Africa Change over Time Essay

Around the period during the second World War and the Cold War, a Red Scare went on in the most powerful and influential capitalist countries of the world. The Red Scare was basically a fear of the spread of communism. According to the Domino Theory, which was developed in that era, if a specific country turned to communism, communism would soon spread to all the other countries in that area. This fear caused the United States to jump into action at the slightest sign of communist influence in many places in the world, especially subsaharan Africa. However, over the years, this fear has eased, and the U. S. is more prone to attempting to aid these nations, rather than destroying them. In sub-saharan Africa, from around 1900 to present day, conditions there have both changed and stayed the same. On one hand, western involvement in the area has changed, but on the other hand, the constant civil wars and oppressive circumstances from the past still exist today. Sub-saharan Africa from the beginning of the 20th century up to this present day has been under constant civil war. South Africa, Sudan, Mozambique, Angola, Ethiopia and Zaire (or the Republic of Congo) are good examples of this. South Africa was first colonized by the Dutch who integrated themselves into the country. However, in the late 19th century, the English conquered South Africa and moved the Boers (the Dutch-Africans) to the north of the country where they clashed with the native Zulu tribe. When diamonds where later discovered in that area, the Dutch and the English had wars for the territory. In Sudan, a fundamentalist Islamic group that sits at the head of the government was at civil war with a rebel Christian group. The main reason for this conflict was the obvious religious differences. This conflict has ruined many crops and homes of civilians and forced many others to flee the country. In Mozambique the civil So? a Gruber war there was a proxy war between the Soviet Union, that influenced a Marxist government in that area, and the U. S. , that sponsored a rebel movement to usurp the communist government. Similarly, in Angola and Ethiopia, a proxy war, sponsored by the two Cold War superpowers tear the countries apart, causing widespread famine and suffering. Finally, the civil war in Congo, that has lasted for decades, was a tug for power between both left and right leaders who, nonetheless, where all power hungry and corrupt. In sub-saharan Africa, there is a continuous pattern of oppression of the people. The examples for this seem to be endless, between constant genocides and militaristic dictators, the people in sub-saharan Africa suffer and die in squalor. In Rwanda, a mass genocide erupted when the Hutu tribe blamed the Tutsi tribe for their leader’s death. In a time span of 100 days, nearly 8000 people died, and countless more were injured in unspeakable ways. Throughout all of Africa, the use of child soldiers has become extremely popular. It is not uncommon for a 10 year old boy (sometimes even younger) to be drugged and paraded down the street while they shot innocent civilians and mutilated them. The living conditions in many nations are unspeakable. Many families live in shacks with no running water, and very few of them have any means of contact to the outside world (television, phones, radio, ect. ). Constant civil war force many families to flee their country, creating refugees for other countries, who stick them all in refugee camps. Most methods of war involve hurting civilians, in Sudan, a popular resistance method was scorched-earth policies. Here, armies would burn down everything that would be essential to life, ensuring that no aid would be available to their opponent. In South Africa, mostly, apartheid was practiced to the extreme. Not only were there segregated bathrooms and schools, but entire towns. A white minority would live in splendor, while the black, native majority would live in squalor. From 1900 to present day, the world’s involvement in sub-saharan Africa has drastically changed. Western involvement in sub-saharan Africa mainly consisted in imperialistic motives and proxy wars. However, its started to change into wanting to help improve the standard of living. South Africa is a very good example of this. In the times of imperialism, England and Holland both had interest in South Africa. England wanted to create colonies there and the Dutch were already there. After the Dutch kicked the English out of the country, they set up their own personal empire in the region. They created a world where whites ruled over blacks. The insalubrious living conditions there for the native black majority eventually set off the rest of the world. After years of both internal and external pressure, the South African government finally ended apartheid in the country. This type of change goes on in many African countries. Most of these countries suffer due to futile proxy wars set up in the region by both Soviet and American forces. After decades of watching this fighting, the world decided to step in and help. Red Cross is sent in there to aid and occasionally, the United Nations tries to stop these wars. Non-profit organizations, such as UNICEF and Hand Up Africa encourage western civilians to take part in working for peace in the sub-saharan African nations. Despite the change in western attitude towards sub-saharan African nations, most of them still are under the threat of constant civil war and their people live in oppressive circumstances. Many of these civil wars were caused by the American fear towards communism and tribal and religious differences. These conflicts bring rise to militaristic dictatorships and decrease the standard of living prominently. However, in retrospect, western nations seemed to have repented for their destruction of the large continent and continuously attempt to rebuild it.

Child Obesity Essay

Who’s To Blame for Obesity? Do you want to be surrounded with a society filled with obese children? Obesity has become a big problem in America. Parents are not being careful with the amount of junk food they’re allowing their kids to take in. According to Daniel Wientraub’s article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home†, he claims that parents are in the position to fight the epidemic of overweight children, not the government or fast food companies. I agree with Daniel Wientraub because parents should be held accountable for the obesity of their children. Advertising has become Americas biggest tool for manipulating kids in the U.S as indicated in David Barboza’s â€Å"If you Pitch It, They Will Eat It†, New York Times article , professor Linn of Harvard says â€Å"The programs have become advertising for the food and the food has become advertising for the programs (Barboza,P.39,Par.33).† Children are getting attached to television and programming, wh ich is where the fast food commercials vastly appear. For example, kids begin to ask their parents for fast food just because there happens to be a toy in their â€Å"Happy Meal†. Parents don’t have the strength needed to continue managing on telling their children â€Å"No!† because they will cry, nag, and proceed to bug their parents to take them. Marketing strategies aim on manipulating kids, and the more being targeted, the more money they continue making. Parents need to start saying â€Å"No!† and begin acting like the boss, instead of it being the other way around. Exercising is a huge factor on staying healthy. A vastly amount of kids in America are not participating in physical education. In the article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home† Daniel Weintraub indicates â€Å"We limit television and encourage our boys to get out the house, either to participate in organized sports or to ride their bikes, skateboards, or roller blades(Weintraub,P.43,Par.15).† This particularly indicates that parents need to push and motivate their children to exercise daily, to remain active. Staying fit is more important because it prevents obesity. The majority of children lack exercise and stuff themselves with fast food but it isn’t their fault because their too young to comprehend any better. Parents need to step it up and provide their kids with consistent physical education to prevent their children becoming obese. Adolescents need to start noticing what they are feeding their children. A great amount of food comes from the home kids are living in. in Daniel Wientraub’s  article â€Å"The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home†, he states that, â€Å"We try to cook as many meals as possible on the theory that even the last healthy home cooked meal is probably better for our children than the healthiest fast food serving (Weintraub, P.43, Par.15).† I support this claim because when kids are given a meal at home, their parent can provide and control the ingredients they are feeding them, in contrast to when they are eating out. Therefore, kids can consume vegetables and healthy edibles that their parents are serving at home, without worrying about the bad factors that fast food is giving them. In other words, cooking at home is a veritable good way for parents preventing obesity. Others may suggest that fast food services are at fault for childhood obesity. However, I believe this is faulty reasoning because fast food places provide a great amount of high fattening food that makes kids gain weight. Support of my position can be found in the following â€Å"Fast foods marketing strategies, which make perfect sense from a business perspective, succeed only when they induce a substantial number of us to overeat (Brownie, P.33, Par.6).† This clearly substantiates my position by illustrating that purchasing fast food products may be cheap and less time consuming, but it is a bad decision for parents to make on their children. In conclusion, I am adamant that parents are responsible for what they feed their kids. As such, in my opinion it would be in our best interest for parents to stand up and help children at most they can. If parents follow this course of action, I am confident that child obesity will decrease not only in America, but all over the world.

HIPPA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

HIPPA - Essay Example Reading current newsletters and journals would be pivotal since it provides update information on the new trends. The research would also encompass investigating how various related companies or organizations employ the HIPAA rules and regulations (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). While at this, I will be keen on the strengths and weaknesses of these organizations to ensure that the new practice redress any errors. Besides, personnel in the organization must also be interviewed to know their perceptions or attitudes towards the new policy (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). I would also study how the organization has attempted to comply with the HIPAA. All these will provide a good head start. I will be able to strategize a plan for the application of the HIPAA. Also, in order to ensure compliance, I would advise the physician about the security standards of HIPAA. They demand that they have the obligation of securing the patient electronic medical information (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). It should be done by using a series of procedures and mechanisms that aim at restoring the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the information. That is to say, that the physician is accountable of the medical information about the patient. In a case of any irregularity, the physician will be held responsible (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). The new medical practice location should be in a place enough security that will provide ample protection for both the electronic media and other documents. The information here is the one that is collected, maintained, used and transmitted by the physician (Luxton, Kayl & Mishkind, 2012). The general practitioner must know that the more discrete the new practice is regarding the medical information of pa tients, the more trustworthy it will become. HIPAA controls the manner in which a physician can use and disclose the health

Marketing Strategy Formulation Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Strategy Formulation Assignment - Essay Example It is intended to help the disable people to perform their daily activities, similar to any other normal person. These robotic legs have been invented in a manner that permits effective and comfortable bending and moving of limbs to desirable directions. Apparently, targeted to a noble cause, the degree of influence created by social responsibilities of Parker Hannifin increases substantially also affecting its marketing strategies to a certain extent (Tita, 2014). Correspondingly, this essay intends to assess the marketing strategies adopted by Parker Hannifin when launching its robotic legs, with due consideration to its basic price strategies and overall promotional strategies. Pricing strategies is the most crucial factor to boost sales volume of any marketable devices, which is no exclusion in the case of Parker Hannifin. In the words of the head of its Human Motion and Control Unit. Mr. Achilleas Dorotheou, â€Å"There’s a graveyard of great technologies out there. You need to prove to the payers in dollars and cents that the device saves MONEY†, which apparently signifies the importance of pricing strategies for the device. Accordingly, its pricing strategies have been based on the value of the product addressing the target customers’ basic needs. When introduced, Parker Hannifin’s Indego was marketed through the price skimming method, whereby the price of the device was fixed at between $69,000 to $100,000. Hence, the price of the product was fixed at a higher rate but along with insurance facilities to cover damages and other risks to be borne by its users. This further sufficed the conditions of cost plus pricing strategi es by the company (Kotler, 2002). Besides, the company also considered that offering different kinds of discounts and innovative schemes will help to attract a larger volume of consumer towards the product, further helping the company to penetrate its markets by lowering its prices in the near future to

