Isolation in the Painted Door by Ross Sinclair Essay

The feelings of isolation and alienation can be frustrating, dangerous and eventually they can even drive a person mad. People have always dealt with such issues differently. Some managed to abandon those feelings and continued with their lives while others succumbed to them as they were unable to overcome and/or control them. Those souls who â€Å"surrendered† often faced destruction or even death as they were unable to cope with changes and the pressures of living a life below their expectations with no one to trust and confide, not even their beloved ones. When people are alone and isolated for a certain amount of time there is a chance that they forget about real life and even become â€Å"bushed†. This is one of the many problems of vast countries such as Canada especially its dry prairies and northern arctic regions can change people. In this essay, I will try to analyze and investigate different circumstances that can lead to emotional states, some of which are prominent themes in Canadian fiction – isolation, alienation, loneliness, loss of identity and madness. Isolation and alienation can occur out of many reasons. It is not only an isolated landscape that may trigger feelings of loneliness, fear or helplessness, but also isolation and alienation from society or even people closest to you. Other definitions may also include spiritual and emotional isolation. In Sinclair Ross’ The Painted Door the protagonist Ann fells alone and isolated for many reasons. Ann is not pleased with her life. She and her husband John live in the middle of nowhere, far away from company and populated settlements. The remote surrounding in which they live creates a feeling of extreme isolation, especially after previously living in a city. After being exposed to this geographical isolation for some time, Ann’s feelings of loneliness eventually intensify to the point where she even feels alienated from her own husband. But at that point she does not realize that her yearning for a better and different life will consequently change her life for worse and will make her feel guilty and miserable for the rest of her life. After having an affair with Steven she realizes that this is not what she really wanted and she also realizes that she has made a big mistake sleeping with him, while her husband was away. Therefore, we cannot consider Steven as the fulfillment of her desires for a better life, but rather as a temporary means to â€Å"cure† her from her isolation and loneliness. As John unexpectedly returns home during a storm, he witnesses the betrayal and leaves Ann never to return again. †¦ the explicit theme is centered on adultery. However, there are other, more subtle, motifs in the story that play a very significant role in its success. The themes essential in making the protagonist’s adultery understandable are the landscape, her isolation, and the feelings of betrayal and guilt that she experiences following the central act of the story. (The Painted Door) Ultimately, Ann’s needs to feel loved and acknowledged, as well as her actions out of desperation and loneliness, lead her to the destruction of her life and, consequently, the life or her husband. The blizzard, which can be seen as a metaphor for passion, as well as the physical and emotional separation from her husband engage her to do things she probably, under â€Å"normal† circumstances, would not consider doing. Therefore, it is in those extreme conditions where we have to search for the driving force behind Ann’s adultery. The answers that would â€Å"justify† her actions and would, as well, give us an insight into her inner loneliness and isolation are all hidden in this seemingly unreal wasteland. In this story we can find: †¦thematic elements considered the bedrock of Canadian writing: a landscape so bleak in winter that it seemed a region alien to life, but a house standing nonetheless standing against that wilderness, a refugee of feeble walls wherein persisted the elements of human meaning and survival. †¦ A woman who wants fine things and a social life, but a slow, taciturn, country-bound husband who only aspires to paying of the mortgage. (Stouck 2005, 93) The Painted Door is not Ross’ only short story dealing with issues such as isolation, alienation and madness. The other prominent example of him using such themes and motifs is The Lamp at Noon where Ross, by establishing a gloomy and intense atmosphere, creates a feeling of uneasiness and fear of the isolated and even manic environment which inevitably affects the story’s protagonists. It â€Å"illustrates how close to madness a person’s dreams of a better life may be juxtaposing the delusions harboured by a husband and a wife about their failing homestead.† (Estehammer 1992) The newlyweds Ellen and Paul moved from the city to a desert landscape during the time of the Great Depression to live as farmers in the Canadian prairie. Unfortunately, dust storms, as well as the soil’s dryness and lack of rain made their existence as happy and successful farmers almost impossible. Nevertheless, Ellen, who came from a rich family, tried to be a model wife by taking care of the household and their baby, but the fact that they were living on an infertile and isolated farm made things worse day by day and contributed to the couple’s constant quarreling. The lack of joy, food and tolerance caused both emotional and physical suffering for Ellen and Paul. It seems as if the shift from city- to rural life hit Ellen particularly hard as she seems to be very frustrated about her present situation and even afraid of what the future might hold for them. She feels as if she was living in a cage or a prison, and deep inside she knew that there is no way out of it. It is obvious that the setting is essential in causing havoc in Ellen’s and Paul’s lives. Therefore, to answer the question of where these feelings of isolation, loneliness and, in the end, even madness originate, we must consider the extreme unfriendly and even claustrophobic environment as a major factor. Other likely reasons would have to be Paul’s stubbornness and his foolish manly pride that made him ignore his wife’s request to change matters by setting up new priorities. For many years she has tried to persuade him to leave the farm but she has failed every time due to his reassuring comments about a better life. Because Paul is unable, or maybe even unwilling, to change, he eventually destroys his marriage and family by further contributing to his wife’s state of depression and, ultimately, insanity. It is only after Ellen’s desperate run into the sandstorm, in which she sees freedom, and their baby’s death when Paul realizes his mistakes but it is already too late. Their child is dead and his wife has lost her mind. Consequently it can be seen that both of Ross’ analyzed stories are, in fact, examples of how not to deal with isolation. By creating and describing both stories’ setting so vividly, Ross succeeds in reinforcing our own understanding of isolation, by taking us in the midst of this unfriendly and devastating environment. He makes us almost feel Ellen’s geographical and emotional isolation which eventually drive her into a state of madness. The Lamp at Noon is â€Å"especially powerful because it resonates with the unique historical conditions of the 1930s, when dust storms scourged the West, hard working farm families lost their land, and some people went mad† (Stouck 2005, 91). The lamp in The Lamp at Noon itself is a symbol of hope but when it dies out in the end all hope seems lost. It can be argued that Ross â€Å"does not simply present the landscape and weather as a cause for psychological disintegration but also deploys it as a metaphor to develop the inner landscape of his characters, the landscape thus serving as the objective correlative of the feelings and the states of m ind of his protagonists† (Pauly 1999, 70). The Old Woman by Joyce Marshall is another prominent example of how isolation can lead into madness. Molly and Todd got married in Molly’s homeland England. Soon afterwards Todd traveled to Canada leaving his Molly behind. She joins him after 3 years because she had to take care of her ill mother. When she arrives in Northern Quebec she realized that Todd has changed since their last meeting. Molly starts her life in the new environment like many women before her, by taking care of the household. Her husband was preoccupied with his job to notice that Molly felt unpleasant in the new environment. Instead of helping her to adapt to the new life, he becomes more and more distant, less talkative and absorbed by the machines in â€Å"his† powerhouse. After a while, Molly finds her calling as a local birth helper but, to her disappointment, her husband is disapproving towards her newly found occupation. He wants her to stay at home all day and to be like the other obedient wives without ever second questioning him in spite of his negligence towards her. In order to cope with her isolation she nevertheless decides that she must occupy herself in some way. She finally feels needed, something Todd does not understand nor desire. In the end it does not matter how Molly feels anyway because her husband has lost his mind after 3 years of living and breathing with the machines at the power house – he has â€Å"fallen in love† with them. In this story the gender roles and immigrant stereotypes have been turned upside-down. Not in the sense of male or female roles and duties but the fact that a local man, instead of a female immigrant, goes mad in the end distinguishes this story from others. There is a sharp delineation between the two possible approaches to the foreign territory. Since the machines have always been between Todd and the land, he has been unable to relate adequately to others. In his limited and confined existence he has, in the end, even gone insane. At the same time his wife discovers a personally satisfying role as a midwife in a French-Canadian community. Her productive approach thus carries her across apparent linguistic and cultural boundaries and across her isolation. (Pauly 1999, 64) In contrast to The Painted Door and The Lamp at Noon, where the female protagonists were the ones whose lives were destroyed by their actions out of isolation, loneliness and their dependency on their husbands, Molly, despite her inconvenient situation, lack of attention from her husband and her fear of loneliness, seemingly succeeds in overcoming the obstacles that were put in her way. By not taking the repressions of her husband any longer and deciding to pursue her own interests, Molly stands as a representative of a new feminist ideology which, however, can’t be compared with today’s notion of feminism as it had to undergo decades of changes and development to improve the roles and lives of women to the stage as we know them today. Unfortunately, women’s roles still differ very much. They strongly depend on the location, culture and religion the women live in. Classic gender roles were also turned upside-down in Isabella Valancy Crawford’s story Extradited. In it we find a â€Å"striking portrait of a petulant and narcissistic woman and her devastating examination of jealousy† (Stephenson and Byron 1993, 12). The protagonists of the story are Samuel â€Å"Sam† O’Dwyer, his wife Bessie, their baby and a man named Joe who was helping them on their farm. Sam and Joe quickly became very good and close friends. While reading the story one could even think that Sam, although twice of Joe’s age, might even hold deeper feelings for him (homoeroticism?). After a while, Bessie is annoyed by Sam’s admiration for Joe and as soon as she finds out that Joe is wanted by the police for a legal offence against his former employer and that there is a 1000$ reward for the one who catches him or turns him in, she immediately grabs the chance she considers to be the one that will ensure them a better life. However, after Joe’s heroically rescue of Sam’s and Bessie’s baby, and him drowning after saving it, Bessie, although informing the police of Joe’s whereabouts, stays without the reward but has inevitably to deal and live with her husband’s scorn as she has to bear the blame for a good man’s death. Bessie probably thought that she was doing the right thing. We would normally expect a man to act rational and women emotional at that time and place. However, in Sam’s and Bessie’s case it is the other way around. It is Sam who acts emotional, by wanting to protect Joe, and Bessie who acts rational, by wanting the reward in order to buy a new farm and within to pave the way for a better life for herself and her family. Therefore, it is the woman, not the man, who is a representative of realism, whereas the man can be seen as a romanticist. This example makes it clear that women were also aspiring beyond the domestic sphere and not on ly victims of their husbands’ arbitrariness. This stands in opposition to the naturalistic ideas of earlier eras where women had to stoically accept their traditional roles, i.e. teacher, maid, housewife, devoted mother, and had to sacrifice their own happiness for their children’s and/or husband’s sake. Women should repress their previous experiences and knowledge after getting married and were mostly appreciated as long as they kept their physical charms. In Canadian short fiction immigration is the process which, in many cases, causes isolation and alienation. It is a long and complex process as starting a life in a new country can be very difficult. The issues of immigration seem to have affected women particularly hard. In order to keep themselves sane and deal with the harsh realities that the early pioneers had to face, women, who mostly spent their time at home, wrote diaries. Susanna Moodie, who was one the most famous chroniclers of the early Canadian immigrant experience, was describing the negative aspects of environmental and social isolation among early immigrants in Roughing it in the Bush. Moodie’s sister Catharine Parr Traill even advised men to consult with their wives before emigrating to Canada as most immigrants were completely unprepared to live in such an unfriendly and unfamiliar environment. Brian, the protagonist of Moodie’s short story Brian the Still Hunter, is also, like Ellen from The Lamp at Noon and Ann from The Painted Door, a victim of isolation. However, the first and foremost reason for Brian’s isolation is alcoholism. As a result his extensive drinking has isolated him from society and even his own family. Alcohol has transformed him into an unpredictable character. This is why society treated him as an outsider. When Brian was drunk, he was not able to speak normally to anyone, not even his wife. Their relationship was put to the test due to ever-changing periods of guilt, shame and anger. He felt emotionally isolated, worthless, and he even attempted to commit suicide. He fails in this intention and matters get even worse for him. Afterwards he quits drinking and chooses physical isolation for himself instead. He is slowly falling into a state of insanity as he loiters about the land with only his dog by his side to keep him company. Many immigrants could not deal with the formidable reality which the Canadian landscape prepared for them and fell into a state of madness. Madness most commonly might have appeared due to some of the following reasons. It either developed as a consequence out of the confrontation between the ideas and lifestyles of the Old and the New World, or out of geographical and environmental differences (dangerous wilderness, plain and/or artic landscape). This new environment was not only dangerous to one’s physical but also psychical health. It was hard not to lose your identity while facing the limits of your capabilities and still keeping your sense of inner (subjective) and outer (objective) reality balanced. †¦while the plains sometimes provoked the outbreaks of insanities, the primary cause is often to be found elsewhere. These causes range from economic frustration, isolation from the people, frustration growing out of an inability to adapt, personal displacement and loss of identity, to guilt and isolation. All these are parts not only of a physical environment but of a mental landscape. Women’s nerves overstretched and they usually became depressed and silent whereas men more often turned to violence in order to act out their rage and frustration. In some cases these states were permanent, in others they were temporary and subsided after a finite period of time. (Pauly 1999, 53) Stories like The Lamp at Noon and The Old Woman can be best described as examples of â€Å"Pioneer Realism† and/or â€Å"Prairie Realism†. Besides Sinclair Ross, other prominent â€Å"Canadian† authors who dealt with the prairie experiences were Martha Ostenso, Laura Salverson and Frederic Philip Grove. In their works, these authors start their stories with a naà ¯ve or, we might even say, romanticized, view of the immigrants’ arrival to Canada. Later on, all become disillusioned by the setting and gradually alienated from their new home. These stories â€Å"generally include a ‘prairie patriarch’. [†¦] he is usually presented as a land-hungry, work-intoxicated tyrant. The farm women are subjugated, culturally and emotionally starved, and filled with a smouldering rebellion. All in all a fertile ground for conflict and all kinds of mental instabilities.