The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam

Robert S. McNamara's memoir ‘In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam' offers an explanation of McNamara's handling of the Vietnam War as Secretary of Defense during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. McNamara's goal directed as well as logico-mathematical approach to decision-making must be blamed for the failure of the US to stop North Vietnam from winning the war. Bloodshed would have been evaded if merely McNamara had looked at the probable outcome of his decisions on Vietnam. What appears from pages of this book are mechanics of a machine closed in on itself.It digested just the information that suited its version of reality or served its bureaucratic interests. It unnoticed discordant views, reorganized unlikable facts as well as, when proved wrong, simply redoubled its efforts. It was a machine suited to a military colossus whose directors never doubted their premises or their capability to make reality symbolize the exercise of their power. The book is wr itten down in a manner that brings joy particularly to the hearts of the pacifist crowd even while they criticize him, as its confessions appear to justify their opposition to the war.That was Bill Clinton's self-satisfied response. Thus far the book is extremely superficial in its political analysis — signifying how far in over his head McNamara was in that job from the start. Certainly, it's high time that someone inquired our country's inclination of picking big-time industrialists for defense secretary on the theory that it's just a big management work. Sometimes the job needs a lot more than management talent: deliberate understanding and judgment, which McNamara without a doubt never had.In justice to McNamara, his long silence had an admirable cause. Given the national shock that Vietnam brought, he feared that any apologia would be expedient and inappropriate. This caginess renowned McNamara from egregious former colleagues for instance Clark Clifford, Averell Harrima n, as well as Cyrus Vance, who within months of leaving office were attacking the Nixon Administration with peace proposals also demands for concessions to the North Vietnamese.The end of McNamara's book in brief touches non-Vietnam matters — particularly the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the Harvard conferences he has lately attended, which brought together Soviet, American, as well as Cuban veterans of that crisis. The malice of such conferences is established by the breast-beating wrapping up of McNamara and some further Americans that it was our entire fault: Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba for the reason that he feared we were planning one more Bay of Pigs.Suffering regarding that brush with nuclear tragedy has led to another of McNamara's recantations his vigorous anti-nuclear activism, proceeding proposals for disarmament and no-first-use of nuclear weapons. He has championed this reason with the same sanctimonious obstinacy with which he once sold us the body counts a nd wunderkind strategizing in Vietnam, and with which he at present proclaims his confessions of our Vietnam errors. He possibly will never get it right. (Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Collier Hillstrom, 1998). DEVELOPMENT OF THEMEThis book â€Å"In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam† is barely likely to assuage that cynicism. Certainly, it will most likely reinforce it. For what it exposes is a leadership class so in thrall to power, so persuaded of its own intellectual superiority, so cut off from, and even disdainful of, the wider society it has been empowered to serve, that it was eager to sacrifice virtually everything to evade the stigma of failure. The usefulness of McNamara's book is in the description of that trickery and of that failure.Much of the documentation has long been accessible in the Pentagon Papers, which he commissioned soon before leaving office, and which were leaked to the press by Daniel Ellsberg in 1971. However there is something to be erudit e in hearing it from such a highly placed participant. Nevertheless, no one else, at such a level of influence–not Johnson, or McGeorge Bundy, or Walt Rostow, or Henry Kissinger or Richard Nixon–ever openly admitted error or accepted blame. McNamara has at least broken the wall of silence.And even though he remains protective and largely uncritical of his colleagues, including the most imperceptive, the picture that appears is not one to motivate confidence. What this account noticeably discloses is that at no time did officials in either the Kennedy or Johnson administrations ever seriously think about anything less than an enduringly divided Vietnam with an anti-communist government in the south. The North Vietnamese, for their part, never measured anything less than a unified nation under their, i. e. communist, control. No one was in any doubt about this.The problem was that the Americans were persuaded that by inflicting unbearable pain they could force Hanoi to d esist however they were wrong. It was their country, not ours. In the end it was we who withdrew in the face of unbearable pain. Why did three successive administrations think that Vietnam was so imperative? First, there was the domino theory, which decreed that if Saigon fell to communism, the rest of Southeast Asia would shortly follow. Kennedy himself authorized it. When asked in 1963 by a television interviewer whether he doubted the correspondence, he answered, â€Å"No, I believe it. â€Å"Second, there was confronting of communist-led â€Å"wars of national liberation. † As nuclear weapons had made war too risky between America and Russia, the conflict transferred to the Third World, where a host of impecunious, ex-colonial nations looked up for grabs. Did it matter whether these were communist or anti-communist despotisms? Almost certainly not. Although there was nowhere else the competition could occur, and so there it raged. Vietnam turned into a test case. Third, there was the well-known supposition that Beijing was taking its marching orders from Moscow, and calling the shots in Hanoi.The truth that China and Russia were already disputing publicly and that the Vietnamese had historically viewed the Chinese as their greatest enemy made no impact whatever on U. S. policymakers. It did not fit into their worldview. Fourth, the world's greatest military power was not going to confess failure, least of all against what Johnson once mentioned as a â€Å"piddling, piss-ant little country. † It was too mortifying even to contemplate. Beyond all this there was one more reason that neither Kennedy nor Johnson, once the United States so carelessly slid into Vietnam, could easily get out.The Democrats were the party, in accordance with the Republicans, who had â€Å"lost† China to communism. They were definitely not going to offer more fodder for their foes in Vietnam. As Truman had pushed above the thirty-eight parallel in Korea to illu strate that he was tougher on communism than the Republicans, so Kennedy and Johnson felt they dare not lose Saigon to the Reds. This is why the assumption, here thoughtfully echoed by McNamara, that Kennedy would have pulled out of the war had he lived, appears wishful thinking.Kennedy fans, including McNamara, time and again cite the president's much-quoted September 1963 statement regarding Vietnam that â€Å"in the final analysis, it is their war. There were, certainly, ways out all along, had anyone wanted to follow them. One opened up in the fall of 1963, when Ngo Dinh Nhu, Diem's influential brother, started secret contacts with Hanoi. Sensing a possibility for a deal akin to the arrangement previously worked out over Laos, French President Charles de Gaulle suggested the amalgamation and neutralization of Vietnam.However the Americans saw this as an intimidation somewhat than an opportunity. Second-level officials in Washington plotted with the Saigon embassy and South Viet namese army officers to conquer Diem and replace him with a government more resolute to fight the war. Kennedy could not make up his mind whether or not to endorse the coup. It came anyway in November, ending in the assassination of Diem and Nhu. Three weeks later Kennedy himself was murdered. McNamara now articulates that would have been a good moment to leave.However at the time he recommended the newly installed Johnson that impartiality was unthinkable for the reason that â€Å"South Vietnam is both a test of U. S. determination and particularly a test of U. S. capacity to deal with wars of national liberation. † This was our war and the Vietnamese were not going to be permitted to get in the way. At present McNamara confesses that â€Å"we erred seriously in not even exploring the neutralization option. † Although at the time there was no way officials would have discovered it, given their view of the stakes at issue.This was a war they were resolute to win, even against their reputed South Vietnamese allies. So far McNamara cannot bring himself to accept the noticeable insinuations of what he is so undoubtedly saying. He wants to convince us, and conceivably himself, that it is all a problem of management. In other words, he is still the bureaucratic organizer who thinks that all troubles can be reduced to flow charts and statistics McNamara informs us that as early as the fall of 1965 he had doubts regarding the value of the bombing in breaking Hanoi's will or reducing the flow of supplies into the south.Sporadically he espoused bombing pauses with the argument that this might influence Hanoi to negotiate. This was a wan expectation, as he was never ready to negotiate what Hanoi sought: a withdrawal of the United States from South Vietnam and communist representation in Saigon. By the fall of 1967 he had lost his value: the Joint Chiefs and the hawks in Congress were infuriated by his antagonism to sending more troops and extending the bom bing, whilst Johnson considered him undependable and feared that he might join Robert Kennedy's camp.He was pushed out the door with a golden handshake as well as the presidency of the World Bank. However it was all done in a spirit of good fellowship and mutual congratulation, together with an overenthusiastic letter of appreciation he wrote to Johnson that he here reproduces. â€Å"I do not know to this day whether I quit or I was fired,† he says of his departure. This was consistent with his not knowing whether he measured the war to be wrong or just badly organized. Certainly he left silently. Almost all of them do. If he felt the war was so â€Å"awfully wrong,† why did he not leave in protest and take his case to the public?20,000 Americans died in Vietnam on his watch, and almost another 40,000 died, along with millions of Vietnamese, after his departure. Did he be in debt something to them? Not it seems that as much as he owed to Johnson, and most probably to N ixon too. It â€Å"would have been a violation of my responsibility to the president and my oath to uphold the Constitution† to have publicly protested the war, he explains. Whereas the Constitution says not anything regarding muzzling public officials after they leave office, it is right that complainers are hardly ever asked to come back and play one more day.Would it have made a difference if McNamara had openly turned against the war? One cannot be certain. It might or might not have ended the war sooner. However it would have justified those who protested against or refused to battle in a war they considered morally wrong, and it might have saved the lives of some of those who went to Vietnam for the reason that they thought that their country wanted to send them there for fine reason. Regardless, the assurance of making a difference is not the issue. We often cannot be certain of the outcome of our actions when we undertake them.We either do something since we think it is right, or we decide not to do it. McNamara privileged what he supposed to be his duty to Johnson above what many others, but in fact not he, would consider his responsibility to his country. He can live with that, although he must not expect our appreciation. We can be glad that McNamara wrote this book without admiring the man or sanctioning his elusions. He had an opportunity to redeem himself for a war he felt to be wrong. However those opportunities came almost 30 ago, and at present it barely matters.What is constructive regarding this elusive book is the terrible picture it represents of men caught in the prison of their own narrow suppositions and of their bureaucratic roles. These were men who knew that their strategies were not working, that their actions were driving ever-deeper divisions within the country that they were losing the admiration of several of those whose opinions they most appreciated. And thus far they persevered. Or else they shuffled out without a soun d, like McNamara, and found other ways of trying to change the world and of trying to redeem themselves.McNamara was not unaware to what was happening. In his memo to Johnson of May 1967 quarrelling against a planned major intensification in the war, he wrote: There may be a boundary beyond which several Americans and much of the world will not allow the United States to go. The picture of the world's utmost superpower killing or critically injuring thousands noncombatants a week, whilst trying to pound a tiny backward nation into submission on a subject whose merits are fiercely disputed, is not a pretty one.He was sensitive at least to the bad public relations of the killing, and he acknowledged that the supposed merits of the war were â€Å"hotly disputed. † Nevertheless within the hothouse where Johnson and his advisers met to orchestrate the war, it was merely methods, never eventual aims that were questioned. There was fighting in the streets and good manners in the war room. McNamara's book presents a sense of how divorced the two realms were from one another. The planners were locked into the academic concepts of â€Å"credibility† and the mechanics of graduated intensification.Although he had doubts regarding the effectiveness of the methods, he never questioned the assumptions. In his defense McNamara makes the amazing complaint that, because of the McCarthy hysteria of the early 1950s, â€Å"our government lacked experts for us to consult to recompense for our unawareness† of Southeast Asia. True, numerous Asian experts had been driven from the government for envisaging that Chiang Kai-shek was doomed. However they had not moved to Mars. There were telephones then. They were keen to talk to anyone who would listen.Hence were other considerate and outspoken critics of the war: scholars for instance John Fairbanks and Hans Morgenthau, columnists for example Walter Lippmann, former diplomats for instance George Kennan. In 1966 Sena tor Fulbright, smarting at having been snookered by Johnson over the Gulf of Tonkin, sponsored weeks of hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offering a forum for a broad range of experts to inspect the premises and outcomes of American policy. Nowhere in his book does McNamara make reference to these hearings, and hardly at all to outside critics.The delirious arguments over Vietnam all the way through the country appear never to have infiltrated the glass bubble of the war room. EVALUATION OF THEME McNamara stayed silent regarding Vietnam, repudiating all interviews until 1994, when he wrote his memoirs. The book–In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam–ignited a firestorm of argument upon its release and turned into a national bestseller. Even though McNamara confessed in the book that he had been wrong on the subject of Vietnam, that the United States should never have become involved there, his belated confession did little to endear him to the American people.The book elevated the ire of veterans' groups, who blamed McNamara of trying to profit from a war that, in their minds, he had started and that had caused so much anguish. Too much blood was on his hands, they said, for him to try to make money off the war. McNamara's assertion, in his memoir In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam, of having been â€Å"terribly wrong† regarding rising the war revive an old query often on the minds of young people at present: Would the U. S. have lost the war in Vietnam had Kennedy lived? The easiest answer is: We cannot know; history happens merely one way.The more intricate answer is: most likely not. We must not forget the significance of the Cold War and containment. Just as Kissinger's predictions that the United States would split itself apart over Vietnam did not come to pass, the cause behind American involvement in the war turned out to have been intensely flawed. The position of the United States in the world was not so shaky and that of the Soviet Union and other revolutionary movements not so prevailing that an earlier communist victory in Vietnam would have altered the effect of the Cold War.We are familiar with this now, and many people came to doubt the significance of U. S. involvement in Vietnam as the war went on. Thus far given the depth of leaders' commitment to the principles of suppression, it is hard to think that the United States would not have contributed the way it did in Vietnam, at least until 1968. (Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Collier Hillstrom, 1998). Without a doubt the enthusiasm with which people long for a hero to have lived and saved them from the tragedy of Vietnam makes known how poignant a wound the war left.When McNamara spoke at Harvard University in the spring of 1995, observers noted how Vietnam appeared to have taken place merely yesterday for the people in the audience over forty. Their feelings were raw. For many, McNamara was a figure out of the pa st. Ernest May, one of the country's leading diplomatic historians, gave the most dispassionate elucidation of why he thought McNamara was wrong to have asserted that Kennedy would not have become as intensely involved as Johnson.McNamara appeared to have forgotten the influential spell of the Cold War. It was as if, May noticed, a Crusader wrote his memoirs without mentioning Christianity. However McNamara maintained his usually cool reserve all through the entire controversy. Reference: Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Collier Hillstrom (1998). The Vietnam Experience: A Concise Encyclopedia of American Literature, Songs, and Films; Greenwood Press

