Under The Gaslight Essays - Film, Cinema Of The United States

Under The Gaslight "Under the Gaslight," an 1838 melodramatic play, written by Augustin Daly, presents itself to the reader in a very superficial tone. As for the title alone seems to portray this superficiality before giving the reader a chance to even begin reading act1. It is known that this play was done during a time when gaslights were becoming a modern extravagance to the theatre, this new technology was used for what were considered to be the best plays, which were usually viewed by the rich, upper-class of society, therefore being "Under the Gaslight" was the same as being under a grand spotlight. Sabino 2 As the play begins this pretentious characteristic continues to prevail. The first scene as the curtains would be opening, takes place in NewYork at the well appointed home of the Courtlands. The people in the play obviously appear to be somewhat wealthy and only associate with high-class people, this turns into the irony of the play. This scene introduces Pearl Courtland, cousin to Laura Courtland the star of the play, and Ray Trafford who is Laura's boyfriend, perhaps soon to be fianc, as implied by Pearl: "won't you have a cup of coffee?"Ray: "No." Pearl: "Ain't you hungry?" Ray: "No - you torment." Pearl: "O dear! I suppose it's because you're going to be married shortly to Laura." (Drama and Performance, Daly 524) This begins laying out the plot of the story. The plot of this story is dependent upon the relationship between Ray and Laura. As the play continues Rays true love for Laura is put to the ultimate test. He is forced to be courageous, Sabino 3 both, in the sense of coming to her rescue when her life ends up in danger, and having to risk his high societal standing once her dreadful secret from the past is revealed, that she may not really be a Courtland. If Ray stays with her he risks becoming an outcast, which is what she once descended from, besides the fact that he temporarily feels betrayed and deceived. The emotion behind this play is quite powerful and can be depicted from the most trivial lines, such as when PeachBlossom was talking to herself while cleaning. PeachBlossom: "The stove won't shine. It's the fault of the polish I know. That boy comes here, just fills the bottles with mud, and calls it stove polish. Only let me catch him. Ah! Ah! I declare I'd give it up if I didn't want to make everything look smart before Miss Nina comes in." (Drama and Performance, Daly 530) This statement could be taken out of it's literal context, and used as a comparison; Laura, thought to be stove polish is really just mud that has Sabino 4 been put into a stove polish bottle, or a retched poor girl put into a wealthy, beautiful, well respected life. I personally feel a strong sense of morality from this play, the situation really emulates the question of; which is more important, true love, people and their feelings, or social standing, what the upper class people think of you, and how much money you have? Of course as in most good stories, love conquers all in the end, but I feel that in this play Daly really makes the reader think about the struggle behind such values.

Activities to Practice Decoding Skills for Reading

Activities to Practice Decoding Skills for Reading Decoding skills help a child learn to read and develop fluency in reading. Some of the major decoding skills include recognizing sounds and sound blends, deciphering the meaning of a word through recognition or context and understanding the role of each word within a sentence. The following activities help a student build decoding skills. Recognizing Sounds and Sound Blends Give the Clown a Balloon This exercise helps teach and reinforce that letters can sound different depending on the letters around them, for example, the a in hat sounds different than the a in cake because of the silent e at the end of the word. Use pictures of clowns; each clown represents a different sound for the same letter, for example, the letter a sounds differently in many different words. One clown can represent a long a, one can represent short a. Children are given balloons with words containing the letter a and must decide which clown gets the balloon. Sound of the Week Use letters or letter blends and make one sound the sound of the week. Have students practice recognizing this sound in daily reading, picking out objects in the room that have the sound in them and coming up with a list of words that contain the sound. Be sure to keep the letter or letter blend on the board or in a place that is highly visible in the classroom throughout the week. Understanding the Word’s Meaning Building Vocabulary - Synonym Crossword Puzzle This activity can be used for different ages, using simple words and clues for young children and more difficult for older children. Create a crossword puzzle; students need to find a synonym for the clue. For example, your clue might be blanket and the word covers can be put into the crossword puzzle. You can also create a crossword puzzle using antonyms. Change the Words without Changing the Story Provide students with a short story, maybe a paragraph long, and have them change as many words as they can without changing the meaning of the story very much. For example, the first sentence might read, John went running through the park. Students might change the sentence to read, John moved quickly through the playground. Parts of a Sentence Adjectives Have students bring in a picture of something from home. This can be a picture of a pet, a vacation, their home or a favorite toy. Students trade pictures with another class member and write as many adjectives as they can about the picture. For example, a picture of a pet dog can include words such as: brown, little, sleepy, spotted, playful, and curious, depending on the picture. Have students trade pictures again and compare the adjectives they found. Race to Make a Sentence Use vocabulary words and write each word on two cards. Divide the class into two teams and give each team one set of the words, face down. The first member of each team picks up a card (should be the same word on both cards) and runs to the board and write a sentence using the word. The first person with a correct sentence gets one point for their team.

Absorption spectroscopy and acetic acid

Absorption spectroscopy and acetic acid The absorbance of light, wavelength 632nm, was measured in an indicator solution at varying pH, and varying concentration, allowing for a Beer-Lambert plot to be constructed. This was then used to measure acetic acid uptake at the surface of deionised water and octan-1-ol coated water, allowing pH, and hence concentration, to be calculated from absorbance of the liquid. Introduction Surfactants are molecules which are able to form a surface across a liquid, and stop the interaction of foreign molecules with the solution without interacting with these molecules first. These are extremely useful since they often contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic aspect, which interact differently to different molecules. Surfactants are used in the manufacture of paper, textiles and construction among others.[1] They are the main ingredient of detergents and they allow non-polar molecules to dissolve in polar molecules, such as oil into water. On the surface of the liquid, the surfactant will inter act slightly differently. It will create a surface of hydrophobic ‘tails’. This will stop polar molecules from entering the liquid, since the liquid will appear to be a poor solution for the polar molecule to interact with. They also increase decrease tension of the liquid.[4] This barrier is expected to stop the acetic acid, used in part 3 of the experiment, interacting with the water solvent. If it does interact, the pH of the solution will lower due to acetic acids presence, and the indicator will show a change in colour. If no acetic acid enters the solution, no change should be observed or measured. Experimental Using de-ionised water, a reference light intensity was recorded. A 250ml solution (1) of 0.005% wt bromocresol green was then prepared, and absorbance was measured. 100ml was removed, and the pH adjusted using 0.1M sodium hydroxide and glacial acetic acid, and absorbance was noted at pH’s between 3-6 at 0.3 increments. 50ml of remaining solution (1) was further diluted to solutions of 0.0025%, 0.00125%, 0.000625% and 0.0003125% concentration. Spectroscopic analysis of these concentrations was made, and a Beer Lambert graph plotted. A solution of unknown concentration was then spectroscopically analysed and it’s approximate concentration determined. This solution was then enclosed in a container with acetic acid, and spectroscopic readings taken every 30 seconds. This was repeated with fresh solution, with the addition of 0.2ml of octan-1-ol to the surface of the cuvette. Results The results for the pH change showed a curve, going from lower pH on the left to high pH on the right. This is a more quantifiable way of showing that as the Bromocresol turned blue at higher pH. This shows absorption toward the end of the spectrum of lower energy, (ie higher wavelength). So as pH increased, the absorbance of Bromocresol at 632nm increased too as it became blue. The next aspect of the experiment was to analyse how concentration affected the absorbance of Bromocresol green. As concentration of bromocresol green was altered, it was possible to draw a Beer-Lambert plot detailing how the absorption of the light changed with concentration of the Bromocresol Green. As would be expected, there is a straight line relationship between Bromocresol concentration and Absorbance except at higher concentrations, where the solution plateaus and becomes non-linear. Excluding this end point it is possible to derive the gradient, and hence the value of ?L. This was determined to be 36600.