† (Pauly 1999, 54) As an immigrant, your well-being will largely depend on your ability to adapt and deal with the given circumstances. Though those two stories are set in different locations, the first in a prairie and the latter in the Canadian North, both still are fictional stories dealing with the issues pioneers experienced when they first arrived and became aware of how dangerous it really was to be out of tune with the land. While some succumbed to the unknown and fled, lost their minds or even died, others luckily found other forms of distraction from the isolation which surrounded them, making their existence bearable. In continuation, other forms of dealing with the harsh realities of everyday life will be analyzed. These are the stories of escapement from the â€Å"sane† into a subjective â€Å"insane† world in order to survive. The protagonists of these stories are all isolated and alienated from other people, not necessarily because of an isolated landscape, but rather because of their dissimilarities. â€Å"[A]lineation is withdrawal from something – becoming strange and foreign to it, being put out or taking One’s self out and thereby becoming a stranger – separated. Since humans feel vulnerable when they are strangers, the emotional essence of alienation is fear and hostility† (Henry 1971, 105). The â€Å"sane† world can therefore be even seen as life-threatening to the â€Å"stranger† because all it wants to achieve is to isolate him even further and to destroy his reality. Ultimately, there are three choices a â€Å"stranger† can make. He can either let the â€Å"sane† world take over and destroy his very essence, he can protect himself by playing along, pretending to be someone else by acting out roles, or he can escape into his own reality where he alone decides what is right and wrong, what the truth is and what only illusion. Louise and Morrison, the protagonists of Margaret Atwood’s short story Polarities, are working colleagues in an unnamed dull city in the northwest. They came to this city because they could not find any other job elsewhere. Morrison finds this dullness rather irritating and the northern city a hard place to live in. Louise however claims that you just have to have â€Å"inner resources† to turn to when matters get tough. After some time, Louise started acting and talking strange. She would find meaning in things other people would not, as Morrison states: â€Å"she’s taken as real what the rest of us pretend is only metaphorical† (Atwood 1993, 69). Morrison more and more started to believe that there is something seriously wrong with Louise, as her strange behavior is not to be ascribed to fatigue or the abuse of substances, a fact another colleague also acknowledges. Morrison and Paul, the other co-worked, eventually agree that it would be best for Louise to be institutionalized. Nevertheless, Louise almost convinces the doctors that she is perfectly fine but she eventually makes a mistake and they decide to keep her hospitalized. After spending some time in the hospital, Louise’s intelligence begins to deteriorate due to the extensive amount of drugs she was forced to take. She almost stopped talking to anyone and it was obvious that she suffered tremendously, especially on the inside. It seems that before she had been taken to the mental hospital she was a little strange but nevertheless managed to get along in everyday life. All that remained now of Louise was an empty shell as she became only a shadow of her former self. Margaret Gibson was another author who wrote about oversensitive people unable to live in a â€Å"normal† society. Due to her mental state, she was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, she could relate to and identify with her writing as few authors before her. Nevertheless, she claimed that her works are not autobiographical. In her collection of short stories entitled The Butterfly Ward, she tried to explore the boundaries of sanity and insanity. Her own experiences as an outsider gave her the opportunity and ability to present a â€Å"stranger’s world† in a unique and exciting way. It is important to recognize at the outset that Gibson’s primary concern in relation to the theme of madness is with the responses to mental illness, rather than with its causes or manifestations. While she clearly does not neglect the latter issues, her writing often focuses upon the ways in which those categorized as mentally ill and those assigning the label respond to the condition. (Pauly 1999, 106) Her short stories The Butterfly Ward, Making it, Ada and Considering Her Condition are great examples of her writing creativity.   In the beginning of The Butterfly Ward we are introduced to Kira, the story’s heroine, who is staying at a hospital and is undergoing various extremely painful and brutal tests and examinations in order to determine what is causing her mental â€Å"condition†. As the story progresses, we get a glimpse of her earlier life. Before being admitted to the hospital, she worked in a home for mentally challenged children. Unfortunately, she had a very ambitious mother who dreamt of a better life for her and her daughter in Russia. Her mother is convinced that Kira’s occupation does not suit her and that she would be better of studying at a university. Kira becomes a victim of her mother’s ambition and pressure under which she, eventually, collapses. She is still aware of her surroundings but nevertheless decides to live her life in her own fantasy world which she considers a better place than the real world where she is being locked up and heavily medicated. The protagonist of Gibson’s story Ada is a girl of the same name as the title and who is, like Kira, residing in a mental hospital. As the story unfolds, it becomes obvious that the patients of this institution are being heavily mistreated and denied any basic human rights. The only visitor Ada has is her mother. Although we might think that her mother would like to help her to get out of the hospital as soon as possible, she does not show any genuine intentions of helping or understanding her daughter in her need. After some time, Ada realized that she cannot expect any help from anyone, and denies her mother, and other family members, visits because they do not understand her. More and more she drives herself into isolation from others and even from her own feelings. Ultimately, her isolation causes her to lose touch with reality entirely –so we might think. When another â€Å"inmate† joins the group at the asylum, the patients are presented as seemingly smarter than their doctors, as they are easily able to manipulate with them as in the case of Alice. However, Ada and her best friend Jenny manage to escape their isolation but must pay a very high price for it. Jenny, who wanted to protect Ada from Alice’s abuses, stands up against Alice and within she awakens Ada from her inner retreat. By later killing Alice, Ada awakens from her mental slumber and ends her child-like existence. Nevertheless, it can be argued that Ada’s retreat in her own world was, in fact, her strategy to survive in a depressive and live-threatening environment such as the mental asylum where normality of patients (their thoughts, emotions, actions) is considered as something abnormal. For Gibson, therefore, abnormality can be seen as the only way to survive in an inhuman and egoistic world. A similar story to Ada is Making It where the protagonists Liza, a schizophrenic, and Robin, a male homosexual transvestite, try to make something of their lives. Both of them try to hide their true nature because if they would not they would be considered as outcasts in a society intolerant of â€Å"crazy† people. Although they desperately want to fight society’s categorizations and prove them wrong, they are, nevertheless, unable to do so. Liza, who becomes pregnant, sees her baby as her own way of â€Å"making it† out of her troubles. Robin, on the other hand, sees his â€Å"salvation† in becoming a famous women impersonator in California’s entertainment industry. They are convinced that motherhood for her and fame for him will make them â€Å"normal† in the eyes of society. In the end of the story the two once again decide to live together like a regular, but in their case platonic, couple. Robin even rejects the men of his dreams in order to be able to help Liza to live a â€Å"normal† life. Unfortunately, happiness stays out of reach for them as they, after Liza’s baby was born dead, once again fall into isolation and feel alienated from society. Although considered abnormal, Robin and Liza’s feelings of belonging, friendship, helpfulness and love for one another are something we would have trouble finding in the â€Å"normal† world. For Gibson, we, the â€Å"sane† readers, are the ones who make existence for people like her protagonists unbearable and force them into isolation and self-destruction. In Considering her Condition, it is a man named Steven who drives his wife Clare into suicide after she gave birth to their baby son. Steven is a very suppressive, bossy and egoistic character. Clare never even wanted children but after Steven persuaded her it becomes clear that he never thought about what is best for her but rather what is best for him. Later in the story we get to know that Steven already has a child but has no contact with her anymore. When Clare was pregnant, Steven became obsessed with the baby and did not care much about his wife anymore. He even denied Clare her right to chose abortion despite the doctor’s advice to terminate the pregnancy. Claire must suffer enormously just to fulfill his desires and wishes. Gibson gives us a picture of how married couples’ lives can be destroyed by polarities and traditional gender-roles. Steven will not let Clare have her own life and she does not have the strength to fight his demands. Her suicide is the only action she can realize out of her own will. Not even her death affects Steven as he never though of her being more than a subordinate wife and the mother of his children. Considering her Condition can be seen as Gibson’s strong critique against a society that denies women their right to choose their own way of living and thinking and breaks their spirits by taking away their desires, pride and self-esteem. The analyzed stories in The Butterfly Ward: †¦focus upon individuals who have become objects of scrutiny to others. These others, †¦ , exercise a great deal of power over those who have failed to adapt to the expectations and demands of normal society. First and foremost among those strategies is simple observation. Whether an individual is labeled paranoid or simply maladjusted, the effect is similar. The individual ends up excluded from normal existence and confined within another territory. The responses of those thus observed, excluded, isolated and confined are various, but all, in some way, reveal attempts to escape this condition. (Pauly 1999, 116) Not only individuals can suffer tremendously under the influence of isolation but also whole communities. In W.D. Valgardson’s story Bloodflowers â€Å"the setting seems to imply that even today, people will tend to resort to primitive rituals when isolated and severely tried by living conditions† (Neijmann 1996, 311). It is the story of a young teacher named Danny who moves to an isolated island, called Black Island, where superstition is still widely spread among the island’s local community. Danny at first just wants to witness an ancient local fertility ritual taking place annually on the island. The ritual consists of sacrificing a man in order to conclude any misfortunes that have happened in the past year and might continue into the next one. Unfortunately for Danny, as misfortunes continue to happen, the locals consider him to be the cause of disturbance and they decide to sacrifice him in order to save themselves from further harm. It seems as if the local people are not having any trouble â€Å"justifying† the murders they have committed with superstition. In this story, where Valgardson makes extensive use of irony, we get to see the serious consequences (misunderstandings) that may occur when different or conflicting cultures cross paths. In Rudy Wiebe’s Where is the Voice Coming From?, the notions of isolation and alienation can be ascribed to the native Canadian inhabitants. The isolation of the indigenous (ethnic) voice and the question of a â€Å"Canadian identity†, by this I mean telling the other side of Canadian history (of the aboriginal inhabitants) too, are issues Wiebe tries to address. Its most prominent themes would have to be the social and cultural injustices and consequently isolation and alienation suffered by the indigenous people after the European settlers have taken over their lands. In conclusion it can be said that people were often driven mad by loneliness and isolation and some even saw death as their only means of escaping it. Others, who also lived in isolation, developed psychotic behaviors which not only made them self-destructive but also a threat to others. Taking into consideration all of the authors and their stories that deal with the themes and motifs of isolation, alienation, loneliness and madness, one cannot fail to observe that isolation has an extremely negative effect upon the development of the individual’s character in Canadian short fiction and probably also Canadian literature in general. Works Cited: Atwood, Margaret. Dancing Girls and Other Stories. New York: Bantam Books, 1993. Esterhammer, Angela. â€Å"†Can’t See Life for Illusions†: The Problematic Realism of Sinclair Ross.† In From the Heart of the Heartland, edited by John Moss, 15-24. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1992. Gibson, Margaret. The Butterfly Ward. Ottawa: Oberon Press, 1976. Henry, Jules. Pathways to Madness. New York: Random House, 1971. Marshall, Joyce. â€Å"The Old Woman.† In The Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories in English. Margaret Atwood and Robert Weaver, eds., 92-103. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. Moodie, Susanna. Roughing it in the Bush, Or, Life in Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1998. Neijmann, Daisy L. The Icelandic Voice in Canadian Letters: The Contribution of Icelandic – Canadian Writers to Canadian Literature. Montreal: McGill – Queens Press, 1996. Pauly, Susanne. Madness in English-Canadian Fiction. Ph.D. dissertation. Trier: University of Trier, 1999. Ross, Sinclair. â€Å"The Lamp at Noon.† In The Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories in English. Margaret Atwood and Robert Weaver, eds. 72-81. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. Ross, Sinclar. â€Å"The Painted Door.† In The Faber Book of Contemporary Canadian Short Stories, edited by Michael Ondaatje. London: Faber and Faber, 1990. Stephanson, Glennis and Glennis Byron, eds. â€Å"Introduction†. Nineteenth-Century Stories by Women: An Anthology, 9-22. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 1993. Stouck, David. As for Sinclair Ross. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2005. Valancy Crawford, Isabella. â€Å"Extradited.† In The Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories in English. Margaret Atwood and Robert Weaver, eds. 1-11. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. Valgardson, W.D. â€Å"Bloodflowers.† The Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories in English. Margaret Atwood and Robert Weaver, eds., 316-332. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. Wiebe, Rudy. â€Å"Where is the Voice Coming From?† The Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories in English. Margaret Atwood and Robert Weaver, eds., 270-279. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. â€Å"The Painter Door – A Canadian Short Story.† Term papers for students. http://www.essaysample.com/essay/002994.html (accessed August 8, 2008).

