Sunday, October 6, 2019

Walt Disney prospectus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Walt Disney prospectus - Essay Example It is important to note that unsecured debt notes issued to public involves significant amount of risk for the company as well as the investors. This is because from the perspective of the customer, the interest rate may be too expensive. As a result, if the company is unable to generate sufficient profits, the company’s cost of borrowings will eventually exceed the revenues which will further increase financial risk of the company. The company has however kept these issues in mind and taken appropriate measures to minimize the impact of such undesirable consequences that might be followed after issue of unsecured debt by making the offer more attractive to customers. The company believed that if the offer would be attractive then more people will be encouraged to participate which will further ensure successful marketability of these securities. One of the initiatives taken by the company to increase the marketability of the securities was to reduce the entry load for joining the scheme. The minimum number of units required to subscribe by the people in order to join the scheme was reduced to five. In order to make the offer more attractive, the company allowed public to subscribe five units of shares at two hundred and fifty dollars for non-shareholders and they would be allowed to invest as low as fifty dollar per month. The company even kept the option of cash investment open for the investors. The company also lowered enrolment fee at an affordable price of $5-$10 per investor (Reuters, 2012). 2. List the dollar amount of debt Disney proposed to sell to the public. Indicate whether this amount has increased or decreased from 2008 to 2010. Discuss some potential causes of this increase or decrease. Answer: Walt Disney has sold bonds worth three billion dollars at the end of 2012. In the year 2011, the company has sold 5, 10, and 30 years bonds with historically low coupon rates consequently increasing the price of bond in markets (Financial News, 201 1). This was one of the measures taken by the company to control coupon rates which were historically high during 2010. The issue of unsecured notes has experienced a steady decline from the period 2008 to 2010. The declining trend touched the lowest value in 2010 which continued till 2011. From the above discussion it can be said that a number of financial factors influenced the decision regarding decrease in amount of debt sold by the company to public. One of the reasons for such decline was the company’s decision to offer debt was the offer to lower coupon rates creating an opening for the company to cash in and make profits. The company took advantage of lower interest rates to maximize profits and expected the issue of bond to yield at least $1.5 billion which the company plans to utilize for corporate purpose. 3. Determine the percentage of the sales price Disney nets after discounts and commissions. Indicate whether this amount as decreased or increased from 2008 to 2 010. Discuss some potential causes of this increase or decrease. Answer: Walt Disney has been able to net sufficient percentage of sales price after discounts and commissions on the issue of sale of debt instruments. In the year 2008, the company reported 57% percentage of sales price whereas the percentage declined to 46% for the year 2010. The decrease in the amount of debt issued by the company and the

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Flaws of the Employment System in the United States Research Paper

Flaws of the Employment System in the United States - Research Paper Example The white settlers adopted superiority complex hence crediting them with civilizing them. The false notion came to be known as the white man’s burden. It was used to justify Europeans taking land away and enslaving the natives. This became a system of exploitation and discrimination as naturally-occurring differences became apparent. It became a system of denying people access to rights, representation or access to resources as it was institutionalized to affect virtually every aspect of life even the judicial system. Though progress has been made in the eradication of racial discrimination in employment, there is still some ground to be covered in eradicating the rampant prejudice. The situation is worsened by the statistics that are still a characteristic of modern day America which show that black people who have been arrested, charged or served a jail term can hardly get employment. The statistics show that one in every three black men has to be incarcerated in their lifetime, one in six Latino and one in seventeen Caucasian men. Disciplinary actions still are harsher for the black comparatively. The immigrants’ rights are not guaranteed as natives while per capita employment levels comparatively show that blacks are four-times less employable than the whites (â€Å"American Law Reports: Annotations and Cases† 115). Most of the big companies as is presently constituted in its ranks show that the majority of top management is white-dominated. Even if, there is an equal opportunity in hiring upward mobility is still a problem as most of the blacks remain in the same position for long a time. On the contrary, the white counterparts are being promoted to take positions of responsibility. They are segregated into the lowest level positions and still earn less than the white counterparts even if they are in the same job cadre.

