Gulf Oil Spill Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Gulf Oil Spill - Case Study Example These kinds of natural disasters damage property, displace lives, as well as, harm and kill. These events are bad enough, but there are other disasters have nothing to do with nature. They are the product of man-made structures, facilities, or endeavors. Human error or mechanical failures have resulted in devastating disaster with unbelievable immediate and long term effects and consequences. Chernobyl in Russian, for example, which leaked nuclear radiation for miles and miles. Plants operated in multiple industries all over the world have had failings that have resulted in dangerous toxins, chemicals, or substances to be released into the environment and human society. The British Petroleum oil spill is one such example. History On April 20, 2010 the Transocean Deepwater Horizon rig, owned by the British Petroleum company, exploded where it stood. Spreading smoke and burning chemicals into the air. As can be seen in the pictures above, the fire was massive. Worse the oil being relea sed was spreading across the water, blackened ooze. Located 250 miles south of Houston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico, it, also, threatened coastal Louisiana and Florida. As it spread the malfunctioning, damaged machinery, was forcing gallons upon gallons of oil directly into the ocean waters. Below is an example of the what it looked like under the waves and on the surface when this disaster occurred (The Daily Green, 2013). As it spread, it began to cling to and hinder the marine life and birds, as can be seen in the images shown below. These animals are hardly recognizable, coated in thick goo that renders them, essentially, helpless. The first initial explosion took the lives of 11 workers and seriously injured, nearly, twice as many (British Petroleum, 2013). However, the damage of the BP oil spill would have far more reaching ramifications than most people would have ever expected. Oil is made up of carbon and hydrogen molecules. Their states allows it easily to â€Å"goopâ₠¬  together and stick to anything that it comes in contact with. This is dangerous enough, but because the incident occurred in the mid-ocean it allowed it to move farther and faster than spills in the past. The effects of the spill could be felt immediately by the neighboring environments; be it plant life, animals or human beings. It, also, nearly economically crippled the populations living and working in and around the Gulf, which lead to serious economic hardships (Tiffany, 2013).The entire ordeal continued for weeks, but the ramification may be felt for some time. Discussion The ecological ramifications are, essentially, obvious. The number of animals trapped in the sludge and coated in thick, blackish-brown goo is not acceptable. This exposure prevents the animals from functioning, but, also, it can be incredibly damaging to their internal health as well. However what could be seen was only the beginning. Underwater plant life and animals, like fish and shellfish, were, also , suffering. Approximately, 8,000 animals died as a result of the spill, many of which were species already considered endangered. Human beings were, also, having serious immediate responses. People were experiencing respiratory issues, skin rashes, serious headaches, and confusion or disorientation. They, also, were quickly starting to get sick from eating the fish procured from the Gulf (Tiffany, 2013). This is how the spill represented a

Information Need For Accounting Information System AIS Research Paper

Information Need For Accounting Information System AIS - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear that  corporate leaders might consider the accounting information system as a system that can function efficiently independent of the overall management system as long as it is developed in the right manner and in line with the objectives of the company. However, this can lead to improper assumptions of the accounting information system because the accounting information system is one of the important components of the management system and as such must be integrated into business management and its performances as a part of the overall management system function.As the report discusses  improper assumptions on accounting information systems and related information could have the most negative potential impacts in business operations. First, improper assumptions could cost an organization loses in money and time in its business operations. For example, if an improper assumption is made and leads to miscalculation of important calculations required ensu ring that a business operation becomes a success, over-estimation or under-estimation of resources could be caused. A business operation could be overfunded or underfunded because of an improper assumption, something that could be realized later into the project. This could bring about unimaginable loses for the organization.  Improper assumptions could affect planning and lead to incorrect assumptions about the requirements of a business operation.