Desire and Disappointment in “A & P” and “A Woman on a Roof” Essay

It may be natural instinct for men to be attracted to a good-looking woman or one who displays more than the usual amount of skin in public. The level and type of attraction varies from one male to another. However, more often than not, the primary expectation or fantasy of the male admirer regarding the female being admired, is not met because these expectations and fantasies are based on his personal conceptions and stereotypes about what women should be and not what the particular woman he chances upon is in reality. The male protagonists in John Updike’s â€Å"A & P† and Doris Lessing’s â€Å"A Woman on a Roof† exhibit different expectations on the female characters they meet but in the end, all of them would be disappointed and disillusioned with both the female character and, in turn, their own selves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Updike’s hero is 19 year-old Sammy who works in the checkout counter of a convenience store. One day, three young women walk into the store in their swimsuits. Sammy’s reaction, along with another young but married co-worker, is typical of men their age: they gawk at the woman with sexual desire. Written in the first person point of view of the main character, the reader notes that what Sammy notices about the women are the usual things that men desire in women like â€Å"long white prima-donna legs†¦(and) clean bare plane of the top of her chest down from the shoulder bones†¦(Updike).† Her admiration becomes more than a physical attraction, however, when the store manager reproaches the girls for their out-of-place outfits. In a burst of impulse, Sammy resigns from his job, his reason being that he could not take the embarrassment that the store manager inflicts upon the girls. He imagines his resignation to be a heroic act which he expects the girls to notic. To his disappointment, however, they do not even look back at him. Outside the store, Sammy thinks about â€Å"how hard the world was going to be (Updike)† afterwards. He realizes that the heroism is simply his own conception about what he does and nobody else, especially not the girls, get it. He loses his job in the process and he has too much pride to take it back.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The three male protagonists in Doris Lessing’s story, meanwhile, react upon the sight of a barely-clad woman sunbathing on a rooftop. Like Sammy, the men lust at the sight of the woman in â€Å"red scarf tied around her breasts and brief red bikini pants (Lessing).† The initial reaction evolves differently among the three men, however, as the sunbathing woman becomes a daily distraction to their work. Harry, past middle-age, reminds the other two to think of their own wives as they look at the woman. To him, the woman is a possession that should be reined and controlled and the particular woman on the roof must have had a husband that is not doing his job. The newly-married Stanley is confident that women are willing and submissive when they are coaxed. He gets along with Mrs. Pritchett because she responds to him. Tom, the youngest, has an ideal, fairy-tale image of himself. He imagines himself â€Å"at work on a crane, adjusting the arm to swing over and pick her up and swing her back across the sky to drop her near him (Lessing).† He is a hero protecting her from Stanley. All the time while the men watches, yells and whistles at her, the woman remains indifferent. Days later, Harry eventually gives up. Stanley becomes more enraged as the day becomes hotter. Tony remains hopeful but suffers the most as in the end when he decides to finally go and talk to the woman he is rejected and driven away.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Men have been used to classifying women according to types based on superficial images generated by media or during talks amongst themselves. When a man encounters someone that does not fit any of the molds, she disappoints him greatly, more than even she realizes. The characters in the two stories illustrate how hope could turn into disillusionment when a man entertains grand ideas about a woman even before understanding her. Works Cited Lessing, Doris. A Woman On A Roof. Updike, John. A & P.

Ethics and Morality of Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ethics and Morality of Business - Essay Example Career development programmes are not just altruistic pursuits. These are followed keeping the future human resource requirements in mind. Similar is the case with ethics. Given a level playing field, most organizations do not shy away from ethical behaviour. With the explosion of information and the communication revolution, the media plays a crucial role in building and tarnishing reputations of businesses. Hence, every organization tries to enhance its reputation among all its stakeholders. Ethics is a novel outlook for businesses that have single mindedly pursued the bottom line so far. Hence, there exists a twilight zone where business and ethics meet. In the modern world, differences are blurring and concepts are getting re-defined constantly. Business can reap benefits without compromising on basic human values. There is no need to give up on competitiveness to be morally right. Hence, it is possible to conduct business ethically, which is essentially a win-win situation. Conc epts Rationalism dictates that everything should be useful and justifiable. Utilitarianism and utility analysis as used by business vary significantly. When a firm uses a utility, it weighs the positive and negative consequences of a certain action as it relates to itself; and a utilitarian analysis weighs these  'results of an action on everyone affected by it' (De George, 2010, pg 44). Morality is concerned with creating good consequences, not having good intentions. One should do whatever will bring the utmost benefit to all of humanity. Morality guides people’s actions in order to create a better world. Bentham (1748–1832) is rightly considered the father of modern utilitarianism. He explained utility as the balance of pleasure and pain that a human being experiences (as cited in Binmore, n.d.). â€Å"The principle of utility . . . is that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever according to the tendency which it appears to have to aug ment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question.† (Bentham Jeremy, B. E. 1748-1832). Bentham thought that entire morality could be derived from ‘enlightened self-interest’, and that a person who always acted for his own satisfaction in the long run, would always act rightly. However, there are critics of Bentham. ‘The good’ cannot be quantified or measured. Similarly, the notion or definition of ‘the good’ was extreme. At the same time, other considerations like human rights and justice, which are relevant, are ignored. John Stuart Mill said that happiness in not the same as pleasure. Man shared the lower quality ones with animals for e.g. food, water etc. The higher quality pleasures were unique to man and involved the higher faculties (Mill, 1863, Pg 11). He showed that utilitarianism was in sync with moral rules. Utilitarians ought not to calculate beforehand whether each action would maximize utility. Instead , following a general principle (under which a particular action falls) leads to happiness. Henry Sidgwick highlighted common sense morality, which is morality accepted by the majority without detailed thinking involved, in his book Method of Ethics (Crisp, 2000). He stated that not all principles of common sense morality are apparent. He was in favour of ethical hedonism according to which any action should produce the greatest amount of pleasure. He was of the opinion that no man should destroy his own happiness (Ibid).