Friday, October 4, 2019

How Does Hosseini Tell the Story in Chapter 2 Essay Example for Free

How Does Hosseini Tell the Story in Chapter 2 Essay During this early stage of the novel, narrative is fundamental in forming the basis and definition of Amir, the protagonist and teller of the story. As well as this, several expectations for the novel are also established, particularly in terms of characterization and plot. Whilst the book as a whole can be described as a psychological exploration into the complexities of guilt and jealousy, this chapter differs in the sense that the narration deliberately refrains from discussing any thoughts or emotions of Amir. Founded on factual knowledge such as dates, times, births, deaths, and directly quoted dialogue, the formal tone may reflect the writer’s attitude to the material being discussed; perhaps he is ashamed and wants, during this chapter, to distance himself from emotional implications and accountability? Instead, we are introduced to the voices of other characters, such as Baba, Ali and Sanaubar. This begins to embed the idea that the plot will revolve around a delicate web of interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, Hosseinis first-person narrator makes the larger story of Afghanistans troubles seem very personal, as Amirs tale of personal abuse, betrayal, and redemption, mirrors the tale of Afghanistan itself. Hosseini uses contrast to illustrate the inverse lives of Amir and Hassan. Endless description of infinite luxury, marble surfaces, the warmth of fire, and curved walls steering through one room after another, is followed by a single sentence, almost as an afterthought, mentioning Hassan and Ali’s humble mud hut at the bottom of the garden. The choice of sentence structure is reflective of their positions in society; their respective lifestyles are the culmination of ethnic tensions and intolerances. However, a degree of similarity remains, a similarity that is irrelevant of society. Both Hassan and Amir have lost their mothers, and as a consequence, only have their fathers and each other. They are closer than regular friends, or more like brothers. Their relationship plays a central role in the book, and it figures in another theme that is introduced in this chapter: standing up for what is right. But despite this undeniable connection, Amir cannot call Hassan a friend, in the same way that Baba never refers to Ali as a friend either. The looming division of religious beliefs is further intensified by the blasphemous language used by the soldiers in reference to Hassan’s mother, which gives an impression of the control and sadistic ways associated with the treatment of Hazaras by the Pashtuns. The significance of setting becomes increasingly apparent as the book goes on, and in this chapter we are introduced to the pastoral environment that sets the scene for the childhood that Amir and Hassan shared. Hosseini crafts a typical landscape in descriptive detail of the Afghanistan that once was, of sunlight, trees, fruit, and autumn colours. This imagery is recurrent in passages of retrospective throughout the novel, and is part of a structural plan to effectively shock the reader in later chapters when Amir returns to Afghanistan.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Human Development Paradigm and Human Happiness Paradigm

