Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Concealed weapons in michigan essays

Concealed weapons in michigan essays When applying for a license to carry a concealed firearm, in Michigan you must first submit an application containing two references, a letter from your employer, a set of finger prints, and it must all be notarized. The forms are then taken to the chief of police or township supervisor for their approval who will then forward the forms to the county clerk. Final approval must then be obtained from the Concealed Weapons Licensing Board, who directs the county clerk to determine if all requirements are met. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, a resident of Michigan for more than 6 months, have good reason to fear injury to his person or property or other proper reasons, be a suitable person to be so licensed, have no felony convictions within the past 8 years, and have never been adjudges insane unless subsequently restored by court order. The Concealed Weapons Licensing Board determines how long the license will be valid, no longer than 3 years. Most would assume that being a correction officer would be a good reason to fear injury. According to the Board, being a correction officer is not a valid reason. Day after day officers are threatened by people who will someday be free. Many would assume that some of those threats may actually be real, but again the board does not. If I was a corrections officer I would be affraid that I just might run into someone out on the streets someday and that they could hurt me. ...

Friday, November 22, 2019

The Role of Colors on Maps

The Role of Colors on Maps Cartographers use color on maps to represent certain features. Color use is always consistent on a single map and often consistent across different types of maps made by different cartographers and publishers. Many colors used on maps have a relationship to an object or feature on the ground. For example, blue is almost always the color chosen for water. Political Maps Political maps, or those that show government boundaries, usually use more map colors than physical maps, which represent the landscape often without regard for human modification, such as country or state borders. Political maps often use four or more colors to represent different countries or internal divisions of countries, such as states or provinces. Blue often represents water and black and/or red is frequently used for cities, roads, and railways. Black also shows boundaries, with differing types of dashes and/or dots used to represent the type of boundary: international, state, county, or other political subdivision. Physical Maps Physical maps use color most dramatically to show changes in elevation. A palette of greens often displays elevations. Dark green usually represents low-lying land, with lighter shades of green used for higher elevations. In the next higher elevations, physical maps often use a palette of light brown to dark brown. Such maps commonly use reds, white, or purples to represent the highest elevations shown on the map. It is important to remember that on maps that use shades of greens, browns, and the like, color does not represent ground cover. For example, showing the Mojave Desert in green due to low elevation doesnt mean that the desert is lush with green crops. Likewise, showing mountain peaks in white does not indicate that the mountains are capped with ice and snow all year long. On physical maps, blues are used for water, with darker blues representing the deepest water. Green-gray, red, blue-gray, or some other color is used for elevations below sea level. General-Interest Maps Road maps and other general-use maps are often a jumble of color, with some of the following schemes: Blue: lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, reservoirs, highways, and local bordersRed: major highways, roads, urban areas, airports, special-interest sites, military sites, place names, buildings, and bordersYellow: built-up or urban areasGreen: parks, golf courses, reservations, forest, orchards, and highwaysBrown: deserts, historical sites, national parks, military reservations or bases, and contour (elevation) linesBlack: roads, railroads, highways, bridges, place names, buildings, and bordersPurple: highways, and on U.S. Geographical Survey topographic maps, features added to the map since the original survey Choropleth Maps Special maps called choropleth maps use color to represent statistical data for a given area. Typically, choropleth maps represent each county, state, or country with a color based on the data for that area. For example, a common choropleth map of the United States shows a state-by-state breakdown of which states voted Republican (red) and Democratic (blue). Choropleth maps can also be used to show population, educational attainment, ethnicity, density, life expectancy, the prevalence of a certain disease, and much more. When mapping certain percentages, cartographers who design choropleth maps often use different shades of the same color, producing a nice visual effect. For example, a map of county-by-county per capita income in a state could use a range of green from light green for the lowest per-capita income to dark green for the highest per-capita income.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Business Ethics Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Business Ethics - Article Example The bank sold the securities to an investor who was unnamed and to the Zuni Indian Tribe. Stuck with $5.5 million in equity that it could not sell, through flashy moves the bank transferred the risk into CDOs marked at 52.7 cents to the dollar. They sold these CDOs to the investor and the Zuni Indian tribe for 95 cents on the dollar. The original property went into default and the purchasers were left with debt. Other fraud allegations were covered in the suit. Also, Wells Fargo had fired a whistle blower who had reported to the SEC in 2009 of these strange dealings at the bank. Is there a moral issue involved? Wells Fargo was fined a small percentage for the billion dollar chaos it helped created.It had probably obtained millions in income before the housing bubble bursted. Is uncontrolled greed a moral issue? Yes, it is. 2. In defense of Wells Fargo & Co., and Goldman Sachs who was mentioned in the article as being fined $550 million last year by the SEC for similar allegations, Mi lton Friedman, a worldly respected economist, in regard to corporate social responsibility is often quoted, "to make as much money as possible while con ­forming to the basic rules of the society, both those embodied in law and those embodied in ethical custom." Another defense would be to define the rules of society during the period of the spiraling housing prices as one that allowed speculation and rewarded it.