Business Ethics – 3 – Ethical and Unethical

An event or decision that could be judged as clearly unethical could be any situation where information discovered in a private business environment could be used for a personal financial gain by the person finding the information. A scenario such as the following is a good example of an ethical issue that may occur frequently in business. The scenario is as follows: a strategic management consultant is hired by a firm to analyze and improve the company’s performance and help amend the procedure for evaluating employee performance.During the course of this analysis they interview several supervisors and employees individually to gather information about the current evaluation process, and understand how employee performance can be improved, as well as investigate whether there are any issues that staff feel they cannot convey to management. During the corporate analysis, the employees mention that they feel they have not been given sufficient credit for developing a new produc t that the company expects will double its profits when it is introduced in the near future.The level of dissatisfaction amongst the staff is at a high level, and they disclose some corporate information to the strategic consultant about potential future earnings and profitability. The general discontent with this situation, and the fact that the employees all feel that the share price will rise, and the profitability of the company will increase, through the sales of this new product, the consultant is left to wonder whether he should buy some of the company’s stock to take advantage of the anticipated boost in earnings.This situation is an example of insider trading, where an individual may be able to make money on a stock transaction by using information gained through some illicit means. This situation has ethical issues due to the fact that the consultant has been hired by the company to perform a duty, and during this process has found some information which may enable them to make extra money.There are not many circumstances where this kind of situation would be ethical, and if this was a situation I found myself in, then I would try to be ethical and to not use the information gained for my personal financial benefit. This scenario does not just have ethical issues to consider, it has legal issues as well, because the act of insider trading is a criminal act of fraud therefore people caught doing this ethically unsound business practice are liable for prosecution for fraud.2. This situation is ethically dubious, due to some of the reasons outlined in part one of this paper, the similarities between the two situations mean that it is not appropriate to act on this information, due to the extra knowledge about whether or not the company is financially and fundamentally strong. However because of a couple of issues in this scenario it may be ethical to purchase stock or to have a conversation about buying stock with friends and family members.The i nformation has come through conversations in the hallways, not from primary sources, and therefore nothing is confirmed as being true, it is mere speculation. The second issue is whether it is ethically sound to discuss business operations with friends and family. Again, because the information has come from a secondary source, which may be classed as gossip, and not hard business facts, mean that a speculative conversation about the business, with friends and family may be ethical. It does not matter if one hundred or one thousand shares are purchased, because the ethical situation is the same.However looking at the facts and the differences between the first scenario and the second, it is possible to say that under the first scenario it is definitely unethical for a third party contractor to discuss or use information for their own personal benefit, but the second scenario may be ethical, due to the issues of reliability of information and the fact that it is an employee of the co mpany acting on speculation and not business facts. However the one crucial element in these two scenarios, is that of human morality, and there are clearly some people in the world who would act on both scenarios, and there are some who wouldn’t.