Human Development Paradigm and Human Happiness Paradigm ANALYZING THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM AND THE HUMAN HAPPINESS PARADIGM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CONCEPT OF INDIVISIBILITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS INTRODUCTION The term development is determined in different aspects. One could say that rich countries having high financial capabilities are developed whereas another would say that a country with social values is developed whereas Recent United Nations documents emphasize â€Å"human development,† measured by life expectancy, adult literacy, access to all three levels of education, as well as people’s average income, which is a necessary condition of their freedom of choice. (Worldbank, 2004) With advances in development presently development is not only economic development it should be development of social factors, environmental factors, human development and economic factors. The World Bank report further expands to refer to sustainable development and the relationship of equity to sustainable development. â€Å"Sustainable† development could probably be otherwise called â€Å"equitable and balanced,† meaning that, in order for development to continue indefinite ly, it should balance the interests of different groups of people, within the same generation and among generations, and do so simultaneously in three major interrelated areas–economic, social, and environmental. So sustainable development is about equity, defined as equality of opportunities for well-being, as well as about comprehensiveness of objectives. (Worldbank, 2004) According to the reports definition sustainability covers every aspect including human rights. But the issue arises where human rights are neglected in the development process because sustainable development is a new term which is not much practiced. Human rights development paradigm and Human happiness development will be discussed in depth separately. Looking further to what human rights are, Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. (Rights, 1996-2015) Human rights have the qualities of universal and Inalienable, interdependent and indivisible, equal and non-discriminatory, and they are both rights and obligations. When considering human rights it clearly shows that human rights are indivisible. Whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic, political or social issues, human rights are inherent to the dignity of every human person. Consequently, all human rights have equal status, and cannot be positioned in a hierarchical order. Denial of one right invariably impedes enjoyment of other rights. Thus, the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living cannot be compromised at the expense of other rights, such as the right to health or the right to education. (UNFPA, 2005) Next will consider the human development paradigm and the human happiness paradigm in the light of indivisibility. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM When considering the human development it mostly consider the aspect of economic development keeping other development factors ranked lower. The question arises whether human development should be mainly backed up by economic development. With the recent concept of sustainable development other aspects of human development should be given a similar rank but does this happen in reality and is sustainable development so widely grown among the world population. Amartya Sen comes up with the capabilities approach to answer the following complication in the development process. We would say before Amartya Sen’s capability approach it was a basic needs approach but Amartya Sen has come forward with the capabilities approach in order to achieve the human rights of people. The people’s freedom should be provided and they should be given space and access to opportunities. The concept of a capability has a global as well as local character such that its definition abstracts from particular circumstances, but its realization depends on specific local requirements. For example, the same skill can be compared for different people although it may require different amounts and kinds of food depending on one’s age, state of health, and so on. This makes the Capability Approach applicable across political, economic, and cultural borders. For example, Sen points out that being relatively income poor in a wealthy society can require ab solute povertyin some important capabilities, because they may require more resources to achieve. For example, a richer society may require more years of education for better employment. Many capabilities will have fundamental requirements that vary strongly with social circumstances. For example, a capability that people might generally be said to have reason to value such as the ‘ability to appear in public without shame’, but its requirements vary significantly according to cultural norms from society to society and for different groups within each society (such as by gender, class, and ethnicity). For example, Presently in Saudi Arabia, women must have the corporation of a close male relative to appear in public, and require a private car and a chauffeur to move between private spaces (Saudi Arabian women are not allowed to use public transport or drive a car themselves). The Capability Approach leaves open whether such ‘expensive’ capabilities, if well thought-out significant enough to be assured by society as a matter of justice, should be met by making more resources available to those who need them (chauffeurs and subsidized cars), or by reviewing the relevant social norms. The Capability Approach only identifies such capability failures and identifies their causes. However, if there is general agreement that such capabilities should be in the same way assured for all, there is a clear basis for disapproving undoubtedly unfair social norms as the source of relative denial and thus as inconsistent with the spirit of such a assurance. The capability approach takes a multi-dimensional approach to assessment, thus it is more sustainable and provides space for human rights. Time and again it may seem that people are generally well-to-do, yet a closer study reveals shortfalls in particular capabilities, for example, the sporting icon who can’t read. Capability analysis discards the belief that unusual attainment in some dimensions pay off for gaps in others. The capability approach’s relevance here is to argue that if people are falling short on a particular capability that has been collectively agreed to be a significant one, then justice would require addressing the shortfall itself if at all possible, rather than offering compensation in some other form, such as increased income. Capability assessment is informational demanding and its precision is narrow by the level of arrangement about which performances are appreciated. However, Sen has presented that even where only basic assessment of quite basic capabilities is possible (for example, life-expectancy or literacy outcomes), this can still provide more, and more relevant, action-guiding information than the normal changes. In particular, by making perspicuous contrasts between successes and failures the capability approach can direct political and public attention to neglected dimensions of human well-being. For example, countries with similar levels of wealth can have dramatically different levels of collective achievement and inequality on such non-controversially important dimensions as longevity and literacy. And,vice versa, countries with very small economies can sometimes score as highly on these dimensions as the richest. This demonstrates both the limitations of relying exclusively on economic m etrics for evaluating development, and the fact that national wealth does not pose a rigid constraint on such achievements (that GNP is not destiny). (Wells, n.d.) Amartya Sen’s capability approach has some draw backs such as information gaps and It contains only three dimensions – longevity, literateness (average years of schooling), and Gross National Income per capita – which are weighted equally. The Capability Approach is supposed to be concerned in evaluating how people charge on many magnitudes of life including some which seem very difficult to obtain information about, such as people’s real choice sets or such complex competences as the capacity to appear in public without shame or to form relationships with others. Human development paradigm shows well the concept of indivisibility in human rights. All rights should be given equal importance and it depends upon cultures norms and countries of different countries, there cannot exist tradeoffs for example a country having high economy does not mean that law literacy rates could be acceptable. Equal importance should be given to all human rights and human rights are always interrelated such that neglecting one human right would lead to a decline in the development of a country. HUMAN HAPINESS PARADIIGM Human happiness is considered as a new aspect of development and also it concerns with the human rights. People would be happy if there human rights are fulfilled, therefore happiness seem to have a direct relationship with human rights. The human happiness could be fulfilled when all the needs are fulfilled rather than only the wants. With the more accurate focus on actual needs, the human happiness paradigm is able to identify the devices that can help protect Mother Nature, achieve unbiased and sustainable socio-economic development, promote culture, and ensure good governance. To achieve these goals the policies must draw on existing natural, human, social and economic resources, which then have to be managed sustainably and responsibly to ensure this wealth remains available for used by future generations. Societal wellbeing as the desired outcome of these structures and policies. That certain skills and processes are also needed to transform these wellbeing outcomes to the higher goal of human happiness which will enhance satisfaction of the needs identified as the basis of development. (Bhutan, 2013) Human happiness considers wants and needs and these are also components of the human rights. In my opinion if human rights are fulfilled most people would be happy, therefore human rights are indivisible. In conclusion the human development paradigm and the human happiness paradigm are two paradigms which go in line with the human rights. When we talk about human rights as discussed above human rights are indivisible they are interrelated and if one human right is given less importance and if it is violated with the opinion it would not affect development that would give an adverse impact on the development process. Human happiness paradigm is a new aspect of the human development paradigm and it is also an improvement to move towards sustainable development in the development process. Therefore, I would conclude that the new human happiness paradigm which is and addition to the human development paradigm along with the indivisibility of human rights would support sustainable development to reach higher and make the sustainably developed rather than economically developed. Bibliography Bhutan, R. G. o., 2013. HAPPINESS: TOWARDS A NEW DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM, s.l.: s.n. Rights, O. o. t. H. C. f. H., 1996-2015. United Nations Human Rights. [Online] Available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Pages/WhatareHumanRights.aspx [Accessed 26 06 2015]. UNFPA, 2005. United Nations Population Fund. [Online] Available at: http://www.unfpa.org/resources/human-rights-principles [Accessed 26 06 2015]. Wells, T., n.d. Internet Encylopedia of Philosophy. [Online] Available at: http://www.iep.utm.edu/sen-cap/ [Accessed 15 06 2015]. Worldbank, 2004. What is Development , s.l.: s.n.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Standardized Testing Essay -- Standardized Testing Essays