Media in China Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Media in China - Term Paper Example This is entirely wrong. The Chinese people have revered the color red since ancient times . . . The color red represents life, vitality, youth, ardor, brightness, vividness, strength, fullness of life force. (Bandurski, 2011, para. 14) In a press conference last week, Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan announced that CTV could expect to lose 300 million yuan in advertising revenues due to its â€Å"red† makeover. The city will reportedly subsidize its local television channels under CTV at a rate of 150 million yuan. Purpose of the Study CTV’s revolutionary reform comes at a time when neoliberalism and the commercialization of media are the dominant and overwhelming platforms on which China is making its ascension atop the global economy. While the party-state has maintained its firm grip, and is gradually modernizing its methods of control, market forces have permeated and transformed every aspect of the media system. Party-state power is increasingly converging with the powe r of capital in the Chinese media through a series of intertwined processes of accommodation, appropriation, state-engineered market consolidation, and selective incorporation of private and foreign media capital (Zhao, 2004, p. 1). This fusion of party-state and market power has resulted in a media system that preserves the well being of the country’s political and economical elite, while silencing and marginalizing any and all opposition (Zhao, 2004). As a result, journalists avoid revealing conflicting stories to maintain social balance. The issue of media and openness must be understood in terms of elite and popular politics and reconstituted class and power relations. It has become institutionalized to avoid coverage of domestic... CTV’s revolutionary reform comes at a time when neoliberalism and the commercialization of media are the dominant and overwhelming platforms on which China is making its ascension atop the global economy.   While the party-state has maintained its firm grip and is gradually modernizing its methods of control, market forces have permeated and transformed every aspect of the media system. Party-state power is increasingly converging with the power of capital in the Chinese media through a series of intertwined processes of accommodation, appropriation, state-engineered market consolidation, and selective incorporation of private and foreign media capital (Zhao, 2004, p. 1). This fusion of party-state and market power has resulted in a media system that preserves the well being of the country’s political and economic elite while silencing and marginalizing any and all opposition (Zhao, 2004). As a result, journalists avoid revealing conflicting stories to maintain social balance. The issue of media and openness must be understood in terms of elite and popular politics and reconstituted class and power relations. It has become institutionalized to avoid coverage of domestic social conflicts, and focus on entertainment and stocks, for financial rewarding in a market is driven media system. Due to a vested interest in the stability of Chinese media, major US media conglomerates will protect that investment through biased and subjective media coverage to suppress social threats from lower classes.  CTV’s revolutionary reform comes at a time when neoliberalism and the commercialization of media are the dominant and overwhelming platforms on which China is making its ascension atop the global economy.   While the party-state has maintained its firm grip and is gradually modernizing its methods of control, market forces have permeated and transformed every aspect of the media system. Party-state power is increasingly converging with the power o f capital in the Chinese media through a series of intertwined processes of accommodation, appropriation, state-engineered market consolidation, and selective incorporation of private and foreign media capital (Zhao, 2004, p. 1). This fusion of party-state and market power has resulted in a media system that preserves the well being of the country’s political and economic elite while silencing and marginalizing any and all opposition (Zhao, 2004). As a result, journalists avoid revealing conflicting stories to maintain social balance. The issue of media and openness must be understood in terms of elite and popular politics and reconstituted class and power relations. It has become institutionalized to avoid coverage of domestic social conflicts, and focus on entertainment and stocks, for financial rewarding in a market is driven media system. Due to a vested interest in the stability of Chinese media, major US media conglomerates will protect that investment through biased an d subjective media coverage to suppress social threats from lower classes.  

Public Finance in the Health Care System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public Finance in the Health Care System - Essay Example Progressive reports show that the number of then uninsured in Vermont has been going down. There were 8.4 percent uninsured persons in Vermont in 2000 and 6.8 percent uninsured persons in 2012. Eighty percent of the uninsured Vermonters cited the cost of health insurance as a major reason why they did not take insurance covers. In 2012 it was found that most uninsured Vermonters were unmarried, male, poor, young, working and without a college degree. According to 2012 statistics, there are more Vermonters who are working but are uninsured (75 %) than Vermonters who are working and are insured (65%). The median annual income of uninsured Vermonters was in 2012 was 201% of the federal poverty line (Smith et. al., 2013). In 2010, the Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed the Medicaid Payment per enrolled. The survey showed that Vermont spent $10,550 per every aged person covered under Medicaid. It was also found that the spending per every disabled Medicaid enrollee in Vermont was $17,936. Every adult Medicaid enrollee cost Vermont $3,437 in 2010 whereas the state spent $3,667 on every child Medicaid enrollee. In the same year, Vermont spent $5,099 on every Medicaid medically needy enrollee (Cuckle et. al., 2011). Vermont raises over 95% of its revenue from taxes. The statewide property tax is estimated at $1,035.7 million in Vermont’s state fiscal year 2015 and as such, it is the state’s largest source of revenue. Personal income tax makes up one-third of non-property-tax revenue in Vermont. The sale and use tax is the third largest source of income, followed by rooms and meals taxes. Federal funds represent approximately one-third of Vermont’s funding for state programs. In January 2014, it was estimated that available general fund in Vermont was 76%, available transportation fund was 14% and available education fund was estimated at 10% (Snyder et. al., 2012). In 2010, there were 15.2% Vermonter adults in