Green Day

Green Day is one of the most influential pop punk bands. The band was formed in 1986. They have sold more than 85 million records worldwide.They won many awards and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. Early Years Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer was born on February 17,1972. He was born around a musical atmosphere since his father was a jazz drummer and his mother loved music. Because of his parents, Billie and his siblings were encouraged to play musical instruments.Michael Ryan Pritchard also known as Mike Dirnt was born on May 4, 1972. He was put up for adoption because of his mother's addiction to heroin. Billie and Mike met in middle school. They formed their own band with John Kiffmeyer in 1986. The band was called the Sweet Children. They were 14 year olds at the time. Band Members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and John Kiffmeyer were the original members of the band. John Kiffmeyer soon left in 1990 to attend college and was replaced by Tre Cool. Billie Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool are still in the band to this day. Past members were Raj Punjabi, Sean Hughes,Aaron Cometbus, and Dave Henwood. Billie Joe dropped out of high school to devote his entire life for the band. Tre Cool also dropped out of highschool when he was a sophomore and dropped out of community college also. However, Mike Dirnt pushed himself to complete his education. Mike Graduated high school and completed more than one year at community college.Breakthrough Success After their breakout album, Kerplunk record labels were interested in the band. They left Lookout! to get signed at Reprise Records. After getting signed, they worked on their album, Dookie. The album became a big success. Their songs â€Å"Longview†,†Basket Case†,and â€Å"When I Come Around† from Dookie were continuously played on MTV. They sold 10 million albums with Dookie. They were nominated for many awards such as American Music Awards and Grammys.Career Green Day first started playing at DIY 924 Gilman Street club in California. They earned some fame at the club and eventually got signed at Lookout! Records. From there, they released Kerplunk and they got big success after. They decided to leave Lookout! to get signed to Reprise Records. After getting signed, they started record Dookie. Like most of their albums, the album was recorded in a few weeks. Dookie was also a big hit but Green Day started to be criticized by other punk fans. They were put on a list of people who were never allowed to play again at DIY Gilman Street. Their albums after Dookie, Insomniac and Nimrod were good but the band was losing some fame. They released Warning and was criticized by critics because they took a different turn in their music but they weren't ready for American Idiot. American Idiot was a huge hit and they continued to make music. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame After 29 years of playing music together in the band, Green Day was inducted into the hall of fame. They were inducted in the first year they were eligible. On April 18,2015 in Cleveland, Ohio,Fall Out Boy inducted them into the hall of fame. They talked about how Green Day changed them and how they wouldn't be a band without them. Then, Billie Joe thanked his band,friends,family and fans for helping him get through everything. Before the induction they played 2 surprise shows in Cleveland.

Diplomacy game Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Diplomacy game - Essay Example The result of the war led tans to occupy more territory than the Zionist movement in the 20th century. During the 1919 period, the greens stated at the Paris Peace Conference that they forcefully wanted to acquire the tans Jordan Valley (now West Bank) and Litani (Lebanon’s river); for its economy stability. During the 1967 war, the tans exclusively took over the West Bank’s waters and the Galilee Sea but lost Litani. Through acquisition of the two large water bodies, the tans gained 80% of fresh water (1 billion m2 annually) leaving the greens with only 20%. The greens are further prohibited from using ‘their water’ by the tans belligerent military, leading them buy from the tans at inflated prices (Asser Para 13). In times when the tans and its greens-territory water diminish, the greens are normally the first victims to be victims to be victimized through water rationing. The greens agricultural economy continues to reduce due to lack of sufficient water-bodies (Asser Para 18). b) In most recent times, the tans military have been using depleted uranium weapons (DIME); Dense Inert Metal Explosive, to kill innocent civilians and children (Khan Para 6). The tans report its effort is to eradicate the greens militant groups who consistently fire against the tans. There have been diplomatic adventures to end the truce to no avail. The greens health ministry has reported numerous deaths and casualties’, majority of them being civilians and children. The weapons being used are far more advanced than NATO’s weaponry in combating terrorism. The lethal weapons are made from tungsten alloy which have massive power during explosion. After the explosion, its coverage does not reach very far about 10 meters but the people around that region are left cut and with severe burns (Khan Para 4). The tans are using the unconventional weapons against the Hamas; the greens proclaimed terrorists. Based on Khan Para 9 the tans military combated 10 sites used by the

Comprehension Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Comprehension Critique - Essay Example In their findings, they noted that all students in the first two cohorts who had graduated were absorbed in the teaching jobs. Furthermore, since the deployments of the two batches, the number of nurses had increased, owing to the fact that now the faculty could afford to enroll more students as a result of availability of teachers. Thus, they concluded that the shortage in the number of nurse could be addressed by increasing the number of faculties since there was going to be a steady supply of lecturers. A lesson to the authorities in charge was to ensure there was to be an increase in the faculties of nursing if the shortage of nurses was to be solved. Their research was reasonably reliable but is not the lasting solution. This is because the funded students in the accelerated doctorate program may decide to down their tools after three years of service. If this will be so, then what will be the fate of the students already admitted into the nursing faculties? I bet they will lack tutors to foresee their academic needs. Furthermore, what will happen if the fund were pulled out? I guess that the doctorate students will pull out. Thus, this solution only applies if the said factors will not happen. Gerolamo, Angela, Roemer & Grace (2011), decided to establish if the key issues behind the shortages of nurse was connected to work load within the faculty. Using qualitative secondary literature review, they worked out on three main objectives namely: to establish the meaning of shortage in the faculty, evidence that shortage is affecting the work process, and analyze policies affecting the process of nurse activities. In their study, they compared the literature concerning work load and nursing and other faculties. In their findings, they noted that all literature concerning nursing shortages pointed to work load as the main cause. Furthermore, they established that

TOWS analysis of the case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

TOWS analysis of the - Case Study Example Medical therapy is a secondary stage in the prevention where there is improvement in the walking distance after the primary stage of prevention. The medical therapy is helpful to determine fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates in the body. Medical concern and consideration for those that have developed the disease also involve using antihypertensive, anti-cholesterol, and smoking cessation. This is regarded as the primary stage when the condition is noticed (Alonso, McManus & Fisher, 2011). Revascularization is a secondary preventive measure. The measure is carried out through stenting, angioplasty, surgery and atherectomy. Improvements that have been observed in the technique has resulted to the use of endovascular revascularization to an extensive range of patients over the previous decade for both serious symptoms and less severe indications. In the technique, there are clinical trials that have been performed with the aim of determining the best strategies for patients with the con dition (Uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org, 2015). Physical assessment is an important aspect in prevention of the infection and help recovery from the condition. Physical assessment is done in the tertiary stage after treatment where the patient is seen through the infection recovery. Physical assessment will be able to portray some of the desired features of recovery such as low fats that leads to reduction in fatness in an individual (Alonso, McManus & Fisher, 2011). Uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org,. (2015).  Final Recommendation Statement: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and CVD in Adults: Risk Assessment with Ankle Brachial Index - US Preventive Services Task Force. Retrieved 28 May 2015, from

Long Term Investment Decisions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Long Term Investment Decisions - Assignment Example Therefore, this study aims at providing a sharp insight on why government regulations may or may not be needed in a market economy. Connectively, the study will put forth possible complexities that Wal-Mart Company may experience when conspiring self expansion strategy rather than a merger. In above connection, the study will put forth the possible forces that may emerge when creating a convergence between stock holders interest and as well as their impact on profitability of Wal-Mart company. 1. Explain why government regulation is or is not needed, citing the major reasons for government involvement in a market economy. Provide support for your explanation. There are various reasons why government regulation may be needed in a market economy among the reasons include; to protect consumers against exploitation by vendors via ensuring goods and services supplied meet health and quality standards (Rodine-Hardy, 2013). Government regulation may be needed to ensure that all business hav e been licensed in order to eliminate illegal business from being carried out. In above connection, government regulations may be needed in order to promote economic stability through application of fiscal and monetary policies (Rodine-Hardy, 2013). ... 2. Justify the rationale for the intervention of government in the market process in the U.S. The need for government intervention arose from the fact that there was an emergence of more powerful and bigger corporation in the United States, creating a need to for protecting small business against stiff and unfair competition (U.S. Department of State). Additionally, during 1930’s the united state experienced economic down turn that made its citizen to complain that capitalism had failed (U.S. Department of State). The citizens called for intervention from the united state government to remedy the situation. The united state government intervened by promoting economic growth, this further led to creation of employment opportunities (U.S. Department of State). Therefore, it can be scrutinized that government interventions is vital not only for individuals but also for the benefits of the entire market economy (U.S. Department of State). 3. Assume that the company’s is con sidering a merger. The possible merger currently faces some threats and that the industry decides on self-expansion as an alternative strategy, describe the additional complexities that would arise under this new scenario of expansion via capital projects. The additional complexities that Wal-Mart Company may experience through self- expansion (via capital projects) include: Financial complexities, whereby, venture capital firm may fail to finance Wal-Mart expansion plan if they perceive some level of intolerable risk (Amann, Maznevski & Steger, 2007). Additionally, Wal-Mart Company may experience hiring complexities when identifying qualified staffs to fill new positions created as a result of expansion (Amann,

How is the Innovation impact in Starbucks organization Essay

How is the Innovation impact in Starbucks organization - Essay Example Layout for all new stores is developed on computer with software for cost estimating. This not only reduces costs for development, but also helps regional managers to keep costs of new locations below target figures. Planning of new Starbucks spaces down to the last square foot, including layout of cases and brewing equipment allows managers and company representatives to work more efficiently. Starbucks is continuously looking for new ways to offer its products and expand its product lines. Developing partnerships with other food companies such as Kraft, PepsiCo and Dryer’s Grand Ice Cream has allowed the company to reach more customers with more channels for product sales. Starbucks also has established licensing agreements with United Airlines, Marriott Host International, Aramark, Nordstroms and Barnes and Noble to offer products in Hotels, airports, book stores, department stores and college campuses. Strategies for global expansion include choosing â€Å"a reputable and capable local company with retailing know-how in the target host country to develop and operate new stores† (Thomson & Gamble, 1999). Starbucks seeks talent within its organizational structure, so that executives can continue to focus on specific tasks such as buying and planning. Once a hub is established in a major city, managers known as zone vice presidents are relied upon for regional development.