THE 1920'S REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING DECADES IN U.S. HISTORY, Essay

THE 1920'S REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING DECADES IN U.S. HISTORY, AND A DECADE OF STARK CONTRASTS. IT WAS THE DECADE OF PROHIBITION, BUT ALSO SPEAKCASIES, - Essay Example To indulge the people more in business and peaceful life. In 1919 Volstead Act was passed by the congress in eighteenth amendment in United States which prohibits the production and usage of alcohol in America. This gave rise to illegal sales, gangland murders and more crimes. At the beginning of Harding's presidency people were protesting against immigration policies. They became isolated and take less pert in international activities. 1920 became the era of business growth and conservative republicanism. Businessmen used advanced technology and scientific management to intensify their business. Consumers also responded in a good manner. During this era Henry Ford was such a businessman who wanted the Americans to think virtuously but remain in touch with modern science and technology. Ford made the cars that were synchronizing the speed of the improving lifestyle of people with the development of the country. New concept of scientific management was introduced in the business.

Industrial Relations in Asia-Pacific Region Research Paper

Industrial Relations in Asia-Pacific Region - Research Paper Example Multinational firms prefer the former country over the latter because of its superior infrastructure, population strength and per capita discretional spending. However, these firms generate positive as well as negative impacts over the local labor markets, through wage, export and productivity spillover effects. Multinational business firms have created greater job opportunities in the industrial and tertiary sectors of China and Indonesia. The labor rights of these countries have achieved global standards. However, many foreign firms outsource laborers through contracts and hence generate employability in a volatile pattern. Finally, the paper has evaluated that the labor force is managed for creating the biased, asymmetrical and perplexed response to the international firms. These responses can affect the local labor markets positively or adversely.  A labor market is a destination where the employers and workers relate to each other (Bama, 2004). In such a market, the employers intend to hire the best workers and in turn, the employees compete against each other to get the most satisfying job (Bama, 2004). In a modern economic system, the labor market operations are determined by the aggregate supply and demand for labor. However, the strength of employment demand and supply depends on the changes in the bargaining power of the employers and the employees. Flexible labor markets accompanied by low welfare costs are the primary symbols of economic growth in a nation. Social welfare is maximized under perfectly competitive market but the modern economies are governed by mixed economic principles.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 48

Summary - Essay Example The relevance of this article could be explored from the possible pitfalls that the unexamined adoption of technological innovations might bring to the corporate world and any other complex organization. While arguing in favour of the synergies, which integrated systems have brought to bid and complex organizations, the author awakens the corporate world to the likelihood of the same systems to impart great challenges that might impede the performance of the firms. The article sounds as a cautionary reminder to firms on the various technical and operational matters that must be put into consideration before adopting the integrated systems. As a caveat, the article puts into details issues of compatibility and security matters that have to be considered before engaging the services of integrated systems. This article is resourceful to managers as an advisory piece regarding the extent to which they may embrace technological systems within their organizations. By reading this article, managers can make wise and conscious decisions, which may include the development of appropriate support systems that might shield their organizations from the risks and challenges that are described by the author. The article might also be used as a guide on the choices of the most suitable Enterprise system with specific focus on their levels of compatibility with the

Brand positioning and focus Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Brand positioning and focus - Research Paper Example This research is intended to develop the sound understanding of the impact of the branding on the lives of individuals, especially their buying decisions. Moreover, we also aim to identify the best practices of branding in contemporary era. In past era, branding was considered to be what it is considered now. Few years back, brand used to be defined as "the name,associated with one or more items in the product line, that is used to identify the source of character of the item(s)" (Kotler 2000, p. 396) Another definition that was given by Keller (2003) depicts the same thought. He defines brands as "technically speaking, the n, whenever a marketer creates a new name, logo, or symbol for a new product, he or she has created a brand" (p. 3)" However, over the period of time, it was realized that branding has far wider scope than this. Realizing this, people started to explore more avenues into it. "For a long time, the brand has been treated in an off-hand fashion as a part of the product" (Urde 1999, p. 119). With the changing time, the needs and demands of the businesses were changing too. "The challenge today is to create a strong and distinctive image" (Kohli and Thakor 1997, p. 208). This definition shows that the scope of branding has been broadened and besides providing identity to the product, it is also responsible for conveying to customers that brand message associated to that brand through the process of branding. The modern concept of branding is associated to a number of other related concepts. In order to make the brand successful and the high impact brand, one of the most essential part is its positioning. It is well known phrase in the marketing circles that those brands which are top in terms of customer recall are really the leaders. Thus, brand positioning means that a brand should be presented as a response to some customer need, in order to make it successful. For example, if a company sells the cars. The brand manager of that particular car should see that what particular needs that car is going to fulfill for the customers and present the product as simply not the product, rather, the solution to that need of the consumer. Keeping in view the customer needs is simply one factor, others may include competitor's move, emerging trends and so on and so forth. Besides, other factors of success include, targeted marketing, efficient segmenting and focused advertising and public relations . Targeting marketing and focus advertising are essential because, we can't market our product to everyone. There is a cost to it. Every second that runs an ad on any channels, it costs a handsome some of money to the producer and this price is ultimately shifted to the customer. If lesser people Brand purchase that product, higher contribution from each purchaser is required. In today's world where there is cutting edge competition, one

Supply Chain Simulation Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Supply Chain Simulation - Term Paper Example An effective system of production management is sufficient to make a company stand out. This report provides effective and efficient ways of handling the production activities of the firm so as to ensure its financial strength and enhanced earnings. Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 4 1.1Problem Statement/ Opportunity 4 1.2Scope of the Report 4 1.3Background 5 1.3.1Legacy Technology 5 1.3.2Customer Satisfaction 5 2.1Proposed Solution: Supply Chain Management 6 2.2Cost of the Project 6 2.3Adequacy of Funds 9 2.4Project Benefits 11 2.4.1Estimated Annual Savings 11 2.4.2Just in Time and Lean Operations Usage 13 2.5Management of Inventory 14 2.6Work Cells Vs. Straight line Method 15 2.7Continuous Improvement Program 16 The main objective of the organisation has always been to achieve total quality management throughout the organisation. Therefore, every new project is sufficiently scrutinized with the aim of establishing the impact it has on the rest of the organisation. To achieve total quali ty management with the new project, employees will be adequately empowered through training, constant feedback and engagement in the implementation of the supply chain management to ensure maximum contribution from them. 18 CHAPTER 3 18 3.1Conclusion 18 References 19 CHAPTER 1 1.1 Problem Statement/ Opportunity Our current production capacity is not up to the industry standards. To begin with, our client base has expanded in recent years and nothing has been done to adjust the production process to accommodate the changes being experienced. The present production capacity of the firm does not meet the present market needs. This has perhaps to a great extent contributed to the loss of customers every year. The fact the company gains new customers every year cannot in anyway justify the loss of the existing ones. A lot of company finances are usually spent in attaining new clients which can be cut by engaging in activities that facilitate customer retention. Among those ways of retain ing customers entails engaging in company practices that ensures that the needs and expectations of the customers are met in terms of service and product quality, availability of sufficient products as and when they are needed as well as appropriate pricing. This report was generated with the main aim of bringing to light the means by which the current production processes can be adjusted to enhance company performance as well as please and increase the client base. 1.2 Scope of the Report This report shows the production activities that our company can engage in to enhance the company performance. Matters of the supply chain management and any possible changes that can enhance the company performance have been analysed in this report. Resource allocation in the form of budgetary control was kept into consideration when developing this report. The probable changes in the finance structure of the company are presented in the form of balance sheet and income statement in the form of a ttachment in this case. The best ways of supply chain management such as just in time, lean operations as well as effective management of the inventory are well outlined in this report. 1.3 Background Despite the fact that ABC Limited Company has been successfully running its operations to a certain extent, more can be done to achieve more success. Increased efficiency and effectiveness could be achieved by making changes in certain

What is Hobbes account of the good Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