Leadership issues you experience in your work as a political Essay

Leadership issues you experience in your work as a political activist(democrat) - Essay Example Unlike formal organizations, political activists are likely to find it troublesome to exert any position power, coercive power or even reward power. Nevertheless, political activists might exert referent power or expert power, but the fact is that considering the size and scope of the Democratic Party, it might take several years for a person to gain expert power. The point here is that leaders who are political activists find it difficult to retrieve a sustainable and influential source of power, in the absence of which they fail to emerge as strong leaders (Fiedler and Chemers 87). There are no doubts about the fact that leaders can only build their credibility and command respect through living by a code of conduct and ethics. However, the fact is that in common practice, people differ in their personal definitions of â€Å"right† and â€Å"wrong.† Even within the Democratic Party, there are different viewpoints on issues such as same sex marriage, civil unions of sa me sex couples, abortion, foreign policy issues, fiscal issues, and others. It is likely that people would perceive their viewpoint or political position as the ethical and moral one, and in a political party, which is as large as the Democratic Party, these differing viewpoints and ethical perceptions are likely to cause disputes and disappointments, and it is for the leader to intervene and ensure harmony and consensus. Important here to note is that the job of a leader is not to suppress the opposing viewpoints but to learn something from those opposing viewpoints and subsequently incorporate them in the overall agenda or at least, acknowledge their presence (Yukl 45). In an alternative scenario, there are times when leaders in politics realize that a certain political position is contrary to the ethical and moral standards but it gathers fervent support due to its necessity or context. In those situations, it becomes the ethical and moral responsibility of the leader to ensure t hat the leader leads his or her people in the â€Å"right† direction (House et al. 14). Even when compared to the corporate world, politics is the name of making tough decisions, regardless of its consequences and reception. In order to gather support and command respect, leaders have to make popular decisions. However, political activists, while acting as leaders, are less likely to find any room for making decisions primarily to widen their support base, but they also have to take decisions that might directly hurt the interests of the followers or subordinates. The challenge for the leader in such a scenario is to persuade people about the inevitability of the decisions and to demand compromise with a promise of future favors and compliments. In terms of the managerial grid, leaders have to ensure that they demonstrate a high concern for task and an equally high concern for people as well (Yukl 45). Quite understandably, in situations when the leader has to ask his or her subordinates and followers for compromises, it depends extensively on the relationships of the leaders with his or her subordinates that define his or her success in such ventures. Furthermore, credibility also plays a crucial role, as people would only give up their self-interests and viewpoints for a leader whom they can blindly trust. Therefore, my goal is to ensure that I could earn the

Reflecting on the main issues affecting the international tourism Essay

Reflecting on the main issues affecting the international tourism sector and how these have challenged conventional forms of tou - Essay Example Section 5: How These Factors Are Being Addressed – This section discusses how governments are trying to tackle these issues. Section 6: Conclusion – This section gives a summary of the issues affecting international tourism. Section 7: References – This section states the sources that were used to come up with the findings of this paper. International Tourism Introduction International tourism is to a situation where individuals travel globally outside of their home country and region (Beaver, 2012). This refers to a short movement of individuals from their residential place to another region for diverse reasons such as recreation, business, health or other reasons (Beaver, 2012). Tourism is significant to the world due to the volume of income it brings to nations, and it enhances international relations the world over. International tourism offers tourists great services in the nations they decide to tour while they boost their economy. It aids in providing jobs to the local residents of the nations being toured not just in the tourism, as well as the service industry, but also in the manufacturing industry because many individuals return home with local keepsakes in hand. Tourists are more inclined to have disposable income, which they use in the nations they are touring (Lennon & Foley, 2000). ... Even with all the natural disasters, which have overwhelmed the world of late, as well as the tragedy of 9/11 and the 2005 London Bombing among others, individuals are still traveling the entire world to see tourist attractions and see what other nations have to offer. Other major issues affecting this field can be divided into economical factors, technological factors, political factors, demographic factors and cultural factors (Ineson, 2005). This paper will reflect on the main issues affecting the international tourism sector and how they have challenged conventional forms of tourism activity. The paper will also discuss to what extent responsible tourism presents an opportunity for addressing some of these issues. Economic Factors Intentional tourism can cost local governments, as well as local taxpayers, loads of money (UNEP, n.d). Developers might require the government to develop the roads, airport, railways and other infrastructure such as enhancing their water transport syst em, and perhaps grant tax breaks and other financial benefits, which are expensive events for the government. Public resources used on support tax breaks or infrastructure might decrease government investment in other vital areas such as health and education (Lennon & Foley, 2000). This, therefore, makes a country oppose international tourism. Raising the demand for basic goods and services from tourists will normally lead to price hikes, which disapprovingly affect locals whose proceeds do not rise proportionately (UNEP, n.d). International tourism and its associated rise in real estate demand have radically increased land values and building costs. Not