Business Environment and Public Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Environment and Public Policy - Essay Example Apart from these emissions, man's industries also went ahead towards emission of various other gases that resulted in decreasing ozone layer and the protection built that nature has built around the earth. The natural causes that encouraged life on earth were getting destroyed by these artificial sources. Global Warming is a much talked about topic, discussed in many international and national forums, so much so that people have come to accept it as a part of life which is very dangerous. The effects of global warming is still in the laboratory; so is the cause of global warming and the extent to which it will affect human life and the environment. This paper tries to explore the various effects, the lobby that has helped to build up the needed hype to draw attention to the issues. Finally, we also analyze the reasons behind the Global Warming and the methods to counter it and the need to counter it (Global Warming, 1999).. Global Warming is due to what is known as the Green House effect. The green house effect occurs because of the reason that the emitted carbon monoxide and the associated gases that are hot rise to the top of the atmosphere and do not allow the heat of the earth to radiate and lose itself. This results in the green house effect and the global warming. There are a number of contributors to the green house effect. ... More and more work is being done and research carried out to say yes or no on the issue of global warming. But it is very true that there are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions that are affecting the atmosphere and its constituents. The global warming is observed by some of the indicators listed below. 1. Diseases. With an increase in temperature, the bacteria and the virus seem to be breeding themselves out. This would increase the outbreak of various diseases new and old. An increased number of disease outbreak would also indicate an increased temperature in the air. 2. Early arrival of spring, heavy rains, floods and snowfall are all considered as a result of global warming. 3. Droughts at other places and forest fires that devastate vast extents of forest areas. 4. Bleaching of coral reef, sudden change in animal population and change in their range of operation. All these point to a rise in temperature in the atmosphere leading to a global warming. There are also people who provide an opposite view of the global warming. According to them, (Consumer Alert, 2000) there are evidences that would substantiate their claims that there are no noticeable Global Warming or something that mankind should be working overtime on (Jason Lee Steorts, 2006). 1. Temperature of the atmosphere has been measured using the satellite navigational temperature measuring meters which resulted in noting that there are no significant raise in the temperature in the last 18 years. There is no global warming as is being portrayed. 2. Nearly 98% of the gases that are emitted and that cause green house effect are not effluents of the industries or manufacturing. They are mostly natural sources mostly water vapor that contribute to the greenhouse

E-logistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

E-logistics - Essay Example budge constraint).† Businesses of today in either perspective (business or consumer) markets have realized that in order for them to remain competitive, they need to have an easy access of current information and clear communication. In order for this competitive edge to become stable, steady, and maintained, businesses need to have a support and reverse system that is called the electronic logistics or e-logistics. However, maintaining this system is not easy for this involves billions of dollars, yet they have no other option but to take advantage with the benefits and outweigh the liabilities. Based, on the study of Lambert and Burduroglu (2000), the amount spent for logistics is worth the price because customers’ satisfaction will increase the value added services of companies and they are also rewarded by their customers with a large increase in the volume of demand. The main purpose of this paper is to give an overview of e-logistics, identify its emergence, and di stinguish. Overview of e-logistics According to Sarkis, et al. (2004), â€Å"Organization realizes that a strong supporting logistics or electronic logistics (e-logistics) function is an important organizational offering from both the commercial and the consumer perspective.† A typical supply chain usually involved materials and information that includes operational logistics such as inbound and outbound logistics. In the study of Auramo, et al. (2002, p.528), it is stated that information, supply network and material flows are necessary in order to have a successful implementation of e-logistics. â€Å"The role of logistics in e-commerce has garnered the lion’s share of the focus on the success or failure of Internet-based companies† (Sarkis, et al., 2002, p.35). It is not enough for a business to have an online delivery information portal because what customers want is to have the products or services be delivered in an efficient, timely, and accurate manner. The overview of logistics has something to do with the marketing effort of the business in order to come up with a sound and pleasant decisions and activities (Bowersox, Mentzer, & Speh 1995). Emergence of e-logistics Advancement in information technology and communication are among the important factors that made e-commerce and e-logistics more successful for these are the carriers used in the delivery of information. The increasing number of companies that are now using these advance technologies had made a growth in e-commerce, and as a result, operating costs had also increased. This scenario is brought by globalization and the growing array of logistic options, and in order for companies to remain competitive, they have to focus on the development of physical material flow or physical logistics while continuously amending customer service (Thomas & Griffin, 1996). The traditional logistic functions that involved the activities of transporting, transshipment, and storage are par t of the physical logistic activities which has been changed since the adoption of e-logistics (Alt & Zbornik, 2002, p.723). Improving physical logistics has become complicated and consequently formed a new logistics system called e-logistics. The emergence of e-logistics had changed the virtual image of transporting, transshipment, and storage of information and materials, and it also managed to meet end-users expectations from manufacturers. For example, the emergence had helped Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation in the distribution of their medical products or medicines in the global

Hobbes and Lockes Legitimate Political Authority Essay

Hobbes and Lockes Legitimate Political Authority - Essay Example Similarities and differences between Hobbes and Locke Both Hobbes and Locke agree that the government is a necessity. As reiterated by Hobbes, people form government for purposes of self-preservation. In any society, the creation of government is often perpetuated by fear. However, Hobbes is against limited government and supports absolute sovereignty since limited government is not sufficient in terms of safeguarding citizen’s right to self-preservation. In essence, absolute power as addressed by Hobbes arises when citizens give power to an individual or group of individuals. Consequently, the sovereign has the mandate to, for instance, wage war, impose taxes or declare peace. Hobbes further believes that establishing a government is necessary resorting to the state of nature. Hobbes also maintains that a government plays a role in preserving citizen’s lives (Hobbes, 1994). Locke believes in a government that is established by the people and works for the people. However, such a government does not create absolute soverei gnty as posited by Hobbes. Locke also asserts that the people have a right to change a government that does not respect natural laws and human rights. On the other hand, while Hobbes and Locke recognize the importance of having a government, they differ on the amount of government and ruling respectively (Dunn, 1969). With regards to rights and equality, Hobbes believes in the right of self-preservation. He also reiterates that men are equal in terms of their physical and mental capabilities.

MOVIE SHAINE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MOVIE SHAINE - Essay Example Producers began to scramble in order to get the rights to film the movie version of the movie. But this paper is not about the way producers came into possession of the literary work. Nor is this about the history of the author and his inspiration for the book. Rather, this paper is all about the comparison and differences that exist between the book and film versions of the story. The basic premise of the book and the movie does not stray from the original formula that was written by Jack Shaeffer. We find the main story in both the book and movie centering upon the Starrett family. Together with some other homesteaders, they find themselves being trapped by a local cattle baron into surrendering their land to him as he slowly usurps property that is not his. The cattle baron is named Fletcher and he does not mind being at war with most of his neighbors over the cattle range that should have existed for all of them to benefit from. The main character, Shane, comes into the story rig ht smack in the middle of this war. While the conflict in the book takes place mostly in the second half of the book, the film version, owing to time constraints and censorship considerations, found itself fast forwarding within minutes of the opening scene into the thick of the action. This is one of the main points that shows the difference between the book and the film. Whereas the book had enough time to flesh out the conflict and character development, the film had to abbreviate such development points in lieu of screen time. The film, which was shot in 1953 did not leave everything to one's imagination as the novel did. Rather, Director George C. Stevens took great pains to re-create what was about to become the finest western film in Hollywood into reality on film. The cinematography matched the grandness of the verbal descriptions and looked quite true to life in an era that did not have High Definition, Blu-Ray, or CGI technology to help polish its look. Character descripti on wise, the film differed from the book in such that the main character, Shane, first arrived at the Starret ranch, according to the novel, wearing an all Black outfit while he wore a Tan outfit in the film. Character wise, the film also took the liberty of renaming some of the characters as in the case of the character of Bob in the book, who became Joey in the movie. The cattle baron who was named Fletcher in the book, became Rufus Ryker in the Hollywood version. While the book took its time in developing character relationships during the first half of the story, allowing the reader to come to a deeper understanding of the story and its main protagonists and antagonists, those who watch the film without having read the book will be treated to a different version of character development far from the original vision and intent of the writer. The movie, perhaps thinking it would make for a far more interesting tale on screen found itself dealing with a combined storyline that allo ws for a rushed version of the back story between Shane and the family that took him in, and the action from the latter half of the movie that seems to be introduced within the first ten minutes of the film. This sense of screen time and film footage used is probably the reason why we find the characters doing things in the movie that were done by other people in the book. For example, Tory, who was supposed to be the one

Condition vs. Statement Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Condition vs. Statement Analysis - Coursework Example Horizontal analysis makes use of comparisons over two or more years in both currency and percentage forms. Vertical analysis on the other hand, takes into account entries of the balance sheet and presents them as percentages of the total. Finally, ratio analysis is used in financial statement analysis to show the statistical correlation of data (Finkler, Purtell, Calabrese, and Smith, 2013). The use of financial statement analysis is primarily aimed at informing effective decision making process. While financial statement analysis evaluates the financial performance of an organization from its financial data records to showcase performance, financial condition analysis on the other hand, aims at measuring the position of the business or entity at hand. Two considerations under financial condition analysis include resource flow, and resource stock (Studenmund, 2011). Under resource flow, financial condition analysis takes into account financial indicators such as total margin, charge to expense, and debt service ratios. It also considers financial performance through change in net assets (Finkler, Purtell, Calabrese, and Smith, 2013). Under resource stock, financial condition analysis takes into account financial ratios (indicators) such as quick for testing liquidity, net assets for measuring solvency, debt to asset for measuring leverage, and capital assets condition for measuring capital (Finkler, Purtell, Calabrese, and Smith, 2013). The use of financial condition analysi s is primarily aimed at acknowledging the performance or position of the entity at hand. Finkler, Purtell, Calabrese, and Smith (2013) points that external factors have impact on an organization’s financial performance. In this case, financial condition analysis considers external factors such as competition, market stability, exchange rates, and market volatility. Under these factors, financial condition analysis aims at testing how much the business is able to