What is Hobbes account of the good - Essay Example Therefore, according to him, things are perceived to be good if the repercussions of undertaking it are pleasing to us. There are two forms of motion as described by Hobbes: vital motion, which runs through the entire existence span of a living creature such as the flow of blood and voluntary motion, which is processed through imagination, followed by execution of the thought. In defining what may be perceived as good, Hobbes argues that good usually produces a motion deep inside us; the motion experienced is referred to as ‘delight.’ Sovereign states do play an important role in ensuring harmonious existence of different people. This is because the sovereign states have laws, which people have to abide to, failure to which they are to face punishment. In avoiding punishment, people try to avoid doing any act that is against the stipulated laws; thus, promoting harmony. Absence of such regulating authority would lead to people undertaking different activities based on th eir perceptions. For example, a man could sleep with anyone at any location and perceive it to be good because it brings forth delight to him. How Hobbes’ account of the good is related to his account of the constitutions â€Å"of Man.† Hobbes account of the good is related to his account of constitution of man in that mechanical effects of their senses trigger human actions. According to Hobbes, a man uses his volition to direct his actions away from harmful or evil situations, and towards beneficial situations. Hobbes employs the word appetites as well as aversions to explain conflicting desires of a man. Some human appetites are natural for instance, food desires while others emanate from a man’s experiences. Certain appetites emanate in the body of a man and are experienced as disruptions and sufferings that should be overcome. Therefore, every man is stimulated to act in a way that tends to ease his discomfort, safeguard and enhance his well-being. Similarl y, a man’s actions are dictated by this innate inclination to easy the physical challenges which impinge upon his body. Desires for some ‘good’ changes with time, even though a man cease to survive if he ceases to have desires for good things. In other words, it is the nature of man to search and desire for the ‘good’ such as wealth, power and diet to achieve satisfaction of his desires. A man’s power is a strategy to achieve a better future, ‘the good’. Human power is categorized into one natural power that comes from innate capacities of his mind and body such as strength, ability, artistic capability and brevity. Secondly, instrumental power that emanates from the acquired faculties as well as friends benefits, reputation or resources. The enduring perpetual and endless appetites for power are an essential quality common to all human beings. Similarly, fear of powers and authorities of other people serves as a counterbalance fo r the power desires and prevents human beings from often competing to attain power. Addition, fear of death, war and accidents stimulates men to seek harmony (common good for all). Description of the distinctly social nature of the desires that are common to us There is impossibility for a people to live without desires just like the way they can live without imaginations. Moreover, Hobbes describes happiness to a continual progress of desires, which is derived from one object to another, and achieving a path that leads to other paths in life. Nevertheless, the reasons behind this

Economics Paper Essay Example for Free

Economics Paper Essay Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total number of goods and services produced in an economy in a given year. Measured in monetary terms, it reflects the general output of an economy per given period of time. The so-called â€Å"price basket index† (the average price levels for all goods and services in an economy) is the standard maeasure of GDP (the base year is arbitrary). GDP, however, is a standard measure itself. It is used to measure business cycles. Business cycles are generally fluctuations of aggregate production schedules per given period of time (usually monthly). Several theorists attempted to formalize the theory behind business cycles to no avail. Explanatory variables offered by these theorists were either insignificant or in contradiction with accepted economic principles. In any case, the ratio of GDP to the potential GDP can serve as an indirect measurement of the level of production fluctuation in the economy. If the ratio is close to 1, then the level of business cycle in an economy is also minimal. If the variance is large, then the economy experiences high levels of production fluctuations. In order to remove these fluctuations, actual GDP must equal potential GDP. If an economy achieves potential GDP, then it is Pareto Efficient. Hence, the amount of fluctuations (which characterized inefficiency) is close to zero. The determination of fiscal policies is solely the function of the government. Fiscal policies refer to expenditures a government undertakes to provide goods and services and to the way in which the government finances these expenditures (like taxes and subsidies). In the United States, some of the agencies concerned with setting fiscal policies are as follows: agencies of the federal government like the Defense Department, Trade Department, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and agencies of state governments. Generally, fiscal policies can be undertaken by all levels of government. The general functions of these bodies are as follows: 1) Provide goods and services that the market will usually not provide; 2) Provide economic infrastracture that will facilitate the flow of goods and services in an economcy; 3) Increase government spending during times of uncertainty, economic crisis, and recessions; 4) Provide businesses and investors an elaborate system of information in order to reduce transaction costs; 5) And, create incentives schemes in order to encourage increased production (or create an optimal tax system where firms that produce negative externalities would be heavily taxed to reach the social optima). Fiscal policies encourage increased production in two ways. By providing incentive schemes or subsidies to particular industries, the government can expect a long-term increase in the economy’s output. Increasing government expenditure is seen by investors and firms as a sign of expected economic growth (psychological). By increasing government expenditure, the national income increases by a certain amount depending on the government multiplier (note that Y = C + I + G + NX). An increase in G reflects an increase in Y. This induces other participants in an economy to spend more (therefore save less). Increased government spending also has bearing on employment, inflation, and general wage levels. Sustained government spending results to sustained inflation. Employment is ambiguously affected (this depends on the capacity of the economy to create jobs). Wage levels decreases in the long-run because of lower aggregate demand for labor. In many cases, fiscal policies are matched with monetary policies in order to achieve a desirable economic state. However, the use of monetary policies is more complicated. Hence, a separate analysis must be reserved for this topic.