Standardized Testing President Bush is promoting annual standardized testing for all students in grades three through eight in order to assess their academic achievements. This bill is currently being considered in Congress, and has garnered much support from individuals in the community. As of right now, fifteen states test students in those grades, and more than twenty have high school exit exams. Exit exams look only at the test score of a student, not at his or her academic achievements throughout High School, and in many cases, people are either over- or underrepresented by their test scores. This occurs partly because America does not currently have the capabilities of fairly scoring the increasing number of tests, even though the companies creating and scoring the tests enjoy a large profit. The number of companies creating these tests is pitifully small. Adding to the lack of validity of the scores of these tests is the fact that many students today are not native English speakers, and their capabilities could be grossly underestimated by these types of exams, and there is a strong racial bias involved in most major tests. But, the biggest and most troubling problem with standardized testing is how it affects the learning that takes place in the classroom. This leads to the question of just how standardized we want our schools to be. Standardized tests are nothing but hurtful, and America should make a move away from them, especially since they are expensive and ineffective. We cannot expect to solve the problems in our educational system this way. We want our children to leave school with knowledge and understanding that will allow them to be successful. That is not currently the case. ... ...l only be a loose assessment of the criteria and not of the school, students or teachers, it would not be a major crisis if the tests were not representative of the students’ knowledge. That is a far more acceptable option than one of watching capable students being denied diplomas or college educations due to exams that they did poorly on. It is not in America’s best interest to pass the proposal to require standardized testing at elementary school levels, or to force students to pass exit exams to earn their diplomas. If we wish for our children to be informed, educated, and ready to survive on their own in the real world, we need to give them the tools that will get them there. These tests are not accurate, and they are detrimental to the education of children. There should be no debate over how our representatives in Congress should vote on this bill.