Motorcycle training Essay Example for Free

Motorcycle training Essay This training was developed by police officers for police officers. The information provided is meant to enhance officer knowledge and safety in the realm of motorcycle laws through enforcement and public education of those motor vehicle/motorcycle laws, and give officers the information to help reduce the number of motorcyclist killed or injured in traffic crashes. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) would like to thank the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their help in making this training possible. Particular thanks go to Earl Hardy and William Cosby of NHTSA for their on-going guidance. We also must extend our thanks to the following individuals who participated in the curriculum development. Their knowledge and experience helped to define the content of the materials for the lesson modules and critical information was covered for law enforcement. The individuals who helped make this training a reality include the following: Mr. Richard Davis, Arkansas State Police; Lt. Jim Halvorsen, New York State Police; Lt. Michael Turcott, Washington State Police; and Mr. John Young, Texas Department of Public Safety. Special thanks to Inspector Patrick McManamon, Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and Mr. Albert Liebno, Maryland Police Correctional Training Commissions for their feedback on improving the presentations. The information contained in this program by no means reflects the opinions of all the individuals listed. June F. Kelly, Project Manager, IADLEST. Assistant Director, Vermont Police Academy TITLE: Motorcycle Safety and Enforcement Training for LE (Law Enforcement) Lesson Purpose: To understand why the enforcement of motorcycle laws, support of national motorcycle safety enforcement efforts and best practices are critical to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries. Date Prepared: May 1, 2009 PURPOSE STATEMENT This training manual developed by IADLEST is intended to assist law enforcement in the enforcement of motorcycle laws. Its purpose is to share existing motorcycle laws knowledge, discuss motorcycle safety issues, the scope of problems involving enforcement of motorcycle laws, and present best practices in the realm of enforcement of motorcycle laws, sharing of safety practices for law enforcement, the motorcyclist and the public, prevention of motorcycle accidents and fill an existing gap in law enforcement training. The goal of this training is to have all police officers trained through their Police Academies or POST1 Programs. We propose to act on the knowledge gained in this course to promote â€Å"enforcement of motorcycle laws† and reduce the problem of unlicensed motorcyclists, motorcycle DUI, non- compliant helmets, and speed related crashes. P. O. S. T. is the acronym for Police Officer Standards and Training TITLE: Training for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws Opening Statement This training will look at situations unique to the enforcement of motorcycle laws such as the following: Why so many motorcycles injuries and fatalities and what can law enforcement do through public education and enforcement? Motorcycle Types and Characteristics Safety Laws Related to Equipment and Operation Motorcycle licensing and speeding issues Officer and Motorcyclist Safety Consider â€Å"distracted driver† issues and how critical it is to operating a motorcycle. Driver talking to passenger Cell phone use (yes, in a car and even on a motorcycle) Talking to another motorcyclist, riding two or three abreast Strategies for traffic stops Strategies to avoid pursuit situations Crash Investigation Detection of impaired motorcyclists Detection of non-compliant helmets Latest on enforcement public relations campaigns Specific course objectives. 1. Why this course? Explain national statistics bulleted on slide. 2. Review motorcycle laws related to critical areas. Equipment Licensing requirements Alcohol-related/impaired behavior of motorcyclists Speed Enforcement Helmets FMVSS 218 and what are the pending revisions 3. Officer Safety concerns Explain and share strategies for stopping motorcycles and Strategies to avoid pursuits. 4. Motorcycle Crash Investigation awareness First Responder Safety and Motorcyclist First Aid Pointers What are some motorcycle crash investigation pointers to consider for crash investigators? Does your state have standardized data gathering and reporting for motorcycle crashes? 5. Encourage motorcycle safety and education. National Statistics 2 Injuries Fatalities According to US DOT, Motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled since 1998, increasing 130 percent over a ten year period. Registration trends Motorcycles account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles; however motorcycle fatalities represent 13 percent of traffic fatalities in the United States. Unlicensed motorcycle drivers1 out 4 motorcycle riders (25%) involved in fatal crashes in 2008 were not properly licensed. DUI is a factor in fatalities Alcohol is a significant factor in far too many motorcycle fatal crashes. In 2008, 29 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of . 08 or higher, and 43 percent of those killed in single-vehicle crashes were over . 08 BAC, and that number jumps to 64 percent on weekend nights. Helmet Use Nationally Helmet Laws from State to State   20 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require helmet use by all;   Other States have â€Å"partial helmet† laws based on age or no laws requiring helmet use. Enforcement Issues   There is limited training on enforcement of motorcycle laws because most police academies across the country do not have courses on the topic or only provide brief coverage on motorcycle laws in their basic motor vehicle law classes.   Training on motorcycle law enforcement is often specialized and appeals to those that ride. Most law enforcement officers do not ride motorcycles so they do not know what to look for regarding motorcycle equipment, helmets and the laws. Motorcycle Risks Motorcyclists Are at Risk from Other Drivers. Drivers of passenger vehicles and all types of vehicles need to be alert of motorcycles. Motorcycles are small and may be difficult for drivers of other vehicles to see.   Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than other vehicles.   Due to the smaller profile it can be difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.   After a crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved often say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time.   In the event of a crash, a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable and in much greater danger physically than other vehicle occupants. In fact, â€Å"Per vehicle mile traveled in 2007, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and 9 times more likely to be injured. † National Statistics Motorcyclist Deaths are Rising.   In 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the tenth straight year.   During 2008, 5,290 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes, an increase of 2 percent over the 5,174 motorcyclists killed in 2007.   Motorcycle riders were involved in more than one out of nine of all U. S. roadway fatalities. 47 percent of all fatalities in motorcycle crashes in 2008 involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.   77 percent of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle were struck in the front with only 7 percent struck in the rear.   In 41 percent of the crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle, the other vehicle was turning left when the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.   In 2008, 35 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding. Law Enforcement. Law enforcement has a special contribution to make in the prevention of motorcycle crashes. Some of these contributions are simple and some are very difficult: dirt bikes in traffic are an obvious hazard; unlicensed motorcyclists are difficult to detect, and according to the Hurt study impaired motorcycle riders are far more difficult to detect than impaired automobile drivers. The increases involvement of the unlicensed rider in all crashes, and the impaired rider in fatal crashes, demands enforcement action, but legal requirements of due cause for a traffic stop may limit this action. These edited comments are a part of the Hurt Study released in 1981, which tried to research motorcycle crash cause factors and identify countermeasures to use in the idea of providing the basis of due cause for preliminary enforcement action and screening of traffic for unlicensed riders. One fundamental rider communication measure suggested in the study was enforcement action by ticketing for a for a traffic violation. The data of this research shows that driver improvement is vital to those motorcycle riders who have had traffic violations or crashes, and experience has shown that a special motorcycle traffic school is an effective alternative to the payment of a fine for a citation. Advantage should be made of this contact opportunity to require a special motorcycle traffic school for motorcycle riders with traffic citations so that critical information can be given to these likely crash candidates. The Hurt study was cited in many references about motorcycle crash cause studies and countermeasures over the years. This study is now 30 years old. A new study is currently under commission through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to the Oklahoma Transportation Center for the â€Å"new Motorcycle Crash Causation Study†. The hope is that this study will shed new light on the causes of crashes and update the old data. HURT STUDY – Highlights Key Points Learned 75% M/C crashes involve another vehicle 2/3 of those crashes other vehicle failed to yield right of way to M/C Failure of motorist to recognize M/C is predominate cause of crash Crash configuration—M/C traveling straight other vehicle turning maneuver Riders 16 and 24 of age are over-represented in these crashes (96% male) 92% of the riders we self taught without any â€Å"formal† training 50% of fatal M/C riders had alcohol usage Motorcyclist had significant collision avoidance problems, i. e. , over/under braking, poor ability to counter steer and swerve, etc. Typically less than 2 seconds for motorcyclist to react Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields low crash involvement – maybe related to conspicuity (more frontal surface) High number of M/C riders had no M/C license , no license of any type or were suspended/revoked

Performance Management at Steel Co

Performance Management at Steel Co Contents Structuring individual performance to maximize firm’s performance Expectancy theory has three underlying concepts: Performance management system used to improve employee development and communication Effectiveness of linking performance to financial reward Bibliography Structuring individual performance to maximize firm’s performance Individual performance is determined by the following factors: Motivation, the desire to do the job Ability, capability, know how to do the job (cognitive ability, reasoning ability, physical ability) Work environment, tool materials and information to do the job The energy to perform in an organization is directly influenced by the level of motivation and the expectancy. As long as the desire to do something is present, the mount of performance output is directly proportional with the level of energy exercised. Motivation is a function of expectancy, instrumentality and valance and expectancy, is used as a tool to explain the determinants of workplace attitudes and behavior. In other words try to perform and you will succeed. Expectancy theory has three underlying concepts: 1. The Concept of valence refers to anticipated satisfaction. While value represents the actual satisfaction that a person experience from an attained outcome. Potentially a discrepancy can occur between the anticipated satisfaction from an outcome (valence) and the actual satisfaction that it provides (its value). When such disparity occurs, the reward system implemented will lead to loss of the motivational value. 2. Instrumentality represents a person’s belief about the relationship between performing an action and experiencing an outcome. The high performance is most likely to occur when both the valence and instrumentality are perceived high. It is important to understand individual’s motivational behavior by not only identifying his/hers satisfaction expected as a result of attained particular outcome, but also what actually the person thinks that he /she needs to do or not, to achieve the outcome. 3. Expectancies, representing a link between making an effort an actual performing well. It is more like motivation based on desire and effort. Expectancy should be accompanied by specific goals setting and type of performance desired in quantitative terms. Goals should be difficult enough, to where the individual motivation will be driven by the values received from a job well done. The concept of self-efficacy is based on the individual ability to complete the task if he/she tried. Self -efficacy can increase by: emphasis on past accomplishments, observation of others, verbal persuasion (appealing to individual self image) Performance management system used to improve employee development and communication (McCaffery (2004) explains that a key competent of learning and development support in managing performance is guidance given by line managers to develop the knowledge or skill of their subordinates. (McCaffery,p139 (2004) believes that ‘performance management is a cyclical process centred on learning and development-not a fixed one-off event†¦performance management does not just happen, as is often(wrongly) assumed, at an annual event set up for the purpose. Formal appraisal is but a single process. The core foundation of performance management is learning and development. (Armstrong, p246 (2009) believes that performance management has a vital role in an organisation, by ‘specifically helping people to appreciate the need for developing their performance and where and how it should take place,’ and ensuring that people can learn from their experience. Performance management can help people find specific courses on or off the job or by e-learning which will satisfy their learning need. But performance management’s most essential role is the help it gives to the development of a climate for learning- a ‘growth culture’. This process helps people avoid obstacles that can arise when guiding them through work challenges. It ensures that the workers have the resources and time that they need to learn, also that management can advice and support them and give feedback that is vital for them to learn. (Foot, Cook (2008) comment on the fact that often organizations want to develop by improving performance. They want to meet their strategic objectives, or gain high-performance standards in the organization, and they wish to increase profits for shareholders, develop their market share or provide better services for their customers to avail of. (Foot, Cook (2008) explain that in order to achieve these ideals, they need to select, recruit, motivates, develop and retain the best people for the job. (Foot, Cook, p277(2008) highlight that ‘learning and development is one of the key aspects in performance management which can help them achieve these things and it is also a key factor in managing talent.’ Individuals in an organization have the drive to improve their performance in their job, or gain new skills perhaps to get a promotion or pay increase or even move on to a more challenging and fulfilling job. (Foot,Cook(2008) believes individuals can achieve these aims with help from learning and development . Learning and development can help organizations by attracting individuals and can engage their loyalty so the organization benefits by retaining new recruits, this in turns helps the organization to optimize its current and future objectives. (Foot,Cook (2008) emphasize the fact that learning and development has gain popularity over the past years, as organizations have realized that in order to stay competitive they need to develop and utilize the knowledge of their staff as much as possible, in order to do so they need to focus their activities from training to learning. (Foot,Cook) continues, by saying, people learn in different ways, some of these ways can be planned others, unplanned. In order for learning to occur organizations have to ensure that they create suitable environments, so that workers can clearly benefit from the learning and knowledge of their workforce. (Foot,Cook, p278 (2008) reveals that ‘the concept of individualized learning implies that this occurs in all sorts of situations, not just in the more traditional, formal training opportunities.’ Learning and development include mentoring, coaching, job swapping and work shadowing which are less formal and are more learner centered approaches to learning. (Wilton, p183 (2013) comments how ‘in human resource development, it is important to highlight the role of learning and development in performance management and in fostering a culture of continuous improvement.’ In a firm, (Wilton(2013) explains that employee development is considered a key mechanism through which organizational performance can be improved. Learning and development provides substantial linkages within the cycle, forming part of both the evaluation or review phrase and the planning phase. (Wilton (2013) emphasizes the fact that learning and development plays a vital role in relation to remedial action to resolve performance problems. Effectiveness of linking performance to financial reward In many organizations the HR function and the business will attempt to align individual performance to a bell curve of anticipated or actual required performance ratings. This approach is often positioned as being necessary to reward the highest individual performers appropriately, or to justify how the actual business and individual employee performance compares to other high performing organizations (or both). However, when attempting to manage performance distribution across the organization the HR function is often faced with some pretty difficult questions and issues, such as, How can we have so many high performance ratings when we arent achieving our organizational performance goals? Why are we paying our best performers pretty much the same as our worst performers? Are we rewarding the right people? What is actually happening in many organizations is that they believe they are paying for one thing (performance) when in actual fact they are paying for something else. For example, reward for promotion often exceeds annual pay increases for performance within any given level, no matter how much the employee has contributed. Therefore, employees have a much greater incentive to try to get promoted than to stay put and do an outstanding job. This issue can be exacerbated by the use of broad band’s (grades) and salary ranges; all too often, organizations implement a new approach to pay without considering how to communicate to their employees the principles of progression within a salary range. If we take another example, you may work in an organization which is results-oriented, and management is only interested in financial measures such as profit or revenue. Financial rewards are probably used as the major motivator for staff, as we have seen within the financial services sector. However, this approach may not be the right one for employees who are not motivated by financial reward and are perhaps already highly committed to the goals of the organization. In this situation, non-monetary rewards may be the way to go. For smaller organizations where promotion opportunities are limited, the opportunities for employees to reap financial rewards for moving up and for performing well are also limited. Linking performance and reward effectively relies on a good understanding of your organizational context, and the mix of employee motivating factors.   Bibliography Armstrong, Michael.(2009) Armstrong’s Handbook of Performance Management. Clifford, Jackie, Thorpe, Sara. (2007) Advantage for your organisation. http://www.talentmanagementtech.com/blog/learning-and-performance-management-converge-form-emerging-best-practice Dam, Van Nick, Marcus, Jos, Medhurst Keith.(2007) An International Approach to Organisation and Management. Finch, Erik(2010). A talent development approach that integrates learning and performance management is needed to retain staff. Retrieved on the 20th of March 2014. http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Benefits_Services/Performance_Management/Chapter_1.pdf Margaret, Foot. Cook, Caroline. (2008) Introducing Human Resource Management. McCaffery, Peter (2004) The higher Education Manager’s Handbook; Effective leadership and Management. Wilton, Nick (2013) An Introduction to Human Resource Management.