The Incorporation of America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Incorporation of America - Research Paper Example An increase in national self-consciousness came about during the age of industry. According to Miller and Smith, America is known with the notion of rugged individualism. To Trachtenberg, there are forces that contribute to America’s cultural synergy in that industrialization initiated a conflict between powerful corporations and the workers. The tensions between capitalists and laborers, corporations and individuals, produced a national nervousness, as presented by Trachtenberg (p.74). Divisions in classes became the centre of America as the elite derived riches while the majority lost hope for prosperity as they were thrust into labor. Trachtenberg presents various conceptual sites in which competing views of American distinctiveness played out. In real sense, the west represents the accomplishment of development and opportunity over the natural resources preservation; at the same time, the civilizing process of Native Americans was highly rationalized. To industrialists, me chanization meant efficiency in production and accumulation of wealth, as a tool to benefit human beings. To workers, mechanization represented the degradation of manpower and signified the future which meant that loss of human freedom at work and probably in society was overpowered by mechanical oppression. Trachtenberg illustrates that varied experiences divided small farmers, industrial workers, bankers, manufacturers, managers, clerical and sales workers, teachers, engineers, civil servants, and speedy growing stratum of lawyers. A major consensus was wrecked in the 1870 crisis. Labor movements were prevented by racial, ethnic, geographic dispersion, and sexual discrimination; exhausting and regularly impoverishing living and working conditions, and continuing violent opposition from the press, employees, and the regime (p 94). According to Smith in, politics, pluralism, and power, politics of cultural struggles and cultural nationalism characterize American studies. Trachtenber g shifts his focus on this concept by stating that the factory structure left permanent spots that defined American culture and society. The gilded age inspired the failure of populist movement that reflected a desire to go back to the classics of ideals in America represented in agrarian myths. Americans were equal politically, but America was not economically equal. Cities also represented the inequality and tension that defined America. Citizens were microcosms of class disputes, struggles and the consumer-oriented symbols populations that the country had turned into, with the gilded age, which was characterized by institutions such as periodicals, department stores, and mass spectator sports. During this age, America’s innocence was lost and it became relative. However, the industrialization and the age in question defined the citizens of America. According to Trachtenberg (p. 139), the tensions were determined by the elite class’s victory, meaning that their cultu re set up itself as an official doctrine as they controlled business, labor, and politics over the bickering, divided voices of the middle and lower classes. In real sense, America was not unified but rather constituted various sets of tensions which were finally dominated by the elites. The author presents a chapter on politics of culture where he exposes

Leadership in the Movie Wolf of Wall Street Assignment

Leadership in the Movie Wolf of Wall Street - Assignment Example He starts a brokerage office on the Wall Street where he runs his daily crimes. Using a great convincing power, Jordan together with his employees manages to lure unsuspecting people into their game. They are great brokers and thus assure those willing to invest with them a jackpot kind of returns. Actually, many people end up losing all their life savings with the hope of getting a nice package after the agreed period. Having realized that he is greedy, he openly dismisses this claim by encouraging the employees not to be greedy. This is a smart way to cover up his plans. Leaders play a key role in shaping the culture (Hansel man, 2014) of the company. This movie clearly shows how the leader cultivates a dangerous culture. He involves every employee in the habit of drinking and abusing illegal drugs. In addition, most of the employees end up being sex addicts because of the culture that their own boss cultivates in them. While Jordan sounds like a great leader by giving all the necessary advice and guidelines he as well makes it clear to the employees what he considers right and wrong. With this said, his administrative power diverts the energy of the employees into a bad culture. While most of them were fearful at the first time, he takes the courage to drive them into the dirty business. He reminds them that nothing can be done by itself until they take action. This is evident when he requires them to make calls and convince the customers. While most of the employees least suspect the game behind the brokerage business, they show commitment and will ingness to attain the goals. They are motivated by how their boss runs his life. They see him as a successful person worth admiring. On the contrary, Jordan is a great advisor. He gives his best imagination on how to run a successful business.  

