violated in achieving a level of success in implementing welfare laws. Despite the efforts of the government, the people living below the poverty line are increasing each day in both the countries. The children are punished for the decisions of their parents as they do not have a separate formal identification. The cap on the family size in the United States legislature does not allow a woman to bear as many children as she wishes. The government supports children in a family to a certain limit. However, after the reproductive cap has been crossed, the government does not provide any benefits to the child who has been born after the cap was crossed. These limitations on the reproductive choice of a woman demonstrate that the system if full of issues and inequalities. This is because the child who is born after the reproduction cap is not entitled to the support from the government that other children are enjoying. Article 2 Raghavan, R., Inoue, M., Ettner, S., Hamilton, B., & Landsverk, J. (2010). A Preliminary Analysis of the Receipt of Mental Health Services Consistent With National Standards Among Children in the Child Welfare System.  American Journal of Public Health,  100(4), 742-749. Retrieved May 21, 2010 from Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection data. In this article, the authors perform a research to find out whether the children in the child welfare system of the United States receive mental health care as the others receive. Data from the past three years was used to conduct the research and study. This data was collected from the National Survey for Child and Adolescent well-being. The sample size consisted of 3,802 individuals. The results showed that only half of the total sample size received mental health care that was consistent with a single national standard. However, there were only 10% of the total sample were fortunate enough to get health care which was consistent with all of the national standards. It was also found out that the older children were more likely to attract mental health care which is consistent with the national standards. Therefore the article concludes with the fact that the child welfare system in the Unites States is not working fairly and those who need the support are not getting it. Article 3 Dettlaff, A., de Haymes, M., Velazquez, S., Mindell, R., & Bruce, L. (2009). Emerging Issues at the Intersection of Immigration and Child Welfare: Results from a Transnational Research and Policy Forum.  Child Welfare,  88(2), 47-67. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from Education Research Complete database. The authors of this article intend to reveal the issues related to child welfare system that an immigrant family has to face while moving to the United States. Child permanency, safety and well being have become the major concerns of a family moving to the United States. The increasing numbers of immigrants in the past few years suggest an increase in contact and interaction with the child welfare system, but the numbers of immigrant children involved with the welfare system have not been measured. The author of the article also believes that the immigrant children are more likely to live in poverty than the children of the natives. Moreover the authors reveal that the immigrant families in the United States are less likely to receive any financial benefits than the natives. The children that are related to the immigrant families are more likely to lack health insurance coverage than the native ones. These discrepancies in the child welfare system exist due to the fact that the parents of these immigrant children also do not have access to the benefits that a normal American would enjoy.

Batter My Heart, Three-person’d God by John Donne

The poem â€Å"Batter My Heart, Three-person’d God† by John Donne is a prayer to God from the poet. Donne is a struggling sinner, and the poem is his desperate cry for help. He wants God to be in his life, no matter how difficult and painful it is, and desires to be everything God wants him to be. The poem gives a sense of Donne’s complex relationship with God. It is apparent that he is in the midst of a struggle with good and evil, and begins with a plea to God to enter his heart by any means necessary and rid him of the evil that has taken over. Donne uses graphic and violent imagery throughout the poem as a way of showing his utter desperation. This imagery is used in an exaggerated way to convey Donne’s strong desire for God, as well as implying that there is something else that is hindering his ability to allow God in himself. In using the metaphor â€Å"batter my heart† in the first line, Donne is implying that he wants God to use his power like a battering ram to enter his heart. This gives a strong indication that there is some unknown force – be it sin, evil, or the devil – preventing Donne himself from allowing God to enter. He refers to God as the â€Å"three-personed God,† alluding to the Bible’s teaching of God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Donne’s complaint is that God is not being aggressive enough in how he is dealing with him; the Father knocks, the Holy Spirit breathes, and the Son shines his light upon him, but Donne wants him to use his power more aggressively to â€Å"mend† him, help him become â€Å"new,† and force the evils out of him. The progression to violent imagery shows Donne’s desperation; he no longer wants God â€Å"knock,† but is asking him to â€Å"break† the door down, not simply â€Å"breathe† but to â€Å"blow,† and not â€Å"shine,† but to â€Å"burn. The use of alliteration with the words â€Å"break,† â€Å"breathe† and â€Å"blow† help in drawing attention to their severity, and emphasizing the extent of Donne’s desperation. He believes that in using these destructive actions, God will free him from his weaknesses and make him new again. In the second quatrain, it becomes clear that the first four lines are meant to be taken metaphorically, rather than literally. Donne likens his heart to a city that has been overtaken, and he wants God to be aggressive in taking it back. This expands upon the indication of the unknown force; Donne’s heart is the city that has been taken captive, and God is the savior that he wants to break down the gate and take it back by force. It becomes obvious in this quatrain that the previously unknown force holding Donne back is his sense reason and rationality. He shows that even his mind has failed him in his attempts to be close with God. Donne’s reason is what should be fighting for him in his battle and defending him, but instead is captured, shows weakness, and even lies to him. He suggests that although he believes God is the rightful ruler of his heart, his rationality has been impaired such that he cannot defend Him and let Him in. The sestet begins with further reinforcement of the notion that Donne wants God back in his life, no matter how difficult it may be. He begins by stating that even though his spiritual life is currently in a state of struggle, he still has a deep affection of God and wants to love and be loved by Him. His state of desperation is the result of this struggle. Donne quickly returns to the shocking imagery that has been prevalent throughout, claiming he is â€Å"betrothed† to the enemy. This claim of engagement to the devil is a paradox; he is not actually going to marry the devil, but at the time feels unwillingly more connected to God’s enemies and their ways than to God and God’s ways. He asks God to â€Å"divorce† him, to â€Å"untie or break† the engagement he has with the devil. At the end of the prayer, Donne uses two more paradoxes to explain how deep of a connection he wants to feel with God. He begs for God to imprison him to set him free and his feels as though God’s prison is the only way in which he can be truly free of his weaknesses, and pure of evils. He also begs to be ravished and filled with delight so that he may become pure, which carries some sexual imagery. As with the metaphor in the first quatrain, this is not a literal request; he simply wants to be convinced of the power of God, so that he can have a close and loving relationship with Him. These contradictions show a deeply emotional affection towards God, and when taken figuratively are very effective in conveying his message of desperation. Although â€Å"Batter My Heart, Three-person’d God† is filled with graphic and violent imagery, John Donne is not attempting to be crude or inappropriate. Donne is simply explaining his own tremulous relation with God, and uses the violent imagery as a means to show how desperate he has become in his mission to bring God back into his life. If he allows God to do whatever it takes, even if it means pain and the loss of his very freedom, he knows God can bring him into a close, loving relationship with Him and make him into the person he thinks God wants him to be. So he can pray, â€Å"Batter my heart,† â€Å"break, blow, burn,† â€Å"imprison me,† â€Å"enthrall† and â€Å"ravish† me, for he believes his God is a loving, pure, kind, and just â€Å"three-person’d God† and he trusts Him with his very heart, soul, and life.

George Orwel's Biography and the Question about Orwel's Political Essay

George Orwel's Biography and the Question about Orwel's Political Development - Essay Example He came from a poor family, but attended an expensive school because he was bright and could easily earn a scholarship. The Principal at St Cyprian School took him into the school at substantially reduced fees with an aim of bringing credit to the school (Orwell 3). His education at St Cyprian helped him attain a scholarship to study at Wellington College and later on at Eton College. He could not afford university fees so he joined the India imperial police force as portrayed in his essays ‘Shooting an Elephant’, and ‘Hanging’. Orwell clearly shows his displeasure in working with colonial Britain. He considered imperialism to be a terrible thing and clearly stated that he was in support of the Burmese and all against their oppressors (Orwell 148). He later moved to Paris as depicted in ’How the poor die’ where he went to hospital after falling ill. Orwell recounts his experiences in a public hospital, in Paris. In the ward, the staff mistreate d the patients and handled them carelessly. The death of numero 57 makes him wonder how lucky it would be if someone dies a natural death. He further states that perhaps it would be better dying violently and not due to old age. In the essay, he argues that a person only stays alive by a virtue of the fear of death (Orwell 133). Orwell later moved to Spain with his wife when the civil war broke out. He fought for the Spanish government against Francisco Franco’s Nationalist uprising. He got shot in the throat while on fighting on the front at Huesca in Aragon. Many of Orwell's friends got arrested, shot, or just disappeared when the communists partly gained control and tried to purge the POUM. Orwell and his wife managed to escape alive in 1937. His work experience in Burma as a police officer and the war in Spain contributed a lot to his political philosophy against totalitarianism. Every line of serious work he wrote since then was for democratic socialism and directly or i ndirectly, against totalitarianism (Orwell 31). Orwell believed that the common man would win the battle against oppression someday, but he hoped that victory would come soon. Orwell later died of tuberculosis after marrying his second wife Sonia who promoted his works after his death. Question2 Revision refers to viewing the ideas from a critical and clear perspective. It is a process of rethinking the draft which facilitates for reconsideration of presented arguments. It facilitates for two essential issues which are unity and coherence in the work. On the other hand, proofreading or editing is a more strict check on spelling, language and sentence structures. This is to ensure that the paragraphs are logic. Proofreading comes last after the revision as it involves correcting all errors that may have been ignored before. Question 3 Doyle Blackburn’s propensity for violence is evident at the beginning of the comic, but he appears to have softened his violent nature at the en d of the comic. Doyle’s connection to the drug world and his violent nature tend to control his daily activities as he is seen getting into fights. Doyle impresses Lily’s (his girlfriend) boss in the way he handled a stubborn client. Lily’s boss says â€Å"I like the way you handled the situation. Sometimes these deadbeats have to be shown just who they are dealing with†. Doyle’s character here is seen as spontaneous and protective. His violent nature also disrupts his relationship with Lily. Lily

