Free Cuba Essay -- Cuban History Historical Essays

Free Cuba I. Introduction: Cuban history, like many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean which have experienced colonial subjugation and imperial interference, is highlighted by tumultuous rebellions. Ever since the revolt of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes in 1868, who took up arms with his slaves to liberate Cuba from Spain’s colonial grasp, the existence of insurrectionists and adamant government opposition in Cuba has flourished. Social revolution and a strong will and practice of nationalism has indelibly characterized Cuban history. Nevertheless, the outcomes of particular movements and struggles for social justice have consistently frustrated revolutionary and radical leaders. Government regimes throughout history have in some manner or fashion, whether by force or by will, degenerated popular radical aspirations. For example, it was the North American intervention in 1898, during the second Cuban war for independence that opposed the popular will to establish an independent s overeign nation. Moreover, corrupt military regimes headed by opportunists such as Machado and Batista have also tainted and disregarded popular aspirations for national affirmation, human dignity, and democratic order 1. Consequently, Cuban history has proven that aspirations for social reform and a democratic republic have consistently gone arie. It is within this historical context of failed national ambitions and aspirations that Fidel Castro defines La Revolucion. Fidel Castro, in his program manifesto of the 26th of July movement, described the M-26-7 movement as a revolution "resolved to take up the unfulfilled ideals of the Cuban nation and to realize them 2." Castro’s dream of achieving Cuba’s "unfulf... ...I- cite taken from page 38. 7.) ibid (6) 8.) ibid (6) 9.) 26th of July Movement, "Program manifesto of the 26th of July Movement," in Cuba in Revolution, ed.R. Bonachea and Nelson Valdes. (Garden City, NJ, 1972) 113-140. 10.) ibid (9) 11.) ibid (9) 12.) Fidel Castro, "History Will Absolve Me." Closing speech in trial for the 1953 Moncada attack. Excerpt taken from: The United States, Cuba, and the Cold War American Failure or Communist Conspiracy? Ed. L. Langley ( Lexington, Mass, 1970). 13.) Ernesto "Che" Guevara, "One Year of Armed Struggle," in Guevara, Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War. Trans. Victoria Ortiz. (New York: Monthly Review Press, 1968) pp.196-227. 14.) Perez-Stable, Marifeli. The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course, Legacy. (New York, 1993), "Introduction" and chapters I & II. Free Cuba Essay -- Cuban History Historical Essays Free Cuba I. Introduction: Cuban history, like many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean which have experienced colonial subjugation and imperial interference, is highlighted by tumultuous rebellions. Ever since the revolt of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes in 1868, who took up arms with his slaves to liberate Cuba from Spain’s colonial grasp, the existence of insurrectionists and adamant government opposition in Cuba has flourished. Social revolution and a strong will and practice of nationalism has indelibly characterized Cuban history. Nevertheless, the outcomes of particular movements and struggles for social justice have consistently frustrated revolutionary and radical leaders. Government regimes throughout history have in some manner or fashion, whether by force or by will, degenerated popular radical aspirations. For example, it was the North American intervention in 1898, during the second Cuban war for independence that opposed the popular will to establish an independent s overeign nation. Moreover, corrupt military regimes headed by opportunists such as Machado and Batista have also tainted and disregarded popular aspirations for national affirmation, human dignity, and democratic order 1. Consequently, Cuban history has proven that aspirations for social reform and a democratic republic have consistently gone arie. It is within this historical context of failed national ambitions and aspirations that Fidel Castro defines La Revolucion. Fidel Castro, in his program manifesto of the 26th of July movement, described the M-26-7 movement as a revolution "resolved to take up the unfulfilled ideals of the Cuban nation and to realize them 2." Castro’s dream of achieving Cuba’s "unfulf... ...I- cite taken from page 38. 7.) ibid (6) 8.) ibid (6) 9.) 26th of July Movement, "Program manifesto of the 26th of July Movement," in Cuba in Revolution, ed.R. Bonachea and Nelson Valdes. (Garden City, NJ, 1972) 113-140. 10.) ibid (9) 11.) ibid (9) 12.) Fidel Castro, "History Will Absolve Me." Closing speech in trial for the 1953 Moncada attack. Excerpt taken from: The United States, Cuba, and the Cold War American Failure or Communist Conspiracy? Ed. L. Langley ( Lexington, Mass, 1970). 13.) Ernesto "Che" Guevara, "One Year of Armed Struggle," in Guevara, Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War. Trans. Victoria Ortiz. (New York: Monthly Review Press, 1968) pp.196-227. 14.) Perez-Stable, Marifeli. The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course, Legacy. (New York, 1993), "Introduction" and chapters I & II.