The Traits of Society in George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) Es

The Traits of Society in 1984 In the novel "1984", by George Orwell, an interesting, thought-provoking scenario is created for the reader to ponder. The totalitarian government which ruled this oppressive world controlled every aspect of the citizens who resided there. Living in a society with limited freedom of expression is not, in any case, enjoyable. Communication, personal beliefs, and individual loyalty to the government are all controlled by the inner Party in several ways. Thought, speech and actions are all monitored by political officials in one way or another. Newspeak is a modified version of language that is enforced upon the people in order to limit their expression. Syme and Winston, two middle-class workers in Oceania, discuss the concept of Newspeak. Syme reveals that he supports the system, demonstrating how he has been brainwashed by the Inner Party who enforces the system. "It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words... You haven't a real appreciation for Newspeak, Winsto... The Traits of Society in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) Es The Traits of Society in 1984 In the novel "1984", by George Orwell, an interesting, thought-provoking scenario is created for the reader to ponder. The totalitarian government which ruled this oppressive world controlled every aspect of the citizens who resided there. Living in a society with limited freedom of expression is not, in any case, enjoyable. Communication, personal beliefs, and individual loyalty to the government are all controlled by the inner Party in several ways. Thought, speech and actions are all monitored by political officials in one way or another. Newspeak is a modified version of language that is enforced upon the people in order to limit their expression. Syme and Winston, two middle-class workers in Oceania, discuss the concept of Newspeak. Syme reveals that he supports the system, demonstrating how he has been brainwashed by the Inner Party who enforces the system. "It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words... You haven't a real appreciation for Newspeak, Winsto...

Free Terrorism Essays: America Driven by Hatred? :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

America: Driven by Hatred? America stands on the brink of a war that we won't win. We are in a position to decide exactly how many lives we'd like to expend in order to capture some phantom and subject him to our justice system for crimes against humanity. Unlike Vietnam, this is not a war where we can't see our enemy. Instead, this is war where we can't find our enemy. Osama bin Laden is our enemy and we must eradicate him, along with his al Qaeda. In order to do so, however, we must find him. This task will be extremely arduous, regardless of the number of people we commit to its completion. We will never know if we have eliminated all of the terrorist cells that existed under bin Laden, much less those cells that exist in the rest of the Arabic world. Perhaps, even more importantly, if we do capture bin Laden, our justice system will face an incredible test. Will we be able to overcome our ingrained hatred of the man behind the death of so many people and give him a fair trial in our democratic tra dition? We will never be able to defeat terrorism. We will never defeat people who wage war against us in God's name. Any action based in hatred, and more deeply, based in fear, cannot be overcome by violence. We can't beat suicide bombs with cruise missiles. As the shura, a group of 1,000 village clerics and mullahs who advise the Taliban, warned, "If infidels attack the soil of a Muslim country, jihad becomes in order for the Muslims of that country" (Afghan News Network, September 22nd). Afghanistan is a country inhospitable to troops, even without the assurance of jihad. We must ask ourselves, as Americans, if we could survive a defeat like the Soviets suffered in the 1980's. We may have to flex our muscles to the world in order to reaffirm our status as a nation of peace and justice. We may have to kill to save lives. How do these paradoxes ring true to the American ideals that arouse such resentment in the hearts of Arabs? A military victory may not be a moral victory. A military victory may not even mark the end of the war on terrorism. The death or imprisonment of one figurehead may just serve to galvanize an entire race of people.

Disorder of Society in Twelfth Night

Your lord does know my mind; I cannot love him; Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth; in voices well divulged, free, learned, and valiant; and in dimension and the shape of nature a gracious person; but yet I cannot love him (Greenbelts, 1. 5. 234-239). † Olivia defies the classic role of women- marriage. A marriage to the count would be most prosperous to her, as she will have the higher status and respect of being a married woman. He is a man most women would love to belong to, and yet, she continually refuses his attempts to win her over.She is a literary foil, In many respects, for the queen, who also refused claims of love and adoration. Olav did not want to be ruled. After the death of her male relations, she found a new sort of freedom In the realization that she could make It on her own. Her social rank allowed her the chance to remain single and maintain a high standard of living. However, her position was not one th at all women could claim for themselves. Single women of the time were the ones who were â€Å"singled† out as witches, and held as suspicious in the event of strange occurrences.Acts of desperation ensue in the maintenance of independence in a world dominated by men. In an attempt to gain the love of Cesarean, who is in reality Viola, Olivia says to him, â€Å"By maidenhood, honor, truth, and everything, I love thee so, that, meager all thy pride, not wit nor reason can my passion hide (3. 1 . 147-149). † She has overstepped the boundaries of being a demure, quietly submissive woman, as she charges forward In her passions. She has thrown all caution to the wind as she sets out to woo the â€Å"man† herself.The role of wooing, traditionally a man's Job, was upset by the forcefulness of this woman. In mom ways she could be considered an early feminist, as she strove to maintain her independence and identity apart from male dominance. She no longer cares what anyo ne may think of her rash display of passions, as she fulfills the typically male stereotypes. Olivia wanted Cesarean because he was, as Viola had put it, her â€Å"servant. † Cesarean was not above her in any way. Olivia saw he was different, as he didn't pine after her for her beauty, as others did.He was young and entertaining to her way of life, and desire for freedom. Fear can cause one to question his personal decisions. When faced with the supposed wrath of Sir Andrew, and his sword, Viola said, â€Å"l shall be much bound to you fort; I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight; I care not who knows so much of my mettle (3. 4. 247-249). † Viola upended her role as a man by giving up the idea of valor and courage. She showed weakness In her society, where men are praised for courage and strength, all marks of manliness.In her desire for peace rather than turmoil and triumph, she adheres to her being one or the other, but wavers in her ways. She do es not feel a need to prove herself in any way that would needlessly place her in the face of danger. In taking on the role of a man, she has failed in respect of living up to the stereotypical male standard of courage. She would rather have revealed herself for who she really was in order to retain her life. And yet, she was not completely devoid of courage, as she was willing to face the uncertainties that could be in the event that she confessed.Cross-dressing in Elizabethan society was taboo. King Henry VIII had established a law that people were to dress within their rank, as in his mind it was the clothes that made the man, which, in Viola's case, the clothes did make the â€Å"man. The act of a woman dressing as a man caused people to question her character. She was often considered to be a prostitute, and when discovered, the sin was punishable with whipping, before she would be locked away in a hospital where she would be forced into hard labor. Even with this thought in m ind, Viola's desire to undergo the change and take on a manly fade won out. O that I served that lady, and might not be delivered to the world till I had made mine own occasion mellow, what my estate is (1. 2. 40-43)! † With her male relations presumably dead, she, as a lower ranking Oman than the Lady Olivia, knew that women had no place in society, and no ability to inherit anything. She was, by law, left destitute. She admired Olive's ability to remain single, even in accepting the ridicule of an intolerant society. Viola represents in many ways, the women followers who worshipped the queen's ability and desire to withstand the pressures of society.Accepted societal norms can lead to intolerance toward new ideas. â€Å"O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame to pay this debt of love but to a brother, how will she love, when the rich golden shaft hath killed the flock of al affections else that live in her; when liver, brain, and heart, these sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and filled her sweet perfections, with one self king (1. 1. 33-39)! † Olivia is considered noble to give up a supposed desire to marry out of love for her deceased brother. These thoughts toward her devotion are in stark contrast to the thoughts toward Elizabeth l.Because Elizabethan passion was to lead her country to peace and maintain the power, she was considered grotesque, as any woman who wielded power would have been. Had Olivia expressed an inclination award power rather than grief, she would likely have been received in a similar manner. Yet because she attributed her desire for singleness to the womanly traits of devotion and love, and in the same manner, grief, she was considered the epitome of womanly graces. Her true desire was, however, to maintain a sense of self beyond the dependence on a lording male figure.Shakespeare seems to be praising Elizabethan desire for chastity in the same way that the count praises Olive's love, as everything she felt was b rought under the power of a single passion. Extremist attitudes attempt to permeate the high social ranks in order to gain ground. Maillot portrays the classic image of a Puritan. As Olive's servant, he dreams of greatness, and wants nothing else than to marry his mistress. The notion is in itself absurd, as there are societal norms that would prevent such an unfortunate marriage.Although social mobility was beginning to take place, there was still a division among the classes. It would have been quite out of place for a woman of Olive's status to marry one so far beneath her. Yet, imagining how it would be between him and her uncle, Sir Toby thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control You must amend your drunkenness (2. 5. 9-60, 66). † The puritan church was considered quite prudish by many. Its legalism and disregard for all things not solemn caused such things as the closing of the theaters in London in 1596.Maillot's desire to gain the admiration of Olivia correlates to the desire by the Puritan leaders to gain the admiration of the nobility. In this way they hoped to gain control and wield their influence over society, including the aristocracy. For if it was on an equal level within the hierarchy, it could not be so easily disregarded as the Catholic Church had been at times, such as when Henry VIII proclaimed himself head of the church. The upset in the social hierarchy led to Million being deemed insane for thinking that he could reach these ends.The supposed order of hierarchy can be upset through logic. Mourning the death of her brother, Olivia finds herself in a mental headlock with Fest the Fool. â€Å"Take the fool away†¦ Do not hear, fellows? Take away the lady (1 Fest has challenged the respected status of the aristocracy, by turning the tables and claiming Olivia is the fool. In this way he has placed himself above her, taking on the role of wisdom that was reserved for the educated church and nobility. He ha s essentially placed her at the bottom of the hierarchy, as a commoner unable to reason for herself.This upheaval to the order of societal norms takes place in a caravansaries pageant. Caravansaries behavior usually ensued before an ordained church holiday from a desire to break out of the cloister of decency expected in daily living and therefore breach the social barriers. Mockery of religion and the nobility took place through costume, lewdness, and focus on the negative aspects of human behavior. Such behavior was protected under the realm of carnival, Just as the fool's behavior, at times disrespectful, was deemed appropriate under the safety of his title.This attack on Olive's wisdom proves to be truer than when it was first made, as she meets and falls for a woman, thinking her to be a man, and thus completing the idea that she is a fool. Titles are futile unless they are backed by the support of an equal mind. Not understanding the meaning of Sir Taboo's words, Sir Andrew ig norantly says, â€Å"Nay, by my troth, I know not; but I know, to be up late is to be up late (3. 2. 4-5). † Andrew is an unlikely knight. He acquired the title, and yet, he does not live p to it in the traditional sense of knighthood, nor does he abide by any codes.He himself said that he dislikes policy (3. 2. 27). A knight, as part of the aristocracy, was groomed and educated to high standards, expected to fulfill his destiny in the circles of nobility. Andrew bears no marks of fine-breeding, groveling in the shadow of Sir Toby Belch, a poor specimen to hold as nobility. The notion of entropy plays into this tale of a society dominated by age old ideals, yet attacked by passions, brains, and whims. The idea claims that a closed system left to itself will become more chaotic as time passes.Interestingly enough, Shakespearean setting of Lariat is, in itself, a closed system, cut off from reality by the sea, and further isolated from life by the fact that it was a fictitious place. Viola's deception was but a single act, caused by the disorder and unbalance of the sea, and in effect, the unfairness of life. It leads to more confusion as the story unfolds, until a body finally steps in and puts a stop to it. The chaos and disorder of accepted norms and modes of life creates a dysfunctional world where nothing is as it seems. Things thought to be good in lose their value and Belch for example.By doing this Shakespeare was making a statement that the high- born are, in reality, not so different from anyone else. They have the same tendencies, minds, and underneath the titles and finery, is essentially, the same man. Order is but a fade for Shakespeare, who had seen it upturned in a second through the Reformation, disease, wars, hunger, and difficulties of life. He had seen both parts of life, the low classes, and also experienced the life of a gentleman. He could relate to various aspects of life, which was in itself an effect of disorder, as the Elizabeth an ideal was to maintain a static class structure and avoid social mobility.