Physiological Differences between Children and Adluts Essay

Physiological Differences between Children and Adluts - Essay Example Knowledge about human physiology dictates the approach that a teacher should use when handling children. Human physiology of a child differs from adult. Notably, adult language is different from child language. This paper identifies the physiological differences between adult and children, which influence their response to exercise or sport. Physiologists believe that major physiological differences that exist between adults and children influence their ability to respond to physical activities. Human body systems such as respiratory system and cardiovascular system among other systems influence the ability of an individual to handle a particular amount of physical exercises (Kirk, MacDonald, & O’Sullivan 2006:232). The physiological differences that exist between adults and children include difference in cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and ability of the human body to withstand fatigue. Adults have fully developed organ systems, which influence their ability to wit hstand strenuous exercises. On the other hand, children organ systems are still developing. Concerning these physiological differences, children are able to do a given amount of exercises (Armstrong, et. al. 2008:81). Another notable difference is the blood content of the body. Adult have large quantity of blood, which is responsible for oxygen circulation in the body. Cardiovascular system is responsible for the transportation of oxygen in the body from the heart to other parts of the body through the blood (Armstrong, 2007:128). Oxygen delivery to various parts of the body depends on the amount of blood pumped by the heart. Children have low volume of blood, which translate to the amount of oxygen supplied in various body organs. On the other hand, the pumping rate of the heart in children is higher than in adult. Another notable difference is ventricular size of the heart. Adults have large ventricular size compared to children. This influences the volume of blood pumped by the h eart in each pumping stroke. Another notable difference between adults and children is that children have low tolerance rate to high temperatures and humidity. The respiratory system is responsible for gaseous exchange in the human body. Ventilation refers to the amount of gaseous exchange per minute. Ventilation is a product of tidal volume and the rate of breathing. Children breathe rapidly compared to adults because they have low tidal volume. Adults have well developed lungs, which explain the difference in breathing frequency between adults and children. The later have small organs thereby influencing the volume of air exchange. Respiration depends on surface area of the body to its volume ratio (Kincheloe, & Horn, 2008:123). The children have a high rate of respiration compared to adults. Physical activities and gender influence the rate of respiration. When an individual is doing a strenuous activity, the rate of respiration tend to increase. Gender differences influence basa l metabolic rate. Women have a basal metabolic rate which low compared to men. This explains the difference in ability to handle strenuous exercises between girls and boys. Naturally, girls would handle simple physical exercises without straining. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity influence oxygen supply in the human body. Physiologists observe that children response to high temperat

Benjamin franklin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Benjamin franklin - Essay Example The website ushistory.org is published by the Independence Hall Association (IHA) which is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia. All their sites are copyrighted and they give historical details of famous people and facts of history. Through this website they have projected Franklin’s struggles in early life and how he managed to get into the printing business. His endeavor and experiments as a scientist have also been portrayed apart from his interest in politics. He not only served the United States while living there but even for 18 years he lived in England as a colonial representative. This demonstrates his loyalty to his nation. The websites concentrates on the international fame that electricity and lightning brought to Franklin. This is basically a quick biography and the intended audience is high school students or first timers who are not much aware about Franklin. The website gives information that England was far ahead of America during that period although cor ruption in politics and royal circles in England did disturb him. America had strained relations even with France and Franklin was responsible for the Treaty of Paris. The second website has collected details from the Encyclopedia Britannica. This website highlights Franklin as a person, an individual, as a child, his youth, his successes and achievements and his dedication to public service. This site also highlights critics of Franklin, his contemporaries who thought he was a fraud. His early life has been mentioned but no details of his struggles as in the previous website have been given. This website also highlights him as a philanthropist who founded academies and societies for the benefit of the society. He had an early start in politics and this website gives more details of his political involvement in England. The intended audience would be the casual readers or high school children to familiarize themselves with the life and times of Franklin. The purpose of this

Harmonized Code Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Harmonized Code - Assignment Example to be a net foreign exchange earner however, they will not in any way be subjected a pre- determined value addition or any form of minimum export performance (CBP). In terms of the domestic tariff area by the special economic zones have to be a net foreign exchange earner. However the units in the Zone will have to be a net foreign exchange earner and will not be subjected to any predetermined value addition or the export performance requirements. The sales in the domestic tariff centre will also be subjected to the payment of full custom duty and the import policy which will be in force. The policy that has been used in this case provides for setting up of the special economic zones in the public, private, the joint sector and the United States government. It is also worth to note that some of the export processing zones will be converted in to special economic zones. In the same way, the government has export processing zones that are located in most of the countries it does business with. So in the case where there are 202 countries in falling under the general tariff of 0.8 there will be 4 sections with 20 chapters depending on the number of tariffs that are required in each section

Ethics and moral character Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics and moral character - Essay Example As a business man his primary motive was never to amass maximum profit. On the other hand, he held that â€Å"it is the function of business to produce for consumption and not for money and speculation† (Johannes 7). Thus, he was never moved by the money motive and he brought about revolutionary changes in the twentieth century American industrial culture through such radical measures as the introduction of high wages, lower prices and increased buying power. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Ford’s business ethics was his strong belief that business should not be solely aimed at making profit. On the other hand, he held that one should maintain business ethics in all his/her enterprises keeping in mind the demands and needs of individuals and society. Once Henry Ford himself stated that â€Å"for a long time people believed that the only purpose of industry is to make a profit. They are wrong. Its purpose is to serve the general welfare† (Ciulla 31). Similarly, good business leaders should not be egocentric; they should not be moved by ego but by reason. Henry Ford was a genuine and brilliant leader who was never overtly flattered by success but who always welcomed legitimate contributions from others.

Compensation Plan Outline Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Compensation Plan Outline - Assignment Example Thus, in return, the company developed a strategic compensation and remuneration plan, in which the company seeks to compensate its workers accordingly for the services delivered (Aguinis, 2009). Safaricom entails a strategic compensation approach towards its employees, translating into high motivation and employee retention rates. The current compensation plan entails a pragmatic approach in which the company focuses on the features of the qualification of employees accordingly in facilitating their salaries and related benefits. The company focuses on the areas of the skills of the employees and their individual contribution to the accomplishments of the company in rewarding the efforts thereof of the employees. In practical definition, the company rewards and allocates the compensation based on the current market situation and the service the workers deliver to the company operations (Aguinis, 2009). Further, the company also entails remarkably incredible platform of offering incentives to its workers, to foster the employee motivation accordingly. The company has incentives such as promotional offers to the employees for goods and services from the company as rewards for the services they deliver to the company. Further, the company also offers credible salaries to the employees, as exemplified by the recent reports in which the company released its statistics, regarding their employee remuneration expenditure, as the report indicates. The company spend about Kenyan shillings 8.4 billion on salaries and benefits to its employees, in the year that finished in March 2013 (The Vodacom Group, 2014). Of this budget, more than 5.1 billion shillings went to wages and salaries while about 95 million shillings went to the allocation for employee grants option plan. The directors of the company got about 387.7 million in remuneration, which is higher than the previous allocation, while the rest was for the other staff. Similarly, the company,

Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Financial Management - Essay Example This paper aims to explore the importance of managing foreign exchange risks as well as the methods of managing it that most multinational companies employ. Also, by analysing the practices of two companies when it comes to managing foreign exchange risks in line with good academic practices, certain recommendations with regard to risk management practices for a fast-growing listed company in the UK can be proposed in the process. In this age of globalisation, many companies conduct businesses in countries other than their own. With opportunities in new markets come various types of risks—business risks, macro environmental risks, as well as foreign exchange risks (Pattichis et al. 2004). When a company conducts a business outside the country where it is based, the company is said to be exposed to some foreign exchange risks, where the fluctuations in the differences between the home countrys currency and the host countrys currency may result in adverse impacts in the companys income from international operations, as well as its balance sheet. Companies need to protect themselves from these risks; a drastic change in the exchange rate between the home countrys currency and that of the host country can result in significant gains or losses (Nazarboland 2003). Aside from this, those which are otherwise very profitable international ventures of the company, due to fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate, may seem to be a losing business. For companies that have significant foreign direct investments across the globe, in order to assess more accurately the performance of their international subsidiaries, managing the foreign exchange risk is very important (Collier et al. 1990). Also, these differences will have a significant effect on the parent companys reported earnings as well. When companies have investments outside their home countries, these investments are usually exposed to foreign