Leadership and teamwork in nursing

Leadership and teamwork in nursing ABSTRACT Introduction: The treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis includes antibiotics with or without surgical intervention. Debridement is warranted for the treatment of idiopathic spondylo-discitis in case of neurological deficits, deformity, instability, abscess formation, intractable pain or failure of medical management. The use of instrumentation is still controversial. Objective: Is to evaluate the surgical outcome of idiopathic lumbar spondylodiscitis treated with posterior debridement combined with single-stage posterior instrumentation and autologus bone grafting. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of 15 cases of idiopathic lumbar spondylo-discitis treated with posterior debridement combined with single-stage posterior instrumentation and grafting. All patients were followed up for up to 1 year post-operative. We evaluated operative time, blood loss, and complications. Visual analogue scale (VAS), activities of daily living (ADL) (Barthel index), C reactive proteins (CRP), and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up periods were used to evaluate the surgical outcome. Results: All 15 cases of lumbar infections resolved without recurrence. Bony union was obtained in all cases. Twelve out of 15 patients (80%) were completely relieved of pain and fully active with improvement neurological deficits, while the other 3 patients (20%) obtained a good result. No post-operative major complications were reported among the studied group. There were two superficial infections, which healed with debridement and antibiotics. Conclusion: According to the results reported in this short study, the proposed technique is an effective and safe treatment for idiopathic lumbar spondylo-discitis, if surgery is mandatory. Keywords: spondylo-discitis, debridement, posterior fixation. INTRODUCTION The increasing number of spinal infections has become a global health concern. It is currently due to reactivation of latent infections, more drug resistant agents and more immuno-compromised patients. It has been shown that delay in diagnosis can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and treatment are therefore of paramount importance.(1) Spinal infections encompass a spectrum of conditions comprising spondylitis, discitis, spondylodiscitis, pyogenic facet arthropathy, epidural infection, meningitis, polyradiculopathy and myelitis. All of these have a specific presentation and clinical course.(2) Osteomyelitis of the spine accounts for approximately 1 to 7% of all osseous infections. In recent years, there have been an increasing incidence of spinal infections, which is now estimated to occur in approximately 1/100,000 individuals annually. This rise may be attributed to the increasing prevalence of elderly and immuno-compromised individuals in the population.(3) The predominant organism in almost all studies is Staphylococcus aureus, accounting for approximately 40 to 80% of all spinal infections. Other Gram-positive organisms such as S. epidermidis and Streptococcus species are also common.(4) Establishing the diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis in a timely fashion is critical to preventing catastrophic neurological injury. In the modern imaging era, magnetic resonance imaging, in particular, has facilitated the diagnosis of osteomyelitis even before the onset of neurological signs or symptoms. Nevertheless, despite advancements in diagnosis, there remains disagreement regarding appropriate treatment. Antibiotics are the main- stay of therapy.(5) The treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis with intravenous antibiotics is universally agreed upon. More than 75% of patients can be treated with intravenous antibiotics and immobilization.(6) Although no difference in clinical outcomes has been observed when comparing antibiotics alone with antibiotics plus surgical debridement, debridement of infected and dead tissue removes the source of continuing sepsis, may allow shorter courses of antibiotic treatment and may also allow early mobilization of the patient.(7) Surgery is generally reserved for patients with neurological involvement, spinal instability, severe deformity, and/or those in whom antibiotics alone have not been effective. Current surgical treatment options include anterior or posterior decompression with or without fusion, and with or without instrumentation. The fact that there exist several alternative surgical approaches highlights the lack of a consensus on the optimal operative treatment for vertebral osteomyelitis. The decision to place instrumentation into an infected spinal column remains controversial. Numerous authors have shown that instrumentation in patients with osteomyelitis can be performed safely.(8) There is still controversy about the best surgical treatment. Many spine surgeons are unwilling to place an implant in an infected area. Some authors go one step further and advocate debridement-only surgery, followed by antibiotic treatment and second- stage instrumentation. Other authors propose single-stage anterior decompression, bone grafting and instrumentation.(9) Aim of the work The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of idiopathic lumbar spondylodiscitis treated with posterior debridement combined with single-stage posterior instrumentation and autologus bone grafting. METHODS This retrospective study included 15 patients (9 males, 6 females) with a mean age of 66 years (range: 43-80) who were admitted to El-Menoufia University Hospitals Neurosurgical Department, in the period from Aug 2007 to Nov 2008. The inclusion criteria were: MRI of lumbo-sacral spine showing evidence of spondylodiscitis. Plain radiographs revealed disc space narrowing with erosion and sclerosis of the adjacent end-plates. Persistent high levels of laboratory tests: white blood cell count (WBC; count/mm3), C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dl) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/h). Failure of conservative treatment for about 3 months. Development of neurological deficit. The exclusion criteria were: Postoperative spondylodiscitis. Decreasing ESR and CRP levels with conservative treatment. Medically unfit patients. The mean duration of symptoms before admission was 3.7 months (range: 0.5 to 12 months) and the mean duration of conservative treatment before surgery was 2.2 months (range: 1 to 3 months). The average follow-up period was 12 months. Six out of 15 patients (40 %) had an elevated white blood cell count, while all 15 had an elevated ESR and CRP level .Plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without contrast were performed in all patients. Conservative treatment was given to all cases preoperatively in the form of two bactericidal and synergistic antibiotics were administered intravenously in high doses: mostly a first-generation cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside. Postoperatively, the antibiotics were adapted to the antibiogram performed on the specimens obtained. The duration of treatment was determined by the clinical evolution, the ESR and the C-reactive protein. Generally speaking, the antibiotics were administered intravenously for 6 weeks, and orally for 6 weeks. Patients were operated in the prone position for the posterior instrumentation and grafting. A meticulous debridement of all granulation tissue, devitalized disc and sequestra was carried out to the point where healthy cancellous bone is exposed. Wide decompression of the thecal sac was done, with drainage of any epidural abscess and depridment of any necrotic tissue, which were submitted for bacteriological culture and sensitivity, and histological examination. Finally, trans-pedicular screw fixation was done combined with autologus done chips graft. Postoperatively all patients were immediately mobilized with an external lumbo-sacral orthosis. Duration of surgery and operative blood loss were recorded. The clinical outcome was assessed according to Barthel Index,(10) which has been used since the 1960s because of its high reliability and validity, as regards the activities of daily living (ADL), and the VPAS as regards the severity of back pain. Fig 1: Preoperative sagittal MRI-scan of the lumbar spine. T2-weighted images showing L3-L4 spondylodiscitis. Fig 2: A, B. Postoperative antero-posterior and lateral radiographs showing L3-L4 posterior trans-pedicular screw fixation RESULTS After surgery, infection was successfully controlled in all patients, with return of the white blood cell count, ESR and CRP to normal within a mean period of 4 months (range, 2 to 6 months). Two patients (13% of cases) had a superficial wound infection which healed with debridement and antibiotics. The estimated blood loss was 650 ml (range 450-1000 ml). The mean duration of surgery was 3 hours (range: 2 hours to 4 hours). Bony fusion with incorporation of the graft was achieved in all patients. . Table I: Pre-operative clinical presentations No. % Persistent low back pain 15 100 % Radiculopathy 12 80 % Constitutional symptoms 6 40 % Table II: Pre-operative laboratory findings No. % Elevated ESR 15 100 % Elevated CRP 10 66 % Leukocytosis 6 40 % Table III: Pre-operative radiological leveling No. % L 3/4 spondylodiscitis 8 53 % L4/5 Spondylodiscitis 5 33 % L5/S1 Spondylodiscitis 2 14 % Table IV: Associated risk factors No. % DM 5 33 % Chronic Liver Disease 2 14 % Urinary tract infection 4 28 % Table V: Post-operative outcome according to Barthel Index No. % Excellent 12 80 % Good 3 20 % Total 15 100 % DISCUSSION Although there have been advances in diagnosis and treatment of spinal infections with further refinement of microbiological and histopathological techniques, early detection and management remain a matter of considerable difficulty.(11) A correct diagnosis may be delayed by more than a month in over two thirds of the patients. A rise in the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s elderly and immuno-compromised populations is bringing an increased incidence of pyogenic and granulomatous infections of the spine, hence, timely diagnosis of pyogenic spondylodiscitis with back pain and fever may prevent greater tissue destruction, spinal instability and progressive neurological deficit. Advances in therapy have reduced mortality rates, but early diagnosis is essential for a satisfactory outcome.(12) The exact cause of lumbar spondylodiscitis is controversial; some authors believe that there are two types of spondylodiscitis, a septic form caused by an infectious agent and an aseptic form resulting from an inflammatory reaction. (13) Others believe that there is no such thing as an aseptic spondylodiscitis and that this form is actually the result of a less virulent, low grade infection.(14) Once inoculated, the process of infection and discitis begins. More than often, the main causative organism is not identified. When an organism is identified, the most common infectious etiologic agent is Staphylococcus aureus followed by other Staphylococcus species and anaerobic organisms. Other less common organisms include Streptococcus viridans and other Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.(15) Traditionally, the mainstay treatment of pyogenic infections of the spine remains medical management, with external immobilization and culture specific antibiotics for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. However, large clinical series have demonstrated the need for surgical intervention in up to 43% to 57% of the patients, in case of neurological compromise, deformity, instability, abscess formation, extensive destruction, intractable pain or failure of medical management.(16) Because all the patients in our study were from the low socio-economic class and because of the difficulty to identify the causative organism, we elected not to perform CT guided biopsy and give the patients empirical broad spectrum antibiotics covering both aerobic and anerobic pathogens. It has been reported that the most sensitive laboratory studies indicative of the presence of an inflammatory process are the ESR and the CRP. However, it should be noted that in adults, ESR trends are confused by associated medical conditions. Nevertheless, the ESR was a useful tool in the management of adult pyogenic spondylodiscitis, and the authors of most studies on this matter, view a 60 to 85% reduction in the ESR as compatible with eradication of infection, and this correlates with the results in our study which reported reduction of ESR in 80% of case.(17) MRI is the radiographic imaging modality of choice in diagnosing lumbar spondylodiscitis with a reported sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 97%, respectively. It has been shown that MRI is superior in showing loss of disc space height. This can be accompanied with erosion of the vertebral end plates above and below the infected disc space, and these changes were reported in all cases included in our study.(18) In the surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis, numerous authors have advocated a staged operation with a period of antibiotic therapy bridging the debridement and instrumentation procedures. Open surgical drainage for spondylodiscitis was historically reserved for patients with an epidural abscess. The prognosis is stated to be better when treatment is instituted early during the infection.(19) Posterior debridement combined with trans-pedicular screw fixation has been advocated by several authors. Dai et al(20) obtained 100% of good results with this technique in a series of 22 cases and we used the same technique in this short study. The first series describing the consistent placement of posterior instrumentation at the time of debridement was published in 1988 by Redfern et al(21) In 1996, Rath et al(22) reported on a series of 43 patients with thoracic or lumbar spondylodiscitis who were treated entirely via a posterior approach. This approach is based on the principle that instrumentation placed posteriorly involves a second operating field that is not (at least directly) contaminated. Single-stage procedure surgery (autograft and posterior instrumentation) was used in this study and its results correlates with the Kuklo et al(23) study which included 21 patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis managed by a single-stage with neither recurrence of infection nor perioperative complications. A single-stage procedure has several advantages, such as avoidance of a second anesthesia, reduced blood loss, avoidance of graft displacement during transfers, earlier mobilization, less anxiety for the patient, shortened hospital stay and less expense. (23) According to Barthel Index,(10) 80 % of our patients had an excellent result, without pain or restriction of activity. From a neurological viewpoint, ten patients (83%) of the 12 with a neurological deficit improved and these findings were consistent with Fayazi et al(24) who reported 85% improvement after posterior approach for lumbar spondylo-discitis. After posterior instrumentation, fusion rates up to 93% and 96% have been reported (25) the current study yielded a 100% fusion rate. As stated by Hadjipavlou et al(26) posterior stabilization through instrumentation was the critical factor in these improved results. We believe that posterior instrumentation and grafting is the principal stabilizer of the vertebral column in order to achieve a successful fusion. Conclusion Although this is a limited series, we found that a posterior debridement combined with trans-pedicular screw fixation and autologus grafting may be a safe and effective surgical treatment for selected patients with lumbar spondylodiscitis and may not be associated with recurrent hardware infections and/or any major complications.

Importance Of Diversity Training :: essays research papers

Diversity training has become a necessity in businesses today. Diversity training is necessary because of people’s differences in our work force. Some of these differences are race, gender, culture, age, and disabilities. Because our organization is so diverse, this program will help educate, sensitize and prepare people to get along in our workplace.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If done right, I feel that the training programs will bring our company promising results. One study by Katrina Jordan on diversity training in the workplace from the perspective of organization/human resources diversity practitioners and diversity consultants showed positive results. Some of the outcomes found in this study were changes in staff behavior, increases staff sensitivity, increased executive commitment, recognition that diversity training is not just a H.R function, etc. For some diversity training â€Å"empowers people by helping them to understand others and develop a world view beyond their own. As a result they know how to respond to and resolve differences that might otherwise interfere with their work†(Jordan).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Programs are made up to cover a wide range of topics. These topics include defining, developing and managing diversity, harassment prevention, cross cultural communication, and creating an affirming environment. Workers will be able to bring up their own specific topics as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Training sessions will be of two types. First we will have a series of speaker’s come in at least once every other week and talk to large groups no larger than 75 people. Also during the week between smaller groups of no more that 20 people will meet for discussions. All sessions will be held at times convenient to all employees. To try to create an informal environment we will serve coffee and donuts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For the training programs to make a positive impact it is important for all levels of employees to take part. Training must begin from the top down. H.R participants say that it is essential for top executives to take part in these training sessions. Middle management will be stressed to attend, since they are doing a lot of interaction with people.

The Death of Marilyn Monroe Essay -- Papers Fame Suicide Famous Essays

The Death of Marilyn Monroe In the world today, we, the public, spend so much time admiring stars from Hollywood and many of us want to be like them. Yet, there is so much pressure placed on them, and some times this becomes all too much for them to cope with and they end up taking away their live. This is the unpleasant and tragic side of being famous as we are all made to believe that fame will make you happy. Edwin Morgan brings this theme into focus in the poem 'The Death of Marilyn Monroe'. He looks at how such a beautiful and worldwide icons such as Marilyn Monroe felt that to get rid of all the pressure that is associated with fame, she needed to commit suicide, which is the unpleasant truth, we the reader have to face while reading this poem. Edwin Morgan looks at this through the exceptional use of personification, symbolism and imagery. This was put to good use as it help me to create an image in my mind about how fame isn't all that it is hyped up to be and that it allows the reader to see the darker side of fame. Marilyn Monroe was the biggest film star in the late 50's. She was portrayed as being a sex symbol on the silver screen. She was a massive icon worldwide and was admired by everyone. Even today people still admire her, 42 years after her death, as she has her image on bags and calendars. Monroe, wasn't your average sex symbol, she wasn't sleazy as she had this child like innocence that so many people admired her for, including women. Edwin Morgan conveys this idea of Monroe being a sex symbol, yet, also being child like, by using a series of rhetorical questions. "What innocence? Whose guilt? What ey... ... people worldwide as they were 'shaken'. They felt that Monroe was part of their family and that the film industry will never be the same without her. Marilyn Monroe had the whole world at her feet, as she was rich and famous. Yet, fame has a darker side. Which makes you depressed and isolated. Fame is like a curse for many famous people and many people end up taking their lives such as Monroe. This gives the reader an insight of what fame is really like and what it gives you. Not money, but isolation and depression. In the end, being rich and famous only makes you unhappy, unlike what the American Dream tells us. Edwin Morgan is showing the reader the darker, more real side of fame. What we are told it is, but that is could end up taking your live away. Which is the price of being famous, that no one should pay.