The Children’s Health Fund of New York City

The Children’s Health Fund is a national non-profit organization that was founded on providing health care to the nation’s needy and underprivileged children. The CHF began over 25 years ago by reaching out to homeless kids in New York City and delivering health care through a mobile medical clinic (MMC) driven around the city to locations and neighborhoods seeking out children to provide basic health care to.Over the years, the organization has expanded across the country with MMCs in different cities with the CHF offering a full range of programs, from not only children healthcare, but healthcare for needy families, health education and preventative care, to the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases (â€Å"Health Care for Kids† n. d. ). More recently, the CHF and MMCs have expanded their service to include mobile clinics in response following national disasters and crisis events.The CHF and the mobile health care service it provides has had its number of challenges in implementation over the years. With the main challenge of reaching out and expanding coverage to help those of need, there are several other areas that challenge the organization and its operation. The MMCs face the challenge of accommodating the proper amount of space and medical equipment needed to provide high quality healthcare. This challenge is a goal of each MMC to provide a central home for individuals to receive care and come back to for continued treatment.With this concept presents another challenge in that each MMC need of keeping up to date, and secure medical records for those who visit, so that they may continue to come back for care and treatment when the MMC comes back to their neighborhood or area (Brown, DeHayes, Hoffer, Martin, & Perkins, 2012). In order to accomplish the goals of meeting these challenges, the CHF must have network systems that can support the operations of running medical equipment and communications networks needed to o perate a MMC.That is why over the years CHF has been working to continue to upgrade and keep their MMCs up to date with the latest technology and communication that can power these mobile healthcare hubs. According to Healthcare IT news, the CHF has recently partnered with Verizon to create its first telemedicine clinic in providing 4G LTE wireless broadband connections to new mobile sites (Monegain, 2013). The CHF and Verizon plan to continue forward in the coming months and continue to deliver new uses of technology to mobile units across the nation.For the CHF to be able to roll out new technology and software to support their mobile units, the organization naturally needs strong financial support. The CHF is very fortunate to have a number of private individuals and corporate partners who help secure funds for the organization. However, a large quantity of financial aid comes from Congress and other government programs. One such government program is the HITECH stimulus. The sti mulus is for healthcare providers that exhibit having meaningful use of certified electronic health records (â€Å"Healthcare IT Index† n.d. ).With EHRs already a practice of the MMCs, the CHF should be entitled to financial assistance that can continue to facilitate software and technology improvement. A common concern with many organizations is whether or not the implementation of new technology and software will cause a loss workers or staff, or if conditions will emerge that will render parts of their operation obsolete. In dealing with the CHF and doctors offices, this is not believed to be the case.With new software applications, doctor office staffs and MMCs will not become obsolete, but will have their jobs reinforced with easier ways to handle patient information and documents (Brown, DeHayes, Hoffer, Martin, & Perkins, 2012). With help in this area, the staff can shift attention to more important areas such as giving patients the personal care and treatment they nee d. Overall, the CHF is a successful organization that provides valuable services and assistance to many citizens of need in our nation.With its continued focus on quality service, growth, and improvement over the last 26 years, the CHF is a well known entity that many people depend on. With the CHF prepared to continue its legacy and service in years to come, recommendations could be made regarding their future efforts. Continued expansion of their crisis and natural disaster mobile assistance would be desirable action. Just like with the number or under privileged children and their families, natural disaster events will continue to be unfortunately present, and it’s important to help others rebuild and get the necessary assistance when nothing else is available.Also, the CHF as it continues to grow and expand across the US into new cities, the organization needs to continue partnerships with local corporations and medical institutions. These corporations can offer their ser vices and expertise to possibly facilitate the MMCs operations, and working with local medical institutions can help staff MMCs and other locations with med students, nursing students and others in a partnered-learning environment.

My Native Town

My native town is Mandalay it’s also well-known as a culture city of Myanmar. Mandalay is Upper Myanmar's main commercial, educational, health centre and considered the centre of Burmese culture. Mandalay is Located in the central dry zone of Myanmar and on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River. Its also surrounded by Sagaing Hill, Shan Yoma Hill, Kyut Sae Hill and Mandalay Hill. My native town is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar. King Mindon founded Mandalay and the royal palace, Mya Nan San Kyaw as a new capital at the foot of Mandalay Hill in 1857. When it was founded in 1857, the royal city was officially named Yadanabon which means â€Å"The City of Gems†. King Mindon also founded the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the Thudhamma Zayats and the library for the Buddhist scriptures. I'm always proud the glory of Mya Nan San Kyaw Palace and Mandalay Kyone. That's a trademark of my native town. Mandalay is famous with the places such as Maha Muni Pagoda, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery and Atumashi Monastery. Mandalay is Myanmar's cultural and religious centre of Buddhism, having numerous monasteries and more than 700 pagodas. That show my native town is very devout in Buddhist religious. Moreover, Mandalay is well-known in the world by The World's Biggest Book, located in Kuthodaw Pagoda and U Paing Bridge. Most of the famous authors and artists in Myanmar were emerged from Mandalay and they served our traditional culture not to disappear and created new cultural tradition to our generations. Therefore, no matter how much the globalization wave is influenced in Mandalay, Mandalay always has a sense of our Myanmar people's culture and overwhelmed the religious beliefs.