Effects of Smoking Essay Example for Free

Effects of Smoking Essay The cause and effect essay on smoking, informative speech on tattoos talks about how cigarette smoking has devastating effects on the human body and at the same time it discusses about various myths and facts about tattoos. According to scientists, there are many reasons why people indulge in smoking some of which include: Peer pressure, lack of knowledge about the risks involved in smoking, being brought up in a household or environment where people smoke regularly, feelings of stress, fatigue and anxiety and many more. If you have smoked for a long period of time, you begin to develop stained teeth which are usually yellow in color. You can get your teeth whitened but as long as you continue smoking, the stain will resurface. Smoking also interferes with your taste buds and smelling senses. Smokers lose the ability to taste and smell things normally like they used to. You will smell of tobacco all the time but you will not notice it and your meals begin to become tasteless because your taste buds are not functioning properly. Other smoking effects include lung cancer, insomnia, asthma, heart disease, stroke and poor blood circulation. According to the cause and effect essay on smoking, informative speech on tattoos, it talks about the stereotypes for tattoos and how sailors tattooed their bodies according to the myths which stated that tattoos were believed to prevent any form of evil spirits and bring good luck to the individual wearing the tattoo. People have also been tattooed forcibly as a form of identification, for example the prisoners of the Nazi concentration camps Today you can choose to have a permanent or temporary tattoo without anyone noticing it. Obtaining a tattoo is no longer regarded as a form of sub-culture like the ancient days but rather it is considered as a form of art and expression of one’s personal feelings towards something or someone.

The Man On The Moon Essay Example for Free

The Man On The Moon Essay The Road to Mecca is an eye opening play written by Athol Fugard that displays a deep and significant message about the importance women’s right to express themselves freely. Elsa, a character in the play, sums this idea up in a sentence she says in the play: â€Å"There’s nothing sacred in a marriage that abuses the woman†. The story is primarily based on a woman by the name of Helen Martin. Helen lived in a culture with certain social norms and conformities, where women specifically were afraid of pursuing their dreams due to an unwarranted fear of what others would think of their ideas and them, themselves as human beings. Helen conformed to the social norms and married, but when she died I believe that she was able to follow her dreams due to the fact that she did not have her husband’s religious judgments stopping her. After her husband’s death, her community expected her to begin a new life of quiet mourning, but instead she followed her dreams and began to build her own Mecca. This consisted of making many various statues in her backyard. Instead of the village residents in her community admiring and appreciating her art, instead they thought of her to be eccentric and rejected her. Helen was admirable as she continued her passion of art and creation even though her society was against her artistic ways. Instead of deciding to stop, even when stones were thrown at her house, she carried on building her Mecca. She dared to be different! Helen’s courage and free-will in this play portrays an important message of free expression that all women deserve and are entitled to have. Worrying about what other people think about you will never allow you to find out who you really are. Helen was torn between deciding whether or not to conform to the social norms expected of her or to carry on with her dreams and experience freedom. She chose the latter and fulfilled her own heart’s desires. Even though she lost many friends by doing so, there was Elsa, who accepted and supported her ways. Being yourself, and putting your dreams, thoughts and ideas in to reality is a true  representation of who you are and thus you will know who your true friends are. Helen’s courage in the play can be learnt by all women. Following societal norms and doing everything that is expected by you from society may be an easy way out. But by following this safe and easy way through life, there will be many potential characteristics and qualities wasted in your life. In Helen’s case she pushed through the societal norms and gained admirable qualities and characteristics such as love, courage, freedom and of course her artistic talent. Freedom is what we all desire, deserve and should have. Without it we will never have a true sense of happiness. Women have constantly either been forced or compelled to do what is expected of them. For example, in relationships, it is a husband’s expectation of a woman to cook, clean and even behave in a certain manner. In Helen’s case she was only able to follow her passion after her husband’s death. In these days women need to know that if they want to rather follow their dream, for exam ple to help people and become a nurse, they can! If their husband doesn’t allow it, the question must be raised, is he allowed to stop my dreams and passions from becoming a reality? Marriage is an extremely important decision to make, especially for women. It is very common for women to marry and for the husband to change and become abusive and controlling. This play can give women hope and a sense of courage to follow their hearts desire. If the husband does not allow for that, he does not truly love you because your dreams, hopes and passions all form part of who you really are. Therefore if they cannot be accepted and approved of, neither can the credibility of the relationship. Having trust with your heart’s desires and loving yourself are the most important things in order to be truly happy and free. To conclude, it is unfortunate that Helen was only able to follow her dream and portray her talent after the passing of her husband. All women can learn an imperative lesson from this play: A lesson of great courage and determination. It is never too late to follow your dream and realise that  you have a right and freedom to be who you want to be. Yes, some people may reject you, but you will gain friends who really matter and more importantly, you will gain a new sense of love for yourself. Nobody else has the right to stop you from expressing yourself freely and if they do try to, you must realise that they are not worth being a part of your life. Putting your dreams first may be a tough thing to do at times, as in Helen’s case, but if you don’t you will never experience the true joy and satisfaction that you could benefit from life. Finding and loving yourself should always be the biggest priority in women’s lives. By doing this first, the true friends and true love will follow.

Movie Review Of The Last Song Film Studies Essay

Movie Review Of The Last Song Film Studies Essay For those hopeless romantic who get captured by the plots or meanings of any Nicholas Sparks novel, then The Last Song is the film of the year to see. In The Last Song, Sparks captures the heart of his audience by introducing themes of first love with some hints of disparity throughout the film. In his past films such as Dear John, The Notebook, and A Walk to Remember, Sparks successfully promotes the impression of young love with the framework of hope. This makes it the ideal plot for any classic romantic. As first time screenwriter Sparks effectively delivers to his audience a more sentimental film than ever before. The Last Song tells the story about family, friendship, tragedies, and reconnecting relationships. The Last Song is the tale of a rebellious musical prodigy named Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) who sent to her fathers beach house by her mother Kim (Kelly Preston) along with her younger brother Jonah (Bobby Coleman) for the summer. Ronnie is quite bitter towards the stay with her father Steve (Greg Kinnear) because she blames him for the divorce and leaving the family. She even stops playing the piano and rejects her acceptance into Julliard despite of him. Sullen and withdrawn at everyone, she explores the town and beach and bumps into a local boy named Will, (newcomer Liam Hemsworth) a wealthy, volleyball playing hunk that becomes charmed by her and falls in love with Ronnie. Despite Ronnies defiant attitude, Ronnies mother Kim hopes that the stay will give the chance for both Ronnie and Steve to rekindle their relationship. The film collectively brings together all 3 relationships of parallel love of those between a father and daughter, boyfriend and girlfriend, and brother and sister. Mo st importantly the film gives the audience the chance for Cyrus to break away from her widely known Disney pop culture phenomenon. Miley Cyrus definitely got her work cut out for her in this film in taking the role of Ronnie in The Last Song. Known for her popular role as Hannah Montana on the hit Disney Show Hannah Montana, Cyrus is given the chance to break out of her shell, separating from her childish role by transitioning into a more mature role. She surprisingly transforms herself of what we expect to see in the film in the character of Ronnie, making her lovable and quite engaging. Sparks even had Cyrus in mind while writing the story and casting the role for the movie. This film gives her the potential to be taken seriously in later films by slowly breaking away from her popular alter ego. In being her first adult role, Cyrus portrays everything from a sympathetic friend and daughter to pouting and troubled brat. Cyrus is astonishingly attractive in the way of a girl you might actually want to approach. Her acting is serious, and in working with such actors like Kinnear, the film breaks away from your ty pical boy-meets-girl story line. Director Julie Anne Robinson even does a great job as to focusing on each character by establishing a fear of abandonment in Ronnie because of the divorce. As the film progresses you notice her character transition into the kind, loving young woman she was went out to be. Audience watching the film can hopefully take Cyrus serious as an actress and like the new Miley. Personality and charm can be seen through both Ronnie and Miley, but most importantly though the help of the supporting actresses and actors. With the help of her supporting cast and actors, the typecasting in The Last Song gives the film full potential. Her costar Bobby Coleman, (who plays the role of her younger brother Jonah) gives the film more of an emotional stance by creating cutesy sayings and bringing out the right emotional feelings in the film without going overboard or too little. Kinnear plays a great character in the film by being the sympathetic dad, with his own secret and troubles that are later seen in the film. His character Steve brings out the best in all the characters in the film, which truly brings the film all together. Even the chemistry between both Cyrus and Kinnears role as daughter and father give an effective tearjerker for dads and their daughters. Kelly Preston, who portrays Ronnies mother Kim, displays her roles as the mother quite well, despite her lack of appearance in the film. As for newcomer Liam Hemsworth, he plays your typical dreamy hunk; hes nice, volunteers on his spare time, and captures the heart of pretty much any teenage girl. Other than hiding his Australian accent, Hemsworth was able to deliver the role of what seems to be the perfect boyfriend, but as the audience figures out has troubles of his own. Casting both Hemsworth and Cyrus to play the on-screen couple brought great chemistry between the two characters. Both Sparks and Director Julie Anne Robinson can be sure to be appraised for well written screenplay as well as casting. Compared to the novel, the film follows directly with the book, despite forgetting some minor background details from the book. Overall the audience can captures the messages within the film and relates can to each character in some way, whether its experiencing first love, the relationship between a father and daughter, or how close we really are to a brother. The main themes of the movie tend to deal with the idea of hope, faith, and the relationship one can have with another person. For the most part, The Last Song is a great family film to see with anyone of all ages. In delivering messages on second chances and the moments in life that lead us home, this should give audiences to give Cyrus a second chance at a more mature role like The Last Song.