TERMS AND CONDITONS Essay Example for Free

TERMS AND CONDITONS Essay Parents, Guardians and Participants over age 18, please carefully read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS below and provide your signature demonstrating that you have read and understood them. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL CALL THE PHONE NUMBER GIVEN AT THE END OF THIS APPLICATION FORM. 1. The CYC Summer Program is a week long volunteer program of Credit Valley Conservation for high school aged youth living or going to school in the Credit River watershed area. 2. CYC agrees to provide evidence of a student’s volunteer participation for their community involvement hours requirement for high school graduation or for any other request for verification of volunteer hours upon the completion of their time with us (i. e.: we sign your form at the end of the week). 3. Credit Valley Conservation will not pay a salary or hourly wage to CYC participants. 4. CYC week long programs offer up to 35 hours volunteer time to high school students. Credit for additional hours can be obtained from CVC by participating in other CVC run volunteer events. 5. CYC will provide transportation to and from the assigned meeting place and all CYC work or activity sites only. 6. Transportation to and from the designated meeting place each morning will be the participants’ responsibility. 7. Volunteer contributions accumulate each day once a participant is picked up by the CYC Crew Leader in the morning at the assigned meeting place and stop once returned to the meeting place at the end of the day. 8. Only actual volunteered time will be reflected in our records and on any document CVC provides as evidence of volunteered time. For civic holidays, cancellation of a day’s activities, or for any reason a participant has missed a day, volunteer hours will not be calculated. 9. Each day volunteers will be given a break for lunch and routine breaks in both the morning and afternoon. 10. Participants will be supervised by CYC Crew Leaders and CVC staff. 11. Participants shall return any equipment or supplies provided to them unless otherwise stated. 12. Participants for the week are expected to be present on the first day of each new week for health and safety orientation, code of conduct information and other relevant training or preparation. 13. Continued participation in CYC is dependant upon adherence to all rules, safety guidelines and any instructions as given by CVC staff including CYC’s Code of Conduct as found on our website www.creditvalleyca.ca/cyc. 14. In the event that a health and safety policy or safety standard is being or is about to be violated, or if a person is in any jeopardy, immediate action will be taken by the site supervisor in charge to restore and/or maintain safety at all times. This may result in some of the following actions but not limited to: the cancellation of or alteration to a CYC activity, the removal of any number of individuals from the activity or the program, or refusal to permit an individual(s) from participating in an activity on the grounds that it may constitute a safety policy violation or failure to meet a safety standard. 15. Participants must report all injuries, no matter how slight, to their supervisor. 16. CVC reserves the right to terminate this program or the placement status of any participant at any time for failure to comply with these terms and conditions. INFORMED CONSENT, MEDICAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE GENERAL PERMISSION, Parents, Guardians, and participants over age 18 please carefully read the paragraphs below and provide your signatures in the spaces provided demonstrating that you have read and understood them. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL CALL THE PHONE NUMBER GIVEN AT THE END OF THIS APPLICATION FORM. INFORMED CONSENT ELEMENTS OF RISK Certain RISKS OF INJURY, DANGERS and HAZARDS are inherent to participation in  this Activity. The dangers and hazards include but are not limited to: falling on or over steep, uneven, slippery or jagged ground, walking where branches, rocks, roots, fences or other obstacles or hazards may cause a person to trip or fall, walking through or beside streams, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes, injury from tools like shovels, hammers or other hand tools, sudden extreme weather conditions, encounters with wildlife, interaction with vehicle traffic and miscellaneous health problems related to over-exposure to the sun, insect bites, fatigue and exertion. These dangers and hazards can be beyond the control of CVC and may result from the Participant’s actions or inactions, or the actions or inactions of others including CVC, or a combination of all the aforementioned. The chance of an injury occurring can be reduced by carefully following instructions at all times while engaged in the Ac tivity. If you choose to participate in the Activity, as previously described, you must understand that you bear the responsibility for any injury that may occur. MEDICAL TREATMENT I/ We consent for the Participant, in the event of injury or illness while under the supervision of the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), to receive first aid and/or any further medical attention that potentially may be required to the extent determined by, and at the discretion of CVC staff, emergency medical services, and licensed medical professionals. PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE [To be read and signed by all Participants and by Parents of Participants under the age of 18 years] I/We agree to grant permission for images of the Participant captured during the activity through use of video, photo and digital camera, to be used by CVC for promotional purposes including internet, social marketing media, printed materials and appearance in local news media and do hereby waive any rights of compensation or ownership. Application Check List: On-line Applications: Is all required information entered? A parent or guardian has read and understood the TERMS AND CONDITIONS and INFORMED CONSENT, MEDICAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE GENERAL PERMISSION? These pages have been signed by a parent or guardian (or by the participant if they are over the age of 18) These pages are ready to be mailed, emailed or faxed to CVC within one week of completing the on-line application. (They must be submitted in order for application to be deemed complete. Remember that incomplete applications will not be considered for placement). You are able to receive emails from [emailprotected] in order to receive confirmation of acceptance to program. You will have to respond to this email to confirm attendance. Ensure emails from us will not go into your junk folder.

James Joyces Araby - An Analysis of Araby :: Joyce Dubliners Araby Essays

An Analysis of Joyce's Araby "Araby" is a short complex story by Joyce that I believe is a reflection of his own life as a boy growing up in Dublin. Joyce uses the voice of a young boy as a narrator; however the narrator seems much more mature then the boy in the story. The story focuses on escape and fantasy; about darkness, despair, and enlightenment: and I believe it is a retrospective of Joyce's look back at life and the constant struggle between ideals and reality. I believe Araby employs many themes; the two most apparent to me are escape and fantasy though I see signs of religion and a boy's first love. Araby is an attempt by the boy to escape the bleak darkness of North Richmond Street. Joyce orchestrates an attempt to escape the "short days of winter", "where night falls early" and streetlights are but "feeble lanterns" failing miserably to light the somberness of the "dark muddy lanes"(Joyce 38). Metaphorically, Joyce calls the street blind, a dead end; much like Dublin itself in the mid 1890s when Joyce lived on North Richmond Street as a young boy. A recurrent theme of darkness weaves itself through the story; the boy hides in shadows from his uncle or to coyly catch a glimpse of his friend Mangan's sister who obliviously is his first love. Araby is about escaping into the world of fantasy. The narrator is infatuated with his friend's sister; he hides in the shadows, peering secluded from a distance trying to spy her "brown figure"(Joyce 38). She is the light in his fantasy, someone who will lift him out of darkness. I see many parallels to my life as a boy growing up in the inner city of Jersey City. We looked for escape also, a trip uptown to Lincoln Park, or take a train ride to New York City where we would gaze at the beauties on 7th Ave. The boy sees the bazaar at Araby as an opportunity to win her over, as a way to light the candle in her eyes. However, the boy is more awkward then shy, his adolescence is an impediment to his quest and he lost for words to speak. I vividly recall those times in my young life, driven by desires and struggling with the lack of experience to get through the moment. He fantasizes about her, how bringing her a gift from the bazaar will capture her heart.

