Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Journal - Essay Example The article offers that â€Å"retailers already are bracing for another meager holiday season† (Rugaber, 1). At the microeconomic level, less demand for credit can impact the retail industry significantly if there are wide scale changes in consumer behavior and attitude toward retail spending. Some consumers may be considering that the cost of a car would be too significant on their personal budgets and would rather keep their creditworthiness by paying down debt. Consumer attitudes might also be focused around small scale items, as cost savings, such as reducing grocery store volume per trip or changing their favorite brands. The article offers that jobs are scarce currently which also changes the mindset of buyers, giving them more incentive to cut back on personal spending in the retail environment. The National Retail Federation believes that the retail holiday season will see a one percent drop in sales this year, due to consumers reducing their spending and their need for credit. Speaking strictly from the microeconomics level, this makes sense how one aspect of consumer attitude can strongly impact the strength of a specific industry, such as retail. It would seem that the real question which should be asked is whether consumers would be cutting back on large purchases or small purchases and in what specific retail segment. Is it scattered throughout retail or does this concern only deal with high dollar purchases? Microeconomics has taught the importance of conducting research and gaining demographic information in order to support local business success and profitability. Consumer attitudes changing to reflect a new attitude regarding spending and credit is a microeconomic issue with potential real-life problems for certain retail marketplaces. It would be very important to conduct consumer research to find out why. The new light bulbs

Assignments questions for course (Introduction to Mass Media 110 01) Assignment

Assignments questions for course (Introduction to Mass Media 110 01) - Assignment Example In terms of moral value, the song is not offensive and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In the dimension of emotions, the song teaches one to smile even in the face of adversity. This is in the line where the singer says that he does not car whether someone gives them bad news. In the cognitive dimension, the song opens up the mind to feel happiness by comparing it with sunshine and freedom. â€Å"Scandals† is a TV series that is premiered on the TV. The themes of this series are bad governance, use of power to one’s advantage and infidelity. A child who is 5-8 years watching this show would learn how the people in government operate and more on national affairs such as elections. Emotionally, the child would learn to let reason override their emotions. Morally, the child would learn that they should get what they want in life even when it involves hurting other people. If a child watched the show through adolescence without parental guidance they would tend to have delinquency behavior as they would tend to believe that even if they make a mistake, everything can be