Final Team Paper

Business Research Method I Timothy Trautman, Kawaun White, Guillermo Lecca, and Germaine Washington QNT/561 January 15, 2013 Dr. Anthony Matias Abstract The research statement and motivation that will be analyzed is how to recycle at Starbucks in the most cost effective and efficient method. The company is facing multiple challenges but barriers from municipalities and training employees are two of its most difficult challenges. The methodology and research is based on the action research design and will detail how we get our results.The result of our research indicates that recycling will be successful depending on the belief of the employee and customers. The conclusion of the analysis will show that recycling may be a personal preference but if the company can produce data that verifies it’s environmental and financial benefits people may support the idea. Starbucks – Business Research Method I The objective of this analysis is to research a question that applies to a chosen organization.The research will include an explanation of the operational definitions, dependent variables, independent variables, and characteristics specifics to our research. In addition, the analysis will also identify, analyze and research these objectives while conveying how they relate to real life applications. Starbucks will be the focus of the research and the operational dilemma will be recycling and how to implement it as effectively as possible. Organizational Dilemma Research Question Starbucks is a company that believes in the importance of recycling.Although, the process seems to possess a straight forward initiative in reference to recycling, there is a vast amount of material wasted that have some employees disgusted with Starbucks as an organization. â€Å"But while recycling seems like a simple, straightforward initiative, it’s actually extremely challenging. Not only are there municipal barriers to successful recycling in many cities, but it take s significant changes in behavior to get it right. One wrong item in a recycle bin can render the entire can unrecyclable to the hauler. (Starbucks 2012) Research Design In performing research for Starbuck’s recycling efforts, staff members will study a variety of methods that will incorporate information to ensure that the appropriate cycling is performed. The action research design would best describe the type of research to perform for this case study. This type of research design follow a characteristic cycle whereby initially an exploratory stance is adopted, where an understanding of a problem is developed and plans are made for some form of interventionary strategy.Then the intervention is carried out (the action in Action Research) during which time, pertinent observations are collected in various forms (Types of Research Design, 2013). This research will help the staff understand why and how the recycling method for Starbucks could be a good benefit for the company a nd the customers. Characteristics 1. Use for work or community situations. 2. Look to find a solution rather than testing out the main subject of the possible problem. 3.This will show how recycling is well known to use whether on a personal or business level in order to reserve and gain. 4. The researcher will not leave out any information whether bias or not. The type of research utilized allowed the staff of Starbucks will to show customers how recycling is very important to the company and the environment. Expressing the honest beliefs to recycling will let the public see how each cup sold should be recycled and in return the concerns of high pricing for Starbucks items would have the advantage to have a reduction. Dependent variableThe concern of making certain that the correct technique of recycling is taking place, this will involve each person. The research will show dependent variables because every customer will have the initiative to take part in a life-changing event. Ev en if Starbucks makes recycling a requirement to customers, in place of service, the customer still has the right to want to participate. When the process of recycling is in process the location that takes up the bins at that time will have the opportunity to make sure that each item is put into the correct place.Operational definition The data to collect from those customers recycling versus the customers who are not choosing to recycle will lead to a strong belief to Starbuck’s company that those customers who are passionate about the environment may not care to recycle. While there will be the data to collect from the customers that do not have the understanding of how recycling will help high prices for the cup of coffee purchased every morning. Conclusion The researcher for Starbucks should always take into consideration that every customer has his or her own opinion.Whether he or she wants to take a part of making sure that every recyclable item is done properly Starbuc ks is wasting the effort of what the company is doing for the environment. He or she will have to show customers and give more feedback as to why the customer and the company can continue to profit from recycling. References Starbucks (2012). Recycling and reducing waist. Retrieved form: http://www. starbucks. com/responsibility/environment/recycling Types of Research Design. (2013). Retrieved from http://libguides. usc. edu/content. php? pid=83009&sid=818072

A Brief History of Slot Machines