Chapter 6 Talons and Tea Leaves

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall for breakfast the next day, the first thing they saw was Draco Malfoy, who seemed to be entertaining a large group of Slytherins with a very funny story. As they passed, Malfoy did a ridiculous impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter. â€Å"Ignore him,† said Hermione, who was right behind Harry. â€Å"Just ignore him, it's not worth it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hey, Potter!† shrieked Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl with a face like a pug. â€Å"Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooooo!† Harry dropped into a seat at the Gryffindor table, next to George Weasley. â€Å"New third-year course schedules,† said George, passing then, over. â€Å"What's up with you, Harry?† â€Å"Malfoy,† said Ron, sitting down on George's other side and glaring over at the Slytherin table. George looked up in time to see Malfoy pretending to faint with terror again. â€Å"That little git,† he said calmly. â€Å"He wasn't so cocky last night when the Dementors were down at our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?† â€Å"Nearly wet himself,† said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy. â€Å"I wasn't too happy myself,† said George. â€Å"They're horrible things, those Dementors†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?† said Fred. â€Å"You didn't pass out, though, did you?† said Harry in a low voice. â€Å"Forget it, Harry,† said George bracingly. â€Å"Dad had to go out to Azkaban one time, remember, Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been, he came back all weak and shaking†¦They suck the happiness out of a place, Dementors. Most of the prisoners go mad in there.† â€Å"Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first Quidditch match,† said Fred. â€Å"Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?† The only time Harry and Malfoy had faced each other in a Quidditch match, Malfoy had definitely come off worse. Feeling slightly more cheerful, Harry helped himself to sausages and fried tomatoes. Hermione was examining her new schedule. â€Å"Ooh, good, we're starting some new subjects today,† she said happily. â€Å"Hermione,† said Ron, frowning as he looked over her shoulder, â€Å"they've messed up your timetable. Look — they've got you down for about ten subjects a day. There isn't enough time.† â€Å"I'll manage. I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall.† â€Å"But look,† said Ron, laughing, â€Å"see this morning? Nine o'clock, Divination. And underneath, nine o'clock, Muggle Studies. And –† Ron leaned closer to the timetable, disbelieving, â€Å"look — underneath that, Arithmancy, nine o'clock. I mean, I know you're good, Hermione, but no one's that good. How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?† â€Å"Don't be silly,† said Hermione shortly. â€Å"Of course I won't be in three classes at once.† â€Å"Well then –â€Å" â€Å"Pass the marmalade,† said Hermione. â€Å"But –â€Å" â€Å"Oh, Ron, what's it to you if my timetable's a bit full?† Hermione snapped. â€Å"I told you, I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall.† Just then, Hagrid entered the Great Hall. He was wearing his long moleskin overcoat and was absent-mindedly swinging a dead polecat from one enormous hand. â€Å"All righ'?† he said eagerly, pausing on his way to the staff table. â€Å"Yer in my firs' ever lesson! Right after lunch! Bin up since five getting' everthin' ready†¦hope it's OK†¦me, a teacher†¦hones'ly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He grinned broadly at them and headed off to the staff table, still swinging the polecat. â€Å"Wonder what he's been getting ready?† said Ron, a note of anxiety in his voice. The Hall was starting to empty as people headed off towards their first lesson. Ron checked his schedule. â€Å"We'd better go, look, Divination's at the top of North Tower. It'll take us ten minutes to get there†¦Ã¢â‚¬  They finished breakfast hastily, said goodbye to Fred and George and walked back through the hall. As they passed the Slytherin table, Malfoy did yet another impression of a fainting fit. The shouts of laughter followed Harry into the Entrance Hall. The journey through the castle to North Tower was a long one. Two years at Hogwarts hadn't taught them everything about the castle, and they had never been inside North Tower before. â€Å"There's — got — to — be — a — short — cut,† Ron panted, as they climbed the seventh long staircase and emerged on an unfamiliar landing, where there was nothing but a large painting of a bare stretch of grass hanging on the stone wall. â€Å"I think it's this way,† said Hermione, peering down the empty passage to the right. â€Å"Can't be,† said Ron. â€Å"That's south. Look, you can see a bit of the lake outside the window†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry was watching the painting. A fat, dappled-gray pony had just ambled onto the grass and was grazing nonchalantly. Harry was used to the subjects of Hogwarts paintings moving around and leaving their frames to visit each other, but he always enjoyed watching them. A moment later, a short, squat knight in a suit of armour had clanked into the picture after his pony. By the look of the grass stains on his metal knees, he had just fallen off. â€Å"Aha!† he yelled, seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione. â€Å"What villains are these, that trespass upon my private lands! Come to scorn at my fall, perchance? Draw, you knaves, you dogs!† They watched in astonishment as the little knight tugged his sword out of its scabbard and began brandishing it violently, hopping up and down in rage. But the sword was too long for him; a particularly wild swing made him overbalance, and he landed facedown in the grass. â€Å"Are you all right?† said Harry, moving closer to the picture. â€Å"Get back, you scurvy braggart! Back, you rogue!† The knight seized his sword again and used it to push himself back up, but the blade sank deeply into the grass and, though he pulled with all his might, he couldn't get it out again. Finally, he had to flop back down onto the grass and push up his visor to mop his sweating face. â€Å"Listen,† said Harry, taking advantage of the knight's exhaustion, â€Å"we're looking for the North Tower. You don't know the way, do you?† â€Å"A quest!† The knight's rage seemed to vanish instantly. He clanked to his feet and shouted, â€Å"Come follow me, dear friends, and we shall find our goal, or else shall perish bravely in the charge!† He gave the sword another fruitless tug, tried and failed to mount the fat pony, gave up, and cried, â€Å"On foot then, good sirs and gentle lady! On! On!† And he ran, clanking loudly, into the left side of the frame and out of sight. They hurried after him along the corridor, following the sound of his armor. Every now and then they spotted him running through a picture ahead. â€Å"Be of stout heart, the worst is yet to come!† yelled the knight, and they saw him reappear in front of an alarmed group of women in crinolines, whose picture hung on the wall of a narrow spiral staircase. Puffing loudly, Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed the tightly spiraling steps, getting dizzier and dizzier, until at last they heard the murmur of voices above them and knew they had reached the classroom. â€Å"Farewell!† cried the knight, popping his head into a painting of some sinister-looking monks. â€Å"Farewell, my comrades-in-arms! If ever you have need of noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir Cadogan!† â€Å"Yeah, we'll call you,† muttered Ron as the knight disappeared, â€Å"if we ever need someone mental.† They climbed the last few steps and emerged onto a tiny landing, where most of the class was already assembled. There were no doors off this landing, but Ron nudged Harry and pointed at the ceiling, where there was a circular trapdoor with a brass plaque on it. â€Å"‘Sibyll Trelawney, Divination teacher,'† Harry read. â€Å"How're we supposed to get up there?† As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened, and a silvery ladder descended right at Harry's feet. Everyone got quiet. â€Å"After you,† said Ron, grinning, so Harry climbed the ladder first. He emerged into the strangest-looking classroom he had ever seen. In fact, it didn't look like a classroom at all, more like a cross between someone's attic and an old-fashioned tea shop. At least twenty small, circular tables were crammed inside it, all surrounded by chintz armchairs and fat little poufs. Everything was lit with a dim, crimson light; the curtains at the windows were all closed, and the many lamps were draped with dark red scarves. It was stiflingly warm, and the fire that was burning under the crowded mantelpiece was giving off a heavy, sickly sort of perfume as it heated a large copper kettle. The shelves running around the circular walls were crammed with dusty-looking feathers, stubs of candles, many packs of tattered playing cards, countless silvery crystal balls, and a huge array of teacups. Ron appeared at Harry's shoulder as the class assembled around them, all talking in whispers. â€Å"Where is she?† Ron said. A voice came suddenly out of the shadows, a soft, misty sort of voice. â€Å"Welcome,† it said. â€Å"How nice to see you in the physical world at last.† Harry's immediate impression was of a large, glittering insect. Professor Trelawney moved into the firelight, and they saw that she was very thin; her large glasses magnified her eyes to several times their natural size, and she was draped in a gauzy spangled shawl. Innumerable chains and beads hung around her spindly neck, and her arms and hands were encrusted with bangles and rings. â€Å"Sit, my children, sit,† she said, and they all climbed awkwardly into armchairs or sank onto poufs. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat themselves around the same round table. â€Å"Welcome to Divination,† said Professor Trelawney, who had seated herself in a winged armchair in front of the fire. â€Å"My name is Professor Trelawney. You may not have seen me before. I find that descending too often into the hustle and bustle of the main school clouds my Inner Eye.† Nobody said anything to this extraordinary pronouncement. Professor Trelawney delicately rearranged her shawl and continued, â€Å"So you have chosen to study Divination, the most difficult of all magical arts. I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you†¦Books can take you only so far in this field†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At these words, both Harry and Ron glanced, grinning, at Hermione, who looked startled at the news that books wouldn't be much help in this subject. â€Å"Many witches and wizards, talented though they are in the area of loud bangs and smells and sudden disappearings, are yet unable to penetrate the veiled mysteries of the future,† Professor Trelawney went on, her enormous, gleaming eyes moving from face to nervous face. â€Å"It is a Gift granted to few. You, boy,† she said suddenly to Neville, who almost toppled off his pouf. â€Å"Is your grandmother well?† â€Å"I think so,† said Neville tremulously. â€Å"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, dear,† said Professor Trelawney, the firelight glinting on her long emerald earrings. Neville gulped. Professor Trelawney continued placidly. â€Å"We will be covering the basic methods of Divination this year. The first term will be devoted to reading the tea leaves. Next term we shall progress to palmistry. By the way, my dear,† she shot suddenly at Parvati Patil, â€Å"beware a red-haired man.† Parvati gave a startled look at Ron, who was right behind her and edged her chair away from him. â€Å"In the second term,† Professor Trelawney went on, â€Å"we shall progress to the crystal ball — if we have finished with fire omens, that is. Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. And around Easter, one of our number will leave us for ever.† A very tense silence followed this pronouncement, but Professor Trelawney seemed unaware of it. â€Å"I wonder, dear,† she said to Lavender Brown, who was nearest and shrank back in her chair, â€Å"if you could pass me the largest silver teapot?† Lavender, looking relieved, stood up, took an enormous teapot from the shelf, and put it down on the table in front of Professor Trelawney. â€Å"Thank you, my dear. Incidentally, that thing you are dreading — it will happen on Friday the sixteenth of October.† Lavender trembled. â€Å"Now, I want you all to divide into pairs. Collect a teacup from the shelf, come to me, and I will fill it. Then sit down and drink, drink until only the dregs remain. Swill these around the cup three times with the left hand, then turn the cup upside down on its saucer, wait for the last of the tea to drain away, then give your cup to your partner to read. You will interpret the patterns using pages five and six of Unfogging the Future. I shall move among you, helping and instructing. Oh, and dear,† — she caught Neville by the arm as he made to stand up, â€Å"after you've broken your first cup, would you be so kind as to select one of the blue patterned ones? I'm rather attached to the pink.