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Critical Analysis Forms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical Analysis Forms - Essay Example 7 State one argument made by the author. Since businesses need to maximize profits and paying lower wages maximizes the profit, more and more American jobs are being outsourced to other countries where wages are lower. 8 Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument. Premises: Businesses need to maximize profits. Paying lower wages maximizes the profit. Conclusion: More and more American jobs are being outsourced to other countries where wages are lower. 9 Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak Explain how you determined this. The argument is weak. While it may be true that paying lower wages can help businesses maximize their profits, there are other factors involved, like the quality of work and the productivity of workers. 10 Does the author use moral reasoning If not, explain how you determined this. Yes. At the end of the article, he implicitly stated that the old days were better in that the government was small, taxes lower and families were more caring towards each other. Source 2 Title and Citation: Outsourcing Does Not Harm America Tim Kane, Brett D. Schaefer, and Alison Acosta Fraser. "Outsourcing Does Not Harm America." At Issue: Does Outsourcing Harm America. Ed. Katherine Read Dunbar. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. 1 Identify the principal issue presented by the source. Contrary to popular opinion, outsourcing doesn't harm, but benefits America. 2 Identify any examples of bias presented by the author. If none exist, explain how you determined this. None. Since each point/myth was presented clearly, it was easy to see the reason for each. The writers were able to support each idea with empirical data, not... False dilemma. The writer suggested that Americans have to be economically patriotic and that they should return to the old days when government was small, taxes low and families cared for themselves. This argument set aside the middle ground, failing to consider other factors that might prove helpful and merely using the extremes. The argument is weak. While it may be true that paying lower wages can help businesses maximize their profits, there are other factors involved, like the quality of work and the productivity of workers. None. Since each point/myth was presented clearly, it was easy to see the reason for each. The writers were able to support each idea with empirical data, not relying on people's views but letting the facts speak for themselves. When the writers said that there are 1.9 million more American workers today, they failed to consider or mention the population growth of the country as compared to this data. This could be considered "statistically incorrect." No. I scanned each point made. The writers concentrated on empirical data and veered away from people's opinions or views. There were no issues concerning morality. Most issues were technical in nature. "Landlords also sometimes turn victims of domestic violence out of thei

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Management and Work Culture Essay Example for Free

Management and Work Culture Essay Instrumental to conduct SWOT analysis, and 3. Plan and build strategy based on the work culture How to develop strategic and operational plans by knowing work culture It is integral part of any individual, and organization. It describes shared value of an organization. It helps anyone to understand how things are done. Here is my cultural preferences: well resourced, ethical, and teamwork centered. Knowing my ideal work culture, I can do better planning and formulate the strategies for an organization. My cultural preferences Necessary resources to do high standard work. Using advantages of available resources, one can do better job of delivering projects with high quality standards. Active promotion of equal rights and justice for all. It will create a culture to grow with the company attitude. Fairness among the employees and employer makes everyone trust each other and the employer. Emphasis on social and environmental responsibility. In this culture, work and life balance here. Social and environmental responsibility culture will help employees more committed to the employer. Because organization is not just focusing on profit itself but also understand human values and help communities around them. Interdependence. Culture of interdependence makes everyone connected, and emphasis the important of collaboration between them. It results toward high level of performance, innovation, and productivity. Friendly and supportive colleagues. Friendliness and supports among colleagues is highly important for employees to challenge themselves, confront each other, and share the knowledge between them. Essential Competencies to Conducting (SWOT) analysis Strategizing competency is one of the most essential to do SWOT analysis. Steps to conduct SWOT analysis: 1. Identify mission statement and goals, 2. Review of internal strength and weaknesses, and 3. To find external opportunities and threats that affect the business or an organization. How my competencies relate to the essential competencies for conducting a SWOT analysis Based on competencies and career interests profiler, my strength are 1.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Handmaid’s Tale :: Margaret Atwood The Handmaid’s Tale Essays