Teaching Philosophy Statement :: Education Educational Educating Essays

Teaching Philosophy Statement Teachers are key to the children’s future, what they teach students today will inevitably affect our tomorrow. I strongly want to be part in those children’s lives and decision making. I want to be a teacher because I feel it is important to ensure that children obtain a proper education. Teaching them daily will allow me the satisfaction in knowing that I personally have changed some child’s life. The environment of the classroom is very important for the education of children. If the atmosphere of the classroom is plain, it tends to express that education is boring and doesn’t produce any excitement. However, if the classroom has several bulletin boards and enticing educational pictures the children become interested and enthralled about leaning. I feel that the atmosphere is very important and I hope to have a classroom that is unique, with lots of interesting things on the walls of exiting places and remarkable people. I want children to not only hear what I’m talking about but to see and imagine the things I teach, this will help them to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the subject. The seating arrangement in the classroom is also very important. It is important that children not only interact with me but also with their peers. I want to place the student’s seats in small cluster of four; this will enable them to work together in small groups. This will also help the student’s to understand and comprehend the assignment better since they have partners there to help them and share their ideas. Since the students will be arranged into groups I will be able to walk around and give each of the group’s individual attention instead of observing the class as a whole. This group arrangement will benefit the children when we do projects, for example with reading they can take turns and share their personal views on the story with one another. When we assemble back together as a class the student’s will feel positive about their understanding and not be intimidated when they are called on to present their group views. This helps the children to feel confident about themselves and will help with their self-esteem as well. In my teaching style, I will be a mixture between traditional and facilitating. I will always be in complete control over my classroom, but I do not want to just lecture from the textbook all day. Teaching Philosophy Statement :: Education Educational Educating Essays Teaching Philosophy Statement Teachers are key to the children’s future, what they teach students today will inevitably affect our tomorrow. I strongly want to be part in those children’s lives and decision making. I want to be a teacher because I feel it is important to ensure that children obtain a proper education. Teaching them daily will allow me the satisfaction in knowing that I personally have changed some child’s life. The environment of the classroom is very important for the education of children. If the atmosphere of the classroom is plain, it tends to express that education is boring and doesn’t produce any excitement. However, if the classroom has several bulletin boards and enticing educational pictures the children become interested and enthralled about leaning. I feel that the atmosphere is very important and I hope to have a classroom that is unique, with lots of interesting things on the walls of exiting places and remarkable people. I want children to not only hear what I’m talking about but to see and imagine the things I teach, this will help them to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the subject. The seating arrangement in the classroom is also very important. It is important that children not only interact with me but also with their peers. I want to place the student’s seats in small cluster of four; this will enable them to work together in small groups. This will also help the student’s to understand and comprehend the assignment better since they have partners there to help them and share their ideas. Since the students will be arranged into groups I will be able to walk around and give each of the group’s individual attention instead of observing the class as a whole. This group arrangement will benefit the children when we do projects, for example with reading they can take turns and share their personal views on the story with one another. When we assemble back together as a class the student’s will feel positive about their understanding and not be intimidated when they are called on to present their group views. This helps the children to feel confident about themselves and will help with their self-esteem as well. In my teaching style, I will be a mixture between traditional and facilitating. I will always be in complete control over my classroom, but I do not want to just lecture from the textbook all day.

Forms of Assessment :: Teaching Education

Forms of Assessment If one was to draw a continuum on a piece of paper to plot out the different methods of language education the transactional method would be close to the center of the line, with the transmissional method and organic/Romantic method on the opposing ends. The transmissional method of instruction stresses direct instruction, usually with drill and practice type of exercises. The lessons are skills based with a stress on â€Å"part to whole† language. This refers to experiencing words as their individual graphophonemic parts. The transactional method of teaching stresses the facilitation of information from the teacher to the student. Learning for the transactional teacher is a social process with the learner. Knowledge is constructed by the learner and language is taught from â€Å"whole to part†. Whole to part refers to the context with which the learner sees text. Rather than learning words and graphemes individually, the learner sees them in full texts. These lang uage methods are often shaped by the particular paradigm that each teacher chooses. The search for truth forms the various paradigms that we have discussed in class. According to Realism, truth can be found only in the real world. The quest for knowledge ends with what we can see and feel and touch. Realism is very empirical and scientific therefore translates into a transmissional view of language. An example of a philosophy that comes from this paradigm is Essentialism. In contrast to Realism, Pragmatism holds that there is no truth. Truth is not found in the real world, but truth is relative. It is defined and constructed by the learner. The Pragmatist view translates into a transactional method of language instruction. The transaction between the teacher and the learner is a mutual quest for knowledge. The prime example of a philosophy of education that arises from Pragmatism is Constructivism. The third out of the three main paradigms that form educational thought is Idealism. Unlike Pragmatism, Idealism says that there is truth. Also, unlike Realism, Idea lism says that truth can be found in the metaphysical. So where does that leave Christians? Christians find knowledge in both the metaphysical (from God) and from the real world (His creation). That means that there must be a middle ground between Realism and Idealism. This middle ground is called Christian Theism. Christian Theism holds that there is truth and that it can be found, through God and His works.

The Repeating Island Essay -- Literary Analysis, Benintez-Rojo

In The Repeating Island, Antonio Benintez-Rojo writes on postindustrial societies inaccurate views of the Caribbean as a common archipelago and calls on postindustrial societies to reexamine their view of the Caribbean. In this paper the following topics in The Repeating Island will be examined in validating Benitez- Rojo’s perspective that the Caribbean is a meta-archipleago with no boundaries or center: Columbus’s machine to the sugar-making machine, the apocalypse to chaos, rhythm to polyrhythm, and literature to carnival. The first way Benitez-Rojo draws attention to his perspective is through his analysis on how the Atlantic became known as the Atlantic because of the presence of European slave plantations, piracy, servitude, and monopoly over the trades in the Caribbean. He refers to Christopher Columbus presence in Hispaniola as the starting point of â€Å"the machine† (Benitez- Rojo 5) that brought a wealth of goods from Hispaniola to Spain, who then spread its profitable practice to Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico at the expense of native people (6). After the Cape San Vicente disaster, where the Spanish lost treasure from French pirates, in 1565 Columbus’s machine expanded its conquests of gold, silver, and diamonds thus creating the fleet. The fleet not only helped the Spanish become wealthy, it made the Caribbean a meta-archipelago because of its presence in the waters of the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Pacific. Menendez de Aviles’s fleet proved successful in protecting gold and silver from pirate attacks through the use of Caribbean ports, forts, militia, and geography (8). In today’s Caribbean â€Å"the machine† is referred to as the plantation, which the Europeans controlled all aspects o... ...ted by it (23). Benitez-Rojo calls on a rereading of the Caribbean text and states once this is done, the result is the text showing the harmony of rhythms whose attempts to escape ‘in a certain kind of way’ (28). It is through carnaval the text can be seen in its most natural form, a meta-archipleago of everyday life. In The Repeating Island, Antonio Benintez-Rojo defends his perspective that the Caribbean is a meta-archipleago with no boundaries or center through his writing on Columbus’s machine to the sugar-making machine, the apocalypse to chaos, rhythm to polyrhythm, and literature to carnival. He debunks postindustrial society’s view of the Caribbean as a common archipelago by examining what makes the Caribbean, the Caribbean through its history and culture, which persuades the reader to reexamine the various writing on the Caribbean.