† Sure enough, Neville had no sooner reached the shelf of teacups when there was a tinkle of breaking china. Professor Trelawney swept over to him holding a dustpan and brush and said, â€Å"One of the blue ones, then, dear, if you wouldn't mind†¦thank you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  When Harry and Ron had had their teacups filled, they went back to their table and tried to drink the scalding tea quickly. They swilled the dregs around as Professor Trelawney had instructed, then drained the cups and swapped over. â€Å"Right,† said Ron as they both opened their books at pages five and six. â€Å"What can you see in mine?† â€Å"A load of soggy brown stuff,† said Harry. The heavily perfumed smoke in the room was making him feel sleepy and stupid. â€Å"Broaden your minds, my dears, and allow your eyes to see past the mundane!† Professor Trelawney cried through the gloom. Harry tried to pull himself together. â€Å"Right, you've got a crooked sort of cross†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He consulted Unfogging the Future. â€Å"That means you're going to have ‘trials and suffering' — sorry about that — but there's a thing that could be the sun. Hang on†¦that means ‘great happiness'†¦so you're going to suffer but be very happy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You need your Inner Eye tested, if you ask me,† said Ron, and they both had to stifle their laughs as Professor Trelawney gazed in their direction. â€Å"My turn†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ron peered into Harry's teacup, his forehead wrinkled with effort. â€Å"There's a blob a bit like a bowler hat,† he said. â€Å"Maybe you're going to work for the Ministry of Magic†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He turned the teacup the other way up. â€Å"But this way it looks more like an acorn†¦what's that?† He scanned his copy of Unfogging the Future. â€Å"‘A windfall, unexpected gold.' Excellent, you can lend me some. And there's a thing here,† he turned the cup again, â€Å"that looks like an animal†¦yeah, if that was its head†¦it looks like a hippo†¦no, a sheep†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Professor Trelawney whirled around as Harry let out a snort of laughter. â€Å"Let me see that, my dear,† she said reprovingly to Ron, sweeping over and snatching Harry's cup from him. Everyone went quiet to watch. Professor Trelawney was staring into the teacup, rotating it counterclockwise. â€Å"The falcon†¦my dear, you have a deadly enemy.† â€Å"But everyone knows that,† said Hermione in a loud whisper. Professor Trelawney stared at her. â€Å"Well, they do,† said Hermione. â€Å"Everybody knows about Harry and You-Know-Who.† Harry and Ron stared at her with a mixture of amazement and admiration. They had never heard Hermione speak to a teacher like that before. Professor Trelawney chose not to reply. She lowered her huge eyes to Harry's cup again and continued to turn it. â€Å"The club†¦an attack. Dear, dear, this is not a happy cup†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I thought that was a bowler hat,† said Ron sheepishly. â€Å"The skull†¦danger in your path, my dear†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Everyone was staring, transfixed, at Professor Trelawney, who gave the cup a final turn, gasped, and then screamed. There was another tinkle of breaking china; Neville had smashed his second cup. Professor Trelawney sank into a vacant armchair, her glittering hand at her heart and her eyes closed. â€Å"My dear boy — my poor dear boy — no — it is kinder not to say — no — don't ask me†¦.† â€Å"What is it, Professor?† said Dean Thomas at once. Everyone had got to their feet, and slowly they crowded around Harry and Ron's table, pressing close to Professor Trelawney's chair to get a good look at Harry's cup. â€Å"My dear,† Professor Trelawney's huge eyes opened dramatically, â€Å"you have the Grim.† â€Å"The what?† said Harry. He could tell that he wasn't the only one who didn't understand; Dean Thomas shrugged at him and Lavender Brown looked puzzled, but nearly everybody else clapped their hands to their mouths in horror. â€Å"The Grim, my dear, the Grim!† cried Professor Trelawney, who looked shocked that Harry hadn't understood. â€Å"The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! My dear boy, it is an omen — the worst omen — of death!† Harry's stomach lurched. That dog on the cover of Death Omens in Flourish and Blotts — the dog in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent†¦Lavender Brown clapped her hands to her mouth too. Everyone was looking at Harry, everyone except Hermione, who had gotten up and moved around to the back of Professor Trelawney's chair. â€Å"I don't think it looks like a Grim,† she said flatly. Professor Trelawney surveyed Hermione with mounting dislike. â€Å"You'll forgive me for saying so, my dear, but I perceive very little aura around you. Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future.† Seamus Finnigan was tilting his head from side to side. â€Å"It looks like a Grim if you do this,† he said, with his eyes almost shut, â€Å"but it looks more like a donkey from here,† he said, leaning to the left. â€Å"When you've all finished deciding whether I'm going to die or not!† said Harry, taking even himself by surprise. Now nobody seemed to want to look at him. â€Å"I think we will leave the lesson here for today,† said Professor Trelawney in her mistiest voice. â€Å"Yes†¦please pack away your things†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Silently the class took their teacups back to Professor Trelawney, packed away their books, and closed their bags. Even Ron was avoiding Harry's eyes. â€Å"Until we meet again,† said Professor Trelawney faintly, â€Å"fair fortune be yours. Oh, and dear,† — she pointed at Neville, â€Å"you'll be late next time, so mind you work extra-hard to catch up.† Harry, Ron, and Hermione descended Professor Trelawney's ladder and the winding stair in silence, then set off for Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration lesson. It took them so long to find her classroom that, early as they had left Divination, they were only just in time. Harry chose a seat right at the back of the room, feeling as though he were sitting in a very bright spotlight; the rest of the class kept shooting furtive glances at him, as though he were about to drop dead at any moment. He hardly heard what Professor McGonagall was telling them about Animagi (wizards who could transform at will into animals), and wasn't even watching when she transformed herself in front of their eyes into a tabby cat with spectacle markings around her eyes. â€Å"Really, what has got into you all today?† said Professor McGonagall, turning back into herself with a faint pop, and staring around at them all. â€Å"Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class.† Everybody's heads turned toward Harry again, but nobody spoke. Then Hermione raised her hand. â€Å"Please, Professor, we've just had our first Divination class, and we were reading the tea leaves, and –â€Å" â€Å"Ah, of course,† said Professor McGonagall, suddenly frowning. â€Å"There is no need to say any more, Miss Granger. Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?† Everyone stared at her. â€Å"Me,† said Harry, finally. â€Å"I see,† said Professor McGonagall, fixing Harry with her beady eyes. â€Å"Then you should know, Potter, that Sibyll Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school. None of them has died yet. Seeing death omens is her favorite way of greeting a new class. If it were not for the fact that I never speak ill of my colleagues –† Professor McGonagall broke off, and they saw that her nostrils had gone white. She went on, more calmly, â€Å"Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic. I shall not conceal from you that I have very little patience with it. True Seers are very rare, and Professor Trelawney†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She stopped again, and then said, in a very matter-of-fact tone, â€Å"You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in.† Hermione laughed. Harry felt a bit better. It was harder to feel scared of a lump of tea leaves away from the dim red light and befuddling perfume of Professor Trelawney's classroom. Not everyone was convinced, however. Ron still looked worried, and Lavender whispered, â€Å"But what about Neville's cup?† When the Transfiguration class had finished, they joined the crowd thundering toward the Great Hall for lunch. â€Å"Ron, cheer up,† said Hermione, pushing a dish of stew toward him. â€Å"You heard what Professor McGonagall said.† Ron spooned stew onto his plate and picked up his fork but didn't start. â€Å"Harry,† he said, in a low, serious voice, â€Å"You haven't seen a great black dog anywhere, have you?† â€Å"Yeah, I have,† said Harry. â€Å"I saw one the night I left the Dursleys'.† Ron let his fork fall with a clatter. â€Å"Probably a stray,† said Hermione calmly. Ron looked at Hermione as though she had gone mad. â€Å"Hermione, if Harry's seen a Grim, that's — that's bad,† he said. â€Å"My — my uncle Bilius saw one and — and he died twenty-four hours later!† â€Å"Coincidence,† said Hermione airily, pouring herself some pumpkin juice. â€Å"You don't know what you're talking about!† said Ron, starting to get angry. â€Å"Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!† â€Å"There you are, then,† said Hermione in a superior tone. â€Å"They see the Grim and die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!† Ron mouthed wordlessly at Hermione, who opened her bag, took out her new Arithmancy book, and propped it open against the juice jug. â€Å"I think Divination seems very woolly,† she said, searching for her page. â€Å"A lot of guesswork, if you ask me.† â€Å"There was nothing woolly about the Grim in that cup!† said Ron hotly. â€Å"You didn't seem quite so confident when you were telling Harry it was a sheep,† said Hermione coolly. â€Å"Professor Trelawney said you didn't have the right aura! You just don't like being bad at something for a change!† He had touched a nerve. Hermione slammed her Arithmancy book down on the table so hard that bits of meat and carrot flew everywhere. â€Å"If being good at Divination means I have to pretend to see death omens in a lump of tea leaves, I'm not sure I'll be studying it much longer! That lesson was absolute rubbish compared with my Arithmancy class!† She snatched up her bag and stalked away. Ron frowned after her. â€Å"What's she talking about?† he said to Harry. â€Å"She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet.† ****** Harry was pleased to get out of the castle after lunch. Yesterday's rain had cleared; the sky was a clear, pale gray, and the grass was springy and damp underfoot as they set off for their first ever Care of Magical Creatures class. Ron and Hermione weren't speaking to each other. Harry walked beside them in silence as they went down the sloping lawns to Hagrid's hut on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was only when he spotted three only-too-familiar backs ahead of them that he realized they must be having these lessons with the Slytherins. Malfoy was talking animatedly to Crabbe and Goyle, who were chortling. Harry was quite sure he knew what they were talking about. Hagrid was waiting for his class at the door of his hut. He stood in his moleskin overcoat, with Fang the boarhound at his heels, looking impatient to start. â€Å"C'mon, now, get a move on!† he called as the class approached. â€Å"Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!† For one nasty moment, Harry thought that Hagrid was going to lead them into the forest; Harry had had enough unpleasant experiences in there to last him a lifetime. However, Hagrid strolled off around the edge of the trees, and five minutes later, they found themselves outside a kind of paddock. There was nothing in there. â€Å"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!† he called. â€Å"That's it — make sure yeh can see — now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books –â€Å" â€Å"How?† said the cold, drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. â€Å"Eh?† said Hagrid. â€Å"How do we open our books?† Malfoy repeated. He took out his copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, which he had bound shut with a length of rope. Other people took theirs out too; some, like Harry, had belted their book shut; others had crammed them inside tight bags or clamped them together with binder clips. â€Å"Hasn' — hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?† said Hagrid, looking crestfallen. The class all shook their heads. â€Å"Yeh've got ter stroke 'em,† said Hagrid, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world. â€Å"Look –â€Å" He took Hermione's copy and ripped off the Spellotape that bound it. The book tried to bite, but Hagrid ran a giant forefinger down its spine, and the book shivered, and then fell open and lay quiet in his hand. â€Å"Oh, how silly we've all been!† Malfoy sneered. â€Å"We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!† â€Å"I — I thought they were funny,† Hagrid said uncertainly to Hermione. â€Å"Oh, tremendously funny!† said Malfoy. â€Å"Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!