Public Relations Techniques and Cases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Public Relations Techniques and Cases - Essay Example A case study is a preferred strategy when ‘how’ or ‘why questions are being posed when the researcher has little control over events. The focus is always on contemporary phenomena within some real world context (Center et al., 2008). The researcher is enabled to research on real life events that cannot be controlled in the laboratory setting (Yin, 1994).The case study should use multiple evidence sources to increase validity (Jaques, 2008). The case study below highlighted the communication activities in the first phase of Phare and took an in-depth look at the model communication program developed in November 1997. The model was developed by Brussels-based public affairs consultancy to be used by the EU delegation to the 10 EU member countries. The model can apply to many other economic and political situations and cultural variables of a country. It emphasizes on one-on –one communication rather than involving the mass media. In the first years of operation from 1989-1994, the Phare program provided expertise to the member countries from a wide range of organizations ranging from non-commercial, public and even private. It acted as a multiplier by stimulating investments and responding to needs that cannot be met by other organizations. Phare also acted as a powerful catalyst for unlocking funds from other donors studies, guarantee schemes, and credit lines. It gives priority to the development of the private sector, restructuring of state enterprise and environment protection.

Same Sex Marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Same Sex Marriage - Essay Example On the other hand there are a few states that have not recognized same sex marriages as legal marriages. State of Texas is one of the very few states in which same sex marriages are not yet considered as legal marriages (Ncsl.org, 2015). On the other hand majority of the states have recognized such marriages as legal ones. Same sex marriages as well as civil unions between couples of the same gender have been prohibited in the state of Texas since the period of 2003. As of 2005, the constitution of the state of Texas was even amended in order to ban same sex marriages (Freedomtomarry.org, 2015). During 2005 it was decided the state of Texas will only recognize those marriages as legal that take place between a male and a female and marriages between two females or two males were recognized as unconstitutional. It is not that no same sex marriages take place within the state of Texas. During the period of 2015 a same sex marriage took place between two individuals belonging to the female gender and the matter was taken to the courts. The courts decided the case in the favor of the coupl es but they did not recognize same sex marriages as legal (Sanchez, 2015). The reason for recognizing their marriage as legal was the illness that was experienced by one of the couple. The ban on such marriages by the state of Texas have been severely criticized and recognized as unconstitutional by the federal as well as the state level courts of Texas. These courts have recognized that the measures taken by the state of Texas to ban same sex marriage is against the constitution of the United States of America. Same sex marriage laws that have not yet been passed and enacted by the state of Texas include the consideration of legalization of same sex marriage in Texas. In the state of Texas, civil unions which are a kind of marriage but not legal marriages have not yet been legalized in the state. Same sex couples of the state of Texas are not entitled to the

Human Element Essay Example for Free

Human Element Essay This study is related to an important topic that influence the evolution of both public and private institutions via improving human resource management and, hence improving the human resource itself, which occupies a vital and outstanding position in the comprehensive development strategies. Also, because of the role that effective human resource plays in planning and implementing development. Therefore, human element is considered an investment in the bright future of the institutions. Human resource is an innovative element that is described as an interactive rather than a rigid element, which is able to coordinate, maintain a balance between the various constituent of production and take the responsibility for the results of operations. On the other hand, external circumstances, such as the economic, political, social cultural and environmental factors, affect human element more than any other element. The researcher has selected Giad Automobiles Manufacturing Co. LTD, as a case study to introduce the influence of human resource development on employees’ performance. The results have been determined based on the analysis of the employees’ responses to the questionnaire that surveyed the employees’ community in the company. The questionnaire has tested the following hypotheses: 1- There is a relationship between the development of human resource management and the development of the working human element. 2- There is a relationship between the development of the human element and the development and improvement of performance in the institution, which leads to an increase in the production and, hence achieving the objectives. The researcher has applied several methodologies, such as case study methodology, descriptive methodology, and statistical analysis. The researcher has confirmed the validity of all the above hypotheses, in addition to the research outcomes that have led the researcher to conclude the study with some suggestions and recommendations.

A brief history of diving Essay Example for Free

A brief history of diving Essay For those who can swim, diving in the sense of scuba diving or deep sea diving is certainly one of the most enjoyable pastimes a person can have. Like anything else, it has its pleasures and its risks, but the allure of the sea is certainly a major part in the life of any avid diver. Still, diving has its risks and perhaps in some sense those risks are greater than in other endeavors. The allure of the sea and the desire to enjoy it as freely as a fish is irresistible to many. Our fascination with the oceans may have made diving popular in the 19th century, but if so, it was certainly made more popular by the introduction of scuba equipment in the middle of the 20th century. Despite the relatively recent development of deep sea diving apparatus and of scuba diving, men and women have been diving for centuries. Often diving is for pleasure, but at other times it is just another basic survival skill to gather food, hunt for sponges (Hong et al. , 1991) or engage in military endeavors or otherwise. Until the invention of diving equipment, man was unable to go underwater and remain submerged for any extended period of time. His stay under water was limited by his ability to hold his breath so the problem was how to extend the amount of time underwater and, of course, the obvious solution was to find a means to provide an air supply to a submerged person. In August of last year (2006) while testing the Navys new Atmospheric Diving System (ADS) suit off the coast of La Jolla CA, a village of San Diego, Daniel Jackson, a Naval Reserve Diver, made the deepest free dive in history, a total of 2,000 feet. (Guinness, 2006) Perhaps it is because of the allure of the sea, but long before Jackson, men and women practiced breath-holding. Diving has many useful purposes such as gathering and providing food, military, recreational, research and others so these factors have no doubt added to the allure of diving. Despite the relatively new advent of scuba equipment and deep sea diving equipment, diving has been around for a long time. Of course, it is necessary to hold ones breath in order to go to any great depth and people have been using breath-holding techniques for diving for centuries. In ancient Greece, divers held their breath to search for sponges as some people do today, and throughout history some had done likewise in the process of military exploits. For those who wanted to stay underwater longer, the obvious question was how to do so? One solution was to breathe through hollow reeds while submerged. While this technique worked, there were limitations that prohibited it from being a valuable solution. Reeds longer than two feet long do not work well. Today we realize that it is difficult to inhale against water pressure below a certain depth. Another idea was to put air into a bag that could be used underwater, but that also presented problems, most significantly the fact that it caused divers to breathe in the carbon dioxide that had been exhaled. Although Aristotle wrote about a diving bell in the 4th century BC, all diving was probably done by holding the breath up until the 16th century. (Brylske, 1994; Somers, 1997) Whatever diving was done probably did not exceed depths of 100 feet if that much. The diving bell was the predominant diving apparatus during the 22 centuries from the 4th century BC until the around 1800. Using this stationary device, divers could get air from the bell and leave to do whatever they were doing underwater returning to the bell periodically for more air. This allowed divers to remain underwater until air in the bell was no longer breathable. By the 16th century, people began experimenting with diving bells. (Somers, 1997) These were actually bell shaped contraptions open at the bottom that were held a few feet from the surface. The diver could enter from the bottom which was open to water and the top part held compressed air, air that had been compressed by the water pressure. Early designs of the diving bell were refined in the late 1600s and became sizable and sophisticated by 1691 when Edmund Halley patented a ventilated diving bell that allowed divers to remain underwater for as much as an hour and a half. (Gilliam and von Maier, 1992) Even though electricity was not available for electric pumps at that time, manual pumps were used that could pump air from the surface down to divers as early as the 16th century in Europe. However, at greater depths, water pressure became a concern, so metal helmets and leather full diving suits were developed and used to protect divers who went below 60 feet. This diving equipment was continuously perfected up to the 19th and 20th centuries. By the 1830s, diving techniques that relied on air pumped to divers from the surface had been sufficiently well developed as to allow divers to work underwater for extended periods of time. Although these early techniques worked, they didnt entirely compensate for some diving concerns. Eventually, the improved technology of the 19th century resulted in compressed air pumps, regulators, carbon dioxide scrubbers and other improvements that allowed divers to remain underwater for longer and longer periods of time. As diving techniques improved, it became more apparent that there were at least two concerns in diving to depth. One, of course, was the need for an air supply that would eliminate the need to hold ones breath. The other problem was the need to compensate for depth. (Brylske, 1994; Somers, 1997) In 1905 Scotlands John Scott Haldane reported the fundamental discovery that breathing is regulated by the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood and in the brain. Haldane developed a method of decompression in stages that allowed deep-sea divers to ascend to the surface safely, information used for todays decompression charts. His work and that of the French physiologist Paul Bert increased our understanding of the physiological effects of air-pressure sufficiently to improve out knowledge of the hazards of diving to depth and how to overcome those hazards. Our understanding of the effects and safe limits of using compressed air for diving is due largely to the work of Haldane and Bert. (Gilliam and von Maier, 1992) Today, we realize that decompression, recompression, carbon dioxide and oxygen toxicity are important factors to consider in diving. Diving history can essentially be divided into four periods. Initially, there was the period of free diving when humans held their breath. Diving time and diving capacity were limited by the availability of air, the build-up of carbon dioxide and the effects at depth of pressure on the body. (Gilliam and von Maier, 1992) Later advances in diving during the second period of diving history led to the creation of heavy walled diving vessels which could maintain their internal atmosphere to that of sea level (1 atmosphere) so as to prevent the surrounding water pressure from being a hazard to the occupants. Diving bells and bathysphere are two such devices. Bathyspheres are essentially unpowered hollow steel balls that can be lowered from a mother ship by a steel cable. A bathyscaphe is a is bathysphere with a buoyancy control that eliminates the need for a cable. Then there is the submarine, a powered device with its own air supply and which is built so that it can handle all of the problems associated with depth and so it can travel great distances in any direction under its own power. Bathyspheres, bathyscaphes and submarines required a means to maintain the pressure at one atmosphere around the diver and a means to provide fresh oxygen while getting rid of exhaled carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide was eliminated by using soda lime, lithium hydroxide and other compounds that take up the carbon dioxide. Later during this period, one atmosphere diving suits were also developed that were flexible and yet able to withstand pressures at great death so as to allow divers to work at depths up to several hundred meters for hours. (Somers, 1997) Diving entered a period of using compressed air next. The air could be supplied from the surface and delivered to the diver at depth. The hand-operated air compressor was a major advancement in diving history. It had appeared by 1770 and allowed for the development of helmet-hose diving systems that were the predominant diving techniques from 1800 until the mid-1950s. Unlike then final period, during this period of diving the diver is separated from his/her air supply, but has air delivered through a long umbilical cord to a regulator and mouthpiece carried by the diver. At great depth, the diver can be enclosed in a dive suit that can handle the water pressure at depth. These suits can be cumbersome but the buoyancy of the water can relieve some of their burden. Although diving masks with a regulator, mouthpiece and hose may come to mind when one considers these devices, caissons are also included in this category. Caissons are huge spaces that are supplied with compressed air. Diving bells and rigid helmet diving suits are also grouped in this category. The air that the diver breathes is at the same pressure as that of the water surrounding the diver thus leaving him at risk for decompression concerns such as the bends, air embolism, etc. pon their ascent if they ascend too fast. To assist with this concern, special mixtures of gas are used that allow divers to dive deeper than with compressed air. These gas mixtures combine oxygen with another gas or gases such as hydrogen, helium and/or nitrogen. (Somers, 1997; Gilliam and von Maier, 1992) The most recent development in diving is diving with compressed air or gas mixtures that include oxygen carried by the diver. This is referred to by the acronym S. C. U. B. A. which is generally referred to as scuba diving. Scuba stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus and refers to the fact that the diver carries his or her air supply on their back while diving. Although we may view scuba gear to be a recent development in diving technology, the development of scuba gear can be traced back to 1680 when Borelli, who also experimented with fins and buoyancy compensation, developed a device based on the theory that the hot air a diver exhales could be rejuvenated by cooling and condensing in. (Somers, 1997) Although Borellis gear failed, it still represents a step forward in diving theory and technology. By the first third of the nineteenth century, Condert published a scuba design using a helmet and a compressed air reservoir that fit around the divers waist. In 1865, Rouquayrol developed a surface-supplied regulator system that did ultimately have an effect on todays scuba gear. By 1878, Fleuss and Davis developed a closed-circuit oxygen scuba device that used chemical carbon dioxide as absorbent. (Gilliam and von Maier, 1992; Somers, 1997) The scuba equipment commonly used today was developed by Emile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Somers, 1997; Cousteau, 1986; Marx, 1990) The two principle types of scuba equipment are open circuit and closed circuit equipment. Open circuit equipment vents the expired air into the water while closed circuit systems all the carbon dioxide to be absorbed and add more oxygen so that the air can be re-used. Scuba divers are at risk for decompression problems if they ascend too fast and various gas mixtures allow scuba divers to go deeper than with compressed air. Scuba diving has a number of advantages over other forms of diving. The tanks allow the diver to remain underwater longer than would be possible by simply holding ones breath. Even though scuba allows divers to go deeper than with snorkeling and allows them more freedom than would be possible using compressed air from the surface, its major disadvantage is that the time spent underwater is limited by the amount of compressed air in the tanks. Since time is of essence and all muscle activity decreases the amount of time that oxygen will be available, scuba divers can increase the amount of time they will have underwater with scuba gear if they exert less energy while diving. Although most divers swim underwater while diving, they can resort to propulsion devices referred to as Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) commonly called scooters to move underwater. The term SCUBA originally referred to rebreathers used by the military for underwater warfare but today it generally refers to open-circuit equipment. However, rebreathers are also classified as scuba gear. The history of diving is certainly to complex and exciting to cover in these few pages, but what few comments have been presented do demonstrate how rich that history is and how far it extends back in time. Only by considering how far back into history diving extends and the advances diving has made with the passage of time will we truly realize the fascination diving has held for us through time. Perhaps the next great advance in diving will not be man growing gills, but whatever it will be will only add to the present fascination and allure of diving. We can only build on the future of diving by understanding how we arrived at our present level of knowledge and technology.