Newspaper Comparison Essay Example for Free

Newspaper Comparison Essay Both the newspapers have the headlines in large bold letters. The story is big news and as many people would be talking about it, they want to catch peoples attention so they will buy the newspaper. The Daily Star briefly explains the story NINE TOP SOCCER STARS IN GANG RAPE' which is quite specific information. I think they do this so when people look at the newspaper that is what they will read and therefore will want to know in more detail what happened, especially as it involves celebrities TOP SOCCER STARS. I think the words GANG RAPE are in inverted commas because this is what the footballers were accused of, maybe a quote of how somebody described the offences committed. However, the Daily Mail does not explain what the article will be about on the front page as the Daily Star does. It merely states SHAMING OF SOCCER I think this is so that peoples curiosity will be raised and they will want to know who shamed soccer, what happened etc. I think both of these headlines are quite effective and would make me want to but the newspaper and so learn more about the story. Both the front pages of the newspapers have sub-headings. The Daily Stars says, Leicester players held in Spanish roasting shame which is quite slangy and explains the article further although here are much more to be found out and will boost the interest of people who read the sub-headings. The Daily Mails sub-heading reads, Premiership stars held in custody over sex allegations. This is quite similar to the Daily Stars sub-heading as it briefly explains what the article is about. However, it is not as slangy as the Daily Stars. A difference between the front pages is that the Daily Mail has two pictures whereas the Daily Star has none. The two pictures are of arrested footballers and they are both looking towards the text in the centre, which invites people to read it. One mans head comes out of the picture frame, which gives the newspaper article a 3D realistic impression. Both the front pages have the beginning of the article and then the reader is referred to another page where it continues. Both the newspapers have by-lines but the Daily Stars is at the top of the beginning of the article and the Daily Mails is at the top of the second column. The two newspapers seem to have conflicting information. The Daily Mail tells us, Eight premiership stars held in custody. In contrast, the Daily Star says, Nine top soccer stars in Gang rape'. This is quite important information that they differ about. However, both the newspapers explain that one player; Steffen Freund was released on bail after being accused of failure to assist a victim. Again, the headlines are in large bold letters. They both include quotes. The Daily Mails headline reads, Players raped three tourists'. This is very short, simple and to the point. It encourages the readers to read about such a shocking story. The quote is probably from a policeman or a spokesperson. The Daily Stars headline is quite different. It includes alliteration GANG RAPE SOCCER STARS ARE MARCHED AWAY IN MANACLES The quote is what the gang was accused of and is the common term the public knows the scandal to be. In the Daily Mail, there is a strapline reading, Leicester City stars on training break in Spain were drinking heavily and brawling before alleged attacks on women in hotel room, say staff. This explains the story further and is quite dramatic, so will make the reader to read the article drinking heavily, brawling, and attacks on women. These terms add interest and shock the reader, especially as celebrities are involved and these people are supposed to set an example to their fans. However, in the article in the Daily Star, there is no strapline or sub-heading which gives me the impression that this newspaper is of a more simple style. The layouts of the newspapers strike me as being quite similar. They both take up a double page spread. On the left they both have the article as well a couple of pictures, though the Daily Mail has three pictures on the left page. Both the right pages are taken up with pictures as well as a section with a picture of each player and w description of what they are accused of. However, the Daily Mails is more detailed as it also has some history on each of the footballers. Also, the Daily Mail has a small article linking with the footballers article, with the headline reading, Young, overpaid and violently out of control. One difference is that the Daily Stars headline does not stretch across the double page, whereas the Daily Mails does. On the left page, the Daily Star has its text in the centre of the page, which makes it seem like the priority to the reader, but the Daily Mail has its text towards the left of the page, which makes it seem less important. The Daily Star has crossheads that break up the text, such as Warned and bruises. I think this is to make the text easier to read for the reader. However, the Daily Mail has no crossheads. The Daily Mail uses language that is simple and self-explanatory, such as, They were said to have forced their way into the womens room at the exclusive La Manga resort on the Costa Calida, where the team has been on a winter training break. There are hardly any long or hard words in the text. I think this is so anybody can read this newspaper whether they are well educated or not. The Daily Star uses quite strong language, as if wanting to dramatise the story as much as possible and hold the interest of the reader. For example, it uses: drunken night out, sex scandal, and smashed down , boisterous stars. This quite contemporary language and gives the impression that the Daily Star is aimed at a less sophisticated reader. The pictures in the newspapers are similar in some ways but not in others. Both the newspapers have the same picture of a German woman (who made the accusation) hiding from the camera under her jacket. This gives the impression that she is quite vulnerable and makes me feel sorry for her. I think the editors who chose this picture wanted o give that impression. The picture in the Daily Mail is, however much larger than in the Daily Star and is also a cut-out. This is quite a modern way of presenting a picture and gives it a 3D effect. Both the newspapers have a section with a photograph of each player, their name and what they are accused of. However, the pictures in the Daily Mail differ to those in the Daily Star. Those in the Daily Star show the players looking like thugs. They all have violent or grumpy expressions on their faces and from these pictures we can imagine them being able to rape the women. But, the picture in the Daily Mail shows the players with smiles on their face, looking into the camera as if to say they are in control. They do not look as thug-like as they did in the Daily Star. Both the newspapers have different picture of the hotel. I think the pictures in the newspapers are given different priorities. The two picture on the lift page of the Daily Star are small and on either side. However, the three pictures in the Daily Mail are very large and take up most of the page. The other picture in the Daily Mail is of the soccer players lawyer, showing her with a grave expression on her face, which gives us the impression that the footballers are in trouble and she is not finding it easy helping them. Other pictures in the Daily Star are of a worried looking boss with Steffen Freund and a large picture of Coyne, one of the accused players looking scared. Both the newspapers hold quotes. The Daily Star has quotes in the middle and towards the end of the article, as does the Daily Mail.