The Handmaid’s Tale The Handmaid’s Tale and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? draw on different narrative techniques to establish our relationship to their protagonists. Margaret Atwood allows the reader to share the thoughts of the main character, while Philip K. Dick makes the reader explore the mysteries behind the story. Atwood’s style works because she can directly show her readers what she wants. Dick’s opposing style works for him because he can present paradoxes and mysteries and let the reader form the conclusion. Both of these styles are skillfully utilized to create complex stories without losing the reader along the way. Both of these works establish relationships between the reader and the protagonist. In Atwood’s, the reader feels empathy and sympathy for the main character, Offred. Dick’s story is less clear-cut. While the initial reaction is usually empathy and sympathy for the human Deckard, further study often leads to the controversy that Deckard may truly be an android. The goals of the authors differ greatly, and so do their narration styles. But they are both effective in getting across the author’s intentions. Atwood needs to make the reader relate to the main character, to get inside the thoughts and feelings. So she uses certain style, for instance, to make the reader relate more to the character, she would have phrased that sentence: I need to make you relate to Offred, to get inside her head, and understand her thoughts and feelings. This sort of personal narrative of the thought process is the style of The Handmaid’s Tale. You learn Offred’s motivations and they are so perfectly articulated that you begin to yearn for the same things she does, and to despise the same things she does. This kind of personal relationship is necessary for the setting of the story. The best way to explain this future society and it’s rules and to make the reader truly have an emotional response to it, is to put the reader right into that society and let them feel what it’s like. This is the way Atwood gets across her feelings about the future world that Offred lives in. She forms a close relationship with the reader and the character, and then shows the reader Offred’s feelings about different aspects of the world. This is not to say that everyone reading the book will get the exact same thing from it.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Case 20 : Aurora Textile Company