Brutus’ Feelings at the End of Act 4

You are Brutus at the end of Act 4. Write your thoughts. I feel somewhat guilty for the way I spoke to Cassius; but I believe he deserved it. I am overwhelmed by guilt that I stabbed Caesar and I still cannot believe that I agreed to do so. It now makes Cassius my one and only brother in this world. He was totally wrong in what he was claiming to be correct, I mean, who doesn’t know Cassius has an itchy palm? What I hate the most though is that he always tries to cause fights with me, especially in front of our armies!Oh, I’m in great sorrow that my wife, Portia, has committed suicide. It’s my entire fault. If I had told her what I was planning to do with Caesar there would have been a lower possibility that she would have killed herself. I showed her no trust and she had all rights to do so to herself; who would want a husband like me? A betrayer, a villain, a person who listened to a man who was only hungry for power. If I don’t reach to a conclusion wit h Cassius, our fights could go on forever. Cassius has such a huge ego that he would always deny the fact that he is wrong.However, I would always continue responding back since I know for a fact that what I say is mostly correct as I have had more experience being in a higher position than Cassius. On the other hand, I had to end the fight somewhere as Cassius wanted me to kill him, and I cannot do this to another brother without a solid reason, but also since I was furious at myself for allowing the death of Portia. Meanwhile, I consider Cassius ideas wrong once more involving the case of marching into Philippi.The best thing to do is to march immediately into Philippi to confront the enemies. If we wait, like Cassius suggested, of course we would be less tired but we would look and be hopeless since we wouldn’t have tried at all and Octavius with Antony will have gained more supporters, making them stronger. After all, Antony does have mind taking persuasive skills. Althou gh, on the outer surface I believe we killed Caesar for the sake of justice, deep inside I know that I shouldn’t have done it.I regret it every moment that passes by; how could I have been such a horrific friend? Sometimes I truly wonder†¦ I’m positive my actions will come back one day to haunt me. They have begun already: my wife died, and what about the ghost entering my tent last night? My heart skipped a beat and I had to wake up my poor Lucius, Varro and Claudius to make sure they had seen or heard nothing! I know I stress my boy Lucius more than any other, but it is because I love him the most; he is like family to me and has been there every moment for me when I needed him.But I would never want to put his strength over his working abilities. If I live, which I am terrified will not be for long, I will reward my boy Lucius more than anybody else. I feel I have no one else in this world, I have disappointed the people I loved the most, most of all. How I fel t sorry for Lucius when he fell asleep on his instrument cannot be explained with words; my boy tries his best to keep me satisfied and I am absolutely grateful for that!My guilt no longer allows me to sleep. I don’t want to admit it to anyone but I know it for a fact by myself. My heart stopped when the ghost visited my tent, it was something I didn’t expect! My confusion that moment, made me understand that what was going around was coming right back at me which made my hair stand on end. I have so much to say to that ghost if it comes again, I must admit to it my guilt for killing Caesar, as I am sure it is just he visiting me.

The novel Lord of the Flies

Why is evil attractive? Lord of the Flies by William Golding dramatized the primordial evil that is in man’s subconscious. Although normally,   civilized human beings consider evil undesirable and therefore to be avoided, the fact is, many are drawn into it. Evil holds some kind of a seductive quality that less morally discerning people find hard to resist. Setting evil intentions in context In this novel, Golding gave life to various characters that represent the two basic types of people in this world, the good and the bad. Ralph, Piggy, and Simon were the good ones, while Jack and Roger were the evil ones.   Stranded in a deserted tropical island, Ralph and Piggy wanted to establish rules,   build shelters, secure clean water and food. But the tasks to achieve these were boring and   most of the boys wanted just to play and hunt. Jack who was the leader of the hunting party, would soon emerge as the more attractive and powerful leader. Playing and hunting are not evil   in themselves but in the novel, these were seeds of evil that would soon grow into disturbing magnitude. The boys in Jack’s group enjoyed hunting and killing the animals and eventually became obsessed with hunting and killing Ralph. This paper analyzes how evil holds some kind of attraction and why people are drawn into it. There are at least three hypotheses–   (1) Evil is attractive because it gives a pleasurable experience; (2) Evil is attractive because it satisfies bloodlust, considering the belief that there is a murderous inclination in every man; and (3) Evil is attractive because of the opportunity it provides to play God, to be in control, to be powerful. With Golding’s work as point of reference, this paper illustrates how the conflict between good and evil continues to occur in various ways, in different people.   The film by Adrian Lyne,   Unfaithful that starred Diane Lane and Richard Gere is used here as one example. In this film, all the mentioned premises above were   portrayed. Like the English boys in the novel,   Connie and Edward, the couple in the said film were decent, intelligent, and admirable. However, when thrown in a critical situation that tested their character, the evil in them triumphed over the good.   The basic assumption of course is that man is dual, both good and evil. Always man struggles with this internal conflict. Lust for flesh, blood and power In the novel, â€Å"†¦ Jack found the throat and the hot blood sprouted over his hands. The sow collapsed under them and they were heavy and fulfilled upon her.† (Golding) The imagery evoked by this description is   sexual.   A primordial bloodlust was satisfied. In the film, Unfaithful,   Connie was drawn into an affair with Paul because of the sheer pleasure of the experience, despite the fact that she had a good home and a fulfilling marriage. The film seemed to suggest that her motivation was irrational. She had an affair because a strong wind was blowing. She slipped on the road and cut her knee. The irresistible lover-to-be was passing by and offered help, invited her to his apartment to dressed her wound. Later she called to thank him. He invited her for coffee and she accepted.   From there began a series of trysts. Connie’s hubris ( Greek for sin of pride) was assuming she was in control, that she can have an affair and then forget about it and go on with her life. Unfortunately, she kept coming back to his flat and   began to neglect her duties. When Edward, her husband found out,   he also assumed he was in control and attempted to confront Paul, the lover in a civilized way.   However, when Edward saw their wedding anniversary gift in the lover’s bedroom, he lost control and   bash Paul’s head, thus killing him. Connie and Edward eventually became partners in crime as they worked to dispose Paul’s corpse and lied to the police. Connie chose not to channel her passion into something creative. She yielded to her sexual energy instead.. Her pride and   confidence, her sense of adventure overpowered her. She probably knew what she was doing was wrong but went ahead because she had not been very spiritually discerning lately.   She was young, attractive, comfortable, loved, secure. It never occurred to her to pray to be a faithful wife. She assumed she can get away with infidelity, never thought she was putting   her marriage and loved ones at great risk when she chose to give in to lust for flesh. Edward was good and tried to make things right, perhaps persuade the lover to stop seeing his wife. But in a sudden burst of insane rage triggered by the sight of   their wedding anniversary gift that found its way into Paul’s room,   Edward killed the latter..   Suddenly his lust for blood craved to be satisfied. In the end, both wife and husband wanted to assume ultimate control over the evil they have done. Instead of trying to rectify their sins,   regain their worth as human beings and pay for their crime, Connie and Edward chose instead to cover up their evil deed. They have totally given in to the machination of the devil. Man cannot just kill the beast Man, in his foolish naivete, continue to believe the devil’s lies about happiness,   knowledge, and power. In the song, â€Å"Hotel California† by Eagles, a few lines mentioned â€Å"the beast.† And in the master’s chamber They gathered for the feast But with their steely knives They just can’t kill the beast. Man can not just kill the beast in him, and so he has to be alert and spiritually discerning. The evil in man’s subconscious may surface when he least expect it and cause him   to commit a sin   that would destroy him and those around   him.   Always, the attraction of pleasure, bloodlust, and power will entice mankind to commit evil. The antidote is found in the New Testament,   in the book of Ephesians 6: 10-17, about putting on the   helmet of salvation and   the armor of God, consisting of truth as belt, justice as breastplate,   zeal to propagate peace as footgear, faith as shield,   and the word of God as sword of the spirit. Biblography Eagles. â€Å"Hotel Califoria.†   Wea International. May 2006. Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. 1954. Lyne, Adrian (Director). Unfaithful. Fox 2000 Pictures. 2002 The New American Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 1971.      