Robert Browning Essay -- Essays Papers

Robert Browning Robert Browning was born on May 7, 1812 in a house on Southampton Street in Camberwell England. This was located in the new Suburbs of London. He was born to the parents of Sarah Anna Widerman and Robert Browning Senior. On the night of his birth a comet blazed over England. Browning had one younger sister born in 1814 named Sarina. Browning was born to very liberal art parents. His father loved painting and wanted to be an artist. He also loved to read and had a library of 6000 books. Some of these books were original editions. He turned down a sugar plantation that was left to him by his mother in India because they used slaves. Browning Senior became a clerk at the Bank of England. Sarah Browning was a typical Victorian wife and mother. She took excellent care of her kids and house. She loved gardening, was a good pianist, and would read to her kids when they were small. Browning had a very close relationship with his family and always had the deepest respect for his parents and family. His childhood is often described as very uneventful, his family lived in a country neighborhood and although they were not rich they were considered upper middle class. So they could indulge in giving their kid whatever education they desired. Browning’s parents were very supportive to the type of education their children received. No one knows when he started writing poetry his earliest attempts at writing mimic Byron or Wild Ossianic. But at about nine years old he wrote a poem on Napoleon Bonaparte, Browning’s father thought it to be a good poem for a nine-year-old to write. Browning was sent to school before he was five years old. He was eventually was removed from the school because he had learned all that... ...oems. Browning had been staying in Venice at his son’s house; he died the same day he received a copy of this work. He died from bronchitis and was buried in the Poets’ Comer of Westminster Abbey. Browning never received the acclaim that he wanted till he wrote his most popular poem, The Ring and the Book. As popular as the poem was it is not read often today. Now looking back on Browning’s work it is seen that the public and the critics misunderstood his poetry. Works Cited Cohen, J.M. Robert Browning. London: Longmans, Greenland Co. Ltd., 1952 Gridley, Roy E. Browning. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd, 1972. Roberts, Adam. Robert Browning Revisited. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1996. Sharp, William. Life of Robert Browning. London: Walter Scott, 24 Warwick Lane, 1890. Sprague, Rosemary. Forever In Joy. Philadelphia: Chilton Company, 1965.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Abigail in Act One Essay

Act One. Discuss in detail how you would direct either Reverend Parris or Abigail in Act One. Refer to voice, movement, gesture and facial expression in your essay; explore the relationship between your chosen character and the others on stage, commenting on their symbolic representation within the play. Arthur Miller was born in New York in 1915 and brought up in the Brooklin area. He won an award for his first play called ‘the grass still grows. ‘ His first real success was with a play called ‘All my sons’ then went on to write a play called ‘Death of a Salesman, which was also a big success. Miller later wrote ‘The Crucible’ in 1953, which was a mixed success. In 1997, He wrote the screenplay of ‘the crucible,’ which starred Daniel Day Lewis, and Winona Rider. McCarthyism had the power to investigate any person or movement who threatened the safety of America. The activities of this committee were linked in Miller’s mind with witchcraft trials, which had taken place two hundred years before. This inspired him to write ‘the crucible’ The people of Salem believed in witchcraft and the devil and believed that the Bible had told them that witches must be hanged. Betty Parris, the daughter of the minister, started to act like a child possessed. In the seventeenth-century the only explanation was that they were possessed by the devil. Salem is a new and very small community, very close-knit and very protective against anything unusual or strange happenings. For many years, Salem village tried to gain independence from Salem town. Salem village did not have it’s own church and minister until 1674. Salem village selected Reverend Parris as their new minister. Parris was a strict puritan, who set lots of rules, including no dancing. I have chosen to direct Abigail Williams in this scene. When Abigail first enters this scene, the first words spoken to her are ‘Oh? Let her come, let her come. ‘ Which are said by Parris. Abigail would lean out the door in a laid-back manor, then would tell Susanna, a nervous, hurried girl who was sent by doctor Griggs, and is a bit younger than Abigail, to come in. She should say this in quite a loud voice to show that she is confident, and telling Susanna what to do, as Abigail is older then her so will look down on her. She would also have here hand reaching out to Susanna, as another gesture to tell her to ‘come in’ When Susanna turns to go, Abigail eagerly tells her to ‘speak nothin’ of it in the village’ Her face expression would be a slightly worried look because she doesn’t want to be accused for making Betty ill, or having anything to witchcraft or the devil.