Canadian Confectionery Market

Within the confectionery industry, the chewing gum segment (Standard Industrial Classification 1082) consists of establishments primarily engaged in the manufacture of chewing gum and candy gum preparations. The sugar and chocolate confectionery segment (Standard Industrial Classification 1083) consists primarily of firms engaged in caramelizing, syrup kneading, extruding, compressing, stamping or otherwise manufacturing starch goods (jelly candies of all kinds); hard sugar candy; cocoa powder; and chocolate confectionery and cooking chocolate products, unsweetened and sweetened. Introduction Prior to the mid 1980s, the confectionery sub-sector had, primarily, focussed on serving the domestic market. In 1988, less than 12% of shipments were exported, whereas imports accounted for about 24% of the domestic market (see table). However, changes in the structure and performance of the Canadian confectionery industry occurred with the global integration of economies that began to intensify in the late 1980s. These changes, stimulated by global trade liberalization, were formalized in the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and multilateral negotiations that led to the formation of the new World Trade Organization (WTO). The initial impetus for change came in response to escalating competition from imports (particularly European chocolates and hard candies), but the industry also became more aware of the potential for exploiting emerging export opportunities. At the same time, the domestic market was exhibiting limited growth. By 1997, exports represented about 32% of confectionery shipments. Historically, many Canadian confectionery manufacturers have faced scale disadvantages compared with American and European firms. At the same time, Canadian exporters, including subsidiary operations of multinational enterprises with product â€Å"mandates† for the U. S. market, have enjoyed a relative production-cost advantage in a key ingredient, sugar. Canadian sugar refiners are unique among those of other industrialized countries in that they purchase most of their raw sugar on the world market. Prices on the world market are normally low and are reflected in lower prices for refined sugar in Canada. Other competitiveness factors relate to global brand-ownership rights and taste differences that necessitate special formulations for the domestic market. These characteristics have helped separate the U. S. and Canadian markets to some extent. The growth of retail gourmet candy shops, such as Laura Secord in the late 1980s pointed to a new consumer trend toward purchasing high-quality, specialty products at premium prices. Many retail shops sell imported merchandise; however, domestic producers also began to supply the market for quality chocolates and their products, too, have been accepted by consumers. Overall, the confectionery industry has adapted well to the more open global trading environment through a series of rationalizations which have resulted in more efficient and specialized operations. Significance As with many other industries in the Canadian food and beverage processing sector, the manufacturing of confectionery products progressed from what was, essentially, a cottage industry in the 19th century to a modern, concentrated industry by the middle of this century. Today, confectionery manufacturing is a growing and dynamic segment of the food and beverage processing sector, representing 3-4% of the total value of shipments, number of establishments and number of employees. The confectionery industry shipped product valued at more than $1. 9 billion in 1997. About $1. billion of this was sugar and chocolate confections (25% sugar and 75% chocolate) and about $0. 37 billion was chewing gum. Value-added in confectionery manufacturing is approximately 51% of the total value of shipments, considerably higher than the food processing sector average of 36%. Structure There are 106 establishments (plants) in the sugar and chocolate industry and in the chewing gum segment, employing app roximately 10,411 people, (latest statistics, 1997). Confectionery production is located mainly in Ontario, but the industry has representation in all regions of Canada. Production facilities range in size from small, one- or two-person, seasonal operations, to large plants employing up to 1,000 people. The confectionery industry in Canada is highly concentrated. The leading eight enterprises produce close to 87% of the value of shipments. Foreign ownership of the confectionery industry is high since multi-national enterprises have a major position in the industry. An estimated 60% of industry shipments are accounted for by foreign-controlled enterprises located in Canada. Within the confectionery industry, characteristic distinctions can be made between sugar candy operations and chocolate operations. Most sugar confectionery companies are small or medium in size and produce a wide variety of products, such as hard candy, gummy bears, licorice, jujubes and toffee, as well as an assortment of hard and soft candies for specialty and novelty markets. Most chocolate operations, on the other hand, are larger and dedicated to three product categories: boxed chocolates, chocolate bars and/or seasonal novelties. Boxed or novelty chocolates are sold, primarily, as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter. The chocolate bar market tends to be steady year-round, but is highly fragmented – a bar that can capture 4 or 5% of the market is considered successful. Gaps between the top-selling bars are measured in tenths of a share point. Packaging materials represent a significant input cost in the confectionery industry, estimated at 20% of the cost of raw materials (1998). The primary ingredients used and their approximate percentage of the overall cost of raw materials are cocoa products (20%), sugar (5%), dairy products (7%) and nuts (6%). Firms in the confectionery industry compete on the basis of brand name, advertising and promotion, specialty products, quality and cost. Because confectionery products are usually discretionary and high-impulse purchases, promotion plays a significant role in establishing brand presence in the various regional markets of Canada. In 1998, the Confectionery Manufacturers Association of Canada (CMAC) estimated that advertising and trade-promotion costs for its member companies totalled $55 million, or 2. 6% of sales. In years when there are many new product launches, confectionery firms spend more on advertising and promotion. In 1997, for example, advertising expenditures for CMAC firms were $57 million. The chocolate and chewing gum components of the confectionery sub-sector tend to be more highly brand-sensitive and advertising-oriented than the sugar confectionery component. The medium- and large-sized firms in the confectionery industry are generally considered to be capital-intensive, technologically modern and efficient. Entry into the sub-sector, however, can be gained by firms with low levels of technical sophistication. Smaller firms making niche products often use older equipment and run labor-intensive operations because they do not have sufficient sales volumes to warrant investment in some of the newer, high-speed, high-capacity machinery. Performance Performance in the confectionery industry is influenced by a number of factors, including market conditions that compromise the ability to maintain high rates of capacity utilization, competition from imports, the fluctuating cost of some imported raw materials, the value of the Canadian dollar and brand name rivalry. Throughout the 1990s, as part of its adaptation to various international trade agreements, the confectionery manufacturing industry has continued to undergo rationalization while making needed investment, particularly in new machinery and equipment ($105 million in 1997). The number of manufacturing establishments decreased from 110 in 1988 to 87 in 1994, but rose again to 106 in 1997. Commensurate with plant rationalization, the value of confectionery shipments increased 24% between 1992 and 1997. (see Figure 1) Correspondingly, employment increased by about 5% between 1992 and 1997. During the same period, labor productivity, measured by real sales per employee, also improved substantially, rising about 24%. Approximately 32% of the growth in shipments was attributable to exports, which increased 390% between 1988 and 1997. Figure 1. Total Shipments and Employment, 1988-1997 In 1997, $599 million in confectionery shipments were exported (Figure 2). Ninety-five percent of exports go to the U. S. A significant part of Canadian international trade relates to product mandates achieved by Canadian operations of multinational enterprises headquartered in the U. S. Canada's confectionery exports comprise about 69% chocolate, 27% candy and 4% gum, by value. In 1998, 95% of Canada's sugar candy and chocolate exports went to the U. S. and about 5% to Japan, Australia, Mexico, the U. K. Hong Kong, the Philippines and South Korea. Figure 2. Imports, Exports and Domestic Shipments, 1997 The majority of chewing gum exports (83%) also go to the U. S. , based on multinational corporate trade. However, the U. K. , Chile, Belgium, France, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and South Korea represent other export markets for chewing gum, each accounting for roughly 1-3% of exports in this category. In 1997, Canad a imported about $766 million in confectionery products; this comprised $742 million in sugar and chocolate confectionery products and $23. million in chewing gum (Figure 2). Canada's confectionery imports are made up of approximately 74% chocolate, 23% candy and 3% gum, by value. About 54% of sugar and chocolate confectionery imports are from the U. S. , a further 46% from the U. K. , Germany and Italy. A good deal of this trade is in branded products that are globally recognized. These goods are imported by brokers or retailers, or directly by Canadian-based operations of multinationals to round out their product lines in the Canadian market. In the chewing gum category, approximately 60% of imports are from the U. S. , about 40% from Mexico, Brazil and Japan. The confectionery industry's export orientation increased from 12% of factory shipments in 1988 to 32% in 1997, while import penetration increased from 24% of the domestic market to 37% during the same period. Overall, the negative trade balance, measured in current dollars, has changed dramatically since 1988, from a negative trade balance of $166 million in 1988 to $0. 1 million in 1999 (see table on page 11). Figure 3 also indicates that the gap between exports and imports narrowed significantly in 1998 and 1999. Figure 3. Trade Performance, 1988-1999 It is estimated that the confectionery industry operates at about 75% of full production capacity. This is partly because, in some segments of the industry, specialized equipment is only used for seasonal product lines. While the rates of capacity utilization may vary among countries, the same impediments are faced in varying degrees by all global competitors. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, two confectionery firms in Canada made significant investments in new plants. Generally, investment in buildings and construction has been less intensive since then. In the sugar and chocolate segment, consistent with cost-cutting and rationalization efforts, gross margins (value-added less wages) rose steadily from an average of 37% in 1988 to 41% in 1992, but by 1997 declined to 37% (margins in the chewing segment are somewhat higher). In 1995, confectionery companies engaged in fierce rivalry for market share – many promotional deals were evident in reduced prices at the retail level. Nevertheless, gross margins in both the chewing gum and the sugar and chocolate confectionery segments are higher than in the food and beverage processing sector overall (27% in 1997). Figure 4. Capital Investment, 1992-1997 Profits tend to be higher in the sugar confectionery industry than in the chocolate industry. Return on sales in the chocolate bar industry in Canada is less than that in the U. S. and U. K. , for example. Canada is the only country in which the four major multinational chocolate bar companies, all essentially equal in size, co-exist in the same market. The intensely competitive market conditions caused by this unique situation keep profits low. In recent years, the confectionery industry has demonstrated significant real growth in shipments, employment and productivity since 1988. Furthermore, sustained growth in exports is an encouraging sign that Canadian firms can compete in the global market. Issues, Challenges and Opportunities – Toward the Next Century As the confectionery industry adjusts to market drivers, such as globalization, demographic changes and general economic conditions, it must address a number of issues to remain viable and enhance its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Functioning within a globalized environment Globalization is an economic phenomenon driven by a range of influences, including the development of more efficient means of transporting goods, the internationalization of food product demand, the establishment of information networks that facilitate trade in goods, services and capital, and a more international perspective in marketing and investment activities by industry. To a great extent, globalization has already reshaped the structure and attitude of the Canadian confectionery sub-sector, as noted earlier. However, many issues must be addressed to keep pace with change. Cost and competitiveness Confectionery companies in Canada are in a somewhat unique position among food processors in that they use only small quantities of Canadian agricultural inputs (other than dairy). Production costs in the confectionery sub-sector are sensitive to even small increases in world sugar, cocoa, raisin or nut prices. The prices of these globally traded commodities are often volatile. When prices increase significantly, processors have no easy way of passing them along to consumers while retaining their traditional share of the snack market. Canadian firms that export products are less competitive when world commodity prices, particularly for sugar, rise. Generally, Canadian confectionery manufacturers enjoy a cost advantage over American manufacturers when they export to the U. S. The U. S. maintains a high domestic price for sugar, while Canadian processors derive a significant benefit from their ability to purchase refined sugar at world prices, which are normally about 25-30% lower. Some of this benefit is, however, offset by transportation costs incurred by Canadian firms in getting their products to the U. S. market. The playing field is levelled for U. S. processors that export their products (to Canada). Refined sugar at the world price is available to U. S. industrial sugar users under the U. S. Sugar Re-Export Program. Canada and the U. S. had a difference of view over the validity of the application of this program to Canada because of conditions that were negotiated under the NAFTA. However, an agreement (effective October 1, 1997) was reached which took into account Canada's concerns about the substantial U. S. reductions in market access for sugar and sugar-containing products when the U. S. implemented its WTO commitments in 1995. In return, Canada agreed not to pursue NAFTA dispute settlement procedures with respect to the U. S. Sugar Re-Export Program, but will monitor the use of the program in Canada for changes that may have an impact on Canadian interests. For confectioners making chocolate, another important competitiveness issue is the price of dairy ingredients. Canadian dairy prices are considerably higher than those in most other developed countries. Until recently, this situation put milk-chocolate producers at a cost disadvantage relative to imports. Competitive dairy prices have now been negotiated with the Canadian Dairy Commission for confectionery products destined for both domestic and export markets. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage investment in the construction of new facilities in Canada for manufacturing milk-chocolate ingredients such as chocolate crumb, which are now predominantly imported. Managing costs and other factors related to competitiveness, as well as taking advantage of export opportunities, are often easier for larger companies than for smaller ones. Larger firms are more adept at purchasing commodity ingredients and can afford to dedicate personnel to monitoring markets from which they purchase in large volumes. For small- and medium-sized confectionery companies, managing ingredient costs, competing with branded products and gaining access to high-caliber distribution channels are often the toughest hurdles to overcome. Access to a large number of retail locations is a key advantage of global firms. Their distribution networks can carry many related products to both central and outlying stores. Some high-quality chocolate and novelty products are sold, primarily, at a few special times during the year. Managing production, full-time employees, inventory, marketing and cash flow (on a yearly basis) can thus be particularly challenging, especially for smaller firms. Finally, participating in the export market is often a more difficult option for smaller firms, which face high entrance costs associated with advertising to establish brands, finding brokers and distributors and dealing with the risks involved in selling a product under special credit arrangements. Regulations There are two major issues that have been raised by the confectionery industry as concerns. One, which affects the relative cost of confectionery and other snacks, relates to the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). This tax applies to all single-serving snack products sold at retail. However, for multi-serving packages, the GST applies to confectionery products but not competing snack foods like cookies and donuts. This continues to be a serious concern of confectionery manufacturers. The confectionery and snack market is highly competitive and the industry contends that even small price differences â€Å"make† or â€Å"break† the consumer's choice. The equitable enforcement of Canadian labelling requirements on products that fall under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Food and Drugs Act is another issue of concern to confectionery manufacturers. The industry continues to view the problem of mislabelled imports as a threat to its overall competitiveness because firms that do not comply do not incur substantial labelling costs. Technology and innovation As with most segments of the food and beverage processing sector, technology is an issue that is extremely important to confectionery manufacturers. Most firms are well informed of international developments in processing equipment through industry journals or attendance at trade shows. The vast majority of new technology is available off the shelf, usually from machinery manufacturers in Germany and the U. S. Proprietary process improvements, new product formulations and ingredient improvements occur regularly, especially within larger multinationals. These advancements are often shared with Canadian subsidiaries. The manufacture of confectionery products can be highly technical, requiring considerable understanding of food technology, including hardware (processing machinery and computers), software and formulation technology. Technical know-how is required to integrate these elements in an effective production system that is efficient and results in a high-quality, innovative product. Artificial sweeteners and natural flavouring systems are fields in which technology advances at a rapid pace. Sugar-free confectionery is one of the fastest-growing market categories. Although still most popular in chewing gum products and mints, the trend is also growing somewhat toward sugar-free hard candies, as well as sugar- and fat-reduced chocolate products. Sugar-free gum now has a majority share of the chewing gum market. Candies are more difficult to manufacture in sugar-free form because sugar itself is the primary bulking ingredient. Chocolate products, which have both sugar and fat as main ingredients, are also difficult to manufacture in reduced-sugar or reduced-fat form without sacrificing quality and taste. New ingredients are key drivers in the innovation of sugar-free and fat-reduced confectionery formulations. While regulatory approvals for new ingredients can take time to obtain, many ingredients, particularly those for use in the manufacture of sugar-free candies, have been approved and are currently in use. Examples include low-calorie bulking agents, polyol sweeteners and high-intensity sweeteners. Investments We do not have a subject on â€Å"Investments†, our apologies. Employment We do not have a subject on â€Å"Employment†, our apologies. Capturing New Markets Opportunities in the domestic market The real value of the Canadian market for confectionery products rose approximately 24% between 1992 and 1997. In 1997, the average Canadian spent about $60 on confectionery items, purchasing about 10. 3 kg of products (6. 7 kg of chocolate, 2. 9 kg of candy and . 68 kg of other confectionery products, such as chewing gum). The chocolate category has shown the strongest performance in that period, growing from $1. 1 billion in 1993 to $1. 4 billion in 1997. The chocolate category is by far the largest category, over three times larger than the second largest category, sugar confectionery and nearly four times larger than the gum category. Consumer preferences are changing. Children nowadays have more disposable income. They like licensed products and interactive toys that are sold together with confectionery. Consumers are more indulgent and are willing to pay more. Baby boomers in particular want quality over quantity. Opportunities in international markets There are opportunities for firms to gain market share in response to changing consumer demands. The U. S. market continues to present opportunities for the confectionery industry. In 1997, U. S. per-capita consumption of confectionery products reached 12. kg, representing a . 8% increase over the previous year. A tariff-free environment and lower sugar costs help Canadian products compete in the U. S. market, particularly in the large urban markets close to the Canada-U. S. border, where distance and resulting transportation costs are less of a factor. Opportunities also still exist in the mature Western European market for confectionery products, where gum is th e fastest growing category. In 1998, the market for confectionery products in Asia-Pacific declined from $16. 5 billion in 1996 to $12. 