Nursing Essays Therapeutic Relationship Patient

Nursing Essays Therapeutic Relationship Patient Introduction Within the context of healthcare one of the most important factors is the establishment of an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient (Foster Hawkins, 2005). The ways in which nursing staff and patients interact can be influential in terms of information transfer, provision of psychological support, and may also provide some therapeutic benefits in themselves (Welch, 2005). Hence, there has been a renewed focus on the importance of how nurses interact with patients in practice, in order to enhance patient outcomes (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008; Sutcliffe, 2011). Understanding the fundamental components of this relationship and how to achieve these components in practice remains a vital aspect of nurse training and continuing professional development (Ramjan, 2004; Perraud et al., 2006). In accordance with the perceived importance of the therapeutic relationship, the aim of this paper is to provide an evidence-based review of how this relationship may be used in nursing practice. This will be supplemented with a reflection on personal observations made by the author, utilising a reflective model (Nielsen et al., 2007). The model in this case will be that devised by Gibbs (1988), which has been validated as a useful tool for personal practice development and goal-setting in the clinical domain (Foster Hawkins, 2005). This model emphasises a step-wise approach to reflection, encompassing: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan formulation (Gibbs, 1988). Therefore, this paper will consider the therapeutic relationship from the perspective of a specified practice context experienced by the author, with a discussion of how practice can be improved based on the best available evidence from the literature. Reflection context The main context of care that will be the focus of this essay is the elderly rehabilitation ward, where the author first encountered a number of issues regarding the need for optimal relationships between practitioners and patients in practice. The goal of this ward is to assist elderly patients in adapting to their functional capacities and lifestyle abilities, in order that they can achieve the maximum possible degree of quality of life in the community setting following discharge (Routasalo et al., 2004). Consequently, numerous health professionals provide an input into the care pathway, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and physicians, in addition to nursing staff (Hershkovitz et al., 2007). From the perspective of the author, there are several important aspects of this scenario that relate to the therapeutic relationship: the large increase in personal responsibilities in terms of assisting patients with activities, the need to motivate and communicate effectively with patients to ensure that they are able to remain psychologically motivated, and the need to coordinate personal clinical care activities with those of others to ensure the patient journey is smooth (Siegert Taylor, 2004). The remainder of this paper will consider the therapeutic relationship grounded within this practice context, supplemented with personal experiences from this placement, in order to highlight these factors in greater detail. Evidence-based reflection Defining the therapeutic relationship In order to fully appreciate the need for a therapeutic relationship it is important to define this relationship in a practice context. The term is often used within the context of psychiatric or psychological therapy distribution in modern literature, although the aim of this paper is to consider the term as a more general way in which nurses communicate and interact with patients to establish a clear clinical outcome (Bulmer Smith et al., 2009). McKlindon Barnsteiner (1999) suggest that the therapeutic relationship needs to be a two-way, reciprocal relationship at all times, involving nursing staff, the patient and their family, where appropriate. There is a need to emphasise caring in this relationship, with positive communication and clear boundaries of both personal and professional interactions (McCormack, 2004). Hence, the relationship between a nurse and patient should fit into the patient-centred model of care, where patients are not only listened to within a clinical decision-making context, but are actively encouraged to participate in their own care pathway (McCormack McCance, 2006). The therapeutic relationship encompasses three important domains of care: physical, psychological and emotional care (Pelzang, 2010). These elements may be more profoundly encountered by nursing staff on hospital wards due to their prolonged exposure to specific patients and their in-depth interactions in the patient care journey, when compared to other members of staff who may have less face-to-face time with individuals (Pelzang, 2010). Within the setting of the elderly rehabilitation ward, many patients are transitioning from an acute or chronic care scenario to community care and require additional, specialist assistance in doing so (McCormack, 2003). Consequently, nursing staff in this ward are exposed to patients for extended periods of time and need to consider the holistic aspects of care in order to achieve successful rehabilitation (Cott, 2004). Therefore, the therapeutic relationship in this context involves establishing the capabilities of the patient, working with the patient to achieve set goals, and ensuring that the psychological and emotional aspects of chronic illness or disability can be managed effectively in the long term (McCormack McCance, 2006). Communication In light of the definition of the therapeutic relationship within the context of rehabilitation, the remaining sections of this paper will evaluate the core aspects involved in maintaining a therapeutic relationship, with this section focusing on communication between nurse and patient. The specific clinical scenario the author has struggled with in the rehabilitation placement is when a patient has higher expectations than they should in terms of their ability to perform tasks or live independently following discharge. Patients are obviously passionate in maintaining independence in the majority of cases and this can cloud their judgement as to their genuine abilities and capabilities in functional tasks (Cott, 2004). While it is important to acknowledge the feelings and ideas of a patient and act accordingly, it can be negligent of nursing duties not to act with the patient’s best interests at heart (McCormack, 2003). Therefore, the nurse needs to maintain that their actions are guided by medical evidence and professional protocols, as well as reflecting the need and desires of the patient (NMC, 2008). Communication encompasses not only verbal communication with the patient, but is also reflected in body language and actions (Yoo Chae, 2011). Having an open body posture, including the avoidance of crossed arms, can help in establishing rapport, while maintaining eye contact and avoiding distractions during conversations with patients can enhance the bond between nurse and patient (Brown Bylund, 2008). Communication is also as much about relaying information as it is about receiving information and therefore, nursing staff should be able to elicit patient concerns specifically and utilise these appropriately without blocking these interactions with a one-sided approach to conversation (Yoo Chae, 2011). The opposite is also true, whereby overly expressive patients may limit the nurse-led component of the communication episode; both parties need to be good at communication for a perfect mutual appreciation of ideas to occur (Sheldon et al., 2006). In practice this may be difficult to achieve, but the obligations of the nurse to facilitate this process are a core component of the therapeutic relationship. Communicating effectively with patients in the elderly rehabilitation setting was a massive responsibility and challenge for the author, as this was their first encounter with such patients in this setting. The expectation of knowledge in this setting was high and it could be frustrating to patients who want answers from a junior or inexperienced practitioner (McCormack, 2003; Leach, 2005). Hence communication needed to focus on establishing information, sharing action plans and building general rapport that would enable the development of trust and a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas (Leach, 2005). The author found this form of communication challenging to achieve on a routine basis within the rehabilitation setting, due to the need to balance a motivational approach with a realistic form of communication regarding expected patient capabilities and outcomes. Hence, the reflective scenario will focus on aspects of this particular communication episode as a component of the therapeutic relationship. Empathy Empathy is a cornerstone of effective communication with patients and is defined as the ability to share or identify with the emotional state of the patient (Brunero et al., 2010). If done effectively an empathic response to patient concerns can yield a sense of shared understanding, reinforcing the notion that the patient’s concerns are being listened to (Kirk, 2007). By establishing an empathic response with a patient, practitioners often remark that they are better able to connect with the experiences of the patient, allowing them greater insight into how they can help the patient (Brunero et al., 2010). Therefore, empathy is a core component of establishing a meaningful therapeutic relationship with patients in all settings. The nurse can develop empathic communication skills in a number of ways, including through specific communication skills training (Webster, 2010). This training often emphasises the role of open-ended questions and body language within the context of empathy, whereby nurses should ask patients specifically about their emotions and feelings during a clinical interaction (Stickley Freshwater, 2006). Often the process of asking a patient how they feel about a particular reaction is sufficient to allow them to relax and become more comfortable conveying these thoughts and feelings. On the part of the nurse, it is important to reflect these responses back to the patient by further exploring these issues and offering an active listening approach, rather than redirecting the focus of the conversation back to more clinical matters (Brunero et al., 2010). Although it has been argued that empathy is an intrinsic quality, which some people possess, the representation of empathy in communication is important in clinical care and should be delivered through verbal, non-verbal and emotional communication skills (Welch, 2005). In the present scenario, the author was able to empathise with patients on the rehabilitation ward to a high degree and many patients were frank and open about their emotional needs and worries regarding the rehabilitation process. Often the patients’ worries were highly emotive and this affected the author such that the patient was regarded as an object of sympathy or pity in some cases due to their hardships. This made the author feel uncomfortable during patient interactions for a number of reasons: firstly, because it was an emotional situation, and secondly because the expectations of the patient with regards to rehabilitation were higher than expected and it was often difficult to address these in a controlled manner. Hence, the reflective experience demonstrates a number of feelings in this situation, which reflect problems with the therapeutic