A Brief History of Slot Machines According to Legal Slots, the term slot machines was originally used for all automatic vending machines as well as for the gambling devices, it was not until the 20th century that the term became restricted to the latter. A fruit machine is one British term for a slot machine. The one-armed bandit is another popular nickname. Charles Fey Liberty Bell The first mechanical slot machine was the Liberty Bell, invented in 1895 by car mechanic, Charles Fey (1862–1944) of San Francisco. The Liberty Bell slot machine had three spinning reels. Diamond, spade, and heart symbols were painted around each reel, plus the image of a cracked Liberty Bell. A spin resulting in three Liberty Bells in a row gave the biggest payoff, a grand total of fifty cents or ten nickels. The original Liberty Bell slot machine can still be seen be at the Liberty Belle Saloon Restaurant in Reno, Nevada. Other Charles Fey machines include the Draw Power, and Three Spindle and the Klondike. In 1901, Charles Fey invented the first draw poker machine. Charles Fey was also the inventor of the trade check separator, which was used in the Liberty Bell. The hole in the middle of the trade check allowed a detecting pin to distinguish fake nickels or slugs from real nickels. Fey rented his machines to saloons and bars based on a 50/50 split of the profits.​ Demand for Slot Machines Grows The demand for Liberty Bell slot machines was huge. Fey could not build them fast enough in his small shop. Gambling supply manufacturers tried to buy the manufacturing and distribution rights to the Liberty Bell, however, Charles Fey refused to sell. As a result in 1907, Herbert Mills, a Chicago manufacturer of arcade machines, began production of a slot machine, a knock-off of Feys Liberty Bell, called the Operator Bell. Mills was the first person to place fruit symbols: i.e. lemons, plums, and cherries on machines. How The Original Slots Worked Inside each cast iron slot machine there were three metal hoops called reels. Each reel had ten symbols painted on it. A lever was pulled that spun the reels. When the reels stopped, a jackpot was awarded if three of a kind of symbol lined up. The payoff in coinage was then dispensed from the machine. Age of Electronics The first popular electric gambling machine was the 1934 animated horse race machine called PACES RACES. In 1964, the first all-electronic gambling machine was built by Nevada Electronic called the 21 machine. Other all electronic versions of gambling games followed including ones for dice, roulette, horse racing, and poker (Dale Electronics Poker-Matic was very popular). In 1975, the first electronic slot machine was built by the Fortune Coin Company.

Atmosphere in Blessing And Island Man Essays

Atmosphere in Blessing And Island Man Essays Atmosphere in Blessing And Island Man Essay Atmosphere in Blessing And Island Man Essay The theme of this poem is very religious. This is shown from four references to religion. The first one being blessing, repeated twice, first on stanza 4 line 5 and in the title. This will imply to the reader that they are religious but not of any set religion of yet. The second one being kindly god, this shows to the reader that they are not of a Christian background and therefore are not Christian them selves. This is as Christian God would be spelt God, with a capital letter. For example the Greek gods will be spelt god without a capital letter. This would then impact on the reader that these people are not Christians even though the Dharker uses the word congregation. The poet specifically uses this language too emphasise how this village is a multi-cultural place and highlights that there is not one set religion. Congregation is a Christian word that describes a gathering in a church this may contradict her statement about god, but it will enhance the ide a of the settlement being a multi-cultural, missed religious place. In the poem Blessing Dharker uses the poetic technique onomatopoeia. The poet also uses the technique of sibilance. An example of onomatopoeia in Blessing is when Dharker says the word splash in stanza 2 line 2. Another example of this is when the poet uses the work crashes. Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it is describing as crashes sounds like the action it is describing. Crashes is describing how the water is slamming to the floor and making a crashing sound. I believe this implies to the reader that the poet is trying to set the scene in the readers mind. This emphasises how this was such a blessing and it over-exaggerates the reaction of the people and how it affects them. This helps the reader feel what the people are feeling. Sibilance is were a poet would use a word or words containing s sounds and sh sounds. An example of sibilance in the poem would be splash. This gives the effect on the reader that they are hearing what the splash is actually sounding like and this develops an atmosphere in the readers mind, to help the reader hear what the people are hearing. This will demonstrate how the people are suffering without water, when they get water it is a gift from god, s blessing. I believe that Dharker uses these two techniques combined to set an aural image in the readers mind, this is done by how the onomatopoeias are helping the reader imagine how it would be like without water and helping them imagine the sounds and what is going on and sibilance will help the reader image the sounds that are going on in this village also. The value of water to the people in this poem is very great. This is shown by the word silver is being used. Silver is a pun as it has two meanings, one being the colour silver and the other being the value of silver. The poet may have intended to use both meanings as the water is very valuable to the people. Fortune is used in the third Stanza, this is also a pun. One meaning being luck and how the people are lucky to have this