To What Extent is the PM Free From Political Constraints?

To What Extent is the PM Free From Political Constraints? There are numbers of constraints on the Prime Minister. The main constraints are constitutional, political, administrative and personal. The decision making body in Britain is collective; the Prime Ministers role is to provide leadership within a Cabinet context in which collective responsibility remains the rule. Ministerial appointments require some recognition of the need for political balance and administrative efficiency, there is also pressure from colleagues or the media to promote certain people- The popularity of a Prime Minister depends, to some extent, on the media coverage they receive. Which party the Prime Minister represents can also affect media coverage. The press in Britain is biased in its coverage and editorials- some papers are committed to certain parties. This means in practice that Cabinets contain individuals whom the Prime minister would rather be without. All Prime Ministers at least listen to advice from senior colleagues before making appointments. The power of patronage enables a Prime Minister to hire and fire whoever he/she pleases. However, they must consider all types of party opinion when making their selection when allocating ministerial office, as it would not be wise for the prime minister offer cabinet positions to their loyal supporters. Ministers should represent a balanced team in terms of age, experience and forms of thinking within the party if they are not to become alienated from the backbenchers. Backbenchers may also be a constraint, though they risk loss of promotion prospects. Parliament as a whole should be a key constraint; and the Lords have been more active in opposing government bills since the 1980s, but their power is limited. The need to keep the cabinet balanced and to adjust its composition in the light of changing circumstances is illustrated by the cabinet reshuffle forced upon Margaret Thatcher in 1989. Nigel Lawson, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had resigned following conflicts with the Prim e Minister over economic policy and the role of her economics special advisor Alan Walters. There are also constraints on the dismissal of ministers. If the PM sacks too many ministers too frequently it implies poor judgement and the PMs authority will be undermined an example of this would be Macmillans night of the long knives in 1962 when he sacked seven Cabinet ministers overnight. This damaged his own standing and caused resentment in the party. A further constraint would be political e.g. John Majors government was constrained by ideological splits in his party, making it difficult to manage, especially as it had a small majority. The larger the government majority in the House of Commons, the stronger the governments position and with it the power of the Prime Minister. A minority government may be in the weakest position of all would need to compromise with parties on the floor of the house. This makes it much more difficult for the Prime Minister to take a strong line on any policy. Equally constraining, are economic factors e.g. in the early 1990s Britain suffered a bad economic recession, this led to falling popularity, which, in turn created stronger political constraints. The Conservative party illustrates the strength a prime minister can gain from the backing of a united party, it also shows the weakness that can overtake the leader of the same party when it is divided. The thing that divides a political party most, is unpopularity and fear of electoral losses e.g. this is true for the Major government which was seen as weak and divided. A leaders popularity is likely to depend on the state of the economy, the international importance of the country or the general mood of the country, all of which are, to a greater or lesser extent, outside the control of the prime minister. The party may remove a sitting Prime Minister but this is quite rare, this was however the case with Thatcher in 1990. Thatcher resigned after losing the support of senior colleagues (Lawson and Howe) and a huge section of the majority parliamentary party. Cabinet revolts limit a PMs policy-making power. Apart from drawing up the party manifesto, most Prime Ministers do not initiate policy- they have a small staff and most expertise and information and detailed information is located in individual departments. It is therefore difficult for PMs to interfere constantly in the work of a department. Consensus between PM and Cabinet over policies is normal. When revolt do occurs do occur they may suggest misjudgment or mismanagement by a Prime Minister e.g. policy toward Europe caused Major problems of party management. Major resigned the party leadership in 1995 in an attempt to put to rest persistent cabinet and party disagreement over Europe. The Prime Minister can attempt to keep certain issues off the cabinet agenda in order to avoid difficult discussions. The period of time in which an issue may be left off a cabinet agenda depends partly on the personalities of the cabinet ministers. On occasions the Prime Minister will be defeated in cabinet. As Primus inter pares (first amongst equals), the Prime Minister, unlike the American president, is not able to overrule the cabinet. Prime ministers cannot make policy without the support of cabinet colleagues because they do not have the time to control every issue. Moreover, the Prime minister cannot implement policy without the backing of ministerial departments. A final constraint on the Prime Minister is personal constraints; the PM is limited in terms of energy, resources and time. The PMs special concerns (foreign affairs, the economy and security services) are vulnerable to setbacks e.g. Security service disasters undermined Macmillan and problems over Europe destroyed the authority of Thatcher and Major. Overall, the constraints on the Prime Minister are very effective because they prevent the PM from being too dominant a figure. Collective responsibility makes sure there is a balance of power. It can be argued however, that even a strong Prime Minister such as Margaret Thatcher is subject to constraints both inside and outside the cabinet. The constraints that arise depend upon the state of the Economy, the size of the government majority, the character and length of tenure of the PM him/her self. The most effective constraint are those that act upon the cabinet from outside Whitehall, such as the state of the economy, as the Prime Minister has no way of controlling theses. It should certainly have a great effect on the relationship between the Prime minister and the cabinet.

Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - The Supernatural is only Natural :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Supernatural in Macbeth In the play Macbeth, there were many interesting sections that could be further analyzed due to the suspense and the involvement of the supernatural. The use of the supernatural in the witches, the visions, the ghost, and the apparitions is a key element in making the concept (What concept?   State it or you may confuse your reader.) of the play work and in making the play interesting. By examining the play, it is noticed that the supernatural is definitely a major factor on the play's style. The use of the supernatural occurs immediately at the beginning of the play with three witches predicting the fate of Macbeth. The predictions of the witches gives the audience a clue to Macbeth’s future.   When the second witch said, "When the battles lost and won" (Act I, Scene I, l.4), she meant that one side loses every battle and another side wins. Macbeth's fate is that he will win the battle, but he will also lose his time of victory for the battle of his soul. After the prophecies of the witches revealed the fate of Macbeth, the plan in which to gain power of the throne is brought up. (Reword.   Unclear.)   The two ways to gain the power of the throne was for Macbeth to either inherit the throne or to murder and succeed King Duncan. Murdering the king was the easiest plan since the motivation in Macbeth’s dreams urged him on. Lady Macbeth also relied on the supernatural by her soliloquy, calling upon the evil spirits to give her the power to plot the murder of Duncan without any remorse or conscience (Act I, Scene V, ll.42-57).   The three sisters are capable of leading people into danger resulting in death, such as the sailor who never slept (Act I, Scene III, ll.1-37).   (Double-check citations.) Lady Macbeth convinced her husband Macbeth to murder King Duncan.   On the night they planned to kill Duncan, Macbeth waited for Lady Macbeth to ring the signal bell to go up the stairs to Duncan's chamber. He sees the vision of a floating dagger. The interest of the dagger is that it leads Macbeth towards the chamber by the presence of evil of the dagger being covered with blood. (Reword to make more sense.   Avoid the passive voice and saying â€Å"of the† so frequently.