Essay on Macbeth and its Unbelievable Lady :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

Macbeth and its Unbelievable Lady      Ã‚   In William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth which character is more imaginatively created than that of Lady Macbeth? Can a lady actually think in this manner without being called insane. We examine the various dimensions of her character in this paper.    L.C. Knights in the essay "Macbeth" describes the unnaturalness of Lady Macbeth's words and actions:    Thus the sense of the unnaturalness of evil is evoked not only be repeated explicit references ("nature's mischief," "nature seems dead," " 'Tis unnatural, even like the deed that's done," and so on) but by the expression of unnatural sentiments and an unnatural violence of tone in such things as Lady Macbeth's invocation of the "spirits" who will "unsex" her, and her affirmation that she would murder the babe at her breast if she had sworn to do it. (95)    Samuel Johnson in The Plays of Shakespeare underscores how ambition by the protagonists leads to detestation on the part of the readers:    The danger of ambition is well described; and I know not whether it may not be said in defence of some parts which now seem improbable, that, in Shakespeare's time, it was necessary to warn credulity against vain and illusive predictions. The passions are directed to their true end. Lady Macbeth is merely detested; and though the courage of Macbeth preserves some esteem, yet every reader rejoices at his fall. (133)    In "Memoranda: Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth," Sarah Siddons comments on the Lady's cold manner:    [Macbeth] announces the King's approach; and she, insensible it should seem to all the perils which he has encountered in battle, and to all the happiness of his safe return to her, -- for not one kind word of greeting or congratulations does she offer, -- is so entirely swallowed up by the horrible design, which has probably been suggested to her by his letters, as to have forgotten both the one and the other. (56)    In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson describes the role of Lady Macbeth:    Professor Kittredge used to point out to his classes that Lady Macbeth, in urging Macbeth to act, uses the three arguments that every wife, some time or other, uses to every husband: "You promised me you'd do it!" "You'd do it if you loved me!" "If I were a man, I'd do it myself!" But Macbeth's mind is made up by her assurance that they may do it safely by fixing the guilt upon Duncan's chamberlains.

Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage Exchange of the rings Essay

There are different cultural rituals which are performed by people of different cultures. A cultural ritual refers to an event or activities that are valued within a certain group of people or society and which they relate with in a way that is unique from other communities. The cultural ritual that I was able to observe and take some notes was a wedding ritual under the Orthodox Church. The wedding ceremony is known as the â€Å"Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage†, and is primarily made up of two major parts. The part that got me fascinated was at the point where the couples are required to exchange the rings. The ritual, which took place just at the point of entry into the church, is considered to be special. It is taken to be the point at which the couples leave the world and transit into another world as they get into the church. The events that take place in this ritual include prayers for the couples by the priest as a way of blessing the union of the couple. It was observed that there artifacts which are needed and involved in the ritual. These include the rings which the couples put on their right hand. During one of the wedding ceremonies, it was noted that after the rings have been obtained, the next step that is taken after the couples have been blessed by the priest is the placement of the rings. The rings are not just placed on any finger or hand. The right hand is used to place the -295275-47625000rings. From what the believers say as it emerged is that, under the Orthodox wedding, the hand where the rings are place is the one that is believed to be used in making of promises and oaths, that is, right hand of the bride and that of the groom. It later also emerged that the right hand is used because it is the one which is used to recognize the presence of God Almighty. Quite interesting, or may be be cause it is believed such as in Christianity, the right hand is the hand of blessings. During the wedding, it was observed that when the couples were progressing with the wedding, it is that the right hand was the one used to make the sign of the cross. A cross from my view is a symbol of some sort of belief in a sect or religion. According to the faithful followers of this church, the sign of the cross is made as a way of recognizing that there was God in that ceremony. It is to be note that after placing a ring on the finger of the groom, a ring is then placed on the finger of the bride. From the wedding ritual, the artifacts, in this case the rings are of great significance and are greatly treasured. Without the rings, there cannot be a wedding and the priest is not allowed to give permission uniting the couples. The participants, that is, the bride and the groom are expected to know what placing the rings on their right hand means to them. Rings are a symbol of unity between the marrying parties as well as the families of the bride and the groom. The bride and the groom are required to know that they are leaving the â€Å"outside world† by standing at the entry to the church, and they are entering a â€Å"new world†, that of Christianity. The exchange of the rings by the couple illustrates their commitment not only to uphold the principles of the church but also to continue with the faith and belief of the church. The couples are united to each other as well as the church since the wedding takes place inside and outside the church, whereby the move from the outside to the inside of the church, symbolizing transformation of lives. The exchange of the rings however, only takes place after all the parties are asked questions on their commitment to the marriage and they make a promise. The bride first makes the promise after which the groom makes the promise. At this point, the priest is seen to be very keen on what the bride and groom say, may be for future reference in case the couple run in to marriage problems or issues that may require the intervention of the priest. Furthermore, the bride and the groom are expected to be aware that the placing of the rings on their right fingers signifies their agreement, betrothal, stewardship and authority towards each other. It is the belief of the participants that the rings represent their agreement, service to each other, commitment as well as authority in their marriage. The use of the rings in the ceremony means that the couples will always strive to support and be there for each other and that each of the two will gain from their union in marriage. The bride and the groom are expected to realize that when they exchange the rings, they have total commitment to each other and are bound to share as well as have an exchange of their spiritual belongs and their physical belongs till death separates the two. The love that they pledge to one another is expected to be eternal with full devotion and service to each other. Therefore, it is important that the groom and the bride understands what it mean by having the rings placed on their right hands during this ritual conducted at the entrance of the church with the help of a priest. The Orthodox followers shun marriages without weddings and one is shown great respect when they marry or get married through a church wedding. The family members are expected to be present during this time when the couples exchange the rings and the absence of one or both parents is considered as a curse. It is believed that failure of the parents to attend, if they are alive, means that the wedding is not blessed. The ritual of exchanging the rings at the entrance of the church is significant in the lives of the couple hence not taken lightly. The value that is placed on the exchange of the rings is noticeable even on the reaction that the bride and the groom display after the exchange of the rings. Joy and happiness is expressed through songs by the crowd that has attended the wedding as they exchange the rings. Generally, the wedding ritual of exchanging rings in the Orthodox Church is currently practiced even in other churches to signify unity of the couples. References Father Constantine Varipatis; Marriage and the Freedom of the Human Person (1995) viewed from http://www.saintstylianos.org.au/orthodoxy/marriage.html on 23rd November 2014 Our Wedding Ceremony viewed from http://web.mit.edu/manoli/www/wedding/ceremony.html on 23rd November 2014 Source document

“Lifting the Veil: Understanding the Roots of Islamic Militancy” by Henry Munson Essay

The article discussed the reasons behind Muslim hostility towards the United States. The article first appeared in Harvard International Review, Winter 2004, pp. 20-23.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Author Henry Munson focused on the reasons why Islamic militancy, led by Osama bin Laden, continues to take its toll despite United States’ efforts through its foreign policy to eradicate such violence. Munson stated that US might want to look at and reflect on their foreign policies, which causes much more hostility instead of diluting the rage that fuels Islamic militancy. Moreover, he noted that Muslim extremists also need to look at and reflect on the existence and perpetuation of hatred in their society that causes them to support militant and violent efforts leading to more chaos or war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Muslims’ hostility towards the United States is caused by the latter’s foreign policies. Zogby International’s February and March 2003 survey of 2,620 men and women from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia revealed that their â€Å"unfavorable attitude† towards the US is primarily fueled by its foreign policy and has nothing to do with their own cultural or religious values. Another Zogby International survey in summer 2001 held that more than 80 percent of respondents from Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia viewed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one of the three important issues that affects them. A survey of Muslim â€Å"opinion leaders† done by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press in December 2001 found that US position in this conflict is the main reason for Muslim hostility towards the US. Another report from Pew released on June 3, 2003, titled Views of Changing World June 2003, found that Muslim hostility towards the US has increased from 2002 to 2003. This report, done shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein, proved that the Bush administration’s war on terror has caused a significant rise in why Muslims feel more hostile towards the US. Another Zogby International poll in 2003 found that most Arabs believed the reason behind US attack on Iraq is because of Iraqi oil reserves and US plan of helping Israel. This belief exacerbated fear from 70 percent of Israelis, Pakistanis, and Turks. According to a 2003 Pew report, they are worried or somewhat worried of a possible US attack to their countries. This finding is linked to another 2003 Pew report that revealed that over half of respondents in Indonesia, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority and almost half of respondents in Morocco and Pakistan named Osama bin Laden as one of the three world figures to whom they had confidence in â€Å"doing the right thing.† Understanding the roots of Islamic militancy is understanding Osama bin Laden’s roots. His hostility began when infidels occupied a Muslim land. This worsened when US deployed troops in Saudi Arabia, leading him to bomb two US embassies in Africa in 1998, and then directly attacking the US in 9/11. Despite this, 95 percent of educated Saudis supported him, as referenced by a New York Times article on January 27, 2002. With all these facts and figures, Munson stressed the need for both the US and the Islamic militants to examine their stands and beliefs because instead of easing the situation, it just keeps on getting worse. I agree with Munson’s contention that both sides need to look at and reflect on their own stands, beliefs, and plans, instead of looking at each other’s mistakes and blaming one another for having a different culture. However, do we see this happening anytime soon or in the near future perhaps? I do not think so because it seems impossible for each side to regard the other’s side as well as the side of the innocent ones that have been shattered and will be shattered because of war. It is easy to point out what needs to be done, however it is so difficult to realize this especially if each side is consumed and dedicated to pursuing its personal end. I do not want to sound pessimistic but probably no God or Allah will prevent future wars because as long as humans remain dissatisfied and selfish, wars are here to stay. Summary of â€Å"Blowback Revisited: Today’s Insurgents in Iraq are Tomorrow’s Terrorists† by Peter Bergen and Alec Reynolds   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The article contended that the foreign volunteers fighting against United States’ troops in Iraq will find new targets around the world after the war ceases, just like how international mujahideen, who were drawn in the Afghan conflict, found new attacks that culminated in the 9/11 blowback. The article first appeared in Foreign Affairs, Vol. 84, No. 6, November/December 2005, pp. 2-6. Authors Bergen and Reynolds bolstered their argument by enumerating several examples of where blowbacks were felt, which rooted in the Soviet-Afghan conflict.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Foreign volunteers in Afghanistan regarded the Soviet defeat as Muslim victory that gave them legitimacy and prestige, as well as opportunity to declare jihad or holy war to Muslim countries they think needed their assistance. For instance, Armed Islamic Group (GIA) murdered thousands of Algerians in the 1990s in its attempt to overthrow the government and replace it with an Islamist command.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Moreover, in Egypt, after the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat, hundreds of extremists left the country to train in the Afghan war. When they came back, they led a terror campaign between 1990 and 1997 that killed thousands of people. Egyptian Cleric Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, who was said to have inspired Sadat’s assassins, supported the Afghan jihad and encouraged his two sons to fight the war. He even provided spiritual direction to terrorist group Jamaat al-Islamiyya. Furthermore, he encouraged attacks on New York City landmarks and was sentenced to life imprisonment for bombing the World Trade Center in 1993. However, Jamaat al-Islamiyya’s 1997 attack at an archaeological site in Luxor, Egypt forced his release.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But the most famous alumnus of the Afghan jihad happens to be Osama bin Laden, who carried jihad beyond the Middle East into the United States, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. US presence in Saudi Arabia caused his Al-Qaeda’s grievance, leading him to attack two embassies in Africa in 1998, nearly sinking U.S.S. Cole in Yemen in 2000, and finally attacking the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Afghan experience enabled these militants to be trained in warfare and tactics, meet other like-minded militants, and therefore create and inspire a myriad of extremist organizations all over the world. This is what Bergen and Reynolds predict to take event with the foreign fighters in Iraq war; only this time it will be more dangerous. This is because foreign fighters have been battle-hardened, have undergone more rigorous training, and have more knowledge on effective tactics and techniques.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bergen and Reynolds also stressed the possibility that foreign involvement in the Iraqi war will encourage Iraqi nationals to become international terrorists. Since they are culturally closer to the foreigners in Iraq, they may think of continuing jihad once US troops move out. With US efforts, only a finite number of terrorists can be lured into one place and killed. Moreover, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld already stressed that US lacks metrics to know if they are winning or losing the war and the Bush administration has not actually dwell on the problem of what the foreign fighters can do after the war. With all these, a blowback against US and its allies in Europe and Middle East is rightly expected. If blowback happened after the Afghan conflict, much of the blame should be placed on the US government and the Arab money for funding the war. Now if blowback will happen again, who is to be blamed but the ones who funded the war. It is frustrating that because of all these terrorism and attacks, a lot of innocent lives are destroyed. But it is not only they, the ones torn by the bombings and gunshots, who are victims to these senseless battles. Muslims all over the world are torn by the judgment, name calling, and paranoia of some cultures that fear the own snake they have unleashed. The United States will never know if it has won or lost in the Iraqi war and in the future wars it will be involved in, because the fact is, in a war nobody wins. Everybody is a loser.