blessing. Money is another meaning for fortune and the people have no money. The poet may want this to affect the reader by using both of these words and both of their meanings to make the reader think about every perspective. The structure indicates the pipe bursting, it shows how at the start it trickles out, this refers to the short sharp opening stanza which had end-stop punctuation. In the second stanza, it increases a little bit more. This will refer to the pipe building up more tension/pressure ready to burst out. In the third stanza, there is a big increase in lines and enjambment is used. Enjambment is when there is no punctuation at the end of a line and this forces the reader to read on and this helps the poem flow well. In stanza 4 the pressure of the pipe is slowly stopping, this is shown by the line length and the amount of lines, these being mainly short and not very many. Dharker gave the poem an irregular structure. The poem does have end-stop punctuation in some places and were it is not this helps the poem flow easier and is better for reading as it does not stop and start. Imtiaz Dharker uses the poetic technique of enjambment. She does this in stanza 3, line 3 and 4. Silver crashes to the ground/and the flow has found. This is an example of enjambment. This will give the poem the effect of it flowing more naturally, this gives the reader the idea of the poem flowing as water does. When the end-stop punctuation stops and the enjambment is being used this will give the effect of the stanzas flowing easier and better to make it flow as easy as water does. Imtiaz Dharker was boring in Lahore in 1954. She moved to Glasgow of a young age and now speaks and writes in English. She also speaks Indian fluently as well. She now moves form England too India a lot of the time. She originates from India but would class them both as home. She writes this poem to inform of us as fortunate and lucky people that things like this are actually happening. She is showing and informing these people who are oblivious to all of this happening and trying to make them see what she has seen and experienced. This may not be written from experience but she has witnessed what it is to live at both ends of the scale. She has been through what it is like to be wealthy and she has witnesses the complete opposite and feels she to inform us of this. This comes across not being too forcing like some charity appeals are even though this is not a charity appeal it is only telling people that these things go on and let them act how they want in any way possible. This is good as it does not become too forcing for people and they are not pressured in to something and if this affects them enough this may help them act upon their thoughts. She is trying to show us what we take for granted in England. I believe the implications of the title are that they are describing what is happening in the poem. Dharker describes it as a blessing as this will never happen on a daily basis. This is a miracle to the people of this town/village, a gift from god. Grace Nichols Island Man The main themes of Island Man are; cultural displacement, the value of water, community and freedom. One of the most important themes of Grace Nichols Island Man are how island man values water. This is shown in his name as Island Man would imply that he likes to be surrounded by water and this feels homely for him. In Blessing the value of water is also a them, this is shown by how the villagers value the water form the pipe as it is scarce in their village/town, were as in Island Man values water in a different perspective as he has grown up around water and feels it is a part of him. Freedom is a main theme and it is shown by how Island Man had sacrificed his freedom for a better quality of life in some ways. One of these ways being living quality but he has sacrificed what he loves, the sea and water for a repetitive boring life in London. He feels as if everything is too crowded and he is becoming claustrophobic. Were as in Blessing the theme of freedom is in the opposite sense, it shows how the children are innocent by how they are playing and living for the moment. Cultural displacement is shown by how Island Man is lonely and how his life is on repeat every day, where as in Blessing there is a sense of community togetherness and the children having freedom running around playing and how Island Man is on his own and is homesick. Grace Nichols was born in Georgetown, Guyana in 1950. She grew up their and became a teacher and a journalist. She then emigrated to the UK and is a very well known and famous poet. The dedication of the poem Island Man will imply that the Island Man is misplaced. Evidence to support this point is when Grace Nichols suggests he is of mixed nationalities when she writes Caribbean Island Man in London. She does this to make the reader feel sympathetic for Island Man as he does not where his home is. He may have immigrated for a reason and therefore is un-able to go home. She has written this poem for the reader to question Island Mans morals as he may have been confused of were his home is or were he is most welcome. Free verse gives the poet freedom to write however comfortable for them and how they think is most effective. Grace Nichols uses free verse in Island Man and this has given her to structure her poem however she pleases. An example of this is on the last line of stanza 2 when she spaces groggily, groggily away from the rest of the line. This emphasises how Island Man is feeling and reminds the reader how he feels and what time of day it is. Grace Nichols uses the poetic technique of sibilance through out the poem.