9 billion in 1998. Japan and Australia are currently the two biggest markets, but the highest growth potential is expected in China. Medium-term growth in the Asian region is expected to be about 5-8% a year. Double-digit growth is expected in Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and China. Although massive in population and geographic size, the Asia-Pacific region has the smallest confectionery market of the world's three major regions. To succeed in the Asian marketplace, manufacturers may have to adapt their products to taste preferences and other consumer demands. For example, natural colours and flavours in hard and soft candies are popular with Asian consumers. Market growth has been stilted by the prevailing negative economic conditions in the Pacific Rim, especially the recessed economies of South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. There were, however, two success stories in Asia-Pacific confectionery between 1994-1998. Both China and Vietnam experienced double digit growth. China's overall confectionery market grew from roughly $1. 7 billion to nearly $3. 0 billion from 1994 to 1998. The Chinese market, because of its sheer size, is becoming an increasingly important opportunity for Western confectionery products. Although per-capita consumption is still considerably lower than in Western countries, imports of confectionery products to China have increased dramatically in recent years, in relation to the growing disposable incomes and a general attraction to products that reflect Western culture. There is good potential for high-quality products. Brand image is important and there are opportunities for the establishment of new brands. Currently, retail distribution in China is inefficient because of a poorly developed system of roads, rail, telecommunications and refrigeration. Recently, however, there have been moves to allow commercial distributors (which have economies of scale and various subsidies), to compete with state operations. The distribution sector is thus starting to become more market-oriented and efficient. Manufacturers and importers are working together to set up their own networks, whereby they appoint a certain company to act as their sole distributor in a particular region. Exporters can penetrate the Chinese market by setting up a local office or by using the services of an agent in Hong Kong for advice on product positioning, navigating through the regulatory environment and bureaucracy, and avoiding misunderstandings due to cultural differences. Another important market in the region is Vietnam, whose overall confectionery market grew from $28 million in 1994 to $53 million in 1998. Consumption growth rates have been high especially in the chocolate category. Rising incomes and increased trade prospects under a potentially expanded NAFTA make Latin America another attractive market for confectionery products. There are notable growth opportunities in the Brazilian market for chocolate, the Chilean market for sugar confectionery and the Colombian market for chewing gum. Geographically, Brazil is the third largest country in the Americas, after Canada and the U. S. , and has the second largest population (160 million). Recent positive trends for business include economic stability, reduced inflation, privatization and freer trade. As the Brazilian economy moves forward, consumer demand for value-added products, including confectionery, is growing. The Brazilian chocolate products market is the largest and most dynamic in Latin America, and the sixth largest in the world, worth more than U. S. $4. 7 billion in 1998. The overall value of the Brazilian market is second only to the U. S. in North and South America. Challenges There are a number of challenges facing the confectionery industry in Canada if it is to continue growing, enhancing its competitiveness and taking advantage of new market opportunities. Multinational enterprises are expected to continue to have an increasingly important role. These firms establish a benchmark or standard against which smaller firms measure their success, both in relation to their ability to reduce costs and meet changing market requirements. Multinationals operating in Canada will have the challenge of maintaining or expanding their product mandates (mostly North American) within their corporate structures and seeking new export opportunities. Like all food processors, this industry is assessing how to deal with the emergence of E-commerce. The confectionery industry will have to determine if it can effectively use this medium to increase efficiencies through business-to-business solutions and the development of web-based marketing strategies. For small- and medium-sized enterprises, the challenge will be to exploit opportunities, particularly in areas where multinationals are not competitive and where flexibility and sensitivity to regional tastes may be important factors. Access to investment and the capital needed for technology and product development, as well as the ability to enter into strategic alliances (e. . , with other confectioners or distributors) in developing export markets will also be a challenge for these firms. More general challenges for the confectionery industry include: * developing a regulatory framework consistent with globalization (e. g. , working with government to address the issue of enforcing Canadian labelling requirements equally on domestic and imported products, and harmonizing standa rds with Canada's major trading partners); and * enhancing competitiveness through: * supply chain management (e. g. working with government and the dairy industry to ensure that the Special Milk Class Permit System for confectionery manufacturers keeps dairy input prices competitive); * fostering new product innovation (e. g. , sugar-free, low-fat and natural-flavouring technologies); and * enhancing technical, export and marketing skills. Industry Association Confectionery Manufacturers Association of Canada 885 Don Mills Road, Suite 301 Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1V9 Tel: 416-510-8034 Fax: 416-510-8044 E-mail: [email  protected] ca Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Contact Bill Goodman Food Bureau Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 930 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5 Telephone: 613-759-7548 Facsimile: 613-759-7480 E-mail: bill. [email  protected] gc. ca The Canadian Confectionery Industry SIC 1082/83, 1988-96: The Canadian Confectionery Industry http://www4. agr. gc. ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher. do? id=1171977485451&lang=eng Sample 2: http://www. canada. com/vancouversun/news/business/story. html? id=5f3e5232-fcad-4e6b-8c7f-1d62cb5dadd1 Chocolate market goes high-end OTTAWA — Last year, Gatineau chocolatier Gaetan Tessier turned 250 kilograms of raw, pure chocolate into delectable, high-end Easter treats. March 21, 2008Be the first to post a comment OTTAWA — Last year, Gatineau chocolatier Gaetan Tessier turned 250 kilograms of raw, pure chocolate into delectable, high-end Easter treats. This year, he figures he’ll be going through about three times that amount of chocolate, so strong is demand. â€Å"I’m afraid of running out,† he says. Chocolate has for decades been associated with Easter. But Easter chocolate is not just about creme-filled eggs and moulded bunnies anymore. Fancy chocolate confections aimed at adults represent a growing, and lucrative, market. The chocolate Easter bunnies are all still there (at least until their ears get nibbled off on Sunday), but all around the world, companies have realized there’s money to be made selling chocolate to adults year-round. Earlier this month, for example, international chocolate giant Nestle announced it was investing $20 million in a research centre in Switzerland that will develop new products to meet anticipated growth in demand for luxury and premium confections. Nestle said the $3. 7-billion market for luxury chocolate expanded by eight per cent annually between 2004 and 2006. The company added that it valued the potential premium chocolate market at about $14 billion and that it expects markets for luxury and premium chocolate to increase by more than 10 per cent in the next new years. â€Å"Premium chocolate continues to grow,† said Joan Steuer, the U. S. -based founder of founded Chocolate Marketing, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in the chocolate industry. Steuer says there are two sides to the growth. On the one hand, there’s the chocolate confections themselves — fancy artisan chocolates such as those produced by Tessier’s company, ChocoMotive. And then there’s there’s packaging. Steuer says she’s seeing chocolate confections being sold in â€Å"exquisite† packages that â€Å"push the envelope on pricing. † Steuer says the Easter holiday offers one example of how the chocolate market is becoming more adult-oriented. â€Å"I’ve seen a lot of really neat premium packaging that seems to be adult-oriented for Easter,† she said. But the fancy packaging is optional — people are more likely to buy it if the chocolate is a gift. A large part of the adult chocolate market is aimed at people who just want to indulge. It’s an accessible luxury item,† said Steuer, adding that chocolate is also a comfort food. â€Å"And targeting adults with some of these confections is really about the ‘time out,’ ‘escape,’ and ‘reward for me’ market,† she said. Tessier, a well-established chef and teacher based in Buckingham, Que. , said he’d been hearing for years that the Ottawa-Gatineau high-end chocolate market was under-served. His original intention was to create chocolate confections for bakeries, restaurants, hotels and pastry shops, but he figured he should have a retail outlet as well. He opened a first retail counter in Montebello, Que. , and demand led him to open a second counter in Gatineau last year. Now, he says, clients are urging him to set up shop in Ottawa, too. Tessier says he’s surprised not only by the demand, but also by how interested consumers are in the product. ChocoMotive uses fair trade chocolate from the La Siembra co-op. When he started out, Tessier said he thought fair trade chocolate would be a fad. Instead, it’s become such a hit that he stopped using regular chocolate. He said consumers are looking for high-end fair trade and organic products. From a macro point of view, there are some clouds on the horizon for chocolate, as there are for many agricultural commodities. All around the world, agricultural commodity prices are going up. That’s because of increasing global demand for food (people in newly industrializing countries are richer and are therefore eating better) and because more and more cropland is being used to grow biofuels instead of food. Cocoa prices, for example, have risen by 34 per cent in the last year. So have prices for such things as sugar and of course oil, which is used in transportation. Tessier says that so far, rising commodity price have not affected him greatly. He gets 100 pralines out of a kilo of chocolate, so even if the kilo costs more, the increase is spread broadly. Still, he says, not everyone is willing to pay premium prices for chocolate confections. He says he still has to explain why his treats cost so much more than, say, a moulded milk chocolate SpongeBob SquarePants at the local drug store. Tessier figures about half of his customers are regulars, coming back month after month for a chocolate fix. People come into the shop and they become like children,† said Tessier, adding that he’s had people ask â€Å"What can I get for $10? † in the same way a kid in a candy store might ask â€Å"What can I get for 50 cents? † Canwest News Service  © (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. http://companycheck. co. uk/company/00650747 Godiva data Employee 2200 https://www. sochoklat. com/difference. asp http://www. oppapers. com/es says/Case-Study-Roger-s-Chocolates/373894? read_essay http://www. allfreeessays. com/essays/Rogers-Chocolate-Case-Study/218642. html