relationship. Trust and respect One of the primary outcomes of the therapeutic relationship is to establish a caring and trusting relationship between the nurse and patient (Brown et al., 2006). Trust is a concept based on respect and openness within this relationship and this often takes time to establish, acting as an extension of the professional respect a patient may hold for a nurse and vice versa (Miller, 2006). Within the context of elderly care rehabilitation, nurses need to establish a strong bond of trust as patients will often have to make compromises in terms of assisted living devices and acceptance of their functional limitations when attempting to optimise their quality of life (Schmalenberg et al., 2005). Unless they trust the healthcare professionals involved in their care they are less likely to adhere to recommendations or to accept help, reducing the potential positive impacts of nursing interventions (McCabe, 2004). Establishing trust within a therapeutic relationship requires time and demands that the practitioner is able to manage their communication skills appropriately to ensure the patient feels that they are listened to and involved in their own care (Brown et al., 2006). Both the practitioner and the patient must be receptive to the idea of trust within the relationship in order for this to be achieved, which often involves addressing barriers to trust, including suspiciousness of the intentions of healthcare professionals, poor communication, and mutual respect on a personal level (Miller, 2006). When a trusting relationship is achieved there is a greater chance that patients will be receptive to clinical interventions and nursing input, at least when delivered on a personal level (Wolf Zuzelo, 2006). Equally, nursing staff can trust that patients will make informed decisions about their care and will follow guidance, when appropriate (Schmalenberg et al., 2005). Within the present reflective context, the author felt as though there was a distinct lack of trust in the therapeutic relationship, primarily due to the fact that a patient would often wish for their expectations to be met without heeding specific nursing advice on several occasions. This was likely secondary to the fact that the author found it difficult to convey these ideas in a sensitive manner, while addressing the concerns of the patient in an empathic way. Hence, it can be perceived that the patient and nurse did not enter a trusting relationship, as communication between the two was suboptimal (McCabe, 2004). However, on a more positive note, the relationships formed with patient during the initial days on placement were friendly and demonstrated a degree of mutual respect, which is an important facet of the therapeutic relationship (Stickley Freshwater, 2006). Hence, there were positive and negative aspects to the therapeutic relationships formed in practice during this placement, according to a reflective evaluation. To make sense of this situation, the author analysed these positive and negative factors within this context. What was clear to the author was that the communication skills that had been utilised so far in therapeutic relationship building relied heavily on patient factors, rather than nursing input. Hence, there was an imbalance in the way information was presented and received within this relationship, to the detriment of the therapeutic journey. The reasons for poor communication and trust establishment stemmed from multiple factors, including the younger age of the author compared to patients, relative inexperience on the part of the author, and the highly charged emotional nature of interactions in this setting. Therefore, it was clear that one of the main factors that was missing in the therapeutic relationships was the projection of a strong professional identity, which could guide the patient towards a suitable clinical outcome and would assist in developing the appropriate communication tools for the rehabilitation process. Professional values While it is clear that the need for the therapeutic relationship stems from a desire to form a constructive clinical partnership with a patient in a specific context, there is also a professional responsibility to engage patients in this manner in practice (Chitty Black, 2007). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) advocate communication, trust, dignity and respect during the treatment of all patients as a fundamental aspect of care delivery and therefore establishing a therapeutic relationship can be considered a core aspect of all nursing practice (Fahrenwald et al., 2005). However, within the context of effective nursing practice it is recognised that there is a need to respect the personal boundaries of the patient and to act as a professional rather than a friend in most cases (Rushton, 2006). Professionalism in the context of rehabilitation care includes the need to be realistic with regards to patient expectations, while ensuring appropriate levels of motivation and commitment to a therapeutic plan (Fahrenwald et al., 2005; Rushton, 2006). For some practitioners, an overly empathic response to patients and their condition can lead to sympathy and warped clinical decision making processes, often favouring the opinion of the patient over established guidance (Bulmer Smith et al., 2009). This is likely to have a detrimental impact on the patient in the long term and should be avoided as a result. Within the Gibbs reflective cycle (1988), the author has noted that one of the main conclusions that can be drawn from working within the rehabilitation sphere is that maintenance of professional values and boundaries is essential to avoid becoming overly emotional or inappropriately involved in patient care (Stickley Freshwater, 2006; Baker et al., 2008). The author should try not to become too attached to patients during their care journey in order to make an objective assessment of their capabilities and therapeutic needs, as relying too heavily on the opinions and desires of the patient can yield unsatisfactory results in the long term, particularly when these go against recommended practice (Leach, 2005). By applying more rigorous professional boundaries in the future, and focusing on explaining complex situations from a nursing perspective, rather than yielding to the patients’ wishes, the author can improve their contribution to practice in the long term and enhance the patient journey through rehabilitation. Conclusion In summary, this paper has considered the personal experiences of the author within the context of a reflective practice episode in order to appreciate the value and tenets of the therapeutic relationship in practice. The core components of the therapeutic relationship, as they relate to the present scenario, have been discussed with reference to the evidence base in order to develop a constructive reflective episode reflecting a description of events, feeling, evaluation, analysis and conclusion. The process of reflection should yield a suitable action plan and in this case the author feels that they should engage with patients in a more professional manner, ensuring that they maintain an empathic and understanding approach to care while maintaining nursing boundaries. In order to achieve this, communication skills should be enhanced in the future, through attendance at specific communication skills courses, in order to become more comfortable in managing potential conflicts or hostility. This should enhance the therapeutic relationship and ensure that future patients can be managed in a manner that benefits all members of the relationship. Furthermore, it is important that the author is aware of how other colleagues maintain professional boundaries and can direct their relationship accordingly in practice, and consultation with colleagues on this point would be a useful learning tool. On completion of these tasks, the author should therefore feel better prepared to engage with patients in a meaningful way, ensuring that trust is developed and that patients have an effective care process, in all areas of care. References Baker, C., Pulling, C., McGraw, R., Dagnone, J. D., Hopkins†Rosseel, D., Medves, J. (2008). Simulation in interprofessional education for patient†centred collaborative care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 64(4), 372-379. Brown, D., White, J., Leibbrandt, L. (2006). Collaborative partnerships for nursing faculties and health service providers: what can nursing learn from business literature?. Journal of Nursing Management, 14(3), 170-179. Brown, R. F., Bylund, C. L. (2008). Communication skills training: describing a new conceptual model. Academic Medicine, 83(1), 37-44. Brunero, S., Lamont, S., Coates, M. (2010). A review of empathy education in nursing. Nursing Inquiry, 17(1), 65-74. Bulmer Smith, K., Profetto-McGrath, J., Cummings, G. G. (2009). Emotional intelligence and nursing: An integrative literature review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(12), 1624-1636. Chitty, K. K., Black, B. P. (2007). Professional nursing: concepts challenges. London: WB Saunders Co. Cott, C. (2004). Client-centred rehabilitation: client perspectives. Disability Rehabilitation, 26(24), 1411-1422. Fahrenwald, N. L., Bassett, S. D., Tschetter, L., Carson, P. P., White, L., Winterboer, V. J. (2005). Teaching core nursing values. Journal of Professional Nursing, 21(1), 46-51. Foster, T., Hawkins, J. (2005). The therapeutic relationship: dead or merely impeded by technology?. British Journal of Nursing, 14 (13), 698-702. Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: a guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit. Oxford Polytechnic: Oxford Hershkovitz, A., Kalandariov, Z., Hermush, V., Weiss, R., Brill, S. (2007). Factors affecting short-term rehabilitation outcomes of disabled elderly patients with proximal hip fracture. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88(7), 916-921. Kirk, T. W. (2007). Beyond empathy: clinical intimacy in nursing practice.Nursing Philosophy, 8(4), 233-243. Leach, M. J. (2005). Rapport: a key to treatment success. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 11(4), 262-265. McCabe, C. (2004). Nurse–patient communication: an exploration of patients’ experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13(1), 41-49. McCormack, B. (2003). A conceptual framework for person†centred practice with older people. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 9(3), 202-209. McCormack, B. (2004). Person†centredness in gerontological nursing: an overview of the literature. 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Stickley, T., Freshwater, D. (2006). The art of listening in the therapeutic relationship: The role of the modern mental health nurse is becoming more technical when, argue Theodore Stickley and Dawn Freshwater, what would really benefit patients is the often misunderstood art of listening. Mental Health Practice, 9(5), 12-18. Sutcliffe, H. (2011). Understanding the NMC code of conduct: a student perspective. Nursing Standard, 25(52), 35-39. Webster, D. (2010). Promoting empathy through a creative reflective teaching strategy: a mixed-method study. The Journal of Nursing Education, 49(2), 87-94. Welch, M. (2005). Pivotal moments in the therapeutic relationship. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 14(3), 161-165. Wolf, Z. R., Zuzelo, P. R. (2006). â€Å"Never again† stories of nurses: dilemmas in nursing practice. Qualitative Health Research, 16(9), 1191-1206. Yoo, M. S., Chae, S. M. (2011). Effects of peer review on communication skills and learning motivation among nursing students. The Journal of Nursing Education, 50(4), 230-233.