[ an example of this is in the first stanza line 2 and 3. the words are sounds, wakes and surf. Sibilance will imply to the reader and will set an aural picture. This picture is that of the seas and the water, the poet wants to set this picture in the readers mind. Sibilance is also used in Blessing for the same sense, to create the scene of what Imtiaz Dharker is seeing in her imagination. This sets a good atmosphere in the readers mind in both poems. Another way in which Grace Nichols emphasises sound is when she says the word wombing. I think she uses the image of a womb to the reader to imagine what it would be like to be in a womb. This being a sanctuary of piece and maybe feeling enclosed, every sound being muffled. This symbolises how Island Man feels claustrophobic, trapped in the imaginary womb. Grace Nichols has made up this word wombing, this may have been because their was no other word that could fit her description she was trying to portray to the reader. Grace Nichols uses this peculiar use of language to show how Island Man is in-between sleeping and waking and how the sounds around him influence what he hears in his dreams. This is most probably the best word that would describe what Grace Nichols is thinking. Grace Nichols uses another technique to emphasise sound, this being onomatopoeia and it is shown by when she says the word roar in stanza 3. This is to emphasise the loudness of the cars, in his dream the cars are interpreted as the the sound of the blue surf. Similar too Imtiaz Dharkers use of onomatopoeia as she uses these to emphasise the sound of the thing she is describing. In stanza 3 she replaces the word sound, which would have made sense but she chooses to use sand. This shows how Island Man is connected with the Caribbean and dreams of being at home on the beach. Grace Nichols uses repetition in stanza 2 line 6, the phrase is groggily, groggily. This emphasises how Island Man is still half asleep. Groggy means for some to still be very tired and still be feeling like they should be asleep, this is shown in Island Man as he is feeling very tired and feels like this. Repetition will emphasise what the poet want to get across to the reader and in Island Man this creates an atmosphere of being lazy. Personification is uses in stanza 2 line 3. The sun is surfacing defiantly is the example of this. Personification is when you would make an object or thing have human features or feelings. This line shows how the sun is in the Caribbean as in London most days would be dark and overcast. In the Caribbean were Island Man feels most comfortable is where the sun would be. A point to back this up is when Grace Nichols implies it is his island. She does this when she says of his small emerald island. She does this to imply to the reader this is where he feels most welcome at home in the Caribbean with the sun sea and sand. An example of a pun is in the poem were he poet states the word emerald in the sentence of his small emerald island. Imtiaz Dharker also has a use of a pun this being silver. Both silver and emerald are describing colour and fortune/preciousness. One of the meanings of emerald being colour may be describing the green vegetation of the island, the Caribbean and England. Another meaning for emerald is how precious it is. When Grace Nichols uses his in this sentence this shows to the readers that the Caribbean is his own island at heart. This shows the connection that Island Man had with the Caribbean and how he feels alienated in London. A comparison to Blessing would be that they are using a pun for the same reason. This being to show how precious the water/island is to the people/Island Man and how the colour influences the people and Island Man. Grace Nichols uses repetition again in stanza 4 line 1. This is when she repeats the word muffling. Grace Nichols does this to emphasise to the reader how Island Man is still half in a sleeping state. This would also give the effect on the reader that Island Man is talking in his sleeping state. A link back to a quote at the start of the poem would be when Grace Nichols writes wombing. This implies a sanctuary were all the sounds of the outside would be muffled. Muffling will imply that he may be muffling into the waves/creases in this pillow. Grace Nichols chooses the phrase his crumpled pillow waves. I believe this is the best example of how Island Man is homesick and how he feels alienated in both societies. This is because Grace Nichols wants us to think of the crumples in the pillow being the peak of the waves in the middle of the clear blue Caribbean Sea. This gives the effect on the reader that when he is falling asleep all he is thinking about is home, the Caribbean therefore he is dreaming of home and is hearing sounds in London and relating them to sounds at home. For example the sounds of the blue surf is really the dull North Circular roar. He hears sounds in real life and they are interpreted as sounds he wants them to be in his dreams. On the last line of Grace Nichols states a very strong and very blunt phrase, Another London day. This is the most effective line in the poem. This is because it emphasises the monotonous feeling that Island Man has been experiencing. It is very blunt and straight to the point which makes it effective. This shows how repetitive London life is and how Island Man dreams of being in the free Caribbean. Although Blessing is about freedom and gain, Island Man is about freedom and loss. A mutual theme is water and it is emphasised in two different ways. They both create different atmospheres using different and similar poetic techniques. I feel that Blessing is a more effective poem and has more context surrounding it.