Media and the Vietnam and Iraq Wars

Despite the differences in American culture from the time of the Vietnam war to the Iraq war, similarities exist in the way Americans perceived both wars. Vietnam and Iraq both raised questions about the appropriateness of U.S. involvement in foreign affairs and, in some cases, resulted in negative perceptions of the U.S. military. As the link between those fighting the war and those at home watching and reading about the events of the war, the media played an important role in both cases.Relationship between the media and the militaryDuring the beginning of Vietnam there was no official policy of censorship. Censorship would have been difficult to manage because as a guest of South Vietnam, the U.S. would have had to allow the South Vietnamese to control the censorship. Additionally, according to Daniel Hallin, the U.S. administration wanted to deny that there was a war happening there, and to impose censorship is one of the signs that a country is really going to war. 1By 1963, rep orters in Vietnam had begun receiving increasingly contradictory information about the war. Military officials in Saigon maintained that the war was going well, while personnel in the field told a different story. One glaring example was the defeat of the South Vietnamese at Ap Bac. Eight days after the incident, military officials declared the operation a success. Reporter Mal Browne recalls that when the astonished press challenged this statement, they were told by the Commander in Chief of U.S. forces to â€Å"get on the team.†1 This was the beginning of a more strained relationship between the media and the military.It was in 1963 also that news programs were extended to a half hour and began showing footage of the war. This was the first time American viewers were able to experience the war right in their living rooms. In 1965, Morley Safer brought the Cam Ne report to viewers. The Cam Ne incident marked the first time the average American was exposed to images of their soldiers engaged in activities that were less than noble – burning huts in a small village as women and children ran away screaming. Though not officially tied to the report, shortly after it aired the government issued new rules of engagement designed to protect South Vietnamese civilians.By the time the U.S. engaged in war with Iraq, the world had become a different place. The military had learned the value of public perception and the need to manage it. Restrictions were placed on the press limiting where they were allowed to go and what they were allowed to report. Unfortunately for the administration, what they couldn’t manage was the amount of amateur footage that made its way into the public eye.Digital cameras and the internet made it possible for anyone to post photos and other footage in front of a broad audience. Some of the most sensational stories reported during the war – including the Abu Ghraib incident – were the result of amateur photogr aphy that found its way into professional media outlets. While of questionable value as a news source, this footage showing graphic scenes intrigued viewers and affected their perception of the U.S. military and their mission in Iraq.Another effect of technology was that reporters were able to feed information to networks â€Å"real time.† This to-the-second coverage allowed viewers to experience the war as it happened, but the information they received was not always accurate. When the military unit in which a reporter was embedded came under attack, the reporter could only report what he was experiencing without the benefit of objectivity or the â€Å"big picture† view. While they did provide some provocative footage, these reports did not increase understanding of the situation. Morley Safer stated this eloquently when he said, â€Å"Live coverage†¦only adds heat, it does not add light.†1Accuracy of reportingNorman Solomon, syndicated columnist on media and politics, suggests that the media has been fundamental in making war possible for the U.S. through fraudulent reporting. He cites reporting of the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam and of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as examples.2Tim Ryan, Army Lieutenant Colonel, has also expressed concern about the accuracy of reporting and its effect on public perception during the Iraq war. He has suggested that the media intentionally focused on negatives or failures during the war and ignored positives for the sake of a more sensational report. He stated that â€Å"even the Arab media was more willing to show positives,† such as school renovations or the creation of a youth center, than were American journalists.3During both wars, questions have been raised about the absence of reporting on U.S. interests in the countries in which they were fighting. In Vietnam, manganese, rubber and minerals were of economic interest to the U.S. In Iraq, of course, it was oil. The possibility that t he U.S. had less than noble reasons for entering into these wars was rarely addressed in mainstream media.Media influenceThere are differing opinions on whether the media actually influenced the Vietnam or Iraq wars or whether they simply provided documentation of what was happening. As the above examples show, some commentators believe that the media did affect events by making it easier for the government to wage war through fraudulent reporting, or by negatively affecting the morale of American soldiers and citizens.Contrarily, the organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) claims that the media has been falsely accused of affecting the war.4 According to FAIR, reporters merely reflect the opinions and concerns of the public. As reporter Chris Hedges stated â€Å"when everyone's waving a flag, the media waves a flag. When middle class families start wondering why their boy is coming home in a rubber bag, then the media starts asking questions too.†1Regardless o f whether they merely presented or actually influenced the Vietnam and Iraq wars, it’s clear that the media encountered similar challenges during both wars. Despite all the changes that occurred in the 40-plus years between the two wars and the fact that confidence in mainstream media waned in that time, the public still looked to the media to help them understand the facts and to represent their interests when they were concerned about the actions being taken.Works Cited1) â€Å"Which side are you on?† Episode 2, Reporting America at War. PBS, November, 2003. Online transcript www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/about/ep02_transcript.html2) Solomon, Norman. Adapted from keynote speech at annual awards ceremony of Project Censored at Sonoma State University, CA, October 22, 2005. Online source3) Ryan, Tim. â€Å"Media and the Iraq War.† Editorial, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 30, 2005.4) Cohen, Jeff. â€Å"The Myth of the Media’s Role in Vietnam.à ¢â‚¬  May 6, 2001. http://www.fair.org/indexAphp?page=2526