Apple International Marketing Essay

1. If you would be working for Apple (Ipad or Iphone) what strategies would you pursue in order avoid situation like what is happening today to Nokia Apple Inc. has already had a spectacular break-through in the technological race when it firstly released Iphone in 2007. Since when, there was a revolution in the technology field especially, in the Personal Computer (PC) industry involves: smartphone and tablet computer. If I worked for Apple Inc., in order to retain as well as to enhance the position of Apple in Today’s market, I would apply, deploy and develop the Relationship marketing with â€Å"Differentiation† strategies based on 4P includes: Product-Price-Promotion-Place. Product Firstly, people have to admit the truth that the present success of Apple was built on the brilliant products. Compared to Nokia, Apple already created a key competitive advantage that raises company to a new level. The failure of Nokia was a cost lesson for others mobile phone manufacturer in the world. The main reasons leading Nokia to this moment situation is company already missed a valuable opportunity in smartphone revolution as well as its products. Even though, later on Nokia unveiled smartphone Lumia but it did not satisfy the consumers’ demand and expectation. Nokia product’s designs are not attractive and fashionable as Iphone. In addition, the products are outdated interface, lack of applications and outdated technologies compared to Apple’s products. Consequently, Nokia loose its leading brand value in the mobile phone industry. Meanwhile, Apple realized and took that opportunity then turned it into huge success. Hence, Apple should continue the product differentiation strategy. It mainly focuses on investing more in creating and developing the new and innovative technologies, which are totally different from competitors’. The products should be usually updated and upgraded in both its particular outlook (thinnest, most lightweight, unique, fashionable and outstanding) and functions (convenient, ease-use, support applications and service etc.). This is the only way to make company continue keep its crown as innovator in the intensive technological competition. Price Secondly, despite the Apple is assessed as â€Å"the tech industry’s high-price leader† with Premium price, people are still willing to purchase its products at a particular price. The main point is price set based on the â€Å"product Differentiation strategies†. Therefore, in order to exist and grow in the price war, the company not only retain the same price strategy but also use more the pricing Skimming and Reference strategies: launching a same product line but in different price points depending on the features and drive capacities. It may be better for Apple than using the penetration pricing strategies by suddenly decreasing the price to expand or approach new market. Promotion In order to get the large impact from media and society, one key in the Apple’s marketing is its traditional promotion strategies by creating hype and excitement before the launch of products. Apple is considered as â€Å"Phenomenon† and each marketing communication relating to â€Å"Word of mouth† created huge impact on consumer behavior. Organizing significant campaigns with special slogan to introduce and get emotional response about the new products, which concentrate on the consumer psychology: the curiousness, self-esteem, desire and passion in new technologies Place Finally, expanding and opening new multi-distribution channels with high sales volume (retail store chain and online sales). Simultaneously, more creating the strong relationship with worldwide retail partners. In conclusion, Relationship Marketing based on â€Å"Differentiation strategies† focusing on customer retention and satisfaction, which in order to enhance, increase customer loyalty and sustainable development. Apple Inc. has to understand the market dynamic to keep its track as market driven by inventing the unique and creative product lines as well as innovation technology. 2. On the other hand, if you would be working for a competitor of Apple (Tablet or mobile), what strategies would you adopt in order to compete against Apple Apple (Iphone and Ipad) is considered as the biggest rival in the PC industry of Samsung (Galaxy S), Nokia (Lumia), Google (Nexus), Amazon (Kindle Fire). Even though, Apple has been dominating the PC industry but its target market selection is â€Å"Market specialization†. The weakness of Apple is the limited market share because of the premium price and most Apple content can only run on its selected devices. If we are competitors of Apple, we can use the Apple’s strategies to compete against it. It means we should also apply the â€Å"Differentiation strategies† to provide more perceived value to consumer. Every time, Apple releases new product or any application, we might prepare to create and unveil our amazing different products with adding more value proposition. Take for instances, to accompany with product, we can offer new innovative or free (or low cost charge) applications, software, movies, TV shows, games, e-books, cloudy computing or even more drive capacity etc. Although, we do not have as strong customer loyalty as Apple has, our competitive advantage is offering the same product’s quality with a competitive price which is less than Apple’s but still not too low to confirm our position in the market. In addition, as some Apples’s competitors (eg: Kindle of Amazon) did, they used the bundle pricing strategies combine two or more products and sell these at a reduced price or offer programs: buy once but easy to access content on other devices ipad, iphone, tablets . Then little by little getting the expansion international scale with â€Å"Full market coverage† (different product lines suitable for every customers) through different market entries, distribution channels and marketing communication campaigns. 3. Make a SWOT analysis for Apple (Ipad and Iphone) Apple’s SWOT analysis a. Define what are the biggest threats and opportunities for Apple in the future Threats Nowadays, the high technology industry seems to be in the â€Å"Saturation† but in the future, people still believe there would be remarkable changes. In the future, the most threats that Apple may face is the intensive and high level in technology competition. The threats might be coming from both existing and emerging competitors. The growing in the market share leads to the consequence that there growth in perception and needs/demands of customers. In addition, there are more and more counterfeit and fake products overflowing market that affect directly to the company image and sales. If Apple cannot find the solution, soon company is surpassed by others competitors. Opportunities: Ranking as a top leading innovator brings many open-opportunities for Apple. The biggest opportunity of Apple is changes in technology offer new and innovative products. The company can even get and deploy from the outsourcing for its research and development. Creating the technology revolution and changing desire of information age affecting to most generations. As one of the most famous philosophies of strategic marketing pioneer – Regis McKenna: â€Å"Markets for new innovative products do not exist, they have to be created, and defined†. Therefore, creating and expanding the product/service lines by Apple could help them define its market, raise sales and increase their product portfolio. b. Define what are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of Apple today Strengths In 2012, this is the second time when Apple is ranked the world’s most valuable brand according to â€Å"The 2012 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands†. It is said that the Apple’s brand success is driven by three elements confidence, competence and customers. Might be the reason why people purchase Apple’s product because they just care about its brand and image. As the David Haigh stated in the annual report on the world’s most valuable global brands: â€Å"Brands are the most valuable assets in business today. They drive demand, motivate staff, secure business partners and reassure financial markets. Leading edge organizations recognize the need to understand brand equity and brand value when making strategic decisions† – David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance plc. Apple is successful in creating its identity and emotional branding that all most the whole world can recognize. Long term brand building will engage consumers on a variety of touch points that create the high loyalty. Weaknesses Entering the Niche market with the premium price strategies, which can considered as Apple’s weakness. The price wars between competitors will also affect to Apple’s profits. Moreover, the company’s target market selection is â€Å"Market specialization† then it quite limits the market share cause products provided by Apple meet the demand of middle/ upper class and people are interested in innovation technology. Reference Mr. Francois Simon’s lecture and materials http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/nokia-and-strategic-change-the-essential-a2-business-case http://theapplephenomenon.blogspot.fi/ http://www.brandfinance.com/images/upload/bf_g500_2012_web_dp.pdf http://www-sul.stanford.edu/mac/mckenna.html http://www.wpp.com/wpp/press/press/default.htm?guid={92b52c53-fc68-45e0-aaea-34fe6fbd769b} http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=100071977 http://www.saleschase.com/blog/2012/04/03/little-known-secrets-of-apples-pricing-strategy/ http://www.saleschase.com/blog/2012/03/13/the-best-of-apples-marketing-strategies/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/apples-marketing-strategy-history-repeats-itself/ http://blogs.gartner.com/eric-knipp/2009/09/28/cost-leadership-and-differentiation/ http://www.slideshare.net/kaushiik10/apple-inc-marketin-and-distribution-strategy