Method Overloading Default Parameters in Delphi

Method Overloading Default Parameters in Delphi Functions and procedures are an important part of the Delphi language. Starting with Delphi 4, Delphi allows us to work with functions and procedures that support default parameters (making the parameters optional), and permits two or more routines to have an identical name  but operate as completely different routines. Lets see how Overloading and default parameters can help you code better. Overloading Simply put, overloading is declaring more than one routine with the same name. Overloading allows us to have multiple routines that share the same name, but with a different number of parameters and types. As an example, lets consider the following two functions: {Overloaded routines must be declared with the overload directive} function SumAsStr(a, b :integer): string; overload; begin   Ã‚   Result : IntToStr(a b) ; end; function SumAsStr(a, b : extended; Digits:integer): string; overload; begin   Ã‚   Result : FloatToStrF(a b, ffFixed, 18, Digits) ; end; These declarations create two functions, both called SumAsStr, that take a different number of parameters and are of two different types. When we call an overloaded routine, the compiler must be able to tell which routine we want to call. For example, SumAsStr(6, 3) calls the first SumAsStr function, because its arguments are integer-valued. Note: Delphi will help you pick the right implementation with the help of code completion and code insight. On the other hand, consider if we try to call the SumAsStr function as follows: SomeString : SumAsStr(6.0,3.0) Well get an error that reads: there is no overloaded version of SumAsStr that can be called with these arguments. This means that we should also include the Digits parameter used to specify the number of digits after the decimal point. Note: There is only one rule when writing overloaded routines, and that is that an  overloaded routine must differ in at least one parameter type. The return type, instead, cannot be used to distinguish among two routines. Two Units - One Routine Lets say we have one routine in unit A, and unit B uses unit A, but declares a routine with the same name. The declaration in unit B does not need the overload directive - we should use unit As name to qualify calls to As version of the routine from unit B. Consider something like this: unit B; ... uses A; ... procedure RoutineName; begin    Result : A.RoutineName; end; An alternative to using overloaded routines is to use default parameters, which usually results in less code to write and maintain. Default/Optional Parameters In order to simplify some statements, we can give a default value for the parameter of a function or procedure, and we can call the routine with or without the parameter, making it optional. To provide a default value, end the parameter declaration with the equal () symbol followed by a constant expression. For example, given the declaration function SumAsStr (a,b : extended; Digits : integer 2) : string; the following function calls are equivalent. SumAsStr(6.0, 3.0) SumAsStr(6.0, 3.0, 2) Note:  Parameters with default values must occur at the end of the parameter list, and must be passed by value or as const. A reference (var) parameter cannot have a default value. When calling routines with more than one default parameter, we cannot skip parameters (like in VB): function SkipDefParams(var A:string; B:integer5, C:booleanFalse):boolean; ... //this call generates an error message CantBe : SkipDefParams(delphi, , True) ; Overloading With Default Parameters When using both function or procedure overloading and default parameters, dont introduce ambiguous routine declarations. Consider the following declarations: procedure DoIt(A:extended; B:integer 0) ; overload; procedure DoIt(A:extended) ; overload; The call to DoIt procedure like DoIt(5.0), does not compile. Because of the default parameter in the first procedure, this statement might call both procedures, because it is impossible to tell which procedure is meant to be called.