Captivity of Killer Whales

Persuasive Speech Outline The Effects of Captivity on Killer Whales Specific Purpose:To persuade my audience that holding killer whales in captivity is harmful to the mammal. Central Idea:Holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammal that requires action from both the government and the public. Introduction On February 24, 2010 couples and families were seated in the stadiums at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida for one of the most popular shows at the theme park â€Å"Believe†. Unfortunately, many families participating in that day’s event were eye-witnesses to an extremely traumatic tragedy at the SeaWorld theme park.It was reported by CNN news that the trainer Dawna Brancheau was grabbed by the mouth of Tilikum, the killer whale, and was thrashed around the tank until she was dead. It was also reported that the trainer was showing the audience how Tilikum liked his belly to be rubbed. He then took off from the side of the tank, came back, and picke d her up from around the waist and began to violently shake her. Tourists and visitors were immediately evacuated from the â€Å"Shamu† Stadiums and the show was closed down for the rest of the day.Wild Orcas, also known as killer whales, are not typically considered a threat to human beings. In fact, the primary cases of killer whales attacking humans are only those that have been held captive at various marine theme parks. Having attended marine theme parks, such as, SeaWorld, I can confirm that animals within the theme park are being exploited solely for the purpose of entertainment. Today, I’ll show you how holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammals and I’ll also suggest some ways of solving this problem. Transition: Let’s start with addressing the harmful effects that captivity can have on killer whales. ) Body I. There are two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity. A. Killer whales in captivity are being d eprived of necessary items that are causing them to have shorter life spans. 1. According to underwatertimes. com, killer whales in the wild live on average between 30 and 50 years, while those living in captivity only live around 10 years. a. According to asconline. org, killer whales live shorter lives than those in the wild due to a lack of stimulation. . Whales in captivity are not exposed to the same sights and sounds they would normally experience in the wild. c. Whales who are unable to live with other sounds of other mammals and are confined to blue tanks with the sound of running pumps, loud music, and cheering crowds will eventually become stressed. 2. Killer whales undergo psychological stress when they are captured. a. When a whale is captured, it is taken from its family and the separation and loss of bond can cause it extreme mental stress. b.According to an article written by Stephen Lilley, 75% percent of whales do not survive through the intense separation period wh en taken captive. 3. According to theorcaproject. com, whales in captivity at marine mammal parks often are receiving poor oral health care. a. Just as in humans, poor oral health and gum disease can lead to serious infections, illness, and even death in killer whales. b. Almost half of the whales held in captivity, have broken or fractured teeth from biting on steel gates, and are not being properly repaired. c.Whales teeth at marine theme parks eventually become infected or fall out because of poor oral health care and it is believed to be another link to why the whale’s life span is so much shorter. (Transition: Holding killer whales captive will not only cause them a shorter life span, but it can also change their social behaviors as well. ) B. Holding killer whales in captivity can negatively change their social behaviors. 1. According to hsus. org, the stress on the whales in captivity can cause stomach ulcers, and pacing. a. Stomach ulcers are often found in whales in captivity due to the stressful lifestyle. . Whales resort to pacing around the tank in circles to emulate the fast strong feeling of a swim normally done in the wild in an attempt to keep their dorsal fin upright. c. Without a strong long distance swim, a whale’s dorsal fin becomes weakened and will eventually either look bent, curve to the side, or break off. 2. Self-mutilation is another unordinary behavior that occurs with whales in captivity. a. Whales kept at marine mammal parks, have been known to ram their heads into the sides of the tank in order to relieve stress. b.Whales kept at marine mammal parks, have been known to bite along the steel gates that separate the whales in order to help relieve their stress, however; this results in broken teeth and other oral problems. 3. Aggression towards the whale’s trainers is frequently seen with whales held in captivity and can make it very dangerous for trainers to work with them. a. Trainers at SeaWorld have noticed aggressive behavior such as biting, grabbing, and forceful nudging from the whales occasionally but are not allowed to speak about it. b. According to an article on moneytimes. om, the whale Tilikum has been responsible for three deaths during his time in captivity. c. The most recent death was of Dawna Brancheau, who had part of her scalp torn off, her arm torn off, and fractures on her back, ribs, legs, arms, face, and spinal cord. (Transition: Now that we have discussed the two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity, let’s discuss what we can do to help solve these problems. ) II. Solving the problem of the captivity of killer whales requires action from both the government and the public. A.New laws have to be put in place to make it illegal to take killer whales captive and put them on display for the sole purpose of entertainment for others. 1. New laws would need to be created to require marine theme parks like SeaWorld and Aquatica to release the mammal s back into the wild . 2. The government would also need to enforce that marine amusement parks be prohibited from using live animals in shows for entertainment, and they would need to encourage the public to become educated about these creatures through other means. a.Once the whales have been released back into their natural habitat, marine theme parks could replace them with very popular and successful robotic-like creatures that could still educate visitors about the animals without subjecting them to a lifetime of captivity. (Transition: The government instituting new laws is not the only way we can solve this problem, but also through the support of the general public. ) B. The public should begin to choose alternative ways to become educated about killer whales, that don’t require harming the animals. 1.Choosing to continue to support marine theme parks such as SeaWorld only encourages these types of places to have more funding to go and capture more marine animals. 2. Going on a whale watch and seeing them in their natural habitat is an alternative to supporting places like SeaWorld. Conclusion In conclusion, I am urging you to truly realize exactly what these great mammals are being forced to endure before choosing to go visit and support marine amusement parks such as SeaWorld. We as humans cannot ever fully imagine what it would feel like to be captured by strange creatures and taken from our normal lives and our families.We cannot ever fully imagine being put on display to perform circus-like tricks for loud audiences and then being forced to idle around all day in confined tanks that would feel about the size of a bathtub to us. As thrilling an experience it may seem to see killer whales in shows or even to peer through the glass as they swim in their tank, the effects of captivity on killer whales can be truly devastating. We would serve both ourselves and the whales much more by studying them in the wild. It is only there that we can catc h a glimpse of them in their true glory. Works Cited Couwels, John, and Brian Todd. Orca Kills Trainer at SeaWorld Orlando // Current. † Current TV: News Video Clips & Current News Articles // Current. 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. . Stephern, Lilly. â€Å"Killer Whale (Orca) | Cetacean Fact Sheet | American Cetacean Society. † ACS – American Cetacean Society. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. . â€Å"The Hidden Cost Of Captivity- Oral Health of Killer Whales Exposed  « The Orca Project. † The Orca Project. 25 Sept. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. Captivity of Killer Whales Persuasive Speech Outline The Effects of Captivity on Killer Whales Specific Purpose:To persuade my audience that holding killer whales in captivity is harmful to the mammal. Central Idea:Holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammal that requires action from both the government and the public. Introduction On February 24, 2010 couples and families were seated in the stadiums at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida for one of the most popular shows at the theme park â€Å"Believe†. Unfortunately, many families participating in that day’s event were eye-witnesses to an extremely traumatic tragedy at the SeaWorld theme park.It was reported by CNN news that the trainer Dawna Brancheau was grabbed by the mouth of Tilikum, the killer whale, and was thrashed around the tank until she was dead. It was also reported that the trainer was showing the audience how Tilikum liked his belly to be rubbed. He then took off from the side of the tank, came back, and picke d her up from around the waist and began to violently shake her. Tourists and visitors were immediately evacuated from the â€Å"Shamu† Stadiums and the show was closed down for the rest of the day.Wild Orcas, also known as killer whales, are not typically considered a threat to human beings. In fact, the primary cases of killer whales attacking humans are only those that have been held captive at various marine theme parks. Having attended marine theme parks, such as, SeaWorld, I can confirm that animals within the theme park are being exploited solely for the purpose of entertainment. Today, I’ll show you how holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammals and I’ll also suggest some ways of solving this problem. Transition: Let’s start with addressing the harmful effects that captivity can have on killer whales. ) Body I. There are two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity. A. Killer whales in captivity are being d eprived of necessary items that are causing them to have shorter life spans. 1. According to underwatertimes. com, killer whales in the wild live on average between 30 and 50 years, while those living in captivity only live around 10 years. a. According to asconline. org, killer whales live shorter lives than those in the wild due to a lack of stimulation. . Whales in captivity are not exposed to the same sights and sounds they would normally experience in the wild. c. Whales who are unable to live with other sounds of other mammals and are confined to blue tanks with the sound of running pumps, loud music, and cheering crowds will eventually become stressed. 2. Killer whales undergo psychological stress when they are captured. a. When a whale is captured, it is taken from its family and the separation and loss of bond can cause it extreme mental stress. b.According to an article written by Stephen Lilley, 75% percent of whales do not survive through the intense separation period wh en taken captive. 3. According to theorcaproject. com, whales in captivity at marine mammal parks often are receiving poor oral health care. a. Just as in humans, poor oral health and gum disease can lead to serious infections, illness, and even death in killer whales. b. Almost half of the whales held in captivity, have broken or fractured teeth from biting on steel gates, and are not being properly repaired. c.Whales teeth at marine theme parks eventually become infected or fall out because of poor oral health care and it is believed to be another link to why the whale’s life span is so much shorter. (Transition: Holding killer whales captive will not only cause them a shorter life span, but it can also change their social behaviors as well. ) B. Holding killer whales in captivity can negatively change their social behaviors. 1. According to hsus. org, the stress on the whales in captivity can cause stomach ulcers, and pacing. a. Stomach ulcers are often found in whales in captivity due to the stressful lifestyle. . Whales resort to pacing around the tank in circles to emulate the fast strong feeling of a swim normally done in the wild in an attempt to keep their dorsal fin upright. c. Without a strong long distance swim, a whale’s dorsal fin becomes weakened and will eventually either look bent, curve to the side, or break off. 2. Self-mutilation is another unordinary behavior that occurs with whales in captivity. a. Whales kept at marine mammal parks, have been known to ram their heads into the sides of the tank in order to relieve stress. b.Whales kept at marine mammal parks, have been known to bite along the steel gates that separate the whales in order to help relieve their stress, however; this results in broken teeth and other oral problems. 3. Aggression towards the whale’s trainers is frequently seen with whales held in captivity and can make it very dangerous for trainers to work with them. a. Trainers at SeaWorld have noticed aggressive behavior such as biting, grabbing, and forceful nudging from the whales occasionally but are not allowed to speak about it. b. According to an article on moneytimes. om, the whale Tilikum has been responsible for three deaths during his time in captivity. c. The most recent death was of Dawna Brancheau, who had part of her scalp torn off, her arm torn off, and fractures on her back, ribs, legs, arms, face, and spinal cord. (Transition: Now that we have discussed the two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity, let’s discuss what we can do to help solve these problems. ) II. Solving the problem of the captivity of killer whales requires action from both the government and the public. A.New laws have to be put in place to make it illegal to take killer whales captive and put them on display for the sole purpose of entertainment for others. 1. New laws would need to be created to require marine theme parks like SeaWorld and Aquatica to release the mammal s back into the wild . 2. The government would also need to enforce that marine amusement parks be prohibited from using live animals in shows for entertainment, and they would need to encourage the public to become educated about these creatures through other means. a.Once the whales have been released back into their natural habitat, marine theme parks could replace them with very popular and successful robotic-like creatures that could still educate visitors about the animals without subjecting them to a lifetime of captivity. (Transition: The government instituting new laws is not the only way we can solve this problem, but also through the support of the general public. ) B. The public should begin to choose alternative ways to become educated about killer whales, that don’t require harming the animals. 1.Choosing to continue to support marine theme parks such as SeaWorld only encourages these types of places to have more funding to go and capture more marine animals. 2. Going on a whale watch and seeing them in their natural habitat is an alternative to supporting places like SeaWorld. Conclusion In conclusion, I am urging you to truly realize exactly what these great mammals are being forced to endure before choosing to go visit and support marine amusement parks such as SeaWorld. We as humans cannot ever fully imagine what it would feel like to be captured by strange creatures and taken from our normal lives and our families.We cannot ever fully imagine being put on display to perform circus-like tricks for loud audiences and then being forced to idle around all day in confined tanks that would feel about the size of a bathtub to us. As thrilling an experience it may seem to see killer whales in shows or even to peer through the glass as they swim in their tank, the effects of captivity on killer whales can be truly devastating. We would serve both ourselves and the whales much more by studying them in the wild. It is only there that we can catc h a glimpse of them in their true glory. Works Cited Couwels, John, and Brian Todd. Orca Kills Trainer at SeaWorld Orlando // Current. † Current TV: News Video Clips & Current News Articles // Current. 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. . Stephern, Lilly. â€Å"Killer Whale (Orca) | Cetacean Fact Sheet | American Cetacean Society. † ACS – American Cetacean Society. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. . â€Å"The Hidden Cost Of Captivity- Oral Health of Killer Whales Exposed  « The Orca Project. † The Orca Project. 25 Sept. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010.