Case 20: Aurora Textile Company GROUP QUESTIONS Learning Objectives: 1. The basics of incremental-cash-flow analysis: identifying the cash flows relevant to a capital-investment decision 2. The construction of a side-by-side discounted-cash-flow analysis for a replacement decision 3. How to adapt the NPV decision rule to a troubled industry 4. The recognition that a reduced investment horizon is a significant consequence of financial distress 5. The importance of sensitivity analysis to a capital-investment decision Case Questions 1. How has Aurora Textile performed over the past four years?Be prepared to provide financial ratios that present a clear picture of Aurora’s financial condition. From 1999 through 2002, the financial performance of Aurora was unattractive and disheartening. This could be attributed to the business risks that arose from the intense competition that characterizes the industry in which Aurora operates. Absent an industry benchmark or comparable with wh ich to gauge the performance of Aurora, we utilized a trend analysis of the period 1999 through 2002. With 1999 as a reference point, we noticed that all measures of profitability have worsened.On a cumulative annual basis, net sales have been declining by 15%, while profit margins and ROA were always in the negative (see exhibit 1). While raw material cost as a percentage of net sales have been declining, the cost of conversion is escalating and affecting the bottom-line (see exhibit 1). It is obvious that Aurora needs to manage its expenses to generate profits from sales. While on the surface, the liquidity measures have improved (see exhibit 1), it is doubtful that the company has the ability to meet its current obligations with just cash and cash equivalents on hand.This is partially due to the fact that many of the firm’s current assets are predominantly account receivables and inventories. While it is true that the firm, its competitors, and the industry are continuing to lose money, an effective cost-control strategy – i. e. a strategy that improves profit margins, reduces operating costs, and appropriately manages inventory and account receivables will be crucial for Aurora to remain sustainable. 2. List the factors affecting the textile industry. What do you think is the state of the industry in the United States?How should you incorporate the state of the textile industry into your analysis? Why should anyone invest money in the industry? 3. What are the relevant cash flows for the Zinser investment? Using a 10% WACC and assuming a 36% tax rate, what do you get as the NPV for the project? What are the value drivers in your analysis? What do you estimate as the cost per pound for customer returns under the Zinser alternative? (Hint: for a replacement decision, analysts often find it helpful to prepare two sets of cash flows and two NPVs—one for the status quo and one for the new machine. Status Quo In the first year of the project , we calculated net sales assuming the current 500,000 pounds per week production level at a $1. 0235 selling price per pound (52-week year). After the first 3 year, we assume sales will grow by 2% in volume and 1% in price. Material and conversion costs will not change, but will increase at a pace of 1%. SG&A costs are equal to 7% of net sales so will adjust accordingly. Change in inventory is cash spent so it should be considered when calculating cash flows.In our analysis we calculated inventory by dividing COGS by the number of days in a year and then multiplying by the number of days of inventory held, 30 days in the status quo scenario. The current equipment will be depreciated using the straight-line method with zero salvage value. The current book value of the machine is $800,000 and the depreciation expense is $200,000 for the next four years. Using these assumptions, keeping all else constant, in a 10-year horizon the NPV of the Hunter Plant is about $8. 1 million (see exh ibit 2). New Project – Invest in Zinser Machine Aurora Textile Company also has the option of investing in a new Zinser machine for the Hunter Plant. The main difference between investing in the Zinser machine and maintaining the status quo is an initial investment of $8. 25 million and the receipt of $608,000 in after-tax sales proceeds from selling the existing machine. Additionally, there is an initial $50,000 ($32,000 after-tax) cost for training employees, but this cost is only incurred once (see exhibit 3).In their first year using the Zinser machine there will be a 5% decrease in sales volume, but selling price will increase 10%. Material costs per pound will be the same as the status quo, but conversion costs will decrease to $0. 4077 per pound per year due to lower power, maintenance and return costs. Days of inventory held will also drop to about 20 days. All other assumptions are the same as the status quo. In this scenario, the NPV of the Hunter Plant is about $15 . 87million if Aurora invests in the new Zisner machine (see exhibit 3). Incremental Cash Flows – The Net Effect of the New ProjectWhen looking at the incremental cash flows for the new project, replacing the old machine with the Zinser machine is a good investment. The NPV of the investment is $6. 33 million and the IRR is 28%, much higher than the 10% hurdle rate (see exhibit 4). While all the assumptions made could affect the NPV of the project, the major concern that could erode the value of the project is whether Aurora can survive for 10 years. In our early termination analysis (see exhibit 5), if we ignore the salvage value the time horizon breakeven point of incremental NPV is between 4 and 5 years, about 4. years. However, even if Aurora shuts down, the earlier they terminate, the higher the salvage value of the Zinser machine will be. Therefore, the time period to breakeven might be less than 4 years. If the Zinser machine can be sold for its 50% book value at early termination, it only needs 2 years for the project to add value to the Aurora Textile Company. 4. How sensitive is the economic life of the Zinser investment to its value to investors? In other words, if the company survives the entire 10 years, what is the NPV of the project?What if the company can survive only four years, what is the NPV of the project? For our sensitivity analysis, the main things we focused on were production levels and price. Here is a chart representing the IRRs for certain production levels and prices. Our production level estimates were based on the fact that we don’t know how the market will react with increased foreign competition. The textile growth rate we used for our most likely model is the domestic rate of growth, not the world growth rate.We don’t know if letting foreign competitors into the market would significantly shift the industry out of America or if it will keep a constant growth (at 2%). Our price estimates were based on the new WTO mandate that is going into effect in 2005. With the tariffs and quotas on the textile industry being lifted, there will be a significant growth in the amount of textile goods imported into America. Even though the cost may be high to transport these goods into the states 5. What would be your recommendation to the Board of Directors?Specifically would it be better to invest in the Zinser or to pay a dividend to the shareholders. Be sure to explain the primary reasons that justify your recommended course of action. The U. S. textile industry is going through a tumultuous time, and most companies are experiencing losses. Therefore, it would seem like an odd time to invest more money into the company. However, as the industry evolves Aurora Textile Company needs to innovate to stay competitive. The industry is moving toward demand for a higher quality product, and Aurora cannot afford to fall behind.The Zinser machine will help Aurora meet this demand. If the project were accep ted, the Zinser machine would replace the current machine in the Hunter Plant. Because the other three Aurora plants would not be affected by this decision, we compared the cash flows of only the Hunter plant with the new machine and without. The NPV of the Hunter Plant is about $15. 86 million if Aurora invests in the Zisner machine, and only $8. 91 million without the investment. In addition, when looking at the incremental cash flows of the investment, the NPV is $6. 6 million and the IRR is 28%, much higher than the 10% hurdle rate. Taking all of this into consideration Aurora should invest in the project. In addition to accepting this project, falling spot prices for cotton could be beneficial to Aurora Textile Company in the future. However, the company also needs to implement other strategies to improve their profit margins, including reducing operating costs and appropriately managing inventory and account receivables. These changes will help Aurora move in the right directi on to ensure that they are not forced to shut down operations in the foreseeable future