Gibraltar Territory History and Facts

Gibraltar Territory History and Facts Geography of Gibraltar Gibraltar is a British overseas territory that is located to the south of Spain on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of just 2.6 square miles (6.8 sq km) and throughout its history, the Strait of Gibraltar (the narrow strip of water between it and Morocco) has been an important chokepoint. This is because the narrow channel is easy to cut off from other areas thereby having the ability to choke off transit in times of conflict. Because of this, there have often been disagreements about who controls Gibraltar. The United Kingdom has controlled the area since 1713 but Spain also claims sovereignty over the area. 10 Geographic Facts You Should Know About Gibraltar Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthal humans may have inhabited Gibraltar as early as 128,000 and 24,000 B.C.E. In terms of its modern recorded history, Gibraltar was first inhabited by the Phoenicians around 950 B.C.E. The Carthaginians and Romans also established settlements in the area and after the fall of the Roman Empire it was controlled by the Vandals. In 711 C.E. the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula began and Gibraltar became controlled by the Moors.Gibraltar was controlled by the Moors until 1462 when the Duke of Medina Sidonia took over the region during the Spanish Reconquista. Shortly after this time, King Henry IV became King of Gibraltar and made it a city within the Campo Llano de Gibraltar. In 1474 it was sold to a Jewish group that built a fort in the town and stayed until 1476. At that time they were forced out of the region during the Spanish Inquisition and in 1501 it fell under Spains control.In 1704, Gibraltar was taken over by a British-Dutch force during the War of Spanish Succession and in 1713 it was ceded to Great Britain with the Treaty of Utrecht. From 1779 to 1783 attempted to take Gibraltar back during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. It failed and Gibraltar eventually became an important base for the British Royal Navy in conflicts like the Battle of Trafalgar, the Crimean War and World War II. In the 1950s Spain again began trying to claim Gibraltar and movement between that region and Spain was restricted. In 1967 the citizens of Gibraltar passed a referendum to remain a part of the United Kingdom and as a result, Spain closed off its border with the region and ended all foreign relationships with Gibraltar. In 1985, however, Spain reopened its borders to Gibraltar. In 2002 a referendum was held to establish shared control of Gibraltar between Spain and the UK but Gibraltars citizens rejected it and the area remains a British overseas territory to this day.Today Gibraltar is a self-governing territory of the United Kingdom and as such its citizens are considered British citizens. Gibraltars government, however, is democratic and separate from that of the UK. Queen Elizabeth II is the chief of state of Gibraltar, but it has its own chief minister as head of government, as well as its own unicameral Parliament and Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.Gibraltar has a total popu lation of 28,750 people and with an area of 2.25 square miles (5.8 sq km) it is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. The population density of Gibraltar is 12,777 people per square mile or 4,957 people per square kilometer. Despite its small size, Gibraltar has a strong, independent economy that is based mainly on finance, shipping and trading, offshore banking and tourism. Ship repair and tobacco are also major industries in Gibraltar but there is no agriculture.Gibraltar is located in southwestern Europe along the Strait of Gibraltar (a narrow strip of water connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea), the Bay of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. It is made up of a limestone outcropping on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Rock of Gibraltar takes up the majority of the areas land and Gibraltars settlements are built along the narrow coastal lowland bordering it.Gibraltars main settlements are on either the east or west side of the Rock of Gibraltar. The East Side is home to Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, while the western area is home to Westside, where most of the population lives. In addition, Gibraltar has many military areas and tunnelled roads to make getting around the Rock o f Gibraltar easier. Gibraltar has very few natural resources and little freshwater. As such, seawater desalination is one way its citizens get their water. Gibraltar has a Mediterranean  climate with mild winters and warm summers. The average July high temperature for the area is 81ËšF (27ËšC) and the average January low temperature is 50ËšF (10ËšC). Most of Gibraltars precipitation falls during its winter months and the average yearly precipitation is 30.2 inches (767 mm). To learn more about Gibraltar, visit the official website of the Government of Gibraltar.ReferencesBritish Broadcasting Company. (17 June 2011). BBC News - Gibraltar Profile. Retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stmCentral Intelligence Agency. (25 May 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - Gibraltar. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gi.htmlWikipedia.org. (21 June 2011). Gibraltar - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar

National News Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

National News - Essay Example The broadcast networks CBS, on the other hand, focus on the national consumers and therefore it broadcast national news. In this perspective, the first three news broadcasted in the two newscasts differs. The top stories from satellites news, MSNBC were the six theories, four words concerning the Malaysia is missing jet, Biden’s Europe trip in an attempt to find a solution for Ukraine crisis, and 10 years imprisonment of TV pitchman, Kelvin Trudeau. The broadcast networks CBS top news was the new findings from the Malaysian missing jet, the claims made by antitrust suit that the NCAA is unlawful cartel and the arrest of Calif. Man in subway-bombing terrorist plot. Although the two broadcasts differ in terms of news transmission, the first top story, the Malaysian jet misery, was similar. However, information and focus on news broadcasted differs. CBS News attempted to examine the recent report of the misery while MSNBC explains the current situation and efforts of the authorit ies concerned (Orlik, 2014). The two news-casting stations differ in terms of the time the news is aired. The time the newscaster takes, depends on the strict regulations of the company and the authorities concerned. MSNBC utilized a lot of time in explaining the situation of Malaysia missing jet and time it takes to cast videos to accentuate and authenticate the information provided by the news anchor. The broadcast utilizes prolonged videos and explanations on various issues anchored. In addition, the broadcast provides additional information based on issues anchored outside the report recorded in the field to increase viewer understanding of the issues. In this perspective, the broadcast explains causal factor of Ukraine crisis and underlying factors that lead to imprisonment of the TV pitchman (Murray, 2014). On the other hand, CBS News also took time since the news anchor took time in explaining the situations that lead to the

What caused the deterioration of the Egyptian Economy from the view of Research Paper

What caused the deterioration of the Egyptian Economy from the view of Egyptians over 40 - Research Paper Example Furthermore, the absence of investment and poor economic system led to currency devaluation and hence increased cost of living. This paper is a discussion to establish what caused the deterioration of the Egyptian Economy. A Congressional Research Service entitled â€Å"Egypt and the IMF† conducted by Nelson and Sharp found out that the Egyptian economy has swiftly deteriorated since the 2011 revolution (Nelson & Sharp 2013). The revolution put the Egyptian political system into a state of anarchy. They elucidate that the anarchic political nature led to sudden drop in the flow of foreign capital into Egypt. As a result, policy makers and economic analysts observed that even though the economic growth may be positive, the Egyptian Central Bank faced the risk of being depleted of foreign exchange reserves. This crumbly economic situation further put Egypt and the entire bordering region in jeopardy and instability. Moreover, the Egyptian economic history reveals that the rate of unemployment was at 9.2 % before the revolution took place, but this shot up to 12.3 % in the year 2012. This prompted the Egyptian authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to engage in negotiations in order to forge ways and reforms of salvaging the collapsing Egyptian Economy. Shockingly, reports emerged that Egyptian authorities were hesitant to commit to such an agreement citing that it might drastically increase the country’s debt. This research is aimed at establishing the cause behind the deteriorating Egyptian Economy. The rationale of this paper lies on the fact that countries, both developed and developing, thrive on stable economic grounds. This is because nations derive their strengths from stable economies which define their growth and development. The evidence of this is likened to dwindling economies reported from countries like Zimbabwe whose economy has