The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery :: Prince Antoine Exupery Essays

The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery is a wonderful novel. The Little Prince was originally written in French in 1943 as Le Petit Prince. It was then translated to English by Katherine Woods. The Little Prince is the story of a young boy from another planet who ventures from his home to discover new worlds. In the process, he makes friends and teaches valuable lessons. St. Exupery places himself as the narrator and author of this story. St. Exupery tells of how he went down in his airplane in the middle of the desert and meets a little prince from another planet. The little prince tells the author/pilot about all of the people and animals he has met since he set out on his voyage. In the process, the reader’s eyes are opened to many of the mysteries of life. To make a great book, there are certain criterion which a book must meet. A book needs to be entertaining so the reader will enjoy it and continue to read on. A great novel needs to be well written. It should have a message or a lesson for the reader to pick up on. All great literature also needs to be timeless so it can be applied in different times and places. The Little Prince is a good novel, in great part, because it has very entertaining characters. Part of what makes these characters so enjoyable is the fact they are each a paradox. The prince is an interesting character to follow through the book. The way the little prince never answers anyone else’s questions, yet always expects answers to his own, is amusing. He is childlike in appearance yet seems older in his wisdom. The author of the story is captivating, because his character gives a great deal of insight into the thoughts of adults. The author is also childlike, in his hope that he will one day find another person who looks beneath the surface of things. Another character, the wise fox, is the prince’s first friend on the Earth. The fox appears to be a silly animal at first, after one reads on, however, they discover he is not silly at all. Also the rose, the prince’s love, is very arrogant yet charming. The snake, whom the prince meets his first night on Earth, is dangerous yet helpful at the end when he assists the prince in returning to his home planet.

Rising Tide Chronicles Flow of Changes Essay example -- social issue

'Rising Tide' Chronicles Flow of Changes John M. Barry's Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America, takes us back 70 years to a society that most of us would hardly recognize. In 1927, the Mississippi River flooded 27,000 square miles from Illinois and Missouri south to the Gulf of Mexico. No one expected the government to help the victims. President Calvin Coolidge even refused to visit the area. As a result, the flood created and destroyed leaders: Herbert Hoover, Coolidge's secretary of Commerce, was considered politically dead until he took over rescue/relief efforts. His competence and public relations skills sent him to the White House in 1928. (But his duplicity in dealings with black leaders helped begin turning black voters from the Republican Party of Lincoln to the Democrats.) The Percy family, planters who had built an ``empire'' around Greenville, Miss., moved onto the national, even the international, stage. In 1922, LeRoy Percy's sense of obligation to blacks led him to fight the Ku Klux Klan, then a national power. Yet in 1927, Percy more than acquiesced when the Mississippi National Guard held black refugees in camps, forcing them to work on levees in conditions close to slavery. In New Orleans, officials dynamited a levee south of the city. Water washing across St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes relieved pressure on New Orleans levees, maybe preventing flooding. But those parishes were ruined. Bankers and city leaders reneged on promises of full compensation to victims. Such backtracking was among the many resentments people in Louisiana had against the upper classes when they elected Huey Long governor in 1928. The major physical legacy of the Great Mississippi Flood - an elaborate system of lower Mississippi River flood control measures that have confined larger floods - was recently in the news. Fast-forward to March 17, 1997, when the Army Corps of Engineers began diverting water around New Orleans for only the eighth time since 1927. The flood also has helped create today's response to disasters: quick federal aid, often with the president on hand to take credit. By Jack Williams, USA TODAY Weather Editor A major flood on any river is both a long-term and a short-term event, particularly any river basin where human influence has exerted "control" over the ri... ...vaulted Hoover from unlikely presidential candidate to dark-horse candidate to the White House in a mere 18 months. At the time, Hoover's coordination of relief efforts re-earned him the title of "The Great Humanitarian" -- a far different image of the man than we have today as we link his name and presidency with the Great Depression. Rising Tide is a well-written book with many insights into American social history on just about every page. Although I was disappointed that there was not more said about the flood's impact outside the area around Louisiana and Mississippi, the story of how politics and the quest for personal power interact with a major natural disaster on one of the worlds's major rivers was quite rivetting. Once started, I found the book hard to put down. If you are looking for a book which successfully combines the human need to control nature with an in-depth history of part of the affected area during a time of disaster, I strongly recommend this book. If your interest is purely in the meteorology and hydrology of a great flood on a great river, you many only be interested in parts of the book, and I would suggest looking elsewhere for more detail.