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Miguel Street Essay

Discuss the representation of man and manhood in the 2 short stories of Miguel Street. On Miguel Street, the representation of man and manhood can be seen negatively in these two short stories† â€Å"Bogart† and â€Å"A thing without a name†. Where as a man’s manhood is considered strong if certain characteristics such as aggression, evading the law and their present living circumstances. The story about Bogart illustrates where his manhood being threaten where as Bogart is unable to father a child by his Tunapuna wife so he finds a means to escape this difficulty. He goes elsewhere, run a â€Å"high-class† brothel, meets another woman and successfully impregnates. Once he has achieved his goal of proving his virility, he may return to Miguel Street although he returns as a bigamist as Hat would say â€Å"To be a man, among we man†. He would now be seen as a high standing man of the community, playing with the surrounding children and giving them parties, which is a vastly different from the life he once had by pretending to be a tailor but now is seen The main character in â€Å"A thing without a name â€Å" Popo is a carpenter by profession but he is not considered a man among his peers as his wife was the main breadwinner of the family which did not bothered him as he would continue to make â€Å"a thing without a name†. This however changed when Popo wife left him for another man, it is then that he was accepted as â€Å"one of the gang â€Å"within Miguel Street, as they could related to his pain and heart ache. His man hood was however bruised by the separation of his wife , so he would then retaliate by fighting the other man and going to prison, which eventually made him an hero on Miguel street.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Live Forever essays

Live Forever essays Modern science wants to achieve the impossible, life that never ends. This is a great idea to some but the ways that are proposed are downright insane. While most people are all for immortality I have a hard time volunteering when there exists so many flaws. If you take the time to stop and think about it its not even a question as to why this goal has yet to be accomplished. If you wanted to build a house wouldnt you first master one for your dog? Surely starting small and working your way up is a good idea. Science has other plans. Theyve already started a solution to which they dont know the whole process. While immortality may seem great there are many reasons why now is not the time to start worrying about it? Funding is the name of this game. The battle isnt about living forever its how to pay for it. The United States spends millions of dollars every year on a defense budget. Weapons development gets huge funding. This is the same government that refuses to fund research for immortality. Perhaps living longer isnt as much fun as making other live shorter. Without out the government aboard the decision of life has been left to the states. We all know New Hampshire has decided to live free or die buy how much are they willing to pay. This living forever thing could ruin the country. Sure California passed prop 71 giving billions for stem cell research but where does that leave Illinois (Economic study demonstrates Proposition 71 benefits to California's economy 1)? They decided that living forever costs way too much when they defeated a proposition for stem cell research (Illinois Senate blocks stem cell funding 1). Most states have yet to make a decision. Are we all destined to be subje ct to a nation made up of 100% Californians? If this is true is it really worth living at all? What motivated California to spend all that money? Where did they get all their m ...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Spectral Evidence and the Salem Witch Trials