† â€Å"Shut up, Malfoy,† said Harry quietly. Hagrid was looking downcast and Harry wanted Hagrid's first lesson to be a success. â€Å"Righ' then,† said Hagrid, who seemed to have lost his thread, â€Å"so — so yeh've got yer books an'†¦an'†¦now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He strode away from them into the forest and out of sight. â€Å"God, this place is going to the dogs,† said Malfoy loudly. â€Å"That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him –â€Å" â€Å"Shut up, Malfoy,† Harry repeated. â€Å"Careful, Potter, there's a Dementor behind you –â€Å" â€Å"Oooooooh!† squealed Lavender Brown, pointing toward the opposite side of the paddock. Trotting toward them were a dozen of the most bizarre creatures Harry had ever seen. They had the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses, but the front legs, wings, and heads of what seemed to be giant eagles, with cruel, steel-colored beaks and large, brilliantly, orange eyes. The talons on their front legs were half a foot long and deadly looking. Each of the beasts had a thick leather collar around its neck, which was attached to a long chain, and the ends of all of these were held in the vast hands of Hagrid, who came jogging into the paddock behind the creatures. â€Å"Gee up, there!† he roared, shaking the chains and urging the creatures toward the fence where the class stood. Everyone drew back slightly as Hagrid reached them and tethered the creatures to the fence. â€Å"Hippogriffs!† Hagrid roared happily, waving a hand at them. â€Å"Beau'iful, aren' they?† Harry could sort of see what Hagrid meant. Once you got over the first shock of seeing something that was half horse, half bird, you started to appreciate the Hippogriffs' gleaming coats, changing smoothly from feather to hair, each of them a different color: stormy gray, bronze, pinkish roan, gleaming chestnut, and inky black. â€Å"So,† said Hagrid, rubbing his hands together and beaming around, â€Å"if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer†¦Ã¢â‚¬  No one seemed to want to. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, approached the fence cautiously. â€Å"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' Hippogriffs is, they're proud,† said Hagrid. â€Å"Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do.† Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle weren't listening; they were talking in an undertone and Harry had a nasty feeling they were plotting how best to disrupt the lesson. â€Å"Yeh always wait fer the Hippogriff ter make the firs' move,† Hagrid continued. â€Å"It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt.† â€Å"Right — who wants ter go first?† Most of the class backed farther away in answer. Even Harry, Ron, and Hermione had misgivings. The Hippogriffs were tossing their fierce heads and flexing their powerful wings; they didn't seem to like being tethered like this. â€Å"No one?† said Hagrid, with a pleading look. â€Å"I'll do it,† said Harry. There was an intake of breath from behind him, and both Lavender and Parvati whispered, â€Å"Oooh, no, Harry, remember your tea leaves!† Harry ignored them. He climbed over the paddock fence. â€Å"Good man, Harry!† roared Hagrid. â€Å"Right then — let's see how yeh get on with Buckbeak.† He untied one of the chains, pulled the gray Hippogriff away from its fellows, and slipped off its leather collar. The class on the other side of the paddock seemed to be holding its breath. Malfoy's eyes were narrowed maliciously. â€Å"Easy now, Harry,† said Hagrid quietly. â€Å"Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink†¦Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry's eyes immediately began to water, but he didn't shut them. Buckbeak had turned his great, sharp head and was staring at Harry with one fierce orange eye. â€Å"Tha's it,† said Hagrid. â€Å"Tha's it, Harry†¦now, bow.† Harry didn't feel much like exposing the back of his neck to Buckbeak, but he did as he was told. He gave a short bow and then looked up. The Hippogriff was still staring haughtily at him. It didn't move. â€Å"Ah,† said Hagrid, sounding worried. â€Å"Right — back away, now, Harry, easy does it –â€Å" But then, to Harry's enormous surprise, the Hippogriff suddenly bent its scaly front knees and sank into what was an unmistakable bow. â€Å"Well done, Harry!† said Hagrid, ecstatic. â€Å"Right — yeh can touch him! Pat his beak, go on!† Feeling that a better reward would have been to back away, Harry moved slowly toward the Hippogriff and reached out toward it. He patted the beak several times and the Hippogriff closed its eyes lazily, as though enjoying it. The class broke into applause, all except for Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, who were looking deeply disappointed. â€Å"Righ' then, Harry,† said Hagrid. â€Å"I reckon he migh' let yeh ride him!† This was more than Harry had bargained for. He was used to a broomstick; but he wasn't sure a Hippogriff would be quite the same. â€Å"Yeh climb up there, jus' behind the wing joint,† said Hagrid, â€Å"an' mind yeh don' pull any of his feathers out, he won' like that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry put his foot on the top of Buckbeak's wing and hoisted himself onto its back. Buckbeak stood up. Harry wasn't sure where to hold on; everything in front of him was covered with feathers. â€Å"Go on, then!† roared Hagrid, slapping the Hippogriffs hindquarters. Without warning, twelve-foot wings flapped open on either side of Harry, he just had time to seize the Hippogriff around the neck before he was soaring upward. It was nothing like a broomstick, and Harry knew which one he preferred; the Hippogriff's wings beat uncomfortably on either side of him, catching him under his legs and making him feel he was about to be thrown off; the glossy feathers slipped under his fingers and he didn't dare get a stronger grip; instead of the smooth action of his Nimbus Two Thousand, he now felt himself rocking backward and forward as the hindquarters of the Hippogriff rose and fell with its wings. Buckbeak flew him once around the paddock and then headed back to the ground; this was the bit Harry had been dreading; he leaned back as the smooth neck lowered, feeling he was going to slip off over the beak, then felt a heavy thud as the four ill-assorted feet hit the ground. He just managed to hold on and push himself straight again. â€Å"Good work, Harry!† roared Hagrid as everyone except Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle cheered. â€Å"Okay, who else wants a go?† Emboldened by Harry's success, the rest of the class climbed cautiously into the paddock. Hagrid untied the Hippogriffs one by one, and soon people were bowing nervously, all over the paddock. Neville ran repeatedly backward from his, which didn't seem to want to bend its knees. Ron and Hermione practiced on the chestnut, while Harry watched. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had taken over Buckbeak. He had bowed to Malfoy, who was now patting his beak, looking disdainful. â€Å"This is very easy,† Malfoy drawled, loud enough for Harry to, hear him. â€Å"I knew it must have been, if Potter could do it†¦I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you?† he said to the Hippogriff. â€Å"Are you, you great ugly brute?† It happened in a flash of steely talons; Malfoy let out a high pitched scream and next moment, Hagrid was wrestling Buckbeak back into his collar as he strained to get at Malfoy, who lay curled in the grass, blood blossoming over his robes. â€Å"I'm dying!† Malfoy yelled as the class panicked. â€Å"I'm dying, look at me! It's killed me!† â€Å"Yer not dyin'!† said Hagrid, who had gone very white. â€Å"Someone help me — gotta get him outta here –â€Å" Hermione ran to hold open the gate as Hagrid lifted Malfoy easily. As they passed, Harry saw that there was a long, deep gash on Malfoy's arm; blood splattered the grass and Hagrid ran with him, up the slope toward the castle. Very shaken, the Care of Magical Creatures class followed at a walk. The Slytherins were all shouting about Hagrid. â€Å"They should sack him straight away!† said Pansy Parkinson, who was in tears. â€Å"It was Malfoy's fault!† snapped Dean Thomas. Crabbe and Goyle flexed their muscles threateningly. They all climbed the stone steps into the deserted entrance hall. â€Å"I'm going to see if he's okay!† said Pansy, and they all watched her run up the marble staircase. The Slytherins, still muttering about Hagrid, headed away in the direction of their dungeon common room; Harry, Ron, and Hermione proceeded upstairs to Gryffindor Tower. â€Å"You think he'll be all right?† said Hermione nervously. â€Å"Course he will. Madam Pomfrey can mend cuts in about a second,† said Harry, who had had far worse injuries mended magically by the nurse. â€Å"That was a really bad thing to happen in Hagrid's first class, though, wasn't it?† said Ron, looking worried. â€Å"Trust Malfoy to mess things up for him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  They were among the first to reach the Great Hall at dinnertime, hoping to see Hagrid, but he wasn't there. â€Å"They wouldn't fire him, would they?† said Hermione anxiously, not touching her steak-and-kidney pudding. â€Å"They'd better not,† said Ron, who wasn't eating either. Harry was watching the Slytherin table. A large group including Crabbe and Goyle was huddled together, deep in conversation. Harry was sure they were cooking up their own version of how Malfoy had been injured. â€Å"Well, you can't say it wasn't an interesting first day back,† said Ron gloomily. They went up to the crowded Gryffindor common room after dinner and tried to do the homework Professor McGonagall had given them, but all three of them kept breaking off and glancing out of the tower window. â€Å"There's a light on in Hagrid's window,† Harry said suddenly. Ron looked at his watch. â€Å"If we hurried, we could go down and see him. It's still quite early†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I don't know,† Hermione said slowly, and Harry saw her glance at him. â€Å"I'm allowed to walk across the grounds,† he said pointedly. â€Å"Sirius Black hasn't got past the Dementors yet, has he?† So they put their things away and headed out of the portrait hole, glad to meet nobody on their way to the front doors, as they weren't entirely sure they were supposed to be out. The grass was still wet and looked almost black in the twilight. When they reached Hagrid's hut, they knocked, and a voice growled, â€Å"C'min.† Hagrid was sitting in his shirtsleeves at his scrubbed wooden table; his boarhound, Fang, had his head in Hagrid's lap. One look told them that Hagrid had been drinking a lot; there was a pewter tankard almost as big as a bucket in front of him, and he seemed to be having difficulty getting them into focus. â€Å"‘Spect it's a record,† he said thickly, when he recognized them. â€Å"Don' reckon they've ever had a teacher who lasted on'y a day before.† â€Å"You haven't been fired, Hagrid!† gasped Hermione. â€Å"Not yet,† said Hagrid miserably, taking a huge gulp of whatever was in the tankard. â€Å"But's only a matter o' time, I'n't, after Malfoy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"How is he?† said Ron as they all sat down. â€Å"It wasn't serious, was it?† â€Å"Madam Pomfrey fixed him best she could,† said Hagrid dully, â€Å"but he's sayin' it's still agony†¦covered in bandages†¦moanin'†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He's faking it,† said Harry at once. â€Å"Madam Pomfrey can mend anything. She regrew half my bones last year. Trust Malfoy to milk it for all it's worth.† â€Å"School gov'nors have bin told, o' course,† said Hagrid miserably. â€Å"They reckon I started too big. Shoulda left Hippogriffs fer later†¦one flobberworms or summat†¦Jus' thought it'd make a good firs' lesson's all my fault†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It's all Malfoy's fault, Hagrid!† said Hermione earnestly. â€Å"We're witnesses,† said Harry. â€Å"You said Hippogriffs attack if you insult them. It's Malfoy's problem that he wasn't listening. We'll tell Dumbledore what really happened.† â€Å"Yeah, don't worry, Hagrid, we'll back you up,† said Ron. Tears leaked out of the crinkled corners of Hagrid's beetle-black eyes. He grabbed both Harry and Ron and pulled them into a bone-breaking hug. â€Å"I think you've had enough to drink, Hagrid,† said Hermione firmly. She took the tankard from the table and went outside to empty it. â€Å"Ah, maybe she's right,† said Hagrid, letting go of Harry and Ron, who both staggered away, rubbing their ribs. Hagrid heaved himself out of his chair and followed Hermione unsteadily outside. They heard a loud splash. â€Å"What's he done?† said Harry nervously as Hermione came back in with the empty tankard. â€Å"Stuck his head in the water barrel,† said Hermione, putting the tankard away. Hagrid came back, his long hair and beard sopping wet, wiping the water out of his eyes. â€Å"That's better,† he said, shaking his head like a dog and drenching them all. â€Å"Listen, it was good of yeh ter come an' see me, I really –â€Å" Hagrid stopped dead, staring at Harry as though he'd only just realized he was there. â€Å"WHAT D'YEH THINK YOU'RE DOIN', EH?† he roared, so suddenly that they jumped a foot in the air. â€Å"YEH'RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN' AROUND AFTER DARK, HARRY! AN, YOU TWO! LETTIN' HIM!† Hagrid strode over to Harry, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to the door. â€Å"C'mon!† Hagrid said angrily. â€Å"I'm takin' yer all back up ter school an' don' let me catch yeh walkin' down ter see me after dark again. I'm not worth that!†