Benefit of school vs traditional college Essay Example for Free

Benefit of school vs traditional college Essay Technology and specifically ICT has permeated virtually all sectors of life including education. Traditional schooling is being replaced at an unprecedented rate. These days most professionals prefer to take courses online rather than attend school physically. The reasons behind this trend range from convenience, greater options, multitasking, and reduced cost among others. Often, this kind of schooling has been criticized because skeptics argue that the socialization aspect of schooling is cut off from schooling experience. Additionally, this technique has cost many people their jobs and means of livelihood. For instance, the cooks, secretaries, security personnel and such like. What’s more, this technology is still new to many people and naturally, resistance to adopt it is commonplace. However, I feel that despite the negatives associated with e-schooling, the benefits far out ways the costs and hence, my stance on the subject remains that school should be reinforced. To begin with, my community benefits greatly from e-schooling in the sense that, it enable re-schooling among adults who felt ashamed to go back to a traditional college to complete a degree. This is especially the case for people who had dropped out of high school or college. Nowadays, it is possible for them to earn degrees and diplomas while at home. This way they are able to multitask, say, baby sitting and learning In addition, collaboration between teachers and students has never been easier than with e-schooling. A wide range of digital resources, online libraries online tests, emails, videoconference and more are used to facilitate communication among stakeholders in the schooling system. Feedback on one-on-one basis makes school just as effective if not more to traditional college. Schooling to a marginal extent is cheaper than the traditional college. This has increased access to education for the economically challenged people in my community. Notably, the best colleges and universities are located in major cities, say, New York LA and so on meaning that the rural areas are sidelined from access to these colleges. The advantage of e-schooling is that these people now have a chance to get degrees and diplomas from these prestigious colleges without relocating from their home area. The costs of education have also been halved owing to technology of schooling. (Holmes Gardner, 2006) Personally, schooling has had both direct and indirect impacts in my life. Prior to the introduction of e-schooling, I used to find that the schooling duration was too long. I wanted to get my degree as fast as possible. With the introduction of e-schooling, I am able to accelerate my program such that I get a full credit course in one semester. Most people in my community are using similar approach and it has worked well. Moreover, I have more control and independence over my learning skills. The experience of taking a course online can be life changing. I have learnt to be more responsible of my time. Last summer I was able to take up an AP course that was not available in our site and my friend has explored a learning opportunity that was not schooling in our site. Generally, I believe that schooling has enriched not only my life but also the lives of the people in my community. (www. ucet. ac. uk/ ) In the community where I come from, people are athletic and get involved so much with games and sport to an extent that it becomes very difficult to manage an 8-hour school program and sports. E-schooling has curbed this problem by giving the students flexibility and independence to decide how they want to structure learning hours. For some they access learning material in morning hours while others prefer to do that late in the night. At the end of the day, whichever style used, people earn degrees. Alternatively, enrolment to e learning is fast and hassle free. Most people can attest to the pressure experienced during enrolment days in college. With online schooling, this problem has been erased. I would like to share the experience of my cousin who got involved in an accident. Subsequently, her two legs were amputated making it a challenge to move around in clutches. The option of e-schooling has benefited my homebound cousin and in few weeks, she graduates with a diploma from a distant college. Other disabled people from my community have also benefited from schooling. (http://aasd. k12. wi. us/eSchool/whyecourses. htm. ) Other benefits arising from schooling is students with unique cases or reasons for being away from school benefit from e-learning e. g. teenage mother s, terminally sick students participating in foreign exchange programs, resist, and self supporting students who juggle between work responsibilities and learning Briefly, schooling is a great advancement in the education sector. The outstanding features attributed to schooling are the flexibility and affordability of the schooling concept. Reflecting on the benefits that I have witness at a personal level and within my community, I believe traditional colleges will be phased out as more and more people embrace e-schooling for its benefits. A word of caution though, policies and regulations need to be clearly set to ensure that schooling achieves fundamental purpose of schooling. Additionally, students and educators need to e empowered on how to maximize use of digital resources and online technologies in order to reap benefits of schooling.