Laptops in the Classroom Essay

The essay â€Å"Laptops in the Classroom? No Problem† by Elena Choy, states that banning laptops in the classroom in not the answer. I agree with Choy because with laptops in a classroom, students can access the internet and this is a great tool for research and also a means of communication by using tools like chats, e-mails and forums. With the arrival of the internet we were confronted with new possibilities, challenges and uncertainties in the process of learning and teaching. How can students and teachers adapt to a learning process involving a technology that is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and more challenging? For me, teaching, in a broad context, is to select and organize information in order to transform it into knowledge. Laptops can facilitate individual and group research as well as the exchange of ideas between teachers, their colleagues and their students. Using laptops to access the internet provides students with an exchange of experiences, questions, materials, personal exchanges, both of whom are geographically near and far. Laptops can help teachers to better prepare their class by expanding the ways to teach, to modify the evaluation process and communication with students and colleagues. Choy lists many factors in favor of banning laptops in the classroom: Let me try to give a reasoned statement of my position, a statement that will take account of the contrary position. In fact, I’ll begin with what I take to be the arguments in favor of banning laptops. I believe the chief argument are these: (1) the upraised lids of laptops distract the instructor, and they often prevent the instructor from making eye contact with the students; (2) laptops distract other students, who cannot help but see what is on screens – for instance video games; (3) students who use laptops to take notes overly extensive notes, so they are doing stenography rather than thinking – rather, one might almost say, than paying real attention to the significant content of the course; (4) because they are so busy taking notes, laptops users tend not to participate in whatever discussion there may be in the course because they are too busy taking notes (Choy 272). Teachers need to be prepared to use laptops and new technologies in the classroom, because this will increase the performance of students and overcome their difficulties and the idea to â€Å"Ban laptops chiefly comes not from students but from professors [because] they are disturbed by the lack of â€Å"eye-contact† (Choy 273). Working with paper and pencil with student in the 21st century creates conflicts and in some situations can lead the student and teacher to reflect on and question the pedagogical practices, enabling a change in attitude of the teacher. For me, I believe that the ideal learning environment is one in which subject and object is in constant change, allowing the construction of knowledge of both. Currently there are several learning environments that are being developed and supported this interaction between the students and teachers like, and may be used both in classroom situations, so as to support all actions taken by teachers during the teaching process, as the record their difficulties, doubts, discussions, opinions, allowing them a constant construction and reconstruction of their actions and the teaching clues to its interventions. The technology used in school should be facing real problems and difficulties of the majority in order to improve the quality of education, linked to the objectives and principles of the â€Å"old school† ways of teaching. Society is increasingly technological every day and it is necessary to reform the school and the education in order to educated the student to master the new language used by the computer as well as the need for the teacher to perfect these new techniques. Choy states that there will come a day that may jeopardize the future of the relationship between the professor and the student. I come to a dangerous point, I think that the chief reason instructors suggest that laptops be banned is one that they fear that most students who use laptops are not taking notes, but are engaged in activities unrelated to the course – instant messaging, e-mailing, shopping, palying poker and so on (Choy 274). Unfortunately many teachers still do not know how to use the laptops; the first step is to learn how to do this because â€Å"if the instructor is so boring that that students use laptops to shop and to write letters, well when the laptops are banned the students will probably bring in crossword puzzles or exercises from other courses† (Choy 274) than something is wrong with the teacher. One must know what he can do, and then what to do with it. This does not mean that we know everything about laptops. First it is necessary to have certain knowledge with the most frequently used features such as the text editor, because the rest are learning a little bit every day. Also, learn to send and receive emails and surf the internet to know are prerequisites for anyone who wants to use the laptop in the classroom and learn to integrate the laptops as part of their lesson, in this way they can engage the students and keep their attention. We must remember that the laptop in the classroom will not replace teachers; it will only help the student in several ways, transforming the classroom into a stimulating and attractive environment for students to develop their reasoning and creativity, thus contributing to helping them become autonomous learners. To make good use of the laptop in the classroom, the teacher must prepare and plan their activities with the students so that the result of this proposed work is achieved with this new technology.