Spectral Evidence and the Salem Witch Trials Spectral evidence was admitted in the Salem Witch trials, but condemned by many before and after as legally invalid.  Most of the convictions and executions were grounded in the testimony of spectral evidence. Spectral evidence is evidence-based on visions and dreams of the actions of a witchs spirit or specter. Thus, spectral evidence is  testimony about what an accused persons spirit did, rather than actions of the accused person in the body. In the Salem witch trials, spectral evidence was used as evidence in the courts, especially in the early trials.  If a witness could testify to seeing the spirit of someone and could testify to interacting with that spirit, perhaps even bargaining with that spirit, that was considered evidence that the person possessed had consented to the possession and thus was responsible. Example In the case of Bridget Bishop, she claimed  I am innocent to a Witch. I know not what a Witch is. when confronted with accusatory testimony of her appearing as a specter to abuse victims. Several men testified that she had visited them, in spectral form, in bed at night.  She was convicted on June 2 and hanged on June 10. Opposition Opposition by the contemporary clergy to the use of spectral evidence does not mean the clergy did not believe that specters were real.  They believed, rather, that the devil could use specters to possess and get them to act against their own will. That Satan possessed a person was not evidence that the person had consented. Increase Mather and Cotton Mather Weigh In At the beginning of the Salem witch trials, the Rev. Increase Mather, co-minister in Boston with his son Cotton Mather, had been in England, attempting to persuade the king to appoint a new governor. When he returned, the accusations, official investigations, and jailings in Salem Village and nearby were well underway.   Urged by other Boston-area ministers, Increase Mather wrote against the use of  spectral evidence, in  Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Personating Men, Witchcrafts, Infallible Proofs of Guilt in such as are accused with that Crime. He argued that innocent people were charged. He trusted the judges, though he argued they should not use spectral evidence in their decisions. At the same time, his son Cotton Mather wrote a book supporting the proceedings,  Wonders of the Invisible World.  Cotton Mathers book actually appeared first. Increase  Mather added an approving introduction to his son’s book. Cotton Mather was not among the ministers who signed Increase Mathers book approvingly. Rev. Cotton Mather argued for the use of spectral evidence if it was  not the only evidence; he disagreed with the idea  of others that the Devil could not make an innocent persons  spirit act without their consent.   Cotton Mathers book was likely seen by the author as a counterbalance to his fathers book, not in actual opposition. Wonders of the Invisible World,  because it accepted that the devil was plotting in New England, was read by many as supporting the court, and the warnings against spectral evidence went largely unheeded. Governor Phips Halts the Executions When some witnesses accused the wife of the newly-arrived Governor William Phips, Mary Phips, of witchcraft, citing spectral evidence, the governor stepped in and stopped the further expansion of the witch trials. He declared that spectral evidence was not admissible evidence. He ended the power of the Court of Oyer and Terminer  to convict, prohibited arrests, and, over time, released all still in prison and jail.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Should Sharia law have more or less power Research Paper

Should Sharia law have more or less power - Research Paper Example On the other hand, Muslims are of the opinion that Sharia law nurtures humanity, allows individuals attain their potential as well as helps individuals release themselves from the strains of life. This paper will assess of Sharia law should be given more or less power. As seen in the research conducted by Mahmoud (2013), Sharia law should have as minimal power as possible since a great percentage of religious laws do not provide a chance for humanistic values that gives all humans a chance to enjoy equality just like other individuals. Evidently, Sharia law is a good testament of discriminatory practices since it does not give all individuals to enjy equal rights. This explains why even international actors are opposed to the law especially bearing in mind that the law incorporates high levels of discrimination on different persons especially based on their gender. A good example is that of the Sharia law discriminating against the homosexuals (Mahmoud, 2013). With this in question, it is manifest that granting Sharia law more power means that the civil and the safety rights of a group of individuals in the society will be threatened to a great extent. Additionally, any person with contrary beliefs would be indicated to demean the government opera ting under the Sharia law since the law does not appreciate the divergent views of different people in the society. For the case of Britain, it is clear that the society is fighting for a secular Britain due to the constraints that the Sharia law has on its followers (Mahmoud, 2013). With the law having state power in many regions around the globe, it is evident that law will continually seize the achievements of the civil society if the law is given more power. The developments achieved over the years have high chances of being overrun by the Sharia law. A notable example is the rights of