Observation of community Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Observation of community - Assignment Example We also use hand gestures as if to move a wand or catch a snitch (a ball in a wizard’s game of Quidditch). The vocabulary and actions are a secret language known only to Harry Potter fans. If an individual that had never watched or read the Harry Potter overheard or observed us, they would not understand over conversation. This is what makes the Potter Fans’ communication unique. It takes someone special to understand and appreciate the Harry Potter phenomenon. Fans can be young or old. I like Harry Potter because J.K. Rowling weaves an interesting story that is written simply. A third grader can enjoy a Harry Potter novel. Potter Fans usually have good imaginations, since it takes the imagination to even consider a parallel world of witches and wizards. A Potter Fan also must have a certain level of empathy. This is due to the lead character Harry Potter being a sympathetic character. All of my family members and friends that are Potter Fans possess these traits. Not everyone understands or likes Harry Potter. Due to the controversy of witches and wizards versus mainstream religion, religious people tend to not like Harry Potter. Not only do religious groups not like Harry Potter, but they tend to be offended by the mention of the subject. I would never talk about Harry Potter at church, or to individuals I know disapprove of the series. These people are in part of my discourse community conversation group, just not my Harry Potter discourse community conversation group. Potter Fans speak differently to each other than to people who are not a Potter Fan. I would never talk to someone at school about Quidditch, unless they acknowledge being a Potter Fan first. However, my close acquaintances are a different story. We enjoy talking about Harry Potter terms and Harry Potter in general. I know that my friends and family

The Minimum Wage Should Not Be Abolished Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Minimum Wage Should Not Be Abolished - Essay Example This discussion examines the benefits of raising the minimum wage not only for those workers who would gain monetarily but to employers as well and ultimately, the economy as a whole. Currently, the minimum wage stands at $7.25 which was increased from $5.85 per hour in July of 2009. This modest increase put minimum wage earners near the poverty line, about $16,000 for a family of three (Poverty Guidelines, 2006). The minimum wage had not been raised for seven years previous, the longest time span since the law first went into effect in 1938. This decline in the real value of the minimum wage over that seven years translated into lower real wages for millions of workers and contributed to the income gap between poor working families and the middle class. Raising the minimum wage allows those who make minimum salaries to keep up with inflation. It also helps those that need it the most such as single mothers and minorities. In addition, it will cause a ‘ripple effect’ in that wages will also increase for those that make just above the minimum. In 1968, a full-time employee who earned the minimum wage made what would be â€Å"the equivalent of $15,431 today, 44 percent more than today’s full-time minimum wage worker† (Lee, 1999, p. 1016). ... decreased by 20 percent since September 1997.   â€Å"The minimum wage still equals only 31 percent of the average wage for private sector, non-supervisory workers†¦ the lowest share since at least the end of World War II† (Bernstein & Shapiro, 2006). Some of those who oppose the increase have suggested that the dominant wage earner of families does not fall into the minimum wage category, that it normally applies to teenage summer workers. This assertion is not at all the case. The Economic Report of the President evaluated the evidence in 1999 and found that that this argument was indeed untrue stating in its report, â€Å"most minimum wage workers are adults from lower income families, and their wages are a major source of their families’ earnings† (Council of Economic Advisors, 1999, p. 111). Opponents also argue that raising the minimum wage will hurt the economy but, unlike the effects tax-cuts for the wealthiest Americans have on the economy, when t he poorest in society have extra income; they spend it on the necessities of life thus directly stimulating the local economy. Employers generally oppose increasing the minimum wage. Their claim is that they would be forced to lay-off employees to cover the extra costs. This claim, however, has been proven to be unfounded. On the front-end, employers may indeed pay more to their employees after a wage increase but, as evidence indicates, the increased costs to employers are usually compensated for by benefits. For example, employees who make a wage that allows their families to subsist, rather than not, are less likely to secure other employment which reduces the employer’s employee turnover rate thus reducing additional training and recruitment costs. It also results in a decrease in absenteeism as well as higher