Avoiding Physical Punishment In Child Rearing Essay

, Research Paper Is # 8220 ; saving the rod # 8221 ; botching or salvaging the kid? Is force, bitterness, choler or fright worth the hazard taken when striking him or her. Whether your for or against utilizing physical penalty in kid development, as a parent, you will someday hold to confront this issue. Many parents are taught this method in their childhood, and are non cognizant of any other manner. Often arising from faith, physical or bodily penalty is seen as an of import ingredient in kid raising. This tool is used to carry through entire authorization by the parent and to have entire entry from the kid. Physical penalty may be convenient and achieve impermanent conformity, but produces negative consequences, and should be avoided. HISTORICALLY Punishment day of the months back to early human history. To keep the Torahs that were created for societal life, punishments were developed for the persons who could non stay by them. Authoritarianism changed the grounds behind penalty ; alternatively of protecting society from the felon, it became a manner for the # 8220 ; Chiefs to command the Indians. # 8221 ; It placed the leaders above everyone else, forestalling the people # 8217 ; s sentiments from numbering ; an antidemocratic society. As illustrated by Dreikurs and Grey, # 8220 ; Those in bid were superior and hence right ; those whom they ruled were inferior and hence incorrect if they disagreed with the swayers # 8221 ; ( 66 ) . Physical penalty has been approved in history as # 8220 ; the function of authorization, # 8221 ; as a declaration of power. Penelope Leach provinces, # 8220 ; Physical penalty was one time an recognized portion of any relationship that gave one single legitimate authorization over others # 8211 ; maestro over slave, retainer or married woman ; officer over lower ranks ; jurisprudence hatchet man over jurisprudence ledgeman ; employer over learner # 8211 ; but that is history ; we have cosmopolitan human rights now # 8211 ; cosmopolitan except for kids, that is # 8221 ; ( 126 ) . Teaching entire authorization by the parent, most Conservative Protestants use bodily penalty today as their sires did. In Spare the Child, Philip Greven points out, # 8220 ; Modern signifiers of Christian Fundamentalism portion the same compulsions with obeisance to authorization feature of earlier manners of Evangelical Protestantism, and the same autocratic run evident among 17th # 8211 ; and eig hteenth-century Anglo-American Evangelicals is discernable today, for exactly the same grounds: the coercion of kids through painful penalties in order to learn obeisance to divine and parental authorization # 8221 ; ( 198 ) . The thought many old ages ago is obvious, society felt that physical penalty was necessary for obeisance. With survey and research over clip, successful kid raising has changed to bring forth better consequences. Dr. Benjamin Spock adds, # 8220 ; In the olden yearss, most kids were spanked, on the premise that this was necessary to do them act. In the 20th century, as parents and professionals have studied kids here and in other states, they have come to recognize that kids can be well behaved, concerted, and polite without of all time holding been punished physically # 8221 ; ( 437 ) . Recognizing the impact this antique method can hold on a kid, society is altering their positions on how we should train. We are traveling off from bullying and hurting tactics to more effectual, positive methods. EFFECTS / RESULTS To be more effectual in child raising we must foremost recognize the unsought consequences that can come from utilizing physical penalty. When a parent strikes a kid, they are learning that kid to cover with jobs in a violent mode. As an opposition to bodily penalty, Murray Straus writes, # 8220 ; I am non stating the grounds is unequivocal. I believe future research will corroborate the decisions that the force we so abhor and fright has portion of its beginnings in the actions of loving parents who, by paddling kids, accidentally learn force? We should move now because bodily penalty is force. Therefore, irrespective of whether it reduces what most people think of as the existent force, a society that stops hitting kids is a less violent and more humanist society # 8221 ; ( qtd. in Ellison paragraph 22 ) . Negative influence is another disadvantage of physical penalty. An grownup influences a kid utilizing physical penalty, exposing a deficiency of self-denial by the parent. Physical penalty besides implants bitterness, choler and fright of the parent. Causing bitterness, choler or fright in a kid can ensue in # 8220 ; blowback # 8221 ; of the penalty. Hiting a kid displays a deficiency of regard for them and engender rebellion. For illustration, metres are placed to necessitate payment for impermanent parking. Exceeding the clip bound or declining to pay can ensue, if your caught, in a all right. Just being cognizant of the effects of misdemeanor can assist to implement this regulation. However, many people will park without paying if they feel they can acquire off without a punishment. Similarly, a kid having a spanking will reiterate the act if he or she realizes he or she can avoid acquiring caught. It has been argued by professionals that the usage of physical penalty has been a factor in forestalling self-esteem, assurance, creativeness and rational independency ; doing delinquency, depression and disaffection. Used excessively frequently, physical penalty can lose its steam, and lead to child maltreatment. Option There are successful, alternate methods in training for physical penalty. Keeping consistence, being sort yet house is a critical portion of utilizing these alternate methods. Understanding it is the importance that we place in an issue, and non the step of penalty given, that makes the difference. Penelope Leach writes, # 8220 ; Many kids have so learned to postpone bedtime about indefinitely, but merely because parents are excessively tired to follow through. If those same kids need medicine for a chronic unwellness such as asthma, they take it without a murmor because parents are convinced that it truly affairs and are hence clear, confident and consistent in their insisting # 8221 ; ( 125 ) . Of the many alternate methods for subject, a few to discourse are the # 8220 ; Law of Reinforcement, # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Time-out, # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Immobilization # 8221 ; and # 8220 ; Logical or Natural Consequences. # 8221 ; The # 8220 ; Law of Reinforcement # 8221 ; was devised by the first educational psychologist, E.L. Thorndike. It was latter revised and polished by B.F. Skinner. This method is simple, a kid will reiterate an act or behaviour if the consequences are delighting to him or her. As noted by Dr. James Dobson, # 8220 ; Behavior which achieves desirable effects will repeat # 8221 ; ( 64 ) . Something to see with this method is the wagess promised as a consequence of good behaviour must follow instantly. They can non be long-run wagess, such as a friend remaining nightlong subsequently in the hebdomad, or a holiday subsequently in the twelvemonth. Exploitation wagess at the incorrect clip, such as assuring them to a kid that is in rebelliousness, can besides be a error. Furthermore, the wagess need non be material, forestalling them from going graft. Therefore, utilizing verbal support ( personal regards ) can be much more effectual. Another method in subject is # 8220 ; time-out # 8221 ; . This removes the kid from a state of affairs until he or she changes the improper behaviour and regains his or her calm. This method should non be used excessively often, and should ever follow with an account of why the behaviour is non acceptable. Harmonizing to Larry Reibstein, # 8220 ; The Newsweek canvass showed that 71 per centum of parents frequently or sometimes used timeouts # 8221 ; ( 64 ) . Immobilization is a technique used less frequently for kids runing from 7 to 14 months that can non command their behaviour of, for illustration, hitting another kid or an grownup. After a warning has been given, the kid should be placed on your lap or a chair and held down until the kid is unagitated and you can explicate to him or her the ground this is unacceptable. This technique is limited in many ways and should be used carefully, and at a lower limit. Covering with a kid with Logical or Natural Consequences can be an effectual option. Teaching the kid the effects that result from a specific action can either be logical or natural. Logical significance if a kid does something incorrect, the effects can be bad, typically brought approximately by the parent. Natural significance if a kid does something incorrect, the effects can be bad, typically brought about by some kind of physical world. Dr. Loren Grey acknowledges the logical method, # 8220 ; Even though the consequence is arranged by the parent, the kid sees it as his ain action and normally a repeat of the consequence is non needed to act upon alteration # 8221 ; ( 47 ) . Refering natural effects, Dr. Grey writes, # 8220 ; If a little kid runs his caput into a tabular array and hurts it, no warnings or repeated illustrations are necessary to convert him to avoid that in the hereafter # 8221 ; ( 46 ) . Contained in this paper are a few of the many options to physical penalty. There are many more ways to convey about alteration in a kid # 8217 ; s behaviour. Striking a kid is a certain manner to learn force as a solution to jobs, produce bitterness towards the parent and transfuse choler or fright in the kid. Becoming more educated with the options, parents can play an of import function in supplying a less violent society. Along with these options, parents should be sort yet steadfast and should ever keep consistence. Dobson, James. Dare to Discipline. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 1970. Ellison, Christopher G. # 8220 ; Conservative Protestantism and the Corporal Punishment of Children: Clarifying the Issues # 8221 ; . The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion v35, n1 ( 1996 ) : 1-16. Greven, Philip. Spare the Child. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1991. Grey, Loren. Discipline Without Fear: Child Training During the Early School Old ages. New York: Hawthorn Books Inc. , 1974. Leach, Penelope. Children First: What Society must make # 8211 ; and is non making # 8211 ; for Children Today. New York: Vintage Books, 1994. Reibstein, Larry. # 8220 ; The Debate over Discipline # 8221 ; . Newsweek Spring-Summer 1997: 64. # 8220 ; Sparing the Rod to Salvage the Child # 8221 ; . Editorial. New Statesman and Society. 24 June 1994: 5. Spock, Benjamin and Micheal B. Rothenberg. Dr. Spock # 8217 ; s Baby and Child Care. New York: Dutton, 1992. Straus, Murray. Beating the Devil Out of Them: Bodily Punishment in American Families and Its Effectss on Children. Boston: Lexington Books, 1994.

Direct Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Direct Marketing - Essay Example Data is generated by transactions that form the foundation of many industries, such as retail, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, insurance, credit cards, and banking. In addition to these internal data, external data sources also provide demographic, lifestyle, and credit information on retail customers, and credit, financial, and marketing information on business customers. Data mining is a very useful tool to analyse business data and to use it to identify key customers and in turn increase business opportunities by targeted marketing. From the direct marketing perspective, data mining and data fusion provide a necessary means to collect and analyse customers' data in order to utilise direct marketing strategy most effectively. Data mining and data fusion are the exploration and analysis of large quantities of data in order to discover meaningful patterns and rules (Berry et al., 2004). Used in various simpler forms in earlier times, mining and fusion have made way for businesses to finally make some sense out of all the data that they have accumulated for years (Rudd, 2000). Several books and journals have been published to strengthen the cause of these tools to improve relations between customers and generate more business. Some other areas where data mining and data fusion have been extensively used include credit scoring, direct marketing, sales forecasting, insurance, manufacturing, telecommunications, web-mining and text mining. An area pertaining to the scope of this paper is the application of data mining and fusion in direct marketing. Mining and fusion are useful tools in almost all aspects of a business and direct marketing. It helps in building supporting systems for day-today business. It is u seful in forecasting trends, it is used in decision making processes. It can be used in strategic planning of the course of action to be followed (Berson et al., 1999). A significant application in this area is the usage of data mining and fusion as tools in customer marketing and effective promotion (Berry et al., 2004). Customer acquisition is another such application. Statistical modeling using data mining and fusion are useful in effectively segmenting customers so that suitable marketing efforts can be carried out (Berson et al., 1999). Estimation of customer profitability is another such vital application of data mining. Determining customer segments help establish better marketing and services practice (Berson et al., 1999). Data mining and fusion thus help businesses to a very great extent in managing customers and helps maximise the tenure of relationship with customers, optimise the transactions or business carried out, increase profits associated (Berry et al., 2004). Mining is an activity that processes raw data or information recorded on a transactional basis. Earlier in smaller companies, this 'mining' process was carried out by people who dealt directly with customers. Now with companies that have billions of customers, a system has to be established to carry out these activities. Mining is a follow-up and is closely connected with data warehousing (Berson et al., 1999). If useless data has been collected and warehoused, the mining process will yield no better results. At the same time, having