Comparing the Salem Witch Trials and Modern Satanic Trials Essay

The Salem Witch Trials and Modern Satanic Trials      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cotton Mather, in his The Wonders of the Invisible World, preserved for posterity a very dark period in Puritanical American society through his account of the Salem witch trials in 1692. His description is immediately recognizable as being of the same viewpoint as those who were swept up in the hysteria of the moment. Mather viewed Salem as a battleground between the devil and the Puritans. "The New Englanders are a people of God settled in those which were once the devil's territories. . . . The devil thus irritated, immediately tried all sorts of methods to overturn this poor plantation" (Mather 421). Here Mather is alluding to the Native Americans as being a people associated with the devil rather than with their God, a common point of view held towards all savage people. Mather saw the witches of Salem as being "his [the devil's] incarnate legions" sent to Salem "to persecute us. . ." (Mather 421). The Salem witch trials have become a part of American mythol ogy which has been passed down to each succeeding generation for over 300 years after the village of Salem sent its last witch to the gallows. However, it is the witch trials relevance to modern society more than any other factor that has contributed to its legendary place in American history and mythology. The witch trials that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts, are the precursor to the modern trials where adults are accused of crimes including ritualistic sexual molestation of children. These types of ritualized abuse are commonly linked to Satanic cults. Modern beliefs in Satanists mirror similar beliefs held of colonial witches.    However comforting it is to look back at the Salem witch trials as a ... ...ct that the same social forces that were in place in Salem in 1692 are still present and at work in modern era courtrooms across the country where innocent people stand accused of horrific acts.    Works Cited Mather, Cotton. "The Wonders of the Invisible World." The Heath Anthology Of American Literature. Third Edition. Vol I. ed. Paul Lauter. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. 1997, 421-424. Rosenthal. Bernard. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692. Cambridge Mass: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Sebald, Hans, Ph.D. Witch-Children: from Salem Witch-Hunts to Modern Courtrooms. New York: Prometheus Books, 1995. Starkey, Marion L. The Devil In Massachusetts: A Modern Inquiry Into The Salem Witch Trials. London: Robert Hale Limited. Victor, Jeffrey S. Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend. Chicago: Open Court, 1993.   

Filipinos’ Forgiving Nature Essay

Why many Filipino people are forgiving? Giving offenders a â€Å"second chance† rather than punishing them is inherently Filipino. Let’s take for example the apology offered by the Magdalo mutineers which comes as no surprise in light of the Filipinos forgiving nature. Despite the very good laws we have here in the Philippines, we don’t think settlement of it will still be possible. We rarely condemn people, we just require them to change their ways. Ms. Arroyo’s granting of amnesty towards the Magdalo mutineers is just one of the issues that shows Filipinos tend to forgvive. We are not very legalistic except on impersonal matters, such as cases involving money or disputes between big corporations that don’t have a human face. For example, everyone agrees that we should go after tax evasion. Under the Filipino concept of justice, what is prescribed by law is not necessarily just. We tend to forgive easily when we find something valid in the reasons behind the offense. That’s why we have the phrase ‘nadadaan sa magandang usapan’. The way we are raised by our families could affect the way we understand and look into the contexts of one’s behavior. For example, rather than be rigid over rights or claims, step siblings generally do not regard with spite but look after each other’s welfare even when one is illegitimate. And of course, the prodigal child is always given a second chance. No wonder why there are many unresolved cases in the Philippines. Some were given pardon by the government like the case of the former president Ejercito Estrada. Could it be the government’s way to come clean in the eyes of other countries in promoting the tourism industry? To front them that it’s easy to settle agreements here would attract many investors in the country. We‘ll, if that’s the case, many might really take advantage on the situation. And this would just prove that we don’t have rigid implementation of the very good laws here in the Philippines. This is also the reason why some government officials seems relaxed and other foreign countries doesn’t give much importance on Filipinos welfare in their land and they just take it easy when it comes to Filipinos. Maybe because they know the fact that we don‘t experience justice even in our own land, and we are used to it. Pity to those who really experience that kind of treatment. Upon hearing this, I bursted to the cab driver saying â€Å"ito hirap sating mga Pinoy e, kapag tayo nahuli sa ibang bansa ng drug trafficking — death penalty, kapag sila nahuli natin wala pang isang linggo nakalaya na. † There’s a big problem with our government or our Filipino blood — we are too soft, too forgiving. This is one of the reasons why most of us have no pride and dignity when we are in another soil. I really want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving the Filipinos some pride. How should other country value our laws when we Filipinos don’t put much attention to these and some just don‘t take it seriously? When we are in their country we are treated like rats but when they are in our country they are treated like kings. I don’t know what‘s wrong. If a Filipino guy will enter a building in his own country the security guard will look for an ID with intense body search but if they will see that the guest is a foreigner, Filipinos will happily greet them without checking their bags not even thinking that they could be the terrorist that will kill them. I have nothing against to any foreigners but I got beef with my own blood. If this will continue, probably we will become slaves in our own country.