The Abortion Dispute Essay -- Pregnancy Ethics Essays

The Abortion Question The morality of induced abortion is one of the most controversial moral issues of our time. Abortion has grown to be one, if no the most, debated argument of modern times. In the following web-page, we will be discussing abortion in three of its major aspects: Public Opinion, Congress and Courts, and Interest groups. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before birth, resulting in the death of the embryo or fetus. Abortion is an issue in which most people have an opinion on. Whether it is pro-life or pro-choice, most opinions do reflect the individual and their personal opinions in life. As will be discussed further on, there is a great dividend in the population concerning their sides in this matter. Both the Legislative and Judiciary branches of government have played an important role in the history and present time on this issue. Policies and other actions have been taken throughout legislature to either prevent or encourage abortion. Interest Groups have also played an important role in influencing legislature with their votes. Today, there exist a great number of both pro-life and pro-choice activist groups who try to change policies reflecting their opinions. For more general information regarding abortion:On Abortion: A Lincolnian Position Public Opinion Abortion is an issue, both politically and socially, that has been debated and discussed throughout a number of decades. The disagreement have lead to a number of policies, and other causes of action. Abortion has become such an important dilemna, that some people find it as a major contributor in their political ideologies and preferences. Public opinion, therefore, is the root to many of these changes and ideas of thinking. Publ... ... Supreme Court usurp the legislative role of the government? Are the privacy rights created by Roe V. Wade in the Bill of Rights? One thing is certain. Although this ruling was made 25 years ago, the legacy of Roe V. Wade is stronger today than ever before. Supreme Court Decisions Concerning Reproductive Rights: NARAL Factsheets Bibliography Janda. Berry. Goldman. The Challenge of Democracy. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston. New york. Fifth Ed. Mitchell, Alison. Both Sides Rally to Mark Abortion Ruling." The New York Times 23 January 1998: 19. Rodame, Hyman. Betty Sarvis. Joy Walker Bonar. The Abortion Question. Columbia University Press, New York 1987 Seelye, Katharine. " Advocates of Abortion Rights Report a Rise in Restrictions". The New York Times 15 Jan. 1998:16. Singer, Peter. Rethinking Life And Death. St. Martin's Griffin, New York.

Week Memo

Memo to Client In this memo one will Include a summary of the facts, Including the names, ages, educational background, and Income status for Mr.. And Mrs.. Close and their two dependents. Loose CPA will also discuss two of the Close's goals and concerns. This memo will also summarize the findings and key elements of the personal budget, balance sheet, and the statement of cash flow.Loose CPA will also make recommendations and support for improving the financial situation for the Close's. Summary of Facts Clients- Ken and Tina Close are married with two children, Tyler (16) and Nikkei (14). Ken Is 42 years old disabled ex-factory worker with a high school education. Tina Is a 37 year old Event Planner with an Associates Degree in customer service. Although Ken is disabled he does receive disability benefits of $14,500 annually and Titan's annual income is $32,500.Tyler is a Junior at BBS and works part-time at Culler's with an annual income of $3,100. Nikkei is a freshman at BBS and is not employed. The family's goals are to reduce credit card debt and to save for a vacation. The vernally biggest concerns are that their credit will suffer if they do not pay off the debt and that Tyler and Nikkei will both need vehicles soon. Key Items and Findings The balance sheet compiled for the Close's shows total assets to be worth $188,250 and total liabilities at $115,320. 24.Ken and -rattans net worth $72,929. 76. The statement of cash flow compiled includes monthly income from Ken's Social Security Disability and Titan's net income from event planning for a total monthly income of $3,294. 16. The total cash outflows of $2629. 69 can be divided Into fixed expenses of $1475. 49 and variable expenses of $1 154. 20 for the month of February. The monthly inflows minus monthly outflows gives the Close's a cash surplus of $664. 47 each month to divide up for emergencies, savings, and a family vacation.The monthly gadget show no variance for inflows but does show a small varia nce for outflows. The savings variance was ($4. 53), the fixed expense variance was zero, and the variable expense variance was $6. 23. Thus giving a total outflow variance of $1. 70. Loose CPA recommends that Mr.. And Mrs.. Close try to limit the amount spent on credit cards in the future and for the balance due on the current credit cards to be paid in an amount higher than the monthly minimum due in order to pay the cards off faster and reduce interest charges.

Woman for President

I think a woman should be president of the United States because it greatly shows that a woman can do anything a man can do. I think unless you give a woman a chance to be president you won’t know if a woman could make a good president or not. I believe if a woman became president it could lower the discrimination of women throughout the world. I also feel if a woman became president it could increased equality between men and women. If a woman was president I think if there was a problem she could talk about it and make a good decision to handle it.A woman should be president because discrimination against women could change a lot. It would show a great deal of people that a woman is capable of running a country. It could show people throughout the world that if a woman can run a developed country like the United States, a woman can do anything. I also think it would be a positive change throughout the entire country. It would be a big change because normally you would see a man doing such a high power job.This proves that if a woman is president more women would be less worried to do a job because of getting discriminated against. A woman should also be president because it would increase equality between men and women. It could start to reveal that men are more accepting of women and vice-versa. This doesn’t mean that men and women will get along happily ever after but it does mean that men and women can try to get along much more easily with a for woman president.This proves that if a woman is president this could improve men and women getting along for the better of the country. A woman should be president because a woman could be more understanding to people in need. A woman for president could do more in giving people what they want in a fair matter. I think if faced with a problem and woman would think and talk about it much more thoroughly than a man would. In recent years male presidents have resulted into poor decision-making when faced with a problem, such as war, and violence.This proves that if a woman is president she could handle problems in a less violent and better way. Overall I think a woman should be president. I think a woman could run the United States of America much better than a man. A woman for president could decrease discrimination of women by showing that a woman can do anything a man can do. A woman for president could increase equality between men and women. A woman as a president can affect the United States in a positive way. Overall I think a woman should and can be president if she has the right qualifications.

Ib History Mao’s Cultural Revolution Notes

The great Proletarian cultural revolution * All over China was the campaign to destroy the old and build the new * Abolishing the four olds * The people crowding Beijing in 1966 carried the little red book and the Mao badge * forcefully taken away anything old or has traditional values. * The children were taken into actions as well * Giving social advantages to the Red guards, thousand took advantage * The youth were educated of the revolutionary stories * Women had equal status in the revolution as men did Political figures such as Liu Shaoqi and Wang Guangmei were persecuted and eventually dead * 1968 the red guards started to fight each other, the PLA joined different groups causing increase in violence * Same year Sino-Soviet battle in XinJiang threatening China’s national security, Mao ordered to terminate the revolution in the XinJiang Province * Later on that year he decided that the revolution has reached its primary goals, therefore declared the success of the revolu tion * Students were sent home, but when some university students continued to fight, PLA was sent in * Mao restructured the government by forming the Revolutionary Committee which runs the country. Power struggle pursued * 1966-1969 the dark time of the cultural revolution, half a million people died from torture * Youths were raised without supervision caused social instability * A whole generation, the realization that their loyalties earned them only manual labor jobs in rural China and that their supposed counter revolutionary targets were exonerated contributed to changing attitudes towards the Party and its ageing leadership. Economy fell as most of the urban workers were afflicted in politics, as did agriculture and production * 1971, Lin Biao tried to assassinate Mao, the 571 incident. After failure he tried to escape on a plane which was shot down * 1972, Nixon came to China due to international pressure in the UN as well as US political needs * Border tension with USSR, I ndia, DPRK, North Vietnam, therefore needed the improved relations with US * Jan 1976, Zhou Enlai died; Later on that year Zhu De died. September 9th, Mao died * Mao’s widow Jiang Qing with three other men were arrested for crime against state, and Hua Guofeng would succeed Mao. Mao’s Impact Though his failure in the great leap forward and the cultural revolution, he remained an icon in China, but was portrayed as a tyrant in overseas. * Heightened sense of nationalism was when the CCP defeated the Japanese, which laid foundation for the overall success in 1949 * He made China to stand up, which is why he remained an icon for most Chinese people * Economically, despite the setbacks from the great leap forward and the cultural revolution, China did develop hugely in economic sector during his rule. * Life expectancy reached 65 by the time of Mao’s death. * Women gained the same social status as men did * Literacy rate increased

Life of Pi Prompts Essay

Directions: Choose one of the prompts below. Construct a well thought-out essay that demonstrates the skills you have gained this year. First, write out or type up your thesis statement and topic sentences. After receiving teacher feedback, develop a first draft. Again, using the writing rules you know and the strategies you’ve learned, show evidence of proof-reading on this first draft. Turn these two artifacts (thesis and topic sentences & proof-read draft) in on the day the essay is due. Turn your final perfect version into turnitin.com by midnight on Monday, June 10th. Prompt 1 Contemporary authors often utilize multiple voices or narrative points of view in order to provide their readers with a fuller, more complete view of the characters and their situation. Write a well organized essay in which you analyze Yann Martel’s use of both Pi’s and the narrator’s voices in the telling of Pi’s story. Prompt 2 A popular form of novels and films is the bildungsroman, the story of a character’s emotional or psychological coming of age. Write a well-organized essay in which you examine the life of Pi as a bildungsroman. Prompt 3 A narrative technique often employed by novelists and playwrights is to present multiple versions, told by multiple sources, of the same event. Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze the meaning of varying accounts of Pi’s tale and what they contribute to the overall meaning of the novel. Prompt 4 Read the passage from chapter(s) 96 through 99, beginning with chapter 96 and ending in chapter 99 with Mr. Okamoto’s saying about the tiger â€Å"No trace of it has been found.† Write a well organized essay in which you analyze the sources of humor in the conversation between Pi and the Japanese interviewers, and examine what this humor contributes to the overall impact of the novel. Prompt 5 Read the author’s note and write a well-organized essay in which you analyze the author’s motive for telling the story of Pi Patel and the impact of this motive on the general credibility of the author’s account. Prompt 6 Read chapter 86 in its entirety. Then write a well-organized essay in which you evaluate Pi’s declaration of love for Richard Parker as a climax in the development of Pi’s character.